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Focused and distilled information from the comprehensive Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World to help visitors decide quickly how to best spend their time
Compact in size but packed with information on accomodations, attractions and dining
Easy to follow one- and two-day touring plans that can help save up to four hours in line per day
List of contents
List of Maps xi
Special Thanks xiii
Introduction 1
Why This Pocket Guide? 1
Declaration of Independence 1
How This Guide Was Researched and Written 2
Walt Disney World: An Overview 2
What Walt Disney World Encompasses 2
The Major Theme Parks 3
Water Parks 4
Other Disney World Venues 4
PART ONE Planning before You Leave Home 8
Gathering Information 8
Walt Disney World on the Web 9
When to Go to Walt Disney World 12
Selecting the Time of Year for Your Visit 12
Important Walt Disney World Addresses 13
Important Walt Disney World Phone Numbers 13
Extra Magic Hours 14
PART TWO Making the Most of Your Time and Money 17
Allocating Money 17
Walt Disney World Admission Options 17
Help Is on the Way! 17
Magic Your Way 18
Base-ticket Add-on Options 18
How to Get the Most from Magic Your Way 20
Where to Purchase Magic Your Way Tickets 21
Allocating Time 22
Which Park to See First? 22
Operating Hours 22
The Cardinal Rules for Successful Touring 23
Touring Plans Explained 24
Fastpass 26
PART THREE Accommodations 30
The Basic Considerations 30
Benefits of Staying in the World 30
Staying in or out of the World: Weighing the Pros and Cons 31
How to Get Discounts on Lodging at Walt Disney World 32
Choosing a Walt Disney World Hotel 36
Camping at Walt Disney World 41
Hotels outside Walt Disney World 42
Selecting and Booking a Hotel outside Walt Disney World 42
Getting a Good Deal on a Room outside Walt Disney World 44
The Best Hotels for Families outside Walt Disney World 47
Hotels and Motels: Rated and Ranked 59
Room Ratings 59
How the Hotels Compare 61-66
The 30 Best Hotel Values 67
PART FOUR Walt Disney World with Kids 70
Recommendations for Making the Dream Come True 70
Disney, Kids, and Scary Stuff 74
Switching Off (aka The Baby Swap) 75
Small-child Fright-potential Chart 76-80
Meeting the Disney Characters 80
Character Dining 82
Character-meal Hit Parade 84-85
Babysitting 87
PART FIVE Special Tips for Special People 89
Walt Disney World for Singles 89
Walt Disney World for Couples 89
Weddings and Honeymoons 89
Romantic Getaways 90
Quiet, Romantic Places to Eat 90
Walt Disney World for Seniors 91
Getting Around 91
Lodging 91
Senior Dining 92
Walt Disney World for Disabled Guests 92
Visitors with Special Needs 93
PART SIX Arriving and Getting Around 95
Getting There 95
Directions 95
Transportation to Walt Disney World from the Airport 98
Disney's Magical Express 99
Renting a Car 100
Getting Oriented 100
A Good Map 100
How to Travel around the World 101
Transportation Trade-offs for Guests: Lodging outside
Walt Disney World 101
All You Need to Know about Driving to the Theme Parks 101
The Disney Transportation System 104
PART SEVEN Bare Necessities 106
Credit Cards and Money 106
Credit Cards 106
Banking Services 106
A License to Print Money 106
Problems and How to Solve Them 107
Attractions Closed for Repairs 107
Car Trouble 107
Gasoline 107
Lost and Found 107
Medical Matters 108
Rain 108
Services 109
Messages 109
Lockers and Package Pick-Up 109
Cameras and Film 109
Grocery Stores 110
PART EIGHT Dining in Walt Disney World 111
Disney Dining 101 111
Advance Reservations 111
Dress 111
Smoking 112
Walt Disney World Restaurant Categories 112
Disney Dining Suggestions 115
The Magic Kingdom 115
Epcot 115
Disney's Animal Kingdom 116
Disney's Hollywood Studios 116
Walt Disney World Restaurants: Rated and Ranked 117
Walt Disney World Restaurants by Cuisine 118-121
PART NINE The Magic Kingdom 122
Arriving 122
Getting Oriented 122
Starting the Tour 123
Fastpass at the Magic Kingdom 123
Main Street, U.S.A. 126
Adventureland 128
Frontierland 131
Liberty Square 135
Fantasyland 137
Tomorrowland 146
Live Entertainment in the Magic Kingdom 152
Parades 155
Afternoon Parade 155
Evening Parade(s) 155
Parade Route and Vantage Points 156
Magic Kingdom Touring Plans 157
Choosing the Appropriate Touring Plan 158"Not a Touring Plan" Touring
