Tips for Disney Parks & Cruise Lines

As far as the bus system goes, if you have your choice of the All Star resorts, go with the Sports resort. It's not my favorite surroundings but by far has the best bus system. You will be the first ones picked up (always getting a seat) and the first ones dropped off (great after a tiring day with the little ones). And lastly, always, always pay the extra for the preferred building - we learned the hard way four years ago. Now it's the preferred or a different resort! - Jessica

Wow! The fireworks show was awesome and it is now time to get your family back to the resort. You try to keep pace or even beat the crowd out of the park, only to see a line at the bus stop longer than the line to Mission: SPACE. Now is the time to consider a taxi. Recently we took a taxi from Epcot to Port Orleans-Riverside, and it was only $8.50. There were no lines and no wait. The taxi "pool" is right before you get to the bus depot when leaving Epcot. We also used a taxi when leaving Magic Kingdom. Here your best bet is to take the resort monorail to the Contemporary and then go the main entrance to get the cab. I forget how much it was, but we totally avoided the madhouse at the depot. One thing that you need to do when getting a cab: If you have more than four people, request a van. No, insist on a van. They may tell you they will send you two sedans, which will double the cost of the trip; if they do, send them away and make the request again. When I insisted on the van, we always had one. - Julius Trimbach

Wow! The fireworks show was awesome and it is now time to get your family back to the resort. You try to keep pace or even beat the crowd out of the park, only to see a line at the bus stop longer than the line to Mission: SPACE. Now is the time to consider a taxi. Recently we took a taxi from Epcot to Port Orleans-Riverside, and it was only $8.50. There were no lines and no wait. The taxi "pool" is right before you get to the bus depot when leaving Epcot. We also used a taxi when leaving Magic Kingdom. Here your best bet is to take the resort monorail to the Contemporary and then go the main entrance to get the cab. I forget how much it was, but we totally avoided the madhouse at the depot. One thing that you need to do when getting a cab: If you have more than four people, request a van. No, insist on a van. They may tell you they will send you two sedans, which will double the cost of the trip; if they do, send them away and make the request again. When I insisted on the van, we always had one. - Julius Trimbach

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

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

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.

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

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

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

I just wanted to comment about the tip to fill up at the Disney resort gas stations. This year, Dollar Rent-a-Car changed its policy to say that you must fill your tank within five miles of the airport and present a receipt showing this. I was informed of this when I picked up the car. I do not know how well they monitor this though, because I was not asked for proof when I returned my car. - Nicole Streit

I just wanted to comment about the tip to fill up at the Disney resort gas stations. This year, Dollar Rent-a-Car changed its policy to say that you must fill your tank within five miles of the airport and present a receipt showing this. I was informed of this when I picked up the car. I do not know how well they monitor this though, because I was not asked for proof when I returned my car. - Nicole Streit