Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
185
Price Alert
Tips
Single-day and multiday admission prices don't include Florida's 6.5% to 7% sales
tax and are subject to change. Annual price increases are normal, so, although
the prices listed on these pages were accurate when this topic went to press,
they may be higher at the time you actually visit.
Typhoon Lagoon
and
Blizzard Beach
are open from 10am to 5pm most of the year
(with slightly extended hours during summer and some holidays). Both are closed on a
rotating basis during part of the winter for maintenance; be sure to check ahead if they're
on your to-do list.
2
MAKING YOUR VISIT MORE ENJOYABLE
HOW THIS CHAPTER IS USEFUL TO PARENTS
Before every listing in the major parks, you'll note the
“Recommended Ages”
entry that
lists which ages will most appreciate that ride or show (though you should keep in mind
your child's personality and maturity when evaluating these recommendations). Though
most families want to do everything, these guidelines are helpful in planning your daily
itinerary. In my ride ratings, I've indicated whether a ride will be more enjoyable for kids
than for adults. Many, even a couple in the Magic Kingdom, are too intense for young
kids; all it takes is one bad experience, and the rest of your day will be ruined. You'll also
find any
height and health restrictions
noted in the listings.
6
BEST TIME OF YEAR TO VISIT
Because of the large number of international visitors, there's really no off season at Dis-
ney, but during the winter months, usually mid-January through March, crowds are
smaller (except weekends), and the weather can be mild (though at times it can get quite
cool). The crowds also thin from mid-September until the week before Thanksgiving,
and in May, before Memorial Day weekend. (Again, weekends tend to be clogged with
locals.) Summer is when the masses throng to the parks. It's also very humid and hot,
Hot,
HOT.
If you can skip a summer visit, you also won't have to worry much about the
possibility of a hurricane (admittedly rare, but as the summer of 2004 proved, not
unheard of ) or an electrical storm (an almost daily occurrence).
BEST DAYS TO VISIT
The busiest days at all parks are generally Saturday and Sunday. Seven-day guests usually
arrive and depart on one of these days, so fewer of them turn the turnstiles; but weekends
are when locals and Florida commuters come to play. Beyond that: Monday, Thursday,
and Saturday are pretty frantic in the Magic Kingdom; Tuesday and Friday are hectic at
Epcot; Sunday and Wednesday are crazy at Disney's Hollywood Studios; and Monday,
Tuesday, and Wednesday are a zoo (forgive the pun) at the Animal Kingdom. Periods
around major holidays also attract throngs—mid-December through the first weekend
in January is busy beyond belief. Crowds tend to thin later in the day, so if you're going
