Tips about Countdown, Kids, Mousecellaneous, Planning and Souvenirs

We just returned from a great trip at Walt Disney World. It was the first time with our 2-year-old and our second time since 1995. We highly recommend using the Baby Care Center for anyone who has little ones. We were very excited to find a cool, comfortable place to change diapers. They have padded changing tables with a disposable sheet on each table for sanitary purposes. In addition, there was a water cooler where you could refill your water bottle. They also have private nursing rooms for breastfeeding moms and a separate TV room where older kids can wait while baby is changed and fed. There is a bathroom there, too, for older kids and adults. They also have some sundries, such as diapers and formula, available for purchase. The Magic Kingdom one is located next to the First Aid area, between Casey's and the Crystal Palace. They are all on the Disney maps for each park. - The Tietjes

I wanted to share something I have done that I am probably entirely too proud of -- haha! My boyfriend and I are set to leave for the World in three weeks, and I wanted to do some kind of countdown for him. My mother had bought me a wooden box Advent calendar last year. It counts down 25 days, and each day is marked by a little door that opens up to a small "chamber" in the box. I have filled each mini-chamber with a picture or small token to represent his favorite attractions and new things we want to try this time around! Some examples of the tokens are little animals for the Kilimanjaro Safari, Christmas light bulbs for the Osborne Family Spectacle of Lights, and a piece of Ghirardelli chocolate for the ice cream shop at Disney Springs. - Ashley McCoy

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

I'm going to WDW with my family and we are meeting my sister and cousin there. To get them even more excited about the trip, I sent them a box of little presents to open daily, every day of the month before we meet at Disney World. I have included small Disney items -- for example, a postage stamp, sticker, countdown calendar, and Disney bracelet. One of my favorites is a placemat that I made simply by taking a gift box and cutting off the sides. I put numbered pictures on both sides and even included some Hidden Mickeys! The pictures are of places all over the "World." I included instructions for them to try to decipher where each picture was taken. (This is kind of like your game of "Where in the World Are We?") On one side, I put pictures from all over, but the other side I filled up with pictures only taken in Epcot! I covered the whole thing with contact paper. Since they haven't been to WDW in years, this will be a fun little way for them to get reacquainted with the parks! - Alea

When I know a trip to WDW is approaching, as I reach the last of the shampoo, conditioner, etc., I stash the almost empty bottle aside, then pack it for the trip. When I run out, I discard the bottle and there is automatically more room for Mickey stuff to bring home! - Jenny Drake

A great souvenir to buy from the China pavilion in Epcot is bamboo. The plant costs about $1-$1.50 and comes with care instructions. You can also buy a vase for the plant starting at about $3. - Jen Wolf

If your child likes to collect the pressed pennies from each area in the park, buy the book that holds them. Buying the pennies will cut down on your child asking for everything in the park. You just have to spend 51 cents! - Randi Gold

My 4-year-old son has a real problem with loud noises, but refused to wear ear plugs. We would put a pair in and he would pull them right back out. Before we left I contacted a store that specialized in hunting equipment and ordered a pair of the smallest child-sized headphones used at target ranges to muffle sound. They fit him perfectly and when we were in the parks, if there was even a hint of loud noises coming, we would just slip them on. My son actually went through the Haunted Mansion four times without a hitch. It was the best $17 I ever spent and I got quite a few comments of, "Oh, I wish we had thought of that." - Bonnie Schweizer

My 4-year-old son has a real problem with loud noises, but refused to wear ear plugs. We would put a pair in and he would pull them right back out. Before we left I contacted a store that specialized in hunting equipment and ordered a pair of the smallest child-sized headphones used at target ranges to muffle sound. They fit him perfectly and when we were in the parks, if there was even a hint of loud noises coming, we would just slip them on. My son actually went through the Haunted Mansion four times without a hitch. It was the best $17 I ever spent and I got quite a few comments of, "Oh, I wish we had thought of that." - Bonnie Schweizer

For those of you looking for low-priced souvenirs that will be both fun and useful, you should really consider the Mickey Mouse ears ice cube tray! I bought one for $4 at World of Disney, and have been smiling ever since. I'll definitely buy some for my friends as souvenirs on my next trip! - Michele Cardona

Recently, on a trip to WDW, the screw to one of the arms of my sunglasses came out. Luckily it happened in my purse so I had the screw but I didn't have a tool to screw it in with. My friends and I went through our purses trying to find something we could use (we weren't at our hotel at the time), but we came up empty-handed. Then my friend Gina came up with the idea to try one of her pressed pennies. It worked! Pressed pennies are just the right thickness for tightening eyeglass screws, and they are big enough to make it easy to turn them. Even if you don't have a pressed penny, the machines are everywhere you turn, and the cost (51 cents) is much cheaper than buying an eyeglass repair kit in a vacation destination. - Karen Zayas

I brought along Palmolive dishcloths for our Wilderness Lodge (refillable) mugs. The box of 20 was less than $2.00 at my local Walmart, and I could use them in the laundry, as well. Even adding two sheets was less expensive than buying laundry detergent. In our fanny packs, I carried one in a plastic bag and used it to spot treat any food stains on shirts/shorts. Quite the bargain! - Trisha Parece

The small Disney shopping bag is perfect for holding a raincoat. It packs easily into backpacks and can also even be threaded through a belt. Like others, I always save every shopping bag until we go home just in case we need it for something, but when we have to purchase a new raincoat, I'm always glad there is a little one stored in our room. - Lori Wedeking

I use the Disney shopping bags as gift wrap. If the item does not fit in the bag I cut the bag at the seam. I have even taped several bags together for a large box. Teamed with curly ribbon, kids love the Mickeys all over a package. - Patricia Towsley

If you travel with any individual, especially children, who is afraid of or does not like loud noise, purchase disposable foam ear plugs from a hardware store before leaving home. These are easy to take in and out, cheap (less than a $1.00 a pair) and can be kept in a pocket or fanny pack. Don't forget to purchase several pairs, just in case one pair is lost. - The DeHoff Family

EDITOR'S NOTE: We've mentioned this tip before, but it bears repeating