Tips about Christmas, Food & Beverage, Mousecellaneous and Resorts

Sometimes when you order a kid's meal in the parks it comes in a Mickey shaped plastic plate (or some other special container). We took one of them home and my daughter has enjoyed using it for over two months now. I don't know how long it will last, but it has made the magic last just a little bit longer! - Alea

On our last trip to Disney we saved a lot of money on breakfast by bringing instant oatmeal packets, bowls and spoons from home. We used the coffee maker in the room to heat the water and had a quick, inexpensive breakfast. Plus, it required no refrigeration so we didn't spend the $10 per day extra for a refrigerator. - Katie in Maryland

EDITOR'S NOTE: The $10 per day charge is for value resorts only. Deluxe and moderate resorts now offer complimentary small refrigerators.

On our last trip to WDW, we were so excited to find that Columbia Harbour House sells sweet tea (a south Mississippi staple). This is "real" sweet tea that is fresh-brewed right there in the restaurant (not that stuff that comes out of a soda fountain that they call "tea"). The cast member working there told us that Columbia Harbour House was the only place in the Magic Kingdom that brews its own tea. Of course, throughout our stay we visited the restaurant many times to quench our thirst! - Lori K.

To help solve the problem of carrying leftover food, we tried those new Tupperware bowls that pop out. They start out flat and can be tucked into a backpack or purse very easily, and then open to three or four cups and a number of sizes in between. We bought a bag of chips and bagels from the gift shop and used the bowls to keep the chips and any leftover food from the food court. We used a number of dining vouchers and had so much food left over every day, so we really put those containers to good use. Sandi

We took our 3-year-old son to lunch at the Garden Grill. The character interaction was fun and he really enjoyed it. One tip for those with young kids: ask to be seated in the upper tier if you want a high chair. We went without and he felt free to hop down and run to the edge of the restaurant a lot. It would have been nice to keep him in one spot. All in all, this is a good meal, lots of fun and well worth your time. The character interaction was first-rate and our son was charmed by how the restaurant rotated. We were still full well into the evening. - Jennifer Maxwell

ALL STAR MOVIES - We recently visited Walt Disney World with my 3-year-old granddaughter. We stayed at the All Star Movies Resort -- I had forgotten how large it was. We had debated over the need for the umbrella stroller but were very glad we had it, as getting to the food court and bus stop was quite a hike for little legs. The airline transported this stroller with no problem. -Donna R.

POP CENTURY - I recently stayed at Disney's Pop Century Resort and I found parking to be a challenge. Beware, the parking spaces are extra-tiny, and there were several large SUVs that had to take up two spots -- which means you have to park further away from your room than you'd like. Other than that it's a great resort, and a real value. - Brennan P.

For $.79 at your local Target store you can purchase a clear plastic coupon holder in the office supply department. It's 5" x 7" in size, has a Velcro closure, and is perfect for holding your tickets, money, etc. It keeps everything from getting wet on the water rides and is easy to find in your backpack! I never go to WDW without mine! - Noreen Rachuba EDITOR'S NOTE: Magic Bands eliminate the need to carry many cards, but for those you do, this is a great suggestion.

CHRISTMAS - We stopped by the Osborne Lights last night and there was a nice little picto-history of how the lights and their final home at WDW came to be. You'll find it next to the soldiers (by Major Mouse). If you look throughout the display there are a number of "Hidden Mickeys," as well as references to the Osborne family members! - Jane

I brought Dawn DishWipes with us and washed out our refillable mug in our room sink every night. My mug just never felt truly clean on any of our other trips when I would just rinse it well with hot water. The wipes come in a clear plastic box and are dry, so I just put a bunch in a Ziploc bag. Dina

BEACH CLUB VILLAS - I just got back from a great four-night stay (my first) at the Beach Club Villas. We had a studio with fridge and microwave but I was very disappointed to see there were no real dishes to use. There were a few paper plates and bowls in the cabinet, and I was able to get plastic utensils, but this didn't help with anything needing to be microwaved. I had brought a few of those macaroni and cheese packets for late night snacks, not realizing that nothing is provided for actually USING the microwave. For those of you heading to a studio, keep this in mind and bring a little microwavable bowl with you, especially if you're planning to use it to cook instant oatmeal or that type of thing for the kids. - Amy Miles

EDITOR'S NOTE: EDITOR'S NOTE: Some readers have reported that housekeeping has delivered dishes on request, so if there's something you need, just ask! It can't hurt!

We had great luck booking the Illuminations Cruise over the years. We have done it several times. This year we booked the Magic Kingdom Fireworks Cruise. I think it is a little more available. We enjoyed it much more. There was a lot more "cruising" before the show and the backdrop of the castle and Magic Kingdom was fantastic. - Margaret

For those who are staying in Home Away from Home accommodations and are interested in grocery delivery, I would highly recommend a company called WeGoShop. They are a national grocery shopping and delivery company, and their Orlando location is run by a husband and wife team who are very nice people. You can email them your exact order (including product brand names, sizes and quantity), your hotel and the time you'd like your delivery, and they will be there with your groceries safely stowed in a large plastic container. They will charge you cost for the items you've bought, as well as a modest delivery charge. Their website is at www.wegoshop.com. Our groceries were just as we'd asked for them, and they even brought them to Bell Services for us as our room wasn't ready yet. - Jessica Slivak

Candlelight Processional - With the beginning of autumn comes the time to plan our family's annual Christmastime visit to see the Candlelight Processional. I have two tips to share; both were a result of poor planning that led to great discoveries. We always attend the Processional as part of the dinner package. Last year, I'd waited too long to make my reservations and all that was left was the Biergarten. I didn't know how this would go over with my family of picky eaters. Also, we were leery of the communal seating. What we discovered was that it's a great dining experience! There's something for everyone in terms of the food (roast chicken, chicken schnitzel, sauerbraten, roast pork, salad, veggies), the entertainment was fun, we enjoyed meeting other park visitors at our table, and (as any parent who's spent much of the day carrying a 50-pound girl can attest), the liter mugs of Beck's Dark can really hit the spot! The other tip is weather-related -- the Processional is right near the water and it can get really nippy. We got caught under-clothed last year. The gift shops in the Mexico pavilion in the World Showcase sell a pretty nice variety of warm apparel hoodies and such, which are not emblazoned with the Disney logo and, as such, are pretty reasonably priced. It's good to know this if you need a warm jacket on short notice! - Edward Cunliffe

The Gooding's Store at Crossroads in Lake Buena Vista will deliver right to your resort. Your order must be at least $50 and there is a $10 delivery charge. You can order via Internet or fax before you leave home and they will guarantee delivery on the day of your arrival, usually late in the afternoon. Your order will be delivered to the concierge (or the office) of your resort. They will also deliver personalized birthday cakes! No alcohol delivery is allowed, but they do deliver perishables. To place an order: Phone: 407-827-1200; Fax: 407-827-1219; Website: http://shop.goodings.com/ - Glo from Miami