Tips about Disney Springs, Epcot, Mousecellaneous, Resorts and Souvenirs

Going through the metal detectors at the park entrances, you have to remove celebratory buttons and put them in the little bins with other metal objects. This can be a pain, especially if you're park-hopping! Consider wearing buttons on a lanyard or bag strap to make it easier to take them on and off. - Gilly R.

Going through the metal detectors at the park entrances, you have to remove celebratory buttons and put them in the little bins with other metal objects. This can be a pain, especially if you're park-hopping! Consider wearing buttons on a lanyard or bag strap to make it easier to take them on and off. - Gilly R.

I just returned from a terrific stay at the Grand Floridian and wanted to share a unique experience if you're looking for something extra-special. My husband surprised me with an Intimate Dining Experience. It's a two-hour dining experience for up to four people, even if staying off-property, with a choice of locations throughout the resort, personalized menus and a butler. Ours was on a balcony of the Grand Floridian with a view of the lagoon and fireworks. It was arranged directly through the front desk at the Grand Floridian. - Denise D.

Epcot - If you've been to Le Cellier you already know there's more to the Canada pavilion than the beautiful landscaping. But I walked through the garden in Canada for years without ever noticing the wooden walkway that takes you through the waterfalls behind this wonderful setting. Don't miss it! - Emily Pickle

Epcot - If you've been to Le Cellier you already know there's more to the Canada pavilion than the beautiful landscaping. But I walked through the garden in Canada for years without ever noticing the wooden walkway that takes you through the waterfalls behind this wonderful setting. Don't miss it! - Emily Pickle

Schedule one evening to be at the perfect place and time to view a fabulous Florida sunset. Most regular visitors have their own favorite sunset view, but in the crush of other things to do, this is one of those "I wish I had done it" things you remember after you get home. It is one of those quiet moments that are most treasured later, and is a good "last evening at Disney" tradition to incorporate into your stay. Depending on your resort, cast members can usually suggest the best sunset view. One of my favorites is the point that juts into the lagoon at the Polynesian, but any western view over water is a winner. Another great place is at the Cantina in Mexico at Epcot. Get a cool drink and sit at a table by the water and just soak up the peace and beauty. - Mary Jane Walley

Most people like to visit Disney Springs during the late afternoon and at night. True, this is a good time to visit Pleasure Island and eat at the wonderful restaurants when you don't have any children with you. But if you are with a family who just wants to do some shopping this is not the time to do it. What I like to do is go to the Marketplace to do my shopping on the last day. Since we usually leave in the afternoon we have a few hours in between checking out and leaving on the Magical Express. By the last day you know all of the merchandise from the parks and what you really want to buy. Plus if you forgot something that you saw in the parks chances are you will find it in the World of Disney Store, they have everything! In the morning there is almost no one there and you can actually shop in the stores without someone breathing down your neck. This is the perfect way to end my Disney vacation and a chance for me to get some things to bring the magic back home with me! - Kara Tillyer

The Pin Trading store has the most complete selection on property and several sculptures are great for more photos. There is a kid-sized railroad ride that we love looking at. The atmosphere in Rainforest Cafe is unbelievable, but the lines are, too! A Tuesday or Wednesday night at the Cafe is easier to get seating. Don't miss their shop. There are other fun stores that we sometimes visit, too. - JanACA

We stayed at Port Orleans French Quarter, so we took the boat ride to Disney Springs, had dinner at Raglan Road and then spent the rest of the evening shopping. Raglan Road was phenomenal! In fact it was one of only two restaurants my boyfriend requested we go back to again this September! The bar was great and the service was excellent. - Betsy Ralph

We always end each trip with an afternoon spent shopping in the Marketplace. Usually at the end of each trip we have a handful of snack credits remaining from the Dining Plan. Instead of them going to waste we take full advantage of The Enchanted Dining Room at World of Disney. This room is divided into two areas, housewares and gourmet food. Here we trade in our credits for Disney cookies, pretzels, snack mixes, candy, or whatever else is available. This way we can take a small piece of Disney home with us to enjoy over the weeks following our return. - Brooke

My favorite and must shop store at Disney Springs is Disney's Days of Christmas. They have such unique and specialty items. My husband and I bought a large Mickey ornament which we had personalized with our names and marriage info (we were celebrating our 25th anniversary). I always know I can find such cool and unusual Mickey Christmas decorations. I go to the Christmas store early in our trip so that any personalization I want will be finished before I leave the world. If you love Christmas and decorating, then this is the place for you. Disney will ship purchases to your home, or just be sure to bring an extra suitcase and take any fragile items as a carry on. - Jodi Mooney

There are two full service Guest Relations locations in Disney Springs. They handle all the same transactions as the Guest Relations locations at the theme parks but the DTD locations are always less crowded. The Guest Relations offices at DTD are located in the Marketplace and in West Side.

The Marketplace location is between the Team Mickey shop and the Ghirardelli shop towards the Rainforest Cafe end of the Marketplace. This is a walk-up counter located indoors between the two stores.

The West Side location is on the outside left the Disney Quest building. - Jack Marshall

My tip is to make sure you remember where you park your car. One time we were at Disney Springs at night and didn't pay attention in which lot we had parked. When we came back to the lot, we exited through a different pathway. It was raining and we looked up and down the aisles, finally contacting security. Luckily, I had written down the rental car company, make and model and license plate number. Then the security guard said to go to the office to call the car rental agency and that's when we noticed another lot, with our rental car in it. Even though our kids were young, they still remember this story to this day. Now we always write down the lot number and section or which store we park near. - pletschdoc

The second day of our trip we woke up early and got the bus to Disney Springs Marketplace. The shopping there was great and since the stores were just opening in Once Upon a Toy the ladies let my boys turn on the train and be the conductors for the day... We had a great time sitting by the water and watching the lizards sun themselves. Then since we were staying at Port Orleans Riverside we got the ferry back to our hotel. It was very nice and relaxing. Truly one of my favorite moments at Disney. - Jennifer Clark

The LEGO store is a must visit! Kids will love the chance to play with LEGOs and the LEGO statues are a must-see (including a dragon statue actually in the lake!). If you see an item you want to buy, consider checking its availability online. One member of my party was swayed to buy a LEGO chess set after realizing it was unavailable online, even on the LEGO website. Also, LEGO enthusiasts (or people who lose LEGO pieces) will love the ability to buy individual LEGO pieces and create personalized LEGO people. On another note, when you buy a personalized light saber at "Once Upon a Toy," you get a free Sith or Rebellion pin at checkout. But if you want one or the other, be sure to ask. My cashier gave me a choice, but two other cashiers just gave my friends pins without offering a choice. - Tammy Ivins