Tips about Mousecellaneous and Special Needs

I think the best thing that we did was to buy cylume sticks and little LED lights at Target before the trip. We hid them from our daughters and every night we brought out a light toy -- they loved them. (They didn't know where we bought them.) Everyone stopped and asked us about them. One other thing that helped was small elastic laces that we also brought so the girls could carry their drinks and we could also attach their lights to. - The Knight Family from Wyoming

I would just like to say that I love your website and can't wait for our trip to WDW at the end of May 2002. Your website and newsletter have really helped us out a lot!! Maybe my tip can help others out. Last year I bought a CamelBak (www.camelbak.com) for when I race my all-terrain vehicle in the hot and humid weather here in Connecticut. These drinking systems come in a variety of shapes and sizes and are very lightweight -- they are also hands-free. What I like about these is, it keeps your back nice and cool and is also snug against your body, so nothing is bouncing around. Some also have zippers and pockets to store your passes, money, and keys. Some can even hold most of your stuff, which will eliminate all other bags. Hopefully this tip will help others. I know I will be keeping cool on my trip!!! - Jeff and Cherie

A tip for Jacqui Bull on a trip journal, try using an old check register booklet as your diary. I find it perfect to fit in a pocket or my wife's purse. It's small but has about 25 pages, more than enough space to record "holiday" experiences at WDW. - Brian Phillips

My tip involves the keeping a diary of sorts -- after several visits to WDW and trying, unsuccessfully, to keep a journal for whatever reason -- I either left it behind, it was cumbersome to carry about, or I was just too moused out to fill it in at the end of the day -- I eventually hit on the perfect answer (for me, anyway). In the weeks up to our last visit in February, I printed one sheet of paper for every day of our holiday (as we call it here in the U.K.). Of course, I put Disney characters and the day/date on each one, as well as little reminders such as, "Have we got the Valentine's Pin?" and "Have we had a Dole whip in MK?" It was easy to write notes on the page throughout the day as we waited in line, etc., and the crumpled, but well-used sheet was exchanged each evening for the next day's. - Jacqui Bull

My mother suffers from arthritis and while she is not ready for a wheelchair, walking and standing for a long time wreak havoc on her knees. She brought along a portable 3-legged golf chair and it was a lifesaver. It is collapsible and has a handle that can be used when walking (almost like a cane). She was able to use this while we waited in lines or stopped for a parade. Several people remarked what a great idea it was. If it wasn't able to go on a ride with us, we left it with our strollers. (I think it was only not allowed on two rides.) It cost $20 at a local Steinmart. Note: When looking for these chairs make sure that you don't buy one with a sharp end that is meant for grass. - Laurie Kent

The handicapped parking for the Ticket and Transportation Center gets you closer than the acres of normal parking, but still may be a long walk to the ferry or monorail, especially if those in your group do not have wheelchairs along. If we have elderly in our group with a handicapped parking permit, we head for the normal parking lots. Show your parking permit to one of the parking lot Cast Members and you may park in one of the first parking slots, closest to where the parking lot trams pick up. Less walking for those who can't get around as well, and everyone can ride the tram -- a Disney attraction in itself. - Jeremy S. of Waupun, WI

On a recent trip to Disney World, my feet were killing me by Day 2. Well, out came the EXTRA pair of memory foam insoles that I brought with me in my backpack. A trip to Guest Relations for a pair of scissors to cut to length and I was walking on pillows the rest of the week. - Craig

I just wanted to share this tip for traveling with an autistic child, as it was a lifesaver for me. Most restrooms in WDW have the automatic flush sensor, which can be very loud and frightening to an autistic child, or any child with sensory issues. I purchased a Walkman cassette player with headphones at Walmart. Every time my daughter needed to use the restroom I would put the headphones on her and hit the play button. Instead of the noise of constantly flushing toilets she was listening to her favorite Disney songs. It worked like a charm. By the end of the trip she would even try the restrooms without using her headphones! - Karen McAuley