Tips about Christmas, Kids and Magic Kingdom

CHRISTMAS - We didn't know about this on our trip, but I really wish I would have taken a tour of the mobile homes at Fort Wilderness campground. Apparently, there is much competition between the residents to outdo one another. Be sure to go to American Adventure in Epcot if for no other reason but to hear the Voices of Liberty (the a cappella group that performs in the lobby before the American Adventure show). They are always good, but especially so during the holidays. - Shirley

CHRISTMAS - There are pros and cons of seeing the Osborne Lights right when the switch is flipped. On the plus side, there is that big "WOW" moment when the street goes from dark to fully lit. However, on the negative, you are completely surrounded by throngs of people. Even on a day that was otherwise not crowded in the park, the crowds at the beginning of the Osborne Lights were amazing. We had no choice but to move with the crowds, and really couldn't see things very well at all. This would be particularly hard with young children. I would recommend waiting until later in the evening and letting the initial crowds thin some. - Rodney Green

CHRISTMAS - I like to get to the (Osborne) lights later rather than earlier because of the crowds. If you are there when they turn on the lights, it is like being in a herd of wildebeests. Wait until a half hour or so before the lights go off (which is usually when the park closes) and then you can still see the dancing lights and snow with fewer people. I also like to go during the Extra Magic Hours in the evening as it is less crowded. I always check at the resort concierge to make sure the lights will be on during EMH. - Sue Van Vleet

CHRISTMAS - I have a small tip for seeing the Osborne Spectacle of Lights at Hollywood Studios. We were there back in 2006, and the perfect time for us to see the lights was when Fantasmic! was going on. So, plan for dinner right when the fireworks show is starting, visit the light show, and then go to the later showing of Fantasmic! - A.C. Williams

CHRISTMAS - On our last visit to Disney, we booked a 7:30 p.m. dinner at the Sci Fi Dine in Theater. After our meal, the park was ready to close and was almost completely empty. We walked around the corner from the restaurant to the Osborne Lights and to our amazement we practically had the place to ourselves. Music was still playing and the lights seemed to be glowing just for my family and friends. It was magical to stand there in the radiance of those lights and the holiday spirit was certainly upon us. - Eileen Fuzer from NJ

CHRISTMAS - Our favorite way to see the Osborne Lights is to spend the afternoon at the Hollywood Studios. Make an Advance Dining Reservation at either Mama Melrose or The Hollywood Brown Derby and enjoy the rest of the afternoon riding our favorite rides or seeing a couple of shows. About 30 minutes before the scheduled lighting, head over to the Streets of America Backlot area and stand near the Muppet Vision/Star Tours end of the street. Enjoy all the dancing lights and music. Stay in this general area for a while until the crowds thin a bit. Get some hot chocolate in a souvenir mug and have a good time watching the people watching the lights. If you wait for about 30 minutes after the lights start, you should have no problem walking through the rest of the display without any trouble. Happy Holidays! - Debbie Wills (not Deb Wills!)

CHRISTMAS - This tip is helpful any time of year, but for Christmas season we use red and green glow sticks or necklaces and tie them to our stroller to help us find it a little easier in the dark! We used pink for my daughter's birthday visit while at the Pirate & Princess Party. Any added touch to personalize your stroller is helpful, especially when the strollers are moved around while you are on the ride (the stroller parking in Fantasyland is always busy and the cast members constantly keep things organized to run smoothly). - Suzanne from NH

CHRISTMAS - This tip is helpful any time of year, but for Christmas season we use red and green glow sticks or necklaces and tie them to our stroller to help us find it a little easier in the dark! We used pink for my daughter's birthday visit while at the Pirate & Princess Party. Any added touch to personalize your stroller is helpful, especially when the strollers are moved around while you are on the ride (the stroller parking in Fantasyland is always busy and the cast members constantly keep things organized to run smoothly). - Suzanne from NH

My kids, ages 7 and 9, take me to Disney World for a three-day weekend about six times a year. Through our many trips, we have come to learn that it's necessary for us to have enough energy to enjoy ourselves and eat as healthy as possible. It also cuts down on the whining that occurs when kids are bored and tired and hungry, and saves us some money as well. As a routine, each night each kid packs himself parent-approved snack bags, brought from home or bought in the gift store, divided up into those little snack bags (fruit roll-ups, Chip n' Dale pretzels, raisins, grapes, etc.). My kids are usually OK with about four to six little snacks apiece. The kids are then responsible for their own fanny pack all day and can help themselves to what snack they want when they want without whining or fighting or arguing. I keep additional snack baggies in my purse for those times when we indulge in some Cheetohs or chips in the park so the kids can share more easily or save for later. It works well for us!! - Ellen Holbrook

As regular visitors (from England) to the World, I know how many Mickey stickers you can be given on one trip. So this year, instead of putting them on our t-shirts, we took all of them home and my 7-year-old son gave them to his classmates as a "vacation present". There were enough for the whole class and they all immediately stuck them on to their homework folders, rather than on their clothes, so they can keep them. It was also a much healthier alternative to the usual sweets that the other children give out after they've been on holiday. - Louise Herrick

ANIMAL KINGDOM - To encourage our children to take some time and enjoy the magnificent Tree of Life, we created a Tree of Life Scavenger Hunt Game. Prior to our trip we created a list of 50 or so animals that we thought might be found on the Tree of Life. We made two copies of the list and then at the Animal Kingdom divided the family into two groups for the game. After deciding on a meeting place and time (20 minutes is plenty) each team travels around the tree marking off animals found. The team with the most animals wins. Note for each minute late, there is a penalty of one animal. Last time, the winning team each got a $10 souvenir. Another time the winning team got to choose the next ride. Have fun! - Diane Parkansky

On our way out of the park, my daughter and I spied a silhouette cart down a side alley of Main Street, USA. It was after midnight, but the young woman was still doing silhouettes. We hurried over and she cheerily did one more silhouette for us. We were done in about 15 minutes, and for only about $15 including a frame, I think it's one of the best and most unique souvenirs at Walt Disney World. It's a special keepsake for my 9-year-old daughter of our fun marathon day at Magic Kingdom. - Natalie H.

Magic Kingdom - I enjoyed reading the article on bashful travelers (AllEars Newsletter Issue #460), as I am one myself. I had a comment that might help people who want to see the Monsters, Inc. show in Tomorrowland. There are tabletops in front of everyone when you sit down in the theater. On the tables, there are "reading" lamps every so often. Those conceal the cameras that they use to interact with guests. Avoid sitting directly behind one of those and you should be fine. - Mandy Blank

Meg Beriau shares some tips for 5- to 8-year-olds:

We go to Walt Disney World a couple of times each year, thanks to our DVC membership, and have learned a lot over the years:

-- One trick we found that works great is that we bring our MP3 players to the fireworks, if the noise is too much for the younger ones they can listen to their Disney favorites without the loud sounds, especially at Epcot!

-- Glo-Sticks! This is family favorite. I always stock up before we go, double bag them in checked bags and carry them along to the parks. They are always a big hit with the kids and it makes it easier to see the kids when things get dark at night or in rides. If a child jumps out of the stroller, you can see them better with a glo necklace or bracelet.

-- Crocs, the official footwear for our kids at Disney! We put socks on with them for plane travel, but they are great when we get to sunny Florida! I like that the toes are protected, but not sweaty and if they get wet, it is not a big deal since they dry quickly.

-- We also pack snacks and small cereal boxes in the carry on bags. It makes a cheaper and usually preferred alternative to the expensive snacks available in the parks. The kids can have a dry cereal in the morning before we head off to grab breakfast and we have the smaller portion snacks to offer all day in the parks without waiting in line and spending a lot of extra money.

Our last trip to Walt Disney World was our first with a little one. I thought I did such a great job packing, remembering all the important baby things -- special toys, sippy cups, favorite blanket, pacifier, and all that. But I completely forgot to bring one important thing -- dish detergent to wash those sippy cups and pacifier! Now that we are planning our next trip for the fall, I have that on the top of my list! - Elizabeth Doda