WHERE IS YOUR FAVORITE DISNEY CHARACTER APPEARING TODAY?    Call the C.H.I.P. Hotline!  This is the main Disney phone number (407) 939-6244 and ask the operator who answers where and when your favorite character will be that day.  This information is usually available by 9:30 a.m. daily.  This is most helpful when trying to find one of the more obscure characters like Piglet or Prince Charming ... but the best way to ensure your kids get to see their favorite character(s) early on in your vacation to avoid disappointment!  Plug this number into your cell phone right now so you don't forget!

 

Buy tickets in advance ... you can get Disney tickets at the Disney Store and AAA at home.  AAA also sells Universal Studios and Sea World Tickets.    Stay away from the "Discount Ticket Broker's" on 192!  Just about all of them are Time Share companies.  I have had friend's buy tickets that didn't work - they did get t their money back, but ended up waiting in line twice to enter the park, and had to wait in line to buy tickets anyway - then wasted more vacation time going to get their refund.  There is a large ticket broker online who can save you a few bucks (about $10 a ticket or less really) - but keep in mind they will push what they make the most money on, and you would get much more honest advice about what you need from AAA.  Here is an online ticket broker recently promoted in Family Circle magazine:  http://www.olrandofuntickets.com

 

Get the most out of the Disney Fast Pass!  There are a LIMITED number of free Fastpasses (only available at the most popular attractions - not *all* of the Disney park rides) per day and you can only have one FastPass at a time.  For example, if you get a FastPass for the Peter Pan ride at the Magic Kingdom to come back between 3 and 4 p.m., make sure you get another fast pass at 3 p.m. which is the soonest you can get another pass.  You can read more about the Disney FastPass and familiarize yourself with the whole process before your vacation here:  http://www.emeraldpalmsvilla.com/fast_pass.htm

 

DISNEY RESTAURANT & CHARACTER MEAL RESERVATIONS!    You can avoid disappointments by making reservations at any Disney property dining experience up to one year in advance!  If you're traveling during the holidays or summer months, the earlier the better - especially for Disney Character Meals!  Call (407) WDW-DINE or (407) 939-3463.

 

TAKE A FREE REFRESHMENT BREAK AT EPCOT!    Look for "Club Cool" which is a Future World exhibit that features self-serve soda machines with flavors from around the world!  Only one soda (Germany's Mezzo Mix - an orange flavored Coca Cola) contains caffiene.  Club Cool closes at 7 p.m.  Tip:  The aparatif-style soda from Italy is worth avoiding (or daring a friend to try :)

 

BABY SEAT LAWS IN FL:  The baby car seat laws vary by state and are different in the USA from the UK. You need a car seat for children up to 4 yrs of age in Florida and recommended up to 80 pounds. Travel companies want an awful lot of money for the privilege of hiring one out so you could bring this with you and can sometimes use it on the plane as well (you cannot leave the car depot without one). You have to clarify with the airline first though as some car seats are bigger than others are. If you cannot use it on the plane, then you can put it through as baggage. It can be well worth it.  HERTZ is currently offering a free Baby Car Seat rental through June 2008.

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