Tips about Animal Kingdom, Epcot, Food & Beverage and Mousecellaneous

ANIMAL KINGDOM - It's Tough to be a Bug - If you have small children who might be scared, sit in the back of the theater. When the show grows intense, the special effects are less harsh in the back. The most intense seats are forward on the right side. (Sammantha)

ANIMAL KINGDOM - At It's Tough to be a Bug, don't miss the creative movie posters in the waiting area: "A Stinkbug Named Desire," "Web Side Story," "Beauty and the Bee" and "My Fair Lady Bug."

ANIMAL KINGDOM - At Conservation Station, be sure to stop in at the listening booths to hear Grandmother Willow's presentation of the Sounds of the Rainforest. Slip on the earphones and the cool, dark room almost convinces you to take a snooze --until you hear the eerily realistic rain, booming thunder and the buzzing insects.

ANIMAL KINGDOM - After getting drenched on the Kali River Rapids, be sure to stop on the bridge after exiting the ride. You'll find two elephants whose trunks will spout water at the unsuspecting riders below if you push their buttons.

ANIMAL KINGDOM - Kali River Rapids - is actually one of the BEST places in all Animal Kingdom to linger! The details and thought that went into designing the queue are evident. Be sure to note the Kali Tiger Temple, the Balinese puppets, the prayer wheel and the brass gongs as you meander through the various chambers. And don't miss Mr. Panika's office -- the owner of the "business" may be "out to temple" as the signs indicate, but the two resident geckos who reside in his gecko cabinet are in all the time.

ANIMAL KINGDOM - Across from the Dawa Bar in Harambe is what appears to be an old fort. Don't assume that the area's off limits -- there are actually tables and chairs in there! It's the perfect quiet spot to take a cool drink or a snack and get out of the flow of traffic.

ANIMAL KINGDOM - Visit the restaurant Pizzafari, one of the most brilliantly decorated buildings in the Animal Kingdom. The bright colors are eye-catching, of course, but stop in *before* the lunch crowds gather so that you can study the different rooms with their ornate murals, walls and ceilings. Can you identify which room is which? The Home Room, Nocturnal Room, Upside-Down Room, Camouflage Room, Four Seasons Room, and Bug Room.

As great as zipper-top bags are for holding snacks, you might want to think about hard plastic storage containers for them or something equally sturdy. I've witnessed a squirrel literally rip a hole in a reusable supermarket bag to get at the chips inside, no matter how many times we shooed him away. Anytime you're in a show or a ride with a long line the squirrels and birds have PLENTY of time to mess with your stuff that you've left in your stroller or scooter. - Aren

As great as zipper-top bags are for holding snacks, you might want to think about hard plastic storage containers for them or something equally sturdy. I've witnessed a squirrel literally rip a hole in a reusable supermarket bag to get at the chips inside, no matter how many times we shooed him away. Anytime you're in a show or a ride with a long line the squirrels and birds have PLENTY of time to mess with your stuff that you've left in your stroller or scooter. - Aren

ANIMAL KINGDOM - See how many animals you can find in the Tree of Life.

ANIMAL KINGDOM - View the Tree of Life at different times during the day. As the sun and the shadows move you will see different animals appear.

ANIMAL KINGDOM - As you wander into the Animal Kingdom, keep your eyes open for DeVine, the walking vine.

ANIMAL KINGDOM - Two special behind the scenes tours are offered (for an additional cost) at Animal Kingdom, Wild Africa Trek and Backstage Tails. For more information visit www.allears.net/btp/tours.htm

ANIMAL KINGDOM - Don't rush through the tree roots on your way to It's Tough to Be a Bug... this journey provides an excellent up-close view of many of the animal sculptures.

We have been searching for Hidden Mickeys at WDW, so to 'train' my husband for our last trip, I hid one Hidden Mickey a day for him to find before work. I only hid them in the bathroom because if he had to look all over the house before work, it wouldn't be fun! We both enjoyed this pre-trip practice, and I really think it paid off! He did 100 times better at spotting Hidden Mickeys once we got to WDW. A few words of advice for anyone who might want to try this: limit it to two weeks or less before your trip! Also, certain scrapbook stores sell Mickey punches; those were small and I could stick them anywhere! Other good ideas for Hidden Mickeys are placing anything in the three-circle shape, such as dots of cream connected to look like Mickey. There are many Hidden Mickeys like that at the World, so be creative! - Alea Laughery