Tips about Epcot and Rewards
Epcot - Thank you for your site. It's awesome! I wanted to submit a tip for viewing IllumiNations that I haven't seen yet. I worked at Walt Disney World for four months and saw the fireworks shows almost nightly. The most important thing I learned was to pick my viewing spot based on the direction the wind was blowing. Each night, when the torches were lit, I would look at the way the flames were blowing and I would choose a location in the opposite direction (so the smoke would blow away from me). This always ensured a clear view of the fireworks each night. Luckily there are a few prime viewing spots in every direction so if the wind direction is different on a different day, you can still pick a great spot. It doesn't matter if you choose a "prime" viewing location -- if the wind is blowing toward you, you end up getting engulfed in a thick cloud of smoke and can only see the glow of the fireworks behind it. - Garrett
Epcot - I'm not sure if they've already been mentioned because I'm not sure when they appeared, but for those attending anything at the America Gardens Theater, there are brand new restrooms to the RIGHT side of the American Adventure, at the back of the garden area. No more wandering down that kind of creepy "where-am-I-going?" walkway just to wait in that dreadful line and deal with the logjam through the too-small doorway to get into those too-small restrooms around the left side of the restaurant. The new ones are AWESOME! At quick count there are about 25 regular and two handicapped stalls on each of two "aisles", big entrance, they're large, immaculate, auto-everything including Dyson Blade hand dryers (but still has paper towels, too.) The cast members at the Chase Lounge said they've been asking for expanded restrooms for years and are so excited they're finally here, especially before this year's Candlelight Processional crowds, and they've already been a hit with the Eat to the Beat crowds. - Linda Masi
Epcot - I'm not sure if they've already been mentioned because I'm not sure when they appeared, but for those attending anything at the America Gardens Theater, there are brand new restrooms to the RIGHT side of the American Adventure, at the back of the garden area. No more wandering down that kind of creepy "where-am-I-going?" walkway just to wait in that dreadful line and deal with the logjam through the too-small doorway to get into those too-small restrooms around the left side of the restaurant. The new ones are AWESOME! At quick count there are about 25 regular and two handicapped stalls on each of two "aisles", big entrance, they're large, immaculate, auto-everything including Dyson Blade hand dryers (but still has paper towels, too.) The cast members at the Chase Lounge said they've been asking for expanded restrooms for years and are so excited they're finally here, especially before this year's Candlelight Processional crowds, and they've already been a hit with the Eat to the Beat crowds. - Linda Masi
The Walt Disney World Lost and Found department is amazing! My designer sunglasses flew off during Big Thunder Mountain Railroad and I thought they were gone for good. I called the Lost and Found department and described what day and location I lost them, gave a description of the glasses, and to my surprise, in true Disney Magic they were found! (Allow 24-48 hours for cast members to process your lost items.) - Michelle
EDITOR'S NOTE: You can report missing items at Guest Relations in the theme parks, but if you don't discover the item has been lost until you get home, try calling Theme Parks Lost & Found: (407) 824-4245. They're open seven days a week between 9 a.m. and 7 p.m. EST. Give them a description of the item and where you lost it, and if it's been turned in, they'll let you know.
EDITOR'S NOTE: You can report missing items at Guest Relations in the theme parks, but if you don't discover the item has been lost until you get home, try calling Theme Parks Lost & Found: (407) 824-4245. They're open seven days a week between 9 a.m. and 7 p.m. EST. Give them a description of the item and where you lost it, and if it's been turned in, they'll let you know.
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Epcot - Just got back from Walt Disney World and wanted to share that the exclusive photo session for Disney Visa cardholders (in Epcot's Innoventions) has extended its hours. It is now available daily from 1 to 7 p.m. Thanks to the extended activity time, there wasn't an overly long wait during either of our two visits there. - Randy
Epcot - Just got back from Walt Disney World and wanted to share that the exclusive photo session for Disney Visa cardholders (in Epcot's Innoventions) has extended its hours. It is now available daily from 1 to 7 p.m. Thanks to the extended activity time, there wasn't an overly long wait during either of our two visits there. - Randy
We will be going to WDW for our 19th trip in two weeks -- can't wait! One of the best tips we can offer is to definitely go to the parks at night -- they all look so different as the sun goes down. The sun setting and the darkness coming -- it really brings out the beautiful lighting and colors of the parks. Animal Kingdom will be open in the evenings when the Rivers of Light show debuts in 2016. I just wish Walt Disney could come back for one day and see the beauty and magic that he created! - Trudy
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It's great to be on vacation knowing you worked ahead of time to pay the trip off in advance and won't have a large bill waiting upon your return. However, I earn a bit more by saving the cash/expense money I expect for tips and other spending and add it to my credit card right before I leave. This way I charge the tips and other items and earn the "points" on my card for a future use! And there are no worries about losing the cash. Same planning, just getting a little "extra" for another trip! - Lisa
Don't forget to take advantage of any discounts when you're shopping. There are discounts of 10 percent or more for Annual Passholders, Disney Vacation Club members, Disney VISA Cardholders and D23 members, possibly even AAA members. Sometimes the cast members are nice enough to remind you, but sometimes even they forget, so always be sure to ask! - Debbie
Put money you would spend on food onto American Express gift cards, especially if they can be purchased as part of a school fundraiser (http://www.shopwithscrip.com)!. - Cindy
We have learned how to do "Disney on a Dime". All my husband's business expenses go on our Disney Visa Card so that we can get about $1000 a year in reward dollars to put toward our trip (you could also do this with personal expenses). We pay the entire balance every month so there are no charges. - Tammy Wilczek
A way my family saves money is by using Mypoints and cashing in our points for gift cards. I have been able to redeem my points for $50 gift cards to BP and Shell gas, $50 Visa gift cards and gift cards to restaurants, i.e. Rainforest Cafe, Subway, etc. All you have to do is click on emails, take surveys and buy through Mypoints from your favorite retailers to earn points on purchases. For our trip this March, my mom and I cashed in points between the two of us for $200 worth of Visa gift cards that we are using for food, gas and souvenirs in Disney World! - Shannon Mason
We rack up Disney Reward Dollars on the Disney Visa like mad for the time between trips. We recently upgraded to the new premier version of the card, and that has helped immensely! Two percent back on groceries and gas? DONE! We use it like a debit card and just pay it off each month. That really helps! Then we cash it in right before the trip and use it for food, souvenirs, park tickets, etc. - Faith
