Tips and Tricks

All posts in the Tips and Tricks category

World Secrets: How to Get a Last Minute Dinner Reservation at Be Our Guest

Published January 9, 2014 by Disneyways.com

Does anyone else find it a little ironic that a restaurant that is literally named, “Be Our Guest” can be so hard to get in to?

Anyone who has ever called 6 months in advance just to find out they are completely booked knows what I am talking about here. But guess what? Last night I got a seemingly impossible dinner reservation at Be Our Guest and you can do it too. In fact, you can use these tips for any popular Walt Disney World restaurant.

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Now please don’t hold it against me that I have had a little practice with this process. If you called Disney Dining at 407-WDW-Dine at any time between 2008 and 2011 or so – I might have been the one that answered the phone and got you in at your favorite Disney restaurants. However…I wasn’t a miracle worker then and I am certainly not one now. Anyone has a chance to get into the most popular Disney restaurants at the last minute by utilizing these simple tips I am about to share with you today.

I’m going to start by stating the obvious. You best bet is to plan way in advance. There are lots of articles out there with tips on how to go about doing this. However, this particular blog post is for those of you out there who for whatever reason didn’t have the luxury of planning so far ahead.

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So here is step one: try getting in 2 days before and even 1 day before you want to dine. First go on-line to WaltDisneyWorld.com and if that doesn’t work, make the phone call to Disney dining reservations at 407-WDW-Dine. In training we were always told that table inventory was exactly the same on-line and over the phone, however, for whatever reason, the system CAN show different times of availability. I have seen it happen with my own eyes. So go ahead and try both methods. You can book dining as late as 3 hours in advance but either 2 or 1 day before you are wanting to dine is your best bet. Why? Because guests will cancel either 2 or 1 day before their reservation so that they don’t get hit with the $10 per person penalty depending on the policy of the respective restaurant. That is when you can hit the jackpot, swoop in, and score your dream dining reservation.

Even if you aren’t able to accomplish your booking with step one, there is still a glimmer of hope in step two. Don’t go out of your way, but if you are close to a restaurant that you would really love to try, ALWAYS walk up to the hostess stand and ask politely if they are taking walk-ins. You just never know. This works best if you are in a smaller party of 1 to 4 people. When we dined at Be Our Guest for our late dinner, we were told they had been taking walk-ins all evening. Please be nice and be understanding if they are completely booked. They can’t give you what is not there…but it never hurts to ask…especially if you are very nice about it.

It’s OK to keep asking too. Don’t be annoying and keep bugging them every hour – BUT do try again later if you are close by and notice there aren’t a lot of guests waiting around with pagers. I have experience with working at a hostess stand at Disney as well — and I can tell you there were many days where one hour we could not take walk-ins and then an hour or two later on that same day – we were able to. It all depends on how busy the parks are and how many people just didn’t show up for their dining reservations.

Finally, if all else fails, remember you are still at Disney World! All the restaurants are special in their own ways. Check the internet for those hidden gems that often have availability at the last minute, simply because they don’t get as much “hype.”

Just a few examples:

I have found a real treasure in Biergarten! The food is terrific and they’ve got a German polka band! Restaurant Marrakesh has belly dancers! Don’t forget about the Lava Lounge in Downtown Disney. It shares a kitchen with the Rainforest Cafe – and you never need a reservation because they only take walk-ins. Many Disney resort lounges and bars serve appetizers and even full meals. You can walk right up and order fast.

Best wishes in your last minute search and “Be Our Guest” to use these tips and score some great dining! If you enjoyed this post be sure to check out our next WORLD SECRET: HOW TO GET A PRINCESS MAKEOVER WHEN THE BIBBIDI BOBBIDI BOUTIQUE IS FULLY BOOKED! 

There are even more World Secrets to be found HERE. Have a magical day!

Become Senior Wilderness Explorers in One Day! ~ By Guest Author Kelly

Published November 9, 2013 by Kelly of Simply Kelly Designs

Are you excited to learn some great tips on how to become Senior Wilderness Explorer in one day? This fun, interactive game has taken the Animal Kingdom Theme Park by storm and I have only heard great things about it. This fantastic post comes to us from guest author Kelly! Kelly loves to share her passion for digital scrapbooking and preserving memories. Her blog features tutorials, tips and designs to help make scrapbooking your memories easier! You can check out her blog HERE. Thank you Kelly for your wonderful contribution!

Become a Senior Wilderness Explorers in One Day! ~By Guest Author Kelly

BadgeStationsLast month we went to Animal Kingdom for the first time since the beginning of the year. We got there soon after the park opened and we stopped at the Wilderness Explorers booth at the end of the bridge leading to the Tree of Life. My 4 and 6 year olds, each received their own Wilderness Explorers handbook from Disney cast member. I was only half listening when I heard the cast member say that there was 31 badges the kids needed to earn to become Senior Wilderness Explorers. 31? I remembered there were only 5 or 6. The new Wilderness Explorers program replaced the Kid’s Discovery Club at Animal Kingdom. Kids take their handbooks to stations throughout the park to earn badges. Earning badges consisted of different activities like a scavenger hunt, reading signs for information, finding animals, etc. A Wilderness Explorers guides give each child a sticker for their handbook when a badge is earned. The sticker for each badge is different. Here is the handbook map of all the badge stations.

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The cast member explained to us that they didn’t have to earn all the badges that day and that their handbooks would be good for years. I think what my daughter heard was that it could all be done in a day! From that point on she was on a mission. Can it be done in one day? YES! Will you be exhausted? YES! Will your kids learn a ton of great information about animals and the environment? YES! Will you get to see all of Animal Kingdom? YES!

Here are my tips:

  • Get a fast pass. My husband made a beeline to get a fast pass for the Kilimanjaro Safaris as soon as we got to the park while the kids and I took our time getting the handbooks and taking photos.
  • Plan out your day (rides, shows, dining) so that you only have to go through each section of the park one time. We started with Festival of the Lion King at Camp Mini Mickey and worked our way around the park in a clockwise direction. In order, we earned badges in Africa, Rafiki’s Planet Watch, Asia, Dinoland U.S.A. and then Discovery Island.
  • Bring a stroller if you have young kids. My 6 year old barely fits in our double stroller but that doesn’t keep her from sitting in it to be pushed all over the park. At the end of the day my husband and I were exhausted from all the walking but my kids were still full of energy.
  • Take time to enjoy the park. If you can’t get it done in one day, you can always come back. Beyond earning all the Wilderness Explorer badges, we also saw the Festival of the Lion King, went on the Kilimanjaro Safaris and had a delicious lunch at Yak and Yeti Restaurant. The kids spent extra time at Conservation Station and the Boneyard (Dinoland USA).
  • Keep an eye on the map in the handbook. My daughter was our navigator and she is great at reading a map but she missed a few stops so we had to backtrack once.
  • Make this a learning experience! The Wilderness Explorer guides were great at teaching the kids important facts at each station and making sure they understood. My husband and I took the time to discuss the topics with the kids and we learned extra information from reading the signs, etc.

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  • Make sure your kids want to do this! Both of my kids were self-driven to earn all the badges in one day. I think both my husband and I would have preferred a more relaxed pace but the kids were having fun so we decided to go with it. If they hadn’t wanted to do it so badly, I think it would have been miserable trying to push them through the park. We have also been to Animal Kingdom many times so the kids have been on all the rides and seen all the shows.

My kids picked up their handbooks at 9:49 am and at 5:55 pm they were taking the pledge to become Senior Wilderness Explorers!

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I could tell that the sense of accomplishment and all the information they learned made this day of the best my kids have ever experienced at Disney and a day that I will never forget! Enjoy your Disney Adventure!

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What to Do With Leftover Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party Candy

Published November 2, 2013 by Disneyways.com

Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party was great – but now you’ve been pilfering from the trick-or-treat stash. This week your kids have come home with bucketfuls of candy. This candy binge has to end!

Or does it? Fortunately, there are dozens of things you can do with leftover candy to make sure not a single sweet treat goes to waste. Thanks to the Huffington Post for all of these great ideas!

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Leftover candy for baking

Hand Pies. It doesn’t get simpler than this. Buy pre-made refrigerated pie crust and use a cookie cutter to cut it into circles. Chop up the candy, sprinkle it on the crust, fold it over, crimp the edges and bake.

Stained Glass Cookies. Here’s an idea for your leftover lollipops and hard candies. First, crush candies up in a food processor. Roll out sugar cookie dough, cut your shape, then use a smaller cookie cutter to cut out the center. Place the outlined shape on a baking sheet lined with parchment. Fill the center with your crushed hard candy and bake the required time.

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Candy Bar Ice Cream.

Four ingredients is all you need for this delicious ice cream. Melt 4 oz chopped candy bars with a ½ cup sweetened condensed milk in a double boiler. Then stir in a cup each of whole milk and half and half. Refrigerate for 2 hours, process in an ice cream maker and sprinkle some chopped candy bars on it before serving.

Candy Bark.

So easy, so delicious! Melt plain chocolate bars in a double boiler and then pour onto a parchment-lined baking sheet. Spread into an even layer, then sprinkle on an assortment of leftover candy. Let it set for a few hours and enjoy.

Change up the consistency.

Use a food processor, nut grinder, or microplane to create candy grounds for all your holiday baking. Use it as ice cream topping, bake it into cookies, sprinkle on top of cupcakes or cheesecakes, and stir it into your hot chocolate.

Leftover candy for decorating (and gifting)

Count down to Christmas.

It will be much easier to control your child’s candy intake if you incorporate it into an advent calendar. There are a million ways to do it. We like this one where you take a bulletin board and use a hodgepodge of boxes for each day. Click the photo to be taken to the instructions on ArtistsHelpingChildren.org.

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Save it for the gingerbread men.

A gingerbread house doesn’t have to be all gum drops and candy canes. Your Halloween candy can make a castle fit for a gingerbread king like a chocolate bar thatched roof!

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Decorate your door.

Buy a Styrofoam wreath from a craft store. Wrap a decorative ribbon around the top of your wreath and tie it off to create a wreath hook for your door. Then glue on candy starting with the biggest pieces. For a glue-free wreath use lollipops and stick them right into the Styrofoam. Click on the photo below go be taken to KnittingNeedlesandRunningShoes.blogspot.com for instructions.

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Donate it to the troops.

Get into the spirit of giving with your leftover Halloween candy. Non-profits are gearing up to send holiday care packages to troops and Halloween candy is the perfect addition.

Final tip: Oops! No leftover candy, only candy wrappers? Kids can make candy wrapper turkey wall art. Gather together all the fall-colored wrappers (hello, Reese’s, M&Ms, Butterfingers, Snickers, Tootsie Rolls and Kit Kats). Click on the photo below for instructions from HousingAForest.com

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So what do you think? Will you be doing any of these?

My Embarrassing Character Secret – and Some Tips For Seeing and Meeting the Characters on Your Disney Cruise

Published October 28, 2013 by Disneyways.com

I have something to confess. Meeting characters in the Disney Parks is not on my top 5 list of favorite things to do. I could never really put my finger on exactly why that is. I promise I am not a character snob. I adore Disney characters with all my heart, I love getting hugs, I love watching other people meet them – so what the heck is my problem? It took going on my first Disney cruise to figure it out. I am pretty sure my problem is the walking, the waiting in the heat, and the fact that the LAST thing I want is my picture taken after the humidity attacks my hair and makeup. I think I just didn’t want to admit any of this to myself and it’s still a bit embarrassing to admit it to you now.

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But, guess what? Getting on the cruise ship with it’s shorter lines, variety of characters close together…and glorious AC converted me into a full-fledged character person. This means there is hope for anyone! So if you are having that awkward moment when you realize character meet and greets aren’t your thing…give it a try on a Disney Cruise. All of a sudden I was excited and wanting to meet every single character I possibly could! In the process I learned some things about the best ways to see the characters — and also how character meet and greets work on the Disney Cruise Line.

Much to my surprise – characters started appearing before we even boarded the ship! So my first tip is to keep a watchful eye before and during your cruise!

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To begin, your cruise will kick off with an awesome character party. You don’t get to meet and greet but you might get to dance and sing along with some of your favorite characters. It’s super fun to see them in their cruise wear!

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Just like in the parks, if you want to meet the characters, you need a plan. So your first step is to check out the cruise program. The program is called the Personal Navigator – and it’s delivered each night to your room automagically.

Your Personal Navigator shows you which characters are slated to make an appearance and where. If you find a character that the family wants to meet, be sure to get to the spot a little early to get ahead of the crowds. If you are late, the lines can get long…but it’s all good. Making friends is super easy on a Disney Cruise, even when you are in line.

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My next tip might be more like a secret. Check your Navigator for open house times at the kid’s clubs. My husband and I dropped in to see all the cool new stuff they are offering. While we were there – Tiana came in to tell the kids a story. I don’t think it was formally announced that she would be there. For whatever reason, she took me by complete surprise. I felt pretty ridiculous for having such a hard time choking back the tears – but I was so excited to see her! Princess Tiana was just so lovely! The kids were absolutely enthralled with her and hanging on to her every word. There was a feeling in that room that I just can’t describe. Beyond sweet and beyond magical.

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Our cruise did not have any stops but most of them do. Obviously, the Disney theme continues offshore, too. When you disembark at a Disney cruise port, so do a number of Disney characters. Check your Navigator for the names of characters joining you on land so you can plan ahead.

The ship will offer Disney PhotoPass photographers at most of the character greeting locations, and they will take photos with your personal camera if you want them to. Prefer taking your own pictures? Be sure to check out our 4 quick tips for capturing great character photos!

Last but not least do NOT miss the Broadway style shows that the ship offers. They absolutely bring the fairytales and the characters to life right before your eyes. Disney Dreams–An Enchanted Classic is one of 2 musical live shows that played in the Walt Disney Theatre onboard the Disney Magic ship for our cruise.  It is the BEST Disney show I have ever seen in my life.

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I grew up 30 minutes from Walt Disney World, and still live here in Orlando, so this is saying a lot. We were not allowed to take video or pictures unfortunately…but trust me on this. I saw more characters than I could count through my tear-filled eyes.

What are some of your favorite tips for seeing and meeting the characters on a Disney cruise?

MyMagic+ and MagicBands Explained in 3 Minutes

Published October 17, 2013 by Disneyways.com

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Can MyMagic+ and MagicBands really be explained in just 3 minutes? Built to make things simple and streamlined – MagicBands are one of the most ambitious steps Disney has taken in more than 30 years. Imagine using a single source for tickets, room keys, credit cards, FastPASS tickets and even PhotoPass cards while you’re vacationing at the Walt Disney World Resort. Are you ready to learn more? Let’s add some magic to our day – shall we? Check out this video for an awesome 3 minute overview of Disney World’s  MyMagic+ and MagicBands!

Sid Gray is an award-winning freelance producer-director with a list of credits that includes ABC, CBS, NBC, PBS, CNN, CNNfn, CNBC, Bloomberg, The Walt Disney Company, ITT, Kodak, Yahoo and numerous other organizations. I met Sid through Mouskejournals, a wonderful group of Disney bloggers and a fun site to check out when you want to get all your Disney fun, from many different perspectives, in one place. In addition to all of his professional credentials, Sid is an amazing, first-class kind of guy who truly cares for people. Thank you Sid, mostly for just  being who you are, but also for creating this wonderful video for the thousands of Disney fans who have enjoyed it!

Reasons to Stop in a Disney Lounge Even if you Don’t Drink

Published August 26, 2013 by Disneyways.com

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I DO however, enjoy a great Disney lounge! There are many reasons to stop in and check out a Disney bar – in some cases – even when you have the kids with you! Check out my latest post over at Chip & Co. to learn more!

Click HERE to learn why you should still stop by a Disney Lounge – Even if you Don’t Drink!

Tips to Help Make Your Trip to Disney More Relaxing

Published August 21, 2013 by Disneyways.com

5 Tips to Help Make Your Trip to Disney More Relaxing

Are you ready to plan a trip  to Disney with a big group or maybe just with your small family? Are you worried about keeping it all together so you don’t need a vacation after your vacation? Whether it’s your 1st or 100th trip, everyone can use some tips to help make this magical journey a little more relaxing. Here are some quick tips that I hope will help you keep calm – and Disney ON!

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Use a Travel Agent!

You will want to find one that specializes in Disney vacations and pricing structures. Just let us know if you need a referral. Sometimes travel agents even run specials where you get free Disney gift cards or other fun bonuses. Even the most experienced Disney vacationer will love saving extra time waiting on hold to book the various aspects of a Disney trip. It is not uncommon for an agent to stay vigil on your behalf to help save you money too. If Disney drops a price, a travel agent can automatically cancel your original itinerary and re-book it at the lower price. They can help you with dining reservations to maximize your Disney Dining plan, help you plan the best time of year to go based on your family’s needs –  and even reserve a stroller for your kids. Again,  it doesn’t cost a penny more than doing it on your own. In fact, it saves you  money… a lot of time…and will help maximize your relaxation factor.

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Prioritize & Plan!

I have lived here in Orlando my whole life and STILL have not seen and done everything the parks have to offer. There is no way you will be able to cover everything in one trip. It’s just not humanly possible, so don’t beat yourself up over it. Now you just have a reason to keep coming back to do more. Communicate with the folks in your party to find out what top priorities are, and plan to cover as many of those as you can. Use this list to help you pack.  Take advantage of extra magic hours, (more on that later.) I also HIGHLY recommend using Theme Park Concierges to help you with your family’s ideal touring plan with less walking, gathering your fastpasses, and arranging  all the extra magical experiences you could not possibly think of ahead of time on your own. Plus you will have so much more time to slow down, take deep breaths and enjoy more atmosphere, sights and smells of the Happiest Place on Earth.

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Rent A Stroller!

Even if your child doesn’t use a stroller at home, get one. It gives them a place to rest and lets you move faster through the parks to beat the crowds.  Also, it’s a handy place to stash your bags, extra water bottles, snacks and other fun things you may accumulate while making all those magical Disney memories. Check out our tips on making your stroller stand out from the rest so you can find it easily after each attraction. These tips help make using a stroller a breeze.

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Book Sit-Down Meals!

Book one or even 2 reservations each day for a table-service meal so you can rest your feet and eat a good balanced meal in air-conditioned bliss. Here’s a Disney secret: book your dining at odd times. You are even MORE likely to get in to your favorite places AND enjoy relaxing service if you book late breakfasts or early dinners. If it’s not in the budget – counter service restaurants are more relaxing if you avoid the 11am – 2pm rush. One person from  your party should go find a clean table,and get condiments and napkins while the others are in line to order the food. It’s more relaxing to team up in these locations.

Take a Break!

During your trip, take a retreat to the hotel in the afternoons for a quick nap and some fun time in the pool. Many times the kids enjoy the pool about as much as they enjoy the parks – especially if you are staying at a Disney resort – because the distance is shorter – and the pool will be extra fabulous.  Another bonus of doing this is you can maximize Extra Magic Hours! These are the hours the parks are only open to guests staying at Disney resorts. Lower crowds and shorter lines…talk about relaxing – wow! What a difference those Extra Magic Hours can make! Your travel agent can tell you dates, parks and times for extra magic hours during your stay. If you take a break in the afternoons the kids (and you!) won’t be as tired if you decide to get up early or stay up late to take advantage of that extra park time.

Take advantage of these 5 simple tips to help keep you relaxed and having fun on your Disney trip. Most of all, try not to stress to much, this is going to be fun no matter what. You are on vacation after all!

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13 Practical Ways to Use Your Camera On Your Disney Vacation

Published July 29, 2013 by Disneyways.com

Your digital and cell phone cameras are great for capturing memories of your Disney vacation. In addition to recording all the fun you’re having, did you know there are many practical uses them as well? Here are some good and creative tips on how to use your camera to enhance your next trip even more!

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1. Use your digital camera to take photos of any scratches or dents on your rental car when you pick it up. The couple of minutes it takes to snap the pictures can save you a lot of time and money if there is any question about the condition of the car when you return it.

2. A bright image on your camera or cell phone gives just enough extra light to read menus in any dark Disney restaurants that you may dine in.

3. Snap a picture of your luggage. Also, if you take photos of it’s contents – there are double benefits. If the airline loses or damages your luggage you will have an image to show them what it looks (or looked) like. This can be especially important if you packed anything valuable. Got that nagging feeling that you forgot to pack something important? Just take a look at your photos to either ease your mind, or plan ahead if you know you are going to need to buy an extra upon arrival.

4. Take a picture of your rental car license plate so you can tell it from all the others when you are ready to leave. While you’re at it – snap a photo of your row and section in the Disney parking lot! That way, even if you forget it later – you have a reminder.

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Lightning McQueen

5. Take the media card out of your digital camera and write your cell phone number and/or your email address on it. That way if you lose your camera or phone – you will have a better chance of getting it returned to you.

6. Is the print too small on your Tables in Wonderland or Annual Pass booklet? Take a photo of the words with your phone and zoom in on that fine print! It works just like a magnifying glass. 

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7. Prescription medicines can sometimes have long names, different dosages and milligrams of strength. If you take more than one – it can be extra tough to remember all the details. Take a photo of the labels to keep on your phone or camera. This can come in handy if you need to replace the medication or tell someone what it is.

8.Take a photo of all your dining reservations, tours, spa appointments, that you wrote down while planning your trip! That way you aren’t carrying extra paper or notes that could get wet and unreadable after a ride on Splash Mountain or Kali River Rapids.

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9. Are you in love with that new wine you tasted while on your Disney vacation? Take a photo of the label so you can remember what it was after you get home. Taking pictures of your food when it’s served will also remind you of why you want to return to that same restaurant again.

10. Write or print your name and contact information on a piece of paper. Snap a clear photo of the paper and then use the features on the camera to lock it on the memory card so it can’t be easily erased. If your camera is lost this will increase your chances of having it returned to you.

11, Take a picture your tickets and passes, being sure to include the barcode. This takes away some of the worry if you leave it in a  FastPass machine. Show the picture to Guest Services and they can issue you a replacement ticket.

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12. Take a photo of each of your children in the outfit they are wearing for the day. You can also dress them alike. In the unlikely event that they get separated from you, you’ll be able to show a Cast Member what your kid looks like and what they are wearing that day.

13. Here’s a fun money saving tip: If you see something that you just can’t live without, take a photo of it (as well as the store name) instead of buying it right away. Then later, maybe even on the last day of your trip, if you still think that Mickey figurine or hat really needs to come home with you, you can buy it then.

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I hope these tips will help you make the most of your magical vacation! What tips do you have to share about using you camera at Disney?

World Secrets – Zebra Domes! Are They Made of Zebras?

Published July 20, 2013 by Disneyways.com

Maybe you’ve heard of the iconic Dole Whip or maybe even the lesser known

School Bread?

The Disney parks aren’t the only place you can find iconic food items. Inside the fabulous Animal Kingdom Lodge you can find Zebra Domes – a culinary hidden gem – and possibly one of the best kept World Secrets at Disney! Some guests love Zebra Domes, and some don’t. I am one who adores these little striped treasures –  so get ready for a completely biased Zebra Dome blog post!

Despite what the name suggests, they do NOT contain bits of real zebra.

They get their name due to their striped appearance.

Zebra Dome

The main ingredients are actually espresso, heavy cream, and Kahlua. I am not usually a fan of strong coffee flavors and I don’t drink coffee at all. Zebra Domes, however, contain just a hint – and it is not over powering. They require refrigeration because they are so soft and smooth. They are not made of ice cream –  but beware –  they will melt in the heat. I tried to bring some home for my husband and they did not survive the 40 minute drive.

Zebra Dome

See the little thin layer of cake on the bottom? Mmmm….

Zebra Domes are always on the buffet menu over at Boma. No time to make a dining reservation? No problem! Just head on over to The Mara – where they are packaged in little clear boxes as a grab and go item! Bite sized pieces of heaven in a little box of 5 for $3.69 or a snack credit?! Yes please. I would like a herd of them…but once I am done they will surely be extinct. 

Can we head over to the Animal Kingdom Lodge right now? 

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So what team are you on? Do you love Zebra Domes or maybe not so much? If you haven’t given them a try yet, now you know the secret!

I hope you will find inspiration to trot over and grab some for yourself…and please let me know what you think!

17 Free and Cheap Souvenirs at Disney!

Published July 19, 2013 by Disneyways.com

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It took some searching…but we found 17 free and cheap souvenirs that you can get on property at Disney! Prices and availability are subject to change.

Here they are in no particular order:

FREE: Character drawings from Animation Studios 

FREE: Downtown Disney LEGO store offers mini models for free once a month! Check HERE for monthly dates.

FREE: Resort soap and shampoo included in the price of your room, so it’s like a gift with purchase! The scents will reminded of the resorts long after you get home.

FREE and CHEAP: Pens, pencils and small notepads are sometimes left in the resort room for you as a guest. You can also buy certain pencils in the parks for just $1.00 each!

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FREE: Celebration Pins – just ask for them at Guest Services. Some people get crafty and even make them into magnets after the return home.

FREE: Park maps

CHEAP: Antenna Toppers are 2 for $8. Bonus: they help you find your car in the parking lot. Even if you don’t have an antenna or a car these can be fun!

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CHEAP: Disney collector packs are 3 for $15.

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CHEAP: Magnets for your fridge or your metal desk at work – some are available for just $4.95.

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CHEAP: Shot glasses. You can get one from each country in Epcot and start a collection.

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CHEAP: Recyclable tote bags.

FREE: Kidcot stations are free! Kids can color and make some arts and crafts that they can take with them for FREE

CHEAP: Inside the Land Pavilion at Epcot, they sell little plants that are actually generated in the Living with the Land laboratories.

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CHEAP: Disney character dangles – another great way to bring something inexpensive home for the entire family!

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CHEAP: Keychains

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CHEAP: Pressed quarters pressed pennies!! We have so much great info on those – they get their own post – coming soon! What are some cheap and free souvenirs that you have found at Disney? Leave me a note in the comments below!