Q.
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Robbin Writes: I'm looking to go
to Disney in the late Summer / early Fall of 2002. I need
to know what times the parks are open and how to get campground
reservations so far in advance. |
A.
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Disney only releases actual park hours a few months
in advance. If you'd like a general discussion on the issue,
though, check MousePlanet's WDW
park hours schedule.
As far as making reservations, I'd suggest you go to MousePlanet's
WDW Trip Planning Guide page on Fort
Wilderness Campground. There's a link from that
page to MousePlanet's travel partner, TravelNow, where you
can make your reservations.
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An now, a lengthy series of questions by Rob.
I'll just keep the "conversation" going so you can
follow along... |
Q.
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Rob Writes (he'd emailed me before with a
question): Thanks for the fast response to my first
question! I liked the answer so much that now I have more things
to ask. |
A.
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:) I hope you like the rest of them... |
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Rob Continues: Being a west-coaster,
I am a lot more familiar with the ebbs and flows of crowds at
Disneyland. As a general rule going over a weekend like Labor
Day would be an EXTREME no-no. More like suicide than a vacation.
But all the information I've seen suggests that WDW is not as
driven by the small 3 day weekend type holidays like we are
out here.
In fact, most of the information I have been reading suggests
that attendance takes a big dip about mid-August and cruises
at the year's lowest level for the next few months. What I'm
wondering is - IF I plan a trip from the middle of the last
week of August (when practically all families go back to school/jobs)
through the middle of the first week of September (and over
the Labor Day weekend) - what kinds of conditions can I expect
at the resort?
Does the Labor Day weekend make the resort explode at the
seams with people? Is the summer season over at this point
with operating hours being cut to the bone? What happens at
this time of year? I'm strongly considering a trip and info
is kind of in a gray area about this since it's a transition
time of the year.
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A.
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Well, you've hit on an interesting point. ANY
holiday is going to boost crowds at WDW (just like at Disneyland).
A lot of Floridians make the Labor Day weekend their last hurrah
for visiting the parks. You'll see lots of local families with
kids, since school is out, too.
However, except for the bubble you'll have on that weekend,
the days surrounding it are generally just fine.
If Labor Day is near the middle of your trip, perhaps you
can play it as it comes...and if the park(s) turn out to be
too busy, spend the balance of the day at your hotel in the
pool. A mid-trip break isn't a bad idea anyway.
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Q.
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Rob Continues: But I want to ENJOY
a trip that I spend thousands on...imagine that! And there is
definitely a balance. Longer operating hours can offset a larger,
but not HUGE amount of people. And I have a tendency to be a
late starter anyway (on West Coast time...then add three hours).
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A.
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Beware of starting late, Rob. You will pay dearly
(in terms of crowds) between arriving at park opening versus
10-11am! Think of those first couple hours as a bit like Disneyland's
Magic Mornings (not quite, but similar) and you'll get the idea. |
Q.
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Rob Continues: And then there's
the consideration that if the off-season has officially started
some attractions will instantly go down for rehab. It would
be helpful if Disney would publish last year's hours still as
a sample instead of giving an extremely general and vague sample
of the hours you might possibly maybe expect year-round which
has little to no bearing on the period of time you actually
expect to visit. Anyway...enough rambling...my questions are
posed.
And don't worry that there are no easy answers to them. I
know there aren't I'm just hoping for a little more guidance
than I have currently.
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A.
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Well, you're right. There aren't easy answers
when there are so many trade-offs. Basically you need
to be aware of the trade-offs (as you're doing) and decide,
personally, what works best for you.
I'd suggest you also check out MousePlanet's WDW Trip Planning
Guide, Planning
Your Trip page. Right at the top, you'll find a
list of pages that deal with timing issues. You'll find
other information on the park schedules and so on that may
help, too.
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Q.
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Melinda Writes: I would like to plan
dinner so that we can see the fireworks from the Contemporary.
If we eat dinner at Chef Mickey's, how is that different from
eating at the California Grill? Can we still get access to where
ever you can see the fireworks after we eat? |
A.
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California Grill is on the 15th floor and Chef
Mickey's is on the 4th. Also, California Grill has windows open
to the park, and Chef Mickey's doesn't.
You can still go up to the rooftop viewing area (it's off
the 15th floor, just take the elevator up and ask when you
get up there), but it gets crowded in the California Grill
Lounge at fireworks time. The cool thing, I think, is being
at the table when the fireworks start. You can't do
that at Chef Mickey's at all.
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Mary Jane Writes: I need to use an
electric scooter, are these available at the parks? If
I have my own, am I able to ride the monorail, taking it along,
or getting on the trams? |
A.
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Yes, Mary Jane, you can use your own scooter.
They are available at the parks for rent and you are welcome
to use your own, if you'd prefer. Monorail access is not a problem.
I'm not certain about trams.
Also, I'd suggest you check out MousePlanet's Themepark
Access Guide. Even though the guide is not yet done
for WDW, author Tony Phoenix can certainly answer questions
for you.
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Chuck Writes: I think that your website
is great. However, I did not find much information on Disney
weddings. I am getting married at Disney World in September
and would like more information besides that which is on the
official weddings website on Disney weddings. Also, I could
not find any information on your site regarding fireworks cruises.
and Jon Writes: tell me where i can find information
about a marriage at the magic kingdom
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A.
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Congratulations on your upcoming weddings!
Unfortunately, I don't have a lot of information to share.
However, I would suggest that you do a search
of MousePlanet's trip report section using the keyword
"wedding." I know that there are several trip
reports on the site were for weddings or wedding planning.
Specifically, one recent report that may be useful is Roseanne
McKeever's, as the trip that she reported on was taken
just to plan a WDW wedding.
You might also call the Wedding Pavilion at (407) 363-6333
to ask any questions to to find out who else to contact for
more information.
As far as the fireworks cruise, Kenny Cottrell wrote a great
article on the IllumiNations
Cruises at Epcot that you might enjoy reading. There's
a bunch of detailed information on the cruise schedules and
reservations policy, etc., in the right-hand margin of that
page.
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Q.
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Gerry Writes: We have a 6 year old
daughter with Type 1, juvenal, diabetes. Because of the need
to regulate her insulin and monitor her blood glucose, standing
in the sun in line for long periods of time can be very detrimental.
Does WDW have special accommodations for children with diabetes
and their families. |
A.
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WDW will probably bend over backwards to help
you out. One thing that they've offered in the past (I don't
know if it's still available) is a line pass that would permit
your daughter to skip lines altogether. Proof of the medical
condition would be required.
I'd suggest you call WDW's information line and ask for more
information on that, and other concerns.
A couple of other points...First, be aware that you would
be able to store insulin in the refrigerators at First Aid
at any of the parks. Second, you might want to plan your trip
for later in the Fall or even early December or January/February
when the sun is much less intense.
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Q.
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Dennis Writes: I am looking
for information on any special prices for disabled veterans
could please direct me where to find out this information? Thank
you very much. |
A.
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Sorry, Dennis, but there are no discounts for
veterans at all.
However, the Department of Defense does have an onsite hotel
at Walt Disney World called "Shades of Green."
If you go to their official
site, you might find that some accomodations are made
for disabled veterans. That wouldn't be an "official
Walt Disney World" deal, it would be through the Department
of Defense, but it might fit the bill for you.
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Q.
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Dan Writes: Is there a Disney guide
book for all the parks and campgrounds? Is it free?
We are wanting to plan a camping trip in our R/V on Spring break.
Send me one please. |
A.
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Please keep in mind that MousePlanet is NOT affiliated
with the Walt Disney Company. My best suggestion would be to
get a hold of the Birnbaum WDW guidebook (available at any book
retailer). Also, I would suggest the AAA camping book for Florida.
It's free for members, but AAA charges a nominal charge if you're
not a member.
Those two books should be very helpful.
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Q.
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Austin Writes: Need help with planning
a trip to Walt Disney in Florida. Their will be two adults
and two children ages eleven and fourteen. Looking at visiting
Magic Kingdom, Epcot and what ever we can do in the time frame/price
range it includes. I haven't visited Florida for fourteen years.
I know a lot has changed. Looking at staying in a medium price
range hotel on Disney property close to magic kingdom. Our dates
can vary from April 7 - April 15, 2001. |
A.
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MousePlanet is really oriented toward the do-it-yourselfer.
We have a lot of information to wade through, though, so for
folks that don't have the inclination to do so -- or are just
overwhelmed by all the details of planning a trip to Walt Disney
World, I highly recommend calling MousePlanet's partner company,
Discovery Hills Travel, at (800) 750-5975. Discovery Hills
can help you sort through all the options and plan the perfect
vacation. |
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Q.
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Robert Writes: I've been looking
for an answer to a question about admission media that several
sources have failed to detail. The Park Hopper Plus passes
feature options...
If I buy the 5 day Hopper Plus pass do I get these options
on separate days? For instance...if I go to Epcot 2 days,
Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom and Disney-MGM studios one day
each...do I still have these options available to use on the
sixth and seventh day of my trip to go enjoy a water park
or Downtown Disney? Or do I have to use the option admission
on one or more of the 5 days the pass is good for major park
admission?
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A.
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You do not have to use the Plus options on the
same day that you visit one of the major parks. In fact, one
way to really expand your usage of your passes is to intentionally
plan a day or two in the middle of the trip as non-park days
to swim, enjoy the resorts, and use those Plus options. |
