[Magic Kingdom] [Epcot] [Disney Studios] [Animal Kingdom]

NOTE: There are Height and Age restrictions for certain rides and will be denoted with a "*". 
KEY:Green links - RealAudio/Video
        Purple links - Windows Media Player
        Blue links - More Info
        Red text - FastPass Attraction

As always take your time and drink a lot of water! This guide is to help you plan your trip and get the most out of your visit. Enjoy!

Magic Kingdom

- If you are staying on the property, you should take advantage of early entry days. This allow you into the park 1 hour before everyone is allowed in.

- Most people suggest a plan on what you want to do. This is good if you have never been! Personally I prefer to wonder around aimlessly. Although on busier days, I do recommend that you make reservations for lunch and Dinner or this may be a good time to head back to the resort (if staying on property) for a break and lunch\dinner. This is especially a good idea for stays during the summer.

-There is a new line management system called FastPass. This has been a wonderful way to literally wait in line for 2 attractions at the same time. A word about fastpass, when receiving a fastpass and if the time you have to wait is under an hour, simply find another attraction in the land you happen to be in. If it is over an hour, just continue following your way around and come back to it later. 

- After that make your way down Main Street USA (Restaurants in this section can be seen HERE.) and take a peek at the attraction board <located on the left side of the street> and see what attractions are down, current wait times, etc. During summer times, if you can get in early, head straight for Splash Mountain, it is normal for wait time to exceed 2 hours during the day or wait til late at night. this is especially true with fastpass in affect.

- You will notice that most people head clockwise around the kingdom (starting with Adventureland), I suggest that you head counter-clockwise and go straight to Tomarrowland.

-Shows in Tomarrowland are: Galaxy Palace Theater (various performances)
-Restaurants in this section can be seen HERE.
-Click HERE to listen to area music while you read.

- The first attraction you come to is ExtraTERRORestrial Alien Encounter* , great special effects and a good ride for adults but may be too scary for younger children. Brought to you by XS!

-Right across from Alien Encounter is Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin,  this is a great ride for everyone, you have a light gun and you get to shoot all the bad guys and see who can get the highest score. To infinity and beyond! See if you can beat my score of 735,000. HINT: Shoot the "Z's" that are the furthest away from you for maximum point values.

-Next every child will want to ride the Astro Orbiter. It is a standard ride (like dumbo) in which folks of all ages can control the astro orbiter up and down. Also surrounding the Astro Orbiter is the Tomarrowland Transit Authority, I have always enjoyed this attraction since I was 5 (ok, as far back as I can remember), but this ride goes in to Space Mountain and around the rest of Tomarrowland. its a great ride to sit down and take a break on as it goes fast enough to feel the breeze but slow enough to enjoy it.

-The Carousel of Progress is one of the original attractions that opened back in 1971, it features a rotating theater around a central stage, and of course it has been updated since it first open to reflect the 90's. This attract only operates between park opening and 5pm and is usually packed when it gets closing time. 

-Onto Space Mountain*, incase you don't know, space mountain is an in-the-dark roller coaster, while it only travels just under 35 mph, it feels a lot faster because you cant see where you are going. This is another of those attractions that tend to get packed during the day. Ride it in the early morning or evenings. Unless you happen to be there when you can walk right in, get a fastpass or come back late in the evening. 

-The last attraction in Tomarrowland is the Tomarrowland Raceway for all those soon-to-be races.

-On to Fantasyland...
-Restaurants in this section can be seen HERE.
-Click HERE to listen to area music while you read.

-One note, Mickey's Toontown Fair is located between fantasyland and Tomarrowland, and has several attractions such as character greetings, Mickey & Minnie's house. It also has Barnstormer at Goofy's Wiseacre Farm which is a family-style roller coaster. Also this is the location of one of the 3 stops on the WDW Railroad.

-Shows in Fantasyland: Sword in the Stone, Legend of the Lion king.

-If it close to eating, ride Mad Tea Party before you eat or you might be wearing your lunch, you would be surprised how fast kids can spin those cups (EG). Its sole purpose is to get you dizzy! (don't say I didn't warn ya)

-As you make your way around you will see where 20k Leagues under the Sea used to be, they have replaced it for now with Fantasyland Character Festival which will eventually be replaced with a thrill-ride.

-Most of the rides in this land are usually packed from noon til about 5pm because of their popularity with the youngsters. If you are without children, avoid this land during the day.

-Across from 20k Leagues under the Sea is The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh. This one of those attractions that you may choose a FastPass and come back later. In the same building right next to Winnie the Pooh is Snow White's Scary Adventures, this another "dark-ride" and should be noted that it may be too scary for young children.

-The two rides that sit right in the heart of fantasyland are Cinderella's Golden Carrousel and Dumbo the Flying Elephant.

-Coming to the end of Fantasyland you will see It's A Small World, this attraction usually has long lines in the middle of the day, so wait til the evening to ride it. Right across from It's a Small World is Peter Pan's Flight, which is another dark-ride but is not scary at all. Legend of the Lion King is also located in the same building. 

-On to Liberty Square...

-Shows in the Liberty Square: The Diamond Horseshoe Saloon Review, The Hall of Presents
-Restaurants in this section can be seen HERE.

-There are only 2 ride attractions in this area, one is the Liberty Belle Riverboat which takes you around Tom Sawyer Island in a 10 minute boat ride. The other is the Haunted Mansion where you ride "Doom buggies" through the mansion and see all the 999 haunts the live here. Be careful, some ghosts like to ride in your buggies with you. This is one of those popular rides that are either jammed full or you can walk right in. If full come back later.

-On to Frontierland...
-Click HERE to listen to area music while you read.

-Shows in Frontierland: Country Bear Jamboree
-Restaurants in this section can be seen HERE.

-This is the most popular land in the kingdom, this section is ALWAYS busy. Again hit this land early or late. Splash Mountain*[Audio] is a boat (log) ride that takes you through the mountain with Briar Rabbit and friends with roller coaster type hills with the last hill dropping you over 50ft. Again FastPass is the only way to go unless its early or late. Big Thunder Mountain Railroad* [Video] is a roller coaster themed to a run-away mine train with high-banked turns. (It is even a better ride at night) Both of these attractions reside right next to each other which increases traffic tremendously . FastPass for big thunder mountain railroad is now available. Usually the line move fairly well and wait times are not as long as posted, but now that fastpass is open, it usually slows down the "Stand By" line. 

-Some of the other attractions include Tom Sawyer's Island which is great for the youngsters. They get to search the island going down different paths to see what can be discovered. This attraction closes at dusk. 

-Also there is another stop here for the WDW Railroad.

-On to Adventureland...
-Click HERE to listen to area music while you read.

-Shows in Adventureland: The Enchanted Tiki Room "Under New Management"
.

-As you make your way into Adventureland you will see Pirates of the Caribbean, here you will board a boat and sail the high seas (There are rough waters ahead, Please keep all hands inside the boat) and watch the pirates way of life. Experience battles with cannons and guns. This is just a real fun ride! By the time you get to this attraction, the lines should be very short (except summer months).

-Next on the right is the Jungle Cruise, which is also another good attraction in which you board a boat and travel through rain forests, see wild animals and even the backside of a waterfall. This is another attraction that usually has long waits but should be very small by the time you ride it.

-When you exit jungle cruise you will see where the show for the Tiki Room resides.

-The last attraction is Swiss Family Treehouse, this is a walk-thru attraction where you get to see the treehouse from the film Swiss Family Robinson.

-Now is the time to go back and visit those rides that were to busy to ride or may have been down for some reason.

-If you just want to ride the big thrill-rides only, you may want to consider .

-Parades in the Magic Kingdom: Share a Dream Come True, SpectroMagic, Fantasy in the Sky Fireworks [Video][Audio]

-Parades are usually packed, even in the offseason, so get there about 30 minutes (45-60 minutes during summer months) to get a great seat. Otherwise you will enjoy the parade on your tippy toes or staring at the back of someone's head.

Epcot

- This park has to be the biggest of the parks, as far as sheer walking goes, it is twice the size of the Magic Kingdom. (AK is actually the largest as far as acreage) so make sure you have comfortable shoes on. Also if you plan to eat dinner in any of the countries, may I strongly suggest that you make reservations. With the opening of Test Track, wait time have been known to exceed 3 HOURS, so go and grab a fastpass for this attraction right away. It has been so bad at times that at 11am, i was received a fastpass time for 8PM. I gets that busy.

-Click HERE to listen to area music while you read.

-Future World opens usually at 9am with World Showcase opening at 11am. With this in mind Future World is packed.
-View the restaurants in Epcot

-When you first enter the park, everyone goes straight to Spaceship Earth. I recommend that you bypass this attraction for now and head into which direction you want.

- I usually go to The Land attraction first, its line grows rapidly or grab a fastpass and get an ice cream and wait. This attraction tells a story of how we Living With the Land, it is actually quite neat how they grow plants without soil. Shows in The Land: Circle of Life, Food Rocks and a guided tour called Behind the Seeds.

-Next stop is Journey into Imagination, [Video] this attraction is closed for refurbishment, but open is has a fantastic show called Honey I Shrunk the Audience, this is not to be missed. When you get to this attraction, and it is packed, just bypass til later, it will get shorter.

-Next stop is Test Track*[Video]. This has had rave reviews since its opening and the line show that it is the attraction to ride in Epoct. Wait times for this ride have been in excess of 2+ hours. Even fastpass times have been insane. It is a hot ride and people have been waiting for this ride to open. The bad thing about any new attraction, is that no matter what time of day you go, it is going to be PACKED! NOTE: Disney is aware that people may be in the park all day and NOT ride test track, so this attraction is usually open til 10pm while everything else closes a 9pm. This is not advertised but walk over there after illuminations and hop right on. 

-MISSION: Space a new attraction that will be opening by 2003. You can read all about it here

-Wonders of Life is next. It has a ride called Body Wars*, which is a simulation ride thru the human body. Some people have commented to me that the ride had made them sick. So just be aware of this. Shows in the Wonders of Life are: Cranium Command, The Making of Me.

-Universe of Energy contain Ellen's Energy Adventure. This attraction is a long ride (takes 45 minutes) but is neat because it has a moving theater which takes you back to the age of the dinosaurs and is powered by the solar cells on the roof of the building.

-After you have made you way back to Spaceship Earth, the lines should have dropped considerably, and should have a short wait. The ride itself is about earth and its progressions of people on it. The thing that always makes me think about this ride is, "How did they cram so much stuff in that ball"!! After the ride you are dumped into Global Neighborhood Exhibit, it has some interesting things for the neighborhood of the future.

-The Living Seas has a ride through it, which takes you to view and take pictures in this aquarium. If you come at the right time, you can watch them feed the different fish and other aquatic animals.

-The last attraction in Future World (and the one that you can spend all day in) is Innoventions. Innoventions is divided into 2 sections, West Side and East Side. In the West Side has an array of different things to do like the Internet (What is the Internet?..LOL), play video games and experience the world of communication. In the East Side, Visit the Technolab Theatre and experiments with science, Visit the house of the future and even see the new Electric Vehicle (EV).

-Also watch the main fountain in Future World, it has a show that has water shooting over 100' in the air!

-On to World Showcase...

-With World Showcase, it really doesn't matter which way you make your way around the different countries. just a note, the people that work in the different countries are actually from that country.

-Keeping with the counter-clockwise pattern...we will head to Canada. There is one attraction in this country and it is O Canada. O Canada is a Circle Vision 360° presentation about ,you guessed it, Canada.

-United Kingdom is our next stop around the world. There is no attraction in this country, but it is still fun to walk inside and see the different souvenirs or stop by the pub.

-As you make you way towards France, you will see the mini Eiffel Tower in the background. There is a show called Impressions de France. Also you must get some of the great pastries in the little shops around the block.

-Morocco has 2 attractions, Treasures of Morocco, which is a guides tour around Morocco and the other is Gallery of Arts and History Exhibit.

-Japan has an exhibit called Bijutsu Gallery. Also check out the show where they play the big drums, it is quite an experience.

-The American Adventure has a show called the American Adventure. Also check out the stage right across from this country, they usually have a good show scheduled.

-Italy has no attraction but has a wonderful restaurant called L'Originale Alfredo di Roma Ristoronte.

-Germany has no attraction but has a great Oktoberfest Buffet is quite tasty.

-China has Wonders of China which is also Circle Vision 360° presentation. I really liked this film and recommend that you take the film in (not to mention to take a break).

-Norway has a great attraction called the Maelstrom which is a boat ride and movie. The lines on this ride go quick, so if it long, just wait it out or grab a FastPass. just watch out for tricky trolls!

-Mexico is the last country on your trip around the world. If you love margaritas then this is the place for you.Oh it also has a boat ride thru Mexico called El Rio del Tiempo.

-Before you leave, one of the best shows in Disney is Illuminations [Video] which is an awesome presentation of lights, lasers, water, and of course fireworks. Plan on finding a place around World Showcase Lagoon about 30 minutes before showtime at 9pm. On summer Months, plan even earlier. keep in mind that people from the other parks come to see this show. Its that good! There is another great show...er parade called "Tapestry of Dreams" [Video][Audio]. This parade is seen in world showcase and has good music and brilliant 20 foot tall human puppets. It is also a must see...

Disney Studios

ALL NEW TIPS COMING SOON

- The Disney studios has been open since 1989 and has steadily grown to be my second favorite park. There are a ton of shows to check out as well as some thrill rides now and in the future. Just like the rest of the parks, there are certain attraction you always want to hit first or wait til late to experience.

Animal Kingdom

ALL NEW TIPS COMING SOON

- Animal Kingdom is the newest park to visit which means that it will usually be packed at some point during the day. The hardest show to get into is The Festival of the Lion King. I recommend that you check your guide and see when the first show starts. If it is not until around 10am or so than go ahead and goto Kilimanjaro Safari. The animals are most active in the morning time, although I went on it about 4 different times last time i was there and I saw lots of animals each time I rode it.

- The other 2 (and only 2) thrillrides in the park are Countdown to Extinction (CTX) and Kali River Rapids. These 2 rides will probably have some of the longest lines in the park, although KRR just opened it will have the longest line period. CTX is an awesome ride through time with your time vehicle, but I will warn you now, it is a fast ride with lost of ups and downs, so if you have a bad back or some other type of related injury DO NOT RIDE IT! and if you dont have an injury WEAR IT OUT!! KRR is a VERY VERY wet ride, if you are not staying in disney then I recommend that you bring a change of clothes, this rides sole purpose is to get you wet, oh yea and an anti- logging theme too.

- There is a show in the Tree of Life which is the icon for Animal Kingdom. This tree has over 300 carved animals in and around the base of the tree. This tree is very rich in detail and bugs too. Speaking of which, the show that is inside the tree is from the movie A Bug's Life and it is called It's Tough To Be A Bug which is a 3D film that you wear glasses similar to Honey I Shrunk the Audience. This is a great show and wait til you see..er..feel the ending!

- One other place to visit is Conservation Station. There is a slow and short train ride that you board from africa. Once there you will see the Petting Zoo as well as different animals stations where you get to learn everything you every wanted to know about animals. There are video presentation and actual "Labs" where you see the trainers feeding or teaching the various animals.

-Some of the other shows there are: Flights of Wonder, The Jungle Book