The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World 2015 by Sehlinger, Bob -- Read -- Imperial Library of Trantor

Index

Front Cover Copyright Page Contents List of Maps & Diagrams Introduction

Why “Unofficial”?

Declaration of Independence Dance to the Music The Importance of Being Goofy Honey, I Blew Up the Book! Your Unofficial Walt Disney World Toolbox The Death of Spontaneity Don’t Let the Tail Wag the Dog We’ve Got Attitude The Sum of All Fears Too Many Cooks in the Kitchen? The Unofficial Team This Is Not a Novel! Corrections, Updates, and Breaking News The Unofficial Guide Publishing Year Letters and Comments from Readers

Walt Disney World: An Overview

What Walt Disney World Encompasses Disney-Speak Pocket Translator and Guide to Common Abbreviations The Major Theme Parks The Water Parks Other Walt Disney World Venues The People

Universal Orlando

Time to Take Off the Blinders

PART ONE: Planning Before You Leave Home

Gathering Information

Disney Online: Official and Otherwise IMPORTANT WALT DISNEY WORLD ADDRESSES WALT DISNEY WORLD PHONE NUMBERS

When to Go to Walt Disney World

Selecting the Time of Year for Your Visit Extra Magic Hours Morning Extra Magic Hours (a.k.a. Early Entry) Summer and Holidays The Walt Disney World Calendar

PART TWO: Making the Most of Your Time and Money

Allocating Money

Raise Prices, Rinse, Repeat Walt Disney World Admission Options This Is a Job for … a Computer! Magic Your Way Ticket Add-Ons Another One Bites the Dust How to Get the Most from Magic Your Way Anticipating Price Increases Tickets, Biometrics, Wristbands, and RFID Where to Purchase Magic Your Way Tickets For Additional Information on Passes Where the Real Deals Are The British Are Coming! More Discounts on Admissions How Much Does It Cost Per Day? RFID: It’s All in the Wrist

Allocating Time

Which Park to See First? Operating Hours Official Opening Versus Real Opening The Vacation That Fights Back The Practicality of Returning to Your Hotel for Rest Arrival-and Departure-Day Blues: What to Do When You Have Only Half a Day The Cardinal Rules for Successful Touring What’s a Queue? Of Utmost Importance: Read This! Touring Plans: What They Are and How They Work Overview of the Touring Plans Extra Magic Hours and the Touring Plans FastPass+

Understanding Walt Disney World Attractions

Cutting Your Time in Line by Understanding the Rides Cutting Your Time in Line by Understanding the Shows A Word About Disney Thrill Rides

Central Florida Roller Coasters

PART THREE: Accommodations

The Basic Considerations

The Tax Man Cometh About Hotel Renovations Benefits of Staying in the World Staying in or out of the World: Weighing the Pros and Cons

The Disney Resorts

Disney Resorts How to Get Discounts on Lodging Choosing a Walt Disney World Hotel Researching Walt Disney World Hotels Unofficial Guide Readers Speak Out Readers’ 2014 Disney Resort Report Card

Walt Disney World Hotel Profiles

The Magic Kingdom Resorts The Epcot Resorts The Bonnet Creek Resorts The Animal Kingdom Resorts Independent Hotels of the Walt Disney World Resort Area Camping at Walt Disney World

How to Evaluate a Walt Disney World Travel Package

DISNEY LODGING FOR LESS Cut to the Chase Walt Disney World Travel Company Magic Your Way Packages Number Crunching Throw Me a Line! Packages from a Different Perspective

Hotels Outside Walt Disney World

Selecting and Booking a Hotel Outside Walt Disney World Driving Time to the Parks for Visitors Lodging Outside Walt Disney World Good Neighbor Hotels Hotel Shopping on the Internet: Welcome to the Wild West Condominiums and Vacation Homes The Best Hotels for Families Outside Walt Disney World

Hotels and Motels: Rated and Ranked

What’s in a Room? Room Ratings A Word About Toll-Free Telephone Numbers The 30 Best Hotel Values THE TOP 30 BEST DEALS HOW THE HOTELS COMPARE HOTEL INFORMATION CHART

PART FOUR: Serenity Now!

Spa Profiles

PART FIVE: The Disney Cruise Line

The Mouse at Sea

Competition and Prices Cruising with Kids Cruise Destinations

The Ships

Staterooms

Services and Amenities

Dining Entertainment and Nightlife Children’s Programs Sports, Fitness, and Beauty

Castaway Cay Disney Cruise Line Deals

Cruise-WDW Packages Advance Reservations for Shore Excursions, Spa, Palo, Remy, and Children’s Programs

A Few Tips

PART SIX: Walt Disney World with Kids

The Ecstasy and the Agony

Reality Testing: Whose Dream Is It? Recommendations for Making the Dream Come True About the Unofficial Guide Touring Plans Stuff to Think About Strollers

Lost Children

How Kids Get Lost

Disney, Kids, and Scary Stuff

SMALL-CHILD FRIGHT-POTENTIAL CHART The Fright Factor A Bit of Preparation Attractions That Eat Adults A Word About Height Requirements ATTRACTION AND RIDE RESTRICTIONS

Waiting-Line Strategies for Adults with Young Children The Disney Characters

Meeting Characters for Free

Character Dining

What to Expect CHARACTER-MEAL HIT PARADE When to Go How to Choose a Character Meal Getting an Advance Reservation at Cinderella’s Royal Table Other Character Events

Babysitting Special Programs for Children Birthdays and Special Occasions

PART SEVEN: Special Tips for Special People

Walt Disney World for People with Bad Attitudes Walt Disney World for Singles

TIPS FOR GOING SOLO

Walt Disney World for Couples

Weddings, Commitment Ceremonies, and Vows Renewals Legalities Honeymoons and Honeymoon Registries Romantic Getaways Celebrating

Walt Disney World “At Large” Walt Disney World for Expectant Mothers

More Tips for Moms-to-Be

Walt Disney World for Seniors

Getting Around Timing Your Visit Lodging Transportation Senior Dining

Walt Disney World for Guests with Special Needs

Visitors with Disabilities Friends of Bill W. International Visitors

PART EIGHT: Arriving and Getting Around

Getting There

Directions The I-4 Blues Alternative Airports Security at Orlando International Airport Getting to Disney World from the Airport Disney’s Magical Express Renting a Car

Getting Oriented

A Good Map GPS Coordinates for the Theme Parks Finding Your Way Around

How to Travel Around the World (or, The Real Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride)

Transportation Trade-Offs for Guests Lodging Outside Walt Disney World All You Need to Know About Driving to the Theme Parks Good Fuzz, Bad Fuzz Sneak Routes Taking a Shuttle Bus from Your Out-of-the-World Hotel The Disney Transportation System DOOR-TO-DOOR COMMUTING TIMES TO AND FROM THE DISNEY RESORTS AND PARKS

PART NINE: Bare Necessities

Money, Etc.

Credit Cards Banking Services Currency Exchange A License to Print Money Visiting More Than One Park in a Single Day

Problems and Unusual Situations

Attractions Closed for Repairs Car Trouble Cell Phone Snafus Gasoline Lost and Found Medical Matters Sergeant Blisterblaster’s Guide to Happy Feet Rain How to Lodge a Complaint with Disney

Services

Messages Pet Care Photos Excuse Me, but Where Can I Find …

PART TEN: Dining In and Around Walt Disney World

Dining Outside Walt Disney World

Dining at Universal CityWalk Buffets and Meal Deals Outside Walt Disney World WHERE TO EAT OUTSIDE WALT DISNEY WORLD

Dining in Walt Disney World

Getting It Right

Disney Dining

Disney Dining Plans Waiter, These Prices Are Giving Me Heartburn! Behind the Scenes at Advance Reservations Getting Advance Reservations at Popular Restaurants ADVANCE RESERVATIONS: THE OFFICIAL LINE ADVANCE RESERVATIONS: THE UNOFFICIAL SCOOP Dress Food Allergies and Special Requests A Few Caveats Walt Disney World Restaurant Categories WALT DISNEY WORLD BUFFETS AND FAMILY-STYLE RESTAURANTS Hard Choices Full-Service Dining for Families with Young Children Quiet, Romantic Places to Eat Fast Food in the Theme Parks

Disney Dining Suggestions

The Magic Kingdom Epcot Disney’s Animal Kingdom Disney’s Hollywood Studios More Reader Comments About Walt Disney World Dining

Counter-Service Mini-Profiles Full-Service Restaurants: Rated and Ranked

Full-Service Restaurant Profiles WALT DISNEY WORLD RESTAURANTS BY CUISINE

PART ELEVEN: The Magic Kingdom

Arriving Getting Oriented

Fantasyland Expansion FastPass+ Attractions in the Magic Kingdom Dining in the Magic Kingdom

Starting the Tour Main Street, U.S.A. Adventureland Frontierland Liberty Square Fantasyland Tomorrowland Live Entertainment in the Magic Kingdom Mickey’s Halloween and Christmas Parties Parades

Afternoon Parade Evening Parade Parade Route and Vantage Points Vantage Points for Fireworks Leaving the Park After Evening Parades and Fireworks

Traffic Patterns in the Magic Kingdom Magic Kingdom Touring Plans

Choosing the Appropriate Touring Plan Magic Kingdom Touring-Plan Companion The Single-Day Touring Conundrum Preliminary Instructions for All Magic Kingdom Touring Plans Before You Go Magic Kingdom One-Day Touring Plan for Adults Magic Kingdom Authors’ Selective One-Day Touring Plan for Adults Magic Kingdom One-Day Touring Plan for Parents with Small Children Magic Kingdom Two-Day Touring Plan Magic Kingdom Dumbo-or-Die-in-a-Day One-Day Touring Plan for Parents with Small Children

PART TWELVE: Epcot

The Epcot Acronym Operating Hours Dining in Epcot Arriving Getting Oriented

FastPass+ Attractions in Epcot

Future World

Test Track Pavilion Imagination! Pavilion The Land Pavilion The Seas with Nemo & Friends Pavilion

World Showcase

Mexico Pavilion Norway Pavilion China Pavilion Germany Pavilion Italy Pavilion United States Pavilion Japan Pavilion Morocco Pavilion France Pavilion United Kingdom Pavilion Canada Pavilion

Live Entertainment in Epcot

IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth IllumiNations Cruise

Traffic Patterns in Epcot Epcot Touring Plans

Before You Go Epcot One-Day Touring Plan Epcot Authors’ Selective One-Day Touring Plan Epcot One-Day Touring Plan for Parents with Small Children Epcot Two-Day Early-Riser Touring Plan

PART THIRTEEN: Disney’s Animal Kingdom

Arriving

Operating Hours

Getting Oriented

FastPass+ Attractions in Disney’s Animal Kingdom Special Events in Disney’s Animal Kingdom Dining in Disney’s Animal Kingdom

The Oasis Discovery Island Africa Asia DinoLand U.S.A. Live Entertainment in Disney’s Animal Kingdom Traffic Patterns in Disney’s Animal Kingdom Disney’s Animal Kingdom Touring Plan

Before You Go Disney’s Animal Kingdom One-Day Touring Plan

PART FOURTEEN: Disney’s Hollywood Studios

The End of the MGM Connection What’s Offered at the Studios Today How Much Time to Allocate Disney’s Hollywood Studios in the Evening Arriving at Disney’s Hollywood Studios Getting Oriented at Disney’s Hollywood Studios FastPass+ Attractions in Disney’s Hollywood Studios Dining in Disney’s Hollywood Studios Disney’s Hollywood Studios Attractions

Hollywood Boulevard Sunset Boulevard Echo Lake Streets of America Pixar Place Mickey Avenue Animation Courtyard

Live Entertainment at Disney’s Hollywood Studios Disney’s Hollywood Studios Touring Plan

Before You Go Disney’s Hollywood Studios One-Day Touring Plan

PART FIFTEEN: Universal Orlando

A Universal Primer

Universal on the Web Cost A Word About Crowds How Much Time to Allocate Lodging at Universal Orlando Arriving at Universal Orlando Universal Express Singles Lines U-Bot Lockers Universal, Kids, and Scary Stuff Blue Man Group Universal Orlando Dining Plan

PART SIXTEEN: Universal’s Islands of Adventure

Beware of the Wet and the Wild Getting Oriented at Universal’s Islands of Adventure

Decisions, Decisions

Universal’s Islands of Adventure Attractions

Marvel Super Hero Island Toon Lagoon Jurassic Park The Wizarding World of Harry Potter–Hogsmeade The Lost Continent Seuss Landing

Dining at Universal’s Islands of Adventure Universal’s Islands of Adventure Touring Plans

Rolling the Dice with Harry Potter Universal’s Islands of Adventure One-Day Touring Plan The Best of Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure in One Day

PART SEVENTEEN: Universal Studios Florida

Universal Studios Florida Attractions

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter–Diagon Alley

Live Entertainment at Universal Studios Florida Dining at Universal Studios Florida Universal Studios Florida Touring Plans

Buying Admission to Universal Studios Florida Universal Studios Florida One-Day Touring Plan The Best of Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure in One Day

PART EIGHTEEN: SeaWorld Orlando

Discovery Cove

PART NINETEEN: Behind the Scenes at Walt Disney World

Multipark Tours Behind the Scenes at the Magic Kingdom Behind the Scenes at Epcot

Epcot DiveQuest Dolphins in Depth Seas Aqua Tour

Behind the Scenes at Disney’s Animal Kingdom

PART TWENTY: The Water Parks

You’re Soaking in It!

Watch the Weather Extra Magic Hours

Blizzard Beach Typhoon Lagoon

Shark Reef Surf Pool

Typhoon Lagoon Versus Blizzard Beach When to Go Planning Your Day at Disney Water Parks Water-Park Touring Plans Wet ’n Wild

Body and Mat Slides Raft and Tube Rides Other Attractions Wake Zone

Aquatica by SeaWorld

PART TWENTY-ONE: Beyond the Parks

Downtown Disney, a.k.a. Disney Springs

Marketplace The Landing Town Center West Side

DisneyQuest ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex The Disney Wilderness Preserve Walt Disney World Speedway Walt Disney World Recreation Walt Disney World Golf Miniature Golf

PART TWENTY-TWO: Shopping In and Out of Walt Disney World

Hey, Big Spender

Pin Mania Vinylmation

Shopping in Walt Disney World

Tips for Disney Shopping Downtown Disney The Magic Kingdom Epcot Disney’s Animal Kingdom Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Disney Outlet Stores Shopping Beyond Walt Disney World

Celebration Universal CityWalk International Drive Outlets Traditional Shopping

PART TWENTY-THREE: Nightlife In and Out of Walt Disney World

Walt Disney World at Night

In the Theme Parks At the Hotels At Downtown Disney Walt Disney World Dinner Theaters

Universal CityWalk

Appendix and Touring Plans

Readers’ Questions to the Author Readers’ Comments Touring Plans Clip-Out Touring Plan Companions

Back Cover

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