Tips about Epcot, Resorts, Souvenirs and Transportation

For those using Disney's Magical Express (DME) service, know in advance how many yellow Magical Express luggage tags you will need. If you plan on bringing two or more bags per person, let DME know when booking your reservation. They only sent me one tag per person about 30 days prior to our trip, when I needed two per person. - Jessica Brogley

For all of us bigger guys, Disney looks to have made XXL tees actually a XXL size again. In the past two years XXL tees were cut much smaller than a true XXL, so we can now get a shirt that fits again. - John Sloboda

Relatives of ours didn't hire a car before they set off on holiday from the UK. They decided to rent a few days into their holiday. They went to book through the USA website for a large rental firm, but then decided to check the prices on the UK site. They found it was cheaper to book through that, despite being in the USA themselves at the time. - Louise from the United Kingdom

Epcot - I just wanted to let you know there is now an additional place to get kosher food in Epcot. It is at the Electric Umbrella restaurant in Future World. This is helpful, because if you need the kosher food, you don't have to go all the way to the American Adventure's Liberty Inn in World Showcase. - Michael Lorch

Epcot - I just wanted to let you know there is now an additional place to get kosher food in Epcot. It is at the Electric Umbrella restaurant in Future World. This is helpful, because if you need the kosher food, you don't have to go all the way to the American Adventure's Liberty Inn in World Showcase. - Michael Lorch

Most floral departments at grocery stores carry a plastic clip resembling a small clothes pin. We use these with the park balloons. You can attach the balloon strings (with the Mickey weights) to the clip and then clip to the stoller or the child. That way you are not fussing with tied on balloons at the bus stops! - Natalie

Epcot - If the crowds are large and you didn't get to a good spot three hours early to watch IllumiNations, there is a restroom as you enter Norway. Across from the restrooms is a bench that provides a nice place to sit and watch IllumiNations. You can't see everything, but you're away from the crowds and you can see the globe and fireworks away from everyone on a comfy spot. - Anthony

Epcot - If the crowds are large and you didn't get to a good spot three hours early to watch IllumiNations, there is a restroom as you enter Norway. Across from the restrooms is a bench that provides a nice place to sit and watch IllumiNations. You can't see everything, but you're away from the crowds and you can see the globe and fireworks away from everyone on a comfy spot. - Anthony

On a recent trip to WDW, we stayed at the brand new Wyndham Grand Orlando in Bonnet Creek... However, we found out that when some non-Disney hotels include "scheduled transportation" to the parks, it doesn't always mean that the buses run every 20 or 30 minutes as the Disney resorts and Disney Springs member hotel buses do. The shuttle from the Wyndham Grand only went to and from the parks two or three times PER DAY! Just beware that if you want the convenience of being able to head to the parks (or head back from the parks to your hotel) whenever you choose without renting a car, stay at at a Disney-owned hotel or one of the Disney Springs member hotels that run several shuttles per hour to and from the parks. Otherwise, if you intend to stay at a hotel with less convenient transportation options, consider renting a car so you can still come and go as you please. - Jeff Hogan

Pop Century - We arrived at Pop Century before our room was ready. We were hot, tired and in need of a shower before hitting the parks, but had several hours before our room was available. On a whim, we checked around by the pool and found that there is a restroom with showers and changing facilities at each pool in Pop. So we got our suits and toiletries out of the car, had a quick swim and then the shower we so needed, and were still off to the parks two hours earlier than if we had waited for our room! - Becky Hecker

Polynesian Resort - In late August we had a character breakfast planned at 'Ohana. When our server greeted us and offered juice and coffee, on a whim I asked about getting a French press of 100 percent Kona coffee, which they serve over at Kona Cafe. The server had never served one herself, but was happy to oblige our request! The coffee was the same price as next door, $7.99 for the pot, and worth every penny. After enduring Nescafe for more than a week, the fresh Kona coffee was like liquid gold to us! It was so good that we nearly ordered a second pot of it. For $7.99 this is a great way to perfect the 'Ohana breakfast experience. The French press serves about four cups of coffee. And remember that this is 100 perent Kona, not a blend like at the coffee bar. - Doug H.

My wife and I have been visiting the World from the UK for the last 10 years. I have never driven, as we both prefer the hassle-free option of resort and Lynx bus systems. We were here in May for the Flower and Garden Festival and were dismayed to discover that Lynx had changed their system of discount fares for disabled passengers. They now require you to travel to the main bus depot in downtown Orlando to apply for a photo ID -- not a realistic option for an out-of-town visitor. As we were coming back in October for the Food and Wine Festival, I emailed Lynx headquarters asking if they would accept my photo ID from the UK. After two emails I got a very nice reply telling me they would accept my ID. They told me to show it along with the email to their drivers and they would give the discounted travel fare. - Paul

Port Orleans Riverside - We just returned from a trip to the World, staying at Port Orleans Riverside. My daughter wanted to get a hair wrap at the station located behind the hotel. The price listed was $2 per inch. I should have asked before we even started what all the charges would be, but I didn't, and once her hair was wrapped I was informed that we HAD to purchase $5 worth of beads -- any other beads would be an additional $5. After all the hair is wrapped and beaded, THEN they measure the hair. What I thought was going to be maybe a $20 cost ended up being $30... I was really disappointed in the whole transaction. Make sure you ask what ALL the charges will be before you get any hair wraps! - Sharmon S.

Don't go immediately to the t-shirts for your kids. Look at oversized sleep shirts instead. They'll still fit years later, while a regular t-shirt may not fit in a few months. In fact, my dad bought me one back when I was 12. I'm 21 now and still sleep in it! (Mickey glows in the dark. It's very cool.) - Lauren

Just want to add one note about car rental regarding the Sunpass. We have Fast Lane, the New England version, which can be used in other states. When we go away we bring it with us, and once the car is rented, simply log into our account on the Fast Lane website and add the rental car to our account. Get the benefits of zipping through the autolane without the rental company's fees. - Mike B.