News and Updates+ Toy Story Land Coming to Disney World + Animal Kingdom Gets New Avatar Land For More Updates: WDW Upgraded
My Magic Plus – Magic Bands, Fastpass+, My Disney Experience App, Explained. Detailed Look at New Magic Bands System Hidden Mickeys
The imagineers at WDW cleverly hide small mickey mouse shapes throughout the parks and resorts. Finding them on your own is fun, but a little help doesn’t hurt either. Extensive Hidden Mickey Catalog Park TicketsNothing is simple with WDW, and tickets are no exception. Once you book your stay, buy your tickets. Disney is always raising their ticket prices, sometimes more then once in a year. Overview Of Ticket Costs And Options – It gets very cheap to add a day to a long stay. Current Available Discounts for Disney World Tickets WDW Apps
The Official Walt Disney World App – See wait times for rides and attractions. Find restaurants with open tables. Character greeting locations and hours. Times guide for fireworks and shows. GPS-enabled park maps. FastPass info. This is by the most important App to have. And its free. Locate Your Favorite Beer in WDW Disney Transportation System Guide Grocery DeliveryOrder online, have groceries delivered directly to your hotel. Great way to save money. Garden Grocer – Widest selection. Mouse House Concierge – Good for small orders. No minimum or delivery fee. Amazon.com Grocery Store – Set orders to be shipped to your hotel, not your house. Snacks and Treats
Disney World has unique, delicious treats you can’t get anywhere else. 60+ Different Cupcake Designs and Flavors – Spread throughout the World. List of Popular Snacks – Conditional on being a good value. Turkey Legs – The cave man snack that’s growing in popularity at WDW. Share the MagicThis site is all about sharing knowledge that leads to a wonderful vacation. Help us spread the Magic of WDW to the people you know and love… Golf
Five high-quaility courses for all range of golfers. Plus two mini-putt courses. A Detailed FAQ on Golfing in Disney World Disney’s Official Course Guide Online Planning GuidesToo much information? These guides will walk you through planning Disney World vacations. Create a Customized Vacation Plan Precise, step by step instructions – oriented towards first time visitors. Complete Planning Kit – Maps, charts and even feedback/support via email. Pressed Pennies
Hundreds of machines scattered throughout The World will turn 51 cents into flat piece of copper imprinted with a character or logo. With over 500 designs available, its a cheap way to combine the fun of a scavenger hunt with the enjoyment of collecting Disney World souvenirs. Map of Pressed Penny Machine Locations Pin Trading
Disney pin trading has developed a strong following. No surprise, they’re affordable souvenirs and a great reason to interact with cast members. An Overview of Pin Trading in the Parks Pin University – A comprehensive guide to Disney pins. Buy and trade online. Huge index of pins. Don’t Buy, RentRent Strollers – Delivered to your hotel. Much cheaper than in-the-park rentals. Rent A Storage Box – Ideal for those that travel to Orlando often. Waiting at your hotel when you arrive. After Your TripIts not uncommon to really miss Disney World when you get home. Here are a few things that will ease your pain. Virtual Video Tour of Walt Disney World – Well organized set of POV videos. Makes you feel you are back in the parks. Walt Disney World Webcam – Virtual view of Magic Kingdom’s Mainstreet Disney World Recipes – Recreate your favorite dishes and desserts from the World right in your own home. PodcastsThere are several high quality podcasts produced by fans of WDW. Good for a quick Disney fix, as a way to learn new info, or a great way to pass the time on a roadtrip south. Extensive List of Over 40 Disney Related Podcasts Site LinksDisney Resources Directory |
Welcome to the HubOver years of planning Walt Disney World vacations, we’ve discovered the most interesting and useful vacation planning resources on the web. This site acts like a hub, connecting you those resources, introducing you to useful information and allowing you to easily find it again. The Parks In Detail
Park Hours, Parade Times, Extra Magic Hours – Schedules and info for all four parks, well organized. Magic Kingdom Secrets – A long list of the hidden magic and overlooked details of Magic Kingdom. Walt Disney World Maps – Maps for all 4 theme parks and both water parks. Plus maps for the on-property resorts and Downtown Disney. Touring Plans – Significantly reduce the time spent standing in line by visiting attractions in a certain order. When To Go
Pirates is a great ride. But its a much better ride when you wait 5 minutes for it, rather then 75. If you have the luxury of choosing the dates of your vacation, do your research. The time of year you go to Disney World will have the biggest impact on the quality – and the cost – of your vacation. Even moving your dates by as little as one week can alter the crowd levels – and prices – for your trip. Crowd Forecasts For Each Day of the Year by Park Resort Prices by Date – Value Season is Significantly Cheaper And Often Comes with Additional Discounts Frequently Updated List of WDW Special Events, Festivals and Parties Historic Orlando Temperatures and Precipitation by Date Dining In Disney World
The restaurants of Walt Disney World are a big part of that magical experience that keeps bringing people back. The atmosphere is out of a fairytale, the food is first rate and the prices are… high. A list of the best restaurants in WDW for any category Detailed menus for each restaurant as well as professional and user reviews Disney Restaurants Take Reservations Gotta make ’em. Many sit-down restaurants fill up fast. Guests Are Allowed to Bring Food Into the Parks Tables In Wonderland – 20% Discount on Dining for Florida Residents, Annual Passholders and DVC Members Character Dining Overview – Dining in Disney World + Character Meet and Greet = Fun Disney Dining Plan
Love it or hate it, its is a force to be reckoned with. For those of you new to the world, the Disney Dining Plan provides prepaid meals, snacks and drinks throughout the resorts and parks. Often offered for free during value season, it is available as an add on for those purchasing a Magic Your Way vacation package. For some its a must have, for others an overpriced, complicated headache. Getting a Good Deal on the Dining Plan – Short overview of what you get with each plan, plus a chart of which restaurants are the best value for your credits. A Slightly Negative View of the DDP A Slightly Positive View of the DDP Disney’s Full Brochure on the Dining Plan Rides And Attractions
You’ll spend the bulk of your time in WDW either on rides or waiting in line for them. A little research can help you discover the rides you’ll like the most and help identify the ones that aren’t worth it. Use Fastpass – Don’t feel like waiting in a 2 hour line for a 3 minute ride? Use Disney’s free fastpass system. It allows you to return later at a preset time and board the ride after just a short wait. Ranking of the Top 65 Rides – Well organized and includes hints and tips. Disney World’s Index of Attractions – Sortable by age, height, interests, thrill level. Disney World Vacation Deals
Several times a year, discounts will be offered for Disney vacation packages or for room only bookings. Using one of these specials is the best way to save money on a WDW vacation without giving something up. List of Official Disney Offers – Vacation package specials, room and ticket offers too. Chart of Historical Discounts – Disney tends to offer similar discounts during the same time of the year. How to Increase Your Chance of a Pin Code – Pin codes are often the best vacation discounts offered by Disney. WDW with Kids
When asked why he got into the theme park business, Walt Disney said he wanted there to be a place where both parents and children could have fun – together. If you can manage to look past the crowds, the cost, the must-do and must-sees, and just enjoy the time you have with your kids, you’ll find WDW is perfectly designed to help you fulfill Walt’s dream. How to Child Swap – If you’ve got a kid that can’t ride, Child Swap allows Mom and Dad to take turns riding, without doubling the wait. Plus the big kids get right back on with the second parent. Best combined with fastpass. Well Thought Out Tips For Visiting With Kids – Walt Disney World can wear out your kids and throw off schedules. Prepare for this. Baby Care Centers – Each park has a quiet, cozy baby care center to let parents and small children decompress while handling chores like feeding and diaper changing. SafetyTat – Temporary tattoos with your contact info, in case your child gets lost. They even have princess ones. Disney World’s Kid’s Clubs – On site child care Rooms for Large Families – List of Disney Resorts with rooms that can sleep more then 4 people. Guided Tours
Disney World offers a whole range of guided tours, ranging from quick, behind the scenes tours of resorts and parks, to full on VIP treatment. Most come with a fee, but can make for memorable experiences. Private tour guides can also be hired to help you get the most enjoyment out of your vacation. Complete List and Description of WDW Tours – Scuba diving in Epcot, Animal Kingdom safaris, behind the scenes look at the Magic Kingdom Railroad. Over a dozen tours in all. Disney VIP Tour – A review of Disney’s VIP tour, get unlimited fastpass access to rides with choice of seat, private guide to the park, back-door entrance to parks. Not cheap. Private Tour Guide – Hire an experienced, private tour guide to help cut through the crowds, help with the kids, experience the hidden magic of the parks. Upgrade the Magic
As if Walt Disney World isn’t fun enough, there are many ways to upgrade your vacation – for a fee. Tomorrowland Fireworks Dessert Party – Your own private table, a dessert buffet and a prime view of the fireworks over Cinderella’s castle. Pirates League – Get transformed into a pirate (or a mermaid), and get to take part in the Adventureland Pirate Parade. Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique – The popular princess makeover. List of 14 Activities to Upgrade Your WDW Vacation – Safaris, Surfing, Cruises, Adventures… Getting Around
Once you get to WDW, you have to get around WDW. Its like a small city. To get from your room to the parks, you’ll need a car or will have to depend on Disney’s public transportation system. The extensive bus system as well as the monorail are free of charge. If you are staying off site, many Orlando hotels have a shuttle that will take you to the park entrance. WDW Transportation Wizard – A list of free, Disney-provided transportation options from one point in WDW to another. Magical Express – Complimentary airport bus service for WDW resort guests. Takes you from the Orlando Airport to your resort on a themed bus with kids movies. Detailed Guide to Renting a Car in Orlando – Having your own car is the easiest way to get from Point A to Point B. Parking is $15 at the theme parks, but free if you are staying in at a Disney hotel. 10 Reasons to Ride the Bus – Free and Easy. Taxi Fare Estimator – Good for short stays or trips off the Disney transportation routes. |
Disney World Resorts
Disney doesn’t have hotels, they have resorts. Often overshadowed by the parks, the resorts in WDW are destinations in and of themselves. Beyond the rooms you’ll find over-the-top pools, entertainment, multiple dining options, extensive theming and beautiful grounds. Make sure to build time into your vacation to explore and enjoy your resort. Extensive list of photos, reviews and facts about each resort Pros and Cons of Every Disney World Resort 10 Benefits of Staying On-Property Staying Off-Property
The Joy Of Renting A Vacation Home Rent DVC Rooms
Want to stay in a luxury resort, but pay the price of a moderate? Look into renting points from a Disney Vacation Club member. A Clear Explanation on Renting DVC Points Live Stage Shows
Disney World has some incredible, live, theater shows that will immerse you in the art that is Disney storytelling. They’re free too, once you’re in the parks. Beauty and the Beast – Live on Stage Fireworks And Parades
Illuminations – Epoct’s epic fireworks and pyrotechnics show. Wishes – The fireworks show over Cinderella’s Castle in Magic Kingdom. Festival of Fantasy – The new daytime parade for Magic Kingdom. Main Street Electrical Parade – The illuminated nighttime parade at Magic Kingdom. Mickey’s Jammin’ Jungle Parade – In Animal Kingdom. Will be retired in June 2014 to make room for the construction of Avatarland. Fireworks and Parades Schedule Best Disney World Guide Books
The Unofficial Guide To Walt Disney Word – Hands down the best guide book out there. Dense with useful information. The Thinking Fan’s Guide – Great for those who want to relive each Magic Kingdom Attraction in vivid and deep detail. … And the eBooksDisney World creates fanatics, and some channel that passion into an eBook. These self published works of love often drill down into splendid detail for just a buck or two, and are sometimes free. These can be an enjoyable addition to planning a Disney World vacation. A Detailed Guide to the Deluxe Resorts A Guide to the Disney World Resort Swimming Pools Interactive Games In The Parks
The Imagnineers have been slowly adding interactive games throughout the theme parks. These attractions allow a new way to enjoy WDW without going on any rides. Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom – A big hit. Use cards to direct the game at stations cleverly integrated into the Magic Kingdom. Agent P Adventure in Epcot – A fun way to explore the World Showcase. Wilderness Explorers at Animal Kingdom – Kid oriented, hands on learning. Pirates Adventure – Argggh! Full List of Interactive Games – Descriptions and locations. The Characters
Character Dining – Several restaurants have characters present during meal time. They’ll stop by your table and pose for pictures and sometimes clown around. Its one of the best uses of a table service credit if you’re on the Disney dining plan. Autograph Books – Disney Characters love to sign. A cheap way to get personal, memorable souvenirs. Disney Travel AgentsFor many of us, planning our Disney trip is half the fun of it! But for others it can be off putting or too time consuming. Because of this, many travel agents specialize in planning WDW vacations. All are free to use, as Disney pays them a commission out of what your package costs. A good agent will get you the lowest cost possible for the type of trip you want, and can save you hours of planning and research.
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