Walt Disney World Orlando
Walt Disney World Orlando Travel Guide
There are two types of Disney visitors. The first types just show up, trusting the theme park’s reputation to guide them along. The second do some research, make dining reservations in advance, and decide which rides are must-sees ahead of time. Sure, the first types will have fun, but they’ll wait in more lines, spend more money, and be more stressed out than the second types.
Chances are, that the first types—say, a family of four—arrive at the Magic Kingdom around 11, wanders along Main Street and through its stores to the other side of the iconic Cinderella Castle. At this point, one child wants to go to Space Mountain, while the other starts crying the farther the group gets from Dumbo, which now has a 90-minute line. This family might split up so each child can get in a preferred ride before lunch, or they might stick together, causing one child or the other to have a meltdown. By the time they struggle through the lines at rides and lunch counters, that late-afternoon sun is beating down.
Thanks to research and planning, the second types of visitors have learned the cardinal rule of Disney touring: arrive early. They avoid the worst lines. They avoid building unrealistic expectations that cause disappointment and tears. They enjoy their experience without stressing out about how much they need to do to justify the cost of their tickets.
The secret to enjoying Disney is to have a good plan but be willing to take detours when magical moments occur. Your children can rush to the big-deal rides early in the morning, but don’t expect them to keep up that pace all day. Cushion your itinerary with extra time, and pause as much as you and your children need to. Let your mantra be “quality over quantity.” It’s better to tour the parks in a relaxed fashion than to flee to Pirates of the Caribbean, passing up a chance to hobnob with Princess Jasmine along the way, only to find a 30-minute wait at the ride. Jasmine definitely won’t be there when you get out back.
Make each family member’s top attractions part of your itinerary. Run through the plan before you enter the park; if children know that souvenirs are limited to one per person and that ice-cream snacks come after lunch, they’re likely to be more patient than if they’re clueless about your plans and dazzled by every trinket and treat they encounter. If you’re towing an infant or toddler, be prepared to relax on a park bench while your little one snoozes in the stroller. Don’t think about which ride you’re missing. Just kick back and soak up the enchanting scenery.
Walt Disney World Orlando Nightlife
Don’t assume that all after-dark activities revolve solely around adult bars and expensive shows. A wealth of free shows is performed at Epcot’s pavilions and stages at the Magic Kingdom and Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Even if you head back to your hotel for an afternoon nap or swim, you can always return to a theme park to catch the fireworks show. Get information on WDW nightlife from the Walt Disney World information hotline (407/824-2222 or 407/824-4500) or check www.waltdisneyworld.com. Disney nightspots accept American Express, MasterCard, and Visa. And cash. Lots of it.
Top 5 After Dark Experiences
Cirque du Soleil — La Nouba. If you haven’t yet seen one of the surreal Cirque du Soleil shows, or if you have and you were wowed, you’ll love this high-energy acrobatics performance.
Blue Man Group. How many marshmallows can one Blue Man catch in his mouth? It’s worth your while to head over to Universal’s Sharp-Aquos Theatre to find out.
House of Blues. This concert hall in Downtown Disney is the best live-music venue in Orlando and always hosts major headliners.
IllumiNations. Epcot’s nighttime spectacular, featuring lasers, fireworks, and floating movie screens, is a not-to-be-missed crowd-pleaser.
SpectroMagic. Millions of tiny white lights decorating the floats, carriages, and even costumes in this parade will absolutely mesmerize you. Kids can’t tear their eyes away from the spectacle and usually end up watching the whole thing with their mouths silently agape.
Walt Disney World Orlando Shopping
You can easily pick up $100 worth of goods before you’ve ventured even 10 feet into a Disney store, but you’re better off practicing some restraint. Enjoy the experience of just looking first. If you see something you like, think about it while you enjoy the rest of your day. You might see something even better in the next store. If you’re still thinking of that beautiful stuffed Cheshire Cat or Cinderella snow globe at the end of the day, you can always go back to get it. That way you don’t weigh yourself down with purchases until you’re ready to leave. If you’re a Disney hotel guest, you never have to carry off your purchases—Disney stores will deliver your merchandise to your room for free.
Of course, your best bet is to wait a couple of days before you buy anything; survey the scene a little before spending all the money in your budget. Better yet, save shopping for the last day of your trip. Just be careful with souvenir-hungry kids. Many attractions exit directly into gift shops. Even if you put your kid on a strict budget, he may be overwhelmed by the mind-boggling choices at hand and be completely unable to make a selection. If you return home and realize that you’ve forgotten a critical souvenir, call WDW’s Merchandise Mail Order service at 407/363-6200.
