Things Disney Offers But Doesn't Advertise *Summary Added Oct 08*

[momof2dizkids]

This is a great thread! I love all of the ideas I've read so far. I can't wait to discover even more magic on our next trip. Thanks to everyone who posted so far.

 

[MinnesotaChill]

I'm curious about the bus driver trading cards. Do the kids ask? We've been there countless times and I've never seen nor heard of this...

 

[bradk]

from what i gather, when drivers do have them, they have a very limited number (like maybe a couple a day) and they're supposed to save them for magical moments. you're not supposed to be able to ask for them.

 

[Tinkaroo]

I know it's been said countless times already, but it's really neat to see all of these ideas in one spot.

Need to put on my thinking cap now, and see if I know of any that haven't been mentioned...

 

[heidijot]

Great Thread!!!
In AK make sure you walk the trail around the Tree of Life. You get an up close view of the carved animals!!!

 

[theparsons]

Many of you know this, but some may not. When going to Epcot with the children, you can buy a Passport booklet. This is something fun for them to do when you travel to each country. It comes with a pin, stickers for each country's page and the CM's in each country will stamp it and sometimes write something on it, in their language.

They do sell it at Epcot, but here's an image of it from the LaughingPlaceStore. I think at Epcot it's around $10.
http://www.laughingplacestore.com/images/products/5210L.jpg

The still do the mask making at each country's craft station, but for my older kids, the Passport worked better.
And gosh I wish they'd get a new craft every now and then. They've been doing those masks for at least 10 years!

Can anyone confirm if this passport is around $10? Laughplace's price is $22.75....I knew they jacked up the prices, but heavens!

The girls are planning to make autograph books not just for characters, but also for the people we meet in Epcot (it's the park we're most looking forward to and planning the longest visit at)....but if there is a cute passport like thing for $10 I'd get one for each of them....if it's $20 each, we'll stick to making our own, lol.

Thanks!

 

[bradk]

yes, it's $9.95.

 

[theparsons]

yes, it's $9.95.

Thanks! We'll spend our time on the autograph book and forget about a passport, just pick one up when we get there! Is there space inside it for the CM's to sign or just for the stickers to be added as you complete each culture?

 

[bradk]

it's meant to be signed. they have a standard message which changes based on season, or for birthdays, etc

 

[ParkPrincess]

subscribing

 

[mickeywho?]

cool thread! Some things I knew about (we woke up Tink one morning!) and many new ideas...I'll have to put on my thinking cap (or my pirate princess mouse ears) and add a few..

 

[ellyn2000]

I haven't read every post, but wanted to answer re: Epcot passports. I would just buy it there as it's alot more expensive to buy in advance from another source. They were $12.50 several years ago, so I would think they would still be less than $15 now. They were well worth the cost and my children (and even my mother one year!) have done them more than once. It helped to make Epcot one of their favorites. Thanks to the poster who mentioned "pearl diving" in Japan. This is another of my favorite experiences and every time I take someone who's never been to WDW I surprise them with an "oyster" and then have a piece of jewelry made with their pearl as a souvenier. The CM's make it a really fun time.

 

[Princess Stitch]

Just subscribing so I can get ideas for my Sept trip. I'll add if I can remember anything!

 

[mkbroas]

subscribing. Great info everyone.

 

[bopper]

There is a poster on the DIS, janet2k, who has some wonderful description of private dinner parties she has had in the parks.

http://disboards.com/showthread.php?threadid=465756&perpage=15&pagenumber=10

 

[bopper]

Does anyone know specifically how to boost your chances of being chosen for this? I read somewhere that there were "colored" tiles or something in the pavement that if you snagged a spot on one of them that is where she started but who knows. Anyone???

What we did that was successful is to get there before her stated show times so you are up front and she sees that you have been there waiting. Say Hello when she comes. Smile. Then patiently wait. Politely ooh and ahh over things she makes. Make eye contact, but don't shout Me! Me! I was imagining that someone of the Japanese culture would not respond to typical American shouting and pushiness and that seemed to be the case.

 

[mkbroas]

This is GREAT information! Does anyone have anything else!

 

[LUVMYTINK]

Subscribing.

 

[3SweetPrincesses]

great info...subscribing!

 

[luv2plan]

This is pretty minor, but at the Polynesian they have a ceremony when they light all the tiki torches at night.

Then you can watch the electrical water pagent from the beach. I think around 9pm.

Happy planning!!