Tips about Souvenirs and Transportation

Another use for the flashing hoops, other than hanging them around your neck -- We attracted smiles and positive comments when we attached the light-up/flashing hoops to the wheels of my husband's wheelchair. We fed them through the spokes and as he wheeled along they added a bit of fun and uniqueness. As an added bonus, when moving around the parks after dark (we used them in the Studios and Epcot) they make the chair very visible, especially in crowds. Because they can be turned off, the power cell is fairly long lasting and we have been able to reuse them on our second visit. We're taking them with us to Hong Kong Disneyland in early September, which we are very much looking forward to. - Jo Cowan

I wasn't aware of this until our last visit a few weeks ago so I thought I would share with everyone. On our return Magical Express from resort to MCO we were put on a "Disney Cruise" bus. I didn't know that they used these buses for anything but transportation to the ships. As a result my daughter and I missed the first bus that left and only after questioning at bell services did we find out. - Joan

As regulars to WDW with two children (12 trips and counting), we have amassed quite a collection of light spinners and Disney lights. Many of these we acquired off eBay, consignment stores, and yard sales, often for a dollar or two each (versus the park prices of 10-15 times that much). My tip is to always bring DIFFERENT light spinners than what are being sold in the parks. The older the better. Here's why: 1) They get lots of attention from kids and fellow Disneyheads, 2) they prevent impulse buying, and 3) they are VERY easy to see! I have actually spotted my wife and children from almost all the way across the Seven Seas Lagoon just because of the light spinners they had. If you only have the new ones sold, you "blend in" with the rest. If you bring unusual ones, you stand out! My favorite is a Sorcerer Mickey standing on a pile of gray stones that I got at a consignment store for $1.50. He says "Allekadabra... AllekakaZAM!" then spins. He seems to be the children's favorite as well. Another nice vintage one is the Mickey with an old-fashioned light bulb and spinning mirror that throws the light like old-fashioned police cars. Spinning lights make GREAT collectibles, too! If you start looking at yard sales, you'll be amazed at how many you will find. - Dwayne Owens

For those who hate using all of those plastic bags that you get every time you go to buy another souvenir at the gift shops, Disney is now selling a reusable option. For $5.95, reusable tote bags (that come in a variety of colors) are now an option. I saw them being sold at multiple parks and at Disney Springs. These tote bags come in a small pouch with a clip attached for when the bag isn't in use. It's easy to keep with you, and it's a way to reduce your plastic waste. Go Disney! - Jennifer B

Going through the metal detectors at the park entrances, you have to remove celebratory buttons and put them in the little bins with other metal objects. This can be a pain, especially if you're park-hopping! Consider wearing buttons on a lanyard or bag strap to make it easier to take them on and off. - Gilly R.

Going through the metal detectors at the park entrances, you have to remove celebratory buttons and put them in the little bins with other metal objects. This can be a pain, especially if you're park-hopping! Consider wearing buttons on a lanyard or bag strap to make it easier to take them on and off. - Gilly R.

When we go to WDW we keep the kiddie meal Mickey-shaped plates as souvenirs. They wash up nicely (top-rack dishwasher) and have three compartments. I usually use one of the "ears" to put their cups into so that they don't tip them over. They last long, too. We've had ours since the summer! - Kari Svinarich

Remember when you're purchasing merchandise at Walt Disney World and using Disney's shipping to send it out of state, sales tax should not be charged. Sometimes new cast members don’t know this or long-time veterans simply forget. Be sure to check your sales receipt. - Jack Spence

On a recent trip to WDW, I ran into a couple who had a great idea for remembering where you parked your car. If both you and a spouse have cell phones, call the other with the location and leave it as a voice mail. When you are ready to leave the parks, just listen for the voice mail and your parking location. If only one of you has a cell phone, you can always use the notepad option that so many cell phones now have. I thought it was a neat idea and would save walking around the parking lot when hot and tired after a long day. - Mary Ann

If you are renting a car from and returning it to the Orlando International Airport, the only gas station near the Hertz car rental return charges about $4.00 per gallon. It would behoove you to fill up at the Hess on Disney property. The gas station by the airport can charge those outrageous prices because it is the only one around and people are usually pressed for time. - Deborah Henton

The HESS gas stations/convenience stores are one of Disney's best kept secrets. I always fill up at the HESS station before leaving "the World," because they usually have the best prices around, and I don't have to waste time getting off the interstate further down the road in Orlando to load up on gas (and fight bad intersections and traffic). For families looking for good deals on food, they also serve up large and inexpensive pizzas, hamburgers and hot dogs to go. The food prices are a fraction of the cost of similar food in the theme parks and resort food courts. The bottled water is inexpensive as well. The Disney Springs location seems to be less busy than the Epcot resorts' location. - Jason Palermo

You MUST retrieve your luggage at the baggage carrousels if you arrive in Orlando after 10pm. From there, proceed to the Magical Express area. Luggage porters are usually around to assist.

If you're arriving at the airport on a flight any later than 8 p.m. and are using the Magical Express, be sure to pack your supplies for both that night AND the next morning in your carry-on. Any luggage arriving at the hotel after midnight (which it probably will) won't be delivered until the next day. If you want to head out to the parks early the next morning, you won't want to wait around for Bell Services to bring your luggage! - Erin

(EDITOR'S NOTE: Don't forget that you also have the option of retrieving your luggage and bringing it onto the Magical Express shuttle yourself!)

At Disneyshopping.com, you can customize polo shirts with embroidered characters and names up to eight characters long. For children and adults, the cost is only $12.50 per shirt! Check often and look for special codes on the site, and you can get an additional discount. With a 20% off code, I ordered seven shirts this past weekend for $82.50 including shipping. We're going to wear them on our next trip! - Dayshel Harwood

I spent most of a week visiting most every store on Disney property looking for a cell phone charm. All I seemed to come across were the Disney Mobile charms at more than $18 each. I finally found just what I was looking for -– a keychain! The keychain had four or five cell phone loops on the ring, and each loop held a metal charm representing a different WDW park. One loop had the castle; another, Mickey's sorcerer's hat; a third had Animal Kingdom's Tree of Life; and one had Spaceship Earth. On the keychain there also were two rubber charms: a Dreams Come True tag and Sorcerer Mickey. And this keychain with six charms cost under $8! I chose to use the castle and the sorcerer's hat, then added Mickey ears, Mickey's hand, and Mickey's red pants charms that I found in the "make your own charm bracelet" collection. Each of these charms has a lobster clasp that easily attached to the metal ring on the cell phone loop from the keychain. Yes, I probably spent more than the Disney Mobile charm, but instead of one charm, I now have nine to choose from! - Vicki Stephens