I'm going to Disney WORLD!

[Scrooge McSam]

You'll get a slight break in the crowds with school in session.

You will not get a break from the heat and humidity. Expect rain. But don't let it get you down. You'll find a lot more indoor queue space in Florida for this very reason. Get a poncho and keep plugging.

Afternoon breaks are your friend. A full day of California theme park-ing can be quite pleasant. A full day of Florida theme park-ing can be grueling.

Disneyland Resort is tightly packed. Disney World is not. Expect to do a lot more walking.

Attractions:

ANIMAL KINGDOM is quickly becoming my favorite park. The level of theming is first rate. It's not as ride-oriented as the others, but if you take your time you will be rewarded. See how many different animal themed light fixtures you can find. Try to find DeVine - she's usually somewhere on the path between African and Asia

Kilimanjaro Safari - Hit it at park opening. You know what happens to wild animals when it gets hot, right? Walt figured it out with his original Jungle Cruise. Resist the urge to spend a lot of time in the Oasis on the way in. You can see that later in the day on the way out when you're in desperate need of some shade.

Expedition Everest - Oh HELL yeah! Don't expect a working Yeti though. He's been down for quite a while. Get your fastpass and enjoy Maharaja Jungle Trek while you're waiting. Tigers! RAWWRRR And Fruit Bats as big as a small child.

Pangani Forest Exploration Trail is another favorite, mostly for the gorilla exhibit.

If you don't decide to see It's A Bug's Life, at least take a walk down the queue. The setup is so far superior here.


MAGIC KINGDOM will illustrate what I was saying earlier about park size. You will immediately notice how much more spread out everything is.

Haunted Mansion is a MUST! Notice the new audio effects in the stretching room and the Escher staircase room with the ghostly footprints going up and down the stairs. The upgrade this attraction received a couple of years ago puts it ahead of the California original. Notice the Madame Leota tombstone on your right at the end of the queue. It's ALIVE!

Pirates? Please. California has it all over Florida on this one.

And you know you want to ride the PeopleMover again. You KNOW you do.

Tom Sawyer Island is still Tom Sawyer Island too!


A STUDIO visit must include Rock N Roller Coaster and Tower of Terror. RNR was, at one time, the smoothest coaster I've ever ridden, but I did detect a little more roughness last time. Still a fun ride, though.

Lights, Motors, Action! is a fun show.

Fantasmic? Uhm... maybe not. While I appreciate the effort they went through to make a more comfortable venue, the show's just not up to par.


Epcot - Probably my least favorite, though I do enjoy the World Showcase.



Dining:

Make ADRs as soon as you can if table service dining is your thing. Disney's been pushing their dining plan HARD lately and it tends to fill up the full service venues.

Boma? Yes yes yes a thousand times yes... and you'll enjoy touring the Animal Kingdom lodge while you're there. I've had breakfast and dinner there and they were equally delightful.

Le Cellier in Epcot's Canada pavilion - Many will recommend this place. I tend to avoid it now. Food quality has dropped. The claustrophobic atmosphere tends to bother some (it is, after all, supposed to be a cellar) but that never really bothered me. They do have an excellent cheese soup though, so you may not be able to resist.

San Angel Inn in Epcot's Mexico pavilion - Yeah, sounds nice and very much like Blue Bayou with the perpetual early evening and the boats sailing by, but when they bring out the Tostitos and bottled salsa you're going to be pissed.

50's Prime Time Cafe at the Studios is a lot of fun. Imagine meatloaf and mashed potatoes at Wally and the Beav’s house.

O’Hana at the Polynesian resort has been a consistent favorite for friends I've brought. Time your reservation right and you can watch the fireworks from across the lagoon.

California Grill at the Contemporary resort - SUSHI! Most times I've been able to sit at the bar with no reservation, but I hear that may no longer be possible. Also check out the Outer Rim Lounge in the Grand Canyon Concourse for a refreshing adult beverage overlooking Bay Lake.

Whispering Canyon at Wilderness Lodge - How they ever came up with the name of this place is beyond me. It's got to be one of the loudest, most boisterous places I've ever dined. They have stick pony races for the kids through the dining room. But they do have great BBQ. Plus if you visit there, you can see my absolute favorite of all the resorts.


Oh... and do me a favor. Give my regards to the Bay Lake Tower next to the Contemporary. I'll be there in December, which is taking its dear sweet time getting here.