Tips about Epcot, Keep The Magic Alive, Resorts and Souvenirs

On a trip to the World in 2001, we found a CD by Mannheim Steamroller named "Mannheim and the Mouse." It has turned out to be one of our favorite CDs -- jazzy/new age classical renditions of Disney classics. This is a wonderful way to remember and look forward to visits to WDW! Anyone who hears the songs goes "ahhh," smiles or sings along to the music. It's a great pick-me-up! - Cindy Low

My 4-year-old daughter wanted to find gifts for all 12 children in her preschool class. We went to the Disney shops and found sets of crayons in the shapes of various Disney characters. These crayons come 12-15 in a pack, so we broke up the set and gave each child their own special crayon. We added to that the crazy Mickey straws that we could purchase, or sometimes were given for free, at the food court at Port Orleans Riverside. Then, when we got home, we realized that we were able to scrounge together 12 Disney World shopping/gift bags! Each child was thrilled to have his/her own package direct from Mickey! - Evalynn Kuehner

I am an 11-year-old girl who has visited WDW at least 35 times, and I found the best Disney World product for us Disney nuts. It is the Walt Disney World Resort Scavenger Hunt. It is only $4.00 in the Magic Kingdom Emporium on Main Street. It has questions like: What is the name of the mill on Tom Sawyer Island? What are they auctioning in Frontierland? If you WANT to know everything about Disney, or think you DO know everything, then this is for you. My family and I thought that we knew Disney, but we were so wrong! I thought you would like to know about this awesome product. - Chris B.

I read the tip about using the WDW shopping bags for packing and had to add this -- I also bring home several of those from each trip and save them. When I have my garage sale each year, I like to give those to the kids who come in and buy a little toy or something. They are so excited to get the WDW bags and, of course, many of them have never been to WDW, so it is a special treat for them just to have that bag. - Diane

In response to those looking for Disney radio stations, DirecTV Channel 804 is Radio Disney, if you can't pick it up locally. My daughter loves it and it keeps her from staring at the screen all day. - Yahdayaduh

I am 35 and made my first trip to Disney two years ago. It was spectacular, and we are going for our fourth trip in October. I always get a gold charm for a charm bracelet I have had for years. I have a Mickey, Tigger and Tinker Bell charm. This year I am going to put the charms on their own special Disney bracelet. I hope it will become a family heirloom one day. - Lucretia German

I am 35 and made my first trip to Disney two years ago. It was spectacular, and we are going for our fourth trip in October. I always get a gold charm for a charm bracelet I have had for years. I have a Mickey, Tigger and Tinker Bell charm. This year I am going to put the charms on their own special Disney bracelet. I hope it will become a family heirloom one day. - Lucretia German

A game my sister and I play is "20 Questions". Usually one person has 20 questions to find out what the other person is thinking of in one of three categories - person, place, or animal. You ask yes or no questions, and if you don't get the answer by question 20, you lose. We play this Disney style. We call it "Disney 20 Questions" (original, huh?), and our categories are "Attraction, Restaurant, or Character". Attractions include anything from Voyage of the Little Mermaid to Mission: Space. We have a blast (no pun intended) playing this, and it helps us relive our favorite Disney memories. - Jenny Beck

We live in Australia and only make it to WDW every 4 years. Both of our children (8 and 5) have visited twice and love to remember the trips. When it seems like it is too long to wait for our next trip we pull out some of the paper plates and cups from our last trip and cook something like chicken strips and mjacaroni cheese which we usually only eat at WDW), and have a Disney dinner. We also like to make s'mores for our friends just like we learnt at the Port Orleans campfire. - Sandie Morthen

I was at a Lenox outlet store last week and guess what I found? A necklace with Mickey Mouse as the Sorcerer! On the back is engraved "Keep the magic alive". A perfect daily reminder right around your neck. - Tiffany Bailey

Kingdom Hearts. This PS2 video game allows you to actually become a character in some of your favorite Disney films. Your character actually gets to explore the scenery of films like "Alice in Wonderland", "Tarzan", "Nightmare Before Christmas" and many others. Along the way, you battle Maleficent, Hades, Jafar and other Disney Villains with Goofy, Donald and several Disney heroes at your side. - Mike

Check the local TV listings for the Travel Channel and the Food Network. Both regularly have programs featuring Walt Disney World. - Mike

I like to look at my Disney vacation pictures from years gone by and see how the parks have changed and relive my wonderful vacations. I also subscribe to the Disney Magazine. I have the Fantasmic CD and a CD I made at the Imagination Pavillion with all Disney songs from the parks/rides. - Connie La Tempa

We've found a great way ~ Internet radio "hub" Live 365 has a number of broadcasters/stations that play Disney music - everything from soundtracks to ambient park music, even some sound bites from attractions! We don't realize how we relate hearing ambient park music to "feeling" like we're there, until we listen to it at home! Just go the the Live 365 website, and search "Disney" or "Walt Disney World". A list of stations that play that music are listed, complete with short descriptions of the type of music they play. It's a great way to feel like you're at the park, when you're at home! - Cindy W.

One of my favorite things to do for a quick Disney fix, when a trip is not in the near future is play a video I bought on a previous trip. This video travels throughout the 4 theme parks showing the various attractions (the name escapes me..."Around the World"?). I think you can still purchase it from WDW directly. Also the free promotional planning tapes/DVD from Disney are loads of fun. Sometimes I'll even watch a Sing-Along tape with the kids (Campout or Beach Party at WDW or even Disneyland fun). Finally, Some days I just listen to my CD's of the theme park rides and show. It is a great way to remember the fun had on the last trip and anticipate the next trip. - Holly Bryfogle