Tips for Disney Parks & Cruise Lines

Can you encourage your readers who are considering buying Photopass pictures online at home to check their pictures prior to leaving the parks (especially if what they plan to buy can only be purchased online)? The pictures are so small online that you cannot determine the quality. I ordered a CD of all my photopass pictures and did not find out until after I paid all the money and received the CD that 1/2 of them were blurry. Thanks for passing this along so others don't have to learn the hard (and expensive) way! - Kristi Webber

I picked up a couple tips from other people on my recent trip. One was for laundry. I put one garbage bag, a few dryer sheets and some laundry soap in an airtight container. Then I had everything together for wash time. The other tip was for the bathroom. I bought a see-through plastic shoe rack. I kept all my bathroom items in it like hairspray, shampoo, brush and so on. It kept everything off the counter and it was easy to see each item. You hang the shoe rack in the closet. Have a great trip! - Kristen Cranmer

I picked up a couple tips from other people on my recent trip. One was for laundry. I put one garbage bag, a few dryer sheets and some laundry soap in an airtight container. Then I had everything together for wash time. The other tip was for the bathroom. I bought a see-through plastic shoe rack. I kept all my bathroom items in it like hairspray, shampoo, brush and so on. It kept everything off the counter and it was easy to see each item. You hang the shoe rack in the closet. Have a great trip! - Kristen Cranmer

T-REX, the restaurant, is loud. We brought earplugs, but only needed them during the meteor shower. I saw some people complaining about the ice room, but it was actually pretty cool (ha ha) to look at... We were seated in a room that had the woolly mammoth, the baby mammoth and some flyers. The Dino room was very cool as well, and one of the tables is surrounded by a dinosaur. Neither of my kids was overwhelmingly disappointed that they weren't in that room, though. They liked looking around. - Holly P.

Christopher South suggests: Just a few tips for packing all your running/walking gear for the Disney Marathon/Half Marathon in January. Make sure you include:

--2 sets of running shoes
--2 sets of running clothes. You never know what the weather can be like on race day!
--safety pins
--extra shoelaces
--Body Glide to prevent chafing
--Chapstick
--sunscreen, even if it's cloudy!
--waiver and packet pick-up documents
--gels
--extra socks
--watch

Christopher South suggests: Just a few tips for packing all your running/walking gear for the Disney Marathon/Half Marathon in January. Make sure you include:

--2 sets of running shoes
--2 sets of running clothes. You never know what the weather can be like on race day!
--safety pins
--extra shoelaces
--Body Glide to prevent chafing
--Chapstick
--sunscreen, even if it's cloudy!
--waiver and packet pick-up documents
--gels
--extra socks
--watch

MAGIC KINGDOM - The little containers that the individual chocolate cakes come in at the Columbia Harbor House (and other places on property) make great little recycled "terrariums" to start seeds and tiny plants in. Just remember to poke little holes in the top for air to get in or the contents will get moldy! They can be reused several times and are a fun way for kids to remember thier Disney vacation later on in the year. - Lynn Quintieri

MAGIC KINGDOM - The little containers that the individual chocolate cakes come in at the Columbia Harbor House (and other places on property) make great little recycled "terrariums" to start seeds and tiny plants in. Just remember to poke little holes in the top for air to get in or the contents will get moldy! They can be reused several times and are a fun way for kids to remember thier Disney vacation later on in the year. - Lynn Quintieri

MAGIC KINGDOM - The little containers that the individual chocolate cakes come in at the Columbia Harbor House (and other places on property) make great little recycled "terrariums" to start seeds and tiny plants in. Just remember to poke little holes in the top for air to get in or the contents will get moldy! They can be reused several times and are a fun way for kids to remember thier Disney vacation later on in the year. - Lynn Quintieri

If you have limited time and have a park hopper ticket you can enjoy the Osborne Spectacle of Lights in Hollywood Studios right around 6pm. Then hop on the boat and take it to the International Gateway entrance to Epcot. Enjoy the sights of the World Showcase and if you are lucky see the Candlelight Processional by at least standing in the back. Grab a caramel treat in Germany's Caramel Kuche and find a spot for the 9:30 Holiday Illuminations which you just don't want to miss. (Kay)

If you have limited time and have a park hopper ticket you can enjoy the Osborne Spectacle of Lights in Hollywood Studios right around 6pm. Then hop on the boat and take it to the International Gateway entrance to Epcot. Enjoy the sights of the World Showcase and if you are lucky see the Candlelight Processional by at least standing in the back. Grab a caramel treat in Germany's Caramel Kuche and find a spot for the 9:30 Holiday Illuminations which you just don't want to miss. (Kay)

One of the smallest lines in general to see Santa and Mrs. Claus is at the American Adventure in the World Showcase at Epcot. They normally are available starting around 4pm but check with the Times Guide or the concierge at your resort. (Kay)

One of the smallest lines in general to see Santa and Mrs. Claus is at the American Adventure in the World Showcase at Epcot. They normally are available starting around 4pm but check with the Times Guide or the concierge at your resort. (Kay)

CHRISTMAS - When people think of Florida, they think of warm, humid, tropical weather. But Florida does get cold fronts, as we experienced firsthand a couple years ago during the holidays. We brought those packet hand warmers that you shake to activate. We put them inside the kids' gloves to keep their hands warm. The kids loved them, and they really came in handy in the evenings when it got chilly. They're very inexpensive and can fit into a purse or pocket until you need to use them. - Jones Family

CHRISTMAS - When people think of Florida, they think of warm, humid, tropical weather. But Florida does get cold fronts, as we experienced firsthand a couple years ago during the holidays. We brought those packet hand warmers that you shake to activate. We put them inside the kids' gloves to keep their hands warm. The kids loved them, and they really came in handy in the evenings when it got chilly. They're very inexpensive and can fit into a purse or pocket until you need to use them. - Jones Family