Tips about Budget and Magic Kingdom

For all WDW visitors from the UK -- try to find jet-setting friends who will bring you home US coins, quarters especially, because when you land at Orlando they're jolly useful for tolls. Saves having to worry about splitting paper money when you're tired and the kids can't wait to get to Mickey! - Rosie, Northampton, UK

Magic Kingdom - Just wanted your readers to know that the Magic Kingdom's barbershop not only cuts hair. For an additional amount, they will put fun colors, stars, pixie dust and other cool stuff in your hair, just for the fun of it. Ask for the glow in the dark cream, so when you go on the dark rides your hair lights up! All my kids love it. General prices for haircuts range from $15-$18. NOTE: It washes out very easily. - Jim Keenan

Magic Kingdom - I have found a way to beat the huge crowd leaving the park after the fireworks at the Magic Kingdom. I delay my exit by visiting the Plaza Ice Cream Parlor (it stays open late even if the park is closed) and getting an ice cream cone or hot fudge sundae. Then I find a bench (or a wall) and watch the crowds go by. When I am close to finishing my ice cream, I begin walking toward the exit and the crowds have thinned considerably. Also, when staying at a Disney resort, the line for either the bus or the boat isn't very long anymore and you aren't squished in like sardines. It is an enjoyable way to finish your evening at the Magic Kingdom. - Susan VanVleet

We're headed down to the world very soon and we've been looking for ways to cut costs. At home, we've found you can save a lot by drinking water. Well, we find the water in Florida to taste a little funny because of the high content of sulfur so we didn't want to do that, but suddenly I remembered those little drink flavoring packets they have now to put into bottled water. The Crystal Light brand says to mix with 16.9 oz. of water but I've found I can go up to 24 oz. and it still tastes strong enough for me. Kool-Aid also makes the individual packets now for the kids and I noticed several other brands at the store. I can't wait to go down and use these. With drinks costing anywhere from $1.50 to around $5.00, I think this will be a huge savings for us! - Terri Daugherty

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

CHRISTMAS - My one tip would be for anyone who is thinking about going to the taping of the Christmas Parade -- DON'T, unless you want to totally waste a day of your vacation. They bring the first group in and don't make them move. The second group comes in and they are way in the back. I stood there from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m. and was not in any film. I even wore my red Christmas party sweatshirt and Minnie Santa hat. It was certainly hot! If you don't want to stand around and get pushed around don't go. - Bonnie Lock

MAGIC KINGDOM - For you Disney Princess enthusiasts, to ride Cinderella's particular horse on Cinderella's Golden Carrousel, look for the white horse with a gold ribbon tied around its tail. To help locate this mighty steed, ask a Cast Member. - Dee Dee Scarborough

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.)

Magic Kingdom - If you ever walk past Space Mountain and it's been shut down for maintenance for a few minutes, jump on the Tomorrowland Transit Authority. As the ride passes by Space Mountain, the lights will be turned on and you can see what the coaster actually looks like. As a repeat visitor to Disney World, I thought it was just about the coolest thing I'd seen all day, and it made the idea of going on the ride a lot less scary. - Allie

ALL PARKS - As a teacher I have found the park maps to be a wonderful way to teach map skills to my first graders. I always make sure to pick up a handful for my students. I also laminate them and put them in our reading basket. Even laminated, they get a lot of wear. Too bad...I guess I'll have to go back for replacements! - Rae Vautrin

ALL PARKS - When visiting the Disney parks, I usually like to pick up an extra guide map or two. I use them to decorate my cube walls at work and will also give extra copies to friends and family who may be planning their own trip in the near future. This helps them get a better idea of the park layout and make plans. - Kerry Kollasch

ALL PARKS - My tip is for keeping track of your hats while on rides or shows at the World... I bought some carabiners that we put on the strap of our fanny packs. I learned the hard way to put it through a part of the strap so that the carabiner is trapped and can't fall off when you take the fanny pack off. When we step inside at WDW, we both take off our hats, and snap them to the carabiner on our fanny packs -- it's easy to keep track of, and we don't worry about losing our hats or leaving them behind. We even do this on the rides, and find we can ride most things with our fanny packs (and hats) left on our waist. For wet rides, we put the hat over our fanny pack, and it helps keep splashes off. - Jill Neill

Magic Kingdom - If you have small children who like to ride the roller coasters, but don't want to wait in long lines, head over to the Great Goofini's Barnstormer after the first evening parade or Wishes if the park is open late, and they can ride it over and over again (sometimes without having to get off). My daughter is 5 and we do this a couple of times every time we visit. It's also fun to watch the fireworks from the roller coaster! - Keith King