Saturday Spotlight - WDW 'secrets'

[Hilary]

Edited to add 10 May 08 - this thread is now out of date, so some of the tips may no longer be accurate Deb has kindly agreed to 'unstick' it from the top of Trip Planning. Thanks to everyone who contributed their tips when the list was started back in 2005!






Here is the combined list of everyone's tips from the Saturday Spotlight threads. We'll be adding to this list each week as different topics are covered.

If you have any further tips to add to any of the topics, please post them on those individual threads and one of the mods will then add them to this 'master list'.

Magic Kingdom

Make use of the MK Railroad. It’s a nice way to get a feel for the park’s layout as well as a great way to rest those weary feet traveling between different areas of MK.

Visit Tinkerbell's Treasures, a shop behind the castle, as soon as it opens. Inside the shop is a very special treasure box where Tinkerbell sleeps! If you are the first guest of the day to enquire, you might be lucky enough to be asked to wake her up. You’ll be told to wave a wand, say "Wake up, Tinkerbell" three times, and then you’ll hear Tink fly around the room. Of course, you probably won't manage to spot her because she's a fairy and flies pretty fast once she’s woken up, but you will see flashing lights and hear bells so you’ll know when she’s awake. You might also be given a certificate and some stickers.

If you’re trying to move between Liberty Square and Big Thunder Mountain Railroad or Splash Mountain, try the boardwalk next to the river – it’s usually much less crowded, especially around parade times.

Look for the wedding ring embedded in the cement outside of the Haunted Mansion (I’ve never managed to find it!) and the jewels around Aladdin’s Flying Carpet.

Behind the castle you’ll find Cinderella’s fountain. Bend down to child’s eye level and see how a crown magically appears on Cinderella’s head.

The Railroad station platform at the park entrance gives a great view of the parades as they come around underneath.

Above the Main Street shops, on the right hand side as you face the castle, there’s a dance studio. Listen carefully and you’ll hear tap shoes dancing. In the nearby alley you may also be able to hear piano lessons taking place.

When picking a spot to watch Wishes remember you’ll be looking upwards (that may sees obvious now, but it’s easy to forget when you suddenly spot a gap in the crowds!) so check for any trees that might block your view.

To avoid the crowds lining Main Street before a parade, or if it’s raining, walk through the shops on the Tomorrowland side of the street – they are all inter-connected.

Look out for the Mickey shaped manhole covers in Toontown.

A perfect place to view the parades with only a few people around you (no pushing or shoving ) is in front of the "Ye Olde Christmas Shoppe" in Frontierland because of the wooden fence in front of the door which is always in place (not one of the temporary ones used for during parades). Get their reasonably early, make yourself look er big(!) and it's like a private viewing area!

I recommend the Tomorrowland Transit Authority on a hot day. There's never a queue and you get a lovely view of Tommorowland at the same time as a smashing breeze

For parents travelling with small children, head straight for Fantasyland as soon as you can to get the rides here done. Dumbo is a good one to do early as the queues can be long but for some reason small ones always want to ride this.

If your children want to let off a bit of steam there is a little play area in Mickey's Toontown Fair. I'd guess it's aimed at children under 6 or 7?

Get your hair cut at the Harmony Barbers Shop on Mainstreet. They do a great 'First Haircut' with a certificate, Mouse ears (with First Haircut on the back), Mickey Confetti wrapped up with the trimmings and enough stickers to um.. (lots of stickers!) I can't remember how much $$ it was but it seems reasonable for just the haircut! Apparantly once the days supply of ears is gone, it's gone so get there on opening.

Get to the park before it opens to see all the characters come to open the gates! If you're REALLY lucky you might get chosen to help them open up. Then as soon as you go in you can get loads of photos, autographs etc.

Take time to enjoy the little things....
- the beautiful window displays along Main St
- the flowers, plants and animals (ducks on the water in front of the Crystal Palace)
- how the music changes between lands without you really noticing it!
- singing bushes and grass......
- the 'hidden' path from Toontown to Tommorowland
- my ABSOLUTE favourite - make sure you stop and see the Barbershop Quartet, what a fabulous job and what great voices - get to know them, they are lovely people, have a chat
- visit the pianist outside Caseys and again, stop and have a chat, he's a nice guy...

Don't get too close to the castle as it hides many of the lower level fireworks. I have often found the bridge to the hub in front of the castle to be about the right distance. You get to see the castle in all of it's lit up glory and perfectly framed by the fireworks.

As well as the TTA, another way to rest weary legs is to take a ride on the Liberty Square Riverboat. I've always enjoyed this less glitzy attraction.

Tom Sawyer's Island is a great place to chill out. There are loads of quiet spots to sit or, if you've got kids, they can wear themselves out in the fort while you rest in the shade. Aunt Polly's also has lovely snacks.

Walk right down the middle of Main Street USA! Make and early PS for Crystal Palace on a non-EE day. There's nothing quite like walking down the middle of Main Street with hardly anyone else around! (OK I admit it - I SKIPPED down the middle of Main Street, much to DD's embarassment!).

On Main Street check out the old style phone in the General Store (on the right side of the street as you're headed in). Pick up the receiver and listen...

On Cinderella's Carousel look for the one horse with a gold ribbon on its tail, that's Cinderella’s horse.

If you are on the first crossing of the day to Tom Sawyer Island, be sure to explore all of the island and caves looking for the paintbrushes hidden there – your reward if you are first to find them are Front of the Line passes for either Splash Mountain or BTMRR.

If eating at Cinderella’s Royal Table look up in the rafters to spot Cinderella’s mice hiding up there.

In the Winnie the Pooh ride, Mr. Toad (the ‘host’ of previous ride at this location) hands off the deed to the ride to Pooh (To see Mr. Toad, look to your left as you enter owl's house. There's a framed picture on the wall, just inside the doors). Also, on the floor of the Pooh ride on the right in Owl's house there is a picture of Pooh and Moley from Mr.Toad

The Lady and the Tramp paws in front Tony´s Reataurant.

Check out some of the trees at night in Tomorrowland - they close up.

By the Plaza restaurant, look up to the 2nd floor to find Walt's window.

There is a great spot to watch the fireworks ( and Tinkerbelle's flight) that is the rose garden area just in front of Cinder's castle. They have cut back a lot of the trees that had grown up in this area and now you can get an excellent view here. If you stand right up close to the fence surrounding the rose garden you should get an uninterupted (and excellent) view of both the fireworks and Tink's flight (which goes pretty much straight over your head).

There are small sensors in the street along the parade route in the MK. They are used to monitor the parade floats.

Push, the talking trash can can sometimes be found in Tomorrowland, near the Pleakley figure. He is great fun and interacts well with the people around him.

In Tomorrowland there is a huge planetary map on a granite ball, this ball is held up by water. It would take a lot of strong men to lift it, but on the water a child can spin it!

On Big Thunder Mountain, in the day the saloon is quiet and dark, at night there is light and music coming from it!

At the entrance to the Haunted Mansion, wait for while and you will see Madam Leota appear in her tombstone. But by the time you tell someone, she'll be gone!

If you feel like a break and don't want to go back to your (offsite)hotel, a nice thing to do is go to the Contemporary or one of the other hotels for lunch, you can take a monorail or walk and it's usually quite quiet. The burgers at the Concourse steakhouse are huge and you can easily split one! The Kona Café at the Polynesian is also wonderful. It's a bit more restful than eating in the MK itself.

MK – MAIN STREET USA - Once you go through the train station and are into the "movie," the first thing you see are the credits. If you look up at the names on the windows of the buildings along Main Street, you see the names of all the people who were responsible for building the park. The very last name is Walt's, but you really have to know where to look because it is on the backside of the last building on the right (ice cream parlor?). It seems like he's almost hidden from view, but Roy wanted him there so that he would always have a view of the castle.
MK – MAIN STREET- The telephones in the stores along Main Street. Pick one up and you will hear a conversation. Some of them are really funny.
MK – MAIN STREET USA- If you turn down the first side street to your right on Main Street on a more quiet day and look up at the windows that have signs that say something like "music lessons", you'll hear a voice practicing scales and someone tap dancing. You can't always hear it - it has to b pretty quiet.
MK – MAIN STREET USA In the MK if you go to The Partners Statue in front of the castle and look at the ring on Walt's hand, you will see a hidden Mickey.
MK – MAIN STREET USA- I'm not sure if this has been mentioned yet, and it's not really a secret, but it's something I've never noticed before in Tony's Town Square Restaurant....At the back of the restaurant, there is a beautiful 3-paned dark blue window, through which you can see the shadowy silhouettes of Lady and the Tramp sharing their late-night meal of spaghetti. My husband and I were seated directly in front of it, and didn't even see it until 2 children stopped next to us and point ed to the "wall" behind us. When I turned around, I couln't believe I almost missed this lovely, romantic scene!
MK MAINSTREET USA The Lady and the Tramp paws in front Tony´s at MK
MK – MAIN STREET USA - In FantasyLand the pavement changes a few times. One is near Ariel's Grotto. The pavement is cement mixed with sea shells like you would find near an ocean town. Another is right in front of the carousel where Merlin the Magician picks a lucky lad to remove the Sword from the Stone. The pavement there is shaped like sword blades.
MK – MAIN STREET STATION- Has anyone mentioned being a "guest conductor" on the train in the Magic Kingdom? If you sit in the very last car, the one that is the little platform out the back they will ask you to be the guest conductor. Last time all three of my kids fit back there while we were up a few rows. They get to yell "All Aboard" into the microphone and announce the different lands. Not only do you have a perfect location to videotape the entire journey, but you will also receive a nifty "Co-Pilot License'
MK – MAIN STREET STATION at the train station. Up on one of the shelves (CMs can halp you locate it) you can see Aladdin's lamp as well as other characters belongings waiting to be picked up at the train station.
monorail.
MK – MAIN STREET STATION- There was mention of the items in the waiting room at the Frontier Land train station. On of the items is a wooden leg. If you look at it closely, you can find a name on it -- Smith. Any Mary Poppins fan will recognize the joke.

MK – CASTLE Behind the castle is a fountain with Cinderella. If you bend down and look at the fountain the crown on the back wall appears to crown Cinderella.
MK – CAROUSEL - Apparently there is only one horse on the carousel that has a gold ribbon on it's tail. This particular horse is rumored to be Cinderella's favorite. (atleast that's what the fairy godmother said).
MK – WINNIE THE POOH - seen the part of the Winnie the Pooh ride, where Mr. Toad hands off the deed to the ride to Pooh
MK – MISC - go into Tinkerbell's Treasures ( the shop that is near Cindy's Castle) There is a small chest that looks like a lady's vanity near the front entrance. Over it is mirror that sparkle's Pixie dust every once in a while. If you look in the first drawer's key hole you can see Tink and she's tangled up like in the story

MK – IIS A SMALL WORLD - In it's a small world, there is only one nation or region whose name is actually written out anywhere in the attraction - look (carefully) for the small hat with the name "Mexico" written on it as you venture through the South American portion of the ride! :
MK – SNOW WHITE - In Snow White's Scary Adventures, originally there was no image of SW in it because it was supposed to be from her point of view (the guest is seeing it through SW's eyes, basically) but so many people complained at not seeing her that Disney finally put in a Snow White figure to stop the complaints!

MK – TOMORROWLAND- The motorized trashcans in TomorrowLand.
MK – TOMORROWLAND- I like the Hidden Mickey in Buzz Lightyear. In the very last room where you are still able to shoot, look forward at the top left corner, there's a planet with Mickey on it. This same planet is also on the map of planets in the waiting area just as you enter. The planet is blue, if that helps you any MK – TOMORROW LAND TRANSIT AUTHORITY At one point during the Tommorrowland Transit Authority attraction, riders pass by a model of a futuristic city. This model was Walt Disneys personal vision of E.P.C.O.T.
MK – PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN - When in the queue for Pirates of the Carribean, the two skeletons playing chess have died playing because the chess game is at a stalemate- nobody can win.
MK – PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN - shout GEORGE 3 times during the fire scene to see what happens this follows the real legend that an imagineer called George died whilst making this ride he is said to haunt it and unless the CMs say goodnight to him each eveing the ride won’t function properly the next day
MK – HAUNTED MANSION - My favorite is the ring in the concrete at the end of Haunted Mansion
MK – HAUNTED MANSION - If you're by the Haunted Mansion at night, look up at the top story right above the front door. If you watch it for a while you'll notice a light pass by it and some shadows, it looks like 2 people are walking by with a lantern.
MK – HAUNTED MANSION- The gravestone of Madame Leota that moves (lifts its face...glances around...) at the entrance to HM has been mentioned a few times, but do you know why that tombstone just appeared within the last year or so?
Madame Leota, the creepy woman in the crystal ball in the seance room of the Haunted Mansion, was played by Leota Thomas (a former Disney Imagineer, actually) and voiced by Eleanor Audley (also the voice of Malificent and Lady Tremaine) - thanks to www.doombuggies.com for this info.
MK – HAUNTED MANSION just before you board the doom buggy look for a table on the right that has a small lamp on it.there is a dictionary on the table that always open to the word ghost.go ahead take a look.....maybe youll be the 1000th ghost
MK – HAUNTED MANSION - When you're in HM in the pre-board show (hall of portraits), look straight up when the lights go out and the lightning flashes. You see a "dead body" hanging from the celling!
MK – HAUNTED MANSION - On the rooftop and turrets of the Haunted Mansion, there are replicas of chess pieces such as rooks, pawns, kings, and queens.
Has anyone ever noticed that the "hands" on the clock are actually FINGERS !?!?!?!?!?
MK – TOMORROWLAND spot the hidden mickey planet during the ride, its right near the end

MK – COUNTRY BEAR JAMBOREE - The claw marks on the floor of The Country Bear Jamboree.

MK – LIBERTY SQUARE- In Liberty Square in MK, all of the shutters are hung slightly at an angle. This is because during the revolutionary war, England stopped shipping the US almost everything made of metal because the colonials would melt them down for bullets. One thing they did continue to ship was shutters. The colonials would take the metal hinges off the shutters to melt down for bullets, and would hang the shutters with leather straps. Over time, the leather would stretch out, causing the shutters to hang at an angle. Pretty awesome!

MK – SPLASH MOUNTAIN - The opening of the top cave of Splash Mountain (the one you exit as you take the final plunge) is a hidden Mickey. It is noticable from inside the cave and outside. It is profile shaped, not the traditional mouse and ears.

The original thread with these Magic Kingdom tips is here

Check out the DIS for general information about the Magic Kingdom here!

 

[Hilary]

Epcot World Showcase

Norway boat ride, be the first of the day and get a Viking hat with a certificate that says ‘Viking of the Day’

There is a garden behind England in Epcot - stop and smell the flowers and just relax.

Enter Epcot through the International Gateway before 11 a.m., take a leisurely stroll through UK and Canada with no crowds. Get some great pictures!

In Japan at Epcot, there is an nice exhibit of Japanese baseball memorabilia. It's like a mini hall of fame. Plus, it is air conditioned.

There is a Hidden Mickey in the wall mural at the Norway ride

Be in Germany at the top of the hour, apparently there is a lot of noise.

Did you know you can get an Illuminations cruise, see this thread

Stop in Japan to watch Miyuki - the candy lady. She makes amazing animals out of rice dough. Get there before showtime if you want to have one made for you.

There is nothing nicer than strolling slowly around the World Showcase after Illuminations has finished and the crowds have dispersed. Just take a seat after Illuminations and watch everyone else rush the exits. Then take a nice slow stroll enjoying the peace and quite - a lovely end to a hectic day

If you have children, consider buying the World Showcase Passport. This comes with 2 pages for each country, a set of stickers and room for a CM from each country to write something about their country and stamp it. There's also a big badge to wear. Cost was $10 and really worth it. Our DDs thoroughly enjoyed this!

Also, consider doing the KidCot fun stops. The children pick up a mask - which they can decorate / colour in, at the first country. They get a stamp from each country and a new "mascot" to attach to the mask at each country. Great fun!

There are lots of characters to meet as well to keep the children interested. We saw Mary Poppins in the UK; Belle and Aurora in France; Aladdin & Genie in Morroco etc.

There is currently a Japanese Tin Toy exhibition in Japan which we enjoyed.

It's fun to see pearls extracted from oysters, polished and measured in Mitsukoshi in Japan.

They were giving out free sweets at the Mexixo KidCot fun stop when we were there last.

One of the things that I enjoy about world showcase are all the little displays that they put on for each country such as the Mime artists in France and the drummers in Japan

Just wanted to underline the "enter through the International gateway" idea. Maybe start with breakfast at the excellent Cape May Cafe at the Y+B hotel then take a quiet stroll into Epcot via the back door. This is a great way to experience some of the World Showcase without all the crowds. You are expected to make your way directly through to the open part of the park, but no one chases you along too quickly.

One of my tips - try to see Off Kilter in Canada. Their music style is rock with a celtic flavour and bagpipes, I love seeing them. Oh and for the ladies, their legs look nice in kilts too

Checking out the often overlooked mini-maze at the back of the UK pavilion – kids of all ages can have a lot of fun running around here, especially in the dark! (Been there, done that )

In the African outpost in the World Showcase, open the lids of the crates and see what happens. (Water related, so when dry nothing happens).

In Italy at the WS, if you wander around behind the shops (where the fountains are) look around for little red press-buttons that say "press for a surprise" (or something to that affect). If you press the button, water squirts from a different location- fun to see where the water comes from when you do it and then wait for an unsuspecting person to walk by...

The Kidcot stations are great...and best of all they are FREE!

When picking your spot to watch Illuminations from, remember to check which way the wind is blowing. Make sure it's away from you, otherwise no matter how great the viewing point you've picked, all you'll see is the smoke from the fireworks drifting towards you and obscuring everything else.

If you're a returning visitor and you always seem to start WS at the same end, try starting from the other end or catch one of the boats across the lagoon to start in the middle - it's surprising how much detail you can miss if you always approach the countries from the same direction. Starting in the middle also means your interest isn't flagging by the time you get to the same countries each time

The Viking Longboat in Norway is actually a play structure. A good place for the kids to let off a bit of steam!

Although it's easy to pass them by, great attention to detail is paid to all the plantings in Epcot, not only during the Flower and garden festival. For example, the plants in the gardens in Canada change with the seasons to simulate the seasons in Canada. White in winter, gold and red in autumn etc.

Each year there is the International Flower and Garden Festival with some gorgeous displays and even some music concerts

Check out the DIS for general information about Epcot World Showcasehere

 

[Hilary]

Disney's MGM Studios

Look for the "Singing in the Rain" umbrella attached to one of the streetlights near the old Hunchback of Notre Dame theatre. Hold the umbrella and step on the black square embedded in the cement underneath it

In the shop next to Pizza Planet you’ll see several large wooden packing crates. Try lifting the lids of a few of them.

As you leave the lobby of the Tower of Terror, before you go in the TV room, there’s a sign board in a glass case. Some of the white letters appear to have fallen out and are at the bottom of the case. If you can get right up to the glass and look down on the letters you’ll see they spell out ‘Evil Tower u r doomed’.

At the exit to Drew Carey’s Sounds dangerous are some great sound effect booths and special effect/ voice over set-ups. These can be accessed independently of the attraction so, if you have a while to wait before the next show, spend your time in here rather than in line, or visit these if you don’t have time to do the whole show.

The Great Movie Ride has two different rides, depending on whether you are in the front or rear car. Try to do them both if you have time.

MGM is a great park. I like to simple mingle around and everyone has to check out the Villains shop. The courtyard in front of the HAT/GMR is always a great place to meet characters.

I've heard there is something to do with keys under a mat @ Muppets?

Also, when you leave the Indy show there is a well with a rope - pull it - I've never done it, but apparently something happens!

Don't miss Fantasmic - it is superb!

if anyone has any of the older park maps from MGM, before the Sorcerer Mickey Hat, if you turn it upside down, it actually looks like a hidden Mickey face

Don't miss the Honey I Shrunk the Audience playground if you have small children. Mine love it here and it's great to run off a bit of steam.

There is a great shop with Christmas ornaments next to the Muppet shop.

MGM is great for character greeting! For example, on our recent trip you could meet The Incredibles, Lilo & Stitch, JoJo & Goliath, Sulley & Mike from Monsters Inc to name but a few. Grab a park guide when you enter the park for times and places!

My children enjoy riding the speeder bike outside Star Tours and any Star Wars fan will need to have a photo taken with the AT AT walker.

The Tower has 4 (I think!) different ride sequences - there is no way that I know of, that you can tell which you are going to get until you're in it!!

Keep a close eye on your DH/DB in Tatooine Traders - There is some great Star Wars merchandise. (Though to be fair I did buy stuff too!)

Grab a drink and a seat in The Writers Stop for 5 minutes peace and quiet.

The courtyard in front of the HAT/GMR is always a great place to meet characters. However, if the person at the back of the queue is holding a balloon it means the queue is closed. If you happen to 'be' the back of the queue you get to keep the balloon which is signed by the characters you are waiting to see!

Meet Mickey in his sorcerer's outfit in Mickey Avenue - building next to WWTBAM (no queue when we went!)

Take a 10 minute animation class in the Animation building - even I managed to create a Donald Duck!

The Beauty and the Beast show is wonderful. Get there early and you can also enjoy the preshow accapella singers 'Four for a Dollar'.

On the Tower or Terror ride, during the pre-show in the library, the little girl on the film is holding a plush Mickey Mouse - there is a hidden mickey for you

MGM STUDIOS
MGM – INDIANA JONES - When your in line for Indiana Jones you go past a well, I think to the right of the entrance. If you pull on the rope you'll hear someone down in the well.
MGM – MISC - I am sure most people have walked past this. At MGM if you stand looking at the front of the Chinese Theatre turn and go to your left. As you are walking there is a little garden on the right side of the building with busts of famous people. I just saw this on our next to last visit. It was very interesting walking around reading about the stars.
MGM – MISC - Check out the "Singing in the Rain" umbrella that is attached to one of the streetlights near the old Hunchback theater. Grab the umbrella and step on the black square embedded in the cement underneath it for a nice surprise! ( I heard about this - haven't seen it for myself yet)
MGM – HONEY I SHRUNK THE KIDS - At the Honey, I Shrunk the Kids play area, climb the stairs between the garden hose and the slide coming out of a roll of film. There is a dog nose. Put your hand in the nostrils. The dog sniffs you!
MGM – TOWER OF TERROR I dont know if this has been mentioned but the Tower of Terror at MGM is 199 feet tall. It was supposed to be 200 feet but for a structure 200 feet tall you need lights at the top for airplanes to see. So it is 199 feet tall to keep the spooky feeling.
MGM – MUPPET VISION 3D - the key under the mat in the Muppet ride
MGM – MUPPET VISION 3D- In the pre-show Muppet 3D room at MGM there is a net full of green jello hanging from the ceiling

MGM – THE GREAT MOVIE RIDE - ON THE GREAT MOVIE RIDE WHAT IS THE SIGNIFICANCE BEHIND THE LICENSE PLATE NUMBER "021-429 ON THE CAR DEPICTED IN THE GANGSTER SHOOT-OUT SEQUENCE OF THE THE "THE GREAT MOVIE RIDE?
IT WOULD BE THE DATE OF THE VALENTINE DAY MASSCRE ---FEBRUARY 14,1929 MGM –
MISC - In MGM there is a hidden attractiion, it is Gertie the Dinosaur. She is a tribute to the vaudeville actor and artist Windsor Mackay. About 1912 he decided to spice up his act with a cartoon of a railroad, projected on the screen, and he would interact with it. The audienes thought that this was trick photography. He then decided to come up with Dinosaur Gertie. This was before the concept of the multiplane camera or even cells. He made about 14,400 drawings on rice paper. Each one not only had Gertie drawn on it, but also had the background screnery (Silent movies had 16 frames per second and this ran anbout 15 minutes or 900 seconds). He started this act in 1915, the audiences recognized at this point that Gertie was a cartoon and could not be trick photgraphy. This was the first recognized projected cartoon. Many years later, Walt Disney met Windsor's son. The son was very happy to met Walt, but Walt was even happier to meet him. Walt told the son that "I owe everything I have done to the idea started by your father". There is a small sign near Gertie in the park, but it does not go into this detail


MGM - OMD
One Man's Dream exhibit

here's a couple of facts about Walt's "office". When you are standing in front of the glass window to look into his office, you would be in his kitchenette if you were really in his Burbank office. There were glass doors that opened into his kitchenette by the push of a button.

The room is in reverse of how it was in CA. I have heard lots of speculation that this was due to a photo negative being reprinted incorrectly or something else. The fact is the room WDW was working with had a door on the "wrong" side of the room. So things were placed almost mirror image.

Behind the desk is a briefcase that Walt used to carry home work.

There is speculation that the papers on the credenza behind the desk are papers from Robinson Caruso that have Walt's red grease pencil markups.

The telephone on the desk is the actual telephone that Walt used every day of his life in his CA office.


Check out the DIS for general information about the Disney-MGM Studios here!

 

[Hilary]

Animal Kingdom

One for the children - in the Boneyard, look for some fossils set into a wall. Try hitting one of them!

Don't want to ride Kali River Rapids? Have just as much fun as those on the ride by using one of the elephants on the bridge to help you 'cheer' them along.

The Tree of Life has around 320 animals 'carved' into it. Try to take some time to look at the detail of these, they really are amazing.

It's tempting to rush straight through the turnstiles to find the 'action'. There are often meet-and-greet stops here at the very front of the park where CMs will introduce you to some AK residents, so if you have members of your group (especially children) who are animal lovers, it's worth taking time to look around here before heading for the rest of the park. If you're not keen on 'creepy crawlies' this may be an area to miss!

If the lines are long at the main turnstiles, go into the Rainforest Cafe and try the park entrance at the rear of the shop - there's very rarely a long line here.

If your itinerary allows you a couple of visits to AK, try visiting at both ends of the day. The early morning and evening experiences (when the park is open late) in AK are very different.

Look out for DeVine You will find her hiding in the bushes. She is a lady on stilts who is camoflaged so be on the look out.

The Boneyard is a great place for children to let off some steam. My children loved digging in the sand for dinosaur bones.

If you are a fan of dinosaurs Lucky will be making an appearance at AK for the 50 years of Magic celebration. He is a huge interactive audio animatronic dino who wanders round pulling a cart and interacting with guests.

Avoid Chester & Hester's Dinorama like the plague if you hate carnival style stalls that require money to be enjoyed! We always have a little go but the dollars run away with you easily here.

There is not a great deal of shade at AK (we find) which makes this park a tough one on a blisteringly hot summer day. We always like to combine it with a visit to Blizzard Beach which is very close. Nothing short of heaven to get into the Lazy River at Blizzard Beach when you are hot and bothered!

If you only have time for one show, don't miss Festival of the Lion King! You will be glad you saw it

TAKE YOUR TIME (I'll say that again later because in this park it is vital) if you want to get the most out of this park. Look for the small touches in the park (like the butterflies that Disney breed then release into the park at regular intervals) almost everywhere you look, you will see micro details that add just a little more to the whole image.

AK is a park better done as two half days, as opposed to one whole one. In the real heat of summer I would suggest going in the mornings as I have found it seems the heat and humidity builds up through the day and 4.00 in the afternoon is the most uncomfortable time of day to be there.

Things to make sure you don't miss (and many people do ) are the cute little bird gardens in Africa and Asia.

For those of you who 'have' to meet the characters Camp Minnie-Mickey is a must! When we were there we saw Mickey, Minnie, Goofy & Donald in their safari gear. To avoid the queues be there when the characters first arrive (ask a cast member when this is!)

Our tip would be to do the Kilimanjaro Safaris early in the day ( and all the other out-door animal attractions) as the animals are more lively and interesting before it gets too hot.

My little tip would be that when watching the Jammin' In The Jungle parade, we stood on the bridge leading out of Africa (towards Camp Minnie-Mickey) and the crowds had to stand on one side of the bridge, therefore all the characters came towards us.

Don't forget the talking tree outside the entrance of AK

AK – DINOLAND- Has anyone mentioned that the red, yellow, and white pipes above the load area at "Dinosaur" are for Ketchup, Mustard, and Mayonaise and that the letters on each pipe are their chemical formulas?!?!?!?
AK – Kilimanjaro safari – the rocks the lions sit on are heated to encourage them to lie there
Look for Devine the ‘lady made of vines’ you’ll find her up near asia
At the Tusker House Restaurant in AK you can hear kitchen noises, if you sit in the outside dining area. It sounds like dishes clanging together, sweeping up broken glass, etc.. This is a recording, but it's funny to see how people react, when they first hear the sounds.
Find the lawnmower tree - As you get off the boat and head up towards Pioneer Hall, look to the right just at the end of the golf cart parking. There is a tall tree there with and old reel-type lawn mower that has become part of the tree. There is a plaque there about it.
At the end of Kali River Rapids, you float by sculptures of elephants. Their trunks are raised. As you go under them you get sprayed with water. Just before the elephants, there is a bridge. There are two buttons on the bridge that control the water spray.
If you walk up the path to the left, toward Harambe, you'll pass by the counter service restaurant, Pizzafari, one of the most brilliantly decorated buildings in the Animal Kingdom. The bright colors are eye-catching, of course, but stop in *before* the lunch crowds gather so that you can study the different rooms with their ornate murals, walls and ceilings. Can you identify which room is which? The Home Room, Nocturnal Room, Upside-Down Room, Camouflage Room, Four Seasons Room, and Bug Room.

Stop and look down at the walkway under your feet. Did you know, for example, that the leaf prints and mud cracks were made by a mold? The Imagineers actually took a large patch of mud, made a cast of it, then reproduced it for the walkways of Disney's "Africa." They even distressed and widened the naturally occurring cracks by squirting them with a hard stream of water from a hose.

In Harambe you might spy a genuine Coke bottle perched atop a utility pole as an insulator for a power line.

Across from the Dawa Bar is what appears to be an old fort. Don't assume, as I did, that the area's off limits -- there are actually tables and chairs in there!

The mythical land of Anandapur in Asia - note the authentic prayer trees, draped with both faded and new scarves that commemorate dead loved ones.

Kali River Rapids queque- don't miss Mr. Panika's office -- the owner of the "business" may be "out to temple" as the signs indicate, but the two resident geckos who reside in his gecko cabinet are in all the time. Children will enjoy spotting the little critters, which are very much alive!

Kids certainly won't want to overlook the Dinoland Boneyard -- the play area is specially made for them to blow off some steam. If they look off to the right, behind the jeep, they'll see a row of fossils set into the wall. Just hit one and find out what happens -- it's musical! If you can't find the so-called "xylobone," a Cast Member will point it out to you.
Talking about the Ak.If you go to conservation station there is so much for you and the children to see and touch. If you get there early enough in the morning, you might be able to see an operation on one of the animals. During the day inside conservation station, they put on little hands on shows with animals that is great for children of all ages. Also there are tables set up with items about the animals and always someone there to tell you are the articles on the tables. Outside is the petting area. they do not let you feed the animals, but have grooming brushes that you can brush the animals. It is great because the animals do not start eating you clothes or knocking the little one's down to get to food. Next to that there is a small stage. also, during the day they put on cute little shows. They are trying to train animals to do certain things. The best part of this is that they are not the usuall animals. You get to talk with the trainers and it is a great little show. Also, on the walk from the train to conservation station there is a garden on the right hand side for kids. They are given cards and have to find the bugs in the garden. Needless to say the bugs are not real. OUr kids have done it at least three times and enjoy it each and very time.

You can find all the theme park details for Animal Kingdom here on the main DIS pages.

 

[Hilary]

Downtown Disney consists of 3 districts. The Marketplace, West Side and Pleasure Island

The best thing about DTD is it’s free to park and it’s free to enter! (PI clubs require ticket!)

AMC movie theatre offers discount before 6pm – this makes a great hangout on a hot day!!!

Be prepared to queue for the restaurants – some of them will give you a pager so that you can shop while you wait.

Kids play for free in the Lego Imagination centre.

The search lights you can see for miles around are located here.

Visit the Ghirardelli choc shop in the evening…they give free samples.

When buying a round of drinks at PI make sure you take everyone to the bar with you as they have to show their wrist band!!!

Thursday night is cast member night at PI so expect a larger number of 18-25 year olds!!

Check out the world of Disney store – there is a 25 foot hire mountain of plush toys!

Don’t forget those pets you left behind – check out Disney tails for a selection of collars, beds and pet fragrances!

Check out the Comedy Club at PI We had a great evening here.

Bring plenty of money!!

There are some nice interactive fountains for children to play in when it's hot.

I second the mention of the Lego playground. Some of my fondest memories of our first trip as a family were sitting here with a fruity drink watching the kids have fun!

we always find our kids enjoy Disney quest we leve them in there we go round shops then pick them up saves draging them around shops and gives us some time to be alone

The Adventurers Club is one not to be missed. Been there a few times and had a blast every time.

If you find the spot lights, don't try and use your hands to make "Bat Signals". Strange as it may sound, they're VERY HOT!

Opening in March 2005 is a Harley Davidson Shop in Pleasure Island.

Don't forget the new years eve party everynight at PI!

You can just walk about PI and enjoy the fireworks and whatever might be going on on the Main Stage.

BET and Mannequins are 21 and over. Kids are allowed in the other clubs with an adult.

The Lego Store is being refurbised and new sculptures are starting to be unveiled;

We always liked the Gourmet Pantry for a quick bite and I was a bit disappointed that it was being replaced, but The Earl of Sandwich is even better. All the sandwiches come with toasted bread, but just ask if you prefer it untoasted. And, although there is plenty of choice, you can ask for custom fillings;

For a change of pace, take a leisurely boat trip out to Port Orleans French Quarter and Riverside. We did this for the first time in December - the whole area is charming, especially the plantation-style mansion buildings alongside the Sassagoula River. We were fascinated by the old Disney Institute Treehouse Villas. They were in a state of disrepair and quite a few had been affected by the recent hurricanes, but they must have been quite something in their day. I do hope they decide to refurbish them;

Last, but not least, I love the 1800 Margarita at Cap'n Jack's Margarita Bar (Cuervo 1800 tequila, Cointreau, sour mix, and a Grand Marnier float). Slurrrrp!

DOn't forget the Disney Tails shop..for all your pet needs....

My cat loves his Buzz Lightyear outfit. We have also brought the cats the tags to go on their collars (ones with your phone num on). They are in the shape of a Mickey head


Here is a link to the DIS DTD information - Downtown Disney

 

[Hilary]

Downtown Disney West Side

Downtown Disney consists of 3 districts. The Marketplace, West Side and Pleasure Island - this week we are focusing on West Side, which is the largest of the three DTD areas.


Shopping Hours: 10:30am until 11:00pm
Dining and Entertainment Hours: 11:00am until 12 midnight


West Side is home to the Cirque De Soleil's La Nouba show - not to be missed You can get tickets from the box office or by ringing Disney direct (407 939 7600) You don't need to pay for the top priced seats - there are no bad seats in the theatre

Check out some of restaurants on offer at West Side:
Bongos Cuban Cafe (Cuban Cuisine created by Gloria Estafan),
Planet Hollywood,
House of Blues and Wolfgang Puck.
Some great places to eat before or after seeing La Nouba

If you are into Gospel Music check out the Gospel Brunch at the House of Blues - Call 407-934-BLUE for booking details or check out the website:
House of Blues

There are also some great live concerts at The House of Blues - check the website above for details.

Check out the smaller shops in West Side - if you like fridge magnets take a look in 'Magnetron' !

Disney Quest is a good place to go on a rainy day, especially if you like arcade games. You can even design and ride your own coaster!
[font=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]DisneyQuest 1 Day - $36.21 (adult 10 and up); $29.82 (Ages 3-9), includes tax.
You can access the Disney Quest shop without paying for entry.
[/font]
Take advantage of Virgin Atlantic's Downtown Disnet Check-in, to gain a few more hours in WDW. Open 8:30am until 1pm the check-in is at the valet parking near Cirque de Soleil.

There is a great coffee/sandwich shop in the Virgin Megastore if you need a break from shopping.

Remember to bring a watch to DQ as you can loose track of time easily!! Also no strollers are allowed in DQ so bring a baby carrier!!!

You might also need a watch to keep track of time in the World of Disney store - it takes a while to look around all the 'rooms' here!

If your group/ family splits up in the store, a good place to meet up is in the central 'hub'.

There is Internet access in DisneyQuest and the cheesecake from the Cheesecake Factory is YUM!!!

Wolfgang Puck is a good restaurant, everything here from take out to the cafe to fine dining


Here is a link to the DIS DTD information - Downtown Disney

 

[Hilary]

Epcot – Future World

The marker in EPCOT that represents the centre of WDW its just to the west of Innovention’s west (on that path that leads straight to the land)

The sidewalks that twinkle at night in Epcot. Take the right hand path after the Spaceship Earth.

The shooting water fountains (not the big one) that the kids play in just before you enter the world showcase. If you can time it just right you're unsuspecting buds will never forget their first encounter with these

A lot of people don't know about the Ice Staion Cool. You go through an ice cave and at the end there are drinks from all over the world to sample for free especially the Beverley.

Innoventions West, at the IBM exhibit, you can email pictures of yourself. Innoventions East the 10 second video clip you can email.

My tip would be that if you're want to ride the two "thrill" rides at Epcot - Mission:Space and Test Track, it's probably best to get Fastpasses for TT first and queue up for M:S while you wait. The lines for TT are typically longer and move a lot slower than M:S and you can often find the Fastpasses for TT run out long before the end of the day. We were there at midday once and they were already dispensing the 8pm ones, while M:S was still at 1:30pm!

Innoventions is a great place to spend a few hours if you have (or have not) got kids. In our most recent trip, my DDs (ages 5 & 8) loved the following activities:
A Quiz show about conservation (promise it was more interesting than it sounds )
Toon Tag - a huge virtual tag with Donald, Goofy, Mickey & Minnie
Opportunity City - a game where you have to buy and sell things depending on what's happening around you - again this sounds very dull in description but great for kids in practice, very interactive
Robot Race - design a virtual robot and then run, jump etc to make your robot also do this - you get a plastic robot at the end (the one you designed) and best of all it's free!
Innoventions was very quiet when we went but the above took several hours (!) and the air con is great on a hot day

Make a note of family / work e-mail addresses to keep in your purse and have to hand when you want them

My absolute favourites are the talking drinking fountains There's one on the right hand side of the walkway from Future World to the lagoon, just before the sidewalk water spouts

Something that is fun to do if you have children is the Nestle Junior Chef activity. It is situated in the Land pavilion and every hour (on the half hour), a group of volunteers get to make some chocolate chip cookies. Highly entertaining for those taking part and also those watching!

You can now meet Figment in the Imagination pavillion

In Epcot at Sea Base Alfa, look at the beams inside. You will see a bunch of letters and number. On one of the tours we had taken it was explained that the people who worked on building that building wanted to leave something so the letters and numbers mean something special to each one who worked on the building.


Here is a Link to the DIS Epcot Future World page

 

[Hilary]

Disney Water Parks

Disney have two water parks – Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon

Blizzard Beach is the largest of the two parks.

There are some crazy slides here, but just like the rides in the park there are height restrictions.

One of the scariest rides is Summit Plummet in Blizzard Beach which is a 120 foot high ski jump that you shoot down at speeds of 60-mph!!!

As you float around the lazy rivers be aware of water squirters – that water is very cold!

You can take surfing lessons at Typhoon Lagoon

There is a special refillable mug for the water parks – you can buy it in one and then take it to the other and just buy a barcode for it to use it there

You can rent towels at both of the parks to save taking your own

You can buy a waterproof pouch to put coins / credit card in which saves you having to go all the way back to your locker but keeps money safe

There are some really nice areas for children at the water parks. Ketchakiddie Creek at TL is full of little slides for small children, but there is a boat and a water chute ride for the slightly older ones. There is also a nice slide that enters the water right at the side of the lagoon - if you stand facing Miss Tilly (the boat with the water spouting out of it) it is on your left. DH and I spent a very pleasant afternoon in August watching the children go on the two slides here over and over, while we sat in the water (it's shallow here).

Blizzard Beach has two areas for children. Tike's Peak is for younger children and has a selection of slides and squirting devices that children love. The only comment I would make here is that the design of this area makes it less easy to know where your little ones are - so for me it was not very relaxing as I had to basically follow them round.

The other area is for older children - Ski Patrol and there are some great small water tube rides, and "ice" stepping stones floating on water that you have to make your way across.

You can get a free life jacket for your children here. When we stayed offsite we left our credit card imprint; when I stayed onsite they just took my room key details. They don't charge you if you return the life jacket.

I loved the snorkelling at Typhoon Lagoon. Though DD aged 7 was too scared. I have suffered numerous butt grazes at Typhoon Lagoon when she blows but they are worth it!! Blizzard Beach is Just too Cold on theming for me,

DH ripped his shorts on Summitt Plummitt which was hilarious, and the Ski Patrol was big but cold fun for the younger kids and his is where we encountered swimimng Goofy !! So cool but so cold!!!

I love Typhoon Lagoon the best!!! give me the lazy river, parrott fish and sharks anyday over drop ' break your back ' slides at Blizzard Beach.

Unless you need great quality pictures opt for a disposable waterproof camera. They were quite pricey (if I remember correctly) in the parks but we got ours in duty free - I also guess walmart etc would have them cheap. We got some lovely shots of DD on Castaway creek!

We spent our day of departure at TL. It wore DD out and was a relaxing (and cheap) last day. We hired towels ($1?) so we only had swim costumes and suncream to stick in our hand luggage

Arrive at any water park early. In fact, be there well before the gates open. The sunbeds and chairs, especially those in the shade, get taken very quickly. Even arriving as little as 45/60 mins after opening time can make it a fruitless task finding a free area to act as your base. Find where you want to sit and claiming beds/chairs with your towels before you get changed. Believe me, its no fun at the water parks if you haven't got chairs or beds to relax on. You end up having to trudge back to the locker areas for your stuff and somewhere to sit.

Like Miffy, we've never had anything taken but please don't leave anything valuable. We've left towels, hats, glasses, creams etc by our 'base' but always hidden them discretly underneath a bed. About the most valuable thing we've left is the refillable mug.

We've visited both TL and BB in the past 18 months and the family decision is that TL is the better of the two. The main reasons being the larger main pool, the kids areas and the snorkelling experience. TL seems to have a lot more for the older, more experienced swimmer whereas TL is that bit more laid back for the family. But that's just our opinion.

Once when we were on the lazy river in Typhoon Lagoon, Goofy got into a tube and floated along! The look on my daughters' faces was priceless

Another vote for the refillable mugs, we've actually got 2, on our first visit we didn't realise you could buy just the bar code. But saying that with 5 of us or 6 when we took DS girlfriend 2 mugs was much better.

We've only used a small locker for money & camera. Everything else we left by our sunbed. When you return your locker key at the end of the day you are given a choice of your deposit back or a plastic mug . We usually get the mug . They make a nice reminder of the day or come in handy as extra pressies to take home.

We found taking our own towels helps the kids identify our beds.

Don't forgret high factor sun cream you don't realise how much you are exposed to the sun. I now take a couple of older t-shirts which I & the kids wear when swimming, to protect our shoulders.

You cannot use your hotel refillable mugs, you have to buy the special Water Park ones

Swim shoes are a good idea for the water parks as the ground is hot...you can pick them up at Walmart for approx $7!!!

People wear T-Shirts I think they may not be allowed on some of the rides but for the lazy river, pool and raft rides they are fine

Don't wear a bikini if you intend on doing summit plummit

During the winter months one of the WP will be closed for refurbishment.


Here is a link to Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon Information.

 

[Hilary]

Disney’s Value Resorts

There are FOUR Value Resorts. All Star Movies, All Star Sports, All Star Music and the newest Pop Century.

There are giant icons at all four of the resorts, such as Dalmations, Football field, Buzz Lightyear, Rubiks cubes and Bowling pins to take some great pictures with.

You can get pizza delivered to your room.

Value season rates starts at $77.

Each resort has a wonderful food court where you can purchase refillable mugs.

All Star resorts do not provide towels at the pool, you must take them from your room

At Pop Century the table soccer players are more than 12 feet tall, and the "toy" ball is more than two-and-one-half feet in diameter.

The Movies has a nice place to eat outside in the shape of a movie reel.

As the allstars is classed as one resort you can poolhop from each one and still use your mugs in each

We stayed at All Star Movies for two weeks in December 2004 and loved it. The price we paid made this excellent value for money but to still be part of the onsite experience.

I've stayed at All Star Sports twice. Although not very "Disney" the theming was very American (baseball bats, American Football etc) and I loved it. We'd walk across the car park to eat at the differnt food courts (same food - different surroundings).

I also bought a few things at the souvenir shops - these did have a few resort specific items.

The shop also had a small selection of snacks and drinks - cheaper than the food court.

However I believe that being in a different county the sales tax is 1% higher at the All Star Resorts than elsewhere at Disney.

The musical notes sprinkled across the main lobby at the All-Star Music resort are When you wish upon a star



Here is a link to All Star Movies , All Star Music , All Star Sports and Pop Century Information.

 

[Hilary]

Disney’s Moderate Resorts,

There are three moderate resorts in WDW - Port Orleans Resort (French Quarter and Riverside), Caribbean Beach resort and Coronado Springs Resort

Port Orleans
* Riverside Resort has two sections – Magnolia Mansions and Alligator Bayou.

* Check out the musical notes across the registration desk at Disney's Port Orleans Resort-French Quarter. You'd hear the first verse of "When the Saints Go Marching In" if the notes were played.

* The grounds of Port Orleans Riverside house a Butterfly Garden located behind the Acadian House at Riverside's Magnolia Bend section.

* In the Riverside Food Court, make sure you sample a praline!

* There are more than 100,000 flowering trees and bushes between the two Port Orleans Resorts and the grounds have won landscaping awards.

* There are a lot of animals in the Port Orleans grounds, too. You could see ducks and other aquatic birds, an otter and there are rumors of the occasional alligator! There are plenty of rabbits, squirrels, and even a chipmunk or two.

* The boat trip along the Sassagoula River via boat from either Port Orleans Riverside or French Quarter to Downtown Disney is a great way to travel. The ride is particularly magical at night when DD is colourfully lit but the rest of the river is in darkness.

* Take an evening horse and carriage ride (chargeable)

* If you'd rather walk, the carriage path between the French Quarter and Riverside is about a half-mile, or 10 minutes, each way.

Caribbean Beach Resort has five ‘islands’ within the resort – Barbados, Trinidad (North and South), Aruba, Jamaica and Martinique

* Younger guests will enjoy Parrot Cay Island, located in the middle of the lake, where they’ll find a playground complete with a jungle gym.

* There are several types of watercraft that available for rent at Old Port Royale.

* Find a hammock on the beach and imagine you really are in the Caribbean

Coronado Springs Resort has three sections - Casitas, Ranchos, and Cabanas

* There are colorful hibiscus, canna, and other plants alongside the walkways, along the lake's shore and between resort buildings as well as the short Nature Trail that winds behind the Dig Site.

* For a quiet drink or lunch, stop at the umbrella tables near La Marina, behind the resort's main building, El Centro with Mexican music playing.

* Don’t miss the beautiful domed atrium that greets you when you walk into the main entrance of El Centro. Look up.

If your are staying at POR in the Aligator Bayou section one of the best Buildings to ask for is Building 14. It's the closest to the foodcourt, shops, restaurant and reception. It's also the closest building to the main bus deepo (the buses pick up at the main deepo first before picking up at the other 3 stops, so if it's a busy day the bus may be full before it gets round the theother stops!).

I believe I read that some of the rooms at Port Orleans Riverside (in the Alligator Bayou section) sleep five - with the use of a roll-away bed POR is the only moderate with this higher occupancy level.

My first onsite stay was at CBR in 2003. I loved it, although it is very spread out. I was lucky enough to stay in Martinique building 26 (I think) which I found to be a good central position.

There are now preferred locations which include Martinique and I think one other village. They cost about $15 extra per night and I would be willing to pay this extra cost to ensure a more central location.
If you are out in Trinidad South for example, be prepared for a long walk to the food court. It's a quiet area so some may like it for that reason. Each village has its own bus stop and I found the bus service to be very reliable, and this was in Christmas week - very busy!

We stayed at POFQ in September 2004, it was our first stay in a moderate but we were really impressed!! It is a small resort and the pool foodcourt and bus stops are within 5 minutes walking distance!!! Check out the biegnets at the food court the are yummy!!!

We stayed at Caribbean Beach Resorts Martinique section for our Honeymoon. It is a lovely resort. Spending some time on the hammocks on the beach is great.

You can find the DIS main site information about all of the moderate resorts here!

 

[Hilary]

Disney’s Deluxe Resorts

Walt Disney World has 8 deluxe resorts, all with excellent restaurants and bars. With just a few exceptions, you don’t have to be a resort guest to experience any of the activities and attractions.

MAGIC KINGDOM RESORTS
Situated around Seven Seas Lagoon and Bay Lake. All except WL on the monorail loop.

Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa

• Ever wondered about the identity of those VIPs having fun on the Seven Seas Lagoon? The Captain’s Shipyard marina has a large selection of water vessels available for rent.
• Take a stroll down to the beach at around 9.15pm to catch the nightly Electrical Water Pageant, an enchanting, shimmering light show which has been appearing each night on the Seven Seas Lagoon and Bay Lake since WDW opened in 1971. It starts at the Polynesian at 9pm (or up to 15 minutes later when Wishes is scheduled for 9pm) then moves on to the Grand Floridian, Wilderness Lodge, Fort Wilderness and the Contemporary.
• The beach and the boat dock are also great viewing spots for Wishes.
• ‘Big Bertha’ in the 1900 Park Fare restaurant is a 100 year old band organ, built in Paris, featuring bells, cymbals, pipes, drums and a xylophone.
• The GF boasts some of the best kids activities in the whole of WDW. At Grand Adventures in Cooking, your budding Jamie Olivers will make desserts and decorate their own hats and aprons; at the Wonderland Tea Party they get to decorate cup cakes whilst listening to stories told by Alice in Wonderland and the Mad Hatter; and on The Pirate Adventure Cruise they’ll follow clues around the Seven Seas Lagoon in their hunt for buried treasure.
• If you enjoy listening to the pianist in the lobby, you can pick up a CD at the Sandy Cove gift shop. The pianist starts playing at 3pm daily and alternates with the orchestra until 9pm.
• WDW has managed to reduce its chemical pest control by more than 70% by introducing a Ladybug Release Program. One such release takes place each Thursday at 11am in the 1900 Park Fare Herb Garden – a fun and educational experience for children who will be given a matchbox containing about 10 ladybugs (that’s ladybirds to you and me) to release onto nearby plants.

Disney’s Contemporary Resort

• Again, the Boat Nook marina has a wide variety of watercraft available for rent.
• For the more adventurous amongst you, Sammy Duvall’s Water Sports Centre offers all kinds of activities on Bay Lake and the Seven Seas Lagoon, including water-skiing, slalom, wakeboarding, kneeboarding, tubing and parasailing. Check out the website at www.sammyduvall.com.
• The Electrical Water Pageant passes by shortly after 10pm and the beach on the Bay Lake side of the resort is probably the best place from which to watch.
• The path from the Contemporary to the Magic Kingdom is laid with ‘Walk Around the World’ bricks. The walk is short and offers a pleasant alternative for arriving at the MK.
• The view from California Grill is legendary, but you can also enjoy a good view of the Magic Kingdom (and of Wishes) from the viewing platform off the Grand Canyon Concourse. If your album is full of photos of Cinderella’s Castle from the top of Main Street, this is also a great place to get some different shots – time it right and you’ll also get the monorail passing by.
• Everyone wants that MK view, but some of the Garden Wing rooms have spectacular and serene views across Bay Lake (just ask Kev!)

Disney’s Polynesian

• Water rentals are again available, this time from the Mikala Canoe Club marina.
• The Flame Runners ceremony takes place at 6pm (Tue-Sat) on the 1st floor of the Great Ceremonial House. It marks the start of the Spirit of Aloha Dinner Show and only lasts around 5 minutes, but it’s worth remembering if you’re in the vicinity. It features drums, chants and a torchlighter who runs the fire to the show on the other side of the resort.
• This is where the Electrical Water Pageant starts its journey each night, so you’ll need to be at the boat dock or on one of the beaches just before 9pm.
• Although you can take a pleasant stroll along the Walk Around the World path from the Poly, you can’t walk to the Magic Kingdom.
• One of the most popular breakfast options at WDW, Tonga Toast, is only available at Kona Café at the Poly. It’s thick, banana-filled, French toast topped with sugar and cinnamon.
• Throwing a penny into the pond as you leave denotes your wish to return someday (all money is donated to charity).

Disney’s Wilderness Lodge

• As with all the MK resorts, water rental are available. Teton Boat and Bike Rentals marina is on the opposite side of the boat dock used for transportation.
• When approaching WL by water taxi, be sure to look out for the bear’s face - there are two triangular windows near the top of the building (forming the eyes); and another in the middle (forming the nose). It’s easier to pick out after dark.
• If you ask nicely when you check-in, you could be chosen as the resort’s Flag Family for a day. Each morning a family is taken up to the roof to raise the American flag. You’ll be given a souvenir photo in a frame, not to mention a spectacular view of the Magic Kingdom.
• There are many family-oriented activities, including face painting, volleyball, relay races and fireside storytelling.
• The Wonders of the Lodge tour (about the architecture and the building of the Lodge) starts at 9am Wed-Sat.
• Here the Electrical Water Pageant passes by at around 9.35pm.
• Fire Rock Geyser, fashioned after Yellowstone’s Old Faithful, erupts every hour on the hour between 7am and 10pm.

EPCOT RESORTS
Situated around Crescent Lake. All have Friendship Boat (water taxi) access, and are within walking distance of, Epcot and MGM.

Disney’s BoardWalk Inn

• Unique in that its restaurant and entertainment facilities, rather than being located inside the hotel, are part of a complex which includes the hotel.
• The Surrey Bikes (or Sussex and Suffolk bikes as I refer to them erroneously and interchangeably!) are available for rent from the Community Hall. At least one rider needs to be 18 years old or more and it’s harder work than it looks to do one circuit of the BoardWalk area (can you tell I’m speaking from experience ).
• Most people, understandably, want a BoardWalk view - there’s nothing nicer than sitting on your balcony enjoying a beer (or three) and watching the world go by (again, just ask a certain Mr K Stringer of this Parish) – but don’t overlook the delightful Garden Suites. Each has its own individually landscaped courtyard with white picket fence.

Disney’s Yacht & Beach Club Resort

• Whilst two distinct resorts, they are connected and share several facilities, including the popular Stormalong Bay pool.
• You may be surprised to learn that water rentals are available () - at the Bayside marina.
• Beaches and Cream at the Beach Club is the home of the famed ‘Kitchen Sink’ – an ice-cream sundae designed for sharing by a small African tribe.
• Landscaping Tours are available at 8.30am and 12.30pm on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
• Albatross Cruises (identical to the Pirate Adventure Cruise offered at the GF) are now operational and depart from the Bayside marina.

OTHER

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge

• The only deluxe resort not within easy access of the theme parks.
• The stunning Atrium Lobby houses many African Artifacts. It takes on a very special ambience during the evenings.
• Storytelling is held each night around the firepit on the Arusha Savannah.
• Each savannah – Sunset, Arusha and Uzima – is home to certain species. That is to say, you won’t find all kinds of animals at all three, so it’s worth visiting them all. Pick up an animal viewing guide at the front desk.
• At night-time, the savannahs are lit by artificial moonlight.
• CMs (Safari Guides) at each savannah and throughout the resort are only too happy to answer your questions, so do make the most of their enthusiasm and knowledge.
• Concierge guests can (and should!) take advantage of the Sunrise and Sunset Safaris which are available at an additional cost. The Sunrise is offered on Tuesdays and Saturdays and includes breakfast at AK’s Tusker House ($50). The Sunset is available on Sundays, Mondays and Thursdays and includes dinner at Jiko ($150).

You can ask at the front desk of the Wilderness Lodge for a 'Hidden Mickey' quiz sheet based on the resort. We found it incredibly difficult, but it was fun having a legitimate excuse to go all the way up to the top floor and look right down to the lobby (and to get a glimpse of the Presidential floor )

We enjoy looking at the shops in the deluxe resorts as they seem to have a good range of resort-specific items you won't find elsewhere.

If you have a non-park day but want a taste of Disney, a tour of the mono-rail resorts is an easy way to spend a couple of hours. Taking the boat across to Wilderness Lodge is much more exciting than the bus transportation, and makes it feel like a bit of an adventure

More for Disney's Polynesian Resort!
Don't forget that by staying at The Polynesian you have easy access to TWO monorail stations - The TTC or Great Ceremonial House. Request a room in Tahiti if you want to be nearer the TTC for fast (and direct) monorail access to EPCOT
You have a choice of FOUR ways to get to the MK. You can take the ferryboat from the TTC, the monorail from the TTC, the monorail from the Great Ceremonial House or the smaller boat from the Polynesian marina!
The Polynesian Resort standard rooms (in the newer longhouses) are the largest standard rooms on Disney property - measuring 452 sq. foot!
If you are staying at The Polynesian this year, make sure you check the rennovation timetable -- Tahiti, Tokelau and Rapa Nui are all scheduled. You can request a room in one of these buildings after the rennovation to experience one of the new Polynesian rooms -- with plasma TV screens, new patios (first floor rooms) and a whole new decor!
Don't forget to request turndown service even if you ar ein a regular room. Just before night, a Polynesian CM will come and place a little gift on the pillows of your beds, as well as turning down the beds. This service is FREE but must be requested if you are in a standard, non-concierge room.
Make sure you make use of the Island Guides at the Polynesian Resort lobby. They can answer a whole host of Polynesian and WDW questions, as well as providing tips and maps.
The Walk Around the World path can take you to Disney's Grand Floridian Resort.
'Ohana is an all-you-can-eat family style restaurant. It has a wonderful atmosphere and one can view the Electric Water Pageant and WISHES from the restaurant.
Get you refillable mugs from Captain Cooks!
The Spirit of Aloha Dinner show takes place nightly and comprises of 2 shows per night with authentic Polynesian dancing and food. You can choose between the 5.15pm seating or the 8.00pm seating. It is open to all, even if you are not staying at The Polynesian Resort.
If you want a "proper" swim away from the crowds, head to the relaxing Quiet Pool. The water is much deeper making it easy to do some strokes!
You can reserve a WISHES fireworks cruise which departs from the Polynesian marina.
There is a great Hidden Mickey in the stone floor of the Great Ceremonial House -- see if you can spot it! There is also a hidden tink at Captain Cooks
All of the CMs at the Polynesian greet you with a cheery "Aloha"
Visit the Wyland Gallery in the GCH for some beaitiful artwork and sculptures.
Visit Tikiman's amazing website for everything Polynesian! Tikiman

More for Disney's Grand Floridian!
Reserve a lagoon view room and send in a room request for "Magic Kingdom view" if you want an MK vista from your room. But be warned, there are few rooms which benefit from this. Boca Chica rooms are best.
There is puppet-making and other arts and crafts activites for children around the pool area most days. Ask at the lobby for specific times.
In the evening there is an artist who will take your portrait!
The GF spa and health club offers a whole host of treatments. Make sure you make a reservation - they are often very busy.
The car park is a fair distance from the entrance to the GF and always extremely busy. Valet parking is definitely worth the extra at this resort.
If you have children, call HouseKeeping to request Children's size robes! They are so soft and come in different sizes (2 adult robes can already be found inside the room).
The Pirate Cruise is open to children between 4 and 10 and is a great way to spend a few hours. The children all wear pirate-themed bandanas and go on a big "adventure" to find the treasure. Our DS loved it!

 

[Hilary]

Disney Vacation Club


Currently, Disney's Old Key West, Disney's BoardWalk Villas, the Villas at Disney's Wilderness Lodge and Disney's Beach Club Villas are DVC properties located at WDW. Saratoga Springs Resort and Spa, 16 acres of lakefront property at the former Disney Institute, opened in May of 2004 and is the newest DVC property. Saratoga Springs Resort and Spa is the only resort being actively marketed by DVC at this time (though it can be possible to buy points at other resorts under certain circumstances). There are also 2 “offsite” locations at Vero Beach on the East Coast of Florida, and Hilton Head in South Carolina.


Unlike many traditional timeshares where owners buy a specific size unit at a set time of year, DVC works on a point system giving owners the flexibility to travel when they want, as often as they want, for however long they want, and in whatever size unit they choose (assuming they have enough points to do so!)

The unit sizes very from a studio to a 3 Bedroomed Grand Villa so there should be something for everyone!

General Tips

* Guests staying at OKW, BWV or SSR should check out the activities offered at their resort's Community Hall.

* Try to pick a place that matches what you want from your holiday.. The different DVC's all have distinct "feelings" to them. For example, Old Key West is very laid back and has a relaxed atmosphere. The Boardwalk Villas are a favorite of Epcot fans as you can walk to the park, and have a bustling atmosphere with lots going on. The Wilderness Lodge has a rustic elegance and feels like a rich man's camping lodge.

* All DVC resorts have free use of washer/dryers on site. 1 Bedrooms have them in the room.

* Consider checking out for Friday and Saturday nights to conserve points. Alternatively, it may be possible to pay cash for your room and receive a discount of 20% (based on availability) if you are DVC members.

* Don’t forget to take advantage of the many dining, shopping and recreation discounts available to DVC members. List here


Boardwalk Villas is located at Disney’s Boardwalk with a myriad of dining, shopping and recreational activities.You can walk or catch a boat to Epcot and MGM Studios.

*If you are taking a bus back to the BWV from anywhere, the quickest way to get back to your room is to exit at the Swan and walk across the bridge to the Boardwalk.

* For walker/joggers/runners out there, it is .79 of a mile around Crescent Lake which takes you past the Boardwalk and the Yacht and BC.

* If you want to play mini golf, walk over toward the Swan. Fantasia Gardens is a short distance away.

*If walking from BWV to MGM, do not go to the main resort entrance. Instead go the opposite direction, to the far end of the BWV rooms wing, and exit out the door at that end. You'll already be a lot closer to the MGM studios by beginning there.


Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa is Disney’s newest resort and is located within walking distance of Downtown Disney

*You can get a view of the brief fireworks display at Pleasure Island if you are staying in the Congress Park area of the resort and facing the right way. Why not request a Downtown Disney view?

* The quiet pool at Congress Park has a lovely view of Downtown Disney. It is very nice to swim at night and have the backdrop of the lights of DTD.


Old Key West Resort is Disney’s original DVC resort and is designed to look like bungalows you would expect to see in Key West, Florida.


*OKW has a walking path to DTD, beginning near building 55, going along the waterway, and meeting DTD Westside near House of Blues restaurant

*The rooms at OKW are larger than at the other DVC resorts and have a different layout.

If you stay at Beach Club Villa's you have access to the Yacht and Beach Clubs Stormalong Bay I am looking forward to this.

If you stay at the Villa's at Wilderness Lodge, just like normal resort guests you can be the Flag Family and take the free tour around the lodge on selected day's

If your healthy living kind of person like my good self ,then SSR has an impressive spa and massive gym.For walkers and joggers,Congress Park and lakeside paths are great to explore!!
High Rock Springs is a fantastic themed pool area,with water slide that DD just loves.The hot tubs are fantastic, I found them very invigo rating.Also held at HRS are the pool parties,with games and competitions for the kids.

Don't forget DVC resorts aren't only for DVC members! As well as being available for reservations for non-members (either with cash through WDW central reservations, or using points rented from a member), they are also great resorts to visit for a meal or shopping just like any other WDW resort.

If visiting the Boardwalk be sure to drop in to the Belle Vue Lounge for a small drinkie. The 1920's atmosphere is quite charming and you can sit out on the balcony to watch the world go by below you.

we found that the quiet pool back of congress parkat SS is as good as the main pool with warer spouts and a hot tub and a nerby BBQ grill for use and a kidies play area and a great few of downtown disney

You can find the DIS main site information about DVC here!

You can take virtual tours of all the DVC resorts here!

 

[DisneyJo]

Found this and thought I would give it a

Whoops didn't realise this was a sticky sorry!

 

[gordwick]

That's a valuable list, I have already saved it in my browser...

 

[UKDEB]

At Hilary's suggestion, given that this list is now over 3 years old and possibly out of date in some respects, I'm going to remove it from the stickies.