With 25 themed resort hotels ranging from value to deluxe, there’s Disney lodging to fit every taste and budget. Disney resort hotels, located in the middle of the magic, are the best way to experience Walt Disney World Resort, and they complete a Disney vacation with special benefits.

Resort guest benefits include complimentary round-trip airport transportation (Disney’s Magical Express), complimentary transportation throughout Walt Disney World Resort, complimentary parking and Extra Magic Hours for extended time in the theme parks.

Deluxe properties are designed to deliver the ultimate in atmosphere, amenities and unparalleled Disney services. A grand example is Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, boasting accommodations among the most luxurious on Disney property:

• Wrapped in gabled roofs and Victorian balustrades typical of the fabled Florida beach resorts of the 19^th century.
• Features a distinctive theme throughout, from the straw-hatted greeter to a Grand Lobby complete with live music, quaint open-cage elevators and an aviary, palms and ferns adorning a cozy sitting area.
• Nestled on the shores of Seven Seas Lagoon with its breathtaking Grand Lobby connected by monorail to the Magic Kingdom.
• Complimenting the 867-room hotel are restaurants, lounges, snack bars, an arcade, shopping, swimming pools, children’s playground, marina, beauty salon and the just-opened and full-service Senses Spa.
• For memorable dining, the Grand is home to Citricos featuring an open-air kitchen, Narcoossee’s for seafood specialties in a romantic shoreline location and the elegant, intimate and AAA Five-Diamond winner Victoria & Albert’s.

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Three vacation packages are available that include a Disney dining plan, Disney resort hotel accommodations and Magic Your Way tickets.  The Disney dining plans feature a variety of meal and snack entitlements – both in terms of the type of restaurants guests can visit and the number of meals and snacks included with the plans.

The choices are:

• Magic Your Way Package Plus Quick-Service Dining - includes two quick-service meals and one snack per person for each night of guest’s vacation package stay, plus a resort refillable drink mug for each person which can be refilled as often as they like at any quick-service location at their Disney resort hotel.  Meals and snacks can be chosen at more than 50 selected restaurants throughout Walt Disney World Resort.  And guests can save up to 10 percent per adult on Disney dining needs.
• Magic Your Way Package Plus Dining  - offers one table-service meal, one quick-service meal and one snack per person, per night of guest’s package stay, plus a resort refillable drink mug for each person which can be refilled as often as they like at any quick-service locations at their Disney resort hotel. With over 100 select restaurants to choose from, this package helps guests save up to 15 percent per adult on Disney dining needs.
• Magic Your Way Package Plus Deluxe Dining - includes three meals and two snacks per person, per night of guest’s package stay, plus a resort refillable drink mug for each guest on the package which can be refilled as often as they like at any quick-service location at their Disney resort hotel.  This package allows guests the flexibility to choose any combination of table-service and quick-service restaurants from more than 100 participating restaurant locations throughout Walt Disney World Resort.  With this package, guests can save up to 30 percent per adult on Disney dining needs.

The package cost varies based on which package a guest chooses, guests’ ages, and the number of nights in the package stay.  To book, guests have three options: go to www.disneyworld.com; call 407/W-DISNEY to book arrangements; or visit a local travel agent.

Here are some additional facts regarding the Disney dining plans:

• Guests can redeem their meals in any order throughout their package stay until each person on the package has depleted his/her allotted meals and snacks.  For instance, a guest who has purchased a Magic Your Way Package Plus Dining for three nights would have entitlements of three table-service meals, three quick-service meals and three snacks during their stay.  The guest could use all three table-service entitlements on the same day if they choose.
• Guests’ Key to the World card, which is a room key and much more, electronically tracks the use of dining entitlements included in a package.  It should be presented at dining locations, and the server or cashier will provide guests with a receipt showing the meals or snacks remaining on their Disney dining plan for the meal type they just used.
• Children ages 3-9 must order from a children’s menu, where available.  A Disney dining plan is unavailable for guests under the age of 3, but they may share from an adult plate at no charge, or a meal may be purchased from the menu.
• Gratuities are not included except for pizza delivery, in-room private dining, dinner shows and character dining meals at Cinderella’s Royal Table.  An automatic 18 percent gratuity charge will be added to the bill for parties of six or more.  For parties of six or more, an automatic gratuity charge may also be added to the bill for items ordered that are not included in a Disney dining plan (for example, alcoholic beverages).
• Some of the table-service restaurant locations available with certain Disney dining plans are:  Kona Café at Disney’s Polynesian Resort, The Wave…of American Flavors at Disney’s Contemporary Resort, Sanaa at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge, Les Chefs de France and Coral Reef Restaurant at Epcot, 50′s Prime Time Café at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, The Crystal Palace and Liberty Tree Tavern at Magic Kingdom, Tusker House Restaurant at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, and Wolfgang Puck Café in the Downtown Disney area.
• Some of the signature restaurant locations available with certain Disney dining plans are:  Jiko-The Cooking Place at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge, Flying Fish Café at Disney’s BoardWalk, California Grill at Disney’s Contemporary Resort, Cítricos and Narcoossee’s at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, Artist Point at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge, Yachtsman Steakhouse at Disney’s Yacht Club Resort, Le Cellier Steakhouse for dinner at Epcot and The Hollywood Brown Derby at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
• Table-service meal entitlements can be exchanged for special dining experiences that guests will remember for a lifetime.  One table-service meal entitlement can be used for most table-service restaurants, which include most character dining meals.

Two table-service meal entitlements can be exchanged for one character dining meal at Cinderella’s Royal Table in Magic Kingdom, one signature restaurant experience (such as Cítricos at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa), one Disney dinner show (such as “Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue” at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground), or one pizza delivery meal in-room (requires adult entitlements).

If the vacation package includes lodging at select Disney Deluxe or Disney Deluxe Villa Resort hotels, two table-service meal entitlements can be exchanged for in-room private dining.

• Some of the more than 50 quick-service dining locations available with a Disney dining plan are:  Tangierine Café and Sunshine Seasons at Epcot, Backlot Express at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Columbia Harbor House at Magic Kingdom, Flame Tree BBQ at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, the food courts at Pop Century and the All-Star Resorts, and Pepper Market at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort.
• Examples of a snack are:  frozen ice cream novelty, popsicle or fruit bar, popcorn scoop (single serving box), single-serving bag of chips, single piece of whole fruit, 20-oz. bottle of Coke, Diet Coke, Sprite or Dasani water, medium fountain soft drink, single-serving pre-packaged milk or juice, 12-oz. coffee, hot chocolate or hot tea.
• Theme park admission is required for some dining locations.
• Dining reservations for table-service meals in advance of a visit are strongly encouraged, as due to the popularity of the Disney restaurants, the restaurant and seating of guests’ choice may be limited or may not be available.  Reservations are accepted at most Walt Disney World table-service restaurants, signature restaurants, character dining locations and dinner shows, and may be made up to 180 days prior to arrival by calling 407/WDW-DINE (407/939-3463).

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Before You Go

Covering about 25,000 acres, Walt Disney World Resort can be vexing to the guest for whom it is “uncharted territory.”  With their time at the Vacation Kingdom limited, guests who have done research and made preliminary determinations concerning what they want to experience discover they can be more “efficient” at having fun.  A couple of sources for information and advice about Walt Disney World vacations are:

• Birnbaum’s Walt Disney World 2012, available at bookstores coast-to-coast.
• DisneyWorldMoms.com, a panel of Disney-savvy parents who answer questions and offer advice on a Disney World-wide spectrum of topics.

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The latest information about Walt Disney World Resort is available at the official Walt Disney World website, www.disneyworld.com.  Several notable “clicks” on the home page are:

• Special Offers to learn about currently offered Disney discount.
• Free Disney Parks Vacation Planning Guide DVD to receive a planning tool the family can watch together that takes the viewer on a tour of the theme parks, water parks and resorts, shows affordable ways to stay and play, and provides information about shows and attractions.
• Free Customized Maps of Walt Disney World Resort to create a personalized roadmap for a visit – and a great, attractive keepsake.

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A special area of the official Walt Disney World website, www.disneyworld.com, is devoted to information for guests Traveling With Little Ones at Walt Disney World Resort.  Among the valuable topics covered: Vacation packing, travel tips, minimum height requirements on attractions, kids programs, dining and more.

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Travel agents are experts who are familiar with vacation destinations and how to get there.  They will explain the choices, make the calls and book arrangements.  They save you time, and their services generally are provided at a modest cost — sometimes no cost — to you.  Options to consider:

• Disney vacation planners can answer questions, offer suggestions and book reservations at 407/W-DISNEY (407/934-7639).
• AAA members are offered special lodging programs at selected hotels and preferred parking at the theme parks when they purchase a select AAA vacation package or pre-purchase select theme park tickets at participating clubs.
• Vacation packages available through travel agents, disneyworld.com and 407/W-DISNEY combine popular components of a vacation at Walt Disney World Resort.  In addition to convenience, packages also may save money and often include special value-added features.  Walt Disney World Resort sometimes offers special time-limited packages that provide even greater savings.

About Disney Resort Hotels

Walt Disney World Resort offers a broad range of accommodations – more than 20 resorts that vary in price - allowing guests to pay for only the amenities that are important to them.  Disney Value resort guests are treated to larger-than-life theming, swimming pools and playgrounds, arcade rooms, and standard amenities – and with more than 10,000 rooms at five resorts, about one-third of Disney’s hotel accommodations fall into the Value category.  Families who prefer the great outdoors can rent a campsite at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground (with nearly 800 available) and either pitch a tent or bring along an RV.  (Of course, Moderate resorts, Deluxe resorts and Deluxe Villa resorts are available for guests who prefer additional amenities during their stay.)  More information: travel agents, 407/W-DISNEY and www.disneyworld.com.

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Guestroom rates vary based on when a guest visits.  Value Season, which takes place over select weeks throughout the year, offers lower room rates than peak or holiday seasons.  Often, Value Seasons coincide with smaller theme park crowds, meaning less time in line and more time having fun!  Weeknight stays (Sunday night through Thursday night) sometimes have lower rates than Friday nights and Saturday nights.

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Within each hotel, guestroom rates vary based on the view from the balcony or terrace.  For example, at Disney’s Polynesian Resort, guests can choose from a garden, lagoon or Magic Kingdom view. Lagoon-view and Magic Kingdom-view rooms run more than those with a garden view, but the good news is that all accommodations come with the same amenities and famous Disney service.  At Value resorts, guests can choose between standard and preferred rooms (more than two-thirds of the rooms are standard), with preferred rooms being closer to the resort’s main building.

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Many families with young children select accommodations in one of the “monorail resorts” — Disney’s Contemporary Resort, Disney’s Polynesian Resort or Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa.  Reason: location near Magic Kingdom and convenient monorail transportation between the resorts and Magic Kingdom or Epcot.

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Many adult couples visiting without children enjoy the proximity to Epcot and Disney’s Hollywood Studios of Disney’s Yacht Club Resort, Disney’s Beach Club Resort and Disney’s BoardWalk – as well as the nightlife of Disney’s BoardWalk. Walkways and water taxis connect the three resorts with Epcot and Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

Walt Disney World Owned-and-Operated Hotel Benefits

With Disney’s Magical Express, guests of Disney owned-and-operated hotels can check their bags at their hometown airport, bypass baggage claim at Orlando International Airport (OIA) and board comfortable motor coaches for complimentary transportation to the Vacation Kingdom, where their bags “magically” appear in their guestroom.  When it’s time to say good-bye, guests board motor coaches for complimentary transportation back to OIA.  An extra convenience: Guests traveling on participating airlines can check their baggage for the return flight at their Disney resort, saving time and luggage-toting at the airport.

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Guests who combine their hotel accommodations and attractions tickets into a Magic Your Way Package are eligible to add the Disney Dining Plan for the convenience of a more-inclusive “cruise-style” vacation package.  In 2012, there are three plan choices to satisfy different budgets and appetites.  All include at least two meals and a snack for each night of a Disney resort stay.  Savings and restaurant choices vary.

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With online check-in, guests can take care of the paperwork that normally accompanies check-in … in the comfort of their home up to 10 days before their visit. Upon arrival at their hotel, guests then stop by a special desk, show ID, sign, pick up their room keys and information packet, and begin enjoying their vacation.

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Disney’s Key to the World card acts as a hotel room key and much more.  Magic Your Way theme park tickets and Disney Dining Plan entitlements can be built into the card.  For easy tracking and convenience, the card also can be used to charge meals, goods and services directly to the room, giving the guest a consolidated statement of vacation purchases.

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Merchandise purchased at select shops throughout Walt Disney World Resort can be delivered to the guest’s Disney hotel at no charge, allowing the guest to play without lugging packages around.

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A Walt Disney World resort ID is the ticket for the Walt Disney World Transportation System of buses, monorails and boat launches that connect virtually all areas of the Vacation Kingdom.  With the convenience of “door-to-door” service throughout the resort, many guests enjoy their Walt Disney World vacation without a car.

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Disney hotel guests are exempt from parking fees at the theme parks.  By presenting a resort ID, guests enter parking lots for free no matter how many parks they visit during their stay.

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Disney resorts have wheelchairs available for rent for the convenience of guests with disabilities, but availability is limited and Disney vacation experts encourage guests wishing to guarantee the use of a wheelchair throughout their stay to contact area rental companies to make arrangements.

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With Extra Magic Hours, Walt Disney World resort guests are offered exclusive time in a Walt Disney World theme park one hour prior to scheduled park opening or for up to three hours after park closing. The park varies from day to day. In addition, Disney water parks sometimes open one hour early for guests of select Disney resort hotels. To take advantage of the additional time in the parks, resort guests must have a Magic Your Way ticket valid for the park(s) offering Extra Magic Hours. (NOTE: Extra Magic Hours of up to two hours after park close take effect in January-February 2013).

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Golfing guests at Walt Disney World owned-and-operated hotels have complimentary door-to-door transportation provided between their hotel and Walt Disney World golf facilities.  Guests should inquire at the lobby concierge desk.

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With their location convenient to the Walt Disney World theme parks, the Walt Disney World resorts are a haven for guests who seek a midday swimming break – or a siesta!

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Guests 17-and-under stay at no additional charge in parents’ rooms (up to the designated capacity of the room) at Walt Disney World resorts.

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Quenching a vacation-long thirst is easy at Disney’s resorts.  Guests can purchase a mug themed to their resort that will become a keepsake when the holiday ends.  During their length of stay, they can continually refill the mug at designated locations at their resort.

Theme Park Considerations and Benefits

The Magic Your Way ticket system lets guests decide what ticket features best fit their Disney vacation plans … and that’s what they buy.  Guests decide the number of days and whether optional features – park hopping, visits to Disney attractions outside the theme parks, and “non-expiration” of tickets – are important. Some price and value considerations:

• Per-day ticket costs decrease for longer stays.  A seven-day ticket without optional features brings down the per-day cost to less than half the price, per day, compared to seven individual one-day Base Tickets.
• The Water Park Fun & More option can produce significant savings for recreation and entertainment outside the theme parks.  It costs $57.  The number of admissions it provides to the guest’s choice of Disney water parks, DisneyQuest, Disney’s Oak Trail golf course and ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex varies depending upon the number of days of the Base Ticket (the option on a one- or two-day Base Ticket provides two visits to the guest’s choice from among the listed attractions; with a 10-day Base Ticket, it provides 10 visits).  Considering that one-day admission to a water park is $44-$52 or to DisneyQuest is $38-$44, substantial savings are possible.
• The Park Hopper option can enhance the value of the vacation by allowing guests to take advantage of special fun offered at different times of day at different Disney theme parks.  (Also: Extra Magic Hours – exclusive theme park time for guests staying at Disney hotels – rotate among the parks; Park Hopper lets Disney hotel guests experience one park and shift that same day to another offering the additional park hours.)

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Kids under age 3 are provided free admission to all Walt Disney World theme parks. Rather than lugging a stroller (including on and off of parking-lot trams), parents with young children can rent a stroller for the day’s use in any of the four Walt Disney World theme parks.  Tips for renters: (1) opt for a length-of-stay rental, which saves some money; (2) keep your receipt; if you’re park-hopping during the day, drop off the stroller when you’re leaving a park and use your receipt to obtain a stroller when you enter another park.

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Baby Care Centers are located in all four Disney theme parks and feature private rooms with rocking chairs for nursing mothers, diaper-changing rooms, and feeding rooms with highchairs, bibs and plastic spoons.  There are even diapers, formula and teethers for sale.

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A “rider swap” program lets both parents enjoy a ride – one parent waits with the child while one parent rides a ride.  Afterwards, the other parent can board the ride with minimal wait time.

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Special guide maps presented by Disney DVD focus on where you can find the characters, attractions, entertainment and interactive activities of special interest to young children. They are available at Guest Relations in all the theme parks.

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Theme park guide maps (available in English, French, German, Japanese, Spanish and Portuguese) and times guides for shows, character greetings, parades and fireworks are available at Guest Relations locations in each park.

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Tip boards that give guests a heads-up concerning attractions’ wait times and entertainment show times are located at strategic “crossroads” in each theme park.

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Select mobile devices are capable of running downloadable apps that allow the user to obtain real-time wait information

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For the convenience of guests with disabilities, wheelchairs and Electric Convenience Vehicles (ECVs) are available for rent at Disney theme parks. A length-of-stay rental ticket is available which offers not only savings but also involves a one-time payment transaction after which the guest simply shows the receipt at the stroller rental location and is expedited through the queue with little or no wait time.

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The Guidebook for Guests with Disabilities provides a detailed overview of services and facilities available for guests with disabilities and is available at Guest Relations locations within all four parks as well as Guest Services locations at Walt Disney World resort hotels. DisneyWorld.com includes information about Walt Disney World Services For Guests With Disabilities.

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By using Disney’s FASTPASS, guests can avoid waiting in standby queues at designated popular attractions in all four Walt Disney World theme parks. At the entrance to attractions offering FASTPASS, two times are posted: approximate wait time using the standby queue, and return time for FASTPASS holders currently being issued (at no charge to park guests). If the wait is long, guests can choose to obtain a FASTPASS ticket with an assigned return time (an hour-long window) and then use the time until then for other experiences in the park. Upon returning to use their FASTPASS, the guest experiences little or no wait time to enter the attraction.

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Guests who decide to forego a popular parade frequently discover it’s a time to experience a popular attraction with less wait.

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During festivals and special events, the theme parks feature extra entertainment and excitement – included with regular admission. Several long-running events are the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival (spring), Epcot International Food & Wine Festival (fall), Star Wars Weekends (spring at Disney’s Hollywood Studios), and elaborate decorations and seasonal entertainment at all four parks for the holidays.

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Professional photographers with Disney’s PhotoPass service take keepsake shots of family vacations – with everyone in the picture – that can be viewed online and from which guests can order prints, customized photo albums, T-shirts, mugs and more! The photographers are stationed at prime photo spots throughout the theme parks. The guest’s Disney’s PhotoPass ID card (issued free) is used by the photo team to keep track of images. Additional information is available online by visiting www.disneyphotopass.com.

Here and There

The AAA Car Care Center near Magic Kingdom is a full-service automotive repair facility and provides towing service to guests on Walt Disney World property.

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Quenching a day-long thirst at “the beach” is the purpose of the refillable mug offered at Disney’s Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon water parks. The souvenir mug is refillable throughout the day of purchase.

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For the convenience of guests with disabilities, wheelchairs and Electric Convenience Vehicles (ECVs) are available for rent at Disney water parks and at Downtown Disney.

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Prime tee times for the award-winning Walt Disney World golf courses are early in the day throughout the year, with the heaviest activity fall through spring. To avoid getting shut out, book ahead (90 days in advance for guests of Walt Disney World resorts with a resort confirmation number, 60 days in advance for day visitors with a major credit card). Less-busy times mean savings on greens fees – twilight rates mid-afternoons throughout the year and specials offered beginning mid-mornings during the summer. Check with the master starter: 407/WDW-GOLF (939-4653).

Meals and Deals

Most table-service restaurants throughout Walt Disney World Resort offer children’s menus, with kid favorites such as chicken strips, macaroni and cheese, hot dogs, spaghetti and meatballs, PB&J sandwiches.  Call 407/WDW-DINE for dining information.

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Big appetites get their fill at a variety of “all-you-care-to-eat” meals throughout Walt Disney World property. More than two dozen Disney mealtime experiences offer the proverbial “seconds” . . . and even “thirds” and “fourths” – many accompanied by a visit from those ever-popular Disney characters. 407/WDW-DINE is a good place to start the search.

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Dining reservations are recommended at the full-service restaurants at Walt Disney World Resort and may be made up to 180 days in advance. Many popular restaurants frequently fill up early. To make dining arrangements: call 407/WDW-DINE (939-3463).

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Eating meals either an hour before or after the “standard meal time” can avoid crowds at popular restaurants.

Shopping and Shipping

Merchandise purchases don’t have to be a burden to Walt Disney World theme park guests.  There are alternatives to carrying the packages throughout the parks:

• Package pickup is available at no charge.  Merchandise is moved to package pickup, conveniently located near the front entrance of each park, for guests’ pickup when they are leaving the park.
• Hotel delivery is available at no charge to guests of Walt Disney World resorts.  Purchases made prior to 7 p.m. will be delivered to the guest’s hotel by noon the following day.  Purchases made after 7 p.m. will be at the hotel on the second day after purchase.
• Shipping is available for an additional charge at the time of purchase.

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Shop the theme parks by phone after your vacation. Common scenario: Guest visits Epcot and sees the perfect gift for Auntie Rose. Guest puts the idea on “hold,” goes home . . . and is kicking himself/herself for not making the purchase. No problem. Just call 407/363-6200. Describe what you saw, and where. With the help of computers, the Attractions Merchandise Guest Services Department can locate that gift, arrange the purchase and ship it. The Guest Services Department can help with merchandise from all Walt Disney World-run shops in the theme parks. It is open weekdays except holidays.

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The overarching tip is: Get to know the territory.  Do research.  Ask questions.

Several means to this end are:

• Read a guidebook.
• Visit the official Walt Disney World Resort website (www.disneyworld.com) and obtain a free vacation planning DVD; at the site, also check out the online planning tools which offer suggestions about experiences which may be of interest to first-time guests or to those combining a celebration with a Disney vacation.
• Consult with the Disney World Moms Panel (www.disneyworldmoms.com) comprised of Disney-savvy parents who share knowledge in an online forum.

The information gleaned from a combination of sources may lead a guest to conclude – correctly – that many considerations are involved in getting the most out of the theme park experience.  Furthermore, many of the considerations ultimately involve a guest’s interests and individual circumstances.

For instance, while the four Walt Disney World theme parks are all created for family fun, virtually any guest familiar with Disney World has a “favorite park.”  That’s because the parks’ themes vary dramatically – from lands of whimsy in Magic Kingdom to worlds of scientific and cultural accomplishment at Epcot to streets, sets and backlots of show business at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, to realms of animals living, extinct and imaginary at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.

Guests are immersed in those thematic worlds through stories “told” in attractions and experiences.  But the methods of immersive storytelling are many.  Sometimes a physically interactive entertainment concept is used, with guests being drawn into the action and becoming stars of the show.  Sometimes ride systems carry guests on journeys that range from tame to wild – just like the stories.  And sometimes the experience is physically passive, designed for the senses to “drink it in.”

With “homework” ahead of vacation, a guest can customize an itinerary to suit interests as well as considerations such as age, height restrictions and ambulatory limitations.  A valuable source of information relating to “Traveling With Little Ones” and “Guests With Disabilities” is www.disneyworld.com.

Many considerations that impact satisfaction are common to all guests.  They involve tickets, time and convenience.  Here’s a closer look at some aspects of ticket-buying, time use (plus time saving and time “expanding”) and guest services that can add up to an exceptional, value-enhanced theme park experience.

Shopping ‘smart’ for tickets

The Magic Your Way ticket system lets guests decide what ticket features best fit their Disney vacation plans … and that’s what they buy.  Guests decide the number of days and whether optional features – park hopping, visits to Disney attractions outside the theme parks and “non-expiration” of tickets – are important.  Some price and value considerations…

♦ Per-day ticket costs decrease for longer stays.  A seven-day ticket without optional features brings down the per-day cost to less than half the price, per day, compared to seven individual one-day Base Tickets.  And the per-day cost of a 10-day ticket is less than one-third the price, per day, compared to 10 individual one-day Base Tickets.

♦ Kids under age 3 are provided free admission to all Walt Disney World theme parks.

♦ The Water Park Fun & More option can produce significant savings for recreation and entertainment outside the theme parks. Here’s what you need to know about the option:

• It provides admissions to the guest’s choice of Disney’s Blizzard Beach water park, Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon Water Park, DisneyQuest, Disney’s Oak Trail golf course and ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex.
• The number of admissions it provides varies depending upon the number of days of the Base Ticket (the option added to a one- or two-day Base Ticket provides two visits to the guest’s choice from among the listed attractions; added to a seven-day Base Ticket, it provides seven visits).
• It costs $57.  Considering that one-day admission to a water park is $44-$52 or to DisneyQuest is $38-$44, substantial savings are possible.

♦ The Park Hopper option can enhance the value of the vacation by allowing a guest to take advantage of special fun offered at different times of day at different Disney theme parks.  Other potential Park Hopper benefits:

• If the vacation stay is longer, “hopping” is perfect for repeating favorite attractions at the various parks.
• If the guest is staying “on property,” park-hopping can be the ticket to extra time in the parks (more about this under “Making the best use of time”).

Making the best use of time

If “a penny saved is a penny earned,” then what of time?  Shouldn’t it follow that saving time is also merit-worthy? Certainly using time purposefully is important, given that a guest has invested both money and time in a vacation. What is “purposeful” varies from person to person, however. Some guests at Epcot once shared that they were so enamored with the gardens that they hadn’t done any attractions – but they weren’t complaining; rather, they were complimenting … and beaming.  Here are some ways to “make time,” save time, add time and use time during a Disney park visit…

♦ Disney’s FASTPASS System allows guests to avoid waiting at designated popular attractions in all four Walt Disney World theme parks.  Here’s how it works:

• At the entrance to experiences offering FASTPASS, two times are posted – (1) approximate wait time using the normal queue and (2) return time for FASTPASS tickets currently being issued.
• If the wait in the normal queue is long, guests can choose to obtain a FASTPASS ticket (at no charge) with an assigned return time (an hour-long window) and then use the time until then to enjoy other experiences in the park.
• Upon returning to use their FASTPASS, the guest can experience the attraction with little or no waiting.

♦ A “rider swap” program lets both parents enjoy a ride – one parent waits with a child who is unable to ride an attraction while one parent rides.  Afterwards, the other parent can board the ride with minimal wait time.

♦ Tip Boards located at strategic “crossroads” in each theme park provide guests with a heads-up concerning attractions’ wait times.  Guests can save time – and “steps” – by consulting the boards throughout the day.

♦ Select mobile devices are capable of running downloadable apps that allow the user to obtain real-time wait information.

♦ Extra Magic Hours provide guests of select hotels at Walt Disney World Resort an opportunity for exclusive time in a Walt Disney World theme park.  The details:

• The exclusive time is one hour prior to scheduled park opening or up to three hours after park closing.
• The park varies from day to day.
• In all, there are up to 16 extra theme park hours available each week.
• The time is exclusively for guests of the Walt Disney World owned-and-operated hotels plus  Walt Disney World Dolphin, Walt Disney World Swan, Shades of Green, the Hilton at Downtown Disney and Residents and Guests of Golden Oak in the Walt Disney World Resort.
• Disney water parks sometimes open one hour early for guests of select Disney resort hotels.
• To take advantage of the additional time in the parks, guests must have a Magic Your Way ticket valid for the park(s) offering Extra Magic Hours – and, of course, their hotel ID.
• The Park Hopper option on Magic Your Way tickets allows guests to take advantage of Extra Magic Hours in a park or parks different from where the guest spends the rest of the day.

(NOTE: Extra Magic Hours of up to two hours after park close take effect in January-February 2013)

♦ Guests arriving at park opening frequently head to a favorite attraction and enjoy it before it gets busy.

♦ Guests who decide to forego viewing a popular parade frequently discover it’s a time to experience a popular attraction with less wait.

♦ Festivals and special events are times when the theme parks feature extra entertainment and excitement – included with regular admission.  Several long-running events are the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival (spring), Epcot International Food & Wine Festival (fall), Star Wars Weekends (spring at Disney’s Hollywood Studios), and elaborate decorations and seasonal entertainment at all four parks for the holidays.

♦ The “best time” to visit…depends.  The busier times to visit Walt Disney World parks are when school’s out for major holidays, the summer and three-day weekends.  The very busiest times typically are Christmas to New Year’s and around Easter.  Some considerations:

• Avoiding the busy times likely means shorter waits for attractions and shows and better access to dining reservations.
• Busy times can mean extended operating hours and sometimes special incremental entertainment.
• Disney planners attempt to schedule periodic attraction closures for refurbishment at times other than vacation peaks.

♦ Quick Service meals can cut down dining time – and sometimes cost. Add in “flexibility” because you can catch a gulp on the go without a reservation, and quick service can make consummate “good sense.”

♦ Table Service restaurant experiences can enhance the theme park experience. There are restaurants that are worth the extra planning effort of a reservation, the extra time at the table, and possible extra expense.  These eateries, replete with elaborate theming, extend the entertainment experience of the park to mealtime.  Dining and relaxing in an ambiance reflecting a different time or place is an entertainment experience worth the time sitting.  Sometimes these restaurants serve up entertainment acts along with meals.  And sometimes the meal may be part of a package that provides preferred seating at no extra cost for a signature entertainment performance (such as Candlelight Processional at Epcot or “Fantasmic!” at Disney’s Hollywood Studios).

♦ A longer stay can yield a vacation at a more comfortable pace.  Guest surveys show higher satisfaction ratings for longer stays – with “pace” typically cited as the reason.  After a week-long visit, guests have reported that they “didn’t feel rushed” and they “discovered a pool at the hotel.”

♦ For a short-duration visit, make a short list of “must-sees” and “must-dos” based on the vacationing group’s interests.  One of the worst mistakes a guest can make is over-scheduling.  Be realistic in planning.  Don’t attempt to see and do everything.  Vacation shouldn’t feel like a track meet!  And remember to take into account any relevant factors such as height restrictions or ambulatory concerns.

Taking advantage of guest services

Young guests.  Old guests.  Guests with mobility challenges.  Guests with vision or hearing disabilities. Guests whose “native tongue” isn’t English.  Guests with special diets.  The “Guest-centric” culture of Disney strives to create a welcoming environment for everyone…

♦ Special guide maps pointing out kid-stuff – where you can find the characters plus attractions, entertainment and interactive activities of special interest to young children – are available at Guest Relations in all the theme parks.

♦ Baby Care Centers in all four theme parks feature private rooms with rocking chairs for nursing mothers, diaper-changing rooms, and feeding rooms with highchairs, bibs and plastic spoons.  There are even diapers, formula and teethers for sale.

♦ Stroller rentals are available.  Rather than lugging a stroller (including on and off of parking-lot trams), parents with young children can rent a stroller at the theme parks.  Tips for renters:

• A length-of-stay rental saves some money.
• Even for a one-day rental, keep your receipt; if you park-hop, drop off the stroller when you leave a park and use your receipt to obtain a stroller when you enter another park.  (The receipt also permits you to claim another stroller if yours “disappears.”)

♦ Theme park guidemaps are available in six languages – English, French, German, Japanese, Spanish and Portuguese.  They are available at Guest Relations locations in each park, along with times guides for shows, character greetings, parades and fireworks.

♦ The Guidemap for Guests with Disabilities provides a detailed overview of services and facilities available for guests with disabilities and is available at Guest Relations locations within all four parks as well as Lobby Concierge locations at Walt Disney World resort hotels.  Types of disabilities covered include mobility disability, hearing disability, visual disability and non-apparent disability.

♦ Wheelchairs and Electric Convenience Vehicles (ECVs) are available for rent at Disney theme parks for the convenience of guests with disabilities.  A tip:

• A length-of-stay rental ticket is available which offers not only savings but also involves a one-time payment transaction after which the guest simply shows the receipt at the stroller rental location and is expedited through the queue with little or no wait time.

♦ Special dietary requests can typically be accommodated.  The Walt Disney World Food & Beverage team is committed to offering a wide range of choices to accommodate guests who require lifestyle dining options, as well as most specific requests from guests with food allergies or intolerances.  Some considerations to note:

• Whether dining at a table-service restaurant or at a quick-service restaurant, desired dining requests will be addressed.
• In many cases, advance notice is required – usually at the time of your reservation.
• Please call Disney’s Dining Reservation Center at 407/WDW-DINE to discuss arrangements.

♦ Professional photographers take keepsake shots of family vacations – with everyone in the picture.  Here are some of the details:

• Disney’s PhotoPass service photographers are stationed at prime photo spots throughout the theme parks.
• The guest’s Disney’s PhotoPass ID card (issued free) is used by the photo team to keep track of images.
• The images can be viewed online; guests can order prints, customized photo albums, T-shirts, mugs and more.
• Additional information is available online by visiting www.disneyphotopass.com.

♦ Merchandise purchases don’t have to be a burden.  There are alternatives to carrying the packages throughout the parks:

• Package pickup is available at no charge.  Merchandise is moved to package pickup, conveniently located near the front entrance of each park, for guests’ pickup when they are leaving the park.
• Hotel delivery is available at no charge to guests of Walt Disney World resorts.  Purchases made prior to 7 p.m. will be delivered to the guest’s hotel by noon the following day.  Purchases made after 7 p.m. will be at the hotel on the second day after purchase.
• Shipping is available for an additional charge at the time of purchase.

♦ Lockers are available for rental.  They are first come, first served – and quite popular.  They are located near the entrance of each park.  There are a variety of sizes.  If you are park-hopping, you don’t have to pay the locker fee a second time on a day (just a key deposit) provided you keep your receipt.

The theme park itineraries that Disney guests create are as varied as the guests themselves – from their interests to their individual circumstances.  But with planning, all of their experiences can be equally magical.