Tips about FastPass+, Magic Kingdom and Mousecellaneous
Remember, if you forget where you parked your car, tell a parking attendant about what time you parked. They can then usually tell you about where you parked within a row or so. - Fred
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Make sure your kids are tall enough to ride the rides you're getting FastPasses for. I've seen a lot of people get really upset about this. They'll have FastPasses to Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, only to get to the FastPass gate and be told their kids are too short to ride. FastPasses make wait times shorter, they do not make kids taller! And remember, close enough is NOT good enough when it comes to height restrictions at Disney. - Cast Member Jane
When you are in the parks waiting on FastPass+, keep an eye on your smart/cell phone email. During the Memorial Day weekend at Animal Kingdom, I got an email on my iPhone informing me of a "Change to my upcoming Disney Fastpass+ experience". It told me my scheduled Dinosaur Fastpass+ wasn't available because the ride was "temporarily unavailable". But I was informed a new FastPass+, good anytime during normal theme park hours, had been added to my wristband and could be used at any of the premium experiences at Animal Kingdom. This let me chose any time and any ride from the following: Primeval Whirl, Dinosaur, It's Tough to be a Bug!, Expedition Everest, Kilimanjaro Safaris, Finding Nemo, or Kali River Rapids. It worked. I was able to walk right into the FastPass+ line at Kilimanjaro Safaris, even though I had already ridden Safari two hours earlier. Two Safaris before lunch is quite the treat! Bob Jackson
EDITOR'S NOTE: If a ride goes down and you are given the opportunity to use a FP+ for another attraction you cannot go back later in the day to the original ride if it comes back up and use a FP. Once you accept the new one and use it you are out of luck with the original. Be sure you aren't too quick to do something else if the down attractions is something you really want to do. Most attractions are not down the entire day, but it is a wait and see "game".
Here is a tip I discovered for remembering your time for FastPass+. My family and I have annual passes with MagicBands and go about every two weeks. (How lucky are we?!) Before we get to the parks I go to the MDE app under my plans and screen shot all the times on my iPhone (other smart devices do this, too), then save it as my lock-screen wallpaper. This way I only have to make the backlight turn on, like checking the time, and there are all our plans/times. Saves a lot of time rather than opening the app. Hope this helps someone! - Krystal Lane
Magic Kingdom - I have a tip for the WDW At Large section. I am a 5' 5'' female weighing 315 lbs. I fit comfortably in all of the rides at Magic Kingdom except the new Seven Dwarfs Mine Train roller coaster in Fantasyland. The restraint must fit over the top of and around your thighs. The width is not adjustable so you must squeeze your thighs together and force the restraint down around them. I barely, and I mean barely, was able to squeeze my legs together enough to fit and was uncomfortable the entire time. I also recommend saying you are a 'party of one' so you can ride solo, because the width of the car is slim. I loved the ride -- very smooth -- but won't ride again unless I lose weight. - Annabelle
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Magic Kingdom - Love your newsletter! I've gotten so many helpful tips from reading it; I'm glad to be able to contribute one myself! We were at the Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World two weeks ago, and during the day, the standby line to meet Anna and Elsa got up to four hours long! We happened to pass by the Princess Fairytale Hall just before 9 p.m. one evening as the parade was imminent, and the meet-and-greet was still open, with only a 20-minute wait. If someone in your party is eager to meet the Frozen princesses, but you can't stomach spending hours to make it happen, I suggest you ask one of the cast members at Princess Fairytale Hall how late it is open, and consider going toward the end of the day. - Stacey
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Magic Kingdom - In my opinion, the best way to avoid crowds (as well as beat the heat) in the Magic Kingdom is to walk through the gift shops on Main Street. I feel like most people don't know, or forget, that these shops are connected. While the shops can be crowded, my girlfriend and I found they were way more manageable than on Main Street. We saved a lot of time and stress by walking through the gift shops before, during, and after any fireworks or parades. - Mike Pizzoferrato
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So I get home and save the MagicBand we got in March, but I'm not really sure what to do with it. Then my brilliant boyfriend came up with a great use. Since it snaps into various sizes he suggested using it to hold extension cords or electrical cords. Great way to recycle! - Grandeb from NJ
EDITOR'S NOTE: You can bring your Magic Band back for your next visit. They last approximately two years.
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Magic Kingdom - The new Seven Dwarfs Mine Train is a great, family-friendly ride. There is so much to see and experience in both the outside and inside queue areas, so take your time! Don't rush to the ride. Note: When using FastPass+ you will miss the first two interactive queue areas. Here are seven tips for riding the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train from AllEars.Net's Deb Wills:
1. Walking along the outdoor queue, be sure to look down at the ground. You'll see impressions left by forest creatures, acorns and sticks.
2. Check out the wonderful Dwarfs cottage on the left of the queue when you are still outside. This is actually the end of the ride. Don't forget to peer into the windows!
3. There are three interactive areas of the queue. As you go into each, be sure to read the notes the Dwarfs left for you. You get to "clean" the gems as they flow through the wooden trough, make music by placing your hand under the spigots, and once fully inside spin the barrels of jewels. Remember to LOOK UP for more magic! Get others involved so you can all see the magical transformation overhead when all seven barrels are spun at the same time.
4. On the ride itself, at the top of the first lift, look straight out for a great view of New Fantasyland, especially beautiful at dusk and at night!
5. Inside the mine there are a few Hidden Mickeys. One is located above Grumpy's head (and to his right as you pass by), but your view may vary depending on where you are seated in the train.
6. Once you pass Grumpy, keep looking left for the shadows of the dwarfs marching home from work.
7. After your exciting ride through the mine and the forest, the train comes to a smooth stop just beyond the unload area. Look to your right for the best surprise of all! You'll see some familiar figures from the old Snow White's Scary Adventures attraction.
1. Walking along the outdoor queue, be sure to look down at the ground. You'll see impressions left by forest creatures, acorns and sticks.
2. Check out the wonderful Dwarfs cottage on the left of the queue when you are still outside. This is actually the end of the ride. Don't forget to peer into the windows!
3. There are three interactive areas of the queue. As you go into each, be sure to read the notes the Dwarfs left for you. You get to "clean" the gems as they flow through the wooden trough, make music by placing your hand under the spigots, and once fully inside spin the barrels of jewels. Remember to LOOK UP for more magic! Get others involved so you can all see the magical transformation overhead when all seven barrels are spun at the same time.
4. On the ride itself, at the top of the first lift, look straight out for a great view of New Fantasyland, especially beautiful at dusk and at night!
5. Inside the mine there are a few Hidden Mickeys. One is located above Grumpy's head (and to his right as you pass by), but your view may vary depending on where you are seated in the train.
6. Once you pass Grumpy, keep looking left for the shadows of the dwarfs marching home from work.
7. After your exciting ride through the mine and the forest, the train comes to a smooth stop just beyond the unload area. Look to your right for the best surprise of all! You'll see some familiar figures from the old Snow White's Scary Adventures attraction.
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Valorie McCray shares these tips for quickly clearing security at the park entrances:
1. To save time for you and other guests always have the bags that you are carrying into the parks ready for the security people to inspect.
2. Before you reach the security people have your bags unzipped, unbuckled and unsnapped. This means every bag that has any type of closure and all closures on the bag. Open the bag up for them so they can see inside.
3. Bags that will be checked are purses, camera bags, cell phone bags with any type of closures, diaper bags and soft coolers -- any type bag. If your bag is a string backpack this will also be checked. Open it up so they can see inside.
4. You MUST remove fanny packs from around your waist or camera bags from around your neck.
5. Remove all items from the stroller basket located under the seat of your stroller.
If everyone would prepare before the security check while waiting in line, the line would move much faster. We as a family will give a bag for each child to carry through the line. For example my 8-year-old grandson will carry the small camera bag and he is responsible for the safety of the bag until we enter the park.
1. To save time for you and other guests always have the bags that you are carrying into the parks ready for the security people to inspect.
2. Before you reach the security people have your bags unzipped, unbuckled and unsnapped. This means every bag that has any type of closure and all closures on the bag. Open the bag up for them so they can see inside.
3. Bags that will be checked are purses, camera bags, cell phone bags with any type of closures, diaper bags and soft coolers -- any type bag. If your bag is a string backpack this will also be checked. Open it up so they can see inside.
4. You MUST remove fanny packs from around your waist or camera bags from around your neck.
5. Remove all items from the stroller basket located under the seat of your stroller.
If everyone would prepare before the security check while waiting in line, the line would move much faster. We as a family will give a bag for each child to carry through the line. For example my 8-year-old grandson will carry the small camera bag and he is responsible for the safety of the bag until we enter the park.
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Valorie McCray shares these tips for quickly clearing security at the park entrances:
1. To save time for you and other guests always have the bags that you are carrying into the parks ready for the security people to inspect.
2. Before you reach the security people have your bags unzipped, unbuckled and unsnapped. This means every bag that has any type of closure and all closures on the bag. Open the bag up for them so they can see inside.
3. Bags that will be checked are purses, camera bags, cell phone bags with any type of closures, diaper bags and soft coolers -- any type bag. If your bag is a string backpack this will also be checked. Open it up so they can see inside.
4. You MUST remove fanny packs from around your waist or camera bags from around your neck.
5. Remove all items from the stroller basket located under the seat of your stroller.
If everyone would prepare before the security check while waiting in line, the line would move much faster. We as a family will give a bag for each child to carry through the line. For example my 8-year-old grandson will carry the small camera bag and he is responsible for the safety of the bag until we enter the park.
1. To save time for you and other guests always have the bags that you are carrying into the parks ready for the security people to inspect.
2. Before you reach the security people have your bags unzipped, unbuckled and unsnapped. This means every bag that has any type of closure and all closures on the bag. Open the bag up for them so they can see inside.
3. Bags that will be checked are purses, camera bags, cell phone bags with any type of closures, diaper bags and soft coolers -- any type bag. If your bag is a string backpack this will also be checked. Open it up so they can see inside.
4. You MUST remove fanny packs from around your waist or camera bags from around your neck.
5. Remove all items from the stroller basket located under the seat of your stroller.
If everyone would prepare before the security check while waiting in line, the line would move much faster. We as a family will give a bag for each child to carry through the line. For example my 8-year-old grandson will carry the small camera bag and he is responsible for the safety of the bag until we enter the park.
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I think most people going into the parks don't realize just how much they walk. I recommend stretching out all your muscles at the end of the day, holding the stretches for 20 seconds. Going hard a full day in Disney could leave you sore, especially if you're not used to walking 5+ miles a day. - Shannon Ashleigh
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I know a lot of people get caught up in the Fastpasses and waiting in line is horrible, but some of my fondest memories were waiting in line at Disney. I think sometimes you need to just take a moment and chill. Enjoy yourself and not worry about long lines. Often those can be goofy/funny moments with your family -- whether it be a time where you play a silly game or talk about how much fun you're having. -
Cristen P
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Just learned that if you go to a park prior to checking in to your Disney resort they will reimburse you for parking! Did this myself this past weekend when we stayed at Art of Animation and worked perfectly! Couldn't quite get up early enough to do check-in before park opening and I didn't want to waste any of my theme park time! - Mary
EDITOR'S NOTE: this is also true if you are going to purchase an annual pass that includes parking. Just bring your parking receipt to the Guest Relations window and they will credit what you paid for parking that day towards your annual pass.
EDITOR'S NOTE: this is also true if you are going to purchase an annual pass that includes parking. Just bring your parking receipt to the Guest Relations window and they will credit what you paid for parking that day towards your annual pass.
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On our recent Magic Kingdom visit my two children really wanted to get their faces painted. We first tried the Pirates' League in Adventureland, but it closed at 3:30 p.m. on the day we visited. However, we found a face painting area tucked away next to Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin in Tomorrowland. And the best part -- just keep your receipt, and they'll touch up your face paint throughout the day for no extra charge! - Laura Gjere
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