You can still use tickets that were issued when the Magic Kingdom was new!

The Walt Disney World admissions system is highly complex. Besides making a brand-new purchase, you can also upgrade your current tickets or even exchange older passes for new RFID-enabled plastic cards. These transactions are complicated and, depending on the type of ticket you have, you might be unable to verify how many days of admission are left without visiting Guest Relations. If you are willing to put in the legwork, however, upgrades and exchanges can result in significant savings.

Upgrades
You can upgrade your ticket at any Guest Relations location within 14 days of your first use. If the ticket is completely unused, you can upgrade it at any time. In addition, official Walt Disney World resort hotels can handle upgrades that do not involve annual or seasonal passes. However, a number of special rules apply.

You will receive the full value that you paid as a credit toward the price of the new ticket, but if you bought your original ticket through a wholesaler or other discount program, you will effectively lose the discount. For example, if you bought a 5 day Park Hopper at the 4 day Park Hopper price, you will not receive credit for the extra day you received but did not pay for. A program called price bridging, which brought the ticket value up to full current gate price, is no longer in effect.

All tickets must be converted to RFID for admission.

Unless you are a Florida resident, your ticket must have at least one entitlement remaining in order to upgrade it, even if you are within the 14-day window. You may upgrade on the last day of validity as long as you do so before leaving the parks that day. Florida resident Magic Your Way tickets do not have to have entitlements remaining, but must be within the 14-day window. Some special Florida resident tickets are eligible for upgrades for up to six months after first use.

When upgrading, you must choose a similar ticket type. For example, if the original ticket had the Park Hopper option, the new ticket must have that option. If the original ticket had Water Parks Fun & More, so must the new ticket. This gets particularly sticky if you want to upgrade to an annual pass. If you have the Water Parks Fun & More option, but have NOT used any of those admissions, you may upgrade to a regular annual pass. If you have used even a single WPF&M option, you are only eligible to upgrade to a premium annual pass. The difference in price between a regular annual pass and a premium is more than $125 as of 2014, a sizeable amount to pay for one day at Blizzard Beach or a round of mini-golf!

Note that prices are not prorated. If you add Park Hopping or WPF&M, you will pay the full price based on the length of the ticket, even if you have already used some days. Likewise, if you upgrade from an annual pass to a premium annual pass, you will pay the entire difference between the two, but your expiration date will remain the same.

Exchanging Old Tickets

If you prefer, you can move your park tickets to the all-in-one MagicBands.

Before Magic Your Way tickets were introduced in 2005, all Walt Disney World tickets were automatically non-expiring. Disney continues to honor those tickets, as well as older Magic Your Way tickets with the No Expiration option, but not in their original form. In 2013, Disney switched to RFID-equipped plastic tickets, and changed the turnstiles accordingly. To use an older ticket, you must first visit a ticket booth, Guest Relations location or Disney hotel concierge desk to convert it to the new format.

All older tickets will be exchanged to exactly what they were before. For example, if your old ticket had two park days and three WPF&M options (previously under other names, such as Plus options), that is exactly what your new ticket will have. You cannot upgrade old tickets.

Disney’s policy has always been not to punish children for growing up. If you have an old child’s ticket, your child can still use it for admission, even if he or she is now an adult. The only rules are that the child must be present, and his or her current age must make sense with the date on the ticket. For example, in 2014, a child’s ticket from 1984 should be accompanied by someone who is now in his or her 30s. The ticket will be exchanged for an RFID adult ticket with exactly the same entitlements as those remaining on the original ticket.

Buying tickets to Walt Disney World requires a great deal of research and planning.

In 2005, Disney completely dismantled its previous ticket structure in favor of a new program called Magic Your Way. Although a few things have changed since then, the essence of the program remains the same. The more days you buy, the cheaper your per-day price. Special add-ons allow you to further customize your vacation. Decoding the system and figuring out the best option for your family requires a great deal of planning and research.

Magic Your Way Tickets and Options
Everyone starts with a Base Ticket, which is available in increments from 1 day to 10 days. This allows you to enter any one of the four major theme parks per day. If you want to visit, say, Epcot and the Magic Kingdom on the same day, you need to add the Park Hopper option.

The Water Park Fun & More option adds admission to Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach, as well as the Wide World of Sports, DisneyQuest, the two miniature golf courses and one championship golf course. However, you only get the same number of entries as you have days on your ticket. While theme park visits are counted in days, WPF&M visits are counted in entries. If you go to Typhoon Lagoon and DisneyQuest on the same day, you will use two WPF&M entries. If you have a Park Hopper ticket, and visit the Magic Kingdom and Epcot on the same day, you will only use one park day.

You can buy Magic Your Way tickets online and pick them up at a vending machine at any of the four parks. Thanks to Michael Gray for the photo!

Magic Your Way tickets expire 14 days after the first use unless you pay for No Expiration. Many people buy more days than they need, with No Expiration, in anticipation of a future trip. If you know that you will visit again in the future, this can be a cost-effective way to lock in your next trip at today’s prices.

You can upgrade your tickets at any time within 14 days of the first use, but Disney typically does not give refunds for downgrades. Start by buying the lowest-tier ticket you know you will you use, and go to Guest Relations to upgrade it if needed.

Annual Passes
The factors that go into deciding whether to purchase an annual pass are highly subjective, but one thing is certain. Unless you are buying your tickets in another country, you cannot purchase a Magic Your Way ticket that is valid for more than 10 days. An annual pass is roughly the same price as two 10-day tickets, or a little less if you qualify for discounts. If you know you will visit again within a year, an annual pass is generally the way to go.

Additionally, if you will drive to the parks from a non-Disney hotel, an annual pass saves you the parking fee, which is $15 per day as of 2014. Annual passes also provide a variety of discounts throughout Walt Disney World. Some people buy one member of their party an annual pass specifically to take advantage of the savings.

Discounts

If someone in your family is military or DoD, active or retired, you can buy discount tickets at Shades of Green.

Discounted tickets for those who qualify are available at military installations including Shades of Green, an official military retreat on Disney property, as well as at AAA offices around the country. If you are a Disney Vacation Club owner or Florida resident, you are eligible for special ticket offers. If you know an annual passholder or cast member, that person might be able to get you a small discount.

Some ticket wholesalers are legitimate, but always do your due diligence. Steer clear of anyone holding a sign on the side of the road or who approaches you in an odd location. Scams are rampant, and there is no way to find out if a particular ticket is valid until you arrive at the park and try to use it for admission. By the time you find out your ticket is no good, the person who sold it to you might be long gone.

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party is well-known for its parade.

Walt Disney World offers a seemingly endless array of separately priced special events and packages, from Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party to the Feel the Force package during Star Wars Weekends. Events are held after-hours, while packages offer preferential treatment during regular park hours. If you are on a limited budget, you might wonder whether it is worthwhile to direct some of your funds toward these options.

Special Events
Most Walt Disney World special events are included with park admission, from the spring Flower and Garden Festival through the holiday Candlelight Processional, both at Epcot. However, some events are known as hard ticket events, which means that you must buy a special ticket to attend. Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party and Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party are wildly popular annual hard ticket events. A Villains Party is being tested this year as a hard ticket at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and other hard ticket events have been available at various times.

These events are advertised as featuring holiday-themed parades, stage shows and fireworks displays that are not shown to the general public. While this is basically true for the Halloween party, keep in mind that you can see the Magic Kingdom fireworks from numerous locations around Walt Disney World. There is nothing stopping you from finding out the schedule and watching the special fireworks from a publicly accessible location.

For Christmas, the parade and stage shows move to daytime performance schedules as soon as the Christmas parties are over for the year (typically a few days before Christmas) and run through New Year’s. If you are willing to battle the crowds during Christmas week, you can see the same entertainment during the day without paying for a party ticket.

In general, Dad and I no longer find the hard ticket events to be worth the money. At one time, the Christmas party included numerous extras such as a free family photograph and some shows we enjoyed that are no longer offered. As the inclusions gradually decreased and the prices increased, we reached the point that the hard ticket events no longer made sense for us. Clearly others disagree, as the hard tickets frequently sell out.

Packages

The Feel the Force package provides premium viewing for the Star Wars Weekends celebrity motorcade.

Packages provide a premium experience, such as reserved viewing locations for parades or fireworks and often some food and/or alcohol. For example, the Star Wars Weekends Feel the Force package includes VIP viewing for both the parade and the fireworks, as well as soft drinks and snacks during the parade and a dessert buffet during the fireworks. For 2014, the price was $54 per adult and $32 per child aged 3 to 9. Similar packages are offered with different focuses throughout the year at all four Walt Disney World theme parks, allowing you to sign up for the package that best suits your family’s interests.

Dad and I have never chosen to participate in a package, but we are not opposed to the idea. We simply find that we are usually too busy with all of the activities that are included with the regular price of admission! If you are doing Disney on a shoestring, rest assured that buying a package is entirely unnecessary to having a good time. We always find good places to watch the shows, parades and fireworks, and probably could not actually consume $54 worth of dessert per person.

Backstage Tours

Backstage tours take you behind the scenes at your favorite Walt Disney World theme parks.

As the name suggests, backstage tours allow you to go behind the scenes of many of your favorite Walt Disney World attractions. Dad and I have participated in backstage tours, and would happily do so again. These tours are guided by experts who share a seemingly endless amount of trivia and fun facts, as well as providing a perspective that most guests never get to see.

These tours run the gamut from the one-hour, $20 (as of 2014) Behind the Seeds tour at the Land pavilion through the all-day Backstage Magic tour (nearly $245 as of 2014). If your kids are young, note that some tours have minimum age requirements, which vary by tour from 8 to 16. Depending on the tour, kids under age 16 or 18 might need to be accompanied by an adult. Check the specifics, including any discounts for which you might qualify, before booking a tour.

While the backstage tours are a lot of fun for Disney aficionados, I do not recommend them for first- or second-time visitors. There is so much to take in that you are likely to be overwhelmed as a new guest. If you are traveling on a shoestring, no matter how many times you have visited, the tours are definitely not necessary for a good time. In all the years we have been annual passholders, Dad and I have only done a couple of tours. Think of them as a fun way to spend a little disposable cash rather than something that could make or break your vacation.

The official Disney resorts, such as Port Orleans Riverside, are beautiful but pricey. Thanks to Michael Gray for the excellent photo!

There is no question that Walt Disney World is an expensive vacation destination. Yet many people feel priced out of the Disney market due to a simple lack of information. While it will never be as cheap as a week at the motel down the street, you can use quite a few cost-cutting measures to maximize your fun while minimizing the hit to your wallet.

Official Walt Disney World Resorts
The question of whether to stay on site or at a nearby non-Disney property rages constantly on Disney fan forums across the Internet. The major advantages of staying on site are Disney’s Magical Express and Extra Magic Hours. If you fly into Orlando International Airport, Disney’s Magical Express buses will deliver you and your luggage to your official Disney resort free of charge. You can then use the internal transportation system to get around, making it unnecessary to rent a car. Extra Magic Hours are special operating hours early in the morning and late at night during which one of the Disney theme parks is open only to Disney resort guests. In addition, those who drive to Walt Disney World or rent a car do not have to pay for parking at the theme parks.

Fans of the Disney resorts also talk about being immersed in the “Disney magic.” Many people feel that their vacations are a bit more magical when they do not need to leave Disney property at all. Certainly, wakeup calls from Disney characters and Hidden Mickeys around the resorts add an intangible benefit that increases the perceived value of staying on site.

The Walt Disney World resorts are very nice, especially in the Moderate and Deluxe categories. The cold reality, however, is that at every price point, an official Disney hotel room costs more than a comparable room off site. For shoestring travelers, staying on site is rarely the most cost-effective option. However, discounts are regularly offered for Florida residents, annual passholders and members of the military. If you can find a good discount, you might decide that the convenience is worthwhile.

Shades of Green is a deluxe military retreat with bargain prices.

If anyone in your party is an active duty or retired military member or Department of Defense civilian, and you want to stay in a deluxe resort, Shades of Green is a reasonable option. At well over $100 per night, it is far from the cheapest option in the area. However, it is a former Disney deluxe resort that is now an official military retreat. The room sizes and amenities are on par with the Disney deluxe resorts at only a fraction of the price. Shades of Green participates in Extra Magic Hours, and runs its own buses to the Disney parks and entertainment areas on a frequent schedule. However, if “Disney ambience” is important to you, be aware that Shades of Green resembles a traditional high-end resort. It is not filled with character décor.

Downtown Disney Hotels
Just past Downtown Disney, Hotel Plaza Boulevard is lined with seven hotels that are in the gray area between official Walt Disney World resorts and other local options. The hotels run the gamut in price points and level of amenities, but at every level, they generally cost less than the official resorts but more than properties that are further away.

Note that of the seven, only the Hilton participates in Extra Magic Hours. However, all offer Disney character merchandise and tickets, frequent shuttle service around Walt Disney World, and excellent views of the parks. My personal favorite is the Best Western Lake Buena Vista, a surprisingly inexpensive yet very nice resort where you can watch the nightly fireworks from the comfort of your balcony.

Off Site Considerations

The Fountains is just one of many off-site condo options.

As you might suspect, the area surrounding Walt Disney World is packed with virtually every hotel and motel chain you could imagine. Condos are also a wildly popular option, available both through time share companies and nightly rentals. Another option, especially for big groups, is to rent a private home. Many local companies specialize in vacation home rentals, which can be significantly less expensive than renting two or three hotel rooms.

Of course, not all off site properties are comparable. Because the market is so crowded with options, it is crucial to thoroughly familiarize yourself with a particular property before making a reservation. For example, many hotels offer shuttle service to Walt Disney World, but some provide this service only once or twice a day at times that are not convenient for many travelers. Likewise, some properties claim to be “close to Disney” or “in the Disney area,” when they are actually many miles of heavy traffic away from Walt Disney World. Use a map program to find out exactly where a particular hotel is.

Be sure to consider the cost of gas and parking. As of 2014, parking for the theme parks is $15 per day, while Downtown Disney parking is free. Some people buy at least one member of their party an annual pass in order to take advantage of discounts, which include free parking.

Kitchen facilities can save you a significant amount of money if you have time to eat some meals in your room. However, it is silly to invest in a room with a full kitchen if you just want to refrigerate some milk or juice. If you will be at the parks from dawn until long after dark, a small refrigerator in the room will probably suffice. Many properties provide a refrigerator and microwave for free or at a nominal cost, but some do not. Always clarify exactly what is included before booking a room.

Disney provides a variety of wheelchair viewing areas for parades and fireworks.

Disney has long been known as a pioneer in accessibility for the disabled. Long before the Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990 made public access a requirement, Disney was doing what it could to make its parks and resorts more disabled-friendly. Yet some radical changes that began in October 2013 have many in the disabled community scratching their heads, wondering whether Disney is trying to send a message that the disabled are no longer welcome.

My dad is my favorite Disney park buddy, and he has numerous medical conditions that make it tough for him to endure a day in the parks. So we have tracked the changes with great interest, and we have personal experience with both the old system and the new. Here’s what we have learned.

The Old Way: The GAC
Disney went through several variations on disabled accessibility over the years, before finally settling on the Guest Assistance Card, or GAC. These red and white cards were issued to people with physical or mental conditions who needed some extra assistance to enjoy the theme parks. They were issued with a wide range of stamps depending on the guest’s specific needs. For example, some people were able to wait in regular lines, but were unable to climb stairs. Some needed a place to wait outside of direct sunlight. Others needed front row seating due to low vision.

The Guest Assistance Card, or GAC, was the gold standard for many years.

For those with more complicated or brittle medical conditions, Disney also offered two higher-level stamps. The arrow stamp allowed the guest and his or her party (up to 6 people) to utilize the FastPass entrances at attractions that provided them, or a special disabled entrance at others. The green light stamp, issued mostly to Make a Wish kids and others in extremely fragile health, provided front-of-line access to virtually every experience.

The Issues
A couple of things happened during 2012 and 2013 that made it seem inevitable that the GAC system would change. The first was that Disney began enforcing return times for FastPass. For several years, although each FastPass had a designated one-hour return window, cast members would accept FastPasses at any time after the window opened, as long as it was the same day. Suddenly, that changed. Anyone who arrived even a few minutes after the return window was turned away. Around the same time, Disney announced the coming of FastPass+, a new ride reservation system that would allow park visitors to book ride times before ever leaving home.

With increasing awareness and acceptance of disability issues, the number of people using GACs had skyrocketed in recent years. Meanwhile, the internet made it easy to learn what kinds of GAC stamps were available, and increasing numbers of people requested the arrow stamp. Adding to the situation was the fact that under the Americans With Disabilities Act, Disney is not allowed to ask for proof of disability when providing access. Sadly, many people without any disabilities at all knew what to say at Guest Relations to gain what was essentially an unlimited FastPass.

With the enforcement of FastPass return times and the announcement of FastPass+, it was clear that the GAC system would not work with Disney’s plans. An unpredictable number of people entering the FastPass lines at any time of day would surely throw off the exact counts that Disney was trying to obtain. But the final blow came in the form of bad press.

A reporter for NBC News went undercover in spring 2013 to investigate rumored GAC abuse. The reporter hired two different people from Craigslist, both offering paid tour guide services that would allow visitors to skip the lines. According to the report, both people obtained their Guest Assistance Cards legitimately, due to their personal medical conditions. But both sold their services, which included use of their GACs, to strangers.

Naturally, the story exploded. Outraged members of the disability community and healthy visitors alike called for an immediate end to the abuse. Disney took action immediately, sending cease and desist letters to disabled tour guides and warning all GAC holders that such abuse could result in GACs being revoked and even banning from the parks.

The New System: The DAS

The Disability Assistance Service card, or DAS, replaced the GAC in October 2013.

Some believe that the GAC program ended because of the bad press. Some believe it was unsustainable in the new FastPass+ era. Some even think that Disney decided the disabled population did not contribute enough to its bottom line. Whatever your personal thoughts on the topic, Disney announced in October 2013 that the long-lived GAC system was coming to a screeching halt.

A few days after the announcement, GAC was out and DAS was in. Rather than the multiple-stamp, tailored system offered by the GAC, the Disability Access Service card is one size fits all. Or one size fits none, depending on your particular needs. For example, the DAS is not issued to those who need to avoid stairs or have visual disabilities that require them to sit up front. Instead, people with those issues find themselves repeating their needs over and over to different cast members at each attraction. The DAS is not issued for mobility impairments, as Disney’s official recommendation is to rent a wheelchair or ECV. Anecdotal reports show mixed reactions to the request for a DAS card which, like the old GAC, must be obtained at Guest Relations. Some people report being told that the DAS is only for people with autism, or being refused a DAS even when they had been eligible for the GAC.

The DAS is officially valid for no more than 6 people traveling together. According to anecdotal reports, it is possible to receive a DAS for a party of up to 10 if everyone in the group presents themselves at Guest Relations. While annual pass holders can receive a DAS that is valid for two months, a DAS for more than 6 people must be renewed each day, with everyone in the group present each time. Presumably this is to cut down on abuse of the type reported by NBC News.

The DAS requires you to go to each attraction (or Disneyland kiosk) and obtain a return time.

With a DAS, you or someone in your party must go to the attraction you want to experience (at Walt Disney World), or to one of several kiosks scattered throughout the parks (at Disneyland) and receive a return time from a cast member. The return time is based on the current standby wait time minus ten minutes. Therefore, if the standby line is 80 minutes, your wait will be 70 minutes.

Unlike FastPass+, which requires you to return within a one-hour window, you may return to your DAS attraction at any time the same day, as long as your return time has passed. You are free to wait standby for other attractions, eat, shop, rest or do anything else you like while you are waiting. However, you are not allowed to get a return time for another attraction until you either use the first return time or have it crossed off.

DAS With FastPass+
On its own, DAS was nearly useless for Dad. The fact that he had to physically walk to an attraction, then find a place to wait, then walk back made it more trouble than it was worth. Since FastPass+ opened to annual pass holders, however, he has been able to make it work. It takes a lot more planning than the GAC required, and there are times that he has to leave without using his DAS return time, but overall the combination is less hopeless than it first appeared.

The key is figuring out how to best utilize the DAS. In general, it seems to work best to plan FastPass+ for the three attractions we most want to see. When we arrive at the park, one or both of us take the card to get a return time for something before heading to our first FastPass+ reservation. Even at the most popular attractions, the DAS return time is rarely more than 100 minutes. When we are in the area of the DAS attraction again, we are typically eligible to return.

Use the FastPass+ system, linked to your MagicBand, in conjunction with the DAS card.

Sometimes you have to think outside the box to meet your needs. For example, a few days ago we wanted to see the Festival of Fantasy parade at the Magic Kingdom, then switch to Epcot to have dinner and meet friends for the Village People concert. We wanted to ride our three favorite Magic Kingdom rides as well as Soarin’, but we knew the afternoon line for Soarin’ would be more than Dad could handle. So before we left home, I made FastPass+ reservations for our chosen Magic Kingdom attractions. When we arrived, we parked at Epcot. Dad waited while I took his DAS to Soarin’ to get a return time. Then we hopped on the monorail to the Magic Kingdom. By the time we got back to Epcot, we were able to ride Spaceship Earth with a five minute standby time, and then use our return time at Soarin’ before heading to the World Showcase.

Tips for Parents
Unlike the old GAC, we have not found the DAS to be something we can consistently rely on to meet Dad’s needs. Utilize FastPass+ to its full capacity to ensure you and your child can experience your favorite attractions. In late spring 2014, Disney is expected to expand the FastPass+ system to allow visitors to book additional FastPass+ after using the original three, as well as to add park hopping functionality. Think of the DAS as a little something extra rather than your main source for reasonable access.

If your child has trouble understanding the need to get a return time and then come back to the attraction, have one of the adults in your group act as a runner. As long as an adult is available to wait with the child, there is no need for him or her to go to the attraction until it is actually time to ride. Anyone may take the DAS to the attraction to get a return time.

The DAS has a photo of the person to whom it is issued. That person must physically go on the attraction in order to use the card. For example, if the disabled person is unable to ride Tower of Terror, the rest of your party may NOT use the DAS to experience it. Use FastPass+ instead to minimize your wait. You can use Child Swap in tandem with the DAS, as long as the disabled person rides with one of the groups. See a cast member outside the attraction for more information.

If you have multiple people in your group who qualify for the DAS, don’t be afraid to get more than one. If your party splits up for part of the day, or if the DAS-eligible people have different ride interests, it is better to be covered. For example, Grandma in a wheelchair may be unable or unwilling to go on Space Mountain, while it might be your physically healthy autistic daughter’s favorite ride. Since the DAS holder must ride, getting both Grandma and daughter their own DAS cards allows each of them to do the things that make them happy.

The DAS is issued for the length of your trip. If you are an annual pass holder, you can receive a DAS for up to two months. This is an extension beyond the 14 days annual pass holders originally got, and should help to ease some of the pressure on Guest Relations. You can only obtain a DAS at Guest Relations at a theme park, not at your resort hotel or Downtown Disney.

What has over 1,700 animals, exciting rides and attractions, live entertainment, interactive games and activities, restaurants, shops and more? Walt Disney World’s Animal Kingdom in Orlando Florida! This 500-acre conservation-themed park ranks among the world’s top ten most visited amusement parks.  It is also the world’s largest Disney theme park, and is organized into seven themed areas: Oasis, Discovery Island, Camp Minnie-Mickey, Africa, Rafiki’s Planet Watch, Asia and DinoLand USA.

Notable Attractions 

Tree of Life 

The Tree of Life rises from the center of the park

All of the park’s themed areas surround the Tree of Life which is located on Discovery Island. This sculpted centerpiece symbolizes the park’s conservation message and rises over 44 meters tall by 15 meters wide. It features over 300 animals carved into its trunk, roots and branches. Children enjoy trying to spot the variety of the animals showcased in this iconic masterpiece, which include a bear, lion, hippopotamus, dolphin, lemur, tortoise and much more.

The beautiful artwork of the Tree of Life reminds onlookers of the interconnectedness of our diverse world, and the circle of life that brings us all together.  It can be admired by strolling along the self-guided trails that spread out over Discovery Island with natural allure among lush vegetation, tranquil pools, and rustic paths that lead to many animal sightings whose exhibits blend effortlessly with the beautiful surroundings of the park.

Tyrannosaures Rex Skeleton of “Sue”

For those with an interest in prehistoric life, a visit to DinoLand USA offers a face-to-face encounter with the 67 million-year-old Tyrannosaurus Rex skeleton of “Sue” in all her primeval magnificence. This T-Rex was originally discovered in 1990, in the Black Hills of South Dakota. The actual skeleton of Sue remains on permanent display at The Field Museum in Chicago, Illinois. Guests can marvel at Sue’s imposing majesty which stands over 13 feet tall and 40 feet long, imagining what it might have been like to face such a daunting predator in the flesh, back in the Late Cretaceous Period when dinosaurs ruled the planet.

Dinosaur Ride

The atrium before the dinosaur ride houses the skeleton of a Carnotaurus, along with lots of informative displays

While in DinoLand USA, guests can climb aboard a “time rover” and travel back to prehistory on the ride Dinosaur, where they will be given an exciting tour of a land ruled by these prehistoric beasts. Even while waiting in line one can learn all sorts of dinosaur facts that are displayed along the octagonal atrium with its vaulted ceiling and simulated rock walls, complete with replicated bone fragments, ammonites and other fossils embedded into the surrounding walls that reveal several layers of rock stratum from the various time periods in history, such as the Triassic, Cretaceous and Jurassic periods. The setting is a wonderful prelude to the ride that follows, and helps build anticipation for this exciting ride. This Dinosaur ride is most suitable for older children and adults who enjoy the thrills and fantastic effects of a simulated extinct land brought to life in Disney’s own magical way.

Maharajah Jungle Trek

One of my personal favorite attractions is the Maharajah Jungle Trek. Guests can walk through lush trails and view the splendid ruins of an ancient palace where exotic animals rule. This mystical forest offers a close-up view of Asian tigers, Komodo Dragons, gibbons, pythons, bats, birds and more. Wandering through the lush vegetation and canopy of trees that boarder the rustic trails gives one the feeling of what it might be like to visit such a jungle. There are footbridges, sparkling waterfalls, and magnificent ruins that blend into an idyllic setting that is simply delightful to explore.

Komodo Dragons

Komodo Dragons are the largest lizards in the world

The Komodo Dragons are the world’s largest lizards and grow up to 12 feet long, 250 pounds, and live an average life spanning 20-25 years. These amazing reptiles use their sense of smell to hunt for prey. They launch an attack using their sharp, serrated teeth and powerful claws to incapacitate an animal before feeding. Its saliva is highly toxic with venom that is steeped in over 50 strains of bacteria. So even if the beast’s initial attack is not fatal, the fast-spreading infection that ensues from its bite most certainly is lethal. Think of it as a secret deadly weapon, and one which you would not wish to experience.

Tigers

Tigers are the reigning monarchs of this realm

The tigers are my favorite with their natural grace and elegance. These big cats are the reigning monarchs of this temple. It is fun to watch them stroll through their spacious life-like habitats or just stretch out and lounge beneath the dappled light that filters down through the trees, bamboo and foliage that grow in abundance.

Gorillas

Primates, like this gorilla, and Humans have more than a 99% genetic similarity

The gorillas are intriguing also, as one cannot help making comparisons to our own human species. There are many similarities and can almost remind us of ourselves as they observe us from the comfort of their exhibits with as much interest as we observe them.

Kali River Rapids and Expedition Everest

Prepare to get soaked on the Kali River Rapids ride

Some of the fun rides in this part of the park include the Kali River Rapids which takes guests through the Chakranadi River on an exciting whitewater raft ride that can leave them soaked. There is also the high-speed train ride Expedition Everest through the misty mountain of Everest.

Kilimanjaro Safaris

Visitors can see animals galore on the Kilimanjaro Safaris expedition where they will ride on open-air vehicles through the savanna where rhinos, gazelles, giraffes, lions and elephants roam the beautiful open terrain. There are many exhibits throughout the park’s themed areas with all kinds of animals to delight guests of all ages, including the giant anteater, Galapagos tortoises, lemurs, tamarins, gorillas, hippos, and lots more.

Affection Section

Children will love the Affection Section where they can get up-close to see such domestic animals as goats, sheep, cows, llamas, chickens, pigs, donkeys and more. Kids can feed, pet and brush the animals in this outdoor petting zoo located in the Rafiki’s Planet Watch area of the park.

A Park for the Whole Family

This curious looking creature–called an Okapi–looks like a zebra-deer hybrid, but is actually related to the giraffe

Disney’s Animal Kingdom is full of exhibits, rides, tours, behind-the-scenes animal encounters, exciting live entertainment including stage shows, parades, character experiences, fireworks and more. Like other Disney parks, it too accepts the FASTPASS service that can cut the long waits out of those attractions for which it is used. There are plenty of restaurants and dining options for hungry visitors, as well as fun shops for browsing and buying souvenirs.

But what makes Disney’s Animal Kingdom most memorable—standing in a class of its own and apart from the traditional zoos around the country—is the marvelous blending of nature, the animal world, and the magical world of Disney. It is an exciting integration of human imagination, and nature’s own infinite and splendid creations, with the animals that have captured our attentions and enchanted us throughout time. A visit to Disney’s Animal Kingdom leaves guests with a greater appreciation for our diverse natural world, and our own humble place within its realm.

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For anyone who isn’t familiar with the Magic Kingdom in Orlando, Florida, or with Disneyland in California, it is definitely worth a visit. But be forewarned: these Disney World parks are popular, drawing large crowds, which translates into long lines.

Park Areas

Cinderella’s Castle rising in regal splendor to greet expectant guests

The Magic Kingdom is organized into six exciting themed areas complete with rides and attractions, dining, shops, and plenty of fun-filled entertainment. Fantasyland, Adventureland, Liberty Square, Tomorrowland, Frontierland, and Main Street USA all entice guests with their dazzling appeal and the promise of enchantment. And rising above them with resplendent majesty is the iconic Cinderella Castle with its vaulted ceiling, columned walls, jeweled lighting, and stunning mosaics in shimmering glass, gold and silver illustrating the story of Cinderella with such exquisite detail befitting any royal palace. It’s charming to see the expression of wonder on the many children visiting the park with their families, and especially on the little girls bedecked in their princess finery and eager to experience the magic of Disney.

If you plan to visit with little ones, the smaller rides are a great choice, and usually have shorter waits. Things like Dumbo the Flying Elephant, Peter Pan’s Flight, the Prince Charming Regal Carrousel, the Mad Tea Party, the Magic Carpets of Aladdin, and the Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh are perfect.

Fastpass Advantage

Something to help speed the wait along is the “Fastpass” which lets guests reserve a time slot on a popular ride, allowing them the freedom to go and explore other rides until it is time for them to return to the attraction. While Fastpass does alleviate the long waits on those rides for which it is used, it can only be used for one ride at a time.

Notable Rides & Attractions

The detail on It’s a Small World’s cheerful attraction is beautiful

My own personal favorite attractions include the ever-popular child-friendly It’s a Small World where guests ride on a musical boat tour that glides through an amazing collage of dancing and singing characters dressed in their native costumes from a host of countries around the world. They sing the classic “It’s a Small World” song in their own languages, and usually have onlooking guests singing along or at least humming the tune long after the ride is over.

Beware of plunderin’ pirates dear landlubbers!

Another must-see is the Pirates of the Caribbean made even more popular by the hit movie starring Johnny Depp. His character Jack Sparrow can be seen hiding in many of the cleverly-enacted scenes throughout the ride. One drifts through the life-like exhibits with the overwhelming desire to hop out of the boat and explore the seaport towns, fortress alleyways, battling galleons, cobwebbed catacombs, and hidden grottos with mounds of treasure glittering in the shadowy light. Although it might be a bit dark and spooky for very young children, it is lots of fun for anyone interested in pirate tales brought to life with all the robust hardiness of a barrel of rum. And while dead men may tell no tales, these life-like characters spin the imagination with their boisterous serenades and plundering antics that make one want to escape on a 17^th century spellbinding quest.

The Haunted Mansion’s colonial architecture is as beautiful as it is imposing

For those intrigued by ghostly adventures, the Haunted Mansion makes for a fascinating visit. The colonial manor is as beautiful as it is imposing, with its intricate architectural details, long corridors, fancy wallpapering, pallid light glowing from cobwebbed chandeliers, painted portraits and carved busts of stern-faced subjects staring out from their niches with ominous all-seeing eyes that seem to watch passersby wherever they go.

Beware of hitchhiking ghosts…

Guests sit in a “doom buggy” as they tour the mansion that is home to 999 reveling ghosts. The mansion has over 15 rooms including a grand ballroom and a graveyard where spooks and spirits reside in haunted splendor. And unlike some of the other rides beckoning throughout the park, I am decidedly not gripped by an overwhelming desire to jump out of the buggy and explore the imposing house on my own, but rather prefer to marvel at its mystery while huddled in the safety of the buggy itself, no matter how many times I might have toured the mansion’s ghostly grandeur.

The nature of this spooky attraction makes it more suitable for older children and adults, and can be enjoyed even while waiting in the line outside. Guests walk through a graveyard where witty epitaphs are inscribed on the tombstones and creepy crypts that line the interactive queue. Things like

The tombstones are inscribed with haunting humor

Dear Departed Brother Dave
He Chased a Bear Into a Cave

–or–

Here Lies Good Old Fred
A Great Big Rock Fell On His Head 

An interesting piece of trivia is that the people mentioned in the epitaphs are named after the real imagineers, as they are called, who had a hand in the creation of the Haunted Mansion project. This macabre attraction is laced with dark humor but is not bloody, gruesome or grotesque. And like the attention to detail that is so meticulously executed throughout the manor, the accompanying music dominated by the dramatic strains of an organ creates an appropriately chilling mood that will have you staring wide-eyed in morbid fascination.

Tips for Parents

This dreamy park makes for a memorable family visit

Being “the most magical place on earth,” Disney’s Magic Kingdom might also seem like the most crowded place on earth. So come prepared to wait in lines by having some toys or activities to keep your youngsters occupied, as well as refreshments to keep them hydrated and comfortable. Strollers are a must for tots, as they are the first to tire out after walking around. Larger fast-paced thrilling rides are most popular with the longest queues, while the smaller rides are just right for pint-sized guests, have shorter waits, and offer a memorable experience that is sure to stay with them for a long time.

Visiting Disney’s Magic Kingdom provides an unforgettable time for the whole family. It is an entertainment hub that draws people from all around the world, making it a fun place to people-watch as you explore its exhilarating attractions. And like its classic theme song from It’s a Small World suggests, a visit here brings one to the marvelous realization that “though the mountains divide, and the oceans are wide, it’s a small small world…”

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Walt Disney World – Off the Beaten Path

Shades of Green is truly a retreat.

Walt Disney World is internationally known as a premier destination for families. From the tiniest kids to the most elderly grandparents, Disney’s winning formula includes plenty of fun, excitement and wonder for all. What is less known, however, is that in addition to the 26 Disney-owned resorts, 8 partner hotels and 450-home multimillion dollar residential complex, Disney is also home to a deluxe Armed Forces Recreation Center.

History of Shades of Green

When Walt Disney World opened in 1971, it featured just two hotels: the Polynesian Resort and the Contemporary Resort. Disney grew and expanded quickly in those early days, and by 1973 it was clear that another hotel was needed to handle the crowds. The Walt Disney World Golf Resort opened beside the Magnolia and Palms golf courses, across the street from the Polynesian, in December of that year.

Although popular with golfers, the Golf Resort did not have a strong appeal for non-golfing tourists. The resort doubled in size and received a Snow White theme in 1986, when it became the Disney Inn. Additional dining options were added, and the Disney Inn joined the ranks of popular Disney deluxe hotels. The resort features the largest rooms on Walt Disney World property, with standard rooms measuring just under 500 square feet.

Insider secret: They turn off the waterfall late at night!

By the early 1990s, Disney had added several deluxe and moderate resorts, and the Disney Inn was no longer needed to handle guest flow. Disney has always had a proud tradition of supporting America’s military families with special ticket options and deals, so it was only natural for the company to enter into an agreement to provide military families with a special retreat of their own.

In 1994, the Disney Inn reopened as Shades of Green, the first Armed Forces Recreation Center in the continental United States. The government leased the property from Disney for two years before purchasing it outright in 1996.

The military purchase brought very few changes to the historic property, beyond the removal of the Snow White theme and the addition of flags from every branch of service as well as an American flag and a POW flag. A massive expansion in 2004 more than doubled the resort’s capacity to 586 rooms. A new upscale casual Italian bistro also opened with the expansion. While the décor was refreshed and updated over the years, the basic resort has remained the same as it was under Walt Disney World management.

About Shades of Green

Buy your tax-free tickets for area attractions here.

As an official military installation, Shades of Green is open to active and retired military members, active and retired Department of Defense civilian employees, honorably discharged veterans with a 100% service-connected disability, and a few others with special status. Spouses and dependents of deployed or deceased military members are also eligible. Each eligible person may sponsor two additional rooms at the same rate. At various times of the year, Shades of Green may offer rooms to veterans on a space available basis. Check with the resort to ensure your eligibility before making a reservation.  You can visit their official website for more information at www.shadesofgreen.org.

Standard and pool view room rates fall into three categories according to rank, ensuring that enlisted personnel, officers and civilians all pay their fair share. As of 2012, standard rooms cost $95 to $131 depending on rank, while the biggest suites cost $375 for everyone.

All rooms feature a balcony or private patio, a small table and chairs, an oversized bathroom with double sinks and a separate toilet/tub area, a roomy closet and a large flat screen TV. Each room has a mini-refrigerator and a coffee maker, but no microwave. However, shared microwaves are available in each laundry room. Standard and poolside rooms sleep five, while junior suites sleep six and suites sleep eight. There is an additional $15 per night charge for each adult over two in standard and poolside rooms, and each adult over four in suites. Parking in the attached garage is $5 per night.

Our Experience

The view from our balcony was incredible.

Dad is a retired civilian industrial engineer with the Department of Defense. As a GS-12 he pays the highest rate, which is still less than half the cost of a comparable Disney-owned deluxe resort. As he mentioned over breakfast the last morning of our stay, those of us who pay the highest rate help to subsidize the stays of those who pay the lowest. It was a great feeling to realize that in a tiny way, I was able to give back to our brave service members.

We had stayed at Shades of Green years ago, but had not been there since the expansion. When Hurricane Isaac threatened Central Florida, where we were staying in our RV, we decide to take a “hurrication,” a hurricane-inspired vacation. Shades of Green just happened to be in the middle of a 30% off sale, so we booked a room for three nights.

Check-in was a breeze (just remember to bring your CAC or other proof of eligibility), and we were quickly off to our fourth-floor room in the new wing. The room was beautiful, with a stunning view of the golf course from our balcony. Of course, this being a hurrication, we didn’t spend too much time on the balcony! Although the center of the storm moved west, the rain bands were heavy and cold.

Shades of Green runs its own buses to points around Walt Disney World.

We were pleasantly surprised to learn that Shades of Green participates in Extra Magic Hours, Disney’s program for onsite resort guests. Every day, a different park is open solely for resort guests for two hours in the morning or three hours in the evening. Due to the storm, we only took advantage of the program once, for evening hours at the Magic Kingdom, but it was a truly wonderful perk.

Shades of Green runs buses every 20 minutes to the Transportation and Ticket Center, where you can transfer to Disney buses that run to the rest of Disney property except for Downtown Disney. It also runs buses once an hour to Downtown Disney and other locations around Walt Disney World. If you prefer not to wait for a bus, an easy 10-minute walk along shaded paths takes you to the Polynesian, where you can catch Disney transportation directly.

Dining

All that ice cream goodness for only $5!

Shades of Green offers two main restaurants—the Garden Gallery buffet and Mangino’s Italian Bistro. Evergreen’s sports bar, located by the pool, serves pub food in the evenings, while quick-service options include the Express Café in the main building and Lucky’s at the arcade next door to Evergreen’s. The Java Café is a quick stop featuring Starbucks coffee and pastries.

Don’t miss America, the 1950s ice cream parlor featuring homemade ice cream at surprisingly low prices. We decided to share the $5 banana split, expecting a small serving. Instead, we ended up with better than two pounds of ice cream goodness! We were given two scoops of each of three flavors, along with a generous helping of hot fudge sauce, sprinkles, chocolate chips and pecans, topped off with a thick layer of whipped cream and five cherries!

Could you resist that cart if it was brought to your table? Neither could we!

We dined at Mangino’s the first night, where we had the friendly and professional Brian as our server. The food was excellent and portions were easily large enough to share. When we asked for the dessert menu, we instead got the dessert presentation—a girl brought a large rolling dessert case to our table, where she showed off the various options! How could we not indulge? And the final bill was only $40, less than half the price of a comparable meal at a Disney-owned restaurant.

We tried the Garden Gallery for both breakfast and dinner during our stay. The buffet was not the most extensive I have seen, but there was plenty of variety for even the pickiest eaters, and the food was great.

The kids’ table at the Garden Gallery was a very cool touch!

A particularly nice touch was the kids’ buffet, where children can help themselves to classic kids’ foods from containers situated at a kid-friendly height. It was Make-Your-Own-Cookie night, and Andrew, our exuberant seater, made sure to point out all the different toppings.

We had a slight miss with room service, when our order took an hour and a half to arrive and was incomplete. But when we brought it to the attention of the manager the next day, he immediately gave us a dining credit for the full amount to use at any of the restaurants in the hotel. Even more impressively, we received a hand-written apology!

Activities

The swimming pool was crystal clear and inviting.

Besides the golf courses, Shades of Green offers two swimming pools, an arcade and a fitness center. A family center provides free Internet access and the opportunity to play numerous games on Wii and PlayStation 2 free of charge. In the evenings, a small bar in the lobby serves as a gathering point for guests. The hotel also keeps a variety of Disney-themed board games scattered throughout the lobby, further encouraging guests to linger. The furniture is comfortable, featuring a mix of fabric and leather sofas and chairs. A fireplace provides a wonderful and inviting focal point.

Tickets to Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando and other area attractions are sold tax-free at the resort. Additionally, the well-equipped gift shop sells Disney souvenirs at a fraction of the prices that Disney charges. Everyone staying at the resort is welcome to make purchases in the shop, although alcohol and tobacco sales are restricted to those with military Exchange privileges.

Tips for Parents

Shades of Green represents an incredible value for military families. With the largest standard rooms on Disney property, the resort is packed with amenities and features designed to provide an amazing vacation. Unlike the Disney-owned resorts, Shades of Green is not decorated in a Disney theme. Instead, the décor is elegant yet understated, providing a relaxing and comfortable backdrop for families. Be sure to check out the kid’s movies on the TV in the lobby, as well as family movie night at the pool.

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Walt Disney World During the Holidays: Beyond the Parks

Amusement parks have long been a preferred venue for families in search of exciting entertainment. From favorite roller coasters, to high-speed thrillers, traditional family and children’s rides, live entertainment, shops and dining, these alphabetically listed parks have something for everyone in the family.

BUSCH GARDENS  WILLIAMSBURG – Williamsburg, Virginia

Verbolten is one of the many exciting rides at Busch Gardens Williamsburg

One of the most visited parks in the United States, Busch Gardens Williamsburg in Williamsburg, Virginia has an exciting array of European-themed rides, shows, tours, and animal exhibits committed to conservation including gray wolves, lorikeets, red foxes and bald eagles. The park itself is very beautiful and divided into 10 hamlets inspired by Europe. Guests can take behind-the-scenes tours, watch entertaining shows, indulge in mellow to thrill-seeking rides, and shop and dine in the many venues themed after European countries including Italy, France, Germany and Ireland. There are also plenty of attractions for kids, making it perfect for the whole family. For more information visit http://seaworldparks.com/en/buschgardens-williamsburg

CEDAR POINT – Sandusky, Ohio 

This animatronic T-Rex is a roaring sight in Cedar Point’s Dinosaurs Alive! attraction

Dating back to 1870, Cedar Point in Sandusky, Ohio is the second oldest amusement park in North America. This highly acclaimed theme park has drawn people to its pleasure grounds on the beautiful shores of Lake Erie time and again. Known as the roller coaster capital of the world, Cedar Point is a sprawling 364 acres with 15 roller coasters and everything from brain-scrambling thrill rides, to family rides, areas for children like Planet Snoopy and Camp Snoopy with their own exciting rides and attractions, to live entertainment, shops and great dining. It also features the prehistoric-themed attraction Dinosaurs Alive! (nominal fee required) with 50 life-size animatronic dinosaurs. For more information visit www.cedarpoint.com

DISNEY - Florida & California    

Cinderella’s Castle rising in the midst of Walt Disney World Magic Kingdom Park

Disney has enchanted children for decades, and both Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom Park in Orlando, Florida, and Disneyland Park in Anaheim, California, are wonderful places to spark their imaginations with their rides, attractions and entertainment. The parks are divided into themed lands (varies by park) including Main Street U.S.A., Adventureland, Frontierland, and Tomorrowland, with favorite attractions like “it’s a small world,” the Haunted Mansion, Pirates of the Caribbean, and the beautiful fairytale castles. Activities for all ages abound, from shopping, dining, games, rides galore, dazzling entertainment, a host of favorite Disney characters, and so much more. For more information on Walt Disney World Resort’s Magic Kingdom Park in Orlando, Florida visit Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom. Visit our Disney World and our Disneyland Articles for a more in-depth look into the theme parks complete with reviews and family tips.

DOLLYWOOD – Pigeon Forge, Tennessee

The Dollywood Express affords gorgeous views of the Great Smokey Mountain foothills (Courtesy of Jeff Hunsaker)

With the Great Smokey Mountains rising majestically in the background, Dollywood in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee blends an invigorating country flavor into its gorgeous natural setting. This award-winning theme park has spectacular rides, attractions, live entertainment and craft shops that combine the southern tradition and history of Tennessee into an authentic and unforgettable experience. There are rides for all ages from white-knuckle thrillers like its newest wing coaster Wild Eagle, to kiddie rides, playgrounds for children, rides that make the most of the spectacular views and scenery of the mountain foothills like the Dollywood Express steam engine, plenty of shops, delicious dining, and more. For more information visit www.dollywood.com

HERSHEYPARK – Hershey, Pennsylvania

Hersheypark is like three parks in one with its dry rides, water park rides in The Boardwalk, and its 11-acre zoo called ZooAmerica North American Wildlife Park

Hersheypark has been entertaining people since its original founding in 1907 by Milton S. Hershey as a place of enjoyment for his employees. With over 65 rides and attractions including 12 coasters and a whole slew of rides for children, exciting live entertainment, games, shops and food, this outstanding 110-acre theme park in Hershey, Pennsylvania has built a highly respected reputation in its industry. One admission price also includes access to the water park style rides and attractions of The Boardwalk, as well as to ZooAmerica North American Wildlife Park – an 11-acre zoo with over 200 animals from more than 60 species representative of North America, making it a world of delight for all ages. For more information visit www.hersheypark.com

HOLIDAY WORLD & SPLASHIN’ SAFARI – Santa Claus, Indiana

The flying carousel ride HallowSwings at Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari offers panoramic views (Courtesy of Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari)

Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari thrills guests with its dynamic duo of an amusement park and water park. With free parking, free unlimited soft drinks, free sunscreen, free Wi-Fi, rides for all levels, exciting attractions, shows, shops and dining, this theme park makes for an outstanding time for the whole family. This Santa Claus, Indiana park is themed after traditional holidays like Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas and 4th of July. It is also home to the world’s longest water coaster Mammoth, and has a wonderful play area for kids that includes the interactive climbing structure Holidog’s Treehouse, and Magic Waters with its geysers for splashing fun. Holiday World was previously featured in our 20 Best Small Amusement Parks for Families in the USA article, while Splashin’ Safari was included in our Top 10 Best Waterparks in the United States article. For more information visit www.holidayworld.com

KINGS ISLAND – Mason, Ohio

Kids can ride on The Great Pumpkin Coaster at Kings Island Planet Snoopy

The largest amusement park in the Midwest also features the water park Soak City with more than 50 splashing attractions, so guests can have twice the fun for one admission price. Over 80 rides, attractions and shows at Kings Island in Mason, Ohio await to entertain families with kids of all ages. There are family rides like bumper cars, coasters, and flying swings, to thrill rides like the coasters Diamondback and The Beast, to special kids’ attractions like Planet Snoopy with its own rides, shows and favorite Peanuts characters, to live entertainment, plenty of dining options and more. Visitors can also meander through the fascinating Dinosaurs Alive! attraction with 60 life-size dinosaurs in a lush Jurassic setting (requires an additional nominal fee). For more information visit www.visitkingsisland.com

LEGOLAND– Carlsbad, California

Legoland’s Pirate Reef ride is great for sailors and landlubbers alike!

Where else can you see famous sites like the Las Vegas Strip, New York’s Central Park, San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge, New Orleans’ French Quarter, Washington D.C.’s monuments, and more reproduced on a miniature scale of 1:20 entirely from Lego bricks?  Legoland of course! This fabulous park is an absolute delight for families with children and features rides, shows, hand-on free play areas for young children to explore, attractions, shops, dining, and an exciting water park and aquarium (requires upgrade fee). The park is divided into themed areas including Dino Island, Pirate Shores and Castle Hill that captivate visitor’s imaginations and are strewn with life-sized models of characters made from Lego bricks. For more information visit Legoland, Carlsbad California or visit their official website at: http://california.legoland.com/en. Carlsbad’s Legoland was also featured in our 20 Best Small Amusement Parks for Families in the USA.

SEAWORLD – California, Texas & Florida

See exciting dolphin shows and more at SeaWorld (Courtesy of SeaWorld San Diego)

SeaWorld combines the thrills of an amusement park, with the wonder of the animal world. With three exciting locations to choose from (San Diego, CA, San Antonio, TX, and Orlando, FL), guests can learn all about the intriguing animals at these parks while having a roaring good time on the rides, attractions, shows, shops and dining. There are exciting rides for all levels of thrill seekers, like the flume coaster Journey to Atlantis, Sky Tower with its spectacular views, splashing raft rides, and gentler rides for younger children. The exhibits feature fascinating animals like penguins, playful otters, tropical fish aquariums, sleek sharks, and lots more.  All three parks have fantastic shows including dolphins, killer whales, sea lions and acrobatic stunts. There are lots of touch/feed pools, behind-the-scenes tours, and animal encounters for viewers to learn more about the amazing animals up close. For more information about their Southern California location please visit Sea World San Diego California Family Review, or you can also visit their official site at  http://seaworldparks.com

SESAME PLACE – Langhorne, Pennsylvania 

See Elmo and other lovable furry characters at Sesame Place (Photo contributed by Sesame Place)

This fantastic amusement park is the only one of its kind in the country, and perfect for families with younger children. See the Sesame Street Neighborhood come to life complete with its beloved furry characters like Elmo, Big Bird, the Cookie Monster, as well as the Furry Arms Hotel, Oscar’s trash can, Mr. Hooper’s store, Bert and Ernie’s house, and more. This Langhorne, Pennsylvania park offers games and plenty of wet and dry attractions for kids to ride, play, climb and explore including Big Bird’s Court, the Cookie Mountain, an interactive water play castle, slides, wave pool and more. Exciting shows and the popular Neighborhood Street Party Parade with all the favorite furry friends makes a visit to this outstanding theme park a memorable experience. For more information visit www.sesameplace.com

SIX FLAGS GREAT AMERICA – Gurnee, Illinois

The dazzling Columbia Carousel stands 10 stories with two decks for a nostalgic ride (Courtesy of Six Flags Great America)

Located in Gurnee, Illinois, Six Flags Great America is also home to Six Flags Hurricane Harbor where guests can get their fill of dry and wet thrills, and best of all, the water park is free with park admission. There are countless rides including the thrilling coasters Raging Bull and Viper, Jester’s Wild Ride rocking tugboat ride, Big Easy Balloons, Little Dipper family coaster, the resplendent Columbia Carousel, lots of shops, dining options, and shows with live entertainment including the Glow in the Park Parade. Three areas dedicated just for kids ensure that even the youngest guests are thoroughly entertained and include Skull Island, Kidzopolis, and Camp Cartoon with rides, attractions and play areas. The water park boasts slides, raft rides, a wave pool, a relaxing lazy river, and more. For more information visit www.sixflags.com/greatAmerica/index.aspx

UNIVERSAL STUDIOS – Orlando, Florida 

The iconic globe of Universal Studios Orlando

The world of film and television has a marvelous element of fantasy that is lots of fun to explore at Universal Studios in Orlando, Florida.  From behind-the-scenes shows, to real working movie sets, and exciting rides and attractions, a visit to this park is unforgettable. There are 3-D and 4-D interactive experiences like Shrek 4-D and Terminator 2 3-D, play areas for kids like Curious George Goes to Town and Fievel’s Playground, shows like A Day in the Park with Barney, Fear Factor Live with lots of audience participation, the Horror Make-up Show, a variety of shops, and a delicious array of dining including cafes and restaurants. For more information visit Universal Orlando: Not Just for Thrill-Seeking Teens.

Disneyland, California

On my family’s recent vacation to Disneyland—a trip that included six adults, one pre-schooler, and two babies—we learned a lot about making the Disney experience fun and relaxing while traveling with such a large group.  Here are a few more tips (see Disneyland Tips for Families with Children: Part I), that came in handy on our adventure to “The Happiest Place on Earth!” 

Pack extra everything to take into the parks with you 

This is so important if you’re traveling with young children.  You don’t want to have to make the long tram ride back to the parking structure for extra items, be forced into buying forgotten items in the park (which can get expensive), or even to make the relatively short walk back to one of the Disney hotels if you’re staying on-site.  We found it was always better to just come prepared for as much as possible.  Every morning my husband and I would emerge from our room with our stroller packed so tight it didn’t look like there was any room for a child to ride in it and a diaper bag so stuffed it looked like the zipper would snap.  My parents were in awe the first day of our trip as they couldn’t imagine why we could possibly need so much stuff.  Maybe it’s just my little family but we ended up using nearly everything we’d crammed in at one point or another.  

Our son and daughter all bundled up at Disneyland, California.

For a baby, of course all the essentials—diapers, wipes, bottles, formula, pacifiers, changes of clothes, blankets, sweaters—ended up being needed.  Our three-year old didn’t require as much but we still made sure to bring extra jackets, hats, and a full change of clothes each day.  While it’s probably obvious why our four-month old daughter needed a change of clothes, our three-year old son required them for different reasons.  Not only were there the occasional spills that soaked a shirt or pair of pants but some of the rides and attractions at the two Disney parks include water and can wet you through enough to make you uncomfortable if you’re stuck in them for very long.  If you have a recent potty-trainer, you’re likely to need a clean set of clothes as well!  

The weather in California can also be a factor as the temperature tends to vary, sometimes widely throughout the day.  The mornings were often a bit chilly so our kids would start off wearing sweaters.  Then as they day went on it would warm up and we would strip them down again (we found it was best to dress them in layers), then finally when night really set in it got downright cold and we would pile on the jackets, hats, gloves, and blankets.  We were visiting in early November, but the weather during the summer can be just as uncertain; it may stay hot for most of the day but when the sun sets, a light jacket is often a required essential.  Both parks do have lockers, so if you find you’ve just got too much to carry, you can always rent a locker for the day and come back to it as needed.  

Now for a quick word of warning… for the past several years Disneyland has had security checkpoints that everyone must pass through (even those staying in their hotels), before you can enter the parks.  The list of prohibited items are fairly common sense—weapons, alcohol, fireworks, etc—but an employee will have you open all bags and purses that you are carrying for inspection before they will clear you.  Although I have never once been told I was carrying a prohibited item, having to undo all my carefully packed bags before entering the parks is always a hassle.  Be prepared for it before you go! 

Bring Snacks 

Bringing along snacks are another important tip for families traveling with little children.  Disneyland and California Adventure both have so many places to eat and so many options for snacks that you can’t walk more than ten feet without running into one.  Unfortunately, they’re usually pretty expensive, not to mention they’re not accessible when stranded in line for a ride.  We carried small, easy snacks and drinks with us including fruit snacks, granola bars, crackers, bottled water and juice—and kept them in a bag where we could get to them quickly even in line.  This helped cut down significantly on our son’s cranky episodes if he was hungry between meals.  It also cut down on our expenses since we were able to save so much money on food!  It’s important to know however, that while snacks and drinks are okay to take into the parks, full meals are not allowed beyond the entrances.  Picnic areas are available right outside the Disneyland gates just beyond the ticket booths.  There are also lockers here where all your food can be stowed until you’re ready to eat.  You will have to leave the parks to access your food again so make sure you get your hand stamped before leaving so you can re-enter when you’re done! 

Our son with his stroller at Disneyland, California.

Strollers 

When I was a teenager with an Annual Pass to the Disney parks, I thought strollers were an abomination; I couldn’t take two steps without being smacked in the shins, whacked in the ankles, or nearly run over by one of them.  Of course I vehemently swore I would never enter Disneyland pushing one of the accursed things, no matter what.  Yes well, fast forward ten or so years and I’ve changed my mind a bit.  I still have the same painful run-ins with other people’s strollers, but I’m afraid they are a necessity when visiting the parks with young children.  

For those who don’t want to haul their own strollers through their entire vacation or don’t want to drag them on and off the tram twice a day, Disneyland does offer stroller rentals—$15/day for one stroller and $25/day for two.  We considered this option for our family trip, but we ultimately chose to bring our own.  If we’d been staying at a hotel off the Disney property we might have rented instead, but staying on site makes it much more convenient.  We did end up with a flat tire one day, but we took our stroller up to the rental area outside the main gates and they were gracious enough to inflate the tire for us at no cost!  

We chose to bring our standard stroller instead of our jogging stroller because of the width.  We find it much easier to squeeze into the stroller parking areas with the more narrow frame.  We also found that many of the restaurants don’t allow them to be brought inside, not to mention the inability to bring them along on the rides.  Some of the shows and attractions—such as Playhouse Disney—also prohibits the use of strollers inside, so be prepared. There is a designated stroller parking area available just outside each of these attractions, and although we never experienced any problems with theft, we always make sure to take our valuables with us.  

The type of stroller you take, or the decision on whether or not to rent will of course depend on what works best for your family.  The number of children in tow, nap requirements, or children that need long breaks from walking are all factors to consider.  I chose to carry our then four-month old daughter in a sling for most of the trip so that our three-year old son could ride when he wanted; we knew he was probably still too young for all the walking.  Extending the seat back allowed him to sleep comfortably as we pressed on with our day’s plans.  For more information on Disney stroller rentals please visit their website at www.Disneyland.disney.go.com.  

Hopefully these Disneyland tips will help your family enjoy your Disney vacation as much as they helped my family enjoy ours!