Thanks to all who responded! Here's the collection.
Recommended Books
The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World by Bob Sehlinger
Birnbaum's Walt Disney World: Expert Advice from the Inside Source
Recommended Web Sites
www.disneyworld.com
www.mousesavers.com
www.intercot.com
www.allearsnet.com
http://www.ticketmomma.com/walt-disney-world.htm
http://www.wdwinfo.com/
http://www.themeparkinsider.com/news/response.cfm?ID=1370
http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/wdw/parks/parkListing?id=EPAttractionListingPage
http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/wdw/parks/parkListing?id=MGMAttractionListingPage
http://travelwithkids.about.com/b/a/186966.htm
http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/wdw/index?bhcp=1
http://www.amazon.com/gp/richpub/listmania/fullview/27O4XCX60A7R0/104-9160489-9487104?%5Fencoding=UTF8
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/076156358X/104-9160489-9487104?v=glance&n=283155
http://www.disboards.com/
Tips
You might want to look into the dining plan. It is expensive up front, but
with older children, you could very easily get your moneys worth.
The best place for meal vouchers is Hotwire savings club.
I bought my Disney all week passport from Billy Boys, located in Orlando.
He has the best prices on 3 to 7 day passes.
Plan a character meal, and reserve now! This is the easiest way to see
lots of the Disney characters up close (they come to you). The best, and most
popular is Chef Mickey at the Contemporary Resort. The food is
good (buffet style, all you can eat) and it has the best characters.
In October we went to the Grand Floridian breakfast which features Alice in
Wonderland characters, Pooh characters, and Goofy. I understand that the afternoon
tea with the princesses is very good. Of course if you
have boys they may not go for this. Even if you're not staying at the hotel you
can park there for free.
The gate guard will have your name on a list and you will be able to park.
One of the evening events we did was Capone's Dinner Theatre,
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art38467.asp
For really great info on planning a Disney trip do a web search for DIS
boards, join up and start posting questions there. This is a great board for
everything disney.
Sign up for mouse savers which is a once of month newsletter that will give
you suggestions on how to save on your vacation from your hotel choice to your
tickets. http://www.mousesavers.com/newsletter.html
If you have a fan of princesses in your group, I would recommend the
princess breakfast.
Blizzard Beach is a must visit with those ages-everyone will enjoy it! Wear
water shoes because the walking surfaces can get HOT! Also, waiting in line to
purchase tickets is torture in the hot sun.
There is a fantastic hands-on science museum also in Orlando the kids will
enjoy.
Try Wonderworks in Orlando: This upside-down oddity on International Drive
(the result of a run in with a tornado, so they say!) contains dozens of
interactive games and displays that are fun and educational for the whole family.
All areas of the 3-story building are very hands-on and challenge kids both
mentally and physically. The design and ride your own rollercoaster gets good
reviews, as does the laser tag.
http://wonderworks-orlando.visit-orlando-florida.com/
We always get to the parks early and go to the back section of the park.
Lots of other visitors will stop at the first things in the front, first things
they come to and it will be crowded. If you do the park backwards it is often
easier.
Don't worry about having big meals in the big restaurants. The small
sidewalk type of places have great food and plenty of it so you will save money by
doing that. One big meal a day works well, too.
Be sure to go to the night time fireworks displays and programs that each
park will feature. They are wonderful. You will have to arrive early to get a good
place to watch from. The parade in fantasy land is also magical.
When you arrive at Epcot, go straight to guest services to book meal
reservations. China has a great restaurant!
Purchase a Park Hopper pass! Go to Disneyworld.com and check prices of
tickets, when you are going, etc. A Park Hopper lets you go to Magic Kingdom in
the AM and afternoon and then Epcot for the fireworks later.
Plan to spend the WHOLE day every day when you are at the parks.
Drink lots of water!
Disney MGM is easily done in one day. High points: Tower of Terror and
the 3-D Muppet movie. I love the Great Movie Ride. The "Who Wants to be a
Millionaire" is also fun.
As for Magic Kingdom, you might need 1 1/2 days there. It can be done in a
day but no one will be
happy.
Depending on how long you are visiting, another great day could be spent at
the Gaylord Palms. During the summer weekends they have a special program, Best of
Florida Live during July and August.
http://www.gaylordhotels.com/gaylordpalms/things_to_do/FloridaLive.cfm
AAA members can get a 10 percent discount on admission tickets, as well as
meals and merchandise, at Universal Orlando.
My best advice, and everyone always thanks me for giving it, if you are
going to Epcot AND the Magic Kingdom...go to Epcot first. It is great, but would
be a little bit of a let down to little ones who had just been to the Magic Kingdom.
At Animal Kingdom be sure to take the truck safari and ride among the
rhinos, elephants, giraffes, etc., and see the Lion King show (the best acrobatics
I have EVER seen).
In Epcot, be sure to visit the exhibit with Bill Nye and Ellen De Generas
about dinosaurs. It is a ride and educational.
At Universal the best rides are the HULK and the Spiderman ride (in 3-D)
Cecilia Hoff
English teacher
Westfield HS
Chantilly, VA
cecilia.hoff@verizon.net
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