MORNING: MAGIC KINGDOM
The earlier you start, the better, so grab a muffin and hightail it to the Magic Kingdom 30 minutes before the stated opening time. Disney novices tend to sleep late, arrive at the park midmorning and then flee it by early evening, exhausted by the heat and the crowds. Your goal should be to zig when everyone else zags; go early, break for lunch and a nap or a swim and reenter the parks around 6 P.M., when many families with young kids are on their way out.First off, head for the big rides: Space Mountain, Splash Mountain and Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, if your kids are brave and over 44 inches tall; Goofy's Barnstormer (a great first coaster for preschoolers), Dumbo and Pirates of the Caribbean, if your kids are younger.
When the park begins to fill up around 11 A.M., have an early lunch--we like Tony's Town Square (prices for dinner and for lunch start at around $15) on Main Street--then move on to attractions that allow you to sit, such as The Legend of the Lion King (the stage version of the movie), the very scary Alien Encounter (if your kids are over age 10) or Country Bear Jamboree (if they're younger). Next, stake out your curb space for the 3 P.M. parade. Try to sit along the Main Street hub. That way, the parade will pass by your family first, and you can beat a hasty exit before everyone else.
AFTERNOON: TAKE A BREAK
Head back to your hotel for a short nap and a dip in the pool.EVENING: EPCOT
Epcot is more than twice the size of the Magic Kingdom, and some might say double the fun. The park has two sections: Future World (which contains nine pavilions grouped around the silver geosphere Spaceship Earth) and the World Showcase, where 11 international pavilions sit around a lagoon. Begin by touring the World Showcase.The American Adventure show, the Maelstrom ride in the Norway pavilion and the live street shows are my family's favorites. Jordan and I love the United Kingdom's World Showcase Players, who do a hilarious spoof of the King Arthur story using volunteers. Leigh favors the British Invasion, a Beatles-clone pop group, also appearing at the U.K. pavilion.
It's a 1.3-mile lap around the lagoon, so at some point stop at a World Showcase restaurant. Leigh likes Mexico, where you can ride the boat before you enter the restaurant. Jordan prefers the slice-and-dice fest in Japan. Make sure you have priority seating at these restaurants, as they are popular.
Epcot packs a lot of pow, especially at night, but don't be so dazzled by the big pavilions that you forget to save time for the hands-on fun. Kids will enjoy the World Showcase more if you buy them a passport from one of the vendor carts. At each of the 11 nations, kids can get their passports stamped. Jordan's collecting fixation drives him happily from one country to the next, and his passport is the perfect show-and-tell back home. Each nation, I have to point out, also sponsors a craft booth called Kidcot, developed by FAMILYFUN magazine (a part of Disney Publishing).
Part of the craft project is to decorate a blank mask that the kids are given. As the kids work their way through the various countries, they use their imagination to add details to their mask. Kids can try painting on their mask in Paris, making jewelry for their mask in Morocco, constructing an origami piece to add from Japan and other country-specific activities. When finished, the kids have an amazing mask to take home to share with family and friends and hopefully they have learned more about cultures around the world.
By 8:15 P.M., it's time for a snack (the pastries in France are terrific) and to find a place to watch IllumiNations, the classic nightly light display that usually starts at 9 P.M. over the World Showcase lagoon.
Travel Tip: If you're leaving through Epcot's back door, a secondary entrance with easy access to nearby resorts, watch IllumiNations on the bridge between the United Kingdom and France. If you're leaving through the front gate, watch the show from Mexico or Canada.
All prices shown are without tax.
Please keep in mind that phone numbers, addresses, and prices are subject to change. Updated June 2005.
