Tips about Food & Beverage, Hollywood Studios, Mousecellaneous, Planning and Souvenirs

We bring a sleeve of plastic disposable cups to the Disney parks in our backpack. That way we can buy two or three water bottles and share them among the five of us. The cups are light and when we buy five individual bottles no one ever finishes theirs. - Gail Geiser

Disney's Hollywood Studios - When in doubt about the best place to stand for parades or shows, ask a cast member. We used this tip during our visit to Hollywood Studios for the Anna and Elsa Royal Welcome. The cast member told us they would be closing off the area around Echo Lake across from the American Idol Experience and to stand across from the video screen there. From this point we had a great view of the stage and the video screen to see all that was going on. As an added bonus the float with Kristoff stopped where we were standing! After the welcome ceremony was over the parade proceeded to pass right in front of us as well! By asking a cast member we were able to see the Anna and Elsa Royal Welcome without a long wait or using one of our Fastpasses. - Gail Sheehan

If you need to drive to the park to drop someone off, Disney provides very convenient guest drop-off areas at each of the four parks. It's as easy as telling the toll booth cast member at the main parking entrance that you're dropping someone off. They'll give you instructions on how to get to that park's area. At the Magic Kingdom, you need to be in the lanes on the right and they'll direct you down the road going to the Transportation and Ticket Center. At the other three parks, they'll send you into the regular parking area where you'll tell the second cast member you're dropping someone off, and they'll direct you to the spot at the front of the lot near the entrance. - Laurie Jennings

Remember, if you forget where you parked your car, tell a parking attendant about what time you parked. They can then usually tell you about where you parked within a row or so. - Fred

Pressed Penny update -- ELSA is at the shop OUTSIDE of the Epcot entrance near the International Gateway. (Kristin Ford notes that she just made the Olaf pressed penny at the store on the left along the entrance to World Showcase - by the Duffy meet and greet. A penny with both Elsa and Anna can be pressed inside the toy store at the Norway pavilion.) - Trisha Hwang

For all those folks writing about nightlight options -- Make sure your wall-mounted hair dryer is plugged in! Each room I've ever stayed in, regardless of pixie dust level, has the built-in night light feature. Though, as a retired teacher, I admit that the cyalume sticks (glow sticks) are always fun! - Scott Stuart

A helpful hint that hopefully also saves some tears and frustration: the new Frozen sing-along show uses a ticket system similar to Jack Sparrow. Tickets are given out starting at park opening back on San Francisco Street right by the Premiere Theater. The tickets guarantee you your seat in the show but ONLY if you return during the return time window. The window ends 10 minutes prior to show time (so, for example the window for the 2:30 show ends at 2:20). After that window has passed you are no longer guaranteed your seat. You will be directed to standby, which doesn't guarantee entry or sitting together if you do get in. This is especially a problem for the last show of the day, so don't let yourself get caught without a ticket or with a late return time! - A Hollywood Studios Cast Member

Magic Kingdom - I have a tip for the WDW At Large section. I am a 5' 5'' female weighing 315 lbs. I fit comfortably in all of the rides at Magic Kingdom except the new Seven Dwarfs Mine Train roller coaster in Fantasyland. The restraint must fit over the top of and around your thighs. The width is not adjustable so you must squeeze your thighs together and force the restraint down around them. I barely, and I mean barely, was able to squeeze my legs together enough to fit and was uncomfortable the entire time. I also recommend saying you are a 'party of one' so you can ride solo, because the width of the car is slim. I loved the ride -- very smooth -- but won't ride again unless I lose weight. - Annabelle

As a new Disney Vacation Club member, I decided to give the Tables in Wonderland card a try. We had a dinner reservation almost every night, so it paid for itself within the week. I can also use it when we return next year since it's good for about 13 months. You automatically get charged gratuity of 18 percent, which is about what I'd tip anyway. The 20 percent discount from the card basically covers that gratuity and then some. It was definitely worth the $100. - Jennifer

We have vacationed many times at Walt Disney World since 1993. Oftentimes, I will ship a package a week in advance, filled with snacks and surprises. I've learned the hard way, if you're staying at a conference center resort (for example, the Contemporary or Bay Lake Tower) send the box via USPS. If it is shipped UPS or FedEx, you are charged a service/handling fee when you check-in and claim your package. - Ann

So I get home and save the MagicBand we got in March, but I'm not really sure what to do with it. Then my brilliant boyfriend came up with a great use. Since it snaps into various sizes he suggested using it to hold extension cords or electrical cords. Great way to recycle! - Grandeb from NJ EDITOR'S NOTE: You can bring your Magic Band back for your next visit. They last approximately two years.

The gluten-free offerings [at 'Ohana] for my husband were excellent, and included lettuce wraps, chicken wings, all of the grilled meats and a special dessert. They did require my 10-year-old to be charged as an adult, which made the price tag high in my opinion, but the food was great. - A reader in the AllEars.Net Rate and Review section

Disney's Hollywood Studios - When visiting the Disney Junior show at Disney's Hollywood Studios, do NOT sit in the front because you will not be able to see the characters very well. It's better if you sit near the back, in the middle section. Also, know that seating is mostly on the floor, so it's hard for some adults to sit comfortably or to get up. There are just a few benches along the back walls. - Darlene Clagett

Epcot - When my son and daughter-in-law were expecting our now 3-year-old grandson Kai, I visited each country in Epcot and asked a cast member to sign a little message to him in his/her native language. They translated it in English as well. When I approached each cast member, they were delighted to have a part in welcoming our grandson into the world! Upon returning home, I compiled the signatures, along with a picture of each country, put them in a small photo album, and gave it to my daughter-in-law at her baby shower. I have since done the same album of signatures with my subsequent grandson Caleb and most recently with Kai's baby sister Adalie. - Kim N.

Epcot - When my son and daughter-in-law were expecting our now 3-year-old grandson Kai, I visited each country in Epcot and asked a cast member to sign a little message to him in his/her native language. They translated it in English as well. When I approached each cast member, they were delighted to have a part in welcoming our grandson into the world! Upon returning home, I compiled the signatures, along with a picture of each country, put them in a small photo album, and gave it to my daughter-in-law at her baby shower. I have since done the same album of signatures with my subsequent grandson Caleb and most recently with Kai's baby sister Adalie. - Kim N.