Tips about Epcot, Food & Beverage, Keep The Magic Alive, Magic Kingdom and Planning

We just got back from Disney World today... please let your readers know that "Heelys" (skate sneakers) are not permitted in any amusement park in Florida. We were stopped by a Disney employee who informed us that we could be fined up to $150 by the sheriff! - Barbara Friedman

Fort Wilderness - This year I took my family to dinner at the Trail's End Restaurant at Fort Wilderness Campground. We made a night of it: we started at the Wilderness Lodge, then took the boat ride to Fort Wilderness to our priority seating at Trail's End, which is a very reasonably priced buffet. Then we watched the Wishes fireworks on the beach and the Electric Water Pageant from the boat dock. The kids loved the boat ride and the ducks on the beach. It makes for a lovely and relaxing evening! You could put together a similar evening at any of the Magic Kingdom resorts, although the Trail's End doesn't tend to book up early and it's inexpensive. - Dawn Goodwin

We pop some popcorn, have the kids put on their favorite Disney costumes or mouse ears, and watch the home video from our previous trips! We can "ride" Goofy's Barnstormer right in the living room, sing along with "it's a small world," or remember the first time our daughter met Cinderella. Our favorite magic moment to relive is when Peter Pan stepped over to us during Spectromagic. He leaned down to the kids (and the camera) and said "Second star to the right and on til morning. I'll see you in Neverland. Toodles!" Also, look for Hidden Mickeys everywhere in life. My 3- and 5-year-olds are obsessed with Hidden Mickeys, and maybe it even sharpens their observation skills. (If not, it's still fun!) - Jennifer Shepard

For all WDW visitors from the UK -- try to find jet-setting friends who will bring you home US coins, quarters especially, because when you land at Orlando they're jolly useful for tolls. Saves having to worry about splitting paper money when you're tired and the kids can't wait to get to Mickey! - Rosie, Northampton, UK

Pining away this morning for WDW after our all too short holiday visit, I whipped up a batch of pancakes for the kids (and me!!!)in the shape of Mickey heads, just like at WDW. The kids were surpised and thrilled to start the day with a Hidden Mickey breakfast and we had a great time talking about our favorite part of the trip! The cakes were so easy, just some packaged pancake mix, and a little care on the griddle using a large spoon to make the ears and a 1/4 cup measure for the larger circle. Just make sure to use two spatulas to lift and flip, as the ears will fall of if you're not quick enough! - Stephanie Logan

Magic Kingdom - Just wanted your readers to know that the Magic Kingdom's barbershop not only cuts hair. For an additional amount, they will put fun colors, stars, pixie dust and other cool stuff in your hair, just for the fun of it. Ask for the glow in the dark cream, so when you go on the dark rides your hair lights up! All my kids love it. General prices for haircuts range from $15-$18. NOTE: It washes out very easily. - Jim Keenan

Magic Kingdom - I have found a way to beat the huge crowd leaving the park after the fireworks at the Magic Kingdom. I delay my exit by visiting the Plaza Ice Cream Parlor (it stays open late even if the park is closed) and getting an ice cream cone or hot fudge sundae. Then I find a bench (or a wall) and watch the crowds go by. When I am close to finishing my ice cream, I begin walking toward the exit and the crowds have thinned considerably. Also, when staying at a Disney resort, the line for either the bus or the boat isn't very long anymore and you aren't squished in like sardines. It is an enjoyable way to finish your evening at the Magic Kingdom. - Susan VanVleet

We're headed down to the world very soon and we've been looking for ways to cut costs. At home, we've found you can save a lot by drinking water. Well, we find the water in Florida to taste a little funny because of the high content of sulfur so we didn't want to do that, but suddenly I remembered those little drink flavoring packets they have now to put into bottled water. The Crystal Light brand says to mix with 16.9 oz. of water but I've found I can go up to 24 oz. and it still tastes strong enough for me. Kool-Aid also makes the individual packets now for the kids and I noticed several other brands at the store. I can't wait to go down and use these. With drinks costing anywhere from $1.50 to around $5.00, I think this will be a huge savings for us! - Terri Daugherty

When purchasing milk, pay attention to the size and the price. During the Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend I discovered at Saratoga Springs Spa & Resort, Artist Palette Restaurant a pint of milk was $1.99 and a quart of milk was $1.75. I bought the quart of milk for myself and my daughter. - Mark A. Carlson

I was reading the tip in last week's newsletter about the family that was between trips and "built" their own Magic Kingdom and Disney Studios. Our family, too, was sad between trips and then I found the "Magic Kingdom Game," available only at Toys R Us. It's actually the California Magic Kingdom, but it worked for us. It is a game where you travel around the park and visit "attractions," get Mickey's autograph, and have fun remembering your fun time there. I would definitely recommend this game to any family missing the magic! - JJ Marcum

The first thing I do each morning, no matter where I am, is drink an ice cold Diet Pepsi to wake me up. It is the only soda I really like. In Walt Disney World, though, there is not a Pepsi product anywhere. One night my husband even walked from Disney Springs to the Hess Station and they don't even carry any Pepsi products. So if you are like me and only like Diet Pepsi or a Pepsi product of any kind and won't have access to a rental car on your vacation, BRING IT WITH YOU! I wish I had known. I would have packed some in my suitcase and our mornings would have been much more pleasant. - Laurel Sloan

All Star Resorts - My husband, 4-year-old son and I just returned from a fantastic 10-day WDW trip and one of the best things we did was ship a small coffee pot with filters and coffee packets to our All-Star resort ahead of time since they do not provide coffee pots in those rooms. What a treat it was to just wake up and make our own personal pot of coffee each morning. The 4-cup pot at Walmart was only $19.99, and the filters/coffee were inexpensive. - Laureen EDITOR'S NOTE: The Family Suites at Art of Animation and All Star Music have coffee pots.

We tried to book a room for the first week of December. Not a single room was available at any Disney resort. The Disney representative suggested looking at a resort that was still on Disney property but not an actual Disney resort. She said the Buena Vista Palace had rooms available. They are located across from Disney Springs and offer bus service via Mears shuttles. I called them directly and because I'm a firefighter was able to get a greatly reduced rate that isn't offered at Disney resorts! (It's called the "government rate." I just had to show my firefighter ID when I checked in.) - Alexiss from MA

I'm always looking for a way to relive the magic of the parks, so this last trip my family and I purchased a bunch of little inexpensive souvenirs like keychains, magnets, coffee mugs, etc. (A great place to find these is in Disney Springs at Mickey's Mart: Everything $10 and Under.) I left them in the bags, sealed them shut with a Disney sticker, took them home and put them in a box in an out-of-the-way spot. Now every time I need a little Disney Magic I just go to the goodie box, pull out a bag, and it takes me right back to my favorite place in the world. I also made one for my son -- he loves to go to the magic box (as he calls it) and get a Mickey Mouse sucker, a small toy, or a Disney book. You could also decorate the box you put the goodies in. It's a fun craft for you and your child to do together. - Linda Wooden

ALL PARKS - If you have kids, bring a change of clothing for them to the parks! I know this must seem like something everyone knows, but we didn't! During our first trip ever to WDW last December my then 4-year-old daughter found the water sprinklers at Pooh's Playful Spot in Fantasyland in the Magic Kingdom. She went in to play and the next thing I knew she was soaked from the water! It was tough, too, because it was a tad chilly and we didn't bring a change of clothing for her. Finding young kids' clothes at Disney is not easy! I did manage to get a pair of Mickey sweatpants, a T-shirt and a pair of socks for my daughter at one of the shops in Fantasyland. So my tip is to bring a change of clothes even for the 4-5 year olds! - Jennifer K.