Tips about Epcot, Kids, Planning, Souvenirs and Sun & Heat Tips
When I drive to WDW (or anywhere) with kids, I give them each a roll of quarters at the START of the trip. They can spend the money any way they want when we get there. Oh, every time they ask any question resembling "Are we there yet?", they have to give me back 25 cents. Either way, I win. - Larry Herman
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We have been going to WDW since our children were toddlers. Now they are all teenagers (and beyond), but this tip is still good. We have them bring plastic beverage holders that can clip onto a fanny belt. They start out with water, but if we ate a meal in the park, frequently there would still be some beverage left from the meal. The kids would fill the bottle with the leftover drink and take it with them. This has worked well over the years. - Anne Cioffi
I agree whole hearty about getting one "nice" gift / souvenir. My DW and I for years always got the "usual" stuff to bring home. T-Shirts, hats, etc. Nice stuff to remember our trip but would always seem to get put away and never really used. On our last trip we decided to try something a little different. We had always wanted a coo-coo clock so when we were in EPCOT we bought a very nice clock in Germany. It was expensive but they shipped it home for us (it arrived the day after we got home) and it now proudly hangs in our kitchen. It is a constant reminder of our trip. - Jim B
Disney has such a large selection of coin banks. We bought one toward the end of our trip but next time we will buy it on the first day. THEN as we get back to our room or camper each night, all change will go into the bank to begin our savings fund for our next trip. I found that halfway thru this trip I was lugging around a huge change purse of coins that added a heavy load to my backpack. Buying a bank the first day will not only give us a fun sense of "when we come back again" but i won't be lugging all those nickels & dimes around trying to pawn them off on kiosk vendors paying for my stuff. - Amy Miles
We just returned from our trip to Disney World. The night we went to Fantasmic I knew we would be sitting for a while waiting for the show to begin. The best investment I made was buying one of those soft folding stadium seats. I carried it with me like a purse. Even used the side mesh pocket to carry drinks to our seats. We waited for over an hour and a half for the show to begin but I didn't mind - I was very comfortable with my seat padding and back support! - Marilyn Lewis
Be flexible with making your ADR dining arrangements. If the table you want is unavailable try different combinations -- 2 tables of 2 instead of one table of four; a 3-2 split rather than a table of 5, etc. Splitting up your group for just an hour or so may be the way to go, given that you're spending all day and all night together for several days on end. Splitting up may also allow you to gain more flexibility in changing ADR reservations without penalty if, after several days in the parks, someone in your party says "I don't need to see any more characters, I'll stay at the hotel, sleep late and meet you later, go and enjoy!" - Phylis
ALL PARKS - There is another show at WDW that most people miss; sit down and watch the other guests. You will never see so diverse an amount of tennis shoes, fashion statements or age groups. - CMarlan
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A few years ago despite taking precautions, water, hat, spraying, I began to feel dizzy after standing in the sun waiting for and watching the afternoon parade. I went into the Emporium and sat down on the bottom of a clothing rack while my son ran to get my husband. A cast member came over and asked me if I felt okay. When I told him I thought I might faint he walked me over to the first aid station and stayed until a nurse took over. I was able to lie down until my body temperature regulated. I was given drinks and the nurse kept checking on me while I rested. She couldn't do enough for me and gave me some extra precautions to take so it would not happen again. The rest of the trip was fine but now I try to stay in the shade and I drink tons of water.WDW cast members are the best! - Susan Albert
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There is a product by Banana Boat, called Hair and Scalp Protector SPF 15, that is a spray for your hair. It is light and not greasy at all. It keeps your scalp from burning, and also helps your hair color not fade. - Lynn LaMunyon
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Eat light. Avoid hot, heavy meals and opt for foods high in water content: fruits, salads and soups. Unless you have a health reason for avoiding them, eat some salty snacks. The salt will help you retain extra fluids. Bananas are a great way to replace the potassium you lose through sweating. - Beth Foss
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To keep cool while touring the parks we always carry a water bottle, we fill the bottle full of ice from our hotel room or at the food court of our WDW resort. Then we refill throughout the day with water from bubblers and any remaining ice from beverages that we've purchased. This keeps the water cool all day! Our other suggestion is to get up early and get to the parks for opening plus there are shorter lines. Around noontime we eat in a nice air conditioned restaurant then head back to our hotel for a dip in the pool, cool shower and a nap. Then we go out to eat and are back in the parks when the sun's going down until they close. This plan is great because you avoid the hottest part of the day in the park! J. Tutlis
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The hot humid weather at WDW can cut a day short when you begin to chafe from body parts rubbing together. I recently learned of a product - Bodyglide [$7, www.rei.com] - looks like a stick deodorant but is actually a personal lubricant. It will prevent chafing & blisters. It is not greasy but it does eliminate the friction. It is a new 'must' take to the park item for me. - Marilyn F .
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OK, I know this is totally cheating, but the absolutely BEST way to beat the heat is to avoid Orlando completely in June, July and August. Instead, go in early December -- great weather and holiday ambiance out the wazoo!! - Maureen Mellor
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