Tips about Budget, Epcot, Mousecellaneous, Planning, Resorts and Souvenirs

The 10 percent Disney Visa discount that has only been offered to Disney Visa cardholders at World of Disney (with a minimum $50 purchase) is now available at all locations that sell Disney merchandise on property. This includes theme parks and resorts. You must make a minimum $50 purchase and you must pay with your Disney Visa card. - Keith Dion

To keep the thread, no pun intended, of lost glasses pins/screws going, here is a tip to keep from losing them in the first place -- put a drop of clear nail polish on the thread end of the screw and it will act like Loctite®. - Marc

I saw the tip from the reader regarding getting her husband's eyeglasses repaired at the Magic Kingdom watch store. On our trip in April, the screw in my mother's eyeglasses came out. We were staying on property and called the front desk to see if they would happen to have an eyeglass repair kit. They did and promptly brought it to our room-free of charge. My mother now carries it in her purse for any future accidents. - Tracie Smith

Epcot - When in Epcot's World Showcase pavilions, I try to have my children say at least one phrase in the native language of the Kidcot host or hostess. It is amazing the response that can be elicited from a simple "Cheers!", "Hola, buenos dias!" or my favaorite "as salaam alekem" (Morocco). We have ALWAYS been met with incredible warmth and extra kindness. Take the time to learn a few easy phrases, stand back and watch a world of smiles unfold! - Tom McManus

Epcot - When in Epcot's World Showcase pavilions, I try to have my children say at least one phrase in the native language of the Kidcot host or hostess. It is amazing the response that can be elicited from a simple "Cheers!", "Hola, buenos dias!" or my favaorite "as salaam alekem" (Morocco). We have ALWAYS been met with incredible warmth and extra kindness. Take the time to learn a few easy phrases, stand back and watch a world of smiles unfold! - Tom McManus

My family has been going to WDW since 1971, so needless to say there are occasions when we are looking for things to do that are outside of the parks, but still in the World. After I read Jack Spence's article on thinking "outside the box," my family came up with this idea that we are going to do over the Labor Day weekend. Prior to our trip we will put the names of the three monorail resort hotels in a hat and each of us will draw a name. Then, on our first evening, after dinner, we will ride the monorail, stopping at each resort hotel, and the person with that hotel name will get to select a "dessert" at a quick stop location to share with the group back in our hotel room. No one knows what was selected and it continues the party well into the evening after leaving the parks. - Betsy Vancura

Only purchase things once. We repack the light-up toys we bought a few years ago. Same with the water bottle lanyards, pin lanyards, etc. Anything that you will repeatedly need each year, SAVE IT. We have a small container that is decorated as the "Disney Box." Since we drive to WDW, it goes with us every year. As soon as we get home, the autograph books, lanyards, light-up toys, etc. go in the box for the next trip. Taped to the underside of the lid is a list that I start replenishing with the very next grocery trip. I choose one or two things each trip, that way it doesn't eat into our budget (extra batteries, rain ponchos, refills for the first aid kit, and snacks closer to the trip). - DShealer

Wilderness Lodge - Select resorts now have a Resort Photo Session that can be booked up to 30 days in advance of your stay. I just called and spoke to Sheri at the Wilderness Lodge Photo Pass Desk (it's in the lobby by the Mercantile) and was quoted the following: 20 minute private photo session at your resort. 2 Packages available: $49.95 includes sitting fee and 7 - 5x7's $99.95 includes above PLUS all the photos they took on a CD/ROM and the rights to the photo's so you can print them up later. I was told that they take no less than 50 pictures, so if this is a special occassion it might just be worth it to get the $99.95 package! - Elizabeth Kozdron

Birthday souvenir idea for Epcot: When we recently went to Epcot for my husband's birthday, I made him a birthday tag (4x6 size) which I laminated and attached to a lanyard (you can find those at a craft store or make your own). On one side, it had his picture superimposed over a picture we had taken from an earlier trip at Epcot, and it said "I'm Celebrating My Birthday at Epcot!" On the back, I listed all the countries in order on the left side, leaving a space between. Then on our visit, as we traveled to every country, he asked a Disney Cast Member to wish him Happy Birthday in their native language! It is one of our favorite keepsakes ever, and we've prominently displayed it in our vacation scrapbook. - Beth Adams

Recently, I have discovered that Disney offers recyclable shopping bags. They're very inexpensive and I find (as a teenager) that they function as great waterproof tote bags! - Jacquelyn

When we leave Disney with all of our souvenirs, they seem to go by the wayside once we get home, so I have started putting all of the "Disney stuff" away in a bag. When we go back to the magical land, it's ready to pack and take back with us. My kids have usually forgotten about everything, so it seems like new and I don't have to repurchase all the stuff. This also works well with Disney plush toys, hats and light-up gadgets. I also like to purchase Disney-related things throughout the year as I see them and add them to the bag. - Deb Gorman

Don't purchase park admission media you don't need. For instance, if it is unlikely you'll hit a water park don't add that option. If you know you'll only be in the parks three days, purchase tickets accordingly. - Hilary Sommer

Stay off property. You spend most of your days at the park, so does it really matter where you sleep? Especially in the summer when the parks are open late anyway, the extra magic hours until 2am just doesn't make sense. You can get a great deal in the Disney Springs area or somewhere in Kissimmee for less than $90 per night and have a larger room. We stayed at the Caribe Royale last trip and were pleasantly surprised by the beautiful, newly renovated rooms. Or vacation with another family and rent a condo. It will split your costs in half and you will have more amenities than at a hotel (washer, dryer, fridge, stove). It will also save on money if you bring food and cook your meals at the condo. - Lisa Conley

Seek out free evening entertainment. There are plenty of watering holes that have a band or piano player -- you don't have to hit a place with a cover charge. For example, we've had a lot of fun at the bar at Port Orleans French Quarter without paying a cover charge. Another great option is the Belle Vue Room at the Boardwalk Inn. They often play old radio shows and have board games available. - Hilary Sommer

My husband is the proud owner of an Annual Pass. With the annual pass, he gets discounts on WDW Hotels and on dining in certain WDW restaurants (always ask at each restaurant for the annual pass discount). - Debbie Wills (no, not our Editor, there's another one!)