Our Son's first trip to Disney world...some tips and tricks we learned.

Hi all,
Well, we did it....we to the Great Randino to The Magic Kingdom. A few things we learned and are happy to share:
1. SAFETY!!!!! Since you have your digital camera and or video camera take a picture of your child. IF they get lost or seperated from you, you have got a picture of what they are wearing and you can share this with Security or Guest Relations.
As soon as you find a cast member, point to their name tag (they all should have one) and tell your child that if they get lost, to find someone wearing this badge and that this person can be trusted and is a "good stranger".
Suntan lotion. For the folk from up North the sun is much more damaging as you come South; where an hour or so in Michigan sun isn't that bad a half-an-hour in Florida, with no sunscreen will fry your small fry and make the rest of the vacation heck.
2. When you go, if you have a discount program like AAA or another program, buy the tickets through them if you can...we saved $7.50 per adult!!!!
3. If you can stay on property, do so; especially at the All Star Resorts. They each have a main pool, a food court and for the dads (or moms) each has their own bar :-) and they are the cheapest resorts outside of the campgrounds.
4. If you stay on property find out what parks either open early or stay open late. You can hit all of the rides and attractions you want to with line a quarter of the regular size.
5. When you first enter immediately go to guest services (its on the left, right after you get you kiddiestroller; a must have for a measily $15) Go there and see what kind of specials they ahve for "first time visitors" or birthday guests. Sometimes they can really help you out with schedules or reservtions in the high-end restaurants.
6. Tell them when you book your room or first get your tickts that it is your child's first visit or birthday (even if it isn't) IT is kinda cool having the "cast members" (employees) all wish your kid a happy birthday.
7. If you are a junky for the parades, get there at least half an hour early and stake out enough room for your family. Look for the cast members with a flat bed with ropes and metal poles and as soon as they put them in the ground, camp out.
8. In the Magic Kingdom start at Adventure Land and work your way around to Tomorrow Land. Why? You can hit the Aladin's Magic Carpet, Tiki Hut and Jungle cruise all within about 40 minutes, (especially if you take advantage of the fast pass program). After that get Pirate of the Carribbean and then Splash mountain. You can then dry off in Country Bear Jamboree and hit the Haunted Mansion (which has been updated to fit the theme of the Eddie Murphy movie of the same name. After that you have Fantasy Land and Mickey's Toon town. I could go on, but...