Tips and Tricks- Part 3: Epcot and Animal Kingdom

So today's tips are going to be about Epcot and Animal Kingdom. Since I worked at Epcot, I think of myself as an expert in this area... Just kidding! But I do know Epcot very well. So if you have any specific questions about Epcot, tweet me @ltddream1.

Epcot

Soarin or Test Track?: 

For those of you that have been to Epcot before know that when picking a fast pass they only allow you to pick Soarin or Test Track, not both, But fear not, for I have an amazing trick up my sleeve that will get you on both, without waiting hours. Just follow these simple steps. 

1) Get a fast pass for Soarin.

2) Get to the park before it opens for the day.

3) Make your way over to Test Track.

4) Have your whole group go into the Single Rider line.

But I know what your thinking. What about all the other people ahead of me who are waiting in line? Well the best part is that you can skip all of them by going in the single rider line. And yes you can do this with your group and still get in the same car. 

When Test Track first opens, all the groups head over to the Stand-by line and have to go through the process of creating their own car. This process of the people creating their own car can save you a lot of time. If you and your group head into the single rider line, you are essentially skipping the step of creating your own car. So while the groups of people are creating their own car, you can skip them and go straight to the loading area. And because you are there right when it opens, there will be no one from the stand-by line at the loading area yet. So you and your group in the single rider line, will be placed in the same car.

So you get to be some of the first people on Test Track that day, and you already have a fast pass for Soarin, so no need to worry,

Best Bathroom:

The best bathroom throughout all of Epcot are the Journey Into Imagination ones. These are located next to the right of the entrance. There isn't really anything special about them, but they are the least busy, because not everyone knows that they are there,

Fun Fact: Throughout the World Showcase, a bathroom is located in every other country, except American Adventure. There are 2 located here.

World Showcase Boats:

My tip to you is to NOT wait around for the World Showcase Boats. Basically these boats take you from one side of the World Showcase to the other. If you are capable of walking it's not worth the wait. You will mostly likely get to the other side by walking before the boat even arrives 

Explore the Different Countries:

I worked there and I still didn't get to explore all the different countries. There are so many little areas and shops to walk around in, so don't just breeze through the countries. Walk through the different shops. Y
ou will be amazed at what you will find.

Beat the Fireworks Crowd:

The fireworks are set off in the middle of the World Showcase Lagoon, So close to the time of the fireworks, the Showcase can get a little crowded and finding a fireworks viewing area can get hard. One spot that always seems to be empty is an area by the Odyssey center. The  Odyssey Center is a building right before the Mexico Pavilion. There is a pathway that leads to the First Aid and Baby Center, but this pathway also is a great spot to view the fireworks. Because the Odyssey Center is so close to the Showcase, it is pretty easy to see the show from here. I'm not saying it's the best viewing area, but it will help you beat the crowd.

Animal Kingdom

 Rainforest Cafe Entrance:

If there is a long line to get into the park, you can always go through the Rainforest Cafe. The restaurant is right in front of the Animal Kingdom Park to make it more accessible to guests. A lot of times people make reservations here and then go into Animal Kingdom Park. So they have a separate exit from the restaurant that will allow guests to enter the park. Although you do need to have your tickets just like any other park because they have people there who scan your tickets. But this is a good way to skip the ticket line if it is busy. (Note: this does not mean you get to skip the security line)

Explore the Trails:

Take your time walking through the Oasis area and Discovery Island Trails. Throughout these trails they have animals and a lot of times the have animal specialists there telling people facts. It's great if you want to take your time and learn something. You will never know what or who you will see.

Tips and Tricks- Part 2: Magic Kingdom and Hollywood Studios

 Now that you have a general idea of what you should do, here are some tips and tricks you can use in each park. Most of these tips and tricks are my opinions, but being in the parks everyday I have learned from trial and error,,

Magic Kingdom

 - Go to the left when entering the park: 

Most people tend to go to the right when entering the park. They go through Tommorowland, then make their way to Fantasyland. If you get to the park at open and go through Adventureland instead, you will miss most of the crowds and have a minimal wait for the Adventureland and Liberty Square attractions. So if you are planning fast passes, make the fast passes for those attractions in Fantasyland and Tommorowland.

- Rapunzel Bathrooms: 

The best bathroom by far in all of Magic Kingdom is the bathrooms in Liberty Square. I call these the Rapunzel bathrooms because it is themed after the movie Tangled. Plus her tower stands right behind them, They aren't the least busy bathrooms, but they have a unique feature, which is especially important for a girl like me. If you head to the very back of the bathroom they have a wall full of mirrors with ledges. This worked great for me if I wanted to do a touch up on make-up, plus no one really knew about them, so I had it all to myself most of the time.

-Best Parade Spot: 

This spot goes for both the Festival of Fantasy Parade (3 o'clock parade) and the Electrical Parade (night parade) It is right across from Peco's Bill Quick Service in Frontierland. Peco's Bill has outdoor seating for their restaurant which is sectioned of via a fence. So no one is allowed to sit there during the parade. So sitting on the other side of the street is a prime spot for attention from the characters in the parade. Since no one is on the other side, all of their attention is on you. (Plus this is the side that you can clearly see Flynn Ryder. <3) Don't waste your fast passes on a Parade. So next time you are in this spot yell out your favorite characters name, or blow them a kiss and they might just wink back at you. (This will be part of a future story time)

-Best Fireworks Viewing Area

Again, don't waste a fast pass on fireworks, The best viewing area for fireworks is literally anywhere on Main Street. They turn down the lights on the buildings and lampposts for the fireworks show, so really anywhere on main street (as long as it's not behind a tree) is a good spot. What I recommend is that you get a spot close to the exit, especially if the fireworks is the last thing you will do before you leave. This way, you can be some of the first people to leave and beat the crowd to the buses, boat or monorail lines.

Hollywood Studios

Keep Your Map Close:

In my opinion, HS is the hardest park to know where you're going. It doesn't really have a standard layout like MK or Epcot, so it can get confusing, Just keep an eye on your map. 

Get a Fast Pass for Fantasmic:

Fantasmic is one of my favorite nighttime shows on Disney World Property, and if you are at Disney during the busy time, getting a fast pass for the show is a must. For awhile I thought that getting a fast pass for the show meant that you would just get better seating, but I was wrong. Towards the end of my program (in December during the busy time) I wanted to see Fantasmic before I left, so I got a fast pass, expecting to get a good seat, but I was lucky that I got in to see the show. I was seated towards the far end of the theater. So some of those who waited in stand-by weren't able to get in. So I believe that it is a must.

Volunteer:

Hollywood studios is known for having a lot of shows, and there is one show that you can be apart of. The Indiana Jones Stunt Show. If you are over 18, they ask for volunteers to be part of the show. One time that I went to the show, I volunteered, and it was such a cool experience. I got to be part of  towns people. They take you behind the crowd, and you have to sign a waver, and then they give you fun clothes to dress up in, and towards the end of the show, they ask you to go on stage and pretend to be shopping in a market place. You even get to meet Indiana Jones himself (and he's hot). So if you aren't shy about being in the spotlight, it is definitely an experience to at least try to take part of. It doesn't mean that they will pick you, but if you wave your hands fast enough, they might just find you.

Watch for Part 3 which will include Animal Kingdom and Epcot.

Thanks

-S

Tips and Tricks- Part 1: General Tips

Hi everyone! Thanks for checking out my blog. I have for the most part said everything I needed to say for the College Program. If you have any questions on that please tweet me @ltddream1. But it is time to move on to more general topics for everyone! So I thought I would share some tips and tricks I picked up while I was a Cast Member. This is part one of just general tips. The next couple parts will be specific to that park. ( I will do a future post with money saving tips.)

General Tips

Do Your Research:

By reading this blog you are on the right track, but there are many people who pay to come to Disney and have no idea what anything is, or how it works. I know I wouldn't spend that much money not knowing what I am getting myself into.

Use Common Sense:

This kind of goes along with doing your research but don't come up to me asking what this attraction is, when there is clearly a big sign behind me with a name. I can't tell you how many times people came to my attraction asking what this ride was. It would probably happen at least 20 times a shift. And all I could do was point behind me to the giant sign. And this leads up to..

Grab a Map and Times Guide:

These are essential to your day. Especially if you are a first timer. Use these to read descriptions of rides and attractions or to find bathrooms etc. And the Times Guide gives you times when characters come out (as well as location) and times for different shows and parades. Please, please, please, ask a cast member as a last resort. It might be the first time you ask where the bathroom is, but it's our hundredth time hearing the question that day. Same with rides and what they are. There is a description on your map of what the ride is, as well as a sign posted outside of each attraction describing what it is and if it has any height restriction. But if you still are confused or cannot find something,then ask a Cast Member. End of Rant...

Take Advantage of Extra Magic Hours:

 Extra Magic Hours are basically extra hours that the park will be open to resort guests. So if you are staying in a Disney Hotel on property, you can take advantage of them. You can find out which parks are offering the EMH a couple months ahead of time, which helps when planning an itinerary..

Make an Itinerary:

This might be common sense to natural organizers (like myself) but it's hard to go through the day at a Disney Park, without some sort of plan. It doesn't mean that you have to plan out the order of rides you are going to go on and when you will have bathroom breaks. It just means that you generally know when you have to be somewhere at what time. This will be different for everyone. But what I recommend is that you at least include any reservation times and fast pass times.

Book Reservations Ahead of Time:

 A Disney trip is NOT something you can plan at last minute. If you want to have certain reservations at a certain time, you must make them as early as possible. Usually Disney allows you to make dinning reservations as well as fast pass reservations at least 6 months before your trip. And in doing this you have more of a chance at getting what reservations you want at the time you want.

Use the My Disney Experience App:

 This App was one of the most useful things I could have used while working at Disney. You can make an itinerary on the app as well as view you reservation and fast pass times. It can also be used as a map to view wait times for rides, and a way to change reservations or find an open one easily. I know that you can be as prepared as possible but sometimes plans change, and the My Disney Experience App can make it a little easier.

Raining? Don't Leave.

Usually in Florida there is always a rainstorm sometime in the afternoon. I like to call it the 2 o'clock rain, You find that when it rains most people decide to leave because a lot of the outdoor attractions shut down, but I see this as an oppurtunity to take advanatge on the short wait times on the indoor rides. So next time you see rain in the forcast, pack a poncho or umbrella and wait it out.

Bring Your Kids at a Good Age

I know that everyone has their own opinions on this, but the perfect age I think is 9-10 years old, and here's why...

1) You don't need to deal with strollers. Most attractions don't allow strollers in their queue lines, so you would be carrying your child anyway. Plus they take up some much space on the buses, monorails  and you have to find places to park them etc. It would just make your life a lot easier if you didn't need to haul it around.

2) Your child will most likely be tall enough to go on all the rides. I had a friend who worked on Splash Mountain and she said that some parents would stuff socks in their child's shoes to try and make them tall enough to go on the ride. She said the reason they have a height requirement is so that when the logs slow, sometimes they jerk around, and if you aren't tall enough, you can bang your head on the safety bar. ( So please obey the rules for your child's safety. They don't just add the rules to make you miserable) But you wouldn't have to worry about that if your child was tall enough anyways.

 3) They can carry their own stuff. Give them a backpack to carry water in, and any souvenirs and then that's one less bag for you to carry.

4) They will most likely remember your trip. It amazes me that parents can spend so much money on a trip that their child will never remember. And I know some people think that once their child gets older, they won't be into the princess stuff etc.. I will tell you that as a college age student, I am still into Princess stuff. Once your child gets to Disney, they WILL be too.

Stay tuned for Part 2!


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