Disney Tips

We hope the following tips make your trip more enjoyable:

1.When going to Disneyworld parks do not pay the $15.00 a day parking fee per park instead park at Downtown Disney inside Disneyworld and park close to the Cirque du Soleil Building It is a big white building behind it you will find the Disney Transportation Centre just like a normal bus depot each bus will be marked with there destination so if you are going to Epcot look for the Epcot bus the bus will drop you right in front of the gates and it is FREE.

2.When leaving the Condo and going to Disneyworld there is a shortcut leave the resort and when you hit Formosa Gardens turn left take for 3 minutes until you hit the 192 west ( Red Lobster on the corner) turn right onto the 192 west get in the far left lane go about 1/4 mile on your left hand side turn left onto Sherbuth Street take sherbuth about 1/2 mile to Osceola Parkway turn right and you are inside Disneyworld follow the signs to where you are going. On your way out get back to Osceola Parkway and do the exact same turn left onto Sherbuth to the 192 west turn right on the 192 west go 1/4 mile turn left onto Formosa Gardens back to Windsor Palms.

3.Firework Shows there are 2 shows you cannot miss Magic Kingdom Fireworks and Epcot Firework Show called Illuminations usually go off at 8 or 9 pm check the daily Disney brochures for times . For the Magic kingdom show we have a great tip that will save you tons of time and will get you another show for Free if the fireworks go off at 9 pm go to the Grand Floridian Resort you will see how to get there by using the Disney Maps or get off at this stop by the monorail if driving just tell security guard ( need to have your drivers license) you are coming to see the hotel or getting something to eat he will tell you where to park FREE When you get to the Grand Floridian Hotel give yourself some time to walk around the hotel it truly is incredible but at 8:30 for a 9 pm show head outside past the pool and towards the Narcoses' Restaurant behind this Restaurant there is a boat dock if you get there early enough you will get to view the electric float parade that is done on the water pretty cool show with all the Disney music set on the water kids love this show At 9 pm watch Cinderella's Castle and you will have the best spot to watch the show and the best thing is you do not have to be in the park and deal with all the people leaving at the same time when the firework are over . Epcot Fireworks Show you have to be in Epcot to enjoy this show get to Countries of the world and pick out a great spot my favorite location is on the Bridge close to England get there 45 minutes early to get the best spot also if you want to really see it at its best make a dinner reservation at one of the countries of the World Restaurants that has an un obstructed view I again like the England pub as the best choice but you must make reservations and request a table by the water if possible. Enjoy the show but here is another great tip for you to save time DO NOT follow all the people TOWARDS THE MAIN EXIT when the show is over head towards the England pavilion and there is a back exit out of the Park that takes you to Disney Boardwalk ( just ask someone if you cannot find it ) when you leave Epcot you will walk to Disney's Boardwalk which is one of those places that most people do not even know about it is spectacular and allot of fun when you are finished at Boardwalk head towards the disney buses and take the bus back to Downtown Disney to get your car or go for a walk around downtown Disney it is incredible at night.

4.While everyone loves Disney the most popular parks for all aged kids is now Universal Studios 15 minute drive from the condo you can get a 2 day 2 park pass for approx $89.00 on KGS Tickets the link is on my website in the "disney tickets" section. These parks have something for everyone and is much cheaper than Disney. Universal studios has rides such as ET, Men in Black , the Simpsons ride, Jaws , Tornado , Earthquake The Mummy ride , Shrek and in 2010 the Harry Potter ride fantastic park for everyone also they have a second park called Island Of Adventure if you like excitement do not miss this park The Hulk Coaster , Spiderman (my favorite ride) Jurassic Park Ripsaw Falls just to name a few great deal for the price they have a special on $89.00 for 2 day 2 park pass.

5.Shopping lots of great shops stay away from the gimmick souvenir shops because you can find it at much better prices at more reputable places which do not try to get you to a time share presentation. Here are my favorites Wal-Mart Super Store get onto Formosa gardens to the 192 west turn left onto the 192 for approx 5 to 6 miles look for Hwy 27 veer right onto 27 approx 1 minutes on your right hand side massive store with everything good place for your groceries and souvenirs. Target turn left onto the 192 west from Formosa Gardens approx 3 minutes on left hand side big store lots of good restaurants as well Olive Garden and the Longhorn steak house Publix Grocery store right on the corner of the 192 and Formosa gardens also an Outback steak house in the same mall convenient grocery store but expensive I prefer the Wal-Mart mentioned above. The Loop (my favorite ) do not miss the loop there is a store in the loop called Kohl's if you plan to buy Mens or Women's clothes do not miss it best prices and good quality stuff bet you cannot leave within 5 minutes To get to the Loop refer to the Disney shortcut from the Condo when you get on Osceola Parkway turn right onto it from Sherbuth and just keep taking it thru Disney will turn into a highway you know you are close when you hit a toll it will be on your left takes approx 15 minutes lots of great stores in this area and restaurants mentioned later. Millennium Mall about 20 minutes from the condo but well worth the drive combine this visit with Dinner or Lunch because some great restaurants here To get there Formosa gardens to the 192 west turn right take for 5 minutes until the 1-4 to Orlando exit get on the 1-4 take for 20 minutes past Disney past Universal studios you will see the signs on your right hand side lots of stores and food do not miss the Cheesecake Factory or PF Changs You will see outlet stores some of them are on Vineland just off the 1-4 highway and the others are at the far end of International Drive nice way to spend an evening I find the prices very high.

6.Old Town if you have kids do not miss this or even if you do not have kids it is free and very fun to watch get onto Formosa Gardens turn right onto 192 keep straight for 10 minutes go over the 1-4 highway DO Not Take either of the I-4 exits for Orlando or Tampa just stay straight on the 192 this will take you to the other side of 192 just past Celebration on you right look for the lights go at night time much more fun make sure to check out the worlds highest bungee jump old time Carnival feeling.

7.Celebration great old nostalgic community used to be owned by Disney and the homes in here are incredible just drive around and see how the other half live make sure to make it to Downtown Celebration park you car and go for a walk early evening is best.

8.Restaurants this is only a few of the hundreds you can choose from the Disney restaurants are very expensive so we have found a few that are economical and great food. Breakfast Golden Coral Buffet take Formosa Gardens to the 192 Highway turn right on the 192 it is on your right side maybe 30 seconds Breakfast $7.99 all you can eat will keep you going all day long. Bravo Fantastic Italian Restaurant if you like Italian you must go it is on Sand Lake Rd just off the 1-4 maybe 15 minutes from the Condo Google Bravo Italian restaurant on Sand Lake rd. Peiwei Fantastic Chinese Asian food but not like you would expect it is the smaller version of PF Changs if you like Asian Beef or Chicken this is the place full dinner entrees only $7 to $8 person and you can get in and out quickly I love this place it is at the Loop Shopping Centre. At the Loop also is 2 other great places Shanes Rib Shack kind of cool very casual rib/wing /pulled Pork/ Corn eatery get the platter with a bit of everything for around $12.00. Also if you like to taste a variety of Beers and have a fantastic meal the Brewery at the Loop fantastic food and they have all kinds of beers to taste the sampler is incredible and there baked potatoes the biggest I have ever seen. 2 other restaurants a little further away is Crispers if you love Salads you must make the trip and Mannys Steak and Seafood place with good food Steak Prime Rib Seafood and really good prices very popular so make a reservation Both these restaurants are on the 27 highway take Formosa gardens to the 192 turn right go 10 minutes to the I-4 to Tampa stay on the highway for 15 minutes look for the Highway 27 exit you want 27 east take the 27 east towards Haines City Crispers will be 5 minutes on your left in the Publix shopping centre and Mannys will be 15 minutes on your right.. And my favorite restaurant is Bahama Breeze 5 minutes from the Condo take the 192 to the 1-4 take the 1-4 to Orlando for a couple of exits get off on Lake Buena Vista/ Vineland rd when you get off the exit you come to a stop light Bahama Breeze is right in front of you go straight you must make a reservation very busy.

9.Take a day trip to the Ocean the Atlantic side go to Cocoa Beach on the West side go to Clearwater beach (my favorite) white sandy beaches and only an hour away from the Condo.

10.When you go to Disney get there early and use the Fast Pass option on all the popular rides to save you waiting time get to the park by 730 am go to the most popular rides get them done early at around 12;30 leave the park get your hand stamped so you can get back in later take a bus to Downtown Disney get in your car and come back to the Condo have something to eat and go for a swim at around 2;30 drive back to downtown Disney get on the bus back to the park and really enjoy the second half of the park refreshed. Bonus Tip. When you leave the condo and take the sherbuth shortcut to Disney when you get to Osceola Parkway turn left and follow the sign to Animal Kingdom Lodge go to Security gate you must present your license tell them you are going to eat the restaurant they will show where to park enter the lodge it is incredible and head straight to the back of the hotel and go outside where there is a safari reserve you might even see some lions or elephants. Rides you cannot miss: Epcot Soaring ride (excellent) Mission to Mars great ride but hard on the stomach Test Track Disney Studios Park Tower of Terror Aerosmith Rollercoaster Animal Kingdom Everest Roller Coaster Universal Studios The Mummy ride Simpsons Ride ET Tornado Universal studios Island of Adventure Hulk Coaster Spiderman (the best) Rip Shaw Falls Jurassic Park If you really want to go to a show the best one by far is at Downtown Disney it is called http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/destinations/downtown-disney/entertainment/cirque-du-soleil/ Click on this link or copy and paste this link into your ineternet brouswer You can buy tickets thru our link on our website buy Disney tickets click on tickets and then click on More Walt Disneyworld tickets range from $69.00 for kids to $85.00 for adults use the special code on our website and save another 4%