Tips about Magic Kingdom, Mousecellaneous and Tables in Wonderland

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

Prior to our big fifth anniversary trip several years ago, my husband and I created a Disney box in anticipation of the trip. We took a large plastic school-supply box such as we had in elementary school and began decorating it. We used metallic markers to put our names and dates on it. Yet we mostly left it blank. While in Disney World, we got a sticker at one of the restaurants. We stuck it to the box. On each trip back since then, we've obtained a special sticker. For example, one of our favorite Cast Members stopped and gave us one while waiting for a parade, and we were given one in the shops for making an extra donation when we made our Animal Kingdom purchases. I date each sticker, and now our Disney box is a reflection of each trip. We're working on decorating the inside of the box now! Throughout the year, as we obtain anything for our next trip, such as Disney Dollars given to us as gifts, or Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party tickets, it all goes in the box. When we're ready to go, the box fits nicely into a suitcase or backpack. This way we never forget where we put something or lose it, and we have this great reminder of all our good times while we plan our next magical memory-making trip! - Cathy Laurice Jones

I just want to second this. I wore my Nike Prestos to Disney last year, and it was amazing how well my feet held up in these shoes. Not only did I save my feet from blisters, but, because the shoes are cloth, they are extremely light, so your legs are less tired. The cloth also dries much more quickly than traditional sneaker material, which is great for rainy days and water rides. They are around $80, but on a quick trip to the Nike Outlet on 192, I found them for $30-$40. I now have four pairs of them -- they are all I ever wear! - Vanessa Gold

We found THE MOST comfortable shoes ever! They are Nike Air Presto. They have a wide walking base, cloth tops and are slip on. Three out of the four of us (in our group) had these shoes and none of us had blisters or sore spots and our feet stayed cooler! I really can't say enough good things about them. They cost around $80. - Monica from Kansas City

On our last vacation to the World, I wanted to keep a journal, but didn't think of it until we checked into the Boardwalk. Soon after, we were browsing in the Boardwalk shops and I found the perfect journal -- the 100 Years of Magic autograph book! [or a regular Disney one works, too]. It's just the right size, allows for drawings/diagrams (since the pages aren't lined), has just the right amount of pages and is commemorative due to the 100 Years cover! I could easily carry it around and write in it during the day. When I got home, I tucked my journal, along with my photo album, tickets and any other stray items that reminded me of the trip in the zippered compartments of the pin traders bag that I also bought. (Yes, I have to admit there are pins from the trip in the bag, too.) It, too, has the 100 Years logo on it. Now whenever I want to relive the trip, I pull that bag out. - Nancy Prianti

I sure do like those battery-operated personal fans with mister spray! They are a great help for keeping cool in long lines, but, at $15 each, they are not cheap in the parks. While they cost half that in local drugstores, you also have to buy batteries and a strap for them. Therefore I decided to buy one in the park after all, especially since the seller gave me an extra set of batteries to go with them (but you have to ask for this!). Otherwise the batteries run out by the end of the day. Another seller, in Adventureland, said she'd replace the batteries if I showed her the receipt for purchase of the fan within a 2-3 day time span. A very worthwhile purchase that helped to keep my 6-year-old, and me, from the grumps! - Julie Seavello

After-park ideas: You could also take the boat at Disney's Hollywood Studios or Epcot over to the Boardwalk Resort and check things out there after the Studios or Epcot closes. We also did the Hoop Dee Doo Revue, which was great food and great fun, but hard to get to without a car. Marketplace and Disney Springs are always options when a park closes, too! - Christie Falck

I think the best thing that we did was to buy cylume sticks and little LED lights at Target before the trip. We hid them from our daughters and every night we brought out a light toy -- they loved them. (They didn't know where we bought them.) Everyone stopped and asked us about them. One other thing that helped was small elastic laces that we also brought so the girls could carry their drinks and we could also attach their lights to. - The Knight Family from Wyoming

I would just like to say that I love your website and can't wait for our trip to WDW at the end of May 2002. Your website and newsletter have really helped us out a lot!! Maybe my tip can help others out. Last year I bought a CamelBak (www.camelbak.com) for when I race my all-terrain vehicle in the hot and humid weather here in Connecticut. These drinking systems come in a variety of shapes and sizes and are very lightweight -- they are also hands-free. What I like about these is, it keeps your back nice and cool and is also snug against your body, so nothing is bouncing around. Some also have zippers and pockets to store your passes, money, and keys. Some can even hold most of your stuff, which will eliminate all other bags. Hopefully this tip will help others. I know I will be keeping cool on my trip!!! - Jeff and Cherie

A tip for Jacqui Bull on a trip journal, try using an old check register booklet as your diary. I find it perfect to fit in a pocket or my wife's purse. It's small but has about 25 pages, more than enough space to record "holiday" experiences at WDW. - Brian Phillips