Theme Parks

It used to be — back in 1971 — that if someone said they were going to “Disney World”, most of the time they were referring to The Magic Kingdom. Not so now–a–days. Within the confines of Walt Disney World are four theme parks: The Magic Kingdom, Epcot, The Disney-MGM Studios, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Each park offers its own unique experience. While most kids love The Magic Kingdom and its many attractions, many adults like the thought–provoking Epcot, and its slower pace.

Also, each of the theme parks offer the new Fastpass system. This new system allows you to bypass long lines for the best attractions. To find out more about Fastpass, go to the Fastpass page. This page also lists which attractions currently use the Fastpass system.

To learn more about each of the four theme parks in Walt Disney World, click the link to go to that page.

The Magic Kingdom

Epcot

The Disney–MGM Studios

Disney’s Animal Kingdom

Common park orientation

While each park offers its own unique experience, there are many aspects of the theme parks that are the same. Listed below are some helpful, “need–to–know–before–you–go” facts.

Parking

All–day parking at each of the theme parks is about $6 for “day visitors” (free for resort guests). Each lot in every park is named and numbered to help you remember where you parked. For example, in the Magic Kingdom, lots are named after Disney characters (Minnie, Sleepy, Dopey, etc.), Disney’s Animal Kingdom is named after several Lion King characters, and so on. Make sure you note where you parked your car; this information will be invaluable at park closing!

Know, too, that your parking ticket gains you free re–entry to the same, and all other, parking lots throughout the day.

FYI: Parking is free at the Water Parks.

Switching Off

At attractions with age or height restrictions, one parent can wait with a young child while the other parent rides the attraction. Then, when the first parent comes off, the other parent can go right on. Be sure to ask the attraction attendant before queuing up.

Hours

Most of the theme parks generally open to the public by about 9:00 am each day, and closing time depends on the season. As a rule, the parks stay open late during school vacations and “peak season”. It is best to call 407-939-4636, or visit Disney's website for up–to–the–minute information.

Walt Disney World Transportation

If you’re staying in a Disney Resort, you can take a Disney bus which goes to every major theme park, the water parks, and Downtown Disney West Side. However, if you want to go to another resort from your Disney resort, you will have to take a bus to Downtown Disney West Side and make the transfer there.

Depending on the theme park, there may also be monorail transportation, boat transportation, and, in some cases, walking may be your quickest option.

Renting a car versus using Disney transportation

This age–old question has two camps: One side says you don’t need to spend the extra money on a rental car. They say that the Disney transportation is adequate. The other side says it is practically mandatory to have your own vehicle. The choice is ultimately yours, but let me give you some personal advice:

1. Where are you staying?
   Which Disney resort you’re staying at depends on if you need transportation. For example, if you stay at Disney’s Boardwalk or Disney’s Yacht & Beach Club, and plan to spend most of your days in Epcot and The Disney-MGM Studios, then you may not need a car. (Epcot is within walking distance, and The Disney-MGM Studios are only a short boat ride away.) But on the days you want to venture off and go to The Magic Kingdom or Disney’s Animal Kingdom, you must take a bus.
   
   
2. Buses get crowded
   If you stay at a resort like Disney’s Caribbean Beach, the busses fill up fast with all resort guests going to one of four theme parks. Standing up is quite common. Not to mention, sometimes the busses fill up to the point that there is no more room and you must wait for the next one.
   
   
3. Buses may take longer
   Again, using the example of staying in one of the Moderate Resorts, what might normally take you 15 minutes to drive to (to the toll plaza at The Magic Kingdom, for example) now takes 40 minutes on a Disney bus.
   
   
4. When you want to go back to your room, you have to wait for a bus
   Picture this: You’re in The Magic Kingdom on the 4th of July (one of the busiest times of the year, by the way). It’s 1 AM in the morning at park closing and you want to go back to your room… as do the other 89,000 guests, too! You have to go wait in a line for your bus and the wait will be long.
   
   
5. Resort–hopping
   If you want to see what the other resorts are like, or if you’ve made dinner reservations at another resort, you cannot take a bus from your Disney resort to the other resort. You must make the transfer at Downtown Disney. This isn’t bad; Disney busses make it very easy to navigate. But you must allow plenty of extra time.
   
   
6. Rental cars cost money
   If you are trying to save money, then you might not want a car. They can get costly if you’re traveling on a budget.  If you want a great deal on an Orlando car rental, visit www.rentalcarmomma.com
   
   
7. Not bringing the whole family?
   If it’s just the two of you sneaking away for a leisurely trip to Disney World, you may not need a car. Especially if you are fortunate to be going off season.

As you can see, there are many pros and cons for renting a car or not. The choice is strictly up to you. But hopefully we have provided you with enough information to make a decision that is right for you.

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