Tips about Epcot, Health, Kids and Resorts

All Resorts - On our trip in June 2012 we learned that they leave the scales on all night at the airport luggage check-in desk. This made it easy to find out if our suitcases were too heavy before we had to check them in the next morning. - Sharon H.

Coronado Springs - The Pepper Market at Coronado Springs is now doing a regular breakfast buffet. No ticket and stamping, it's just pay one price (I think it was $15) and it's all you can eat. - Juli Ruffing

EDITOR'S NOTE: The $14.99 buffet service was tested at Pepper Market earlier this year, and has apparently been implemented full-time now. We have updated menus here:
http://allears.net/menu/menus.htm#cs

Beach Club - We will be staying at the Beach Club in August. I recently called to add some room requests. When I requested a metal crib (the deluxe resorts used to have these, as opposed to the soft-sided Pack 'n' Plays), they informed me that they are no longer providing them. My son does not sleep well in Pack 'n' Plays. He is a tall 2-1/2-year-old. We requested a roll-away and will be transferring our son to a big boy bed this summer. The metal cribs were a nice feature that the deluxe resorts provided. - Sara

Beach Club - We will be staying at the Beach Club in August. I recently called to add some room requests. When I requested a metal crib (the deluxe resorts used to have these, as opposed to the soft-sided Pack 'n' Plays), they informed me that they are no longer providing them. My son does not sleep well in Pack 'n' Plays. He is a tall 2-1/2-year-old. We requested a roll-away and will be transferring our son to a big boy bed this summer. The metal cribs were a nice feature that the deluxe resorts provided. - Sara

All Resorts - If you have diabetes, let the cast member know that you will need a special container for used medical supplies when you check in to your hotel. After checking in at Boardwalk, within 10 minutes housekeeping was at our door with a small haz-mat container. One less thing to worry about! - Judy Peek

All Resorts - If you have diabetes, let the cast member know that you will need a special container for used medical supplies when you check in to your hotel. After checking in at Boardwalk, within 10 minutes housekeeping was at our door with a small haz-mat container. One less thing to worry about! - Judy Peek

Wilderness Lodge - We are staying at Wilderness Lodge and have a room overlooking the pool area. We also have a couple of kids and tired grownups who like to nap during the afternoon. Unfortunately, Wilderness Lodge has a daily pool party blasting loud music, so be aware and request a garden view if this will be a problem for you. Luckily, we have our sound machine to help drown out the noise, but I wish I had known this. I might have stayed elsewhere. - Melanie Drake

EDITOR'S NOTE: The main pools at many Disney resorts feature similar afternoon parties and poolside activities, which tend to be quite noisy.

As a long-haul flying mum of four children (who have all flown from a very young age) I would like to add "KEEP CALM" to your tip list. If you get worked up about what 'might' happen, the chances are that the children will sense this and become nervous themselves. Treat every flight as if it is a perfectly normal way to travel and your child will soon become relaxed about flying. A distraction technique we used when our children were younger (and still do to a lesser extent today) was to have a 'goody bag' full of wrapped gifts. I used small things like toys, puzzles, colouring sets and candy all with a Disney theme and they were allowed to pick something from the bag every hour if they were good (UK to Florida flights can take more than eight hours!). I always included a few extra in case of delays, for friends made on the plane and to use on the final leg on the resort bus. - Debi

Parents who are traveling with little ones who have problems with their ears on planes might want to purchase EarPlanes. They are special ear plugs that help ease pressure during flight. They come in adult and child sizes. I had horrible issues with my ears when I was little and this was the only product that worked! Best of all they're only about $4/pair. - Emily Scotti

ALL PARKS - Just a reminder to check when counter service restaurants close. We were at Disney's Hollywood Studios three weeks ago, counting on eating our meal at one of the counter service restaurants. All were closed by 8:15, except for the one closest to Fantasmic, so we had to eat at Mama Melrose's and pay $150. It was a lovely meal, but we were on the dining plan and had carefully planned when to use our dining credits. - Ellen

I saw in your tips that someone mentioned buying disposable earplugs for their children who don't like loud noises. As an audiologist I would like to recommend contacting your local audiologist and getting Swim Plugs prior to your visit. They're custom-made earplugs in vibrant colors with a cord to keep them together, and they float! That way you get double duty: they reduce sound while in the parks and keep your ears dry while swimming. - Cristin Richards

If you have small children that wear diapers at night, we found it extremely helpful to bring their pajamas and diaper to the park and change them there. This was great on late nights and made it easy to put them to bed even if they fell asleep on the way to the hotel. - Kelley

I wanted to remind Walt Disney World visitors about what a wonderful resource the first aid stations are at the Disney theme parks. At no charge, they can give you temporary help with many minor health issues. I had been bitten by insects called "no-see-ums" while birding at the shore the day before and the itching was so intense I was driven to distraction. The very kind nurse at the Animal Kingdom First Aid Station gave me several individual packets of an antihistamine/antiseptic gel to apply to the bites. This saved me from having to leave the park and go directly to a pharmacy. Don't hesitate to visit a Disney first aid station for some TLC should you need it. - Debbie Gneshin

Epcot - I just wanted to let you know there is now an additional place to get kosher food in Epcot. It is at the Electric Umbrella restaurant in Future World. This is helpful, because if you need the kosher food, you don't have to go all the way to the American Adventure's Liberty Inn in World Showcase. - Michael Lorch

Epcot - I just wanted to let you know there is now an additional place to get kosher food in Epcot. It is at the Electric Umbrella restaurant in Future World. This is helpful, because if you need the kosher food, you don't have to go all the way to the American Adventure's Liberty Inn in World Showcase. - Michael Lorch