Lots of exciting changes are coming to Epcot over the next couple of years. If you’re visiting Disney World in 2020, you’ve got some new things to explore, as well as a lot of construction to dodge. Today’s episode is an overview of all the changes at Epcot and what to expect next time you visit.

These are the show notes for Go Informed Podcast episode 49. Click the Play button to listen to the episode for lots more detail about this topic.

If you haven’t already listened to my audio tour of Epcot, be sure to check it out. It’s episode 14, and today’s show is an update to that episode.

Epcot Future World Changes

Sometime in 2020 or 2021, Future World will take on a new name. Actually several new names – this end of the park is going to be re-imagined as a collection of “neighborhoods” called World Discovery, World Celebration, and World Nature.

The neighborhoods will feature new attractions and new theming, but Epcot will continue to focus on nature, innovation, human discovery, and culture

What’s Not Changing at Epcot

All of the major attractions at Epcot are staying put. This includes Soarin’, Mission Space, Test Track, the Seas, and Spaceship Earth. Also, the food court in the Land pavilion and the Garden Grill haven’t changed.

Epcot New Attractions and More

Space 220 Restaurant

A new space-themed restaurant is opening next to Mission Space, called Space 220. The concept is that you are dining on a space station 220 miles above earth. When you enter the restaurant, you’ll ride an elevator that looks like you’ve left the planet. Huge screens will look out into space. And, to top it off – this is going to be a fine-dining table service restaurant that even has an extensive wine list. Space 220 is scheduled to open by summer 2020. This will definitely be a place where you’ll need reservations to get in.

Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind Rollercoaster

The new Guardians of the Galaxy coaster promises to be one of the top attractions in Orlando when it opens in 2021. Located in an enormous show building near Mission Space, this ride will combine story elements with big thrills. My expectation is that it will be similar in style to the major Harry Potter attractions at Universal.

Epcot Park Entrance Changes

The entire park entrance plaza is being re-done. So if you arrive through the main entrance you may be disappointed to see a bunch of walls up in front of Spaceship Earth. This is a bummer for pictures so hopefully the walls won’t be up for too long. When construction is finished, this new space will be much more open than before and should be a big improvement.

Spaceship Earth Closing for Updates

The Spaceship Earth ride will be closing by summer 2020 for a major renovation. It’s scheduled to be closed at least through the end of the year.

Moana: Journey of Water

Moana: Journey of Water is a nature-inspired attraction that is set to open in 2021. Disney hasn’t given many details about this one yet but I look forward to seeing more natural spaces at Epcot.

Interactive Play Pavilion

The Interactive Play Pavilion is an update to the old Future World interactive exhibits. Disney expects this to open in 2021.

New Epcot Fireworks: Harmonius

The current nighttime show, Epcot Forever, is actually not forever – it’s just a short-term show while Disney prepares to launch a brand-new fireworks spectacular called Harmonius. Harmonius is supposed to debut around the beginning of 2021.

Opening in World Showcase: Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure

Most of the changes in the park are taking place near the main entrance, but new attractions are coming to all parts of Epcot. In World Showcase, the big new addition is called Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure. This is a family-friendly dark ride opening in summer 2020 in the France pavilion, inspired by the Pixar movie Ratatouille.

Remy touring tip: If you can’t get a FastPass+, the best way to ride this one is at rope drop. Enter the park via the International Gateway entrance – this will put you right next to France when the rope drops.

France is also getting a new creperie – sounds delicious!

What’s Gone from Epcot

As part of the renovation, a number of buildings have been torn down. Gone from Epcot are Club Cool, the Electric Umbrella, and the big Starbucks.

Note that Starbucks does still exist at Epcot, it’s now located near the start of World Showcase. Unfortunately it has displaced the delicious Epcot cronuts.

Epcot Touring Tips During Construction

Top Tip: Do not skip Epcot just because of all the construction! There is still A LOT to see and do in this park, and it is well worth at least a day of your Disney World time.

Yes, navigating around the front end of Epcot is extra tricky during construction. There are lots of walls up, the main entrance plaza is a big work zone, and the entire center of the park behind Spaceship Earth is being demolished and rebuilt. Watch for signs and ask cast members if you need help getting around.

Remember that there are two entrances at Epcot. You can avoid some of the main gate construction if you enter the park on the World Showcase side, at the International Gateway entrance. Now that the Skyliner can bring you right to this entrance, I highly recommend using that route to enter or exit the park.

Once the Remy ride opens up, rope drop starting from the International Gateway will be the most efficient way to beat the crowds to this popular attraction.

Note too that FastPass+ tiers in Epcot will probably be modified once Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure opens up. Watch the Go Informed Facebook page for news and updates.

An early breakfast reservation is also a good way to get ahead of the crowds. Episode 27 is all about how to use a breakfast reservation to get into an empty park.

I also highly recommend TouringPlans.com and the Unofficial Guide to Disney World to help you create a super-efficient plan for your park days.

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Additional Resources for Planning Your Trip to Disney World and Universal Orlando

55 Things To Know Before You Visit Disney World

33 Things to Know Before You Visit Universal Orlando

Adding a Visit to Universal to Your Disney World Trip

The Go Informed Podcast

Find all the episodes in the series 10 Days to a Better Disney World Vacation here.

Find all the episodes in the series 7 Days to a Better Universal Orlando Vacation here.

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The post Big Changes at Epcot – Go Informed Podcast Episode 049 appeared first on Go Informed.

For many of us, an Orlando vacation would not be complete without a stop at both Disney World and Universal. Here are my tips for adding a visit to Universal to your Disney World trip.

Listen on Go Informed Podcast episode 64

I discuss this topic further on Go Informed Podcast episode 64. Click below to hear the show now, or search for Go Informed: Build A Better Vacation on your favorite podcast app!

Why Add Universal to a Disney World Vacation?

First off, in case you’re wondering if it’s worth taking some time from your Disney World vacation (or adding time on) to visit Universal Orlando, for many guests I think the answer is ‘yes’.

If you like any of these things, you’ll like Universal: Harry Potter, thrill rides, humorous rides, superheroes, Minions, the Simpsons, dinosaurs, water rides – I think you get the idea.

Universal has a bit of an edgy vibe and is a really great compliment to the parks over at Disney World.

60-Second Quick Guide to Universal Orlando

How Many Days to Visit Universal Orlando

There are two theme parks at Universal: Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios Florida. Unlike at Disney World, these theme parks are adjacent so it’s really easy to walk between them and see both on the same day.

If you only have one day to visit Universal Orlando you can cover a lot of ground, especially if you have a Universal Express Pass. However to really see everything without being rushed, I think it’s best to have at least two days at Universal Orlando

When assessed on a cost-per-day basis, one-day tickets are much more expensive than multiple days.  And Universal often offers deals such as ‘get four days for the price of two’. So your park admission may not go up very much when you add another a day or two to your ticket. Be sure to find out what deals are on offer before you decide exactly how to split your vacation.

When to Visit Universal During Your Disney World Vacation

Once you know how many days you’d like to spend visiting Universal, you’ll have to decide when to add this into your time in Orlando. If you choose to stay on-site at a Universal hotel, I recommend adding this to the end of your trip. If you’re visiting Universal while staying at Disney World or elsewhere in Orlando you can add it in whenever you’d like.

Where You Stay Impacts Your Plan

There are three options for where to stay when you add Universal to your Disney World vacation: stay at Disney World, stay somewhere else in Orlando, or stay on-site at Universal. My recommendation is to stay on-site at Universal, but you can absolutely visit the parks if you stay at Disney World or elsewhere in Orlando.

Adding a Stay at Universal to Your Disney World Trip

If you plan to visit Universal for more than one day, I highly recommend spending the night in one of the on-site hotels. Besides spending more time in bed – since you won’t have to drive to the park in the morning – staying in an on-site Universal hotel offers many perks.

Universal Orlando hotel guests get early admission every day, including check-in day

Every guest at the Universal hotels receives early admission to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Plus several of the Universal Orlando hotels offer an additional valuable bonus: free Universal Express Passes for all guests.

You can read more about this in tip #2 of my 33 Things to Know Before You Visit Universal Orlando post, and on episode 33 of the Go Informed podcast.

Get free Express Pass for every day if you stay in the Hard Rock, Portofino Bay, or Royal Pacific Hotels

Besides early park admission, guests staying in the Hard Rock Hotel, Portofino Bay, or Royal Pacific Resort will all receive free unlimited Express Pass for the duration of their stay. This means free passes for everyone in your room all day long, including your check-in and check-out day. So if you just spend one night in one of these hotels you’ll get two days worth of Express Passes for every guest.

A very important fact when you consider adding a stay at Universal to your Disney vacation is that the early admission and Express Pass benefits apply for every day you will stay in the hotel – including your entire check-in and check-out day.

Stay One Night at Universal and Get Two Days’ Worth of Perks

If you have a hotel reservation for Thursday night, you are eligible for early admission at the Universal parks on BOTH Thursday and Friday mornings. And if you stay in an Express Pass hotel you will get Express Passes for BOTH Thursday and Friday. As soon as you check-in you will have these benefits.

So when you think about adding Universal to your Disney World trip, know that just one night at a Universal hotel gives you two days’ worth of related perks. One night in an Express Pass hotel gives you two days’ of Express Passes. Check the math and you may see that your hotel rate might be cheaper than the cost of Express Passes for your family.

If budget is a concern, adding a stay at Universal to the end of your trip can be more cost-effective than adding it to the start. Since you can arrive at your Universal hotel early in the morning, check-in, and receive the benefits, you could spend the night before in a less expensive lodging and minimize the number of nights you stay at Universal.

Go Informed Podcast episode 33 is all about Universal Express Passes. Click here to listen and read the show notes.

Visiting Universal from Disney World

Staying at Disney World when you visit Universal can have advantages. You can go to Universal in the middle of your vacation to break up your Disney days; you get to enjoy the “Disney Bubble” every night of your vacation; and, depending on where you stay, it may be cheaper to stay at a Disney World hotel than to stay at Universal.

The downside to staying at Disney World when you visit Universal Orlando is the travel time to/from Universal; you can’t take a hotel break in the middle of the day; and you don’t get the early admission and other perks that on-site hotel guests get.

Go Informed Podcast episode 69 is all about Universal Orlando first-timer advice for Disney World fans. Listen and read all about it here.

Visiting Universal From Anywhere in Orlando

Many Orlando visitors choose lodging outside of Disney World or Universal property. This gives lots of flexibility around adding Universal park days into your vacation.

Travel time to the Universal parks will of course depend on where your lodging is located. Take this into account when you plan your park day. And as an off-site visitor you won’t receive the early entry perks that on-site Universal guests receive.

75-second quick guide to Disney World

Beat the Crowds by Starting Early in the Morning at Universal Orlando

Especially if you don’t have a lot of time, the most efficient way to tour any theme park is to be the first one there. This is absolutely crucial if your main objective is visiting the Wizarding World of Harry Potter.

Be at the gate well before the park opens. If you’re not staying at Universal, make sure you take into account your travel time, including the walk from the parking garage, when you plan your day.

Guests who stay at Universal Orlando hotels get early admission to at least one of the theme parks every morning. This means that if you aren’t a Universal hotel guest, even if you are first in line for park opening, you will not be first into the early entry park.

Be sure to consult the early park admission calendar on Universal’s site when planning your day at Universal. If you are not staying on-site, start your day at whichever park does NOT offer early admission. Be there at least 30 minutes prior to the official opening time – Universal usually starts letting guests in about 15 minutes early.

If both parks have early admission when you visit, that means Universal’s expecting big crowds. Definitely consider purchasing an Express Pass to help you bypass a lot of the lines. (Note that some of the Universal hotels offer free Express Passes to their guests, which can make a stay at these hotels very cost-effective – see my notes above).

Getting to Universal from Disney World or elsewhere in Orlando

Disney World is located about 15 miles from Universal Orlando. Depending on traffic and where on Disney property you stay, you should expect about a 30-60 minute drive between Universal and your Disney World hotel.

If you have a car, be sure to add enough time to park and get to the Universal gate. It is a bit of a trek from the parking garage, about 15 minutes’ walk depending on the space you get.

If you don’t have a car, you can get to Universal via taxi or Uber/Lyft. First thing in the morning it may take a few minutes for your ride to arrive and collect you at your hotel, so be sure to account for this when you set your morning alarm.

A taxi or Uber will drop you off at the Universal Orlando parking garage so expect a 15 minute walk to the park gate from there.

Use this promo code for a discount on your first ride with Uber: 5YJ9X

Use this promo code for a discount on your first ride with Lyft: SUE23822

Here’s a map of the trip from Disney World’s Port Orleans Resort to Universal

More Information About Universal Orlando and Disney World

No matter where you stay, a visit to Universal Orlando is a magical addition to your Disney World vacation. Be sure to read my other tips about visiting Orlando, including:

• 33 Things to Know Before You Visit Universal Orlando
• 55 Things To Know Before You Visit Disney World
• How to choose your Universal Orlando park tickets
• Guide to the Universal Orlando hotels
• Guide to the Disney World hotels

Got 60 seconds? Check out my theme park quick-start guides for fast answers to common theme park FAQ’s.

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Sign up for my email newsletter to receive twice-monthly bonus theme park tips! Join the mailing list, and read what you’ve been missing, right here.

Wondering about combining Disneyland and Universal Studios Hollywood? Check out my advice here.

Disneyland Paris advice

Are the Paris parks on your bucket list? Did you know it’s only a ten-minute train ride from CDG airport? Here’s how to do Disneyland Paris in just one day!

This post contains affiliate links.

The post Adding a Visit to Universal to Your Disney World Trip appeared first on Go Informed.

A trip to Disney World can be the best vacation you’ve ever had, or it can be a stressful ordeal. With the right combination of preparation, planning, and purpose you can have an amazing Disney adventure. Here are my top Disney World tips for your Orlando vacation.

Quick look at all 55 tips

Click on a tip to skip straight to it

 1 – Do your homework

The number-one thing to know about Disney World is that it is not like any other place you’ve ever been. Obvious, I know, but even if you’ve been to Disneyland a hundred times this is not the same.

Disney World is BIG

Disney World is its own universe. It’s the size of the city of San Francisco, encompassing four completely separate theme parks, over 30,000 hotel rooms, two water parks, golf courses, a shopping and entertainment village, several lakes, multiple freeways, and on and on.

When you visit Disney World it’s very important to know where you’re going and what you’re going to do when you get there. The more planning you do, the more you can avoid crowds and long wait times. So this is why my absolute top tip is to do your homework.

Find out what you don’t know

By “homework” I mean find out as much as you can before you even pick the date for your trip. Factors like crowd levels, seasonal weather, and which park is likely to be your favorite will impact your decision about when you’d like to visit and how long you’ll want to stay.

In turn, this information will influence where you’d like to stay too – Disney World has hotels near each theme park, but since everything is spread out there are very few hotels near multiple parks. And if you’re considering staying off-site, research can help determine if this is the best choice for you.

The good news is that you’ve already started your homework by reading this post!

Here are five more websites I recommend for your Disney research.

75-second quick guide to Disney World

Get a guide book

Another assignment I recommend is to get your hands on The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World, which is super-comprehensive and will really give you a solid understanding of everything WDW. (That’s short for Walt Disney World and you’ll see it a lot as you dive into this topic).

Whatever resource you consult should be recently updated. Especially in the post-2020 era, there are a lot of updates and changes at Disney World.

The Go Informed Podcast

If you’d like to take my tips to-go, be sure to check out my Go Informed Podcast where you’ll find hours of advice to help you build the best vacation ever. There are tons of tips in the podcast archives, including a ten episode series I call “Ten days to a better Disney World Vacation”. You’ll find those shows starting with episode 9.

2 – Get there first

The absolute best way to beat the crowds at Disney World is to literally beat them to the park. Most people don’t want to get up early on vacation, and if you make the effort you can have the park virtually all to yourself.

Getting there first means arriving well before the park opens. Know that Disney World parks generally open about 15 minutes earlier than their posted time. So for a 9:00 park opening, guests will usually be allowed through the gates at about 8:45. So if you show up at 9:00 you’re late.

Rope drop the parks

At some parks, guests are allowed past the turnstiles even earlier. In this case, visitors are held behind a rope until the fanfare begins and the day officially starts. This is referred to as rope drop. If you want to be at the front of the rope, plan to arrive about 45 minutes prior to the stated park opening time.

Here’s my post and podcast episode all about how to rope drop.

Early morning has the lowest crowds

This first hour or two that the park is open will be the lowest crowds of the day, by far. If you arrive in time for rope drop you can ride as many attractions in your first couple of hours as you might ride the entire rest of the day. It is absolutely worth the effort.

Here’s my top tips to help you master your theme park morning.

3 – Stay in an on-site Disney World hotel

There are a lot of benefits to staying on-site at Disney World. My top reasons are location, early theme park entry, transportation, and the “Disney Bubble”.

For proximity to the Disney World parks, you can’t beat the on-site hotels. Some are literally within walking distance to a park, and the rest are all just a bus, boat, monorail, or Skyliner gondola ride away.

Discover your perfect Disney World hotel, with my essential guide here.

Disney World on-site guests get early theme park entry

One of the best benefits for guests who stay on-site is early theme park entry. During early entry on-site guests get the park all to themselves. It is a huge advantage in touring – and you’ll see it is my #9 tip below.

On-site guests also get a head-start on Lightning Lane selections, with the ability to pre-book reservations up to 7 days before arrival.

Here’s more about the Lightning Lane skip-the-line system at Disney World.

Disney transportation

Disney transportation between the parks and other Disney World attractions is complementary for all guests staying on-site. It’s hard to beat skipping the car for your vacation, and instead hopping on a monorail or boat right outside the hotel.

Offsite guests can also take the transportation around Disney World for free, but they’ll have to add more time and effort to get to/from WDW.

Stay inside the Disney Bubble

Staying on-site at Disney World immerses guests in the total experience, known as the “Disney Bubble”. Disney’s attention to detail in everything they do – from the bus driver’s costume, to the greeting at each hotel, to the nods to Mickey throughout the resorts – really inspires guests to let go of the real world and embrace the magic.

Thinking about a trip during the Christmas season? Be sure to read this post to find out why staying on-site at Disney World can be extra magical at Christmastime.

Here’s my essential guide to the Disney World hotels.

4 – Know the lay of the land

Disney World is BIG. Distance between the parks and hotels can easily be a 30 minute bus ride. Where you stay makes a big difference in which park will be most convenient to you, so be sure to consider location before you make your hotel reservation.

And definitely familiarize yourself with the map before you start planning your restaurant reservations and park touring schedule.

Here’s my post with maps and distances around and between the Disney World hotels.

5 – Have a plan

Have a plan for your trip to Disney World. A plan for your overall stay, and a plan for each day of your trip.

For your stay, a plan should include your top goals and requirements. Do you absolutely have to meet Chewbacca? Is gourmet dining important? Are you all about thrill rides? Start with a sense of your most important must-dos, then figure out where and when you can accomplish these objectives.

From your overall plan, you can start to flesh out your daily schedule. This doesn’t mean you need an itinerary for every minute of the day, but it does mean knowing which park you plan to visit and at least the top things you want to do there. And it means being thoughtful about where you expect to go during the day.

Want to know what to expect on your first day at Disney World? Click here for 6 quick tips.

6 – You need park reservations at Disney World

Update: Beginning January 9. 2024, park reservations will no longer be required! If you’ll be visiting before then, be sure to read the info below.

One of the big changes following Disney World’s COVID-19 shutdown is the park reservation requirement. It’s not enough to just have tickets, if you want to visit a Disney World park you must also have an advance reservation.

Every guest must have a reservation for the park where they intend to start the day. Whether you have park-hopper tickets or not, you can’t visit a different park than the one on your reservation until first entering the reserved park.

There are a limited number of park reservations each day. So before you even finalize trip plans, be sure to check the Disney parks reservation calendar here. Get your plan in place, then make your park reservations as soon as you purchase your tickets. The easiest way to make your park reservations is on Disney’s website.

Here are my 8 quick tips for making your Disney World park reservations.

7 – Buy your Disney World park tickets in advance

Don’t wait until you get to the park to buy your tickets. You can order them online as soon as you know your plans. Here’s my guide to purchasing Disney World park tickets.

Not only does this save you time at the park, having your tickets already registered to your My Disney Experience account means you can make your park reservations as far in advance as possible.

8 – Learn about Lightning Lanes

Disney has replaced its old FastPass system with an app-based ride reservation scheme called Lightning Lane. Just like with the old FastPass, you can reserve a one-hour window to skip the regular line on most attractions. Unlike the old FastPass, you pay to book them via the Disney World app.

Beginning July 24, 2024, Disney World guests will have the option to pre-book Lightning Lane selections up to 7 days prior to arrival. Here’s a quick look at how this works.

Get a quick comparison of Disney’s Lightning Lane vs Universal’s Express system, plus cost/benefit analysis, in this edition of the Go Informed newsletter.

Lightning Lane quick start guide

Here’s a 60-second look at the new Lightning Lane system.

9 – Use early theme park entry

Guests staying in an on-site Disney World hotel get a half-hour head start every morning. Even though it’s only 30 minutes, this could be the most efficient part of your entire park day.

Arriving before most everyone else means empty ride queues, quiet spaces in the park, and the chance to ride multiple attractions within the first hour. If you’re staying on-site, make the effort to get to the gates at least an hour before regular park opening time. This should put you near the very front of the crowd.

How do you get your family to the park gates so early? Here are my simple morning tips.

10 – Use a travel agent

As you can tell from the length of this post, there is a LOT of logistical detail that goes into planning a Disney World vacation. One of the best decisions you can make is to work with a Disney travel agent.

A travel agent can handle a ton of the details, usually at no extra cost to you. They can help you choose where to stay, when to go, even how to get there. And they’ll have lots of suggestions for what to do before and during your trip.

If you don’t already work with a travel agent, ask friends for a referral or reach out to your local AAA office. Any agent who is authorized to book with Disney will have lots of training and probably some experience in the parks too.

Working with a travel agent is one of my Disney hotel booking tips. Read more about it here.

11 – Train for your trip

At Disney World you can easily walk about ten miles, or more, each day. That’s around 20,000 steps! Do you walk like this in your regular life? If the answer is no, it’s time to start training.

As soon as you start planning your trip, start adding long walks into your regular routine. It’s best if you can work up to a 5-6 mile walk on a regular basis – this will at least get you through the first part of your Disney day.

Get everyone involved

And make sure everyone in your family can do the distance. Unless they are in a stroller or on an electric scooter, everybody’s going to spend a lot of time on their feet at Disney World.

A fitness tracker makes a nice gift for anyone training to go to Disney.

Click here for my Disney World training tips, including a theme-park-themed printable Bingo card to track your distance.

The post 55 Things To Know Before You Visit Disney World appeared first on Go Informed.

Planning for a trip to Orlando’s theme parks can seem overwhelming, but fortunately there are lots of resources to help you get ready for your big adventure. From books to websites and podcasts, here are my top recommended Orlando theme park travel information sources.

Best Books For Planning Your Orlando Theme Park Vacation

Episode 36 of the Go Informed Podcast is my complete updated Disney World recommended reading list. Get the list and listen here.

Best Walt Disney World Guidebooks

The Unofficial Guide To Walt Disney World by Bob Sehlinger

Find it here: The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World 2019

In my opinion this is the most comprehensive guidebook for Walt Disney World. Filled with every detail from how to navigate the Orlando airport to what age group will most enjoy each attraction, the Unofficial Guide gives you the straight scoop on what you can expect. I would buy this book just for the touring plan recommendations alone.

Birnbaum’s Walt Disney World: The Official Guide

Find it here: Birnbaum’s 2018 Walt Disney World: The Official Guide

Birnbaum’s is always guaranteed to get me excited to visit Walt Disney World. Loaded with photos and details about all the attractions, as well as dining, shopping, and hotel information, the Birnbaum’s book gives a great overview of what you’ll find at Disney World.

Best Universal Guidebook

The Unofficial Guide To Universal Orlando by Seth Kubersky

Find it here: The Unofficial Guide to Universal Orlando

Just as detailed as the Disney World version, the Unofficial Guide To Universal Orlando offers tons of information to help you plan and navigate your trip to Universal. With its superb touring plan advice, and information about every aspect of the theme parks, dining, hotels, and beyond, this book will really help you get the most out of your Universal vacation.

Not a guidebook, but if you’re going to Universal and you haven’t read these yet:

Harry Potter Paperback Box Set by J.K. Rowling

Find it here: Harry Potter Paperback Box Set (Books 1-7)

Best Disney World Books Beyond the Guides

Hidden Mickeys: A Field Guide to Walt Disney World’s Best Kept Secrets by Steven M. Barrett

Find it here: Hidden Mickeys: A Field Guide to Walt Disney World’s Best Kept Secrets

Many guests never notice them, but there are hundreds of images of Mickey Mouse hidden throughout Walt Disney World. This guide describes all the Mickeys and where to find them. A fabulous way to kill time waiting in line, you’ll want to carry this book into the parks with you.

The Haunted Mansion: Imagineering a Disney Classic, by Jason Surrell

Find it here: The Haunted Mansion: Imagineering a Disney Classic (From the Magic Kingdom)

The Haunted Mansion is one of those attractions most of us just can’t get enough of. No matter how many times I ride, I always see something new. Jason Surrell’s in-depth story of the history, construction, and incarnations of the Haunted Mansion is a great read before or after your trip to the Magic Kingdom. Highly recommended for any fan of the Haunted Mansion or Disney history.

Best Websites for Planning Your Orlando Theme Park Vacation

Besides of course goinformed.net, there are several websites I highly recommend for your Orlando theme park planning.

The official park sites

Walt Disney World: https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/
Create a login here and you can manage your entire trip, from hotel and dining reservations to FastPass+ times.

Universal Orlando Resort: https://www.universalorlando.com/
All the official information, from park hours to hotel reservations to maps.

Excellent 3rd-Party Websites for Orlando Theme Park Advice

WDW Prep School: http://wdwprepschool.com/

Packed with information about every last detail for your trip to Walt Disney World, WDW Prep School is an excellent one-stop resource for your planning. Their advice is absolutely on-the-mark. Even if you read nothing else, Shannon’s post about her Disney World routine will make your trip better.

Touring Plans: https://touringplans.com/

If you like to engineer your vacations, this is definitely the site for you. From the team that produces the Unofficial Guide books, the Touring Plans website has tons of data to help you plan your trip to Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando. Detailed crowd level predictions and personalized touring plans are just a few things you’ll find on touringplans.com.

Even more interactive planning tools are available if you pay a modest annual subscription fee (discounted if you own one of the Unofficial Guide books). If you’re serious about making the most of your theme park vacation, I recommend paying the fee. Touring plans also produces the indispensable Lines app, which gives real-time attraction wait times and crowd information for Universal Orlando and Walt Disney World.

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/

Pinterest is a great place to search for information about your trip. Filled with links to content selected by other users, Pinterest is more fun and can be a more effective search tool than Google. Find informative links and save them on your own boards for future reference.

If you visit the goinformed.net page: https://www.pinterest.com/goinformednet/ you’ll find my curated content focused on Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando, with hundreds of tips from around the web.

Need help getting started on Pinterest? Check out my step-by-step tutorial at How To Use Pinterest To Plan Your Next Vacation (Or Anything Else)

Best Podcasts for Planning Your Orlando Theme Park Vacation

Take your research on the go! Podcasts are a great way to learn something new while driving, cleaning the house, or working out. These podcasts are all packed with interesting information about Orlando theme park travel, and I guarantee they’ll get you excited and ready for your next vacation.

While these podcasts mainly focus on Disney World, you’ll get lots of tips that apply to Universal Orlando and Disneyland too. And sometimes even Disney Cruise Line tips.

Episode 22 of the Go Informed podcast is a discussion of these podcasts, plus a few more that I keep on my Disney World playlist. Listen to that episode here to find out more about my favorite Disney World podcasts.

WDW Prep To Go: http://wdwprepschool.com/category/podcast/
Every week Shannon takes on a new topic related to Disney World travel. Whether it’s your first time visiting Orlando or your 50th, her practical advice will definitely help you get ready for your next trip.

If you only listen to one episode of WDW Prep To Go, pick one of Shannon’s first-timer interviews. You will get a ton of insight about what to expect, and how your expectations may or may not merge with reality.

The Unofficial Guide’s Disney Dish with Jim Hill: http://www.stitcher.com/podcast/the-unofficial-guides-disney-dish-with-jim-hill

Unofficial Guide author Len Testa and Disney historian Jim Hill share delicious tidbits of Disney insight in this podcast. From the history of your favorite attractions to rumors of what’s coming next to the parks, this podcast takes you behind the scenes into the world of Disney Parks.

WDW Radio: http://www.wdwradio.com/

Host Lou Mongello’s contagious enthusiasm will have you geeking out over all things Disney. Get the latest scoop on what’s happening at Walt Disney World along with tips for your next vacation, dining reviews, and more on this weekly podcast.

The Disney Hack Podcast: http://thedisneyhack.com/

Of course I have to mention The Disney Hack podcast since I’ve been fortunate enough to be a guest on this show! Every week brings a different viewpoint and lots of useful Disney World tips. One of my favorite episodes features the perspective of The Disney Hack’s nine-year-old daughter. And you can listen to me on The Disney Hack here

The Go Informed Podcast!

My podcast, Go Informed, brings you tips to help reduce the stress and fire up the fun on your next Universal Orlando and Disney World vacation. Give it a listen on itunes, here on goinformed.net, or your favorite podcast app.

Want more theme park tips?

Click here for all of goinformed.net’s theme park touring tips.

Including:

55 Things To Know Before You Visit Disney World

33 Things to Know Before You Visit Universal Orlando

Adding a Visit to Universal to Your Disney World Trip

How to Beat the Crowds and Skip the Line at Disney World’s Frozen Ever After Ride

Disney World and Universal Orlando Weather Tips

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The post Best Books, Websites, and Podcasts for Planning Your Orlando Theme Park Vacation appeared first on Go Informed.

Whether your travels take you to Disney World, Disneyland, or one of the Universal parks, a few basic tips will help you have more fun with less stress. These are my top ten theme park tips.

I share lots of advice for theme park touring on my Go Informed podcast too! Click here to check it out.

If you’re looking for tips specific to Disney World, read this post: 55 Things To Know Before You Visit Disney World

If you’re looking for tips specific to Universal Orlando, read this post: 33 Things to Know Before You Visit Universal Orlando

Theme Park Tip #1: Be there before the park opens

The number one thing you can do to improve your theme park experience is to be there when the gates open. The first couple of hours are guaranteed to be the least crowded of the day. Take a nap later when it’s hot and the lines are long – you spent a lot of time and money to get here, don’t squander it by lingering in your hotel room.

Take note: the gates almost always open at least 15 minutes before the posted time. And serious theme park tourists start lining up much earlier than that. My advice is to arrive at the gate at least 30 minutes before opening, 45 if it’s a peak day. You will not regret it.

Theme park mornings almost always involve some form of rope drop. Find out all about this most important part of the day here.

And if you’re visiting Disney World, a quick tip about FastPass+ : Don’t schedule your fast passes for the first two hours after park opening. In almost all cases, you can ride multiple attractions in these first two hours with no FastPasses. Ride standby early in the morning and reserve your FastPass+ for the busiest hours of the day – afternoon and evening.

Here’s my Go Informed podcast episode all about FastPass+ reservations.

Episode 19 of the Go Informed podcast will help you Master Your Theme Park Morning.

And here’s video of what a theme park looks like when you’re first through the gate.

Visiting Walt Disney World, and wondering if you should take advantage of early morning Extra Magic Hours? Find out about our experience with 7am Extra Magic Hours.

Theme Park Tip #2: Have a Plan

Even if you wish to stay super-flexible, do a little research to figure out your must-see attractions. Go to these attractions immediately after the gates open – you may even be able to ride twice in a row when you’re among the first in line. If you’re visiting Disney World, reserve a FastPass+ ahead of time for these rides so you know you won’t miss out.

Here are my top recommended resources for planning your Orlando theme park vacation.

Theme Park Tip #3: Wear good shoes

You will walk miles and stand for hours every day of your theme park vacation. Consider yourself to be running a marathon in slow motion, fashion takes a distant second place to comfort in this circumstance. Bring your best running shoes, two pairs if you can.

Booking.com

Theme Park Tip #4: Buy your park ticket in advance

The start of your day is all about being first in the park. Don’t waste time standing in line for park tickets. You can purchase in advance online, and often save money this way too.

Theme Park Tip #5: Take breaks

Theme park touring is both exhilarating and exhausting. And that’s just for adults. Kids can easily feel overwhelmed by all the stimulation, sweets, and hustle. Luckily there’s a remedy – take a break. At the first sign of weariness, find a spot to sit and rest. Take in the moment, look around and notice the small details and the people around you. Even just a few minutes of relative stillness can provide the recharge you need to enjoy your next adventure.

Theme Park Tip #6: Charge your phone and load any useful apps before you go

Many theme parks have apps to help you tour more efficiently. You can check attraction wait times, make dining reservations, find out park hours and more. Do your research before you go and get those apps loaded so you’ll have them ready before you even get into the park.

And don’t forget to charge your phone – you’ll be glad you started with a full battery.

Traveling to Universal Orlando? Read about my recommended Universal Orlando apps here: Eight Essential Apps For Your Universal Orlando Trip

Theme Park Tip #7: Keep Calm

Theme parks are all about excitement. But paradoxically, you will enjoy your day more if you relax and don’t sweat the small stuff. Think Zen.

Knowing and practicing proper theme park etiquette can also go a long way to help you navigate a crowded park with poise. Brush up on your theme park manners here.

Theme Park Tip #8: Prepare for the Weather

Don’t forget to check the weather forecast. And yes, in Florida in August you absolutely should carry a rain poncho.

The weather is such a factor in theme park touring that I’ve created three posts and a podcast episode about it:

Disney World Weather Tips and Why August is a Great Time to Visit Orlando

Weather at Universal Orlando: 5 Cool Tips for the Heat and Rain

Theme Park Rainy Day Tips: Xtreme Edition

Top 5 Orlando Summer Weather Tips – Go Informed Podcast Episode 028

Theme Park Tip #9: Don’t forget to eat

Tempting as it might be to skip lunch to get on one more ride, you will go farther, longer if you stop to fuel up during your day. Be mindful of which attractions are next on your tour – best not to eat a chili dog right before the big roller coaster, but also not great to ride that coaster on an empty stomach.

Theme Park Tip #10: Be flexible

Know your top couple of must-do’s before you get to the park, but beyond that stay flexible. You will never see everything in the park in a day and sometimes the crowds can overwhelm your to-do list. Stay flexible, be willing to think outside the box.

This may mean eating an extra-early lunch or jumping to a second park to avoid crowds. Have a few back-ups in mind in case the line at your top-choice attraction is just too long.

You might be surprised at what you discover when you pivot to an activity that wasn’t even on your radar to begin with.

Are you planning a trip to Universal Orlando? Click Here to Get All My Universal Orlando Tips!

Visiting Walt Disney World? Click Here to Get All My Walt Disney World Tips!

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Here’s a very quick look at what you’ll find at Walt Disney World’s four separate theme parks, even dining tips!

You can listen to free audio tours of each park on the Go Informed podcast! Find it on your favorite podcast app or click below to listen:

Magic Kingdom Audio Tour

Epcot Audio Tour

Hollywood Studios Audio Tour

Animal Kingdom Audio Tour

Get my 55 Top Disney World Tips here!

Click for more Disney World tips, including:

Disney World Weather Tips

My favorite books, podcasts, and websites for planning a Disney World vacation

A fabulous hack to get you first-in-line access at EPCOT’s Frozen ride

Why I think you should always get up for morning Extra Magic Hours

Tips to make it easier for your family to get up early on vacation

Going to Universal? Get those tips and hacks here!

For lots more information about Disney World, subscribe to the Go Informed Podcast.

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Disney World Nitty-Gritty Basics

This is the first of my Nitty-Gritty Basics infographics, designed to give an at-a-glance understanding of some of the core facets of Disney World. These are things that will become apparent once you get there, but I want you in the know while you’re still in the planning stage of your trip.

Listen to my Go Informed podcast episode all about the Disney World basics here.

Don’t Lose Track of the Size of Disney World

Since Disney World newbies often have trouble grasping the scale of the resort, I wanted to illustrate just how big the World really is. If you take a look at this Google map of Disney World you should get a good idea of how spread out the parks are and just how much area the entire resort covers. Be sure to keep these distances in mind as you plan where to stay, and what you want to fit into a day.

With the right amount of planning, and a sense of adventure, you will have a truly magical vacation!

Get my 55 Top Tips for planning your Disney World vacation here!

Considering a trip to Universal Orlando? Here are 33 Things to Know Before You Visit Universal Orlando

And here are tips for Adding a Visit to Universal to Your Disney World Trip

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Sad to report that with all the changes going on at Epcot there are currently no croissant doughnuts in the park. Watch this space for updates.

For more info about the changes at Epcot, check out Go Informed Podcast episode 49 here.

Get Your Cronut at Epcot in Disney World

Behold the beautiful thing that is a croissant doughnut. With just a bit of legwork and $5.99, this amazing pastry can be yours. Here’s where to find it at Disney World’s Epcot park.

The Refreshment Port

Epcot’s croissant doughnuts can only be found at the Refreshment Port quick service café. Well, it’s not even really a café, more like a take-out window/kiosk place. But there are lots of benches and places to sit while you savor the masterpiece that is the croissant doughnut.

Refreshment Port is located at the beginning of the World Showcase. If you come into the park via the main entrance (nearest Spaceship Earth, aka the big golf ball), you’ll want to take a right when you get to Showcase Plaza. This is where you’ll start heading around the lake. The first pavilion in this direction is Canada – if you’re in Canada you’ve gone too far.

If you enter Epcot via the International Gateway entrance (this is the entrance you’ll enter if you walk from one of the Epcot area resorts or if you take a boat), you’ll need to take a left when you enter World Showcase and head through England and Canada before you get to Refreshment Port.

The Refreshment Port is easy to miss. It’s barely more than a kiosk size and it’s set back from the main path a bit. It’s located on the side of the path opposite the lake. If you have trouble spotting it, check your park map or ask a cast member.

Where to Eat Your Croissant Doughnut at Epcot

You’ll find photos and directions to the perfect spot to enjoy your croissant doughnut in my Disney World Weather Tips and Why August is a Great Time to Visit Orlando post. There is a fabulous hideaway and it happens to be right next to Starbucks! Just look for the Park Hacker Tip image near the bottom of the post.

Here’s a link to Disney’s page about Refreshment Port: Epcot Refreshment Port

Do you love croissant doughnuts? Or are you not sure what all the hype’s about? I’d love to hear your comments. Please leave a reply below.

Planning a trip to Disney World? Get my 55 top Disney World tips here!

Click here to listen to my free audio tour of Epcot on the Go Informed podcast.

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