Attendance & Best Times to Visit

Month	General Attendance Levels	Special Events & Factors that may influence crowd levels
January	Low	New Year's Day is very busy.
February	Low up to President's Week; High during President's Week; Medium from President's week onwards	President's Week sees high crowd levels.
March	Medium until mid-March; High mid-March onwards.	Spring Break crowds increase attendance from mid-March onwards.
April	High through to late April; Medium from late April onwards.	Spring Break crowds increase attendance through until mid-April. Easter week is very busy.
May	Medium; High during Memorial Day Weekend.	Memorial Day Weekend is very busy.
June	Medium until mid-June; High from mid-June onwards	Gay Days are held on the first weekend at one park per day.
July	High	Very busy month, July 4th is one of the busiest days throughout the year.
August	High	Very busy month.
September	High through Labor Day; Low from the week following Labor Day.	Busy until after Labor Day.
October	Low	Generally quiet month but MNSSHP and Epcot Food and Wine Festival can draw in more crowds.
November	Low until Thanksgiving week. Medium the first part of Thanksgiving week; High Thanksgiving Day and weekend; Low after Thanksgiving weekend.	Super Soap Weekend increases visitor numbers at Disney's Hollywood Studios for one weekend. Thanksgiving week is busy.
December	Low until the week before Christmas. High Christmas week onwards.	MVMCP and the Christmas decorations draw in some extra crowds. Christmas crowds start to arrive around a week before Christmas, and stay until New Year, making the last two weeks some of the busiest at WDW.

 Quietest times to visit - January after New Year; First half of February; September after Labor Day; October; November up until Thanksgiving week.
 Busiest times to visit - July; August; Thanksgiving week; Christmas week through to New Year's Day.
 The traditional quieter times are getting less so, as more people realise that they are a good time to visit, and Disney puts on new events to increase visitor numbers during those times. Examples being October - Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party attracts more crowds during the month; More people are visiting in early December to see the Christmas decorations and attend Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party.

 Crowd Level Reviews & Ratings

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Best Days to Visit the Parks 

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These are the estimated attendance levels at the parks based on past history, and Extra Magic Hours, and are given as a general guide only.
They can vary throughout the year depending on various factors (EMH changes, special events). At peak times, each park will be busy every day.

Day	Magic Kingdom	Epcot	Disney's Hollywood Studios	Animal Kingdom
Monday	High	Low	Medium	High
Tuesday	Low	High	Low	High
Wednesday	Medium	Medium	High	Medium
Thursday	High	Low	Medium	Low
Friday	Medium	High	Medium	Low
Saturday	Medium	Medium	Medium	Medium
Sunday	Medium	Medium	High	Medium

Disney Ticket Prices

New Fantasyland Grand Opening Set For December 6 at Magic Kingdom Park at Walt Disney World Resort

Today we’re thrilled to announce that the grand opening of New Fantasyland will take place on December 6, 2012. Attractions included in this opening are Under the Sea ~ Journey of The Little Mermaid, Be Our Guest Restaurant, Enchanted Tales with Belle, Ariel’s Grotto, Gaston’s Tavern and Bonjour! Village Gifts.

Previews of these attractions will begin November 19.

As previously planned, the New Fantasyland expansion will continue with the opening of Princess Fairytale Hall in 2013 and the debut of a new Disney “mountain” in the form of the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train in 2014.

The Storybook Circus section of the New Fantasyland expansion, which includes Barnstormer – Starring the Great Goofini, the Casey Jr. Splash & Soak Station, and Dumbo the Flying Elephant, opened to guests in July.

How soon will you visit? And which New Fantasyland attraction are you most excited to experience?

If You Go

by Cara Goldsbury, Author of The Luxury Guide to Walt Disney World: How to Get the Most Out of the Best Disney Has to Offer

 

Getting There

Major airlines servicing Orlando are Delta, United, American, Continental, Southwest, Northwest, America West, Air Canada, and US Airways.

What To Do

Walt Disney World is comprised of four main theme parks: The Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney-MGM Studios, and the Animal Kingdom. Additional offerings include two water parks, Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon, as well as Disney’s Wide World of Sports, six golf courses, and miles of waterways for boating and fishing. Head to Downtown Disney where you’ll find over 70 scene-setting restaurants, shops, and nightclubs as well as Cirque du Soleil, Disney Quest, and an AMC 24-screen movie theatre.

When To Go

Each season at Walt Disney World has its pros and its cons. Busy season brings congested parks, long lines, and higher resort rates but also greatly extended park hours and nightly fireworks and parades at the Magic Kingdom. The slower seasons offer half-filled parks, little waiting in line, and lower hotel rates along with later opening times, earlier closing times, attractions that are closed for rehab, and often the elimination of the nighttime parade and fireworks at the Magic Kingdom. Here is a guideline to avoiding the parks at their worst:

Busiest: President’s Day week ´the last three weeks of March until the week after Easter ´the second week of June until the third week of August ´ Thanksgiving weekend ´ the week of Christmas until just after New Years

Busy: the last two weeks of February until early March ´ the month of October ´ the week after Easter until the second week of June

Least Busy: the second week of January through the first week of February (avoiding the Martin Luther King holiday weekend in January) ´ the third week of August until early October ´the month of November excluding Thanksgiving weekend ´ the week after Thanksgiving until the week of Christmas, a special time when the parks and resorts are festively decorated for the holidays

The Weather

Summer brings uncomfortably muggy and warm days with almost daily afternoon showers while winter offers many days of beautiful sunshine along with the occasional cold snap. Peak hurricane season begins in August and runs through October, so be prepared for a washout. The best months of the year with delightfully mild and humid-free weather, relatively small amounts of rainfall, and no danger of hurricanes are November, April, and most of the time in early May.

Getting Around

Disney’s complimentary transportation system of buses, ferries, and monorails is in most cases extremely efficient. Taxis can be found at every resort and theme park. If you prefer to rent a car, the convenient Central Florida Greeneway toll road from the airport makes for an easy 25-minute drive to the parks. Once inside the Disney World grounds, excellent signage will direct you to all destinations.

Information

Send for a free Disney vacation planning video or CD-ROM (call 800-515-9450 or visit www.disneyworld.com to order) and call the Orlando/Orange County Convention & Visitors Bureau (800-551-0181 or 407-363-5871) for maps of the area as well as a visitor’s guide on the many area attractions. Log on to the following Disney-related sites on the Internet where you will find thousands of tips along with photos, menus, and much, much more: www.disneyworld.com, www.luxurydisneyguide.com, www.wdwinfo.com, www.wdwig.com, and www.mousesavers.com.

Reservations

Call 407-WDISNEY or your travel agent for Disney resort reservations. Dining priority seating can be arranged at 407-WDW-DINE.

Provided the following credit is given, you are welcome to reprint this article for free.
Cara Goldsbury is the author of The Luxury Guide to Walt Disney World: How to Get the Most Out of the Best Disney Has to Offer.   Visit her at www.wdwluxuryguide.com.

Disney Tickets Prices

Epcot® International Food & Wine Festival - Cities in Wonderland

September 26, 2008 – November 9, 2008

Embark on an epicurean adventure as the 13th Annual Epcot® International Food & Wine Festival showcases the flavors of the world. Explore marketplaces featuring regional foods, wines, and beers. Learn from renowned chefs and winemakers at special programs and demonstrations, and sample the finest cuisine from around the globe. Savor the sizzling sounds of the Eat to the Beat concert series, presenting a stellar line-up of popular musical acts.

For more information, visit the hub at the Festival Welcome Center, where you'll also find the Festival Wine Shop, the Wonders Bar for champagne and wine, and the official book-signing location for celebrity chefs and authors. Venture inside the Stockpot shop and check out its marvelous merchandise, including the marketplace cookbook and a special festival edition of the Disney Gift Card, which provides a handy way to pay for so much fun at the Festival!

International Marketplaces
Sample the authentic flavors of over 25 countries and regions as you take a tasty trip through World Showcase.

Special Exhibits
Explore fascinating cultural exhibits that feature fabulous cuisine, wine walkabouts, artisans and instructive culinary demonstrations from countries and regions throughout the world.

Eat to the Beat Concert Series
Give your taste buds a rest and groove to the sounds of your favorite musical acts live on stage at this nightly concert series.

Special Wine & Culinary Programs
Satisfy the gourmet within you at these exceptional dining experiences complete with delicious food, fine wine and great company.

Festival Dining Experiences
Indulge in sumptuous premium dining events prepared by some of the finest chefs in the world.

Fun for Families
Bring epicureans of all ages to these activities and exhibits that offer great fun and flavors for the entire family.

T-Rex Cafe @ Downtown Disney

T-Rex: A Prehistoric Family Adventure, A Place to Eat, Shop, Explore and Discover is scheduled to open at Downtown Disney on October 14, 2008. T-Rex, developed by Schussler Creative, Inc., and operated by Landry's Restaurants, Inc., features dining and retail in a 30,000-square-foot, 600-seat interactive prehistoric environment. The concept is built around water, fire and ice: Guests will be greeted with life-size animatronic dinosaurs that live among cascading waterfalls, bubbling geysers, a fossil dig site and much more. There will be a meteorite shower every 20 minutes and an aqua bar complete with a 6,000-gallon shark tank and a large octopus with mechanical tentacles. A full-size skeleton replica of Argentinosaurus, one of the largest of the dinosaurs and copied from a museum specimen about 125 feet in length, looms over the entrance, joined by a Tyrannosaurus rex skeleton.

The theme carries over to the menu, which features items with names such as Caesarsaurus (Caesar salad), Raptor Ribs (Asian BBQ ribs), Pterodactyl Wings (Buffalo chicken wings), Triassic Tortellini (tri-colored cheese tortellini) and Gigantosaurus Burger (think really big hamburger). You will be able to make reservations by calling 407-WDW-DINE (939-3463).

Walt Disney World’s Best Summertime Activities

• Take a break from the theme parks and spend a day by one of Disney’s fantastic resort pools. What better way to cool off in the summer heat.
  
• Shop till you drop in the air conditioned shops and restaurants at Downtown Disney. Pick up all your souvenirs at the newly remodeled World of Disney, the largest Disney store anywhere.
• Splish splash the day away at one of Disney’s unique water parks. Typhoon Lagoon is a beauty with a pool boasting some of the tallest simulated waves in the world. Or if you’re a daredevil at heart head to Blizzard Beach with its wild, rushing water and death-defying slides.
  
• Snag a bass on a fishing excursion. Pontoon boats with experienced guides depart from the resort marinas to fish the waters of Bay Lake, the Seven Seas Lagoon, Lake Buena Vista, and the Sassagoula River. No fishing license is required and it’s strictly catch and release.
  
• Hit the water at the Contemporary Resort where Sammy Duval Water Sports offers parasailing, water-ski, tubing, and personal watercraft action. It’s the kick of a lifetime!
  
• Catch a wave at Typhoon Lagoon with Cocoa Beach Surfing School. Learn to surf in the super wave pool before park opening hours on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday.
  
• Take a spin on one of Disney’s waterways. With 850 acres of lakes, 130 feet of shoreline, 66 miles of canals, and over 500 watercraft, boating is a major pastime at Walt Disney World. Most resorts as well as Downtown Disney have their own marina with a variety of boats available for hire including Boston Whaler Montauks, pontoon boats, sailboats, Sea Raycers, even a luxury yacht.
• Cool off in the mountains of the Himalayans. Expedition Everest, the Animal Kingdom’s newest attraction, involves out-of-control railcars that race forward and backward, sending Disney's Animal Kingdom guests swooping into the unknown to brave twists, turns and drops inside and outside a mighty mountain. It all leads to an unforgettable encounter with the yeti.
  
  
  Cara Goldsbury is the author of The Luxury Guide to Walt Disney World Resort. For more information visit her online at www.wdwluxuryguide.com.

Yakitori House

Resembling the teahouse of the Imperial Summer Palace, this small eatery offers a menu of teriyaki chicken and beef, and a handful of other beef, chicken, and seafood items. The food is reasonably good though a little on the blah side, and portions are smaller than at many other Disney restaurants. There's seating both indoors and out, but no matter where you dine, you'll be overlooking tranquil Japanese gardens and a gentle waterfall

Cuisine: Japanese
Hours: 11am-park closing
Location: Japan Pavilion, World Showcase, In Epcot
Reservations: No Advance Reservations
Phone: 407/939-3463

Kid Friendly Restaurants At Walt Disney World

Walt Disney World is, naturally, a very child-friendly place and you
will find that children are welcome at most of the restaurants at
the resort, particularly if they are well behaved.

There are, however, some restaurants which are particularly good
choices for families with children. This list is for parents with
children of any age is geared towards kids under 10. You know your
own children best so use this list as a guideline when planning your
WDW vacation.

*A Note For Parents of Picky Eaters*: Most WDW restaurants can
accommodate even the fussiest eaters. Meals can be prepared without
sauces if your child prefers them that way and spaghetti and peanut
butter and jelly sandwiches, while not on the menu, are often
available if you just ask. Buffet-style restaurants are also good
bets for picky eaters as they are able to take just the things they
like in amounts as large as they would like. A number of the buffets
have special "kids" buffets, too.

MAGIC KINGDOM- Magic Kingdom Restaurants

Casey's Corner - The main draw here is hot dogs. They come in a
variety of styles (chili, cheese, foot long, etc.) and desserts and
beverages are also offered.

The Crystal Palace - Located at the castle, end of Main Street, on
your left, just off the pathway to Adventureland, this restaurant
offers three buffet-style character meals per day. The Characters-In-
Residence are Pooh, Tigger, Piglet and Eeyore.

Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn and Cafe - This large fast-food spot is
located in Frontierland, very close to Splash Mountain. It offers
Burgers, hot dogs and other standard fast-food fare.

Liberty Tree Tavern - A character dinner featuring assorted
characters in Revolutionary War-era dress is offered here every
evening. Dinner is served family style and special kid-friendly
items like macaroni and cheese are offered.

Cinderella's Royal Table - is located on the second floor of
Cinderella Castle. Cinderella, herself, is usually on hand to greet
guests. The Once-Upon-A-Breakfast is offered every morning. Food is
pre-plated but is all-you-care-to-eat. Characters on hand usually
include Cinderella, Snow White and others.

Pinocchio's Village Haus - Another fast-food spot, this restaurant
is located in Fantasyland to the right of the entrance to It's A
Small World.

Lumiere's Kitchen - This fast-food spot operates seasonally. It is
good bet for "Kid's Meals" and also offers selections for adults. It
is located between Pooh's Adventure's and Snow White's Scary
Adventures in Fantasyland.

Cosmic Ray's Starlight Cafe - One of the largest fast-food spots at
the Magic Kingdom Cosmic Ray's offers spit-roasted chicken, burgers,
salads, soups and more. It is located across the path from the Grand
Prix Raceway in Tomorrowland.

DISNEY WORLD TRIVIA

When Disney’s Magic Kingdom opened its doors on October 1, 1971, adult admission cost just $3.50, a seven-ride attraction ticket book cost $4.75 and an 11-ride attraction ticket book cost only $5.75.

Approximately 10,000 guests attended the grand opening of Disney’s Magic Kingdom on October 1, 1971.

At 189 feet tall, Cinderella Castle is Disney's Magic Kingdom's tallest structure. Space Mountain is the Magic Kingdom's second tallest structure at 183 feet tall.

It’s A Small World and the Carousel of Progress both debuted at the 1964-65 New York World’s Fair.

From 1971 to 1982, Disney's Magic Kingdom offered ticket books that categorized attractions based on an "A" to "E" scale. E tickets were used for the eight most popular Magic Kingdom attractions: 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, Country Bear Jamboree, Hall of Presidents, Haunted Mansion, It's a Small World, Jungle Cruise, Pirates of the Caribbean and Space Mountain.

The Omnimover vehicles used for The Haunted Mansion are nicknamed “Doom Buggies.”

"Chief Nammie ” is the headhunter who shows up near the end of the Jungle Cruise in Adventureland.

At 199.5 feet tall, Expedition Everest is the tallest artificial mountain at Walt Disney World Resort.

William Windsor Jr. was the first guest to enter Disney's Magic KIngom when the theme park first opened its doors on October 1, 1971.

The cover of Life magazine's October 15, 1971, cover depicts approximately 1,500 Disney characters and employees posing in front of Cinderella Castle.

Epcot's Spaceship Earth rises 180 feet and weighs approximately 16 million pounds.

The 14-story Tree of Life at Disney's Animal Kingdom boasts approximately 300 animal carvings.

Cinderella's Golden Carrousel was originally built in 1917 and once stood at Olympic Park in Maplewood, New Jersey.

Disney's Hollywood Studios features a replica of world-famous Mann's Chinese Theater.

Swiss Family Treehouse in Adventureland weighs 200 tons and rises 60 feet.

The six trains at Big Thunder Mountain Railroad are named I.B. Hearty, I.M. Brave, I.M. Fearless, U.B. Bold, U.R. Daring and U.R. Courageous.

The Walt Disney World Railroad is an authentic 1928 steam-powered train.

Each space capsule at Mission: Space is equipped with motion sickness bags.

At 30,500 acres, Walt Disney World Resort is approximately the same size as San Francisco, California.

Disney's Magic Kingdom draws an estimated 16.2 million guests annually, followed by Epcot (9.9 million), Disney's Hollywood Studios (8.6 million) and Disney's Animal Kingdom (8.2 million).

Rock 'n' Roller Coaster - Starring Aerosmith at Disney's Hollywood Studios launches you at a speed of 0 to 60 miles per hour in 2.8 seconds.

Intergalactic lounge singer Sonny Eclipse entertains diners daily at Cosmic Ray's Starlight Cafe in Tomorrowland.

Golf legend Jack Nicklaus captured the first championship at the inaugural 1971 Walt Disney World Open Invitational.

The Atlanta Braves spend Spring Training at Disney's Wide World of Sports Complex, which features a 7,500-seat, state-of-the-art ballpark.

Before Disney closed its Central Florida animation studio at Disney-MGM Studios in 2003, several animated films were worked on there such as Mulan (1998), Lilo & Stitch (2002) and Brother Bear (2003), among others.

Disney's Animal Kingdom, Disney World's largest theme park, opened on Earth Day - April 22, 1998.

The now-defunct River Country opened at Fort Wilderness in 1976 as Disney World's first water park.

Epcot is the only Disney World theme park that boasts two entrances (one being accessible via Disney's Boardwalk).

Mickey's PhilharMagic in Fantasyland boasts the world's largest seamless projection screen.

The theme and characters for Splash Mountain were inspired by the 1946 Disney movie, Song of the South.

President Richard Nixon gave his famous "I am not a crook" speech during at convention at Disney's Contemporary Resort in 1973.

According to legend, a total of 999 ghosts inhabit the Haunted Mansion.

WEDway People Mover was the original name for the Tomorrowland Transit Authority.

Surfing instruction can be arranged at the Surf Pool at Disney's Typhoon Lagoon.

Despite an intense "Save the Toad" campaign, Mr. Toad's Wild Ride was replaced by The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh in 1998.

One of the Magic Kingdom's original attractions, 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea closed in 1994 and has been partially replaced by a Winnie the Pooh playground and Ariel's Grotto, a Disney character meet and greet area.

The fountain at Epcot Innoventions Plaza can reputedly shoot water up to 150 feet in the air.

The 5.7-million-gallon tank at The Seas with Nemo & Friends is home to approximately 3,000 fish and other sea creatures.

Epcot's France Pavilion contains a 103-foot-tall replica of the Eiffel Tower.

The Earth Globe that provides the centerpiece for Epcot's "Illuminations: Reflections of Earth," weighs 350,000 pounds.

Disney creates Google Earth map of Disney World

BURBANK, Calif. (AP) - Tourists overwhelmed by the mind-boggling size of Walt Disney World in Orlando, Fla., will now be able to plan their tour with the help of a 3D Google Earth map created by The Walt Disney Co.

The map of the four theme parks and 22 hotels at Disney World shows souvenir shacks, merry-go-round horses and even benches for resting.

Google Earth, an interactive 3D mapping program, allows to create travelogues by embedding photos, videos and commentary about locations they highlight.

Disney called its entry the largest corporate initiative on Google Earth.

About 100,000 shots from eight photographers went into 1,500 three-dimensional images of a variety of structures at Disney World, the company said Thursday.

Disney's Google Earth entry also contains links to blogs and YouTube videos and information on everything from the minimum rider height for certain attractions to menus at different restaurants.

Nearly nine in 10 park guests plan their vacations online, Disney said.

"Guests and travel planners can now explore our world with just a few clicks of a mouse, and they can book vacations while being immersed in what the destination has to offer," resorts Chairman Jay Rasulo said in a statement.

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On the Net:

Walt Disney World Resort in 3D, http://www.disneyworld.com/3dparks

Disneys Height Restrictions

The Orlando theme parks are for little kids and big kids but there are rides at all attractions that have height restrictions for children.


DISNEY'S ANIMAL KINGDOM
Dinosaur - at least 40 inches tall
Expedition Everest - at least 44"
Kali River Rapids - at least 38 inches tall
Primevil Whirl - at least 48 inches tall

DISNEY-MGM STUDIOS
Rock n' Roller Coaster - at least 48 inches tall
Star Tours - at least 40 inches tall
Twilight Zone Tower of Terror - at least 40 inches tall

EPCOT
Body Wars - at least 40 inches tall
GM Test Track - at least 40 inches tall
Mission: Space - at least 44 inches tall
Soarin' - at least 40 inches tall

MAGIC KINGDOM Park
Alien Encounter - at least 44 inches tall
Big Thunder Mountain - at least 40 inches tall
Goofy's Barnstormer - at least 35 inches tall to ride
Space Mountain - at least 44 inches tall
Splash Mountain - at least 40 inches tall
Stitch's Great Escape! - at least 40 inches tall
Tomorrowland Speedway - at least 52 inches tall

BLIZZARD BEACH
Slush Gusher - at least 48 inches tall
Summit Plummet - at least 48 inches tall
Downhill Double Dipper - at least 48 inches tall
T-Bar (in Ski Patrol Training Camp) - must be under 5 ' tall to ride
Tike's Peak (Children's area) - must be under 48" tall
The Chair Lift - at least 32 inches tall (No infants or lap riding)
Cross Country Creek - adult supervision is required
Rock Climbing on Mt. Gushmore - for ages 9 and older (Additional fees required)

Expectant mothers and those with neck or back problems are strongly discouraged from experiencing any water slide attraction.

TYPHOON LAGOON
Humunga Kowabunga - at least 48 inches tall
Keel Haul Falls - at least 48 inches tall
Mayday Falls - at least 48 inches tall
Storm Slides - at least 48 inches tall
Bay Slide - must be under 5' tall to ride
Castaway Creek - adult supervision is required
Ketchakiddee Creek - must be under 48" tall to experience (especially for children ages 2-5 and their parents)
Shark Reef - guests must be 10 years old
Before/After hours Surfing- students must be at least 8 years old (Surfboards are provided)

**Expectant mothers and those with neck or back problems are strongly discouraged from experiencing any water slide attraction

Age Restrictions

MAGIC KINGDOM Park
Space Mountain - at least age 3
Big Thunder Mountain - at least age 3
The Barnstormer - at least age 3

EPCOT
Body Wars - at least age 3

DISNEY/MGM STUDIOS
Star Tours - at least age 3
Twilight Zone Tower of Terror - at least age 3

BLIZZARD BEACH
Chair Lift no infants may ride

TYPHOON LAGOON
Castaway Creek - Adult supervision required
Shark Reef - Children under 10 years of age must be accompanied by an adult

DISNEYQUEST
Buzz Lightyear's AstroBlaster - at least 51 inches tall
Cyber Space Mountain - at least 51 inches tall
Mighty Ducks Pinball Slam - at least 48 inches tall

Fun for Older Kids and Teens

Here is a great pre-trip scavenger hunt for the older set.

Ask your preteen/teen to go online and "Google" "Hidden Mickey." They can read all about the history of how these illusive creatures began turning up and where to look for them. This could turn into a great trip-long scavenger hunt for the digital camera/cell phone set. They can try to spot the known and unknown cheese eaters all over the parks. It also helps to pass the time away while online for attractions. Disney does sell a comprehensive book on the topic, but fans on the Web have many of their own ideas on the subject. It is a project to get older kids involved prior to the trip, and fun to share with the entire family!

For those interested in the book, it costs about $10 US and is called "Hidden Mickeys:A Field Guide to Walt Disney World's Best Kept Secrets." You can buy it at Amazon.com or at Disney World.

Shhh, Mom and Dad ~ A hidden Mickey is a partial or complete impression of Mickey Mouse placed by the Imagineers and artists to blend into the designs of Disney attractions, hotels, restaurants, and other areas. The most common Hidden Mickey form is the tri-circle Mickey frontal silhouette: three circles that form Mickey’s round head and adjoining round ears. There's lots more on the Web or in the book.

Kim

extras:
Hidden Mickeys Photolog


Hidden Mickeys, 3rd Edition: A Field Guide to Walt Disney World's Best-Kept Secrets

Tips For Traverlers with Young Children

Whether or not you have been to Orlando before, young kids love the penny press machines scattered all over Disney and Universal. For those of you who are unfamiliar with them, penny presses are machines, some manual (which are more fun) and some automatic, that literally press a penny with an impression when a penny and two quarters are inserted. Every machine features impressions of different characters and poses, usually the ones prominent in that particular part of the park. Near the Buzz Lightyear ride, you may find a machine with Buzz and Woody.

Kids love to collect them all and make a mad dash for them whenever they spot one. Both Disney and Universal sell inexpensive collector's books that are small, sturdy and waterproof for around $8 US that have a place to display every one found in the parks. It's like a scavenger hunt for the younger set and is relatively inexpensive on-going fun. Make sure you bring a Ziplock bag full of "shiny" pennies and quarters at a ratio of 1:2. You can add more on each subsequent trip and they make a great Show & Tell when back at school!

We also recommend buying an inexpensive fanny pack, which can be found at any bargain store on Highway 192 for a few dollars, so your children can hold onto their own Ziplocks of coins and collector's book.

Kim

10 Best Children’s Activities at Walt Disney World

by Cara Goldsbury

I’m sure you all know about Disney World’s amazing theme parks, but are you familiar with the myriad of fascinating activities for children offered throughout Walt Disney World that are either complimentary or offered for a reasonable fee to Disney resort guests? Here are some of the best:

• Snag a Bass On a Kid’s Fishing Excursion. 1-hour angling trips just for children are available from the resort marinas of Disney’s Contemporary, Polynesian, Yacht and Beach Club, and Boardwalk Inn and Villas. For miles of shore fishing head over to Disney’s Ft. Wilderness where cane poles and rods and reels may be rented at the Bike Barn in the Meadow Recreation Area. Fishing excursions are approximately $25 per child. Call 407-WDW-PLAY for reservations.
  


• Enjoy the Old West. Hayrides depart each evening from Pioneer Hall at Fort Wilderness for a 45-minute trip. Very tame, cowboy-guided trail rides are also offered, or younger children can opt for a $2 pony ride at the Fort Wilderness Petting Farm. Hayrides are $8 per adult and $4 per child; no reservations taken. Trail rides are $30 per person; reservations are required and may be made up to two weeks in advance by calling 407-WDW-PLAY.
  


• Sing-Along in Front of the Campfire. Families gather round the campfire each evening at Ft. Wilderness for a sing-along, marshmallow roast, and a Disney animated movie. Complimentary to all Walt Disney World resort guests.
  


• Watch the Electrical Water Pageant Parade. Nightly on the Seven Seas Lagoon is a delightful 1000-foot string of illuminated barges featuring King Neptune and his court of whales, sea serpents, and other deep-sea creatures. The free show can be seen from the beaches of Disney’s Polynesian, Grand Floridian, Contemporary, and Wilderness Lodge Resorts.
  


• Ride Up Front with the Monorail Driver. Simply ask the Cast Member on duty. They will be happy to oblige as long as the front car is empty.
  


• Take a Spin on a Watermouse Boat. Rent one of these two-seater mini-power boats and zip around one of Disney’s lakes at 22 miles per hour. Kids love them, particularly because they need only be 12 years or older and at least 5 feet tall to drive one without adult supervision. Available at the Contemporary, Polynesian, Grand Floridian, the Yacht and Beach Club, Downtown Disney, and the Wilderness Lodge. Approximately $22 per half-hour.
  


• Dive into One of Disney’s Fabulous Themed Pools. You can’t do much better than a dip in one of Disney’s wonderful swimming pools. Children’s favorites: the Volcano Pool at Disney’s Polynesian Resort featuring a smoking volcano slide, underwater music, and sparkling waterfall, all with a superb view of the Seven Seas Lagoon; the Wilderness Lodge’s boulder-lined pool featuring waterfalls, rocky overlooks, water slide, and a nearby geyser; the eye-popping Stormalong Bay, a mini-water park complex that meanders between the Yacht and Beach Club, offering three acres of winding, watery delight including sandy bottom pools, a giant “shipwreck” waterslide, a tidal whirlpool, bubbling hot tubs, a kiddie pool with its own slide next to the beach, and enough length to float lazily in inner tubes to your heart’s delight.
  


• Search for Buried Treasure on a Pirate’s Cruise. Every Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday, children ages 3-10 sail from the dock of Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort on a 2-hour supervised trip to a deserted island. $28 fee includes snacks, bandanas, and treasure. Call 407-WDW-DINE for reservations.
  


• Attend a Children’s Tea Party. A “Wonderland Tea Party” happens Mon-Fri at 1:30 P.M. in 1900 Park Fare at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort. Hosted by characters from Alice in Wonderland, the little ones play games, listen to stories, and drink apple “tea”. $28. Strictly for children ages 3-10. Call 407-WDW-DINE for reservations.
  


• Take in a Character Meal. These extremely popular dining opportunities, offered at both the Disney theme parks and resort hotels, are a perfect way for your children to spend extra time with favorite Disney characters. Meals are offered in three ways depending on the restaurant: buffet-style, family-style, or pre-plated meals; regardless, it’s essentially all-you-can-eat. Characters work the room, stopping at each table to interact with guests, pose for photos, and sign autographs. Book priority seating early, particularly for Cinderella’s Royal Table, Epcot’s Princess Breakfast in Norway, and Chef Mickey’s by calling 407-WDW-DINE.
  
  Cara Goldsbury is the author of The Luxury Guide to Walt Disney World: How to Get the Most Out of the Best Disney Has to Offer. Visit her at www.luxurydisneyguide.com.

Disney’s 10 Most Magical Experiences

by Cara Goldsbury, author of The Luxury Guide to Walt Disney World: How to Get the Most Out of the Best Disney Has to Offer

• An Epcot Illuminations Cruise — Each evening boatloads of visitors depart from the docks of Disney’s Boardwalk Inn and Disney’s Yacht Club headed for Epcot. Their destination is a prime position under the bridge between the United Kingdom and France for a view of the Illuminations fireworks spectacular. Cruises are offered nightly with your choice of either a pontoon boat seating 10 or a beautiful reproduction of a 1930s Chris Craft accommodating 6-7 people. Although reservations can be made up to 90 days in advance, they sometimes sell out on the first day. Call 407-WDW-PLAY.
  
  
• Dinner at the California Grill — The California Grill on the 15th floor of Disney’s Contemporary Resort is a definite highlight for any connoisseur of cutting-edge cuisine. Through immense windows is an unbeatable panorama of the Magic Kingdom and the Seven Seas Lagoon and on many nights picture-perfect views of the Wishes fireworks. From pristinely fresh sushi to the exceptional New American Cuisine to sensational desserts and the outstanding California wine list, this place has it all.
  
  
• Breakfast With Cinderella — High atop Cinderella’s Castle in the Magic Kingdom is your chance to feast in a fairytale setting with Cinderella, Jasmine, Aladdin, and Belle. Kids love the grand dining room where through glittering leaded-glass windows is a birds-eye view of Fantasyland. The characters make their way around the dining room and give each child quality time signing autographs and posing for pictures.
  
  
• Beachside Vista of the Magic Kingdom’s Fireworks — On evenings when fireworks are on the Magic Kingdom’s agenda, head to one of the Polynesian Resort’s idyllic white-sand beaches, grab a hammock, kick back, and view the festivities.
  
  
• Your First Glimpse of Cinderella’s Castle — As you walk under the train station at the Magic Kingdom and into a world of make believe, the splendor of Main Street is spread out before you with that celebrated fairy tale castle sitting at the end.
  
  
• The Sight of Exotic Animals Grazing Below Your Guestroom Balcony — A stay at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge comes with a view of its marvelous savanna filled with hundreds of roaming exotic animals. After dark the preserves are lit with a moon glow effect, perfect for a nighttime stroll or after dinner entertainment from your room balcony.
  
  
• A Picturesque Ride on the Monorail — Hop on board Disney’s favorite form of transportation for a delightful journey around the Seven Seas Lagoon, through the interior of the Contemporary Resort, past the Magic Kingdom, and off through the pine trees on your way to Epcot.
  
  
• Cocktails in the Grand Lobby of Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort — This resort’s favorite gathering spot is an exquisitely soaring, 5-story lobby of stained-glass cupolas and filigreed chandeliers. Find a seat on a cushy sofa and take pleasure in the lively big band orchestra while sipping a strawberry-topped glass of champagne.
  
  
• Reliving the Drive-In of Your Youth At Disney-MGM Studios — At the Sci-fi Dine-In Theatre, guests are served in sleek 1950s-era convertibles while watching B-grade sci-fi and horror trailers on the big screen. Waiters on roller skates carhop the darkened, starlit theater, speaker boxes hang on the side of your car and, of course, popcorn and hot dogs dance on the screen during intermission. Though the food is just so-so, who cares when Godzilla is your entertainment.
  
  
• A Float Through Splash Mountain — Who can resist the charms of Brer Rabbit, Brer Fox, Brer Bear, and the rest of the gang, even if it culminates in one heck of a plunge? Drift round the briar patch in a hollowed-out log while toe-tapping music plays among the cabbages and carrots, jugs of moonshine, chirpin’ birds, and croakin’ frogs as you relax and bob your head to the beat. As you float through bayous, marshes, and caverns, all a delight to the eyes with loads of colorful detail and too-cute cavorting characters, the heartwarming theme song “Time To Be Moving Along” plays. It’s guaranteed to put a smile on your face.
  
  Provided the following credit is given, you are welcome to reprint this article for free.Cara Goldsbury is the author of The Luxury Guide to Walt Disney World: How to Get the Most Out of the Best Disney Has to Offer. Visit her at www.luxurydisneyguide.com.

Tips for Disney World First Timers

• By guest writer Cara Goldsbury
  The character breakfasts can be very popular and are booked out almost as soon as they are available to be booked.
  Read below for the information you need that will maximize your chances of getting a table at one of these breakfasts.
  Many more invaluable tips can be found in Cara Goldsbury's book, The Luxury Guide to Walt Disney World.
  So you've finally decided to head to Walt Disney World. Most people find that a Disney experience can be overwhelming - there is so much to see and do. You don't want to get stuck in lines, you don't want to miss out on 'must sees', and you do want to enjoy yourselves.

Here are a hopefully lucky thirteen tips to make your trip one that will be remembered for a lifetime.

• Plan ahead. Decide ahead of time what your priorities are and make a plan of action.
  
• Get to the parks early! It's amazing, particularly in busy season, how many of the popular rides you can knock off before half the "World" gets out of bed.
  
• Take the time to rest in the middle of the day. Stay at one of the Magic Kingdom or Epcot resorts, allowing a return in the middle of the day for a nap or dip in the pool.
  
• Call exactly 90 days prior at 7 AM Orlando time for priority seating if breakfast at Cinderella's Royal Table in the Magic Kingdom is tops on your child's list. The only way you might get away with sleeping in and booking a bit later for this highly coveted character breakfast is if you are traveling in extremely slow season.
  
• Come prepared for an afternoon shower during the rainy summer months even if the sky looks perfectly clear in the morning. Rent a locker to store your raingear and circle back if skies start to look threatening. However, if you're caught unprepared, just about every store in the parks sells inexpensive rain ponchos.
  
• Use Fastpass, Disney's free, nifty timesaving device. It's offered at all four theme parks and is a great way to save hours of waiting in line. Just insert your park pass in one of the machines located at each individual Fastpass attraction and receive a ticket printed with a designated one-hour window in which you may return and enter a special line with little or no waiting.
  
• Pre-arrange priority seating, Disney's answer to dining reservations, by calling 407-WDW-DINE. On arrival you'll receive the next table available for your party size, thus saving hours of frustration and waiting.
  Allow plenty of time to reach the theme parks each morning. It's easy to miss your breakfast priority seating if you don't allocate enough time.
  
• Be spontaneous. If something catches your eye, even if it's not on your daily list of things to do, stop and explore. If not, you could miss something wonderful.
  
• Realize the limitations of your children. If they're tired, take a break. If their feet hurt, get them a stroller (forget that they outgrew one years ago). If a ride scares them don't force the issue. Such precautions will make your day and the day of other park visitors a lot less stressful.
  
• Bring pagers, 2-way radios, or cell phones. If your party plans on splitting up, they are a perfect way to keep in touch
  
• Wear broken-in, comfortable footwear. Better yet, bring two pairs and rotate them. Nothing is worse than blisters on your first day and then nursing them for the remainder of your vacation.
  
• Most importantly, slow down and enjoy the magic. Resist the urge to see everything at breakneck speed. You can't possibly cover it all, so think of this as your first trip to Disney, not your last. There will be time to pick up all the things you missed on the next go-round.

Cara Goldsbury is the author of The Luxury Guide to Walt Disney World: How to Get the Most Out of the Best Disney Has to Offer, available at 800-247-6553, www.luxurydisneyguide.com, Amazon.com, or your local bookstore. For more information visit her online at www.luxurydisneyguide.com.

Originally published 1 Feb 2004
You may freely reproduce or distribute this article for noncommercial purposes as long as you give credit to Cara Goldsbury as original writer.

Disney Tips - General Park Information

General Park Information and Tips

• The theme parks at Walt Disney World are open year round. The parks usually open daily at 9:00 am and close anywhere from 6:00 p.m. to midnight depending on what part of the season it is. Animal Kingdom usually opens at 7 or 8 am every day. Disney changes its hours of operation throughout the year, but there are many places to find the hours of operation including calling Disney World and certain web pages.
• The busiest periods at Disney World are from mid-February to August and from Christmas Day to New Years Day. The slowest months are January, September, October and November. The busiest day of the week seems to be Tuesday with Friday and Sunday being the least crowded.
• Hurricane season is roughly from August to October. This is probably why these months are less crowded. Though it may rain every day during this season, the showers are often short and sometimes very light. Having a plastic rain parka can make this a very minor inconvenience.
• The theme parks are generally less crowded after 4:00 p.m., especially Magic Kingdom and MGM Studios. Epcot seems to be the opposite, it is least crowed early in the morning.
  Attraction boards are located in all of the theme parks. It is a large board that lists all the attractions in the park and approximate waiting times for that attraction. This can be helpful in choosing what to see based on the length of the line. There is also a Disney staff member stationed at each board to give you directions to attractions.
• Find out when parades are taking place at the park you are visiting. If you have already seen the parade or are not interested in seeing it, this is a good time to see one of the more popular attractions, as lines are generally shorter.