Tips about Food & Beverage and Rain

Rain ponchos were a necessity when we were in Florida. Also, it was a lifesaver to have a stroller rain shield. With three small children, we brought our own stroller and each day also rented a Disney stroller. On rainy days we used an extra rain poncho to cover the carriage. The extra rain poncho also came in handy by laying the poncho on a wet bench when seeing shows such as the Stunt Show or Fantasmic at Disney's Hollywood Studios. - Kathryn Bibinski

Even if you are not a fan of food on the bone, don't let that stop you from going to the Hoop-Dee-Doo Revue. I let our hotel concierge know my aversion to food on the bone and he called over to Hoop-Dee-Doo. When we arrived I was served one of the most tender, juicy and well-seasoned boneless, skinless chicken breasts I have ever had. Great also for those watching their weight. The restaurant requests that you let them know at least 12 hours in advance. Enjoy the show! - Michelle Buchecker

With the necessity of ADRs (Advanced Dining Reservations) and keeping track of all those reservation numbers, I decided this year to type a list of our reservations. I included the date, time, and name/location. Then I shrunk the text, printed it and laminated it. It was smaller than a credit card! I put a hole in it, placed it on a carabiner and hung it on my backpack. It was always handy and ready for use and easier to make any needed changes! - Marie from Long Island

Two tips when eating at El Pirata Y el Perico (especially on hot days): 1) Ask for extra sour cream when you get your entrees (none at the topping bar), the packets are a little small; 2) when on the dining plan, ask them to hold the ice cream bars until after you've eaten. It was 90 degrees when we ate, and the cast member at the window was kind enough to hold ours so we could enjoy them as ice cream rather than soup! - NOTE: El Pirata Y el Perico is only open seasonally - tusportsfan

For character breakfasts, I would recommend letting girls wear their princess dresses to the princess meals because it helps with the magical aspect of it. However, on extremely hot Florida days, try putting it on over their clothes a few minutes before your reservation or once you are seated. It will only take a moment and it will save the headache of your child whining about being hot. I put my daughter's dress on her after we sat down because I watched a slew of little girls crying outside while waiting in their hot and heavy dresses. - Mendy776

While at WDW last week I found out that most of the Swan and Dolphin restaurants give a 20 percent discount when you show your AAA card. Exceptions are Il Mulino, bluezoo, Shula's, and Kimono's. - Michelle Buchecker

EDITOR'S NOTE: We double-checked this and found out it's true! Be sure to bring those AAA cards with you. Also, Disney Vacation Club Members get a similar 20 percent discount at the Swan and Dolphin restaurants. Kimono's does participate in the discount program, however.

Just because it is raining at your hotel doesn't mean it is raining at the parks. On my recent trip I had spent all morning at Magic Kingdom. On my way back to the hotel for the afternoon I met some people who had not left the hotel because of a downpour most of the morning. We barely felt a drop at Magic Kingdom. Disney World is so big that the storms don't always encompass all the parks. - Linda Sisson

Fort Wilderness - This year I took my family to dinner at the Trail's End Restaurant at Fort Wilderness Campground. We made a night of it: we started at the Wilderness Lodge, then took the boat ride to Fort Wilderness to our priority seating at Trail's End, which is a very reasonably priced buffet. Then we watched the Wishes fireworks on the beach and the Electric Water Pageant from the boat dock. The kids loved the boat ride and the ducks on the beach. It makes for a lovely and relaxing evening! You could put together a similar evening at any of the Magic Kingdom resorts, although the Trail's End doesn't tend to book up early and it's inexpensive. - Dawn Goodwin

Go play in the rain and tell everybody you just got off Splash Mountain and found your happy place. Remember you are on vacation and you are not the only one caught by the rain. If you look around at the other people, find someone and ask them to go play in the rain with you. If Cast Members can put on a show and have fun why can't we? I have done this and after about two or three minutes we had about 20 or 30 people dancing and singing in the rain. It was one of the best times I have ever had and would do it again. The best part is the person I got to go with me in the rain thanked me. He said that he was down because of the rain -- it was his last day in the World and the rain was going to slow him down. But after the singing in the rain rendition he was ready to go. So I give you this to think about -- if Disney brings out the kid in you, then why not let it show? - Kevin

Rainy days are usually an adventure for kids and if you are in Disney, this equals a DOUBLE adventure.

-- Go to the Florida Mall. There is a huge Playmobil Store where kids could have fun playing with toys, and there are places to eat. When you get back you will have quiet hotel time while they are playing with their new toy.

-- Check the weather in Tampa. If it looks good, hop to your car and go to Busch Gardens. If you have been postponing it since you always get trapped at the Disney parks, now you have the perfect excuse.

-- Go to the Millennia Mall, which has lots of stores and places to eat, but WARNING -- it can be an expensive alternative.

-- Check the weather and go to the Kennedy Space Center. The kids will love it, and you will take a break from the parks. Also this is more educational and the photos will be convenient for that next science project.

-- Make a reservation for lunch at the Gaylord Palms Resort Hotel. It's not Disney but it is fun. They have alligators, and have storytelling time and tours at a specified hours. - Olivencia

Head to a water park. Most often it rains on the way and we are still allowed in. By the time the rain stops we are well in the park and on our way to the more popular slides, when a good portion of people are leaving or have left. Even if we are there for only two hours, it winds up being the best time. - Elizabeth Shannon

EDITOR'S NOTE: The water parks will close if lightning has been detected in the vicinity.

On a rainy day I brought out a balloon animal kit I got at Target (I was thinking of any rainy day when I bought it). Besides distracting my kids (4 and 6), I wanted to use the handy instructions from the kit to make something other than a dog. My first several attempts failed, but I started getting the hang of it. At lunch we headed to the Contemporary's food court. The animals drew attention. We had instant friends for the kids, thankful parents for distracting their kids, and my skills multiplied. I was even offered game prize tickets for a balloon giraffe. Think of something you like to do on a rainy day and bring it with you to Disney. Your ideas could work their own Disney Magic. - Toohill

A thing that I found to really help pass the time during the storms was trying to make it to a 3D show in the parks. These usually last about 30 minutes and are indoors. Most of the time when you come outside the rain has stopped and the sun is out! - Amy Famiglietti, Malden, MA

What do I do when it's raining on my Disney vacation? I call the airlines and see how much it will be to extend my stay, of course! Actually, I pack the rain poncho and water shoes and head to the parks. There is no better time to get pictures of the World without all of the crowds of people in them. All you need is a break in the clouds to let the sun in for a minute or two and you can get the best pics! - Kathy J. Miller

One of our favorite things to do anytime, but especially if it is raining, is to find a bench or table out of the rain and simply people-watch! On our trip last September, we were waiting for dinner at the Concourse Steakhouse at the Contemporary Resort as the outer bands of Hurricane Rita showered off and on. We sat out in the lobby facing the lake. We also had a great view of the escalators and saw an entire wedding party come in from a soggy ceremony, decked out in their drenched formalwear, but they still were bubbling and overjoyed by their magical Disney wedding, even in the rain! That was priceless! - Callie Shreckengost