Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
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Where to Find Characters
Moments
Mickey's Toontown Fair
was designed as a place where kids can meet and min-
gle with their favorite characters all day at the Judge's Tent and Toontown Hall of
Fame Tent. Mickey, Minnie, Tinkerbelle, and her fairy friends as well as a slew of
others can be found in residence. In
Fantasyland,
look for Ariel's Grotto and the
Fantasyland Character Festival for daily greetings.
Main Street
(Town Square),
Adventureland
(at Pirates of the Caribbean and near Magic Carpets of Aladdin),
and
Tomorrowland
(near the Space Ranger Spin) are other hot spots. Be sure to
have your camera ready and waiting if you want to capture the moment before
it's gone.
Tip:
If you're willing to spend money to avoid waiting in a line, character meals
at restaurants such as the
Crystal Palace
and
Cinderella's Royal Table
(as well
as others at select WDW resorts) all offer the opportunity to meet your favorite
characters. Just don't forget to make Advance Reservations if you go the dining
route.
Walt Disney's Carousel of Progress
Overrated
Frommer's Rating:
C
Recommended Ages:
5-10
Only open seasonally, when crowds are at their peak, the Carousel of Progress offers more
of a respite from the hustle and bustle of the crowds than it does an interesting experience.
It first debuted at the 1964 World's Fair before Disney decided to include it in his collec-
tion. The ride emigrated from Disneyland to Disney World in 1975 and was refurbished
to its original state a little more than 10 years ago. The entire show rotates through scenes
illustrating the state of technology from the 1900s to the 1940s. Most adults find it rather
boring, but kids willing to sit still for a few minutes may actually learn a thing or two.
Shopping in Tomorrowland
Mickey's Star Traders
is a large shop filled from top to bottom with Disneyana; it's prob-
ably the best place to shop in Magic Kingdom after Main Street.
PARADES, FIREWORKS & MORE
Pick up a guide map (or two) and a
Times Guide
(or three) when you enter the park. The
information includes the day's
entertainment schedule,
listing all the special goings-on
for the day. Included are concerts, encounters with characters, holiday events, parades,
fireworks, restaurant hours, and the major happenings listed next.
Tip:
There's also an
all-parks guide that includes much of the same information and is well worth picking up,
too.
Celebrate A Dream Come True Parade
Frommer's Rating:
B
Recommended Ages:
All ages
Floats filled with Disney characters make their way through the park and up Main Street
on a daily basis. Each features a different theme (“imagination” at the heart of each); one
features Pinocchio, another Snow White; even Disney's more sinister characters, includ-
ing the evil queen, Maleficent, and Cruella De Vil, have their place in the parade.
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