Tips about Characters, Epcot, Food & Beverage, Kids and Planning

Before going [to WDW], I purchased several small Disney related items at discount stores and put them in my backpack in the morning. During different times I would bring them out for the kids, such as Monsters candy dispensers while waiting to meet Mike and Sulley. They were a huge hit, and the kids weren't always asking for something. I also made the kids canvas pouches that went around their necks, I painted mouse ears and their names on them. They held their Disney Dollars, pennies and quarters for pressing, and pen and cards for autographs. Their hands were free and they got a lot of compliments on them. - The Zolman family

Just a helpful hint to those planning future trips (we're already planning our next year's visit!) -- Ziploc bags are your friends! We put snacks, cameras, and even aspirin in them and carried them in our backpack. Even when we went on the Kali River Rapids or Splash Mountain we didn't have to worry about anything getting ruined. - Sue Harshbarger

As I sit at my computer researching my vacation, I keep a small notebook next to the keyboard. When I find some valuable information I jot it down. This way I don't have to remember links or specifics and can go back later to get more info. I then periodically file the information in a larger notebook -- restaurants, transportation, hotel info, etc. This helps keep me organized and that is hard to do! LOL! - Lisa

I am the family travel agent, so to speak, and I am very organized in my planning. One thing that I found helpful was to buy a cheap marble copybook from our local discount store. Then I covered it in Disney Princess wrapping paper, along with other cut-outs and stickers of other characters I could find. I use this book to keep track of all of our reservation and flight information, priority seating, as well as a "scratch pad" of sorts to plan our journey through the parks. Since it has at least a hundred pages, I plan on using it as a journal as well, having the kids write down certain experiences, and draw pictures of what they have seen. I plan on using it over and over again, as both a memory piece and a trip planner for the next time we plan on visiting WDW! - T. Porretta who is planning her family's first trip to WDW

We just got back from Walt Disney World. What a week! After spending a lot of time waiting in autograph signing lines, we actually received a compliment from one of the characters -- Cinderella, I think. We had tied the pens on curling ribbon (another "must have" to tie around knapsacks and rental stroller handles, etc.) and attached them to the spiral wire of the autograph books. We were always ready when our turn came up and were never without a pen! Thanks so much for your other tips. It made our trip a lot less stressful since we were so prepared! - Leslie Sacks

Make sure you get doubles of pictures taken with characters. That way on your next trip to the "World", you can have the character autograph his or her picture with you in it! - Mmmgong

During our trip to WDW, we did several character meals. At first we would only use our cameras to take pictures after the characters signed the autograph books and were posing with the kids. But after the second meal we started snapping away as soon as the characters approached our table. We are so glad we did this because we captured a very funny sequence of events while at the Villains Dinner at 1900 Park Fare at the Grand Floridian.

These candid shots tell a funny story, showing the playful interaction between my sons and the characters. After that, we started snapping away at all of the character meals, and now that we're back, we see that the candid shots usually gave us better pictures than the posed ones! So my tip is start taking pictures as soon as the characters approach your table and start interacting with your children. Of course you want the posed pictures, but the candid ones just might end up being your favorite memories of the meals! -Theresa Brown

(Editor's note: This is a great tip for character meet and greets in the parks also!)

A tip regarding preschoolers and autograph books: I highly recommend the use of autograph books, due to the fact that some young children don't like the idea of just going up to the characters to stand next to them for a photo. If they have a purpose, such as to get an autograph, the kids (at least my three) will walk up to a character, no problem. One big suggestion is to have a bunch of character stickers, either with you or back at the hotel. That way the preschoolers who can't read can identify the signatures -- plus what preschooler doesn't like putting stickers on anything? - Melanie comments

The characters love getting little gifts when greeting the children (pictures, etc.). Just make sure to write your name and address on the back. My daughter recently shared a picture of herself dressed up as a mermaid with Ariel, about a week later she received a nice thank you card from Ariel. It was a nice way for her to have part of the magic follow her home. I love the ALL EARS® newsletters, keep them coming. - SondraB in Fla.

In preparation for our upcoming trip to Walt Disney World (first trip with our three children 5, 3, and 1 -- wish us luck!), I put together autograph booklets for our 5-year-old daughter and 3-year-old son. I searched online for "Disney clip art" and to my amazement there are tons of sites with art to save on your computer. After collecting all the character images I wanted, I made 3 x 5 boxes (2 per sheet of cardstock paper) and pasted the images on the pages in a corner. I took it to a local printing shop and let them bind them for me (very inexpensive). Now my kids can play a game of match the character they see in the parks with the pictures on their autograph cards. As a bonus, they'll immediately know which signature is Cinderella's and which is Mickey's and won't have to ask us repeatedly (as preschoolers will)! Then when we return home, I'll undo the bindings and put them into a scrapbook for each of them, along with photos and such, as a great memory book for their first trip to Walt Disney World. And, as we're seeing my grandmother (who is 90 this year) just after we leave Walt Disney World, I included a card with her photo on it for her to "sign" something for each of them. She always wanted to be a star! (Lisa Mitchell Parker)

EPCOT - On every trip to Epcot we try to collect different things from each country, but I'm beginning to run out of space. So this year we decided to collect candy from each country. We usually picked up two different candies at each country. The only country that did not have candy was Morocco, so we bought a pastry. It's a tasty treat that you can enjoy at the park and later at home. I took some to my family and we had a contest to see what country they thought the candy came from. So, in essence it's a treat, collection, and later a game, but only needing short-term storage space. What a fun, tasty thing to do -- my family enjoyed it! - Kelly Adkins

EPCOT - On every trip to Epcot we try to collect different things from each country, but I'm beginning to run out of space. So this year we decided to collect candy from each country. We usually picked up two different candies at each country. The only country that did not have candy was Morocco, so we bought a pastry. It's a tasty treat that you can enjoy at the park and later at home. I took some to my family and we had a contest to see what country they thought the candy came from. So, in essence it's a treat, collection, and later a game, but only needing short-term storage space. What a fun, tasty thing to do -- my family enjoyed it! - Kelly Adkins

When visiting WDW we purchase postcards for our grandchildren and friends and then ask the characters on the front of the postcards to sign them. We then send the postcards with the signature only so the recipient thinks Mickey, Goofy, Donald, Minnie, etc. sent it. The kids love it! (Harbarkep)

On a recent trip to WDW my friend came up with a unique gift for another friend. (This was a baby gift.) She bought a child-size t-shirt with all the characters on it and we went around and had all the characters sign the front of it. We later had it framed and decorated with postcards around the edges. She loved it. - Victoria

Prior to leaving, I purchased those blank post cards you can get at any photo shop, the ones you take your own 4x6 print on and make a personalized card. I addressed them and stamped them ahead of time. We made sure to do a Character Breakfast in the first couple of days and took a whole roll of film of our family with the characters. I then had the film developed and made our own personalized cards. Make sure you get double prints so you have a copy for your own memories. Also, having the first film developed at the beginning of your trip enables you to check to see that your camera is working properly! Family and friends were thrilled with getting a "real" postcard, and when I mailed them Cast Members thought they were pretty cool, too! - Patti