Tips about Mousecellaneous and Packing

Best Friends Pet Care is now taking online boarding reservations for repeat customers. To read more, go to: http://wdw.bestfriendspetcare.com/news/online-reservations-now-available-repeat-guests - Sheamus Hunt

As a Floridian I'd like to suggest to visitors to check the weather for Walt Disney World/Orlando before packing for their trip, especially December through February or March. While this seems like a "no-brainer", it's amazing to see folks dressed in shorts or sleeveless tops, even on chilly days. While "winters" in Florida are generally mild, we can experience some "cold snaps" (or at least it's cold to us!). We are frequent visitors to the Disney parks, and, I get upset when I see young children in shorts or sleeveless tops even when the weather is "chilly" by any standards. The parks are wide open spaces, and folks are generally outdoors most of the day. Even with highs in the 60s and lows in the 40s, the evenings can be chilly when the sun goes down. Dress in layers or, at least, bring a jacket for the evening. You'll be glad you did! - Marian in Florida

Every day, several cell phones are lost at Walt Disney World. When a phone is lost, you not only lose communications, you also lose the important phone numbers stored in them. Though the wireless companies encourage you to donate your old phones when you upgrade, I suggest that you hang onto one and its charger as a spare and toss them into your suitcase when you pack. Odds are that you'll never need to use it, but should the worst happen while you're visiting the Mouse, you might be able to switch your phone number to the old phone by contacting your carrier. In a couple minutes, you have a working phone again. If you subscribe to some kind of "Backup Assistant", you might also be able to download your contacts to the spare phone. (Note that only someone who is authorized on the account and knows the password can make that change.) It may not be the shiny new Blackberry that you just got, but that old Motorola Razr is better than no phone for that week. - Mike J.

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

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 always pack extra large plastic zipper baggies to bring home wet bathing suits. I also pack plastic hangers, the ones that come with items from the stores, regular ones for bathing suits and ones with the clips for trunks. These let bathing suits dry quicker than flipping them over the shower rod. - Sue Pletsch

I've always kept receipts and written records of all our trips to WDW, starting in September 1971. In the '90s when we bought our first computer I put it all in. I can tell you the dates, the resort and room number, room rate, who joined us and the highlights of each of the 62 visits (430 nights) that we have stayed in Disney resorts. I also include highlights of each trip, like meeting Miss America and Bob Hope in the Studios, my wife singing with Bob Jackson in the Cotton Co-op and all the other magical moments we have enjoyed. - Mike Shook

Be careful about leaving valuables in your stroller/wheelchair. On the last day of our trip my camera and my daughter's purse were stolen directly from our wheelchair in the wheelchair area at the exit of the Haunted Mansion. The camera was in one of the drink pockets and her purse was under her backpack that was on the seat. The most valuable items were the pictures themselves, after a week of Disney parks. We have been going there for quite a number of years and never experienced a similar problem (except for one stuffed critter grabbed). Security said that instances like this were rare. - Jim Colman

Pack a 4-cup coffee pot and folding cooler in your suitcase if staying at a value resort, saves a lot of money. We love the magic of staying at a Disney resort. We like to go every two years and look for ways to save money. - Bev

I just returned from chaperoning my son's band trip to Walt Disney World. I shared a room with another mom and, between the two of us, we had NUMEROUS gadgets (cell phones, iPods, cameras, batteries) that needed recharging. I wish I had packed a power strip or two so we could charge things without hunting all over the hotel room to find outlets. We had to unplug several lamps in order to get everything of ours plugged in. The power strip would make it less likely to leave behind a charger cord, too, if the power strip was located in a prominent location where it would be easily seen while packing at the end of the stay. - Debi Koehn EDITOR'S NOTE: You can also purchase electric outlets that allow 2 or more usb connects.

We just returned from a great five days down at WDW... One thing I discovered this trip was how many cards I ended up carrying around: park ticket, hotel room key, Disney Visa redemption card, Photopass card (or cards, because we always end up with more than one), Fastpasses... whew! That's a lot, and that's not even counting what's usually in my wallet, like a credit card and ID. I was constantly afraid I would lose something. My uncle (I have to credit him on this one) came up with a great solution: he picked up a small business card case (around $5) at an office supply store to keep all of his important cards in. He always had his Fastpasses ready to get in line while the rest of us were still digging through our pockets. I've already picked one up and it's in my "things to take to Walt Disney World" pile for our next trip! - Nathan Jones EDITOR'S NOTE: Magic Bands have eliminated a few cards to carry around the parks. However you will still want to carry your Annual Pass card (for discounts), photo ID, and if you have it, your Tables in Wonderland Card

For those staying at a value resort and driving, you might want to bring a small coffee maker if you have the room. Value resorts don't include coffee makers and if you are in a standard room at Art of Animation like we will be, it can be time-consuming to get that first cup of morning coffee. Standard rooms are a bit of a walk from the food court. We bought paper coffee cups and plastic spoons from our local "dollar store" and are bringing coffee, sugar and milk from home. I found a small coffee maker (5-cup maker) on clearance, so I have about $15 invested (not including coffee, sugar and milk, which I'd be using at home anyway) instead of almost $40 on refillable mugs, plus we can take the paper cups on our walk to the bus stop and just throw them out when we are done. - Lynn

The BoardWalk often offers jugglers and magicians in the evening. My son loves just sitting and watching all of the performers. But we just returned from our rainiest Disney trip ever. We certainly thought that the performers would not be on the BoardWalk on those nights. We were right, they weren't -- but, to my son's delight, we found that they perform indoors on those nights. We found the performers near the bar area and also in the lobby. - Kelly

Even when the weather dips down into the lower 70s or 60s in the evening, you may not feel the need to pack a jacket if you are taking a resort bus or a taxi. But if you decide to take one of the boats to a park (like to the Studios or Epcot) or resort (Port Orleans, Ft. Wilderness, etc.), it is important to bring that extra layer. The waters and the outdoor breeze make the air feel a little extra chilly! - Callie Conrad

Here's a money-saving tip: One year I made a point of packing every Disney shirt my kids owned when we headed to Disney World for vacation. My intention was that they would wear them just for fun in the parks. An unexpected benefit was that neither of them asked to buy a new Disney shirt as a souvenir! - Cathy