Tips for Disney Parks & Cruise Lines

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

I have a spending money tip geared to teenagers that is easier for them to manage than cash and easier for me than handing out cash. On our March spring break trip to WDW, I surprised my two teenagers with Disney Gift Cards that I purchased at the World of Disney Store at Disney Springs. They each liked having their own card and not juggling change. I learned the card is usable at Disney owned and operated merchandise, dining and recreation locations where credit cards are accepted, including the Disney shops in the Orlando Airport and Disney Cruise Line onboard the ship. (Some carts and outdoor vendors at the parks do not accept the card.) The balance prints on the receipt after each transaction, has no expiration, can be used with other forms of payment to complete a purchase, is reloadable ($5-$1500!), and can be kept as a souvenir. It's a cool card with Mickey on the front. Now that I know about the card, I plan to reload them for my daughter's high school band trip to Disney World next week. Purchase and use details can be found at DisneyGiftCard.com. - Sandy Marks

ALL PARKS - We put small inexpensive inflatable bath pillows (about $.79 to $1.50 at most drugstores) in our parkpacks. When we go to see a show on a hard wooden or steel bench, or are stuck with only a concrete curbside seat to view the parade, we take out our pillows, blow them up, and voila -- a nice soft cushie for our tushie! - Michele Abbamondi

ALL PARKS - We put small inexpensive inflatable bath pillows (about $.79 to $1.50 at most drugstores) in our parkpacks. When we go to see a show on a hard wooden or steel bench, or are stuck with only a concrete curbside seat to view the parade, we take out our pillows, blow them up, and voila -- a nice soft cushie for our tushie! - Michele Abbamondi

ALL PARKS - We put small inexpensive inflatable bath pillows (about $.79 to $1.50 at most drugstores) in our parkpacks. When we go to see a show on a hard wooden or steel bench, or are stuck with only a concrete curbside seat to view the parade, we take out our pillows, blow them up, and voila -- a nice soft cushie for our tushie! - Michele Abbamondi

ALL PARKS - We put small inexpensive inflatable bath pillows (about $.79 to $1.50 at most drugstores) in our parkpacks. When we go to see a show on a hard wooden or steel bench, or are stuck with only a concrete curbside seat to view the parade, we take out our pillows, blow them up, and voila -- a nice soft cushie for our tushie! - Michele Abbamondi

ALL PARKS - We put small inexpensive inflatable bath pillows (about $.79 to $1.50 at most drugstores) in our parkpacks. When we go to see a show on a hard wooden or steel bench, or are stuck with only a concrete curbside seat to view the parade, we take out our pillows, blow them up, and voila -- a nice soft cushie for our tushie! - Michele Abbamondi

ALL PARKS - We put small inexpensive inflatable bath pillows (about $.79 to $1.50 at most drugstores) in our parkpacks. When we go to see a show on a hard wooden or steel bench, or are stuck with only a concrete curbside seat to view the parade, we take out our pillows, blow them up, and voila -- a nice soft cushie for our tushie! - Michele Abbamondi

ALL PARKS - We put small inexpensive inflatable bath pillows (about $.79 to $1.50 at most drugstores) in our parkpacks. When we go to see a show on a hard wooden or steel bench, or are stuck with only a concrete curbside seat to view the parade, we take out our pillows, blow them up, and voila -- a nice soft cushie for our tushie! - Michele Abbamondi

ANIMAL KINGDOM LODGE - We arrived early at the Animal Kingdom Lodge for our dinner at Boma. As usual, we went straight through the lobby to the savannah to check out the animals. The guide there informed us that from 8-10 p.m., you could see the animals through complimentary use of night vision goggles at the animal overlook by the swimming pool. We checked it out after dinner -- it was fantastic! The guides have two night vision goggles for visitors to use, and wipe them down with antibacterial wipes whenever there's a change in families. It was fascinating and unique to look for the animals using the goggles! - hardroff

ANIMAL KINGDOM LODGE - We arrived early at the Animal Kingdom Lodge for our dinner at Boma. As usual, we went straight through the lobby to the savannah to check out the animals. The guide there informed us that from 8-10 p.m., you could see the animals through complimentary use of night vision goggles at the animal overlook by the swimming pool. We checked it out after dinner -- it was fantastic! The guides have two night vision goggles for visitors to use, and wipe them down with antibacterial wipes whenever there's a change in families. It was fascinating and unique to look for the animals using the goggles! - hardroff

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

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

ANIMAL KINGDOM - After MANY trips to WDW and several to the Animal Kingdom park, next to the safari ride, my favorite 'sights' are the gorgeous murals painted within the tiger viewing area in Asia. Everyone, however, including most of my family, just keeps on walking through after looking through the tiger window. It is so beautiful, but I think most people never "see" it. There is NO seating area, so I either sit on the thin curbs or on the ground. Tell everyone to stop and smell the roses in this mystically ornate walk-through. - Jane Mesiano

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