Tips about Kids, Magic Kingdom, Planning, Resorts, Souvenirs and Strollers
In a past newsletter you mentioned a product called Who's Shoes ID. I went to their website and ordered the ID tags that you place under the shoelaces in a child's shoes. I can't tell you how much better I felt knowing that if my 7-year-old got separated from us, our cell phone number was on his shoes along with all the pertinent identification information. They were $7.99 each and worth every penny! They come in blue and pink, and velcro together. What a great idea! - Dawn Burger
EDITOR'S NOTE: The website for Who's Shoes ID is: http://www.whosshoesid.com/
Another opinion regarding the tip about covering the strollers to protect against rain: stroller covers cost $7-$9 at most stores and can also be used safely with the child in the stroller, as it has a mesh for air to circulate. More (or at least equally) important, it's made of a stiffer plastic, which truly keeps the rain off the stroller. Ours was used during the rains before Hurricane Jeanne and the stroller stayed perfectly dry. We saw others with the rain ponchos covering the strollers. They would blow off, or the heavy rain would weigh them down and the accumulated water would drain in through the head opening. The humid air makes drying take a long time, even using a hairdryer (although that is the best way to get them dry before morning). If it's of importance to have a dry stroller (or a dry child in your stroller), an "authentic" stroller cover is definitely the way to go, and worth the money you pay for it. - Rhoda Smith
We are annual passholders and try to go often to Disney and stay at an onsite resort. The convenience of that is worth the extra money. The night before we check into our Disney resort, however, we stay at one of the Disney Springs within walking distance to Disney Springs. We usually don't get there until after 6 p.m. so it seems like a waste to pay for the Disney resort for just a few hours of use. The hotels in Disney Springs aren't very expensive compared to the Disney resorts and we feel that is a good use of our less than half-day at the World. Plus Disney Springs is the best place for things to do. They usually have some sort of fun going on, like a dance party for the kids, or performers of some kind. There are fabulous goodies to eat and great shopping. The Guest Services here is the best place to buy tickets and passes because it's hardly ever crowded. You can take care of so many things the night before and then wake up at the crack of dawn, drive to your choice of Disney resort, drop off your luggage with them and start right out for the parks having had a good night's sleep and fun the night before. It's really a great idea to consider, especially if you live in Florida and have your car with you. - Lisa Dunne
We rented a stroller while we were in Disney World, and I brought a loud yellow plastic bag and tied it to the stroller handle. That way I could spot my stroller in the stroller parking lot. It was inexpensive and practical because if it got lost then it was OK. If it got wet, it was also OK because it was plastic. - Jho Tan
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
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
If you didn't follow the excellent advice on covering your stroller with a plastic tarp and you encounter one of Florida's sudden storms, use your blow dryer for a quick dry back at your room. (One of Disney's famous ponchos makes a great stroller guard, too!) - D. Briante
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/
I just returned from an eight day visit to Disney World with two 3-year-olds. We have discovered a very helpful accessory for a stroller -- a car organizer that normally hangs on the back of the front seat. These organizers can be hung very easily on the back of the stroller giving a great deal of storage space. The soft, canvas types can be easily folded into the stroller when closing the stroller up. We had plenty of room for rain ponchos, water bottles, snacks and other goodies. The car organizers can be purchased rather inexpensively at Walmart or Target. - Patty M.
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
Did you forget to purchase that special souvenir? Although Walt Disney World does NOT have an Internet shopping site, nor do they have a catalog of park items, they do have a Mail Order Merchandise Department that can get most items for you. They are open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. - 11:45 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. (Eastern) and may be reached by phone, fax or e-mail.
Telephone: 407-363-6200
Fax: 407-352-6369
Email: [email protected]
Shipping charges are $8.95 to $13.95 for UPS, and $13.95, $18.95, $22.95 and $27.95 for Federal Express charges, depending on the value of the order and the service requested. - Glo from Miami
Telephone: 407-363-6200
Fax: 407-352-6369
Email: [email protected]
Shipping charges are $8.95 to $13.95 for UPS, and $13.95, $18.95, $22.95 and $27.95 for Federal Express charges, depending on the value of the order and the service requested. - Glo from Miami
We generally start planning at least a year in advance. I have a plastic tub that is labeled "WDW stuff." I place our heavy-duty hotel mugs in it so they are already packed. I also buy things throughout the year for the trip: toothbrushes, toothpaste, magic gloves and whatever else we normally use during our week-long trip. I also go to my local laundromat and pick up boxes of laundry detergent for $.50 a box. One box cleans two loads and is a lot cheaper than the hotel laundry dispenser. I also pack several dryer sheets in a freezer bag and place them in my suitcase. It keeps the clothes smelling nice and I have dryer sheets for use while there. One nice thing about the bin is that, for those times that we drive to WDW, we just put the lid on it and pack it in the van. After we arrive to the hotel we empty it out and use that as our clothes hamper for dirty clothes. It works great for those trips to the hotel laundry. - Sirena Penn
Epcot - If your kids aren't big enough to ride Test Track go into the gift shop/exit. I thought it was just a gift shop, and I was wrong. My 3-year-old was thrilled to be able to sit in a Hummer and a Saab. All he talks about are the cool cars he played in at Test Track. I am so glad I didn't walk by this attraction. - Robin from Deltona, FL
