Tips about Food & Beverage, Keep The Magic Alive, Magic Kingdom, Mousecellaneous and Souvenirs

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

ESPN Wide World of Sports now offers free high-speed internet throughout the complex including in the Baseball Quadraplex, Champion Stadium, Hess Sports Fields, the Jostens Center, HP Field House, Softball Diamondplex, Tennis Complex, Track & Field Complex and the ESPN Wide World of Sports Grill. Simply connect your laptop or mobile device to the Hotspot SSID: Disney-Guest, accept the Terms of Service and you will then be automatically connected to Disney's network and have the ability to surf the web, check your email, Facebook and Twitter. - Rick

I just love reading the "Magical Moments" section of the AllEars® newsletter. As a former Disney College Program cast member I would like to remind everyone that if a cast member goes above and beyond in their service, it is greatly appreciated if you go to Guest Relations in the front of the park to let them know that someone made your day extra magical. That way you can make that cast member's day magical, too! It is a great way to give back. - Amanda Atilano

I just used the online dining reservations for our trip in July. There will be six of us and an infant. You have to include an infant in the number of guests for every meal. I called to confirm this and was told that was correct. Thanks for the great website! I do all my research for my trips here! - Alana DeFazio

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

ALL PARKS - You know how everyone always asks for the front on Space Mountain and Expedition Everest? Ride in the back for a fun time! On Space Mountain, you feel every little drop, it jerks you around a little more and the ride feels longer. As for Everest, the backward part feels more dramatic, and the drop whips the back end of the train up and feels way longer. First-timers, ride in the front. But once you're familiar with these mountains, ask for the back -- you're in for a wild ride! - Chloe Ferreira

I like to make my hotel room feel a little more special by bringing in a small bouquet of flowers. You can buy these at the local supermarket for a few bucks. I always bring an old vase from home (which I leave at the hotel when I return home) and have a nice smelling and beautiful thing to come back to at the end of every day. - Amanda Bohning

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

I was reading your tips page about keeping the magic alive, and I saw the wonderful tip about Mouseworld Radio! (http://mouseworldradio.com). For a couple of weeks leading up to a trip to the World, I always have Mouseworld Radio playing in the background. It's great because it plays both songs from popular attractions (past and present), as well as all of the great music that you hear walking through the parks! I love hearing the entrance music to Future World, or the background music loop for Tomorrowland! It really gets me excited for an upcoming trip. Another great thing that I listen to all the time is the Disney radio station on Pandora. It has songs from the soundtracks of new favorites like 'Tangled' and 'The Princess and the Frog,' as well as older favorites like 'Peter Pan,' 'Aladdin,' or 'The Little Mermaid.' Just thought I would pass this along because these are definitely great ways to keep the magic alive! I love the newsletter and have been reading it since high school -- Keep up the great work! - Kristen

We're at Walt Disney World this week and a cast member suggested that we could purchase the Tables in Wonderland card as Disney Vacation Club members. Went to a guest relations desk and after the cast member checked, found that yes, we could purchase TiW for $100, good for a year, with all the usual benefits. So glad this cast member was looking out for us, as it has saved us more than $100 already and we've got 13 more days to go! Please pass on the tip! - Tom Chavez

If you're on a tight schedule and want to be seated as close to your ADR time as possible, it may be best to make reservations for earlier rather than later. On our trip this month, I noticed that the later our dinner reservation was, the longer it took to get seated. This becomes even worse if it rains. People already seated for their meal do not finish and leave the restaurant as quickly when they know it's raining outside. - Collette

I love last week's article about the Walt Disney Family Musuem - AllEars #637. We had a chance to travel out to California last summer and went to the museum. It is a wonderful place to go for all Disney fans. We spent hours there and still could have used more time. Just make sure if you go out to check to make sure the days they are open. They were closed the day we were there so we changed our plans to be there the next day they were open. It was well worth it. - Andrea

I enjoyed reading about the Walt Disney Family Museum in last week's newsletter AllEars #637. We had the opportunity to visit this past July. It was fantastic and I could have spent hours upon hours reading all about Walt, his family, and all that Walt did during his life. It was fascinating. The art you see, the history and facts you learn -- all well worth the price of admission. And yes, I cried at the end. I also enjoyed the gift shop. Lots of unique-to-the-museum items. My son was introduced to Davy Crockett that day (on the wall of TVs) and chose a coon-ish skin cap as a souvenir. I thought that was neat. Another cool thing to check out if you go to the museum and happen to have a Star Wars fan with you (as I did) is to visit the ILM/Lucasfilm headquarters just a couple blocks away. You can visit the lobby full of memorabilia -- just check in with the receptionist and be respectful. The Yoda fountain in the courtyard outside is really cool -- a great photo spot! Between the two stops, it makes for a great day! - Anna Burch

If you're a AAA member, bring your card and ask about available discounts at restaurants. Some places outside the parks, like Earl of Sandwich at Disney Springs and Fresh at the Walt Disney World Dolphin, offer a better discount for AAA members than they do for AP holders or DVC members. - Laura Gilbreath