Introduction to Walt Disney World ~ My Top Five

(Cinderella's Castle during the 2011 "Magic, Memories, and YOU!" show)

I have lived in Florida my entire life. Disney World has been just as much a part of growing up as beaches and hot summers. A passholder when I was a kid and a passholder as soon as I could make decisions for myself. While I would not claim myself as an expert, I am certainly not a novice.

I will be doing separate articles on each of the parks, as well as resorts and recreation. But first, these are my top five rules for visiting ANY Walt Disney World park.

1. Bring Snacks! ~ You can bring in food items to the parks. If you want, pack a sack lunch! But at least bring some granola bars, power bars, pretzels, something. You WILL get hungry... and remember you can get free cups of ice water at any quick service station.

2. Remember the parks are huge and not designed to see everything in one day. ~ They wouldn't sell 5 and 6 day passes if you could see a park or two in a single day. Make a "must see" list of your top five attractions before you go or when you first arrive. Then... feel accomplished when you see those in a single day.

3. Don't buy gifts in the first hour that you are there. ~ There are TONS of gift stores and magically a majority of the rides let out into a gift store. Don't get sucked in! Make notes of what you want and where it is and then at the end of the night, go back and pick up the souvenirs that caught your eye. Note that the stores are open an hour longer than the rides. You don't want to carry bags all day and you will probably

4. Take note of where the First Aid station is and don't hesitate to go. ~ Get a headache? Stomach ache? Blister? Need a nap? Believe it or not, all of these can be remedied at the the first aid station. I have visited everyone at the WDW resort and have always left feeling better. Everything from a fever-ridden teether to a light and heat sensitive migraine. I've gotten meds and taken naps. It doesn't cost anything and can save what could be a ruined day.

5. Be prepared to wait in line. ~ 17 million people visit the Walt Disney World Resort in the course of a year. That's a lot of people. Be prepared to wait a little. Be patient with cast members who are trying their best to get those people in and out of attractions quickly and safely. Bring something with you to do while waiting in lines. Hand held games like "20 Questions" is a great one. If you have a group, try "Catch Phrase". If you are prepared to wait in line, you won't be surprised by it and having something to do will make you happy and might make the people around you happy. You'll be surprised at how fast, they'll jump into your fun too!!