Extra midweek blog – hints tips.
Some of you lucky folks are going or have already landed in Orlando! Not jealous much… so here’s our few little hints and tips to get you through the holiday without breaking the bank or having a melt down.
1.Take your own snacks and drinks into the parks. Both Disney and Universal are fine with this. Buying food for a family in the parks is a very expensive business at the best of times. So pop into Walmart or Publix and grab a few things. Don’t forget a cooler bag, you can pick these up pretty cheap in both the stores or Outlets, along with the cooler blocks. You are no longer allowed to take dry ice into the parks to keep food chilled but the chiller blocks are perfectly fine.
2.Water. Take your own bottle of water in with you. It will soon get drunk – trust us. With the heat nearly hitting 100 degrees in Orlando you MUST keep hydrated. There are loads of water stands about now to re fill the bottle saving you money. I know some people say ‘ah well. It’s only $4 a bottle… but if you have a family and everyone wants a drink it soon mounts up. And why pay?? It’s free from the fountains! Also a lot of the food service areas are giving away cups of water. Just ask the server, it’s normally ice cold, just what you need on a hot day.
3.Mobile Ordering. Disney now use a mobile ordering system that you use on the my Disney experience app. This can be a bit of a life saver. Instead of joining a long queue for food simply use the app and place an order while doing something else. You bypass the queue at the tills and the waiting time and head for mobile order pick ups. Hey presto! Lunch with little 
fuss.
4.Turn left! We always thought this was a bit of an urban myth at the parks. A lot of people when going in will either go straight on or mostly turn right. So. Go left! Another little help is to work your way from the back of the park to the front. A little example is on entering Universal you see Minion Mayhem. It’s one of the first rides as you enter. There is always an 90 minute wait right from “rope drop” but if you go to the back of the park there is 20 or 30 minutes wait for those rides.
5.Sharing food. Now as we know the portion sizes tend to be generous in the US. (An understatement) so if you fancy a bite to eat share! A little example is me and Mrs Oh! Orlando were in Hollywood studios one year and she had a child’s meal. This was a 7”pizza, a large portion of fries and huge cup of pop! A kids meal! So we shared that…
6.Fast passes. Make sure you keep refreshing the My Disney Experience app for those last minute fast passes. They will pop up when you least expect them. Another little tip is to try and book a some the night before. As a group last year year we used to all sit down whilst having a chill by the pool and discuss where we were going the next day, then we would start checking fast pass availability. We snagged loads of good ones that way. Also don’t forget you can book passes 30 days before you travel. Or 60 days if you are staying on a Disney property.
7.Time management. Don’t waste time queuing for rides. For instance if you want to ride the Dumbo ride and there is a 45 minute wait take a look at a similar ride, for example Aladdins Magic Carpet Ride or Triceratops Spin!! All exactly the same!! Another little hack is to get on rides when the parades and shows are on. I’ve seen people leave queues to watch a parade. Now’s ya time and jump on in. Also if you in the Magic Kingdom for instance after the fire works have all finished and the great monorail bun-fight begins go on a ride! Or have a walk around the park and and take a few photos. The Magic Kingdom at night is a beautiful place.
8.If you see something in the parks or while shopping, BUY IT!!!! It may not be there again or at another location. Many many times Mrs Oh! Orlando has told me to buy a shirt or watch I’ve seen whilst out. And I didn’t. Always thinking “I can get that another day or from another store” sad face. I couldn’t. The morale of the story is if you see it and you want it BUY IT!! A side note, if you have purchased anything from a park store both Universal and Disney are brilliant at returns. Absolutely no bother at all. So don’t panic if impulse made you buy a massive backpack with Dinosaur print.
9.BE NICE. Ok, so cast members don’t have pocketfuls of fast passes for everyone who smiles at them. Shame, but a compliment to a member of staff can go a long way. Like everyone else a compliment can make someone’s day and show that they are going above and beyond. IF you do have to complain about something both Disney and Universal are black belts in dealing with issues. And also don’t forget if you are nice to the staff they are normally extra nice back.
10.Packing. We know we talked about this on the other blog but don’t panic if you haven’t packed everything you need!!! As a rule we never take shampoo, sun cream etc except enough for the first few days. Why fill the case with unnecessary weight??? That 2 big bottles of shampoo and conditioner and the shower gel are gonna be taking up souvenirs space on the way back!! And also half the fun of shopping is exploring the local Walmart, Publix or C.V.S!!
11.Rest. Can’t stress this enough. Plan rest days or half days. It’s a long day walking around the he parks etc, let alone doing it with little or no chilling out. Have a morning by the pool or break up a visit to where ever you are going by popping into the malls of a show. It’s a long two weeks without a break and the amount of people we know who have done Orlando without a little time off in between have all said they need another holiday. Have fun. Drink plenty of water. Use loads of sunscreen and wear a hat. Enjoy The holiday!!! 
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