Tips about Epcot, Magic Kingdom and Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party

ALL PARKS - My husband and I just returned from our honeymoon at WDW and had a MAGICAL time! One thing that I would like to share concerns the "Magical Wishes" pins that you can pick up from Guest Relations at the theme parks. My advice is that everyone celebrating a special event -- honeymoon, anniversary, birthday -- pick up one of these buttons. Everywhere we went in WDW we were warmly congratulated by Cast Members! We had an incredible time! I would recommend WDW to any couple who wants a truly special honeymoon! - Christina Church

EDITOR'S NOTE: There are many styles of buttons available at Guest Relations. Among the more popular: "Best Wishes,""Congratulations," "1st Visit", "Happy Anniversary" and "Today is My Birthday."

ALL PARKS - My husband and I just returned from our honeymoon at WDW and had a MAGICAL time! One thing that I would like to share concerns the "Magical Wishes" pins that you can pick up from Guest Relations at the theme parks. My advice is that everyone celebrating a special event -- honeymoon, anniversary, birthday -- pick up one of these buttons. Everywhere we went in WDW we were warmly congratulated by Cast Members! We had an incredible time! I would recommend WDW to any couple who wants a truly special honeymoon! - Christina Church

EDITOR'S NOTE: There are many styles of buttons available at Guest Relations. Among the more popular: "Best Wishes,""Congratulations," "1st Visit", "Happy Anniversary" and "Today is My Birthday."

MNSSHP - We just got back from Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party, and it was fabulous! But even if you aren't attending the party, find out what night the parties are going on and try to see the fireworks from the beach at the Polynesian. We did this for two nights when we weren't at the party, and I think it was even better from there because of all the perimeter fireworks! It's a great idea for the Christmas and Princess and Pirate parties too - Lori Jordan

MNSSHP - Important word of caution! We attended the Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party. They should have renamed it to Mickey's Scary Halloween Party. The parade can be especially frightening for young children. I expected to see characters cutely dressed in Halloween costumes. Instead, we saw gravediggers in scary costumes, frightening dead people, etc. One villain walked up to my children (who were in strollers) and physically put his hands in their faces despite the fact that my children were screaming, crying, and covering their faces. I suppose he was just doing his job really well, but just be prepared in case you have young children. - Melissa Gonnella

For more information on the party visit: http://allears.net/tp/mk/mnssh.htm and http://allears.net/tp/mk/mnsshp.htm

MNSSHP - Each and every year we try to go on Halloween night but with school it's difficult. We are going for two nights this year as we have done in the past. Each year my daughters, ages 11 and 13, and myself, age 44, dress up in elaborate costumes. My Cinderella and Glinda the Good Witch looked so authentic, kids and parents were asking for autographs and photos. My point is, if you go to MNSSHP, DRESS UP! It makes MNSSHP so much more fun for you and your kids. We were even asked to be in the parade! This year we are celebrating Pirates of the Caribbean and dressing up as Johnny Depp's Captain Jack Sparrow. It's fun and these are memories of a lifetime for all of us! - Judi Necaise

Epcot - I have a tip for keeping children occupied while waiting for the fireworks at Epcot. On our last trip to Disney, we wandered into the Toy Soldier at the United Kingdom before we went to get a place to sit for the fireworks. While we were in the store our 3 1/2-year-old son saw a Thomas the Tank Engine puzzle he wanted. We bought it for him and let him put it together while we waited for the fireworks to begin. It completely occupied his time and by the time he was finished, it was almost time for the fireworks. We are planning another trip in November 2005 and this time I am going to pack some of his puzzles into Ziplock bags to take with us. He will have something to do while we wait and we won't have the box to take up a lot of room in our bag. - Tiffany Lueck

Epcot - I have a tip for keeping children occupied while waiting for the fireworks at Epcot. On our last trip to Disney, we wandered into the Toy Soldier at the United Kingdom before we went to get a place to sit for the fireworks. While we were in the store our 3 1/2-year-old son saw a Thomas the Tank Engine puzzle he wanted. We bought it for him and let him put it together while we waited for the fireworks to begin. It completely occupied his time and by the time he was finished, it was almost time for the fireworks. We are planning another trip in November 2005 and this time I am going to pack some of his puzzles into Ziplock bags to take with us. He will have something to do while we wait and we won't have the box to take up a lot of room in our bag. - Tiffany Lueck

I wanted to expand on a tip given this week from Alea Laughery in regard to taking pictures of your kids in each country in Epcot. We do this every year and some other ideas we have done: playing an instrument, waving a flag, eating a candy or treat not from a restaurant and taking a picture with a cast member from that country. My son gets excited every time and is always coming up with what he wants to do. (He came up with the instrument idea!) Next trip... Toys! - Lisa H.

I wanted to expand on a tip given this week from Alea Laughery in regard to taking pictures of your kids in each country in Epcot. We do this every year and some other ideas we have done: playing an instrument, waving a flag, eating a candy or treat not from a restaurant and taking a picture with a cast member from that country. My son gets excited every time and is always coming up with what he wants to do. (He came up with the instrument idea!) Next trip... Toys! - Lisa H.

ALL PARKS - While spending the day in Epcot in the hot weather, when my feet are hot from the pavement, I always change to another pair of socks and sprinkle on some baby powder. It's a quick refresher. - Claire Rozzi

EDITOR'S NOTE: this works great at all the parks!

ALL PARKS - While spending the day in Epcot in the hot weather, when my feet are hot from the pavement, I always change to another pair of socks and sprinkle on some baby powder. It's a quick refresher. - Claire Rozzi

EDITOR'S NOTE: this works great at all the parks!

ALL PARKS - If you are not going to ride an attraction with your family, meet them in the ride's air-conditioned gift shop. Most rides have a gift shop into which the ride will exit, so it's a convenient place to meet up with your family. - Angela H. Nisbett

ALL PARKS - If you are not going to ride an attraction with your family, meet them in the ride's air-conditioned gift shop. Most rides have a gift shop into which the ride will exit, so it's a convenient place to meet up with your family. - Angela H. Nisbett

ALL PARKS - On some of the rides, it was easier to stand up slightly when pulling the lap bar down (so that it actually fit closer to my lap than my belly) and then sit down properly for a snug fit. This worked especially well when I went on the rides with my younger children -- they felt more secure with the lap bar closer to them. I can honestly say that large-sized folks are easily accommodated at WDW -- so go, have a great time and don't worry! - Grace

ALL PARKS - On some of the rides, it was easier to stand up slightly when pulling the lap bar down (so that it actually fit closer to my lap than my belly) and then sit down properly for a snug fit. This worked especially well when I went on the rides with my younger children -- they felt more secure with the lap bar closer to them. I can honestly say that large-sized folks are easily accommodated at WDW -- so go, have a great time and don't worry! - Grace