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Archive-name: disney-faq/disneyworld Last-modified: 27 Feb 1995 The Walt Disney World Frequently Asked Questions List Version 3.7, last revised February 27, 1995 This document is Copyright (c) 1995, by Tom Tanida, all rights reserved. It is intended for public use, and may be redistributed freely printed or electronically in its complete and unaltered form provided distribution is done at no charge to the receiver. Partial and other distribution means require the permission of the author. This is FAQ file for Walt Disney World. It contains some information relevant to both WDW as well as Disneyland, though I would recommend getting the Disneyland FAQ for more specific Disneyland information. Your input to this list is highly appreciated. The purpose of this list is to reduce the number of redundant questions posted to rec.arts.disney and to provide a source of information to Disney fans worldwide. Personally, however, I would invite discussion of questions included in this list if this list is not complete enough. For example, I couldn't possibly write the "complete guide to taking kids to the Disney Theme Parks" because there is no truly complete guide (not to mention the fact that there are many good guide books out there, as well as a couple of Internet guides- see question 18). So although I have offered some information and advice in part two of this list (the information which is most commonly suggested), I would still welcome discussion of the topic since everybody has their own opinions about what rides to go on, what to see, when to go, what restaurants to eat at in the area, etc. Again, I hope that this list will reduce the amount of redundant information posted to the net. Even more strongly, I hope this list, in combination with the rec.arts.disney FAQ, will provide a unified source of information about Disney related material and provide a valuable reference for all. There are two sections: I. A list of the questions in this part II. Answers to Theme Park Questions Send comments, corrections, suggestions, and inside information to: tanida@powergrid.electriciti.com, or to tanida@orincon.com. I am sure that no matter how long I work on this that it will never be perfect, but it doesn't hurt to try. :-) If you prefer Compuserve access, I'm at 76655,344. On Prodigy I'm xgsn74a. On America Online, I'm TomTanida (TomTanida@aol.com from the Internet). The most reliable way to reach me is via Internet, then Compuserve (especially if the date on this document is many months old). If you would like a PostScript version of this document, which has much better formatting, feel free to send me a request; I can easily mail it to you. The standard text version of this FAQ, like all FAQs cross-posted to news.answers, is archived at rtfm.mit.edu. For information regarding how to FTP the FAQ from rtfm.mit.edu, send me e- mail; I've written a quick tutorial. This document is maintained in MS Word For Windows 6.0. Note: the Disneyland FAQ is available from its maintainer, Walt Hoffman (whoffman@ganymede.jpl.nasa.gov), and via FTP from rtfm.mit.edu in the directory pub/usenet/news.answers/disney-faq, under the filename 'disneyland'. Section I- Questions Theme park questions: 1) What are the park hours? 2) What rides are currently shut down for refurbishing? What current construction is going on? 3) What are the current prices at {WDW, Disneyland}? 4) How do I beat the crowds? 5) If I've been to the Magic Kingdom in WDW, what parts of Disneyland can I skip? 6) Where should I stay when visiting {WDW, Disneyland}? 7) What's the best time to go to {WDW, Disneyland}? 8) My child is 3 years old. Is that old enough to enjoy Disneyland/WDW? 9) What are good attractions to take younger children to? 10) Other considerations for children (strollers, etc.) 11) Some interesting things to look for at the theme parks 12) Differences between the Magic Kingdom at WDW and Disneyland 13) Who created the music from the Main Street Electrical Parade? 14) What is SpectroMagic at Walt Disney World? 15) What is Fantasmic! at Disneyland? How do I beat the crowds? 16) What is a "Character Breakfast"? 17) What is the Disney Vacation Club? 18) What are some good guide books on travel to {WDW/Disneyland? 19) What are "Hidden Mickeys"? Where can I find some? Other lists, available upon request: 1) List of Jungle Cruise jokes (from Geoff Allen) 2) Misc trivia quizzes 3) Text of Club 33 brochures 4) Information on Celebration, Disney's Florida community 5) Disney Film Availability List- lists all the animated feature films and their availability status on video The status of 1 and 5, above: they need to be updated. I hope to do this real soon. 8:-) I'd also recommend getting the rec.arts.disney List of Lists, from Tim Pickett (tlm@yoyo.cc.monash.edu.au). This is posted regularly to the group, and is available via FTP at yoyo.cc.monash.edu.au in /pub/disney/rad/faq. Section II- Answers to Theme Park Questions Theme park questions: 1) What are the park hours? Here are the current WDW hours. Note that the Main Street section of the Magic Kingdom at WDW will often open 30 minutes to an hour ahead of the official opening time. ----------------------------------------------------------------- Theme Park Operating Hours for March 1995 - May 1995 ----------------------------------------------------------------- *** HOURS AND ENTERTAINMENT SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE **** ----------------------------------------------------------------------- MAGIC KINGDOM ----------------------------------------------------------------------- March 1 - 2 .................................... 9 am - 7 pm March 3 - 10 ................................... 9 am - 10 pm March 5 - 9 .................................... 9 am - 7 pm March 10 - 11 .................................. 9 am - 10 pm March 12 - 16 .................................. 9 am - 8 pm March 17 - 18 .................................. 9 am - 10 pm March 19 - 23 .................................. 9 am - 8 pm March 24 - 25 .................................. 9 am - 10 pm March 26 - 30 .................................. 9 am - 8 pm March 31 ....................................... 9 am - 10 pm April 1 ........................................ 9 am - 10 pm April 2 - 7 .................................... 9 am - 8 pm April 8 - 20 ................................... 9 am - 12 am April 21 - 22 .................................. 9 am - 11 pm April 23 ....................................... 9 am - 9 pm April 24 - 28 .................................. 9 am - 7 pm April 29 ....................................... 9 am - 9 pm April 30 ....................................... 9 am - 8 pm May 1 - 5 ...................................... 9 am - 7 pm May 6 .......................................... 9 am - 9 pm May 7 - 12 ..................................... 9 am - 7 pm May 13 ......................................... 9 am - 12 am May 14 - 19 .................................... 9 am - 7 pm May 20 ......................................... 9 am - 12 am May 21 - 26 .................................... 9 am - 8 pm May 27 - 28 .................................... 9 am - 12 am May 29 - 31 .................................... 9 am - 8 pm SpectroMagic: March 3 - 4, 10 - 11, 17 - 18, 24 - 25, 31 at 8 pm April 1 at 8 pm April 8 - 20 at 9 pm & 11 pm April 21 - 22 at 9 pm May 13, 20, 27 - 28 at 9 pm & 11 pm Fantasy in the Sky Fireworks: March 3 - 4, 10 - 11, 17 - 18, 24 - 25, 31 at 9 pm April 1 at 9 pm April 8 - 22 at 10 pm May 13, 20, 27 - 28 at 10 pm Mickey Mania Parade: March 1 - 31 at 3 pm April 1 - 7, 10 - 14, 17 - 30 at 3 pm May 1 - 31 at 3 pm Happy Easter Parade: April 8 at 12 pm April 9, 15 - 16 at 3 pm ----------------------------------------------------------------------- EPCOT CENTER ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Future World: March 1 - 31 ................................... 9 am - 7 pm April 1 - 8 .................................... 9 am - 7 pm April 9 - 22 ................................... 9 am - 10 pm April 23 - 30 .................................. 9 am - 7 pm May 1 - 31 ..................................... 9 am - 7 pm World Showcase: March 1 - 31 ................................... 11 am - 9 pm April 1 - 8 .................................... 11 am - 8 pm April 9 - 22 ................................... 11 am - 8 pm April 23 - 30 .................................. 11 am - 9 pm May 1 - 31 ..................................... 11 am - 9 pm Illuminations: March 1 - 31 at 9 pm April 1 - 8, 23 - 30 at 9 pm April 9 - 22 at 10 pm May 1 - 31 at 9 pm ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DISNEY-MGM STUDIOS THEME PARK ----------------------------------------------------------------------- March 1 - 3 .................................... 9 am - 6 pm March 4 ........................................ 9 am - 10 pm March 5 - 10 ................................... 9 am - 7 pm March 11 ....................................... 9 am - 10 pm March 12 - 17 .................................. 9 am - 7 pm March 18 ....................................... 9 am - 10 pm March 19 - 31 .................................. 9 am - 7 pm April 1 - 8 .................................... 9 am - 7 pm April 9 - 20 ................................... 9 am - 10 pm April 21 - 22 .................................. 9 am - 9 pm April 23 - 30 .................................. 9 am - 7 pm May 1 - 26 ..................................... 9 am - 7 pm May 27 - 29 .................................... 9 am - 9 pm May 30 - 31 .................................... 9 am - 7 pm Aladdin's Royal Caravan: March 1 - 31 at 1 pm April 1 - 8, 21 - 30 at 1 pm April 9 - 20 at 11:30 am & 3:30 pm May 1 - 31 at 1 pm Sorcery in the Sky Fireworks: March 4, 11, 18 at 8:50 pm April 9 - 20 at 9:50 pm April 21 - 22 at 8:50 pm May 27 - 29 at 8:50 pm For Disneyland hours, consult the Disneyland FAQ. There is a WESTCOT preview center open at the Disneyland Hotel complex. Its hours are Mondays and Wednesdays, 2 pm - 8 pm. 2) What rides are currently shut down for refurbishing? What current construction is going on? If there's someone out there who regularly goes to WDW and is willing to keep the group updated, here's a big chance to help out. Here's some information for Florida (as far I know- if you know differently, please send me a line at tanida@powergrid.electriciti.com): Refurbishment: - 'Metropolis Science Center' & 'Theater of Stars': now open - World of Motion: will close June 1995 for two years in order to be converted to a new automotive race track attraction - Alien Encounter: closed January 12, will reopen at Easter - Expo Robotics (Communicore): closed permanently - Backstage Magic (Communicore): closed permanently - Horizons: closed indefinitely - Le Cellier restaurant at Canada: closed indefinitely - Odyssey Restaurant, Future World: closed indefinitely - Communicore: closed for redevelopment - Simbiosis: due to be revamped into Lion King movie sometime this year - 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea (MK): Closed for rehab Under Construction: - A new Theater of the Stars and a Sunset Marketplace Cafe are being added to Sunset Blvd. at Disney-MGM - Disney Vision (Disney-MGM): 1998. This is a VR type ride being developed in conjunction with SGI set in the world of Agrabah (Aladdin). - Discoveryland (MK) - Journey Into Imagination: New 3-D film ("Honey, I Shrunk the Audience") with in-theater special effects (Fall 1994) - Celebration, in Osceola County, Florida; Phase 1 will open in 1995 - Hotels: Florida Beaches- Summer 1995; Mexican Hotel- October 1994; Mediterranean Hotel- June 1996; West Gate Hotel- Summer 1998; Wilderness Junction- November 1995 - Lake Buena Vista Club: reopens Oct '95 as part of the new "Disney Institute Long Term Future Plans: - A Nestle supported show, at the Universe of Energy detailing the formation of the Earth will open in 1996 - Blizzard Beach, a northern cousin to Typhoon Lagoon and River Country and Disney's largest themed water park: early 1995 - Fantasmic! Hollywood was originally scheduled to open summer 1994 (and was mentioned in the 1993 Annual Report), but has been placed on hold Disneyland: - The Indiana Jones and the Temple of the Forbidden Eye attraction is now well under construction. It is scheduled to open in March 1995, and is currently running under a soft opening. For more info, you can contact the respective theme parks directly. The number for Disneyland is (714)-999-4565. WDW: (407)-824-4321 3) What are the current prices at {WDW, Disneyland}? The following table lists prices for Passports to WDW. If staying at a Disney resort, you may benefit if you can find a package deal that includes lodging and a passport. Passport type General General MKC MKC Public, Public, Member, Member, adult child adult child Six Day Super Duper $192.36 $152.50 $182.69 $144.86 Pass (resort guests only) Five Day Super Duper $170 $135 Pass (resort guests only) Five Day World Hopper $179 $143 $170.51 $136.26 Pass (off-resort guests) Four Day Super Pass $125 $98 (resort guests only) Four Day Park Hopper $134 $107 $129 $102 Pass (off-resort guests) Four Day Value Pass $124 $97 $119 $92 Annual Passport, new $199 $174 $184 $164 Annual Passport, $179 $154 $164 $144 renew Annual Passport, $31 $31 $28.50 $28.50 River Country & Discovery Island add-on Annual Passport $63 $63 $56.75 $56.75 Typhoon Lagoon add- on Annual Passport $26 $26 $20 $20 Pleasure Island add-on "Length of Stay" $77 $61 $73.15 $57.95 passport (1n/2d) "Length of Stay" $112 $89 $106.40 $84.55 passport (2n/3d) "Length of Stay" $146 $115 $138.70 $109.25 passport (3n/4d) "Length of Stay" $170 $135 $161.50 $128.25 passport (4n/5d) "Length of Stay" $193 $153 $183.33 $145.36 passport (5n/6d) One-day, one park $36 $29 $33.92 $26.92 ticket Pleasure Island, one $13.95 N/A $11.85 N/A day Pleasure Island, $36.95 N/A $33.45 N/A annual pass Pleasure Island, $31.95 N/A $28.45 N/A annual pass renew Typhoon Lagoon, one $20.50 $16.50 $18.50 $14.75 day Typhoon Lagoon, $78.75 $78.75 $70.50 $70.50 annual pass River Country, one $13.25 $10.50 $12.00 $9.25 day River Country, annual $52.50 $52.50 $47.25 $47.25 pass Discovery Island, one $8.50 $4.75 $7.75 $4.25 day River $16.75 $12.25 $15.25 $11 Country/Discovery Island combo Notes: The above prices are subject to the Florida state sales tax of 6%. A child is of the ages 3-9. The above list is current as of March 4, 1994. Disney has (again) changed their unlimited pass policy. The 4 and 5 day, multi-park passes (i.e. passes that let a holder go between the parks on the same day) are again available to all WDW guests, whether you stay on resort or off. Off-resort guests pay a $9 premium for the "Park Hopper" and "World Hopper" passes, listed above, whereas resort guests can purchase the "Super" passes. Incidentally, you can get the 4 Day Value Pass, the 4 Day Hopper Pass, and the 5 day World Hopper Passes at the Disney Stores. You can also call (407)-WDISNEY for more info. The Six Day Super Duper Pass is only available only to guests staying at the WDW Swan, WDW Dolphin and WDW Village Hotel Plaza resorts, and includes admission to Typhoon Lagoon, River Country, Pleasure Island and Discovery Island. For the "Length of Stay" passports above, the numbers represent the nights and days (e.g. (4n/5d) = 4 nights and 5 days). These passports are for Disney Resort Hotel guests only, and include unlimited access to the three theme parks, Pleasure Island, Typhoon Lagoon, River Country, Discovery Island. There are longer durations available, but after a certain price point it might be more economical to purchase an annual pass with separate admissions to the individual minor parks. Magic Years Member prices are the same as the MKC prices. The Five Day Super Duper Pass and the Five Day World Hopper Pass include unlimited admission to the Disney-MGM Studios Theme Park, Magic Kingdom Park and EPCOT Center any five days with no expiration date. Plus unlimited admission for seven days to Typhoon Lagoon, River Country, Discovery Island and Pleasure Island (valid for seven days after first visit to Magic Kingdom Park, EPCOT Center or the Disney-MGM Studios Theme Park). It also includes unlimited use of the transportation system linking the parks. The Four Day passes are the same as the Five Day but do not include admission to the minor parks. An Annual Passport includes twelve months of unlimited admission to the Disney-MGM Studios Theme Park, the Magic Kingdom Park and EPCOT Center during regular operating hours. It also includes special advance reservation privileges for Walt Disney World restaurants, free parking and unlimited use of the transportation system linking the Parks. Annual Passport holders can purchase separate admissions to the minor parks to supplement their passport. These expire at the same time the passport does. A One-Day One Park Ticket includes one day's admission to either the Disney-MGM Studios Theme Park, Magic Kingdom Park or EPCOT Center and bus transportation between the Transportation and Ticket Center, and Magic Kingdom Park, EPCOT Center or the Disney-MGM Studios Theme Park. There are also six, seven and eight day Super Duper Passes, which can only be purchased at the resorts themselves. Parking is $5 per car. For Disneyland, here is a current price guide (as of April 2, 1994): Passport type General MKC Club Members Public Adult, 1 day/2 $31/55/75 $29/51/69 day/3 day Child (3-11), 1 $25/44/60 $23/40/54 day/2 day/3 day Seasonal Passport, $105 $95 adult Seasonal Passport, $85 $75 child (3-11) Basic Annual $99 $89 Passport, adult/child Premium Annual $199 $189 Passport, adult/child Disneyland has restructured their annual pass. There are two types now available (and still available, as of May 23, 1994): 1. Annual: year round, with Saturdays during March-June excluded, as well as peak holiday periods. Parking is not included. This is $99. Unlimited parking can be added for $25. 2. Premium: no restrictions, and includes free "Preferred Parking" (the privilege of parking closer). This pass also includes a 10% discount on merchandise at Disneyland and the Disneyland Hotel, a 10% discount at selected restaurants at the park, a 10% discount on rooms and restaurants at the hotel, and a free subscription to the Disney News. This is $199. MKC members receive a $10 discount on either of these passes. Parking in the Disneyland parking lot is an additional $6 per car, $7 for vans, RV's, and campers, $12 for preferred parking. See the Disneyland FAQ for further information, available from myself or its maintainer, Walt Hoffman at whoffman@ganymede.jpl.nasa.gov. 4) How do I beat the crowds? One of the best strategies is to arrive early, before the park opens. An hour after opening is too late, by then, the lines have built up to a full frenzy. Another strategy, generally for those without kids, is to take on the more popular rides late in the evening (after 9 pm, through midnight, if you're there at the time of year when the park is open late). Also, the lines do shorten a little during major shows (the Main Street Electrical Parade, SpectroMagic at WDW, or Fantasmic! at Disneyland) and during dinner time. For Disneyland (from the Disneyland FAQ): Start by selecting a good day to go (see question #7, below). Fantasmic! has made nighttime on the west side of the park very unpredictable. Tremendous numbers of people show up. During the shows, lines for attractions are quite short (especially when the Electrical Parade is also running). When the show is over, many people avoid the herding affect by jumping into one of the nearest lines: Splash Mountain, Haunted Mansion, Pirates of the Caribbean, Jungle Cruise, and Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. Space Mountain is long most of the day and into the night, so first thing early morning is usually your best bet. Ditto Rocket Jets. Star Tours will shorten significantly in the late evening (when the line is completely inside, you're in good shape). Splash Mountain is good when it's raining or right before the park closes (avoid it when it backs up beyond the Briar Patch shop). An early-morning dash might also be a good idea (since it's at the back of the park). After dinner, the "kiddie" rides in Fantasyland shorten a bit, but not much. Dumbo, Alice in Wonderland, Peter Pan, and Mr. Toad will remain popular, but there will be almost no line for Snow White's Scary Adventures or Pinocchio's Daring Journey. Skyway line is almost always shorter from Fantasyland to Tomorrowland than the other way around. Small World should usually be a walk-on; if it's not, come back later. Country Bear Jamboree almost never takes long. Crossing the parade route is possible but time consuming. Plan which side of the park you want to be on during the parade and get there early. If you must cross, consider using the Disneyland RR or the Skyway. Parade crossing zones north of the Matterhorn are usually less congested than the one at the Hub. Main Street is tough (though not impossible) to negotiate during popular parades. 5) If I've been to the Magic Kingdom in WDW, what parts of Disneyland can I skip? The answer here is taken from the Disneyland FAQ: There are subtle differences in almost every corner of the park. If you're a Disney aficionado, you'll want to check out everything. If you're pressed for time, you can skip the following: - Haunted Mansion (I hate to admit it, but WDW's is better) - People Mover (more primitive) - Monorail (unless you want to go to the Disneyland Hotel) - Submarine Voyage (nearly identical to WDW's except for order of presentation and absence of little Jules Verne nuances) - Skyway (useful for getting around, especially during parades) - Captain EO - Circle Vision 360 (same as at WDW) - Autopias - Small World (biggest difference is the exterior facade) - Country Bear Jamboree (virtually identical but DL has 2 theaters) - Golden Horseshoe Revue (same show, different finale) Tough calls: (similar, yet different and worth experiencing) - Space Mountain - Big Thunder Mountain Railroad - Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln (a trimmed down version of the Hall of Presidents) - Splash Mountain Whatever you do, don't miss out on: - Fantasmic! - Star Tours (unless you've been on the one in Disney-MGM Studios) - Matterhorn Bobsleds - Jungle Cruise (my DL experiences have far surpassed the one at WDW) - Pirates of the Caribbean (parts are identical, but DL is better) - Disney Art Gallery (above Pirates) - Disneyland RR between Tomorrowland & Main Street for Grand Canyon and Primeval World dioramas (not quite as impressive as EPCOT's World of Energy dinosaurs) The parade route is different. North of Main Street, Disneyland parades proceed north along the east side of the Castle up to It's a Small World. WDW MK parades turn at the Hub, heading through Liberty Square and Frontierland. 6) Where should I stay when visiting {WDW, Disneyland}? For first time guests, especially those with kids, I recommend an on-site resort in order to make the transition easier. At Disneyland, the Disneyland hotel features the monorail; it is *very* convenient to flash your passport and hop on to go to the park, then hop back on in Tomorrowland to return to the hotel when you need a break. Likewise, the Contemporary Resort, among others, also feature easy Monorail-to-park access. For those without kids, or experienced travelers, off-site hotels can be cheaper. Although they won't feature the amenities of the more expensive hotels, this may be better if you're looking to save money and aren't interested in spending much time in your room (aside from sleeping). Be sure to check out vacation packages, however, before giving up on the Disney hotels. Birnbaum's Official Guide books give decent listings of the resort hotels, including phone numbers and addresses. For information regarding lodging in the Anaheim area, you may contact the Anaheim Area Visitor and Convention Bureau at 800 W. Katella Ave., Anaheim, CA 92802. Phone: (714)-999-8999. 7) What's the best time to go to {WDW, Disneyland}? For WDW, here's a quick and dirty table, from best to worst: 1) October, through a week before Christmas, except Thanksgiving 2) Post New Years through a couple weeks before Easter 3) Post Easter through Memorial Day 4) President's Day weekend 5) Spring Break week (the week up to and including Easter) 6) Memorial Day through the end of Summer 7) Thanksgiving weekend 8) Christmas through the New Year (For those who live outside the US, Thanksgiving is the fourth Thursday in November, and the impact of the holiday weekend typically lasts from that date until the immediate Sunday.) 8) My child is 3 years old. Is that old enough to enjoy Disneyland/WDW? As always, it depends on the kids and the patience of the parent. Two or three is about a minimum age (otherwise, the child is pretty much just along for the ride), but even children this young can get quite a bit of enjoyment from the visit. Children of this age might enjoy meeting the characters (in the park, or at a Character Breakfast (see #16 below)), and some of the milder rides. Detracting from the enjoyment would be the patience of the kids waiting in line for the rides; you probably know how to judge/handle your own child's patience levels better than I do. :-) To fully appreciate Disneyland/WDW, seven or so is probably a better age. Some info from the Disneyland FAQ: Kids age 2 and under are free. Strollers may be rented, but many people prefer to bring their own. Some rides have height and age requirements. Big Thunder Mountain Railroad 40+ inches/42+ inches at WDW Space Mountain 40+ inches/44+ inches at WDW Autopia (alone) 52+ inches Autopia (w/ adult) 1+ years Splash Mountain 3+ years and 40+ inches/44+ inches at WDW Star Tours (alone) 7+ years Star Tours (w/ adult) 3+ years Matterhorn Bobsleds (alone) 7+ years Matterhorn Bobsleds (w/ adult) 3+ years Children under 7 are supposed to be accompanied on other attractions as well (Snow White's Scary Adventures, The Haunted Mansion, etc.) 9) What are good attractions to take younger children to? (I'll take "younger" to mean below 5 years of age here.) Almost always OK: Jungle Cruise Swiss Family Treehouse (though some find this too dull and crowded) Dumbo It's A Small World Peter Pan's Flight PeopleMover Walt Disney World/Disneyland Railroad Mickey's Starland Show (WDW) Country Bear Jamboree Tom Sawyer's Island (WDW) Cinderella's Carousel Journey Into Imagination (EPCOT) Kitchen Cabaret (EPCOT) Universe of Energy (EPCOT) Disney Animation Tour (Disney-MGM) Anything in the EPCOT World Showcase, with the possible exception of the Norway Maelstrom ride. Possible fright factor: Haunted Mansion Tea Cups (motion sickness) Mr. Toad's Wild Ride (not as wild as the name suggests, but still rough) Space Mountain Star Tours Enchanted Tiki Room Captain EO (I'd be wary of the volume) Pirates of the Caribbean (can be threatening to the unaware, includes a couple of plunges) Body Wars (EPCOT; can be generally nauseating to people of any age) The Great Movie Ride (Disney-MGM- potential surprises) Snow White Ride (featuring the rather scary queen popping out of the dark) As always with kids, your mileage may vary; a good strategy would be to start with the milder rides and work your kid up to more "aggressive" rides if you think they're up to it. Certain aspects of a ride may frighten children, such as immersion in darkness (e.g. Pirates of the Caribbean). Also note that meeting Disney characters themselves is not a given, as some kids can be terrified of a gigantic Mickey or Goofy. Start from a distance and work forward. There is a "fright factor" chart in the 1992 edition of the Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World, by Bob Sehlinger (see question #18 for a list of guide books). 10) Other considerations for children (strollers, etc.) Physical health: In the summer months especially at WDW, it is easy for kids (and adults) to get sunburned and dehydrated. Bring along plenty of bottled water (much better than sugary sodas) and sunscreen; with the crowds you'll otherwise have to stand in line at the refreshment stands or drinking fountains, and if it's a hot day, you might have to stop often. Also guard against blisters (use broken-in shoes and consider two pairs of thin socks over one pair of thick socks). Make note of the First Aid centers (there is one in each of the three theme parks). Temperament: It's up to you, the parent to keep your temper. It might not be easy, given the crowds and the long waits for certain rides, the heat, etc. The best thing to do is to make sure you enjoy yourself. Maximizing your vacation is not a matter of cramming yourself on as many rides as possible: it's a good idea, especially with kids, to take time out for a breather periodically (not just standing in line). Find a place to sit down with some ice cream, or even return to the hotel room after lunch for a short nap. Strollers: Strollers are available for rent at each of the theme parks. The stroller centers are near the entrances, and the process of getting a stroller is fairly quick and easy. Rule number one is to keep your receipt. Rule number two is to keep your receipt (and don't keep it in the stroller itself). It's easy for your stroller to get swiped- not because there are roving packs of stroller thieves, but because people might mistake your stroller for theirs. If this should happen, you can go to the stroller center, show your receipt, and get a new one (they won't charge you to replace it). A good idea is to attach something to the stroller that will uniquely identify it as yours (nothing of great value, of course), such as a piece of paper with your name on it or a bright scarf. The stroller staff at WDW currently do take your name and put it on a card which is attached to the stroller itself. Baby-sitting services: There aren't any services inside the parks themselves, but there are child care services at the resorts. In general, you must have a reservation. They can be expensive (e.g. $6 per hour, with an $18 minimum), but include free video games, Disney movies, games and activities, and visits by a Disney character each night. They accept kids from 3-12 years of age. There is also a "Fairy Godmother" service available (also not cheap), who will come to your room at any hour of the day, 24 hours a day, and can even take care of your pet. Infants/Toddlers: All of the theme parks have Baby Care services, which have everything you need for changing diapers, making formula, etc. Supplies for purchase can be found at these places as well. Lost children: You may or may not be surprised at how easy it is to get your child lost. When you exit rides and shows, you should take your child by the hand to make sure they don't get lost in the bustle of people exiting. Also keep in mind there may be more than one exit to a bathroom; should your child wander out of the one you don't expect, he or she may find themselves to be lost. Also keep track of your kids during parades- they might otherwise wander off while trying to get a better viewpoint. 11) Some interesting things to look for at the theme parks WDW: Hidden Mickeys: list available separately- see question #19, below. Disneyland: - The Park Entrance, designed to look like a red carpet - Apartment above the Disneyland Fire Station; apartment in the fourth floor of the Castle; offices above Main Street - The names on the windows on the second story of the buildings on Main Street. These are named for notable people who were involved in the creation of Disneyland. - The Disney Gallery, above Pirates of the Caribbean in New Orleans Square, of interest to those into animation - Telegraph operator at Frontierland/New Orleans Square station, which types out a Morse code version of Walt's opening day speech - The Club 33 entrance, at New Orleans Square, near the Blue Bayou restaurant - The Haunted Mansion knight, which used to be a real person - Snow White's Grotto, to the right of the Castle before you enter Fantasyland. Note the song in the Wishing Well. Also note the dwarves are the same size as Snow White. - Platform where Tinkerbell lands as the Fantasy in the Sky fireworks begin; a fort tower located behind the Frontierland buildings hidden by trees, where she slams into some mattresses at the end - Paul Reubens (Pee-Wee Herman) as the voice of the pilot of Star Tours - Thurl Ravenscroft as the voice of one of the singing heads in the Haunted Mansion (deepest voice) 12) Differences between the Magic Kingdom at WDW and Disneyland The following are found only at the Magic Kingdom at WDW: The Hall of Presidents (Liberty Square) Dreamflight (Tomorrowland) Carousel of Progress (Tomorrowland) Mickey's Starland SpectroMagic (Main Street) The following are found only at Disneyland: Great Moments With Mr. Lincoln (Main Street) Sailing Ship Columbia (Frontierland) Big Thunder Ranch (Frontierland) The Story of Sleeping Beauty (Fantasyland) Pinocchio's Daring Journey (Fantasyland) Casey Jr. Circus Train (Fantasyland) Storybook Land Canal Boats (Fantasyland) Alice In Wonderland (Fantasyland) Matterhorn Bobsleds (Fantasyland) Motor Boat Cruise (Fantasyland) Star Tours (Tomorrowland; these are at the Disney-MGM studios in Florida) Main Street Electrical Parade (Main Street) At WDW, Space Mountain, the Castles in Fantasyland (which are bigger) are considered better than their counterparts at Disneyland. The Disneyland Railroad features the Grand Canyon Diorama and Primeval World, not found at the Magic Kingdom in WDW, and Pirates of the Caribbean is much longer at Disneyland. The Magic Kingdom at WDW also has the advantage of having much larger pathways, having been built with large crowds in mind. Disneyland has more of the details (see also Question #11) and personality that Walt added. See also the Disneyland FAQ. 13) Who created the music from the Main Street Electrical Parade? The music, which is titled "Baroque Hoedown," was written by Jean- Jacques Perry and Gershon Kingsley. The electronically synthesized version which you hear during the parade was arranged and performed by Don Dorsey, noted synthesizer performer. The introduction, as the music starts: "Ladies and Gentlemen, Boys and Girls Disneyland proudly presents Our spectacular festival pageant of nighttime magic and imagination In thousands of sparkling lights and electro-syntho-magnetic musical sounds The Main Street Electrical Parade!" Incidentally, you can request a summary of the parade with a description of each of the floats from Disneyland Guest Relations via mail. (Unfortunately, I lost my summary, but it was probably out of date anyway, as the parade changes slightly on an annual basis.) The soundtrack to the Main Street Electrical Parade is available on at least three different albums: the Fantasmic! soundtrack (Disneyland Records and Tapes, DIDX 013173); the "Music of Disneyland, Walt Disney World, and EPCOT Center" soundtrack (Disneyland Records and Tapes, CD-007); and "The Music of Disney: A Legacy in Song," which is the 3 CD boxed set. The Fantasmic! soundtrack's version is the most complete by far, and is (again) available from Disneyland Merchandise at (800)-362- 4533 or at the theme park. 14) What is SpectroMagic at Walt Disney World? SpectroMagic at WDW is the successor to the Main Street Electrical Parade. It use fiber optics and live costumed actors and, like the Main Street Electrical Parade, features floats of varying themes. Opinions on SpectroMagic being better than the Electrical Parade vary. 15) What is Fantasmic! at Disneyland? How do I beat the crowds? Fantasmic! is somewhat like a stage show, but with dazzling pyrotechnics. It is performed nightly at the south end of Tom Sawyer's Island (you can't miss it- just look for the thousands of people standing around at show time). There are individual sequences with various themes from Disney's history, with particular emphasis on the animated films. These sequences are tied together by the main plot of Mickey's imagination being overrun by the evil forces of Queen Maleficent (from Sleeping Beauty), Ursula (The Little Mermaid), the Queen from Snow White, among others. To date, it has been extremely popular. Incidentally, there is a Fantasmic! soundtrack available, which also includes the full soundtrack to the Main Street Electrical Parade (it's more up to date than the version included on the "Music of Disneyland, Walt Disney World, and EPCOT Center" album released in 1990). The manufacture of this soundtrack was halted due to legal and copyright implications, but once resolved may go on sale again. You can contact Disneyland Merchandise Services, at (800)-362-4533, for more information. 16) What is a "Character Breakfast"? A "Character Breakfast" is a breakfast held at specific locations early in the day where you (and your kids, of course) have the opportunity to eat breakfast while meeting popular Disney characters. They are held at different locations (listed below). Some locations need a reservation in advance. They do cost a little extra (around $10 for adults), but kids under 3 eat free, and kids 3-11 eat at reduced children's rates (around $6-7). All of the characters come and visit every table, so there is no pushing and shoving to meet them. There are also Character Brunches and Dinners, also included below. Young kids generally love these. Location Time Notes Contemporary 8-11 am No reservations Resort: Contemporary Cafe (WDW) Disney Beach Club: 7:30-11 am No reservations Cape May Restaurant (WDW) Dolphin Hotel: Th, Su 8:30a- Reservations: (407)-934-4085 Ristorante 12:30p Carnevale (WDW) Grand Floridian: 7:30-noon Reservations: (407)-824-2383 1900 Park Fare (Breakfast) Grand Floridian: 5-9 pm Reservations: (407)-824-2383. 1900 Park Fare $18 adults, $9 children. (Dinner) Pleasure Island: 8:30 am Reservations: (407)-934-7639 Empress Lilly seating, Riverboat (WDW) 10:30 am seating Polynesian Resort: 7:30-10:30 Reservations: (407)-824-1391 Tangaroa Terrace am (WDW) Stargate Restaurant until 11 am Counter-eatery; no (EPCOT) reservations; not necessary to purchase anything Swan Hotel: Garden W, Sa 8-11 No reservations. Info: Grove (WDW) am (407)-934-1281 Tomorrowland 7:30-10 am Exclusive to those who get Terrace, in WDW this as part of a package; early admission to park with voucher WDW Village: Chef 5:30-10 pm Better than average food, but Mickey's Village you only get to meet Restaurant Mickey. Cafe Villa Verde, Both breakfast and dinner; Disneyland Hotel traditional menu Goofy's Kitchen, Both breakfast and dinner; Disneyland Hotel all you can eat buffet Plaza Inn, 7:30-10 am No reservations Disneyland This information is probably incomplete, as I suspect WDW/Disneyland change their schedules and add and delete locations. It might be a good idea to check with your hotel (if it's a Disney resort) or the Guest Relations of the park you will be visiting (see question #99 in part 1 of the FAQ for phone numbers). 17) What is the Disney Vacation Club? The Disney Vacation Club is a like a time-sharing resort. Essentially, you purchase a certain amount of points, then use those points to stay at Disney Vacation Homes on the Walt Disney World property. The minimum buy-in is currently 190 points at $59 per point as of November, 1993 (and has historically increased $1.50 per point every six months), with annual dues of $2.70 per point. Where you stay and what time of year you go determines how many points you use- you can choose a studio (sleeps 4), a one (sleeps 4) or two (sleeps 8) bedroom houses, or a Grand Villas.(sleeps 12). It is up to you to choose where and when to go (reservations are required, of course). You may also stay at selected Walt Disney World hotels as well. You can get more information by calling (800)-800-9100, or (407)- WDW-3100 (the latter if you in Florida) between 7 am and 5 pm ET, seven days a week. You can also write to: Disney Vacation Club at The Walt Disney World Resort 6751 Forum Drive Suite 220 Orlando, FL 32821-9900 If you call or write, you can request to receive brochures, which include floor plans, complete tables with the point allocations. 18) What are some good guide books on travel to Walt Disney World/Disneyland? There are a couple of useful guides written by some members of the Internet (and r.a.d, of course) community. They include "The Very Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World" by Todd McCartney (see below), and some suggestions for planning a trip to WDW by Bill Ellett, at bill@sdg.dra.com. Guide books can be found in the Travel section of your favorite bookstore. They are generally grouped under the California (for Disneyland) or Florida (for WDW) sections, which is under "domestic travel." The best all around guide for planning your trip and finding good advice is probably one of the The Unofficial Guide books by Bob Sehlinger. (In fact, a lot of the information in this part of the FAQ was derived from these books.) The Fodor's travel guide is not very useful, except perhaps for restaurants in the area. The "Official" guide books are OK as references to the various services at the parks and have some trivia about the rides that might be interesting reading while standing in line. Birnbaum, Steven, Guide to Disneyland Avon Books, updated yearly Birnbaum, Stephen. Birnbaum's Walt Disney World Hyperion and Hearst Business Publishing, updated annually ISBN: 1-56282-946-7 (1993 ed.) Labeled as the "official" Disney sanctioned guide. Ritz, Stacy, Disney World and Beyond Ulysses Press ISBN 0-915233-37-1 Sehlinger, Bob, The Unofficial Guide to Disneyland Prentice Hall Travel, updated yearly Sehlinger, Bob, The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World and EPCOT Prentice Hall Travel, updated yearly ISBN 0-13-953944-1 Thorough, including sections on preparations for kids, evaluations of every ride, and clever strategies for waiting in line. A must get. Wiley, Kim Wright, Walt Disney World With Kids Prima Publishing ISBN 1-55958-140-9 Another good one for those going to WDW with children. Written by an experienced mom. And, from the Disney Lists of Lists, maintained by Tim Pickett (tlm@yoyo.cc.monash.edu.au), I would also recommend the online (Internet) guides: Planning a Trip to Walt Disney World, created and maintained by: Bill Ellett <bill@sdg.dra.com> FTP availability: yoyo.cc.monash.edu.au [130.194.9.1] : pub/rec.arts.disney/wdwtrip.Z e-mail availability: available from maintainer Tips on planning a trip to WDW. Includes sections on timing of trip, Disney's budget hotels, touring the parks, miscellaneous tips. Also includes critiques of selected attractions, and a comparison of Disney-MGM with Universal Studios. The Very Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World, created and maintained by: Todd McCartney <tmccartn@pilot.njin.net> FTP availability: ftp.netcom.com, in pub/kazrak e-mail availability: e-mail the author for book ordering information A large guide to Walt Disney World in Florida. Included are a map of WDW, and a comprehensive guide that explains just about everything you need to know to plan a trip to WDW. 19) What are "Hidden Mickeys"? Where can I find some? Hidden Mickeys, found at the theme parks, are simply Mickey Mouse images, either the "mouse ear" pattern or a full figure, that exist in places you normally wouldn't notice them unless you were looking. They were brought to wide-scale attention in the Winter 1991 Disney News, which featured "the Secrets of Walt Disney World." Some examples given in this article include: Mickey ears on the manhole covers; a Mickey constellation in the geosphere of Starship Earth; a Mickey in the mural of Body Wars; Mouse ears on one of the Vikings in Norway's Maelstrom attraction in the World Showcase; and a Mickey Mouse cookie cutter in one of the baskets in front of one of the worker droids in Star Tours. Stan Sroka, at sroka@evax.gdc.com, has been keeping lists of Hidden Mickeys for both theme parks. Send him e-mail for the latest list, and be sure to send him your contributions/discoveries as well. This document is Copyright (c) 1995, by Tom Tanida, all rights reserved. It is intended for public use, and may be redistributed freely printed or electronically in its complete and unaltered form provided distribution is done at no charge to the receiver. Partial and other distribution means require the permission of the author.