Disney World: An Insider's Guide

Planning a trip to Disney World? Are you aware of the Disney secrets necessary to give your family a once in a lifetime experience? Whether staying for a weekend or a week, the opportunities for fun are endless. There are several inside secrets to research before you arrive in the sunshine state. The magical world of Walt Disney is a family vacation like no other. Located in the heart of Florida, the forty seven acre spread known as Walt Disney World is home to Magic Kingdom, Epcot Center, Disney MGM, Animal Kingdom, Typhoon Lagoon, Blizzard Beach, and Downtown Disney. This arena of fun is surpassed by no other place on the planet.

The Hidden Mickeys
The legendary story of The Hidden Mickeys keeps visitors counting throughout their vacation. Although unconfirmed by Disney, many guests view the emblematic trio of circles as a tribute to Mickey Mouse. Cleverly hidden in architecture, landscaping and walkways, Hidden Mickeys are scattered all over the various parks. Keeping guests counting, The Hidden Mickeys maybe the most famous Disney secret, but some of the lesser known treasures in Disney World can take your vacation to a level that surpasses your Disney dreams. Before making the reservation and printing the agenda, log on to disneyworld.disney.go.com/wdw/index to explore the other hidden treasures Walt Disney World has to offer.

Disney Basics
Consider your agenda before purchasing tickets. The parks have Magic Your Way passes that can save you money. Park-hopper options are available as well as water park add ons. Each additional day added will decrease the price per day at Walt Disney World. If you will be eating at the parks, the Disney Dining Plan may save you some money. The Disney Dining plan plan allots meal credits per person, which are redeemable at most of the restaurants. Choose from a variety of character meals, Disney signature meals, counter meals, or snacks! Researching the web site before you add options will give you the most vacation for your dollar.

Animal Kingdom
If you are going to stay in a Walt Disney World Resort, consider The Animal Kingdom Lodge. Located in Animal Kingdom, the lodge offers a special sunrise safari only available to lodge guests. The Kilimanjaro Sunrise Safari provides an intimate, up close look at the beauty of the animals before the park opens to the public. The early morning safari allows plenty of time for stops and questions. The animals are waking for the day, eager to graze for food. The photo opportunities on the sunrise safaris are unmatched by safaris later in the day.

Disney's MGM
Disney's MGM has a nightly showing of Fantasmic. Telling the timeless story of good versus evil, Fantasmic features Mickey Mouse and all the Disney villains you love to hate. The most technologically advanced show at Disney, Fantasmic tells its tale using lights, projections and water like they have never been seen before. Only have time for one Disney show? Fantasmic is sure to delight all age groups.

Typhoon Lagoon
One of Disney's water parks, Typhoon Lagoon has one of the biggest wave pools around. This makes a perfect place to surf. Before the park opens, you can reserve a private surf party for groups up to twenty five people. Surfers are blessed with waves every ninety seconds for three hours. Not a surfer? Twice a week, you can make reservations for surf lessons before the park opens. With only twelve students per class, participants receive lots of one on one instruction. The park provides soft boards which makes it easier to learn balance. Near perfect conditions, steady rolling waves, and no irritating sand makes learning to surf more fun. Teens will love this opportunity.

Epcot
One of Epcot's must see attractions is The Living Seas. Containing more than five billion gallons of water, The Living Seas is the world's largest aquarium, and is home to over three thousand varieties of sea life. Certified divers can participate in a program called Dive Quest. For thirty minutes, divers can explore the main tank in an independent dive. With constant water temperatures at 77 degrees and no current to stir the sand, divers praise the program, stating the conditions allow unsurpassed visibility.

Down Town Disney
Down Town Disney has a variety of activities, including dining, shopping and hanging out. While exploring the area, look for Disney Quest. An interactive game room, Disney Quest has the ultimate virtual attraction, and its called Cyberspace Mountain. By programming a chip at a kiosk, daring guests can create unique roller coasters. Choose the speed, thrill level, loops and turns and the individual ride is stored on the computer chip. Upon completion the chip is inserted into a virtual simulator. Your very own virtual ride begins . . .

Pleasure Island is Down Town Disney's go-to spot to enjoy night life. The night time hang out has live bands, jazz, and comedy clubs. If you want to dance the night away, be sure to check out Mannequins. The hot spot has a revolving dance floor and CO₂ blasts from the ceiling to keep everyone cool!

Magic Kingdom
Magic Kingdom is the center of Disney World. Home to Cinderella's Castle and Space Mountain, Magic Kingdom boasts enough secret treasures to keep the Pirates of the Caribbean busy! Magic Kingdom had a behind the scenes tour called Keys To The Kingdom. This half day excursion allows your group to view the park from behind closed doors. You'll learn Disney facts as well as how Disney accomplishes its magic.

The Contemporary Resort is located next to Magic Kingdom. The secret adventure, para sailing takes place behind the resort. Launched from the docks, para sailors fly one hundred feet higher than the resort. and stay in the air for ten minutes behind the boats. What a relaxing way to view Florida's beauty for miles.

Racing is part of life. Running races, and NASCAR races on television-Racing is everywhere! Now racing is also a part of Disney. The Indy Speedway at Magic Kingdom takes you to a top speed of 7 MPH. Feeling a little more daring? Try Epcot's Test Track for 65 MPH thrills. But for the extreme racing experience, go to the corner of Magic Kingdom to the Speedway. The Richard Petty Driving Experience will allow you to ride the authentic Winston style stock cars at 145 MPH around the banked oval track. Aching to get behind the wheel yourself? Looking for the ultimate rush? After taking driving lessons, completing the training and gearing up, you can drive the cars yourself!

Fairy Tale Wedding Packages are available for making your perfect wedding day full of Disney Magic. Choose a theme, such as the bride arriving in Cinderella's coach, invite Mickey and Minnie as special guests, or even a night time cruise on The Grand One, the super-yacht of Disney World's fleet . Many options are available to create your perfect wedding day. The Fairy Tale Wedding packages are available to all couples, as Disney recently announced its decision to change the valid marriage license requirement to include same sex couples. Begin booking this well in advance, at least a year is recommended for wedding plans.

Nights come alive at Magic Kingdom when the SpectroMagic Parade marches down Main Street. With over one million lights, the parade is a mobile display twinkling like Tinkerbell against the night sky. Generated by liquid nitrogen, smoke surrounds the gallery of lights, painting the magical end to a perfect Disney day.

Consider staying at one of the many resorts in Disney World so you can take advantage of Disney's transportation systems throughout the day and at night when everyone gets tired. While planning a Disney trip, remember to include break times to kick off the shoes and relax for the next adventure so everyone can stay refreshed and enjoy the visit. Surprisingly, playing hard is hard work. Walt Disney World is sure to exhaust every member of your family. You will be dog tired. Making dreams come true is hard work, but it is the most rewarding hard work. Sleep well in a Disney resort and dream of tomorrow, another Disney day!