Tips about Health, Magic Kingdom, Planning and Resorts

Magic Kingdom - If you have young children who watch Playhouse Disney's "My Friends Tigger and Pooh", it may be wise to explain to them before you ride "The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh" that the story takes place before Pooh met Darby and Buster (the little girl and her dog who appear in the TV show). I have been showing my 2-year-old YouTube videos of some of the rides in preparation for our April visit to the world, when she watched Pooh she kept asking, "Where Darby? Where Buster?", it would not have occurred to me that she would notice that they were not there. - Melanie Dye

Animal Kingdom Lodge - If you are staying at Animal Kingdom Lodge, Jambo House, I would strongly suggest considering renting a car. My husband, 4-year-old and I have just returned from a 14-night trip and found that with the completion of Kidani Village, the bus transportation picks up and drops off at Kidani FIRST. This meant that when the bus transportation arrived at Jambo House to go to the parks, it was sometimes already full (standing room only) and on the return journey from the parks we had to drive past Jambo House to drop off and collect new people at Kidani before going to Jambo House.

Magic Kingdom - While stopping for a Photopass picture on our way to watch the "Move It! Shake It! Celebrate It! Street Party," a cast member suggested we stand in the middle of the circle (next to the Walt and Mickey statue) in front of the castle to watch the show. The Street Party parade comes up main street and fills the circle. By standing in the circle you can move around and see all the various floats, dancers and characters. - Jim

Magic Kingdom - Just a little tip about viewing the Wishes fireworks outside of Magic Kingdom. If you go to the Transportation and Ticket Center via monorail you are able to get a very good view of the fireworks. They also play the music through the speakers so you can hear what is going on instead of just watching the fireworks without the music. You get all the excitment of feeling like you are in the Magic Kingdom during the fireworks without the huge crowd. - Aesha Richardson

MAGIC KINGDOM - Even though we've been to the Magic Kingdom five times in the past 18 months and are avid listeners to Disney podcasts, we just recently discovered the hidden gem of the Harmony Barbershop. What a bargain! For $21.50 (plus tip) my son got a haircut AND his hair painted and sprinkled with confetti AND my daughter had her hair done in pony tails with paint and glitter! MUCH cheaper than Bibbidi Bobbidi and SO many compliments to them, which they loved! It is off the beaten path, in the corner between the firehouse and Emporium, so you need to keep an eye out for the striped barbershop pole (which can be a challenge to see during Christmas season). It is first come, first serve so get there early. And as a special treat you may get a performance by the Dapper Dans Barbershop Quartet! What a find! We will definitely be holding off on haircuts before our next trip in order to do this again. By the way, the paint and glitter come out pretty easily even after two days -- would recommend a comb for the confetti though. - Becky Koehl

Our son is 19 years old, but we have not ditched the stroller for Disney World. Of course, we don't use it for him. For someone with chronic back and shoulder pain, it is the best. We bring an umbrella stroller to keep our backpack with ponchos, snacks, etc. Anyone who has back difficulties knows that walking for long periods of time is pretty uncomfortable. The support from the stroller for the back is amazing, and really makes a difference on how long you can last in the park. It's like using a rolling walker, but it's not, and it also holds all your belongings. - Nancy

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

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

I have just returned from a trip to the Yacht Club. During my visit, I found myself with a medical emergency, as my glucose meter decided to die. I went to the desk and was relieved to find that there is a drug store, Turner Drugs, that will deliver to the resorts for a $5 charge. What a blessing for a nervous diabetic! - Sue Tucci

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

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.

I always start walking more on the treadmill to get ready for all the Disney walking on a trip. This time, I went and bought a new pair of tennis shoes six months prior to the trip. I kept them only to walk on the treadmill. I then took them with me to Disney. They still looked brand new since they were only used in the house on the treadmill, but they were well broken in for the trip. - Shannon