Tips about Food & Beverage, Planning, Rain, Resorts and Souvenirs

Our family has found an easy way to keep track of our dining information during a Disney trip. I use my cell phone's calendar to enter the times and confirmation numbers of all our meals. My phone is always with me, so I don't have to carry an extra list. If we're really trying to pack a lot into our day, I set my alarm to go off a half hour before our reservation. Having our confirmation number handy helped us out a couple years ago when our reservation got mixed up. - Deborah Shauan

Our most recent trip to Disney was a very busy one between extra activities and dinner reservations. Before leaving home, I prepared a schedule, which upon arrival I posted on the fridge (we stayed in a villa) with magnets I brought from home. This way, everyone knew where and when they needed to be somewhere. - Ann

On our last trip to the world we were pleasantly surprised upon check in at our resort to be stopped by a family asking if they could give our 3-year-old princess their princess balloon as they were leaving and wouldn't be able to take it with them. They explained that they had been given the balloon in the same fashion upon their check-in and was passing on the favour! What a great idea! We continued the balloon's travel upon our check-out in the same fashion with no tears from our princess of having to leave it behind! What a great way to spread a little magic to incoming guests and teach our children about sharing! - Karen

If you purchase the foil balloons for your children, but do not have space in your car (or the plane) to transport them home, there is a quick and easy solution! All you need is a regular drinking straw. Undo the knot that ties the balloon to the string. Insert the straw into the hole and push it a few inches up into the balloon. That releases the valve and you can deflate the balloon, fold it and pack it in your suitcase. Ideally, you can hide it away, and then when the kids' birthdays come around, you can bring it to the local dollar store or party supply store and have them refill it with helium for you!! You won't believe the looks on your kids' faces when the Disney balloons re-appear! (And if you don't want to go that far, you can simply blow it up with your own lung power, and the same straw, when you get home). - D. French

All Resorts - Remember that Disney Gift Cards are not honored to cover valet parking. - Nalyn Marcus

Most of the Disney balloons have a Mickey weight on them. When it was time to leave the balloon couldn't go with us so I quickly took the Mickey plastic weight off of the bottom and added it to my camera strap as a souvenir. Imagine my delight when I realized not only did I have a constant reminder of a a wonderful trip, I no longer had to search for my little camera! The Mickey is distinctive enough for me to always spot -- unlike the camera strap -- and easy to grasp. The camera has made two more trips back to Disney with us and people always comment on the Mickey. It would work on anything that has a narrow strap. - Sherry Huff

Port Orleans Riverside - I go to the gym daily, it's part of my lifestyle. As you know, gyms are only located in the deluxe resorts in Disney. Last trip we stayed at Animal Kingdom Lodge, and I advised the concierge there that I would be staying at Port Orleans Riverside next trip and asked about gym accommodations. I was told that I could attend any gym for a $35 fee that would cover my entire length of stay. When we checked into Port Orleans Riverside recently, I inquired about the gym fee, and was told that guests staying at Port Orleans can use the gym at Saratoga Springs at no charge! This was an extra savings that was unexpected! - Linda A. Graffagnini

I wrote you in January of this year regarding the fact that Earl of Sandwich in Disney Springs was using latex gloves in food prep. I wanted to update you with the fact that when we were at WDW at the end of September, we were happy to learn that "Earl" has now become latex-free! Of course, it's always important to ask at the time of ordering, but we were told they would be latex-free going forward. Unfortunately, when we went to purchase fudge at the Main Street Confectionery, we were told that they for some reason are still using latex gloves (despite the fact that we've been told over and over that WDW food prep is now latex-free) as well as vinyl gloves, so we were advised not to chance purchasing anything. Very disappointing! - Amy Keen

Don't be afraid to use GoLynx, the public buses serving Orlando. Using the No. 50 gets you to Seaworld and I-Drive from the Ticket and Transportation Center and Disney Springs. The No. 111 is a direct bus to the Florida Mall. It's cheap, reliable and punctual, and way cheaper than shuttles or taxis. - Diane

Know the theme park closing schedule and schedule your non-hotel dinners before the buses make you route to Disney Springs to get back to your "home" hotel. We went from Boma (Animal Kingdom Lodge) to Disney Springs and back to All Star Music. That occurred starting at 10:45 p.m. We didn't make it to bed until just before 12:30 a.m. Fortunately we didn't have to be at Typhoon Lagoon until 10 a.m. the next day. - Rudy Costa EDITOR'S NOTE: Sometimes it is in your best interest to use the taxi service for late evening transportation from resort to resort. Cost is usually under $20.

Save yourself time and money on hydration while roaming the parks. My husband and I each have a CamelBak hydration pack (they have packs with only a beverage bladder or models with decent-sized backpacks for the rest of your Disney necessities). A trip to the resort ice machine, a little powdered drink mix and you're good for the whole day. Plus, the ice in the pack keeps you cool on a hot day, even through the insulated padding. You'll save the cost of the CamelBak in the first couple of days plus no time waiting in line for an expensive bottle of water! - Karen Henny

Regarding hurricanes at Walt Disney World -- We were at Port Orleans French Quarter during Hurricane Jeanne. WDW is FABULOUS about keeping their guests well-informed, by both phone and written notices. They take safety very seriously. For anyone traveling when a hurricane is brewing out in the Atlantic, I'd suggest packing some extra snacks, and also extra toys/games for the children. The parks were closed for one evening (after 5 p.m.) and the entire following day during "Jeanne." But we had Disney Yahtzee (in a zipper-top bag -- box takes up too much space), Disney Uno, etc. as well as some princess Polly Pockets to help pass time while in the room. Food was available prior to the storm, but the food services were totally closed up the entire next day. Having snacks packed was invaluable, and we even shared with our neighbors next door. We LOVE your newsletter! Even when we don't have a trip in the works, it helps to dream about our next vacation while reading our weekly AllEars®! - Rhoda Smith

I don't know if it has been mentioned, but you can only make your online dining reservations if you have fewer than 10 people in your group. We have 14 in our group and I still had to call the group number to make our dining reservations. (For groups of 10 or more, call 407-939-5665.) - Melissa Speegle

My family has been going to WDW since 1971, so needless to say there are occasions when we are looking for things to do that are outside of the parks, but still in the World. After I read Jack Spence's article on thinking "outside the box," my family came up with this idea that we are going to do over the Labor Day weekend. Prior to our trip we will put the names of the three monorail resort hotels in a hat and each of us will draw a name. Then, on our first evening, after dinner, we will ride the monorail, stopping at each resort hotel, and the person with that hotel name will get to select a "dessert" at a quick stop location to share with the group back in our hotel room. No one knows what was selected and it continues the party well into the evening after leaving the parks. - Betsy Vancura

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