Theme Parks

News and updates from the Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney's Hollywood Studios and Disney's Animal Kingdom.

Time Saver #2: Arrive at the Theme Parks Early

If you don’t follow any other of my suggestions for vacationing at Disney World, follow this one! To get the most of your Disney World vacation, arrive at the park entrance 10 minutes before the official opening time.

It doesn’t matter if it’s the Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney-MGM Studios or Disney’s Animal Kingdom, be standing at the gate when the park opens. Your goal is to beat the crowds! And being there early is the virtually the only way to stay ahead of the crowds.

How to Get There

If you’re staying at a Disney hotel, go to the bus stop (or monorail station or boat dock) no later than 40 minutes before the official opening time.

If you’re staying offsite, leave your hotel so that you arrive at the theme park parking lot no later than 20 minutes before the opening time. Headed to the Magic Kingdom? Get to the parking lot no later than 40-45 minutes before the opening time. You’ll have take the tram to the Ticket and Transportation Center, then the monorail or boat to the Magic Kingdom.

Just to be clear: If the Magic Kingdom opens at 9:00 AM, you should be in the parking lot by 8:15.

By the way, if you need to rent a stroller, look for an express rental station right outside the entrance. It can save valuable time!
And pick up a Times Guide with attraction hours and show times.

Stay Focused When You Enter the Park

I love the opening ceremony at each park. Only the early birds — like us! — have the honor of seeing it. It might feel a bit crowded, but the crowds will disperse quickly so don’t fret.

Now here’s the real trick… When you enter the park, head straight to your destination! Do not get distracted by character greetings, photographers, shopping, or food breaks. (If you need a restroom break, take care of it before the gate opens.)

Your target destination will depend on your family. In any case, move quickly from attraction to attraction. Fit in as many attractions as you can. Use your waiting time to check the Times Guide and plan afternoon activities.

(The following guidelines reference the FASTPASS. Turn to Page 20 for details on how to use FASTPASS.)

I said you should head straight to your destination. Where exactly should you go? Here are my recommendations:

Magic Kingdom

If you have small children or want to enjoy the classic attractions, go straight to Fantasyland. To get there, go straight down Main Street USA toward Cinderella Castle. The Castle is usually open so go straight through to Fantasyland. If the Castle is closed, you can take a route around. To the right is faster.

Go straight to Dumbo and ride. Then pick up a FASTPASS for Peter Pan’s Flight, and go to the Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh.
Then work your way around the other Fantasyland rides, ending with Peter Pan’s Flight, where you’ll use your FASTPASS. Move as quickly as you can. You should be able to ride all of the Fantasyland attractions within one or two hours.

If you prefer thrill rides, you’ll take a different route. First go to Tomorrowland — Head down Main Street USA and turn right before the Castle and pick up a FASTPASS for Space Mountain. Then walk across the park to Adventureland to ride Pirates of the Caribbean.

Next go to Frontierland and ride Splash Mountain and Big Thunder Mountain. Head back to Tomorrowland — You should be able to get another FASTPASS by this time. So pick up a FASTPASS for Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin, then ride Space Mountain using your FASTPASS.

Follow these suggestions, and you’ll hit the most popular attractions before the park gets crowded. I’ve been able to ride all of the Fantasyland attractions within an hour… If I had arrived an hour or two later, it could take four hours to get as much done.

Epcot

Enter Epcot through the main entrance. You have three different options for FASTPASS tickets. I recommend getting a FASTPASS for Soarin’ first… Head to the right and take a shortcut through Innovations West. Go to the Land Pavilion, take the escalator or stairs down and pick up a FASTPASS for Soarin’.

However, if Mission: SPACE or Test Track is at the top of your “must-ride” list, head to the left when you enter. Take a shortcut through Innovations East. Go straight to get a Mission: SPACE FASTPASS, or veer right for a Test Track FASTPASS.

(Note if you’re staying at an Epcot Area resort … Take the boat, enter through the International Gateway, then hotfoot it to Future World. Follow the signs to your destination.)

With a FASTPASS in hand, go back to The Seas with Nemo and Friends, which is next to the Land Pavilion. Ride the Nemo “underwater” ride, then see Turtle Talk with Crush inside. It should be time for your FASTPASS attraction.

If you really want to save time, you’ll need to hop back and forth across Future World to pick up another FASTPASS tickets when you’re allowed. You should be able to hit most of the top attractions at Future World — or at least have FASTPASS tickets in hand — within two hours.

Disney's Hollywood Studios

The pace is a little slower at Disney-MGM Studios, so you don’t have to rush quite as much. But it still pays to be there when the park opens.

If you’re a fan of thrill rides, start on Sunset Boulevard. After you enter, go down Hollywood Boulevard and turn right down Sunset Boulevard. Go all the way to the end and take a left to the Rock ‘N’ Roller Coaster. Pick up a FASTPASS ticket, then go next door and ride the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror.

If you have small children, check the Times Guide and work out a schedule to see Playhouse Disney Live on Stage, the Voyage of the Little Mermaid and Beauty and the Beast. Showtimes are limited, so you must be at the park early to have enough time to see all of the shows in one day.

Disney’s Animal Kingdom

The pace is even slower at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. But you still have a mission: Ride Expedition Everest and the Kilimanjaro Safari before the park is crowded and hot. In case you’re wondering why … the best viewing of the Safari is early morning, and the line at Expedition Everest gets long very early. FASTPASS is essential!
When you enter the park, head right and follow the signs to Asia. There will probably be a line even for the FASTPASS. Get in line and get FASTPASS tickets. Then quickly walk across the park and ride Kilimanjaro Safari.

And Enjoy Cooler Temperatures

By the way, there’s another major advantage of arriving early — cooler temperatures! Florida is warm or even hot most of the year. Getting to the parks early means that you’re doing most of your serious touring when the temperatures are cooler.

If you’re like me, you and your family will be much happier if you can enjoy the parks before the weather gets too warm.

Time Saver #3: Skip the Lines with FASTPASS

Does the name of this guideline have your attention? Well, you won’t be able to skip the lines on every attraction. But you can on the most popular attractions — the ones that are notorious for long lines — if you use FASTPASS.

FASTPASS is a free service on selected attractions that basically allows you to reserve a future riding time. It’s free for everyone! Here’s how it works.

If FASTPASS is available on the attraction, you will see these signs at the entrance:

  • “Stand By” with the estimated waiting time.
  • “FASTPASS Distribution” with a display that gives the time — usually an hour’s span, such as 2:30-3:30 PM — when you could return if you picked up a FASTPASS ticket right then.
  • “FASTPASS Return” and a clock that says the current time.

How to Use FASTPASS

Let’s start with the basic steps.

  1. When you walk up to the attraction, check the waiting time for the Stand By queue and the Return Time on the FASTPASS Pickup. If the Stand By line is too long and the Return Time is acceptable, go the FASTPASS Pickup.
  2. Insert your park admission ticket (which may be your resort key card) into the FASTPASS machine.
  3. The machine will eject a paper FASTPASS ticket with the return time. Check your ticket to verify the time and to see when you can pickup another FASTPASS. Repeat for everyone who wants to ride.
  4. Enjoy other attractions, take a break for food or shopping, or just relax until your return time.
  5. At the return time, go back to the FASTPASS Return queue and enjoy the attraction with little or no wait.
  6. Although it is not official policy, you will be probably be admitted if you return after the time block printed on your FASTPASS.
  7. You may pick up another FASTPASS — at that attraction or another park attraction — after the time printed on your FASTPASS.

Tips and Tricks

So now you know the basics. Let’s look at some little tricks to get the most out of the FASTPASS service.

Send a Runner

On Guide #8, Arrive at the Theme Parks Early, there are several suggestions to pick up a FASTPASS ticket. Basically, you need FASTPASS tickets for everyone in your group.

The easiest way is to send one person with everyone’s admission ticket to the FASTPASS pickup. The rest of your group can go ahead (walking less quickly) to the next attraction on the list. The runner picks up FASTPASS tickets for everyone, then goes to the next attraction and meets up with the rest of your group.

You can use this technique any time. Whenever you’re able to pick up a FASTPASS, send a runner with all your admission tickets.

(I’m usually the runner because I’m great at slipping through the crowds. Our son also volunteers to pick up FASTPASS tickets because he loves the challenge!)

Know Which Attractions Have FASTPASS

The attractions with FASTPASS are marked on the theme park maps, and I have notes on the Mouse Maps.

Here’s a list to get you started … I’ve arranged them by priority. The ones at the top of list are in greatest demand and should be picked up as early in the day as possible.

Magic Kingdom

  • Splash Mountain
  • Peter Pan’s Flight
  • Space Mountain
  • The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
  • Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin
  • Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
  • Jungle Cruise
  • Mickey’s PhilharMagic
  • Stitch’s Great Escape

Epcot

  • Soarin’ in the Land Pavilion
  • Test Track
  • Mission: SPACE
  • Maelstrom in the Norway Pavilion
  • “Honey, I Shrunk the Audience” in the Imagination Pavilion
  • Living with the Land in the Land Pavilion

Disney's Hollywood Studios

  • Rock ‘N’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith
  • Twilight Zone Tower of Terror
  • Lights, Motors, Action! Extreme Stunt Show
  • Star Tours
  • Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular

Disney’s Animal Kingdom

  • Expedition Everest
  • Kilimanjaro Safari
  • Kali River Rapids
  • Primeval Whirl
  • DINOSAUR!
  • It’s Tough to be a Bug!

Ride Your Favorite Attraction Twice

This suggestion is a little different from my suggestions in Guide #8, Arrive at the Theme Parks Early. But if you have an absolute favorite — an attraction that you must do or your vacation won’t be complete! — use this trick to ride twice in a row if FASTPASS is available.

When the park opens, go straight to that attraction. Immediately get a FASTPASS, then get in the Stand-By line, which should be very short. Enjoy your ride! By the time you get off, your FASTPASS Return Time should be available, so take your second ride.

If your FASTPASS Return Time isn’t immediately available, it should be soon.

Manage Your FASTPASS Tickets

Disney limits how many FASTPASS tickets you can hold at one time and when you can pick up another ticket.

Generally, you won’t be able to pick up another FASTPASS until the Return Time on your first ticket starts. Check your FASTPASS ticket for exceptions — which is possible if your Return Turn is several hours away.

Sometimes the time you can get another ticket seems kind of random… Don’t even try to figure it out. Just stick with the rules.

Use Stand-By If the Wait Time Is Less Than 30 Minutes

What if the Stand By wait time isn’t too long? Go ahead and get in line!

My standard is 30 minutes. If the Stand By time is 30 minutes or less, I’ll usually just get in line and save my FASTPASS privileges.

Never get in line without knowing how long the wait will be. Be sure to check the wait time posted at the entrance of every ride!

Time Saver #6: Ride During Parades & Fireworks

No one does parades and firework displays better than Disney! Seeing parades and fireworks is one of my priorities, so I check the schedules and make it a point to see my favorites as early in my vacation as possible.

Over the years, I discovered that there’s a benefit of seeing these special events early. When I go back to the same park later in my vacation, I have time to enjoy the attractions while most other guests are enjoying the parade or fireworks.

Let’s look at the afternoon parade at the Magic Kingdom as an example.

The parade route starts every afternoon at 3:00 PM. The route starts near Splash Mountain, goes through Frontierland, circles around the plaza in front of Cinderella’s Castle, goes down Main Street and ends near the train station.

Around 2:00 PM every day, guests start claiming their space along the parade route. They stay there for more than an hour, waiting and watching. Every person who is sitting there waiting and watching is one less person in line or riding the attractions!

You can take advantage of that by finding the attractions with shorter lines. The most popular attractions — like Splash Mountain, Pirates of the Caribbean, Space Mountain and Peter Pan’s Flight — will probably still have long lines. But most other attractions will probably have much shorter wait times.

One warning: Walking near the parade route will be limited. I prefer to stick with the attractions in Tomorrowland, Mickey’s Toontown Fair and Fantasyland because it’s easier to get around.

Suggestions for Each Park

Each park is unique, and this tip works best at the Magic Kingdom because it has the most parades and fireworks shows. Here are specific suggestions.

Magic Kingdom

As I said, I prefer the areas of the park away from the parade route during the afternoon parade. During the evening parades and Wishes fireworks display, Splash Mountain and Big Thunder Mountain are frequently walk-ons — No wait time!

Epcot

The only show at Epcot is Illuminations: Reflections of Earth, which is presented nightly at 9:00 PM. Since most attractions in Future World close at 7:00 PM, try the Maelstrom at the Norway Pavilion and the Gran Fiesta Tour Featuring the Three Caballeros in the Mexico Pavilion.

Disney's Hollywood Studios

During the afternoon parade and the evening showings of Fantasmic, I’ve found the best wait times on Star Tours and the Backlot Tour.

Disney’s Animal Kingdom

Honestly, this strategy doesn’t work very well at the Animal Kingdom. The parade route circles almost the entire park so it doesn’t tend to concentrate the crowds as much and people don’t camp out for viewing locations….

After the Parade

Time for a warning! As soon as the parade passes by, guests immediately head for the nearest attractions. If you’re not already in line at an attraction, find something else to do for the next 30-45 minutes. Perhaps that’s a good time to visit the less popular attractions … like the Hall of Presidents.

Time Saver #4: Use Extra Magic Hours

One of the best reasons to stay in a Disney resort hotel is Extra Magic Hours!

Every day, one of the theme parks opens an hour early or stays open up to three hours after closing — just for guests at Disney resorts hotels.

So rather than competing with the other tens of thousands of vacationers in Central Florida, it’s just you and other Disney guests. The results is that crowds are generally smaller. It doesn’t mean that everything is a walk-on… but it’s a little more manageable.

And if you use a couple of tricks, you can get the most out of this special benefit.

Morning Extra Magic Hours

I love Morning Extra Magic Hours. You know that I’m a big fan of getting to the parks early… This is “Getting to the Parks Early on Steroids!”

To prepare, pick up a Extra Magic Hours guide at your hotel. Double check which attractions will be open. Plan which attractions you will target.

If the regular park opening time is 9:00 AM, the park will open at 8:00 AM for Morning Extra Magic Hour. You should be waiting at the gate at 7:45 AM. Everyone in your group must have your resort ID cards! Enter the park and follow the tips listed in Guide #8, Arrive at the Theme Parks Early, in Page 18.

By the way, if you are planning to use the strategies in Guide #8, Arrive at the Theme Parks Early, AND that park is open for Morning Extra Magic Hour, you MUST be there at the early opening time.
If you can’t be at the gates before the early opening time, go to another park! You will not be able to use the tips in Guide #8. In fact, some Disney World veterans advise not even going to a park that has Morning Extra Magic Hours because the park can get crowded. If that happens, just hop to another park.

My Recommendations

Here are specific suggestions to get the most out of Morning Extra Magic Hours:

  • Magic Kingdom: Hit Fantasyland, and ride as much as you can!
  • Epcot: Focus on Soarin’, Mission: SPACE and Test Track. Ride Living with the Land if you have time.
  • Disney's Hollywood Studios: Head to Sunset Boulevard, and ride Rock ‘N’ Roller Coaster and Twilight Zone Tower of Tower. Then head over to Muppets 3D.
  • Disney’s Animal Kingdom: Start with Expedition Everest, followed by DINSOSAUR and It’s Tough to be a Bug!

Evening Extra Magic Hours

Evening Extra Magic Hours work in reverse. You are allowed to stay in the theme park after regular park hours.

After park closing time — say 8:00 PM — you will be asked to show your resort ID cards before you can get in line at any of the attractions that are open. It might seem crowded at first, but the crowds thin out more and more as the evening goes by.

My Suggestions

Here are specific suggestions to get the most out of Evening Extra Magic Hours:

  • Magic Kingdom: It takes a while for the crowds to dwindle down, so you might relax for a bit if the lines are still long when the Extra Magic Hours start. I prefer to begin my after-hours adventure in Frontierland, then Adventureland and end up in Tomorrowland.
  • Epcot: Personally, I don’t really enjoy the Evening Extra Magic Hours at Epcot. Only a few attractions are open, and you have to walk quite a bit in the dark. The best for me is to get a couple more rides on Soarin’, Mission: SPACE and Test Track.
  • Disney's Hollywood Studios: I like to start with the Great Movie Ride, the Voyage of the Little Mermaid and Muppet 3D. By that time, the lines are shorter on Tower of Terror and Rock ’N’ Roller Coaster.
  • Disney’s Animal Kingdom: Only six attractions are open, so you should be able to enjoy them all. Start by checking the wait time for Expedition Everest.

Check the Extra Magic Hours Guide!

Pick up the Extra Magic Hours guide at your hotel. Check which attractions and restaurants will be open — Yep! Only selected attractions and very few restaurants are open. Don’t be surprised…. Be prepared!

You can plan ahead by checking the Disney World calendar at http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/calendars/ . Input your travel dates and look for the Extra Magic Hours.

Base Ticket Or Park Hopper?

Starting on Page 42, I’ll talk in greater detail about picking the right ticket for your family. Right now, you just need to know this…. If you decide to get the Magic Your Way Base Ticket, you’ll be stuck in the same park all day. That means if you want to enjoy Extra Magic Hours, that is where you’ll have to spend the entire day. Planning becomes even more important.

ESPN The Weekend: Coming Feb. 27-March 1

Logo: ESPN The Weekend at Disney's Hollywood Studios.ESPN The Weekend takes over Disney's Hollywood Studios this weekend... bringing delight to sports fans and (probably) some extra frustration to non-sports fans.

What is ESPN The Weekend? It's a three-day special event that brings a few dozen pro athletes and ESPN personalities for some personal interaction with their fans. Here's the official list of activities:

  • ESPN live telecasts and tapings
  • ESPN radio live broadcasts
  • 5K road race and fun run
  • Motorcades and conversations
  • Dream job - the experience
  • ESPN Sports Zone

And here are some more details ... Read more

Posted by Anne on Mon, 2009-02-23 12:06

Evening Extra Magic Hours at the Magic Kingdom

Fireworks over the Magic Kingdom castle.I haven't written in a while about Extra Magic Hours.... We checked out the evening Extra Magic Hours at the Magic Kingdom last night, and I'm happy to report that it's still one of the best ways to maximize your time in the park!

The park closed to day guests at 8 PM, and the attractions were open for Disney Resort guests only from 8 until 11 PM. We started the evening by watching Wishes from Main Street, which took until about 8:20. We then went to Tomorrowland and a Fastpass for Space Mountain, and rode the Tomorrowland Transit Authority.... perfect timing for our ride into space. Then we took a spin on Astro Orbiter, which had a 20 minute wait.

(In case you haven't heard, no more wristbands for Extra Magic Hours! Cast members ask to see your Disney resort room key as you enter each attraction.)

Next we went to Fantasyland, starting with The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh... about 15 minutes in line. Always fun! Then we narrowly escaped from the witch on Snow White's Scary Adventures... seriously.... the ride stopped for a minute just as we were under the big rock that the witch is trying to push down! The wait was less than 10 minutes.  Read more

Posted by Anne on Tue, 2009-01-27 09:22

Visit Tinker Bell in Mickey's Toontown Fair

Magic Kingdom: Tinker Bell at new Pixie Hollow.

Time to update your Magic Kingdom map! You can visit Tinker Bell and her fairy friends at a new character greeting area in Mickey's Toontown Fair, one of the best places for character interaction at Walt Disney World.

The Imagineers have sprinkled their pixie dust over the Toontown Hall of Fame, nestled between Mickey's and Minnie's houses in Toontown ... and created a new greeting area. Guests are "transported" to a magical forest called "Pixie Hollow," a special place deep in the heart of Never Land.

Isn't Disney magic wonderful?

Tinker Bell (of course, you recognize her in the center of this photo) is most famous at Peter Pan's pal in the 1953 Disney animated classic. Since then, she's been the hostess for many Disney television specials and for "flying" above the Disney theme parks. Tink is joined inside Pixie Hollow by four fairy friends: Iridessa (left), a light fairy; Rosetta (second from left), a garden fairy; Silvermist (second from right), a water fairy; and Fawn (right), an animal fairy.

So it looks like taking "the second star on the right" to reach Never Land just got a little bit easier... thanks to this last update to the Disney World maps!

Posted by Anne on Tue, 2008-09-30 11:03

Disney World Maps Reflects Magic of Theme Parks

The magic of Disney at Epcot.This very cool article in the Orlando Sentinel, Talent hub for theme parks lies in Orlando-area, really echoes what makes Walt Disney World vacations so special.... It really is all about the people ... or cast members, in Disneyspeak. The article talks about the number of businesses focused on creating themed entertainment that have sprung up in Florida. And it hits the nail on the head with this quote:

The industry's unique aspects require not just unique skills but a special frame of mind, said Jerry Aldrich, a former Disney executive and now president of Amusement Industry Consulting in Orlando. Those unique aspects, he said, show up in something as complicated as coordinating the ride systems, themes and special effects needed to create an attraction such as the Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man -- or in something as simple as knowing where to place the bathrooms, or how many toilets to install.

Disney folks consistently prove they have that mindset by building and operating the kind of vacation destinations that makes guests want to return again and again. So when you're studying your Disney World map as you plan your next vacation, take a few minutes to notice how perfectly the park is arranged... the flow of attractions, restaurants, shops, entertainment, even the restrooms ... so that you can get the most of your Disney vacation!

Posted by Anne on Tue, 2008-06-24 11:08

Epcot Map Highlight: Flower and Garden Festival

Mickey topiary at the Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival.The 15th Annual Flower and Garden Festival is in full swing at Epcot, one of the four theme parks at Walt Disney World in Florida. I've marked by Disney World map with my favorite features of the Flower and Garden Festival -- the topiaries and the butterfly garden.

Since this year's theme is "Fun in the Sun," all of the topiaries have an outdoor flavor. (Wait... I think I'm mixing metaphors there. Oh, well...) Here's a picture of Mickey with some seashells. He's standing next to Minnie and Goofy at the entrance of the park. By the way, Goofy is the largest topiary this year.... 14 feet!

Other topiaries can be found just north and south of the Dancing Fountain, which is at the center of Future World. And of course, there are more displays around the lagoon in the World Showcase. In all, there are 70 topiaries.

My other favorite addition at Epcot for the Flower and Garden Festival is Minnie's Magnificent Butterfly Garden. It's a screened-in gazebo just south of Mouse Gear, between the main walkway and Test Track. The gazebo is 40 feet in diameter and houses 10 different species of butterflies. It's jam packed with lots of beautiful flowers -- plumbago, passion flower, honeysuckle and much more.

Just a little warning ... The butterfly garden can get very crowded. I prefer to wait until there are no strollers inside, then take my time browsing around. Early morning is the best time avoid the crowds. Here are a few interesting tidbits about the Flower and Garden Festival:

  • The Disney folks say there are 30 million blooms in all on display!
  • At least 25 different plants are used to create the topiaries.
  • More than 15 floral, herbal and spice ingredients of 10 popular perfumes are on display in the Fragrance Garden at the France pavilion. Guerlain, the perfume maker featured at the pavilion.
  • Every evening, music from the 60s and 70s is featured at special (albeit short) "Flower Power" concerts at the American Gardens Theater.

Visit this special page on the Disney World web site to download the Flower and Garden Festival Guide.

No matter when you visit Walt Disney World, be sure take along your Disney World map. There's always something to explore! If you're lucky enough to be traveling before June 1, plan to spend plenty of time at Epcot enjoying the "Fun in the Sun" at the Flower and Garden Festival.

Posted by Anne on Mon, 2008-04-21 22:30

Disney World Update: Disney's Hollywood Studios

 

So all of the Disney World map guides have been updated to say "Disney's Hollywood Studios. I just have to ask: What's in a name?

Some bloggers and Disney critics ask if the new name more than just a way to avoid issues related to the original partnership with MGM Studios. Read more

Posted by Anne on Thu, 2008-01-10 22:45
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