Tips about Christmas, Planning and Resorts

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

Old Key West - We just enjoyed a wonderful week at Disney's Old Key West. However, we wondered why we spent so much time (greater than 45 minutes on a couple occasions!) waiting for buses to take us to the parks. After inquiring (finally) with the concierge, we were told that if the bus filled prior to our stop at Hospitality House, the bus driver would automatically skip this stop and a bus would only stop when vacant. Our tip -- walk the extra three minutes to the Peninsular Rd. bus stop and enjoy an empty bus each time! - Jen Tesoriero

EDITOR'S NOTE: We are afraid that the concierge gave you some erroneous information. Buses at OKW make all of the stops since many times people will use a park bus (any park bus) as an internal shuttle to the Hospitality House as they all stop there last before heading out to a park. This is especially true in the mornings and around dinner time.

POLYNESIAN RESORT - I just returned from a magical nine days in the World. It could have just as easily been a disaster. As soon as I checked into my room at the Polynesian, I went to charge my cell phone. Unfortunately I realized that I had forgotten to bring my charger. I thought I'd be incommunicado for the entire trip. Since my husband and I often take our kids in seperate directions, I was really worried about how we would manage our days. Thinking it was a slim chance, I inquired at the concierge desk. What a pleasant surprise when they brought out a bin of about 20-25 cell phone chargers for me to look through and find the right one. I was able to borrow it a few times during my trip so that I always had my phone ready and charged. - Vicky

EDITOR'S NOTE: This is a great idea, but don't depend on it, as not all resorts can accommodate you like this. Go ahead, ask Senior Editor Debra Martin Koma how she knows...

Wilderness Lodge - Just returned from a week at WL and they now have a photopass counter in the hotel as well as sessions (for a fee) with photographers for pictures around the lodge - Lesley

Forgive me for recycling these old tips I learned a few years ago. I am a planner and before I leave home (UK), I prepare all my "mousekeeping" tips in separate envelopes with a little message of thanks and the date to be given. This saves a great deal of time -- more time for the World -- and a lot of scrabbling in purses and wallets for the requisite amount. Before travelling and when changing my currency I always ask for small denominations so I am prepared for those immediate gratuities (luggage, valet parking, etc). I am already writing my envelopes for our next trip, September '08 -- Boardwalk Villas!

We took a short trip to the Magic Kingdom and Epcot, and it rained quite frequently. We have two children in strollers, and the best thing we bought prior to the trip were two $10 stroller covers. Our girls were comfortable and dry, even when it was pouring and windy. There were a lot of people using ponchos, but we noticed that they did not stay on the strollers like ours did. When it stopped raining, we put them in the storage area under each stroller (ours are the larger umbrella strollers). - Angie

If you're a teenage girl (like me) and you're going to Disney, bring your cellphone or iPod with you! It's nice to be able to listen to your music while waiting in line. Another thing: make sure you put your name and address on everything -- with iPods or mp3 players, stick some white tape on the back and write your info with a pen or marker, because Disney will return items if they find them! - Stephanie

If you're a teenage girl (like me) and you're going to Disney, bring your cellphone or iPod with you! It's nice to be able to listen to your music while waiting in line. Another thing: make sure you put your name and address on everything -- with iPods or mp3 players, stick some white tape on the back and write your info with a pen or marker, because Disney will return items if they find them! - Stephanie

Since dresser drawers are few in the rooms, bring along one of those hanging closet organizers for each child with at least seven slots. You can place your child's shorts, t-shirts, socks, underwear, etc. in the cubes thus saving on drawer space. - Barbara D.