Preparing For A Trip To The Magic Kingdom

Spending a day at the Magic Kingdom can be a truly magical experience or a very stressful one. What makes the difference is being prepared for the park and arriving with a plan. Families that travel to the Magic Kingdom without researching the park layout, park attractions and features of the park will find their day spent tackling long lines, hot weather and confusing park details.

The best way to approach a trip to the Magic Kingdom is to review all the available information on the park while planning your trip to Orlando. First time visitors will be overwhelmed by the number of attractions, shows and sheer size of the Magic Kingdom. If you plan to spend only one day at the park you will have to plan on making some tough choices on what you really want to see. When traveling with children, it is always best to plan on spending two full days at the Magic Kingdom. This will enable you to see all the attractions and get the full Disney experience.

By reviewing the park layout in advance you can prepare a “plan of attack’ for the park. Even in the off season, the Magic Kingdom is always the most crowded of all four Disney Parks. Many of the most popular attractions, such as Dumbo the Flying Elephant and Winnie the Pooh’s Adventures always seem to be packed with people waiting on line. You will maximize your time at the Magic Kingdom if you understand the best ways and times to visit each attractions.

Also, Disney is always adding new attractions, refurbishing current ones and introducing new park policies (security checks, FastPass tickets for attractions). Learning about these procedures in advance will only maximize your day, touring the park. Advance planning will definite save you time and money as you visit the Magic Kingdom.

While reviewing the park layout and policies you will also be able to see which attractions are geared for the members of your family. Height and size restrictions do apply on some attractions, and some even include warnings for small children (attractions that contain complete darkness, loud noises, etc). This advance information will prove important so your children are not disappointed once they arrive at the park.

Advance planning can not be stressed enough when planning a trip to the Magic Kingdom. Do your homework before traveling and when you arrive at the park you will have a truly Magical Day.

© Copyright MouseManual.com, All Rights Reserved.

The vacation of a lifetime: Busch Gardens in Tampa , Florida

If you love the exhilaration of twisting, turning, and flipping at high speeds then you will love the roller coasters at Busch Gardens in Tampa, Florida. There are so many roller coasters to keep you busy that the park will be closing before you know it. But, even if you aren’t a fan of the rides you will still love this amusement park. There are many different shows, restaurants, gift shops, and games that will entertain you as well. If you like rides and the other activities then you will really get a good deal for the entry price!

The best time of year to visit Busch Gardens in Tampa is in early spring or late fall. The reason why is because there will be less crowds and the weather is warm and comfortable, which makes walking around all day enjoyable. If you go in the dead of summer you will be scorched by the hot Florida sun and wait for hours to get on the rides. This can turn an amazing vacation destination into a miserable day of waiting and sweating. Of course, if you visit in the summer you will still have a lot of fun, but it will be considerably more enjoyable in the spring months of March and April or the fall months of September and October.

Another really cool attraction at the Busch Gardens in Tampa, Florida, that is worth a visit on its own is the safari. Here you can take a tram, or even a private safari, and see zebra, giraffe, lions, and other wild animals. It is excellent and a whole lot of fun. You will feel like you are in Africa and it’s the easiest way to safari while you are still in North America !

You can come to Busch Gardens Tampa for a day or you can create a full week of fun and include nearby Walt Disney World, Sea World, Universal Studios, and the like in your vacation itinerary. When you visit Tampa, Florida there are so many fun things to do in and around Busch Gardens that you really should take advantage of everything while you are here!

If you are worried about having tickets before you arrive then consider buying them online. There are websites that offer discounted tickets and even combination Busch Gardens-Sea World tickets where you can save some money. You can also buy your tickets at the gate when you arrive. Just make sure you have some cash on hand to pay for parking!

There is a website that has great information on USA Vacations and Unique Travel Spots Listed State By State and Season, the website is called: Seasonal Vacation Spots, and can be found at this url:

http://www.seasonalvacationspots.com

By Robert W. Benjamin

Copyright © 2007

You may publish this article in your ezine, newsletter, or on your web site as long as it is reprinted in its entirety and without modification except for formatting needs or grammar corrections.

Tips For Visiting Epcot

Since its opening in 1982, Epcot at Walt Disney World in Orlando Florida continues to be rated as one of the most popular theme parks in the world. Million of visitors come from all over the globe to visit this top-notch theme park. Epcot’s blend of education and entertainment make it an enjoyable experience for guests of all ages.

Visitors to other Disney theme parks, like the Magic Kingdom and Disneyland may be used to the crowded areas and slow moving lines that cause a great deal of stress to their guests. The design and layout of Epcot is more conducive to park touring, allowing guests to roam more freely without feeling crowded or packed in at any park area.

When planning your visit to Epcot try to allow two full days to touring the park. Epcot is nearly 300 acres and has two sections, Future World and World Showcase. Future World usually opens at 9am but closes around 7pm, two hours before Epcot’s closing time. World Showcase opens at 11am and stays open until 9pm. The popular Illuminations show begins each night at 9pm and is considered the “finale” before the parks closing.

If you are able to visit Epcot for more than one day you will be able to visit at a more leisurely pace. It is suggested that you visit the attractions at Future World as the park opens, and then make your way into World Showcase. Your first day at Epcot will be spent mostly in Future World, with such popular attractions as Soarin, Mission Space and Test Track. Most major attractions at Epcot can be found in the different pavilions, The Land, Living Seas, Universe of Energy, etc. You should allow about one hour when visiting each pavilion as the attractions include pre-shows and most times a wait on line. Disney’s FastPass feature allows you to secure a return time (with a one hour window) so that you may return to the popular attraction at a set time and enjoy a shorter wait time. Currently the FastPass system is installed on the most popular attractions such as Soarin, and Test Track.

When you move into World Showcase you will get to visit the different countries represented here at Epcot. Guests will visit eleven pavilions for such countries as Canada, Mexico, Norway and China. Some countries feature movies or rides, while others are mostly shops and recreations of popular tourist attractions such as the Eiffel Tower. With some planning, your visit to Epcot can be one of the most enjoyable vacations you will ever have!

© Copyright MouseManual.com, All Rights Reserved.

Disney For Young Kids

Are you planning a trip with your little ones to visit Mickey? Here are some ways to spice up the magic:

Tip #1 - Meals with a Disney flavor

Build up the excitement by cooking creative meals that have a Disney flavor for your kids. For example, you can buy uncooked pasta in the shape of Mickey Mouse and whip up a delicious and healthy meal for your princes and princesses with that. "The Gourmet Pantry" in DTD carries it. You can call them at 407-828-3886 to order.

Tip #2 - Avoid the crowd

Crowds are annoying especially when you have kids with you, so it is wise to go when schools are in session.

Tip #3 - Hands-free

Considering bringing along the Playtex Hip Hammock if you are traveling with an infant/toddler. If your child is between 15 to 35 pounds, the hammock works perfectly. It keeps you hands-free while waiting for the bus, standing in line, tending to your older kids and browsing in shops. You can also take your toddler on rides with the Hammock. This is handy. It will make your trip just that much more enjoyable.

Tip #4 - Save your sanity

Kids get impatient while waiting in line, so bring snacks and toys to distract them. Take frequent breaks to prevent exhausting the kids. In the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World, kids can chill out at Ariel's Grotto and Donald's Boat. Ariel’s Grotto is a great place for kids to cool off in the kids water area and the interactive play area of Donald’s Boat allows children to ring the bell and steer the ship of Donald's ill-fated leaky. You may wish to arrive at the parks early in the morning, so that your kids can have a nap in the afternoon. This will keep them refreshed for the parades and fireworks.

Tip #5 - Research rides

It is important to research rides beforehand because young children may be frightened by loud noise or darkness. If your child is too young to ride Test Track at Epcot, a nice alternative is to duck into Test Track’s gift shop/ exit and let him/her ride on the cars in the shop.

Tip #6 - Dining options

There is a free Baby Care Center in each Disney park, so head for one when you are looking at some peace and quiet when feeding your baby/toddler. These centers are equipped with rockers, high chairs, and toys. There are even formula and baby food for sale. Do remember to plan one character meal because your trip won’t be complete if the little ones don’t get to mingle with their favorite characters.