Tips about Health, Magic Kingdom, Mousecellaneous and Resorts

We just returned from our WDW trip and one thing that really saved us from the heat was taking small washcloths, putting them in a Ziploc bag with ice and then into our cooler. When we needed a quick cleanup or if we felt particularly sweaty, we grabbed one and wiped down! It was great! - Margaret Childs

ALL PARKS - On some of the rides, it was easier to stand up slightly when pulling the lap bar down (so that it actually fit closer to my lap than my belly) and then sit down properly for a snug fit. This worked especially well when I went on the rides with my younger children -- they felt more secure with the lap bar closer to them. I can honestly say that large-sized folks are easily accommodated at WDW -- so go, have a great time and don't worry! - Grace

Port Orleans Fench Quarter - We had several problems with our room at Port Orleans French Quarter, the worst of which was being locked out three straight days due to a malfunctioning lock. Readers should know that there is a courtesy phone in the vending areas at each hotel that can be used to reach the front desk. This could have saved us the long walks back to the lobby had we been told! - Andrew from Boston

Magic Kingdom - Some people don't realize that many of the table service restaurants in the parks seat until park closing. We have found it's nice to have a late lunch, and then after watching the evening parade at the Magic Kingdom, go to the Liberty Tree Tavern for dinner. We've always been able to get seated as soon as we go in, even without reservations. When we've finished our wonderful meal, the park is practically empty and we can take our time walking down Main Street and not fighting a crowd. It really makes a nice, stress-free ending to an enjoyable day. - Stacey Kiefer

Save those receipts! Twice our receipts from food service locations at Walt Disney World included a 20 percent off total merchandise purchase (from store opening to 1 p.m.) coupon at the bottom, good at select locations, good through January 5. This happened at both Pizza Planet in Disney's Hollywood Studios and also at the Electric Umbrella at Epcot. - Cheyenna

EDITOR'S NOTE: This promotion usually runs several times a year. Be sure to check if your receipt is one that has the coupon.

POLYNESIAN RESORT - I had read on your wonderful site that you could watch Wishes! from the beaches of the Polynesian Resort. On a recent trip to the Animal Kingdom Lodge, we decided to go check it out one night. We were sitting outside of 'Ohaha when we heard Jiminy Cricket give the 10-minutes-until-showtime announcement. We were almost hesitant to go out to the beach, thinking that we could hear the score inside the lobby, but to our surprise they were playing the score on the beach also. We had to sit by a speaker to hear the music as it was played very quietly. Get down to the beach early, sit near a speaker, and it will truly be magical just as it was for my family. - Shelley Leagan

FORT WILDERNESS - When staying at Fort Wilderness campground we always rent a golf cart. When it's time to see the Electrical Water Pageant, we take our carts and go back to a little lane (which used to lead to River Country), and off to the right you can take your carts onto the beach. This way you can have a nice spot that's not crowded and you are on the water. The kids can play in the sand until it's time for the parade. It's so peaceful. - Michelle Gates EDITOR'S NOTE: Carts are not allowed off paths or on beaches so you might need to park it and walk to a more remote spot.

All Resorts - On our last trip to WDW we had a fridge in our room -- very handy! However, our fridge was too cold and it froze 12 bottles of water solid. At first I was mad but I took two of the frozen solid bottles to the park with me and it actually worked out great. It took a good part of the day for them to totally un-freeze, so we had cold water almost the whole day. If you have a fridge with a freezer, put bottled water in the freezer instead of the fridge and you'll have cold water much longer throughout a day at the parks. - BEARWIFME

EDITOR'S NOTE: This is a great tip, but if you try it, don't fill the bottles up to the very top -- leave an inch or two, since the water will expand as it freezes.

Velcro makes a 3/4-inch x 10-foot roll with the hooks on one side and the loops on the other so it sticks to itself. I bought mine in Walmart but I've also seen it in Home Depot. I cut it off in one-foot lengths to attach a mug or folded windbreaker to my belt loop. It has a hundred uses, and rolls up to fit in a pocket or backpack. - Brian Phillips

All Resorts - We always buy the refillable mugs at our resorts, the only problem is how to carry all the mugs you just filled to the park each day. Well, you need to buy the plastic "S" hooks that go onto the baby style gyms. They work great and secure the mug perfectly. You can get them at your local "dollar store." They also work great attaching packages and many, MANY other things to your stroller. - Rene Hogan

Walt Disney World occasionally changes the contractor that runs the spa at the various resorts. As of 2015,it's best to look up the spa you are considering on Disney's official website for details and phone numbers: https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/spas/

FORT WILDERNESS - On a recent trip to Disney, we stayed in a cabin at Fort Wilderness. We decided one evening to take a wagon ride around the campgrounds. In addition to seeing all the decorations the campers put up for the holidays (some of them are fantastic), we pulled up along the lake and were joined by a Cast Member with a boom box. After just a few minutes, the fireworks began at the Magic Kingdom right across the lake. The boom box gave us the music along with the fireworks. It was fantastic! The fireworks ride is not offered every night, so be sure and check with the Cast Members there. You cannot make reservations ahead -- just show up early and enjoy! - Vicki Stark

http://allears.net/btp/carriage.htm

Hang on to your hat! My husband wears a baseball cap to prevent sunburn. He was astounded to have it fly off his head on the Tower of Terror. He was very relieved he caught it. What he didn't realize was that our brand new annual passes had been in his front shirt pocket. They, too, had levitated. Fortunately, the Cast Member saw them and called our names. WHEW! - TJ

For those long days of walking at Disney I have found that if I use one of two leg products before and after my day I can walk twice as far and don't even feel it, at least for the first couple of days. I either use a peppermint leg gel from The Body Shop or I use a peppermint leg lotion from Mary Kay. I have tried both and either works just as well, although the lotion is easier to reapply throughout the day if necessary and has a much stronger smell. Both products say they are for after a long day, but I found that by using them before my day, my legs did not get as tired. - Rebecca White

I regularly travel with people who rent ECVs as they cannot manage the long walk around the parks. The biggest problem I found when renting the ECVs inside the park is that if you park-hop you are not guaranteed an ECV at your next park and there is no refund. People are allowed to turn in their ECV and ask that it be held for the entire day for them when they return, which ties up many of them. On our most recent trip we rented two ECVs from a private company. They were slightly cheaper, ours for the day to take to as many parks as we chose and actually faster and easier to maneuver than the Disney models. - Nicky