ORLANDO THEME PARKS
Insiders Share Tricks for Making the Most of Your Visit to Orlando’s
Theme Parks
You’ve waited. You’ve dreamed. You’ve planned. Your perfect Orlando
vacation is now only weeks away. To help you get ready, here are
some tips from Orlando insiders on how to maximize your days at our
world-famous theme parks.
Have a plan
There is so much to see and do in Orlando. Develop a plan to make
sure you see everything you want to on your vacation. Not sure how
much time you’ll need to see each of the attractions? Check out this
helpful planning tool.
Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando Resort and SeaWorld Orlando
all offer maps on their Web sites to help you get a feel for the layout of
the parks and to plan your day effectively. They also include ride
descriptions and helpful information like height restrictions. Nothing
can derail a vacation quicker that finding out your child is not tall
enough for the ride they have been dreaming about.
To navigate the parks more quickly, go directly to the back of the park
and work your way forward. Or, start at the right and work your way
around the park counter-clockwise.
Timing is everything
Arrive at the theme parks early and then take an afternoon break at
your hotel. Take a late lunch and ride the most popular attractions
when everyone else is eating. Enjoy an early dinner and then come
back in the evening to enjoy the rides and nighttime shows when
everyone else is leaving the parks or eating dinner.
If you stay at the Walt Disney World Resort or Universal Orlando
Resort, take advantage of special early access or front-of-the-line
benefits afforded to on-site hotel guests. Disney guests get Extra
Magic Hours in certain parks on varying days – you’ll get to enter the
park before it opens to non-resort guests. Guests staying at one of the
three Loews Hotels at the Universal Orlando Resort can use their
room key card to gain front-of-the-line access at popular attractions at
Universal Studios and Universal’s Islands of Adventure.
Take advantage of Disney’s free FASTPASS Service or Universal
Orlando’s EXPRESS PLUS program (additional charge applies for
this program). While the individual program details vary, each system
allows you to bypass the lines and make the most of your day at the
parks. SeaWorld Orlando's Adventure Express Tour provides front-of-
the-line access on rides and reserved seating at two of its popular
shows. (There is an additional charge for this tour.)
If your ideal day at the theme park includes a special dining
experience, make sure to call ahead to make reservations. If they do
not accept reservations, ask for “priority seating.” Some restaurants –
including those that offer the popular character dining experiences do
require advance reservations. During peak travel periods, you may
need to book several weeks ahead of your arrival.
Pack Right, Travel Light
Your bags will be inspected as you enter each park, so use the same
good judgment in packing a bag for the theme parks as you would
when traveling on an airplane. Coolers are not permitted in the parks.
Rent a stroller or wheelchair at the theme parks. They are affordable
and convenient - and you don’t have to worry about mixing up your
expensive gear with someone else.
Wear comfortable walking shoes and bring a rain poncho, sunscreen
and hat as well as a tote bag to carry your gear and souvenirs. Or, rent
a locker to lighten your load. Umbrellas are not permitted in certain
parks.
When shopping at the theme parks, lighten your load by taking
advantage of their shipping services or free delivery to on-property
resorts or park main entrances.
In the Parks
At Walt Disney World, you will want to challenge others in your travel
party to find “Hidden Mickeys” throughout the park. What started as an
inside joke by Disney Imagineers (those who design and develop
rides and attractions) has grown into a phenomenon that entertains
and challenges guests. Hidden Mickeys can be the head and ears
silhouette or the entire shape of Mickey Mouse. There are said to be
thousands of them integrated into all things Disney. Happy hunting!
Plan to hit the most popular attractions – the ones with the longer
lines – at parade time. While everyone else is lining up to get a good
viewing spot, you will be speeding through the queues at the best
rides.
Want the best animal viewing at Disney’s Animal Kingdom or Busch
Gardens Tampa Bay? Plan to be there early in the morning when the
animals are the most active. As the temperatures rise during the day,
the animals are more likely to be resting and avoiding the heat.
Disney isn’t the only one to integrate some hidden treasures into its
attractions. When on Revenge of the Mummy – The Ride at Universal
Studios, look for the gold King Kong statue in the treasure room. It is a
nod to the King Kong attraction that was closed to make room for The
Mummy.
Looking for the best seat for a close encounter with Jaws at Universal
Studios? Insiders say that the best view is had from the left side of the
boat – but be the first one or two people to enter the row.
Want to be part of the show? If fear is not a factor for you, arrive one
hour early to the Fear Factor Live attraction at Universal Studios for a
chance to be one of the six main contestants. You must be over 18
years of age and meet certain weight limits to be eligible.
Don’t let a little “liquid sunshine” put a damper on your day. You can
still enjoy a day at the parks – Epcot and Universal Studios both have
more indoor attractions than other parks – to ensure your vacation
won’t get rained out.
Need a break from the heat? Cool off at one of the water-based rides
and attractions. You can’t help but get wet on Splash Mountain at the
Magic Kingdom; Kali River Rapids at Disney’s Animal Kingdom;
Dudley Do-Right’s Ripsaw Falls, Popeye and Bluto’s Bilge-Rat
Barges and Jurassic Park River Adventure at Universal’s Islands of
Adventure; Curious George Goes to Town at Universal Studios; and
Journey to Atlantis, Shamu's Happy Harbor and the splash zone at
“Believe” – the all-new Shamu Show at SeaWorld Orlando. You may
want to pack a change of clothes!
Insiders Share Tricks for Making the Most of Your Visit to Orlando’s
Theme Parks
You’ve waited. You’ve dreamed. You’ve planned. Your perfect Orlando
vacation is now only weeks away. To help you get ready, here are
some tips from Orlando insiders on how to maximize your days at our
world-famous theme parks.
Have a plan
There is so much to see and do in Orlando. Develop a plan to make
sure you see everything you want to on your vacation. Not sure how
much time you’ll need to see each of the attractions? Check out this
helpful planning tool.
Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando Resort and SeaWorld Orlando
all offer maps on their Web sites to help you get a feel for the layout of
the parks and to plan your day effectively. They also include ride
descriptions and helpful information like height restrictions. Nothing
can derail a vacation quicker that finding out your child is not tall
enough for the ride they have been dreaming about.
To navigate the parks more quickly, go directly to the back of the park
and work your way forward. Or, start at the right and work your way
around the park counter-clockwise.
Timing is everything
Arrive at the theme parks early and then take an afternoon break at
your hotel. Take a late lunch and ride the most popular attractions
when everyone else is eating. Enjoy an early dinner and then come
back in the evening to enjoy the rides and nighttime shows when
everyone else is leaving the parks or eating dinner.
If you stay at the Walt Disney World Resort or Universal Orlando
Resort, take advantage of special early access or front-of-the-line
benefits afforded to on-site hotel guests. Disney guests get Extra
Magic Hours in certain parks on varying days – you’ll get to enter the
park before it opens to non-resort guests. Guests staying at one of the
three Loews Hotels at the Universal Orlando Resort can use their
room key card to gain front-of-the-line access at popular attractions at
Universal Studios and Universal’s Islands of Adventure.
Take advantage of Disney’s free FASTPASS Service or Universal
Orlando’s EXPRESS PLUS program (additional charge applies for
this program). While the individual program details vary, each system
allows you to bypass the lines and make the most of your day at the
parks. SeaWorld Orlando's Adventure Express Tour provides front-of-
the-line access on rides and reserved seating at two of its popular
shows. (There is an additional charge for this tour.)
If your ideal day at the theme park includes a special dining
experience, make sure to call ahead to make reservations. If they do
not accept reservations, ask for “priority seating.” Some restaurants –
including those that offer the popular character dining experiences do
require advance reservations. During peak travel periods, you may
need to book several weeks ahead of your arrival.
Pack Right, Travel Light
Your bags will be inspected as you enter each park, so use the same
good judgment in packing a bag for the theme parks as you would
when traveling on an airplane. Coolers are not permitted in the parks.
Rent a stroller or wheelchair at the theme parks. They are affordable
and convenient - and you don’t have to worry about mixing up your
expensive gear with someone else.
Wear comfortable walking shoes and bring a rain poncho, sunscreen
and hat as well as a tote bag to carry your gear and souvenirs. Or, rent
a locker to lighten your load. Umbrellas are not permitted in certain
parks.
When shopping at the theme parks, lighten your load by taking
advantage of their shipping services or free delivery to on-property
resorts or park main entrances.
In the Parks
At Walt Disney World, you will want to challenge others in your travel
party to find “Hidden Mickeys” throughout the park. What started as an
inside joke by Disney Imagineers (those who design and develop
rides and attractions) has grown into a phenomenon that entertains
and challenges guests. Hidden Mickeys can be the head and ears
silhouette or the entire shape of Mickey Mouse. There are said to be
thousands of them integrated into all things Disney. Happy hunting!
Plan to hit the most popular attractions – the ones with the longer
lines – at parade time. While everyone else is lining up to get a good
viewing spot, you will be speeding through the queues at the best
rides.
Want the best animal viewing at Disney’s Animal Kingdom or Busch
Gardens Tampa Bay? Plan to be there early in the morning when the
animals are the most active. As the temperatures rise during the day,
the animals are more likely to be resting and avoiding the heat.
Disney isn’t the only one to integrate some hidden treasures into its
attractions. When on Revenge of the Mummy – The Ride at Universal
Studios, look for the gold King Kong statue in the treasure room. It is a
nod to the King Kong attraction that was closed to make room for The
Mummy.
Looking for the best seat for a close encounter with Jaws at Universal
Studios? Insiders say that the best view is had from the left side of the
boat – but be the first one or two people to enter the row.
Want to be part of the show? If fear is not a factor for you, arrive one
hour early to the Fear Factor Live attraction at Universal Studios for a
chance to be one of the six main contestants. You must be over 18
years of age and meet certain weight limits to be eligible.
Don’t let a little “liquid sunshine” put a damper on your day. You can
still enjoy a day at the parks – Epcot and Universal Studios both have
more indoor attractions than other parks – to ensure your vacation
won’t get rained out.
Need a break from the heat? Cool off at one of the water-based rides
and attractions. You can’t help but get wet on Splash Mountain at the
Magic Kingdom; Kali River Rapids at Disney’s Animal Kingdom;
Dudley Do-Right’s Ripsaw Falls, Popeye and Bluto’s Bilge-Rat
Barges and Jurassic Park River Adventure at Universal’s Islands of
Adventure; Curious George Goes to Town at Universal Studios; and
Journey to Atlantis, Shamu's Happy Harbor and the splash zone at
“Believe” – the all-new Shamu Show at SeaWorld Orlando. You may
want to pack a change of clothes!
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