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Hidden Oasis for Parents – Disney World Baby Care Centers
For most vacationers, standard routines go out the window. Regularly scheduled meals, diapers, potty breaks, naps, go out the window in search of magic and fun. But, even though the schedules may not be exact, Walt Disney World provides a safe haven for families to escape to, in search of return to normalcy.
Located in all four parks, though not at the water park or Downtown Disney, these baby care centers are nice and air conditioned, providing a comfortable place to cool down and relax. There is a room full of changing tables, cleaned in between each diaper change by cast members, high chairs, and private nursing rooms. There is a microwave to heat up food or bottles, fresh bottles of water (for free!) to mix formulas, or simply have a drink!
A separate room usually has a Disney movie on, and a big open area for children to run around without fears of bumping into other people, or getting run over by strollers. Chairs or couches line the walls, so parents can sit and relax while their children burn off energy from being in strollers all day.
Forget anything? Bottles, formula, baby food, diapers, or wipes? These, along with bibs and other Disney paraphernalia are for sale in the Baby Care Centers as well. As per Disney custom, expect them to cost a bit more than at your local store, but not insanely unreasonable, especially in an emergency!
Other bathrooms around the parks having changing stations, but none nearly as nice (actual changing tables with changing pads!) or as clean as in the Baby Care Centers. Unfortunately, there is only one changing station per park, so it may not always work to run all the way for a simple diaper change or a very hungry and fussy baby feeding, but if you’re in the general vicinity you will have a wonderful refuge waiting for you.
By park, the Baby Care Centers are located:
- Magic Kingdom – next to the Crystal Palace Restaurant on Main Street, U.S.A.
- EPCOT – Inside Future World’s Odyssey Center, near the Mexico Pavilion.
- Disney’s Animal Kingdom – In Discovery Island, behind Creature Comforts (look for the ladybugs!)
- Disney’s Hollywood Studios - In the Guest Services Building inside the Main Entrance.
On a related note for nursing mothers – it is Florida law that nursing in public is absolutely legal. Feel free to nurse wherever and whenever you like. Many attractions offer dark, comfortable areas to feed babies, instead of hauling the family to a Baby Care Center from across the park.
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- Disneyworld Planning 101 – Taking advantage of guest services (chipandco.com)
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- Disney World Quick Tips for Parents with Children under 3 (chipandco.com)
Disney World Quick Tips – Miscellaneous Tips I have learned
There is so much to do at Disney World often times we look over little things that could make our visit even more enjoyable. I have learned a thing or two while visiting the parks and while I am sure I could write out articles for every one of these tips I thought it might be better to list them all together.
So here are the miscellaneous Disney Quick Tips I have learned over the years.
- Where you can find the characters plus attractions, entertainment and interactive activities of special interest to young children? Most everything you need is available at Guest Relations in all the theme parks. That is usually our first stop at the parks so we can get buttons and info for our stay.
- Baby Care Centers in all four theme parks feature private rooms with rocking chairs for nursing mothers, diaper-changing rooms, and feeding rooms with highchairs, bibs and plastic spoons. There are even diapers, formula and snacks and more for sale. Great place to cool off with small children too!
- Stroller rentals are available. Rather than lugging a stroller (including on and off of parking lot trams), parents with young children can rent a stroller at the theme parks. We use Kingdom Stroller Rentals as they have the best service and prices! Ask for Matt! Be sure to tell him Chip sent ya!
- Theme park guide maps are available in six languages – English, French, German, Japanese, Spanish and Portuguese. They are available at Guest Relations locations in each park, along with times guides for shows, character greetings, parades and fireworks. These make great collectables too.
- The Guide map for Guests with Disabilities provides a detailed overview of services and facilities available for guests with disabilities and is available at Guest Relations locations within all four parks as well as Lobby Concierge locations at Walt Disney World resort hotels. Types of disabilities covered include mobility disability, hearing disability, visual disability and non-apparent disability.
- Wheelchairs and Electric Convenience Vehicles (ECVs) are available for rent at Disney theme parks for the convenience of guests with disabilities.
- A length-of-stay rental ticket is available which offers not only savings but also involves a one-time payment transaction after which the guest simply shows the receipt at the stroller rental location and is expedited through the queue with little or no wait time.
- Special dietary requests can typically be accommodated. The Walt Disney World Food & Beverage team is committed to offering a wide range of choices to accommodate guests who require lifestyle dining options, as well as most specific requests from guests with food allergies or intolerances.
- Whether dining at a table-service restaurant or at a quick-service restaurant, desired dining requests will be addressed. In many cases, advance notice is required – usually at the time of your reservation. Please call Disney’s Dining Reservation Center at 407/WDW-DINE to discuss arrangements.
- Disney’s PhotoPass service photographers are stationed at prime photo spots throughout the theme parks. The guest’s Disney’s PhotoPass ID card (issued free) is used by the photo team to keep track of images. The images can be viewed online; guests can order prints, customized photo albums, T-shirts, mugs and more. Additional information is available online by visiting www.disneyphotopass.com.
- Package pickup is available at no charge. Merchandise is moved to package pickup, conveniently located near the front entrance of each park, for guests’ pickup when they are leaving the park. Hotel delivery is available at no charge to guests of Walt Disney World resorts. Purchases made prior to 7 p.m. will be delivered to the guest’s hotel by noon the following day. Purchases made after 7 p.m. will be at the hotel on the second day after purchase. Shipping is available for an additional charge at the time of purchase.
- Lockers are available for rental. They are first come, first served – and quite popular. They are located near the entrance of each park. There are a variety of sizes. If you are park-hopping, you don’t have to pay the locker fee a second time on a day (just a key deposit) provided you keep your receipt.
I hope these tips help. If you have any please let us know in the comment box below.
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Disney World Planning – Special Needs Tips for the Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing
Oscar winning Deaf actress Marlee Matlin has often said, “the only thing Deaf people can’t do is hear” and she proves it everyday. The sights and sounds of Walt Disney World aren’t only for hearing people, the Deaf and hard of hearing can experience all that Walt Disney World has to offer through a variety of communication devices.
If you have a family member who is Deaf or hard of hearing and haven’t experienced Disney destinations because of it, this should help you understand what Disney has to offer so you and your family can make the most of your magical vacation.
There are many mis-conceptions about what Deaf and hard of hearing people can do and not do, and what they can enjoy, and i’m sure there’s plenty of debate about whether a Walt Disney World vacation is “worth it” if someone in your travel party has hearing issues. As a student of American Sign Language and a person with Deaf friends, I won’t attempt to answer all the questions that us ignorant hearing people have; but I will tell you that Walt Disney World is a place that makes sure EVERYONE’s experience is as magical as it can be, whether you can hear or not.
Major experiences in Walt Disney World include the attractions and the stage shows. They are often everyone’s favorite parts of the trip and there’s no reason everyone can’t enjoy them.
- The first stop you should make at the parks is Guest Relations, this is where you can get information and pick up most of your hearing assistive devices. Some require a refundable deposit and for the device to be returned same day. You can also receive schedules of Sign Language interpreted performances in the parks that week.
- At the entrance of attractions and shows ask a cast member for a guest assistance packet. This includes things like a flashlight, pen and paper, and dialogue and narrations for the attractions within the park. Have patience, it may take a minute for the cast member to locate what you need but at least you will have those resources as a back up if all other communication fails.
- Basic communication needs are met with amplified headsets on pay phones, assistive listening devices (which require a $25 refundable deposit if returned same day) and TTY locations for information and to book your vacation (407-827-5141) or to request an interpreter.
- Most theater shows offer reflective captioning, ask a cast member for the device and for early entrance into the show to set up your captioning device properly. Reflective captioning allows you to attach a plexiglass sort of device to a chair in front of you that will reflect the captions from the back wall. It must be situated so that you can view the stage and see the words at the base of the stage. Shows with 3-D glasses may make the captions difficult to read.
- Handheld Captioning Units - These are wireless devices that give you a written version of scripts for certain attractions. These devices require a $100 refundable deposit, but have no other charge. Pick up your unit at Guest Services in your park; but if you are park hopping, your HCU can’t. You’ll have to turn it in and pick up another one at your next park. These units also serve as closed captioning activators for some attractions, if you are within 20 feet of the screen this function will work.
- Video Captioning and Closed Captioning - This remote requires a $25 refundable deposit and will activate closed captioning on tv monitors for attractions (like the pre-shows in the queue).
- ASL Interpreters are available for live shows on a rotating basis. Schedules for interpreters vary from week to week to ask Guest Relations in the park (or your lobby concierge) for an up-to-date schedule. If you would like to request free sign language interpretation for other live entertainment (such as Candlelight Processional) call 407-824-4321 or TTY 407-827-5141 at least two weeks in advance.
- Look for cast members with the “ASL” symbol on their name tag, these cast members are trained in sign language.
When you’re ready to end your time in the parks, your Disney resort also offers “Room Communication Kits” that include:
- Door knock and phone alerts
- Bed shaker alarm
- TTY (text typewriter)
- Strobe light fire alarm
- Phone amplifier
If you’re making your reservation online, there is a box to check if you need a room communication kit, if you are using a travel agent, let them know and they can note it on the reservation for you. While most travel arrangements can be made online and much agent-client communication is done via e-mail having someone who understands YOUR first language is a huge asset. American Sign Language and verbal speech don’t have the same subject/verb sentence structure and can be confusing for someone who isn’t trained in ASL and frustrating for you, the Deaf client. If you have questions about Disney travel, need more information about the services available for Deaf and Hard of Hearing people in the parks or would like a free quote, feel free to contact me.
There’s plenty of magic in Disney parks for everyone, including the Deaf and hard of hearing, remember…the only thing a Deaf person can’t do is hear.
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Five Things EVERY Adult has the Right to do at Disney World!
There is just something about Disney World! Business people become bear hugging, camera toting, firework loving, Disney guests. As a smile forces its way onto the straight face of a serious adult, the magic begins! Today I am giving you permission to embrace Disney World for what it is! In fact in this post, I’m reading you your “Disney as an adult” rights. Take a moment to soak in these rights and apply them to your Disney trip.
Right #1: You have the right to dance in the street!
What better place is there to dance in the street than Disney World? With interactive street shows like Move it! Shake it! Celebrate it! and Disney Channel Rocks!, you are guaranteed to find a way to let loose and dance in the streets.
Quick tip – Hit up club 626 at the Magic Kingdom. This is a character filled spot made just for dancing like nobody is watching. Nestled in Tomorrowland between Space Mountain and The Carousel of Progress, this spot often features dancing characters and a DJ to help get the party started! This party doesn’t happen every day so check your Times Guide (or app if you are tech savy).
Right #2: You have the right to take pictures with characters!
This might seem like common sense. At any rate, I am stating this as a right to every adult. You absolutely do have the right to take as many photos as you want. It is totally cool for you to geek out over characters. Take it from me, an adult who talks with college aged girls dressed as princesses, as if they are real, true, royalty. No lie! Next time you get the urge, get out your camera and ham it up with your favorite character!
Quick tip – There are a lot of spots where you can ensure tons of characters. My favorite is the Character Spot in Epcot. Mickey and his gang hang out in this photo opp dream come true! You can bring your own camera or have a Disney photographer snap shots of you to put on your Photo Pass card. Hey, and even on a crowded day this wait isn’t too bad and on the plus side…the wait is air conditioned.
Right #3: You have the right to eat ice cream every day!
In Disney, there are no such things as calories. Okay, that was a small lie. But, I say when you are on vacation at Disney World, you are required to eat as much ice cream as possible. My poison? Totally a Mickey’s Premium Ice Cream Bar. But, I would like to add to this right that any and all calories are okay at Disney World. Now, I know this is completely falsified information, but in my defense, I like to think that all that walking creates a balance (girl math). So, while you are there, get an ice cream or sweet treat of your choice EVERY DAY!!!
Quick tip – Ice cream is availible throughout every park at carts. There are many options for “quick” ice cream. As I said earlier, I am a fan of the Mickey’s Premium Bar. The best part is, you can pay with cash or credit and if you are on the dining plan, this counts as a snack!
Right #4: You have the right to wear funny things!
At Disney World, it is perfectly acceptable to wear funny things. Hats with ears, shirts with characters, I even saw these really weird looking Grumpy (as in the dwarf) hat/beard combos on my last trip in March. I say go for the goofy stuff. Just remember, the likelyhood of you seeing someone in the parks in your daily life is slim. I say go for the pirate themed Mickey Ears sir, you have earned them!
Quick tip – Hat’s can be purchased in various gift shops throughout the parks. My favorite (in park) location to buy and personalize those famous ears is found in the Magic Kingdom. The Chapeau is located on Main Street USA and boasts hats to meet your heart’s desire! Plus, you can pick your thread and font to personalize your hat with your name!
Right #5: You have the right to ride what you want!
I am a firm believer that you can ride whatever you want to ride when you are in Disney World. From the scariest of rides like Expedition Everest to rides made for tots like The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, there is no ride that is off limits. With the freedom of height requirements behind us, adulthood sometimes makes people think they shouldn’t ride this or sit through that. There are no age limit requirments. You can fly the Magic Carpets of Aladdin, you can spin to your little heart’s content on the tea cups, and yes, you may sit through as many shows of Disney Jr. Live on Stage as you can stomach (good luck). The World is yours, savor it.
Quick tip – some of my favorite rides and attractions are the ones I remember from my childhood. I can’t pass up goofy childhood favorites like The Country Bears Jamboree. If you you have been to Disney World in the past, ride those favorites with no shame. If this is your first trip, remember, everyone is a kid at Disney World and ride on!!!
Do you have another right that you’d like to add to the list? Write it below in the comments section. Thanks for reading!
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Bringing Down the House Blu Ray Review
Coming May 15th you can bring home the hilarious hijinks of Steve Martin and Queen Latifah in Bringing Down the House. This is the first time that this comedy will be available on blu ray. As I am writing this Amazon has this 1 disc blu ray listed at just $14.99 with free prime or super saver shipping! At this price this laugh out loud comedy is worth every penny.
Bringing Down the House features the hilarious duo of Steve Martin and Queen Latifah and as their unlikely friendship unfolds there are hilarious supporting actors in the mix as well such as Betty White and Eugene Levy!
Besides just featuring the hi-resolution rendition of the film there is also a commentary track with the director and writer. You will also find a behind the scenes featurette which is pretty well put together as well as a Queen Latifah music video. Additionally there is a “Godfather of Hop” featurette, which is very funny (although I don’t want to give away one of the funniest parts of the film this bonus features is definitely worth a watch after you watch the film).
My favorite addition to the many bonus features on this blu ray is the deleted scenes and gag reel. I have always thought this movie was hilarious but there are a couple of deleted scenes that I laughed so hard at I wondered why they had ever landed on the cutting room floor! And I am just a sucker for a gag reel and a fan girl of Steve Martin! When you pick up this blu ray I recommend the gag reel as your first stop! I watched it a few times back to back!
While this may not be your favorite comedy of all time Bringing Down the House really is under rated and I highly recommend checking it out. For the price of the blu ray and the fun bonus features its worth picking up a copy of your own on May 15th!
Melissa of Picturing Disney
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