Tips about Food & Beverage, Keep The Magic Alive, Magic Kingdom, Planning and Resorts

I just read your article on planning for a large group. In October 2002, I brought my entire family (parents, sisters and their families) of 15 to WDW. In order to include everyone in the decision-making process, my family (the fanatics) prepared questionnaires that were sent to each family member, regardless of age (we ranged 9-80). The first questionnaire was broad and had different categories of likes and dislikes (parades, fireworks, swimming, parks, sleeping late, buffets vs. sit down vs. fast food, etc.) to determine what each person wanted to do. The second then gave each person three choices of what to do each day, morning, afternoon, and night -- one of which was ALWAYS "be on your own." We all stayed at the same hotel (Polynesian) and came and went according to what we had chosen. All 15 of us were only required to be together for three meals during the five days we were there. The groups constantly changed, and a fabulous time was had by all! We definitely recommend polling your traveling companions so everyone feels involved. - Margie Smith

On a trip to the World in 2001, we found a CD by Mannheim Steamroller named "Mannheim and the Mouse." It has turned out to be one of our favorite CDs -- jazzy/new age classical renditions of Disney classics. This is a wonderful way to remember and look forward to visits to WDW! Anyone who hears the songs goes "ahhh," smiles or sings along to the music. It's a great pick-me-up! - Cindy Low

Recently on a vacation to Walt Disney World, we noticed several refillable mugs left unattended and presumably left behind by mistake. Oftentimes cast members just tossed them in the trash. We brought address labels and added our cell phone numbers to the labels. We attached the labels not only to our refillable mugs, but also our camera and other valuable items just in case something got left behind. - Becky from Oshkosh

I am an 11-year-old girl who has visited WDW at least 35 times, and I found the best Disney World product for us Disney nuts. It is the Walt Disney World Resort Scavenger Hunt. It is only $4.00 in the Magic Kingdom Emporium on Main Street. It has questions like: What is the name of the mill on Tom Sawyer Island? What are they auctioning in Frontierland? If you WANT to know everything about Disney, or think you DO know everything, then this is for you. My family and I thought that we knew Disney, but we were so wrong! I thought you would like to know about this awesome product. - Chris B.

Did you ever go for breakfast or dinner and find out your Priority Seating cannot be found, and you don't have the PS number with you? Well, this happened to me a couple of times. The cast members were very nice, but also sorry because the wait for dinner at Cinderella Castle would be at least one hour and Chef Mickey had no openings at all. So this past May I made a printout of our restaurants, times and Priority Seatings, shrank it to the size of a credit card, had it laminated and put it in my wallet next to my credit card. It worked wonders because for dinner at San Angel in Mexico they could not find our seating -- I gave them my PS card and within seconds it came up on the computer. By the way, dinner at San Angel was just too delicious, you must give it a try! - Fran Giambalvo

In response to those looking for Disney radio stations, DirecTV Channel 804 is Radio Disney, if you can't pick it up locally. My daughter loves it and it keeps her from staring at the screen all day. - Yahdayaduh

I am 35 and made my first trip to Disney two years ago. It was spectacular, and we are going for our fourth trip in October. I always get a gold charm for a charm bracelet I have had for years. I have a Mickey, Tigger and Tinker Bell charm. This year I am going to put the charms on their own special Disney bracelet. I hope it will become a family heirloom one day. - Lucretia German

A game my sister and I play is "20 Questions". Usually one person has 20 questions to find out what the other person is thinking of in one of three categories - person, place, or animal. You ask yes or no questions, and if you don't get the answer by question 20, you lose. We play this Disney style. We call it "Disney 20 Questions" (original, huh?), and our categories are "Attraction, Restaurant, or Character". Attractions include anything from Voyage of the Little Mermaid to Mission: Space. We have a blast (no pun intended) playing this, and it helps us relive our favorite Disney memories. - Jenny Beck

We live in Australia and only make it to WDW every 4 years. Both of our children (8 and 5) have visited twice and love to remember the trips. When it seems like it is too long to wait for our next trip we pull out some of the paper plates and cups from our last trip and cook something like chicken strips and mjacaroni cheese which we usually only eat at WDW), and have a Disney dinner. We also like to make s'mores for our friends just like we learnt at the Port Orleans campfire. - Sandie Morthen

I was at a Lenox outlet store last week and guess what I found? A necklace with Mickey Mouse as the Sorcerer! On the back is engraved "Keep the magic alive". A perfect daily reminder right around your neck. - Tiffany Bailey

Kingdom Hearts. This PS2 video game allows you to actually become a character in some of your favorite Disney films. Your character actually gets to explore the scenery of films like "Alice in Wonderland", "Tarzan", "Nightmare Before Christmas" and many others. Along the way, you battle Maleficent, Hades, Jafar and other Disney Villains with Goofy, Donald and several Disney heroes at your side. - Mike

Check the local TV listings for the Travel Channel and the Food Network. Both regularly have programs featuring Walt Disney World. - Mike

I like to look at my Disney vacation pictures from years gone by and see how the parks have changed and relive my wonderful vacations. I also subscribe to the Disney Magazine. I have the Fantasmic CD and a CD I made at the Imagination Pavillion with all Disney songs from the parks/rides. - Connie La Tempa

We've found a great way ~ Internet radio "hub" Live 365 has a number of broadcasters/stations that play Disney music - everything from soundtracks to ambient park music, even some sound bites from attractions! We don't realize how we relate hearing ambient park music to "feeling" like we're there, until we listen to it at home! Just go the the Live 365 website, and search "Disney" or "Walt Disney World". A list of stations that play that music are listed, complete with short descriptions of the type of music they play. It's a great way to feel like you're at the park, when you're at home! - Cindy W.

One of my favorite things to do for a quick Disney fix, when a trip is not in the near future is play a video I bought on a previous trip. This video travels throughout the 4 theme parks showing the various attractions (the name escapes me..."Around the World"?). I think you can still purchase it from WDW directly. Also the free promotional planning tapes/DVD from Disney are loads of fun. Sometimes I'll even watch a Sing-Along tape with the kids (Campout or Beach Party at WDW or even Disneyland fun). Finally, Some days I just listen to my CD's of the theme park rides and show. It is a great way to remember the fun had on the last trip and anticipate the next trip. - Holly Bryfogle