Walt Disney World With Kids (Fodor's, 2012) - Fodor's [13]
Book your room. Even if you’re staying off-site, booking early is smart. A great way to get discounts on off-site lodging is to go to the Orlando Travel Bureau Web site at www.visitorlando.com to request an Orlando Vacation Planning Kit Magicard. It takes three to four weeks to get the package, but the card qualifies you for significant discounts at many off-site hotels.
Buy your theme-park tickets. You can either buy online at www.disneyworld.disney.go.com or call 407/934–7639 (407/W–DISNEY).
Money-Saving Tip
The Magicard, offered through the Orlando Travel Bureau, is a great source of savings for families staying at off-site hotels, and you can download the card, as well as get lots of general Orlando information, by visiting www.visitorlando.com. Another way to cut your costs is to buy an entertainment discount-coupon book for your hometown. The books are best known for their local restaurant coupons, but few people realize that a nationwide directory of hotels offering discounts can be found in the back. Several off-site Orlando hotels are listed, and a discount can make an upscale resort as inexpensive as an interstate cheapie. But only a few rooms per hotel are earmarked for the discount, so your chances of cashing in improve if you’re willing to book early.
Six Months in Advance
Flying? Book now.
If you need a rental car, reserve it now.
You can arrange for dining reservations, including character meals and dinner shows, 180 days in advance (90 days in advance during special promotions) by calling 407/939–3463 (407/WDW–DINE) or booking online at www.disneyworld.disney.go.com. Online is faster if you know exactly what you want, but if you need advice make the telephone call and talk to a real Disney cast member.
Does your little princess want to be styled at the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique? Sign her up 180 days in advance by dialing 407/939–7895 (407/WDW–STYLE).
Families who would like to take a behind-the-scenes tour or enroll their kids in one of the Grand Floridian programs—such as the pirate-theme scavenger hunt or tea with Alice and the other Wonderland characters—should book at this stage. Call 407/939–8687 (407/WDW–TOUR) for the tours and 407/939–3463 (407/WDW–DINE) for the Grand Floridian programs. Kid-friendly tours and programs are explained in Chapter 10.
Four Months in Advance
To book a fireworks cruise call 407/939–7529 (407/WDW–PLAY). See Chapter 10 for more information.
Interested in golf, parasailing, surfing, or some other sport? Book your time by calling 407/939–7529 (407/WDW–PLAY). See Chapter 10 for details.
Want a spa treatment? Call Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa at 407/827–4455 or the Grand Floridian Resort at 407/824–2332 for a reservation.
For Cirque du Soleil tickets, call 407/939–7600 or visit www.cirquedusoleil.com.
Two Weeks in Advance
You should be good to go. Just reconfirm theme-park hours at www.disneyworld.disney.go.com and check over reservations, so when you get to Orlando all you’ll have to focus on is having fun.
Helpful Hint
Numerous Web sites provide information and advice on Walt Disney World. Disney’s official site, www.disneyworld.disney.go.com, is definitely the place to start but for no-holds-barred reviews, check out www.mousesavers.com, www.disboards.com, and www.fodors.com/forums.
Things to Discuss with Your Kids Before You Leave Home
It’s important to include the kids in the vacation planning, so discuss the following topics before you leave home.
The Trip Itself
There are two schools of thought on just how far in advance you should tell the kids you’re headed to Disney World. Because many families make reservations as much as a year in advance, it’s easy to fall into a “waiting for Christmas” syndrome, with the kids nearly in a lather of anticipation weeks before you leave. To avoid the agony of a long countdown, one couple packed in secret and then woke the kids up at 5 AM and announced, “Get in the