Disney World Theme Park: A visit with Dad's Guide to WDW
by KFFVMom
(kid-friendly-family-vacations.com)
Dad's favorite time to visit Disney World is during the Christmas Season, and his favorite Disney Park is the Magic Kingdom.... Here is a photo of Cinderella's Castle lit up with Christmas lights that I took on a recent trip to Disney World.... then on to the interview.
Here's my visit with Dad, and his tips....
Tell me a little about Dads Guide to WDW
Dad?s Guide to WDW is a site all about Walt Disney World. I like to say it?s a Disney World site with Dad-a-tude. What's Dad-a-tude? Glad you asked. Dad-a-tude is the way Dad's are. The way Dad?s are always right, are always helpful, always want the best for the family. That?s what Dad-a-tude is and it?s also what Dad?s Guide to WDW is all about. Being helpful, wanting the best for others that's what you'll find.
How did you get started?
I've had a fascination with Walt Disney since Junior High when I did a book report on "Uncle Walt". From the time we got married, my wife and I have had Walt Disney World as our primary vacation spot. Whenever we start talking about taking a big vacation, the first place that comes to mind is WDW. I've spent thousands of hours researching the parks, hotels, restaurants, and just about everything else through the years and thought I might be able to help others. About 3 years ago, I found Site Build It and decided that their program was the best chance for my site to be successful.
Have you visited WDW during different times of the year?
Yes, we have visited Walt Disney World in the early and late summer and in the winter.
What is your favorite time of year to visit WDW?
Our favorite time of the year to visit Walt Disney World is unquestionably Christmas time. Christmas at Disney World starts in early November and runs through the first week of January. It's absolutely the best time of the year to visit. Everything is decked out in beautiful Christmas decorations and there are special Christmas happenings at every turn.
What is your favorite WDW Park?
My favorite park is the one designed by Uncle Walt himself. The Magic Kingdom. It's still the best theme park in the world. It's a wonderful mix of rides and attractions for all ages and interests. It's also the best-designed park in the world. You can get from one side of the park to the other in just minutes. But what draws me to the Magic Kingdom is the classic attractions that Walt himself designed. Jungle Cruise, The Enchanted Tiki Room, Dumbo the Flying Elephant. These are great rides that still today, 40 years later draw huge crowds. It's amazing.
What are your strategies to beat the crowds at Disney World?
Beating the crowds at Walt Disney World is a daunting task at times. During the busiest times of the year, it's almost not possible. But for most of the year these 3 tips will help beat the crowds on most days.
- Get to the parks early - During the first 3 hours the parks are open the crowd level will be the lowest of the day. As the day progresses the crowds get bigger, so the first few hours are the best for beating the lines that develop during the day.
- Know how to use FASTPASS - FASTPASS is a program Disney started to minimize the time guests have to wait in line. Most of the "big" rides have FASTPASS. To use the FASTPASS system, you have to get a ticket at the kiosk, which is located prominently beside the ride. On the ticket will be your return time. At that time you return and go through the FASTPASS line. This is a special line that takes you right up to where you enter the attraction.
- Don't go the week of Christmas. There are other busy times during the year, but the week of Christmas through New Years is the busiest of them all. The crowd levels are unbelievable. On Christmas Day (if the weather is good) the Magic Kingdom will stop accepting guests at 10:00 in the morning. It will take hours just to ride one or two rides and the lines for just getting a Coke can be over an hour. Avoid Christmas Week.
What would you suggest to folks looking for a kid friendly family vacation at WDW?
My number one suggestion to ensure a kid friendly family vacation is to make sure to slow down and enjoy the little things that separate Disney World from other theme parks. In each park there are special shows that get over looked like Jammitors in Epcot or the talking trashcan in the Magic Kingdom. These special little extras make Walt Disney World a very special place for families and kids of all ages.
