Tips about Epcot, Souvenirs and Special Events

Epcot - When in Epcot's World Showcase pavilions, I try to have my children say at least one phrase in the native language of the Kidcot host or hostess. It is amazing the response that can be elicited from a simple "Cheers!", "Hola, buenos dias!" or my favaorite "as salaam alekem" (Morocco). We have ALWAYS been met with incredible warmth and extra kindness. Take the time to learn a few easy phrases, stand back and watch a world of smiles unfold! - Tom McManus

Epcot - When in Epcot's World Showcase pavilions, I try to have my children say at least one phrase in the native language of the Kidcot host or hostess. It is amazing the response that can be elicited from a simple "Cheers!", "Hola, buenos dias!" or my favaorite "as salaam alekem" (Morocco). We have ALWAYS been met with incredible warmth and extra kindness. Take the time to learn a few easy phrases, stand back and watch a world of smiles unfold! - Tom McManus

Only purchase things once. We repack the light-up toys we bought a few years ago. Same with the water bottle lanyards, pin lanyards, etc. Anything that you will repeatedly need each year, SAVE IT. We have a small container that is decorated as the "Disney Box." Since we drive to WDW, it goes with us every year. As soon as we get home, the autograph books, lanyards, light-up toys, etc. go in the box for the next trip. Taped to the underside of the lid is a list that I start replenishing with the very next grocery trip. I choose one or two things each trip, that way it doesn't eat into our budget (extra batteries, rain ponchos, refills for the first aid kit, and snacks closer to the trip). - DShealer

MNSSHP - For everyone who loves travelling to Walt Disney World during the fall for the Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party, the Boo to You Parade is one of the highlights of the evening. What most people don't realize, however, is that the Headless Horseman who ushers in the parade by galloping through Magic Kingdom on the parade route, actually originates at the horse stables at Fort Wilderness. He returns there, in full costume and character, after the parade. As you can imagine, it was quite a surprise for my daughter to see him on a pitch-black evening on his return to the stable. It made quite a memorable, spooky tale that she'll remember for a lifetime! - sgriggs EDITOR'S NOTE: On occasion the Headless Horseman has been known to appear Chip and Dales Campfire Singalong in Fort Wilderness on the 30 or 31.

Birthday souvenir idea for Epcot: When we recently went to Epcot for my husband's birthday, I made him a birthday tag (4x6 size) which I laminated and attached to a lanyard (you can find those at a craft store or make your own). On one side, it had his picture superimposed over a picture we had taken from an earlier trip at Epcot, and it said "I'm Celebrating My Birthday at Epcot!" On the back, I listed all the countries in order on the left side, leaving a space between. Then on our visit, as we traveled to every country, he asked a Disney Cast Member to wish him Happy Birthday in their native language! It is one of our favorite keepsakes ever, and we've prominently displayed it in our vacation scrapbook. - Beth Adams

When we leave Disney with all of our souvenirs, they seem to go by the wayside once we get home, so I have started putting all of the "Disney stuff" away in a bag. When we go back to the magical land, it's ready to pack and take back with us. My kids have usually forgotten about everything, so it seems like new and I don't have to repurchase all the stuff. This also works well with Disney plush toys, hats and light-up gadgets. I also like to purchase Disney-related things throughout the year as I see them and add them to the bag. - Deb Gorman

To save on impulse souvenir purchases-shop online and at your local Disney Store ahead of time. I pack a new Mickey item for each child in our luggage and they wake up to a gift left by... Tinker Bell, Mickey Mouse, etc. Throw on some glitter and they'll definitely believe the fairies were there. Trading pin sets can also be purchased this way and save you a ton of money. - Angela Manzi

Since your best souvenirs will be your memories anyway, go cheap on the ones you buy. You can collect postcards or pressed pennies for a fraction of the cost of most souvenirs for sale in the gift shops. - Josh

Come up with a souvenir budget and stick to it. On my last solo trip to the World, I gave myself a $50 souvenir budget -- it was a fun challenge to stick to the budget and find great stuff. In fact, I had souvenir money left over! (If you've been several times, you might consider a trip taken without purchasing souvenirs.) Or, skip the extras, like Photopass photos, spa treatments, special tours, etc. I would always prefer to go all-out, but I find a trip to Disney on a budget is better than no trip to Disney at all! - Hilary Sommer

ALL PARKS - This is a tip for anyone who celebrates a special day or occasion on the same day every year at one of the Disney parks. My wife and I have celebrated every one of our 11 wedding anniversaries at Disneyland. To add to our tradition, we get a Fastpass that is marked for that day and covers the time that we were married, i.e. 4 p.m. Then we have a cast member take a picture of us in front of that attraction at the exact time that we said our "I Do's." Between the photo and the Fastpasses, it makes a nice keepsake of that specific day and time. The only drawback is we can see how we have aged over the years. Go out and CELEBRATE! - Michael Greening

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

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