Tips about Kids, Magic Kingdom, Port Orleans Riverside and Souvenirs

Epcot - While paying for a purchase for my wife at Morocco in the World Showcase, the cast member asked if I would like to have her name, written in Arabic, on the inside of the box? It gave me an idea. I purchased some Disney stationery and went to every country asking for a cast member to write my wife's name in their native language. They all cheerfully did this! Then I placed it in a Mickey frame. Needless to say it was a very inexpensive gift and my wife loved it! - Gene Scott

Epcot - While paying for a purchase for my wife at Morocco in the World Showcase, the cast member asked if I would like to have her name, written in Arabic, on the inside of the box? It gave me an idea. I purchased some Disney stationery and went to every country asking for a cast member to write my wife's name in their native language. They all cheerfully did this! Then I placed it in a Mickey frame. Needless to say it was a very inexpensive gift and my wife loved it! - Gene Scott

My kids, ages 7 and 9, take me to Disney World for a three-day weekend about six times a year. Through our many trips, we have come to learn that it's necessary for us to have enough energy to enjoy ourselves and eat as healthy as possible. It also cuts down on the whining that occurs when kids are bored and tired and hungry, and saves us some money as well. As a routine, each night each kid packs himself parent-approved snack bags, brought from home or bought in the gift store, divided up into those little snack bags (fruit roll-ups, Chip n' Dale pretzels, raisins, grapes, etc.). My kids are usually OK with about four to six little snacks apiece. The kids are then responsible for their own fanny pack all day and can help themselves to what snack they want when they want without whining or fighting or arguing. I keep additional snack baggies in my purse for those times when we indulge in some Cheetohs or chips in the park so the kids can share more easily or save for later. It works well for us!! - Ellen Holbrook

As regular visitors (from England) to the World, I know how many Mickey stickers you can be given on one trip. So this year, instead of putting them on our t-shirts, we took all of them home and my 7-year-old son gave them to his classmates as a "vacation present". There were enough for the whole class and they all immediately stuck them on to their homework folders, rather than on their clothes, so they can keep them. It was also a much healthier alternative to the usual sweets that the other children give out after they've been on holiday. - Louise Herrick

ANIMAL KINGDOM - To encourage our children to take some time and enjoy the magnificent Tree of Life, we created a Tree of Life Scavenger Hunt Game. Prior to our trip we created a list of 50 or so animals that we thought might be found on the Tree of Life. We made two copies of the list and then at the Animal Kingdom divided the family into two groups for the game. After deciding on a meeting place and time (20 minutes is plenty) each team travels around the tree marking off animals found. The team with the most animals wins. Note for each minute late, there is a penalty of one animal. Last time, the winning team each got a $10 souvenir. Another time the winning team got to choose the next ride. Have fun! - Diane Parkansky

On our way out of the park, my daughter and I spied a silhouette cart down a side alley of Main Street, USA. It was after midnight, but the young woman was still doing silhouettes. We hurried over and she cheerily did one more silhouette for us. We were done in about 15 minutes, and for only about $15 including a frame, I think it's one of the best and most unique souvenirs at Walt Disney World. It's a special keepsake for my 9-year-old daughter of our fun marathon day at Magic Kingdom. - Natalie H.

On our way out of the park, my daughter and I spied a silhouette cart down a side alley of Main Street, USA. It was after midnight, but the young woman was still doing silhouettes. We hurried over and she cheerily did one more silhouette for us. We were done in about 15 minutes, and for only about $15 including a frame, I think it's one of the best and most unique souvenirs at Walt Disney World. It's a special keepsake for my 9-year-old daughter of our fun marathon day at Magic Kingdom. - Natalie H.

Another use for the flashing hoops, other than hanging them around your neck -- We attracted smiles and positive comments when we attached the light-up/flashing hoops to the wheels of my husband's wheelchair. We fed them through the spokes and as he wheeled along they added a bit of fun and uniqueness. As an added bonus, when moving around the parks after dark (we used them in the Studios and Epcot) they make the chair very visible, especially in crowds. Because they can be turned off, the power cell is fairly long lasting and we have been able to reuse them on our second visit. We're taking them with us to Hong Kong Disneyland in early September, which we are very much looking forward to. - Jo Cowan

As regulars to WDW with two children (12 trips and counting), we have amassed quite a collection of light spinners and Disney lights. Many of these we acquired off eBay, consignment stores, and yard sales, often for a dollar or two each (versus the park prices of 10-15 times that much). My tip is to always bring DIFFERENT light spinners than what are being sold in the parks. The older the better. Here's why: 1) They get lots of attention from kids and fellow Disneyheads, 2) they prevent impulse buying, and 3) they are VERY easy to see! I have actually spotted my wife and children from almost all the way across the Seven Seas Lagoon just because of the light spinners they had. If you only have the new ones sold, you "blend in" with the rest. If you bring unusual ones, you stand out! My favorite is a Sorcerer Mickey standing on a pile of gray stones that I got at a consignment store for $1.50. He says "Allekadabra... AllekakaZAM!" then spins. He seems to be the children's favorite as well. Another nice vintage one is the Mickey with an old-fashioned light bulb and spinning mirror that throws the light like old-fashioned police cars. Spinning lights make GREAT collectibles, too! If you start looking at yard sales, you'll be amazed at how many you will find. - Dwayne Owens

Magic Kingdom - I enjoyed reading the article on bashful travelers (AllEars Newsletter Issue #460), as I am one myself. I had a comment that might help people who want to see the Monsters, Inc. show in Tomorrowland. There are tabletops in front of everyone when you sit down in the theater. On the tables, there are "reading" lamps every so often. Those conceal the cameras that they use to interact with guests. Avoid sitting directly behind one of those and you should be fine. - Mandy Blank

Meg Beriau shares some tips for 5- to 8-year-olds:

We go to Walt Disney World a couple of times each year, thanks to our DVC membership, and have learned a lot over the years:

-- One trick we found that works great is that we bring our MP3 players to the fireworks, if the noise is too much for the younger ones they can listen to their Disney favorites without the loud sounds, especially at Epcot!

-- Glo-Sticks! This is family favorite. I always stock up before we go, double bag them in checked bags and carry them along to the parks. They are always a big hit with the kids and it makes it easier to see the kids when things get dark at night or in rides. If a child jumps out of the stroller, you can see them better with a glo necklace or bracelet.

-- Crocs, the official footwear for our kids at Disney! We put socks on with them for plane travel, but they are great when we get to sunny Florida! I like that the toes are protected, but not sweaty and if they get wet, it is not a big deal since they dry quickly.

-- We also pack snacks and small cereal boxes in the carry on bags. It makes a cheaper and usually preferred alternative to the expensive snacks available in the parks. The kids can have a dry cereal in the morning before we head off to grab breakfast and we have the smaller portion snacks to offer all day in the parks without waiting in line and spending a lot of extra money.

Our last trip to Walt Disney World was our first with a little one. I thought I did such a great job packing, remembering all the important baby things -- special toys, sippy cups, favorite blanket, pacifier, and all that. But I completely forgot to bring one important thing -- dish detergent to wash those sippy cups and pacifier! Now that we are planning our next trip for the fall, I have that on the top of my list! - Elizabeth Doda

For those who hate using all of those plastic bags that you get every time you go to buy another souvenir at the gift shops, Disney is now selling a reusable option. For $5.95, reusable tote bags (that come in a variety of colors) are now an option. I saw them being sold at multiple parks and at Disney Springs. These tote bags come in a small pouch with a clip attached for when the bag isn't in use. It's easy to keep with you, and it's a way to reduce your plastic waste. Go Disney! - Jennifer B

Consider putting the kids in their pajamas before returning to the parks for the evening. That way when you get back to your room they can just get into bed! Less work for Mom and Dad and it makes for an easy transition to bed for the tired little ones! - Diane

Going through the metal detectors at the park entrances, you have to remove celebratory buttons and put them in the little bins with other metal objects. This can be a pain, especially if you're park-hopping! Consider wearing buttons on a lanyard or bag strap to make it easier to take them on and off. - Gilly R.