Want to find out if a rawhide or chew toy in the stocking is going to cut it? Beginning Saturday, dog owners can bring their furry friends to meet St. Nick at Downtown Disney throughout the holiday season. Leashed pooches are welcome to pose for pictures at Santa's Christmas Chalet located near World of Disney through Dec. 24. You can take your own photos or use Disney's PhotoPass service. Hours are 5 to 10 p.m. Nov. 15-27 and noon to 10 p.m. Nov. 28-Dec. 24. A doggie "comfort" area will be in the grassy section behind Once Upon a Toy. For questions, call 407-828-3150.

Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween party is sold out tonight, but you can still have fun at Disney, and this event is free. Downtown Disney's Happy Haunting continues tonight from 5 to 9 p.m. and offers trick-or-treating for the kids.

We checked it out last night and were surprised by how many different activities there were. Here is what is offered. The later you arrive, the more patience you will need with parking because the lots do fill up quickly. Once we were walking around, though, the crowds were manageable.

If you want to join the Halloween fun at Disney without Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party prices, here's an option. On Oct. 30 and 31, Downtown Disney hosts trick-or-treaters for a free Happy Haunting event from 5 to 9 p.m.

Children can dress up and collect candy, while it lasts, at these stores: World of Disney, Team Mickey, Once Upon a Toy, Pooh Corner, Disney’s Days of Christmas, World of Memories, Disney’s Pin Traders, Mickey’s Pantry, Mickey’s Groover, DisneyQuest Emporium and Pin Cart West Side. (Photo from Walt Disney World)

There will be plenty of other entertainment as well. Storytelling takes place at the iron gate near World of Disney at 5:30 p.m., 6:30 p.m., 7:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. A magician and a comedian take turns wowing young participants at the pumpkin patch near the Earl of Sandwich. The magician performs at 6 p.m., 7 p.m. and 8 p.m., and the comedian takes the stage at 5:30 p.m., 6:30 p.m., 7:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m.

Throughout the night, a DJ spins the tunes for a dance party at the Fountain Stage and skeleton stilt walkers mingle with the crowd. I’m told there will be special photo opportunities in both the Marketplace and the West Side.

On a recent visit to the World of Disney store at Downtown Disney, a little magic went a long way for my daughter.

The store is home to Walt Disney World's original Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, a place where little girls are transformed into the princesses of their dreams. For a price, fairy-godmothers-in-training will do the hair, makeup and nails of aspiring royalty. My daughter practically swoons every time we pass by the entrance, wondering if she will ever get the opportunity to play the most elaborate game of dress-up she has ever seen.

On the day that shoppers are looking for bargains everywhere, here is a tip on buying photos at Disney World. First, having your photo taken by a PhotoPass shooter is free, so take as many as you can stand to increase your choices later.

Until recently, I preferred to look at the professional photos online at home, rather than at the kiosks in the parks. Sometimes the wait there can be long, and my preschoolers are impatient. I'd end up feeling rushed and later second-guess what I'd bought. By waiting until I got home, I could also better compare the photos I took and decide if purchasing additional shots was worth it. The prices were virtually the same, except for the minimal shipping charge.

However, on a recent visit to the Magic Kingdom, I discovered some park-only (at least for now) options that have changed my mind.

Does Walt Disney World really not have anything extra planned for the release of High School Musical 2 today? I'm told not. Hard to believe when the franchise is insanely popular around the globe.

But if you're visiting Orlando and your kids love the gang from East High, you can make it a special day. Start at the World of Disney store at Downtown Disney, where yesterday I saw the merchandise for HSM2 that came in this week. There are plenty of things for girls, but I was most excited to see a new shirt for boys. It's the green T-shirt Corbin Bleu wears that says "I majored in vacation." In my treks for all things HSM in Central Florida, I've only been able to find items for my son on Disney property. The most unique accessory I saw: a girls' HSM headband.

The Wildcats section is in the princess room, and the mood is set by a TV playing clips from the original movie and music from both. You do have the HSM2 soundtrack that was released Tuesday, don't you? If not, you can pick it up here or many other locations on property.

Ever wanted to purchase one of those expensive Disney snowglobes, but you were afraid to try to lift it off the shelf? Yeah, the image of $80 worth of shards of glass at your feet is a bit daunting, and some of those fancy globes are quite heavy.

Well, at Mouse Gear at Epcot, I spotted these handy slips of paper you can carry to the cashier instead of the globe. (photo after the jump)