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Planning a Trip
Winging it once you get there simply won't do when your destination is Walt Disney World. Without some pretrip preparation, you will likely find yourself so overwhelmed upon arriving in Orlando that you will miss out on exactly what it was you came for in the first place -- fun. In this section you'll find just about everything you need to know before you go, including tons of helpful information to get you started.
Destination Orlando: Predeparture Checklist
Did you pack your sunscreen? Along with The Mouse, Orlando's biggest draw is its warm and sunny climate. The Florida sun is hotter and stronger than in many other parts of the country and can deliver a dangerous burn year-round -- even on a seemingly cloudy day. One of the most important survival rules of an Orlando vacation: Use sunscreen! Buy one with an SPF rating of at least 30 or higher that protects against UVA and UVB rays, especially for kids, who need protection even more than you do. Other useful protective items include wide-brimmed hats, airy clothes, and sunglasses. If you have a child in a stroller, a light blanket will help to protect infants or sleeping toddlers from the sun's rays. Last but certainly not least, don't forget to pack a pair of comfortable walking shoes for those days spent pounding the theme-park pavement.
To avoid missing out on some of Disney's greatest dining experiences (including character meals), be sure to use Walt Disney World's Advance Reservations (tel. 407/939-3463), which lets you stake a claim to a table up to 180 days in advance. Call as soon as possible to make your Advance Reservation as some of the more popular restaurants and shows get booked within hours -- sometimes even minutes -- of the time they start booking seating times.
Check your desired theme park's operating schedules either by phone or online before you leave home (and certainly before you promise your kids anything). Many visitors come with their hearts set on (and days planned around) seeing a specific attraction, staying at a particular hotel, or dining at a certain restaurant only to be disappointed if for some reason there is an interruption in its operation or a change in its schedule. All the parks have reduced hours at certain times of the year -- even on certain days of the week -- some shows are staged only occasionally, and rides can be temporarily closed. Also note that theme park rides can occasionally break down or have to be shut down due to weather conditions (and unless there's a hurricane or similarly extreme weather, you won't get a break on ticket prices when your favorite rides or shows are dark). Some of the websites listed under "Visitor Information", including Deb's Unofficial Walt Disney World Information Guide and Travel Insights Online, have "rehab" schedules and update them almost daily. The parks can change their hours not only seasonally, but weekly -- even daily -- so check the week's schedule when you arrive so you'll know if you have to adjust your itinerary because of a just-scheduled closing.
If you purchased traveler's checks, make sure to record the check numbers and store the documentation separately from the checks.
Bring along your ID cards, including AAA and AARP cards, student IDs, the Orlando Magicard, and so on, as producing them will help save a few dollars along the way.
Speaking of identification, did you bring a photo ID? That's a necessity at the airports, among other places, so keep it handy.
Make sure to bring along emergency drug prescriptions, any prescription medicine you are currently using, and the phone number of your doctor, pediatrician, and insurance company (and your insurance card), along with an extra pair of glasses and/or contact lenses.
Leave a copy of your itinerary with someone at home, and keep an extra copy yourself. Be sure it includes your hotel, car, and airplane information, as well as any reservation numbers for shows or restaurants.
Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without
notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before
planning your trip.
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