Tips for Disney Parks & Cruise Lines

On my family and friends' trips to Walt Disney World, we tend to be a bit tired when we arrive. We will get a snack and refillable mugs before heading to the pool to relax (some of us take a short nap there). Afterwards we go to the Animal Kingdom Lodge to see the animals they have there. It is a little taste of visiting one of the parks without using a park pass. We then get dinner at this resort before heading back to our own resort for a stroll around the paths and a good night's sleep. - Deb Wilde

Don't go immediately to the t-shirts for your kids. Look at oversized sleep shirts instead. They'll still fit years later, while a regular t-shirt may not fit in a few months. In fact, my dad bought me one back when I was 12. I'm 21 now and still sleep in it! (Mickey glows in the dark. It's very cool.) - Lauren

Magic Kingdom - Be sure you catch "The Magic, The Memories, and You!" light show projected on the front of the castle in Magic Kingdom! It was one of the most amazing things I have seen in my many trips to Disney World. I was surprised it wasn't highlighted more and it was scheduled at off times (9:45 and 10:35 p.m.) when we were visiting. - William Sharp

My suggestion is that you book a character breakfast before the park opens. You simply give your dining reservation name/number at the entrance. You can stroll leisurely to your dining with no crowds and take pictures along the way. By the time you exit breakfast, the park will have just openned and you can easily get to your favorite rides with short lines/wait. - Michelle

For anyone with a wobbly leg (or two), here's a tip I learned the hard way. For attractions that load/unload with a conveyor belt (Buzz Lightyear, Haunted Mansion, etc.), make sure that the wobbly guest enters first. Yes, you may experience a challenge getting seated in time to let your ride partner get in before the vehicle closes properly. However that makes you the second person out upon exiting so that you'll have a steady hand (your ride partner's) at the ready when getting off, thereby allowing you to land gracefully and be able to walk immediately on the moving belt. - Christa

For anyone with a wobbly leg (or two), here's a tip I learned the hard way. For attractions that load/unload with a conveyor belt (Buzz Lightyear, Haunted Mansion, etc.), make sure that the wobbly guest enters first. Yes, you may experience a challenge getting seated in time to let your ride partner get in before the vehicle closes properly. However that makes you the second person out upon exiting so that you'll have a steady hand (your ride partner's) at the ready when getting off, thereby allowing you to land gracefully and be able to walk immediately on the moving belt. - Christa

This is a tip for anyone who is traveling to Disney World with first-timer children. We all know that the Magic Kingdom is usually children's favorite of all of the parks. How many times have I watched as miserable children are being dragged into Epcot crying that they would rather be at the Magic Kingdom? My suggestion is to consider NOT visiting Magic Kingdom on the first day of the trip. This way, the children will be free to enjoy each park without comparing it to the Magic Kingdom. I suggest Animal Kingdom the first day, then Hollywood Studios, then Epcot, then Magic Kingdom. I have suggested this to several friends who have taken children on their first trips and they were very grateful. The children appreciated the other parks so much more and plus it makes finally getting to the Magic Kingdom that much better. - Kevin

Just want to add one note about car rental regarding the Sunpass. We have Fast Lane, the New England version, which can be used in other states. When we go away we bring it with us, and once the car is rented, simply log into our account on the Fast Lane website and add the rental car to our account. Get the benefits of zipping through the autolane without the rental company's fees. - Mike B.

Just want to add one note about car rental regarding the Sunpass. We have Fast Lane, the New England version, which can be used in other states. When we go away we bring it with us, and once the car is rented, simply log into our account on the Fast Lane website and add the rental car to our account. Get the benefits of zipping through the autolane without the rental company's fees. - Mike B.

If your child has a favorite stuffed animal or toy he or she can't part with (like my son with his Duffy bear), try placing a tracking device in or on it. Most are small enough so your child won't notice and the device can be linked to your phone. We have used Tile, for example, and it works great! - Rachel

ALL PARKS - On water rides use one-gallon freezer bags over your shoes and socks. (You can zip them shut right around the lower part of your leg.) Keeps your shoes and socks dry and they are easy to fold up and carry until the next water ride. - Dennis Garwood

ALL PARKS - On water rides use one-gallon freezer bags over your shoes and socks. (You can zip them shut right around the lower part of your leg.) Keeps your shoes and socks dry and they are easy to fold up and carry until the next water ride. - Dennis Garwood

Kudos to Mike Scopa for the very detailed article about car rentals in Walt Disney World (AllEars® Issue #615, July 5, 2011). As a professional road-warrior who has to rely on rental cars on a weekly basis, I'm intimately familiar with how the car-renting game works and I was very impressed at the thoroughness of his report. I would like to add a few more items to the list of things to consider when renting cars.

-- Check if your employer has a corporate rate with a particular car company. This could amount to more savings.

-- Some rental cars come equipped with SunPass for the toll roads. However, if you use that option instead of paying tolls with cash, the rental place may charge you an extra fee on top of the price of the toll.

-- This was implied in the article, but just to be clear. If you do not pre-pay for gas and forget to fill up before returning it, the rental place will charge you per gallon, at a much steeper price. So, unless stopping for gas will make you late for your flight, make sure to fill up!

-- Before you sign the rental contract, make sure to walk around the car and note any significant damages (quarter-sized dents, scratches more than 6 inches long) to the rental agent so they can mark those down on your contract. At an airport in San Francisco this week, an agent told me he had already walked around and inspected the car, but failed to notice a huge dent on the back bumper until I pointed it out. - Patricia O.

Kudos to Mike Scopa for the very detailed article about car rentals in Walt Disney World (AllEars® Issue #615, July 5, 2011). As a professional road-warrior who has to rely on rental cars on a weekly basis, I'm intimately familiar with how the car-renting game works and I was very impressed at the thoroughness of his report. I would like to add a few more items to the list of things to consider when renting cars.

-- Check if your employer has a corporate rate with a particular car company. This could amount to more savings.

-- Some rental cars come equipped with SunPass for the toll roads. However, if you use that option instead of paying tolls with cash, the rental place may charge you an extra fee on top of the price of the toll.

-- This was implied in the article, but just to be clear. If you do not pre-pay for gas and forget to fill up before returning it, the rental place will charge you per gallon, at a much steeper price. So, unless stopping for gas will make you late for your flight, make sure to fill up!

-- Before you sign the rental contract, make sure to walk around the car and note any significant damages (quarter-sized dents, scratches more than 6 inches long) to the rental agent so they can mark those down on your contract. At an airport in San Francisco this week, an agent told me he had already walked around and inspected the car, but failed to notice a huge dent on the back bumper until I pointed it out. - Patricia O.

We are planning a trip to WDW this December-January. I was surprised to find out that some tours do not take place the last two weeks in December. We were interested in Backstage Magic, which is one of the tours that does not go when the park is that crowded. Readers might want to check on available tours when planing their trips. - Sue Lykins