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First some basics. Check out the Disney pamphlets or website before
you visit the park, take note of the "Recommended Ages" entry that
tells you which ages will most appreciate a particular ride or show, and perhaps
more importantly if your children are old enough or tall enough to participate.
If you haven’t been before, Disney is very BIG and can be VERY busy, stay close
to your kids and if they are old enough, let them use a 2 way radio or cell
phone to stay in touch should you become separated. Give each of them a plan
of the park and mark a ring around the Help and Medical centres.
Most families will want to do as much as possible together but try and put
a sense of perspective on the difference in your age and size and theirs. Some
rides even in the relatively sedate Magic Kingdom are quite capable of spooking
some adults let alone kids.
When to visit.
Time of year
The increasing number of overseas visitors to Disney, especially those
from Northern Europe and Latin America ensure that the park is busy year round.
It will be VERY busy immediately before, during and after Thanksgiving and Memorial
Day weekends. Weekends outside of the very busy periods, generally September,
October, most of January and all of February can be the quietest times of the
year, this is also when many locals choose to visit. The heat can also be less
oppressive during these months a serious consideration for those with young
kids. July and August can be Sahara hot with daytime temperatures hitting the
high 90’s with humidity levels to match. The park closes earlier as summer moves
into autumn and winter and certain events such as the illuminations, firework
displays and lasers shows are seasonal may not take place.
Rooms at Disney hotels and resorts tend to be less expensive during the quieter
months and have the additional bonus of getting you into the park an hour and
a half before the “general public”, not to mention free to view round the clock
Disney channel! You can check out the rates for all Disney resorts on their
web site at: http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/waltdisneyworld/resorts/resortshomeindex?id=ResortsRoot,
alternatively pick up a copy of Birnbaum’s Walt Disney World at any good book
store for up to date hotel info and a whole wealth of other useful information.
Time of Day
Operation hours vary throughout the year and are often influenced by special
events, but generally they are as follows.
The Magic Kingdom and Disney-MGM Studios from 9am to 6 or 7pm,
with extensions from 9pm to midnight during major holidays and high summer.
The Animal Kingdom usually opens 8 or 9am until 5 or 6pm, but
once again check before you go as sometimes it opens as early as 7am and closes
as late as 7pm.
Epcot's Future World from 10am to 7pm and very occasionally later. World
Showcase's usually noon to 9pm. Again these may be extended during holiday
and high summer.
Typhoon Lagoon, Blizzard Beach, and River Country are open 10am
to 5pm most of the year with a little variation during the summer and on some
holidays. These attractions are usually closed for part of the winter for development
and maintenance.
As you can see opening times vary throughout the year, check out the Disney
web site for exact details on http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/waltdisneyworld/parksandmore/parkhours/parkhoursindex?id=ParkHoursRoot
If you are staying at a Disney resort or hotel you will be able to get into
the park an hour and a half before the paying public, this will help you avoid
the queues and plan your time better, especially if you have small children
with you. In the summertime when the park is open until around 10 pm the crowds
begin to disperse around 6pm,this may be OK for adults but possibly not for
kids. Tip: If you have children get there as early as possible, leave
at lunchtime and relax somewhere, come back early evening and watch the light
shows and fireworks.
If you are visiting The Animal Kingdom go early in the morning or in the late
afternoon, this is by far, and in some cases the only time see the animals properly
especially during the hot summer months as many of the animals seek shelter
from the intense heat
Best Days To Visit--The busiest days at all parks generally are Saturday
and Monday. One week resort and hotel guests often arrive and leave on these
days, so fewer of them hit the turnstiles. Tuesdays and Wednesdays and to a
lesser degree Sundays tend to be the quieter days, but Sunday can be a busy
day for local visitors. Any National Holiday, Christmas, New Year and Easter
will all but invalidate the above advice!
Prioritise! Prioritise! Prioritise!
If you are visiting the any of the parks with kids indoctrinate yourself this
sage advice; “expect everything, promise nothing”. Planning your day with military
precision will not work, for a start there will probably be a hundred thousand
others there who have set out with similar intentions. Don’t forget a 4 minute
ride may involve a 90 minute wait. If you are just visiting for one or two days
both you and your kids will need to have the stamina of oxen to take every ride
or see every show. Choose things that are appropriate to the whole family.
Staff at Disney World, or Cast Members, to give them their official name knows
all the litigious implications of allowing children who don’t comply with height
or age restrictions. They will be infuriatingly polite but firm in sticking
to the rules, and rejection even to a five year old could spoil the rest of
the day for everyone.
Try not to be over ambitious, do the things everyone can do together, as early
as possible to avoid the queues. Then just relax and follow the flow, take frequent
refreshment, and you will probably get to do as much if not more than trying
to map the entire day out military style.
Passes and Tickets
Prices for Disney passes generally rise each year; prices noted here are correct
as of June 2003.
Park Hoppe®r Tickets
Allows entry to all four Theme Parks for four days or more. Unused days never
expire; purchasing this ticket before leaving home is cheaper than buying tickets
on the day.
In advance. Age 10 and over. $192.00. Age 3-9 $152.00
At the gate. Age 10 and over. $199.00. Age 3-9 $159
Park Hopper® Plus Tickets
This ticket allows entry to all four Theme Parks plus several other options
for five days or more. Guests may come and go as they please through all the
Walt Disney World® Theme Parks, and choose from Disney's Water Parks,
Downtown Disney®, Pleasure Island and Disney's Wide World of Sports®
Complex. Unused days never expire, and advance purchase of this saves money.
In Advance. Age 10 or over.
$247.00. Age 3-9 $197.00
At the gate. Age 10 or over
$289.00. Age 3-9 $232.00
Single day Theme Park tickets.
Individual admission for one day either at the Magic Kingdom® Park,
Epcot®, Disney-MGM Studios or Disney's Animal Kingdom®Theme
Park.
Tickets may be purchased only purchase at Walt Disney World® Theme Parks
and Resorts. Excludes special activities and events, which are separately
priced.
Age 10 or over $50.00 Age
3-9 $40.00
For other pass and ticket prices check out the Disney Passes page on http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/waltdisneyworld/reservations/reservationsindex?id=ReservationsRoot
All passes and tickets are subject to tax.
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