Tips about Epcot, Kids, Souvenirs and Special Events

Regarding the Birthday FastPass, we were in the Magic Kingdom for my son's 5th birthday and my husband went to the will-call window to get FastPasses for our group. The rest of our group entered the park and headed in different directions... we didn't realize that my husband would need the park tickets for each member of our party in order to get FastPasses for each of us. Unfortunately we spent the first hour of our day frantically calling (thank goodness for cell phones) to get our party back together at the front gate. - Keri

For small children who are not used to a double bed, but are too big for the pack-and-play, a great solution is a "nap mat" or blow up bed that can be packed and taken to the World with you. We honor the room head count restriction, of course, but instead of making them sleep together in an unfamiliar double bed, each child gets their own familiar blow-up bed, and the extra bed becomes our gear sorting/storing/organizing area. We have done this on more than one trip, and have never had a problem. - Naomi

Flower and Garden Festival - The AllEars® Picture This! Photo Bloggers offer these tips:

-- Be sure to bring extra memory cards and an extra set of camera batteries. There are so many beautiful flowers you'll end up taking lots of photos.

-- Visit the various topiaries and exhibits during different times of the day; the sunlight will be different, resulting in a different photograph.

-- Learn how to use the Macro setting on your camera for closeup photos of the flowers: http://land.allears.net/blogs/photoblog/2009/03/he_can_call_me_a_flower_if_he.html

-- Topiary Photography Tips: http://land.allears.net/blogs/photoblog/2008/06/ready_llvl_at_fg_livin_la_vida_1.html

-- Remember the Flower and Garden festival is not just about flowers and blooms, but also about landscapes! http://land.allears.net/blogs/photoblog/2008/11/japanese_garden_1.html

Flower and Garden Festival - Here are some of AllEars® best tips for having fun among the flowers:

-- Be sure to pick up a special Flower and Garden guide when you enter Epcot so you know where the special seminars and exhibts are.
-- Go to the butterfly garden early in the morning. It gets crowded later in the day.

Wal-Mart is now carrying Disney shirts in the stores and online. However, they run small! I normally wear a 2X, but I feel much more comfortable in Wal-Mart's 3X or even 4X! - Jo-Anne Harris

For those of us who collect the pressed coins, here's an easy way to keep them safe and organized: I bought a business card book (the small one). It fits perfectly into my pack and I can look back to see which ones I have gotten. - Danny Gauthier

Debra Martin Koma shares a few tips for the upcoming ESPN The Weekend (February 27-March 1):

We went to ESPN The Weekend last year for the first time and found there are a few things to keep in mind to make the most of your time there:

-- While it is possible to get the autographs of the celebrities after they've been interviewed on the main stage under the Sorcerer Mickey Hat, an even better way is to wait until after one of the smaller shows in one of the other venues, such as the Theater of the Stars or after the Dream Job Experience. There will be fewer fans crowding around to meet the celebs who were on hand for the show, and they seem more relaxed and willing to chat and sign, and even pose for photographs, then.

-- Arrive early if you want to get in to the shows like the Dream Job Experience or Stump the Schwab, or any of them really. They fill up quickly. If you want to be close enough to see the athletes, you need to arrive early to make sure you can sit (or, in the case of the shows taking place on the Sorcerer's Hat stage, stand) up front.

-- Arriving at the shows early is also a good way to the catch the athletes for a quick autograph or a photo as they enter the venue.

-- If you plan to also ride the rides while in the Studios, be sure to get your Fastpasses early in the day. The park is much more crowded than usual, and all of those people have to go somewhere while they're waiting for the next show or motorcade -- you can bet they'll be on the rides, too.

http://allears.net/tp/mgm/espn.htm

You need not carry medications in an ice pack through the parks all day. The First Aid station has a fridge for guest meds, and they are happy to store them for you. The nurse on staff was polite and professional. She allowed my 7-year-old daughter to practice being a self-advocate, and listened patiently to her medical needs. It was a stress-free experience and we could enjoy Magic Kingdom without worrying about heat or spilling. - Tracy Boylan

ALL PARKS - Just wanted to share a fun tip for kids taking a foreign language at school (or adults trying to pick up a second language!). At each park, pick up a guide map in the foreign language. Your learner will only be allowed to look at that guide and will be responsible for finding and describing the rides and eateries your group is going to by translating the foreign language guide map for the rest of your group. (The guide maps are IDENTICAL to their English counterparts, by the way.) Even reading the FastPass rules becomes fun this way! (The maps are usually available on the front steps of City Hall at Magic Kingdom, as you come through the gates at Epcot, across from the stroller rental near the washrooms in AK and at the round photo/souvenir stand just after you enter the Studios. A lot of times they are out in dispensers and you do not even have to ask a cast member for a copy.) I've even had a cast member wish me well in French when I requested the map in French from him! - Jen from NYC

If you have limited time and have a park hopper ticket you can enjoy the Osborne Spectacle of Lights in Hollywood Studios right around 6pm. Then hop on the boat and take it to the International Gateway entrance to Epcot. Enjoy the sights of the World Showcase and if you are lucky see the Candlelight Processional by at least standing in the back. Grab a caramel treat in Germany's Caramel Kuche and find a spot for the 9:30 Holiday Illuminations which you just don't want to miss. (Kay)

One of the smallest lines in general to see Santa and Mrs. Claus is at the American Adventure in the World Showcase at Epcot. They normally are available starting around 4pm but check with the Times Guide or the concierge at your resort. (Kay)

CHRISTMAS - When people think of Florida, they think of warm, humid, tropical weather. But Florida does get cold fronts, as we experienced firsthand a couple years ago during the holidays. We brought those packet hand warmers that you shake to activate. We put them inside the kids' gloves to keep their hands warm. The kids loved them, and they really came in handy in the evenings when it got chilly. They're very inexpensive and can fit into a purse or pocket until you need to use them. - Jones Family

CHRISTMAS - I consider myself to be one of the very fortunate people to have been to the Candelight Processional almost every year for the past 15 years. As a birthday gift my great hubby sends me to see this spectacular event. That aside, I have seen the show many different ways, but the best way to get a seat without having to wait in line for 90 minutes is to purchase the dinner show package. I have often stood in line for the first show knowing that I would not get a seat, but I enjoy the show so much I stand in the back and watch it -- and then watch it again when I get a seat. Or if I get a seat for the first show, I sit outside of the American Adventure and listen to it a second time. The only problem with the dinner show package is that they sell out very quickly, especially at the lower price level. But, if you have never seen this show before I highly recommend it, any way you can get to see it --sitting or standing! - Geri Preisser

CHRISTMAS - My family has adopted the tradition of watching the parade right from the comforts of our family room. The kids of course get us up very early on Christmas morning. Once the gifts are opened, and we've completed the typical assembly, we're all ready to relax and enjoy the day together. So we stay in our Christmas pajamas and enjoy watching the parade of all our favorite Disney characters and sites. It's like a special present to our whole family. - Michelle from New Jersey

CHRISTMAS - For many years my wife and I have given up going to the Candlelight Processional for keeping to more "kid happy" events and rides. Last time we made dinner reservations with the reserved Candlelight Processional package for the four of us. When it came show time we let the kids out of it and looked over the long line of standby people hoping to get in. We spotted someone wearing a WWII veterans' insignia, so we handed the kids' passes to that older couple and wished them a Merry Christmas. - Mark Benjamin