Tips for Disney Parks & Cruise Lines
I put a luggage tag with my name and cell number on everything we take in -- strollers, backpacks, camera cases, etc. A brightly colored luggage tag also helps me spot our stroller more quickly in the sea of strollers when returning from an attraction. - Allison Valdes
When you are leaving Disney and you have airline check-in at your hotel, make sure your flight information is accurate. We were leaving Disney, checked in at the resort airline check-in area, and were given boarding passes and a gate number at 10 a.m. At 9:53 a.m., we received a message on our home phone (in New Jersey) that our 2:35 flight had been canceled, but the airlines didn't notify anyone in the Disney resort check-in areas. Needless to say, we weren't checking messages (because we thought we would be home soon) and after sitting at the gate for an hour, they finally posted on the board that the flight was canceled. We were literally stranded at the airport until we managed to find a flight in Ft. Lauderdale, rented a car, drove down, and took the flight home the next day. - Dawn Schwartz
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When you are leaving Disney and you have airline check-in at your hotel, make sure your flight information is accurate. We were leaving Disney, checked in at the resort airline check-in area, and were given boarding passes and a gate number at 10 a.m. At 9:53 a.m., we received a message on our home phone (in New Jersey) that our 2:35 flight had been canceled, but the airlines didn't notify anyone in the Disney resort check-in areas. Needless to say, we weren't checking messages (because we thought we would be home soon) and after sitting at the gate for an hour, they finally posted on the board that the flight was canceled. We were literally stranded at the airport until we managed to find a flight in Ft. Lauderdale, rented a car, drove down, and took the flight home the next day. - Dawn Schwartz
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We spent six days in the parks at Disney with three kids, 2, 5, and 7 years old. Late in our vacation, after several days of standing in line with grumpy, hot and tired kids, we figured out that if you get a frozen treat and take a break it makes the world of difference and extends the day. Toward the end we took two breaks to fight the 90-degree heat, but those were the smoothest days we had. It was well worth the cost of a frozen pop or five. - Tim Prouty
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We spent six days in the parks at Disney with three kids, 2, 5, and 7 years old. Late in our vacation, after several days of standing in line with grumpy, hot and tired kids, we figured out that if you get a frozen treat and take a break it makes the world of difference and extends the day. Toward the end we took two breaks to fight the 90-degree heat, but those were the smoothest days we had. It was well worth the cost of a frozen pop or five. - Tim Prouty
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Don't take a normal-sized ink pen for the characters to use while signing the kiddos' autograph book. Remember, most of them have thick padded gloves on which makes it hard to hold a small/thin pen. We just purchased (June '07) a HUGE pen from our local office supply store. It is the size of a very large cigar -- I think you could hold it if you were wearing a catcher's mitt! It's a novelty pen of course but it is exactly what Mickey and Minnie need to be able to hold and write. Cost? Less than $3. - John Brock
EDITOR'S NOTE: For more character meet and greet tips, visit: http://allears.net/tp/fur.htm
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When my family and I went to Disney World last November we knew we wanted to do something with the character autographs that we could use. Before we left for our trip, my mom cut fabric squares and ironed on fabric paper to make the fabric stiffer. I bought a small clipboard and fabric markers. I also bought grippers to put on the markers because the characters need a fat marker to hold on to. We had each character sign a fabric square. When we got home, my mom made two twin size quilts for my two boys. This is something they will enjoy for many years. - Pollyanna
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Two tips when eating at El Pirata Y el Perico (especially on hot days): 1) Ask for extra sour cream when you get your entrees (none at the topping bar), the packets are a little small; 2) when on the dining plan, ask them to hold the ice cream bars until after you've eaten. It was 90 degrees when we ate, and the cast member at the window was kind enough to hold ours so we could enjoy them as ice cream rather than soup! - NOTE: El Pirata Y el Perico is only open seasonally - tusportsfan
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After finding out that the picture packages they bring to your table at some of the character meals have the PhotoPass number on the back, we asked the cast member who brought them to us if we could get the number. The first meal of our trip the cast member said that you had to purchase them. The second meal the cast member let us in on a great tip -- all you have to do is go to one of the PhotoPass stores and tell them the date and approximate time of your event and they can get that picture and put it onto your PhotoPass CD! I think this is great for those of us who plan to buy the CD and don't want to spend extra money on the packages they bring to the tables. We went to the PhotoPass spot in Epcot -- it took a little searching in the system but the pictures from 'Ohana and Chef Mickey's were added to our CD! - Kat Garcia
Magic Kingdom - I found out last year that the Magic Kingdom does a practice run of the July 4 fireworks on July 3. It was spectacular, and this gave us the oppurtunity to watch the fireworks from Epcot on the 4th. We got the best of both worlds, and the finale at Epcot is worth seeing. - Thomas Chambers
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Just a tip to anyone with latex allergies: DO NOT BUY A RAIN PONCHO at Disney. We didn't even think about it, we were just thinking of staying dry, and my son and I both broke out and started having breathing issues. Thankfully I carry our epi pens and Benadryl with me at all times! - Abi
Though we pack a suitcase within a suitcase for souvenirs, I'm always nervous of going over the 50-pound weight limit for checking a suitcase onto an airline. Suitcases weighing over 50 pounds are typically charged an additional fee. This trip, we purchased a 50-pound fish scale for $5.00 at a local department store prior to packing. The scale has a small hook that can connect to the handle of a suitcase and it has another handle for you to lift the suitcase and scale. We were able to pack and redistribute items where needed to insure that we did not exceed the 50-pound limit. - Denny Shealer
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Though we pack a suitcase within a suitcase for souvenirs, I'm always nervous of going over the 50-pound weight limit for checking a suitcase onto an airline. Suitcases weighing over 50 pounds are typically charged an additional fee. This trip, we purchased a 50-pound fish scale for $5.00 at a local department store prior to packing. The scale has a small hook that can connect to the handle of a suitcase and it has another handle for you to lift the suitcase and scale. We were able to pack and redistribute items where needed to insure that we did not exceed the 50-pound limit. - Denny Shealer
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Though we pack a suitcase within a suitcase for souvenirs, I'm always nervous of going over the 50-pound weight limit for checking a suitcase onto an airline. Suitcases weighing over 50 pounds are typically charged an additional fee. This trip, we purchased a 50-pound fish scale for $5.00 at a local department store prior to packing. The scale has a small hook that can connect to the handle of a suitcase and it has another handle for you to lift the suitcase and scale. We were able to pack and redistribute items where needed to insure that we did not exceed the 50-pound limit. - Denny Shealer
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