Disney World, Oh and Other Things in Florida

If you are like me, and can only visit Disney World, the best thing that you can do is to take a few extra hours and do some research on the parks. There are several great ways to do this; first is threw Disney itself and the other is on independent websites. www.disneyworld.com  gives a great overview of the parks, the rides, where to eat, and anything else that you want to know. You can also order a video (I talk about that in my Disneyland journal, because that is the park that I used it for). They offer beautiful free maps of the park that you can customize. These are great for planning your trip or as a souvenir.
There has also great websites that give you statistics of the park, as in which days and times of the day are less busy than others: www.scottware.com.au/theme/guide.htm. This site is great for tips to beat the crowds. They gathered historical statistics on the park to predict busy periods. I highly suggest looking at this site if you are traveling with kids.

These are some other great sites that shouldn’t be missed either:
VMK: http://vmk.disney.go.com/vmk/en_US/index?name=VMKHomePage
Laughing Place: www.laughingplace.com
DIS: www.wdwinfo.com

Quick Tips:

The Fastpass:  It is by far one of the greatest inventions that Disney has come up with. The idea of the Fastpass is that you can bypass the lines by getting this ticket. There are machines off to the side of some of the rides. You take your park pass and redeem your Fastpass. On the ticket is a window of time that you can return to get on the ride. Don’t worry if you miss the window. For example if your ticket says 10:31-11:31 you can use that ticket anytime after 10:31. You can even come back at 12:45 and use it. However, you can’t get on before 10:31. The people who collect the tickets will make you wait. Just a word of advice that I found many people could have used during the visit. The cast members are just doing their job. If they stop you just step to the side and wait. Don’t yell, don’t cuss the cast members out, and don’t prevent the other park guests from boarding. It’s just rude. With that said the Fastpass could turn a 2-hour line into a 15-minute ride.

Parking: If you are staying at a near by hotel there is usually a shuttle that will take you to the park. If you drive expect to pay a day for parking. If you have a handicap sticker on your car there is special parking for you that is really close to the entrance.

Pets: There is a kennel at the entrance of the park. When you arrive (before you park) let the people know that you have a pet. There is a special area where you need to park because as of writing this pets weren’t allowed onto the shuttles. It is a day to board your pets. There is more info about this on their websites.

Photopass: This was new to me when I arrived at the park. What you do is go to any cast member who has a camera and they will give you a photopass free of charge. At any point where you see these cast members they will take a picture for you. This was brilliant on Disney’s part. It eliminates the hassle of trying to get someone to take a family picture. When you get home you go online to the website and type in your code and there is your picture.

Best Way To Get Around:

If you want to visit more than the parks I highly suggest renting a car. Orlando isn't located on the coast so if you want to visit the beach it is a bit of a drive, and a lot of great shopping areas are a slight drive to get to. If you are staying at a Disney Resort and don't plan on leaving the park ground then there is no need for a car.

Dining in Disney can be a nightmare all in itself with crowed sitting areas, hour-long lines, and prices high enough that it makes the price of gas look reasonable. However, waiting for the crowds to die down after 5pm will cut back on the wait and not being able to find a seat.

Located in Fantasyland next to the 'It's a Small World Ride' I had found one of my new favorite places to eat in the park. From the outside it looks like a small cottage, but once inside there is more of a cafeteria feel with large tables to seat all of the park guests. The restaurant is broken up into smaller rooms to make the size less overwhelming. The place was decorated like a village house that you would see in the Pinocchio movie. Cuckoo clocks, oak chairs, and murals of the story of Pinocchio decorate the walls.

I was surprised to see how short the lines were. I was there around 5pm, the park was at capacity and we got thought the lines in about 15 minutes. The food was basic Disney food, but it was better than most of the places where I ate in the park that served similar food. I got chicken fingers, a drink, and fires for about $10. A small selection is available to choose among including chicken strips, a hamburger, and a personal pizza. There is also a kid’s menu with smaller portions and prices for the tots.

Why I loved this place wasn't so much the food, but the view. I highly suggest sitting next to the windows that overlooks the Small World Ride. You get to see the people on the boats before they enter archway into the ride. You actually get to see the board the boats and take off. The people love to wave at the people who are eating and love it when you wave back. This is great fun for children and adults alike.

In 1982 Disney opened there most ambitious theme park the Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow, EPCOT. Inteneded to combines the emerging technologies with a showcase of international cultures. Today the parke is constantly changing, adding new, fun rides to help attract tourists.

Epcot is split into two areas: the world showcase and future world. Disney has been making efforts to improve this park, however, they still have a long way to go. If you have only a three-day pass in Disney or have young kids, this park can be missed. In the middle of the park there is a giant board that will tell you the queue wait that you can expect to experience for the different rides around the park as well as any closures..

Future World: Leave A Legacy: This is at the beginning of the park. There are several walls where there are pictures of past Disney guests.

Spaceship Earth: This is the ride that is in the giant golf ball. Not much has changed with it since I first visited the park 15 years ago. Once inside you sit in a car that takes you thought the history of communication. This is a great ride to go on when you want to get out of the sun; however, the lines are much shorter at the end of the day.

Mission: Space: What a great ride. This is a ride that allows you the experience of going on a mission to Mars. You have a chance to split up into one of two groups: green and orange. The green team is less intense with no spinning and the orange team comes with the warning that you may experience motion sickness. I was in the orange team and I didn’t think it was any more intense than Splash Mountain or Big Thunder Mountain. After splitting up into the teams you are further split up into teams of four. Each team member is given a job as navigator, pilot, and another two that I can’t remember. Once inside you go through the simulated take off and landing on Mars.

Universe of Energy/ Body Wars: This is like the Star Tours ride. It’s a simulator that takes you though the body. You sit in a simulator that moves. The story is that you are being shrunk to go into someones body to help remove a splinter when things suddenly go wrong. The ride dives and turns as it winds though the body.

Test Track: This is another great ride. Guys LOVE it! This is one ride that no man will complain standing in line for. I rode it with my grandfather and had a hard time getting him on the ride because he was busy watching the various tests and crash dummies that were set up in the queue area. Once on the ride you go through a series of tests that a GM car would go through. This part is fun, but the best is when you go out onto the track.

The Seas with Nemo & Friends: This is an updated attraction. When you enter the ride it is set up to like you are under water. Once you get onto the ride you travel under the sea in search of Nemo. At the end you actually see large tanks of fish with pictures of Nemo and his friends projected into the tank to look like they are swimming around with the other fish. After you disembark from the ride you can see more of the fish and a tank with manatees as well.

Soarin’: I didn’t get to ride this because the lines were way to long, but I heard amazing reviews for it. If you want to get a Fastpass get it early. They were all passed out by 1pm.

Living with the Land: This ride was a surprise. It was a 20-minute boat ride though a greenhouse and a fish farm. Believe it or not there were two kids on the ride who loved it so much that they convinced their parents to take them back on it. The ride goes through an amazing green house where they are growing 10-pound lemons and plants that aren’t growing in dirt. I had my camera out the whole time.

The hours that the Magic Kingdom opens can be found on their website. Make sure you get there early because the least busy times of the day are the morning and night. When you are traveling during the week after Christmas expect an extremely crowded park. Most times the parks will be at capacity by noon and people will start being shuttled to other parks.

Main Street USA: I’ve never visited Disney at Christmas time before, but I’m happy that I did. Being from Pennsylvania, who moved to California and went to Florida to see my grandparents, I was missing the snow, but Disney leaves no touch out. Main Street was decorated with all of the Christmas decorations that you could want along with a Christmas tree. On the way out of the park guests were surprised to see it snowing! Disney had brought in machines that made foam-like snowflakes. It was nothing less than magical and put a smile on three very tired people faces. Main Street is the home of city hall where you can get guest information, find the lost and found, and field any complaints that you may have had (and at this time of the year there were many). Rides broke, lines weren’t moving and no one bothered to tell us that rides/registers were shut down, lights went out, food was horrible, orders messed up…you name it and it happened. There are also a lot of great shops along through here as well.

Adventureland: Swiss Family Tree house: This is a walk though attraction. You can walk through the tree house and see how the Robinson’s lived. It is interesting, but if the park is busy I suggest that you skip it and do other things.

The Magic Carpets of Aladdin: This is a Dumbo like ride where you can fly around on a magic carpet.

The Jungle Cruise- This is a fun cruise down a jungle river. You can see many electronic animals along the way. If you have already been to Animal Kingdom this ride might sound boring; however, it is the cast drivers who make it great. They tell jokes and really help you get into the adventure.

Pirates of the Caribbean- I have always loved this ride. The line is a great way to get out of the sun, because it is all inside and has a themed line (the line is decorated to get you in the mood for the ride). Recently they have updated the ride to include Jack Sparrow. The ride takes you though pirate infested waters and though towns that have been taken over by pirates.

Aloha Isle- This has become my favorite place to get a snack. They offer pineapple floats, which is pineapple ice cream on pineapple juice. It might sound strange, but it is delicious.

The World Showcase: This section of the park opens about an hour later than Future World.

Mexico: Mostly shopping, but inside the El Rio del Tiempo they have been able to recreate the atmosphere of Mexico. The ride is a slow-boat ride down a river educating you about what tourists see in Mexico. It is very out dated and needs some serious attention. This is a common theme throughout the World Showcase.

Norway: Maelstrom: This is a fun ride though the Viking era of Norway including an encounter with trolls that results in going over the waterfall. After the ride there is a film on the history of something about Norway. I made the mistake of sitting through It 15 years ago that I’d never make again. I suggest skipping out of it.

China: Nothing really good here. There is so much potential, but again it has been the same for the last 15 years. The one fun thing that you can find here is the performances. They have a great storyteller who was doing the story of the monkey king while I was there which was fantastic.

Germany: No rides, but some great food and shopping. If you want great Christmas ornaments then this is the place to go.

Italy: Nothing more than food and a little shopping.

The American Adventure: Nothing to do here either. We ate here at the Liberty Inn. The food was horrible and not worth the wait. We were given the wrong drinks and no one would fix it and we really didn’t want to stand in line for another hour to change them. The register also broke and no one bothered to tell anyone that there was a problem or that we should get into a different line.

Japan: This is a great place to shop. I was here a few years ago with one of my Japanese friends. She didn’t want to leave because it reminded her home so much. I ate at the Yakitori House and got noodles. They weren’t bad, but I could have got the same thing for much cheaper at home.

Morocco: Another great place to shop, but not much more.

France: Just shopping.

France: I’m seeing a pattern here…more shopping.

Canada: Nothing.

Outpost: This is a fun shopping place that represents Africa. One of the great parts about this is that they had a man who was craving canes that were amazing.

Frontierland: Splash Mountain: This is one of my favorite rides. Disney really knows how to build the suspense as well. They fake a lot of hills before they take you down a five-story plunge. The ride is very well step up and takes you through the story of Bier Rabbit, Bier Fox, and Bier Bear. The line is also a themed line, which winds you though Splash Mountain. They also take a picture of you as you go down the mountain. One word of advice beware the Laughin’ Place!

Big Thunder Railroad: Another great ride; however, the line goes on forever, seriously. It isn’t well disguised so it feels even longer. The ride itself puts you on a run away train that winds though Big Thunder Mountain. This ride never gets old and always remains fun. I do suggest that you ride this during the day and at night as well for two different experiences.

Liberty Square: Liberty Square Riverboat: This is a great way to relax and sail around the Liberty Square and Fronteirland as well as see some great views of the castle. The entrance to the gates posts times that you can board. Get there a little early because you’ll want to get near the rails so that you can see everything.

The Haunted Mansion: Another classic Disney ride. Outside there is a horseless carriage and as you are winding though the lines the cast members like to yell for everyone to fill in the "dead space." At night the mansion lights up from thunder, and take time to read the tombstones. Inside you are taken into an expanding room before you get into cars that take you through the mansion. The ride is fun, but corny for adults; however, for children it is different. I remember riding this when I was four and being terrified. If you are traveling with children keep their age and maturity into consideration. If they are still afraid of the monsters in their closet this might be a ride to skip.

This is hands down my favorite park for several reasons. First this is one of the best themed parks that I have been to; it is absolutely beautiful. While I was there the park was at capacity, however, I hardly noticed it. They have done such a great job at braking up part with different trails, attractions, and trees that you can’t see as many people as there really is in the park. I also liked it because it was very adult friendly. Even though there are many kid areas and children can enjoy the animals it’s presented in a way that even adults can enjoy it as well.
Before planning your time here check the park hours. This park usually closes at 6pm; however, while I was there all of the normal park hours were extended for New Years Eve, but Animal Kingdom closed at 6pm instead of 8pm.

Oasis:
This is at the entrance of the park, when you enter there is the Rainforest Café and the oasis exhibit. There are a variety of animals here including an anteater, a boar, and birds including the macaw. I would suggest visiting here in the afternoon when the lines for the lines are long and the other animals in the park are trying to avoid the sun so you won’t see much of them.

Discovery Island:
It’s Tough to be a Bug! : There is no real need to get a Fastpass for this ride. This is a 3-D show hosted by Flik, where guests are "shrunk" down to the size of a bug. Flik’s friends put on a show until Hopper shows up. This is a fun show, but many small children came out crying. If your child is afraid of the dark I wouldn’t take them in.

Discovery Island Trails: These trees wind around the base of the Tree of Life. Get some great, up close pictures of flamingos, lemurs, tortoises, and more.

The Tree of Life: This is the focal point of the park much like Cinderella’s castle in Magic Kingdom and the Golf Ball at Epcot. This tree is breathtaking. Bring a camera with decent zoom so that you can get some up close pictures of the animal carvings on the tree.

Flame Tree Barbecue: I ate lunch here and it was pretty good. I got smoked barbecue ribs. It was better than any other place that I ate in any of the parks. They have really great seating arrangements as well. I got a wonderful view of the lake with Expedition Everest in the back. Before leaving a boat came by with Mickey, Minnie, and Donald. It was a great treat for everyone.

Island Mercantile: This is a pin trading spot, but it also has some great scrap-booking supplies.