Tips about Characters, Epcot, Kids and Mousecellaneous

Epcot - I just wanted to let you know there is now an additional place to get kosher food in Epcot. It is at the Electric Umbrella restaurant in Future World. This is helpful, because if you need the kosher food, you don't have to go all the way to the American Adventure's Liberty Inn in World Showcase. - Michael Lorch

Epcot - I just wanted to let you know there is now an additional place to get kosher food in Epcot. It is at the Electric Umbrella restaurant in Future World. This is helpful, because if you need the kosher food, you don't have to go all the way to the American Adventure's Liberty Inn in World Showcase. - Michael Lorch

I like to make my hotel room feel a little more special by bringing in a small bouquet of flowers. You can buy these at the local supermarket for a few bucks. I always bring an old vase from home (which I leave at the hotel when I return home) and have a nice smelling and beautiful thing to come back to at the end of every day. - Amanda Bohning

We were in Disney World over New Year's with my daughter, her husband, my 9-month-old grandson and 2-year-old granddaughter. Between naps, waiting on lines, going on rides and just enjoying ourselves we found we didn't change our grandson as often as usual. We realized later on that we should have used an overnight diaper during the trip so we didn't need to worry about leakage issues. We thought it was a good tip to share. - Debi Johnson

Most floral departments at grocery stores carry a plastic clip resembling a small clothes pin. We use these with the park balloons. You can attach the balloon strings (with the Mickey weights) to the clip and then clip to the stoller or the child. That way you are not fussing with tied on balloons at the bus stops! - Natalie

A tip to add to some of the great ones already listed: Pack a foldable, hard plastic toilet seat cover for bathroom trips with little ones. (Available at many large discount retail chains.) - Creole Mom

You can find Dug and Russell from Pixar's UP at Animal Kingdom. I thought you may want to add them in case others are looking for them! - Tricia

Our kids love getting autographs while visiting Disney World and we've filled a couple of books. On a recent trip I thought I would surprise the kids with something different. I purchased a white pillowcase and some colored fabric permanent markers along with a small clipboard for each child. I wrote each child's name and date of our visit on their pillowcase. Before heading out, I would arrange a blank space for a character to sign and secure it with an elastic. After a character signed it, I would quickly refold a new blank space for the next signature. I kept all the markers in a small sandwich bag and the pillowcases in a zip-top storage bag. It easily fit into my backpack, was easily accessible and stayed dry, too. The kids loved picking out a specific color for each character and now have a great decorative pillow keepsake of our magical trip! Goofy even wrote "sweet dreams" on my daughter's pillowcase! - Suzy

I love last week's article about the Walt Disney Family Musuem - AllEars #637. We had a chance to travel out to California last summer and went to the museum. It is a wonderful place to go for all Disney fans. We spent hours there and still could have used more time. Just make sure if you go out to check to make sure the days they are open. They were closed the day we were there so we changed our plans to be there the next day they were open. It was well worth it. - Andrea

I enjoyed reading about the Walt Disney Family Museum in last week's newsletter AllEars #637. We had the opportunity to visit this past July. It was fantastic and I could have spent hours upon hours reading all about Walt, his family, and all that Walt did during his life. It was fascinating. The art you see, the history and facts you learn -- all well worth the price of admission. And yes, I cried at the end. I also enjoyed the gift shop. Lots of unique-to-the-museum items. My son was introduced to Davy Crockett that day (on the wall of TVs) and chose a coon-ish skin cap as a souvenir. I thought that was neat. Another cool thing to check out if you go to the museum and happen to have a Star Wars fan with you (as I did) is to visit the ILM/Lucasfilm headquarters just a couple blocks away. You can visit the lobby full of memorabilia -- just check in with the receptionist and be respectful. The Yoda fountain in the courtyard outside is really cool -- a great photo spot! Between the two stops, it makes for a great day! - Anna Burch

Epcot - If the crowds are large and you didn't get to a good spot three hours early to watch IllumiNations, there is a restroom as you enter Norway. Across from the restrooms is a bench that provides a nice place to sit and watch IllumiNations. You can't see everything, but you're away from the crowds and you can see the globe and fireworks away from everyone on a comfy spot. - Anthony

Epcot - If the crowds are large and you didn't get to a good spot three hours early to watch IllumiNations, there is a restroom as you enter Norway. Across from the restrooms is a bench that provides a nice place to sit and watch IllumiNations. You can't see everything, but you're away from the crowds and you can see the globe and fireworks away from everyone on a comfy spot. - Anthony

If you're going to have different sleeping arrangements in the hotel than you do at home (two kids in a bed, the whole family sleeping in one room), start preparing your kids in advance. Let them figure out who they're comfortable sleeping next to and if it will work, so they are not miserable at bedtime. Of course, they'll be so tired they may not care, but a little prep may help! Our 2-1/2-year-old pretty much only sleeps well in his crib, with a dark room, silence, and no one else in the room. So, we have to get him used to having one other person next to him in bed and other distractions in the room during the wind-down time. (Dad's snoring, too, yikes!) - Kara

Before our trip, we purchased a sports towel at the local sports store. It is about 12" x 16" and folds up into a sandwich-size zip-top bag. What a lifesaver! We used it after the daily August rainstorms to dry off outdoor tables, ride seating, benches, and even ourselves when we got soaked in the rain! These types of towels are made by Speedo, TYR and other companies that make competitive swim equipment. When they get soaked, just wring out and they're dry again. For the $11 we spent it was worth it not to have to sit on wet seats or have wet behinds all day. We got ours at a sporting goods store, but they are also available on Amazon.com. - Becky Hecker

I used the Disney Parks Mobile Magic App from Verizon for my recent trip. It was amazing. It was great for information on character meet and greet times and ride wait times, but the most magical part of it all was the ability to make dining reservations. Believe it or not, at 3 p.m. I was checking availability for Epcot restaurants for dinner while waiting for a ride in the Magic Kingdom. To my utter disbelief, I saw Le Cellier open for a spot at 5:30. I quickly chose it and got my email confirmation in seconds. A short two-and-a-half hours later, my family of four was enjoying one of the best and most sought-after meals in Walt Disney World. Can't believe we were so lucky. (Note: I saw openings on this app for Le Cellier two more times during the trip, so use it if you can.) Love the newsletter. - Chris Hellerman