Disney World Family Vacation

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The Best Disney World Family Vacation

Want to make the very best of your Disney World family vacation? Disney World is the Most Magical Place on Earth but it does take some advance planning to get the most from your family vacation experience.

Disney World is one of those vacation spots where you really can keep all members of the family happy - grandma may love that ride in Magic Kingdom even more than your two year old......

Here is a great start for you. I have collected together some essential Disney World tips to help save you time and money and have the family vacation of a lifetime!

Photos used under Creative Commons from PrincessAshley


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Disney World Family Vacation Tips - Where Do I Start? 

Which Walt Disney World park should you visit first?

Walt Disney World is huge! It has 4 main theme parks, 2 water parks, hotels, shopping. You could spend your whole vacation here and never have to leave.

So what exactly is at Disney World? The theme parks are Disney's Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney Hollywood Studios and Disney's Animal Kingdom. If you want to visit a water park then you have a choice of Typhoon Lagoon or Blizzard Beach. Downtown Disney is great for shopping and restaurants. Stroll along Disney's Boardwalk for more great restaurants and stores. And let's not forget all the Disney resort hotels.......

So where do you start? You just need to think a little about what your family wants to do and learn what is in each park for you. Everyone has limited vacation time so time spent planning is well worth it. So let us explore in more detail just what Disney World has to offer.

Photos used under Creative Commons from expressmonorail

Disney's Magic Kingdom 

When we think of Disney World the first park that we picture is usually Magic Kingdom. Cinderella's Castle is one of the world's most recognizable landmarks!

Magic Kingdom opened in 1971 and has been delighting guests of all ages ever since. As you enter the park you will stroll down Main Street towards Cinderella's Castle. Which Magic Kingdom ride will you choose first? Perhaps you will head to Space Mountain,or Buzzlighyear Space Ranger Spin in Tomorrowland. Or maybe you will turn towards Fantasyland and ride Cinderella's Golden Carousel or It's A Small World. Perhaps Pirates of the Caribbean is your first choice.

Whatever you choose to do first then it is a good idea to plan your visit before hand so that you know what to expect and can decide which rides to head for as a priority. Remember to get a Fast Pass for those rides which offer this. It will cut down your waiting in line considerably.

Photos used under Creative Commons from expressmonorail

Disney World Cinderella Castle 

Characters at Disney World 

Where will I find my favorite Disney Princess?

Disney World is of course all about the characters. It all started with a Mouse as Walt Disney said!

The characters are such a part of the magic of Disney World. You can see them out and about in the parks every day - check to see if your favorite is going to be there by looking at a park map or asking a Disney cast member. Or you can enjoy a Disney character meal - there are many to choose from.

The best place to find the Disney Princesses is Magic Kingdom, but they also make regular appearances in Epcot.

Some young children are a little afraid of the characters - a giant Winnie the Pooh or Mr Incredible can be a shock! The characters themselves are experts at knowing just how to make your child feel happy - and the maybe mum and dad too!

Photos used under Creative Commons from expressmonorail

Free Guide To Disney World 

A Magical Guide To Disney World
Planning is the key to getting the best deal and having the best Disney World vacation. There is so much information out there.

Get this FREE guide which will save you hundreds of dollars and huge amounts of time and research!

Disney World Epcot 

Why is it called Epcot? Well it stands for Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow. Walt Disney had a vision of a future community where people would like and work in a futuristic environment. His vision was interpreted by the Imagineers and became the Epcot center that we know today.

Epcot is huge - so some say the letter should stand for Every Person Comes out Tired. There is plenty to explore in this theme park which is divided into two parts. Future World and World Showcase.

Epcot has some of Disney's most popular attractions including Test Track and Soarin Over California. World Showcase has some excellent dining and shopping opportunities in it's twelve Pavilions which represent countries from around the World.

Photos used under Creative Commons from expressmonorail

Epcot Illuminations 

The perfect way to end a day's visit to Epcot is with Illuminations Reflections of Earth. Learn more about Illuminations, see great pictures and even find out where the very best viewing spots are for this spectacular show.

The EverythingMouse Blog 

Learn more about Disney World

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Disney Hollywood Studios 

Lights cameras action at Disney's Hollywood Studios. Confused about the name? Well up until recently it was known as Disney MGM Studios.

This is the most compact of the Disney parks so great to visit on a day when you want a little less walking! Here you will find the very popular rides Hollywood Tower of Terror and Rock N Roller Coaster. For those who love the Disney Princesses you will enjoy The Beauty and the Beast Show and The Voyage of the Little Mermaid. Laugh along with The Muppets or dance with your High School Musical favorites.

The perfect way to end a day at Disney's Hollywood Studios is with the spectacular fireworks, pyrotechics, laser, water effects and musical live action show Fantasmic.

Photos used under Creative Commons from expressmonorail

Want to Learn More About Disney Hollywood Studios? 

Disney's Animal Kingdom 

Disney's Animal Kingdom park is a celebration of all the animals of the World whether real, extinct or imaginary. It was Walt Disney's dream to have a park with an animal theme.

Animal Kingdom has more than 1,500 animals representing more than 300 species. One of the most popular rides in the park is the Kilimanjaro Safari ride where you can experience all the thrills of a real safari.

But Disney's Animal Kingdom is no ordinary animal park. Here you will find one of Disney's finest roller coasters Expedition Everest, the spectacular Finding Nemo and Legend of the Lion King shows,animal trails, Disney parades. The Animal Kingdom is a Disney park that you can be sure the whole family will enjoy.

Photos used under Creative Commons from expressmonorail

How Do I Know I Am Getting The Best Deal On Disney World Tickets? 

MGMhat2

One of the biggest expenses of your Disney World vacation will be buying tickets for your family. If you spend a little time getting to know the options then you will save yourself a lot of money - and also avoid the scams out there. It is very very important you only buy from an authorized source - or your ticket could be worthless.

Guide to Disney World 

The Complete Walt Disney World 2009 (Complete Walt Disney World) (Complete Guide to Walt Disney World)

Amazon Price: $16.47 (as of 07/11/2009)Buy Now

It is essential to have a great up to date guide book when visiting Walt Disney World. This is one of my favorites. Very well researched and has some great pictures too.

Walt Disney World Ticket Information 

Finding the right Disney World ticket is complicated. There are literally hundreds of options. Make sure you only ever buy from an authorised source or you could be making a very expensive mistake!

Disney World Dining Essentials

If you want to dine at a Disney World restaurant you can make Advance Dining Reservations up to 90 days ahead by calling 407-WDW-DINE.

The popular restaurants do get booked up well ahead of time so book as early as you can.

Disney World Hotels 

Want to stay in a Disney World hotel?

Animal Kingdom Lodge

Disney World hotels are a great option for your family vacation. There is something to suit all budgets ranging. Disney has 3 categories of hotel. Value resorts offer great hotels for those families on a budget. Moderate resorts offer something for those looking for something a little more. The Deluxe resorts are amazing hotels and include the Grand Floridian Hotel - one of the finest hotels in the world. My particular favorite is the Animal Kingdom Lodge - there aren't many places you can see a giraffe from your balcony but this is one of them!

Disney hotels also give some great extra benefits such as extra magic hours - more time in the Disney theme parks outside normal opening hours.

Disney World Deluxe Hotels 

Have You Visited Walt Disney World Florida? 

Disney Hollywood Studios Muppets

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Guides to Disney World Rides 

Disney World Family Vacation Secrets 

Disney World Shows 

Entertainment For All the Family at Disney World

lionkingmontage

There are many Broadway quality shows inside the Disney parks. Don't miss Festival of the Lion King at Disney Animal Kingdom and Beauty and The Beast at Disney Hollywood Studios.

Disney World Transportation 

EPCOTbarb

Walt Disney himself was fascinated with transportation and insisted on a great transport system in the parks - his dream was the mono rail system at Magic Kingdom and EPCOT.

But Disney World isn't just monorails. The free transportation system around Disney includes monorails, buses and boats. It is free for Disney hotel guests and anyone holding a Disney World ticket.

Disney World Character Dining - Is It For Me? 

Goofy at OIA-1barb

Where else can you dine with Mickey, or dance with a Princess? Disney World character dining is a great option for your family vacation. There are many restaurants to choose from - but be sure to try and book ahead.

A Guide To Disney World Dining 

Here is a great place to find out all the information you need about Disney World character dining - locations, tips, menus and prices.

When Did You Last Visit Disney World With Your Family? 

dkland wrote...

Your Disney lenses never disappoint! 5 stars!

ReplyPosted January 12, 2009

DrRichard wrote...

Amazing pictures - where did you get that one of Snow White? 5 stars and favorited

ReplyPosted January 12, 2009

AndyPo wrote...

Great lens. I have never been. Maybe one day.

ReplyPosted January 05, 2009

rms wrote...

Wow, I really miss Disney! I gotta go back there soon. Thanks for the reminder and the great photos!

ReplyPosted March 14, 2008