EPCOT

1. Epcot is mainly oriented to adults and older children but there is still quite a bit that younger children can do.

2. You can buy a "passport" at Mickey Gear, which is right by the big Epcot ball. It's $8.95 (bring your own pen). When you go to the World showcase, there are people at each country (look or ask for the Kidcot table) who will write something to your child in their own language and stamp it. These people are really nice and friendly. Or, your child can get a paper mask on a wooden stick for free and each country will stamp it. I think the passport makes a nice souvenir. Some countries will have crafts at the table for the kids.

3. All of the countries usually have something going on at one time or another. It's very hard to catch them all. France has living statues outside and these are a "can't miss". Mexico's boatride is very nice and relaxing. At Norway's boatride, get in the front of the line. Then when you go into the theater, leave with the last group ahead of you. The movie is BORING. China has a good movie but kids will find it boring.

4. As you leave World Showcase and head back into Future World, there is a nice flat-on-the-ground fountain for kids to play in. Kids will also like the jumping water fountains by Honey, I Shrunk the Audience. This show is not for young kids. Signs are posted but some people insist on bringing young children and they end up crying. At the Honey, I Shrunk the Kids play area, climb the stairs between the garden hose and the slide coming out of a roll of film. There is a dog nose. Put your hand in the nostrils. The dog sniffs you!

5. Next to the Honey....., is Imageworks. You can get some very unique photos taken, such as your family in a Disney scene. As with any purchases, you can have them delivered to your park hotel if you give them 24 hours. You don't want to do this if you're leaving in a few hours.

6. At Innovations, you can make a 10 second video to email to one person and yourself. This is free of charge. A good idea to send to grandparents. When you get home, you can send it to others too. Get a free color photo of you (& your family) at Pixography in the Knowledge Vortex by Xerox, Innoventions West.

7. Check out the Ice Cool building. After walking through an igloo type building, you come to a room with sodas from around the world to sample free. Don't drink Italy's, it's very bitter. If you see a Neanderthal type of character, get your camera ready. I won't spoil the surprise.

8. At the Energy ride, sit in the middle if you have young children. The dinosaurs may be too close for comfort on the side seats. I didn't hear many children crying though. Mainly they were fascinated.

9. The Test Track ride is the most popular. Use a Fastpass or go after the Illumination show. This ride stays open one hour past the Illumination show (the only one that does).

10. Sit up front in the American Adventure show. That way you can see every moment and _expression of the characters.

11. The Tapestry of Nations parade starts about 30 minutes before the fireworks. Watch the parade at UK and then follow the parade onto the bridge. You'll have a fantastic spot to watch the Illumination fireworks show.

12. As you leave the park, take a few minutes and answer the survey, if you're approached. I was told that they will send you big discounts for another trip if you give them all your info. I'll have to wait and see if this is true. It's worth a shot!

MAGIC KINGDOM

1. Run as fast as you can to the Winnie the Pooh ride. This ride is always crowded. Get a Fastpass right away or if the line is short, go ahead and wait. Some say to go to Space Mountain first. If you have young children, this ride will not be for them. The line at Space Mountain moves very fast. By afternoon, Splash Mountain is pretty crowded so you want to plan how you use your Fastpasses.

2. At It's a Small World, get in the left line. It moves much faster for some reason.

3. Pirates of the Caribbean may be scary for very young children but it's one of the best rides in this park.

4. The Enchanted Tiki Room is great for young children. Anywhere you sit is a great seat. Get your camera ready to preserve your child's reaction to this attraction.

5. Frontierland doesn't have a lot to offer young children except for the Country Bear Jamboree which is cute for all ages. Shows are every 18 minutes. Go right after a show starts and wait on one of the few benches. It will get crowded fast. Go to the very end of the seats, towards the back and you'll get right out when it's over.

6. Liberty Square is mostly for older children and adults. The Haunted Mansion is not scary and is one attraction people continue to go back to. Pay attention to the mirror at the very end of the ride.

7. Toontown and Fantasyland are for ages 2-6 so if your children are older, you might want to skip these areas. If you have time, there are a few rides older children might like.

MGM

1. Andy Mation , the balloonimator, performs in the Animation Courtyard of Disney - MGM Monday-Friday. His first set begins at 11:00AM and he's finished around 4:00PM. His "Disney" balloon creations are very elaborate, and he teaches as he creates. His knowledge of Disney animation trivia is unbelievable. Children wait patiently hoping to receive one of his creations, and adults come back set after set just to be entertained by his quick wit, and his trivia "challenges". He's easy to find-just look for his yellow "artist" costume, and crowds almost always surrounding him. He is not listed in the guide map.

2. Check out the "Singing in the Rain" umbrella that is attached to one of the streetlights near the Hunchback theater. Grab the umbrella and step on the black square embedded in the cement underneath it for a nice surprise!

3. Outside of Indiana Jones is a rope that goes into a well. Next to it is a sign that say "Do not pull" ..not is crossed out. For a surprise, pull it!

4. In the Tower of Terror, immediately go to the far corner. After the presentation, the wall opens up for the rest of the ride. Get in the left line.

5. On the Backlot Studios Tour, if you don't want to get wet, sit on the right. This is an awesome ride.

6. In the Voyage of the Little Mermaid, don't sit too close to the stage, it takes away from the show.

7. On Hollywood Boulevard, skits are going on all the time. You may be asked to participate! This is great fun and makes good pictures.

8. New York Street is good for very little ones. Lots of places they can burn off energy.

Animal Kingdom

1. When riding Kali River Rapids, take off your shoes and socks and place those and any other items in the plastic bins in the raft. You are going to get WET! Or wear your rain ponchos.

2. The animals will not come out during the rain so if it's a cloudy day, choose to go to this park on a different day. The animals are usually out very early in the morning.

3. The Tree of Life is probably the most interesting part of this park. But, if you can't go to all 4 parks, this is the one to skip. This park is huge and there's a lot of walking. It's also 10 degrees hotter due to the rain forest atmosphere.

4. People usually rush to the Kilimanjaro Safari. This is one ride to use your Fastpass on.

5. Dinoland is a good place to let the kids play and give parents a rest.

If you overdid the walking and can afford a treat, book a leg and foot massage at the Grand Floridian's spa. The cost is $40 for 25 minutes and you'll feel like a new person.

It's hard not to have fun at Disney but remember that you will not be able to do it all in one trip. Visit the attractions that are the most important to you and save others for your next trip.