Ten Top Walt Disney World Vacation Tips
From the authors of
PassPorter™ Walt Disney World®:
The unique travel guide, planner, organizer, journal, and keepsake!

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!

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!

© 2000 MediaMarx, Inc. Permission granted to reprint this article in whole or part with full attribution. The text of the article is available in electronic format or by sending e-mail to tips@passporter.com. If you use this article in whole or part, we kindly request that you send two copies to us at MediaMarx, Inc., P.O. Box 3880, Ann Arbor, MI, 48106.

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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.