This is something I learned from watching my mom as a kid and take with me now- TIPPING STAFF! Before I go on the trip, I buy small envelopes and Disney stickers. I put about $5 in an envelope for every night I stay in the hotel and write THANK YOU. I rubber band them together and keep it safe through traveling. The morning I leave for the park, I place one on the nightstand. This is always amazing to do as a thank you, but the staff will return some extra magic as a thank you to you. I usually come back to fun towel art or my Disney ears in a fun design. If you have kids- give them the envelopes on the travel to Disney to draw some of their favorite Disney characters and write thank you or let them decorate with their own Disney stickers!
Disney has never once made me feel bad for my food allergies or requests. I also don’t fear that my food will be made wrong and be unsafe for me. I don’t think people understand just how amazing this is.
I have dairy and wheat allergies. They were amazing for me when I needed dairy free Mickey waffles !. And I like the eat vegan because it is safe to eat . They wear so great even the chef came out at ohana :).
@@playmatecaz YES!! My wife is vegan and we were treated SO WELL at Ohana! They have a whole bunch of vegan offerings and, I have to say, were very proud of them. The wait staff was awesome, too, and we had the best time!
Whenever I am out looking for merch at an event or holiday I have developed a habit of taking a picture of the item (and price tag) and then after sitting down to review my day at my late lunch/dinner picking my favorites and circling back before I leave the area. It saves me a LOT of wasted money and makes me value what I buy so much more.
Great video AJ. One thing you did not mention about the collapsible duffle bag. I learned this bit by not telling it to friends because it made sense to me without thinking. Here it is. Put your dirty clothes, shoes, unbreakable items in the duffle and put the more fragile items in the actual suitcase that has structure to it and provides more protection.
Can you explain what you mean by this? When (and why) was your service dog in a crate and/or in the care of someone besides yourself. This would be our first trip to Disney with our service dog- but I'm curious as to what you mean by this comment. Thank you!
@@EvansFamilyLegoProject when going on certain rides that service dogs cannot go on, we are taken to a back room and I send my boy into a crate. A cast member is designated to stay with them until I get back.
One thing I ALWAYS emphasize when I'm giving advise to my friends about Disney is the chafing. I always say bring some kinda powder or anti chafe sticks and to use them liberally.
I know no one cares but Saturday I’m going to Disney!! And November 15 I’m going to the contemporary for the first time it’s my dream hotel I’ve been wanting to go since I was little and I’m gonna be a hotel manager at Disney when I grow up I’m excited Tysm Aj for this!
have fun! even though i’m not taking the risk of disney it’s nice to see other people’s pictures and memories to remind me i’ll be back there soon enough
we do care !!!! I'll never forget my times going there. Still tell the story of spending $3000 (not a lot: includes hotel) for my 5 year old son to go for first time and to this day, the only thing he remembers is the plane ride !!!!! but I had a ball, so well worth it. [went back with him at 8 years old and THEN he had a ball]
I would say the thing to remember is that you need to allow for some "down" time. It is okay to just slow down and take it all in, or even have a day away from the parks at the resort to relax . I used to get off the plane and go for the next 10 days non-stop trying to cram as much fun into each trip that by the time I got home I truly needed a vacation to recover from my vacation. I also found that I missed some of the little things and when I go back each time now I see more and more. I definitely pick my must do's - but the list is much more reasonable and much more enjoyable. Oh and always have extra footwear because it always rains and your footwear takes time to dry out. That and a poncho (or umbrella) too - better to have and not need than to be drenched at the back of Magic Kingdom in a down pour trying to make it to the buses :(. Thanks AJ great video today!
The one thing I did not expect going to Disney the first time was that the animals don't care. Birds are everywhere and I don't just mean song birds, I mean weird tropical looking birds. They are just used to humans and don't run away. I honestly loved it, I felt like a Disney princes because all the animals where comfortable with me. And because they didn't run away I got some cool pictures with the birds(to be clear I did NOT touch the birds while taking pictures, I just stood next to them). My favorite is the one I got sitting next to a Spoon bill.
When we went many many years ago, we pulled up to the main lobby at Caribbean Beach resort and there was an alligator on the lawn. I asked it that was normal and you should have seen how many cast members raced outside the deal with it. It was gone by the time we finished our check-in.
Yes to the advice to tell a cast member, especially if you see a large alligator. There was a tragic event involving a gator at a resort not too many years ago. Disney will relocate any potentially dangerous wildlife to a safer location, but they need to be informed to do so. Good call, Kathy.
@@mcleigh66 I hate to break the illusion as a Florida resident and retired law enforcement member- but aligators are never "relocated". They are captured and end up as food. Period. All the licensed gator handlers destroy the animals that are captured. As soon as an animal is considered a nuisance - they are captured and destroyed. It's one of those things that most people don't like to talk about; but yeah; they aren't "moved" - they are captured and then killed off-site.
In addition to the allergies medication, I packed both night and day cold capsules, band-aid for blisters, sunblock lotion, aspirin, airborne tablets, Clorox wipes, Kleenex and Charmin toilet papers.
Sounds like you’re prepared for the zombie apocalypse at Disney. What if you get diarrhea in the park and drop one in your drawers? Do you carry a clean set of undies in your backpack?
Jim Beam Even before COVID-19, I’ve seen so many men using the restroom throughout WDW and not washing their hands afterward, so I’ve made it a point to protect myself, my family and wallet from catching or bringing any illnesses home from my already expensive Disneyworld trip.
Also. Not all allergy meds work for everybody. Some brands work better for certain people. It would be a good idea to know what works for you and i start taking them a week prior my trip, that way i have a defense system prepared
Stay hydrated!!!! Back in September 2018, while at WDW, I passed out on Star Tours. The medics were called, as well as Disney management and Disney security. I thought I had been drinking a fair amount of water...well, I had been, for Philadelphia weather - NOT Orlando weather. I was severely dehydrated and didn’t even realize. Now I’ve purchased Camel Baks for our (hopefully) 2021 trip.
That sounds like a terrifying experience, no one should have to go through that, I'm glad you're okay, and it's a great tip, how much water would you suggest drinking? 🙏🏻💞♥️
Ok wait these are genuinely amazing tips!! I rarely see anyone mention Florida’s lovebug seasons, which are common knowledge as a native. They’re small and completely harmless but unavoidable when it’s their time of the year. If you’re driving down to the parks then definitely clean your car before you go back home, they WILL ruin your paint if you wait a few days. I always warn people the three things to look out for down here are: weather, heat, lovebugs
Thanks AJ, this may sound lame, but your videos really bring me joy. I hope to visit the Disney parks once we are all back to normal. Keep the camera rolling, we benefit from your experiences and love how calming your voice is on all the videos.
Lovebugs are also usually stuck together because uhm... They are "LOVE" bugs so you're getting hit in the face with adult activity engaged bugs all the time.
“Make sure you have room to bring home merch” .. That’s why I fly with Southwest! 2 free luggage and a carry on. 😁 I usually bring 1 suitcase and buy 1 at Walmart while I’m there to bring home merch in 😂
One tip I can add is if getting to Magic Kingdom early use the Ferry boat. Because the monorail will not always be working in the morning. My family made the mistake of going up the ramp waiting for a monorail. Then it stopped for a maintenance check. We thought the check would be quick so we did not leave the line. In the meantime time a ferry boat was already leaving to the Magic Kingdom. Now I never will wait for a monorail in the morning.
I'm an entophobe who used to live in Florida: Lovebugs are the bane of my entire existence. If anyone in your group is afraid of bugs, AVOID LOVEBUG SEASON. They can literally coat entire surfaces black with how numerous they are and how closely they gather. The sky looks like it's raining black snow on the worse days. It's *torture.*
PACK YOUR ALLERGY MEDS FOR SERIOUS ALLERGIES! I’m deathly allergic to dogs. Did I forget service dogs exist? Yes. Did I learn the hard way to have my meds on me every day at the park? YES. Did I survive cause cast members are on top of things? Yes. Was it embarrassing and I’d much rather have just had my own meds on me? 100%. Disney has cats roaming the park, service dogs are allowed in the park and hotel (no hate this is just a fact), there’s bees all over even through late fall (at least in Disneyland), not every menu item has every ingredient listed so ask those restaurant workers and make sure you have your meds!!!
Lord Keltain I have severe animal allergies as well as a family member. Daily medicine and regular dr visits just to live. A bad reaction means hospital. What are the rights to allergy sufferers for people that bring service animals or “emotional support” creatures, don’t we have rights as much as any disabled person to be served in reasonable accommodations.
Ninja Master there’s plenty of rights for severe allergies, and most people understand when you say you’re severely allergic. You just can’t always control the world and maybe you’re at Disney one day in shorts and get an accidental sniff and lick from a service dog. Things happen and the parks handled it vey well. As the person with the allergy it was dumb of me to not have MY meds
Exactly! I’m not allergic to bees but I went when I was about 8 and I was climbing on this metal statue when all these freaking bees popped up out of no where! I got stung 4 times and the paramedics came and were so nice:) they gave me and my older sister a free Minnie Mouse stuffed animal! That was actually one of the best days of my trip just because of Disney!!
Very much check your allergies, when I was little we had to cut our vacation short and rush to the hospital because I was having a severe allergic reaction to tree pollen. And we went in the spring when tree pollen is the highest. Ever since then my parents made sure to go only in the winter or late fall.
Another great video! I'm glad you mentioned tipping. Most young travelers don't know about tipping housekeeping daily. We always tip $5/person, per day. As well as tipping your concierge if you use their services. Most people don't know of the services available from your concierge. At Universal, shortly after I had back surgery, Royal Pacific rented a recliner for my room. The concierge has provided us (different trips) with box fans, phone chargers, dining reservations (both on and off-site), transportation reservations, and they've even sent flowers and fruit to our room. They even (regularly) made sure that a bottle of Dewars White Label would be available for me at a certain bar I liked. Use your concierge, and tip them well. Your trip will be greatly enhanced. We have tipped them from $50 to $100 per trip.
Thanks, AJ. A few years ago we drove down in lovebug season. They cake on the front of the car. We found some highway side gas stations had high pressure water hoses on as you entered to clean some of the bugs off. They are crazy. 😁
DLP definitely has a different magic. My vacations in 2015 and 2016 were very relaxed, there was no need or requirement to plan anything ahead of time (think dining and rides). I would totally go a third time in the future. Although the Paris park resembles Disneyland California more than it does WDW, there doesn't seem to be any "less" park, plus there are many unique things you can't do anywhere else, like the Aladdin walkthrough or visiting the dragon under the castle, for instance.
If you forget to take a nightlight you can turn on the bathroom light and leave the door cracked about a 1/2 inch to 1 inch it will give you just enough light to see but not to much to keep anyone awake. I have done this a lot in hotels and in hospitals.
Came here to say this! That's another Florida staple, the Eastern Lubber Grasshopper (juvi). If those things swarmed like Love Bugs do, I'd be moving...LOL!!
It definitely helps to consider which restaurants you really want to go to before you arrive! Get those reservations if you know you want to go to Be Our Guest or another popular restaurant. I remember walking up to Be Our Guest with my family one year on New Year’s Eve hoping to just walk in (very ambitious to say the least) and being told we couldn’t eat there. So, the next trip to Disney, I stalked the My Disney Experience app to make sure I got a reservation. On that note, you really need be on your a game if you’re going during winter break because reservations, fastpasses and such get snatched up fast!
I bring a lot of gallon sized ziplock bags with me. Might not have helped with Stitch, but I was able to haul a ton of plushies using them. You shove them inside, and then you sit or kneel on the package when sipping up. It basically shrink wraps them.
We did the ship to home option our last trip! It’s a surprisingly a great deal! We only paid like $25 for a giant box of souvenirs. JUST A TIP: at our resort at least, they wanted check our receipts (for pricing & to make sure it was bought at the park) we didn’t realize this and were a little disorganized trying to find all the receipts that matched with what we were sending vs what we were keeping. Make sure to keep everything properly sorted before going.
I love you AJ but the bug you showed for a love bug was a lubber grasshopper. They will bite and they eat all the plants around them. Just a little heads up. Keep up the awesome work!
My family and I actually went on a Disney Cruise departing from Florida in the middle of Love Bug season. It was honestly pretty miserable having to deal with all of the critters and having to be careful not to bring them into our cabin. They were literally EVERYWHERE on the deck of the ship and got tracked into some of the common areas inside. But what was so impressive was that once we got out of port, the entire crew cleaned them up within an hour. Like we’re talking about thousands of bugs that just disappeared. It was honestly incredible.
Always check the weather report before you leave home. Just because it's winter in FL doesn't mean it's going to be hot. We have been there many times when the daytime highs have been in the 50's. You may need warmer clothes and jackets. We've been there when it gets in the 40's in the mornings and evenings.
Great suggestion. Some people rely on what the weather was like when they went… It’s weather people it changes yearly always check what it’s going to be for your vacation that way you can pack accordingly.
When we visited in August 2020, we had issues due to reduced housekeeping. I was finally able to arrange (with the assistance of my travel agent) to get changes of bed linen every other day if I stripped and made the beds myself. I have two teenaged boys and we were staying 12 nights in August, so we needed that fresh linen!
The mail is always a great souvenir option. I used to work at a gift shop up in Salem, MA and we would recommend people ship from the post office if they over bought. It was so funny because the Trolley guide would actually point out the Post Office on the drive past as well.
The pic of the cricket (grasshopper?) in the video may be a little confusing for anyone not familiar with lovebugs. They are way smaller! Super annoying but harmless.
We were taught, as college lab techs and as bio and chem students, if there is a bromine spill, scream BROMINE as you leave the area at the top of your voice and if you hear that to echo it. this makes me uncomfortable but at least now I know the smell(?)
I think it is important to consider your own interests and goals when going on vacation. We're all different, which is why there are so many different options to do in the parks/resorts. Not everything I love will be what you love, and vice versa.
Only been to Disneyland but I’m sure this will apply to Disney World as well, but if you have a picky eater (in my case, my boyfriend), make sure you earmark a few places to eat whose food they like so that if one is closed or too busy, you don’t have to spend the next hour perusing menus to find some place else to eat. I made sure that each restaurant I chose for each night had a backup and that we were flexible about it all. It can create so much stress if you aren’t at least semi prepared!
Went to Epcot for the first time last month, when I wasn't an infant or a performer, and nothing was really closed. They even had pin trading back. For those who may care, Epcot the pin trading is at Spaceship Earth and MGM has it by the new Mickey ride by the bathrooms.
I went in February last time and the trees were pollinating. Tree pollen is heavier and I had the worst allergies the whole time! Benadryl and other allergy meds are a must every time now.
Absolutely! Spring Break or Veteran's Day is the time we travel to Disney. I have learned to start taking Claritin-Singular 2 weeks before we go. 3 years ago my allergies were so bad my eyes were just teared up all the time. It was miserable. Just me & my 13 year old son, rx are very expensive in the DVC shops. However these times of the year are beyond beautiful & not too hot.
Hey AJ, to get to other resorts: time it up with whichever park opens earliest, get a bus to that park, and then bus to the resort from the park. You can def get around driving if you have the desire and time!
The whole “not everything will be open” advice is very true! Not even during COVID! Sometimes rides close for refurbishment or breakdowns during your trip anyways! You might think you’ll remember but many people don’t!
Your videos are my #1 tool planning my family's first trip to Disney next year! I'd love to see one about what to expect when visiting in the fall, or in September. I've seen conflicting reviews
One thing we did in place of cash for tips: Loaded Disney Gift Cards instead and tucked them into envelopes with their activation receipts. (Labeled each envelope for what they were for "Housekeeping", "Bell Services", etc.) We felt this was safer than cash in the time of Covid and in keeping with cashless contact preferences.
Items like power converters, no-slip bath mats, toilet booster seats, humidifiers, baby bottle warmers, bed rails, rubber sheets, box fans, heat pads, and night lights---you can ask housekeeping, they usually have a few but do not count on it and you can't request in advance.
I like the foldable duffle bag idea... you could also use that to store your dirty clothes away from the clean ones while you're on the trip and before you pack up everything to go home!
Test Track was my MUST MUST ride on our two and only trips. First trip the day we did EPCOT, all rain. My dad would not take me back for one ride on a dry day. Second trip years later stood in line 1 car away from riding, it broke down. Same story Dad would not bring me back later because he wanted to do other rides and it was our last day at the parks.
Waterproof plasters, got a bug bite, it popped while at typhoon lagoon and got a staff infection which resulted in hives, not a fun flight home on the last day.
Yes, tipping is one thing that particularly overseas visitors have to keep in mind. We don’t have mandatory gratuities here, so it’s very weird and confusing having to give money to just about everyone you come into contact with.
Experience in international and cruise travel, I bring with me a multi plug extension cord just in case there are not enough electrical outlets or they are hard to get to. Both of us have 3 electronic devices that need recharging and there are frequently not enough outlets available.
Disney World is the MAIN reason we go to Orlando, but we always go to Universal Studios. And the last trip we did go to Kennedy Space Center which is really neat to! Not a far drive. Def recommend.
Yeah, I mean I don't want to go during a pandemic anyway, but to pay full price when they're closing early and a bunch of stuff isn't open, that's no fun.
As someone who’s a pass holder and live close by, it’s a dream.. not having to deal with so many tourists and lines being so so short is a decent trade off from just missing out on some fireworks or a crowded parade. I really depends on the person and what you value in the parks.
Some time ago I went to WDW in the first week of October. That is a cool month at home. Not in Florida. I got heat stroke at Hollywood Studios and needed to be covered in ice packs at the first aid station. Now I only go during December, January, or February. My wife and I decided to celebrate our anniversary one year. March 30. Nope - temperatures were already in the mid to high 80s and I wasn't comfortable. So the only time we go is December, January, or February and not very much in December because of the crowds.
@@Sophie-gn8jw Thank you. On my last visit in January 2021, I discovered cooling towels being sold at Hollywood Studios and Magic Kingdom. These are designed to be soaked and put over your head or on the back of your neck. They keep your blood cool as the water evaporates. We bought one for my granddaughter at Hollywood Studios on day one. I was OK, but she was only one month old. The next day, at Magic Kingdom, I bought another one because at 10:00 am it was already starting to get uncomfortably warm for me. I wore a bright pink towel with Minnie Mouse all over it and was able to tolerate the heat all day. Now my Disney packing list has the cooling towel on it and I consider it essential equipment.
Bring water flavor!!! those squeeze ones that squirt water flavor for drinks. Put it in your water. Water bottle fill stations and free water is age to drink but unless you are used to Florida’s water taste it is nice to have
Something I wish I had checked on was closing times for certain attractions and restaurants! Some things closed earlier than I realized. For example, I was going to have a Cheshire Cat tail treat but it closed at 7 pm. Also, I missed the Muppet Vision 3D show, because that attraction closed way before the rest of the park!
The first time I saw a beware of snakes and gators sign I definitely thought it was a promise we’d see at lease one! Didn’t see a any! We did see so many tiny lizards, they’re everywhere and love to run under you feet as you walk! Try not to step on them! Being from Canada I was super prepared for bears, but didn’t for a second think about lizards or snakes!
As a Florida resident, those anoles are COMPLETELY welcome compared to the misquitoes the size of helicopters and the god damn WOLF SPIDERS who will literally chase you and rear up at you. Not cool AT ALL. When I first moved to Florida, I called pest control and had the woman on the phone ROLLING when I told her they were moving my furniture in my house and I was afraid they were going to steal my car if I left my keys lying around. For reals; the Florida bugs are NOT okay.
Another thing to remember first aid kits are handy. Not just the ones with band aids but the ones with Benadril in them. For allergic reactions. My husband is allergic to coconut and the in room body lotion (another must because of chlorine in pools) had coconut oil in it. I am so glad we brought one because things could have been a whole lot worse.
as a florida resident, LOVE BUGS ARE MY MORTAL ENEMY!!!!!! those things swarm and cover every single surface they can find it's the most irritating thing you can't freaking walk outside without getting covered >:l
i have issues with smoke, cigarette smokes, some pollen, perfume etc so i always travel with my meds :) Also take stuff for heartburn. if you are eating and drinking lots of water and doing rides it can cause heartburn
glad you mentioned the gators! my parents had an anniversary stay at old key west and by one of the pond areas they would see a gator just hanging out there by their hotel room!
Always keep your receipts if you want to ship. My wife and I wanted to ship our droids home and it added a complication for the cast member drying to ship it home, especially since we shipped it from the Tatooine Trading Post
5:26 The snake shown here is the Florida black racer snake, a nonpoisonous snake that eats lots of rodents. They move very fast (therefore their name: "racer") and are a good snake to have around, even though my heart always pounds when I see one cross my yard!
I've been a WDW goer my whole life. i go at least once a year (except this year. major bummer) and i went to college in FL. Love bugs can be a BIG problem. they are the worlds stupidest bugs and will fly right at you until they bump into your face. If your kiddos are really freaked out by bugs you may want to avoid outdoor dinning during lovebug season or you will not have a good time. big thing to consider in FL is the peak burn hours. When i lived there i learned quick to avoid the beaches between 12 and 2. This is prime tourist time, so outdoor spaces are always crowded, and you are most likely to burn your skin at this time, too! So many people make the mistake of trying to make the most of these hours in the middle of their day and by 3 they are burned out (literally and figuratively). Make sure you reapply your sunscreen mid day, EVEN IF ITS CLOUDY and consider doing a late, indoor lunch at these times. by the time your done, everyone with sunburns and heat stroke and cranky, hot kiddos have gone back to their rooms to recover and you get a nice lull, where a lot of the longer wait times have temporarily dipped down. live like a local and keep yourselves safe with sunscreen, (free) water and a shady space!
I'm from Arizona so when you're coming from a place like Phoenix the one thing you know going in that you're still not completely prepared for is the humidity in the summer. The dry heat out here in Phoenix is not comforting, which is why we hate the comment "At least it's a dry heat", it's punishing but it's a different type of punishing when you're in humidity. In Phoenix it feels like your skin is being burned off from the outside, in Orlando it feels like your body is overheating on the inside. Both are uncomfortable, both can cause your body to overheat but if you're from a dry heat you have to prepare yourself to sweat a lot more in Florida and you have to adapt to the climate even if it's not actually hotter than back home. The heat from the sun didn't bother me but the humidity I wasn't prepared for when I first went. You also may want to take underarm deodorant at all times with you as you will sweat a lot during the summer. Also, be careful of the water as even though it's water, clean, and perfectly healthy that doesn't mean your body is adapted to it. I've only drank tap water my entire life but when I stayed at All-Star Sports Resort we figured out what was making me sick every morning was drinking the tap water so I had to switch to only drinking bottled water. Again, not everyone's body will react the same, most people drink bottled water anyways, but it's something to keep in mind.
Had a similar experience when I visited the San Diego Zoo a few years ago. I never had allergies before but, something there hit me hard! I've since realized it's some kind of tropical pollen which didn't grow in Michigan, where I used to live before moving to Florida. Also, Love Bug season here is the worst! Even though that's not a pic of one posted in the video, they are everywhere two times a year!
This is something I learned from watching my mom as a kid and take with me now- TIPPING STAFF! Before I go on the trip, I buy small envelopes and Disney stickers. I put about $5 in an envelope for every night I stay in the hotel and write THANK YOU. I rubber band them together and keep it safe through traveling. The morning I leave for the park, I place one on the nightstand. This is always amazing to do as a thank you, but the staff will return some extra magic as a thank you to you. I usually come back to fun towel art or my Disney ears in a fun design. If you have kids- give them the envelopes on the travel to Disney to draw some of their favorite Disney characters and write thank you or let them decorate with their own Disney stickers!
I love this idea, I will definitely remember this for when I am planning my next trip xx
Emily H If you’re there for two weeks thats an extra 50 bucks to be found... I personally think tipping is a choice. And I would tip but not daily.
Disney has never once made me feel bad for my food allergies or requests. I also don’t fear that my food will be made wrong and be unsafe for me. I don’t think people understand just how amazing this is.
I have dairy and wheat allergies. They were amazing for me when I needed dairy free Mickey waffles !. And I like the eat vegan because it is safe to eat . They wear so great even the chef came out at ohana :).
@@playmatecaz YES!! My wife is vegan and we were treated SO WELL at Ohana! They have a whole bunch of vegan offerings and, I have to say, were very proud of them. The wait staff was awesome, too, and we had the best time!
Whenever I am out looking for merch at an event or holiday I have developed a habit of taking a picture of the item (and price tag) and then after sitting down to review my day at my late lunch/dinner picking my favorites and circling back before I leave the area.
It saves me a LOT of wasted money and makes me value what I buy so much more.
Ooh, I like that idea!!
Smart!
What.a.great.idea!!!!!
Yesssss I do the same, it also helps me with Impulse Buying
Definitely going to do this!
Great video AJ. One thing you did not mention about the collapsible duffle bag. I learned this bit by not telling it to friends because it made sense to me without thinking. Here it is. Put your dirty clothes, shoes, unbreakable items in the duffle and put the more fragile items in the actual suitcase that has structure to it and provides more protection.
We also made thank you cards for the cast members who stayed with my service dog when in the crate !
Love that idea!
DFBGuide should I sub also why dose Disney hate me :(
Can you explain what you mean by this? When (and why) was your service dog in a crate and/or in the care of someone besides yourself.
This would be our first trip to Disney with our service dog- but I'm curious as to what you mean by this comment.
Thank you!
@@EvansFamilyLegoProject when going on certain rides that service dogs cannot go on, we are taken to a back room and I send my boy into a crate. A cast member is designated to stay with them until I get back.
Thats super cool.. im glad they have something like this for service dogs
One thing I ALWAYS emphasize when I'm giving advise to my friends about Disney is the chafing. I always say bring some kinda powder or anti chafe sticks and to use them liberally.
Add to rule number 1
If your allergic to SOY:DO NOT DRINK THE BLUE OR GREEN MILK.
You get a 🌟 for this one AJ.
Thank you! I had no idea and haven’t tried it, yet!!
Okay “jammer” XD
💕
Really
I know no one cares but Saturday I’m going to Disney!! And November 15 I’m going to the contemporary for the first time it’s my dream hotel I’ve been wanting to go since I was little and I’m gonna be a hotel manager at Disney when I grow up I’m excited Tysm Aj for this!
Have fun and stay safe! Hope you have a wonderful time
have fun! even though i’m not taking the risk of disney it’s nice to see other people’s pictures and memories to remind me i’ll be back there soon enough
Have fun! :) I'll be on property during the week of November 15th also!
we do care !!!! I'll never forget my times going there. Still tell the story of spending $3000 (not a lot: includes hotel) for my 5 year old son to go for first time and to this day, the only thing he remembers is the plane ride !!!!! but I had a ball, so well worth it. [went back with him at 8 years old and THEN he had a ball]
I care
"There is absolutely no one size fits all Disney advice"- Sooo True!
I would say the thing to remember is that you need to allow for some "down" time. It is okay to just slow down and take it all in, or even have a day away from the parks at the resort to relax . I used to get off the plane and go for the next 10 days non-stop trying to cram as much fun into each trip that by the time I got home I truly needed a vacation to recover from my vacation. I also found that I missed some of the little things and when I go back each time now I see more and more. I definitely pick my must do's - but the list is much more reasonable and much more enjoyable. Oh and always have extra footwear because it always rains and your footwear takes time to dry out. That and a poncho (or umbrella) too - better to have and not need than to be drenched at the back of Magic Kingdom in a down pour trying to make it to the buses :(. Thanks AJ great video today!
The one thing I did not expect going to Disney the first time was that the animals don't care. Birds are everywhere and I don't just mean song birds, I mean weird tropical looking birds. They are just used to humans and don't run away. I honestly loved it, I felt like a Disney princes because all the animals where comfortable with me. And because they didn't run away I got some cool pictures with the birds(to be clear I did NOT touch the birds while taking pictures, I just stood next to them). My favorite is the one I got sitting next to a Spoon bill.
When we went many many years ago, we pulled up to the main lobby at Caribbean Beach resort and there was an alligator on the lawn. I asked it that was normal and you should have seen how many cast members raced outside the deal with it. It was gone by the time we finished our check-in.
Yes to the advice to tell a cast member, especially if you see a large alligator. There was a tragic event involving a gator at a resort not too many years ago. Disney will relocate any potentially dangerous wildlife to a safer location, but they need to be informed to do so. Good call, Kathy.
We had the same at Shades of Green..
@@mcleigh66 I hate to break the illusion as a Florida resident and retired law enforcement member- but aligators are never "relocated". They are captured and end up as food. Period. All the licensed gator handlers destroy the animals that are captured. As soon as an animal is considered a nuisance - they are captured and destroyed. It's one of those things that most people don't like to talk about; but yeah; they aren't "moved" - they are captured and then killed off-site.
In addition to the allergies medication, I packed both night and day cold capsules, band-aid for blisters, sunblock lotion, aspirin, airborne tablets, Clorox wipes, Kleenex and Charmin toilet papers.
Sounds like you’re prepared for the zombie apocalypse at Disney. What if you get diarrhea in the park and drop one in your drawers? Do you carry a clean set of undies in your backpack?
Jim Beam Even before COVID-19, I’ve seen so many men using the restroom throughout WDW and not washing their hands afterward, so I’ve made it a point to protect myself, my family and wallet from catching or bringing any illnesses home from my already expensive Disneyworld trip.
I pack so much from diarrhea tablets to cold head strips. X
I pack everything.. im an overpacker.. better safe than sorry and better to take it than spend $15 for 1 item that i had at home for $1..
Also. Not all allergy meds work for everybody. Some brands work better for certain people. It would be a good idea to know what works for you and i start taking them a week prior my trip, that way i have a defense system prepared
Phalanx Blu diphenhydramine works for everyone. But problem is side effects.
yes
I don't tend to take Benadryl for pollen/grass allergies.. but if I have a rash.. sure. Do people really take Benadryl for seasonal allergies ??
Stay hydrated!!!! Back in September 2018, while at WDW, I passed out on Star Tours. The medics were called, as well as Disney management and Disney security. I thought I had been drinking a fair amount of water...well, I had been, for Philadelphia weather - NOT Orlando weather. I was severely dehydrated and didn’t even realize. Now I’ve purchased Camel Baks for our (hopefully) 2021 trip.
THAT'S the best idea I've heard all day! Thx for sharing it!
@@keshajohnson2863 I learned the hard way.... the Camel Baks are awesome - not expensive and on Amazon!
That sounds like a terrifying experience, no one should have to go through that, I'm glad you're okay, and it's a great tip, how much water would you suggest drinking? 🙏🏻💞♥️
Ok wait these are genuinely amazing tips!! I rarely see anyone mention Florida’s lovebug seasons, which are common knowledge as a native. They’re small and completely harmless but unavoidable when it’s their time of the year. If you’re driving down to the parks then definitely clean your car before you go back home, they WILL ruin your paint if you wait a few days. I always warn people the three things to look out for down here are: weather, heat, lovebugs
Thanks AJ, this may sound lame, but your videos really bring me joy. I hope to visit the Disney parks once we are all back to normal. Keep the camera rolling, we benefit from your experiences and love how calming your voice is on all the videos.
Lovebugs are also usually stuck together because uhm... They are "LOVE" bugs so you're getting hit in the face with adult activity engaged bugs all the time.
Alaetra Steele bugs mating is not ‘adult activity’ it’s just nature and it’s normal. For goodness sake....
“Make sure you have room to bring home merch” .. That’s why I fly with Southwest! 2 free luggage and a carry on. 😁 I usually bring 1 suitcase and buy 1 at Walmart while I’m there to bring home merch in 😂
I pack a second bag in my bag for the return trip.
Yes, an older AJ packing video recommends packing an empty duffle bag.
Just got back sunday and had to buy a duffle from target
One tip I can add is if getting to Magic Kingdom early use the Ferry boat. Because the monorail will not always be working in the morning. My family made the mistake of going up the ramp waiting for a monorail. Then it stopped for a maintenance check. We thought the check would be quick so we did not leave the line. In the meantime time a ferry boat was already leaving to the Magic Kingdom. Now I never will wait for a monorail in the morning.
"Train your kids" instead of "teach your kids" is hilarious!
I love when she said that.. just like i say train your kids and husband.. lol
I'm an entophobe who used to live in Florida: Lovebugs are the bane of my entire existence. If anyone in your group is afraid of bugs, AVOID LOVEBUG SEASON. They can literally coat entire surfaces black with how numerous they are and how closely they gather. The sky looks like it's raining black snow on the worse days. It's *torture.*
PACK YOUR ALLERGY MEDS FOR SERIOUS ALLERGIES!
I’m deathly allergic to dogs. Did I forget service dogs exist? Yes. Did I learn the hard way to have my meds on me every day at the park? YES. Did I survive cause cast members are on top of things? Yes. Was it embarrassing and I’d much rather have just had my own meds on me? 100%.
Disney has cats roaming the park, service dogs are allowed in the park and hotel (no hate this is just a fact), there’s bees all over even through late fall (at least in Disneyland), not every menu item has every ingredient listed so ask those restaurant workers and make sure you have your meds!!!
Lord Keltain I have severe animal allergies as well as a family member. Daily medicine and regular dr visits just to live. A bad reaction means hospital.
What are the rights to allergy sufferers for people that bring service animals or “emotional support” creatures, don’t we have rights as much as any disabled person to be served in reasonable accommodations.
Ninja Master there’s plenty of rights for severe allergies, and most people understand when you say you’re severely allergic. You just can’t always control the world and maybe you’re at Disney one day in shorts and get an accidental sniff and lick from a service dog. Things happen and the parks handled it vey well. As the person with the allergy it was dumb of me to not have MY meds
Exactly! I’m not allergic to bees but I went when I was about 8 and I was climbing on this metal statue when all these freaking bees popped up out of no where! I got stung 4 times and the paramedics came and were so nice:) they gave me and my older sister a free Minnie Mouse stuffed animal! That was actually one of the best days of my trip just because of Disney!!
Very much check your allergies, when I was little we had to cut our vacation short and rush to the hospital because I was having a severe allergic reaction to tree pollen. And we went in the spring when tree pollen is the highest. Ever since then my parents made sure to go only in the winter or late fall.
My husband has severe alkergies we always take 2 epipens or avique? Injector its more compact than epipen.
Hope everyone has a magical day and stays safe:)
Another great video! I'm glad you mentioned tipping. Most young travelers don't know about tipping housekeeping daily. We always tip $5/person, per day. As well as tipping your concierge if you use their services. Most people don't know of the services available from your concierge. At Universal, shortly after I had back surgery, Royal Pacific rented a recliner for my room. The concierge has provided us (different trips) with box fans, phone chargers, dining reservations (both on and off-site), transportation reservations, and they've even sent flowers and fruit to our room. They even (regularly) made sure that a bottle of Dewars White Label would be available for me at a certain bar I liked. Use your concierge, and tip them well. Your trip will be greatly enhanced. We have tipped them from $50 to $100 per trip.
I have been loving these videos! My family of 5 will be taking our first trip to Disney World this November!! We couldn't be more excited!!
I really love to ride splash mountain at night. Such a brilliant view!!!!
OMG I SAW MY SELF!! 11:40 🤣😁
THAT’S SO COOL, I would love to be in a dfb video but it’s like, you gotta be there right place right time, it’s all luck!
Thanks, AJ. A few years ago we drove down in lovebug season. They cake on the front of the car. We found some highway side gas stations had high pressure water hoses on as you entered to clean some of the bugs off. They are crazy. 😁
Man, i went to disneyland paris a while ago and it was so different, but yet the same magical place it has always been
DLP definitely has a different magic. My vacations in 2015 and 2016 were very relaxed, there was no need or requirement to plan anything ahead of time (think dining and rides). I would totally go a third time in the future. Although the Paris park resembles Disneyland California more than it does WDW, there doesn't seem to be any "less" park, plus there are many unique things you can't do anywhere else, like the Aladdin walkthrough or visiting the dragon under the castle, for instance.
If you forget to take a nightlight you can turn on the bathroom light and leave the door cracked about a 1/2 inch to 1 inch it will give you just enough light to see but not to much to keep anyone awake. I have done this a lot in hotels and in hospitals.
erm, that is not a "Love Bug" @4:32, that is some sort of grasshopper/locust.
I'm glad someone else noticed lol!
Definitely NOT a love bug
I was thinking the same thing.
Came here to say this! That's another Florida staple, the Eastern Lubber Grasshopper (juvi). If those things swarmed like Love Bugs do, I'd be moving...LOL!!
@@meghanallen9997 Me too! Those things creep me out...And, stepping on them accidentally is no fun, either.
It definitely helps to consider which restaurants you really want to go to before you arrive! Get those reservations if you know you want to go to Be Our Guest or another popular restaurant. I remember walking up to Be Our Guest with my family one year on New Year’s Eve hoping to just walk in (very ambitious to say the least) and being told we couldn’t eat there. So, the next trip to Disney, I stalked the My Disney Experience app to make sure I got a reservation. On that note, you really need be on your a game if you’re going during winter break because reservations, fastpasses and such get snatched up fast!
I remember the time I got the giant stitch plush. He took up a whole seat in the car 🤣🤣
Ha ha do you regret or not
cooking with colers joy I will never regret him ever (he’s my favorite character)
Ah how much space it takes up in your house or apartment
cooking with colers joy Not as mush as you think it would, like I said it fit in a seat riding home. We have a picture of me hugging it!
I bring a lot of gallon sized ziplock bags with me. Might not have helped with Stitch, but I was able to haul a ton of plushies using them. You shove them inside, and then you sit or kneel on the package when sipping up. It basically shrink wraps them.
I don't think we'll be back untill you can park hop. We use to always eat dinner at Epcot.
AJ: very very large bugs and very very large spiders
Me, an australian: .... that’s alright
Lily Besson I love your Jackson profile pic
IsaHopez thanks i love you hobi pfp
We did the ship to home option our last trip! It’s a surprisingly a great deal! We only paid like $25 for a giant box of souvenirs. JUST A TIP: at our resort at least, they wanted check our receipts (for pricing & to make sure it was bought at the park) we didn’t realize this and were a little disorganized trying to find all the receipts that matched with what we were sending vs what we were keeping. Make sure to keep everything properly sorted before going.
when one of your favorite youtube channels posts on your bday-
Happy birthday!!!
Happy birthday 🎉🎂🎈
Happy birthday 🎉🎊 🥳🥳🥳
Happy birthday!
Happy Birthday! 🥳🎂🎉🎈
Duffel bag tip is perfect for Christmas 🎄 visits as well!
This is the best and most helpful video I’ve seen on this channel.
We definitely stay in the WDW bubble, but we may go to the Outlets this time! Definitely packing allergy medicine!
I love the outlet! Its my first stop when driving in!
Have fun!
@@DFBGuide Thank you!!!☺️
I love you AJ but the bug you showed for a love bug was a lubber grasshopper. They will bite and they eat all the plants around them. Just a little heads up. Keep up the awesome work!
She knows, Karen. She was just showing a bug while she talked about bugs. 🙄
A 20oz Coke is almost $5. Get the mug and fill other bottles with your drink for later 👍🏽
My family and I actually went on a Disney Cruise departing from Florida in the middle of Love Bug season. It was honestly pretty miserable having to deal with all of the critters and having to be careful not to bring them into our cabin. They were literally EVERYWHERE on the deck of the ship and got tracked into some of the common areas inside. But what was so impressive was that once we got out of port, the entire crew cleaned them up within an hour. Like we’re talking about thousands of bugs that just disappeared. It was honestly incredible.
Always check the weather report before you leave home. Just because it's winter in FL doesn't mean it's going to be hot. We have been there many times when the daytime highs have been in the 50's. You may need warmer clothes and jackets. We've been there when it gets in the 40's in the mornings and evenings.
Great suggestion. Some people rely on what the weather was like when they went… It’s weather people it changes yearly always check what it’s going to be for your vacation that way you can pack accordingly.
When we visited in August 2020, we had issues due to reduced housekeeping. I was finally able to arrange (with the assistance of my travel agent) to get changes of bed linen every other day if I stripped and made the beds myself. I have two teenaged boys and we were staying 12 nights in August, so we needed that fresh linen!
Best Disney advice I ever got was embrace the chaos. It may not be perfect or what you thought but that’s a ok!
The mail is always a great souvenir option. I used to work at a gift shop up in Salem, MA and we would recommend people ship from the post office if they over bought. It was so funny because the Trolley guide would actually point out the Post Office on the drive past as well.
Omg, i want that poison apple mug!! That was cool!!
The pic of the cricket (grasshopper?) in the video may be a little confusing for anyone not familiar with lovebugs. They are way smaller! Super annoying but harmless.
It's definitely not a love bug. It's a juvenile lubber grasshopper. I'm glad I'm not the only one who saw that.
We were taught, as college lab techs and as bio and chem students, if there is a bromine spill, scream BROMINE as you leave the area at the top of your voice and if you hear that to echo it. this makes me uncomfortable but at least now I know the smell(?)
I think it is important to consider your own interests and goals when going on vacation. We're all different, which is why there are so many different options to do in the parks/resorts. Not everything I love will be what you love, and vice versa.
Only been to Disneyland but I’m sure this will apply to Disney World as well, but if you have a picky eater (in my case, my boyfriend), make sure you earmark a few places to eat whose food they like so that if one is closed or too busy, you don’t have to spend the next hour perusing menus to find some place else to eat. I made sure that each restaurant I chose for each night had a backup and that we were flexible about it all. It can create so much stress if you aren’t at least semi prepared!
Went to Epcot for the first time last month, when I wasn't an infant or a performer, and nothing was really closed. They even had pin trading back. For those who may care, Epcot the pin trading is at Spaceship Earth and MGM has it by the new Mickey ride by the bathrooms.
I went in February last time and the trees were pollinating. Tree pollen is heavier and I had the worst allergies the whole time! Benadryl and other allergy meds are a must every time now.
Snakes. ... Why did it have to be snakes?
I hate 🐍!!!
I hate snakes too
Wonder how Indy would feel about gators...
We saw one in Animal Kingdom (a black racer apparently)
It’s ALWAYS snakes! I hate them all.
Absolutely! Spring Break or Veteran's Day is the time we travel to Disney. I have learned to start taking Claritin-Singular 2 weeks before we go. 3 years ago my allergies were so bad my eyes were just teared up all the time. It was miserable. Just me & my 13 year old son, rx are very expensive in the DVC shops. However these times of the year are beyond beautiful & not too hot.
Hey AJ, to get to other resorts: time it up with whichever park opens earliest, get a bus to that park, and then bus to the resort from the park. You can def get around driving if you have the desire and time!
The whole “not everything will be open” advice is very true! Not even during COVID! Sometimes rides close for refurbishment or breakdowns during your trip anyways! You might think you’ll remember but many people don’t!
When you mentioned love bugs, i thought "welcome to the south". They are heavy here in Texas too.
I LOVE you AJ. I have listened to you for years... I feel like we are best friends. THANK you for being a friend.
Your videos are my #1 tool planning my family's first trip to Disney next year! I'd love to see one about what to expect when visiting in the fall, or in September. I've seen conflicting reviews
One thing we did in place of cash for tips: Loaded Disney Gift Cards instead and tucked them into envelopes with their activation receipts. (Labeled each envelope for what they were for "Housekeeping", "Bell Services", etc.) We felt this was safer than cash in the time of Covid and in keeping with cashless contact preferences.
I haven’t bin to Disney World 2014 and I love watching this guide and I wish I could come back!
Items like power converters, no-slip bath mats, toilet booster seats, humidifiers, baby bottle warmers, bed rails, rubber sheets, box fans, heat pads, and night lights---you can ask housekeeping, they usually have a few but do not count on it and you can't request in advance.
I like the foldable duffle bag idea... you could also use that to store your dirty clothes away from the clean ones while you're on the trip and before you pack up everything to go home!
Test Track was my MUST MUST ride on our two and only trips. First trip the day we did EPCOT, all rain. My dad would not take me back for one ride on a dry day. Second trip years later stood in line 1 car away from riding, it broke down. Same story Dad would not bring me back later because he wanted to do other rides and it was our last day at the parks.
Waterproof plasters, got a bug bite, it popped while at typhoon lagoon and got a staff infection which resulted in hives, not a fun flight home on the last day.
Oh my goodness! Yes -- definitely those band-aids!
Yes, tipping is one thing that particularly overseas visitors have to keep in mind. We don’t have mandatory gratuities here, so it’s very weird and confusing having to give money to just about everyone you come into contact with.
Experience in international and cruise travel, I bring with me a multi plug extension cord just in case there are not enough electrical outlets or they are hard to get to.
Both of us have 3 electronic devices that need recharging and there are frequently not enough outlets available.
Disney World is the MAIN reason we go to Orlando, but we always go to Universal Studios. And the last trip we did go to Kennedy Space Center which is really neat to! Not a far drive. Def recommend.
i’m going to disneyworld for my first time soon! so this was very helpful thanks
Have fun!!!! It is MAGIC!!!!
I didn’t take rain gear a few years ago for the daily storms and had to buy in the park. More costly but had to have it!
I live on allergy meds in all of Florida any time of year!! Remember there’s all kinds of strange pollen.
I really miss Disney, but I'm not willing to pay the same price for tickets when they don't have all the amenities and services available. :(
Yeah, I mean I don't want to go during a pandemic anyway, but to pay full price when they're closing early and a bunch of stuff isn't open, that's no fun.
It's a trade off. Many things are open and the crowds are way down. You can get on almost every attraction with minimal wait times.
As someone who’s a pass holder and live close by, it’s a dream.. not having to deal with so many tourists and lines being so so short is a decent trade off from just missing out on some fireworks or a crowded parade. I really depends on the person and what you value in the parks.
@@shoto2526 was there in October. I don't consider an hour plus a minimal wait
@@barbaradoolin8856 Then you should go when it's actually busy.
Some time ago I went to WDW in the first week of October. That is a cool month at home. Not in Florida. I got heat stroke at Hollywood Studios and needed to be covered in ice packs at the first aid station. Now I only go during December, January, or February. My wife and I decided to celebrate our anniversary one year. March 30. Nope - temperatures were already in the mid to high 80s and I wasn't comfortable. So the only time we go is December, January, or February and not very much in December because of the crowds.
That's sounds absolutely horrible, sorry to hear that happened to you 🙏🏻💞♥️
@@Sophie-gn8jw Thank you. On my last visit in January 2021, I discovered cooling towels being sold at Hollywood Studios and Magic Kingdom. These are designed to be soaked and put over your head or on the back of your neck. They keep your blood cool as the water evaporates. We bought one for my granddaughter at Hollywood Studios on day one. I was OK, but she was only one month old. The next day, at Magic Kingdom, I bought another one because at 10:00 am it was already starting to get uncomfortably warm for me. I wore a bright pink towel with Minnie Mouse all over it and was able to tolerate the heat all day. Now my Disney packing list has the cooling towel on it and I consider it essential equipment.
badbiker666 oh wow that sounds so useful, thank you for the tip! Do you remember if the towels were expensive at Disney itself?
I love DFB so much that I let ads finish running.
Bring water flavor!!! those squeeze ones that squirt water flavor for drinks. Put it in your water. Water bottle fill stations and free water is age to drink but unless you are used to Florida’s water taste it is nice to have
Something I wish I had checked on was closing times for certain attractions and restaurants! Some things closed earlier than I realized. For example, I was going to have a Cheshire Cat tail treat but it closed at 7 pm. Also, I missed the Muppet Vision 3D show, because that attraction closed way before the rest of the park!
The first time I saw a beware of snakes and gators sign I definitely thought it was a promise we’d see at lease one! Didn’t see a any! We did see so many tiny lizards, they’re everywhere and love to run under you feet as you walk! Try not to step on them! Being from Canada I was super prepared for bears, but didn’t for a second think about lizards or snakes!
As a Florida resident, those anoles are COMPLETELY welcome compared to the misquitoes the size of helicopters and the god damn WOLF SPIDERS who will literally chase you and rear up at you. Not cool AT ALL. When I first moved to Florida, I called pest control and had the woman on the phone ROLLING when I told her they were moving my furniture in my house and I was afraid they were going to steal my car if I left my keys lying around. For reals; the Florida bugs are NOT okay.
Another thing to remember first aid kits are handy. Not just the ones with band aids but the ones with Benadril in them. For allergic reactions. My husband is allergic to coconut and the in room body lotion (another must because of chlorine in pools) had coconut oil in it. I am so glad we brought one because things could have been a whole lot worse.
The smells at Disney are one of my favorite things about Disney!!!
I miss the magic Kingdom train. That has had me messed up on my transportation for awhile now. Lmao 🤣
It’s a different trip for everyone. Great video.
I can not believe I made it early. It is nice to see some things we normally don't think about
as a florida resident, LOVE BUGS ARE MY MORTAL ENEMY!!!!!! those things swarm and cover every single surface they can find it's the most irritating thing you can't freaking walk outside without getting covered >:l
i have issues with smoke, cigarette smokes, some pollen, perfume etc so i always travel with my meds :) Also take stuff for heartburn. if you are eating and drinking lots of water and doing rides it can cause heartburn
Excited to try more restaurants outside of Disney with parks closing so early now. Any good ideas, DFB?
glad you mentioned the gators! my parents had an anniversary stay at old key west and by one of the pond areas they would see a gator just hanging out there by their hotel room!
The clock thing really surprised me. Thank you so much! ❤
5:49 also, warn your children about the ubiquitous “Florida Man”, a very real thing.
Always keep your receipts if you want to ship. My wife and I wanted to ship our droids home and it added a complication for the cast member drying to ship it home, especially since we shipped it from the Tatooine Trading Post
I remember the love bugs landing on me in Cypress Gardens when I was 10! They certainly made my parents' hire car dirty.
I didn’t consider how bad my feet were blistered and importance of wearing soles in my shoes and band aids on my feet
Do you have a recommendation for soles?
Thanks for all the information you put in this video. I think it'll be an even better experience the next time we go
5:26 The snake shown here is the Florida black racer snake, a nonpoisonous snake that eats lots of rodents. They move very fast (therefore their name: "racer") and are a good snake to have around, even though my heart always pounds when I see one cross my yard!
i got sick once while at disney thankfully most of it was during our rest day and i didnt have to miss a park
I've been a WDW goer my whole life. i go at least once a year (except this year. major bummer) and i went to college in FL. Love bugs can be a BIG problem. they are the worlds stupidest bugs and will fly right at you until they bump into your face. If your kiddos are really freaked out by bugs you may want to avoid outdoor dinning during lovebug season or you will not have a good time.
big thing to consider in FL is the peak burn hours. When i lived there i learned quick to avoid the beaches between 12 and 2. This is prime tourist time, so outdoor spaces are always crowded, and you are most likely to burn your skin at this time, too! So many people make the mistake of trying to make the most of these hours in the middle of their day and by 3 they are burned out (literally and figuratively). Make sure you reapply your sunscreen mid day, EVEN IF ITS CLOUDY and consider doing a late, indoor lunch at these times. by the time your done, everyone with sunburns and heat stroke and cranky, hot kiddos have gone back to their rooms to recover and you get a nice lull, where a lot of the longer wait times have temporarily dipped down.
live like a local and keep yourselves safe with sunscreen, (free) water and a shady space!
I'm from Arizona so when you're coming from a place like Phoenix the one thing you know going in that you're still not completely prepared for is the humidity in the summer. The dry heat out here in Phoenix is not comforting, which is why we hate the comment "At least it's a dry heat", it's punishing but it's a different type of punishing when you're in humidity. In Phoenix it feels like your skin is being burned off from the outside, in Orlando it feels like your body is overheating on the inside. Both are uncomfortable, both can cause your body to overheat but if you're from a dry heat you have to prepare yourself to sweat a lot more in Florida and you have to adapt to the climate even if it's not actually hotter than back home. The heat from the sun didn't bother me but the humidity I wasn't prepared for when I first went. You also may want to take underarm deodorant at all times with you as you will sweat a lot during the summer.
Also, be careful of the water as even though it's water, clean, and perfectly healthy that doesn't mean your body is adapted to it. I've only drank tap water my entire life but when I stayed at All-Star Sports Resort we figured out what was making me sick every morning was drinking the tap water so I had to switch to only drinking bottled water. Again, not everyone's body will react the same, most people drink bottled water anyways, but it's something to keep in mind.
I agree bc I’m from Florida
Orlando tap water tastes gross anyway
@@alexandramacias6385 I agree but I grew up on Phoenix tap water, south Phoenix to be exact so I'm used to having crumbs in my water.
@@jamesmarhen crumbs?!?!🤣 I just thought it tasted weird in Central FL!
@@alexandramacias6385 if you're ever in Phoenix just avoid tap water here for drinking. I'm probably 3% of the population still drinking it.
Had a similar experience when I visited the San Diego Zoo a few years ago. I never had allergies before but, something there hit me hard! I've since realized it's some kind of tropical pollen which didn't grow in Michigan, where I used to live before moving to Florida. Also, Love Bug season here is the worst! Even though that's not a pic of one posted in the video, they are everywhere two times a year!