Spring Break in Disney World

Oh, Disney World, the dream of one man... all started by a mouse. Disney World is beautiful, awe-inspiring, fun, overwhelming, exciting... hot, expensive, tiring, but still SO worth every drop of sweat, penny, and tired body part you have. The Magic Kingdom, of course, is the first thing you think about when you hear Disney World: the castle, the fireworks, the mouse.

But don't forget about the Animal Kingdom, where you can take a real African safari through Disney's own animal preserve and see the most amazing live production called "The Festival of the Lion King."

There is also MGM studios, which is all about movies. Make sure you ride the Rockin’ Roller Coaster and the Tower of Terror, even if you are terrified - they are amazing rides. Also, catch the fun Indiana Jones live "Stunt Spectacular."

And then there is, of course, EPCOT, sometimes thought of as the "least fun" and more "educational" park by the kids. Still, this park is one of my favorites. Between the exhilarating ride on fast track or the once-in-a-lifetime experience of "Mission to Mars," EPCOT is amazing.

And don’t forget about the fireworks. The nighttime shows were my favorite part about Disney World. "Illuminations" is one of the biggest and most amazing pyrotechnic and light show I have ever seen. "Fantasimic" at MGM is a classic Disney story with Mickey and awesome fireworks. And, of course, there is "WISHES" at the Magic Kingdom. The show made me cry. With the beautiful fireworks and the music, it was such an amazing show.

Quick Tips:

*Be prepared for rain. Yes, Florida is the sunshine state, but it will rain every day. Don't let it ruin your fun. Spend the for a Mickey poncho and brave it in the rain. Besides, the parks will be nearly empty when it’s raining.

*Be prepared for large crowds. Again, don’t fret. With Disney's FastPass system, you rarely have to wait in line more than 20 minutes.

*Take lots of pictures.

*Take the extra 40 minutes to wait in line to meet Mickey, even if you don’t have kids with you. I mean, remember, you are in Disney World. When you get your pictures developed and see the one of you and Mickey, you'll just have to smile.

*Bring a water bottle. Walking around all day in the Florida heat is strenuous, and you don’t want heat stroke (don’t laugh; it can happen to you). I suggest putting a bottle in your mini fridge in the freezer (which comes standard in most resort rooms). Then the water will freeze and you will have cold water for most of the day.

*Buy milk and cereal and keep it in your room for breakfast every day. It will save you bundles of money.

Best Way To Get Around:

Once in the parks, be prepared to walk. To get to the parks, you can take the numerous transportation options Disney offers from on-site resorts. You have the option of a monorail, boat, and buses.

The buses will take you pretty much anywhere you want or need to go in Disney. But keep in mind that you have to wait for the bus, you may have to make another stop, and the bus may not drop you directly at the gates. Make sure you have plenty of time if you want to be in the park as soon as the gates open.

But, again, once in the parks, make sure you are comfortable walking in the shoes you are wearing. I suggest tennis shoes or comfy thong flip-flop sandals.

If you're not staying on site, then renting a car is probably a must. If on site, then you probably don't need one, and if you do have one, don’t drive to the parks unless you have to, as parking is expensive and the buses are free.

This was a beautiful resort. Disney is so good at making it seem as if you have actually stepped into another place. Here you really feel as if you are staying right on the old Mississippi river in a very Southern manor house. There is so much to do at this resort, you could spend a whole day playing!! But bring your walking shoes. The resort is huge. And to get to your room from the main building, you have to walk a half-mile, but it’s worth it.

When you first get there, you walk into the main building and feel as if you are checking in and buying a ferry ticket. It is beautiful. Next door is Boatwrights, a casual restaurant with normal American food. It is an old shipbuilder's building. Eat on the dock right at sunset for an extra treat. The sunsets are beautiful here. There is also Riverside Mill Food court, which is an eatery with plenty of decent, easy, and fast-food choices. The place is huge, with a giant water wheel in the middle that actually operates a working cotton press. The food is a little pricey for a cafeteria, but what food in Disney isn’t expensive. You can also order pizza late. One thing I would suggest is purchasing the large drink, which you can refill the entire time you are there for free. This costs $12. Outside the main building is the boat dock and Sassagoula river. Here you can rent paddleboats, speedboats, bicycles, etc., for hours of fun. Take the bridge across the river to Ol' Man Island, where there is a playground for little ones and a main themed pool. There is a water slide, fountains, and plenty of chairs to catch some sun. Across another bridge on the other side of the island, you reach the guest room buildings. The trails are lined with flowers, trees, gazebos, and plenty of Southern charm. The building we stayed in is much like the others with white pillars, winding staircases, and triangular roofs. The building looks like it was taken from a wealthy old Georgia neighborhood. The rooms are very nice, comfortable beds, and a cute themed bathroom. There are also five other heated pools located around the compound.

Other features include the Medicine Show Arcade, a scenic .7-mile jogging trail along the Sassagoula River, fishing for catch-and-release only, and horse-drawn excursions. The best part about this resort, like any on Disney property, is the free busses daily to all of the theme parks, water parks, and downtown Disney. You can hop on a ferry and head down the Sassagoula with a tour guide driver who points things out and explains along the way. You can get off the ferry at Port Orleans French Quarter, where you can eat or swim at their Mardi Gras-themed pool, and the ferry takes you all the way to downtown Disney. Leave plenty of time if you’re taking the free transportation.

This was such a great restaurant. It had a great theme and great food. The restaurant is located in the Polynesian Resort, upstairs from the check-in desk. So it has a very nice Polynesian feel. The lights are kept low, and you can see the Magic Kingdom and the castle from the main dining room. The room is huge but they have found a way to keep the noise low even when the restaurant is packed. The tables are situated around a huge gazebo-like kitchen, where you can see the chefs hard at work over huge flames. It has a very nice and classy feel, but it is still very family- and kid-friendly.

I am not sure if there is even a menu, but I am sure you can order something small and cheaper for the kids if you ask. But the main meal there is "the feast", and yes, it is a feast. They bring an appetizer tower with buffalo wings, fancy salad, dipping sauces, and other choices. Then waiters come around with huge skewers of meat and ask you if you would like some. They pull the meat off the skewer straight to your plate. You can choose from turkey, chicken, beef, and shrimp, or all of them! The meat is amazing, and everything is cooked to perfection. Plus, you can eat as much as you want. If you have room, you can order dessert at the end--there are lots of fun family choices such as a sand bucket and shovel complete with a huge ice cream sundae or s'mores you can cook at your own table. That’s Disney for you.

Ohana means family, and family means no one gets left behind. (Bet you can’t leave this fun and exciting restaurant without saying that!)

This place was great. It was very cute and a lot of fun. I would highly recommend it if you are traveling with family and friends. The restaurant looks like a house straight out of the ‘50s, with plenty of decorations to match. There is a living room and family room to wait for your reservations, and then a dinning room where you eat. At each table there is a TV playing old episodes of "Lassie" and other family favorites. You are seated at a kitchen table, where you are given silverware and are told to set the table by "cousin" Ralph or Bob, your waiter. He says that mama is in the kitchen cooking up some dinner, so you better go wash your hands. It is all very cute.

The meal is so-so, a little pricey for what you get, but my opinion is that you don't go for the food, you go for the experience. The meals are family favorites, like meatloaf, chicken-fried chicken, and spaghetti. Plus, if you don't finish your green beans and vegetables, no dessert (no joke). Cousin Craig actually fed me green beans so I could eat my sundae. Overall, it was a lot of fun.

I love the Magic Kingdom! For quite a while now, I have dreamed of the day when I could waltz through the golden turnstiles and lay my young eyes upon the beautiful Cinderella’s Castle! Well, in March 2005, I did it!

The Magic Kingdom is broken into seven sections. Main Street USA is the "street" you follow from the entrance to the park straight to Cinderella’s castle and the main hub. Here you can find City Hall, where there’s all sorts of information, like priority seating, etc. There is also one of the three stops of the Magic Kingdom Railroad. (The other two are in Frontierland and Toontown.) Check out the intricate buildings, fun pin cart, the Main Street Gallery, and the emporium. Also, early in the morning, watch out for characters hanging around for pictures and autographs. Disney Pals in Town Square usually hang around all morning. You can also catch some characters at the castle forefront. Mid-afternoon, you can check out the Share a Dream Come True Parade here or elsewhere in the park.

A clockwise tour will take you straight to Adventureland. Don’t miss the Jungle Cruise, which is a fun boat ride through the jungle with a "quirky" skipper to see awesome animatronic animals. Another highlight is Pirates of the Caribbean. This is a favorite Disney attraction where families take a boat ride through a Caribbean town under attack by pirates. Very fun! Watch out for Peter Pan characters here! You are ushered into a great gift shop after exiting the ride. You can get great souvenirs here. There is also Shrunken Ned’s Junior Jungle Boats, the Enchanted Tiki Room, Swiss Family Treehouse, and the Magic Carpets of Aladdin. Also in Adventureland, you can usually meet your favorite characters from Disney's Aladdin. Grab a healthy snack at Aloha Isle, like pineapple spears or a smoothie.

The next stop along your tour is Frontierland. This "land" is home to two of the three mountains in the Disney "mountain range", also two of the best thrill rides at Disney! These two mountains are of course Splash mountain which is a gentle log ride through the fun world of Brer Rabbit, Brer Bear, and Brer Fox. Of course, the real thrill is the 52.5-foot drop and the thought of having Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Da stuck in your head all day. (That is, until you ride It’s A Small World.) The other "mountain" is Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. This is my favorite ride at Magic Kingdom. The story here is that you are on a runaway gold mining train. You drop, turn, and scream through the "Old West". Frontierland is also home to kids’ favorite Country Bear Jamboree, Tom Sawyer Island, Frontierland Shooting Arcade, and Goofy’s Country Dancin’ Jamboree! Stop by the Frontier Trading Post for cowboy hats and pins! Also, if you are hungry, there are carts serving McDonald’s French fries and turkey legs—a great snack.

After Frontierland, you will find yourself in Liberty Square. Here is one of Disney’s most famous rides, the luminous Haunted Mansion. Jump in a Doom Buggy and take a spooky ride through the house, where you will find yourself sitting beside a ghost. Hopefully you’ll make it out without becoming the 1,000th ghost. There is also the Hall of Presidents, a great tribute to our country, and the Riverboat. Watch out for your favorite cowboy and cowgirl—Woody and friends are usually hanging out by The Diamond Horseshoe. Grab a Mickey-shaped ice cream or a frozen espresso drink at Sleepy Hollow.

Directly behind Cinderella’s Castle is Fantasyland. This is the best place in all of Disney World, the place to really feel the magic. The best attraction here is Mickey’s PhilharMagic, a 3-D journey through some famous scenes and music of Disney-animated movies. Ariel’s Grotto, Cinderella’s Golden Carousel, It’s a Small World, Dumbo the Flying Elephant, Fairytale Garden, Mad Tea Party, Snow White’s Scary Adventure, and my personal favorites, Peter Pan’s Flight and The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, are here. After Pooh, you once again exit into a great Winnie the Pooh-themed gift shop. This is a great place to pick up Winnie the Pooh merchandise. In Fantasyland, you can also dine with the characters at Cinderella’s Royal Table inside the castle. Fantasyland is a great place to meet characters in general. Of course, there is Ariel in the grotto, Alice in Wonderland characters, and Cinderella makes frequent stops as well!

Next stop along our tour is Mickey’s Toontown Fair. This is a place dedicated to kids and mouse lovers everywhere. If you want autographs and pictures with characters, this is the place to be. There is the Barnstormer, Donald’s Boat, Judges Tent, Mickey’s House, Minnie’s House, Toon Park, and Toontown Hall of Fame. To meet the Big Cheese himself, take a tour of his country house and then jump in line in the judge’s tent. You can also meet Minnie and Mickey's pals, Princesses, Winnie the Pooh and friends, and others in the Hall of Fame. For a quick bite to eat, the Farmer’s Market sells healthy treats.

The last land is host to one of Disney’s most recognizable rides: Space Mountain (completing the Disney Mountain Range). Here you are on a normal cat-and-mouse roller coaster in cute themed space ships. Only catch: complete darkness. This is such a fun and exhilarating ride! Other features are Stitch’s Great Escape, which recently replaced Alien Encounter. Here, experiment 626 (AKA Stitch) has escaped, and he is wreaking havoc on the audience. There is also Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin. Here you help to defeat the Evil Emperor Zurg by shooting at targets along the ride. Parents love this ride too, because it can become really competitive! Tomorrowland is capped off with attractions like Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress (for any die-hard Disney fans, this is a must), the Timekeeper, the Indy Speedway, Transit Authority, and the Astro Orbiters.

Beyond the rides, there is a lot to take in at the Magic Kingdom. The Dapper Dans is a barbershop quartet that performs daily on Main Street. Don't miss The Pianist at Casey's Corner or the Flag Retreat at 5pm. Also along Main Street, the Main Street Philharmonic performs, Poet Laureate Penelope Prose recites, and Mayor Weaver, "Scoop" Sanderson, and Dewey Cheatem all interact with guests.

In Fantasyland, Cinderella hosts her Surprise Celebration every day for a very cute performance. Afterwards, pictures are welcome. Brand new at the Magic Kingdom is Cinderellabration, straight from Tokyo. It’s performed directly in front of the castle, and all your favorite princesses make appearances.

In Frontierland, watch out for Notorious Banjo Brothers and Bob, who put on a hilarious music show. Along with this trio, many characters are always interacting with guests. My favorite is Prospector Gold Dust. You also will probably enjoy one of the five sets of the Frontierland Hoedown—good old fun!

For a good meal, there are some great places in the Magic Kingdom. First, there is the Crystal Palace by Main Street, Liberty Tree Tavern in Liberty Square, or Plaza Restaurant in Tomorrowland. Cinderella’s Royal Table is a great place to eat. Look into character dining here. Also, for a cute Lady and the Tramp-inspired Italian meal, stop by Tony’s Town Square Restaurant. For the budget traveler, or if you just need a quick bite, there are many choices as well. El Pirata y el Perico serves tacos and taco salads; Pecos Bill’s Café serves burgers; Aunt Polly’s Dockside Inn serves delicious ham and cheese; Columbia Harbor House has a great variety of sandwiches; Pinocchio Village Haus has the ever-famous turkey sandwiches; for some musically inclined jokesters with your chicken, stop by Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Café; Plaza Pavilion has pizza and fried chicken; and don’t forget about Casey’s Corner, serving hot dogs and fries.

After the sun goes down, check out SpectraMagic, a wonderful light parade that takes place on Main Street. Millions of lights, inspiring music, and your favorite Disney characters make a great show. Don’t forget about Wishes, one of the best fireworks shows ever. With Jiminy Cricket as your host, you travel through the world of dreaming and wishing upon a star. There is a very powerful message in this very beautiful show!

One last overlooked show is King Triton’s Water Pageant on the Seven Seas Lagoon. It is short but very cute! Also, check out the extra magic hours. You can spend even more time in the Magic Kingdom on one of these nights! At night, you can ride all of your favorite rides twice with no wait. Jump on Space Mountain again and again, and for an extra treat, try riding Big Thunder Mountain Railroad at night—it is so much fun. Grab a poncho and ride Splash Mountain. There is no wait, and the view of the Kingdom at night at the top of the big drop is beautiful.

One of the biggest, most exciting, yet controversial parks at Walt Disney World is The Animal Kingdom. Don’t confuse this with your everyday zoo. This is a full-on Disney theme park based on animals, some of the attractions being animals themselves. Just like other Disney theme parks, there are sections at the Animal Kingdom. There are six different sections to discover in this huge park.

At park opening Mickey and friends lead guests into the park on a safari vehicle straight to The Oasis. Here you will find lush vegetation colorful birds and fun animals. Really this is here to get you into the spirit of the park. Check out the Outpost Shop or Creature Comforts for a must have Mickey eared safari hat or a Minnie Safari bow.

Keep walking straight and cross to the main hub, Discovery Island. This is where the main icon for the park is: a towering 14-story, 50-foot-wide tree composed of more than 100,000 leaves. The walk around the "Tree of Life" is home to many creatures both living and, well, whimsical. There are habitats for many different animals along the path, including kangaroos, lemurs, and tortoises. There are also hundreds of animals carved into the Tree. There are dogs, bears, elephants, reptiles, and also animals that are extinct, like dinosaurs. The main attraction here is actually housed in the massive tree. It’s Tough to be a Bug is a creative, fun 3-D show.

Next is DinoLand USA. Here you can learn all about our extinct friends, the dinosaurs. Play in the Boneyard, take a stroll along Cretaceous Trail, get sick on TricerTop Spin (I did), get sick some more on Primeval Whirl (I did again), or play fair-like games at Fossil Fun Games. My favorite attractions here are Tarzan Rocks, which is a great show with cool rollerblading monkeys and great music--I’m a sucker for love stories. There is also Dinosaur, which I nearly peed my pants on. I seriously had to tell myself, "it’s make-believe". This is a wild ride! Dino Bite Snacks serves cool ice cream and Disney’s ever-famous frozen banana for a cool treat.

When you walk through Asia, you feel, well, like you are in an Asian rain forest. The Maharajah Jungle Trek is a fun walk through some very ingeniously designed animal exhibits. Highlights are the tigers and the vampire bats (no bloodsucking, I promise). If you’re hot, then you can take a wild ride down the Kali River Rapids, which is just like any rapids ride, except with an important story of what deforestation and logging does to habitats. There is also one awesome drop down a waterfall. And check out Flights of Wonder, where there are awesome birds, owls, and falcons performing in a theater. (In 2006, The Animal Kingdom is opening Expedition Everest, a roller coaster-like ride through Everest). If you are feeling the Asian spirit, grab some lunch at Chakranadi Shop for Asian-inspired dishes.

Africa is host to one of the most extreme, yet coolest, attractions at any theme park anywhere. Kilimanjaro Safaris is an actual safari through Disney’s Savannah. This is as real as it gets without going to Africa. You see hippos, lions, elephants, giraffes, alligators, and tons of antelope and deer. After your safari, check out Pangani Forrest Exploration Trail and Rafikki’s Planet Watch. Kusafiri Coffee Shop and Bakery has awesome frozen coffee drinks and fruit cups if you’re hungry.

At Camp Minnie Mickey, you are most definitely going to run into some characters. With Pocahontas and her Forest Friends, you can take a nature lesson and meet the lady of the forest herself. Also look for Goofy and Donald to make appearances here. One of the greatest attractions at the Animal Kingdom is The Festival of the Lion King. This interactive show has song, dance, gymnastics… it is absolutely a must-see and my most favorite thing at the Animal Kingdom.

The only parade or entertainment here (well, besides the park itself and the shows already mentioned) is Mickey's Jammin' Jungle Parade. You may also encounter numerous impromptu performers. The Beatniks perform percussion-based music, The Adventure Begins (mentions before) occurs every day when the park opens (many cast members will be carrying live animals), and also look around for characters to stick around for autographs and photos. DeVine is a really cool performer. She is dressed like a vine and only when she moves can you tell she is actually a person. Also there is always something going on in the streets of Africa. Between storytellers, drummers, Wassalou, and Karauka, who are Kenyan acrobats something is always happening.

In the name of eating there is a perfectly placed Rainforrest Cafe at The Animal Kingdom. Also you can PS for a character meal at Donald's Breakfastosaurus. Magically after breakfast this transforms into a good old McDonalds. You can also grab cheaper and quicker meals at Flame Tree BBQ, Pizzafari, and the Tusker House that has great sandwiches. Keep in mind that this park closes a lot earlier than most parks--usually around 5pm. Keep that in mind, because you are going to need a whole day to see the entire park!

Epcot is one of the more overlooked of the four theme parks at WDW. Even I, a self-proclaimed Disney expert, know the least about Epcot. We only spent a half day at Epcot, so we didn’t experience everything the park has to offer. We did hit up the major attractions and see an amazing fireworks show.

Okay, Future World is broken up into smaller parts called “pavilions”. Each pavilion has a theme. At the front of the park is Spaceship Earth, AKA the large, weird-looking silver golf ball that Epcot is so famous for. Not only is it the icon of the park, but there is also an interesting ride inside. Spaceship Earth takes you through the history of communication. The first pavilion you will encounter is Innovations. Here you will find House of Innovations for the technology nuts. You will also find Tom Morrow’s Playground, Segway Human Transport System, and Fantastic Plastic Works. Even though most of this pavilion isn’t very “ride-centered,” there is a whole day's worth of exploring here. It is very creative; as you follow the “innovations highway,” you will find tons of hands-on exhibits with some amazing and very interesting things; if you’re lucky, you just may learn something new.

Next is Universe of Energy. Here you will find Ellen’s Energy Adventure. This is a funny and creative ride/ film about energy and our fuel sources. The Wonder’s of Life pavilion is host to Body Wars (a very intense ride through the body), Cranium Command (a hilarious show, setting: the brain), and The Making of Me. The Imagination pavilion has a great show named Honey I Shrunk the Audience. Also in Imagination is a fun and wild ride with Figment the dinosaur called Journey into Imagination. The next pavilion is The Land. Living with the Land is an informative boat ride where you learn all about agriculture. New to Epcot is Soarin', a 3D ride that takes you all over California’s beautiful landscape.

The last large pavilion is called The Living Seas. Thousands of fish and other sea creatures call this place home. Here you can try on wet suits, become part of a research team, have a real conversation with Crush the Turtle (this was seriously amazing), and also check out dolphin communication technology. But by far the best two rides in Future World are Mission Space and Test Track. Test Track is definitely worth the 2-hour wait in line. The 10-second slingshot around the outside of the building at 60mph is a rush. Then there is Mission Space. This is by far the most intense and yet the most exciting ride I have ever been on. I seriously almost chickened out four times. There are warning signs every two feet while you are standing in line. The ride is pretty intense; I wouldn’t recommend eating before you blast off, and you may need ten minutes of rest after you land, but the ride is definitely worth the pain!

So you won’t find many high-speed thrill rides or any state-of-the-art Disney technology in the World Showcase, but it is full of Disney mystique. In my opinion, the World Showcase is home to the best live entertainment in Walt Disney World.

Walking clockwise around the lagoon, you will come to Mexico first. Mexico is one of the liveliest pavilions and has excellent food. El Rio del Tiempo is a boat ride with the same feeling as "It’s a Small World." At night they recreate a real Mexican plaza with lots of live music, vibrant colors, and real culture.

Next is Norway. Jump on the Malestrom, a fun boat ride full of trolls, bears, and maybe even a thrill or two. China is the next country represented and boasts a huge Circle Vision film called "Reflections."

In Germany you can experience Oktoberfest in central Florida. Italy is also very aesthetically pleasing. There is no real “attraction,” but there are lots of street performers throughout the day, including my favorite, Imaginum, a moving “statue.”

In total contradiction to Germany and Italy, America is not very interesting as far as architecture and beauty go. But it is home to my favorite attraction in Epcot, The American Adventure. This is a 30-minute show that combines audioanimatronics, music, theater, special effects, and historical fact to make a truly inspiring and touching tribute to America. Throughout the day there are also patriotic street performers.

The next country in the clockwise tour is Japan. Taiko drums echo throughout the pavilion. One of the more interesting things located here is Miyuki, the art of Japanese candy-making. I was even allowed to taste the final product!

On to my favorite pavilion, Morocco. The architecture is beautiful, and it is by far the most impressive and ornate pavilions in Epcot. Look for Mo’Rockin, a fun rock group with a Moroccan flair! From Morocco you can see the Eiffel Tower looming over the France pavilion.

In France you can see an inspiring and intriguing film called Impressions of France. The film has breathtaking scenes from all over the beautiful country. LeMime Roland is a fun comic act in which cast members interact with quests using balloon animals. Serveur Amusant features two amazing acrobats who also have a comic touch to their act.

Besides the delicious fish-and-chips, the United Kingdom pavilion is home to The British Invasion, Beatle’s impersonators. I was singing along to my favorite Beatle’s hits right there on the cobblestone street. Also don’t miss King Arthur and the Holy Grail. I volunteered for a supporting role, and it made the experience that much more fun!

The last pavilion on our tour of Epcot is Canada. ‘O Canada is a huge circle vision show that is somewhat dated but still interesting. If you like the "men in skirts" look, don’t miss Off Kilter, a Celtic group of kilt-bearing guys playing some very interesting instruments.

We took a short side trip to Cocoa beach. When we were out of money because the Park Hoppers drained our bank account, we took an hour road trip to the coast to Cocoa Beach. It is a beautiful beach, and the original Ron Jon’s Surf Shop is there. That is a must. The beach is beautiful and relatively quiet.

You can take surf lessons, boogie board, or just work on your tan. You can head over to Cocoa Beach Pier and fish or take pictures on a real surf board and do tons of other stuff. Plus, Port Canaveral is on the way, which is where the Disney Cruises take off from. It is really cool just to see the ships. Also, about 20 minutes up the road is the Kennedy Space Center. It is a very nice side trip and is very close and affordable.

Downtown Disney is a large entertainment district within Walt Disney World property. You can get to Downtown Disney from all resorts by bus or possibly boat. There are tons of shops, cafes, restaurants, bars, dance clubs, and live entertainment. There are three sections of Walt Disney World. There is Disney West, the Disney Marketplace, and of course, Pleasure Island.

Disney West and The Marketplace are mostly shopping, restaurants, and nightlife. The Marketplace has a huge Disney store called The World of Disney where you can find ANYTHING Disney; an awesome Lego Store complete with a cool playground and huge Lego animals and figures outside that make great photo opportunities; and for all you pin collectors, there is the biggest pin station in all of WDW. There are tons of other fun specialty shops designed to, well, take your money. There is an awesome glass shop and a photo shop and studio.

My favorite thing here is Ghirardelli. They have delicious ice cream good for a mid-afternoon snack, when it is really hot. There is also a quirky McDonalds, a bakery, The Rainforest Cafe, Wolfgang Puck's Express restaurant, and a very yummy crab house that is an actual riverboat in the river!

After a stroll through the Marketplace, you will come to Pleasure Island. During the morning and afternoon, you can actually walk through where a few shops are open, but all the clubs are closed. At night, on the other hand, Pleasure Island is one hopping place. There are several nightclubs, including the beach club, BET Soundstage, Motion, a comedy club, jazz club, and more. At night, you have to pay to get into Pleasure Island. You pay one cover charge, $21, and come and go through as many different clubs as you want. You can also pay a "one-club" fee if you just want to go dancing in one club.

After you walk through Pleasure Island, there is West Side. Downtown Disney West Side is much like The Marketplace, but more diverse and more expensive. There is the House of Blues restaurant, Wolfgang Puck's restaurant, Bongo's Cuban Cafe, a Virgin Records Megastore, Disney Quest, and my personal favorite nighttime spectacular, Cirque de Soleil.

All in all, Downtown Disney is a fun escape from the theme park scene!