Disney World Secrets

Here are some little known Disney World Secrets for your Disney knowledge:

- Magic Kingdom is actually elevated above sea-level and sits on top of "utilidors" which are underground tunnels for cast members to travel from one side of the park to another.

- EPCOT stands for "Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow"

- Disney's Hollywood Studios was originally planned to just be a land in EPCOT but Disney saw the possibilities that it could have as a theme park

- Animal Kingdom has a secret entrance at the back of the Rain Forest Cafe gift shop.  You can go through it if there is a long wait for the regular main entrance.

Crane at Animal Kingdom

Tips for Your Trip

As a Disney fan who has been to the resort over 16 times, I am sharing with you my best Disney World tips to make your vacation a success:

1) Get to the park when it opens
     - Not only will  you get to see an entertaining opening of the park, but you will beat the crowds as well!

2) Use your fastpasses
    -  Fastpasses allow you to skip the regular standby line.  Fastpass privileges are included with your       admission ticket.  You just insert your ticket into the machine and a paper will print out, telling you the time to come back to ride the ride.  You will then take your fastpasses to the appropriate line at the appropriate time.

3) Leave the park in the early afternoon
  - This is when the weather is the hottest and the crowds are the heaviest.  Avoid lines and cranky family members and go back to you resort to relax; take a nap, eat lunch and enjoy the pool.  You can return to the park in the early evening, feeling refreshed.

Wilderness Lodge

Disney Dining Plan

If planning on spending a lot of time and money in character breakfasts and sit-down Disney restaurants, the Disney Dining Plan is for you.  This plan ends up paying for itself.  With the different levels that it has to choose from, there is always a meal plan for your budget.

Me with my Resort Mug

Walt Disney World is known for itself fantastic food. Whether it be in the parks or in the resorts, delicious world-class food is to be enjoyed.  We'll talk about the restaurants later.

Each plan includes a free resort mug. Here I am with mine! It can be used in your resort for unlimited drink refills throughout your stay. (If you are planning another trip next year, be careful because the mug designs do change and you will be asked to purchase a new one).

The meal plans include (per day):

Quick-Service Plan

2 Quick-Serivces
1 Snack

Table-Service Plan

1 Quick-Service
1 Table Service
1 Snack

TIPS:

EPCOT

Best snacks:
Crepes(EPCOT - France)
Kettlecorn (sold in every park)


Best table-service:
Mama Melrose's (Disney's Hollywood Studios)

Chef Mickey's is located in the Contemporary Resort

Best buffets:
Chef Mickey's (Contemporary Resort)
Hollywood and Vine (Disney's Hollywood Studios)
Crystal Palace (Magic Kingdom)



Best quick-service:
Pizza Planet (Disney's Hollywood Studios)
Port Orleans - Riverside

Getting Around the World

Boat Entrance at Disney's Wilderness Lodge

Traveling through the 47 square mile resort is made easy by Disney who provides its' guests with transportation. Not only do they just get you from point A to B, they keep with the magic that Disney stands for without ruining the atmosphere with making you drive in your rental car.

Bus Stop at Port Orleans Riverside

If you're staying on Disney Property, you always have the option of taking Disney buses. Some resorts have multiple bus stops that make it easier for your family to catch a ride without having to walk far.  Although the wait can be long at time (up to 30 mins) the people at Disney work to keep the buses running as frequently as possible.

View of Monorail from Seven Seas Lagoon

If you're lucky enough to stay at a Magic Kingdom area resort, you have the option of the monorail.  The monorail runs around these hotels, Magic Kingdom, the Transportation and Ticket Center as well as EPCOT.  These air-conditioned vehicles are a comfortable and smooth way to use the "Highway in the Sky" to travel above traffic and crowds. The Magic Kingdom area resorts include:

-Contemporary Resort & Bay Lake Towers
-Polynesian Resort
-Grand Floridian Resort and Spa

The next best option is the boats. Not only are they located in front of the Magic Kingdom, but in the Downtown Disney area as well. Boats run to the Magic Kingdom from:

-Fort Wilderness
-Wilderness Lodge
-Polynesian Reosrt
-Grand Floridian Resort and Spa

Boats run to Downtown Disney from:

Port Orleans French Quarter

-Port Orleans Riverside
-Port Orleans French Quarter
-Old Key West
-Saratoga Springs

Boats run to Disney's Hollywood Studios and EPCOT from:

-Swan and Dolphin
-Beach and Yacht Club
-Boardwalk

*These boats run an hour before the parks open and up to 2 hours after the parks close