Tips about Kids, Mousecellaneous and Rain

Before we go to the Parks I always go on eBay and buy packages of 100 or more glow bracelets. They are incredibly cheap in bulk and can be linked together for necklaces just like the much more expensive park ones. The kids can mix up the colors and have as many as they want by stacking them up necks, arms and legs so you can identify your little folks even in the darkest places. We even attach them to our stroller and bags to make them easier to find. The unbroken ones keep for up to a year or more and you can find tons of ways to use any leftovers during the year, like giving them away to trick-or-treaters at Halloween instead of candy (this is a REAL hit with the kids and parents around here), or wear them to July 4th fireworks, evening sports events, etc. - Nita Furlong

A certain "mart" store carries glow bracelets and necklaces around Halloween (quickly approaching) for only about 88 cents each! Needless to say, I grabbed a few to eliminate that extra expense, and so my kids have just a good a time as all the other kids who have glowing items at the SpectroMagic parade. Extra tip: If your trip is not until AFTER Halloween, the bracelets/necklaces go on sale (which is when I bought mine!) for HALF PRICE! 44 cents each! We're on countdown! - Angelique Williams

While school shopping at an office supply store we found these really neat fiber optic pens at each register. A press of the button changes the colors from red, blue and green to mixes, with it finally going into a mode where it rotates between the colors. The best part? They are only $2 each AND they are functioning pens! So far I've seen them at three different locations here in New England (always at the register). I've already bought eight and put them away for our next WDW trip. This is a very cheap way to get out of buying light-up toys from the carts at night! - Jody LaFerriere

On rainy Epcot afternoons, we love to head over to the Rose & Crown to enjoy a pint (or two) and some wonderful piano tunes with Pam Brody! She loves to interact with her fans, so try and get a table close to her piano. We've chatted with her many times; she has great stories and songs and has been known to play requests. On Pam's days off, a gentleman named Leon Gregory plays, and he's great as well! And if you get hungry, you can order the snack size version of Harry Ramsden's famous fish and chips from one of the bartenders without getting wet standing at the counter service window! - Holly Iarrobino

We go to Epcot and along the way we stop in Mexico for margaritas, Germany for brats, France for a ham and cheese croissant and the United Kingdom for fish and chips. At the end of our fun, we buy new Disney towels, dry off and go back to our favorite hotel! - Stacey from Buffalo, NY

On rainy days it is a great time to really visit the World Showcase at Epcot. Many of the countries have indoor movies/exhibits that tend to get overlooked. The countries are close together so you won't get very wet hopping from country to country. It is the perfect time to relax and take it slow while at the same time learning and having some Disney fun. - Allyson

A sudden rainstorm took us to the nearest open door in EPCOT, Innovations East. My 3-year-old was delighted -- she learned to use a computer mouse, made friends chasing the light beams on the floor, enjoyed jumping on the energy exhibit, and coloring. We had to drag her out two hours later when the rain finally stopped. My son-in-law loved the technology exhibits. My daughter and I found it a little bit too noisy and frenetic so we went shopping at Mouse Gear next door. - Pearl W. from North Carolina

Head to the Land Pavilion in Epcot and take the Behind the Seeds Tour. It lasts about an hour or so. You get to go through the greenhouses and labs and see the techniques Disney uses to grow their plants. When you're done with the tour, see the Circle of Life film. You'll love it! Finally, you can have a bite to eat at Sunshine Seasons. It's a wonderful food court that offers a wide variety of selections. Up above you are beautiful hot-air balloons. It's all inside though, so you won't get wet from the rain outside! - Mary Ann Morelli

Having an occasional rainy day while at Disney actually gives us a good excuse to do some of the indoor things that we would probably never get around to doing on a beautiful sunny day. - Doris Merowitz

Walt Disney World in the rain can spark some of the most magical moments and even create traditions. But the best part of the rainy day is when you have decided that you are so wet that you need a change of clothes and just HAVE to head to one of the stores get yourself some new Walt Disney World gear... the skies clear and you are ready to go. - Leigh from NJ

I bundle several plastic grocery bags together and carry them in my backpack. They are lightweight, compact, and disposable. They are available to pull out and sit on during a parade or a ride with wet seats, tie over your shoes to keep your feet dry (I do this for Kali River Rapids whether it's raining or not), and place my camera or other items in that should be protected from the rain. Also, if you get caught in a downpour and are changing into something dry, you then have something to put the wet articles in! - Pamela Warren

We bring extra cheap ponchos from the dollar store to cover backpacks and strollers. They come two in a pack and cost $1.00. - ahktlove

With four children, rain is just another opportunity to splash in puddles! To keep everyone safe and semi-dry, we always buy the matching Disney rain ponchos. I bring along a permanent marker and we let each person decorate their own poncho. This eliminates the "whose is that one?" syndrome you can get with a pile of six ponchos! - Jane Peters

I discovered that the poncho hood does not stay put on the head very well, so I bought a sun visor that fastens at the back of the head and put it over my hood. This not only kept my head dry, but it kept my glasses and my face dry as well. - Andrea DeYoung

If rain is in the forecast, we bring an extra set of clothes to the park and put them in a locker. We can choose the poncho route, or just get a little wet. When the rain stops we run for a quick change; dry shoes and socks make all the difference. Carrying a towel in a backpack can help, too, to dry off the seats of rides before you sit! - Kelly Hughes