Tips about Epcot, Magic Kingdom, Planning, Rain and Resorts

ALL RESORTS - When you check in make sure you ask for early housekeeping, if you are early risers, most people are up and out early, this will ensure that if you return for an afternoon rest your room will be clean. - AHalton

ALL RESORTS - Get Maps and Schedules at Guest Services - When you arrive at your WDW hotel, have someone in your party go to Guest Services and ask for the current maps and timetables for all the parks. If you're interested in visiting the water parks or PI, be sure to check on the WDW transportation schedule also.

ALL PARKS - I found that if you get tired of waiting in long lines, and you don't mind splitting up your party ( maybe to 1, 2,or even 3) some attractions offer singles lines. These lines help fill up unused space. I tried this at Test Track and the normal wait time was 70 minutes. It took me 5 minutes on the singles line and I still got a seat with my parents. - Matthew

ALL PARKS - I found that if you get tired of waiting in long lines, and you don't mind splitting up your party ( maybe to 1, 2,or even 3) some attractions offer singles lines. These lines help fill up unused space. I tried this at Test Track and the normal wait time was 70 minutes. It took me 5 minutes on the singles line and I still got a seat with my parents. - Matthew

ALL RESORTS - My name is Malorie Boutwell and I am 13 years old and have been going to Disney World on vacation ever since I was little and love it. I think that a helpful hint I have to offer is that you stay in a Disney Resort so you can get early admission to each park on the designated days also so you can get there before it begins to crowd.

ALL RESORTS - My name is Malorie Boutwell and I am 13 years old and have been going to Disney World on vacation ever since I was little and love it. I think that a helpful hint I have to offer is that you stay in a Disney Resort so you can get early admission to each park on the designated days also so you can get there before it begins to crowd.

Here is one of the best tips I can offer. We have just returned from a week in Disney where it rained for three days... and over 10"!! I had forgotten to pack our umbrellas, so we had to pick up WDW rain ponchos. They were $5.66 each. I originally cringed at spending our souvenir money on them (we needed five of them). My son accidentally ripped his while trying to pull up his hood. I had commented to a Cast Member later in the day and she smiled and said "No problem!" They exchanged his poncho quickly and stated that any time your poncho rips, you can trade it in for a new one from any store that sells them. My husband's ripped on our last day and his was just as easily exchanged. Most people I told this to had no idea Disney would give you a new one. My tip: those ponchos are worth their weight in gold! - Colleen Anastasi

I just want to second this. I wore my Nike Prestos to Disney last year, and it was amazing how well my feet held up in these shoes. Not only did I save my feet from blisters, but, because the shoes are cloth, they are extremely light, so your legs are less tired. The cloth also dries much more quickly than traditional sneaker material, which is great for rainy days and water rides. They are around $80, but on a quick trip to the Nike Outlet on 192, I found them for $30-$40. I now have four pairs of them -- they are all I ever wear! - Vanessa Gold

I just want to second this. I wore my Nike Prestos to Disney last year, and it was amazing how well my feet held up in these shoes. Not only did I save my feet from blisters, but, because the shoes are cloth, they are extremely light, so your legs are less tired. The cloth also dries much more quickly than traditional sneaker material, which is great for rainy days and water rides. They are around $80, but on a quick trip to the Nike Outlet on 192, I found them for $30-$40. I now have four pairs of them -- they are all I ever wear! - Vanessa Gold

I found this out a few years ago, while doing research for my trip. I have severe food allergies and asthma, which can be triggered by dust, mold, etc. If you have severe allergies or asthma (or both), phone in, instead of booking online, when making your reservation. You can request what they call a "VIP Room Clean." Your entire room is basically deep cleaned before you arrive, top to bottom, to remove any traces of allergens, dust, etc. You can also request, as part of this clean, to have different pillows (non-feather) put in, all scented things completely removed, etc. You can request linens be specially washed, or completely removed if you want to bring your own. It is no longer available to book online, it has to be done over the phone. Best of all, it's completely free. - Laura

EPCOT & DISNEY'S HOLLYWOOD STUDIOS - It is possible to see Fantasmic at the Hollywood Studios and IllumiNations at Epcot in the same night! The way to accomplish this is to watch Fantasmic sitting near an exit (or semi-close to one), go straight out of the park and when you get to the bus stops outside the park take the bus to the TTC (usually not very crowded at this time). When you get to the TTC take the monorail to Epcot. The night we did this we even wasted time waiting at the boat dock at the Studios and then decided to then try the TTC/Monorail approach. We made it to Epcot by 8:45 PM, in plenty of time to catch IllumiNations. - Christine

EPCOT & DISNEY'S HOLLYWOOD STUDIOS - It is possible to see Fantasmic at the Hollywood Studios and IllumiNations at Epcot in the same night! The way to accomplish this is to watch Fantasmic sitting near an exit (or semi-close to one), go straight out of the park and when you get to the bus stops outside the park take the bus to the TTC (usually not very crowded at this time). When you get to the TTC take the monorail to Epcot. The night we did this we even wasted time waiting at the boat dock at the Studios and then decided to then try the TTC/Monorail approach. We made it to Epcot by 8:45 PM, in plenty of time to catch IllumiNations. - Christine

ALL PARKS - While wandering around Walt Disney World, I like to carry a small plastic tube for paper souvenirs. I use a plastic tennis ball container that has a lid -- other similar tubes will work well. This allows me to store maps, menus, napkins and any other paper items without them being crushed, wrinkled or soaked. I just put them under a few heavy books when I get home. - Brian Brennan

ALL PARKS - While wandering around Walt Disney World, I like to carry a small plastic tube for paper souvenirs. I use a plastic tennis ball container that has a lid -- other similar tubes will work well. This allows me to store maps, menus, napkins and any other paper items without them being crushed, wrinkled or soaked. I just put them under a few heavy books when I get home. - Brian Brennan

ALL PARKS - Be sure to have a group destination while walking around the park -- for example, once everyone in your party has ridden Buzz, decide where your group is headed, just in case someone gets separated. Then the rest of the group will continue on to that spot and wait until you regroup. This happened to us recently at Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party -- while heading toward the Haunted Mansion, the first parade ended and it was crazy in front of the castle. Our group of 11 broke up into 8 and 3 and luckily we all headed on to Haunted Mansion and waited until everyone met up again. It took only about 20 minutes to regroup, instead of everyone heading off to a "central meeting place" like in front of the castle! It is also always good to have a specific spot for emergencies, like at the Sword in the Stone, for example. Just stay together! That 20 minutes separated was scary. - Suzanne from Patchogue, NY