Tips about ChildId, Kids, Mousecellaneous and Resorts

ALL STAR MUSIC - I just returned from a very quick trip to Walt Disney World. Normally we stay for at least three nights, but this time we only had a one-night stay. This is the first time that we stayed in Building 1 at All Star Music. Since we made our reservation at the last minute, we did not have much choice in the way of a room selection. We got a room facing the swimming pool. If you are a light sleeper, or have problems falling asleep because of noise, a room facing the swimming pool is a very bad idea. The pool is open late, and the noise from the pool made it very difficult to sleep. In the morning, I was awakened at about 7:15 from more noise coming from people at the swimming pool. The tip here is to stay away from the swimming pool if you can't handle the noise. - Craig M

All Resorts - The shower stalls at our hotel (Villas at the Wilderness Lodge) were quite slippery when wet. We did find out that housekeeping has a limited number of rubber floor mats available on request. They also have night lights available. - Naomi

When we traveled to Hawaii with my young sons, ages 4 and 7, I discovered a company that makes temporary "Lost and Found" tattoos with a space to write in your telephone number. Various bands, lanyards, cards or pins can get lost during a day in the parks, but a tattoo applied to your child's arm or hand is always there. And kids love them! There are also tattoos available for allergies, autism, Alzheimer's, etc. I always use these tattoos on my children when we visit Walt Disney World now. Even the teenagers will still wear them! - Becky

A wonderful way to keep toddlers entertained is to purchase inexpensive disposable cameras for them to use. My son was 2 when he made his first visit to WDW. He loves having his picture taken and usually cries for my camera. Rather than risk losing or damaging my camera, I found disposable cameras at our local dollar store. I bought a package of four for $8. Needless to say, we have some priceless pictures! - Charlotte

I was reading through your site for something new and fun at Disney that we hadn't done and that is a little less "Disney" so my husband might quit complaining about another trip to WDW. Well, I found it -- parasailing. After reading the reviews I decided to schedule two double tandem flights for two adults with two children, ages 7 and 10. Wow, was that great! The kids loved it and so did my husband and I. (Note: maximum combined weight is 300 lbs. per flight). We went to the Contemporary Resort marina, and the boat driver and instructor were both excellent at their jobs. - Crystal

We just rented a cabin at Fort Wilderness and thought we would pass on some tips. We ordered water and drinks, along with eggs and cold cuts from an Orlando grocery delivery service. We also had room in our checked luggage for some groceries, condiment packs and little pouches of basic spices (sea salt, fresh pepper, garlic powder). The cabin's kitchen has about everything you need, but you might want to pack a small sharp kitchen knife, and if you plan to fry anything, know that the pan is stainless steel and not nonstick (VERY non-nonstick!). Stop at your local sub shop and pick up some oil packets (canola or extra virgin olive) and throw them in a zipper-top bag in your checked luggage. Being able to throw together breakfast in the morning is a great time- and money-saver, and having a late-night turkey sandwich and chips on the couch is a bonus. - Brian Phillips

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

Disney character toys are so expensive. We have found a great way to save money on our trip and let the grandchildren enjoy the characters on the way to Disney. We buy the toys on eBay for a fraction of the price, sometimes for as little as 99 cents plus shipping. I know it gives us more spending money and our grandchildren are just as happy. - Susan Smeltzer

Epcot - Since we're passholders, the kids have been so many times it can get boring for them. They've done the masks and passports at Epcot over and over. What I do before each trip is make up a new passport. I include a picture on the page and certain facts about the country that they need to find. It's interactive with the Cast Members in that country and they enjoy teaching the kids! For instance, in China, learn how to count from 1 to 10 in Chinese. In Germany, have a Cast Member tell you about the wall that used to separate their country. In America, what does the Liberty Bell stand for? As I said, the Cast Members love the interaction with the kids. They are proud to talk about their countries. As a prior homeschooling mom, I am always trying to sneak in a learning experience when I can and Epcot is the perfect place to do so without the kids realizing it! - Julie Turbide

Epcot - Since we're passholders, the kids have been so many times it can get boring for them. They've done the masks and passports at Epcot over and over. What I do before each trip is make up a new passport. I include a picture on the page and certain facts about the country that they need to find. It's interactive with the Cast Members in that country and they enjoy teaching the kids! For instance, in China, learn how to count from 1 to 10 in Chinese. In Germany, have a Cast Member tell you about the wall that used to separate their country. In America, what does the Liberty Bell stand for? As I said, the Cast Members love the interaction with the kids. They are proud to talk about their countries. As a prior homeschooling mom, I am always trying to sneak in a learning experience when I can and Epcot is the perfect place to do so without the kids realizing it! - Julie Turbide

The nametag idea for lost children/parents is a good idea; however, it might be good to let people know that they also sell a similar nametag at several stores in the parks that are personalized with names. They are a little different than the Cast Member tags, but a child could get confused. - Jody Wickett

EDITOR'S NOTE: Good point, Jody. A Cast Member friend of ours concurs: "Parents come up to us all the time to point out our nametags to their kids. Invariably they say something like, "If you are lost, look for someone with a Disney nametag." I like to point out to them that children with lost parents should look for someone with a WHITE Disney nametag, as Disney does offer personalized nametags in our merchandise locations that are similar to the real ones, and these can be purchased by anyone. It's the white ones (with the current celebration, like "Happiest Celebration on Earth") that will be worn only by a Cast Member."

After reading your information about "lost parents", it made me think of our last trip to Disney. My then 2-1/2 year-old daughter got separated from us -- she just walked quietly away, while we were looking at our map. This happened as we were exiting the Magic Kingdom and immediate panic struck me, because she could have been headed toward a bus, a boat or the monorail. I immediately alerted any Cast Member I could find and then a "tourist" walked over to me and offered to go back into the park to look for her, while my husband searched outside the gate. I thought to myself, "How nice of this man to take time out of his vacation to help a stranger." Sure enough, our daughter was standing right inside with a crowd around her. I thanked the man for taking the time to help me and then he explained to me that he was an undercover security guard. He told me that there are many people like him all through the parks, just looking for cases like this. That made me feel relieved to know that there are people looking out for our kids! - Cindy Boyer

We printed dog tags at Wal-Mart for about $5, then laced them through the kids' shoelaces near the toe so they wouldn't come off if their shoe was untied. The tags had names and cell numbers on them and the children were told to show the numbers to a Cast Member. My children were both old enough to know our numbers but the tags gave us both a little extra sense of peace. This is a cheap and easy way to make your little ones safe. - Heather Pitts

EDITOR'S NOTE: Now with Magic Bands you can write your cell number inside of the band.

As a former Disney College Program Cast Member, I had a family approach me one day while I was standing on Main Street, and the mother asked if she could borrow me for a second. I said yes, and she proceeded to point out my name tag and costume to her young daughter saying, "OK, sweetheart -- if you ever become separated from Mommy and Daddy, look for someone with one of these, OK? They will help you." I thought this was a very good idea because it lets kids know that there are people throughout the park who they can trust to get them back to their parents.

Also, along the missing parents subject, I had a young girl come up to me one day whose father had become lost. As I was talking with her, she pulled out a laminated card from her lanyard, and handed it to me. The card had her name, her parents' names, and also her father's cell phone number. She had been told by her parents to give the card to a Cast Member should she become separated from the rest of the group. This card helped us find her parents very quickly. I know it may be a bit of a hassle to write that information down and figure out how to attach it to your child, but believe me, if you are ever separated from your child, you will be SO glad that you took the time. It makes reuniting families so much easier and quicker! - Ann

EDITOR'S NOTE: We wholeheartedly agree with the suggestion to familiarize young children with what Cast Member nametags look like. Just last weekend, ALL EARS(R) Researcher Kenny says he saw two separate "lost parent" incidents in Disney's Animal Kingdom, and adds that it might also be helpful to point out certain Cast Member costumes. "Guest Relations, Custodial, Outdoor Vending and Security tend to have similar costumes parkwide," he notes. "All Cast Members with nametags can help (and can at least make sure the child gets to an appropriate Cast Member). And all Cast Members with radios should be able to transmit a lost child bulletin parkwide to all other Cast Members with radios."

All Resorts - I'm sure that many people, like myself, are light sleepers and wake up at the slightest noise. As you may well know, even the Deluxe resorts at Disney World are plagued with their share of noises, and for me nothing ruins a vacation more than not getting enough sleep. What I've found to be extremely helpful in getting a good night's sleep is to bring along a cheap pair of foam earplugs. I put them in right before bed and sleep soundly the whole night. I've found them in stores such as Target, but you can also get them at your local pharmacy for only a few dollars. - P.F.