Nobody Does Vacation Like Disney

Character breakfasts are by far and away the best way to get up close and personal with your favorite Disney characters. And the food is good, hot and plentiful!

Quick Tips:

Staying on the Disney property is the best way to see Disney World. The transportation is provided and it is very easy to use. Also, especially if you are traveling with children, I recommend you go early to the parks, take a break during the heat of the day, then return in the evenings rested and ready for the nightly fun! The best shows happen just before the parks close, so if you've been out in the hot Florida sun all day without a break, you won't enjoy them as much.

Best Way To Get Around:

Disney transportation--buses, boats, monorail--just about any way you want to travel and anywhere on the Disney property is provided when you stay at a Disney hotel or Disney affilliate hotel.

This is truly a 5-star resort unlike any other. The lobby alone will take you hours to explore.

I recommend paying the extra money and getting a savannah view room. You get a private balcony where you look down on real, live African animals. The rooms are bright, large and comfortable. The bathrooms are gorgeous with granite countertops and tile floors. The beds were very comfortable and roomy.

The staff are typically Disney staff -- ready and willing to cater to your every whim and always with a friendly smile and attitude.

There are two authentic African restaurants you simply must try. One is modern and the other is traditional and served buffet/all-you-can-eat style.

The pool was large and had a waterslide. The spa was great and the massage was to die for! Plus they have kids activities which gives the adults a chance to pamper themselves in the spa.

The accommodations were clean. The staff was very friendly and helpful. Even though this is the "budget" hotel that Disney provides, they do not skimp on the level of service or the amenities. The food court had a large variety of foods at a very reasonable price. In fact, it was cheaper than at the parks. The pools were large, clean, and they had lots of chairs for lounging. My daughter even got a strand of her hair wrapped in brightly colored thread while sitting beside the pool.

The food was authentic African cuisine served buffet style, but not the "been sitting in the warmer for hours" type. The portions they put out are very small and the restaurant is large, so the popular items usually have people emptying the trays as fast as the staff can bring them. They also have slow roasted prime rib every evening that you can smell from the lobby from about 10am throughout the day. The desserts are spectacular. There is something for everyone here.

The wait staff is extremely helpful, funny, and accommodating. They joke around with the patrons from beginning to end. They are knowledgeable about the origins of the food, the ingredients, how food is prepared, and have a good grasp on the wine list. You never wait for a drink refill or have to ask for anything. They anticipate your needs and make sure you have the best dining experience possible. I cannot say enough good things about the staff or the food.

The setting is inside the Mexican exhibit at EPCOT Center. It is very romantic. There is a Disney volcano and "the River of Time" in the background.

The food was authentic Mexican cuisine. It had wonderful flavor without being too hot. Even my 10-year-old daughter enjoyed her meal.

The server was very attentive and friendly. Everyone who works in this pavilion is from Mexico and working temporarily at Disney. It is that way at all the country exhibits in EPCOT. It is a great way to experience other countries without having to leave the US.

This is the big night show in the Disney MGM Studio. All the parks have a nightly event but this is, in my opinion, the most fun for everyone in the family. The setting is that Mickey has a nightmare and has to battle all the "evil" Disney characters. In typical Disney fashion, the hero is victorious and it all ends with a light/laser, water, fireworks display that has to be seen to be appreciated. It is at night, so if you have small children, make sure they have a good long nap in the afternoon or they won't make it through to the end, which is the best part because you get to see all of the Disney characters.

The best time to visit Disney is between January 10-March 1 or September 5-November 1. This is their down season and there are minimal crowds, no long lines, and the weather is a bit more comfortable.

If you can, stay on the Disney property. You won't need a rental car unless you plan to leave the property because all transportation is provided for you, free of charge by Disney.

I also recommend a good, sturdy pair of walking shoes as all the Disney parks are large and there is a lot of walking involved.

My last, and probably most important, recommendation is to go to the parks early, when they first open. Then take a break in the afternoon with a nap and/or dip in the pool. Return to the parks around dinner time when the temperatures are cooling and you are rested. If not, by the evening, everyone is hot, tired, and Grumpy (sorry about the pun!).