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Walt Disney World
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So you are considering a vacation at Walt Disney World? Excellent! With
over 23 square miles of land, there is definitely something for everyone. There are lots
of great websites devoted specifically to planning a Disney vacation. A few of
them are listed to the left. We'd like to present you with a brief overview
to get you started.
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Trip Length |
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Walt Disney World is made up of four theme parks: The Magic Kingdom, Epcot
Center, Disney/MGM Studios, and Animal Kingdom. There are also two water parks:
Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach. There are a slew of other Disney operated
activites available onsite, including five championship golf courses, two miniture
golf courses, Disney Quest (an indoor interactive playground - a gamer's paradise),
and Cirque du Soleil® at Downtown Disney (home to a host of shops and restaurants).
There is even water craft rentals, biking trails and horseback riding available
at some resorts. Though a week may sound like a long time to some people,
even those who spend a week or more at Disney World will not be able to see it all.
Plan to spend at least a day at the Magic Kingdom, MGM and Animal Kingdom, and it
is advisable to spend two days at Epcot, because of it's enormous size. Make
sure to allow a day or two as 'rest' days, and a day for a water park, if desired.
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Airport |
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The nearest airport is Orlando International (MCO). This
is a clean, modern airport that is easy to get in and out of. If you need
to either depart early in the morning or if you arrive late at night, keep in mind
that there is a
Hyatt Regency
right in the terminal.
If you will be renting a car from one of the onsite
companies, take note of which terminal your air carrier uses,
as it may affect where you drop off your car.
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Transportation |
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You will need some sort of transportation to the Disney area, as it is roughly 30
minutes away (depending on traffic).
- For Disney Resorts guests - Make sure to find out about
Disney's Magical Express, which will take you
from MCO to your resort at no additional charge. A few things to keep in mind:
The bus will stop at several resorts, so the duration of your journey will depend
on the number of other guests on the bus, and the time of day. Disney
will also pick up
your bags from the Baggage Claim and deliver them directly to your room. Because
they deal with a large number of bags, it may take a few hours to have your baggage
delivered to your room. You are also eligible for free transportation back
to the airport at the end of your trip. You should also keep in mind that
you will be asked to schedule your departure time several hours before your plane
actually departs.
- Car Rental - For convenience, some travelers may prefer to rent a car. A
few of the major companies are on the airport property, while several are off the
property. See
here
for a complete list. While the offsite properties are a short hop away via
free shuttle, it will add additional time to your journey. Keep an eye on
specials, as there are often a lot available in Orlando. Keep in mind that
some rental companies, like National, allow you to combine codes that can give you
a really good rate. Pay attention to cancellation policies, as it may be possible
to cancel and rebook at a lower rate. Have a few dollars in change available,
as there are a few toll booths along the way to Disney.
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Hotels
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When deciding where to stay, the first question to ask is whether you want to stay
onsite (at a Disney owned and operated resort) or offsite. There are advantages
and disadvantages to both.
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- Onsite - Disney has tried to cater to a variety of tastes and budgets. With
four different themed properties, their "Value" class resorts are the most affordable.
With external entrances, smaller rooms, and limited services, some may compare these
properties to motels. But, because of their huge icon decorations (many of
which are Disney characters), they are very popular with kids and teens. The
four "Moderate" class resorts have more vast and elaborate grounds, nicer pools
(many with slides), and better locations with respect to the theme parks.
They offer more extensive services, and more dining choices. The eight "Deluxe"
class Resorts offers the ultimate in services, locations, entertainment, and fine
dining. This is definitely the Crème de la Crème, but the pricing
isn't for everyone, and costs could quickly add up.
Click
here
to see the list of Disney's onsite hotels
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- Offsite - The Lake Buena Vista and Kissimmee areas are inundated
with hotels and motels for every budget. Penny pinchers could easily find
properties under $50 a night, but please read reviews on such websites as TripAdvisor
and
Expedia
to get an idea what to expect. Many have free transportation to
the Disney parks, and many advertise that they are 'a mile away from Disney World',
but take these claims with a grain of salt. While they may be a mile away
from the property, they still may be a long, long way from the parks (especially
the Magic Kingdom). Some shuttles have limited service or may be shared with
other hotels. Check the location on the map (relative to the theme parks)
and call the hotel or motel to ask specifics about their shuttle service.
Some properties, such as the Gaylord Palms, are very elaborate and full service.
Their ammenities rival those of the Disney "Deluxe" resorts.
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Weather |
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Remember that Florida weather is considered tropical. Though there are times
of the year when it can get a little chilly, most of the time it is hot, humid and
wet. No matter what time of year, it is wise to be prepared with a small umbrella.
Some Disney attractions like Dumbo and Test Track close if lightning is in
the area, so be sure to hit outdoor attractions like these when the weather is good.
Also, although it is rare for the Orlando area to be severely damaged by hurricanes,
it has happened. The season is roughly June until November. Though you
shouldn't rule out travel during this part of the year, it may be helpful to keep
an eye on any current or potential
hurricane activity, and potentially pay a little
extra for travel insurance in case you need to cancel at the last minute.
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Weather Forecasts | Weather Maps | Weather Radar
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