Tips about Epcot, Magic Kingdom, Planning and Saving

I went on a Disney Trip with many people and I suggest this for anyone who is traveling in a larger group from one location. Each of us made a little gift for each person. We made notes, bags of candy, tapes with our favorite Disney songs, coloring pages, games, and pictures. Then before the flight each person put their gifts in everyone else's bags. It added a lot of excitement to have a plane packet. My gift was a little more complex, but it was great. It was a journal that had quotes, pictures, photos, maps, and brochure clippings pasted inside. Everyone on the trip wrote in them. Another tip is to have a pre-party a week or two before the trip. We did this before our cruise. We played games, had dinner, read through books and researched little things and just discussed everything. Then we had a post party to look at pictures and videos. - Lindsay

We love to visit WDW over the Christmas holidays. In fact, I've already booked our 2 week December Wilderness Lodge trip. As you know, the holiday season rates at the resorts are out of this world. A few years ago we just happened to stumble on the fact that the rate you receive for your entire stay is based upon what "season" it is when you check in. Thanks to this little known fact, we are checking in on December 20th (the last day of value season) and receiving the value season rate for our entire 13 night stay! By arriving on the 20th (instead of the 21st) we are saving hundreds of dollars. - DZNYNUT35

We all save the coins from our pockets and roll them when we have enough. In April 1999 I started collecting $1.00 bills as well as the coins. I pay for everything with $5's, 10's, 20's, etc. I don't touch my piles of 1's, which I bundle in $100 increments. By the end of 1999, I had saved in excess of $2000 which paid for all expenses at Disney for a week in Feb. This year I have been doing the same thing and have over $2000 saved so far. Make it a game and have fun with it - try to buy things that you will get back $4. at a time. Once at a pizza place, our bill was $21 and I gave the cashier a $100 bill. She gave me $79 in change. Cool huh? - Joe Marcus

I was recently unable to book a room for the nights of 2/9 -2/10 to no avail. Then I started asking for the whole week and many things became available. When it became time to pay for the entire trip, I just had them cancel the other days and I kept the nights that I wanted. - Roxanne Stritt

To save yourself some money, and avoid the grocery trip on the way in, send yourself a package via UPS to your hotel. Mark on the package: hold until guest arrival xx/xx/xx (the date). Package up whatever you like to eat: cereals, Parmalat milk, crackers, juice boxes, etc! - Dorothy Kurz

When we returned from our February 2000 trip to WDW we immediately decided to return in February 2001. So we were back to saving for another trip, in addition to our regular vacation savings we decided to start a "Mickey Jar". We took a big plastic container, the type that held pretzels, decorated it with different Mickey characters and put all of our spare change in the jar. Every time we go to a store, instead of parting with our change we give them a bill and throw all the change in the jar. So far in 8 months we have accumulated $175.00. I know it isn't much, but it will be put towards our souvenir money, and it is money we do not even miss. - Debbi Morasch of Connecticut

At WDW, it is difficult to save both time and money. Usually you have to spend one to save the other. Figure out which is more important to you, and plan accordingly. For instance, buses will take longer than driving, but will save you the cost of a rental car and parking fees. - Jen Kitchen

My family, like most others, books it's trip more than a year ahead of time. We begin stashing away $10 a week in Disney Gift Cards as soon as we make our vacation ressies. This in addition to whatever other money we budget or save. The Gift Carfd go in an envelope and remain there until trip time. Based on a 52 week calender year that gives you $520, enough to cover most of your meals budget and it's money you hardly even missed from your weekly budget!! - Barry Richard from Massachusetts

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

We have our "Mickey Money Jug" like everyone else for saving change to convert to Disney Gift Cards. I've found that it has another use, too. About two months before we leave for our Disney trips, I start throwing in all the one dollar bills I get. This way, we have plenty of singles for the tips without having to worry about them at the last minute! Even though seeing all those dollars may be tempting, I've instituted a penalty for taking anything out of the jug -- pay double back (take a $1, pay back $2, take 2 quarters, pay a dollar, etc.)! We always come out ahead! - DznyLvrs

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