Tips for Disney Parks & Cruise Lines

The easiest way to get good seats for the parade is to wait for the second one of the evening. Many families will pack up and leave after the fireworks. (Kay)

The easiest way to get good seats for the parade is to wait for the second one of the evening. Many families will pack up and leave after the fireworks. (Kay)

If you are heading to the party as a group find costumes that the entire group can wear to pull them together in one theme. It is so much fun to walk through the park together. (Kay)

If you are heading to the party as a group find costumes that the entire group can wear to pull them together in one theme. It is so much fun to walk through the park together. (Kay)

Magic Kingdom - I read about another reader having problems making reservations for the Harmony Barber Shop. I called 407-WDW-PLAY and the cast member helped me immediately, there was no confusion. She also told me that there are some appointments available BEFORE 9 a.m., some days as early as 8:05 a.m. Might give you a head start on your Magic Kingdom day. - Marianne

Magic Kingdom - I read about another reader having problems making reservations for the Harmony Barber Shop. I called 407-WDW-PLAY and the cast member helped me immediately, there was no confusion. She also told me that there are some appointments available BEFORE 9 a.m., some days as early as 8:05 a.m. Might give you a head start on your Magic Kingdom day. - Marianne

Magic Kingdom - I read about another reader having problems making reservations for the Harmony Barber Shop. I called 407-WDW-PLAY and the cast member helped me immediately, there was no confusion. She also told me that there are some appointments available BEFORE 9 a.m., some days as early as 8:05 a.m. Might give you a head start on your Magic Kingdom day. - Marianne

This may sound strange, but my tip is to go to AllEars.Net's tips database, and read all the tips pertaining to your question or subject. Next week will be the first time we will use the dining plan (it's free for our trip August 18-27), so I went back and read all the tips for how to get the most for your dining plan, even when it's free. There were quite a few really good tips on how and where to get the most out of the snack credits, for example, trading in counter service meals for three or four snack items if you haven't used them all. Also, on the AllEars® Dining page, there is a link to read what other visitors have to say about the different dining plans. This section had lots of good ideas and recommendations for how and where to use your credits. - Trudy Boudreaux

We purchased four inexpensive framed cork boards, one for each member of our family. We use the maps from the various parks for the background and purchase pins that symbolize those memorable moments we have at Disney, e.g. first ride, first time staying at a resort. We also use the pins to attach leftover fast passes, room keys and other little tidbits we picked up on our trip. This is our version of the scrapbook and we can display it on our family room wall. - tcgaspie

Shopping in the World is an adventure in itself! We have found some shops offer discounts that are not always advertised. My solution is to ask whenever I am making a purchase. Since we are DVC members, have a Disney Visa and have been Annual Passholders, it never hurts to ask if there are any shopping discounts. Most times, the cast member will ask to see the card before the purchase. It's much easier to ask before the transaction, than to remember when you're walking away. - jsbow

Shopping in the World is an adventure in itself! We have found some shops offer discounts that are not always advertised. My solution is to ask whenever I am making a purchase. Since we are DVC members, have a Disney Visa and have been Annual Passholders, it never hurts to ask if there are any shopping discounts. Most times, the cast member will ask to see the card before the purchase. It's much easier to ask before the transaction, than to remember when you're walking away. - jsbow

I had only visited WDW in January, November or December, so when I made my first hot summertime trip I didn't realize just how hot I would get. So here's my tip: pack twice the underthings you think you should. Coming back from the parks to rest midday may mean a quick dip in the pool or a quick shower and nap, but one thing is certain, you don't want to put on those same wet undergarments you just took off and they won't have had time to dry. So by the third day you have to do a load of wash already. If I had packed twice as many, I would have been able to wait until the sixth day of the trip to do some laundry. And laundry is not something that is high on my priority list when I'm in the "World." - Cheryl Hotard

I have two little Disney fans, 2 and 4 years old who love the night lights. Buying new light toys at each park can get expensive, not to mention they take up room in the luggage when we have to leave. To save money and room, I started bringing our own light toys. I bought a pack of 10 light bracelets from a discount store for $1. The container hides nicely in the diaper bag, and the kids don't know I have them. When the kids see the light carts on the streets, I bring out my surprise and they love it. They each get four bracelets, one for each arm and leg, and one left for Mom and Dad. The kids get so much attention going home on the bus, because they have something different. We've even had people ask us where we purchased them. We have also saved our light sticks from Halloween and used them at Disney. As long as they stay sealed they are good for up to a year. - Kelly Pride

Booked on Southwest. Keep checking your flights! Mine dropped from $89 to $59. I got a $150 credit (expires one year from date of original booking). So excited! You don't have to contact them -- just go on to the website, where you see "My travel", choose "change my flight", enter your confirmation number and name, and accept it. Depending on what type of fare you booked you get the choice of a credit or refund. The price for my flight to Orlando went up the day after flights for that date range were released. Coming home prices have gone up and down, but this is by far the cheapest. Sweet! - Carrie Atkins

Booked on Southwest. Keep checking your flights! Mine dropped from $89 to $59. I got a $150 credit (expires one year from date of original booking). So excited! You don't have to contact them -- just go on to the website, where you see "My travel", choose "change my flight", enter your confirmation number and name, and accept it. Depending on what type of fare you booked you get the choice of a credit or refund. The price for my flight to Orlando went up the day after flights for that date range were released. Coming home prices have gone up and down, but this is by far the cheapest. Sweet! - Carrie Atkins