Tips about At Large, Mousecellaneous and Souvenirs

Since our daughter is almost 12 years old, she didn't want an autograph book or EPCOT passport this trip. We bought her the Pressed Penny book and set out to collect at least one penny from each place we visited. We found most of them, but then discovered that Guest Services and cast members in gift shops throughout EPCOT and MK have lists of where the machines are and what their pennies look like. This made it even easier for her to complete her collection! - Lisa Heisel, Succasunna, NJ

I love to collect the smashed pennies at Walt Disney World, but hated always fumbling through my wallet for the correct change (two quarters and one penny, preferably bright and shiny!). Now, a few months before my trip I start to put aside my quarters and pennies. I store them in empty film canisters and then just toss the canisters into my backpack. Now when I'm at the park I just pull out one of the little canisters of coins and have the change right at my finger tips with no searching. - KrisAnne Warren

When you see something you want at the parks/hotels, buy it - Too many times I said I'll buy it later and it was gone or I forgot where I saw it. - Anonymous

Save all your shopping at the World of Disney for one day. If you ship everything home, $8.95 for under $100 or $13.95 for anything over $100, you will save sales tax and not have to worry about packing everything in a suitcase!! This was a big plus for us. Discounts are sometimes available.

Suggest your child start a collection - whether it's key chains, postcards, or whatever. It may be a bit pricey (esp. key chains) but they can collect them or give them as presents. - Keely

Before you spend too much money in the gift shops in and around the world, I'd recommend checking out the character warehouse shop in the Beltz outlet mall. On our last trip, I found some identical items to the ones on sale in the world at 50 - 75% off! There was quite a variety of items, but as with most outlet mall shopping, you have to do some digging. Items available included themepark clothing, resort logo clothing, plush characters, pins, and lots of character themed clothing. - Boris Beckert

The one thing we found at Disney was that everyone was extremely nice, even the other visitors. Don't be afraid to talk to people. Disney is made for kids, and adults who are kids at heart. - The Percey's

I just returned from Disney last week and I'd like to offer this tip. In the past, when I've visited the Disney outlets in the Belz factory stores, items also on sale in the parks were sold in the outlet at theme park prices. Not so this year. I bought sweatshirts, available for $58 in the Animal Kingdom Lodge, for only $25, and Pooh bear mask/whistles for half price. If you have a car, I recommend checking out both stores as they have slightly different merchandise. I was able to purchase several official Disney gifts that had a higher value than I could normally afford. - Sam

It seems like more and more often I am seeing discussions about bad experiences with Cast Members. I can honestly say that in more than 13 trips to the "World" over the last five years, I have never had such a negative experience. I would like to think that part of the reason for this is how my family and I treat the Cast Members. A smile, a please, and a thank you seem to make all the difference in the world! So my tip is "give some of the magic back to a Cast Member." Go out of your way to be nice to a Cast Member after you see another guest treat him or her badly. Open a door for them, ask them about their hometown, or sincerely thank them for their help. I cannot imagine how the Cast Members manage to keep their smiles on all day, and to provide the level of service that they do day-in and day-out. To me, that is the greatest magic in all of WDW and they deserve to get some of that magic in return! - Scott Hart

If you plan to have a pedicure done just before your Disney trip, so that your pinkies will be looking their best while lounging around the pool or resort room, DO NOT let the pedicurist file away any of those nice calluses you might have on the bottom of your feet. You will need those calluses for the miles of walking you will be doing. I was so proud of my nice soft feet after my pedicure, until the end of the first day when I realized my nice soft skin was forming blisters in the area where the calluses had been buffed away. Luckily I had moleskin with me to help protect the tender new skin. Get your toenails polished if you wish, but leave those calluses! - Bev Carson

If you have had a wonderful experience at Walt Disney World with an individual Cast Member, or at an attraction or hotel, please let WDW know! As a Cast Member, I can tell you that getting an email or letter from a guest telling me that some "little" thing I did made their vacation is THE biggest thrill! You can stop by Guest Relations at any one of the Parks or at Guest Services at a Disney hotel, or just go to the Disney website. Your message WILL be passed along to the Cast Member, attraction or hotel. - A Cast Member

Last week Glo From Miami's Souven-EARS ideas dealt with bringing inexpensive items back home for the office or classmates. Several readers wrote with more suggestions:

Liz: In Epcot, some of the carts have unusual and inexpensive musical items. We brought back wooden flutes for everyone in the class and they were only $1 each!

Suttonelz7: The Mickey-shaped straws they sell at most of the resort food courts are very inexpensive souvenirs. I got the straws for 25 cents apiece when I went in 2001. I was able to bring back souvenirs for all my staff for less than $20 and they all loved them.

Marilyn Flage: I always bring back Disney emery boards. I figure that is a gift everyone can use. I usually find 4-5 different designs, so I let my fellow workers pick which they prefer and then I have the leftovers to use myself.

Last year I went to WDW with two good friends. They had never been to WDW and we had a blast. The one problem they faced was finding me in the crowd. I am, to explain it in a PC phrase, altitudinally challenged -- in other words, I am SHORT. Because of this, hats, shirts, badges, the usual identifying stuff would not help. The solution was at my feet -- literally. By scanning the footwear of a crowd, my friends could always find me by my Day-Glo green, purple, or orange shoelaces. The laces also turned out to be a great ice-breaker when standing in line. The kids loved the colors and the parents loved the idea. - Mary S.

If you carry a cellphone, put an entry in the "Phonebook" labeled "Home" or "If Found Call" and then program either your home number or your hotel number. I left my very expensive cell phone in the sand at Typhoon Lagoon. A guest found it and gave it to Lost & Found. They were able to reach me right away at home to let me know because I had an entry in the phonebook designated "Home". All I had to do was confirm the make and model of the phone and it was returned to me. - Alisa Starke

If you are going to have a car at WDW, go to the Wal-Mart website before you leave home and find the nearest location(s), and directions on how to get there. As it turns out, there are two stores within 10 miles of the WDW property. My family always needs something there, and it is definitely much cheaper than paying Disney prices.

Also be sure to check the website of your insurance provider for locations of acceptable urgent care facilities near WDW. The last two times we were at WDW, we had to go to urgent care. I didn't plan the first time and paid dearly. Last year was a much less painful (financially) experience. - Kent Kirby