Tips about Mousecellaneous and Travel

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

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

We just came back from a 10-day stay in Florida. We flew AirTran, which had us install the car seat on the window side. Going there, it was extremely difficult to install due to the restricted access to one side of the seat. However, on the plane on the way back, the flight attendant gave us a seatbelt extender to help install the car seat. It was much easier as it gave us extra length to feed through the back of the seat. It was a time and frustration saver! - Kim Mazzola

During my December trip to WDW, I found out that American Airlines would only allow me to check two bags at no charge. I suppose it wouldn't matter as much for a family traveling together (usually the case for me), but if you're a solo traveler, remember that American's baggage limit is two bags. - Mary Waite

EDITOR'S NOTE: This tip was submitted prior to the airlines charging extra for the first and/or second bags. Each airline has slightly different rules, so make sure you know them in advance!

I enjoyed the tip on customizing your luggage. One simple way we have found to personalize our luggage is to buy the iron-on character patches found in the Disney World gift shops. The patches run from $6 to $10, depending on the size. We use fabric glue to attach them on both sides of our suitcases. We now have a whole set of Mickey and Pooh themed luggage at much less cost than those selling in the parks. And it sure makes packing for those special trips more fun! - Joan F. of St. Louis, MO

When you arrive at Orlando airport, you'll find that your brand new Wal-Mart Samsonite is the same navy blue as 200 others coming out on that carousel! When you buy the bag, stop at the craft department and pick up a plastic stencil and a 3 oz. bottle of yellow craft paint. Stencil a design on the wide sides of each bag and beside each handle -- we also add a colorful braided bandanna to the handle. When we get to that baggage carousel we can spot our bags in a jiffy, and there's no way someone can grab ours by accident! - Brian Phillips

In this age of heightened security, authorities -- whether we like it or not -- are saying that locks on luggage may be destroyed if they feel the need to search your luggage. At the same time, people feel skittish about letting their luggage make the trip unprotected. Our solution has been to secure luggage with cable (or "zip") ties -- small enough to run through almost any zipper, or anywhere a padlock should go. They are easily removed by security personnel, if need be, at no great loss to you. In fact, on a recent trip, they added one of their own next to one of mine, and cinched it tighter than mine. You also can tell if someone has been through your bag with these. It also does not leave it vulnerable to others for the rest of the trip. One tip, however -- make sure you have either blunt-edge scissors (remember security!) or something else in your carry-on to remove them, or ask for help at the front desk of your hotel when you arrive. EDITOR'S NOTE: You can now purchase TSA approved locks to secure your suitcase. If TSA needs to open it for any reason they use a simple tool and will again close and lock the suitcase when finished.

I have just returned (today!) from traveling to Florida from the Midwest. Sadly, this trip did not include a stop at Disney World -- don't worry, I will make that up! I would, however, like to warn future visitors to Disney World who are traveling by air that current wartime security measures SLOW YOU DOWN! Plan for double the normal time required to check-in for tickets and going through security inspections at the airport. You might even consider coming up with a "bag of tricks" for the long waits in line for your little ones, similar to the things you would do while in line for Big Thunder Mountain, etc. It might be worth the extra thought to pack some surprises and goodies in their backpacks -- nutrition bars, juice boxes, small puzzle books. I always found that if I kept those goodies hidden and a mystery until travel time, the kids were kept busy for a long time. Good luck, and don't let the delays get you down. After all, it is all for the best, and just think of it as "Basic Training" for those long lines you may encounter at Disney. - Gombars

Alaska Airlines just announced nonstop service from Seattle to Orlando. Alaska is noted for its service and good prices (it's regularly named the best domestic airline in the country by Travel and Leisure magazine). Since it's a new service, they will certainly be offering great deals. Check www.AlaskaAir.com. - Doug K

When checking in for your flight at Orlando International Airport, you may want to consider using the curbside check-in service. While the lines at the airline counters may be huge, the curbside wait is usually very minimal. Just head outside on the departure level and one of the skycaps will be happy to check-in you and your luggage. Just remember it's customary to tip skycaps a dollar or two a bag. This cost us $5 but saved us a half-hour wait! - Al Schaefer

My tip is to sign up for email letting you know of flight sales weekly -- most airlines do this. Just visit their web site and sign up. We have made several unplanned trips due to great rates on flights likes this. A great way to get the most out of an Annual Pass. - Charlotte