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- In 2008, combined Walt Disney World Resort theme park attendance reached over 51 million, with the Magic Kingdom alone drawing over 17 million visitors. (Orlando Convention and Visitor Bureau)
- Despite signifcant downturns in the economy Disney theme parks have maintained attendance rates and made gains in attendance at some parks.
- Walt Disney World Resort theme parks are rated best in the world. earning high marks for things outside of the traditional theme park experience. Epcot’s International Food & Wine Festival, which takes place for six weeks every fall and showcases food from twenty-five countries, was rated by Forbes Traveler as one of the Best U.S. Food and Wine Festivals.
- Unofficial Guides field tested touring plans can save as much as four hours of standing in line in a single day.
Test Your Disney Smarts
Amazon-exclusive quiz from author Bob Sehlinger
1. Which restaurant has the best view at Walt Disney World?
A. LakeView Restaurant, B. The California Grill, C. Cindarella’s Royal Table
2. Afternoon milkshakes for two kids will cost you:
A. .72, B. .38, C. .59
3. Disney Kids’ Meals are available for children of what ages?
A. 3-9, B. 3-11, C. Under 18
4. When is the best time to take the kids on Dumbo the Flying Elephant?
A. Before 10 a.m. or after 9 p.m., B. Immediately following lunch, C. At exactly 3:15 p.m.
5. Which Disney theme park is five times the size as the Magic Kingdom?
A. Disney’s Hollywood Studios, B. Epcot Center, C. Animal Kingdom
6. The best time to visit Walt Disney World is:
A. On your child’s birthday, B. The day of your child’s final exam in math class, C. During the period between Christmas Day and New Year’s Day
Answers: 1)B, 2)B, 3)A, 4)A, 5)C, 6)A
Five Unofficial Ways to Prepare for Your Trip to Walt Disney World Amazon-exclusive content from author Bob Sehlinger
1. Select the time of year for your visit: Walt Disney World is busiest Christmas Day through New Year’s Day. Thanksgiving weekend, the week of Washington’s birthday, the first full week of November, spring break for colleges, and the two weeks around Easter are also times when visitation can peak at 92,000 visitors in a single day. The park is far less crowded during the off season, but be advised that the parks often open late and close early during that time. You can find detailed charts and info on the best times to visit in The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World.
2. Shape up: Visiting Disney World requires levels of industry and stamina more often associated with running marathons. As you plan your time at Disney World, consider your physical limitations. It’s exhausting to rise at dawn and run around a theme park for 8 to 12 hours day after day. Every Disney World vacation itinerary should include days when you don’t go to a theme park and days when you sleep in and take the morning off. Plan these to follow unusually long and arduous days.
3. Formulate your park plan: First-time visitors should see Epcot first; you’ll be able to enjoy it without having been preconditioned to think of Disney entertainment as solely fantasy or adventure. See Animal Kingdom second. Like Epcot, it’s educational, but its live animals provide a change of pace. Next, see Disney’s Hollywood Studios, which helps transition from the educational Epcot and Animal Kingdom to the fanciful Magic Kingdom. Also, because DHS is smaller, you won’t walk as much or stay as long. Save the Magic Kingdom for last; it’s the park that epitomizes Disney World for most visitors.
4. Create your touring plan: Which rides and attractions appeal most to you? What are you willing to forgo? Planning your day in advance can save you up to four hours of waiting time in line. We have developed a hierarchy of categories that will help you evaluate each ride and plan the best way to enjoy them all. For example, SUPER-HEADLINERS are the best attractions the theme park has to offer – and they usually have the longest lines. MINOR ATTRACTIONS are midway-type rides, small “dark” rides (cars on a track, zigzagging through the dark) and walk-through attractions—which can be a lot of fun, without the long wait. Remember that bigger and more elaborate doesn’t always mean better. See examples of touring plans (and create your own) in The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World.
5. Getting hungry?: There are three lessons to learn before you dine in the parks. One: Theme-park restaurants rush their customers in order to make room for the next group of diners. If you want to linger over your expensive meal, don’t order your entire dinner at once. Order drinks. Study the menu while you sip, then order appetizers. Tell the waiter you need more time to decide among entrees. Order your main course only after appetizers have been served. Dawdle over dessert. Two: If you’re dining in a theme park and cost is an issue, make lunch your main meal. Entrees are similar to those on the dinner menu, but prices are significantly lower. Three: Disney adds a surcharge of per adult and per child to certain popular restaurants during weeks of peak attendance, including Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas, and in 2009 every day from Memorial Day through July 4.
Top Ten Unofficial Tips for the Wizarding World of Harry Potter Amazon-exclusive content from author Bob Sehlinger
1. To avoid the worst of the crowds, either be at the turnstiles 45 minutes before park opening or visit the Wizarding World after 8 p.m. If the park closes at 8 pm or earlier, visit the Wizarding World one hour before the park closes.
2. See Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey first. If you haven’t seen it before, use the regular queue that includes a tour of Hogwarts Castle.
3. If you want to repeat the ride portion of Forbidden Journey, use the singles line – you’ll be able to ride in 20 minutes or less.
4. One of the coolest things in Wizarding World is the Wand Selection demonstration at Ollivander’s Wand Shop in Hogsmeade Village. See it immediately after experiencing Forbidden Journey.
5. On busy days, there are lines for everything including shops, the restaurant, the pub, and even the Butterbeer vendor carts. Try to complete your shopping early in the morning or return to shop in the two hours before park closing.
6. To buy Butterbeer without a long wait go to the rear patio entrance to the Hogs Head Pub.
7. Butterbeeer comes in both a regular and frozen version. Most visitors prefer the frozen version.
8. Filch’s Emporium of Confiscated Goods, which also doubles as the exit for the Forbidden Journey attraction is one shop you can visit without waiting in line, though you’ll have to buck the tide of exiting riders.
9. Note that on busy days, if you exit the Wizarding World, you cannot return except by joining the end of the line of those waiting to enter.
10. If Florida schools are back in session, try to visit on a weekday. And be sure to check out Wizarding World in the evening when the lighting gives the park a totally different and magical look.
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