The Complete Idiot's Guide to Walt Disney World, 2012 Edition Read online

  $ = $10 to $20

  $ $ = $21 to $30

  $ $ $ = $31 to $40

  $ $ $ $ = $41 or more

  Finally, if a menu has a prix fixe menu, that is listed here.

  This indicates whether a restaurant participates in the Disney Dining Plan. If the meal will cost you two table-service credits for one meal, the symbol is followed by the number 2. For more information on the Disney Dining Plan, see Chapter 12.

  Rating

  The restaurant then is rated for its cuisine, appeal, and atmosphere. The star ratings range from 0 (worst) to 5 (best) and take into account food quality, general experience, entertainment, and atmosphere.

  Description

  The description gives you some idea of the nature of the restaurant, including the theme and atmosphere. If the menu includes a real “wow” item, it’s listed here. Finally, this area can give you an idea of whether a restaurant is the right place for your romantic soiree, big family gathering, quiet night out, or other kind of dining experience.

  Attraction Reviews

  So what rides should you go on? That’s what the ride ratings are for! All the attraction reviews in The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Walt Disney World start with a few symbols that tell you some important information, including any height requirements, whether it has the FASTPASS advance-ticket system, and whether it is one of my Must Do! recommendations. I also identify those attractions that are mostly air-conditioned so that you can get out of the hot Florida sun, if needed.

  Next, the ride type is identified so that you can get an idea of what kind of attraction it is. This lets you know, for example, whether it’s a thrill ride, like a roller coaster, or a stage show.

  After this, I provide a ride description and what you can expect. This is intended to paint you a picture of the attraction but does not spoil any of the surprises.

  Finally, the review ends with an age-appropriate ratings system that shows what other guests, from a variety of age perspectives, thought about the rides. Ratings are listed for typical tots, young children, teens, adults, and seniors, with each group having a rating score of 0 to 5.

  Symbols

  The symbols next to the attraction name tell you some important information:

  This is a Must Do! attraction—a ride that I think everyone visiting Walt Disney World must try. Now of course, some rides may not be suited for your particular group for one reason or another, so by all means, in that case feel free to pass. But for most guests, I liken it to the Eiffel Tower: you wouldn’t consider taking a vacation to Paris without seeing it. It’s just something everyone has to do!

  This symbol means that the attraction uses the FASTPASS advance-ticket system. This system is explained in greater detail later in the book, but basically it allows you to gain faster access to the ride later in the day, saving time in line so you can do something else in the park.

  The symbol tells you that the attraction is air conditioned.

  Some rides have height requirements for safety. Some even have height restrictions that work in reverse, allowing only someone under a certain height in, to keep play areas reserved for smaller children. This symbol is paired with a number in inches for that height restriction.

  Some children are afraid of the dark, and rather than traumatize them, you can know ahead of time to avoid that attraction. Many rides have brief moments of darkness, but I put this only on attractions with a significant period of darkness.

  Ride Types

  You’ll want to know what an attraction is all about, including what category it falls under. Here are the types:

  • Experience Area/Playground—This includes playgrounds, exhibits, and any area where simply exploring the buildings is an attraction unto itself. Examples like the wildlife trails at the Animal Kingdom, the Epcot World Showcase pavilions, and Cinderella Castle at the Magic Kingdom show you that hopping on a ride car is not the only way to have fun.

  • Theater/Movie/Show—Disney has developed numerous types of shows. This catchall category covers live theater, movies, 3-D movies, interactive cartoons, and other shows.

  • Parade/Fireworks—This category is pretty self-explanatory, but know that these shows sometimes include theater seating.

  • Character Experience—This category includes meeting the Disney characters, getting their autographs, and taking pictures that you’ll cherish forever.

  • Theme Ride—This category includes rides that might offer some suspense but are not the roller-coaster rides that some might choose to avoid. They’re not all necessarily for guests of all ages, but they carry a central theme and can be fun, scenic, educational, and, in some cases, exciting.

  • Thrill Ride—This category includes thrill rides. Not all of the attractions in this category are roller coasters. Some are simulation rides, others are multimedia presentations, and almost all are top draws—plan accordingly.

  • Carnival Attraction—This category includes rides much like the ones you’d find on the state fair midway back home. However, at Disney World, they’re clean and well maintained, and have a professional staff operating them.

  Ratings

  After the general ride description, you can view the age ratings. These ratings range from 0 (worst) to 5 (best) and are divided roughly into age groups. Remember that some 50-year-olds are far more daring than some 20-somethings, and there are 30-year-olds who grow excited over thrills a 7-year-old wouldn’t even blink at. So take no offense at the age generalizations—pick the group that best symbolizes your attraction interest, and choose your rides! The age groups are listed here:

  • Tots, up to 6 years old

  • Young children, age 7 to 12 years old

  • Teens, age 13 to 19 years old

  • Young adults, age 20 to 50 years old

  • Mature adults, age 50 and older

  Things to Help You Along the Way

  These special sections give you some information that can help you avoid vacation woes; find some special, little-known experiences; or explain some cryptic Disney lingo you may not understand.

  HIDDEN MAGIC!

  Discover a less traveled secret of Walt Disney World that can make your visit more special.

  MICKEY-SPEAK

  Master the Disney lingo so you can better understand what everyone is talking about!

  DID YOU KNOW?

  Absorb these seldom-known facts that can make the trip more interesting.

  DISNEY DON’T

  Follow these simple warnings to avoid a vacation headache.

  Summary

  Well, that should do it. The book is supposed to be simple, so if you follow the simple steps to planning listed within, you should be able to have an enjoyable, relaxing, and memorable vacation!

  Acknowledgments

  Walt Disney World is an ever changing animal. Regular visitors head to the attractions they loved as children and feel transported back in time to when they were young, feeling as if the place never changes.

  Wrong! The constant change at Walt Disney World makes re-writing this book every year more of a project than I ever anticipate. So big thanks goes out to all those that keep me on track, in the loop, and inspired.

  Thanks to all the Disney folks who make the magic, like Bebee Frost, Leanne Jakubowski, Laura Spencer, Jennifer Wilkes, Tina Trybus, and Gary Buchanan (Gary/Jerry?).

  Thanks to the team at Alpha. Randy, my editor; Dawn (missing you in St. Louis); Jan (YAN!); Kurt; Jill and all the rest. Mike, we miss you, too!

  Thanks as always to family and friends for their reviews, comments, and support. Why any of you would want an autographed copy of the book is beyond me.

  Thanks to all my sisters (and brothers) on the Walt Disney World Moms Panel (www.disneyworldmoms.com). You inspire me with your love of Disney, and I cherish our friendship.

  As for the women in my life: Thank you Mom for your inspiration, and Abby and Annie for letting me see Walt Disney World and life through the eyes of a child. I cherish yo
u.

  And T. Well—you know. Still.

  Part 1

  Plan Your Walt Disney World Trip

  A Walt Disney World vacation is not just a significant expense. It also requires an unusually higher level of planning than most trips. You still have all the usual travel plans to make: airfare, hotel, etc. However, in addition you have new challenges: character meals to schedule, theme park tickets to select, vacation plans to compare, and more. In Part 1, I help you part the fog and see the trip planning as a series of easy, manageable steps, from setting a budget to selecting ticket packages and planning out your stay. Ready?

  Chapter 1

  How to Plan Your Trip

  In This Chapter

  • Figure out when you should go to Walt Disney World

  • Learn how crowded, expensive, and hot it will be during your visit

  • Plan your vacation

  Planning is a required element to a Walt Disney World vacation. But it doesn’t have to be a long-term headache, and it can even be fun if you let it. In this chapter, I walk you through a basic overview of the planning that you should do for your trip. I start with information about how weather, costs, and crowd sizes differ throughout the year, and then review the simple steps needed to plan out your adventure. After reading this chapter, you should have a good idea of your trip particulars.

  When Should You Go?

  I always start my planning for a trip to Walt Disney World by determining when I’ll be going. With most groups, determining the time of year is the necessary first step because so many schedules have to be coordinated. You may not have much of a choice about when you are going, but if you have some flexibility, it’s worth considering a few different scenarios to see what works best for you. Naturally, the time of year has an impact on the crowd size, weather, and overall cost of your vacation. So let’s look at what different times of year will mean for your vacation.

  Fireworks at the Magic Kingdom. Photo © Disney.

  Weather Throughout the Year

  The good news is that the weather in Orlando is pretty good year round, averaging 73°F. It may not be shorts–and–T-shirt weather all 12 months long, though; it can get pretty hot and humid at times. For the most part, however, it’s very pleasant. Let’s look at the climate more closely, starting with the temperature and rainfall. Consider the high temps as your guide to what to wear during the day, and the lows as an indicator to what kind of jacket you might need in the evening.

  What you can’t read from the numbers is that summers get more than just hot—they get humid, too. From May to September, the humidity reaches a peak that you should prepare for. Ensure that you pace yourself during the midday heat and that you drink plenty of water.

  On the other end of the spectrum, you need to be sure to bring a light jacket or sweater during the cooler months because the nights get colder than you might anticipate.

  HIDDEN MAGIC!

  In the listings in this book and on the Trip Cards in back, the air-conditioned attractions have an symbol next to them so you can retreat from the heat.

  Rain is another issue. Rainfall levels start to pick up in June and average 5 to 7 inches through September. Even so, the rain comes during the warmer months, when Mother Nature will help you dry off, so it shouldn’t totally ruin your fun. You may want to consider bringing some ponchos with you if you’re coming during the monsoon season; otherwise, you’ll have to buy them here for upward of $10. You will probably need them for one of the water rides, so plan ahead and save some money.

  Temperatures and Rainfall in Orlando, Florida1

  Crowds Throughout the Year

  When Walt Disney World is busy, it’s packed. The very busiest times have crowds that can ruin your time. Long lines, high-stress levels, missed attractions and parades, long transportation waits—all of these can happen, making for a less than magical time.

  You can avoid crowds, and it’s not always a packed house, so don’t worry that you’ll have to face such hardships. So when is it most crowded?

  The basic rule of thumb for why one time is busier than another revolves largely around school vacations. If kids are out of school, Walt Disney World is busy. If they’re in session, the parks get lighter. Another gauge for when the parks are busiest is the Disney resort room rate seasons.

  You can see these rate seasons in more detail in the Walt Disney World Resorts chapter.

  HIDDEN MAGIC!

  Are you a podcast enthusiast? These popular new downloadable audio programs from iTunes are a great way to get information on recent changes at the parks. Several podcasts are dedicated to Walt Disney World. Here are four of my favorites:

  WDW Today—This panel is fun to listen to, offering shorter broadcasts focused on single topics.

  The DIS Unplugged—A panel that actually meets in person in Orlando for a great family vibe, they pick topics from their popular DIS Forums to make their shows more relevant.

  Be Our Guest Podcast—Another fun panel with an enthusiastic energy, this panel discusses how to stretch your dollars at Walt Disney World with a more realistic eye to what most of us can really afford.

  The WDW Radio Show—Host Lou Mongello reviews all that is important regarding Walt Disney World and Disney in this longer, more in-depth show.

  Bringing It All Together

  Let’s look at all these factors together. In the following chart, you will see the rate seasons, the high and low temperatures you can expect, when the rainy season hits, and what kind of general crowd sizes you can plan to contend with. The crowd size graph and the resort rate line are charted to four weeks per month, but be aware that the dates that holidays like Christmas and President’s Day fall on will affect these slightly.

  Annual chart of crowd sizes, resort rates, and weather.

  Special Events Throughout the Year

  Walt Disney World hosts numerous special events throughout the year. Here I list just a few of the bigger ones. Once you know when you’re planning to attend, be sure to check the Walt Disney World website to get exact dates and see what else might be going on when you are there. Although these events can get mobbed, they also offer some great activities, food, and entertainment that make it well worth dealing with the crowds.

  • January: Walt Disney World Marathon

  • March: Atlanta Braves Spring Training

  • April/May/June: Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival

  • May/June: Star Wars Weekends

  • September: Night of Joy

  • October: Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party

  • October/November: International Food and Wine Festival

  • November/December/January: Osborne Family Spectacle of Lights

  • December: Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, Holidays Around the World

  Time of Year: The Bottom Line

  So now you know when Walt Disney World is at its busiest and when it’s slow. You know how hot, cool, or wet it might get. You even have an eye to what major events might be going on while you’re there. But when should you actually go?

  DID YOU KNOW?

  Another large gathering to be aware of at Walt Disney World is the annual Gay Days. This event is not affiliated with Disney World, but it certainly packs the Orlando parks and hotels, with more than 130,000 mostly gay and lesbian attendees. This weeklong get-together is usually held in early June, always taking place the first Saturday of the month. You can pinpoint the dates by going to www.gaydays.com.

  Obviously, you might have your travel time of year chosen for you by work considerations, school vacation schedules, or other personal life issues. But if you have some flexibility, here are my personal suggestions:

  • September is my favorite time to visit. Why? The weather is still of the summer variety that I expect when I think of a Florida vacation. The crowds are lighter, and the resort rates are at their lowest. Free dining packages have made it even more attractive, but also a bit more crowded.

 
• My second choice is anytime in October. It’s only a bit cooler than September, and has a mild Halloween vibe that kids love later in the month. Plus I love the Food & Wine Festival!

  • My next choice is the first three weeks of May. The weather is good, the rates are higher than in September but still pretty decent, and the crowds are still manageable.

  • If your schedule places you at Walt Disney World during a packed crowd time, that doesn’t mean you won’t enjoy yourself. It just means that you might not get to ride as many attractions and that you have to do more advance meal planning. Besides, there’s a reason why so many people visit at that time. Some of those reasons, like holiday decorations, could be the element that makes your trip extra special.

  • When the parks are barren, it’s a ride enthusiast’s dream, but the atmosphere is not as fun as I prefer it. Also, Disney closes many attractions for repairs, so you may not get to see everything you hoped.

  • Disney has really worked on getting crowd sizes up during the slower times of the year, with discount vacation packages and special events. Don’t be surprised by large crowds at any time of the year.

  Making the Big Decisions

  I always suggest making a plan well in advance. Because there’s more advance reservation planning in a Disney vacation than for most other vacations, the sooner you make your trip reservations, the sooner you can get to the other important steps of making meal reservations, planning special activities, and doing other last-minute trip adjustments. You have to plan for a few important considerations before calling your travel agent or logging on to the Internet to make your reservation. Later chapters in this book help with those decisions, but to summarize, here they are: