Tips about Health, Mousecellaneous, Planning and Resorts

When traveling by air with a wheelchair, whether it is a manual or power chair, always take a photo of it from all sides beforehand, and protect your equipment as best you can. On a power wheelchair, remember to take your cushion and the control. I forgot one time and discovered that my joystick control was damaged when they brought my chair to me. - Matt Harbin

Many people do not know, but Disney now sells battery power packs through FuelRod in at least one location in every park (there are four in Magic Kingdom), Disney Springs and ESPN Wide World of Sports. They're about $30, but that price gives you a lifetime membership to any FuelRod terminal around the country. Their chargers can be switched out for fresh ones a limitless number of times per day. - Amanda

A few months ago, I was started on a once-a-day insulin injection in the evening. I needed to take the shot around the same time each day. While we were in the Magic Kingdom, I didn't want to use the restroom to do this, so we walked over to First Aid to see if I could take my injection there. Much to my surprise, this is pretty common. I signed in and they led me to an exam room where I could give myself my injection in a sanitary and private location. And they were so nice and accommodating and discreet. While I was there, others came in for minor stuff and they were treated with the same respect that I was. If you need anything of a medical nature, do not hesitate to visit First Aid. Also, they can store your medications for you, especially if they need refrigeration. - David S.

If renting a scooter (through Disney or off-property) bring your own keychain. I recommend a coil bracelet- type of keychain. That way you can put it on your wrist whenever you park your scooter and you won't lose your key. I bought mine at Wal-Mart (in the jewelry section), but I've also seen them on Amazon.com. Cost is about $2.00. With all the hustle and bustle while on vacation, this prevented my mom from losing her key. - Stephanie Cornell

Remember to bring spare power packs for your phones. Because of so many people being in the parks, phones die quickly because they are constantly looking for a signal... even with the WiFi in the parks, it still takes up a lot of battery power. I think people tend to forget that these "smartphones" die so quickly. - Anna Kirch

If you have a handicap tag/placard on your cars at home, and you're planning to rent a car at Disney World, don't forget to bring your tag with you to use on the rental. We were able to park in the VIP parking areas of the parks for free each day, first row if we got there early enough. - Rita Thomason

EDITOR'S NOTE: This tip in AllEars® Issue #889 gave the impression that vehicles using a handicap tag or sticker were granted free theme park parking. While it is true that there is special parking for those with such a hang-tag or sticker, parking is free only to Disney-owned resort guests or annual passholders.

My family and I just returned from a fantastic trip, staying at Beach Club for the first time and loved it! Wanted to share this tip: If you want a patio or full balcony, be sure request it when booking and through the online check-in system. Many second-floor balconies are standing room only. We were fortunate enough to have a full balcony and Epcot right outside our door. - Colleen Ziemkiewicz

Most TVs in the hotels have an HDMI port. This means you can connect your HDMI-ready laptop to them if you have the proper cable. This is nice for end of the day unwinding if your little one needs a favorite movie or some such to go to sleep. - Mike Layman

I found out last week that distilled water is available to purchase upon request at the Everything Pop food court (at Pop Century Resort). Distilled water is important to the many guests who use CPAP machines. It was as easy as going to one of the cashiers at the Everything Pop food court and requesting it. They keep it stocked in the back. I'm guessing many/all of the Disney Resorts carry it, too. Next visit I won't have to pack small bottles of distilled water in my luggage! Thanks, Disney! - Catherine Ryan

We aren't really big soda drinkers, so the refillable mugs aren't a good investment for us. However, we do like our morning coffee. I found disposable coffee cups with lids at the local dollar store. We make coffee in our room, take it with us on the way to the parks, then throw the cups away when we are finished. It's super-cheap and we aren't carrying around a cup all day! - Laura Briggs

In last week's tips, Gretchen Foster wrote about the difficulty of finding birthday cards on Disney property. The Japan pavilion in Epcot has a wonderful selection of all types of greeting cards. One of my grandsons has a summer birthday and I was able to find the perfect card there and slipped in a Disney gift card. - Carol Trainor

I loved your article last week on birthday trips. However, people should be aware that it's difficult to buy greeting cards, wrapping paper, gift bags or ribbon on-property (I don't know why). If you are going to bring gifts that need to be wrapped, bring your own cards and wrapping from home. Also, don't bring pre-wrapped packages if you are flying as they will almost always stop you at security and make you unwrap it. - Gretchen Foster

A tip for UK visitors: In shops, kids struggle to work out the cost of something in British pounds, as they have to add the sales tax and then do the currency conversion. When ours were younger I made little conversion charts with the GBP equivalent (with sales tax added) of up to $20. As long as they can add up, they can then work out what things are going to cost from their spending allowance without having to ask Mum or Dad all the time. - Juli Williamson

If you are in the World now or will be soon, keep your eyes open. We saw two bald eagles last week on World Drive, between Buena Vista Drive and the Epcot exit. The next day I saw one at the entrance to the Wide World of Sports complex. Beautiful birds and my phone's camera did not do them justice. - Michael S.

Something we tried this last time we stayed at the Boardwalk Villas was to bring a water purifier that you connect to the kitchen faucet. This worked amazingly well! We didn't have to haul or buy a whole bunch of water bottles for our trip, you just keep refilling a glass or reusable container. You don't have the waste of the plastic bottles or have to drink the nasty-tasting Orlando water! Just write down a reminder to take your purifier off the faucet before you leave. When you get home, connect the purifier back to your own kitchen faucet! - Tammy