Tips about Air Travel and Epcot

ALL PARKS - I have been to Disney many times and always carry a bag of some sort with me for sunscreen, wallets, camera, ponchos, and other things of that nature. I found that a clear backpack will get you through the line at the security checkpoint quicker than it normally takes. Since security can see through the backpack they normally do not have to open it up. If you are worried about everyone seeing what you have in the clear backpack, than all you have to do is take a hand towel and pull it out before the security check point and, once through, place it in the backpack so that everything that you have cannot be easily seen. It also helps if you get a little wet and need to dry off. - Kelly Henrichsen

ALL PARKS - We put small inexpensive inflatable bath pillows (about $.79 to $1.50 at most drugstores) in our parkpacks. When we go to see a show on a hard wooden or steel bench, or are stuck with only a concrete curbside seat to view the parade, we take out our pillows, blow them up, and voila -- a nice soft cushie for our tushie! - Michele Abbamondi

Epcot - I just wanted to let people with younger children know that Epcot is a great place to go with the younger set. My friends avoid this park with smaller kids thinking that it's over their heads! We went in January and found that to be completely untrue. In fact, that was our 5-year-old's favorite park! We found tons of characters that had hardly any lines, and both our kids (the other one is age 2) loved the countries' Kidcot stations. They loved having a mission to get to every station, and enjoyed all the sights and experiences along the way! - Janelle Kreiling

Epcot - I just wanted to let people with younger children know that Epcot is a great place to go with the younger set. My friends avoid this park with smaller kids thinking that it's over their heads! We went in January and found that to be completely untrue. In fact, that was our 5-year-old's favorite park! We found tons of characters that had hardly any lines, and both our kids (the other one is age 2) loved the countries' Kidcot stations. They loved having a mission to get to every station, and enjoyed all the sights and experiences along the way! - Janelle Kreiling

It can become cumbersome to search all the various airlines to compare the best prices. Go to www.kayak.com, as this search engine includes the regional airlines as well (JetBlue, Southwest, etc.). It lists all the flight options and then indicates who has the price including travel sites like Cheap Seats and Expedia. - C. Kiki Leech

Our standard black roll-on and carry-on suitcases were just like everyone's, and were hard to spot until I took some fabric paint and a large dog pawprint stamp and added bright yellow pawprints all over my suitcases. You could use any large simple stamp and a bright color to personalize your luggage. When my luggage comes down the carousel I sure get a lot of comments, and have no trouble picking out which is mine. - Merrily Westlake

When we were going through security at the Orlando airport, they would not allow us through without putting our glow ice cubes in a sealed zipper bag. If we didn't do this we would have to continue on and leave the cubes with them. The TSA people all thought that the cubes have "gel" in them and are used for cooling drinks. (Further investigation on the website for the company that sells the cubes shows there IS a gel in them!) I had to leave the security line to buy a 25-cent zipper-type bag for sale next to the Universal store closest to baggage claim A, then go through the whole security thing again, just for two rather expensive ice cubes that my kids didn't want to do without. Long story short, if you want to keep those glow cubes and are flying home, make sure they're in a zipper-top bag (or in your checked luggage). You'll save lots of time and aggravation. - Fred B.

Upon leaving Baltimore on Airtran Airways, the person checking in my luggage put someone else's baggage claim on my bag and I didn't notice it. My bag ended up in Fort Lauderdale instead of Orlando. When you use Disney's Magical Express, you won't find out that there is a problem until possibly later that evening. Therefore, always check to be sure that your luggage is tagged for the correct airport and that all of your claim tickets are YOURS. This is possibly due to the increased amount of luggage that can no longer be carried on board. - Dave

ALL PARKS - If you have kids, bring a change of clothing for them to the parks! I know this must seem like something everyone knows, but we didn't! During our first trip ever to WDW last December my then 4-year-old daughter found the water sprinklers at Pooh's Playful Spot in Fantasyland in the Magic Kingdom. She went in to play and the next thing I knew she was soaked from the water! It was tough, too, because it was a tad chilly and we didn't bring a change of clothing for her. Finding young kids' clothes at Disney is not easy! I did manage to get a pair of Mickey sweatpants, a T-shirt and a pair of socks for my daughter at one of the shops in Fantasyland. So my tip is to bring a change of clothes even for the 4-5 year olds! - Jennifer K.

ALL PARKS - The last time we went to Disney World, we took along the cards from Trivial Pursuit Junior. My wife kept some in a zipper-type bag in her purse and when we had a long wait in line or were waiting for the buses to take us back to the hotel, she would get them out and we would have an informal trivia game. Many times we would involve other kids in line or on the bus and it was a great way to pass the time. Of course, Disney trivia cards would be a natural alternative. - Dave Ference

ALL PARKS - While standing in lines for rides that might have a long wait, my children bring along a deck of cards and take turns playing magician and guessing which card the other one picked. They also have a note pad each to write on and I get them to write down their favorite part of the day so far. Having some small snacks on hand also helps to keep them from getting bored. We bring animal cookies, crackers etc. -- nothing that is too messy. - Jackie Pluim

Since I was flying Southwest Airlines, I was unable to use the special check-in desk at my hotel, but I wanted to print my boarding passes. I asked at the lobby concierge desk, and they are able to check you in 24 hours in advance and print boarding passes. The only problem was that I wanted to go to the Magic Kingdom during the day and I didn't want to come all the way back to Port Orleans French Quarter to check in. After a call to the Grand Floridian (I could have checked in there, also) I found out that Guest Relations at the Magic Kingdom has a special room specifically for this purpose. What a great service! I was able to check in and not have to miss time in the park. - Donia Camarena

EPCOT - Soarin' has become one of Epcot's most popular attractions, but many miss the chance to enhance the experience. When the attraction is loaded, guests are asked to remove loose-fitting shoes/sandals and leave them on the attraction floor. I recommend that you DO take your footwear off, for two reasons. One, it is cool to leave your shoes on the floor and then be swept away from them as the ride lifts and sweeps forward (and later, almost magically, to be returned to your original position and waiting footwear). Two, and more importantly, the sensation of bare feet dangling during the ride is so much more enjoyable. This may sound strange, but you can almost feel your feet dipping into the ocean surf or brushing against the orange trees. Try it and see what I mean. - Rich Czarnecki

EPCOT - Soarin' has become one of Epcot's most popular attractions, but many miss the chance to enhance the experience. When the attraction is loaded, guests are asked to remove loose-fitting shoes/sandals and leave them on the attraction floor. I recommend that you DO take your footwear off, for two reasons. One, it is cool to leave your shoes on the floor and then be swept away from them as the ride lifts and sweeps forward (and later, almost magically, to be returned to your original position and waiting footwear). Two, and more importantly, the sensation of bare feet dangling during the ride is so much more enjoyable. This may sound strange, but you can almost feel your feet dipping into the ocean surf or brushing against the orange trees. Try it and see what I mean. - Rich Czarnecki

ALL PARKS - When a Cast Member asks you how many people are in your group, tell them the ENTIRE number in your group. The Cast Members are trying to group your entire party onto the ride at the same time. If you tell them a number less than your party, don't be surprised when your party gets split up. (You might be asked by up to three different Cast Members for your party size.)