Attractions

The minute someone even mentions Walt Disney World, most people's minds immediately conjure up visions of Cinderella Castle and the Magic Kingdom. That's unsurprising when you take into account that the park that started it all -- it opened in 1971 -- is still the most widely recognized and the most popular Disney destination in the United States.

Today, however, Walt Disney World has grown to include an array of themed resorts, hundreds of restaurants and shops, nightclub venues, smaller attractions, and four major theme parks: the Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney-MGM Studios, and Animal Kingdom. And with the economy showing signs of recovery, park attendance is once again on the rise. WDW attracted more than 43 million paying customers in 2006, according to estimates by Amusement Business magazine. All four Disney parks make the country's top five in attendance (the remaining park on the list is Disneyland in California). But that should hardly surprise you -- they offer a fanciful, self-sufficient vacation where wonderment, human progress, and old-fashioned family fun are the key themes. The Disney Imagineers show off their creative capabilities through spectacular parades and fireworks displays, 3-D and CircleVision films, nerve-racking thrill rides, and adventurous journeys through time and space. Though still more expensive, you'll seldom hear people complain about failing to get their money's worth -- at home, an evening out, including dinner, a movie, and a babysitter, can add up to a hefty amount without nearly the same return.

One reason people keep coming back for more is that rides and shows are periodically updated. And if something doesn't quite work, Disney usually fixes it. As part of this process, the company interviews some of its park-goers to decide how well, or poorly, things are working.

There have been changes and additions as Walt Disney World has matured, and new rides and attractions periodically enter the mix, including Animal Kingdom's latest addition of the entrancing Finding Nemo-the Musical, a first-rate theatrical production. At Epcot, the Living Seas pavilion has been transformed into The Seas with Nemo & Friends, and now includes a family-friendly ride of the same name. At the Magic Kingdom, Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor takes its cue from the hit Disney/Pixar flick Monsters, Inc., as an entire cast of monster comedians pokes fun at audience members to generate laughs; while Captain Jack Sparrow's Pirate Tutorial (Adventureland) encourages pint sized pirates-to-be to engage in swashbuckling silliness with none other than the great Captain himself.

But before I dive into the action, giving you details of these and other exciting experiences, let me take care of some basic business.

Tighter Security -- Guards at the gates at all Disney parks check a variety of carry-ins, including backpacks, diaper bags, and pocketbooks and purses. They also have been known to check guests' IDs, so be sure to bring a government-issued photo identification card. All this, of course, means it may take a few minutes longer to get through the entrance and to your first ride of the day.

How this Section is Useful to Parents -- Before every listing in the major parks, you'll note the "Recommended Ages" entry that lists which ages will most appreciate that ride or show (though you should keep in mind your child's personality and maturity when evaluating these recommendations). Though most families want to do everything, these guidelines are helpful in planning your daily itinerary. In my ride ratings, I've indicated whether a ride will be more enjoyable for kids than for adults. Many, even a couple in the Magic Kingdom, are too intense for young kids; all it takes is one bad experience, and the rest of your day will be ruined. You'll also find any height and health restrictions noted in the listings.

Frommer's Rates the Rides

Because there's so much to do, we're shifting from the star-rating system used for rooms and restaurants to one that has a bit more range. You'll notice most of the grades are As, Bs, and Cs. That's because Disney designers have done a reasonably good job on the attractions front. But occasionally our ratings show Ds for Duds.

Here's what Frommer's Ratings mean:

A+ = Your trip wouldn't be complete without it.

A = Put it at the top of your "to-do" list.

B+ = Make a real effort to see or do it.

B = It's fun but not a "must see."

C+ = A nice diversion; see it if you have time.

C = Go if there's no wait and you can walk right in.

D = Don't bother.

Getting Information in Advance

Before leaving home, call or write to the Walt Disney World Co., Box 10000, Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830-1000 (tel. 407/934-7639), for a vacation CD and the Walt Disney World Vacations brochure; both are valuable planning aids. Both can also be ordered (and even viewed) online at www.disneyworld.com. When you call, also ask about special events that will be going on during your visit.

Once you've arrived at your hotel, Guest Services and the concierge desks (especially at the Disney properties and "official" hotels) will have up-to-the-minute information about happenings in the parks. Stop by to ask questions and get literature, including a schedule of park hours and events. If you have questions your hotel's personnel can't answer, call Disney at tel. 407/824-4321.

There are also information areas at City Hall in the Magic Kingdom and Guest Relations at Epcot, Disney-MGM Studios, and Animal Kingdom.

For Internet information, try www.disneyworld.com, which features extensive, entertaining, and regularly updated information on the parks. The website will also let you design customized park itinerary maps that Disney will mail to you (though you'll have to do these several weeks in advance if you want them in time for your trip).

Also try the Orlando/Orange County Convention & Visitors Bureau site (www.orlandoinfo.com). Another good site, www.floridakiss.com, is sponsored by the Kissimmee Convention & Visitors Bureau.

Getting to WDW by Car

The interstate exits to all Disney parks and resorts are well marked. Once you're off I-4, there are signs directing you to individual destinations. If you miss your exit, don't panic. Simply get off at the next one and turn around. It may take a little more time, but it's safer than cutting across five lanes of traffic to make the off ramp, or worse -- to risk a fender bender. Drive with extra caution in the attractions area. Disney drivers are divided into two categories: workers in a hurry to make their shift and tourists in a hurry to get to the parks before anyone else (and trying to drive while looking at a map).

Upon entering WDW grounds, you can tune your radio to 1030 AM when you're approaching the Magic Kingdom, or 850 AM when approaching Epcot, for park information. Tune to 1200 AM when departing the Magic Kingdom, or 910 AM when departing Epcot. TVs in all Disney resorts and "official" hotels also have park information channels.

Parking

All WDW lots are tightly controlled; the Disney folks have parking down to a science. You park where they tell you to park -- and there's no room for discussion. Remember to write your parking place (lot and row number) on something so you can find your vehicle later. Parking attendants won't be there to direct you to it when you leave the park, and, at the end of the day, you'd be surprised how many cars look alike through tired eyes. And though you might think that catchy character name on the pole above your car will ring a bell when you return to your vehicle, what will really be ringing will be your ears with all of the names you've heard so many times throughout the day -- was it Minnie . . . Donald . . . Goofy . . . Pluto?

Visitors should generally ride the free trams that travel the massive Magic Kingdom lots, but it's often easier to skip them and walk to the gates at Epcot, Disney-MGM Studios, and Animal Kingdom. You may not even have a choice. Disney has cut service to some parking areas near the entrances to its parks. Guests who can't make the hike have to park in special lots for travelers with disabilities or have a driver drop them at special unloading areas outside the entrances. If you're walking, be careful! These lots aren't designed for pedestrians, so if you hear a tram coming, move out of the way -- and quickly.

Parking costs $10 at the four major WDW attractions ($11 for RVs). There are special lots for travelers with disabilities; a valid disabled parking permit is required (call tel. 407/824-4321 for details). Those who have booked their Disney vacation through AAA can access a special lot close to the entrance.

Tickets

Disney's ticketing structure (called Magic Your Way), gives visitors who stay here for a few days far better deals than those who come for just a day. The system allows guests to customize their tickets by first purchasing a Base Ticket for a set fee, and then allowing them to purchase add-ons, including a park-hopper option, a no-expiration option, and the option to include admission to some of Disney's smaller venues, such as Pleasure Island, the water parks, and DisneyQuest (the latter is known as the Water Park Fun & More option).

You can purchase your Base Tickets for durations running from a single day to several days, with the latter being the most cost effective; the longer you stay, the less you'll pay per day. If you crunch the numbers, tickets good for at least 4 days will cost almost $17 less per day than a single-day ticket would; buy a 6-day ticket and your per-day price drops by almost 50%. Do note, however, that under the new system, tickets now expire 14 days from the first day of use unless you add on a no-expiration feature (you don't, however, have to use the tickets on consecutive days within that 14-day period).

The following don't include the 6.5% to7% sales tax (Disney actually falls in two different counties) unless noted. Note: Price hikes are frequent occurrences, so call (tel. 407/824-4321) or visit WDW's website (www.disneyworld.com) for the most up-to-the-minute pricing.

Note: All tickets include unlimited use of the WDW transportation system. Bear in mind that Disney considers children 10 and older adults for pricing purposes, and children younger than 3 aren't charged admission.

One-day/one-park Base Tickets, for admission to the Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Animal Kingdom, or Disney-MGM Studios, are $67 for adults, $56 for children ages 3 to 9. Ouch! Four-day Base Tickets (one park per day) are $202 adults, $168 children ages 3 to 9. A 7-day Base Ticket (one park per day) costs $210 for adults (about $30 a day), $173 for kids ages 3 to 9 (about $25 a day).

Adding on a Park Hopper option to your ticket allows you unlimited admission to the Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Animal Kingdom, and Disney-MGM Studios for the duration of your Base Ticket. Pricing for the Park Hopper is the same for adults and children and costs $45 above the price of your Base Ticket (no matter how many days that ticket is valid for). So if you purchase a single-day Base Ticket, adding the Park Hopper will cost an additional $45 (for a total of $112 for an adult -- not cost effective), but if you purchase a 7-day Base Ticket, the option will still only cost you $45 (for a total of $255 -- a very good deal).

If you add a Water Park Fun & More option to your Base Ticket, you'll get several admissions to some of WDW's smaller attractions: Blizzard Beach, Typhoon Lagoon, DisneyQuest, Pleasure Island, and Disney's Wide World of Sports Complex. The number of visits allowed depends on the number of days your Base Ticket is good for (three visits for Base Tickets covering 1-3 days; four visits for 4- and 5-day tickets; five visits for 6-day tickets, and six visits for any Base Ticket 7 days or over). This option adds an additional $50 to the cost of your Base Ticket, and, like the Park Hopper, the longer you stay at Disney, the more cost-effective the option becomes. If you only plan on visiting one smaller attraction while at WDW, paying the separate admission fee is cheaper and smarter than opting for the Water Park Fun & More add-on.

If you're adding both of the available add-on options to your Base Ticket, a way to save a bit more money is by buying your tickets in advance.

A 1-day ticket to Typhoon Lagoon or Blizzard Beach is $39 for adults, $33 for children. A 1-Day ticket to DisneyQuest is $36 for adults, $30 for children.

A 1-day ticket to Pleasure Island is $21.95. Because this is primarily an 18-and-older entertainment complex, there's no bargain price for children.

If you're planning an extended stay or going to visit Walt Disney World more than once during the year, annual passes ($434-$559 adults, $382-$493 children) are another great option (Florida residents catch a slight break; $223-$445 adults, $197-$394 children).

Operating Hours

Hours of operation vary throughout the year and are often influenced by special events, so it's a good idea to call to check opening/closing times.

The Magic Kingdom and Disney-MGM Studios are generally open from 9am to 6 or 7pm, with hours often extended to 9pm and sometimes as late as midnight during major holidays and summer. Animal Kingdom usually is open from 8 or 9am to 5 or 6pm but sometimes closes as late as 7pm.

Epcot's Future World is generally open from 9 or 10am to 7pm and occasionally later. Epcot's World Showcase usually opens at 11am or noon and closes at 9pm. Once again, there are extended holiday and summer hours.

Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach are open from 10am to 5pm most of the year (with slightly extended hours during summer and some holidays). Both are closed on a rotating basis during part of the winter for maintenance; be sure to check ahead if they're on your to-do list.