Tips about Disney Dining Plan, Epcot, Food & Beverage, Mousecellaneous and Souvenirs

EPCOT - Kids can learn about the various countries by getting a World Showcase Passport. The passports are sold for $9.95 at most stores and carts throughout Epcot, and include a set of country stamps and a big *I'm a World Showcase Traveler* button. As you visit the WS pavilions, your child can have Cast Members at the KIDCOT stations (see description following) stamp the passport and write something in his/her native language.

EPCOT - If you happen to be in Innoventions Plaza at night, be sure to look DOWN! The walkway is laced with fiberoptics that light up and slowly fade away, enchanting children and adults.

EPCOT - If you happen to be in Innoventions Plaza at night, be sure to look DOWN! The walkway is laced with fiberoptics that light up and slowly fade away, enchanting children and adults.

EPCOT - During the Flower and Garden Festival, the path leading to Test Track has a beautiful Butterfly Garden that features plantings designed to entice the winged beauties. It's a quiet spot not too far from Cool Wash misting station on the way toward World Showcase.

EPCOT - During the Flower and Garden Festival, the path leading to Test Track has a beautiful Butterfly Garden that features plantings designed to entice the winged beauties. It's a quiet spot not too far from Cool Wash misting station on the way toward World Showcase.

EPCOT - As you're crossing the walkway from Future World to World Showcase, you'll spy special lights and spouts built into the concrete on your right. Upon closer inspection you'll discover a spontaneous water fountain that sends water 20' straight up into the air. On hot days especially it's the perfect spot for kids (and adults) to cool down.

EPCOT - As you're crossing the walkway from Future World to World Showcase, you'll spy special lights and spouts built into the concrete on your right. Upon closer inspection you'll discover a spontaneous water fountain that sends water 20' straight up into the air. On hot days especially it's the perfect spot for kids (and adults) to cool down.

EPCOT - Outside the Imagination Pavillion. you'll find a whimsical *leap fountain,* where the water jumps from "pad" to "pad." It's not a play fountain, but children (and sometimes adults) can be seen trying to catch the water as it leaps around.

EPCOT - Outside the Imagination Pavillion. you'll find a whimsical *leap fountain,* where the water jumps from "pad" to "pad." It's not a play fountain, but children (and sometimes adults) can be seen trying to catch the water as it leaps around.

EPCOT - Take a look at the beautiful fountain outside the Imagination pavilion, it's slightly out of the ordinary. It's actually a *reverse* waterfall, with the water flowing up! Just watch it!

EPCOT - Take a look at the beautiful fountain outside the Imagination pavilion, it's slightly out of the ordinary. It's actually a *reverse* waterfall, with the water flowing up! Just watch it!

Instead of buying a T-shirt or some other small expensive trinket that the kids will get bored with in a short time, I buy BEACH TOWELS. At Disney, they are $20 each and you can even get them at specific attractions. I have a huge collection from every place we have been and use them on an everyday basis. It's a great way to remember all the great vacations we have taken. Some of these towels have lasted 10 years! I have recently started storing the new ones I buy to give to my grandkids someday. - Pauline Sheehan

CHRISTMAS - We had our own Christmas ornament idea. We bought the official attraction collectibles -- the ones that look like a ride car -- tied clear string and a hook to them, and hung them on our tree. These only cost about $5 each! - Bill Fosbenner

CHRISTMAS - Our family always checks out the key rings at WDW. A lot of the key rings are suitable to be used as Christmas ornaments or jewelry. On our most recent trip we purchased a monorail key ring to use as a Christmas ornament. We saw a glass monorail ornament that was twice the price and I wasn't sure it would survive the plane trip home. We also bought a key ring that had a Tinker Bell charm on it. I removed the charm (silver) and placed it on a chain to wear as a necklace. The key ring cost $6 compared to the actual Tinker Bell charms that were $12. - Ronda

When at all financially possible, consider booking the Magic Your Way Plus Dining Plan. Yes, it's a little more than you would normally spend -- but what a great way to experience Disney Dining, without having to pay attention to the prices. I am normally a burger queen (due to the fact that it's the cheapest thing on the menu), but with the Silver Plan we were able to do a character breakfast every morning, as well as really experience the dinnertime restaurants. You can really get your money's worth by using your wishes for the Hoop-Dee-Doo Revue or the Spirit of Aloha dinner show at the Polynesian (these are $50 per adult). Since each Magical Wish includes an appetizer, main course, dessert, and drink (or milkshake), we only ate two meals a day -- our character breakfast, and an early dinner. It was great! - Jessica Clemmons