The latest thing to hit the parks is the Fastpass system. Available for some of the most crowded rides, it's basically a reservation to get on the ride at a specific time, lowering the amount of time you've got to spend in line by alot. You insert your park ticket into the machine and it pops out a ticket for you to get into the Fastpass line at a certain time. You won't wait nearly as long, and you can do some other stuff while you're waiting for your appointed time. The only drawback is that you can't go around collecting them from all the rides at once, so you could plan your day. When you get a Fastpass ticket for one ride, you can't get another Fastpass for any ride at all until you've used the one you've got. Considering how long you might have to wait for your appointed time, they really should let you try for Fastpasses for other rides while you're waiting. At 11 a.m., Test Track was giving out tickets for 3 p.m. If at the same time, Honey I Shrunk the Audience was giving out tickets for 1 p.m., you could still have done it before your Test Track appointment.
Where to Stay (on Disney property)
You really can't go wrong if you are staying at any of the Disney-built hotels. There are lots of them in all areas of the 40 square miles worth of Disney property. There are inexpensive resorts, moderately priced resorts, and luxury resorts, as well as a nice campground. If you're on a budget, the campground is the best bet, but next to that, even the inexpensive resorts are kept up very well-clean, with nice pools, and the staff just as friendly as anywhere in Disney World. All Star Resorts These are the more inexpensive of the Disney hotels. Rooms aren't huge, but a family of 4 will be just fine. Very clean and well kept up, however, the walls are thin, so if the hotel is crowded, you're bound to hear lots of noisy children-being inexpensive, the All Stars probably are the first to fill up. Big pool areas-the pools aren't anything special, but they're clean. Port Orleans Riverside Formerly known as the Dixie Landings, this is in the moderately priced group of hotels. Nicer than the All Stars, and with more amenities, as well as a nicer pool area, including hot tubs. The rooms are bigger, and nicely decorated than the All Stars as well. Why not try camping at Fort Wilderness Campgrounds?Now that we have a travel trailer, we decided to try a trip to Disney World with it and stayed at Fort Wilderness. If you've ever been camping before, you know it's hit or miss as far as how nice campgrounds are, but we can tell you this will be one of the nicest you'll ever stay at. It's clean, the spaces are wide enough so that you're not on top of the trailer next to you, and it's very wooded, so there's plenty of shade everywhere.
Types of Tickets
Daily
If you're only planning on spending a day, you can get a single day's ticket. However, if you are planning on spending more than 1 day, the multiple day passes are a much better deal. 4 or 5 day Park Hopper passes
These tickets will get you into the 4 theme parks- the Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney Studios, and the Animal Kingdom. They will allow you to hop from park to park within each day, if you wish. 5, 6 or 7 day Park Hopper plus passes
Unlimited admission to all 4 theme parks, all the water parks (Typhoon Lagoon, Blizzard Beach, and River Country), Pleasure Island, and possibly even Disney Quest, depending on the number of days you buy. Length of Stay Pass
The most expensive, and only available to those staying at Disney hotels. This card will get you in all the Disney World attractions from the time you check into the hotel to midnight of the day you check out. If you plan on going to Universal Studios during your stay, you might want to think twice about this. Keep in mind that you'd be basically paying for a Disney day you won't be using because you're going to Universal Studios.
Bigger than ever, this huge shopping, dining and entertainment area is split into 3 parts. Our favorites are listed for each section, but this is by no means a complete list. Downtown Disney Marketplace-Lots of shopping and restaurants. Ghirardelli Soda Fountain & Chocolate Shop-You just can't pass this one by. Not only do they sell all their standard chocolate products, but they also sell ice cream sundaes, milk shakes and other stuff smothered with Ghirardelli hot fudge. Mmmmmmmmmmmm. Gourmet Pantry-Lots of stuff for the kitchen, including food and Disney themed kitchen gadgets. They've also got wines and a gourmet deli with some interesting stuff on the menu. Lego Imagination Center-Even if you don't want to buy anything, this is one place worth a look. The stuff built out of Legos that decorates the outside of the store is pretty neat, and they've got a place where you can make your own stuff, too. Rainforest Cafe-There's also one in the Animal Kingdom. A fun place to eat, they've got lots of good stuff on the menu and the decor is neat. Animatronic animals go wild every once in a while and there's a thunderstorm every 20 minutes. World of Disney-The biggest Disney shop on Earth. If it's Disney and you want it, it's gotta be here.
Disney's West Side-Lots of shopping, restaurants, and one really cool attraction. Disney Quest-Do NOT miss this one. It's the newest, slickest idea in rides and games. Lots of stuff you can't see anywhere else, including a virtual white water rafting adventure; the latest in bumper cars, where you shoot volleyballs at your opponents; ride Aladdin's magic carpet; and even design, then ride your own virtual roller coaster, where you can really feel the twists and loops. Bongo's Cuban Cafe-Gloria Estefan owns this great restaurant which is well worth a try. Cuban food is not like Spanish or Mexican food. Rather than being hot, it is just plain full of garlic. The food is terriffic! Cirque Du Soleil-A very cool show. If you're not familiar with Cirque Du Soleil, it's kind of a new age circus. Lots of acrobatics and other circus type stuff, but with a very modern feel to it. It's definitely not your grandma's circus. This show is really neat to watch, and the seating is set up very well-it's graduated enough so that noone sitting in front of you will block your view. To get an idea, check out some of the Cirque Du Soleil shows they play on Bravo network, or get the DVD's from Blockbuster. Planet Hollywood-Always a good place to get food and look at cool movie memorabilia. Starabilias-Lots of neato TV and movie memorabilia and it's all for sale.
Pleasure Island-Mostly clubs, a couple of restaurants, and a few shops. If you like the bar scene, this is the place for you. All kinds of music and tastes are represented in this collection of clubs. By the way, they celebrate New Years Eve every night.
The Water Parks
We have a problem with the crowd control system. Basically there isn't one. When we complained about how long the lines were at each ride, they said that they consider the park full when the parking lot is full. Do they realize that most guests staying on Disney property will take a Disney transit bus to get there? Blizzard Beach-Being the newest, this one had the longest lines when we were there in early June. After waiting an hour to go down ONE water slide we packed up and left for the hotel pool. It's a pretty neat park if you don't mind drying off completely before you get wet again. Your best bet is not to go during high season-we went in May during the week, and it was much more bearable-the lines weren't long at all. Typhoon Lagoon-The rides aren't as neat as Blizzard Beach, but they'll serve the purpose.
Great Restaurants in the Disney Hotels
BOMA Located in the Animal Kingdom resort. An all you can eat buffet, but with very interesting foods. All the foods offered here are authentic dishes from the various African countries. There are so many interesting new dishes to try, and they're all very tasty. 'OHANA Located in the Polynesian resort.
Dinner Shows You Shouldn't Miss
The Hoop De Doo Revue A dinner show that's fun for the whole family! Located at Pioneer Hall in Fort Wilderness, your dinner is built around the show. While the performers sing, dance, and joke up a storm, they periodically introduce parts of the all-you-can-eat meal. It's pretty funny when all the waitresses come out of nowhere and slam (and we do mean SLAM) down the pots of chicken and ribs at the same time on every table.
The Polynesian Luau At the Polynesian Resort. We've been to Hawaii and seen the real thing, so believe us when we tell you the show is the best thing next to being there. Supposedly, many of the dancers in the show really do come from the Polynesian Cultural Center in Hawaii, which also puts on a great show by the way. The food is good (all you can eat), the drinks are good (all you can drink), and the show is good.
Other Stuff
The Original Outback Restaurant Located in the Buena Vista Palace Hotel around the Disney Village Marketplace. The "Outback Steakhouse" chain stole their idea from this restaurant. Everyone that serves you makes double sure you know you're not eating at the "steakhouse". This is a much more upscale restaurant, pricewise and atmospherewise, than the one everyone knows about, so try not to look like a schlub or you'll feel out of place. The food is excellent and the service is the best. The menu even includes alligator and kangaroo.
Email / knighton@cablespeed.com
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