Have medical issues?

Just some advice.

Disney has refrigerators for your meds.

When checking in let the valets know if you have meds in your suitcases - they will store them in special locations or keep them refrigerated until you check in.

Call the desk if you have a medical emergency or need help.

First aid stations are available in all the parks.

Celebration has a great hospital (at least in my opinion). And it looks like a Disney high class resort also.

If going to Magic Kingdom, stop at City Hall and you can obtain your handicapped access pass there so you do not have to wait on the regular lines for attractions.

Don't be afraid to get on most rides. They workers will usually stop the rides to assist you on and off.

The heat can be excessive (along with the humidity), stay hydrated and out of the sun.

Remember some meds react with sunlight - so know your prescriptions well.

Lose your meds. Have your resort use their fax machines to get prescriptions to you.



These are just a few words of wisdom - more to come

More First Time Visitor Information (or information for those not regularly visiting the World)

We have been getting more requests for first time visitor information and for information to help those who only visit WDW infrequently.

We will soon add some more information to help you make the most of your visit.

Again, we will keep these blogs short and to the point and list the information for every age group!

Please keep asking us questions - we want to help.

DID YOU EVER TRY THE "LITTLE EXTRAS" AT WDW?

Have you visited Disney with the kids and starting to find it reptitive? Try something new. Make each trip a little different. Do the extras!

Many just take the kids to the parks, wait in lines, and see the same attractions over and over. If that is the nature of each trip, you can get tired of going to WDW.

That is why you should always change the routine - at least some aspects of it.

Try the following during your vacations. You may not be able to do all of these on every trip, but it will create a "NEW WDW" world vacation adventure during your stay.

Take more time to swim at your pool.
Go on the boats, try water skiing or parasailing, maybe even dive with the dolphins.
How about playing golf, mini-golf, or tennis?
A horseback ride at Fort Wildnerness is rarely part of most vacationers adventure.
Watch some events at the Wide World of Sports - Catch a pre-season Braves game if you go in later winter/early spring.
Ever consider riding bikes, or going fishing?
Tours are always interesting and fun, and you learn a great deal about Disney World.
A short trip to Celebration should be part of a trip.
And if you like "green" - visit the Wilderness Preserve (a good trip from WDW property)

These are only a few options.

More will be discussed later including Disney Quest, La Nouba, and special events (these vary from during the year - Wine festival, Garden festival, Not So Scary Halloween, etc., etc.)

Enjoy Disney - Don't get bored - Keep looking for those new adventures each and every trip. And go to Disney during different seasons - "there is a difference."

TRY FINDING THE TORTOISES

I just find out from my dentist who is a real "Disney" person, that he never found the Galapagos tortoises in Animal Kingdom.

You have to search the enclosures on the back side of the Tree of Life to see them. Like many things in Disney, they are in a place that is often overlooked.

Sometimes the best way to find out about the lesser known areas or exhibits in Animal Kingdom, or any park, is to ask the employees. Ask those who have been there a while if they know of any hidden remote areas of the parks that might be interesting. Many of them can lead you to very interesting places.

Did you ever search for local alligators lurking in the pond to the right of the entrance to the Shades of Green resort (near the guard house). Good place to look!

There are also warning signs about the alligators and poisonous snakes that live in Florida around the pond - so you know there really are 'gators present. There are also a large number of aquatic turtles in that pond.

Lizards are most everywhere if it is not on the hottest days of summer - or too cool as winter sets in. Just look on the sidewalks on sunny days especially where there is nearby vegetation. Anoles are hanging out! Once you find one, you will start to spot hundreds of them.

Did you ever visit the barbershop in MK? Try a haircut there in the future. But, you have to find it first.

More fun things and locations will be posted in the future.

IS IT JUST ME - OR ARE SOME MANY DISNEY BLOGS BECOMING LARGE ONLINE STORES?

Free enterprise is great, and even this site uses adsense to connect visitors to offerings that might be of some interest. But, searching through the larger blogs, it appears that most of the blog is centered around selling Disney Merchandise, Tickets, etc.

This is not to say that there is not a lot of information on the sites, but it seems to be more commercial than personal.

Please let us know if this site ever seems to be going in that direction - we will surely correct that situation immediately.

Hopefully, we can always keep this blog to relate to others our personal thoughts on WDW, and hear from you that we are helping you in some small way.

DISNEY PLAYHOUSE - MGM STUDIOS

I realize that this is an attraction for little kids, and it is listed as such in all the WDW brochures. However, if you don't have a little child with you on the trip, slip in line behind a family with little ones and make believe you are with them. This is really cute.

Yeah, you have to sit on the floor. And it is silly. But, when you watch the children dance around in the audience with the actors and puppets on stage, it really is enjoyable. Remembet that Disney is for kids of all ages, so why shouldn't us older kids have fun too.

But, if you are an adult, and feel funny about going in without kids, "just ask a family who is waiting in line" if they could adopt you for a half hour or so.

WATCH SOME OFFICIAL DISNEY VIDEOS BEFORE TRAVELING WITH LITTLE ONES

Why not take the advice of the expert on traveling with young children at Disney?

We think you should take a look at what WDW has to offer in the way to tips for your trips with kids.

Videos are just a click away!

EVER USE WDW CUSTOMIZED MAPS?

Many potential visitors, and experienced WDW travelers, often do not take full advantage of the WDW website. It is a large site, and once people zip through the specific information they were searching for when browsing the site, they simply log off.



However, checking out the site when you have time is a great idea. Not only does it have information on plans, prices, parks, attractions, etc., but it also has some unique and often missed features such as the customized maps of the four major parks.



Not only can you get an overhead view, but zoom in and out, move left - right - up - down, but also click on each attraction for a brief summary. Furthermore, you can even print these maps for later use.



Try these - interesting and fun!

THE FIRST STOP

Going to Magic Kingdom Main Street has got to be the place to start your vacation!

Entering the Happiest Place on Earth needs to begin with a trip to the castle and the view of Cinderellas Castle. Taking a photo of the entire scene including getting Roy and Mickey sitting on the bench is a necessity!!!!!

LET US HELP YOU ANSWER QUESTIONS YOU HAVE ABOUT WDW

PLEASE FEEL FREE TO SEND US A NOTE TO HELP YOU WITH YOUR NEXT TRIP TO WDW! WE WOULD LOVE TO GIVE YOU MORE INSIGHT, RATHER THAN JUST GENERAL INFORMATION, BUT WE NEED TO KNOW THE TOPICS YOU WANT TO READ ABOUT OR QUESTIONS YOU NEED ANSWERED! KEEP IN TOUCH!

TAKE A TOUR

One of the overlooked aspects of WDW are the tours. They are best for adults or older kids in most cases simply because of the length of the tours and the subject matter. Younger children on many tours would likely become restless.

There is a great deal to learn by taking "the behind the scences activities and about the history of WDW" that you might not know. We have gone on a number of these and the Animal Kingdom tours are our favorites (however, my daughters went underground when they were younger and just loved it - we are referring to the five hour Keys to the Kingdom tour that goes below the castle in MK). Of course, all tours change over time, so be sure to inquire about the current tours that are available.

Like anything else these are subject greatly to one's personal interests, and whether or not you have enough time to take some your trip to go on one of these excursions (they usually range from 2 to 3 hours - but can be longer). They also are not inexpensive, but some packages include a "free tour" of your choice.

If you have never been on one of these and want to experience a behind the scenes adventure - these are definitely something to consider!

BRING WATER WITH YOU ON THE RIDES!

Disney is very careful to avoid major issues with the rides in their parks. However, that can cause other problems such as rides being "stopped" when there are perceived (and sometimes) actually problems.

Normally, the rides get going very quickly. Sometimes the rides are halted simply to help get individualas on and off the rides that need special assistance.

But, this year my daughter and her friend were stuck on the very top of the tracks entering Everest. It was September, but it was also 90 degrees plus in the sun. Though, Disney had a crew ready to get them off the ride, it still took 45 minutes before they actually got down. Fortunately, they had bottles of water and were fine. But, it would have been less than a fun time if they were in that heat without something to drink.

DON'T WEAR OUT THE LITTLE PEOPLE - THEY ENJOY DISNEY BEST WHEN THEY GET THEIR REST!

Years ago, we traveled to Disney with our kids - now we take the grandchildren (along with our kids).

When you have the gap in between when the little ones are not with you (your kids are older and their kids are not yet born), you tend to travel at your leisure. You can take your time or "rush, rush, and rush some more." You know when you are getting too tired, too hot, too cold, or too cranky. You take breaks - go to the pool - have a nice lunch or dinner - or simply watch the crowds go by.

With little ones in tow, it is sometimes easy to forget they do nor realize they are too tired, until it is too late. Then the experience is not enjoyable for them or you (as parents or grandparents).

Even the best kids, those who can tolerate almost anything, and want to see it all at WDW, eventually just wear out! So, plan your days. Make sure you plan for meals to get a break. Go to the pools. And make the experience a happy one for all.

WHAT TO WEAR - WHAT TO PACK?

One of the problems of traveling to Disney is packing for the trip. Be prepared by simply checking the weather forecasts starting a couple weeks before your trip.

Although, it is going to be cooler in the winter, and hotter in the summer - predicting weather for a specific week based upon general past climate trends is very iffy.

(The photo was taken in late September - Temperature in the mid nineties!!!! Doesn't seem like fall!!!! Of course, we always hit a heat wave whenever we come - at least no hurricanes!)

Therefore, before loading fall clothes into the suitcase simply because your trip in planned for October or November, go to a website and look up "this year's forecast" for your vacation week. You may discover the forecast is predicting temperatures that are well above or below the norm. Then pack accordingly.

But, remember to bring raingear - ponchos - umbrellas - etc. You never can tell in Florida when the "rains are about to come."

STAYING OFF THE PROPERTY?

Did you know the only off property hotel that has the same "benefits" for its guests is the Hilton near Downtown Disney?

If you stay there, you can enter the parks early or stay late just as if you were a guest at any of the WDW property hotels. It is also the closest hotel to the Marketplace in Downtown Disney.

Decent rates, not a bad location, and if you choose not to stay on the property - a very good option.

PACKAGES - "THEY ARE A CHANGING"

Just a reminder that the 2008 packages are not the same as those in 2007.

So, if you were planning on booking a trip based on last year's deals - look into those new packages. And remember, it is not only the prices that change.

Check out multiple sources to get your best deals. Remember no one package fits all families. Know what you can afford, when you have time off to go to WDW, and what is really important. Is it more important to stay more days, and book a less expensive hotel or would you rather sacrifice time for higher option packages?

There is much to consider - so start right away if you haven't book already for the 2008 season.

Don't overlook the value week packages - more affordable and less crowded!