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!
ADVENTURE TRAVEL AFRICA ASIA AUSTRALIA CANADA CARIBBEAN CENTRAL
AMERICA CRUISES EUROPE HAWAII MEXICO MIDDLE EAST NATIONAL PARKS NEW
ZEALAND ORLANDO SKI RESORTS SOUTH AMERICA UNITED STATES TRAVEL
LINKS SITEMAP
AMERICA CRUISES EUROPE HAWAII MEXICO MIDDLE EAST NATIONAL PARKS NEW
ZEALAND ORLANDO SKI RESORTS SOUTH AMERICA UNITED STATES TRAVEL
LINKS SITEMAP
FAMILY TRAVEL FUN.COM
ORLANDO HOTELS
ORLANDO VACATION
WALT DISNEY WORLD
WALT DISNEY WORLD HOTELS
ORLANDO VACATION
WALT DISNEY WORLD
WALT DISNEY WORLD HOTELS
 | |  | |  | |  |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |