Tips about Magic Kingdom, Mousecellaneous, Planning and Saving

We all save the coins from our pockets and roll them when we have enough. In April 1999 I started collecting $1.00 bills as well as the coins. I pay for everything with $5's, 10's, 20's, etc. I don't touch my piles of 1's, which I bundle in $100 increments. By the end of 1999, I had saved in excess of $2000 which paid for all expenses at Disney for a week in Feb. This year I have been doing the same thing and have over $2000 saved so far. Make it a game and have fun with it - try to buy things that you will get back $4. at a time. Once at a pizza place, our bill was $21 and I gave the cashier a $100 bill. She gave me $79 in change. Cool huh? - Joe Marcus

I was recently unable to book a room for the nights of 2/9 -2/10 to no avail. Then I started asking for the whole week and many things became available. When it became time to pay for the entire trip, I just had them cancel the other days and I kept the nights that I wanted. - Roxanne Stritt

To save yourself some money, and avoid the grocery trip on the way in, send yourself a package via UPS to your hotel. Mark on the package: hold until guest arrival xx/xx/xx (the date). Package up whatever you like to eat: cereals, Parmalat milk, crackers, juice boxes, etc! - Dorothy Kurz

When we returned from our February 2000 trip to WDW we immediately decided to return in February 2001. So we were back to saving for another trip, in addition to our regular vacation savings we decided to start a "Mickey Jar". We took a big plastic container, the type that held pretzels, decorated it with different Mickey characters and put all of our spare change in the jar. Every time we go to a store, instead of parting with our change we give them a bill and throw all the change in the jar. So far in 8 months we have accumulated $175.00. I know it isn't much, but it will be put towards our souvenir money, and it is money we do not even miss. - Debbi Morasch of Connecticut

At WDW, it is difficult to save both time and money. Usually you have to spend one to save the other. Figure out which is more important to you, and plan accordingly. For instance, buses will take longer than driving, but will save you the cost of a rental car and parking fees. - Jen Kitchen

My family, like most others, books it's trip more than a year ahead of time. We begin stashing away $10 a week in Disney Gift Cards as soon as we make our vacation ressies. This in addition to whatever other money we budget or save. The Gift Carfd go in an envelope and remain there until trip time. Based on a 52 week calender year that gives you $520, enough to cover most of your meals budget and it's money you hardly even missed from your weekly budget!! - Barry Richard from Massachusetts

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

We have our "Mickey Money Jug" like everyone else for saving change to convert to Disney Gift Cards. I've found that it has another use, too. About two months before we leave for our Disney trips, I start throwing in all the one dollar bills I get. This way, we have plenty of singles for the tips without having to worry about them at the last minute! Even though seeing all those dollars may be tempting, I've instituted a penalty for taking anything out of the jug -- pay double back (take a $1, pay back $2, take 2 quarters, pay a dollar, etc.)! We always come out ahead! - DznyLvrs

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