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March
madness is upon us! This is the height of Disney’s (and Florida’s)
Peak Season, when the winter weary flock to Florida for sunshine and
soft breezes. The theme parks are busy, resorts are fully booked at
Peak Season rates, and college students on spring break are likely to
outnumber the traditional family crowds. If you’re headed south,
take it easy and enjoy yourselves—you’re still going to have a
wonderful time!
Planning Your Adventure
Whether you use it for vacation planning, or just want to pay a
vicarious visit to your dream world, Disney’s free vacation planning
video is a great thing to have lying near the VCR. Even after you’ve
made your plans, the fun video is great way to build anticipation for
your journey. Call 800-730-2211 to order your vacation planning video.
Getting There (and Back!)
Despite the high cost of fuel, the airlines have been dropping
airfares like mad. That may make flying less expensive than you
thought. Although a large family may still find driving to be the
cheapest alternative, consider the vacation time lost while on the
road, the skyrocketing cost of gas, the hidden costs of wear and tear
on the vehicle, and the time lost while you recuperate from that long,
long drive. It may be cheaper to fly.
Staying in Style
Walt Disney World’s resort hotels have fabulous recreational
facilities, but no resort has everything you may desire, especially if
you stay at a Moderate or Value resort. Fortunately, every Disney
resort guest can make use of the facilities at every other resort
(with the exception of the swimming pools). If your resort lacks
tennis courts, a golf course, boat rentals, or health spa, head for
one that does! (Phone first to check on availability and hours, of
course).
Touring the “World”
Not everyone is able to do the kind of walking required to get around
Disney’s theme parks. Disney doesn’t want to leave anyone out,
though. You can rent strollers, wheelchairs, and ECVs (electric
convenience vehicles) at the entrance to Disney’s theme parks.
Disney resort guests can put down a security deposit and have free use
of a wheelchair throughout their stay. Most attractions are wheelchair
accessible, too.
Feasting and Snacking
Don’t count on just walking in and getting a table at many of
Disney’s full-service restaurants. You may have a very long wait, so
book ahead! Disney has a special “reservations” system called
Priority Seating. Unlike normal reservations, Disney doesn’t hold an
empty table for you. Instead, Priority Seating puts you at the head of
the line for the next available table once you arrive. Since tables
don’t stand vacant, far more people can be served. Call 407-WDW-DINE
to make priority seating arrangements for full-service restaurants.
Making More Magic
Will you be celebrating a birthday during your Walt Disney World
visit? Guests at the Magic Kingdom park can get a free “Today is My
Birthday” button, which is sure to help make the entire day feel
extra special. Just pay a visit to the Magic Kingdom Guest Relations
in City Hall, on your left as you enter the park.
Family Travel
Have you heard about Disney Dollars? Disney’s own special currency
can be spent anywhere at Walt Disney World, but the kids will have a
hard time spending it anyplace else (except the Disney Store). That
makes Disney Dollars a good gift or reward during those months leading
up to your vacation. You can buy Disney Dollars at your local Disney
Store, or when you arrive at Walt Disney World.
Special Event
March is the height of baseball’s Spring Training season, and Walt
Disney World’s Wide World of Sports facility is in the thick of
things, playing host to the Atlanta Brave’s spring season.
Disney’s stadium is a beauty, too! For a schedule and ticket
availability, call 407-828-FANS (407-828-3267).
Spring Disney Vacations
After the Spring Break crowds have gone home, Epcot starts gearing up
for its 7th Annual International Flower and Garden Festival, which
runs from April 28 through June 11, 2000. See fabulous garden
exhibits, sit in on a wide variety of workshops, do a Food Among the
Flowers Brunch, and in the evenings groove to 60’s bands like
Herman’s Hermits, The Turtles, and The Lovin’ Spoonful. Call
407-824-4321 for more information.
Saving Money
Meals at Disney’s restaurants can be very filling. So much so that
some people find they can easily get by on two full meals per day.
Some have a big breakfast and lunch, and then have a light snack at
dinner. Others have baked goods in their room (brought from home or
bought at their resort’s general store), and then eat a hearty lunch
and dinner.
As special as any Walt Disney World vacation can be,
it’s even better when you plan ahead. There’s
so much to see and do, and so many hopes and dreams rest
on a successful visit. Start planning now, and watch for
more PassPorter Planning Tips in the months to come.
PassPorter Planning Tips are written by Jennifer Watson
and Dave Marx, authors of PassPorter Walt Disney World:
The unique travel guide, planner, organizer, journal, and
keepsake! Available wherever books are sold. Visit their
web site at http://www.passporter.com for more
information, tips, reviews, and fun!
[Editor's Note/Not for Publication]
© 2000 MediaMarx, Inc. Permission granted to reprint
this article in whole or part. The text of the article is
available in electronic format at our Web site or by
sending e-mail to tips@passporter.com. If you use this
article in whole or part, we kindly request that you send
a copy to us at MediaMarx, Inc., P.O. Box 3880, Ann
Arbor, MI, 48106.
For additional information or to request a review copy of
the book, please contact Kate Bandos of KSB Promotions at
1-800-304-3269 (voice), 1-616-676-0759 (fax), or
ksbpromo@aol.com (e-mail).
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