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Where to stay near the Orlando airport: a review of Sheraton Suites Orlando Airport

February 28, 2014 By Amy Hagstrom

If you’re looking for a place to stay near the airport before or after your Orlando theme park vacation, our pick is the Sheraton Suites Orlando Airport. We made a reservation at the Sheraton following a long travel day, opting to arrive at our main destination of Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort the next morning. After all, no need to pay Disney deluxe resort prices when you arrive very late and are very tired.

The Sheraton Orlando is a Starwood property, which I have found to be consistently great. High standards were upheld throughout our stay, from the large family suites (with separate bedroom and living space (with an additional pull-out bed) to the dining options, pool, and shuttle service. Starwood members purchasing their room in points will get a steal: our room in April 2013 only coast us 3,500 points. We ordered room service upon our arrival, and the hotel allowed us to pay for that with points as well.

Rooms are all suites, with two TVs, a large bathroom with plenty of counter space (though only one sink in our room), mini fridges, microwaves, and coffee makers. There’s extra counter space near the microwave in the living space, making it easier to prepare simple snacks and breakfast. If you opt to eat at the hotel, they do offer room service (a lifesaver when we arrived very tired) and an on-site restaurant. There’s also a Starbucks if you’re in a hurry in the morning, and a fitness center with indoor-outdoor pool (and patio) and hot tub. Note: the pool is definitely not heated, but the hot tub is very warm…ideal in my book, but may not be in yours.

We called the front desk for the complimentary shuttle service from the airport as soon as we had our bags, and it arrived within minutes. The drive is only five minutes, and return service is offered from the hotel lobby every half hour.

We were only at the Sheraton for 14 hours, but had a great night’s sleep (Sheraton beds are some of the best, I believe), a cooling swim, a nice late night meal, and a good cup of coffee. Plus convenient transportation. We did all of the above with our Starwood points, but room rates at the time of our visit started at only $100 per night, a great value for a Sheraton hotel.

Date last visited:

April 2013

Distance from the interstate:

Right on I-4.

Directions:

if you’re driving, the Sheraton is located at 7550 Augusta National Drive. From Orlando International Airport, it’s only a five minute drive.

We’ll be making the Sheraton Airport Suites our go-to pre-Disney stop-over from here on out!

Tips on how to make the most of a family holiday to Walt Disney World

June 21, 2013 By Amy Hagstrom

The following post is brought to you by one of Pit Stops for Kids’ sponsors. Sponsored posts contribute to the site’s operational costs, so our editorial team can keep bringing great pit stops to vacationing families.

A Walt Disney World holiday in Florida is a fantastic experience that all family members will enjoy, both parents and children alike. It’s fun, colorful and exciting, but with so much to do and see, it can be difficult to know how to make the most of your time, especially if it’s your first time on a family holiday to Walt Disney World. Here are a few useful tips:

1. Explore the resort before you arrive

You don’t want to miss out on an amazing experience simply because you couldn’t find it or didn’t even know it was there. There are various visitor guides and online tools that can help you plan your days, and Walt Disney World offers a free holiday planning guide so you can explore this amazing resort before you even get there to make sure you make the most of all the attractions on offer.

2. Dress for the weather

Make sure you wear clothing and footwear suitable for walking around for long periods of time, taking into account the weather. It will most probably be hot and humid if you visit in the summer months, but there is a chance of rain so lightweight ponchos are a cheap option that can easily fold up into a rucksack when not needed. Consider hats, sunglasses and sunscreen for the hotter months so your family is protected.

3. Eat well and drink plenty of water

You can bring your own food into the resort which helps to keep costs down, while having the additional benefits of being able to eat a bit healthier and making sure your child likes the food, if they are a fussy eater. Remember to stay hydrated. With the humidity and lots of walking, running, dancing and general excitement, you’ll need to drink more water than usual.

4. Stay safe, not separated

While Walt Disney World ensures the resort is very safe for children, sometimes they do get separated from their parents, especially in peak seasons when the crowds get extremely busy. Cast Members are all trained to reunite lost children with their parents as soon as possible. There are a couple of steps you can take to reduce the chance of becoming separated, for example all the family can wear bright tee-shirts to be easily seen, or a distinctive feature such as a hat. If not everyone in the family goes on a particular ride, arrange a waiting point to meet up afterwards.

5. Take advantage of the package and pickup service

With souvenir shops everywhere you turn, even as you are getting off a ride, it can be tempting to buy, buy, buy! But some souvenirs aren’t suitable for carrying around with you all day – you know the ones we mean, a giant Mickey Mouse plush toy that is incredibly soft and cuddly, but also incredibly difficult to carry! Luckily, all Disney stores on the resort offer a package and pickup service where your purchases will be looked after and you can pick them up when you leave for the day.

If you haven’t yet planned this year’s holiday, there’s still time to book a late holiday in 2013 to Walt Disney World so you and your family can experience the magic and enchantment.

It’s here! Lots to Do in Line: Walt Disney World edition

April 25, 2013 By Amy Hagstrom

Over a year ago, I reviewed Meredith Lyn Pierce’s Lots To Do In Line: Disneyland. I admitted to being a reluctant reviewer: After all, I believe in not waiting in Disney lines at all! But after reading through the book, I wholeheartedly endorsed Lots to Do in Line. There was only one thing missing…all of Walt Disney World. Now Pierce is back with Lots to Do In Line: Walt Disney World, which I’m pleased to say offers the same fun trivia, games, and observations as the first edition, and covers all four main theme parks of Walt Disney World.

To gain an overview of what this book series is all about, head over to my previous review. In a nutshell, here’s why you should bring Lots to Do in Line with you on your next Disney vacation, whether it be to the Land or the World:

You’ll see things you would have otherwise missed:

Did you know there’s a secret murder mystery to solve in the queue of The Haunted Mansion? I’ve stood in that queue many a time, and have written Disney World advice for years, and had no idea. Gems like this one are peppered throughout the book. Almost every entry also includes a treasure hunt of things to locate in the queue, which means you’ll spot things you otherwise would have missed.

You’ll interact as a family (and maybe hear less talk of wanting a Dole Whip):

The entries include pop quizzes and friendly competitions where family members can earn points, which is enough incentive for my kids to sit up and take notice. They’ll be engaged while in the line instead of whining. (Not that my kids whine. Not ever.)

You’ll learn Disney trivia:

You never know when this may come in handy (during a show on a Disney Cruise, perhaps?). During a viewing of Jeopardy? Plus it’s just fun to be Disney savvy while vacationing in the World.

How to use the book: It’s pretty easy. As you enter a queue, flip to that entry in Lots to Do in Line. You’ll find a choice of the activities mentioned above with which to occupy yourself. If you’re entering a Fast Pass queue, you’ll want to flip directly to the activities with a FP symbol in the book, because remember, a FP line won’t include everything. You also get ‘land’ overviews and park overviews at the beginning of each section. While on the go, use the index at the back to flip directly to the right entry.

We hope you rarely need to use Lots to Do in Line, because if you follow our step-by-step guide to avoiding Disney lines, you’ll be too busy hopping from ride to ride. But for when you do encounter a speed bump, this book is a winner. Pick either version up at Amazon
for around $10.

A stay at Disneyland Resort’s Grand Californian Hotel and Spa

December 24, 2012 By Amy Hagstrom

The best Disney theming never seeks to replace what you know and love. It simply taps into it to touch you on an emotional or visceral level. Disneyland Resort’s Grand Californian does this for me. A lover of wilderness lodges (the real ones), I know what they should look like, feel like, and smell like. While the Grand Californian is clearly the romanticized version, its magnificent six-story lobby (called the Great Hall) and wide, thick-beamed corridors succeed in making me nostalgic for those places I’ve experienced in my past while making me ridiculously happy to be where I am at the same time.

What makes the Grand Californian so great as a Disney resort pick for families (and specifically, worth its hefty nightly rate)? Whether you, too, have a connection to historic national park lodges or just want a great home base for your family Disney trip, the Grand Californian will deliver on convenience, location, and perks.

Amenities:

Everything you need in a theme park resort is on-hand at this hotel. The Grand Californian offers two restaurants, including signature dining at Napa Rose, which I highly recommend, and character dining at the Storyteller’s Cafe. There’s also a poolside snack venue, and the cozy Hearthstone Lounge. In-room dining is available, as is a convenient express menu for breakfasts.

If you’d like to have an adult evening out or a spa treatment at Mandara Spa, Pinocchio’s Workshop is open from 5 pm to 12 am daily, and costs $13/hour per child. Alternatively, free staff-organized poolside activities are ongoing on the Children’s Pool deck. Speaking of pools, the Grand Californian has three of them: the Redwood Pool, Children’s Pool, and Mariposa Pool, as well as two hot tubs and a decent-sized slide. The pool deck area is spacious and shaded, and includes a vast army of well-padded lounge chairs perfect for an afternoon park break.

In addition to the perk of Magic Mornings for all Disneyland Resort guests, guests staying at Grand Californian can take advantage of the opportunity to grab World of Color FASTPASSes prior to all other park guests. (Available at the Grand Gate between Napa Rose and Mandara Spa prior to regular park hours.)

Location:

All the above amenities are nice, and yes, you will crane your neck to look up into the Grand Hall’s impressive architecture more than once, but the #1 reason I’d recommend a Grand Californian stay is its ideal location. I can’t emphasize enough how convenient it is to be literally steps from the action in California Adventure: a short path and tunnel, and you’re there. No busses to hassle, no monorail to wait for, no dragging kids with tired feet. I love the Disneyland Hotel as well, but can’t tell you how tired we got of the walk between the theme parks through Downtown Disney. Guests at the Grand Californian could go from riding California Screamin’ to jumping in the Grand Californian pool for a much-needed afternoon cool-off swim in under 10 minutes.

You’d have to have a pretty perfect room to see all of World of Color from the Grand Californian, but I was able to see most of the water and colored lights and hear all of the music from my 5th floor pool view room. It made for nice ambiance while I wrote this review. Just down the hallway from my room, the Fifth Floor Parkview Terrace is an ideal location for taking a load off, seeing just a bit more of the World of Color than I could from my room’s balcony, and getting away from crowds.

Immersion:

As with all Disney does, total emersion, in this case into the world of wilderness lodges, is promised. The rooms feature warm wood tones, ‘lantern’ style lamps, mission style dressers, and muted colors. Huge stone fireplaces reside inside and out and rocking chairs dot the many decks and garden outdoor spaces.

The rooms themselves are spacious, feature tubs as well as showers, mini-fridges, and quite large tables/desks with two chairs. As with most Disney properties, lots of storage space is available, and the housekeeping staff was prompt and attentive every day.

Date last visited:

June 13, 2012

Room rates:

Disney resort rack rates vary greatly between seasons, room type, and more. Families can keep track of it all online. Check room categories and rates here. Keep in mind: you do need separate park tickets to gain entry; even from the Grand Californian private entrance.

Dining:

See above. The only thing the Grand Californian does not have that I wish it did: a quick service breakfast option. Room service is available, but expensive.

Directions:

The hotel is located at 1600 S. Disneyland Drive in Anaheim, CA. Follow signage from I-5.

5 things to do on California Adventure’s new Buena Vista Street with kids

June 17, 2012 By Amy Hagstrom

In much the same way that Disneyland’s Main Street ushers visitors into the park with an ambiance of small town America, California Adventure’s new Buena Vista Street welcomes visitors into the California to which Walt Disney arrived in the 1920s with nothing but a cardboard suitcase. Executive Vice President of Walt Disney Imagineering Bob Weis says he’s even more excited about Buena Vista Street than the recently revealed Cars Land, knowing it will educate guests about Walt’s journey and create that important physical connection to place and time guests expect in a Disney theme park.

All this sounds well and good for Disney’s adult guests, but what things to do on Buena Vista Street will attract kids? Plenty, but you need to know where to look.

1. Ride a Red Car Trolley.

If you’re headed for Hollywood (Hollywood Land, that is), catch a Red Car Trolley at the entrance to the park. Two trolleys, inspired by the Pacific Electric Railway system which ran in Los Angeles during the era) run continuously through Buena Vista Street and down Hollywood Blvd to the Twilight Tower of Terror. Conductors will give an overview of the street, including brief history of the Carthay Circle Theater at the central hub of the park. The trolleys are a fun way to get from Point A to Point B without fighting crowds.

2. Peek into Buena Vista Street shops.

Kids will be drawn to Big Top Toys, but the true treasures are in Oswald’s, where, if families look past the typical souvenir offerings and listen closely, they can hear period voice personalities on the radio. Kids may not recognize all of them, but it’s fun to experience a feature most guests don’t realize exists.

3. Watch a street show.

Throughout the day, the Red Car News Boys roll down the street singing tunes from the 1920s and 30s and delivering the latest “headlines” in the Buena Vista Daily Bugle. The jazz group Five & Dime brings with it a backstory: lead singer Dime has brought her group all the way down Route 66 from Chicago to ‘make it big’. Both groups interact with kids, elicit lots of laughs, and add the the ambiance of the street.

4. Take a break in the Carthay Circle Restaurant and Lounge.

Located in the flagship landmark of the Carthay Theater (modeled after the historic theater which premiered Walt Disney’s first success, Snow White and the Seven Dwarves), the Carthay Circle Restaurant is a signature dining experience (reserve it in advance and use the Disney Dining Plan for best value). However, for a more impromtu stop, the ground floor Carthay Circle Lounge is very family friendly, and offers “Bites, Rolls, Snacks, Small Plates, and Finger Desserts” in a family-style table service. The food is contemporary cuisine with an emphasis on local, seasonal ingredients, and the family-style presentation helps encourage kids to try new, healthy food options. Parents can grab a cocktail or glass of wine, and everyone will welcome the quiet, sophisticated atmosphere that feels worlds apart from the busy theme park outside.

5. Grab breakfast or an afternoon snack at Fiddler, Fifer & Practical Cafe.

This diner-style quick service restaurant has cinnamon rolls with cream cheese icing to die for, making it a great pre-park opening option for coffee and a treat. (Like Disneyland’s Main Street, guests will often be able to access Buena Vista Street prior to accessing the interior ‘lands’ of California Adventure.) In the afternoon, desserts are tempting, as are the ice cream and soda fountain creations at adjacent Clarabelle’s Hand-Scooped Ice Cream.

Have you explored the newly opened Buena Vista Street? What do you recommend?

As I disclose whenever applicable, I experienced Buena Vista Street using park tickets provided to me by Disneyland Resort. While generous, these tickets came with no expectation of a positive review.

California Adventure’s Cars Land in pictures: tips for dining, entertainment, and rides

June 14, 2012 By Amy Hagstrom

Radiator Springs has come to life at Disneyland Resort’s California Adventure! The official opening of Cars Land isn’t until tomorrow, June 15th, but Disney fans and Pixar enthusiasts are already abuzz with excitement. (Ka-Chow!) We’re here with the inside scoop on the rides, dining, and entertainment in store for Disneyland Resort visitors this summer and beyond. Read on for what to do in Cars Land with kids of all ages (and grown-ups too!).

The scene:

I’ve said it many times, but I’ll say it again: Disney does theming like no other. Expect nothing less than their standard level of excellence when it comes to the total immersion experience that is Cars Land. Visitors will feel as though they’ve actually stepped into Radiator Springs. (Prepare for the surreal ‘wow’ factor you’d expect when visiting a real landmark for the first time.)

Everywhere you turn in Cars Land, special touches await, but Pit Stops for Kids caught up with top Disney Imagineers Kathy Mangum and Kevin Rafferty to discuss the countless details visitors might miss. What to be on the lookout for? The albums on the walls of Flo’s V8 Diner, which offer visitors a glimpse into never-before-told Flo backstory, the tools of the trade in Ramone’s House of Body Art, which has been authenticated by an actual Southern California car customizer, and the bushes within the vegetation behind Cozy Cone Motel, which may lead vigilant visitors to a hidden Mickey…of sorts.

Plenty of retail shops add to the town-like feel of Cars Land, including Sarge’s Surplus Hut and Radiator Springs Curios in addition to Ramone’s. At night, the street is lit with 16 neon signs. Disney Imagineers took trips down the real Route 66 for inspiration, and it shows in the authenticity throughout.

The rides:

Rides in Cars Land includes three attractions, all of which are geared toward general family fun. Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree spins riders in a ‘tow-si-do’ dance in Mater’s salvage yard as guests ride trailers hitched to cute baby tractors. There is a height requirement of 32″, and the ride does swing from side to side. However, I never felt dizzy as I would on a certain Fantasyland ride involving teacups. Insider tip: none of the tractors are exactly the same. Pick your favorite!

Luigi’s Flying Tires is an ambitious ride in that it strives to appeal to guests’ sense of fun rather than offer a thrill. After boarding ‘hovercraft’ tires which float on air (literally), groups of 2-3 attempt to control their tire by shifting their weight. It’s interesting to see how this ride works from an engineering standpoint, but it’s low on excitement. It’s sometimes downright slow-going, but oversized beach balls bouncing around aimlessly (or with perfect aim, depending upon the guest throwing them) save the day. Kids will love tossing these around. The height requirement is again 32″.

The flagship attraction of Cars Land is of course Radiator Springs Racers. This ride requires visitors to meet the 40″ mark, and has a FASTPASS option. Half immersion ride experience and half high-speed race, Radiator Springs Racers requires at least two visits to fully appreciate. Guests start with a tame ride through canyons, Radiator Springs, and beautiful Taillight Caverns, then experience one of two ride options: a visit to Luigi’s Casa Della Tires or Ramone’s House of Body Art. Finally, they slide onto a race track with one other car, and race to the finish. Racers is tons of fun, a thrill for kids, and a wonderful visit to another world. Two thumbs up from me!

Cars Land dining options:

I love the new dining options Cars Land provides visitors to California Adventure! Guests are offered down home, ‘comfort food’ style choices that are still (fairly) healthy and very filling. At Cozy Cone Motel, pick up delicious counter food snack options, many of which could double as lunch or dinner (especially the chile cone carne–in meat or vegetarian options–served in a cone-shaped bread bowl and topped with corn chips and cheese). Fillmore’s Taste-Inn offers fresh fruit as well as light snacks.

At Flo’s V8 Cafe, homestyle favorites like rotisserie chicken, meatloaf, or mac and cheese are served in big portions. I tried the vegetarian Veggie-Tater Bake with their signature apple cheddar ‘ugly crust’ pie, which was wonderful. Families will find wholesome food options here, all included in the Disney dining plan, and all substantial enough to call a full meal.

Cars Land entertainment:

Entertainment is on-going in Cars Land. DJ’s Dance ‘n Drive is boogying out on a regular basis, teaching guests dance moves like the Overdrive, and Red to the Rescue! helps clean up Radiator Springs by watering the flowers (and you).

There’s also a lot of merchandise you’re not going to want to miss. And as on Disney Cruise Line‘s Castaway Cay, some of these items you can’t find anywhere else. If you want a ‘flying tire’ hat, for instance, you’d better get it here. To see the flying tire hat modeled, check out the coverage of Cars Land at Ciao Bambino! Tip: If you don’t want to wear it all day, have it sent straight to your room if you’re staying at a Disney property.

If you’ll be in Cars Land this summer, add your favorites to the comments!

Educational Animal Kingdom attractions (your school-aged kids will love)

April 23, 2012 By Amy Hagstrom

Can a theme park be educational? We had our doubts…until being schooled by Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Usually fans of the latest and greatest headliner attractions (read about how to tour any Disney theme park attraction in 15 minutes or less), my school-aged sons and I spent our latest visit touring the park from a less thrill-seeking perspective, exploring the many environmental, zoological, and cultural exhibits. And yes, we learned a thing or two.

Animal Kingdom is an easy-to-navigate park, and the nice thing about its educational attractions is how naturally they’re weaved into the fabric of the various ‘lands’. It’s easily possible for a family to ride the big attractions and take in the less flashy details that give the park that extra depth. All you need to know is where to look (and what not to overlook):

The Oasis and Discovery Island:

I know, I know…everyone’s in a hurry to get into the park, and no one (including myself, usually) wants to stop to look at the many animal and plant species in the Oasis Exhibit and Discovery Island Trails. But we’re so glad we did! Shady and cool, the Oasis area is so well landscaped that you think you’ve stepped into another world of flora and fauna. And the Discovery Island Trails are an animal-lover’s Tom Sawyer Island: their caves, bridges and towering trees harbor exotic animals at every turn. The boys loved ‘discovering’ new animal enclosures as they ran from trail to trail.

Tip: If you want this area practically to yourself, skip it in the morning and come back mid-day, when the steady stream of traffic into the park has waned.

DinoLand U.S.A.:

In DinoLand, kids will want to ride Dinosaur and play in the Boneyard, but directly adjacent is the (too well) hidden Cretaceous Trail. A short walk through a primeval forest, the Cretaceous Trail is dotted with fossilized bones and living plant and animal species that have survived the prehistoric era and continued to flourish today.

Asia:

Go ahead, race to Expedition Everest and grab FastPASSes. Then return to walk the Maharajah Jungle Trek, a short walk through honeysuckle and jasmine (I love how lush Animal Kingdom is!) to see Asian tigers, a Komodo Dragon, over 50 species of birds. Nearby is Flights of Wonder, a 25 minute show that provides a much-needed break from exploring the park. You’ll learn about over 20 more species of birds, many of which are birds of prey, and it’s funny to boot (so very young ones will still be entertained).

Africa:

Of course you’ve got Kilimanjaro Safaris in Africa, which, although meant to entertain, really is quite educational and definitely worth your time. We grabbed FastPASSes for it and waited in the sanctuary of the Pangani Forest Exploration Trail. Spanning about 1/4 of a mile, this paved trail takes you through both animal viewing areas and exhibits detailing information about their habitats, natural predators, and more. You’ll see gorillas, hippos, a colony of mole rats, and more. At each station, experts are available to answer questions, and hands-on activities are available.

Tip:If kids are paying attention, they’ll be alerted to interactive exhibits by Kids’ Discovery Club signs.

Rafiki’s Planet Watch:

Right outside the Pangani Forest Exploration Trail, families can board the Wildlife Express Train to Conservation Station, our seven-year-old animal-lover’s favorite place in Animal Kingdom. At Conservation Station, kids can see an animal surgery in-progress on video monitors in the animal hospital, learn how the Animal Kingdom animals are cared for on a daily basis, and see all kinds of reptile and amphibian wildlife. Best of all, it’s all indoors, so you get a little break from the sun.

Outside the Conservation Station, little kids will like the Affection Section petting zoo, and older kids will like spying the tiny primates called cotton-top tamarins along the Habitat Habit! walkway. There’s a lot of literature along this stretch on exhibit boards as you walk, spreading awareness of a number of animal and habitat-related issues we face in urban and suburban areas.

Throughout Animal Kingdom park, take a moment to duck into the many buildings and look around at the architecture and themes. In both Asia and Africa, visitors are treated with cultural experiences and performances. Bang on some drums outside a shop in Africa, or eat spring rolls in Asia. Yes, it’s all commercialized Disney, but that doesn’t mean you can’t learn a thing or two! At Disneyland instead? Here are some educational ideas at Disneyland in California!

What hidden educational opportunities have you found in Animal Kingdom? What do your school-aged kids like best?

Tour any Disney theme park attraction in 15 minutes or less (all day, any day)

April 19, 2012 By Amy Hagstrom

Note: For current FastPass+ tips for touring Walt Disney World parks, please see our Understanding FastPass+ post. The below information still applies to touring Disneyland Resort parks.

No one should wait more than 15 minutes for any Disney theme park attraction…no matter what season, day, or park. Touring Disney line-free can be done, even during the busy Spring Break, summer, and holiday seasons. In fact, my kids were unaware lines even existed at DisneyWorld and Disneyland until they were well into their school-aged years, and that’s exactly as it should be for great family Disney vacations. Below, I’ll show you how to avoid Disney lines in five steps by providing a ‘real world’ example of how we toured Disney Studios during Spring Break with ride lines under 15 minutes (so you can, too).

Get to the park at Rope Drop.

Sorry, late-risers, but this is non-negociable. If your park of choice opens at 9 am, as Disney Studios did the day we toured it, you need to be passing through the ticket stalls no later than 8:45 am. (Remember, parks have ‘soft’ openings; their main streets and entrance areas open earlier than their ‘lands’.) Park crowds snowball (and alarmingly fast!), and it’s important to stay ahead of the curve in the morning, to ensure you’re still ahead by midday. (Trust me.) If you’re arriving to your park by Disney transportation, I recommend leaving your resort one hour prior to park opening. During our Disney Studios day, we left Animal Kingdom Lodge at 8:15 (a bit late, but we had good bus karma), arrived at Disney Studios at 8:30, and were through the ticket booth five minutes before 9 am.

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Use FASTPASS.

Disney’s FASTPASS is key to avoiding lines, and I’m always amazed to encounter park guests who still don’t realize what it does and that it’s free. Here’s how FASTPASS works, in a nutshell:

1. For rides offering FP (look on your park map for the FP emblem), locate the FASTPASS Distribution kiosks. They’ll be next to the ride entrance or exit.

2. Insert your Key to the World Card or park ticket (whatever you used to enter the park), and the kiosk will issue a FASTPASS ticket (and your own ticket back). You can gather up your whole family’s tickets and do them all at once.

3. Check the FP ticket for your return time. It will be an hour window. Disney Cast Members will tell you you need to return to ride within that window, but we have found you can return any time after the first time listed (they don’t ‘expire’). However, I’ve heard this may change, if it hasn’t already, at least at DisneyWorld.

4. Your ticket will also show a time you may secure your next FP or set of FP. (That’s important too, as you’ll see below.)

5. Return to the ride at your appointed time window, and enter the FASTPASS Return line. You’ll need those tickets, so hang onto them.

6. Bypass the stand-by line, and enjoy the ride!

Prioritize your FASTPASS ride options.

Before you enter the park, you’ll want to identify your top four priority FastPass-enabled rides. Obviously, your choice will depend on your family, their needs (and their heights). On our Disney Studios day, our FP plan was: Tower of Terror, Rock ‘n Roller Coaster, Toy Story Mania, and Star Tours. Our goal: to ride all four, with a 15 minute or less wait, and visit other attractions in-between, all before noon. Here’s how we executed it:*

1. Upon entering the park, we went directly to Rock ‘n Roller Coaster (next to Tower of Terror). We secured FP times for RnR (return time of 9:35-10:35), then walked right over to Tower of Terror and rode stand-by (5 minute wait). Upon exiting Tower of Terror at 9:15, we noted that the stand-by line wait time was now 30 minutes (and we’d note that by 9:30, it had grown to 70 minutes). Remember that snowball effect? It’s never more pronounced than during Spring Break or holiday times!

2. After exiting Tower of Terror at 9:15, we grabbed some breakfast at the nearby counter service restaurant (no lines or crowds at this hour), and while everyone was eating, I walked across the park to Star Tours to secure our next set of FPs, even though we’d yet to use our first set. (Remember, you don’t have to wait until you’ve used your previous FPs to secure new ones. The time you’re ‘released’ to secure new FPs is printed on your most recent FP.) After I returned, we walked over to RnR at 9:45 to ride.

3. After exiting RnR at 10:00, we headed toward Star Tours, pausing to let the kids play at the Honey I Shrunk the Kids play lot in the shade until our allotted FP time (10:25-11:25). While they played, I watched the clock in order to cross the street to Toy Story Mania as soon as we were allowed another set of FPs.

4. Once I’d secured the Toy Story Mania FPs, we walked over to Star Tours and rode at 10:45. After exiting at 11 am, we caught the MuppetVision 3-D show (stand-by wait: 5 minutes), and exited at 11:30, just in time to use our Toy Story Mania FPs (11:45-12:45).

5. We rode Toy Story Mania, and were ready for lunch, having (peacefully) enjoyed all our ‘biggies’ at the park, by 12:05 pm.

*To execute our plan, you’ll need either two adults, or one adult and one tween or teen who’s willing (and trusted) to traverse the park.

Save shows, parades, and ‘low priority’ FP rides for the afternoon.

With all your high priority rides done, you’ll be able to spend time in the afternoon watching shows that don’t include a wait time or taking in a parade. Or better yet, go back to your hotel for a swim or a nap!

If you know you’ll want to ride an attraction twice, make it your first stop.

If you’re sure you’ll want to ride something twice, secure FPs for it, then immediately ride it stand-by (your first ride should be your only stand-by ride all day during busy seasons).

If someone’s too short for a ride everyone else enjoys, do the parent swap on top of your FP.

To utilize the Parent Swap, simply tell the Cast Member outside the FP line of your intention. Proceed through the FP line, then have one adult wait with the child while the other members of your party ride. Afterward, the first parent can immediately ride while the second parent supervises the child, ensuring he or she doesn’t have to wait as long (and you don’t need to wait in even the FP line twice). As a bonus, the other members of your party can often ride twice in a row.

An exception for parents of small children:

If your children are small and the bulk of your time in the park will be on non-FP attractions that garner long lines (such as rides in Fantasyland, ToonTown, or California Adventure’s Bug’s Life), ride as many as possible directly after rope drop before the wait time reaches above 15 minutes. (In our experience, this rule of thumb ensures 30-45 minutes of ride time before Fantasyland and Co ‘snowballs’.) Once the ride lines creep above 15 minutes, get out and grab FPs! Better yet, send one adult to grab FPs while the other adult plays in Fantasyland.

Photo credit: DigitizedChaos and bartsworldv6.

How to tour any Disney attraction in 15 minutes or less

A stay at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge

April 16, 2012 By Amy Hagstrom

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge is one of our family’s favorite–if not thefavorite–DisneyWorld resort. When readers ask me, “Why pay to stay at a DisneyWorld resort?” I always cite Disney’s impeccible attention to detail, from the in-room touches to the grand lobbies to the on-site restaurants…always themed to perfection. No where is this attention to detail more evident than at Animal Kingdom Lodge.

From the moment you pull up outside Jambo House (the main lodge), you’re greeted by sweeping thatched rooftops, the vast lobby with its four-story high beams, tapestries, and woodwork, and more than one smiling Cast Member saying, “Welcome home!” Inside, Disney has paired their (let’s face it, sometimes romanticized) take on safari Africa with real artifacts depicting African tribal life and wildlife. Guests can take tours of the property to learn more, but just a wander around the lobby and hallways will yield an interesting cultural lesson.

And then there are the animals. Roaming three separate 30 acre expanses within the resort property, they can be viewed from the observation decks off the lobbies and hallways (a great way to see them if you’re simply touring the resort or enjoying a meal at one of the Animal Kingdom Lodge restaurants) and from ‘Savanna View’ room categories. Before staying in a Savanna View room (on average, $65 more expensive that a pool view room and $85 more expensive than a standard view room), I wondered whether the upcharge would be worth the money. Answer: yes. If you can budget for the extra expense, do so. Waking up to giraffes, wildebeests, or elephants outside our balcony never got old. (Though in full disclosure, I think I got a bigger kick out of it than the kids!) If a Savanna View room is not in your budget however, a stay at the lodge is still worth your consideration; the animals can be spotted throughout the resort, including adjacent to the pool!

Animal Kingdom Lodge room amenities:

Room amenities obviously vary by room type, but all will include split bathrooms and either two queen beds, one king, or a queen and a set of bunk beds. Our Savanna View room comprised of two queen beds, but it was the extra balcony space (and views) that made it worth it. (Other room categories also feature balconies…just without the animal views.) All rooms come with free daily coffee, a mini fridge, hairdryers, Disney’s signature H20 spa products, and available laundry service. (The standards you’d expect.) We especially loved the effort Animal Kingdom Lodge goes to in their recycling efforts. Separate recycling bins are located throughout the resort, and even within the rooms, so it’s easy to do your part even while on vacation.

What you get with the Disney ‘deluxe’ category:

Because Animal Kingdom Lodge falls within DisneyWorld’s ‘deluxe’ category of resorts, a childcare facility, Simba’s Clubhouse, is located on-site (for an extra hourly fee), and the resort hosts not only a cafeteria-style counter service restaurant, but a sit-down restaurant and one signature dining restaurant. It also features two fitness centers and a spa, two Animal Kingdom Lodge pools (one in the main Jambo House and one in the newer Kidani Village), both with hot tubs (important to my family). Room service is available, and there’s a full bar poolside (as well as a shaded playground). Activities are led every afternoon by a live DJ at the main pool (my kids loved playing Disney trivia and a Disney version of a ‘cake walk’ where small prizes could be won), and additional kid-oriented activities are scheduled daily in the lobby. During our visit, a Cast Member was leading crayon rubs of the African emblems and art on the lobby floor.

What cannot be measured in room rates or vacation value is how truly ‘apart’ Animal Kingdom Lodge feels. We’re Disney fans, but after we leave the parks for the day, we don’t like feeling like we’re still in one…Animal Kingdom Lodge has those small Disney touches, but doesn’t feel overly ‘Mickey-i-fied’. You really do feel away from it all, tucked into your own imaginary corner of a Disneyesque Africa.

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Animal Kingdom Lodge restaurants:

In addition to room service, Animal Kingdom Lodge features their counter-service cafeteria, The Mara, which is located adjacent to the main pool. We ate here for both breakfast and lunch during our stay, and never paid more than $7 per person for a well-made entree. The lodge also hosts one of DisneyWorld’s most touted signature dining restaurants, Jiko, The Cooking Place, and two moderately priced (by Disney standards) family restaurants: Sanaa (in Kidani Village) and our family’s favorite, Boma: Flavors of Africa. Everyone in our family, from the picky seven-year-old to the adults, love this African buffet. It’s not cheap, but worth the price to try so many unique and delicious dishes. (You have to try the coconut rice!) Tip: visit Boma on the dining plan to get the most value!

Date last visited:

March 2012

Room rates:

Room rates at any Disney resort vary drastically by room type and season. Value season pricing for Animal Kingdom Lodge generally starts at $265 for a standard view room, but better deals can certainly be had by going through a Disney-specific travel agent (our recommendation is Dreams Unlimited).

On-site perks:

No matter what DisneyWorld resort you stay in, you’ll enjoy certain perks, such as Disney Transportation (both to and from all parks and resorts during your stay), Disney’s Magical Express (which picks you up from and returns you to the airport, as well as handles all your bags…you can ‘check’ them right at the resort!), the option of the Disney Dining Plan (worth it!), and early and late entry into the parks during Extra Magic Hours. And since Animal Kingdom Lodge is a deluxe resort, you can take advantage of the on-site concierge, who can not only find you reservations for dining and other activities, but can print your boarding passes before you depart.

Directions:

If you use Disney’s Magical Express, you don’t need to worry about directions, but if you’re driving, the resort address is 2901 Osceola Pkwy Lake Buena Vista. Signage is easy to follow (follow directions to Animal Kingdom and the Blizzard Beach water park).

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge hosted Pit Stops for Kids at no charge, as part of the Disney Fantasy media preview cruise. While we appreciate their hospitality, all opinions of the resort are our own. Photo credit: BestofWDW and Pit Stops for Kids.

What’s included on a Disney cruise (and what you’ll pay extra for)

April 12, 2012 By Amy Hagstrom

Before our first Disney Cruise Line experience on the Disney Fantasy, I had no idea what to expect. What I learned: it’s important to know what’s included on a Disney cruise, and what you’ll pay more for.

What’s always included in a Disney Line Cruise:

1. All meals, from you embarkation lunch to your departure breakfast. Remember, there’s no additional charge for ordering extra appetizers or desserts, kids ordering off the adult menus, or room service! (Stay tuned on the latter, however: there are exceptions.)

2. Deck 11 fun. This includes all pools, water slides, splash play areas, miniature golf, basketball, hot tubs, shuffleboard, and ping-pong.

3. Fitness center: While spa treatments on a Disney cruise will set you back, the fitness center is included, and provides a nice environment for exercise, including stretching and yoga space. I really enjoyed running the treadmill in front of the bay of windows overlooking the sea.

4. Soda, coffee, iced tea, and water. An industry first, Disney Cruise Line offers unlimited soda refills in their drink station, as well as coffee, tea, and water. We didn’t feel the need to buy bottled water at all; just bring a refillable water bottle and keep it filled!

5. Castaway Cay. Disembarking and enjoying the beaches, trails, water slides, play areas, Scuttle’s Cove child care, and Cookies 2 BBQ is free at Castaway Cay. (There is a long list of things you’ll pay extra for, however. See below!)

6. Kids’ clubs. All kids’ clubs facilities, with the exception of It’s a Small World Nursery, are included in the cost of your cruise. This refers to: Oceaneer’s Club, Oceaneer’s Lab, Edge, and Vibe. All food and drink served in the clubs comes included as well, with the exception of the make-your-own smoothies bar in Vibe.

7. Onboard entertainment. All evening Broadway style shows, deck parties, poolside movies, and first-run movies in the onboard movie theater come included in the cost of your cruise. (Movie concession snacks, however, have a charge.)

Up next, what you’ll pay extra for on a Disney cruise! Click on the button below to continue!

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