Category: Travel Tips

I’ve had a few people asking me about how to get better and funnier pictures with characters. We are big character hunters in my house, but I never realized before how many characters’ pictures we take in a trip before I started to choose a few for this post. We have been to Disney World 4 times and once to Disneyland in the past 4 years. On these trips we have met 119 unique characters (120 if we count my oldest son battling Darth Vader at the Jedi Training Academy), and we have been lucky to find a few unusual and rare characters like Bolt, Jack Sparrow, Rabbit from Winnie the Pooh and the Hag.

The first thing we like is to always have an autograph book for the characters to sign. It’s a good way for shy kids to approach the characters and start some fun interaction. The last autograph book I made I had all of the pictures my kids have taken with each specific character in a themed page (single or double page) for each character. I printed it as a 12×12 album and it was a total hit with the characters and cast members. The characters always have so much fun seeing their pages and sometimes they spend a long time checking your book.

Here is an example page from my book:

 And here are some reactions from the characters:

I’m not sure I have lots of tips on how to get good character pictures, so I’ll just show a few examples of how my family enjoys character interactions. I have one main piece of advice – ALWAYS have your cameras ready, and snap away. I always start taking pictures when we are still waiting in line. Sure, you will like the posed picture you take with Mickey, but you will treasure the one of your son still in line running to meet Buzz for the first time:

Or still after 5 trips running to take his picture with Lightening McQueen:

The excitment of seeing a favorite character for the first time:

Those hugs:

Those kodak moments and group hugs:

Those intimate chats:

If you have a Duffy Bear, don’t forget to take it to your Meet & Greet, Duffy will love it, Goofy might play with it, and Buzz will enjoy his Buzz costume.

The same goes for your kid’s favorite costumes. Who know if it’s your little Peter Pan’s lucky day and he gets to duel with Captain Hook?

Allow yourself to be silly and play with the characters:

And if someone ends up on the floor in a tickling session with Pluto, snap away:

Ask them to make a special pose that relate to their movies:

Or just show some ears (Mickey or Goofy ears):

I think what is the most important piece of advice I can give you is to do what you and your family are comfortable with, and just have fun. You know looking through all of these pictures makes me want to go back and make more fun memories with my kids and the characters.

And yes, there are still some characters that we need to hunt down, like Jose Carioca, the Brazilian parrot from The 3 Caballeros. I had my picture taken with him when I was 14 years old, but we definately need a new one, as I’m not showing that hair style in a scrapbook!

Most Disney guests know that strollers can be rented in the parks but many don’t realize that strollers can also be rented from a number of outside vendors.  This blog post will offer information on both options to help you decide which is right for you.

Disney strollers (Walt Disney World):

• One day and “length of stay” rentals available which allow you to customize your rental to best suit your needs. 
• Stroller locations can be found at the front of each park.  Each park also offers additional locations to obtain a replacement stroller (with your receipt) should you accidentally misplace your stroller.
• Both single and double strollers available for rent.
• Strollers offer very minimal space for storage/carrying additional items.
• Since strollers must be returned before leaving the park you do not have to give up space in your resort or hotel to store a stroller.
• Strollers are constructed of a sturdy plastic which makes them easy to clean and makes it possible to accommodate larger children.  However, this style means the seats are fixed and cannot be reclined but strollers are long enough that smaller children can usually have ample room to lay down comfortably
• Strollers offer large sun shades which can be a huge benefit in the Florida sun.
• Strollers feature a three wheel design which makes them easy to handle and maneuver through the park.
• Strollers are rented on a “first come, first serve” basis so at exceptionally busy times of the year availability may be a problem.

Disney strollers (Disneyland):

• Offers only daily rental rates but does have a discount if you are renting more than one.
• Stroller rental location can be found adjacent to the kennel outside the Disneyland Park main entrance and strollers can be taken used in both Disneyland and California Adventure.
• Only single strollers available for rent.
• Strollers offer small basket for storage/carrying additional items.
• Since strollers must be returned before leaving the park you do not have to give up space in your resort or hotel to store a stroller.
• Strollers offer retractable sun shades to help keep children comfortable.
• Strollers feature a three wheel design which makes them easy to handle and maneuver through the park.
• Strollers are rented on a “first come, first serve” basis so at exceptionally busy times of the year availability may be a problem.

 

Stroller Rental from Outside Vendors:

• Strollers are delivered to and picked up from your resort at no additional cost.
• Both single and double strollers are available for rent.
• Costs vary depending on the number of nights of your stay but in most cases the price is either the same or less than renting in the parks.
• Since you will have the stroller at your resort you have the benefit of being able to use it from your room to whatever mode of transportation you are taking to the parks.  As well, when you leave the parks you have the convenience of leaving children in the stroller until it is time to board transportation back to your resort.
• On the reverse side, storing the stroller will take up some space in your room but in the folded position the floor space required is fairly minimal.
• Strollers must be folded on Disney transportation and the models offered by outside vendors feature an easy one step fold.
• Strollers feature large retractable sun shades, baskets for storage and some vendors offer the ability to add additional accessories such as rain covers, parent trays for holding drinks etc, or glider boards to attach for older siblings to stand on if they need a little reprieve from walking.
• Strollers feature a three wheel design which makes them easy to handle and maneuver through the park.
• Strollers can be reclined for naps or additional comfort for younger children.
• Since you make reservations for your stroller ahead of time there are no concerns about availability.

 

Strollers can prove to be an invaluable tool during a Disney vacation and I hope this information will help you determine what will work best for you.  I also recommend giving consideration to using a stroller for slightly older children who may not use one at home but who are still young enough that they could tire easily from the extensive walking.  Some other benefits of using a stroller are eliminating the concern of getting separated from a child in a crowd, being able to move between attractions quicker, giving kids have a comfortable place to sit when waiting for or viewing parades, and having a place to nap if you prefer not to leave the parks for naptime.

 

Links to stroller rental vendors (Walt Disney World)

• Orlando Stroller Rental: www.orlandostrollerrentals.com
• Kingdom Strollers (also offers crib rentals): www.kingdomstrollers.com
• Baby Wheels Orlando: www.babywheelsorlando.com
• Walker Mobility (also rents wheelchairs and electric scooters): www.walkermobility.com
• Magic Strollers: www.magicstrollers.com

 

Links to stroller rental vendors (Disneyland)*

*All of these vendors also rent a wide variety of other baby equipment.

• City Stroller Rentals :www.citystrollerrentals.com
• Baby’s Away: www.babysaway.com
• Travel Babees: www.travelbabees.com