The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World 2014 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

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 Disney and the Economy 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 and Fastpass+ FASTPASS ATTRACTIONS AT WALT DISNEY WORLD 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 Posted Wait Times: A Disney Fairy Tale 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 101 How to Get Discounts on Lodging Choosing a Walt Disney World Hotel Researching Walt Disney World Hotels Unofficial Guide Readers Speak Out Readers’ 2013 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 Cut to the Chase Walt Disney World Travel Company Magic Your Way Packages DISNEY LODGING FOR LESS 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 The Fright Factor SMALL-CHILD FRIGHT-POTENTIAL CHART 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 Walt Disney World for Couples TIPS FOR GOING SOLO Weddings, Commitment Ceremonies, and Vow Renewals Legalities Honeymoons and Honeymoom Registries Romantic Getaways 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. Guests Who Don’t Speak English

PART EIGHT Arriving and Getting Around

Getting There Directions The I-4 Blues Alternative Airports Security at Orlando International Airport Getting to Walt 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 Gasoline Lost and Found Lost Cars Medical Matters Sergeant Blisterblaster’s Guide to Happy Feet Rain How to Lodge a Complaint with Disney Services Messages Pet Care PhotoPass 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 Walt Disney World Restaurants: Rated and Ranked Readers’ Restaurant-Survey Responses Full-Service Restaurant Profiles WALT DISNEY WORLD RESTAURANTS BY CUISINE

PART ELEVEN The Magic Kingdom

Arriving Getting Oriented Fantasyland Expansion Magic Kingdom Fastpass Loopholes 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(s) 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 Park-Opening Procedures 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 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 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 Dining in Disney’s Animal Kingdom The Oasis Discovery Island Camp Minnie-Mickey 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 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 Q-Bot Lockers Universal, Kids, and Scary Stuff Quitting Time Blue Man Group

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 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 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 Golf beyond Walt Disney World Grand Cypress Golf Club Other Standout Courses in Orlando The Best of the Rest Golf beyond Orlando 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

Other Unofficial Guide titles Back Cover

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