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Just The Facts
Location: Lake Buena Vista, Florida
Phone: 407-824-4321 and 407-824-2222
Web site: www.disneyworld.com
Information
For the most up-to-the minute information on the Walt Disney World Resort parks and resort hotels, including hours, tickets, rates, the latest and greatest promotions, and planning and vacation package information, check Disney’s official Web site (www.disneyworld.com) or call 407-W-DISNEY (407-934-7639). The Web site has changed dramatically in the last year or so to include far more detailed information than ever before, along with hundreds of photographs. It’s easy to navigate, so finding just theinformation you want is now relatively simple.
The next best source of information is of course this site (www.travel-insights.com). It’s by far one of the best sites for families (or anyone) interested in planning a Walt Disney World vacation. Great lengths have been taken to ensure that the staggering amount of detailed information included, which includes everything Disney (and more), is up-todate and accurate. It also includes plenty of photos, which provides a great sneak peak into just what Disney has to offer.
Park Hours
Each individual park’s hours will vary seasonally, and can even vary weekly or even daily, so be sure to check this site (or Disney’s official site) for the most current operating hours, or for the operating hours when you intend on visiting. You can plan on the parks opening at just about 9:00 a.m. each and every morning. If you want to get an even earlier start on the day, the Extra Magic Hour is available to guests of the Walt Disney World resorts.
Disney’s Extra Magic Hours In Brief
The Extra Magic Hour has been brought back and with a whole new twist. For guests of select Walt Disney World resorts (all of the resorts located on Walt Disney World Property, including the Walt Disney World Swan and the Walt Disney World Dolphin, along with the Hilton at the Walt Disney World Resort - the one and only unofficial hotel to be included), one park each day opens 1 hour early or remains open for up to 3 hours after the park’s normal scheduled closing time. Guests are able to ride selected attractions as well as enjoy a quieter, less crowded atmosphere, not t o mention the cooler morning or evening air. Extra Magic Hours also allow for a more relaxing day at the park, as you will not feel the need to rush through to pack everything in. Be sure to request a copy of the Extra Magic Hour Schedule when you’re checking in as it may greatly affect your plans. It lists the park schedules, including which parks participate, on which day (or days), and during what hours, as well as what attractions, restaurants, and shops will be open and operational (as only select rides, shops, and restaurants are).
Click here for Disney Extra magic Hours
Also be sure to double-check the night before and again the next morning to ensure there haven’t been any last-minute changes in the schedule - last-minute changes have been known to occur however not very often.
If you choose to take advantage of the Extra Magic Hours, you can opt to remain in the park (if you are already there) or return when you like. You will however have to queue up to receive your ID bracelet (which acts as an alert to Disney staffers that you’re entitled to be there) before heading to the rides and attractions. Staffers will need to see your park ticket and resort key before they’ll give you your bracelet so be sure to have them handy. The queue tends to be at its longest right at the start of the extra hours…you would be wise to arrive at the park about an hour prior to its scheduled closing so you can be among the first few to queue up (lines form roughly 45 minutes prior to park closing).
Keep in mind that if you are holding a ticket that doesn’t include hopper privileges and you wish to take advantage of the Extra Magic Hours, you may go only to the park that your ticket is valid for. For example, if you hold a ticket for the Magic Kingdom but the Extra Magic Hours are scheduled for Epcot (and you do not have hopper privileges), you won’t be able to participate. On the other hand, if you hold a ticket for the Magic Kingdom and the Extra Magic hours are scheduled for the Magic Kingdom, you will have no problem. Those who purchase hopper privileges are able to take advantage of the Extra Magic Hours no matter where they are scheduled.
That’s the Ticket
An Introduction to Magic Your Way Tickets
Just w hen you may have thought you had finally learned the way the park tickets work, Walt Disney World has gone and changed their entire ticketing system. Where you once were able to purchase either 1-day or multi-day tickets, single-park or park-hopper tickets (with the option of adding on the ?plus? to include the water parks or Pleasure Island) - a relatively simple system though somewhat restrictive (with park-hopping tickets only available in several-day increments and other add-ons being bundled in such a way that options would go unused though would be included in the cost and so on) - you now start out with a base ticket and simply add on features from there. Probably the best feature and biggest advantage of this new system is that you can really customize your vacation to include just what you want and not what you don’t. Before, if you wanted to park hop, as it’s called, you had no choice but to purchase a 4-day (the shortest number of days available) hopper ticket (that is, unless you were a Walt Disney World Resort guest and could purchase a length-of-stay ticket). Now, however, you can choose to park-hop anywhere from 1 day to however many you would like.
Additional add-ons include the water parks as well as entertainment and recreation venues, though now you can pick and choose which venues you wish to include. The last major difference between the ticketing systems is that tickets now have an expiration date. Since the beginning of time (or at least since the Walt Disney World Resort opened), multi-day tickets have never had an expiration date. A ?no expiration? add-on is available for a few extra dollars (though of course the more days the ticket is good for, the more money it will cost). If you choose not to add the option on, your tickets will expire within 14 days after the first use. This means you can still spread out your visits over a 14-day period, taking a day or two off in between days at the parks; you will just have to make sure that you don’t exceed the 14- day period from the day you first used your ticket.
The new system actually rewards you for staying longer. If you break down the ticket price by the number of days you choose, the more days you choose, the smaller the cost is per day. For example, if you purchase a 1-day, 1-park ticket, the cost is $75 for an adult, $63 for a child 3-9. The same ticket if purchased for 6 days (where you can still only enter one park each day) costs $225 for an adult and $190 for a child 3-9, making the per-day cost only $34.67 for and adult and $28.50 for a child. The same follows when you add on options. The more days the tickets are good for, the lower the cost per day becomes, saving you money in the end.
Parking
The fee to park your car at any of the 4 main theme parks is $12. If you are park hopping (and driving a car to get from park to park), you only need to show your parking slip to the attendant since you only have to pay once per day. As a note, Walt Disney World Resort guests (excluding the Hotel Plaza Boulevard properties) can park their cars at any of the theme parks without having to pay additional daily parking fees.
Unless you have arrived prior to park opening and are within walking distance of the park’s entrance (which does happen, though rarely), you will find yourself having to pack up the stroller, all of your gear, and the kids to board the tram. Luckily you need do that only once, unless you’re headed to the Magic Kingdom. If you’re headed to the Magic Kingdom, single strollers will fit onto the monorail with a bit of manipulation and easily onto the ferry. Double strollers (the front-back versions, not the side-by-side ones) will test your maneuvering skills if you choose the monorail to get there.
First Things First
Maps
Each and every park, attraction, and even resort has a guide map. Maps are your keys to the kingdom, so to speak, as they contain crucial information that can practically ensure your survival at the Disney parks. (They are also most helpful at those sprawling Disney resorts, where without a map, you could very well be wandering around aimlessly for quite some time just to find the soda pop machine, but that’s for another chapter).
Pick up a few copies immediately upon entering the park. You’ll find that having an extra (or 2 or 3) is most helpful if you split up at some point during the day. Having a spare in case yours gets caught in one of those infamous afternoon downpours isn’t such a bad idea either.
The maps provide vital information, including where the attractions are, what they are, what their height restrictions are, and if they accept Fast Pass, what dining options are available, what type they are, and what they serve, touring tips, safety guidelines, guest services information, shopping and entertainment information, and so much more.
Additional guides to pick up include:
The Times and Information Guide, a guide that lists all of the parks’ hours for the current week, parade and fireworks schedules, as well as hours for the water parks, DowntownDisney, and the Wide World of Sports Complex
The individual parks’ Times Guide & New Information, which list the parks’ hours, the restaurants’ hours, attraction information (whether they are operational or closed for refurbishment), parade and fireworks times, show times, and character greeting times.
Other guides well worth picking up, include
- The Golf & Recreation Guide
- The Dining, Shopping & Recreation Guide (which also includes the transportation map of the entire resort).
All of the maps can be found at the Disney resort hotels. They provide not only an array of useful and necessary information for vacationers, but are the perfect companion to help plan out your itinerary along with making your way though the park.
Guest Services at the Parks
Stroller Rentals
Each of Disney’s major theme parks (as well as Downtown Disney) offers stroller rentals (singles for approximately $10 per day and doubles for approximately $18 per day) – quantities, however, are limited. If you plan on renting a stroller for multiple days, a length-of-stay rental is available –and at a discounted rate (approximately $8 per day for a single and $16 per day for a double with the entire rental fee due up front). Simply show the attendant (at the rental area) your rental receipt (so be sure to keep it handy and make sure you don’t loose it) and you’ll be off for the day with your stroller in hand.
Another plus for those with park hopper tickets - you won’t have to sacrifice your rental fee when you head to the next park. Simply show the attendant your receipt from the original rental earlier that day and you’ll be set. If you happen to misplace your stroller while you’re touring the park (they are often moved, though generally not too far away, while you’re experiencing one of the rides or attractions to accommodate additional strollers that need to be parked) you can get a replacement by showing your receipt to one of the attendants at a rental area.
Stroller Rental Locations:
At the Magic Kingdom: At the stroller shop at the Main Street Railroad Station (under the Walt Disney World Railroad) near the main entrance of the park.
At Epcot: On the east side of the Entrance Plaza as well as at the International Gateway
At Disney-Hollywood Studios: At Oscar’s Super Service (to the right just beyond the main park entrance). Replacements are available in the Character Costume Shop.
At Disney’s Animal Kingdom: At Garden Gate Gifts near the main entrance of the park At Downtown Disney: At Westside Guest Relations, near the Mouse House on Pleasure Island, and at the Marketplace Guest Relations. If you plan on renting a stroller at Downtown Disney be prepared to give the attendant a $250 credit card imprint – this is the only location where this is required.
A Note: Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon, Disney’s water parks, both allow strollers,
but rentals are not available there.
Wheelchairs
Wheelchair rentals (approximately $10 per day) are also available at all of the major parks. Length-of-stay rentals (mentioned above in the stroller rental section) are available as are daily rentals. Scooters (EVC’s) are also available for rent. The fee is approximately $35, with a refundable deposit of $5.
Wheelchair and ECV locations:
At the Magic Kingdom: At the stroller shop at the Main Street Railroad Station (under the Walt Disney World Railroad) near the main entrance to the park. Guidebooks for Guests with disabilities are available at City Hall.
At Epcot: On the east side of the Entrance Plaza and at the International Gateway.
Guidebooks for guests with disabilities are available at Guest Relations on the east side of Spaceship Earth.
At Disney-Hollywood Studios: At Oscar’s Super Service near the main entrance.
Replacements are available at the Character Costume Shop. Guidebooks for guests with disabilities are available at Guest Relations.
At Disney’s Animal Kingdom: At Garden Gate Gifts. Guidebooks for guests with disabilities are available at Guest Relations.
At Downtown Disney: At Westside Guest Relations, near the Mouse House on Pleasure Island, and at the Marketplace Guest Relations. A credit card imprint of $250 is required for wheelchair rentals, a credit card imprint of $500 is required for EVC rentals (this is only required at the Downtown Disney rental locations).
A limited number of wheelchair rentals are available at each of the Walt Disney World resorts (for resort guests). A $315 deposit will be held on the room account – charged only if the chair is not returned. EVC’s are not available at the resorts.
As a Note: Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon both allow wheelchairs and scooters, but rentals are not available there.
Guidebooks for guests with disabilities as well as cassette players and touring tapes and telecommunications devices are all available. For more information regarding
these and other services for guests with disabilities, call 407-824-2222.
Baby-Changing Facilities
There are baby-care centers at every theme park (though not at Downtown Disney or the water parks). There you will find changing, nursing, and feeding facilities. Baby supplies such as diapers, bottles, formula, and other necessary items are available for purchase as well. Throughout the parks (as well as Downtown Disney and the water parks), most ladies’ and some men’s restrooms are equipped with diaper-changing areas as well.
First Aid
There are first aid stations at each of the theme parks as well as at the water parks.
Lost Children
If for whatever reason you realize that you’re missing a child, immediately flag down a Disney staffer. They can help to locate the child and alert the front gate to be on the lookout. It is also a good idea to speak with your children ahead of time regarding what they should do if such a situation should arise. Older kids will most likely be able to find a predetermined meeting place, though again it requires a plan on your part. Now, I know not everyone in the family (especially larger families) can carry a 2-way radio, but if you have 2 or even 3 kids it may very well be a worthwhile investment to all carry them so that you can communicate with the kids if they fall behind or get caught up in a crowd and separated from you. An option for keeping your toddler safe is to use a harness. I am not a particular fan of toddler harnesses, but under certain conditions (like spring break in Orlando), I would highly suggest using them for 1- and 2-year-old children. Getting swept up in a crowd, separated, and thoroughly frightened - possibly even hurt - is a real possibility for young children when attendance is high. Under such conditions, I’ve been glad to use one.
ATMs
ATMs are located throughout the parks just in case you find you are in need of extra cash.
Film
There are plenty of places throughout the parks to purchase film and other camera supplies (though I have found digital camera supplies like memory cards and rechargeable batteries to be lacking). The good news however is that many of the stores now offer a CD burning and photo printing service. Film developing is also available at each theme park and Downtown Disney (not the water parks), with a general processing time of approximately 2 hours. Prices are of course much higher than if you were to take the film to the local pharmacy or grocery store for processing however for those dependent upon the Walt Disney World transportation system, a trip beyond the Mouse’s
house would cost more in taxi fees than you would save in processing fees. If however you are staying off-site it may be an option worth considering.
CD burning is now available at select locations throughout the Walt Disney World theme parks. If you have a digital camera all you need do is download your images from your media card to the CD.
The following locations currently offer this service:
At the Magic Kingdom - The Camera Center at Exposition Hall on Main Street U.S.A.
At Epcot – The Camera Center in the Main Entrance Plaza
At Disney’s Animal Kingdom – The Garden Gates Gifts near the park entrance
At Disney- Hollywood Studios - The Darkroom on Hollywood Boulevard
Kodak Picture Maker Kiosks are located throughout the parks as well – they allow guests
to burn up to 120 digital images onto a CD or into 4x6 prints all from their memory card
or photo CD. The following locations offer this service:
At the Magic Kingdom - The Camera Center at Exposition Hall on Main Street U.S.A.
At Epcot- ImageWorks- Imagination at the Imagination Pavilion in Future World
At Disney’s Animal Kingdom – At Disney Outfitters on Discovery Island
At Disney-MGM Studios- the Darkroom on Hollywood Boulevard
Lockers
Lockers are available to rent at each park (as well as at the water parks and at the Ticket & Transportation Center) for a small daily fee (usually between $5 and $10 with a refundable deposit of $2).
Locker Locations:
At the Magic Kingdom: Near the Ticket & Transportation Center and at the Main Street Railroad Station.(under the Walt Disney World Railroad).
At Epcot: Near the west side of Spaceship Earth, at the International Gateway, and at Bus information.
At Disney- Hollywood Studios: Near Oscar’s Classic Cars Souvenirs at the main entrance.
At Disney’s Animal Kingdom: Just inside and just outside of the park entrance.
At Downtown Disney: At the Marketplace on the dock near the Marina Rental Window
and Captain Jack’s Restaurant as well as across from the Motion Dance Club, on the second floor of Mannequins Dance Palace, and at the spiral staircase landing at 8Trax (all on Pleasure Island).
At Typhoon Lagoon: Near the main dressing room and at Hammerhead Fred’s Drive Shop.
At Blizzard Beach: At Snowless Joe’s.
Package Pickup
Guests of the theme parks may have their packages delivered to the front of the parks alleviating the need to carry or keep track of them throughout the day. Those staying at a Walt Disney World resort can have their purchases delivered right to their resort.
Depending on when the purchase was made it may be delivered to the resort that evening (if it was purchased prior to 7 pm) or the next day (if it was purchased after 7pm).
Park Pickup Locations:
At the Magic Kingdom: At the Station Break underneath the Main Street Railroad Station.
At Epcot: The Package Pick and Shipping Office in the Entrance Plaza.
At Disney-Hollywood Studios: At Oscar’s Super Service near the main entrance.
At Disney’s Animal Kingdom: At Garden Gate Gifts near the main entrance.
At Downtown Disney: There is no package pickup at Downtown Disney however purchases may be shipped via FedEx or UPS to the location of your choice.
Shipping (via FedEx and UPS) is available at most stores throughout the theme parks as well.
Car Troubles
If you find that your battery needs a jump or that your car is simply being uncooperative, flag down an attendant and they can help. AAA provides complimentary towing service during park hours, and an AAA Car Care Center (407-824-0976) is located just outside of the Magic Kingdom near the entrance to the parking lot (Floridian Way). A gas station and convenience store can also be found at the Car Care Center along with 2 rental car offices - National Car Rental (for Emerald Club members only) and Alamo Rent A Car (the official rental car company of WDW). Shuttle service both to and from your location is available 7 days a week from 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. weekdays and from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on weekends. You should schedule your shuttle service at least 1 hour in advance. You can do this by calling 407-824-3470.
Two additional gas station locations can be found across from Pleasure Island on Buena Vista Drive and near Disney’s BoardWalk Inn & Villas on Buena Vista Drive.
A Note: There is also an AAA Travel and Touring Service Center located on Main Street at the Magic Kingdom that provides AAA services, including making hotel reservations.
Pets
Only service dogs are actually allowed into the parks, so if you’ve brought the family pet(s) along you will need to board them. There are 5 air-conditioned pet facilities located throughout the Walt Disney World Resort, one located near the entrance of each theme park (or the Ticket and Transportation Center in the case of the Magic Kingdom) and another located at the Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground. Pets may stay for the day (at $10 per day) or overnight ($13 for resort guests, $15 for non-resort guests). You are required to visit your pet at least once per day, and if you are boarding a dog you are required to walk them at least twice a day (puppies at least 3 times). Epcot is the only kennel that has an available dog-walking service ($2.50 per walk). Proof of vaccinations for cats and dogs is required. Other animals are accepted as well, including birds, snakes, small rodents like gerbils, and ferrets. These animals are required to have their own cages, as the facility is set up mainly for cats and dogs.
Advance Dining Arrangements (previously Priority Seating)
If you decide that you want to dine out at one of Disney’s more popular restaurants, dinner shows, or character-dining experiences, advance dining arrangements are practically a must. This is not a reservation, but upon calling 407-WDW-DINE (407- 939-3463) and making your arrangements you will be given a number that corresponds to the restaurant of your choice as well as the specified time you have chosen to dine. When you arrive at the restaurant and present the attendant with your number, you will be seated in the next available table that will accommodate your party. This means you will most likely still have some waiting before you are seated (though far less than if you had not made arrangements). If you have not made advance dining arrangements, you are likely to be out of luck during peak seasons at the more popular restaurants (especially the dinner shows and character dining). Arrangements can be made as far in advance as 180 days for almost all of the restaurants, and believe me, they fill up quickly. I have actually called within minutes of scheduled time for the lines to open for the day and was still not able to arrange the exact restaurant and time that we had hoped for.
 To increase your chances of dining at the restaurant of your choice during peak season, try dining there for lunch instead of dinner and on a weekday instead of a weekend. Be persistent. If the first day you call you are unable to make the proper arrangements, try over the next few days as well, and put the phone number on your speed dial for quicker dialing.
The Rides and Attractions
While most of the rides at the Walt Disney World parks are reasonably tame, there are a few that have height restrictions imposed, and with good reason. Restrictions are for the safety of the riders, and believe me, they are strictly enforced. These restrictions are listed in the following pages as well as on the park guide maps and at the rides themselves. Check your children’s height ahead of time so you won’t run into any disappointing surprises once you arrive. And be sure to read the Theme Park Survival Guide for an in-depth look at how to best handle the wilder rides (among other p ark related issues) with the kids.
While a little rain never hurt anyone, thunder and lightning is another story. Florida is known for its share of afternoon downpours, and though most last only for a short time, a downpour may result in some of the attractions being temporarily shut down. Most are usually up and running within minutes of the storm passing.
Maintenance is another reason for rides to be temporarily unavailable. For the most part, Disney does a good job of refurbishing during the slower months and with as few rides down at one time as possible. To find out which rides, attractions, or shows may not be available, check their site (www.disneyworld.com), where the maintenance or refurbishment schedule is posted.
Fast Pass
With all of the lines you may very well be facing (depending on the time of year that you visit), the Fast Pass may very well be just the ticket (so to speak) to decrease the amount of time you spend waiting and increase the time you spend riding. Select rides (which are noted in the ride descriptions as well as on the guide maps and at the rides themselves) offer Fast Pass tickets that allow guests to come back at a later time (designated by the computer) to ride. The wait times are cut dramatically since you will only have to wait through the Fast Pass line when you return to ride, which is far shorter than the regular lines.
To obtain a Fast Pass, simply insert your park entrance ticket into the kiosk, and it will spit out your Fast Pass, which includes the name of the ride, what time frame you can return to ride, and when you will be able to obtain another Fast Pass. In some cases it also will print out a surprise Fast Pass for another ride as well (though generally not one of the most popular ones).
Now, don’t think that it’s quite that simple. While the Fast Pass is a huge time saver, there are restrictions. You can’t just go around to every ride that offers one and start collecting passes. Printed right on the Fast Pass is a predetermined time at which you are allowed to obtain a second Fast Pass. One trick around that that works especially well for larger families is not to get everyone in the family a Fast Pass if they don’t necessarily need or want one. For example, if you have younger children who want to fly around merry old London on Peter Pan’s Flight and two teenagers and a husband who would much prefer exploring the outer limits while riding Space Mountain, then split up and get 3 Fast Passes for Peter Pan’s Flight and 3 for Space Mountain - all at the same time (though keep in mind that your return time may vary). Another helpful hint is to pool the family’s entrance tickets. For example, if the teens want to ride both Space Mountain and Splash Mountain, you can use the younger kids’ entrance tickets to obtain Fast Passes for Space Mountain, the teens’ entrance tickets to obtain Fast Passes for Splash Mountain all at the same time - get the idea? The computer only recognizes if an entrance ticket has been used in exchange for a Fast Pass, not who used it. This also works well for families who are traveling together because the number of entrance tickets that can be sent through the kiosk for Fast Pass tickets increases greatly, allowing you even more flexibility.
There are drawbacks, however. When you use a Fast Pass, you need to return to the ride at a later time, throwing off how you will make your way through the parks. Another problem with the Fast Pass is that during busier seasons they tend to run out rather early in the day (before 1:00 p.m. for many, though closer to 11:30 a.m. for some of the more popular ones). Don’t assume that just because a ride offers the Fast Pass that it will be available. If there are rides that you absolutely can’t survive your vacation without riding, head to those immediately upon entering the park and get your Fast Pass right off the bat. You may even be pleasantly surprised to find that the lines aren’t particularly long and you can simply hop on right away, but if that is not the case you can at least be assured that you will get to ride at some point during the day if you obtain your Fast Pass
early on.
Parent Switch
This option is the perfect solution if you have children who are too young, too little, or just plain too frightened to ride a particular ride but with parents who don’t want to miss out. One parent can ride along with the kids willing and able to ride, while the other parent remains with the child or children who are not. There is a special child-switch room or area located near the front of the ride, close to where you would normally board the ride (an attendant will show you where to go). After the rest of the family has finished riding, the parents can then switch places, and the parent who stayed behind can now ride (in most cases with the kids who can and want to ride again) while the other parent then stays with the child or children in the special waiting area.
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