Tips about Kids, Magic Kingdom, Mousecellaneous, Planning and Special Events

MNSSHP - We recently attended Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party at Walt Disney World and loved it. Staying at the Polynesian for two weeks, we saw nightly fireworks over the castle, but I must say the night of the party they were the best. We planned poorly and were caught just outside Big Thunder Mountain Railroad (on the platform for viewing those riding) when the fireworks show began. WOW! What a view! Although the fireworks appear to be behind the castle, they are actually somewhere over behind Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. We had a great view and at one point we were completely surrounded by brilliant circles of color. We were in the center of the ring of fireworks. If you don't care about the castle in front of your fireworks I advise a trip to Big Thunder Mountain Railroad to be in the center of it all. AMAZING! - dollydawne

MNSSHP - The fireworks were really incredible with ghosties on the castle -- I would definitely recommend sitting towards Tomorrowland for a better view. There were even 360 degrees of fireworks around us for the finale! - Jen

MNSSHP - There are usually limited edition pins to purchase, sometimes for annual passholder too. - Dawn Shumaker

MNSSHP - I would recommend bringing a small flashlight as the programs are hard to read at night. - Patti Carlin

MNSSHP - I suggest visitors with children prepare those children to enjoy the activities OTHER THAN the trick-or-treating. After all, one could buy a great deal of candy with the money spent for the party tickets and there are many rides and activities to enjoy beyond waiting in line for small bits of candy. We had prepared our 5-year-old this way, and he had no problem passing up the candy lines in favor of the dance parties, storytelling, rides, etc. - Cheryl Dunn Bychek

MNSSHP - One of the best times we shared at Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party was just sitting and watching. We missed the first parade, so we made our way back down Main Street to wait for the second. The little park in the middle was empty, so we just sat down facing up Main Street. The stream of dressed up people leaving the park was wonderful. We got to see Ursula, the Flintstone family and lots of pirates and princesses. The best part was this little fire hydrant that quietly roamed the street squirting passersby. It was GREAT. - Georgette from New Jersey

ALL PARKS - I just returned from a trip to WDW. The 3M Company now has a new Post-It Flag Highlighter that includes both a highlighter and Post-It flags in one. It was PERFECT for marking the maps to the parks. I would circle the attraction number with the highlighter and then put a Post-It flag on the number on the map. They are see-though, so they don't cover up the number. The "pen" fit perfectly in my fanny pack! - Leah Price

Candlelight Processional - With the beginning of autumn comes the time to plan our family's annual Christmastime visit to see the Candlelight Processional. I have two tips to share; both were a result of poor planning that led to great discoveries. We always attend the Processional as part of the dinner package. Last year, I'd waited too long to make my reservations and all that was left was the Biergarten. I didn't know how this would go over with my family of picky eaters. Also, we were leery of the communal seating. What we discovered was that it's a great dining experience! There's something for everyone in terms of the food (roast chicken, chicken schnitzel, sauerbraten, roast pork, salad, veggies), the entertainment was fun, we enjoyed meeting other park visitors at our table, and (as any parent who's spent much of the day carrying a 50-pound girl can attest), the liter mugs of Beck's Dark can really hit the spot! The other tip is weather-related -- the Processional is right near the water and it can get really nippy. We got caught under-clothed last year. The gift shops in the Mexico pavilion in the World Showcase sell a pretty nice variety of warm apparel hoodies and such, which are not emblazoned with the Disney logo and, as such, are pretty reasonably priced. It's good to know this if you need a warm jacket on short notice! - Edward Cunliffe

HALLOWEEN - For the families that will be in Walt Disney World on Halloween, do not miss the activities for children on the BoardWalk! They are free and fabulous! - Margaret

When I know a trip to WDW is approaching, as I reach the last of the shampoo, conditioner, etc., I stash the almost empty bottle aside, then pack it for the trip. When I run out, I discard the bottle and there is automatically more room for Mickey stuff to bring home! - Jenny Drake

My 4-year-old son has a real problem with loud noises, but refused to wear ear plugs. We would put a pair in and he would pull them right back out. Before we left I contacted a store that specialized in hunting equipment and ordered a pair of the smallest child-sized headphones used at target ranges to muffle sound. They fit him perfectly and when we were in the parks, if there was even a hint of loud noises coming, we would just slip them on. My son actually went through the Haunted Mansion four times without a hitch. It was the best $17 I ever spent and I got quite a few comments of, "Oh, I wish we had thought of that." - Bonnie Schweizer

My 4-year-old son has a real problem with loud noises, but refused to wear ear plugs. We would put a pair in and he would pull them right back out. Before we left I contacted a store that specialized in hunting equipment and ordered a pair of the smallest child-sized headphones used at target ranges to muffle sound. They fit him perfectly and when we were in the parks, if there was even a hint of loud noises coming, we would just slip them on. My son actually went through the Haunted Mansion four times without a hitch. It was the best $17 I ever spent and I got quite a few comments of, "Oh, I wish we had thought of that." - Bonnie Schweizer

Recently, on a trip to WDW, the screw to one of the arms of my sunglasses came out. Luckily it happened in my purse so I had the screw but I didn't have a tool to screw it in with. My friends and I went through our purses trying to find something we could use (we weren't at our hotel at the time), but we came up empty-handed. Then my friend Gina came up with the idea to try one of her pressed pennies. It worked! Pressed pennies are just the right thickness for tightening eyeglass screws, and they are big enough to make it easy to turn them. Even if you don't have a pressed penny, the machines are everywhere you turn, and the cost (51 cents) is much cheaper than buying an eyeglass repair kit in a vacation destination. - Karen Zayas

I brought along Palmolive dishcloths for our Wilderness Lodge (refillable) mugs. The box of 20 was less than $2.00 at my local Walmart, and I could use them in the laundry, as well. Even adding two sheets was less expensive than buying laundry detergent. In our fanny packs, I carried one in a plastic bag and used it to spot treat any food stains on shirts/shorts. Quite the bargain! - Trisha Parece

The small Disney shopping bag is perfect for holding a raincoat. It packs easily into backpacks and can also even be threaded through a belt. Like others, I always save every shopping bag until we go home just in case we need it for something, but when we have to purchase a new raincoat, I'm always glad there is a little one stored in our room. - Lori Wedeking