Disney World Tips and Secrets

Description

==UPDATED: March 2012 following reader feedback ==

If you have just booked your first vacation to the Walt Disney World Resort, or you've been before and felt you missed out on the magic, then you should read this book. If you're a seasoned Disney World visitor then you probably won't learn much more from any guidebook - save your money and treat yourself to a Dole Whip instead :)

The insider information you need to know to make sure your Disney World vacation is filled with fun and laughter written by bestselling author Clare Swindlehurst.

Planning a Disney World vacation isn’t as simple as organising a trip to the beach but knowing where to start can be notoriously difficult.

This book will help.

Inside the covers you'll find more than 500 Disney World tips and secrets that will give you the knowledge you need to plan a great vacation for you and your family.

Want to know how to save money on a Disney World Resort hotel, or whether your employee status can get you into the parks for free? What about how to have your holiday photos taken by a professional at no extra charge or the quickest way to get to the Magic Kingdom?

I’ll answer all of those questions and more, including letting you know the best seats in the house for the popular attractions, the ‘secret’ entrances to the parks that most guests ignore and how to get into the Magic Kingdom before it opens so you can take a picture of the castle with no one blocking your view.

New for 2012 I've included some bonus chapters to tell you:
- how to enjoy Disney Dining even with food allergies
- how to avoid making mistakes with your Disney Dining reservations
- why Disney World is the perfect destination for a romantic break
- your guide to Disney transportation
- how to celebrate your birthday at Disney World (it really is the best place on earth to have a birthday!)
- what you should do if it rains on your Disney World vacation

Trust me, you won’t want to plan your Disney World vacation until you’ve read this book!

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The Unofficial Guide Walt Disney World 2012 (Unofficial Guides)

Description

This best selling and definitive guide to Disney World is bigger and better than ever!

Exhaustively researched and packed with insider advice that will save you both time and money

• Tried and tested touring plans that save as much as four hours of standing in line in a single day
• Tips, advice, and opinions from hundreds of Walt Disney World guests in their own words
• Almost 250 hotels rated and ranked for quality and value, including the top non-Disney hotels for families
• A complete Dining Guide with ratings and reviews of all Walt Disney World restaurants, plus extensive alternatives for dining deals outside the World
• Every attraction rated and ranked for each age group. 
• Coverage of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter including best times to beat the crowds, the best places to buy Butterbeer, and the scoop on all the shops in the village of Hogsmeade.
• Walt Disney World Resort theme parks are rated best in the world. earning high marks for things outside of the traditional theme park experience. Epcot's International Food & Wine Festival, which takes place for six weeks every fall and showcases food from twenty-five countries, was rated by Forbes Traveler as one of the Best U.S. Food and Wine Festivals.
• In 2011, Disney not only launched its new cruise ship, the Disney Dream, it also announced plans of a complete overhaul of Pleasure Island set to begin construction and reopen as Hyperion Wharf

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Q&A with Author Bob Sehlinger

Author Bob Sehlinger

Do you need a car at Walt Disney World?
I prefer to have a car. The Disney Transportation System is very efficient, but with the exception of commuting to the Magic Kingdom, driving your own car is usually faster. Plus, having your own car makes it easier to dine outside WDW where restaurants are less expensive. We've documented that the bucks you save eating outside the World will more than pay for the rental car. Also, having a car allows you to visit other area theme parks like Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure and SeaWorld.

Where can you find crowd estimates for the days of your visit?
The website for The Unofficial Guide To Walt Disney World is touringplans.com. For a small subscription fee you can access our Crowd Calendar that is updated daily, and projects crowd levels for all four Disney parks for every day of the year. The calendar also specifies which park will be least crowded for a particular day. We used to publish the Crowd Calendar in the guidebook until it became apparent that to be accurate it required updating every day.

What's the best Disney park to visit on a really crowded day?
While there are a couple of exceptions relating to unusual circumstances, Epcot is the go-to park for holidays and other periods of extremely heavy attendance? Epcot is large, spread out, and open with plenty of elbowroom. Additionally, most Epcot attractions are engineered to accommodate more guests per day than attractions in the other parks.

If you have to take your Disney vacation in the summer, is one time less crowded than another?
Because most families take a couple weeks to get into their summer routine after school lets out, and another week or two to prepare for returning to school, late May, early June, and the last two weeks of August are the least crowded. The school year in Florida starts a week or more earlier than in most of the rest of the country. Consequently, comparatively few locals visit the theme parks on weekdays.

Do hotels outside Walt Disney World provide free transportation service to the parks?
Many do, but the shuttles don't run as often as those serving Disney hotels. What's more, non-Disney shuttles usually do not have the ability to increase carrying capacity during the busiest hours in the morning and at park closing. Though some shuttles serve only one hotel, others provide service to several hotels making for a long and potentially crowded commute.

What is Downtown Disney?
Located on the north side of WDW, Downtown Disney is a shopping, recreational, dining, and entertainment complex arrayed around Lake Buena Vista. Divided into three contiguous areas: Disney Marketplace, Hyperion Wharf (formerly the Pleasure Island nightclub complex), and the West Side. While the Marketplace is Disney World’s shopping Shangri-La, the West side offers a 24-screen AMC movie theater and is home to Cirque du Soleil’s La Nouba. Also on the West Side is DisneyQuest, a sophisticated electronic games arcade frequently referred to as “a theme park in a box.” Hyperion Wharf is a venue in the making that may become Hyperbole Wharf, Wishful Wharf, or any of a dozen other things as Disney laboriously ponders its options.

What is the best Disney World restaurant for a quiet romantic meal?
Our experience and that of our readers indicate that quiet romantic meals are few and far between at WDW. Children are the rule rather than the exception at WDW's better restaurants, and readers attest to the presence of kids at all hours of the evening. Often, the later the hour, the crankier the children. Pressed to offer a suggestion, however, I would recommend Citricos at the Grand Floridian Hotel and Spa. The food is excellent and the subdued atmosphere tends to attract fewer families than other Disney dining venues.

What's available for adults in the way of nightlife at Walt Disney World?
With the former nightspots at Pleasure Island shuttered, what remains is an Irish Pub and the House Of Blues, both offering live music at Downtown Disney. Overt at Disney's Boardwalk there’s a dueling piano bar and a dance club. At the Swan Resort, there's Kimonos, a Japanese sushi and tempura restaurant that hosts karaoke after 9 p.m. Rounding out the roster at the Coronado Springs Resort is Rix Lounge, a Vegas-ultra lounge clone that seems to come to life only when there’s a big convention at the hotel.

What's the best time of year to go to Walt Disney World?
If your children are pre-school age go in the off-season, preferably in November before Thanksgiving or in early to mid-December before Christmas. The crowds are comparatively light, the weather is usually warm and sunny, and the theme parks sparkle in their Christmas regalia. If you have school age kids your best bets for avoiding huge crowds are early June as soon as school is out or late August just before classes resume.

How old should a child be to go Walt Disney World?
Just about any age can be rewarding as long as you're practical and realistic. Children three years and younger will respond to the color and festivity and you’ll bring home some really sweet pictures of the kids on Dumbo, but they won't remember a lot about their experience. And our research has documented that kids up to age 7 or 8 cite swimming in the hotel pool as their favorite thing on a Walt Disney World vacation. If your objective is to spend most of your time in the theme parks wait until your children at least a mature seven or eight.

What are some considerations concerning selecting a hotel?
Selecting a hotel can be tricky with over 220 hotels in the area to choose from. Perks like extra hours in the theme parks, free parking, and use of the Disney transportation system come with staying in a Disney hotel, but comfortable, clean hotels outside the World can be had for a fraction of the price. Kayak.com, a travel search engine will tell you which Internet travel seller has the best price for any hotel you are interested in. After finding the best Internet rate, call the hotel itself (not the national reservation number) to ask about specials. About 25% of the time the hotel will beat the best Internet rate available. Inquire about the age of the hotel and when the guestrooms were last refurbished. Also consider a vacation home rental. These offer exceptional room and amenities at a fraction of what comparable quality in a hotel room would cost. Finally, because Walt Disney World is so large, be aware that some hotels and vacation homes outside of the World are actually closer to the theme parks than several on-site Disney resorts.

How can you save money on food and dining?
Disney World restaurants are typically expensive so economizing on meals is much easier if you stay and eat outside Walt Disney World. Free coupon books abound outside of Walt Disney World and can save a considerable sum. Whether you lodge in or out of the World it's a good idea, not to mention a time saver, to buy a cheap cooler and breakfast staples so that you can have breakfast in your hotel room.

What type of admission is best?
Depends. Disney theme park admissions start with a Base Ticket or “Starter Pass.” Features such as visiting more than one park in a day (park hopping), a no expiration option, and the inclusion of minor theme parks and attractions admission can be added to the Base Ticket on an a' la carte basis at additional cost. The objective is to purchase exactly what you need, no more, no less. The Website TouringPlans.com has a nifty free program that will tell you, after answering a few basic questions about your itinerary, what the best admission option is for you.

What's the best way to avoid the long lines?
For starters, try to visit during a slower time of year. Secondly, arrive before the park opens, admission in hand. Third, have a plan. The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World offers scientifically derived, field-tested touring plans for each of the theme parks that can save you 4 1/2 hours of standing in line on a day of average to high attendance! The research behind the touring plans has been the subject of features in the New York Times, the Dallas Morning News, and in numerous academic journals.

What are your five most important tips for having a successful Disney vacation?
1. Prepare physically. You’ll walk as much as 8-12 miles in a day. Start your family on a walking regimen months in advance to build endurance.
2. Don't overload your agenda. Less is more at Walt Disney World. Better to devour Disney World a bite at a time with plenty of rest and relaxation in between.
3. Resign yourself to not being able to see everything in one visit.
4. Have a plan but don't over plan. It’s about having fun, not sticking rigidly to an itinerary. Allow for spontaneity.
5. Anticipate surprises both good and bad. Stay loose, roll with the punches, and maintain a good sense of humor.

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Disney World: Beat the Crowds 2012

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I've been a big fan of the Walt Disney World Resort ever since we took our first family vacation there when I was a kid. Since then I've been back to the Resort more times than I can even remember, and my husband and I are now Disney Vacation Club (timeshare) members so we get to take a trip every year.

Over the years we've learned pretty much everything there is to know about planning a magical Disney vacation and we always have a wonderful time.

There are moments though when my husband and I look at each other in disbelief... families lined up on Main Street hours before the afternoon parade because they're worried they might miss it... people standing in long lines getting hot and cranky... families entering the turnstiles towards lunch time, pulling out a map and saying "where do we start?" People uttering the words that make me cringe the most: "I don't know why everyone likes this place so much, we've been here all day and only been on three rides - next year let's go to the beach".

All of these people have made the same mistake. They scrimped and saved to take their families to Disney World and then just turned up expecting to have a wonderful time.

Problem is that it's not that simple.

Many people think that the only park you'll find at Walt Disney World is the Magic Kingdom and that it's possible to see it all in a day. But the Magic Kingdom is just the tip of the iceberg. The Walt Disney World Resort is twice the size of the island of Manhattan; it has four theme parks, two water parks, a shopping village, 19 hotels, 62 restaurants and just over 100 rides, attractions and shows.

Understand now why you can't see it all in a day?

If your Disney World vacation is approaching fast and you haven't started planning yet then don't worry. In this book we'll walk you through the most important parts of planning a Disney World vacation so that you and your family can experience the Disney magic and beat the crowds!

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Walt Disney's Mickey Mouse: Vols. 3 & 4 Collector's Box Set (Walt Disney's Mickey Mouse)

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A stunning box set, combining Volume 4 with the previous Volume 3, complete with slipcase, available at a bargain price.

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Walt Disney Animation Studios The Archive Series: Walt Disney's Nine Old Men: The Flipbooks

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This box set of nine flip books pays tribute to Walt Disney's original animators--the Nine Old Men: Les Clark, Eric Larson, Frank Thomas, John Lounsbery, Ward Kimball, Ollie Johnston, Mark Davis, Wolfgang Reitherman, and Milt Kahl. Each flip book features a scene from an animated Disney feature in its original line-drawn form, having been selected from among a wide range of films for great movement and classic characters. Such iconic clips from the reel of Disney animation history include: Lady and the Tramp's moonlit spaghetti dinner; Sorcerer Mickey's ordeal with a horde of mops; and Thumper's announcement that a prince has been born! In addition to the flip books, the box will contain a booklet providing additional information about the artists.

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Planet Explorers Walt Disney World 2012: A Travel Guide for Kids

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2012 UPDATES include dozens of new photos and updated attractions information!

Explore the planet with this Walt Disney World guidebook written just for kids. This fun and informative ebook includes everything an 8-12 year-old needs to know about Walt Disney World, including information about attractions in all four of the parks, food options near favorite rides, shows and Disney resorts.

Children are what Walt Disney World is all about. Why not buy an affordable guidebook written just for them? Let older children plan out your days in the park and give them a useful tool to do it. They'll love the interactive hyperlinks and interesting trivia about Walt Disney throughout. These links fire up learning and make a Walt Disney World vacation even richer for the whole family.

Every area and attraction of Walt Disney World is covered and given a notation of S (Scary), A (Awesome), T (Thrilling), D (Dark), or W (Wet) when necessary. Fastpass attractions are marked as well. There is a section devoted to each of the theme parks: Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney's Hollywood Studios and Disney's Animal Kingdom. Another large section describes the rest of Walt Disney World, including Blizzard Beach, Typhoon Lagoon, Downtown Disney, each Walt Disney Resort and several food spots. Finally, the book wraps up with a short quiz, "Disneyisms," and interactive links about several Disney Imagineers.

The book contains tween-friendly descriptions of what's what at Walt Disney World for 2012 and includes useful tips at the end of each park section to help time-crunched families get more excitement out of each day. Now kids can help plan the family vacation.

From fun facts to history, attraction highlights to quizzes, Planet Explorers guidebooks have it all.

Don't miss the other titles in the exciting Planet Explorers series for 8-12 year-old travelers. There's Planet Explorers Walt Disney World Swimming Pools 2012, Epcot 2012, SeaWorld Orlando 2012, Planet Explorers Disneyland, Planet Explorers Disneyland Paris Resort, Planet Explorers New York City 2012, Planet Explorers Chicago, Planet Explorers Philadelphia, Planet Explorers Las Vegas, The Walt Disney World Character Finder 2012, Planet Explorers Disney Cruise Line 2012, Universal Orlando Resort 2012, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter 2012, and LEGOLAND Florida 2012. Have fun!

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