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The Disney Queue Line Survival Guidebook-Tips
Save Time and Money in Theme Parks
By Kimberly Button
If time is money, then visiting a theme park is a one-two punch in the pocketbook. Not only have theme park admission tickets steadily increased in price over the years, but most of a theme park visitor’s time is spent waiting in line for rides and to purchase food. The smart theme park visitor should follow these simple guidelines to save time and money on your next theme park visit.
Always check the theme park’s website to investigate your ticket options Many theme parks will allow you to purchase tickets online which is your smartest option if you know how many days you will be spending in the parks. There is no need to wait in line at the ticket kiosks outside of the park before it opens. Not only can you easily purchase your tickets at home, but you will more than likely save a lot of money, too.
You can also purchase theme park tickets at retail stores affiliated with the theme park. For instance, Walt Disney World admission tickets can be purchased at any Disney Store. If you’re flying into the Orlando airport, tickets can also be purchased at Disney’s, Universal’s and Sea World’s retail stores located in the airport.
Make dining reservations ahead of time Instead of waiting in a long line for a fancy restaurant or character dining experience when you find yourself hungry, call the theme park’s reservation hotline (either before your vacation departure or first thing the morning that you want to dine out) and request reservations.
Know when to go Don’t go to a theme park on New Years Eve unless you want to waste all of your time in queue lines while wasting your money, too. The best times to travel to theme parks are between New Years and Spring Break, as well as the two weeks after Thanksgiving. Some of the most crowded times in the theme parks are on any holiday weekend, Spring Break time, the week before and after Christmas, and during the summer.
Bring food with you You will want to investigate the theme park’s policies, but bringing snacks and bottled beverages with you will not only save you an enormous amount of money, but you will save a lot of time, too. Standing in line every time you want a cold drink or a snack will waste precious time.
Do your souvenir shopping first, last, or not at all Theme park gift shops are never crowded first thing in the morning because everyone is anxious to get on the rides. If you purchase gifts in the morning, inquire about having them stored for you at the park or sent to your hotel. You can also shop late at night, after the attractions are shut down but the stores are still open. You’ll have much longer lines at night, but you won’t be missing out on any attractions. Better yet, don’t shop for things to bring everyone back home and instead enjoy your time within the theme park.
Consider a character dining experience if you are traveling with small children Many kids will want to see the characters, and chances are you will waste a lot of time tracking down the characters within the park, waiting in line and then possibly seeing them disappear before you have a chance to meet them. A better option might be to splurge on a nice, sit-down meal where the characters will come to your table for pictures and autographs. You will be guaranteed a visit by all of the characters (usually within an hour or less) and you can enjoy the rest of the day.
Make sure you’ve got everything the night before Get your cash, cameras, film, snacks, sunscreen, etc. in order. Having to hunt for stores that sell these items and then stand in line and pay exorbitant prices will cost you dearly.
Get there early, stay late and take a nap in between Without a doubt, the times when attractions have the least wait time is early in the morning, late at night, and during the parades and fireworks. Try to schedule a visit to as many popular attractions as you can during these times to maximize your ticket value.
Consider staying at an on-property or affiliated resort that offers early admission for its guests If the price of staying at a hotel affiliated with the theme park is comparable to staying off-property, definitely stay at the on-property hotel. Early admission into the parks, plus free transportation or other perks that might be offered, are definitely worth a little extra money if it saves you a lot of time.
Use the theme park’s time saving options on their most popular attractions Some theme parks have unique systems, like Six Flags’ FASTLANE, which will let you make a “reservation” to come back and ride an attraction at a scheduled time. You will save an enormous amount of time using these options and will be able to see more attractions throughout the day. However, each park operates these time saving systems differently. The Walt Disney World theme parks offer their FASTPASS system for free, while Six Flag’s charges a fee.
Kimberly Button is the author of The Disney Queue Line Survival Guidebook, the only Walt Disney World® Resort theme park guidebook that features scavenger hunts, trivia questions, word puzzles and hidden Mickey searches tailored to each attraction to alleviate boredom while standing in lines. For more information and to order your copy today, visit www.disneysurvivalguide.com.
INTERCOTee Top 5 … Ice Cream Sundaes
courtesy of intercot.com
Nicer weather is starting to sprout-up as we head deeper into Spring, and that means the ice cream sundae is starting to come back into season (not that it is every totally out). At a resort destination as big as the Walt Disney World resort, there are soda shops, parlors, kiosks, cafes and restaurants abound where Guests can indulge themselves in a deliciously decedent sundae. But with so many options (and so little time) it can be a bit of a confectionary confusion. To help, the Insider has reviewed recent discussions and has compiled the INTERCOTee Top 5 Favorite Ice Cream Sundaes at Walt Disney World.
Coming in at number 5 … The Plaza Restaurant Sundae
The namesake dessert of the Plaza Restaurant in the Magic Kingdom Park, this scrumptious sundae delivers a classic taste of yesteryear. Your choice of ice cream smothered with hot fudge and strawberry sauce, covered in crushed pineapple and whipped cream, dusted with chopped nuts and topped off with a cherry. Priced at $3.99 this is a sweet treat for your tummy and your wallet.
Coming in at number 4 … Ghiradelli Warm Caramel Sundae
A Carmel lovers dream come true, but you don’t have to be in Dreamland to find such a treat, just dine at the Ghiradelli Soda Fountain and Chocolate Shop in the Downtown Disney Marketplace. Two scoops of premium vanilla ice cream layered with warm Ghirardelli creamy caramel, covered with whipped cream and chopped almonds, topped off with a cherry and served with a Ghirardelli’s famous chocolate with caramel square. This sundae doesn’t have to stay in your dreams, it can be in your tummy for just $6.95.
Coming in at number 3 … The Kitchen Sink
Words like ultimate, colossal and gigantic only begin to describe this sundae at the Beaches and Cream Soda Shop in Disney’s Beach Club resort. Scoops of vanilla, chocolate, strawberry, coffee and mint chocolate chip, smothered in every topping in the Soda Shop including whole brownies and candy bars, and served in an actual kitchen sink! While this treat carries a hefty price tag at $21.99, those who devour it claim it’s worth every penny.
Coming in at number 2 … No Way Jose
Don’t be fooled by it’s name, no one would turn down this peanut butter decadence at the Beaches and Cream Soda Shop in Disney’s Beach Club resort. Chocolate and vanilla ice cream, smothered in peanut butter sauce and hot fudge, covered with peanut butter and chocolate morsels, and topped off with whipped cream and a cherry. This large & delicious of a dessert priced at only $7.99 might just make you exclaim its very name.
And coming in at number 1 … Ghiradelli World Famous Hot Fudge Sundae
Ghiradelli is world famous for their chocolate and their chocolate fudge is just as famous proven each day by visitors to the Ghiradelli Soda Fountain and Chocolate Shop in the Downtown Disney Marketplace. Two scoops of premium vanilla ice cream overflowing with Ghiradelli fresh home-made hot fudge sauce, covered with whipped cream and chopped almonds and topped with a cherry. While a master-class dessert like this may be priceless to you, Ghiradelli has valued it at just $6.95.
That’s it for this countdown, hope it’s given you some sweet ideas for your next sundae excursion at “the world”.
WDW Tips
Arrive at the parks about 30-45 minutes before the stated opening times. The parks will usually open the turnstiles about 30 minutes early, although the rides and attractions won't open until the stated opening time, the shops will be open. You can rent a stroller, browse the shops and be ready at the entrance to each 'land' when the rope drops at opening time.
Disney transport (buses, monorail, boats) runs from two hours before park opening until two hours after park closing.
Utilise the fastpass system.
Take a break in the afternoon, go back to your hotel for a nap or a swim.
Buy a copy of Sehlinger's Unofficial Guide to WDW, it includes lots of advice, & touring plans for all four parks.
If you want to ride the most popular rides without waiting in long queues, aim to ride them as soon as the park opens, during the afternoon parade or in the evening.
If it starts to rain, a lot of people will run for cover or leave the park, just buy one of the bright yellow ponchos that will be on sale everywhere & continue to enjoy the parks.
In the parks, the busiest times for meals are from 11am - 2pm, & 5pm - 7pm. Try to eat earlier or later whenever possible. Eat a large breakfast to keep you going until mid-afternoon.
On the 3D rides & shows, sit towards the back, where the 3D images will be clearer.
At the shows and 3D rides, if you want to sit in the middle, stay in the middle of the crowd inthe preshow area. If you stand right near the doors, you'll only have to move right to the end of the row.
Wear comfortable, well broken-in shoes, you will be doing a lot of walking & standing in line. Take a spare pair of socks with you in case the ones you're wearing get wet!
Make sure you use sunscreen, the Florida sun can be very strong.
Cool off by visiting the indoor shows in the afternoon, where you can relax in air-conditioned comfort.
If you have children with you, take swimsuits with you so they can play in the fun fountains (at Magic Kingdom & Epcot).
If an attraction has two lines, the one on the left will generally be shorter.
Visit the shops in the afternoon. Try to avoid shopping at the end of the day when the shops are at their busiest.
Leave any heavy bags in a locker as you enter the park.
Buy your postcards & carry them around with you, you can then write them whilst waiting for parades. Write address labels before you leave home, & take them with you to stick straight onto the postcards.
If you have small children, write down his/her name, age, your name & resort, & any medical conditions, on a piece of paper & either put it in the child's pocket or buy one of those plastic wallets with a pin on the back to put it in, & attach to the child's clothing. Then if the child gets lost it's easier to locate you.
If you have small children, 'switching off' is available on some rides. Here's how it works - when you enter the line, tell the cast member that you want to switch off. You, your partner & child all enter together. When you reach the ride, the cast member will tell you what to do. One of you will go on the ride, the other stays with the child. When you exit the ride, you go back to the unloading area & the other person rides while you take the child back to the exit.
Wear matching, or brightly coloured T-shirts or hats. This makes it easier to keep track of everyone in your party/family.
Drink plenty of water, not coffee or coke, etc.
Buy a bottle strap (about $3) from one of the many carts throughout each park to put on your water bottle, which can then be carried on your shoulder.
Disney dollars are available in City Hall (MK), & Guest relations (Epcot, MGM & AK) in $1, $5, & $10 denominations, which are accepted as cash throughout Disney World, & also make a nice souvenir to take home!
If you're staying at a Disney Resort, make use of the package delivery service for anything you buy in the parks. The last thing you need is to be carrying heavy bags around with you. If you're staying off-site, you can still use package pick-up, you'll be able to collect your purchases as you exit the park.
I found that the wait times shown at attractions were over-estimated, and I never waited as long as the time shown.
Above all, relax & enjoy yourself, you're on vacation! It doesn't matter if you don't get to ride all of your favourite rides, you can always come back again next year ;-)
"Go to the Animal Kingdom first. It closes at 7pm. Then go to MK for the parade and fireworks. Then on the day you planned to go to MK, you will find shorter lines at around 9 until closing, because everyone else is at the parade and fireworks. I would sit in front of the books and record shop on Main Street. (if you are facing it and on the same side of the street move a little to your left) The parade will start in front of you and more importantly end in front you. You may then make a break for the exit and beat the crwods. From what I saw the characters are more friendly and do more audience hand shaking at the beginning." Scott F.
"We like to go to Magic Kingdom, Disney MGM, or Animal Kingdom first thing in the morning and spend the day. We then head over to EPCOT for late afternoon and evening. If you are driving, afer 4pm you can drive to the front of the epcot parking lot and get a really great spot. We have found that Epcot tends to be the least crowded and is a nice place to relax and spend the evening."
"First time at Disney? You'll be back! We've just booked our 3rd trip in 3 years! Best advice : Plan each day in advance - try to get your hands on a park map for each site before travelling, (we have asked friends to bring them back for us, or at Guest Relations at any Park for all the others)- decide your 'must-sees' and arrange your plan of attack to go to those furthest from the entrance first - GET UP EARLY AND GET TO THE PARK 30 MINS+ BEFORE OPENING TIME! - use the fast-pass system to book one ride slot while you stand in line for another nearby. Repeat this a couple of times and you should find that by lunchtime you have done most of the essential rides etc! Allow a good rest around lunch/early pm (back at Hotel or Villa if possible) and you will be re-charged for the next assault. Sorry to use all the military metaphors but we got so much more out of our 2nd trip, when we'd applied the above techniques.On our first trip we wasted hours and calories walking around the parks in random fashion - kids (and adults!) get overtired very quickly in the heat/humidity. We found a good day could be made from an early start at a waterpark (if you're not there by 0930 you may not get in!) 3-4 hours fun on the rides and slides etc, followed by a p.m. stroll around the world showcase, with lunch in several countries! Epcot is generally less 'full' than the other parks, unless you are desperate for Testtrack, where lines exceed 1.5 hiours at times, and fastpasses run out very early. Finally, DON'T MISS ILLUMINATIONS AT EPCOT - it's incredible!" Mike Jones, Lancs, UK
Fun Facts
found on Disneyworlrdtrivia.com
| | In 1953, Walt Disney created a company that was separate from the Disney Studios called "WED" (for "Walter Elias Disney"). The company was formed in order to take over the design and construction of attractions for Disneyland, so as not to put any additional financial burden on the parent company. The company was later renamed Walt Disney Imagineering (WDI), and continues to create, renovate and expand all of the Walt Disney Company's theme parks. |
| There are more than 20,000 different colors of paint used in Walt Disney World. | |
| | There are enough of the famous "Mouse Ear" hats sold each year to cover the head of every man, woman and child in Pittsburgh and enough Disney character T-shirts are sold in Walt Disney World each year to put Mickey Mouse's smiling face on the chest of every person in Chicago. |
| | When Walt Disney World turned 15 years old in 1986, prizes were given out every 15 seconds. Guests were given a ticket upon entering the park that let them know if they won anything from small buttons to full-sized automobiles! |
| | The real town of Marceline, Missouri has a school named after its most famous resident. About 320 children from grades Kindergarten to 5th attend Walt Disney Elementary School. There are other schools bearing the same name in Burbank, California; Alvin Texas; Rochester, New York, and numerous other states. |
| | Walt Disney originally wanted to name Mickey "Mortimer", but his wife Lillian convinced him to change the name during a train ride from New York to California. |
| | There are enough "Mouse Ear" hats sold each year at Walt Disney World to cover the head of each of the 2,500,000 men, women and children in Pittsburgh. |
| | There are enough Disney character T-shirts sold at Walt Disney World each year to clothe every single resident of Chicago, Illinois. About 2,900,000 people... give or take a few. |
| You can fish on Bay Lake with a private fishing excursion for up to five guests. The largest largemouth bass ever caught was a whopping 14.25 pounds (really). Of course, the fishing is all catch-and-release. | |
| Walt Disney, the visionary behind the entire Disney empire, attended only one year of high school. | |
| According to Kodak, 4% of all amateur photographs worldwide are taken at Disneyland and Walt Disney World. | |
| By 1978, guests visiting Walt Disney World spent more money on merchandise than on food. | |
| Walt Disney World is the largest supporter of the "Give Kids the World" program, providing over 50,000 tickets a year and special services and wish fulfillment for terminally ill children and their families. | |
| To keep the Magic consistent, the characters that sing during the parades are all lip-synching to prerecorded music. Many of the Cast Members who perform in the parades and shows are often chosen for their looks, personality and ability to dance rather than their singing talent (or lack of any!). |
| As part of Disney's commitment to the environment and the local community, used and excess building materials are sent to the Orange County Distribution Center, where they are distributed to local non-profit organizations. Construction and demolition waste amounts to around 620 tons (or 1,240,000 pounds) a year. | |
| The 28,000 square foot Materials Recovery Facility, processes over 30 tons per day of recyclable materials, including cardboard, paper, steel, aluminum, glass, and plastic. | |
| Both Walt and Roy Disney passed away in the month of December - Walt on December 15, 1966, and and Roy on December 20, 1971, just about 2 months after his brother's dream of Walt Disney World opened its doors to the public. | |
| Walt Disney World welcomes millions of international, and offers numerous amenities to cater to the foreign visitor including telephone information in almost any language, guidebooks to the four major parks written in Spanish, French, German, Portuguese, and Japanese, and currency exchanges. Even park Cast Members who speak foreign languages wear a badge with the flag of that country on their name tags to make themselves recognizable and accessible to international guests. | |
| Currently there are three Circle-Vision films shown in the Walt Disney World Resort's theme parks. In the Magic Kingdom, take a trip through time in Tomorrowland's "The Timekeeper." The other two films using the Circle-Vision technology are both found in Epcot's World Showcase. They are O Canada!, and the Wonders of China. Circle-Vision films are unique, as the theaters which show them have no seats. The film is shown on nine screens that line the perimeter of the theater for a full 360 degree experience. | |
| Disney doesn't allow any pets into the theme parks, with the exception of service animals such as guide dogs for the blind, (although pets are welcome at certain locations within Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground, such as the full hook-up campsites). So, while you're on vacation, your pet can have a magical time at one of the five Pet Care Kennels, each of which is a member of the American Boarding Kennel Association, found at all four theme parks and the Fort Wilderness Campground. They can be found near the Transportation and Ticket Center; To the left of the main Epcot entrance plaza, and at the entrances to the Disney-MGM Studios, Disney's Animal Kingdom, and the Fort Wilderness campground. The kennels are primarily geared towards dogs and cats, but can accommodate birds, ferrets, non-venomous snakes, and hamsters. Guests who leave their pet in one of the kennels must visit them at least once a day, and dogs must be walked at least twice a day by their owners. | |
| Mickey Mouse has about 175 different outfits in his wardrobe, including a scuba suit and a tuxedo. Minnie Mouse's massive "walk-in closet" contains about 200 outfits, including a cheerleader costume and various evening gowns. | |
| Disney World bought about 150,000 gallons of paint -- enough to cover nearly 7,500 average sized homes in 2004 | |
| Number of miles buses travel annually: nearly 18 million | |
| If you were to stack all of the buttons used by the Costuming Plant Seam Team in one year, you would have a stack 96 times taller than the height of Cinderella's Castle. | |
| Number of trees, shrubs and flowers on property: more than 7 million | |
| Daily water usage: 15 million gallons | |
| 2,000 acres of turf. At three mowings a week, that adds up to 450,000 mower miles per year, or 18 trips around the Earth at the equator. | |
| Largest working wardrobe in the world with more than 1.5 million operational garments in use and over 7,000 different garment types. In addition there are over 2 million pieces of entertainment costumes. Each day the costuming plant processes between 27,000 and 31,000 garments. | |
| More than 50 million soft drinks sold annually. | |
| 10 million hamburgers, 7 million hot dogs, 9 million pounds of french fries and 300,000 pounds of popcorn sold annually. | |
| Every year, Walt Disney World: Uses 194,871 miles of toilet tissue Uses 24,409 miles of paper towels Uses 319,353 lbs. of chocolate Uses 1.2 million pounds of watermelon Uses 741,150 pounds of sugar Uses 1.8 million pounds of flour Uses 245,000 pounds of fruit filling Uses 38,000 pounds of white icing glaze Uses 2.9 million pounds of eggs Uses 606,000 pounds of bananas Uses 510,000 of grapes Serves more than 1.5 million soft pretzels Serves more than 639,000 pounds of macaroni and cheese Orders more than 3.8 million ballpoint pens Orders more than 337,000 pencils Uses nearly 148 million sheets of recycled copier paper Uses 730,102 gallons of bleach | |
| $1.7 million worms are ordered each year to feed animals at Disney's Animal Kingdom. | |
| 214,000 bandages were provided to guests during the year 2004 | |
| In 2004, Walt Disney World recycled 18,322,000 pounds of paper products. |
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