Tips about Magic Kingdom, Mousecellaneous and Photography

Before leaving home I taped a Barney and Wiggles video on a small cassette for my video camera so my 18-month-old could watch it on the plane (using the small screen on my video camera). When we got to the All Star Movies, I noticed that the Sony TV in the room had the jacks in the front to plug in video cameras. When my son was cranky in the room I used the video camera as a VCR and played the previously taped Barney video. It was great and we didn't have to pay extra to rent a VCR. We also watched the day's videos to remember what we did that day! - Laura Gallant of Toronto, Ontario, Canada

If you have a videocamera with both an LCD display screen and a viewfinder, turn the LCD screen toward the performers and floats. The Cast Members always enjoy this because they can see themselves in costume. This works best during nighttime parades: SpectroMagic, Tapestry of Nations, Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Parade, etc. - Silipigni

ALL PARKS - In regards to having bags and whatnots inspected at the parks, the best thing is to have all pockets and pouches opened. Also, if you have a dayplanner or something similar, have that unzipped, too. When we went to Disneyland recently (to see the new Haunted Mansion Holiday), my husband was asked to open his dayplanner for them to inspect. When we park-hopped over to DCA, he was ready for the inspection process and dutifully had everything unzipped and ready to be looked at. - Milady

We have been to Disney World several times and each time we go we always take a ton of pictures. I noticed I have quite a collection of the same shots -- the castle, Main Street, the "big ball," the "big hat"... For our last trip in February I decided that I would experiment with black and white photos to mix it up a little. The pictures turned out so beautiful! Especially nice were shots of anything with dark colors such as Tigger with his black stripes or a black horse leading the trolley down Main Street. I used Kodak black and white 35mm film bought at a grocery store. I did not do all my photos in black and white, but I am happy I experimented with a couple of rolls. The variety makes a great addition to the scrapbook! - Paulette Kusmierz

EDITOR'S NOTE:: Some digital cameras have a black and white photo setting you can experiment with, too.

My daughter loves to take pictures and inevitably we end up fighting because she's always trying to take the camera and take TONS of pictures (she's 8) so we buy disposable cameras at Sam's ($9.99 for two) all year long and give her a stack at the beginning of our vacation and tell her that when she takes all the pictures there will be no more picture taking for her and we all are happy. She feels in control of the situation and we don't have to deal with the whining. - Chrisie

Before we leave for Disney, we save up those photo-developing mailers that come in the mail--you know, the ones that develop film for much cheaper than in stores. We keep one in a fanny pack, all filled out and ready to mail. When a roll of film is done, we pop it in the envelope (most now don't require stamps) and drop it in a mailbox. When we get home, some of our pictures are waiting for us when we pick up the mail. (And it's a lot cheaper--especially when you take as many pictures as we do!!) - Sue

Don't forget to mention that a trip to the Kennedy Space Center is worth it. It's only an hour's drive and the backlot bus tour for the $20 was well worth it. Wow, unbelievable what this day trip offered. Not a lot of walking (so go after a day of hard walking around WDW. - David

ALL PARKS - I found that if you get tired of waiting in long lines, and you don't mind splitting up your party ( maybe to 1, 2,or even 3) some attractions offer singles lines. These lines help fill up unused space. I tried this at Test Track and the normal wait time was 70 minutes. It took me 5 minutes on the singles line and I still got a seat with my parents. - Matthew

The one thing we found at Disney was that everyone was extremely nice, even the other visitors. Don't be afraid to talk to people. Disney is made for kids, and adults who are kids at heart. - The Percey's

It seems like more and more often I am seeing discussions about bad experiences with Cast Members. I can honestly say that in more than 13 trips to the "World" over the last five years, I have never had such a negative experience. I would like to think that part of the reason for this is how my family and I treat the Cast Members. A smile, a please, and a thank you seem to make all the difference in the world! So my tip is "give some of the magic back to a Cast Member." Go out of your way to be nice to a Cast Member after you see another guest treat him or her badly. Open a door for them, ask them about their hometown, or sincerely thank them for their help. I cannot imagine how the Cast Members manage to keep their smiles on all day, and to provide the level of service that they do day-in and day-out. To me, that is the greatest magic in all of WDW and they deserve to get some of that magic in return! - Scott Hart

If you plan to have a pedicure done just before your Disney trip, so that your pinkies will be looking their best while lounging around the pool or resort room, DO NOT let the pedicurist file away any of those nice calluses you might have on the bottom of your feet. You will need those calluses for the miles of walking you will be doing. I was so proud of my nice soft feet after my pedicure, until the end of the first day when I realized my nice soft skin was forming blisters in the area where the calluses had been buffed away. Luckily I had moleskin with me to help protect the tender new skin. Get your toenails polished if you wish, but leave those calluses! - Bev Carson

If you have had a wonderful experience at Walt Disney World with an individual Cast Member, or at an attraction or hotel, please let WDW know! As a Cast Member, I can tell you that getting an email or letter from a guest telling me that some "little" thing I did made their vacation is THE biggest thrill! You can stop by Guest Relations at any one of the Parks or at Guest Services at a Disney hotel, or just go to the Disney website. Your message WILL be passed along to the Cast Member, attraction or hotel. - A Cast Member

Last year I went to WDW with two good friends. They had never been to WDW and we had a blast. The one problem they faced was finding me in the crowd. I am, to explain it in a PC phrase, altitudinally challenged -- in other words, I am SHORT. Because of this, hats, shirts, badges, the usual identifying stuff would not help. The solution was at my feet -- literally. By scanning the footwear of a crowd, my friends could always find me by my Day-Glo green, purple, or orange shoelaces. The laces also turned out to be a great ice-breaker when standing in line. The kids loved the colors and the parents loved the idea. - Mary S.

If you carry a cellphone, put an entry in the "Phonebook" labeled "Home" or "If Found Call" and then program either your home number or your hotel number. I left my very expensive cell phone in the sand at Typhoon Lagoon. A guest found it and gave it to Lost & Found. They were able to reach me right away at home to let me know because I had an entry in the phonebook designated "Home". All I had to do was confirm the make and model of the phone and it was returned to me. - Alisa Starke

If you are going to have a car at WDW, go to the Wal-Mart website before you leave home and find the nearest location(s), and directions on how to get there. As it turns out, there are two stores within 10 miles of the WDW property. My family always needs something there, and it is definitely much cheaper than paying Disney prices.

Also be sure to check the website of your insurance provider for locations of acceptable urgent care facilities near WDW. The last two times we were at WDW, we had to go to urgent care. I didn't plan the first time and paid dearly. Last year was a much less painful (financially) experience. - Kent Kirby