The Chocolates will be Disney bound in just a few short weeks. I have been up to my eyeballs in Disney for the last few weeks reading websites, forums, books to get us ready for this trip. To be honest I think I am just as excited, if not more so, than my children (since one doesn’t know what Disney is and the other only has a vague notion). I will be doing a series of posts leading up to our trip about what we are bringing, what our tentative schedule breakdown will look like as we balance a 4 year old and a 1 year old, our hotel review (we are staying in a family suite at the Art of Animation), food reviews, photography tips (and fails) and anything else that comes up.  This post is dedicated to Disney extras or secrets I have been trying to find before we arrive.

Ever since I learned about the Disney store opening ceremony, I realized that Disney truly is a place that wants to make magical memories for children. If they do a special ceremony at their stores, you have to imagine their parks must have a few wonderful things hidden up their sleeves. Since Drake and Juliet are both still young and not really Disney lovers to begin with, I am really keen on finding ways to make this trip memorable for them. These are some tips I’ve gathered:

– If you board the Liberty Square (a large replica steamboat), children who ask may be allowed to go into the steering room with the wheel and get to “steer” the boat. They also get a certificate at the end as a souvenir.


(image via disneyworld)

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– The Disney Railroad also has a similar program and your child can be a Guest Conductor.

– On Prince Charming’s Carousel, there is one horse with a gold ribbon tied to its tail; that is Cinderella’s own horse.

– Before the Fantasmic show in Hollywood Studios, there are usually a lot of characters out and about near the Main Street area. I’ve read it’s a good place and time to see a lot of characters.

– If you are celebrating a birthday, anniversary, etc., you can get a free button at guest relations.

– At the Indiana Stunt show in Hollywood Studios there are signs that say, “Don’t pull” or, “Warning don’t touch” and if you do, something can happen… not always good.

– Many of the hotels offer movies under the stars, which might be the perfect way to get little ones ready for bed.

– The Animal Kingdom Lodge has viewing areas where you can see giraffes and zebras as they live in enclosures around the hotel.

– Chip & Dale offers a sing along nightly at the Wilderness Campground where you can meet them, roast s’mores , and watch a movie under the stars.  The event is free, but you have to buy your own s’mores stuff.  They also have pony rides and a petting zoo in the area.

– Kids can decorate a figure and have it stamped in each country at Epcot.  You can even buy a passport (around $10) and do it that way for a neat souvenir.

– There are hidden Mickeys all around the parks. I think it might be a fun game to play with Drake and it might help take up some of his attention when waiting in lines.

– I think most parks open about 20 minutes before the actual start time. Being early in general is always the best they say with crowds anyway.

– You can ride swap with a partner, meaning if you and your partner both want to ride on a ride with your child you can.  One person goes on the ride initially and when they come off your child stays on and you switch with the other parent so they can go with them as well.

– Disney pin collecting is a huge thing (I am hoping to try this with Drake and plan on making a separate post about this later on). I learned that green lanyards mean that the cast members will only trade with children and blue means they will trade with everyone.

And all in all Ive heard that cast members are beyond friendly and delighted to help you have a magical vacation with your family!