Walt Disney World and Orlando for Dummies 2004 Book

	Introduction	1
	About This Book	1
	Conventions Used in This Book	2
	Foolish Assumptions	3
	How This Book Is Organized	3
	Icons Used in This Book	5
	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	14
	Chills and Thrills for Speed Freaks	14
	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
Chapter 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	50
	Using Other Modes 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 at the Right Price	64
Chapter 7	Booking the Best Hotel Room Your Money Can Buy	67
	The Truth about Rack Rates (And Why You Don't Have to Pay Them)	67
	Getting the Best Room at the Best Rate	68
	Surfing the Web for Hotel Deals	70
	Arriving Without a Reservation	71
Chapter 8	Orlando's Best Hotels	73
	Choosing a Hotel within Your Budget	73
	Orlando Hotels from A to Z	74
	No Room at the Inn?	96
Chapter 9	Tying Up the Loose Ends	99
	Buying Travel Insurance: Good Idea or Bad?	99
	Combating Illness Away from Home	100
	Weighing Your Rental-Car Options	102
	Making Reservations and Getting Tickets in Advance	104
	Gearing Up: Practical Packing Advice	105
Part III	Settling into Orlando	109
Chapter 10	Orienting Yourself in Orlando	111
	Arriving on the Orlando Scene	111
	Finding Your Way to Your Hotel	112
	Exploring Orlando by Neighborhood	113
	Information, Please	116
Chapter 11	Getting Around Orlando	117
	Relying on Orlando's Transportation Network	117
	Touring Orlando by Car: Expanding Your Sightseeing Horizons	120
	Watch Your Step: Strolling the Streets of Orlando	121
Chapter 12	Keeping Your Cash in Check	123
	Finding Funds in Orlando	123
	Keeping Your Money Safe (And What to Do If It's Stolen)	125
Part IV	Dining in Orlando	127
Chapter 13	The Scoop on Orlando Dining	129
	Making Reservations	129
	Dressing to Dine	130
	Trimming the Fat from Your Dining Budget	130
	Tackling Tipping and Taxes in Orlando	132
Chapter 14	Orlando's Best Restaurants	133
	Orlando Restaurants from A to Z	133
Chapter 15	Disney Character Dining	169
	The Cost of Catching Characters	169
	The Most Characters Money Can Buy	170
Part V	Exploring Walt Disney World	173
Chapter 16	Getting Acquainted with Walt Disney World	175
	Introducing Walt's World	176
	Finding Your Way to the Fun	179
	Traveling the World	180
	Preparing for Park Admission Costs	180
	Getting the Most Out of Your Trip to the World	181
	Avoiding the Crowds	183
Chapter 17	The Magic Kingdom	185
	Finding Out More about the Magic Kingdom	185
	Making the Rounds: The Magic Kingdom's Top Attractions	189
	Suggested Itineraries	198
	Index of Attractions by Land	199
Chapter 18	Epcot	201
	Discovering Epcot's Essentials	201
	Touring Epcot's Top Attractions	204
	Future World	204
	World Showcase	208
	Ending Your Day	211
	Making the Most of Epcot	212
	Index of Attractions by Land	214
Chapter 19	Disney-MGM Studios	215
	Acquainting Yourself with Disney-MGM Studios	215
	Pitting Disney-MGM Studios Against Universal Studios Florida	218
	Entertaining for the Whole Family: G-Rated Attractions and Rides	218
	Exploring PG-Rated Attractions and Rides	220
	Taking Time Out for Fantastic Parades and Fireworks	224
	Seeing It All in One Day	225
	Index of Attractions and Rides	226
Chapter 20	Animal Kingdom	227
	Getting to Know the Kingdom	229
	Understanding the Differences between Animal Kingdom and Busch Gardens	230
	Checking Out Animal Kingdom's Top Attractions	231
	The Oasis	232
	Discovery Island	232
	Camp Minnie-Mickey	233
	Africa	234
	Asia	236
	DinoLand U.S.A.	237
	Conquering the Kingdom in One Day	239
	Index of Attractions by Land	240
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
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
	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	279
	Practical Advice for Island Adventurers	281
	Exploring the Top Attractions at Islands of Adventure	282
	Dining at Islands of Adventure	287
	Shopping at Islands of Adventure	288
	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	300
	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	313
	Checking Out the Shopping Scene	313
	Exploring Great Shopping Neighborhoods	314
	Finding the Big Names in Shopping	315
	Factory Outlets	315
	The Malls	316
	Antiquing Downtown	317
	Small Town, Florida	318
Part VII	Living It Up After the Sun Goes Down: Orlando Nightlife	319
Chapter 28	Hitting the Clubs and Bars	321
	Enjoying the Pleasures of Pleasure Island	322
	Exploring Downtown Disney West Side	326
	Strolling along Disney's BoardWalk	326
	Dancing the Night Away at CityWalk	327
	Locating the Best Hotel Lounges	329
	Exploring Orlando's Other Hot Spots	330
Chapter 29	Dinner Shows and the Orlando Theater Scene	333
	Finding Out the Inside Scoop	333
	Getting Tickets for Dinner Shows	334
	Now Playing	334
	Taking in the Performing Arts	336
Part VIII	The Part of Tens	339
Chapter 30	Top Ten Cheap Alternatives to the Parks	341
	Central Florida Zoo	341
	Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art	341
	Cornell Fine Arts Museum	342
	Eatonville and the Zora Neale Hurston National Museum of Fine Arts	342
	Audubon of Florida-National Center for Birds of Prey	343
	Kissimmee Sports Arena & Rodeo	343
	Lake Eola Park	343
	Lakeridge Winery and Vineyards	344
	The Peabody Ducks	344
	Winter Park Scenic Boat Tour	344
Chapter 31	Top Ten Fitness Activities (Other than Walking the Parks)	345
	Bicycling	345
	Boating	345
	Fishing	346
	Golf	346
	Horseback Riding	346
	Jogging	347
	Surfing	347
	Swimming	347
	Tennis	347
	Water-skiing and Wakeboarding	347
Appendix	Quick Concierge	349
	Fast Facts	349
	Toll-Free Numbers and Web Sites	352
	Airlines	352
	Major car-rental agencies	353
	Major hotel and motel chains	354
	Finding More Information	355
	Worksheets	357
	Index	367