When you wish upon a star, it may be your heart's desire to visit Walt Disney World's (WDW) newest attractions with your grandkids and to find some bargains in the bargain. My husband, Bob, and I visited with our 13-year-old granddaughter, Anna, to enjoy the most recent innovations.
Attractions
On the hunt for new sights, we stopped in
The Hall of Presidents in the Magic Kingdom. Following an eight-month makeover, the attraction celebrates all 44 U.S. presidents. The exhibit, narrated by Morgan Freeman, reveals a revised, Audio-Animatronics figure of President George Washington. He introduces each president, who nods his head on cue. The last, of course, is President Barack Obama, who delivers the oath of office.
Throughout the Magic Kingdom, we spotted adorable miniature princesses Jasmine and Belle dressed in their new-bought finery. And, new this year, we saw swashbuckling boys and girls sporting eye patches, gold teeth, and beards (well, on the boys, anyhow), extremely made up at The Pirates League in Adventureland.
As we approached a restaurant at Disney's Hollywood Studios (formerly Disney-MGM Studios), Anna was delighted to catch a performance of High School Musical 3. The talented young cast sang and danced in front of the Sorcerer's Hat, an attraction inspired by the Disney movie, Fantasia. "I really liked how they portrayed the movie from the Disney Channel and made it come to life," she said. And guests are invited to jump in and participate.
Bargains
We always welcome financial incentives in these tough economic times. For instance, throughout 2009, anyone entering WDW and celebrating a birthday receives free park admission that day. Remember to bring government-issued proof. Imagine the bonus for grandparents of multiples!
Another deal. Retired military members, current military, and their families qualify for special discounts for the park and accommodations.
Giving back in your own community may reap benefits in Orlando. The Give a Day, Get a Disney Day program kicks off the New Year, January 1. Volunteers who sign up and donate a day of service with participating organizations receive a free one-day admission to the park.
Eating
Our favorite restaurant is still the tiered
Coral Reef Restaurant in Epcot's Future World, where a glass wall reveals a 5.7 million-gallon aquarium. We snagged a desirable table at one window, and watched a tan turtle bigger than a golf umbrella move only about two feet during the course of our meal. The divers swim among aquatic inhabitants, including stingrays and sharks, blow kisses at diners, and totally fascinate youngsters."It's really cool," Anna said, "like dinner and a show."
Two restaurants in Disney's Hollywood Studios appealed to us. We had a lovely dinner at The Brown Derby, which recalled Hollywood's movie business of days gone by. Anna, whose other grandparents hail from California and fill her with Hollywood stories, said she liked it a lot. The service was quite friendly, and her rib-eye steak and flourless chocolate cake "were really excellent," she said.
Nearby my favorite nostalgia trip, the 50's Prime Time Café awaits. When your table is ready, a waitress dolled up in a check uniform with starched hankie steps outside and screams, "Staub family, get in here!" Your party proceeds to a Formica table just like many of us sat at growing up. A small TV plays black-and-white 1950s TV shows such as I Love Lucy. (Of course, we weren't allowed to watch TV while we were eating in my mother's kitchen.) Featured dishes include old standbys, such as tuna casserole and meatloaf, but contemporary favorites are available as well.
Accommodations
Staying in hotels within the parks, such as the
Contemporary and
Polynesian, gets visitors on the monorail immediately. Those guests may enter the park an hour earlier than those who stay outside the resort, and they may stay up to three hours after the park's closing. Plus, it's easier to schedule a midday swimming break or nap to ease crankiness in little ones. Kids, younger than 17, stay at no charge in adults' rooms. The parking fee is waived if you park your car yourself.
We stayed in the newest section of Disney's Contemporary Resort, the 15-story Bay Lake Tower, which opened in August. The one-bedroom suite consisted of a bedroom with a king-size bed, two bathrooms with tubs (one featuring a whirlpool) and showers, a living room with a sofa that converted to a queen-size bed, and a large chair that converted to another bed. A balcony offered a gorgeous view of Bay Lake. Additionally, the suite had a breakfast nook and fully equipped kitchen. We saved money by eating breakfast in our room; you can bring supplies from home or buy them at the Tower's commissary-type facility.
Tips
Choose a FASTPASS (a reservation to avoid lengthy lines) for the most popular attractions early on. We went to Soarin' in Epcot's Future World at 11:30am and the tickets we got were for entry at 3:30pm.
When everyone else ebbs, you flow. For example, when entering Epcot, instead of joining the hundreds of visitors immediately lining up at Spaceship Earth, head to the back to World Showcase; return later to Spaceship Earth when the lines are much shorter. You've paid a lot of money for the day; don't waste it by standing in line for ages.
Advance reservations are a must at the popular restaurants; call 407-939-3463 well before your visit. Look into meal plans for dining savings as well.
Related information: Mobility solutions
For little ones, bring your own strollers instead of renting them.
If a family member uses a wheelchair, electric cart (ECV), or walker, the staff whisks the wheelchair-bound and the entire party into the proper place aboard monorails, buses, or into auditoriums. And often to the front of the line.
Ask if there's an elevator or escalator if the uphill ramps prove a challenge. We sometimes found it easier to take the bus than the monorail if we had to go up and down the ramps to change monorails.
ECV rentals in each park are restricted to that park. If you're planning to visit more than one park in a day, consider renting a cart outside for use all over. Outside companies that rent wheelchairs and ECVs are Buena Vista Scooters and Walker Mobility.
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