Tips about Mousecellaneous and Packing

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

If you're taking Disney's Magical Express, and having them drop off your luggage in your room, pack your carry-on bag like you would if you were staying overnight somewhere. It's so great to get to your room and take a shower, change your clothes, grab a quick lunch, and head to the parks without having to wait for your luggage to get there. Be sure to pack essential toiletries, a change of clothes, and maybe even a peanut butter and jelly sandwich! - Ann Dunnington

To keep the thread, no pun intended, of lost glasses pins/screws going, here is a tip to keep from losing them in the first place -- put a drop of clear nail polish on the thread end of the screw and it will act like Loctite®. - Marc

I saw the tip from the reader regarding getting her husband's eyeglasses repaired at the Magic Kingdom watch store. On our trip in April, the screw in my mother's eyeglasses came out. We were staying on property and called the front desk to see if they would happen to have an eyeglass repair kit. They did and promptly brought it to our room-free of charge. My mother now carries it in her purse for any future accidents. - Tracie Smith

Pack all your clothes in your carry-on. It can be done. We did it this past spring and saved $90. I used this money to purchase stuff at Disney World. Most air lines allow one carry-on per person weighing up to 40 lbs. If you do your packing right you should be able to fit a lot in. - Cecilia Dandrea

Recently, I have discovered that Disney offers recyclable shopping bags. They're very inexpensive and I find (as a teenager) that they function as great waterproof tote bags! - Jacquelyn

To save on baby items and checked baggage, ship a box to your resort ahead of time with diapers, wipes, formula, etc. (freeing up the need to check another paid bag). - Angela Manzi

Just a comment on the sale of shuttle launch tickets. Any follower of the shuttle program knows that tickets can sell out quickly. NOT TO FRET! If you don't have a ticket to get onto the Cape Canaveral grounds, you can stop anywhere along the river at any parking area, or park and see the launch. You will see the shuttle as soon as it crosses your horizon and you will hear it. It is an amazing sight! You might even be better off not getting a ticket, because there is always a chance the launch will not happen for some reason. Go to a park, bring a blanket, some coffee (early morning launch) and enjoy the time. Go early and you will meet some interesting people along the way! - Geri Preisser

Be careful while driving on Disney property. We were there this past weekend and they had a speed trap set up right before the Contemporary resort. There were four or five sheriffs and one had a radar gun. They had a car pulled over and that person had a ticket in his hand and did not look too happy. The next day we saw two sheriffs over by Pop Century. Just drive the speed limit. - Suzy

For small children who are not used to a double bed, but are too big for the pack-and-play, a great solution is a "nap mat" or blow up bed that can be packed and taken to the World with you. We honor the room head count restriction, of course, but instead of making them sleep together in an unfamiliar double bed, each child gets their own familiar blow-up bed, and the extra bed becomes our gear sorting/storing/organizing area. We have done this on more than one trip, and have never had a problem. - Naomi

In addition to free Wi-Fi at McDonald's, the Chik-Fil-A restaurant on Route 535 (Apopka Vineland Road), just south of I-4 also has free Wi-Fi. - JohnH

I picked up a couple tips from other people on my recent trip. One was for laundry. I put one garbage bag, a few dryer sheets and some laundry soap in an airtight container. Then I had everything together for wash time. The other tip was for the bathroom. I bought a see-through plastic shoe rack. I kept all my bathroom items in it like hairspray, shampoo, brush and so on. It kept everything off the counter and it was easy to see each item. You hang the shoe rack in the closet. Have a great trip! - Kristen Cranmer

MAGIC KINGDOM - The little containers that the individual chocolate cakes come in at the Columbia Harbor House (and other places on property) make great little recycled "terrariums" to start seeds and tiny plants in. Just remember to poke little holes in the top for air to get in or the contents will get moldy! They can be reused several times and are a fun way for kids to remember thier Disney vacation later on in the year. - Lynn Quintieri

The plastic weight tags on the Disney balloons make wonderful decorative ties on curtains and blinds at home. - Andrea M. Eis

My family and I have always enjoyed looking for Hidden Mickeys around Disney World. I had a great idea for a Hidden Mickeys activity for the readers. We all hate when our trip to Disney is over and we have to go back to the real world, but that's no reason we have to let go of the magic. While visiting Chicago, my wife and I were standing outside a restaurant and I noticed a Hidden Mickey on the sidewalk in a grate around a tree. I'm sure if we look around we can find Hidden Mickeys all over. Just a thought. - Mike L.