Walt Disney World Vacation

We just recently returned from a five-day vacation to Walt Disney World. Despite frequent rain, and warm weather, we had a great time. Here are some tips and resources I found helpful in planning and enjoying our time there:

Tour Guide Mike – For $20 this site generates a customized tour plan for you. Full of great tips and advice.

The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World by Bob Sehlinger and Len Testa, and it’s companion site www.touringplans.com. One of the best and most comprehensive tour guides I read.

Passporter’s Walt Disney World
A combination tour guide and scrapbook, including pockets for each day’s plans.

Do’s and Don’ts:

• Do take advantage of Extra Magic Hours if you are staying in the parks, but get out of that park by noon. People tend to stay all day. Get a Park Hopper pass and after a lunch break and nap back at the hotel, enjoy a different park.
• Bring a small backpack with water, with a hand towel, sunscreen, snacks, a rain poncho and anything else you might need.
• If you stay in a Disney Resort hotel, purchase the refillable mug for $12, you’ll use it. Although you can only refill it at your hotel, it is worth it for morning coffee, afternoon soda, evening hot chocolate.
• Get up EARLY and get to the parks before they open. Return to your hotel for a nap or a swim during midday if you can.
• Read signs! We could have saved ourselves a lot of walking and time by reading signs more carefully, especially to buses.
• Take advantage of the FastPass options, but get them as soon as you enter the park.
• Don’t wait in lines longer than 20 minutes.

Favorite Rides and Attractions:

1. The Haunted Mansion
   
2. Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
3. The Twighlight Zone Tower of Terror (only I went, but with Fastpass, I only waited 10 minutes)
4. Festival of the Lion King Show – An amazing show, nice cool theater-in-the-round, tons to look at
5. Lights, Motors, Action Extreme Stunt Show

Favorite Dining Experiences:

1. Tusker House Restaurant – a fantastic, fresh, buffet with great, friendly service.
2. Cape May Café - Even though we waited 30 minutes, we enjoyed the atmosphere and the food was very good.
3. Restaurant Marrakesh - The restaurant in the Morocco Pavillion. Great atmosphere, bell dancer and live music. Food was fair.

Least Favorites:

1. The Maelstrom Ride at the Norway Pavillion – LAME!
2. Innoventions
3. Restaurantasaurus