Second Childhood Courtesy of Disney

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This hotel is GREAT!!! We loved it! In fact, this was my parents' second stay there. The rooms are modern, clean, and spacious. The property is lovely and sits by a large pond with lots of greenery. The morning continental breakfast is on a veranda overlooking the pond. We were able to watch wading birds and look at flowers while we ate. The breakfast was above average. You have to show your room key to get in, and they seem to know how many people you have and are ready for you. There were muffins, cereal, fruit, bagels, spreads and jellies, a waffle machine, and a variety of juices, milks, coffees, and teas. You get a plate and take whatever you want. There is also a toaster and bread selection. We were always very full when we left, and everything tasted very good and fresh. There were plenty of family-sized tables and we never felt rushed to finish. There are staff members there just to take care of breakfast, so they keep everything clean and stocked the whole time.

We did not have time to take advantage of all the hotel had to offer, but they do have a pool and hot tub. The property is gated and you must have a reservation to get past the guard post. There was a little problem with our reservation initially, but everything was worked out and they gave us a better rate for our trouble. That's good customer service. I would highly recommend this place to everyone.

The room was clean and pleasant. When we got there, the light in our bathroom was flickering. After a call to the front desk, a man was there within 5 minutes to change the bulb. I was very pleased with the service. Breakfast in the morning consisted of donuts, cereal, and fruit. They had coffee, water, and juices available as well. The tables were small and hard to come by, but the breakfast area was clean and very nicely decorated.

One of the best things was that we found ourselves always traveling opposite the traffic. By staying on this side of the parks, we never had to sit in line in the car and our drive was only about 10 minutes. It was a good choice at a good price. I would recommend this if you are on a budget and want to get away from the resort area at night. The motel has a pool and there are several restaurants on the same street that offer a discount to motel guests.

This is technically a B&B, but is not in a traditional house. It is a small inn with very few rooms and a nice property. We had a room with one full bed, cable TV, bathroom, and sliding-glass patio door that led us right to the beautiful pool area.

Breakfast every morning was in the main dining area, decorated with terra-cotta tile floors and an open french-door view of the garden. You could also dine on the garden patio. We had only to come in and give our room number, and they prepared a beautiful breakfast for us with muffins or danish (depends on the day) right out of the oven and a full plate of delicious tropical fruits. We helped ourselves to toast, bagel varieties, and beverages. This was such a luxury treat. It was a super-high-quality breakfast compared to most hotels.

The place was very clean and well maintained. The pool was sparkling and the garden beautiful. Wine and cheese were provided every evening. From the roof deck, we watched a space shuttle on the launch pad at Cape Canaveral.

The drive to Disney from Cocoa Beach is about 1 hour, so we were able to enjoy the beach and take a day at the Magic Kingdom. This is a great beachfront location, and chair and umbrella rentals are available from the inn. It is only a short walk to Ron Jon Surf Shop, and lots of dining and activities are nearby. I highly recommend this place.

Menu Items:
Fried chicken fingers and fish basket
Fried chicken tenders basket
Fried fish basket
(All above with carrots or fries.)
Ham sandwich
Tuna sandwich
Hummus sandwich
Garden salad
Clam chowder in bread bowl
Chili in bread bowl
Children''s menu

I had the fish and thought that it was delicious. It was fried just right and the fries were nice and crispy. Vinegar and tartar sauce were available. My Mom had a salad which she also enjoyed, though she was unable to finish all of it. It was big. Another woman at our table tried a sandwich, which she enjoyed.

The atmosphere is very nice. You dine inside a building made up to look like an old dockside inn. We were in a private room upstairs because of the tour, but it looked like the downstairs was nice too. You don''t need reservations as this is what Disney terms a "counter service" restaurant.

My disappointment was mainly with the food. The items are all classic American diner staples with cute sci-fi names. I had a salad called "Take Me to Your Turkey." We knew what kind of food would be served, but did not feel that the quality was very good. Everything tasted pretty mediocre. We all felt that the prices were too high for what came to the table. We also had to wait a long time for our food, so we had seen the movie loop several times over. The main draw here is the theme, not the food. I wouldn't eat there again because it just wasn't a good value.

Our meal started with a giant salad bowl that we served ourselves from. It's similar to what you get at The Olive Garden. The entrées could have been two meals for us, they were so big. Everything was perfectly cooked and seasoned, too. Our seating was comfortable, and we felt that the atmosphere was a little more elegant than that at some of the other places we had eaten. It also seemed quieter. Perhaps it was the time of day. Our waiter was very attentive and didn't give us any nasty looks when we asked for one dessert with two forks. We were ready to pop by the time we left.

If you plan to eat at Akershus, be sure to make priority seating "reservations." This restaurant does not fill up as quickly as the others, but there is still a wait at dinner time, even with priority seating. Upon your arrival at the restaurant, the host or hostess will check you in and give you a flashing pager if you have to wait for your table. This pager has enough range to allow you to go outside or browse in the pavilion''s shop. That helps take a little boredom out of the waiting. The menu does vary slightly from time to time, so it is generally not posted. However, if you ask the host or hostess for a look at the menu, they will give you a photocopy listing the buffet items for the day. Although we had already made our seating arrangements, we stopped by early in the day to check out the menu just out of curiosity and anticipation. The hostess gave us the menu and assured us several times that the food really is good and that we should not be afraid to try it. I''m guessing that lots of people are apprehensive about this type of cuisine. Like the hostess, I can assure everyone that it is good if you like simple, hearty foods. We really enjoyed it.

This is also a good place to eat if you want to catch the evening parade. The route runs right out front, so you can eat at a normal time and step right out to the parade. No running on a full stomach required!

Items include chicken fingers, burgers, and salads, as I remember. My mom and I each had a salad tossed with walnuts, peaches, and a tangy dressing. The peaches were a bit frozen, but we were happy to have some veggies.

There were a lot of tables big enough for families and everything was pretty clean. The staff prepared our orders and got us through the line quickly. We found this restaurant to be rather empty compared to others. That might have been due to the time of day, but I suspect that the location has something to do with it. Although there are several entrances, we had never even noticed this restaurant in all of our visits until we went looking for a place with salads. We found it on our guidemap first. As it is located right near the edge of Fantasyland in a high-traffic area, I think that it is easy to walk past, especially since the sign is small.

The food and atmosphere were not bad, but I don''t think that I would eat there again. It just didn''t impress me, really. I think that the Columbia Harbour House is a much better choice for a counter service salad.

The servers were all young, friendly, and very accommodating. My parents also enjoyed their meals in another room of the restaurant where they got to watch orangutans and aquarium fish.

I could not even begin to describe the exact buffet selections to you. There are many choices of meats and vegetables, a salad bar, a sandwich bar, and a dessert bar. Even drinks are included. During the meal, Pooh, Eyore, Tigger, Piglet, and Rabbit work the room, signing autographs and posing for photos. Every table gets its own special moment with the characters and kids love the special attention. Even adults who feel like kids get their own special moment. If you are interested in meeting a certain beloved character, just let the staff know and they will try to make sure that that character comes to you. Pooh and his friends can only stay out for about 15 minutes at a time, so you may have to eat slowly and wait awhile in order to meet all of the characters. My parents and sister loved the buffet for dinner when they went, and the return trip with me for lunch was equally as good.

DO make reservations. Even with priority seating, we had to wait about an hour. Turnover is very slow at character meals because (understandably) everyone wants to both eat and meet all of the characters. Plan to spend a long time here and you'll really enjoy yourself.

I'm sure that this place is busy all day long, but it is a MADHOUSE at closing time. Everyone has to filter past on the way back to the gate, and more than a few guests waft in all at once on the cookie-scented breeze. There is a brass rail that starts at the door and keeps everyone solidly in the queue so that no one trips over the folks at the tables. Tables are, of course, at a premium at that late hour. If you are a dessert junkie, I highly recommend that you feed your addiction at the Main Street Bake Shop. Your tastebuds will thank you. Of course, if you want to do something silly like actually eat lunch, there are also sandwiches and fresh breads on the menu. This is a great place to stop in for your morning coffee and a pastry as you enter the park.

*Drink and be Merry: It is HOT in Orlando in the summer (and at other times, too), and there is a lot of concrete at Disney. You must drink plenty of liquids throughout the day or you will probably get dehydrated and begin to feel tired or even dizzy. You can bring your own water bottle to refill at fountains or purchase drinks at the parks. Don''t just drink sodas. They do not protect you from dehydration. It is important to have some water, even if you stop at one of the many fountains. If you don''t like Florida water, you can purchase a water bottle at home with its own filtration system. They''re great! You will feel much better and have a better time if you stay hydrated.

*Keep Your Cool: Lines for popular attractions can be very long. The folks at Disney have provided lots of shade in the form of trees and covered queues, but the line may extend beyond that on a busy day. After making it through a busy attraction where you''ve been standing in the sun, make one of your next stops an indoor one. There are lots of attractions that have air-conditioning, such as the Carousel of Progress or Spaceship Earth. It is also a great idea to eat your big meal during lunchtime. The prices are lower for much of the same food, you get to sit indoors during the hottest part of the day, and you can drink lots of liquids while you''re relaxing. This also gives us adults the rest of the day to walk it off!

*Use the Fast Pass!!!: This is a relatively new invention at Disney, so not too many people know about it or understand it yet. Go to a busy attraction that you really want to enjoy and put your ticket into the machine. Your ticket will come back out with a printed slip giving you a time to return to the attraction. If you arrive in that time period, you go into a special line that gets you on the ride much, much faster. We were on within 5 to 10 minutes, usually. IT DOES NOT COST EXTRA! I''ll write more about this in another entry.

*SPF 4000: Wear your sunscreen! Even though you will be in and out of attractions all day, you can still burn quite easily. You may not realize it, but some of the paved surfaces actually intensify the sunlight they reflect back. This has given quite a few people a weird sockline burn. Sunscreen works best if you apply it and let it dry before you go out in the sun. Put it on at the hotel and carry a little for reapplication later.

*Stake a Claim/Claim a Steak: If you plan on having a character dinner or wish to eat at a sit-down restaurant rather than counter service, MAKE A RESERVATION! Seats fill up for meals way in advance, and you may not get in. You can make reservations at Guest Services or on any WDW phone by dialing 407-WDW-DINE. This cuts down on crankiness and growling tummies. We usually split up the work by having one person make dinner reservations while the other sprints to an attraction and gets Fast Passes. If you get this out of the way first thing, you will have a worry-free day.

*Buck the Herd: There seems to be a set pattern that most visitors follow at the parks. It can be very helpful to deviate from it. For example, eat your big meal at lunch. The character dining/feature restaurants have nearly the same menu and you pay less per head. The added advantage is that you can just grab a quick bite at dinnertime when everyone else is clamoring for a table. This means that you spend less time in line for attractions during dinner, or you can get a prime spot for the evening parade or show. There are also small surprises all over WDW that you can only discover by taking the road less traveled. Sometimes by taking the long way around or the narrower walkway, you will stumble across something special. One of the water fountains by Innoventions at Epcot talks when you use it! It is not one of the really obvious fountains that everyone uses, so it took us a while to discover it. You will also get a surprise if you pull the rope on the well outside the Indiana Jones stunt show at MGM. You don''t have to walk right by just because everyone else does. Almost everything accessible to you at WDW is meant to be touched. Little surprises like this can save the day just when everyone is starting to get irritable. Take advantage of them.

*Make Like a Turtle: A turtle carries its whole house on its back. In the same way, you can carry your whole day on your back effortlessly with a little planning. Get a small backpack, belt pack, or lumbar pack that fits comfortably and snugly. Toss in sunscreen, small first-aid items and medicines, small snacks, a camera and film, an extra pair of socks, and all of your guides. It is also great to bring along a cheap, disposable rain poncho from your neighborhood discount store. You can get those for about $1 and they will save you during an unexpected shower or unexpectedly wet attraction. Ponchos at Disney cost much more. Most rides at WDW are fairly tame and will not require the removal of your pack. Those rides that are a bit rougher will have a stretchy cargo net that will secure your items. If you are prepared with a good pack, you will have most everything you need right at your fingertips and you will not have to go all over the park searching for a place to buy what you need.

*Treat Your Tootsies: Your feet will be the most frequently used parts of your body while you are at Disney. Treat them right! Always wear shoes with good support and cushioning and make sure that your socks are a good fit. Don''t wear new shoes that haven''t been broken in yet. You will be walking all day, and you don''t want blisters at the end of it. If you wear good sport sandals instead of sneakers, be sure to put a little sunscreen on the tops of your feet. As I mentioned earlier, the pavement will often magnify the effects of the sun. Those whose feet are not used to much exposure can really be painfully red by the end of the day. If you expect to ride water attractions such as Splash Mountain or Kali River Rapids or if you plan to cool off in a fountain, be sure to bring extra socks or even flip-flops to wear near the water. It is a very BAD idea to walk around the rest of the day in wet shoes and socks. This can lead to blisters and even fungal growth on your poor, tired feet. Some people like to use foot powder in their socks to prevent too much sweating, but be aware that powder can sometimes cause slipping--leading to blisters.

*Invite Your Kids to Be Guests at the Potty: Whenever you pass a restroom, suggest to kids that they go. Some lines are very long, and kids who "gotta go NOW" can cause you to lose a spot you waited an hour for. You also may not be able to make it out of line in time, especially if you''re already in the indoor queue. On a similar note, it''s also good to be able to pull a little treat or toy out of that backpack if kids get cranky in line. Just be sure that electronic games allow you to toggle the sound OFF.

*Bring Snacks: Avoid spending between meals by packing up some snacks for your day in the parks. Just don't bring anything that will melt.

*Eat at the Hotel: If your hotel offers continental breakfast, take advantage of it. Some will even have packaged danishes and cereals that you can take along with you if you want to get an early start or don't like to eat first thing in the morning.

*Be Prepared: Lots of little purchases can add up. Before you pack at home, think about what your typical day in the parks will be like. Make a list of all the little items you might want or need during your day, and pack a survival pack. Even small items can cost many times what you would pay at home, so a little preparation can save you a lot. Buy disposable plastic ponchos at your discount store for around $1. They cost much more at the parks. Pick up some autograph books and big pens for the kids, little snacks, film, sunscreen--anything you think you might need. You can always leave it in your room if you change your mind, but you might just be glad you have them.

*Commute: There are some great lodging rates to be had outside of the resort, and a ten-minute drive can make all the difference. Try some of the accommodations in Kissimmee or Baseball City. My mom and I got a rate of $35 a night for a clean, pleasant motel in Baseball City while the lowest rate available from Disney was $90 a night. That freed up extra money for our day.

*Eat Supper at Lunch Time: This is great for so many reasons. One of them is saving money. At the buffet restaurants you get almost the same food, and plenty of it, for less than the dinner price.

*BYOB (Bring Your Own Beverage): Pack bottled water or a refillable cup to help you stay hydrated during the day. You can save about $2.00 per beverage this way. Juice boxes are also a good idea when everyone tires of water. Save soda purchases for mealtime. You will save money and stay hydrated better.

*Collect Freebies: You can take home Disney souvenirs without spending like mad. Character autographs are a great freebie. Bring your own autograph books and chunky pens, then collect away. Try to see how many autographs you can get. Have a photo scavenger hunt. Take a picture in every country in Epcot's World Showcase, or try to collect as many character photos as possible. This works better with older children and adults.

*Save Your Parking Pass: If you park in a Disney lot, keep your parking pass all day even if you drive to another park. Some people think that you have to pay at each lot. If you pay to park at one park, you can use the pass at all the other parks until it expires.

*Check Your Memberships: Disney is such a popular destination that many clubs, services, and companies offer discounts. If you belong to ANYTHING, check for discounts. Check with your auto club, your credit union, your employer, AARP, etc. Some do not offer discounts, but offer special privileges such as AAA parking. Disney also runs periodic specials for people like the military. Sponsor companies like FedEx get incredible savings on tickets and rooms. A friend of mine who works for FedEx took his family to WDW and stayed at Coronado Springs for $35 a night! A little research can really pay off.

WDW is its own county, not part of Orange County. It is known as the Reedy Creek Improvement District and has everything a normal county would have except a police force and a school board. Why? Orange County would not allow the Cinderella Castle to be built of fiberglass (so it would not sink), so the governor at the time granted Walt Disney his own county.

There are dress codes for park guests. It is not acceptable to walk around shirtless or in a bikini top. In order to maintain the wholesome atmosphere, cast members may discreetly give the improperly dressed a Disney T-shirt to wear for the rest of the day. Be careful to dress decently.

You don't have to carry your purchases around all day. You can check your purchases, usually at the store where you buy them, and pick them up at Guest Services at the end of the day. Resort guests can have the items delivered to their resort's desk! This is soooo convenient. We did it at Animal Kingdom and had a much more enjoyable day unencumbered.

What It Is
The Fast Pass is like a reservation for an attraction. Some attractions at WDW are so wildly popular that guests might spend 2 or more hours in line waiting. The Fast Pass helps eliminate this problem to some degree by giving passholders a specific time period to return to the attraction. THERE IS NO EXTRA CHARGE FOR THE FAST PASSES!!! You have nothing to lose by using them.

How It Works
Go to the busy attraction that you wish to experience. If it is a Fast Pass attraction, you will see a sign on one or more machines near the beginning of the queue. Go up to the machine and insert your "single-day" or "hopper" ticket into the slot as shown on the machine. The machine will read your ticket and return it to you along with another slip of paper. The slip will give you a time period in which to return to the attraction. It may take a moment to print, so be patient. Take note of the time and secure your Fast Pass somewhere dry. You can now go and do other things. When the time period on your Fast Pass rolls around, you can return to the ride and enter a special line. Typically we were only in line for 5 to 10 minutes. A cast member will check your Fast Pass as you enter to ensure that you are there at the right time. You will then be able to experience the attraction without waiting for hours.

Important to Remember
You can only get one Fast Pass per ticket at the attraction. If you have a group wanting to go in together, make sure that whoever gets the passes takes all the tickets with them. You can only get one pass per ticket every two hours or after you use your first pass, whichever comes first. For example, suppose I get a fast pass for Space Mountain but also want to ride Thunder Mountain Railroad. I would have to wait two hours after getting my Space Mountain pass to go to Thunder Mountain Railroad and get another pass--OR--if my Fast Pass for S.M. is used in less than two hours, I could go to T.M.R. right after I ride S.M. and get a pass for that. Confused? It's not too hard to use, I promise. You'll get the hang of it.

Useful Hints
Choose the popular attraction you most want to ride and go straight there for a Fast Pass when the park opens. You can get an earlier time that way. We went straight to Space Mountain at opening and got passes for 6:20pm! Fast Passes will run out eventually, so make sure you act early. If you go to an attraction that you really like and there are Fast Passes available, go ahead and take one, then get in line. In many cases, once you stand in line and ride once, it will be time for your Fast Pass when you get off. That will allow you to ride twice in a row without standing in line again. We did that for Kilimanjaro Safaris and it worked really well. We got right back on. Keep track of your Fast Pass! It will do you no good to go back emptyhanded. Treat the pass like money or your ticket. If your pass is not collected when you go in, throw it away in a trash can. I was annoyed by the number of people who tossed them to the floor. The cast members generally do not care who uses the Fast Passes. If you have a Fast Pass and decide not to use it, you can give it to someone else. We arrived at MGM at about 5pm and got in line for the Rock-n-Rollercoaster. It was too late to get a Fast Pass. Some really nice folks walked up to us, asked us how many we had, and gave us their Fast Passes for that time so we could go right on. We also did this for some other people. It is a nice way to brighten someone's day if your plans change.

Personal Opinion
I love the Fast Pass idea. At first, I thought it would complicate things, but I was wrong. You've got nothing to lose. My mom and I tried it the last time we went, and it changed the way we spent our day. We chose to keep close track of the passes and our 2-hour limits for getting them and managed to ride the popular attractions with almost no wait time. This gave us hours more time that we were not tied up in line. We had time to sit down and rest our feet, people-watch, eat long meals, and still do all we wanted to do. We rode favorite rides more than once. It took away some of the stress of trying to "get it all in." If you don't mind watching your watch a little, you can really put these passes to major use and revolutionize your Disney experience. At least try it out. You may find, as we did, that there is much more at Disney to enjoy than just attractions.

Most characters that are out roaming the parks will also have a handler who is responsible for forming a greeting line and making sure that as many people as possible get to meet the characters. When it's time to go, the handler will escort the character back into shade. It's hard to stay out in the Florida heat when you're a "tubby little cubby all stuffed with fluff" like Pooh and so many of the other characters. They can't stay long with all their fur, so they will usually go indoors for a break after about 15 minutes. Don't be surprised if not everyone gets a turn in line.

A great way to guarantee yourself a character experience is to have a character meal. While you sit and enjoy a delicious meal, the characters will come to you. Every table gets to meet at least one character, and servers will try to help you if you want to meet that one special favorite.

Another way to meet characters is to go to a designated meet-and-greet area like Mickey's Toontown Fair. You can stand in line under the big top for specific characters. You might have to wait quite a while, but you are guaranteed a personal few moments with the characters you choose. There are special lines for different duos. We stood in line for Pluto and Goofy. This was great because a cast member was also there at the end of the line to take our picture for us. You can also meet Mickey and Minnie at their homes in Toontown. Check your park map or go to Guest Services to find out where you can go for a guaranteed character greeting.

Photos with your favorite characters are great, but there is no need to just stand there like a statue in family photo formation. All of the Disney characters are fun-loving (even Cruella, though she won't admit it), and they will interact and play with you if you don't mind being a little silly. Personally, I love to be a big, goofy kid when I go to the parks. I have run, arms outstretched, from the head of the line to meet Tigger in a big hug. I even got a loud and Tiggerrific kiss! The photo is one of my favorites. My sister and I stopped in at the little-visited market location in Adventureland. I love Baloo, so I shrieked "Baloo!" and gave him a big hug. My sister was having technical difficulties with my camera and could not snap the photo. Baloo released me and stamped his big foot right at her, scaring her half to death. He made some exasperated gestures, and I showed my sis how to operate the camera. Baloo then playfully outstreched his arms again and came over to me as if we'd just arrived. We recreated the hug moment, and got the photo. My sister then got a pat on the head from our playful pal. Since few other people were there, we got to take our time with this humorous encounter. You get out of the encounter what you put into it, so don't be afraid to be playful. If you don't interact, you might as well have your picture made with a cardboard cutout. The mental memories you will make will also be better than the photographs.

-Haunted Mansion: When overlooking the dining room, look on the table. There is an accidental Mickey formed out of three plates. There is an intentional Mickey in the graveyard scene. When you pass the open crypt, look inside at the ghostly grim reaper. The fingers of his upraised hand form the head-on silhouette of Mickey's head and ears.
-Spaceship Earth: Look at the monks' writing desk. One monk is sleeping and there is a Mickey head on his page. Look at the work bench of the Renaissance painter. White paint rings form a tri-circle Mickey head.
-Pirates of the Caribbean: There is a pirate holding a handful of treasure including some pearl necklaces. Hanging from his fingers are three bracelets fused together to form a Mickey. In the treasure room at the end, there are three gold plates on the floor in Mickey formation. The jail cell locks are Mickey-esque.

For a huge list of contributed hidden Mickeys, try going to: www.hiddenmickeys.org It's amazing! You might want to have fun looking for them on your own first, though.

Hollywood Boulevard
You step through the gate at MGM and find yourself right in the middle of all the Hollywood glamour. Hollywood Boulevard is flanked by glitzy buildings, mostly in Art Deco style, housing shops and eateries. If you''re lucky, you might meet a character from the golden age of Hollywood strolling around the streets or loitering on a bench. We caught a couple of starlets gossiping in front of the diner late one night. Once represented by the mouse-eared water tower, MGM now has a new centerpiece icon. Introduced as part of the 100 Years of Magic celebration, a giant Sorcerer Mickey hat dominates the end of Hollywood Boulevard. Souvenirs are available underneath the hat. Continuing past the hat to the very end of Hollywood Boulevard, you will come to a replica of Mann''s Chinese Theater, complete with celebrity hand- and footprints in the sidewalk outside. Inside, the theater houses "The Great Movie Ride." While waiting in the queue, guests watch a film loop of scenes from various motion pictures. The ride itself takes you through various scenes from motion-picture history, brought to life in audio-animatronics. I found this ride interesting the first time I went on it, but haven''t wanted to stand in line for too long to ride it again. It just didn''t excite me. It''s worth riding at least once, but don''t wait if the line is stretching outside. You have a long way to go once you''re in the door. If you hit it at the right time of the day, the line will be minimal.

Echo Lake
This area features two main attractions: the Indiana Jones Stunt Spectacular and Star Tours. The Indiana Jones show is fun for the whole family and has opportunities for audience participation. Arrive early if you want to be chosen as an extra. The show features a variety of stunts and special effects, including explosions and enemy fire. This show is not good for people who are easily scared by loud noises or intense scenes. Star Tours allows you to enter a ride capsule simulating a spacecraft from the Star Wars movies. You are whisked off in simulated space flight toward Endor, but things go awry. Before it''s all over, you will have been through some serious maneuvers. There are lots of photo ops outside this ride in the recreated Ewok village. Also near this area is "Sounds Scary," a movie-type attraction starring Drew Carrey. The focus here is on sound effects, so the video intentionally goes bye-bye and you are left with only your ears and the darkness for a bit. This is not good for kids who are scared of the dark. We heard some whimpers in the audience even over the headphones. We were also not particularly entertained. On my last trip with my mom, we ate at Backlot Express--a counter service restaurant with fast food. The burgers were delicious! In fact, we were drawn so by the smell that we could hardly wait to get out of the Indiana Jones show and into the restaurant to eat.

New York Street
I think my favorite area at MGM is New York Street. You can''t help but feel like you''re in a much friendlier version of the Big Apple on this realistic set. Two rows of buildings line the street, leading up to a perspective mural of the famous skyline. At Christmastime, they decorate the buildings with lights and blow fake snow (tiny suds) from the rooftops. The effect is magical. I love to take photos here, as there are so many great places you can pretend to be. The Muppet Vision 3D show is not to be missed! It''s great fun for everyone--no matter what age. You''ll laugh and laugh--and get a few surprises!

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Sunset Boulevard
This area features the two biggest thrill rides at Walt Disney World: the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror and the Rock-n-Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith. These are Fast Pass attractions, and I HIGHLY recommend that you take advantage of that. Lines are long most of the time, and teens and adults usually like to ride these attractions again and again. The Tower of Terror is set in the Hollywood Towers Hotel, where an elevator accident long ago has left some strange forces at work inside the building. This is not for the faint of heart! The ride starts out slowly at first, but you will eventually PLUNGE 13 stories. The view from this ride is spectacular at night, as you can see all of Disney MGM Studios lit up below you in the moment before the fateful drop. Coaster lovers will enjoy the Rock-n-Roller Coaster for its speed and unique twist--Aerosmith music in every seat. The "pre-show," as Disney calls it, has members of the band inviting you to join them at a concert. The coaster portion is a wild limousine ride through a crazy, blacklight-illuminated California freeway. This indoor-coaster concept is not unique to Disney, but the story line makes the ride special. For those of you who are classic rock fans like me, you''ll enjoy the soundtrack as well. Your photo will be taken just as the ride launches, so be sure to do something cute. You''ll be able to look at yourself after the ride. I would have enjoyed riding this again and again, but without a Fast Pass, you''ll be in line for a while. Also near here is the nighttime show Fantasmic. This was really neat. Mickey and friends battle with famous Disney villains, both in live action and projected scenes. The scenes are actually projected on water sprays from the stagefront pond. Quite mesmerizing. At the show''s end, guests are treated to a fantastic lighted parade of characters on all kinds of boats. It''s really something special for the whole family. As always, cast members are on hand before the show to entertain the waiting crowds. HINT: If you plan to sit at the front of the ampitheater, make sure you bring a poncho. If the wind is wrong, the water sprays WILL get you WET. Fireworks are included, making this a great way to end your day.

Other Notes
I did not care as much for the dining options at MGM. I find the restaurants at the Magic Kingdom and Epcot to be more appealing menu-wise. This is a good place to eat counter-service foods or have treats, but I did not really enjoy my sit-down experience. See my journal entry on the Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater. I think that next time I will try one of the other restaurants, such as Hollywood and Vine, 50''s Prime Time Cafe, or the Brown Derby.

Getting there:Visitors access the parking area by private vehicle or Disney buses. From there you have the option of taking the monorail or boats to the Magic Kingdom itself. The monorail is by far the speediest form of transportation, and the frequent pickups begin one hour before gate opening. The boats also begin running about one hour before opening, offering a more relaxing ride across the Seven Seas lagoon to the "island" that is the Magic Kingdom. If you have never been to WDW before, my advice is to take the monorail in and the boat back at night. That gets you to the park lickety-split, then gives you a nice, calming return in the evening when everyone is tired. Resort guests may also access the Magic Kingdom via resort launches.

Main Street, USA:Upon entering at the gate, you will step straight onto Main Street, USA where it is always the Fourth of July. If you look around, you will notice all of the red, white, and blue banners flying from the buildings. Modeled after Walt''s childhood home of Marceline, Missouri, this area represents a whimsical view of "turn of the (20th) century" America. If you are not in a hurry to race to that first attraction to get a fast pass, stick around for a little while after opening. Cast members put on a "Good Morning, Main Street" show with lots of dancing and singing to start the day off with a bang. This show really makes you feel welcome and puts you right into the spirit of WDW. Guest Relations is directly on the left in City Hall. This is where you can make priority seating reservations for lunch or dinner and get information of all kinds. This is one of the most consistently crowded areas in the park as all guests enter and exit here. Most of the shops on Main Street are connected, so you can avoid some of the crowd, enjoy the air-conditioning, and do a little browsing by walking through those instead of using the street. Main Street vehicles travel up and down during the day, offering nostalgic rides in classic style. This is also where the big parades take place (notice the float tracks embedded in the street). Consult Guest Relations for times. I have spent a great deal of time during my visits chasing around the barbershop quartet that performs here and there on Main Street. If you want to listen to their performance you have to be quick--they disappear at the end on their four-seater bicycle. Speaking of barber shops, you can also visit the Harmony Barber shop for a haircut. Eateries and "snackeries" abound on Main Street, to which all the many smells will attest. You can''t help but need an ice cream, a cookie, or an all-American hot dog.

Hand in Hand: Straight ahead from Main Street is the statue of Walt and Mickey, hand in hand. Together the two Disney pioneers survey their land, the land where Walt''s dreams still come true every day. From this area, shared in part by the Cinderella Castle, paths depart like spokes of a wagon wheel into the magical lands of the Magic Kingdom. Walt never actually got to see Walt Disney World in its completion, as the park opened after his death. It is nice to know that at least his image in bronze casts a gentle eye across the park day after fun-filled day. From here we will proceed clockwise around the wheel.

Adventureland: Adventureland is the first stop as you proceed to the left. This is the home of such attractions as The Enchanted Tiki Room, Pirates of the Caribbean, Jungle Cruise, and The Magic Carpets of Aladdin. You can also visit the Swiss Family Robinson Treehouse and grab a bite to eat at El Pirata y El Perico. The theme here is evident in the profusion of tropical plants, bamboo and stucco construction, and piles of safari gear and pirate booty offered for sale. This is the place to meet characters from the Jungle Book and Aladdin.

Frontierland: Next stop on this wagon train is. . . Frontierland! Every pioneer and cowpoke is welcome in this wild western town. You can get out of the sun at the Country Bear Jamboree and take a hair-raising ride on Thunder Mountain Railroad. It''s a good idea to grab a fast pass for Thunder Mountain railroad and Splash Mountain, as these attractions tend to have waits of about two hours on peak days. There is also a station for the Walt Disney World Railroad here, if I remember correctly. Frontierland is the home of the Diamond Horseshoe Saloon Revue and one of the park''s quiet escapes--Tom Sawyer Island. Tom Sawyer Island is accessible via raft and is a great place to escape the heat and explore. The caves, trails, and maze of buildings provide a great place for kids to run around and stretch their legs and imaginations. Frontierland is also a good place to watch the Spectro Magic Parade in the evenings, as it is usually not as crowded as Main Street.

Fantasyland: Fantasyland is home to the famous Cinderella Castle. Built at 199 feet, this majestic edifice houses Mealtime with Cinderella and acts as the stage for high-energy shows. You can take a spin on the carousel, take flight with Peter Pan, or take to the mines in Snow White''s Scary Adventures. Other attractions include the Mad Tea Party, Dumbo the Flying Elephant, The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, and the infamous "It''s a Small World." This is the land of princes and princesses, and where you can find any and all items for a day in the royal court. Princess hats, crowns, fairy wings--the shops of Fantasyland have all the necessary items to help you make your little fairy tale a reality. This is also the land of strollers, strollers everywhere, so watch your step!

Mickey''s Toontown Fair: This is the newest land in the Magic Kingdom, opened in 1988. This is where you can guarantee yourself a meeting with some of the Disney characters at either the Judge''s Tent or the Hall of Fame Tent. If you MUST see Mickey, get in line at the Judge''s Tent for an autograph and photo op. You can also visit Mickey and Minnie''s homes where you are given the run of the house. One of my favorite attractions is the Barnstormer rollercoaster at Goofy''s Wiseacre Farm. It''s low on thrills, true, but I still think it''s big on fun. If you''re burning up and ready for a little splash, you can take to the seas with Donald Duck on his leaky boat. You''ll find water in the darndest places. This land is especially geared for the wee folk, and some rides are scaled for the smallest of kids. The colors are bright, and the atmosphere is one of non-stop fun. Last, but not least, this is the third and last stop on the Walt Disney World Railroad before it returns to Main Street Station.

Tomorrowland: Tomorrowland was built out of Walt''s unique vision for the future. The challenge in this land has been keeping the "future" aspect relevant in a world of rapidly advancing technology. Some attractions such as Alien Encounter, The Timekeeper, and Buzz Lightyear''s Space Ranger Spin represent today''s tomorrow, while old favorites such as the Astro Orbiter and the Tomorrowland Transit Authority echo the science fiction ideals of yesteryear. The Carousel of Progress is one of my favorite ways to beat the heat. There is never a long wait for this indoor attraction that takes you through an entire century of progress with a single host family. Be forewarned--you will be singing the theme song ALL day long! The feature attraction of Tomorrowland is Space Mountain, which frequently has a wait of two hours. Be sure to get a fast pass for this indoor coaster that sends you hurtling through the stars. Another favorite of mine is the Tomorrowland Transit Authority which I grew up knowing as the "People Mover." This is a wonderfully smooth ride through all of Tomorrowland. In continuous motion, the TTA picks up passengers on a moving platform, then whisks you along on an elevated track. It''s a great introduction to Tomorrowland, as it takes you in for a sneek peak at all of the major attractions. There is also a spot to get a great photo of the Cinderella Castle--if you''re quick. There is usually no line, so I like to ride this attraction over and over to rest my feet and people-watch from the air. Back down on the ground is the Indy Speedway where you can drive your own sportscar around the track. Unfortunately, the skyway buckets between Tomorrowland and Fantasyland are gone. I''m curious to see what will open up in the station locations.

Spectro Magic (formerly the Main Street Electrical Parade): This is a nighttime parade that begins in Frotierland and goes down Main Street, USA. Floats covered in fantastic colored lights run on tracks through the park twice every night. This is a special look at characters in sparkling light-up outfits, parading to magical tunes. If you want a curbside seat for this parade, you may have to sit down an hour beforehand, depending on visitation. Don''t worry--cast members are on hand close to parade time to rev up and entertain the crowd with audience-participation games, skits, and songs. I had the good fortune of being there on New Year''s Eve in 1998 and was chosen to sing a special rendition of the Twelve Days of Christmas--The Twelve Days of Vacation, with attractions of our own choosing as the days. My Mom has me on video singing "Nine mad teacups. . ." It was tons of fun. The earlier showing can be easier to get a spot for, as many people are eating dinner at this time. The final showing wraps up the day at the Magic Kingdom, culminating in fireworks and Tinkerbell''s flight from atop the Cinderella Castle. I can''t think of a more fitting end to the day.

Future World

Spaceship Earth: The centerpiece of this park, Spaceship Earth, is a giant geodesic dome whose silvery surfaces evoke a space-age feel. This is the first attraction guests encounter upon entering the gate. Guests board individual rotating cars and travel through time, following the progress of mankind in communications. After passing through recorded history, guests continue on into the future where new ideas and new innovations await. Upon exit, you may visit the AT&T Global Neighborhood where you can test and learn about the latest technological realities in the world of communications. This is great fun for adults and older kids who are tech savvy.

The Living Seas: Visit Sea Base Alpha to learn all about man's relationship to the sea. A giant saltwater aquarium provides views of underwater denizens and touch tanks allow little hands to get a little closer. You can also learn about undersea technology and research and listen to a talk by a cast member. We caught part of one of these talks and really enjoyed it. One of my favorite parts is the manatee viewing area. It is rare to get such an up-close look at these shy creatures in the wild, so not too many people realize what they are looking at at first. It's great to have such a wonderful educational opportunity. Downstairs is the Coral Reef seafood restaurant. I haven't eaten there, as it just seemed somehow off after viewing the aquariums. I jokingly call it "The Seas, Dead and on Your Plate." I have no objections to seafood (mmm!), but felt weird about it.

Wonders of Life: This pavilion is all about the body and health issues. You can learn about the nervous system in Cranium Command, and the immune system in Body Wars. There are lots of little films and hands-on exhibits to help people of all ages learn about the body and the importance of good exercise and nutrition. The snack counter here serves healthy treats. I personally did not find this section of the park to be very entertaining and feel that it could use an update.

The Land: This pavilion is easy to miss if you are not looking for it, as it sits off of the main path. It houses one of my favorite EPCOT attractions--Living With the Land. This is a boat ride, narrated by a real live cast member, that takes you through the ins and outs of food production. You will see a greenhouse, hydroponic gardens, nd the "aquacell" where fish are raised for food. The focus here is on innovations for sustainable agriculture and aquaculture. Lots of the food consumed in WDW is raised using these methods! Very educational and fun for adults and older kids. A special tour is available at an additional cost which goes more in depth on these same subjects. Also in The Land are two shows: Food Rocks and The Circle of Life. Food rocks has animatronic food characters singing songs about proper eating. The Circle of Life is a Lion King inspired film about environmental awareness. Downstairs in The Land pavilion is a food court with several fast food options available. The delicious smell of the barbecue there almost made me wish that I didn't already have reservations somewhere else. I definitely hope to go back and try it. For sit-down meals, there is the Garden Grill Restaurant which provides character dining with Chip and Dale.

Journey Into Imagination: Much to my disappointment, this attraction has been closed for rehab every time I've been to EPCOT. I will come back and edit if I ever actually get to go!

Universe of Energy: Ellen Degeneres hosts this low-speed tour through the eons of energy history. I didn't even know at first that we would be moving. The ride starts out in a giant theater where you watch a film. The theater seats then close off and split apart into sections for the ride! With the help of Bill Nye, Science Guy, you and Ellen journey back to the age of dinosaurs to discover the beginnings of energy sources we use today. The show is part film, part animatronics. By the time you exit this extensive attraction, you will have learned quite a bit about the world's energy needs and resources. I really enjoyed this attraction, largely because I was so surprised by the moving theater.

Innoventions: Innoventions is split into two plazas known as Innoventions East and Innoventions West. I haven't tried everything there, but to sum it up I can say that this is a showcase for new technology. You get the chance to view and try out new ideas from a variety of companies and organizations. Each sponsor showcases something new or innovative in its field such as Future Cars hosted by General Motors. There are lots of hands-on activities and exhibits do change, so I don't want to spoil it all by telling you about it.

Test Track:The GM Test Track is one of the fastest rides at Walt Disney World before it's all over. You board a test vehicle, get strapped in, and ride through a series of inspection tests. Simulations include sharp curves, heat, and ice, among others. This ride has lots of bumps and jolts, but most of the thrill comes from anticipation. Monitors throughout the ride show test control engineers who explain each test and really build up the excitement. You're never really sure just how extreme the effect of the test is going to be. The final speed test occurs at the end of the ride. I would recommend getting a fast pass for this ride, as I did not think that it was worth hours in line. I enjoyed it, but would have been disappointed if I'd waited any longer than about 20 minutes in line. As you exit the Test Track, there is a GM-ponsored commercial you can view in special mobile seats. The seats have the appearance of virtual reality equipment, but it is really just a commercial with a little motion to it. This is announced periodically over the loudspeaker, but it looks interesting so we tried it. It's neat if you've got a few minutes and the line is short, but I wouldn't recommend waiting very long. You won't miss much. The old GM commercials you can watch while in the queue are a lot of fun, though.

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The world showcase takes you through a mini-tour of 11 countries. Each pavilion is designed to introduce you to the best each country has to offer and to help you learn about the people and cultures of these different lands. World Showcase typically opens one hour after Future World, so don't hesitate to jump right in line for Spaceship Earth when EPCOT opens. You'll get to the World Showcase in plenty of time.

Mexico: The world tour begins in Mexico with a journey along the River of Time (El Rio de Tiempo). This is a light-hearted and short boat ride through Mexico where video and animatronic characters welcome you south of the border. To access the River of Time, enter the Mayan temple and enjoy the small display of artifacts. Once you pass through this area, you will find yourself in an indoor area designed to look like an outdoor marketplace. The ceiling is night sky, and you are surrounded by buildings, including a glassblower's shop and market stalls. There is also the San Angel Inn restaurant, designed to look like an open-air dining area fronting the River of Time and a massive volcano. This is one of the most popular restaurants at EPCOT and priority seating times go fast, so be sure to reserve first thing.

Norway: For a cool break in the afternoon, visit the Stave Church in the Norway pavilion. This is a really educational exhibit featuring the stave church, a mainstay of Norwegian architecture. There is a lot of reading and a lot of history, so younger kids tend to get bored. This is an attraction that people typically do not visit on their first trip. Also in Norway is a boat ride known as the Maelstrom. This attraction will take you into Norway's past and even introduce you to some characters out of Scandinavian folklore. I won't say more so as not to spoil the surprise. Once outside again, you can climb around inside a replica Viking ship, which is great for photo opportunities. I have some great shots of my family gazing wistfully off to starboard as if sighting land on the horizon. The main restaurant in Norway is Castle Akershus, the authentic lunch and dinner buffet. I could not get my dad and sister to try this one, so my mom and I went on our trip alone. I really enjoyed the food, though it was very heavy. You can read my separate review on this restaurant. This does not fill up as fast as some other places, but you should still make reservations early in the day.

China: There is no "ride" in China. The main attraction is a 360-degree film called Wonders of China. The footage in this film is spectacular and showcases the beauty of China's people and natural wonders. This is so worth it for adults, though I can't say whether small kids would be able to be still the whole time. I would recommend watching this more than once if you want to see all the views. It's really a great film. I have not eaten in China, so I have no dining advice for you.

Germany: The German pavilion is modeled after the medieval town of Rothenburg, Germany. Having been to Rothenburg myself, I can say that I don't really see the resemblance, but the flavor is still there in the half-timbered buildings and whimsical fountain. We had lunch at Sommerfest there, which was very tasty. There aren't any real "attractions" here--just shopping and food.

Italy: This is another pavilion that features mainly shopping and food. There can be a variety of entertainers during the day, so keep your eyes open. I have seen street gypsies, sidewalk chalk artists, and roving musicians. A stop at the large fountain is a refreshing photo op. Known for high fashion, Italy provides the opportunity to purchase high-end accessories.

America: The main attraction here is the American Adventure. This is an audio-animatronic show featuring two of my favorite people--Mark Twain and Ben Franklin. In this unique show, your hosts take you through the milestones of the American experience, including the Civil War and the first moon landing. The concept for this show is really innovative, and I highly recommend a visit. I found it very enjoyable and sometimes even inspiring. If you are lucky, you can catch the Voices of Liberty choral group, performing traditional American songs. Very talented! There are dining options in this area, but I have not tried them.

Japan: There is an exhibit here about Japanese baseball which is often overlooked. I think this attraction would be more interesting to someone who really enjoys baseball, but I found it only mildly so. My main interest was in the group playing the drums outside the pagoda. The music is very powerful and the movements used in playing are beautiful by themselves. It is like a slow-motion ballet that builds to a fast-paced aerobic dance, all centered around the playing of the large traditional drums. The music draws guests from all around the World Showcase. I had some delicious sushi and tempura at the Matsunoma Lounge. Even if you only stop for a drink, I highly recommend this lounge for the view. Try reading my separate review. The store at Japan is also my favorite in the World Showcase. The inventory is extensive, and prices are very reasonable. I bought supplies for making my own sushi, which are either hard to find or very expensive at home. Treasure-seekers like my mom can pay about $20 to choose an oyster from the tank and see what's inside. Guests who try this usually come away with a pearl, and those who don't find one are often allowed to try again. They will even mount the pearl in jewelry right there, if you wish. This is a little more expensive than some souvenirs, but can be lots of fun.

Morocco: After reading a little more about EPCOT from home, I found that we missed what there was to see in Morocco. There is a display of arts and history and a tour that will teach you more about the culture. I only write about things I have done, so I have little to say about Morocco. We did have a very good time trying on the hats and taking our pictures in them, as well as listening to the music outside. I was in line for a henna tattoo, but ran out of time before dinner. There are tons of great designs to choose from, and the tattoos are temporary but beautiful.

France: This pavilion takes you back to the Belle Epoque, complete with scaled-down Eiffel Tower. Impressions de France is a lovely film highlighting various regions of France. It is quite soothing, which is probably why lots of people fall asleep. I promise it's not boring (at least not to me). The cast members even like to joke about it. The living statues here are very interesting to watch, if sometimes a little creepy. They only appear at certain times of day, so ask around. I have not tried any dining here, but the coffee was good.

United Kingdom: Another "attractionless" pavilion. The draw here is the atmosphere as well as shops and dining. Sneak into a red phone booth or go for a stroll in the butterfly garden. You can also catch a show with folks impersonating the Fab Four. The pub here is very popular, though I have not tried it personally. My favorite thing was stumbling across Eeyore near the hedge maze. What a surprise!

Canada: Canada has my favorite show in all of Epcot--Off Kilter! This band's special musical style is a unique fusion of rock and Celtic traditional instruments. They're tons of fun and really get the crowd involved in their high-energy tunes. The sound of pipes draws visitors from far across the World Showcase. They do get days off, so check the schedule before you plan what day you go to EPCOT if you plan to see them. Definitely go see O Canada, the 360-degree film in this pavilion. The footage is beautiful and you really get a sense of the vastness of this country. Once outside the theater, pause in the garden for a rest and some photos. The Le Cellier Steakhouse is wildly popular, so make reservations early.

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Miscellaneous: There are all sorts of unexpected things hidden around EPCOT Center. There are talking water fountains and trash cans, and sidewalk squares that light up in colorful fiber optics at night. The fountain in the Innoventions plaza even "dances" to music several times a day. Always keep your eyes and ears open, because there are little surprises everywhere just waiting to be discovered.

Dinoland, USA:
Dinoland, USA transports Animal Kingdom guests waaaaaaaay back in time to the age of dinosaurs. Children have always loved these larger-than-life giants, but don't always know the real story. Dinoland's denizens are not all purple and cuddly. In fact, some of them are downright scary. In Countdown to Extinction, guests take a wild, heart-pounding ride through the Cretaceous period aboard a high-tech time machine. With the threat of the big asteroid collision hovering only moments away, you are meant to seek out and bring back one particular species of dinosaur. That's not the only dinosaur you'll meet, though. Be prepared for things to get ugly--very ugly. This is THEE ride at Animal Kingdom for guests who, like me, LOVE thrills. Dinoland is also home to a variety of scientific displays designed to help teach the truth about dinosaurs. There are entire skeletons, as well as The Boneyard where children can play at being archaeologists. If you've ever stopped at a Stuckey's for a pecan log, you will probably enjoy the newest section of Dinoland, USA. Chester and Hester's Dino-Rama is the brightest, tackiest, most delightfully kitschy area in all of Walt Disney World. Designed to echo the roadside tourist traps of yesteryear, this section of the park plays up the image of the cuddly dinosaur. There are carnival midway games (all dino-themed, of course) and two new rides. The Triceratop Spin is an up-and-down circular ride where guests in Triceratop-shaped cars move on long arms attached to the center axis. This ride is more fun for young children, as most of us adults have "been there, done that" too many times at the fair. Primeval Whirl, however, is another story. This coaster looks deceptively harmless, but there are a few white-knuckle moments. It's one of those old "moustrap-type" coasters that doesn't move that fast, but really gets you in the turns. The round cars spin and take curves so abruptly that I felt that we might just fly right off. It was tons of fun! If you can brave the wacky technicolor Dino-Rama, this ride is sure to get a giggle out of you.

Obituary:
I am very sad to say that the Discovery River Boat ride is no more. I don't know why, but this ride I enjoyed so much back in 1998 was out of service when I went back in 2002. I found it very relaxing, and the fiery blast from AK's unseen "dragons" was more than welcome on a chilly December morning. Alas, I suppose attractions must come and go.

Mickey's Jammin Jungle Parade:
This was a great way to end our day at Animal Kingdom in April of 2002. Mickey and friends parade through the streets all dressed up for a safari. Donald rolls along in his little boat-themed jeep, while Goofy careens around in a ridiculously overloaded safari vehicle. The best elements of this parade, in my opinion, were the floats made to look like stylized animals. They were so whimsical and captivating! The designs are truly inspired. Guest families were selected earlier in the day to ride along on these floats and to help play the drums. Also in the parade are animal stilt-walkers. These are very tall versions of familiar creatures that seem to be made entirely out of natural materials. Even as tall as they are, these critters dance with an infectious energy that really gets the crowd going. Mickey's parade effectively turns the Animal Kingdom into one big street party where everyone's invited. It's tons of fun!

Hint one: Stay aware of your party members during the security check!!! I have seen too many families race toward the turnstiles, insert their tickets, and then realize that they're missing someone. Often dear old dad is stuck back under the canopy while the security folks examine the contents of the family backpack. At the same time, Mom and the kids are frantically scanning the crowd and calling his name. Don't let this happen to you. The check is quick and you can afford to wait.

Hint two: Prepare your bag or package for inspection to minimize your wait. The easier you make the inspection for the security folks, the more quickly you will get to the turnstile. One good idea for packing is to use clear plastic zipper bags for organizing your day pack or purse. They will not only keep the contents dry, but you and the screeners will be able to see everything without removing it. If you pack your things in opaque ditty bags or cases, you will have to open everything. This takes extra time. If you are in a line at the security canopy, go ahead and take off your bag, then open all of the pockets. When you put it on the table, the screener will be able to quickly look through everything without asking you to undo zippers or snaps. Collect packs and bags from small children after exiting the monorail or boat and present them for inspection yourself. You will save everyone time if you don't have to wrestle a favorite Mickey backpack away from your six-year-old child.

Hint three: Be polite and patient!!! Disney is very committed to guest service, and they genuinely want you to have a good time. The security screening is conducted for your safety, so please be nice to the screeners. These folks are always smiling, and they have always welcomed me and made the search as quick as possible. It does no one any good for you to grump about being searched. A child on a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Walt Disney World does not need to be made to cry because you are yelling loudly about your fourth amendment rights. Just be polite and you will be through in no time. It will help you enjoy your own day to keep a positive mental attitude as well. Please also remember that WDW is a family place. Some folks don't anticipate a search at this kind of place and are not prepared. It is not their fault that they have not read my journal! Just give them a moment to sort things out with the kids and the stroller and they will be out of your way.

Hints Four+: Personal Security We all hate to think that anything bad could happen at Walt Disney World, but most of us like to take certain measures when we're on vacation anyway. As far as money is concerned, you can get around just fine on your bank card, or you can use traveler's checks if you don't want to carry cash. Both are widely accepted. Be sure to keep an eye on your bags if you are in a crowd, which you often will be. If you lose anything, be sure to stop in at Guest Relations and see if it has been turned in. You would be surprised what people will turn in - even the smallest items. It can be helpful to secure items in a locker if you won't need them all day. Locker rentals are available at all the parks, but you will need to rent one early in the day as they run out quite quickly. Also take advantage of Disney's purchase checking system so you won't have to carry your souvenirs all day. You can pick them up at the end of the day and lessen the chances of accidentally laying them down and forgetting them or losing them on a ride. You may also wish to include some kind of contact information in your bag or on jackets, etc. so that Disney can let you know if a lost item is turned in much later. If you are concerned about your personal information being out there, open a free e-mail account with Hotmail, Yahoo, etc. before you go and put that on your belongings. That way you can at least be reached somehow. Don't leave valuables and luggage in open view in your vehicle while it is parked in the lot all day. Even though security is present, it takes an experienced thief only moments to steal from you. Security can't be everywhere at once. Leave expensive jewelry and electronics at home so you won't have to worry about them. A little common sense can go a long way!

Getting There:
Disney''s Animal Kingdom is not on the monorail line. Guests must access the park by car or bus. As usual, a tram transports visitors from their vehicles to the entrance gate.

Main Gate Area--The Oasis: In times of great thirst, all animals gather in peace at the oasis, so it is only fitting that all guests should enter by way of the same. The first, most striking thing that I noticed about the park was the lush tropical vegetation. From the moment that guests pass through the gate, there is truly a feeling of "elsewhere." Many people are so busy rushing by to visit other attractions that they completely miss the wonder of the oasis. There are several viewing areas set up here where patient visitors can catch a glimpse of exotic birds, reptiles, and small mammals. In fact, patience truly is the key to enjoying the Animal Kingdom. So many guests assume that if they peer into a pen and don''t see an animal right away, there must not be anything there. Imagine how frightening it can be when you are a small animal surrounded by thousands of large animals who stare and point. A quiet moment of standing still and waiting will usually pay off. Be sure to take time to enjoy this often overlooked area of the park, and keep your camera ready.

Discovery Island:
Dead ahead from the Oasis is the Tree of Life. This 145-foot artificial monstrosity is carved with the images of hundreds of animals, making a fitting and impressive centerpiece for the Animal Kingdom. On my first visit, I was mesmerized by the menagerie of beautifully carved creatures on every surface of the tree. Just when I thought that I had found all of the animals, another would appear. Looking for animals is a great way to pass the time while waiting in line for the theater. Housed inside the Tree of Life, It''s Tough to Be a Bug features the characters from A Bug''s Life in a 3-D adventure. I have recently heard that Disney will replace this feature with a new show. Also in Discovery Island are additional viewing areas for even more of the park''s fascinating animals. Be sure to explore thoroughly! Walkways into the other park areas leave Discovery Island like the spokes of a wagon wheel.

Camp Minnie-Mickey:I have never been to Camp Minnie-Mickey, as I was told it was only interesting to children. To this day, I cannot figure out why I listened. That will be a place to explore on my next visit!

Africa:
Africa is home to one of my favorite attractions. ilimanjaro Safaris is an all-terrain vehicle ride through a re-creation of the African savanna. Guests on this ride are able to view some of the most fascinating and notorious creatures of the African continent--up-close and personal! The storyline of the ride is that you are on a tour with one of the wardens in the Harambe Wildlife Reserve when poachers arrive to hunt a mother elephant. This bumpy, sometimes speedy ride winds through dirt roads and creek beds in search of the villains. Along the way guests are able to view such animals as crocodiles, rhinos, and giraffes. There are so many creatures to see that every row of seats is equipped with its own identification guide. I recommend enjoying this attraction twice in a day--once in the morning and again in the afternoon. You will see different animals each time. As you exit the ride, take time to explore the reserve''s research facilities and the Pangani Forest Exploration Trail. There is a great deal to learn, and you can take a look at some of the tinier creatures.

The next attraction to visit is Rafiki''s Planet Watch, accessible only by train. At this Conservation Station, you can learn about conservation issues and develop an appreciation for the unique needs of all animals. There is an interactive station where you can watch different animals in the area on hidden camera and zoom in on their activities. Depending on the day, you may also be able to watch various animals getting check-ups or being cared for in the lab. Glass walls allow guests to see every procedure. There is also a petting zoo out back where guests of all ages can touch and interact with sheep, goats, and llamas. Back near the train, we had an extensive conversation with a VERY knowledgeable researcher regarding the group of tamarins on display. He was able to answer any and all of our questions, and we could tell that he had a real love of the animals. He seemed very pleased to talk to us. Most people just rush by to the Conservation Station, but it is well worth the time to stop and talk about the animals. I think that adults would really enjoy learning more about what they''re seeing.

Back in the main section of Africa, we were treated to a performace by a wonderful African drum and dance group. Their rhythms were absolutely infectious, and the whole crowd gradually started to move and clap along. These guys got a real kick out of involving the audience and teaching guests their dances. They even pulled out a bunch of the older kids in the crowd to help out with a big group number. It was great to watch people having so much fun!

(continued)

One major highlight of that trip was New Year's Eve in the Magic Kingdom. In the late afternoon, cast members set up distribution tables all over the park, where they gave out colored plastic top hats and festive party horns. The hats all said "Happy New Year" on the front. My mom and I wore white hats and my dad and sister wore black. Other more adventurous guests chose red, yellow, blue, or green, making for a very colorful crowd. Some even piled up multiple hats, giving them height to rival Goofy. You could really feel the excitement building as the evening went on and the hats and party horns filtered down to all the guests. Finally (around 10pm, I think), the party got started. The cast members came out in force to involve those of us who had lined Main Street in anticipation of the Spectro Magic Parade. They got lots of us up, singing, dancing, and having TONS of fun. We did a Disney rendition of "The Twelve Days of Christmas", sung as "The Twelve Days of Vacation". We each substituted a favorite attraction for the traditional partridges, rings, etc. When the parade actually started, you got not only clapping and cheers, but the collective blowing of thousands of party horns. It was really quite something.

Mickey and friends performed a special show on the Cinderella Castle stage with singing and dancing, followed by the big drop. No, Disney doesn't drop a giant lighted ball for the midnight countdown - they drop Tinkerbell! The fairy's nightly flight from the tower of the Cinderella Castle takes on special significance on New Year's Eve as thousands of guests join Mickey in counting 10-9-8... At the stroke of midnight, the Magic Kingdom exploded into fireworks - and cheers! I can't remember if we sang or not, but I do remember having a great deal of fun. It is a Disney experience that I will never forget.

New Year's Day turned out to be a very good day to visit the parks. It seems that lots of folks opt to stay in and watch the bowl games rather than take in attractions, so things were less crowded than the day before (it WAS crowded enough on Dec. 31st that Disney had to start its closure procedures). We couldn't think of a happier way to start the new year than in "the happiest place on earth". I bought a special "1999" T-shirt that featured each of the four numbers patterned with the name of one of the four parks and Disney characters holding sparklers. You could say I was really in the Disney mood.

I would especially recommend the holidays at Disney if you have already been before and are maybe a little "Disneyed out". You get to see the parks in a whole new light and enjoy special performances for that time of year. It is also a nice time to escape colder climates while enjoying WDW at comfortable temperatures. Gone are the 90+ degree summer days, but you can still feel comfortable in a light shirt and jeans. We did get a warm day where we girls pared down to tank tops, but mostly we were in t-shirts with a jacket.

Deb's Unofficial Guide
This is one of the best. She has info on almost everything. I actually found her site more useful than the Disney site itself. Lots of tips here, including some I have already mentioned to you in Surviving the Fun. You'll find that most Disney-ers have many of the same ideas. Must mean they work!

Official Disney Site
This is the official Disney site where you can get accurate info on ticket prices, hours and days of operation, etc. Lots of snazzy graphics can make this site very slow for some, and there is no inside info. If you want something really in-depth, see Deb.

Disney Dollarless
This is a good resource for those of us who have to go to WDW on a budget. Lots of ideas for saving money, cutting spending, and getting deals.

Hidden Mickeys of Disney
A good site for those who want to take this adult scavenger hunt sort of challenge. Find Mickey in some of the most unexpected places!

Orlando CVB
This is the official tourist information site of the Orlando Convention and Visitor's Bureau. Jump to all sorts of information on dining, lodging, attractions, special events, and more. You can also get a peek at Orlando transportation maps, which can be useful in getting to the parks. Find out how to get the Orlando Magicard to help you save money in the area.

Webshots
Webshots hosts thousands of online photos from all over the world. You can search for photos from Walt Disney World that others have taken on their vacations. Sometimes a vacation photo can tell you a lot more than the professional photos on other websites. It's always an honest look - great for checking out hotels since people often post photos of their rooms. This is good for people like me who like to research the heck out of things before going on a trip.

Mouse Planet
Another unofficial site with lots of info. I found an excellent page full of telephone numbers.