Tips about Disney Cruise Line, Epcot, Kids and Souvenirs

ALL PARKS - I found that if you get tired of waiting in long lines, and you don't mind splitting up your party ( maybe to 1, 2,or even 3) some attractions offer singles lines. These lines help fill up unused space. I tried this at Test Track and the normal wait time was 70 minutes. It took me 5 minutes on the singles line and I still got a seat with my parents. - Matthew

We always make sure we have a small or travel size magna doodle in our backpack. The kids can use it to draw a picture, play hangman, tic-tac-toe, anything of that nature. PLUS we always brought it out on the table at character meals & usually at least one character at each meal would sign it, doodle on it or ask my son a question on it. It is more interactive & versatile than a hand held game & it doesn't beep or make noise 🙂 - Missy

I always take a few of the bubble bottles with me. Then, when I'm in a long line or waiting for a parade or fireworks, I just start blowing bubbles. All of the little kids (and some of the big ones too!) are delighted to chase and pop the bubbles or just watch them drift by. It's so funny to hear the comments from guests who don't see me blowing the bubbles - they just think it's more Disney "magic." - Kymberli Oakes

My dh and I have used this idea on our past two trips with our young children (ages 5 and 2 at our last trip last week) We thought it was a sensible "duh" until we had tons of people tell us what a great idea it was. We even had several cast members comment on our "brilliant" idea.

If you are travelling with young children that sometimes would prefer to walk than ride in a stroller all day, tie bells to their shoes. You will be able to keep up with them and if they do get seperated from you, their jingling will alert you to where they are. We had bells tied on two or our children our last trip and used different bells on each of their shoes. Because of all the noise at Disney you don't really notice the constant jingling until it stops or you need to hear it! - Michelle

I just returned from Disney last week and I'd like to offer this tip. In the past, when I've visited the Disney outlets in the Belz factory stores, items also on sale in the parks were sold in the outlet at theme park prices. Not so this year. I bought sweatshirts, available for $58 in the Animal Kingdom Lodge, for only $25, and Pooh bear mask/whistles for half price. If you have a car, I recommend checking out both stores as they have slightly different merchandise. I was able to purchase several official Disney gifts that had a higher value than I could normally afford. - Sam

We recently enjoyed our first cruise on the Disney Wonder. The last night we were sad that it was almost over. We had bought plenty of souvenirs and Christmas presents on the ship, but my husband got a great idea when he went to the disembarkation meeting to pick up our paper luggage tags. All the different characters were on the tags, and some had the cruise ship on them as well. He took a few extra, laminated them, and put them on a small Christmas tree that we keep next to our sliding glass door year-round. They're beautiful and quite unique, and every time we walk by we have great memories of our Wonderful cruise! - pjm957

I usually rip off the destination tag the airline places on my luggage without giving it a second thought. However, on a recent trip I left it there and it was a good thing. While on my recent 7-day Disney cruise, I was getting dressed and discovered the hem of my slacks was ripped out. I had not packed a sewing kit and was at a loss, until I spotted the destination tag. I carefully pulled it apart, then, using a pair of scissors, I cut several pieces and was able to place the sticking side on the hem. I got away with wearing the slacks until I arrived home to properly repair them. - Linda Eckwerth

Last week Glo From Miami's Souven-EARS ideas dealt with bringing inexpensive items back home for the office or classmates. Several readers wrote with more suggestions:

Liz: In Epcot, some of the carts have unusual and inexpensive musical items. We brought back wooden flutes for everyone in the class and they were only $1 each!

Suttonelz7: The Mickey-shaped straws they sell at most of the resort food courts are very inexpensive souvenirs. I got the straws for 25 cents apiece when I went in 2001. I was able to bring back souvenirs for all my staff for less than $20 and they all loved them.

Marilyn Flage: I always bring back Disney emery boards. I figure that is a gift everyone can use. I usually find 4-5 different designs, so I let my fellow workers pick which they prefer and then I have the leftovers to use myself.

I LOVED your article on pressed coins and I have to agree they are fabulous and inexpensive. Something I do to collect my coins and give as souvenir gifts is create jewelry. A small awl used for piercing leather works well in piercing the ends of these coins, and then simple jump rings and clasps found in Michael's or any craft store work great in connecting the coins into bracelets, key chains, earrings -- you name it! You can do these as themes, such as princesses or the Fab Five or even by parks. I once brought these home for several of my students! - Erika Swanson

Last week a tip involved taking a highlighter on a cruise in order to plan out daily activities. Here is another take on that tip. You can use a blue highlighter, and your spouse (or companion) can use a yellow highlighter. Then the highlighted items that are green you know to do together! - Theresa Browning

This tip applies to cruisers (even non-Disney ones). Take a brightly colored highlighter with you on the cruise. As you go over the "Personal Navigator" and plan out your next day, highlight the activities you want to do. With all there is to do on a cruise, it's easy to miss something as the day progresses. By highlighting your must-do events, you won't miss them. - Keith & Sandy Link

I love the artwork that I find at Disney World shops, but the prices are a bit higher than what is budgeted in my vacation spending money. Easy solution: I buy postcards that are miniature versions of the large prints that are offered for big bucks. I spend two dollars on a postcard, matte, frame and PRESTO... a beautiful Disney masterpiece. The Mickey Mouse Norman Rockwell's are my favorites! - Fran Dodge

If you are traveling with a young girl, around 5, buy a Princess Hat! My niece got one on her last trip and the Cast Members made such a fuss over her. She wore it every day, in every park, and someone commented every day. The CM's asked if she was a princess. The taxi boat CM said to "stand aside, we have royalty coming on board." Goofy even bowed down and worshiped her. It really made her feel very special during the trip. - Holly

We just got back from Disney World. We bought our son a Magical Moments pin, which lights up at the various shows and on rides. (A secret bonus was that on the dark or scary rides he just pushed the pin, which lit up so that he wasn't scared.) Unfortunately, even though the pin comes with replacement batteries, we went through three parks before we found that the jewelry store on Main Street USA had the screwdriver necessary to remove the back panel. Our tip: bring your own small screwdriver with you. The batteries can be purchased anywhere in the park for $1.49 + tax for one, but you need two batteries per pin. It is a wonderful keepsake. - Tracey and Mackenzie

EDITOR'S NOTE:: If you are flying to WDW and plan on bringing a screwdriver, please remember to pack it in your checked luggage, NOT in your carry-on luggage.

I work with elementary school-age children and have many friends with kids in that age category. I buy postcards when in the World and bring them home to use throughout the year. I send them to my own kids (at college), and to my nieces and nephews scattered around the nation. But my most fun postcard use is sending one to someone I know is going to Disney with a message like, "We are so excited you are coming to see us! Please stop by and get my autograph when you are here. And don't forget to bring your camera so we can take our picture together. See you next week! Mickey." My friends have told me how fun it has been to have the kids get this sort of mail and I love being the secret Mickey spreading a little pre-Disney pixie dust. - Terry Heyward