Tips for Disney Parks & Cruise Lines

Take advantage of each park's Baby Care Center. These are a haven for both mom and baby. When we took our son down one year he refused to nurse because he was too hot -- this was in early April! When I finally found a Baby Care Center with its wonderful air-conditioned, dimly lit nursing rooms, he was much happier and nursed. It is important to keep a baby hydrated, too! Remember the old rule of thumb: "What goes in, must come out." So if your kid isn't going to the bathroom (or wetting the diaper) then you know they haven't had enough to drink. - Michelle

Limit strenuous exercise. And yes, that includes walking around the theme parks. Walking around in the heat and humidity can make ALL parts of your body sweat, and that includes your poor feet. When feet are wet, blisters can develop, so try to wear socks that are not 100 percent cotton. If you feel a hot spot developing, find a place in the shade to sit down. Take off your shoe and sock and inspect your feet. Put a bandage on the tender area, and let your feet dry. Dry feet are happy feet! If you get bad blisters, go to the First Aid Station (there's one located in each of the parks).

If you are making your own drinks adding sugar or Kool-Aid powder to gallon water jugs, be sure to pack a funnel from home. I did this on the last trip and it made adding the powder and sugar to the containers a cinch! - Wendy Wilson

Remember to drink even when you are not thirsty. In fact, if you wait until you're thirsty, you've waited too long. Increase your fluid intake, regardless of your activity level. During heavy exercise in a hot environment, drink two to four glasses (16-32 ounces) of cool fluids each hour. Avoid caffeinated or carbonated beverages, as well as alcoholic drinks and those high in sugar -- these cause you to lose more body fluids. Sports drinks can supplement fluids in your body, but water should be your first choice. Warning: If your doctor generally limits the amount of fluid you drink or has you on water pills, ask the doctor how much you should drink while the weather is hot. Also, some folks find that drinking sports drinks (when they normally don't) can cause digestive problems. Again, listen to your body.

Be extra cautious in the sun/heat if you have diabetes, high blood pressure, or other medical conditions. Also be extra careful if you are taking any medications. For instance, certain medications (like some antibiotics, NSAIDS [such as ibuprofen and aspirin], and some oral contraceptives), may make you sunburn more easily, so be sure to protect yourself and stay out of the sun as much as possible.

The most important thing to remember is to listen to your body! Do not push yourself. Your body is a perfect alarm and knows when to take a break. Listen to it. Keep in the shade and drink plenty of water - Nikki Hendrix

I carry corn pads and antibiotic ointment (Bacitracin) in my bag. If you get a blister, put the corn pad on so that the blister is in the hole in the center. Squirt the ointment in the hole and put a band aid over the whole thing. The corn pad, since it is cushiony, keeps pressure off the blister, and the ointment heals and cools it off. - Lynn LaMunyon

To prevent blisters (we did alot of walking and no one had an issue with their feet) use bandaid blister pads and put them on normally where you would blister. Prevention is better than reacting to a blister. If you don't remember, feel the feet for some hardened areas. The biggest tip that I did was buy Dr. Scholls foot powder. The key is to keep the feet dry at all times. I put the powder on our feet and in our shoe and always had a pair of clean socks. - Terry Ammirati

ALL RESORTS - If you need cash and hate paying those outrageous ATM fees, simply cash a personal check at the front desk. There is no charge for this service and they will cash up to $100 a day. - Bob and Kate Salazar

When we went to WDW on vacation last year, I packed one suitcase full of snacks and non-perishable food (i.e. mini cereal boxes, cereal bars, various pre-packaged snack packs, juice boxes). Our entire family was able to eat a quick breakfast before going to the parks, have mid-day park munchies, and late evening snacks. The suitcase was then used to bring home dirty laundry at the end of the trip. - Julie Duffy

When we went to WDW on vacation last year, I packed one suitcase full of snacks and non-perishable food (i.e. mini cereal boxes, cereal bars, various pre-packaged snack packs, juice boxes). Our entire family was able to eat a quick breakfast before going to the parks, have mid-day park munchies, and late evening snacks. The suitcase was then used to bring home dirty laundry at the end of the trip. - Julie Duffy

When we went to WDW on vacation last year, I packed one suitcase full of snacks and non-perishable food (i.e. mini cereal boxes, cereal bars, various pre-packaged snack packs, juice boxes). Our entire family was able to eat a quick breakfast before going to the parks, have mid-day park munchies, and late evening snacks. The suitcase was then used to bring home dirty laundry at the end of the trip. - Julie Duffy

When we went to WDW on vacation last year, I packed one suitcase full of snacks and non-perishable food (i.e. mini cereal boxes, cereal bars, various pre-packaged snack packs, juice boxes). Our entire family was able to eat a quick breakfast before going to the parks, have mid-day park munchies, and late evening snacks. The suitcase was then used to bring home dirty laundry at the end of the trip. - Julie Duffy

ANIMAL KINGDOM LODGE - This one is a reminder that the Animal Kingdom Lodge is a must-see even if you're not staying there! On cool, overcast days, the animal viewing can be better than the Safari ride! Walk to the end of any floor, going toward the pool area, and go onto the outside staircase. Climb to the top floor. It's amazing! The Lodge lobby is not to be missed! You pick up a visitor's pass ("does not include swimming privileges") at the Security guard's checkpoint and you are free to explore. Because my kids consider AK a "half-day" park, the Lodge is a great teaser first. Or if you just don't have time or inclination to do AK this trip, a visit to the Lodge will make you feel like you've been to Africa!! - Natalie Lipman

ANIMAL KINGDOM LODGE - This one is a reminder that the Animal Kingdom Lodge is a must-see even if you're not staying there! On cool, overcast days, the animal viewing can be better than the Safari ride! Walk to the end of any floor, going toward the pool area, and go onto the outside staircase. Climb to the top floor. It's amazing! The Lodge lobby is not to be missed! You pick up a visitor's pass ("does not include swimming privileges") at the Security guard's checkpoint and you are free to explore. Because my kids consider AK a "half-day" park, the Lodge is a great teaser first. Or if you just don't have time or inclination to do AK this trip, a visit to the Lodge will make you feel like you've been to Africa!! - Natalie Lipman