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I have setup this eBay Guide to help get your ball rolling with planning a Walt Disney World Vacation. I've tried to break this down into sections of focus so hopefully it will be easy to navigate. With a little planning you can avoid what I like to call VACATION STRESS. This guide will help you get through the basics such as when to come, what to bring, and all the little details. I've even included a handy tipping guide!
First things first, thank you for taking the time to read my Guide to Planning & Enjoying Your Disney World Vacation. eBay only allows so much space for this review so I will try to cram as much information as possible. Anything underlined links you off to another eBay page such as an item search relative to that subject. Right click on the link and select "Open in New Window" to ensure you keep the guide open on a seperate window from the search.
Since I only have so much space to type I have begun to move the 4-parks off this guide and onto their own guide site. Click the below links to be directed to them.
When to come
My opinion on the best time to visit is a week after Thanksgiving to the week before Christmas. The parks are not that busy, but they are decked out for the holiday season. The second half of January, and the week after Labor Day until the week before Thanksgiving tend to be the least busy. Avoid any week with a major holiday, and if possible avoid coming in the summer months. Keep in mind all the kids are out of school during the summer and it rains nearly everyday. If you must come in the summer purchase a rain poncho and bring it with you. The parks will charge more than $6 for one!
Where to stay
When talking about where to stay there are two main categories; on or off Disney property. Many people may think staying at a Disney Resort is financially out of reach - I beg to differ. Check out the benefits of staying with the Mouse below.
Disney Property Hotels - There are so many advantages to staying at a Disney Resort, no one should mark it off their list of options. There are three main categories of Disney hotels: Deluxe, Moderate, and Value. A stay at the Pop Century Resort during the slow season could cost as little as $77 a night, maybe even less if you are a Florida Resident, Annual Passholder, AAA member, or if you find a promotion somewhere. Below is a small example of the benefits you'll enjoy by staying at a Disney World Resort.
- EXTRA MAGIC HOURS - Based on a schedule guests can enter a Disney park 1 hour prior to or 3 hours after the general park hours. Get on the popular attractions when everyone else can't come in! Disney recently added their Water Parks to the Extra Magic Hours program as well.
- Free continuous transportation to and from anywhere on Disney property. Free package delivery; did you splurge on a giant Mickey Plush? Have Disney send it to your hotel for you for free.
- GUEST ROOM CHARGING - Remember that Mickey Plush you splurged on? How did you pay for it? Cash, credit card... nope at Disney you CAN use cash and plastic, but why not "put it on the tab!" Give the cashier at most stores and restaurants on Disney property your room key and they can charge your room account directly!
- DISNEY MAGICAL EXPRESS - A two part service. Currently FREE to guests staying at a Disney Resort. When you leave your luggage at the airport in your hometown, you won't see it again until it arrives to your hotel room. No need to worry about baggage claim! Better yet, free transfer on the Magical Express bus to your Disney Resort. This service MUST be arranged in advance with Disney and is only available if you are staying at a Disney Resort. At checkout get your airline boarding pass, and check your luggage at your hotel. This service is for participating airlines departing out of Orlando Airport for domestic flights only.
Hotels on 192 & International Drive - These hotels are generally what you will see advertised in any 'Visit Orlando' type magazine. Popular hotel chains, as well as mom & pop stops are all over. A few things to keep in mind:
- These areas tend to be very touristy; be careful of spending all day at a nearby 'tourist trap' attraction.
- Many of these places may make misleading claims to their location such as, '5 miles from Disney.' They may be 5 miles from Disney but keep in mind Disney property is over 47 square miles. It may be 30 minutes driving to the closest park.
- Check the transportation services they offer. How often does it run, how many stops does it make, how much does it cost? These are very important questions to ask if you are planning to stay off Disney property.
- Be careful about locking into a timeshare preview. Many claim to have 90 minute tours, but end up lasting hours. Read online reviews of hotels you are considering.
Condo & Timeshares - These are popping up everywhere in Orlando. Vacation condos are very appealing to vacationers planning on spending more than a week in Orlando. The key is to research. Many of these are converted apartment buildings, which themselves are usually new or recently renovated. Again be careful with promotions for timeshare previews.
What's new at WALT DISNEY WORLD
Ok, let's divert from the nasty planning part for a while and go into the fun stuff... the parks! Let's review the most recent additions to Disney World, then later we'll go into each park more in detail.
EXPEDITION EVEREST at Animal Kingdom - Expedition Everest. now open in Asia. The new attraction is a roller coaster set inside and around Mt. Everest. The train goes forwards, backwards, and has an unforgettable encounter with the Yeti, the most amazing audio-animatronics I have EVER seen. This ride is done in true Disney story-telling style.
LIGHTS, MOTORS, ACTION at Disney - MGM Studios - This high octane stunt show is enough to peel anyone's eyes open. The show is to showcase the magic of movie making for classic car stunts. The stunt drivers are among the most talented in the industry; being able to drive 55 miles an hour... spin out 360 degrees, then drive backwards all while inches away from other cars. Definitely a must see.
SOARIN' at EPCOT - This attraction, a replica of the ride at California Adventure, was added as part of the Happiest Celebration on Earth event. Located in the Land Pavilion, this ride has you hang gliding over the best areas in California. Not only feel the wind, but smell the environment around you. One of the most relaxing and enjoyable attractions at Disney World.
BIBBIDI BOBBIDI BOUTIQUE - Yes you read right. Here your little Disney Princess will be able to get her hair, nails and makeup done in true Disney Princess style. They'll even be able to pick out their own princess gown. With boys in mind, Disney has also opened the 'Adventure Room' with hero, and pirates merchandise. Both rooms are located inside the Word of Disney store at Downtown Disney.
Getting down to business - the four park tour
In each park review I will touch the basics of the park then detail what's new, what not to miss, and what to do in case of rain. Don't forget to pick up a map and a time guide near each park entrance or at most retail locations inside the parks. Certain rides at all Disney parks have FASTPASS. This FREE service allows you to virtually skip the line. Popular attractions have FASTPASS distributions outside the standby line. Simply insert your admission ticket and a FASTPASS will print. The FASTPASS indicates a 1-hour time frame to return. Come back during that hour and skip the line. Spend the time you would have waited doing another attraction!
Magic Kingdom
The classic park, the icon of Disney. Magic Kingdom is the park that many of us remember from childhood. From Cinderella's castle, to Tomorrowland, to Adventureland. Much has changed, yet much remains the same.
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WHAT'S NEW - Cinderellabration is a new stage show set in front of Cinderella's castle. The show celebrates the coronation of Cinderella. Also new and perfect for the very little ones, Pooh's corner. This play place is intended for the wee little ones and perfect for mom & dad to relax and let the kids play. The play area is themed around Winnie the Pooh's hundred-acre wood. Stitch has also claimed stake at the Magic Kingdom. Join experiment 626 as he creates havoc on the audience.
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DON'T MISS - Mickey's Philharmagic is a 4-D movie that everyone in the family will enjoy. Here Mickey's sorcerer hat gets the best of Donald Duck. You are completely immersed into classic Disney animated movies. Don't forget to hit the mountains while at the Magic Kingdom; Space Mountain, Big Thunder Mountain, and Splash Mountain are all DON'T MISS attractions. Stay until park closing to watch Wishes fireworks show. This new firework display is choreographed to some of the best Disney music, along with a new score for the fireworks show itself.
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RAINY DAYS - Many of the classic dark-room type rides at the Magic Kingdom are perfect for the rain. Most are located in Fantasyland, such as Peter Pan's Flight, Snow White, and it's a small world. The hall of Presidents is a good show to ride out a quick summer shower, how about take a quick break at Cosmic Ray's Starlight cafe.
EPCOT
EPCOT consists of two sections. The first, Future World, showcases neat things from... go figure, the near or distant future. The second section is the World Showcase. This permanent world's fair consists of several countries around the world. Most of the Disney Cast Members are in Orlando temporarily as part of an exchange program with the respective country. Most of the rides at EPCOT are in Future World. Keep in mind however that most of Future World closes a couple hours before the World Showcase.
- WHAT'S NEW - Along with Soarin' EPCOT has opened a few other new attractions. MISSION: SPACE is among the most intense and thrilling attractions ever created. This ride accurately simulates a mission to mars. From take off to landing you'll be pressed to your seat or weightless throughout the experience. What's more, you interact with the ride to help your mission be successful. New at the recently renovated Living Seas Pavilion is Turtle Talk with Crush. Here the audience is put into a theater and children can have a real life, real-time conversation with animated Disney star, Crush!
- DON'T MISS - Illuminations Reflections of Earth firework show is presented nightly with the closing of the park. This show originally cast for Disney's millennium celebration still wow's audiences. The beginning of the show has been altered some what as the inferno barge... to put it nicely no longer exists. Instead a spectacular laser demonstration is woven into the music and existing fireworks display. Also, complimenting yet contrasting MISSION: SPACE is Test Track. This attraction replaces the crash test dummy with you to experience typical tests done by car manufacturers.
Disney - MGM Studios
Animal Kingdom
Back to planning!
What to Pack
- Comfortable Shoes - no I didn't say NEW shoes this is actually a bad idea. You should bring comfortable walking shoes. Who knows how many miles you may walk in a day. Bring enough socks to switch out mid-day. Find out if your hotel with have laundry service.
- Clothes - Yes this is Florida and you should wear warm weather clothes, but keep in mind Florida's weather is very unstable. It can decide to pour rain unannounced in the summer time and during the winter it might be hot as 80* during the day but hit 50* or lower at night while you are watching the night shows. Also remember to bring swim suit and the unmentionables!
- Remember your camera. It is very important to keep in mind that Disney World no longer develops film. As an alternative they are able to burn your digital pictures onto a CD for you. This is very important to remember especially while going through the X-Ray machines at the airport with undeveloped film.
- Toiletries - If you forget something don't worry; many hotel's offer the basics free of charge. Remember to pack: toothbrush and toothpaste, deodorant, razor and shaving cream, hair brush, and styling needs, bug spray, sunscreen and of course headache medicine!
- Travel Needs - These items are imperative to remember: Government issued picture ID, flight tickets and park tickets, ALL reservation numbers and/or confirmation letters, emergency contact info, carry-on backpack that can also be used to tote necessities at the park. Keep in mind that all bags are subject to search at all Disney parks.
- Miscellaneous Items - Cell phone and charger, Ziploc bags are handy for a number of things, spare batteries and/or chargers for electronics, watch, credit card or traveler's checks.
General Tips & Hospitality
Tips are appreciated at Disney World with the same gratitude the are everywhere else. Keep in mind however that many Disney cast members in certain positions are actually not allowed to accept tips so don't be offended if they refuse the gratuity. Generally speaking, rule of thumb tip guide follows. Obviously adjust as you feel necessary.
- Luggage assistance at the hotel and at the airport - $1 per bag. 15% given for cab, limo and towncar drivers
- Valet Parking - Depending on the speed of service $1 to $2 upon retrieving your car (not dropping it off) is appropriate. Most hotels including Disney charge for valet parking; keep in mind the charge is pure hotel profit the valet attendant is only compensated for anything additional you offer for exceptional service.
- Housekeeping - Great service is appreciated with $1 to $2 per night.
- Full Service Restaurants - 15 to 20 percent (excluding tax). Keep in mind some places automatically charge gratuity to larger parties.
- Room Service - Generally a gratuity is already applied check before you tip twice. Otherwise 15 to 20% is appropriate.
- Room Deliveries - $1 for deliver of items such as housekeeping requests (extra towels), package delivery etc.
- Spa treatments - 15%
- Concierge Service - Depends on the service given and the time spent. At the time of this writting Disney Resort concierge staff are one of those positions that are not allowed to accept gratuities.
Recreation
More to come soon!
Everything else
More to come soon!
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