Tips about Health, Planning, Resorts and Souvenirs

I think it would be a good idea to mention that it's possible that the chemicals used to produce the aromas included in the Soarin' ride may induce asthma attacks if you suffer from asthma. My wife had this happen and the attack was bad enough that she will no longer ride on this attraction. Personally, I love the ride and am disappointed that I can't share it with her. - Joseph Orosz

I am writing in response to the people who had asthma attacks in Walt Disney World. Just a warning to others -- my daughter had a bad asthma attack in Magic Kingdom after Wishes. I'm glad she didn't have one in Soarin' because we loved that ride! - Diane

In response to the tip regarding asthma triggers on Soarin' and during It's Tough to Be a Bug, your readers with asthma should know that not everyone has this reaction. My husband has asthma (triggered by allergies, among other things) and rode Soarin' three times in one day with no problems. We also saw It's Tough to Be a Bug the same day, and again, no problems. Your readers with asthma would be wise to bring their inhalers just in case, but should also know that the sprays or mists do not affect all asthma sufferers. - Ken and Barbara

For everyone taking souvenirs home, be careful what you choose when flying. We decided to purchase a princess cup that had the floating glitter and water inside the glass and packed it in our carry-on with the rest of the things we purchased. Well, the airlines considered that a liquid and it couldn't be in our carry-on. It was too late to put it in with our luggage because it had already been checked in, so we had to consider it as a loss. So, when buying this kind of souvenir remember to pack it in with your luggage or go with one of the many other cute cups they have! - Lisa P., and several other readers

We were just in the World a few weeks ago and wanted to buy a snowglobe. With the new FAA regulations, we knew that we would not be able to bring it on board in our carry-on and did not want to have it in our luggage in case of it breaking. We spoke to a Cast Member who told us that they are encouraging people to have the snowglobes shipped home. It is a great way to do it... you don't pay tax if it is being shipped out of state, you have the Disney guarantee, so if it breaks they replace it, and it is a fun little thing to get in the mail the week after you come back from vacation -- the Disney magic keeps on going! - Laurie Fay

This is in response to the tip of the week from the reader whose wife had an asthma attack riding the Soarin' ride because of the smells they pump in. I also experienced a similar attack when I was in Animal Kingdom this summer. We went to see It's Tough to be a Bug and when they "sprayed" the bug spray, a cold cloud of mist came into the audience -- I could not breathe or catch a breath and had to look for the exit. I think that Disney needs to be aware of this so they can post warning signs to this effect or change the content of the stuff they use in the mist and smells. - Donna Blatz

Just came back from a business trip and was informed by my little princess that I needed to bring a snowglobe back with me. Didn't get a chance to shop at Disney Springs so I thought I would pick one up at the airport gift shop. Wrong! Due to the new FAA regulations, snowglobes can't be carried on anymore. I was still able to check it into my luggage before boarding, thankfully. - Adam Guthy

Wilderness Lodge - For all of you Wilderness Lodge fans, you certainly have found the lobby music list on AllEars.Net (http://allears.net/acc/faq_wl4.htm). To my surprise, I found a few Wilderness Lodge music lists on iMixes on iTunes.com. Some have more selections than others. The one I selected had 25 or 26 tunes. I now have that wonderful music on my mp3 player; I can close my eyes and see the breathtaking lobby of which I never grow tired. Enjoy! - Cleve in Columbia, SC

When we go to get our traveler's checks and cash for our Disney trip, we always get a roll of quarters and a roll of pennies. We place them in a small convenient pocket in our park bag and whenever we see a smashed penny machine we are ready without having to search for 51 cents! - Glenn Vines

I would like to give your readers a tip about the Mail Order department at Disney. I have found that unless it is a "Disney Park exclusive", you are better to go home and shop around. My son went home dejected after our last trip due to the fact that we couldn't find the "air gun" that he played with at the Whispering Canyon Cafe. We were told that he could find it in Tomorrowland in Magic Kingdom. Well, we looked and looked but came up empty-handed. So, when we went home I did a search for the gun and found out what it was called. I later purchased the toy at our local Walmart for only $7. Disney had wanted $20. My advice: go home and hit the internet if you don't have to have it right that moment. - Dawn Clark

If you plan on sending postcards, take advantage of the pack of 10 postcards sold throughout Walt Disney World and in resort gift shops. On our last trip in October, a pack of the Magic Kingdom cards cost $4. This is much cheaper than buying individual postcards. If I have leftovers, I just save them for our next trip since the images are standard fare (castle, characters, Splash Mountain...). I believe that there are different packs for each of the parks, too. I'll be returning to WDW next week with six postcards in hand. - Janice Dion

I recently returned from a Disney trip and wanted to let everyone know about a souvenir I brought home. It is the littlest photo album I have ever seen! It is on a key ring and holds 12 pictures, sized about 1.5" X 1.5". It has a cover with a picture of Mickey on the front and the castle and fireworks with Tinker Bell on the back, and it says "My Disney Vacation." It was very reasonably priced at about $4! There was at least one more style with Stitch on it. What a great way to keep 12 of your most magical memories with you all the time! - Kimberly Lawton

On our trip to WDW last week, my sister and I took some of the inexpensive cold packs along with us that we had purchased at dollar stores and other chain stores. These were great to have on hand after a few hours in the hot Florida sun. They are compact, last for about 20 minutes, and are easy to use. You just shake the contents of the pack to the bottom and "pop" the inner bag for an instant cold compress. We used them when we felt as if we were just too hot, and one cold pack also helped one poor guest who'd had too much of the rides at Animal Kingdom and had become motion sick. From now on, I'll be taking these handy cold packs with me on every trip. - Laura Ebersohl

I am lactose intolerant but have found lactose tablets (available from Wal-Mart and Walgreens) much more convenient than trying to find suitable milk products, especially while traveling. They have been a lifesaver! I always carry some with me. Any time I have something with dairy, such as cream cakes, cereal, sauces, etc., I can take one tablet and I am fine. Check with your doctor/pharmacist for a suitable dose for children. - BP

My 3-year-old had "stomach problems" due to all the fruit juices and snacks he does not have frequently at home. Most stores and carts in the park do not have children's chewable Pepto-Bismol, nor does the First Aid Station. I was in the WONDERFUL Baby Care Center with my 6-month-old and found that this and many other lovely items may be purchased there. (Next time, I will know to pack it in our park backpack!) - Karen