Tips for Disney Parks & Cruise Lines

ALL PARKS - While standing in lines for rides that might have a long wait, my children bring along a deck of cards and take turns playing magician and guessing which card the other one picked. They also have a note pad each to write on and I get them to write down their favorite part of the day so far. Having some small snacks on hand also helps to keep them from getting bored. We bring animal cookies, crackers etc. -- nothing that is too messy. - Jackie Pluim

ALL PARKS - While standing in lines for rides that might have a long wait, my children bring along a deck of cards and take turns playing magician and guessing which card the other one picked. They also have a note pad each to write on and I get them to write down their favorite part of the day so far. Having some small snacks on hand also helps to keep them from getting bored. We bring animal cookies, crackers etc. -- nothing that is too messy. - Jackie Pluim

ALL PARKS - While standing in lines for rides that might have a long wait, my children bring along a deck of cards and take turns playing magician and guessing which card the other one picked. They also have a note pad each to write on and I get them to write down their favorite part of the day so far. Having some small snacks on hand also helps to keep them from getting bored. We bring animal cookies, crackers etc. -- nothing that is too messy. - Jackie Pluim

ALL PARKS - While standing in lines for rides that might have a long wait, my children bring along a deck of cards and take turns playing magician and guessing which card the other one picked. They also have a note pad each to write on and I get them to write down their favorite part of the day so far. Having some small snacks on hand also helps to keep them from getting bored. We bring animal cookies, crackers etc. -- nothing that is too messy. - Jackie Pluim

ALL PARKS - While standing in lines for rides that might have a long wait, my children bring along a deck of cards and take turns playing magician and guessing which card the other one picked. They also have a note pad each to write on and I get them to write down their favorite part of the day so far. Having some small snacks on hand also helps to keep them from getting bored. We bring animal cookies, crackers etc. -- nothing that is too messy. - Jackie Pluim

ALL PARKS - While standing in lines for rides that might have a long wait, my children bring along a deck of cards and take turns playing magician and guessing which card the other one picked. They also have a note pad each to write on and I get them to write down their favorite part of the day so far. Having some small snacks on hand also helps to keep them from getting bored. We bring animal cookies, crackers etc. -- nothing that is too messy. - Jackie Pluim

Since I was flying Southwest Airlines, I was unable to use the special check-in desk at my hotel, but I wanted to print my boarding passes. I asked at the lobby concierge desk, and they are able to check you in 24 hours in advance and print boarding passes. The only problem was that I wanted to go to the Magic Kingdom during the day and I didn't want to come all the way back to Port Orleans French Quarter to check in. After a call to the Grand Floridian (I could have checked in there, also) I found out that Guest Relations at the Magic Kingdom has a special room specifically for this purpose. What a great service! I was able to check in and not have to miss time in the park. - Donia Camarena

Since I was flying Southwest Airlines, I was unable to use the special check-in desk at my hotel, but I wanted to print my boarding passes. I asked at the lobby concierge desk, and they are able to check you in 24 hours in advance and print boarding passes. The only problem was that I wanted to go to the Magic Kingdom during the day and I didn't want to come all the way back to Port Orleans French Quarter to check in. After a call to the Grand Floridian (I could have checked in there, also) I found out that Guest Relations at the Magic Kingdom has a special room specifically for this purpose. What a great service! I was able to check in and not have to miss time in the park. - Donia Camarena

I think it would be a good idea to mention that it's possible that the chemicals used to produce the aromas included in the Soarin' ride may induce asthma attacks if you suffer from asthma. My wife had this happen and the attack was bad enough that she will no longer ride on this attraction. Personally, I love the ride and am disappointed that I can't share it with her. - Joseph Orosz

I am writing in response to the people who had asthma attacks in Walt Disney World. Just a warning to others -- my daughter had a bad asthma attack in Magic Kingdom after Wishes. I'm glad she didn't have one in Soarin' because we loved that ride! - Diane

In response to the tip regarding asthma triggers on Soarin' and during It's Tough to Be a Bug, your readers with asthma should know that not everyone has this reaction. My husband has asthma (triggered by allergies, among other things) and rode Soarin' three times in one day with no problems. We also saw It's Tough to Be a Bug the same day, and again, no problems. Your readers with asthma would be wise to bring their inhalers just in case, but should also know that the sprays or mists do not affect all asthma sufferers. - Ken and Barbara

My daughter, Kathleen, had a wiggly tooth on our recent trip to Disney World and the Tooth Fairy normally leaves her a gold dollar in return for her tooth. However, the Tooth Fairy had a momentary lapse about Kathleen going to Disney World and left the gold dollars at home. After searching high and low for a gold dollar, the Tooth Fairy was about to give up when a Cast Member suggested a Disney Dollar. Lo and behold, here was the answer! The Tooth Fairy went searching and found a wonderfully crisp Cinderella Disney Dollar to place under the pillow. Not only was my daughter thrilled to get a Cinderella Disney Dollar, but it also has this year's imprint on the dollar. Additionally because she was at WDW, the Tooth Fairy obviously thought that losing the tooth there meant an even more special reward. My daughter is still talking about her Disney tooth. - Roxanne

I have a tip related to the dining plan. This is my first time using the plan, and I found a fun way to keep track of all my reservations. I printed out a wallet-sized picture of the signs from the restaurants, and glued each one to a 3x5 notecard. Next to the picture, I wrote the time and confirmation number. This is a fun and easy way to keep track of all those great meals you're going to have! - Jason Copen

For everyone taking souvenirs home, be careful what you choose when flying. We decided to purchase a princess cup that had the floating glitter and water inside the glass and packed it in our carry-on with the rest of the things we purchased. Well, the airlines considered that a liquid and it couldn't be in our carry-on. It was too late to put it in with our luggage because it had already been checked in, so we had to consider it as a loss. So, when buying this kind of souvenir remember to pack it in with your luggage or go with one of the many other cute cups they have! - Lisa P., and several other readers

We were just in the World a few weeks ago and wanted to buy a snowglobe. With the new FAA regulations, we knew that we would not be able to bring it on board in our carry-on and did not want to have it in our luggage in case of it breaking. We spoke to a Cast Member who told us that they are encouraging people to have the snowglobes shipped home. It is a great way to do it... you don't pay tax if it is being shipped out of state, you have the Disney guarantee, so if it breaks they replace it, and it is a fun little thing to get in the mail the week after you come back from vacation -- the Disney magic keeps on going! - Laurie Fay