Usenet 1994 October/usenetsourcesnewsgroupsinfomagicoctober1994disk1.iso/answers/disney-faq/part2

Internet Message Format | 1993-11-23 | 45KB

Path: senator-bedfellow.mit.edu!bloom-beacon.mit.edu!gatech!europa.eng.gtefsd.com!uunet!seismo!tanida
From: [e-mail] (Tom Tanida)
Newsgroups: rec.arts.disney,rec.answers,news.answers
Subject: rec.arts.disney FAQ, part 2
Followup-To: rec.arts.disney
Date: 22 Nov 1993 19:08:05 GMT
Organization: FDC Headquarters, ToonTown
Lines: 894
Approved: [e-mail]
Message-ID: <2cr2ml$[e-mail]>
Reply-To: [e-mail] (Tom Tanida)
NNTP-Posting-Host: beno.css.gov
Summary: FAQ for rec.arts.disney
Keywords: FAQ, disney
Originator: [e-mail]
Xref: senator-bedfellow.mit.edu rec.arts.disney:26040 rec.answers:3077 news.answers:14978

Archive-name: disney-faq/part2
Last-modified: 21 Nov 1993

Frequently Asked Questions List For rec.arts.disney, part 2
Version 2.5, last revised November 21, 1993

     This document is Copyright (c) 1993, by Tom Tanida.  It is intended
for public use, and may be redistributed freely in its original form.
     This is part two of the FAQ file for rec.arts.disney.  I have tried to
include the questions and threads which arise most often, as well as some
interesting facts.  Most of the information came from articles posted to
rec.arts.disney since July 1990, about the time the group was started,
although I'm missing quite a few articles from early on.  Other information
came from various books and magazines.  Your input to this list is highly
appreciated.
     The purpose of this list is to reduce the number of redundant
questions posted to rec.arts.disney and to provide a source of information
to Disney fans worldwide.  Personally, however, I would invite discussion
of questions included in this list if this list is not complete enough.
For example, one of the questions lists the voices of popular Disney
characters and where to find more info, but if the character is not listed
here, I would still encourage you to post and ask, especially if the
character is more obscure.  Also, I couldn't possibly write the "complete
guide to taking kids to the Disney Theme Parks" because there is no truly
complete guide (not to mention the fact that there are many good guide
books out there- see question 18).  So although I have offered some
information and advice in part two of this list (the information which is
most commonly suggested), I would still welcome discussion of the topic
since everybody has their own opinions about what rides to go on, what to
see, when to go, what restaurants to eat at in the area, etc.
     Again, I hope that this list will reduce the amount of redundant
information posted to the net.  Even more strongly, I hope this list will
provide a unified source of information about Disney related material and
provide a valuable reference for all.

     This is part two of the list, consisting of general topics and
questions about the theme parks including some time critical information.
Part one of the list, a separate document, contains general topics and
questions with a separate section for time critical information.

     There are three sections:
        I.  A list of the questions in this part
       II.  Answers to Theme Park Questions
      III.  List of lists available upon request

     Send comments, corrections, suggestions, and inside information to:
[e-mail].  I am sure that no matter how long I work on this that
it will never be perfect, but it doesn't hurt to try.  :-)  If you prefer
CompuServe access, I'm at 76655,344.  On Prodigy I'm xgsn74a.  On America
Online, I'm TomTanida.  On the Sierra Network, I'm at mailbox 2173.  If you
would like to reach me by phone, my day number is (619)-546-6118.  The most
reliable way to reach me is via Internet, then CompuServe (especially if
the date on this document is many months old).

     If you would like a PostScript version of this document, which has
much better formatting, feel free to send me a request; I can either mail
it to you, or we can find a mutual FTP site.  The standard text version of
this FAQ, like all FAQs cross-posted to news.answers, is archived at
rtfm.mit.edu.  For information regarding how to FTP to rtfm.mit.edu, send
me e-mail; I've written a quick tutorial.  This document is maintained in
MS Word For Windows 2.0.
     Note: the Disneyland FAQ is available from me or its maintainer, Walt
Hoffman ([e-mail]), and via FTP from rtfm.mit.edu in
pub/usenet/news.answers/disney-faq.

Section I- Questions

Theme park questions:
1) What are the park hours?
2) What rides are currently shut down for refurbishing?  What current
     construction is going on?
3) What are the current prices at {WDW, Disneyland}?
4) How do I beat the crowds?
5) If I've been to the Magic Kingdom in WDW, what parts of Disneyland can I
     skip?
6) Where should I stay when visiting {WDW, Disneyland}?
7) What's the best time to go to {WDW, Disneyland}?
8) My child is 3 years old.  Is that old enough to enjoy Disneyland/WDW?
9) What are good attractions to take younger children to?
10) Other considerations for children (strollers, etc.)
11) Some interesting things to look for at the theme parks
12) Differences between the Magic Kingdom at WDW and Disneyland
13) Who created the music from the Main Street Electrical Parade?
14) What is SpectroMagic at Walt Disney World?
15) What is Fantasmic! at Disneyland?  How do I beat the crowds?
16) What is a "Character Breakfast"?
17) What is the Disney Vacation Club?
18) What are some good guide books on travel to {WDW/Disneyland?
19) What are "Hidden Mickeys"?  Where can I find some?

Other lists, available upon request:
1) Technical errors in Disney animated feature films (contact Robert Cook
     at [e-mail])
2) List of Jungle Cruise jokes
3) Misc trivia
4) Text of Club 33 brochures
5) Old articles on the Disney Vacation Club
6) Information on Celebration, Disney's Florida community

Section II- Answers to Theme Park Questions

Theme park questions:

1) What are the park hours?

     Here are the WDW hours, for October through December.  Note that the
Main Street section of the Magic Kingdom at WDW will often open 30 minutes
to an hour ahead of the official opening time.

-----------------------------------------------------------------
Theme Park Operating Hours for November 1993 - December 1993
-----------------------------------------------------------------

***  HOURS AND ENTERTAINMENT SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE  ****

-----------------------------------------------------------------------
MAGIC KINGDOM
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
November 21 - 24 ............................... 10 am - 7 pm
November 25 .................................... 9 am - 9 pm
November 26 .................................... 9 am - 11 pm
November 27 .................................... 9 am - 10 pm
November 28 - December 2 ....................... 10 am - 7 pm
December 3 - 4 ................................. 10 am - 6 pm
December 5 - 9 ................................. 10 am - 7 pm
December 10 - 11 ............................... 10 am - 6 pm
December 12 - 17 ............................... 10 am - 7 pm
December 18 .................................... 9 am - 9 pm
December 19 - 23 ............................... 9 am - 10 pm
December 24 .................................... 9 am - 6 pm
December 25 - 30 ............................... 8 am - 12 am
December 31 .................................... 8 am - 2 am

SpectroMagic:
     November 26 & 27 - 9pm
     December 19 - 23 - 9pm
     December 25 - 30 - 9pm & 11pm
Fireworks:
     October 2, 9, 16, 23 & 30 - 10pm
     November 6, 13, 20, 26 & 27 - 9pm
     December 19 - 23, 25 - 30 - 10pm
     December 31 - 12 am
Christmas Cavalcade:
     November 26 - December 17 - 3pm
Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party:
     December 3, 4, 10, 11 - 8pm - 1am
Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Parade:
     December 18 - 31 - 2pm
Candlelight Processional
     December 19, 20 - 7pm
Florida AAA Days:
     October 15 - December 18
Four Season Salute:
     November 29 - December 18

-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DISNEY-MGM STUDIOS THEME PARK
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
November 21 - 24 ............................... 10 am - 7 pm
November 25 - 27 ............................... 9 am - 7 pm
November 28 - December 17 ...................... 10 am - 6 pm
December 18 .................................... 9 am - 6 pm
December 19 - 23 ............................... 9 am - 8 pm
December 25 - 30 ............................... 8 am - 11 pm
December 31 .................................... 8 am - 2 am

Aladdin's Royal Caravan:
     September 6 - December 24 - 1 pm
     December 25 - 27 - 11am & 3:30pm
     December 28 - 30 - 11am, 3pm & 5pm
     December 31 - 11am & 3pm
Sorcery in the Sky:
     December 20 - 23 - 7:50pm
     December 25 - 30 - 10:50pm
     December 31 - 11:45pm
Florida AAA Days:
     October 15 - December 18
Four Season Salute:
     November 29 - December 18

-----------------------------------------------------------------------
EPCOT CENTER
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
October 1 - November 24 ........................ 10 am - 9 pm
November 25 - 27 ............................... 9 am - 9 pm
November 28 - December 17 ...................... 10 am - 8 pm
December 18 - 23 ............................... 9 am - 9 pm
December 24 .................................... 9 am - 6 pm
December 25 - 30 ............................... 8 am - 11 pm
December 31 .................................... 8 am - 2 am

Illuminations:
     September 1 - November 27 - 9 pm
     November 28 - December 17 - 8 pm
     December 18 - 23 - 9 pm
     December 25 - 30 - 10 pm
     December 31 - 11:45 pm
Florida AAA Days:
     October 15 - December 18
Four Season Salute:
     November 29 - December 18

     For Disneyland hours, consult the Disneyland FAQ.
     There is a WESTCOT preview center open at the Disneyland Hotel
complex, Mondays and Wednesdays, 2pm - 8pm.

2) What rides are currently shut down for refurbishing?  What current
     construction is going on?

     If there's someone out there who regularly goes to WDW and is willing
to keep the group updated, here's a big chance to help out.

     Here's some information for Florida:
Refurbishment:
     - AT&T Spaceship Earth (EPCOT): updates and other changes, subject to
          Fall closure
     - GE Horizons: closed for redesign
     - Carrousel of Progress: subject to closure 8/15/93 to 11/5/93
     - Dumbo (MK): closed to be replaced with a larger version, 8/23/93 to
          11/19/93
     - It's a Small World (MK): subject to closure 9/13/93 to 11/18/93
     - America Gardens Theater: closed to add new stage cover, 7/31/93 to
          10/24/93
     - Mission to Mars: now closed.  This is being converted to an Alien
          Encounter ride.
     - Hall of Presidents: subject to closure 10/11 to 11/16 for the
          addition of the Clinton figure
     - Listen to the Land: subject to closure 9/27 to 12/17 (changes to
          scenes)
     - Expo Robotics (Communicore): closed permanently
     - Backstage Magic (Communicore): closed permanently

Under Construction:
     - Sunset Boulevard (MGM Studios)- estimated opening May 1994
     - All Star Resort, Disney's economy hotel ($65/night for 2 adults),
          opening May 1994
     - Discoveryland (MK)
     -Wilderness Lodge: mid-May 94
     - Celebration, in Osceola County, Florida; Phase 1 will open in 1995.

     Otherwise, you can contact the respective theme parks directly.  The
number for Disneyland is (714)-999-4565.  WDW: (407)-824-4321

3) What are the current prices at {WDW, Disneyland}?

     The following table lists prices for Passports to WDW.  If staying at
a Disney resort, you may benefit if you can find a package deal that
includes lodging and a passport.

     Passport type          General   General   MKC       MKC
                            Public,   Public,   Member,   Member,
                            adult     child     adult     child
     Six Day Super Duper    $192.36   $152.50   $182.69   $144.86
        Pass
     Five Day Super Duper   $170      $135      $161.50   $128.25
        Pass
     Four Day Super Pass    $125      $98       $120      $93
     Annual Passport, new   $199      $174      $184      $164
     Annual Passport,       $179      $154      $164      $144
        renew
     Annual Passport,       $31       $31       $28.50    $28.50
        River Country &
        Discovery Island
        add-on
     Annual Passport        $63       $63       $56.75    $56.75
        Typhoon Lagoon add-
        on
     Annual Passport        $26       $26       $20       $20
        Pleasure Island
        add-on
     "Be Our Guest"         $77       $61       $73.15    $57.95
        passport (1n/2d)
     "Be Our Guest"         $112      $89       $106.40   $84.55
        passport (2n/3d)
     "Be Our Guest"         $146      $115      $138.70   $109.25
        passport (3n/4d)
     "Be Our Guest"         $170      $135      $161.50   $128.25
        passport (4n/5d)
     "Be Our Guest"         $193      $153      $183.33   $145.36
        passport (5n/6d)
     One-day, one park      $35       $28       $32.97    $25.97
        ticket
     Pleasure Island, one   $13.95    N/A       $11.85    N/A
        day
     Pleasure Island,       $36.95    N/A       $33.45    N/A
        annual pass
     Pleasure Island,       $31.95    N/A       $28.45    N/A
        annual pass renew
     Typhoon Lagoon, one    $20.50    $16.50    $18.50    $14.75
        day
     Typhoon Lagoon,        $78.75    $78.75    $70.50    $70.50
        annual pass
     River Country, one     $13.25    $10.50    $12.00    $9.25
        day
     River Country, annual  $52.50    $52.50    $47.25    $47.25
        pass
     Discovery Island, one  $8.50     $4.75     $7.75     $4.25
        day
     River                  $16.75    $12.25    $15.25    $11
        Country/Discovery
        Island combo


Notes: The above prices are subject to the Florida state sales tax of 6%.
A child is of the ages 3-9.  The above list was current as of September 17,
1993.
     The Six Day Super Duper Pass is only available only to guests staying
at the WDW Swan, WDW Dolphin and WDW Village Hotel Plaza resorts, and
includes admission to Typhoon Lagoon, River Country, Pleasure Island and
Discovery Island.
     For the "Be Our Guest" passports above, the numbers represent the
nights and days  (e.g. (4n/5d) = 4 nights and 5 days).   These passports
are for Disney Resort Hotel guests only, and include unlimited access to
the three theme parks, Pleasure Island, Typhoon Lagoon, River Country,
Discovery Island.  There are longer durations available, but after a
certain price point it might be more economical to purchase an annual pass
with separate admissions to the individual minor parks.
     Magic Years Member prices are the same as the MKC prices.

Taken from the MKC price guide, with help from Len Goldberg
([e-mail]):
     A Five Day Super Duper Pass includes unlimited admission to the Disney-
MGM Studios Theme Park, Magic Kingdom Park and EPCOT Center any five days
with no expiration date.  Plus unlimited admission for seven days to
Typhoon Lagoon, River Country, Discovery Island and Pleasure Island (valid
for seven days after first visit to Magic Kingdom Park, EPCOT Center or the
Disney-MGM Studios Theme Park).  It also includes unlimited use of the
transportation system linking the parks.
     A Four Day Super Pass is the same as the Five Day, but does not include
admission to the minor parks.
     An Annual Passport includes twelve months of unlimited admission to the
Disney-MGM Studios Theme Park, the Magic Kingdom Park and EPCOT Center
during regular operating hours.  It also includes special advance
reservation privileges for Walt Disney World restaurants, free parking and
unlimited use of the transportation system linking the Parks.  Annual
Passport holders can purchase separate admissions to the minor parks to
supplement their passport.  These expire at the same time the passport does.
     A One-Day One Park Ticket includes one day's admission to either the
Disney-MGM Studios Theme Park, Magic Kingdom Park or EPCOT Center and bus
transportation between the Transportation and Ticket Center, and Magic
Kingdom Park, EPCOT Center or the Disney-MGM Studios Theme Park.
     There are also six, seven and eight day Super Duper Passes, which can
only be purchased at the resorts themselves.
     Parking is $5 per car.

For Disneyland, here is a current price guide (as of June 1, 1993):

     Passport type         General       MKC Club Members
                           Public
     Adult, 1 day/2        $30/55/75     $28/51/69
        day/3 day
     Child (3-11), 1       $24/44/60     $22/40/54
        day/2 day/3 day
     Seasonal Passport,    $105          $95
        adult
     Seasonal Passport,    $85           $75
        child (3-11)
     Annual Passport,      $195          $180
        adult
     Annual Passport,      $155          $140
        child (3-11)

     Parking in the Disneyland parking lot is an additional $5 per car.
The Seasonal Passport can be used from September 1 through May 31,
excluding Saturdays and December 25-31.  Unlimited parking is an additional
$17.50.  Annual Passports include unlimited parking, and are good for one
year from the date of issue.

4) How do I beat the crowds?

     One of the best strategies is to arrive early, before the park opens.
An hour after opening is too late, by then, the lines have built up to a
full frenzy.  Another strategy, generally for those without kids, is to
take on the more popular rides late in the evening (after 9 pm, through
midnight, if you're there at the time of year when the park is open late).
Also, the lines do shorten a little during major shows (the Main Street
Electrical Parade, SpectroMagic at WDW, or Fantasmic! at Disneyland) and
during dinner time.

For Disneyland (from the Disneyland FAQ):
     Start by selecting a good day to go (see question #7, below).
     Fantasmic! has made nighttime on the west side of the park very
unpredictable.  Tremendous numbers of people show up. During the shows,
lines for attractions are quite short (especially when the Electrical
Parade is also running).  When the show is over, many people avoid the
herding affect by jumping into one of the nearest lines:  Splash Mountain,
Haunted Mansion, Pirates of the Caribbean, Jungle Cruise, and Big Thunder
Mountain Railroad.
     Space Mountain is long most of the day and into the night, so first
thing early morning is usually your best bet.  Ditto Rocket Jets.  Star
Tours will shorten significantly in the late evening (when the line is
completely inside, you're in good shape).  Splash Mountain is good when
it's raining or right before the park closes (avoid it when it backs up
beyond the Briar Patch shop).  An early-morning dash might also be a good
idea (since it's at the back of the park).  After dinner, the "kiddie"
rides in Fantasyland shorten a bit, but not much.  Dumbo, Alice in
Wonderland, Peter Pan, and Mr. Toad will remain popular, but there will be
almost no line for Snow White's Scary Adventures or Pinocchio's Daring
Journey.  Skyway line is almost always shorter from Fantasyland to
Tomorrowland than the other way around.  Small World should usually be a
walk-on; if it's not, come back later.  Country Bear Jamboree almost never
takes long.
     Crossing the parade route is possible but time consuming.  Plan which
side of the park you want to be on during the parade and get there early.
If you must cross, consider using the Disneyland RR or the Skyway.  Parade
crossing zones north of the Matterhorn are usually less congested than the
one at the Hub.  Main Street is tough (though not impossible) to negotiate
during popular parades.

5) If I've been to the Magic Kingdom in WDW, what parts of Disneyland can I
     skip?

     The answer here is taken from the Disneyland FAQ:
     There are subtle differences in almost every corner of the park.  If
you're a Disney aficionado, you'll want to check out everything.  If you're
pressed for time, you can skip the following:
     - Haunted Mansion (I hate to admit it, but WDW's is better)
     - People Mover (more primitive)
     - Monorail (unless you want to go to the Disneyland Hotel)
     - Submarine Voyage (nearly identical to WDW's except for order of
          presentation and absence of little Jules Verne nuances)
     - Skyway (useful for getting around, especially during parades)
     - Captain EO
     - Circle Vision 360 (same as at WDW)
     - Autopias
     - Small World (biggest difference is the exterior facade)
     - Country Bear Jamboree (virtually identical but DL has 2 theaters)
     - Golden Horseshoe Revue (same show, different finale)
Tough calls:  (similar, yet different and worth experiencing)
     - Space Mountain
     - Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
     - Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln (a trimmed down version of the Hall
          of Presidents)
     - Splash Mountain
Whatever you do, don't miss out on:
     - Fantasmic!
     - Star Tours (unless you've been on the one in Disney/MGM Studios)
     - Matterhorn Bobsleds
     - Jungle Cruise (my DL experiences have far surpassed the one at WDW)
     - Pirates of the Caribbean (parts are identical, but DL is better)
     - Disney Art Gallery (above Pirates)
     - Disneyland RR between Tomorrowland & Main Street for Grand Canyon
          and Primeval World dioramas (not quite as impressive as EPCOT's
          World of Energy dinosaurs)

The parade route is different.  North of Main Street, Disneyland parades
proceed north along the east side of the Castle up to It's a Small World.
WDW MK parades turn at the Hub, heading through Liberty Square and
Frontierland.

6) Where should I stay when visiting {WDW, Disneyland}?

     For first time guests, especially those with kids, I recommend an
on-site resort in order to make the transition easier.  At Disneyland, the
Disneyland hotel features the monorail; it is *very* convenient to flash
your passport and hop on to go to the park, then hop back on in
Tomorrowland to return to the hotel when you need a break.  Likewise, the
Contemporary Resort, among others, also feature easy Monorail-to-park
access.
     For those without kids, or experienced travelers, off-site hotels can
be cheaper.  Although they won't feature the amenities of the more
expensive hotels, this may be better if you're looking to save money and
aren't interested in spending much time in your room (aside from sleeping).
Be sure to check out vacation packages, however, before giving up on the
Disney hotels.
     Birnbaum's Official Guide books give decent listings of the resort
hotels, including phone numbers and addresses.
     For information regarding lodging in the Anaheim area, you may contact
the Anaheim Area Visitor and Convention Bureau at 800 W. Katella Ave.,
Anaheim, CA 92802.  Phone: [phone].

7) What's the best time to go to {WDW, Disneyland}?

     For WDW, here's a quick and dirty table, from best to worst:
     1) October, through a week before Christmas, except Thanksgiving
     2) Post New Years through a couple weeks before Easter
     3) Post Easter through Memorial Day
     4) President's Day weekend
     5) Spring Break week (the week up to and including Easter)
     6) Memorial Day through the end of Summer
     7) Thanksgiving weekend
     8) Christmas through the New Year

8) My child is 3 years old.  Is that old enough to enjoy Disneyland/WDW?

     As always, it depends on the kids and the patience of the parent.  Two
or three is about a minimum age (otherwise, the child is pretty much just
along for the ride), but even children this young can get quite a bit of
enjoyment from the visit.  Children of this age might enjoy meeting the
characters (in the park, or at a Character Breakfast (see #16 below)), and
some of the milder rides.  Detracting from the enjoyment would be the
patience of the kids waiting in line for the rides; you probably know how
to judge/handle your own child's patience levels better than I do.  :-)
     To fully appreciate Disneyland/WDW, seven or so is probably a better
age.

Some info from the Disneyland FAQ:
     Kids age 2 and under are free.  Strollers may be rented, but many
people prefer to bring their own.  Some rides have height and age
requirements.
   Big Thunder Mountain Railroad      40+ inches/42+ inches at WDW
   Space Mountain                     40+ inches/44+ inches at WDW
   Autopia (alone)                    52+ inches
   Autopia (w/ adult)                 1+ years
   Splash Mountain                    3+ years and 40+ inches/44+
                                      inches at WDW
   Star Tours (alone)                 7+ years
   Star Tours (w/ adult)              3+ years
   Matterhorn Bobsleds (alone)        7+ years
   Matterhorn Bobsleds (w/ adult)     3+ years

Children under 7 are supposed to be accompanied on other attractions as
well (Snow White's Scary Adventures, The Haunted Mansion, etc.)

9) What are good attractions to take younger children to?

     (I'll take "younger" to mean below 5 years of age here.)
     Almost always OK:
     Jungle Cruise
     Swiss Family Treehouse (though some find this too dull and crowded)
     Dumbo
     It's A Small World
     Peter Pan's Flight
     PeopleMover
     Walt Disney World/Disneyland Railroad
     Mickey's Starland Show (WDW)
     Country Bear Jamboree
     Tom Sawyer's Island (WDW)
     Cinderella's Carousel
     Journey Into Imagination (EPCOT)
     Kitchen Cabaret (EPCOT)
     Universe of Energy (EPCOT)
     Disney Animation Tour (Disney-MGM)
     Anything in the EPCOT World Showcase, with the possible exception of
          the Norway Maelstrom ride.

     Possible fright factor:
     Haunted Mansion
     Tea Cups (motion sickness)
     Mr. Toad's Wild Ride (not as wild as the name suggests, but still
          rough)
     Space Mountain
     Star Tours
     Enchanted Tiki Room
     Captain EO (I'd be wary of the volume)
     Pirates of the Caribbean (can be threatening to the unaware, includes
          a couple of plunges)
     Body Wars (EPCOT; can be generally nauseating to people of any age)
     The Great Movie Ride (Disney-MGM- potential surprises)
     Snow White Ride (featuring the rather scary queen popping out of the
          dark)

     As always with kids, your mileage may vary; a good strategy would be
to start with the milder rides and work your kid up to more "aggressive"
rides if you think they're up to it.  Certain aspects of a ride may
frighten children, such as immersion in darkness (Pirates of the
Caribbean).
     Also note that meeting Disney characters themselves is not a given, as
some kids can be terrified of a gigantic Mickey or Goofy.  Start from a
distance and work forward.
     There is a "fright factor" chart in the 1992 edition of the Unofficial
Guide to Walt Disney World, by Bob Sehlinger (see question #18 for a list
of guide books).

10) Other considerations for children (strollers, etc.)

     (This question may be broken up and expanded to include phone numbers
and specific locations in the future.)
     Physical health: In the summer months especially at WDW, it is easy
for kids (and adults) to get sunburned and dehydrated.  Bring along plenty
of bottled water (much better than sugary sodas) and sunscreen; with the
crowds you'll otherwise have to stand in line at the refreshment stands or
drinking fountains, and if it's a hot day, you might have to stop often.
Also guard against blisters (use broken-in shoes and consider two pairs of
thin socks over one pair of thick socks).  Make note of the First Aid
centers (there is one in each of the three theme parks).
     Temperament:  It's up to you, the parent to keep your temper.  It
might not be easy, given the crowds and the long waits for certain rides,
the heat, etc.  The best thing to do is to make sure you enjoy yourself.
Maximizing your vacation is not a matter of cramming yourself on as many
rides as possible: it's a good idea, especially with kids, to take time out
for a breather periodically (not just standing in line).  Find a place to
sit down with some ice cream, or even return to the hotel room after lunch
for a short nap.
     Strollers: Strollers are available for rent at each of the theme
parks.  The stroller centers are near the entrances, and the process of
getting a stroller is fairly quick and easy.  Rule number one is to keep
your receipt.  Rule number two is to keep your receipt (and don't keep it
in the stroller itself).  It's easy for your stroller to get swiped- not
because there are roving packs of stroller thieves, but because people
might mistake your stroller for theirs.  If this should happen, you can go
to the stroller center, show your receipt, and get a new one (they won't
charge you to replace it).  A good idea is to attach something to the
stroller that will uniquely identify it as yours (nothing of great value,
of course), such as a piece of paper with your name on it or a bright
scarf.  The stroller staff at WDW currently do take your name and put it on
a card which is attached to the stroller itself.
     Baby-sitting services:  There aren't any services inside the parks
themselves, but there are child care services at the resorts.  In general,
you must have a reservation.  They can be expensive (e.g. $6 per hour, with
an $18 minimum), but include free video games, Disney movies, games and
activities, and visits by a Disney character each night.  They accept kids
from 3-12 years of age.  There is also a "Fairy Godmother" service
available (also not cheap), who will come to your room at any hour of the
day, 24 hours a day, and can even take care of your pet.
     Infants/Toddlers:  All of the theme parks have Baby Care services,
which have everything you need for changing diapers, making formula, etc.
Supplies for purchase can be found at these places as well.
     Lost children:  You may or may not be surprised at how easy it is to
get your child lost.  When you exit rides and shows, you should take your
child by the hand to make sure they don't get lost in the bustle of people
exiting.  Also keep in mind there may be more than one exit to a bathroom;
should your child wander out of the one you don't expect, he or she may
find themselves to be lost.  Also keep track of your kids during parades-
they might otherwise wander off while trying to get a better viewpoint.

11) Some interesting things to look for at the theme parks

     WDW:
     Hidden Mickeys: list available separately- see question #19, below.

     Disneyland:
     - The Park Entrance, designed to look like a red carpet
     - Apartment above the Disneyland Fire Station; apartment in the fourth
          floor of the Castle; offices above Main Street
     - The names on the windows on the second story of the buildings on
          Main Street.  These are named for notable people who were
          involved in the creation of Disneyland.
     - The Disney Gallery, above Pirates of the Caribbean in New Orleans
          Square, of interest to those into animation
     - Telegraph operator at Frontierland/New Orleans Square station, which
          types out a Morse code version of Walt's opening day speech
     - The Club 33 entrance, at New Orleans Square, near the Blue Bayou
          restaurant
     - The Haunted Mansion knight
     - Snow White's Grotto, to the right of the Castle before you enter
          Fantasyland.  Note the song in the Wishing Well.  Also note the
          dwarves are the same size as Snow White.
     - Platform where Tinkerbell lands as the Fantasy in the Sky fireworks
          begin; a fort tower located behind the Frontierland buildings
          hidden by trees, where she slams into some mattresses at the end
     - Infrared sensor bathrooms, located near Videopolis, which turn the
          water on when you put your hands under the faucet, and flush the
          toilets when you step away
     - Paul Reubens (Pee-Wee Herman) as the voice of the pilot of Star
          Tours
     - Leslie Neilson (of Police Squad/Naked Gun fame) as one of the
          singing heads in the Haunted Mansion

12) Differences between the Magic Kingdom at WDW and Disneyland

The following are found only at the Magic Kingdom at WDW:
     The Hall of Presidents (Liberty Square)
     Dreamflight (Tomorrowland)
     Carousel of Progress (Tomorrowland)
     Mickey's Starland
     SpectroMagic (Main Street)
The following are found only at Disneyland:
     Great Moments With Mr. Lincoln (Main Street)
     Sailing Ship Columbia (Frontierland)
     Big Thunder Ranch (Frontierland)
     The Story of Sleeping Beauty (Fantasyland)
     Pinocchio's Daring Journey (Fantasyland)
     Casey Jr. Circus Train (Fantasyland)
     Storybook Land Canal Boats (Fantasyland)
     Alice In Wonderland (Fantasyland)
     Matterhorn Bobsleds (Fantasyland)
     Motor Boat Cruise (Fantasyland)
     Star Tours (Tomorrowland; these are at the MGM studios in Florida)
     Main Street Electrical Parade (Main Street)

     At WDW, Space Mountain, the Castles in Fantasyland (which are bigger)
are considered better than their counterparts at Disneyland.  The
Disneyland Railroad features the Grand Canyon Diorama and Primeval World,
not found at the Magic Kingdom in WDW, and Pirates of the Caribbean is much
longer at Disneyland.  The Magic Kingdom at WDW also has the advantage of
having much larger pathways, having been built with large crowds in mind.
Disneyland has more of the details (see also Question #11) and personality
that Walt added.  See also the Disneyland FAQ.

13) Who created the music from the Main Street Electrical Parade?

     The music, which is titled "Baroque Hoedown," was written by Jean-
Jacques Perry and Gershon Kingsley.  The electronically synthesized version
which you hear during the parade was arranged and performed by Don Dorsey,
noted synthesizer performer.
     The introduction, as the music starts:
          "Ladies and Gentlemen, Boys and Girls
          Disneyland proudly presents
          Our spectacular festival pageant of nighttime magic and
          imagination
          In thousands of sparkling lights and electro-syntho-magnetic
          musical sounds
          The Main Street Electrical Parade!"
     Incidentally, you can request a summary of the parade with a
description of each of the floats from Disneyland Guest Relations via mail.
(Unfortunately, I lost my summary, but it was probably out of date anyway,
as the parade changes slightly on an annual basis.)
     The soundtrack to the Main Street Electrical Parade is available on at
least three different albums: the Fantasmic! soundtrack (Disneyland Records
and Tapes, DIDX 013173); the "Music of Disneyland, Walt Disney World, and
EPCOT Center" soundtrack (Disneyland Records and Tapes, CD-007); and "The
Music of Disney: A Legacy in Song," which is the 3 CD boxed set.  The
Fantasmic! soundtrack's version is the most complete by far.

14) What is SpectroMagic at Walt Disney World?

     SpectroMagic at WDW is the successor to the Main Street Electrical
Parade.  It use fiber optics and live costumed actors and, like the Main
Street Electrical Parade, features floats of varying themes.  Opinions on
SpectroMagic being better than the Electrical Parade vary.

15) What is Fantasmic! at Disneyland?  How do I beat the crowds?

     Fantasmic! is somewhat like a stage show, but with dazzling
pyrotechnics.  It is performed nightly at the south end of Tom Sawyer's
Island (you can't miss it- just look for the thousands of people standing
around at show time).  There are individual sequences with various themes
from Disney's history, with particular emphasis on the animated films.
These sequences are tied together by the main plot of Mickey's imagination
being overrun by the evil forces of Queen Maleficent (from Sleeping
Beauty), Ursula (The Little Mermaid), the Queen from Snow White, among
others.  To date, it has been extremely popular, making it difficult to
obtain a good view.
     Incidentally, there is a Fantasmic! soundtrack available, which also
includes the full soundtrack to the Main Street Electrical Parade (it's
more up to date than the version included on the "Music of Disneyland, Walt
Disney World, and EPCOT Center" album released in 1990).  Unfortunately,
the only place I've seen this sold is at Disneyland itself, but if anyone
reading this knows where else it can be found off the shelf, drop me a
line.  You can order the soundtrack from Disneyland Merchandise Services,
at (800)-362-4533.
     Fantasmic! is closed until mid-November.

16) What is a "Character Breakfast"?

     A "Character Breakfast" is a breakfast held at specific locations
early in the day where you (and your kids, of course) have the opportunity
to eat breakfast while meeting popular Disney characters.  They are held at
different locations (listed below).  Some locations need a reservation in
advance. They do cost a little extra (around $10 for adults), but kids
under 3 eat free, and kids 3-11 eat at reduced children's rates (around
$6-7).  All of the characters come and visit every table, so there is no
pushing and shoving to meet them.  There are also Character Brunches and
Dinners, also included below.  Young kids generally *love* these.

     Location             Time          Notes
     Contemporary         8-11 am       No reservations
        Resort:
        Contemporary
        Cafe (WDW)
     Disney Beach Club:   7:30-11 am    No reservations
        Cape May
        Restaurant (WDW)
     Dolphin Hotel:       Th, Su 8:30a- Reservations: (407)-934-4085
        Ristorante        12:30p
        Carnevale (WDW)
     Grand Floridian:     7:30-noon     Reservations: (407)-824-2383
        1900 Park Fare
        (Breakfast)
     Grand Floridian:     5-9 pm        Reservations: (407)-824-2383.
        1900 Park Fare                    $18 adults, $9 children.
        (Dinner)
     Pleasure Island:     8:30 am       Reservations: (407)-934-7639
        Empress Lilly     seating,
        Riverboat (WDW)   10:30 am
                          seating
     Polynesian Resort:   7:30-10:30    Reservations: (407)-824-1391
        Tangaroa Terrace  am
        (WDW)
     Stargate Restaurant  until 11 am   Counter-eatery; no
        (EPCOT)                           reservations; not
                                          necessary to purchase
                                          anything
     Swan Hotel: Garden   W, Sa 8-11    No reservations.  Info:
        Grove (WDW)       am              (407)-934-1281
     Tomorrowland         7:30-10 am    Exclusive to those who get
        Terrace, in WDW                   this as part of a package;
                                          early admission to park
                                          with voucher
     WDW Village: Chef    5:30-10 pm    Better than average food, but
        Mickey's Village                  you only get to meet
        Restaurant                        Mickey.
     Disneyland Hotel,    7:30-10 am    Contact the hotel for exact
        Disneyland                        information
     Plaza Inn,           7:30-10 am    No reservations
        Disneyland

     This information is probably incomplete, as I suspect WDW/Disneyland
change their schedules and add and delete locations.  It might be a good
idea to check with your hotel (if it's a Disney resort) or the Guest
Relations of the park you will be visiting (see question #99 in part 1 of
the FAQ for phone numbers).

17) What is the Disney Vacation Club?

     The Disney Vacation Club is a like a time-sharing resort.
Essentially, you purchase a certain amount of points, then use those points
to stay at Disney Vacation Homes on the Walt Disney World property.  The
minimum buy-in is currently 230 points at $56 per point (or $12,880) as of
November, 1992.  Where you stay and what time of year you go determines how
many points you use- you can choose a studio (sleeps 4), a one (sleeps 4)
or two (sleeps 8) bedroom houses, or a Grand Villas.(sleeps 12).  It is up
to you to choose where and when to go (reservations are required, of
course).  You may also stay at selected Walt Disney World hotels as well.
     If you'd like a copy of some articles discussing the DVC (which were
previously used to answer this question in the FAQ) send me e-mail at
[e-mail].

You can get more information by calling (800)-800-9100, or (407)-WDW-3100
(the latter if you in Florida) between 7 am and 5 pm ET, seven days a week.
You can also write to:
     Disney Vacation Club at
     The Walt Disney World Resort
     6751 Forum Drive Suite 220
     Orlando, FL 32821-9900
If you call or write, you can request to receive brochures, which include
floor plans, complete tables with the point allocations.

18) What are some good guide books on travel to Walt Disney
     World/Disneyland?

     There are a couple of useful guides written by some members of the
Internet (and r.a.d, of course) community.  They include "The Very
Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World" by Todd McCartney, at
[e-mail], and some suggestions for planning a trip to WDW
by Bill Ellett, at [e-mail].
     Guide books can be found in the Travel section of your favorite
bookstore.  They are generally grouped under the California (for
Disneyland) or Florida (for WDW) sections, which is under "domestic
travel."
     The best all around guide for planning your trip and finding good
advice is probably one of the The Unofficial Guide books by Bob Sehlinger.
(In fact, a lot of the information in this part of the FAQ was derived from
these books.)  The Fodor's travel guide is not very useful, except perhaps
for restaurants in the area.  The "Official" guide books are OK as
references to the various services at the parks and have some trivia about
the rides that might be interesting reading while standing in line.

Birnbaum, Steven, Guide to Disneyland
     Avon Books, updated yearly
Birnbaum, Stephen. Birnbaum's Walt Disney World
     Hyperion and Hearst Business Publishing, updated annually
     ISBN: 1-56282-946-7 (1993 ed.)
Labeled as the "official" Disney sanctioned guide.

Ritz, Stacy, Disney World and Beyond
     Ulysses Press
     ISBN 0-915233-37-1

Sehlinger, Bob, The Unofficial Guide to Disneyland
     Prentice Hall Travel, updated yearly
Sehlinger, Bob, The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World and EPCOT
     Prentice Hall Travel, updated yearly
     ISBN 0-13-953944-1
Thorough, including sections on preparations for kids, evaluations of every
ride, and clever strategies for waiting in line.  A must get.

Wiley, Kim Wright, Walt Disney World With Kids
     Prima Publishing
     ISBN 1-55958-140-9
Another good one for those going to WDW with children.  Written by an
experienced mom.

19) What are "Hidden Mickeys"?  Where can I find some?

     Hidden Mickeys, found at the theme parks, are simply Mickey Mouse
images, either the "mouse ear" pattern or a full figure, that exist in
places you normally wouldn't notice them unless you were looking.  They
were brought to wide-scale attention in the Winter 1991 Disney News, which
featured "the Secrets of Walt Disney World."  Some examples given in this
article include: Mickey ears on the manhole covers; a Mickey constellation
in the geosphere of Starship Earth; a Mickey in the mural of Body Wars;
Mouse ears on one of the Vikings in Norway's Maelstrom attraction in the
World Showcase; and a Mickey Mouse cookie cutter in one of the baskets in
front of one of the worker droids in Star Tours.
     Stan Sroka, at [e-mail], has been keeping lists of Hidden
Mickeys for both theme parks.  Send him e-mail for the latest list, and be
sure to send him your contributions/discoveries as well.


Section III- Other lists and info, available upon request:

1) Technical errors in Disney animated feature films - contact Robert Cook
     ([e-mail]) on this one.  If I get my act together
     someday, I plan to contribute some posted to r.a.d in late 1990.
2) List of Jungle Cruise jokes (from Geoff Allen)
3) Misc trivia quizzes
4) Text of Club 33 brochures
5) Old articles on the Disney Vacation Club
6) Information on Celebration, Disney's Florida community
7) Disney Film Availability List- lists all the animated feature films and
their availability status on video