Tips about Epcot, Kids, Magic Kingdom, Planning and Travel

For anyone with small children (we have a 5-year-old and a 4-month-old), please, please, please take advantage of the Baby Care Centers available at each park. They are convenient, have all that any parent would need (diapers, changing stations, nursing rooms, cold water), as well as AIR CONDITIONING. They were a great way for us to take mini-breaks, eat snacks or lunch, and chill out before going out again to the parks. - Cosmo and Lis Digneo

I wanted to share a tip that we stumbled onto during our first trip six years ago when the kids were 11, 11, 8, 8, and 2. It was the 11 day/10 night "Disney 'till you puke" tour. Or so I thought until I got the WDW bug!

Anyhow, about the second day the four older kids started WHINING. You know what I mean: "I don't like that ... Do we have to go there ....he didn't have to ...." You get the picture. Ohmigosh, we were at the funnest place on the planet and they actually found things to whine about! I was stunned. And not about to go through the rest of the vacation with THAT going on. So, with perhaps the only moment of true brilliance I have ever had, I had an idea and the Whine Fine program was born.

It's pretty simple: we gave each kid a little ticket every morning. The ticket said "1 Free Whine". When they whined it would cost them a ticket. If they'd already used their ticket, the whine cost them $1 (of their own hard-earned spending money). If they didn't use the ticket for the day, they would still get a ticket the next day and now would have two free whines coming. Oh yeah, if, at the end of the vacation any of them actually had any tickets left, we paid them $1 for each ticket.

Kids are soooo funny. It took another couple of days for them to really "get" the program, but they did. Although one never really would admit she ever whined and you'd have to pry the ticket out of her hand. Then there was the one who slapped down two tickets AND a dollar so she could blast us about something! And I do believe there was some sort of black market trading going on too. But the rest of our vacation was MUCH more peaceful and relaxing.

And now, just imagine, these same four are all TEENAGERS. What were we thinking??? - Linda Cobb

We have been to Disney World several times now and have found that a small hand-held, battery-operated game can keep the kids busy during the long wait in the lines for the attractions. These fit nicely into their fanny packs. Every time we were in line for any length of time, they would pull them out and play as the line moved. It keeps them from complaining about the wait and they don't even realize how long they have been standing there. - Rhonda Cotham

I loved the tip about bringing along small electronic games for kids to play, but would like to add a postscript: Please, parents, turn off the sound if the game offers that option! Otherwise, other kids in line will be jealous and make their parents feel guilty for not having thought ahead. There's also the fact that some of your fellow line-standers could be driven quite nuts by the constant beeping of the games. - Richard S. from NJ

My tip is a simple way of helping the children keep within their spending limits. My two daughters both save well for their WDW trips, but spending their money produces different hazards for each of them. The youngest (12) would spend her savings for the whole two weeks in the first shop she visited; the eldest (16) would still be deciding what to spend it on in the airport going home, worried that she was spending too much, too soon!

To overcome their separate *difficulties*, we came up with this plan, which helps them both: At the beginning of the trip, they each divide their savings by the number of days they will be on vacation - this gives them a guideline as to what would be a sensible amount to be spending each day. They know that if they spend more than that amount one day, it will leave them less for the remaining days, and vice versa. Every morning, we count up how much they have left and divide it by the number of days remaining, giving them a new guideline for the day.

They know that if they've seen something expensive they want to buy, it's sensible to have a couple of 'lean' days to make up for the big purchase they want. On the other hand, if they've been frugal for a while, a couple of days of overindulgence won't break the bank. Of course, I'm always willing to negotiate a loan if they just *have* to have that extra something they can't afford - oh, and it all helps with the math homework, too! - Wolfe

After reading Sherry Theriault's tip about writing postcards while waiting in line or in restaurants, especially the part about, "I am about to ride Rock N Roller Coaster and you wouldn't believe how my heart is beating", I thought: what a great way to remember our own trip! I'm going to print out labels with our own address on them and mail postcards to ourselves for us to enjoy and relive the magic once we return. I keep a plastic storage box for each of my two children in which I put their artwork, school pictures and yearbooks, birthday cards, and special notes. It will be great to add postcards from our Walt Disney World vacations for them to read when they are adults! - Amy Mason

Last year, I read a tip on the web about using a tent as a "haven" for young children who need to bed down before others in their hotel room. This worked great last year with my son. It fit perfectly on top of the second double bed. He did nap-time, play-time and night-time all in his "cave". I found the PERFECT pop-up tent by Ozark Trail at my local Wal-Mart that folds up into a soft, 2' carrying disk w/straps. (My 6' husband can lay down in the thing!) It has two windows with flaps that tie up or Velcro down. I wanted an exact replica for his sister, but alas, Wal-Mart has discontinued them with no plans to restock! I immediately went to my best friend "E. Bay" for help. I found a NEW Ozark Trail Child's Pop-Up tent for $15 + shipping. So when we're not enjoying MK, we're playing camp-out in the den. Oh, and if you're at WDW in June, we'll be the ones with the well-rested children! - Bari Brumfield

During my December trip to WDW, I found out that American Airlines would only allow me to check two bags at no charge. I suppose it wouldn't matter as much for a family traveling together (usually the case for me), but if you're a solo traveler, remember that American's baggage limit is two bags. - Mary Waite

EDITOR'S NOTE: This tip was submitted prior to the airlines charging extra for the first and/or second bags. Each airline has slightly different rules, so make sure you know them in advance!

I enjoyed the tip on customizing your luggage. One simple way we have found to personalize our luggage is to buy the iron-on character patches found in the Disney World gift shops. The patches run from $6 to $10, depending on the size. We use fabric glue to attach them on both sides of our suitcases. We now have a whole set of Mickey and Pooh themed luggage at much less cost than those selling in the parks. And it sure makes packing for those special trips more fun! - Joan F. of St. Louis, MO

When you arrive at Orlando airport, you'll find that your brand new Wal-Mart Samsonite is the same navy blue as 200 others coming out on that carousel! When you buy the bag, stop at the craft department and pick up a plastic stencil and a 3 oz. bottle of yellow craft paint. Stencil a design on the wide sides of each bag and beside each handle -- we also add a colorful braided bandanna to the handle. When we get to that baggage carousel we can spot our bags in a jiffy, and there's no way someone can grab ours by accident! - Brian Phillips

In this age of heightened security, authorities -- whether we like it or not -- are saying that locks on luggage may be destroyed if they feel the need to search your luggage. At the same time, people feel skittish about letting their luggage make the trip unprotected. Our solution has been to secure luggage with cable (or "zip") ties -- small enough to run through almost any zipper, or anywhere a padlock should go. They are easily removed by security personnel, if need be, at no great loss to you. In fact, on a recent trip, they added one of their own next to one of mine, and cinched it tighter than mine. You also can tell if someone has been through your bag with these. It also does not leave it vulnerable to others for the rest of the trip. One tip, however -- make sure you have either blunt-edge scissors (remember security!) or something else in your carry-on to remove them, or ask for help at the front desk of your hotel when you arrive. EDITOR'S NOTE: You can now purchase TSA approved locks to secure your suitcase. If TSA needs to open it for any reason they use a simple tool and will again close and lock the suitcase when finished.

I have just returned (today!) from traveling to Florida from the Midwest. Sadly, this trip did not include a stop at Disney World -- don't worry, I will make that up! I would, however, like to warn future visitors to Disney World who are traveling by air that current wartime security measures SLOW YOU DOWN! Plan for double the normal time required to check-in for tickets and going through security inspections at the airport. You might even consider coming up with a "bag of tricks" for the long waits in line for your little ones, similar to the things you would do while in line for Big Thunder Mountain, etc. It might be worth the extra thought to pack some surprises and goodies in their backpacks -- nutrition bars, juice boxes, small puzzle books. I always found that if I kept those goodies hidden and a mystery until travel time, the kids were kept busy for a long time. Good luck, and don't let the delays get you down. After all, it is all for the best, and just think of it as "Basic Training" for those long lines you may encounter at Disney. - Gombars

Alaska Airlines just announced nonstop service from Seattle to Orlando. Alaska is noted for its service and good prices (it's regularly named the best domestic airline in the country by Travel and Leisure magazine). Since it's a new service, they will certainly be offering great deals. Check www.AlaskaAir.com. - Doug K

When checking in for your flight at Orlando International Airport, you may want to consider using the curbside check-in service. While the lines at the airline counters may be huge, the curbside wait is usually very minimal. Just head outside on the departure level and one of the skycaps will be happy to check-in you and your luggage. Just remember it's customary to tip skycaps a dollar or two a bag. This cost us $5 but saved us a half-hour wait! - Al Schaefer

My tip is to sign up for email letting you know of flight sales weekly -- most airlines do this. Just visit their web site and sign up. We have made several unplanned trips due to great rates on flights likes this. A great way to get the most out of an Annual Pass. - Charlotte

The only really important advice I would add to this [bringing other people's children] is to make a copy of the other child's health insurance information and also have a signed or even notarized letter from the child's parents stating they will be traveling with you, to where, and on what dates. Hopefully you will never need to use it, but you never know! - Tara Felicio