Tips about Christmas, Epcot, Food & Beverage and Souvenirs

For those of us who collect the pressed coins, here's an easy way to keep them safe and organized: I bought a business card book (the small one). It fits perfectly into my pack and I can look back to see which ones I have gotten. - Danny Gauthier

I have a tip for the vegetarians visiting Disney. At some counter service restaurants (Cosmic Ray's in particular) you can order just a bun and two slices of cheese for $1.79 and put whatever toppings you want from the topping bar. This works really well at Cosmic Ray's in Tomorrowland because they have a huge variety at the topping bar including sauteed mushrooms. - Angie

Regarding hard to get dining reservations. If at first you don't succeed... Count back 45 days from the date of your desired reservation. Call that day to check for cancellations. The thinking behind this is your final payment for any Disney vacations is due 45 days prior to arrival. People may need to change travel dates or cancel before final payment is made. It worked for me with Chef Mickey's. I called 45 days prior to my desired reservation date and got a 5:00 ressie. The cast member and I were both shocked and surprised. Simply Magical! - Gina Thayer

You need not carry medications in an ice pack through the parks all day. The First Aid station has a fridge for guest meds, and they are happy to store them for you. The nurse on staff was polite and professional. She allowed my 7-year-old daughter to practice being a self-advocate, and listened patiently to her medical needs. It was a stress-free experience and we could enjoy Magic Kingdom without worrying about heat or spilling. - Tracy Boylan

ALL PARKS - Just wanted to share a fun tip for kids taking a foreign language at school (or adults trying to pick up a second language!). At each park, pick up a guide map in the foreign language. Your learner will only be allowed to look at that guide and will be responsible for finding and describing the rides and eateries your group is going to by translating the foreign language guide map for the rest of your group. (The guide maps are IDENTICAL to their English counterparts, by the way.) Even reading the FastPass rules becomes fun this way! (The maps are usually available on the front steps of City Hall at Magic Kingdom, as you come through the gates at Epcot, across from the stroller rental near the washrooms in AK and at the round photo/souvenir stand just after you enter the Studios. A lot of times they are out in dispensers and you do not even have to ask a cast member for a copy.) I've even had a cast member wish me well in French when I requested the map in French from him! - Jen from NYC

T-REX, the restaurant, is loud. We brought earplugs, but only needed them during the meteor shower. I saw some people complaining about the ice room, but it was actually pretty cool (ha ha) to look at... We were seated in a room that had the woolly mammoth, the baby mammoth and some flyers. The Dino room was very cool as well, and one of the tables is surrounded by a dinosaur. Neither of my kids was overwhelmingly disappointed that they weren't in that room, though. They liked looking around. - Holly P.

If you have limited time and have a park hopper ticket you can enjoy the Osborne Spectacle of Lights in Hollywood Studios right around 6pm. Then hop on the boat and take it to the International Gateway entrance to Epcot. Enjoy the sights of the World Showcase and if you are lucky see the Candlelight Processional by at least standing in the back. Grab a caramel treat in Germany's Caramel Kuche and find a spot for the 9:30 Holiday Illuminations which you just don't want to miss. (Kay)

One of the smallest lines in general to see Santa and Mrs. Claus is at the American Adventure in the World Showcase at Epcot. They normally are available starting around 4pm but check with the Times Guide or the concierge at your resort. (Kay)

CHRISTMAS - When people think of Florida, they think of warm, humid, tropical weather. But Florida does get cold fronts, as we experienced firsthand a couple years ago during the holidays. We brought those packet hand warmers that you shake to activate. We put them inside the kids' gloves to keep their hands warm. The kids loved them, and they really came in handy in the evenings when it got chilly. They're very inexpensive and can fit into a purse or pocket until you need to use them. - Jones Family

CHRISTMAS - I consider myself to be one of the very fortunate people to have been to the Candelight Processional almost every year for the past 15 years. As a birthday gift my great hubby sends me to see this spectacular event. That aside, I have seen the show many different ways, but the best way to get a seat without having to wait in line for 90 minutes is to purchase the dinner show package. I have often stood in line for the first show knowing that I would not get a seat, but I enjoy the show so much I stand in the back and watch it -- and then watch it again when I get a seat. Or if I get a seat for the first show, I sit outside of the American Adventure and listen to it a second time. The only problem with the dinner show package is that they sell out very quickly, especially at the lower price level. But, if you have never seen this show before I highly recommend it, any way you can get to see it --sitting or standing! - Geri Preisser

CHRISTMAS - My family has adopted the tradition of watching the parade right from the comforts of our family room. The kids of course get us up very early on Christmas morning. Once the gifts are opened, and we've completed the typical assembly, we're all ready to relax and enjoy the day together. So we stay in our Christmas pajamas and enjoy watching the parade of all our favorite Disney characters and sites. It's like a special present to our whole family. - Michelle from New Jersey

CHRISTMAS - For many years my wife and I have given up going to the Candlelight Processional for keeping to more "kid happy" events and rides. Last time we made dinner reservations with the reserved Candlelight Processional package for the four of us. When it came show time we let the kids out of it and looked over the long line of standby people hoping to get in. We spotted someone wearing a WWII veterans' insignia, so we handed the kids' passes to that older couple and wished them a Merry Christmas. - Mark Benjamin

CHRISTMAS - If you happen to be in the Magic Kingdom anytime after December 20th and find yourself anywhere near the back of the park (Adventureland, Frontierland, or Liberty Square) near the time of Wishes and wish to exit the park, TAKE THE WDW RAILROAD FROM FRONTIERLAND TO THE PARK EXIT! There is literally a sea of people down Main Street with no access through the crowd. - MJK813

CHRISTMAS - One of my favorite times to visit WDW is at the holidays. We never miss the Candlelight Processional. Try going to the early show. Stop by and see Santa and Mrs. Claus first in the USA Pavilion. Santa and Mrs. Claus are usually there until 5 p.m. Then grab a hot dog and wait in line to see the early showing of the Candlelight Processional. Both Santa and the Processional are worth the wait. - reenmch

CHRISTMAS - We are frequent visitors of Disney, but it wasn't until December 2006 that we experienced the Disney Christmas spirit. What we did to add more fun to our trip (and actually help locate our stroller) was we purchased some battery-powered Christmas lights before our trip and we cable-tied them to my then 4-year-old's stroller. I also purchased some big jingle bells with holly and some thin bendable gold garland and also attached it. During the day our stroller was easy to spot with the decorations and the sound of the bells, but at night it was awesome! I cannot tell you how many comments we received even by cast members! People wanted to know where they could buy that! We actually put the lights on it this year in February when we were there just for the fun of it. It was brighter than the glow necklaces that they sell at the parks. - Jackie Nylen