Tips for Disney Parks & Cruise Lines

Arribas Brothers christmas "Ball Ornaments" come in square boxes with open sides so you can see the ornament inside. The problem is, how to safely transport it home in carry on/your back pack. I use empty, square Kleenex tissue boxes to protect these gorgeous ornaments. Simply open the side of an empty, square tissue box, slide the ornament box into the tissue box, and seal with Scotch tape. These square Kleenex style boxes are pretty crush proof and are perfect for protecting your new ornament. I can take three ornaments home in my large back pack in carry on. I thought this was a clever, inexpensive idea on how to take the worry out of getting these ornaments safely home. I found Arribas Brothers Ornaments in an upscale shop on Main Street in MK. They come in 4 colors. You can also use these Kleenex boxes to transport other delicate items home.

Disney, in general, is great with allergies! While my daughter only has a peanut allergy, for folks with traveling parties with more significant or less common allergies, you can contact a special division ahead of time to assist in keeping you and/ or your party safe. You can speak to the chef at any restaurant (sit down), and they can assist in providing offerings that are tasty and safe. Even special events, such as the after hours parties or previous Halloween/ christmas parties have allergy-friendly offerings!

Disney, in general, is great with allergies! While my daughter only has a peanut allergy, for folks with traveling parties with more significant or less common allergies, you can contact a special division ahead of time to assist in keeping you and/ or your party safe. You can speak to the chef at any restaurant (sit down), and they can assist in providing offerings that are tasty and safe. Even special events, such as the after hours parties or previous Halloween/ christmas parties have allergy-friendly offerings!

If you are going to attend Mickey's Very Merry christmas party and want to buy one of the specially themed souvenir tees or sweatshirts, make sure to purchase one before you leave the park the night you attend. This merchandise is only available during the party! - Yvette

If you're like me, you might collect a christmas tree bauble (or two) from the World each time you visit -- perhaps with a year on to commemorate a trip. Trouble is, we now have too many for our christmas tree to easily support! As an alternative, I got some cheap curtain rods -- the telescoping sort -- wrapped them in tinsel, and mounted them along wall shelves, then suspended the baubles from them. It spreads the Disney all around the room, and hey, there's room for lots more! - Matthew

If you want to purchase a limited edition or limited release MagicBand (e.g. Frozen-themed), please note that you must have the ticket or annual pass with you to link it. It cannot be linked at a later date. On a recent weekend trip, my husband and I tried to buy one for our son for christmas and were told that they cannot link the limited editions/releases later, only solid colors can be linked at another time. I just wanted to let everyone know so they don't make any promises or special trips like we did. - Tami Nutt

If you want to purchase a limited edition or limited release MagicBand (e.g. Frozen-themed), please note that you must have the ticket or annual pass with you to link it. It cannot be linked at a later date. On a recent weekend trip, my husband and I tried to buy one for our son for christmas and were told that they cannot link the limited editions/releases later, only solid colors can be linked at another time. I just wanted to let everyone know so they don't make any promises or special trips like we did. - Tami Nutt

On a recent trip to Disney my 5-year-old discovered several things she wanted to buy and, like most parents, we told her we would "think about it" as we moved on to the next part of our trip. Because I had my computer with me I was able to visit the Disney Store website the last night of our trip and order many of the things she had seen in the parks, as both christmas and her birthday were coming up. I was thrilled to receive free shipping and knowing that I didn't have to try to "hide" these presents in our suitcases. But the icing on the cake was that several of the items were actually cheaper on the website than they would have been had we bought them at the park! - Kim Meyerholtz

On a recent trip to Disney my 5-year-old discovered several things she wanted to buy and, like most parents, we told her we would "think about it" as we moved on to the next part of our trip. Because I had my computer with me I was able to visit the Disney Store website the last night of our trip and order many of the things she had seen in the parks, as both christmas and her birthday were coming up. I was thrilled to receive free shipping and knowing that I didn't have to try to "hide" these presents in our suitcases. But the icing on the cake was that several of the items were actually cheaper on the website than they would have been had we bought them at the park! - Kim Meyerholtz

Wanted to pass along a tip for inexpensive souvenirs. When we go on vacation, I always like to buy a christmas ornament for each of our kids. However, christmas ornaments can get pricy at Disney ($12 and up), which adds up for three kids. One way I have found to keep costs down is by picking out keychains instead (around $5). When I get home, I just replace the chain with a ribbon and voila! Perfect for hanging on the tree. It is fun to "go down memory lane" when we decorate the tree.- Barb H.

If you're going to Walt Disney World anytime between September and December, consider attending one of the special parties in the Magic Kingdom -- Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party or Mickey's Very Merry christmas Party (and go during the week so it's less crowded). You can save money by not buying a park ticket the day of the party. Sleep late, enjoy the pool at your resort and/or go to Disney Springs. If you're visiting in November or December, check out the fabulous christmas decorations in any of the deluxe resorts. Get to Magic Kingdom at 4 p.m. and you will get to enjoy the park until closing time at midnight. Both parties are really great! - Kim

If you're going to Walt Disney World anytime between September and December, consider attending one of the special parties in the Magic Kingdom -- Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party or Mickey's Very Merry christmas Party (and go during the week so it's less crowded). You can save money by not buying a park ticket the day of the party. Sleep late, enjoy the pool at your resort and/or go to Disney Springs. If you're visiting in November or December, check out the fabulous christmas decorations in any of the deluxe resorts. Get to Magic Kingdom at 4 p.m. and you will get to enjoy the park until closing time at midnight. Both parties are really great! - Kim

If you're going to Walt Disney World anytime between September and December, consider attending one of the special parties in the Magic Kingdom -- Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party or Mickey's Very Merry christmas Party (and go during the week so it's less crowded). You can save money by not buying a park ticket the day of the party. Sleep late, enjoy the pool at your resort and/or go to Disney Springs. If you're visiting in November or December, check out the fabulous christmas decorations in any of the deluxe resorts. Get to Magic Kingdom at 4 p.m. and you will get to enjoy the park until closing time at midnight. Both parties are really great! - Kim

christmas - If you are going to be in the Magic Kingdom during the day of a Very Merry christmas Party, but aren't staying for the Party, make sure you do any Main Street shopping before the time the party starts. We were at the Magic Kingdom on the first night of the party this year (November 9). We tried to get into the Emporium at 7:05 p.m. and they wouldn't let us in without a bracelet. It was very disappointing since it was our last night. Luckily we had done some shopping earlier, but my friends were very disappointed. - Rick G.

christmas - If you are going to be in the Magic Kingdom during the day of a Very Merry christmas Party, but aren't staying for the Party, make sure you do any Main Street shopping before the time the party starts. We were at the Magic Kingdom on the first night of the party this year (November 9). We tried to get into the Emporium at 7:05 p.m. and they wouldn't let us in without a bracelet. It was very disappointing since it was our last night. Luckily we had done some shopping earlier, but my friends were very disappointed. - Rick G.