Tips for Disney Parks & Cruise Lines

During our recent stay at the Dolphin, we arranged stroller rental through the Dolphin's concierge desk. The Dolphin arranges this through an outside service. The charge was $7 per day plus $10 delivery charge. We requested the stroller late one evening and it was delivered to the bell desk by 9 a.m. the next day. It was a nice Evenflow stroller with a canopy, a big storage area below the seat, and a cupholder. The stroller didn't fold up very small for the bus ride, but otherwise was a great convenience. When we checked out, we left the stroller with the bellman for return. - Greg Ross

Candlelight Processional - With the beginning of autumn comes the time to plan our family's annual Christmastime visit to see the Candlelight Processional. I have two tips to share; both were a result of poor planning that led to great discoveries. We always attend the Processional as part of the dinner package. Last year, I'd waited too long to make my reservations and all that was left was the Biergarten. I didn't know how this would go over with my family of picky eaters. Also, we were leery of the communal seating. What we discovered was that it's a great dining experience! There's something for everyone in terms of the food (roast chicken, chicken schnitzel, sauerbraten, roast pork, salad, veggies), the entertainment was fun, we enjoyed meeting other park visitors at our table, and (as any parent who's spent much of the day carrying a 50-pound girl can attest), the liter mugs of Beck's Dark can really hit the spot! The other tip is weather-related -- the Processional is right near the water and it can get really nippy. We got caught under-clothed last year. The gift shops in the Mexico pavilion in the World Showcase sell a pretty nice variety of warm apparel hoodies and such, which are not emblazoned with the Disney logo and, as such, are pretty reasonably priced. It's good to know this if you need a warm jacket on short notice! - Edward Cunliffe

Candlelight Processional - With the beginning of autumn comes the time to plan our family's annual Christmastime visit to see the Candlelight Processional. I have two tips to share; both were a result of poor planning that led to great discoveries. We always attend the Processional as part of the dinner package. Last year, I'd waited too long to make my reservations and all that was left was the Biergarten. I didn't know how this would go over with my family of picky eaters. Also, we were leery of the communal seating. What we discovered was that it's a great dining experience! There's something for everyone in terms of the food (roast chicken, chicken schnitzel, sauerbraten, roast pork, salad, veggies), the entertainment was fun, we enjoyed meeting other park visitors at our table, and (as any parent who's spent much of the day carrying a 50-pound girl can attest), the liter mugs of Beck's Dark can really hit the spot! The other tip is weather-related -- the Processional is right near the water and it can get really nippy. We got caught under-clothed last year. The gift shops in the Mexico pavilion in the World Showcase sell a pretty nice variety of warm apparel hoodies and such, which are not emblazoned with the Disney logo and, as such, are pretty reasonably priced. It's good to know this if you need a warm jacket on short notice! - Edward Cunliffe

HALLOWEEN - For the families that will be in Walt Disney World on Halloween, do not miss the activities for children on the BoardWalk! They are free and fabulous! - Margaret

HALLOWEEN - For the families that will be in Walt Disney World on Halloween, do not miss the activities for children on the BoardWalk! They are free and fabulous! - Margaret

When I know a trip to WDW is approaching, as I reach the last of the shampoo, conditioner, etc., I stash the almost empty bottle aside, then pack it for the trip. When I run out, I discard the bottle and there is automatically more room for Mickey stuff to bring home! - Jenny Drake

A great souvenir to buy from the China pavilion in Epcot is bamboo. The plant costs about $1-$1.50 and comes with care instructions. You can also buy a vase for the plant starting at about $3. - Jen Wolf

For those "financially challenged," who accumulate Hilton HHonors points, a WDW 4-day Magic Your Way pass can be purchased for 65,000 points per adult, and 55,000 points per child. Given that 65,000 points also buys $150 worth of gift certificates at Bloomingdale's or Sharper Image, or two nights in a Category 4 hotel, I think it's a pretty good deal for a park hopper pass. We're looking forward to using these passes in October on our first trip in two years!

Don't stay at the Hilton family of hotels frequently? They also offer American Express and Visa Rewards cards at no annual fee. The AmEx card gives you 3 points per dollar (5 points for charges at their hotels). Visa is 2 points per dollar (3 points for hotel charges). There is also a 10,000 point signup bonus with your first purchase with either card. More information and applications can be found at http://hhonors.hilton.com/en/hhonors/points/index.jhtml - M. Michelle Buchecker

For those "financially challenged," who accumulate Hilton HHonors points, a WDW 4-day Magic Your Way pass can be purchased for 65,000 points per adult, and 55,000 points per child. Given that 65,000 points also buys $150 worth of gift certificates at Bloomingdale's or Sharper Image, or two nights in a Category 4 hotel, I think it's a pretty good deal for a park hopper pass. We're looking forward to using these passes in October on our first trip in two years!

Don't stay at the Hilton family of hotels frequently? They also offer American Express and Visa Rewards cards at no annual fee. The AmEx card gives you 3 points per dollar (5 points for charges at their hotels). Visa is 2 points per dollar (3 points for hotel charges). There is also a 10,000 point signup bonus with your first purchase with either card. More information and applications can be found at http://hhonors.hilton.com/en/hhonors/points/index.jhtml - M. Michelle Buchecker

For those "financially challenged," who accumulate Hilton HHonors points, a WDW 4-day Magic Your Way pass can be purchased for 65,000 points per adult, and 55,000 points per child. Given that 65,000 points also buys $150 worth of gift certificates at Bloomingdale's or Sharper Image, or two nights in a Category 4 hotel, I think it's a pretty good deal for a park hopper pass. We're looking forward to using these passes in October on our first trip in two years!

Don't stay at the Hilton family of hotels frequently? They also offer American Express and Visa Rewards cards at no annual fee. The AmEx card gives you 3 points per dollar (5 points for charges at their hotels). Visa is 2 points per dollar (3 points for hotel charges). There is also a 10,000 point signup bonus with your first purchase with either card. More information and applications can be found at http://hhonors.hilton.com/en/hhonors/points/index.jhtml - M. Michelle Buchecker

If your child likes to collect the pressed pennies from each area in the park, buy the book that holds them. Buying the pennies will cut down on your child asking for everything in the park. You just have to spend 51 cents! - Randi Gold

If your child likes to collect the pressed pennies from each area in the park, buy the book that holds them. Buying the pennies will cut down on your child asking for everything in the park. You just have to spend 51 cents! - Randi Gold

This tip will alleviate many of the "how much longer" questions. My husband makes copies of maps of each state that we drive through for each of our children. He then tapes them all together and labels them 1-20 at the different cities and towns that we will pass. He then gives me the "master copy." Each time I call out a number of a town that we pass, everyone pulls out their map and draws a line to that number. No one has to ask how much further because they can look at their map and compare how far they've come to how far they must go. - Lisa Fisher

I have teens/20-somethings (and my husband and my mom) who travel with me to Walt Disney World each year. Invariably we split up to do different rides or even different parks. I am the one who makes all the FastPass+ and dining reservations. Each morning I text everyone their FastPass+ times and any dining reservations we have. Not everyone wants to download the app, or has a phone that can get apps, so this makes our trips so much easier! - Beth S.

My 4-year-old son has a real problem with loud noises, but refused to wear ear plugs. We would put a pair in and he would pull them right back out. Before we left I contacted a store that specialized in hunting equipment and ordered a pair of the smallest child-sized headphones used at target ranges to muffle sound. They fit him perfectly and when we were in the parks, if there was even a hint of loud noises coming, we would just slip them on. My son actually went through the Haunted Mansion four times without a hitch. It was the best $17 I ever spent and I got quite a few comments of, "Oh, I wish we had thought of that." - Bonnie Schweizer