Tips about FastPass+, Resorts and Souvenirs

All Resorts - We recently spent five days at Port Orleans and during check-in were asked if we needed any help with reservations. We responded that we did not, we already had dining reservations, so the Cast Member told us to stop at the lobby concierge desk and they would print out an itinerary for us. We did so and were pleased to see that in addition to our reservation locations, times and confirmation numbers, our Backstage Safari Tour was also listed on the itinerary. - Leland Groves

I am adding to a tip in the October 17 newsletter regarding shipping of merchandise from your resort. We just returned from a weeklong stay at the Wilderness Lodge and had a large box (weighing 29 pounds) shipped home on the morning of our departure from the WL. When we first inquired about shipping rates, we also were rather stunned to find out the outrageous cost. The gift shop (going strictly by dollar amount of items shipped) would have cost us $76. We were instructed (for comparison) to see what the cost would be to ship through the front desk instead. Going through the front desk was much cheaper -- $23 UPS -- and our merchandise arrived at our home about three days after we did. We chose UPS, but they also ship FedEx and DHL. - Debbie

Be forewarned that shipping charges at the resorts have skyrocketed. The manager and cashier could not figure out why my items, which were $15.95 to ship previously, rang up at $112.95! It took about 30 minutes before they found out about the new rate charts. The shipping is based on retail price, not weight. Mailing home souvenirs is no longer cost-effective. We bought a new suitcase instead. - Sandy Schneider

For everyone taking souvenirs home, be careful what you choose when flying. We decided to purchase a princess cup that had the floating glitter and water inside the glass and packed it in our carry-on with the rest of the things we purchased. Well, the airlines considered that a liquid and it couldn't be in our carry-on. It was too late to put it in with our luggage because it had already been checked in, so we had to consider it as a loss. So, when buying this kind of souvenir remember to pack it in with your luggage or go with one of the many other cute cups they have! - Lisa P., and several other readers

We were just in the World a few weeks ago and wanted to buy a snowglobe. With the new FAA regulations, we knew that we would not be able to bring it on board in our carry-on and did not want to have it in our luggage in case of it breaking. We spoke to a Cast Member who told us that they are encouraging people to have the snowglobes shipped home. It is a great way to do it... you don't pay tax if it is being shipped out of state, you have the Disney guarantee, so if it breaks they replace it, and it is a fun little thing to get in the mail the week after you come back from vacation -- the Disney magic keeps on going! - Laurie Fay

Just came back from a business trip and was informed by my little princess that I needed to bring a snowglobe back with me. Didn't get a chance to shop at Disney Springs so I thought I would pick one up at the airport gift shop. Wrong! Due to the new FAA regulations, snowglobes can't be carried on anymore. I was still able to check it into my luggage before boarding, thankfully. - Adam Guthy

Wilderness Lodge - For all of you Wilderness Lodge fans, you certainly have found the lobby music list on AllEars.Net (http://allears.net/acc/faq_wl4.htm). To my surprise, I found a few Wilderness Lodge music lists on iMixes on iTunes.com. Some have more selections than others. The one I selected had 25 or 26 tunes. I now have that wonderful music on my mp3 player; I can close my eyes and see the breathtaking lobby of which I never grow tired. Enjoy! - Cleve in Columbia, SC

When we go to get our traveler's checks and cash for our Disney trip, we always get a roll of quarters and a roll of pennies. We place them in a small convenient pocket in our park bag and whenever we see a smashed penny machine we are ready without having to search for 51 cents! - Glenn Vines

I would like to give your readers a tip about the Mail Order department at Disney. I have found that unless it is a "Disney Park exclusive", you are better to go home and shop around. My son went home dejected after our last trip due to the fact that we couldn't find the "air gun" that he played with at the Whispering Canyon Cafe. We were told that he could find it in Tomorrowland in Magic Kingdom. Well, we looked and looked but came up empty-handed. So, when we went home I did a search for the gun and found out what it was called. I later purchased the toy at our local Walmart for only $7. Disney had wanted $20. My advice: go home and hit the internet if you don't have to have it right that moment. - Dawn Clark

If you plan on sending postcards, take advantage of the pack of 10 postcards sold throughout Walt Disney World and in resort gift shops. On our last trip in October, a pack of the Magic Kingdom cards cost $4. This is much cheaper than buying individual postcards. If I have leftovers, I just save them for our next trip since the images are standard fare (castle, characters, Splash Mountain...). I believe that there are different packs for each of the parks, too. I'll be returning to WDW next week with six postcards in hand. - Janice Dion

I recently returned from a Disney trip and wanted to let everyone know about a souvenir I brought home. It is the littlest photo album I have ever seen! It is on a key ring and holds 12 pictures, sized about 1.5" X 1.5". It has a cover with a picture of Mickey on the front and the castle and fireworks with Tinker Bell on the back, and it says "My Disney Vacation." It was very reasonably priced at about $4! There was at least one more style with Stitch on it. What a great way to keep 12 of your most magical memories with you all the time! - Kimberly Lawton

POLYNESIAN RESORT - I just wanted to add a great place to watch the Magic Kingdom fireworks. At the Polynesian, just off the path that leads to the Grand Floridian (by Luau Cove), there is a nice little beach removed from the rest of the resort, with lounge chairs and a swing. It's a perfect place to watch the fireworks from afar, and you get a whole different perspective and realize just how majestic they really are. It's also nice to watch them and not be in crowds of people. - Tim

ALL STAR MUSIC - I just returned from a very quick trip to Walt Disney World. Normally we stay for at least three nights, but this time we only had a one-night stay. This is the first time that we stayed in Building 1 at All Star Music. Since we made our reservation at the last minute, we did not have much choice in the way of a room selection. We got a room facing the swimming pool. If you are a light sleeper, or have problems falling asleep because of noise, a room facing the swimming pool is a very bad idea. The pool is open late, and the noise from the pool made it very difficult to sleep. In the morning, I was awakened at about 7:15 from more noise coming from people at the swimming pool. The tip here is to stay away from the swimming pool if you can't handle the noise. - Craig M

All Resorts - The shower stalls at our hotel (Villas at the Wilderness Lodge) were quite slippery when wet. We did find out that housekeeping has a limited number of rubber floor mats available on request. They also have night lights available. - Naomi

We just rented a cabin at Fort Wilderness and thought we would pass on some tips. We ordered water and drinks, along with eggs and cold cuts from an Orlando grocery delivery service. We also had room in our checked luggage for some groceries, condiment packs and little pouches of basic spices (sea salt, fresh pepper, garlic powder). The cabin's kitchen has about everything you need, but you might want to pack a small sharp kitchen knife, and if you plan to fry anything, know that the pan is stainless steel and not nonstick (VERY non-nonstick!). Stop at your local sub shop and pick up some oil packets (canola or extra virgin olive) and throw them in a zipper-top bag in your checked luggage. Being able to throw together breakfast in the morning is a great time- and money-saver, and having a late-night turkey sandwich and chips on the couch is a bonus. - Brian Phillips