Walt Disney World, Orlando

I had the luxary of a week there and money not being a problem so I was able to see all the parks and resorts.

On a budget and to taste the parks to visit are Universal and Islands of Adventure if its pure thrills and rides you want, these are both next to each other so one ticket can give you access.

Waterworld is more for the kids, but if you want wet n wild fun check out Wet n Wild or one of Disneys own water parks. I went wet n wild and loved it, absolutely great fun.

For both kids and grown ups check out the magical kingdom's night time fireworks displays and parade its excellent fun and makes the whold disney experience much better.

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This is a must do event in everyone's life at least once. The children will love you for it more than you know. However, they may want to go back again, and again. There are daily and longer passes that allows entry at the more reasonable price, but none is cheap anymore. In 1970's the entry was around $20 for the day. Now I believe one day is about $65-75?

disney's boardwalk lines a lake between the board walk inn and the yacht club resort hotel. this entertainment area is fashioned after a 1930's atlantic coastal village. the boardwalk offers a number of shops, restaurants, and bars. in my opinion downtown disney and universal's city walk are more interesting but if you are staying in a disney property it is worth checking out. if you are visiting from outside the park you can park for free at the board walk inn or the yacht club.

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If you're a guest at one of the hotels in the park and want to take a break from the parks for a while and you're interested in seeing one of the best resort lodges in the park, scoot on over to the Wilderness Lodge. You can take a tour or pick up one of the fact sheets about the lodge. You will definitely be amazed to learn that the lodge which was completed in May, 1994, is constructed of 85 loads of lodge pole pine from Oregon and Montana. The soaring 7-story atrium features two 55-ft. totem poles--the Raven and the Eagle pole--carved by the noted artist, Duane H. Pasco. You'll also find fossil rock, Native Indian artifacts, a rock geyser and more detail than I can mention here. There are also two very good restaurants here. Artist's Point" is one of the Disney Signature restaurants which means that the restaurant and the food served is on a level with any of the best restaurants in the country. It also means that the menu prices will reflect that. The Wispering Canyon Cafe is alot of fun and serves some very good food too! I like their all-you-can-eat skillets which can serve the whole family and you will walk away wondering "Why did I eat the whole thing!" Waiters & Waitresses are dressed in Wild West costume more or less and make you laugh but worse, make others laugh at you! They serve breakfast, lunch and dinner in a western lodge type atmosphere and setting.

The geyser behind the pool area erupts every half hour -- you might think you were at Yellowstone Park. The Lodge has a nice gift shop too with items that relate to the Lodge itself, and also carries a pretty range of grocery store items as well.

You'll love the piped music which will put you right in the mood for where you feel you are -- the western Rockies!

Walt Disney World has a special website with information on visiting the parks with kids who are 5 and under. The program is called Magical Beginnings. Here is the website, or you can google it:

http://disneymagicalbeginnings.com/mb/

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It is SO crowded here that there are some rides to just avoid! The least handicapped friendly for all ages surprisingly enough.

Jungle Cruise -The ride is a classic.

Tiki Room (I do not like the new program at all!) - anyway...they have a special line for handicapped, you get in first so you're not run over by others and it is nice and cool inside.

Pirates of the Carribbean - They make you WALK the entire queue line, and there are no seats to enjoy along the way to rest!

Splash Mountain - unshaded LONG LONG queue line.

Big Thunder Railroad - a little rough, but I managed.

Now...eating in the restaurants is rough, but just go in, order, get your table and people will move out of your way. If you stop...they will run you over!

Country Bear Jamboree: A separate line for handicapped..nice and cold inside..get in first to avoid being run over. Nice break from the heat and crowds.

Haunted Mansion: MAN! Get a Fastpass or they will make you wait in the queue line that goes on for hours. Sit inside the Country Bear Jamboree and relax while waiting for your time.

It's a Small World: they have a handicapped queue line, but the boats have not foot room! And it's hot inside and frankly the ride scares me...very crazy!

Peter Pan's Flight: they will let you go through the Fastpass line...board immediately and it's a FUN ride!

Snow White's Adventure: Skip it! Jerky and long wait...not worth it.

Winnie the Pooh's Adventure: They do not allow any wheelchair or scooter whatsoever.Skip it.

Space Mountain: You park your scooter and can use a wheelchair. You go through a long queue line up-hill and down-hill...very hard to go through.

That was it for Disneyworld...the least favorite...but I still enjoyed it...get out before the fireworks if you can stand to miss that, because even the crowd before the end of the day is massive, I can only imagine what it's like afterwards!

Shopping wise, everything you could think of with the exception of Haunted Mansion merchandise, it was not well represented.

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From May 2007:
In addition to shops, restaurants, and activities that require payment the kids can do some things for free at Downtown Disney - see the Lego statues, play with Legos (outside but under a roof, protecting from rain), play on a small playground (for age 4 and under I think), or cool off in the water play area (where fountains appear and disappear unexpectedly). Parking is also free.

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Despite the fact my father ended up in the hospital at the end of the brief ceremony, the 'Flag Retreat' with guest veteran participation was really a moving ceremony. (Dad suffered heat stroke and at 80... he spent one night but was released the next day). They do the flag retreats DAILY with veterans pre-arranged to participate. If you know of a military veteran going to Magic Kingdom that might enjoy this ceremony, do the following:

Call the WDW info Hotline number at 407/824-2222 and ask for Magic Kingdom City Hall. Tell them the date the veteran you know will be at Magic Kingdom and request them to be the Vet of the Day. Be flexible if that date is already filled.

Guest must be a ticket holder for the park, naturally (nothing is free at Disney!). At the completion of the ceremony, the vet receives a commemorative certificate and a special trading pin that says 'veteran.'

Disney has a photographer and they give you a free 5x7, and then you pay for any other photo you want. (Photog took about 75 photos).

NOTE: To prevent your elderly vet from passing out at this event, request a wheelchair and/or make sure they hydrate, wear a hat and eat before the ceremony. It lasts about 30 minutes. The ceremony doesn't require lots of walking, but just getting into Magic Kingdom requires lots of walking. Keep this in mind!