Tips for Disney Parks & Cruise Lines

ANIMAL KINGDOM - The day we visited Animal Kingdom we experienced a steady downpour of rain all day long, as opposed to other days when it just rained in the late afternoon. The upside is that the animals come out when it rains, and we saw LOTS of them on the Kilimanjaro Safari. The downside is that there are practically no places to get out of the rain, and there were LOTS of running streams and fairly big puddles to meander around on the walkways. The result was thoroughly waterlogged walking shoes and socks, and some pretty disgruntled folks by day's end. If we had it to do over again, we would stay long enough to enjoy the Safari ride, but then leave the rest of the park for a nicer day, and head to Epcot's Future World while it is raining. - Mary Ellen and Joe Kelly

I wanted to share our fantastic -- and surprising -- experience from our recent WDW visit (December 1-8). My husband and I wanted to skip the water parks because we were so focused on the "real" parks, but we were vetoed by our four children (ages 11, 9, 6, and 3). After a lot of debate, we decided to do 1/2 a day at Blizzard Beach. We got there one hour before it opened and were the first ones there!! So they told us we were the 'First Family' and that made us the Ski Captains of the Day. We got in 1/2 hour early, got a medal, a giant free refillable mug, free locker, free towels, and a covered cabana to use! Then Fred (DH) and Matthew (9) opened the park for everyone else by being the first ones down Summit Plummet. The kids strutted around like royalty! We loved the family raft ride 3-year-old Noah was beside himself with the giggles! All in all it made for a memorable day! - Kelly Schweiger

I wanted to share our fantastic -- and surprising -- experience from our recent WDW visit (December 1-8). My husband and I wanted to skip the water parks because we were so focused on the "real" parks, but we were vetoed by our four children (ages 11, 9, 6, and 3). After a lot of debate, we decided to do 1/2 a day at Blizzard Beach. We got there one hour before it opened and were the first ones there!! So they told us we were the 'First Family' and that made us the Ski Captains of the Day. We got in 1/2 hour early, got a medal, a giant free refillable mug, free locker, free towels, and a covered cabana to use! Then Fred (DH) and Matthew (9) opened the park for everyone else by being the first ones down Summit Plummet. The kids strutted around like royalty! We loved the family raft ride 3-year-old Noah was beside himself with the giggles! All in all it made for a memorable day! - Kelly Schweiger

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

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

EPCOT - My favorite "overlooked attraction" in Epcot is the talks given in Seabase Alpha (in the Seas with Nemo & Friends pavilion). They are free, last about 15-30 minutes and are very informative. The fish feeding one had a diver waving to my 10-year-daughter and the zoologist explaining and answering questions. - Alan from the UK

EPCOT - My favorite "overlooked attraction" in Epcot is the talks given in Seabase Alpha (in the Seas with Nemo & Friends pavilion). They are free, last about 15-30 minutes and are very informative. The fish feeding one had a diver waving to my 10-year-daughter and the zoologist explaining and answering questions. - Alan from the UK

EPCOT - An excellent article about Overlooked Attractions at Epcot. I was pleased that you hit most of my favorites, and that I knew about all the ones you had listed. I was surprised, however, that two of my absolute favorites were missing.

The first are the Milestones of Invention. They're located in the ground as you pass through the west portal on your way to The Land. Although there are some inaccuracies in it, it still can be kinda neat as you see where some of history's inventions fit.

The second are a collection of photographs and pictures that adorn the corridor outside the exit to Club Cool. Make a right out of Club Cool and through the doors and look to your right. There are photographs of things ranging from the first multi-plane camera to Walt presenting The Florida Project to the world. The latter includes a fairly good map of his plans. Overhead are banners that illustrate the evolution of ideas, using various Epcot icons as examples. - Allen Firstenberg

EPCOT - An excellent article about Overlooked Attractions at Epcot. I was pleased that you hit most of my favorites, and that I knew about all the ones you had listed. I was surprised, however, that two of my absolute favorites were missing.

The first are the Milestones of Invention. They're located in the ground as you pass through the west portal on your way to The Land. Although there are some inaccuracies in it, it still can be kinda neat as you see where some of history's inventions fit.

The second are a collection of photographs and pictures that adorn the corridor outside the exit to Club Cool. Make a right out of Club Cool and through the doors and look to your right. There are photographs of things ranging from the first multi-plane camera to Walt presenting The Florida Project to the world. The latter includes a fairly good map of his plans. Overhead are banners that illustrate the evolution of ideas, using various Epcot icons as examples. - Allen Firstenberg

EPCOT - I really loved your article on overlooked attractions at EPCOT - we've actually managed to see most of the ones that you mentioned, but we'll be looking for the ones that we've missed. However, while you mentioned the butterfly garden, you didn't mention the rose garden. It's nothing other than a small, alternate path between Innoventions and the World Showcase Lagoon (on the right as you face the World Showcase Lagoon), but it's usually fairly deserted, and it is lined with hundreds of rose bushes, all different varieties.

My husband and I like to walk along this path (OK, I probably enjoy it more than my husband), stopping and looking at the beautiful roses and smelling the different fragrances. Most of the varieties are marked with a small plaque, so if you find something you really like, you could write it down. There are one or two benches along this path (although, there is NO shade), and I've sat and enjoyed the morning while watching families rush along the path completely missing the beautiful flowers. - Jill A. Neill

EPCOT - I really loved your article on overlooked attractions at EPCOT - we've actually managed to see most of the ones that you mentioned, but we'll be looking for the ones that we've missed. However, while you mentioned the butterfly garden, you didn't mention the rose garden. It's nothing other than a small, alternate path between Innoventions and the World Showcase Lagoon (on the right as you face the World Showcase Lagoon), but it's usually fairly deserted, and it is lined with hundreds of rose bushes, all different varieties.

My husband and I like to walk along this path (OK, I probably enjoy it more than my husband), stopping and looking at the beautiful roses and smelling the different fragrances. Most of the varieties are marked with a small plaque, so if you find something you really like, you could write it down. There are one or two benches along this path (although, there is NO shade), and I've sat and enjoyed the morning while watching families rush along the path completely missing the beautiful flowers. - Jill A. Neill

DISNEY'S HOLLYWOOD STUDIOS - I would suggest people go to see Fantasmic! at the Studios during the week (not weekends) and early in the week (Mon, Tues or Wed). We went Monday night for the 7:30 show, got there at 6:45 and all nine of us were sitting in the Pocahontas section (just left of center). Our seats were fabulous and the kids could see everything. I was talking to some other guests later in the week who went to see it on Friday night and at 6:30 p.m. the four of them had to sit in the far right section! - Lisa Adams, Allentown, PA

We just returned from WDW for a wonderful week at Saratoga Springs Resort. However, we were unable to use all of our dining plan counter service and snack credits before the last day arrived. We spoke with a cast member, Sandra, about not wanting to lose them, nor wanting 10 breakfast platters. She informed us that for a counter service credit you can do several things. (This was breakfast time.) We used two counter service credits for two breakfast sandwiches and two drinks, and we used three credits for three packaged ham and cheddar sandwiches in the refrigerator section with three desserts and three drinks. The final five credits were used to make five continental breakfasts -- one piece of fresh fruit, a pastry and a beverage times five. This made the trip home easier as we didn't have to stop for food along the way. This is a much better idea than just letting your credits go to waste. - Kristen Filer

I have one suggestion for visiting the parks, especially in the hot months. Bottled water is readily available at the parks (at inflated prices), so why not bring a water bottle/jug of your own? I purchased an Arctic Zone brand insulated water jug at my local Walmart for around $6. It has a wide mouth, insulated bag and a shoulder strap and holds just over 32 oz. Take it to any counter service restaurant in the parks that sells fountain drinks and ask a Cast Member to fill it with ice water. It's free!! That way, you have nice cold water all day! - Noreen Rachuba of Pittsburgh, PA

I recommend making a reservation for the character breakfast with Pooh and friends at the Crystal Palace on a morning that the Magic Kingdom does NOT open early. My family and I went in August and made reservations for 8:15 a.m. We were allowed to enter at 8 a.m. With the extra time, we took a nice group photo on an empty Main Street with one of the photographers. By the time we finished breakfast, it was 9 a.m. We took advantage of our location and went to Fantasyland, where we walked onto the Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh and had a minimal wait time (5 minutes) for Dumbo. - Diane Suznovich