Tips about Extra Magic Hours, Food & Beverage, Mousecellaneous, Planning and Souvenirs

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

If you are a Florida resident we have a great deal for you. My family and I are annual passholders and frequently visit WDW. We have the Tables in Wonderland and it save's us 20% at most sit down restaurants. This card is $125.00 for the year. We saved that in one weekend. - The Hill's

EDITOR'S NOTE: Tables in Wonderland is now available to all annual passholders as well as to all Florida Residents.

We just returned from WDW, and wanted to tell everyone interested in character dining to not give up, thinking it is too late to get reservation for a meal. My girlfriend called at 6 p.m. and got us a reservation for 7:30 p.m. at the Liberty Tree Tavern. So even on the day of, and just hours before, it is still possible. Never assume that it is too late. - Dustin Wilson

Don't forget to mention that a trip to the Kennedy Space Center is worth it. It's only an hour's drive and the backlot bus tour for the $20 was well worth it. Wow, unbelievable what this day trip offered. Not a lot of walking (so go after a day of hard walking around WDW. - David

It's your Last Day at WDW and you're plane leaves that afternoon. Save money on your 4-5 day pass and spend the last morning at a resort Character Breakfast and tour some hotels (checking out where you might stay next time!) The Character Breakfast will help you feel like you're still at the parks. If you head to the parks; this is a great time to head to the Extra Magic Hour Park so you can get in and out early! If your plane leaves during the afternoon, a great thing to do is to go horseback riding. Ask someone that works at your hotel for more info. It's loads of fun and kids enjoy it as much as adults. - Brian Montgomery

Since our daughter is almost 12 years old, she didn't want an autograph book or EPCOT passport this trip. We bought her the Pressed Penny book and set out to collect at least one penny from each place we visited. We found most of them, but then discovered that Guest Services and cast members in gift shops throughout EPCOT and MK have lists of where the machines are and what their pennies look like. This made it even easier for her to complete her collection! - Lisa Heisel, Succasunna, NJ

I love to collect the smashed pennies at Walt Disney World, but hated always fumbling through my wallet for the correct change (two quarters and one penny, preferably bright and shiny!). Now, a few months before my trip I start to put aside my quarters and pennies. I store them in empty film canisters and then just toss the canisters into my backpack. Now when I'm at the park I just pull out one of the little canisters of coins and have the change right at my finger tips with no searching. - KrisAnne Warren

When you see something you want at the parks/hotels, buy it - Too many times I said I'll buy it later and it was gone or I forgot where I saw it. - Anonymous

Save all your shopping at the World of Disney for one day. If you ship everything home, $8.95 for under $100 or $13.95 for anything over $100, you will save sales tax and not have to worry about packing everything in a suitcase!! This was a big plus for us. Discounts are sometimes available.

Suggest your child start a collection - whether it's key chains, postcards, or whatever. It may be a bit pricey (esp. key chains) but they can collect them or give them as presents. - Keely

Before you spend too much money in the gift shops in and around the world, I'd recommend checking out the character warehouse shop in the Beltz outlet mall. On our last trip, I found some identical items to the ones on sale in the world at 50 - 75% off! There was quite a variety of items, but as with most outlet mall shopping, you have to do some digging. Items available included themepark clothing, resort logo clothing, plush characters, pins, and lots of character themed clothing. - Boris Beckert

Did you know you could order from any of the restaurants on the Boardwalk by just walking in and asking to place a to-go order. We did this our first night and it worked great. Took just 15 minutes for wings and two chicken Caesar salads. - Jennifer Lukoff

If you're a vegan or on a strict low-fat diet--or would simply like an extra-special vegetarian meal--call the Walt Disney World main switchboard (407) 824-2222 and ask to be transferred to the restaurant of your choice. Once connected, ask to speak directly with a chef, and explain your dietary needs. Have fun brainstorming with the chefs about your special meal. If you give them enough advance notice (usually a week will do), most Disney chefs are more than happy to purchase special items like rice milk, kamut or seitan to make your meal memorable. Remember to get your chef's full name and to let him or her know the date and time of your visit.

Go to Planet Hollywood and Rainforest Cafe for early dinners - have a good size breakfast - no or light lunch - arrive at either at about 3:30-4pm. Seating is faster - for even faster service sit at the bar. The scenery at both is just as nice to experience there and you don't have to wait for a table. - A. Halton

Please continue to encourage people that eating within the parks can be affordable. (Granted, it is just the 2 of us w/o children, and we do not drink alcohol.) We went on a Sunshine Getaway package [no longer offered] which included a BIG all-you-could-eat breakfast each day, which we scheduled at the earliest time available. Using The Unofficial Guide to WDW (book) we planned to eat as late a lunch as possible at specific restaurants, usually around 2-3. We found full menus and very generous portions, but for a considerably lower price than the dinner meals. Finally, we would stop by the food court at the Caribbean Beach Resort for a snack before bed time. Next time, I'll bring along the Poptarts, etc., and eliminate the need to pay for such. - Jenny Drake