Walt Disney World and Orlando for Dummies 2003 Book

	Introduction	1
	About This Book	1
	Conventions Used in This Book	2
	Foolish Assumptions	3
	How This Book Is Organized	4
	Icons Used in This Book	6
	Where to Go from Here	6
Part I	Getting Started	7
Chapter 1	Discovering the Best of Walt Disney World and Orlando	9
	All-Star Experiences	9
	Put Your Head on These Pillows	12
	Whet Your Appetite	13
	Chills and Thrills for Speed Freaks	15
	After the Sun Goes Down	15
Chapter 2	Planning Your Trip Schedule	17
	The Secrets of the Seasons	17
	Weather Warnings	19
	Orlando's Calendar: Attractions in Review	20
Chapter 3	Preparing Your Budget	25
	Adding Your Costs	25
	Keeping a Rein on Runaway Expenses	28
	Paper, Plastic, or Pocket Change?	28
	Tips for Cutting Costs	30
Chapter 4	Planning Ahead for Special Travel Needs	33
	Making Family Travel Fun	33
	Cutting Costs--Savings for Seniors	37
	Traveling without Barriers	38
	Advice for Gay and Lesbian Travelers	41
Part II	Ironing Out the Details	43
Chpater 5	Planes, Trains, and Automobiles: Getting to Orlando	45
	Acquiring a Travel Agent	45
	Discovering the Ins and Outs of All-in-One Packages	47
	Getting the Best Deals on Airfare--Plane and Simple	51
	Using Other Methods to Arrive in Orlando	54
Chapter 6	Finding the Hotel That's Right for You	57
	Deciding Where to Stay	57
	Finding the Perfect Location	59
	Choosing a Hotel That's Right on the Money	64
Chpater 7	Booking the Best Hotel Room Your Money Can Buy	65
	The Truth about Rack Rates (And Why You Don't Have to Pay Them)	65
	Getting the Best Room at the Best Rate	66
	Surfing the Web for Hotel Deals	67
	Arriving without a Reservation	69
Chapter 8	Orlando's Best Hotels	71
	Choosing a Hotel within Your Budget	71
	Orlando Hotels from A to Z	72
	No Room at the Inn?	94
	Accommodations Indexes	95
Chapter 9	Tying Up the Loose Ends	97
	Buying Travel Insurance: Good Idea or Bad?	97
	Combating Illness Away from Home	99
	Weighing Your Rental-Car Options	100
	Making Reservations and Getting Tickets in Advance	102
	Gearing Up: Practical Packing Advice	103
Part III	Settling into Orlando	107
Chapter 10	Orienting Yourself in Orlando	109
	Arriving on the Orlando Scene	109
	Finding Your Way to Your Hotel	110
	Exploring Orlando by Neighborhood	111
	Information, Please	114
Chapter 11	Getting Around Orlando	115
	Relying on Orlando's Transportation Network	115
	Touring Orlando by Car: Expanding Your Sightseeing Horizons	118
	Watch Your Step: Strolling the Streets of Orlando	119
Chapter 12	Keeping Your Cash in Check	121
	Finding Funds in Orlando	121
	Keeping Your Money Safe (And What to Do If It's Stolen)	123
Part IV	Dining in Orlando	125
Chapter 13	The Scoop on Orlando Dining	127
	Making Reservations	127
	Dressing to Dine	128
	Trimming the Fat from Your Dining Budget	128
	Tackling Tipping and Taxes in Orlando	130
Chapter 14	Orlando's Best Restaurants	131
	Orlando Restaurants from A to Z	131
Chapter 15	Disney Character Dining	167
	The Cost of Catching Characters	167
	The Most Characters Money Can Buy	168
Part V	Exploring Walt Disney World	171
Chapter 16	Getting Acquainted with Walt Disney World	173
	Introducting Walt's World	174
	Finding Your Way to the Fun	177
	Traveling the World	178
	Preparing for Park Admission Costs	178
	Getting the Most Out of Your Trip to the World	180
	Avoiding the Crowds	182
Chapter 17	The Magic Kingdom	183
	Finding Out More about the Magic Kingdom	183
	Making the Rounds: The Magic Kingdom's Top Attractions	187
	Suggested Itineraries	196
	Index of Attractions by Land	197
Chapter 18	Epcot	199
	Discovering Epcot's Essentials	201
	Touring Epcot's Top Attractions	202
	Future World	202
	World Showcase	206
	Ending Your Day	210
	Making the Most of Your Day(s) at Epcot	210
	Index of Attractions by Land	212
Chapter 19	Disney-MGM Studios	213
	Acquainting Yourself with Disney-MGM Studios	213
	Pitting Disney-MGM Studios Against Universal Studios Florida	216
	Entertaining for the Whole Family: G-Rated Attractions and Rides	216
	Exploring PG-Rated Attractions and Rides	219
	Taking Time Out for Fantastic Parades and Fireworks	223
	Seeing It All in One Day	224
	Index of Attractions and Rides	225
Chapter 20	Animal Kingdom	227
	Getting to Know the Kingdom	227
	Understanding the Differences between Animal Kingdom and Busch Gardens	230
	Checking Out Animal Kingdom's Top Attractions	231
	The Oasis	231
	Discovery Island	232
	Camp Minnie-Mickey	233
	Africa	234
	Asia	235
	DinoLand U.S.A.	236
	Conquering the Kingdom in One Day	238
	Index of Attractions by Land	238
Chapter 21	Enjoying the Rest of Walt Disney World	241
	Playing It Up at DisneyQuest	241
	Fielding the Fun at Disney's Wide World of Sports	243
	Gearing Up at the Richard Petty Driving Experience	244
	Preparing for the PGA at Disney Golf	245
	Puttering Around at Disney Miniature Golf	246
	Making a Splash at Disney's Water Parks	247
	Enjoying the Holiday Season at Disney	250
	Sailing the Seas with Disney	251
	Considering Another Cruise Option	252
Chapter 22	Shopping at Walt Disney World	253
	Money-Saving Tips for Top-Notch Take-Homes	253
	Loading Up Your Cart at Walt Disney World	254
	Disney Shopping outside the Theme Parks	258
	Sold! Bidding for Bargains at Disney Auctions	259
	Dealing in Collectibles at Disneyana	260
	Last Chance: Shopping for Disney Doodads at the Airport	260
Part VI	Exploring the Rest of Orlando	261
Chapter 23	Universal Studios Florida	263
	Finding Out Important Park Information	266
	Exploring the Top Attractions	268
	Grabbing a Bite to Eat	274
	Shopping at Universal Studios Florida	274
	Using Our Suggested Itinerary	275
	Index of Top Attractions by Area	276
Chapter 24	Islands of Adventure	277
	Knowing Essential Park Information	277
	Practical Advice for Island Adventurers	281
	Exploring the Top Attractions at Islands of Adventure	282
	Dining at Islands of Adventure	288
	Shopping at Islands of Adventure	289
	Using Our Suggested Itinerary	289
	Index of Attractions by Area	290
Chapter 25	SeaWorld and Discovery Cove	291
	Gathering Important Information	293
	Exploring the Top Attractions	294
	Checking Out Discovery Cove	299
	Dining and Shopping at SeaWorld	301
	Using Our Suggested Itinerary	301
	Index of SeaWorld Attractions	302
Chapter 26	Other Cool Attractions	303
	In-Town Attractions	303
	Fun Outside the Orlando Area	309
Chapter 27	A Shopper's Guide to Orlando	315
	Checking Out the Shopping Scene	315
	Exploring the Great Shopping Neighborhoods	316
	Finding the Big Names in Shopping	317
	Factory Outlets	317
	The Malls	318
	Antiquing Downtown	319
	Small Town, Florida	320
Part VII	Living It Up After the Sun Goes Down: Orlando Nightlife	321
Chapter 28	Hitting the Clubs and Bars	323
	Enjoying the Pleasures of Pleasure Island	324
	Exploring Downtown Disney West Side	328
	Strolling along Disney's BoardWalk	328
	Dancing the Night Away at CityWalk	329
	Locating the Best Hotel Lounges	332
	Exploring Orlando's Other Hot Spots	332
Chapter 29	Dinner Shows and the Orlando Theater Scene	335
	Finding Out the Inside Scoop	335
	Now Playing	336
	Getting Tickets for Dinner Shows	338
	Taking in the Performing Arts	338
Part VIII	The Part of Tens	341
Chapter 30	Top Ten Cheap Alternatives to the Parks	343
	Central Florida Zoological Park	343
	Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art	343
	Cornell Fine Arts Museum	344
	Eatonville and the Zora Neale Hurston National Museum of Fine Arts	344
	Florida Audubon Center for Birds of Prey	345
	Kissimmee Sports Arena & Rodeo	345
	Lake Eola Park	345
	Lakeridge Winery and Vineyards	346
	The Peabody Ducks	346
	Winter Park Scenic Boat Tour	346
Chapter 31	Top Ten Fitness Activities (Other than Walking the Parks)	347
	Bicycling	347
	Boating	347
	Fishing	348
	Golf	348
	Horseback Riding	348
	Jogging	349
	Surfing	349
	Swimming	349
	Tennis	349
	Waterskiing and Wakeboarding	350
Appendix	Quick Concierge	351
	Fast Facts	351
	Toll-Free Numbers and Web Sites	355
	Finding More Information	357
	Worksheets	359
	Index	367
	General Index	367
	Accommodations Index	382
	Restaurant Index	383