Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
186
to visit during the busy season and have included the Park Hopper option on your ticket,
you'll bump into fewer guests the later you visit. This also applies to the water parks.
The big attractions at Animal Kingdom are, obviously, the animals, and the best time
to see them is early in the day or late in the afternoon or evening, when things are cooler.
You'll also get a decent midday glimpse of some of them during the cooler months.
Note:
If the forecast for the day calls for extended rain, you should save Animal Kingdom for
another time because many of the primo attractions are outdoors.
PLAN YOUR VISIT
How you plan your time at Walt Disney World will depend on a number of factors.
These include the ages of any children in your party; what, if anything, you've seen on
previous visits; your interests; and whether you're traveling at peak time or off season.
Preplanning is always essential. So is choosing age-appropriate activities.
Nothing can spoil a day in the parks more than a child devastated because he or she
can't do something that was promised. Before you get to the park, review this topic and
the suggested ages for children, including
height restrictions.
The WDW staff won't bend
the rules despite the pitiful wails of your little ones.
Note:
Many rides that have mini-
mum heights also have enough turbulence to make them unsuitable for folks with neck,
back, or heart problems; those prone to motion sickness; or pregnant women.
Unless you're staying for more than a week or two, you won't be able to experience all
of the rides, shows, or attractions included in this chapter. A ride may last only 5 min-
utes, but you may have to wait an hour or so, even with FASTPASS (detailed shortly).
You'll wear yourself to a frazzle trying to hit everything. It's better to follow a relaxed
itinerary, including leisurely meals and some recreational activities, than to make a
demanding job out of trying to see everything—think less is more and you'll get the idea.
Your vacation is supposed to be fun, not frenzied.
6
CREATE AN ITINERARY FOR EACH DAY
Read the previously mentioned
Walt Disney World Vacations
brochure and the detailed
descriptions in this topic, and then create your own “must-see” list, including all the
shows and attractions that you absolutely have to experience. After that, you can sort out
just where to go, when to go, and what you would like to do while you're there.
At the same time, consider your loyalties. My kids could spend all day in Tomorrow-
land spinning around like space rangers with Woody and Buzz Lightyear, but touring
Toontown is of far less interest to them. Put the ride featuring your favorite character, or
theirs, at the top of your list. Sketch out a daily itinerary that includes your must-see
attractions and shows; it's almost certain to change once you get to the parks, but will at
least provide you with a good starting point. With a plan in mind and a map in hand
(park maps can be found in this guide, but be sure to grab the free maps distributed as
you enter each theme park), touring the parks will be that much easier. Understand that
rides and exhibits nearest an entrance are usually the busiest when the gates open because
a lot of people visit the first thing they see, even if the more popular attractions tend to
be found deeper into the park.
I repeat this advice: Schedule sit-down shows, recreational activities (a boat ride or a
refreshing swim late in the afternoon), and at least some unhurried meals where time
permits. This will save you from exhaustion and aggravation. The suggested itineraries
(see below) allow you to see a great deal of the parks as efficiently as possible. If you have
the luxury of a multiday pass, you can divide and conquer at a slower pace and can even
repeat some favorites.
