I have only ......... days/months till I go again.

[Belle1082]

I know this is a random question - but being that the week we are going is said to be a 'slow' week - any different things you guy can think of that would be fun to do that you can't do when the parks are super crowded?

I can't think of anything specific, but I CAN tell you that a less crowded park makes navigation and strolling about that much easier. I've never been there when it's crazy-busy. The worst was in June 2008 on the first day of g** Days, and there were a lot of people EVERYWHERE. We still were able to do the things we wanted to do, it just took longer to do them.

The lines in January were pretty short. We still had to wait for the most popular things, but not very long. We could get decent seats for Illuminations and the parades without having to stake our claim hideously early. We could walk as slowly and meander as much as we wanted to. Counter service meal lines were pretty short, too.

Does that help?

That is great advice! Seeing as the last couple times I've been to DW, it has been busier, I was just looking for any advice during slower times. I will definitely enjoy being able to take our time doing things and not feeling rushed. I mean, one of the best parts about DW and what I love about it is all in the details. Sometimes people are so rushed to get everything done that they aren't able to take their time and enjoy all the details that make DW so amazing and so different from every other place. That is good advice for shows and parades, so we don't end up wasting time sitting and waiting.
I will definitely be happy about shorter line times. I also found a great free app on my droid called - Disney World by Undercover Tourist. It updates all the ride wait times and how far you are from every ride. Should be helpful!

[cy1229]

I know this is a random question - but being that the week we are going is said to be a 'slow' week - any different things you guy can think of that would be fun to do that you can't do when the parks are super crowded?

I can't think of anything specific, but I CAN tell you that a less crowded park makes navigation and strolling about that much easier. I've never been there when it's crazy-busy. The worst was in June 2008 on the first day of g** Days, and there were a lot of people EVERYWHERE. We still were able to do the things we wanted to do, it just took longer to do them.

The lines in January were pretty short. We still had to wait for the most popular things, but not very long. We could get decent seats for Illuminations and the parades without having to stake our claim hideously early. We could walk as slowly and meander as much as we wanted to. Counter service meal lines were pretty short, too.

Does that help?

That is great advice! Seeing as the last couple times I've been to DW, it has been busier, I was just looking for any advice during slower times. I will definitely enjoy being able to take our time doing things and not feeling rushed. I mean, one of the best parts about DW and what I love about it is all in the details. Sometimes people are so rushed to get everything done that they aren't able to take their time and enjoy all the details that make DW so amazing and so different from every other place. That is good advice for shows and parades, so we don't end up wasting time sitting and waiting.
I will definitely be happy about shorter line times. I also found a great free app on my droid called - Disney World by Undercover Tourist. It updates all the ride wait times and how far you are from every ride. Should be helpful!

I see that the posting software didn't like my use of the word "G A Y" but it's strange, I think that's the actual name of the event. Oh well whatever.

If you are a Verizon customer, there's an app you can download that tells you wait times for attractions and whatnot. I can't think of the name of it off-hand but a quick Google search, or search of Disney or Verizon sites should help you locate it easily. It's not compatible with our particular un-smart phone or we would have used it like nobody's business.

[Belle1082]

If you are a Verizon customer, there's an app you can download that tells you wait times for attractions and whatnot. I can't think of the name of it off-hand but a quick Google search, or search of Disney or Verizon sites should help you locate it easily. It's not compatible with our particular un-smart phone or we would have used it like nobody's business.

Unfortunately, I have sprint, but I'm still going to take full advantage of this app to help with ride wait times. I already have my spreadsheet made, so I don't need an app for park hours. haha

[Amy]

If you are a Verizon customer, there's an app you can download that tells you wait times for attractions and whatnot. I can't think of the name of it off-hand but a quick Google search, or search of Disney or Verizon sites should help you locate it easily. It's not compatible with our particular un-smart phone or we would have used it like nobody's business.

Unfortunately, I have sprint, but I'm still going to take full advantage of this app to help with ride wait times. I already have my spreadsheet made, so I don't need an app for park hours. haha

Almost everyone was using the smart phone versions of wait time apps. I would forget about it until I saw someone checking the times, then I would get mine out to look too. It would have saved me a hike back to Expedition Everest one day since the ride was down. Sure enough, I checked the app as I was walking back and it was noted as being closed. Mine is iphone based so I can't vouch for the droid versions, but the app I had was pretty accurate!

[MouseMan]

Sixty-eight days 'till we arrive at WDW! First time since September 2008. We are staying at POFQ this time. Instead of paying for internet at the resort I was thinking of buying a portable hot spot and figuring I could use it not only with my computer in the room but also with my iPod Touch at the parks so I could access wait time apps, etc. Has anyone ever done this? How did it work out?

[dstrawn9889]

i just use my droid a a tether/hotspot, got great reception all over the park... just look for the inordinately large pine trees outside the park burms... Cell Towers!

[Soarin08]

I will definitely be happy about shorter line times. I also found a great free app on my droid called - Disney World by Undercover Tourist. It updates all the ride wait times and how far you are from every ride. Should be helpful!

Also available for the iPhone, I have the exact same app. Love it!

[dstrawn9889]

disney parks mobile magic... for both coasts... android app market... maps, attractions characters food, events, weather, transportation... its gort it all

[Belle1082]

Sixty-eight days 'till we arrive at WDW! First time since September 2008. We are staying at POFQ this time. Instead of paying for internet at the resort I was thinking of buying a portable hot spot and figuring I could use it not only with my computer in the room but also with my iPod Touch at the parks so I could access wait time apps, etc. Has anyone ever done this? How did it work out?

POFQ is great!!! We usually stay there but the free dining rooms were already booked up for our week, so we are staying at POR. The French Quarter is so nice and calm. The bus stop is only a few minutes walk as well as the restaurant and store. It is great to have things so close by since some of the resorts are gigantic and it can take a while to get anywhere.
I am planning on using my android and I downloaded an app - Disney World by Undercover Tourist. (As I do not have Verizon as my carrier) Has the wait time, distance, etc. Should be very handy. Although i'm quite worried about my battery dying quickly - as it usually does when I use my phone a lot.

[dstrawn9889]

ran cardiotrainer when i was there in feb, and got on SM without turning it off...the route line was quite a knot whan i got off of it!

[Amy]

Sixty-eight days 'till we arrive at WDW! First time since September 2008. We are staying at POFQ this time. Instead of paying for internet at the resort I was thinking of buying a portable hot spot and figuring I could use it not only with my computer in the room but also with my iPod Touch at the parks so I could access wait time apps, etc. Has anyone ever done this? How did it work out?

Not sure about the portable hot spot. I had no problems with my iphone having internet access except in the Innoventions buildings and a few of the attractions. My battery held up pretty well too, although I didn't use it a ton. I mostly used my phone for keeping notes on what we were doing, keeping my email down to a manageable number and texting NaCler when he was at the parks.

ran cardiotrainer when i was there in feb, and got on SM without turning it off...the route line was quite a knot whan i got off of it!

That would be something to see!

[dstrawn9889]

ill post a pic l8r the knot is from sm, tta, and the giftshop@sm... then it makes a beeline to LTT

[Amy]

ill post a pic l8r the knot is from sm, tta, and the giftshop@sm... then it makes a beeline to LTT

Space Mountain is probably the worst part of that

[dstrawn9889]

it couldnt get a GPS sig in there, so it did its best with tower triangulation... i think more so the TTA makes it look even more messy!

[Belle1082]

Does anyone ever use a pedometer while they do the parks? I'm thinking it might be fun to track every day and see how many steps we take. I don't think anyone ever realizes how much walking they truly do. Hard to care when you are in DW!