Most people take hundreds or thousands of pics during their trips. I've learned some things within the last few years that can help you improve them and I share my Disney World photography tips with you in this episode.

I also have a not-so-quick tip on buying luggage for your trip.

These are notes from this episode. There's much more info included in the audio so be sure to listen to the episode for a better explanation.

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Disney World photography tips

Before your trip:

• Make sure you have enough memory space for pics.
• Before every trip, I use Dropbox to back up all pics, and then the Bulk Delete app to clear out the main camera roll.
• Planning to edit pics during trip? Install and learn apps beforehand to do that.
• Turn your flash off by default. It should only be used in rare instance when you need extra light on something close to you.
• Get to know all of your phone/camera options beforehand.

During your trip:

• Take lots and lots of photos so you can choose the best ones later
• Don’t take pics/videos of things that have better versions on YouTube
• When taking pics, hold your camera at eye level, not above your head
• When taking and editing pics, focus on composition. Follow the rule of thirds or make things symmetrical, have a focal point, simplify pics by removing things that are distracting, zoom in if that makes more sense, use lines/paths to draw your eye, frame your pic with natural frames like trees or doorways. Check out Tony Northrup's tips to learn more.
• You'll almost always want to crop your pics before using them.
• Edit your pics, but don’t use filters. You can adjust settings manually with built-in tools, but I use presets in the Camera+ app.

Quick tip of the day

Some tips when buying luggage:

• Consider hard-sided luggage for durability and protection from the rain
• Dark colors often work better for wear and tear, but maybe pick a color other than black so it stands out on baggage carousel
• Pick luggage with spinners to make it easy to use
• Choose lightweight luggage to make it easier to meet luggage weight limits on flights
• Brands like Samsonite and Travelpro Crew are popular. American Tourister has a line of Disney bags.
• Shopping at stores like TJ Maxx and Ross Dress for Less can be a good way to save money on brand name luggage, though full sets are harder to find.

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Today we'll take a tour through the World Showcase to highlight some of the best things to do in each country.

I also have a quick tip to help you combine discounts to save money on your trip.

These are notes from this episode. There's much more info included in the audio so be sure to listen to the episode for a better explanation.

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Highlights of the World Showcase

General tips

• Evenings are much more comfortable because it gets really hot in the mid-day sun, however most characters and entertainment are scheduled in the afternoon
• Characters are often easier to meet and in nice settings
• Although most entertainment is scheduled in the afternoon, there aren't many things worth planning around anymore
• The World Showcase opens at 11 a.m., though Mexico, Norway, and the bakery in France open earlier with the rest of the park
• Agent P's World Showcase Adventure and Kidcot stops are ways to keep kids interested in the World Showcase
• Illuminations is shown nightly and viewing spots are usually easy to find

Mexico

• Ride Gran Fiesta Tour inside the pavilion
• La Cava del Tequila is also located inside the Mexico pavilion. Phone chargers are available (just request it from your server).

Norway

• Frozen Ever After ride (highly recommend getting a FastPass+ if you can)
• Meet Anna and Elsa (no FastPass+ available)
• Laila perfume is sold in the Norway shop. The creator, Geir Ness, often appears.
• School bread is sold in the bakery

China

• Reflections of China movie
• Folding fans and umbrellas can be personalized with Chinese characters

Germany

• Karamell-Kuche for caramel treats
• Schofferhofer Grapefruit is available at an outside counter and in the Biergarten restaurant
• The miniature train is worth stopping to view for a bit

Italy

• Tutto Gusto Wine Cellar has a good selection of wines that they'll package safely for you to take with you

American Adventure

• Voices of Liberty is an a cappella singing group that performs inside. They stand on the left side of the rotunda, and you should try to sit on the right side.
• Following VoL performances, head upstairs to the American Adventure show right afterward.

Japan

• Kaki-gori (shaved ice) is a favorite snack of ours, available at the kiosk on the American Adventure side of the Japan pavilion
• The garden area back by the Katsura Grill Quick Service restaurant is a beautiful area to sit and have a snack
• The Mitsukoshi department store is huge and worth a visit. This is where the pick-a-pearl option is available.

Morocco

• Great character meet opportunity with Aladdin and Jasmine.
  

  A photo posted by Shannon Albert (@wdwprepschool) on Jun 24, 2016 at 1:41pm PDT

France

• Impressions de France show
• L'Artisan des Glaces has many great options, including an ice cream martini that combines ice cream and drinks into one treat
• Grey Goose Citron Lemonade Slushes are available at the kiosk near the water in France
• Lots of photo ops so look for PhotoPass photographers

U.K.

• Souvenirs of popular British shows available (Doctor Who, Downton Abbey, Sherlock)
• Red photo booths make good photo ops
• In The Crown & Crest shop, you can get your family coat of arms on a plaque
• British Revolution (a tribute band that plays music from the 60s, 70s, and 80s) is worth seeing for people who enjoy that style of music

Canada

• O Canada! show
• Be sure to go into the pavilion to see more of it, including the waterfall
• Le Cellier is delicious (especially the pretzel bread and cheese soup)

Quick tip of the day

You can sometimes stack discounts when booking through Orbitz or CheapTickets.com by using both a WDW promotion and a site promo. Important to read all of the details. Check out Mousesavers.com for more info.

Subscribe to get new episodes

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Today we'll discuss adding a Disney cruise onto a Disney World trip with Melanie from DCLPrepSchool.com.

She'll help us understand what's included with the price of a Disney cruise, the logistics of getting there, and explain what Fish Extender gifts are.

I also have a quick tip to help you save on merchandise at Disney World.

These are notes from this episode. There's much more info included in the audio so be sure to listen to the episode for a better explanation.

Become a WDW Prep To Go Patron

WDW Prep To Go Patrons pay a little to unlock even more content than what’s on the main podcast feed, such as a private FB Group and exclusive audio that’s released on a private podcast feed.
 
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Adding a Disney cruise to a Disney World trip

Some tips:

• Melanie recommends doing the land part of your trip first, followed by the cruise
• Book the two trips separately because there's no financial benefit to booking it all as one trip through Disney
• Disney can provide transportation even if you book the items separately. DCL shuttles to get from Disney World to the port and from the port to WDW/airport are $35 each way per person
• You might also consider Mears shuttles, Uber, and rental cars to get to/from the port
• Keep information organized (stateroom number, reservation numbers, passport numbers, emergency contacts, onboard activities, flight info). A lot of this info will be handy when doing online check-in as well.
• Packing for a cruise is similar to Disney World, including comfortable shoes, comfortable clothes, swimsuits, external battery chargers, and something to pull hair back. Laundry rooms are available on the ship.
• Pirate and formal nights onboard will require special things to be packed that you wouldn't normally need at Disney World.
• Important to keep in mind that the price of a Disney Cruise Line trip includes great dining, non-alcoholic drinks (including sodas), high quality entertainment, kids clubs with long operating hours (for ages 3-17), twice-a-day housekeeping, Disney character meets/parties, and 24-hour complimentary room service
• To make a trip more affordable, consider booking an interior room and/or taking advantage of onboard bounceback offers (usually 10% off)
• Families with older kids should consider booking an interior and exterior room to give everybody enough space
• Many people will participate in Fish Extender gift exchanges on Disney cruises. Groups can be found on message boards and in Facebook Groups. Get gift ideas at pinterest.com/dclprep.

Note to WDW Prep Members

The maps have recently been updated so be sure to log in to get a fresh copy. Not a member? Sign up at wdwprepschool.com/members.

Quick tip of the day

Check your receipt during your Disney World trip to see if a coupon has been included. For instance, there's a current discount of 10% off of Disney Springs merchandise that's included on receipts at most Magic Kingdom Quick Service restaurants.

Subscribe to get new episodes

There are a few ways to get new episodes of WDW Prep To Go (if you're used to listening on the website, subscribe so you can take new episodes with you on your phone)

• Subscribe in iTunes (and please leave a review!)
• Subscribe in Google Play
• Subscribe to the feed
• Listen on Stitcher