Page 307 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - USA

ORLANDO & THE SP A CE C O AST  305

Safety dently but Disneyesque in every Resort Dining
The resort’s first-rate security other respect) are of a very high Visitors should make reser-
force means problems are standard. However, even the vations in advance for any
dealt with promptly. Cast lowest-priced places are more full-service restaurant in
members are trained to watch expensive than many hotels Walt Disney World® Resort,
out for unaccompanied outside Walt Disney World®. especially in the theme parks
children and escort them to Nevertheless, a few practical and above all in Epcot®.
lost children centers. reasons to stay there are: Whether or not you are staying
• Proximity to parks and free use at one of the resorts, reser-
of Disney’s transportation. vations for dining can be made
Parking • Early entry privileges into the 60 days in advance. Some
Visitors to the Magic Kingdom® parks (up to 90 minutes). Check in tables are held for same-day
must park at the TTC and use advance with each park for details. reservations, so make your
public transportation; Epcot® • Guaranteed admission to the reservation as early in the
and Disney’s Hollywood Studios® theme parks even when morning as possible. For
have their own parking lots. the parks are otherwise full. restaurant details, see page 330.
Parking is free for Disney Resort • The possibility of dining with
residents and some pass-holders; your favorite Disney character in Meeting Mickey
others must pay a fee of $20, your hotel.
but only once a day regardless • The delivery of shopping For many youngsters, meeting
of how many times they move purchases made anywhere the Disney characters is the
their vehicle. within the Resort. high point of their visit. Apart
• Note that the hotels close to from seeing them in the parks,
Disney Springs (formally known you can also meet them in
Advantages of Staying in as Downtown Disney) are not numerous restaurants (usually
the Resort
run by Disney and offer few of at breakfast). Each park and
Lodgings in the resorts and in the above mentioned privileges. many resorts also offer
Walt Disney World Swan and For information on hotel listings “character dining,” but you
Dolphin (operated indepen- see page 327. must book ahead.
DIRECTORY
Information Busiest Days Top Tips
Tickets & Types of Passes Each of the theme parks is • Lines are shortest at the start
You can buy one-day, or busiest on certain days: and end of the day, and during
two- to 10-day, one-park Magic Kingdom®: Monday, parade and meal times.
The wait for a show is rarely
tickets, but if you’re planning Thursday, and Saturday. longer than the show itself.
to visit more than one park, Epcot®: Tuesday, Friday, • Parks fill rapidly after the first
consider adding the and Saturday. hour of opening. Until then,
following options: Disney’s Hollywood Studios®: you can often just walk onto
Park Hopper Add-On: entitles Wednesday and Sunday. rides for which there will be
entry to all four parks. Opening Hours a line later.
Water Park Add-On or Park When the theme parks are • After a thunderstorm, the
Hopper and Water Park Add- busiest, opening hours are the water parks are often almost
On: gives access to any empty, even at the busiest
combination of parks. longest: 9am to 10/11pm or times of the year.
Seasonal, Annual and midnight. In less busy periods, • Information regarding timings
Premium Annual Passes: cost hours are 9am to 6/7/8pm. of shows, parades, and rides,
little more than a 7-day park The parks open early for pass and tips such as the waiting
hopper for an entire year of holders and guests at any times at various attractions,
visits. Child pricing applies to of the Resort hotels. Call to are usually avail able at each
ages 3–9. Prices depend on check details. park. Check at bulletin boards,
length of stay. The Ideal Schedule Information Centers, and
FastPass+ allows guests To avoid the worst of Guest Services.
to reserve fast admission to the crowds and heat, arrive • Ask for a Park Map.
rides and attractions such as • During parades, other
shows, parades, and fireworks early and visit the popular attractions are quiet.
in advance. Guests staying at attractions first. Take a break • Wear a comfortable pair of
a Disney Resort Hotel can make in the afternoon, when it is shoes, as the parks entail a
FastPass+ reservations up hot and parks are busy, and lot of walking.
to 60 days in advance of return in the evening to see • There is very little shade,
their visit. parades and fireworks. so be sure to wear a hat.

304-305_EW_USA.indd 305 11/2/16 2:45 PM