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

  Summary

  Hopefully by now you have your budget set. Look for new ways to lower your costs, but be realistic in your planning. Disney is not a cheap vacation, so don’t assume you will be able to lower your costs unreasonably. With your budget in hand, you can now assess how good the deals out there really are.

  Sample Budget Worksheet

  Chapter 3

  Getting There

  In This Chapter

  • Decide how to get to Walt Disney World

  • Master how to easily navigate the buses, boats, and monorails of Walt Disney World

  • Learn how to lower your transportation budget

  You can get to Walt Disney World and the Orlando area in so many ways. You probably already have an idea of what transportation mode you’ll use. Many drive, if they live close by. Yet with airline prices traditionally lower to Orlando than to most U.S. cities, flying is typically within budget for those who don’t live nearby.

  This chapter looks at important transportation needs. I discuss how to get to Orlando, around Orlando, and around Walt Disney World.

  Getting to Orlando

  How you are getting to Orlando is probably something you have already decided. Whether driving or flying, know that Orlando is growing at a rapid pace, putting a strain on the highways, airport, and other transportation services. So plan accordingly, and make sure you give yourself plenty of time to move around.

  Driving to Orlando

  Regardless of where you’re driving from, as you near Walt Disney World, the signage is clear and you should have no problem finding your resort. Just remember what area your resort is located in. For example, “Epcot Resorts Area” and “Downtown Disney Resorts Area” are the first signs you see as you come from the north, indicating how to get to those areas. As you get closer, the signs become more hotel-specific. Here are the main exits off U.S. 4 that you want to keep an eye out for:

  Exit 64 and Exit 65:

  If you’re coming from Tampa (exit 64) or Orlando (exit 65), use these exits to get to the Magic Kingdom–area resorts, the Animal Kingdom–area resorts, and the Wide World of Sports–area resorts.

  Exit 67:

  Take this for the Downtown Disney–area resorts and the Epcot-area resorts.

  Exit 68:

  Take this for hotels found on Hotel Plaza Boulevard or if you want to hit the Gooding’s grocery store at the Crossroads Plaza shopping center.

  Flying to Orlando

  Playing host to almost 35 million passengers annually, the Orlando International Airport, known as MCO, is one of the busier airports in North America. The good news is that you have a lot of airlines and flights to choose from, and the prices are usually more competitive and lower than many other cities. The bad news is that the airport is usually crowded and the security lines are immense. If you’re flying, ensure you give yourself plenty of time when heading home to get through security.

  In addition to a number of international carriers, some of the domestic airlines that fly here include AirTran, Alaska, America West, American, Continental, Delta, Frontier, JetBlue, Midwest, Southwest, United, and US Airways.

  Getting From the Airport to Walt Disney World

  It’s not too surprising that, with all the visitors to Walt Disney World, many businesses have popped up to help you with transportation from the airport to your hotel. The following are some of the ways to consider making the move to your resort.

  Disney Magical Express

  Disney Magical Express service is a resort perk started in 2005. If you stay at a Disney resort, you get a round-trip to and from the airport at no additional charge. (Note, the Swan and the Dolphin do not enjoy this service.)

  How does it work? When you book your package, they send you an informational mailing that includes special luggage stickers. Attach them to your bags and check in at your home airport as usual. When you arrive, don’t go to your baggage claim area, but instead make your way to Level 1 on the B side. When you get there, you will be directed to one of a dozen different lines to get onto your bus to Walt Disney World. The bus will then take you to your resort. There are usually a few resorts on each route, but the estimated 30–45 minute ride has never seemed to be too long.

  It’s important at this point to let you know that your bags are not making this bus ride with you. Bags are picked up by Disney staff, sorted based on the luggage stickers you put on them back home, and then brought to your resort separately. The bags can arrive as much as three hours later, so plan accordingly. Don’t worry about having to wait around for your bags; they’ll get to your room while you’re out enjoying Walt Disney World. Do ensure you carry any essential medications with you in your carry-on. Also, pack your carry-on with whatever you’ll need for that first afternoon (swim trunks for some pool time, children’s nap or diaper needs, etc.).

  HIDDEN MAGIC!

  If you’re a resort guest, you can actually check in for your return flight as early as 12 hours in advance and get your boarding passes at your resort. This free service works on the following airlines:

  • AirTran

  • Alaska

  • American

  • Continental

  • Delta

  • JetBlue

  • Southwest

  • United

  • US Air

  When it’s time to head back to the airport for your return flight, just check in at your resort desk and leave your bags. That’s the last time you’ll see them, so don’t expect to be able to get to them. Do whatever you want that day, until you board a scheduled Disney Magical Express bus that takes you back to the airport around three hours before your flight.

  Pros: Free service, no handling your bags.

  Cons: Can’t stop at the grocery store, and you won’t get access to your luggage for up to three hours.

  Bottom line: The service is free and relatively convenient. If you get it as part of your vacation package, you definitely should use it.

  Taxis

  Cabs run you at least $50 to $60 from the airport to the Disney area, but you can fit in as many people as the cab will hold.

  Pros: Straight to your resort; bags are with you.

  Cons: A lot more expensive than the free Magical Express.

  Bottom line: Probably not your best choice, but ideal if you are working on a company expense account. Still, probably better than a shuttle.

  Shuttle Services

  A shuttle runs around $30 per person for a round-trip. The downside to the shuttle is that you can’t guarantee that you won’t have tons of stops before arriving at your resort.

  Pros: Low cost.

  Cons: If your stop is the last on the run, it could take an extra hour or more to get to your resort.

  Bottom line: Not the best choice, but cheaper, as long as the Magical Express is not an option.

  Limo and Town Car Services

  Limousine services could be your great secret. For about $100, you can fit a family of four into a nice town car and get direct service to your resort in style.

  Some of the better limousines services, like Quicksilver Tours (www.quicksilver-tours.com; 1-888-GO-TO-WDW or 1-888-468-6939), will make a free 30-minute stop at an area grocery store for you to stock up on supplies. If you have a room with a fridge—or, better yet, a kitchenette—this can save you the cost of the ride in reduced food costs. Quicksilver, in particular, offers not only a luxurious ride, but they even have booster seats and child safety seats if needed (just let them know in advance). I use them every time I bring my family to town.

  Pros: Nicer vehicles, personalized service, and that convenient grocery stop.

  Cons: Not many cons here, unless you could travel for free on the Disney Magical Express.

  Bottom Line: By far the best non-free choice out there.

  Rental Cars

  Lots of options exist, so pricing them is up to you. However, you may find that you don’t need a car. If you’re staying at a Disney resort, you have a free rid
e to and from the airport, as well as free transportation around Walt Disney World. And if you’re staying at a hotel elsewhere, you’ll probably find that they have shuttles to the parks, thus reducing your need for a car. Be absolutely sure that you need one before making the reservation.

  DID YOU KNOW?

  Rental cars are available at the Orlando International Airport (MCO) from Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, Hertz, L & M, National, Payless, and Thrifty, but you can get some on property as well. You can pick up rental cars at the following easily accessible Walt Disney World locations, although you can have one delivered to any Disney-owned hotel as well:

  • Alamo on Hotel Plaza Boulevard

  • Alamo at the Walt Disney Car Care Center

  • Avis at the Hilton on Hotel Plaza Boulevard

  • Budget at the Doubletree Hotel on Hotel Plaza Boulevard

  • Dollar at the Holiday Inn on Hotel Plaza Boulevard

  • National at the Car Care Center, the Dolphin Hotel, and on Lake Buena Vista Drive

  Getting Around Walt Disney World

  So you’ve now gotten to Walt Disney World, but how do you get around? Disney has an elaborate web of transportation services that are free to use and will get you where you need to go. First, let’s look at the different transportation types.

  Monorail

  A Disney icon, the monorail is still as cool as it was in the 1970s. There are two basic loops for the monorail:

  Monorail Route 1:

  Circles around the lagoon in front of the Magic Kingdom with stops at the Transportation and Ticket Center, the Polynesian Resort, the Grand Floridian Resort, the Magic Kingdom, and the Contemporary Resort.

  Monorail Route 2:

  Takes guests between the Transportation and Ticket Center and Epcot.

  Note that on the first loop, there are both express trains to the Magic Kingdom as well as ones that stop at the resorts.

  Bus

  The fleet of buses, or “motor coaches” in Disney-speak, is the main mode of transportation throughout Walt Disney World. For the most part, they run you between a resort and the attractions, water parks, and nightlife areas. They are usually on a 20-minute interval, so you shouldn’t have to wait too long between buses. There’s a key hub for buses at Downtown Disney where you can make a transfer. If there are no direct buses to your destination (such as when going from one resort hotel to another), just grab a bus to this hub and switch over to a bus headed to your destination.

  DID YOU KNOW?

  Cabs can be called to all Disney resorts. A short 10-minute cab ride from an Epcot-area resort to the Animal Kingdom Lodge costs $15, so know that the cost is significant, and the availability can be somewhat spotty.

  Buses are usually the least desirable of the three transportation vehicles, just because they’re usually more crowded and are not as fast or scenic. But they’re well run and pretty darn reliable. And if they break down (as one I was riding on did on a recent trip), they get replacements out quickly.

  Boat

  Boats connect several different resorts and attractions. These can be a relaxing and scenic way to get from place to place, and I highly recommend that you take them if they’re convenient. These are the major ones to remember, though others exist in the Magic Kingdom area:

  Boat Zone 1:

  Hollywood Studios to Swan and Dolphin hotels, Swan and Dolphin hotels to BoardWalk, BoardWalk to Yacht and Beach Club hotels, Yacht and Beach Club hotels to Epcot, and then it goes in reverse order.

  Boat Zone 2:

  Boats launch between the Magic Kingdom and the Grand Floridian, Polynesian, Wilderness Lodge, Contemporary, and Fort Wilderness resort marinas. Routes change regularly to meet demand.

  There are also boats from the Contemporary to other select locations.

  Boat Zone 3:

  Downtown Disney to Saratoga Springs, Old Key West, and Port Orleans resorts.

  Boat Route 4:

  Transportation and Ticket Center to Magic Kingdom.

  Getting from Place to Place

  The following chart shows how you will get from one place to another. This is a reference, but always ask a cast member if you’re not sure.

  Transportation chart.

  Summary

  That’s the transportation world in a nutshell. By now, you should have an idea of how you’ll get to Orlando, how you’ll get to Walt Disney World, and how you’ll get around once you’re here.

  Chapter 4

  Buying Tickets

  In This Chapter

  • Learn how the Walt Disney ticket system works

  • Discover different ticket options

  • Decide what your best ticket choice is and where to buy them

  Disney tickets seem like a complex structure of different ticket types, archaic options, suspect discounts, and other confusions leading to a tangled web of prices. Yes, when you start bundling tickets with vacation packages and receiving discount ticket offers, it seems to get even more confusing, but it’s really a fairly simple part of the overall plan.

  First, you need to figure out what tickets and ticket options you need. I help you do that in this chapter. I also help you determine which ones are not ideal for you so you can avoid them. Finally, I help you understand where the best places are to buy tickets, and how you should compare buying tickets by themselves versus as a part of an overall vacation package.

  Okay, ready to go?

  Magic Your Way Tickets

  Let’s start with the basics. To get into any of the big four parks of Disney World, you need to begin with a Magic Your Way ticket, which gives you basic access to a single park for each day of your ticket’s duration. Pick anywhere from 1 day to 10 days, based on how long you will be staying. This is what I refer to as the base ticket.

  It is nontransferable, and you have to use all the days on the tickets within 14 days after your first use.

  MICKEY-SPEAK

  Magic Your Way is the name of Disney’s base park ticket. This base ticket isn’t anything different than what you or anyone else would buy at the gate upon arriving at the park.

  This base ticket gives you access to one park per day. As an example, if you use your ticket to go into the Magic Kingdom, that’s the only park where it will work for that whole day. Of course, the next day you can use your ticket at another park, or you can use it to go back to the Magic Kingdom, if you want. However, no matter what, you are getting into just one park per day. What if you want to visit more than one park in a day? We’ll get to that.

  So what do I mean by “nontransferable”? Well, whenever you enter a park with your ticket, you put your finger on a scanner. It verifies that only you can use that ticket. You cannot pass it off to your brother, cousin, neighbor, and so on. Here are a few other interesting things to remember about your ticket:

  • If you stay at a Disney resort, the ticket is actually programmed on your room key.

  • Everyone in your Disney resort room must purchase the same ticket type, including the same options.

  • Your resort key/Magic Your Way ticket is also your pass into the parks for the Extra Magic Hours.

  • You’ll need your Magic Your Way ticket to get FASTPASS vouchers in the parks, so you’ll have to keep the ticket within easy reach. Everyone with a ticket can use FASTPASS; there is no option that you need to buy to get to use this service.

  • The more ticket days you purchase, the lower the per-day cost will be.

  One other important consideration is your arrival and departure days. Consider whether you have the time on either day to adequately visit a park. If not, you can reduce your overall cost without limiting your vacation fun by buying fewer overall ticket days. You can do plenty of other things on these partial days at Walt Disney World (which we review in Chapter 5), and this can save you hundreds of dollars.

  MICKEY-SPEAK

  Extra Magic Hours are explained in greater detail later in the book, but they are basically a perk for resort gue
sts, who get exclusive access to the parks before or after standard operating hours, making for a less crowded environment.

  The FASTPASS ticket system also is explained later in the book in greater detail. Basically, it’s a ticket perk that lets you avoid long lines for some of the more popular rides by getting a ticket for an expedited line at a prescheduled time later in the day.

  So that’s the basic ticket you’ll need. Now you need to figure out how many days you’ll need to complete step one in choosing tickets.

  Magic Your Way Optional Add-Ons

  You have your base ticket for the number of days you plan on visiting the parks. Now comes the interesting part. You can add any of three different ticket options to your Magic Your Way base ticket. As you add them, you add to the cost of your ticket, so ensure you’re definitely going to need them.

  Option 1: Park Hopper

  The Park Hopper lets you go to multiple theme parks (but not water parks) in a single day for every day on your ticket. So you could go to the Magic Kingdom in the morning, Animal Kingdom in the afternoon, and Epcot in the evening, if you were so inclined. The cost of adding this feature is $35 for a 1-day ticket, and $55 for anywhere from a 2- to 10-day ticket, regardless of duration (for any guest, either adult or child), so the more days you’ll be in Walt Disney World, the better an idea it is to add this to your ticket options.