Tips about Epcot, Kids, Magic Kingdom, Photography and Souvenirs

ALL PARKS - On some of the rides, it was easier to stand up slightly when pulling the lap bar down (so that it actually fit closer to my lap than my belly) and then sit down properly for a snug fit. This worked especially well when I went on the rides with my younger children -- they felt more secure with the lap bar closer to them. I can honestly say that large-sized folks are easily accommodated at WDW -- so go, have a great time and don't worry! - Grace

Just thought I'd advise everyone with digital cameras to bring an extra disk to store your photos on. This is a good backup. The convenience of having your laptop computer at the hotel makes it easy to download your pictures and clear your memory stick, but having an extra disk to burn all these photos to is a good thing, especially if you don't store your photos on the 'net until your trip ends and you're back home. There's lots of magic still going on at WDW; you wouldn't want to lose those great M&Ms (memory makers). - Lois Bernhardt

EDITOR'S NOTE: Also remember that you can copy your photos from your camera memory card to CD at any of the theme park's camera centers. It costs about $12 plus tax.

Our 7-year-old daughter lost a tooth while on vacation at WDW. She is a pin collector, so we bought her a Blue Fairy pin and put it under her pillow in exchange for the lost tooth. She was thrilled that the Blue Fairy visited her and left her a special gift. - Michele Sickler

Magic Kingdom - Some people don't realize that many of the table service restaurants in the parks seat until park closing. We have found it's nice to have a late lunch, and then after watching the evening parade at the Magic Kingdom, go to the Liberty Tree Tavern for dinner. We've always been able to get seated as soon as we go in, even without reservations. When we've finished our wonderful meal, the park is practically empty and we can take our time walking down Main Street and not fighting a crowd. It really makes a nice, stress-free ending to an enjoyable day. - Stacey Kiefer

Save those receipts! Twice our receipts from food service locations at Walt Disney World included a 20 percent off total merchandise purchase (from store opening to 1 p.m.) coupon at the bottom, good at select locations, good through January 5. This happened at both Pizza Planet in Disney's Hollywood Studios and also at the Electric Umbrella at Epcot. - Cheyenna

EDITOR'S NOTE: This promotion usually runs several times a year. Be sure to check if your receipt is one that has the coupon.

Save those receipts! Twice our receipts from food service locations at Walt Disney World included a 20 percent off total merchandise purchase (from store opening to 1 p.m.) coupon at the bottom, good at select locations, good through January 5. This happened at both Pizza Planet in Disney's Hollywood Studios and also at the Electric Umbrella at Epcot. - Cheyenna

EDITOR'S NOTE: This promotion usually runs several times a year. Be sure to check if your receipt is one that has the coupon.

When my son and I fly he likes to bring both his Leapster and VideoNow Jr. Even though we use rechargeable batteries and I put fresh batteries in before we leave for the airport, they both eat batteries like there's no tomorrow. To change the batteries, I have to unscrew a couple of screws. Since screwdrivers are not allowed on airplanes now, I unscrewed the screws and used a piece of clear packing tape (the kind you use to close boxes that are being shipped) to hold the battery cover on. It is so much easier I never went back to using the screwdriver. - Julie Skinner

EPCOT - While at Epcot recently (in Future World, near the Mouse Gear entrance), I noticed that the soda/ice cream carts had a new item: chocolate/vanilla swirl push-up pops for only $1.00! That will be a great low-cost treat when it's hot! - Carol Kelley

EPCOT - While at Epcot recently (in Future World, near the Mouse Gear entrance), I noticed that the soda/ice cream carts had a new item: chocolate/vanilla swirl push-up pops for only $1.00! That will be a great low-cost treat when it's hot! - Carol Kelley

I have two girls, ages 4 and 2. We travel to Disney World once a year. Each time we go I bring something from the local Disney Store where I work. One year I brought along an Ariel nightgown for my oldest daughter Courtney. When we got to the Magic Kingdom we never made it to see Ariel and Courtney was very sad that she didn't get to see her favorite princess. When she returned to our room there on the bed was a nightgown from Ariel with a note saying she was sorry she missed us. Courtney still talks about it to this day. Now each year I bring something from a character and leave it on the bed with a note. I usually bring something from one of their favorite characters or someone who we just had a character meal with. I think I get as excited as they do when they see something on their bed from a character. - Nikki C.

My husband, 4-year-old-daughter and I go to WDW at least once a month. We bring a bathing suit and towel for our daughter and head for the water fountain in between Mission:Space and Test Track. We take turns watching our daughter play in the fountain and riding those two thrill rides. She gets to cool off and so do I -- I take off my sneakers, put on a cheap pair of flip-flops and cool off my feet. Plus she is entertained while we ride. - Holly Kilkelly

In a past newsletter you mentioned a product called Who's Shoes ID. I went to their website and ordered the ID tags that you place under the shoelaces in a child's shoes. I can't tell you how much better I felt knowing that if my 7-year-old got separated from us, our cell phone number was on his shoes along with all the pertinent identification information. They were $7.99 each and worth every penny! They come in blue and pink, and velcro together. What a great idea! - Dawn Burger

EDITOR'S NOTE: The website for Who's Shoes ID is: http://www.whosshoesid.com/

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

Every year we take a picture of our three children in front of the fountain with the water going up in Epcot. There is also a tree in the picture. It really shows how the kids grow and change when put against the same background every year. In the first one, we only have one child and she is in a stroller, and the tree is little. Sixteen years and pictures later, we have three children. The oldest (the girl from the stroller in the first picture) is now 18 and a college freshman, and the tree has grown a lot, too! - M. Eaton