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He may look like just another plush toy, but Pal Mickey is a bit extraordinary. He's actually a high-tech theme park tour guide companion. As guests stroll through the parks, Mickey shares helpful park-related advice, tells jokes and Disney fun facts, and plays games. Pal Mickey may be rented for $8 per day. For $60, you can take him home where he will continue to amuse with interactive games. Spanish speaking Pal Mickey is available, too.
EPCOT is bigger than it seems, so allow yourself plenty of time to get from place to place. It takes about a half hour to walk from Spaceship Earth to The American Adventure in World Showcase. Keep this in mind if you have made priority seating arrangements at a restaurant or hope to secure a nice fireworks viewing location on the World Showcase promenade.
You'll find Disney characters--such as Buzz Lightyear and Woody from Toy Story by Al's Toy Barn. They may be joined by Jessie, Bullseye, or some other Toy Story friends. Tigger hangs out in his trailer on Mickey Avenue. Mickey himself makes frequent appearances in the park, but specific locations were not available at press time. There is a character greeting area located within Animation Courtyard, too. Check a park times guide for specifics, or inquire at guest relations.
The Walt Disney World monorail system--a 14.7 mile highway in the sky--has carried more than a billion passengers since 1971. On select days, WDW resort guests are allowed to enter a theme park one hour before the general public. It's known as the "Extra Magic Hour." Certain attractions keep shorter hours than the Magic Kingdom itself; for example: The Hall of Presidents and The Tomorrowland Transit Authority. To make sure you catch all your favorites, check a times guide when you enter the park.
A short walk from the Grand Floridian Resort, this simple retreat is located right next to the tennis courts. With saunas, steam rooms, and whirlpools, even the locker rooms promote pampering. Specialties of the house include aromatherapy baths, a deluxe facial, complete with hand and foot massage, and a cooling lavender body wrap, guaranteed to take the sting out of any sunburn.
Classic Disney characters, such as Mickey Mouse, Chip, and Dale, host all meals served at the Garden Grill restaurant in The Land pavilion in Future World. The Disney princesses invite you to join them for breakfast at Norway's Restaurant Akershus. Characters also appear at World Showcase by the busload. Each day, after traveling around the promenade, characters spill out of a double-decker bus and interact with guests. Check a times guide for exact times and greeting locations.
Mickey's pals make appearances throughout the day. Alice and her Wonderland friends show up in Fantasyland, as does Ariel. Belle reads stories to guests in Fairy Tale Garden, near the Castle. The Fantasyland Character Festival is an excellent spot to see characters, as is the Diamond Horseshoe Saloon. Character meals at Crystal Palace, Cinderella's Royal Table, and Liberty Tree Tavern offer guests a chance to meet their favorites. But the best place is at Toontown Fair, where guests can meet Mickey and his buddies. Characters may greet guests in Town Square at park opening time.
A great place to watch IllumiNations is from the Rose & Crown Pub in the United Kingdom pavilion. Try to snag a lagoonside table--whether within the pub's boundaries or in the self-serve sitting area nearby--about 30 minutes before the show is set to begin.
There are two acres of solar panels on the rooftop of Future World's Universe of Energy pavilion. Together, they generate 15 percent of the energy it takes to power the attraction housed inside. It's enough energy to run six average homes.
Where: Disney's Port Orleans-Riverside Resort How much: Dinner: $11-$18 Traditional and unique American, Southern and Cajun specialties are offered in Dixie Landing's restored boat building warehouse along the Sassagoula River. Boat transportation to and from Downtown Disney and Pleasure Island is available. Casual dress.
Where: I-4, exit 68, 8735 Vineland Ave. 32821 How much: Dinner: $6-$24 Catering to those who seek an exciting evening out, the restaurant captures the sights, sounds and sensations of the Caribbean. Such delicious food as fresh mahi mahi and Key lime pie is served. A full bar and live entertainment add to the atmosphere. Casual dress.
Where: Disney's Contemporary Resort How much: Dinner: $20-$30 This is a full service, fine dining restaurant appealing to adults, particularly those with an appetite for innovative concepts in food. The menu is revised weekly but it consistently offers sophisticated, cutting edge California dishes with Pacific Rim influences throughout. House specialties include flatbread appetizers baked in a brick oven, sushi, sashimi, and some vegetarian dishes. The wine list is primarily California vintages. Casual dress.
Where: Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa How much: Dinner: $85-$100 Hidden within the Grand Floridian Resort, this is Disney's best restaurant. Intimate surroundings complement personalized service from your attendants, Victoria and Albert. The dinner menu offers an ever changing six-course culinary adventure. The chef creates meticulous and incredibly delicious world-class contemporary cuisine, reflecting both American and International influences. The coffee presentation is extraordinary and the souffles are to die for. Formal attire.
Where: Disney's Magic Kingdom How much: Lunch: $10-$15 Dinner: $17-$22 When: 8:05-10:15am, noon-3pm & 4-9pm A first stop on Mainstreet USA, this popular outtake from Disney's Lady and the Tramp offers an Italian-influenced menu including large portions of pasta, salad, panini, and various specialty entrees. Indoor and outdoor patio dining available. Casual dress.
The very best time to visit the park and not have to deal with huge crowds is on Sunday morning. As a general rule, if you're planning on focusing your attention on experiencing only the Disney MGM Studios' most popular rides and attractions, it'll take you an average of 45 minutes per attraction. This, however, depends on how crowded the park is and which attractions and rides you're trying to experience. If you're heading to one popular ride but notice that a line is particularly short for another attraction that you were planning to check out later in the day, adjust your schedule and go where the lines are the shortest.
Crescent Lake provides beautiful views to guests of Disney's BoardWalk Inn, the WDW Swan, the WDW Dolphin, and Disney's Yacht and Beach Club Resorts. Although there is a beach on the lake, swimming is not allowed, but there are a variety of water activities. Guests can rent sailboats, pontoon boats, "water mice" (small two-person speedboats), and even arrange a two-hour fishing excursion.
Where: Disney's Boardwalk Resort How much: Dinner: $14-$26 When: 7:30-11am & 5-9:50pm. Mediterranean fare is the highlight of the menu at this fast-paced eatery. Affable and knowledgeable servers present a variety of creative pasta dishes, as well as chicken and seafood preparations. The wine bar is a nice spot in which to unwind. Casual dress.
Where: On Disney's Boardwalk How much: Lunch: $8-$15, Dinner: $8-$15 When: 11:30am-1am, Fri & Sat-2am. With more than 100 video monitors and the tasty finger foods that go with them, sports fans will be in paradise. The signature "Red Wings" are huge and fiery hot, while the "Slider Burger" is cooked to perfection. Expect a wait during Monday Night Football. Casual dress.
Where: Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom How much: Lunch: $8-$10, Dinner: $8-$10 When: 11:30am-9pm. This old-time southern soda fountain is located to the right of Mainstreet USA in the heart of the Magic Kingdom. The menu offers burgers, fries, deli sandwiches and sundaes. Reservations are suggested for both lunch and dinner. Casual dress.
You can find hidden Mickeys throughout the WDW theme parks and resorts, but when designing and building the parade floats, the Imagineers put a hidden image of Walt Disney on each. Many are hard to spot, especially at night, but they include silhouettes, statues, and small portraits. On the Mickey snow globe, for example, look for a silhouette of Walt's face on the left side of the "video projector" on the top of the globe.
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