Tips about ECVs, Epcot, Food & Beverage, Magic Kingdom and Resorts

ANIMAL KINGDOM - At the Harambe Fruit Market in Animal Kingdom, they now have a really nice fruit and cheese dish in addition to the other fruit choices. It contains apple slices -- probably half a good-sized apple, plus a nice bunch of grapes, and three slices each of cheddar and gouda. It was just about perfect for something light on a warm day. The price wasn't too bad, either, at $5.49 (2008 price). - Lynn Pernezny

FORT WILDERNESS - When staying at Fort Wilderness campground we always rent a golf cart. When it's time to see the Electrical Water Pageant, we take our carts and go back to a little lane (which used to lead to River Country), and off to the right you can take your carts onto the beach. This way you can have a nice spot that's not crowded and you are on the water. The kids can play in the sand until it's time for the parade. It's so peaceful. - Michelle Gates EDITOR'S NOTE: Carts are not allowed off paths or on beaches so you might need to park it and walk to a more remote spot.

All Resorts - On our last trip to WDW we had a fridge in our room -- very handy! However, our fridge was too cold and it froze 12 bottles of water solid. At first I was mad but I took two of the frozen solid bottles to the park with me and it actually worked out great. It took a good part of the day for them to totally un-freeze, so we had cold water almost the whole day. If you have a fridge with a freezer, put bottled water in the freezer instead of the fridge and you'll have cold water much longer throughout a day at the parks. - BEARWIFME

EDITOR'S NOTE: This is a great tip, but if you try it, don't fill the bottles up to the very top -- leave an inch or two, since the water will expand as it freezes.

All Resorts - On our last trip to WDW we had a fridge in our room -- very handy! However, our fridge was too cold and it froze 12 bottles of water solid. At first I was mad but I took two of the frozen solid bottles to the park with me and it actually worked out great. It took a good part of the day for them to totally un-freeze, so we had cold water almost the whole day. If you have a fridge with a freezer, put bottled water in the freezer instead of the fridge and you'll have cold water much longer throughout a day at the parks. - BEARWIFME

EDITOR'S NOTE: This is a great tip, but if you try it, don't fill the bottles up to the very top -- leave an inch or two, since the water will expand as it freezes.

If there are restaurants your family really wants to dine at during your vacation make those reservations ASAP after planning your trip. Most restaurants reserve up to 180 days in advance. If you wait until you are actually on your trip, especially now that it's coming into the busy season, you may be shut out or get very late times (like 9 p.m.). We reserved almost all of our favorites in advance, then tried to get a few last-minute reservations and had to settle for either 4 p.m. or 9 p.m. dinners. Some readers may find it hard to believe but the more popular restaurants really do get completely booked up 160-180 days in advance. - Maria Heuskin

EDITOR'S NOTE: Remember that having the Magic Your Way Plus Dining Package does NOT guarantee you a reservation at any restaurant -- you still need to make Advance Dining Reservations!

EPCOT - In Epcot, keep yourself cool and hydrated by visiting the Coca Cola-sponsored Club Cool. Inside are free samples of sodas from around the world. The two I enjoyed most were the Lychee Mello from Thailand and the Vegitabeta from Japan. - Kathleen Walsh

EPCOT - In Epcot, keep yourself cool and hydrated by visiting the Coca Cola-sponsored Club Cool. Inside are free samples of sodas from around the world. The two I enjoyed most were the Lychee Mello from Thailand and the Vegitabeta from Japan. - Kathleen Walsh

When my wife and I took our nieces (ages 7 and 9) to Disney World two years ago, they especially wanted to meet Cinderella. I had already made reservations for the Cinderella breakfast in the castle, but I didn't tell the girls right away. Instead, I said only that if we were very lucky maybe Cinderella would invite us to meet her in her castle. In the meantime, my wife, Kathy, purchased some invitation cards at one of the shops, with Cinderella and the castle on the cover. She filled out the invitation from "Princess Cinderella," and, the day before the breakfast, secretly left them on the girls' pillows as we left the room for the day. When we returned, the girls found the invitations and were thrilled that Cinderella had personally invited them to breakfast! Also, don't give up if you can't get reservations for breakfast in the castle or for other popular character meals. If the meal is all booked up, try calling again for reservations just a day or two before the meal (or even the day of). Often there are cancellations. It worked for me! - Dennis Driggers

EPCOT - Walking through Epcot this past weekend, I saw lots of folks taking photos of family and friends through the Goofy frame, located just past the Canada pavilion and the Refreshment Port, on the way to Showcase Plaza. If you are looking straight at the frame, you will get a lovely photo, with the water in the background. However, for an even better shot, move slightly to the left and crouch down a bit. You can capture Spaceship Earth in your photo as well! - AllEars(R).Net Photographer Dotti Saroufim

EPCOT - Walking through Epcot this past weekend, I saw lots of folks taking photos of family and friends through the Goofy frame, located just past the Canada pavilion and the Refreshment Port, on the way to Showcase Plaza. If you are looking straight at the frame, you will get a lovely photo, with the water in the background. However, for an even better shot, move slightly to the left and crouch down a bit. You can capture Spaceship Earth in your photo as well! - AllEars(R).Net Photographer Dotti Saroufim

All Resorts - We always buy the refillable mugs at our resorts, the only problem is how to carry all the mugs you just filled to the park each day. Well, you need to buy the plastic "S" hooks that go onto the baby style gyms. They work great and secure the mug perfectly. You can get them at your local "dollar store." They also work great attaching packages and many, MANY other things to your stroller. - Rene Hogan

EPCOT - We always enjoy visiting with piano player Pam Brody at the Rose and Crown. Pam was the piano player aboard the Queen Mary for years, and met almost every movie star from the 1940s until the shipped was docked. She is a fascinating lady and great entertainment. Also, an entertainer does card tricks at the same pub throughout the day. Add that with the best ale in Disney and you have a winner. - Lynn K.

EPCOT - We always enjoy visiting with piano player Pam Brody at the Rose and Crown. Pam was the piano player aboard the Queen Mary for years, and met almost every movie star from the 1940s until the shipped was docked. She is a fascinating lady and great entertainment. Also, an entertainer does card tricks at the same pub throughout the day. Add that with the best ale in Disney and you have a winner. - Lynn K.

I recently planned a birthday dinner for my fiance at the California Grill to correspond with fireworks time. When I made the priority seating a month prior to dinner, I was given a 10 p.m. fireworks time, so I made the priority seating for 9 p.m. When we arrived for dinner, we were told that fireworks would be at 9 p.m. and we couldn't be seated before the fireworks. I don't know if Disney Dining told me a wrong fireworks time, or if the time was later changed, but always confirm the fireworks times in the weeks leading up to your visit if you're planning on dinner, a cruise, or any other activity that involves Wishes or IllumiNations. - Kim Button

Walt Disney World occasionally changes the contractor that runs the spa at the various resorts. As of 2015,it's best to look up the spa you are considering on Disney's official website for details and phone numbers: https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/spas/