Tips about Magic Kingdom, Packing and Souvenirs

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

In order to save on the extra bag charges and overweight charges, we often plan out a few interchangeable outfits and then just wash them while we are there. We found a laundry detergent called "Drop-ins". They are pre-measured pods that you just throw in the laundry (just like the dish detergent gel packs). They are small and light -- the only thing you need to do is make sure you pack them in a hard container like a tupperware, so they don't burst, or you will be doing laundry as soon as you get to Disney! I have found them at Target and at Shoprite. You can also order them online from Wal-mart, Target, Amazon, and their own website. Add a few fabric softener sheets and you're all set! - Lisa Ruiz

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

In a previous tip, someone suggested an umbrella stroller as something to pick up at Wal-Mart or the like to use during the trip, and then give it to someone as you're leaving. Well, my wife and I have expanded on this idea, because many items can't be carried on a plane with the TSA issues associated with them. So, we head to Target, which is right near Walt Disney World, and we purchase sunscreen, hairspray, and many other items. As we're leaving, we offer all of these items to a family just arriving. Just last week we did this as we were leaving the Saratoga Springs Resort and the family indicated it would be saving them a trip to the store. By the way, the sunscreen is easy to give away at the pool. - Brian Allen

Since dresser drawers are few in the rooms, bring along one of those hanging closet organizers for each child with at least seven slots. You can place your child's shorts, t-shirts, socks, underwear, etc. in the cubes thus saving on drawer space. - Barbara D.

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.

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.

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.

Magic Kingdom - An unexpected bonus tip happened one morning when we entered the Magic Kingdom park early. The opening music was playing. We headed to the Crystal Palace for an early breakfast. Near there was a flower garden, which also faced toward the Adventureland sign. Using my camcorder, I was able to have a few of the songs of the opening music playing as the background for the scenes I was shooting. It was an extra freebie. There are always new scenes to shoot and new movies to make. You could easily find your hardest decision to make is how many cameras to take. - Murry A.

Magic Kingdom - Regarding Mike Scopa's article about saving time (AllEars® Issue #443, March 18, 2008): One of the queues that you can save a lot of time on is the Indy Speedway. The line goes up a ramp and then turns right. From there you can go down the first ramp or continue on the bridge to the second ramp. When I have been there lately, there are two lanes of cars running from the bottom of the first ramp and only one lane of cars on the second ramp. The second ramp is also further away. Therefore, do not go to the second ramp! - Sara

We just returned from a cruise and parks trip -- two days in the parks, then a four-day cruise, then two more days in the parks. We packed separate suitcases for the cruise and the parks days. We left our "parks" suitcase with bell services and they even transferred it to our next hotel. It was there waiting for us when we got off the cruise. Saved everyone time and energy of having one fewer bag to get on/off the ship. Another part of the Disney magic! - Sue and John Bower

When we go to WDW we keep the kiddie meal Mickey-shaped plates as souvenirs. They wash up nicely (top-rack dishwasher) and have three compartments. I usually use one of the "ears" to put their cups into so that they don't tip them over. They last long, too. We've had ours since the summer! - Kari Svinarich

When traveling, bring your own soap for face and body, wrapped up in a face cloth and packed in a large secure zipper-lock bag. You never loose the "scent" of home nor do you have to use provided soap. Since you have your own soap products there's no need to worry about potential allergies to the provided soaps. - Ruth Ann Hastings

My husband and I were staying at All Star Music in October. We wanted to make sure that our luggage wasn't over the weight limit. We asked the concierge if they had a scale that we could use for our baggage. She told me that they did have one at the Magical Express check-in outside. We took our bags out to them and they had a large scale that they let us use free of charge. It's great to know ahead of time what the weight of your luggage is instead of being surprised at the airport with the fees. - Jennifer Baldovinos

When we travel to Disney World we usually worry about the 50 lb. limit coming home just like everyone else. We have learned to put a flat box with a pre-addressed label on it in the bottom of our luggage with a roll of packing tape. When we have made several purchases (non-breakable) we pack them in the box and take it to the desk at the hotel. They mail it to our home and it arrives shortly after we do. It extends the magic just a little longer when we open the box at home, and there are no worries about being over the weight limit at the airport. - Nancy Nickerson