On our most recent trip to Walt Disney World, I got to experience an attraction I had never seen before – the baby care stations! Our youngest daughter was 4 months old at the time, and although I had read about the baby care stations, I had never taken our older children there since they were not “babies” during our visits. How I wish I had visited them earlier!

There is one baby care station located in each one of the four theme parks. In the Magic Kingdom, it’s located near the first aid station near the Crystal Palace restaurant. In Epcot, it’s in the Odyssey building. The station in MGM Studios is to the left just inside the park entrance, and the one in the Animal Kingdom is to the left of the Tree of Life behind the Creature Comforts gift shops. For those with young babies, the baby care centers are unbeatable. Each one is staffed by a Disney cast member and has a private room for nursing mothers, as well as high chairs and microwaves for use when feeding your baby. There are also several changing tables, each with a disposable cover which makes changing your baby so much easier and more comfortable than the hard changing areas in most of the park restrooms. Best of all, these amenities are provided free of charge!

The baby care centers are not just for those with little babies, though. For those with toddlers or older siblings, each station also includes adult and companion restrooms and a small play area with videos and toys. What a great way for dad or another to keep the other children occupied while mom takes care of baby – much better than waiting outside in the heat of the park! For those with toddlers, the stations are also a great place to relax for a little while in a cool and relaxed place. Each station also has a small selection of items for sale, including over the counter medicines, formula, baby food and baby clothing. If there is a baby or young child in your family, don’t overlook these areas while touring the park. These baby care stations offer a nice quiet place to escape from the hustle and bustle of the park while taking care of the needs of your baby or child.

– Keri Madeira  - Keri@MouseFanTravelc.com

On our most recent trip to Walt Disney World, I got to experience an attraction I had never seen before – the baby care stations! Our youngest daughter was 4 months old at the time, and although I had read about the baby care stations, I had never taken our older children there since they were not “babies” during our visits. < more... >

When the weather is hot here in the midwest, you know it’s HOT and HUMID at Walt Disney World.  Below are ten tips for beating the heat.  The first five are places to avoid in peak sun hours.  They’re perfectly fine places otherwise.  The second five are places that make me go aaahhhhhh, I’m refreshed!!

Avoid the following during peak sun, but don’t forget to catch them earlier or later:

1.  Standing in line outside the Universe of Energy at Epcot:  Every now and then, cast members will hold a line outside the Universe of Energy.  I’ve been in it during the middle of the day.  You will note that there are mirrored pieces on the outside of the building.  It feels like you’re an ant being fried with a magnifying glass!

2.  Paddle boating at Port Orleans Riverside Resort:  I made this mistake just on my last trip to Walt Disney World.  I decided some exercise might be good.  I also thought there would be a breeze.  Add the life jacket and I was perspiring profusely!

3.  In line at Jungle Cruise at Magic Kingdom:  For some reason this line always seems to make me warm.  I try to visit first thing in the morning now!

4.  Anywhere at Disney’s Animal Kingdom:  I don’t know if Imagineers were trying to duplicate the African weather as well, but this theme park seems to be warmer than every other one.  I go early and then park hop!

5.  World Showcase at Epcot, mid-afternoon in August:  This was a mistake I made my first trip.  Actually my boyfriend’s mother insisted on visiting every outdoor shop and kiosk.  I just wanted to go back to the resort.  Now I visit in the evening.  It’s more fun at that time anyway. 

Now if the heat’s just taken it all out of you but you’re not quite ready for a nap at the resort try the following.

1.  Kali River Rapids at Disney’s Animal Kingdom:  You WILL get WET!!!

2.  Splash Mountain at Magic Kingdom:   This delightful attraction will put a smile on your face, have you humming zippity doo dah and feeling cool too!

3.  Hall of Presidents at Magic Kingdom AKA the afternoon napping spot:  I LOVE Hall of Presidents but when the heat has done it’s worst to you, you can get in with a relatively short wait and sit on nice chairs in the nice cool air conditioning.  Aahhhhhhh…..

4.  Universe of Energy, on the ride:  If there is no line outside step into the dark preshow at Universe of Energy and ride the ride.  Forty minutes later you’ll be as good as new!

5.  The American Adventure at Epcot’s World Showcase:  If your boyfriend’s mother insists on shopping at World Showcase, ditch her and watch the Voices of Liberty and The American Adventure.  You will cool off and feel very patriotic!

Those are just a few of my favorite tips for beating the heat.   There are many more but those are the biggies that I use every trip.  Keep in mind that if you experience motion sickness, the heat and dehydration make you feel worse.  So as my ex-boyfriend’s mother would say,  "stay hydrated and wear your sunscreen".

Joanne - Joanne@MouseFanTravel.com

When the weather is hot here in the midwest, you know it’s HOT and HUMID at Walt Disney World.  Below are ten tips for beating the heat.  The first five are places to avoid in peak sun hours.  They’re perfectly fine places otherwise.  The second five are places that make me go aaahhhhhh, I’m refreshed!! < more... >

A couple weeks ago, there was a red-carpet movie premiere of Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest.  From what I understand, it was an amazing event and an even better movie!  I can’t wait until I get to see it in the theatre!  Along with the movie premiere, the namesake attraction re-opened after being closed for a few months. 

I’ve got to hand it to Disney.  They had everything so organized!  I was told to expect a 60-75 minute wait.  As I prepared myself for a long wait, I found out from a Cast Member that I was able to keep my stroller until a later point in the line.  As a mother alone with her 19 month old child, this was a GREAT relief!  If I had to spend that whole time in line with a toddler, without a stroller, I would have gone nuts!  As I stood in line, I passed the time by talking to others in line and by calling and bragging to friends to let them know where I was and what I was doing.  Boy, were they envious! 

Surprisingly, the line went extremely fast!  There was a point where I had to take my child out of the stroller and pass it off to a Cast Member who then parked it.  Great Disney service!  They even have valet parking with strollers!

The one sad thing about the updates that Disney made is that they removed the Fast Pass system from this attraction.  The nice thing about this is that now both sides are open for all guests.  For some reason, everyone tended to veer to the right line.  This left the opposite side (the left side) wide open!  The only thing, the left side has a little bit extra queue area.  The lack of people in the left side more than made up for it though. 

It seemed like no time at all before we were feeling the ice cold breeze from the inside queue area.  On this hot and muggy day, it was quite refreshing!  One thing that was added was a painting on Jack Sparrow on the left wall as soon as you walk inside. 

In just a few short minutes, we were at the front of the line.  We loaded the boat, and our adventure began!  For the most part, the attraction was the same.  It looked like it was brand new, well as new as it could with spider webs.  The music was new.  It was the music from the movie.  There was also a great new effect in the cave right before the battle scene.  It’s an effect that makes it look like you’re about to go right thru a waterfall.  Also, Barbossa is now the captain of the ship in the battle scene.  There was also some new dialog. 

The next scene was almost the same as well.  The man being dunked in the well is now being questioned about Jack Sparrow with Jack waiting just a few feet away.  The likeness to Johnny Depp is amazing!  Everything else is pretty much the same.  There are a couple more sightings of Jack Sparrow thru the attraction and a couple new things.  For the most part, the attraction had a great “spruce up” job.

When all was said and done, after waiting in line and going on the attraction, it had been LESS than 1 hour!  Leave it to Disney to exceed your expectations!

Stephne

Stephne@MEI-Travel.com