Looking for cheap souvenirs? For 50¢, penny press machines create mementos emblazoned with one of 51 different events in park history. Get the most popular one--marking opening day in 1955--in the Penny Arcade.
Boost your score on the new Buzz Lightyear ride by shooting the moving targets with the laser gun. Triangle targets are worth the most, then diamonds, squares, and circles.
If it's not past your bedtime, the second performance of Fantasmic--a live show with music, special effects, and characters from Disney films--is far less crowded than the earlier one. (Showtimes vary depending on season.) The best time to grab a seat is as people are exiting the first showing.
Though unadvertised, Disneyland offers a few unexpected extras. There's a baby care center off Main Street with changing tables, rocking chairs, and nursing stations. And, if it's your birthday, swing by City Hall, where you can get a call from Goofy and an It's My Birthday! sticker. Waiters at park restaurants may even sing to you or give you a dessert when they see the sticker.
On busy days, Splash Mountain quickly runs out of its allotted number of Fastpasses. Snag a Fastpass in the morning, even though you won't want to get soaked on the ride until the sun comes out. Like using Fastpass anywhere else, you won't be allowed on earlier than your assigned time, but you can board late.
Walt Disney World
Keep an eye out for the spooky new addition to the Haunted Mansion's graveyard: a headstone with a figurehead that winks and blinks.
The best viewing place for the nightly extravaganza Wishes is at the hub in between Cinderella Castle and the Partners statue. The fireworks explode directly overhead and the images projected on the castle are right in front of you.
After a rehab, It's a Small World is better than ever, with a brand-new sound system and state-of-the-art lighting. Now if they'd only change that theme song!
Note: This story was accurate when it was published. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.
