Tips about Mousecellaneous, Packing and Planning

If you are going to Disney to celebrate a wedding, I have some suggestions of what to bring from home. I was told to bring white chalk just in case the bride's dress gets [dirtied] by the seagulls. (It happened to my niece at a beach wedding.) My daughter-in-law used the chalk when something spilled on her dress, but other options include Wite-Out or a Tide to Go pen. Another good idea is to pack a needle and thread in case buttons are loose on tuxes, etc. - Jean

We brought a travel-sized MagnaDoodle that we found especially handy at the water parks, where we would have a base camp, but would often split up to do different things. We would write messages to each other with the time and place we could be found. It actually became a fun game, as we got into giving clues to the names of the slides and rides. Overall, it was just a simple and fun way to communicate when you didn't want to have your cell phone with you. - Molly from Oregon

Along with remembering allergy medication, it is a good idea to pack cold medications in general. With all the places our hands touch, and all those little lips kissing Mickey's nose, someone is bound to share a cold! We learned it the hard way, having to pay inflated prices for cold medications in the resort gift shop. Also, keep in mind that there are non-liquid versions of children's medications available now (chewable tablets, strips, etc.), which are easier to pack with the liquid restrictions on flights. We were able to easily pack children's chewable Tylenol, Triaminic cold/cough strips, and Mucinex expectorant (powdery form, poured on the tongue). They condense very easily when removed from their boxes and put in zipper-top bags, and there is no worry of spillage within luggage. - Rhoda Smith

Just a quick tip about traveling with necklaces. If you cut a straw to fit the length of your necklace and then slide one half of the chain through it you won't have any problems with a tangled chain mess. I even use the straws in my jewelry box so my necklaces don't become a giant mess. - Kim Sanders

I often pack some earrings and necklaces with me in case the mood strikes me to accessorize while at Disney. However, it's pretty frustrating when nice gold or silver chains get knotted or kinked together in a travel bag or a large plastic bag. My solution is to use the small plastic bags that spare buttons for shirts or jackets come in. I put in one necklace/pair of earrings per bag. This saves my jewelry from getting knotted together, and it helps me keep track of tiny earrings that sometimes get lost in transit. - Jenny Beck

We just got back from Disney World today... please let your readers know that "Heelys" (skate sneakers) are not permitted in any amusement park in Florida. We were stopped by a Disney employee who informed us that we could be fined up to $150 by the sheriff! - Barbara Friedman

For all WDW visitors from the UK -- try to find jet-setting friends who will bring you home US coins, quarters especially, because when you land at Orlando they're jolly useful for tolls. Saves having to worry about splitting paper money when you're tired and the kids can't wait to get to Mickey! - Rosie, Northampton, UK

All Star Resorts - My husband, 4-year-old son and I just returned from a fantastic 10-day WDW trip and one of the best things we did was ship a small coffee pot with filters and coffee packets to our All-Star resort ahead of time since they do not provide coffee pots in those rooms. What a treat it was to just wake up and make our own personal pot of coffee each morning. The 4-cup pot at Walmart was only $19.99, and the filters/coffee were inexpensive. - Laureen EDITOR'S NOTE: The Family Suites at Art of Animation and All Star Music have coffee pots.

We tried to book a room for the first week of December. Not a single room was available at any Disney resort. The Disney representative suggested looking at a resort that was still on Disney property but not an actual Disney resort. She said the Buena Vista Palace had rooms available. They are located across from Disney Springs and offer bus service via Mears shuttles. I called them directly and because I'm a firefighter was able to get a greatly reduced rate that isn't offered at Disney resorts! (It's called the "government rate." I just had to show my firefighter ID when I checked in.) - Alexiss from MA

Getting out of the hotel room door can be a challenge if you have a child who takes about an hour trying to figure what she wants to wear and then another half-hour getting ready. I solved this problem for my daughter on a surprise trip with a friend. I wasn't going with her so I didn't want my friend to have to experience the same problem I did when we wanted to leave for early entry to the park but could never get out the door on time. I purchased gallon zipper bags with the white area for labeling. I assembled each day's outfit right down to the "unmentionables" in the bags with a happy note written on it. This included what accessories went with the outfit, including the shoes. Since this was a surprise, I wrote a separate letter that included detailed instructions for each outfit ensemble. Not only did my friend have a worry-free time, but my daughter really appreciated the time I put into it. I had such fun doing it, too. - Christine M.

"Boredom is Energizing!" After years of going to Disney, I have found that the best way to get everyone up in the morning for an early start is to flip on all the lights at 6 a.m. for Early Morning Entry or 7 a.m. for a regular entry time, and keep the television off. This is also important for adults. Checking the news on CNN and the weather on The Weather Channel can easily extend into sitting around for a long time. We just eat a roll, drink some juice and look out the window for the weather forecast. With nothing to do, it does not take long for everyone to get motivated to do something/anything. - John P.

My family uses an updated version of "I Spy" to pass the time when having to wait! We use our camera phone to take a close-up picture of something that is near us (like the napkins at the table, or a corner of a menu) and then we pass the phone around taking turns guessing what the photo shows. Super close-up pictures of things can be challenging to figure out -- even for adults! And, I have found that even my 6-year-old has no problem "pushing the button" to take a picture. We've made several long waits in restaurants as well as car trips pass by a little faster playing this game -- and the best part is I always have my phone with me, so whenever an unanticipated delay hits, we're prepared! - Heather Thomas

Before we go to the Parks I always go on eBay and buy packages of 100 or more glow bracelets. They are incredibly cheap in bulk and can be linked together for necklaces just like the much more expensive park ones. The kids can mix up the colors and have as many as they want by stacking them up necks, arms and legs so you can identify your little folks even in the darkest places. We even attach them to our stroller and bags to make them easier to find. The unbroken ones keep for up to a year or more and you can find tons of ways to use any leftovers during the year, like giving them away to trick-or-treaters at Halloween instead of candy (this is a REAL hit with the kids and parents around here), or wear them to July 4th fireworks, evening sports events, etc. - Nita Furlong

A certain "mart" store carries glow bracelets and necklaces around Halloween (quickly approaching) for only about 88 cents each! Needless to say, I grabbed a few to eliminate that extra expense, and so my kids have just a good a time as all the other kids who have glowing items at the SpectroMagic parade. Extra tip: If your trip is not until AFTER Halloween, the bracelets/necklaces go on sale (which is when I bought mine!) for HALF PRICE! 44 cents each! We're on countdown! - Angelique Williams

While school shopping at an office supply store we found these really neat fiber optic pens at each register. A press of the button changes the colors from red, blue and green to mixes, with it finally going into a mode where it rotates between the colors. The best part? They are only $2 each AND they are functioning pens! So far I've seen them at three different locations here in New England (always at the register). I've already bought eight and put them away for our next WDW trip. This is a very cheap way to get out of buying light-up toys from the carts at night! - Jody LaFerriere