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QCT Disney Orlando Trip Part 1 Page 2 of 2
Trend Magazine Online™
Article December 2015

By Staff

Trend Magazine Online™

Still The Best! cont'd.
QCT Disney Orlando Trip Pic

Once you leave the tunnel it's time to get down to brass tacks (sort of speaking) before getting too caught up in all the pomp and circumstance that lies on the other side. Like for instance, I entered right in the middle of the parade and I was not going to miss that for the world because at one point in time I was part of it while a member of my Miami Beach Senior High School Band back in the late 1970's. I am not sure if they still allow this but that is an experience that I will never forget especially since we were privileged to enter the otherwise off limits area of the park. We were not allowed, however, to take any photographs; especially of a headless (costume-wise) Donald Duck. Smile! After the parade, it was back to the matter at hand; my strategy, but not before getting stuck in the meet-and-greet line for Mr. "A who, who" Goofy. Hint -- This is a must do if you have little ones with you because they will never let you forget if you bypass this photo opportunity.

QCT Disney Orlando Trip PicI suggest finding a shaded spot to sit to go over your park visit strategy. Their maps have been conveniently configured to unfold so that you can view the entire 107-acre park with a numbered key to the sites to the right. The legend at the bottom helps you quickly locate all of the features and essentials the park has to offer to include restrooms, first aid, ATM's, and even Automated External Defibrillators. I typically circle all the sites that I want to visit in legend to the right and then locate and circle them on the map to the left.

QCT Disney Orlando Trip Pic
If you are not an expert -- like me -- at knowing which sites are the most popular, just locate the ones that are annotated with the new FP+ (Fast Pass) designation to the right of the ride/attraction name in the legend to the right. If you have a multi-day pass do not worry about getting to all of your choices in one day. Those of you that have just one day should number your choices based on which ones you want to visit first, second, and so on and so forth.

QCT Disney Orlando Trip PicNow that you have circled all of the rides/attractions you plan to visit, locate the ones labeled FP+ and note their location on the site map to the right. Disney has added a great new feature that allows you to bypass the main standby entrance to the most popular rides/attractions. They have stations throughout the park where you can go to register for that option; however, they require you to wait in a line that can be quite busy.

QCT Disney Orlando Trip PicI will clue you in on a secret that I learned from one of their park associates and further map inspection in part two of this article next month in January of 2016. The FP+ option allows you to select three of the most popular rides/attractions at no additional cost. This option can save you as much as an hour's wait time which will greatly enhance your Disney experience by allowing you to do more in the same period of time. It comes in handy especially if you are on a one day visit.

QCT Disney Orlando Trip Pic

If you choose the FP+ option it helps to be or become familiar with (using your map) how long it will take to get from one ride/attraction to the other. If you have little ones and/or seniors with you, allow more time between visits. In addition, allow less time if the sites are in proximity (close) to each other. You can, however, change your Fast Pass+ time(s) and ride(s)/attraction(s) if additional slots are available. I chose the Haunted Mansion, It's A Small World, and Space Mountain. You have a 1-hour window to visit the ride/attraction which allows plenty of time to use the restroom or get there.

QCT Disney Orlando Trip PicAfter plotting my strategy it was off to the races -- as they say -- to begin my fun-filled day at the Magic Kingdom. I typically plan to travel either in a clockwise or counter-clockwise direction to avoid back tracking and losing valuable time on a one-day visit. I decided to start counter-clockwise (to the right) on this visit. You may not be able to travel in one direction all day if you chose the FP+ option. Make sure that you travel light as your load can get extremely heavier as the day goes by and especially during very hot days.

QCT Disney Orlando Trip Pic I brought a see-through bag for my personal items (which helps with security), a towel for the heat, and a bottle with frozen water. On that note, drink plenty of water to avoid heat related injuries, and wear baggy light-colored clothing and comfortable loose fitted soft shoes. In addition, the park has a cooling station in Tomorrowland that shoots a fine mist of water from above. There are quite a few neat souvenir shops along Main Street; I typically save them for last to avoid having to lug a bunch of extra items throughout the park.

QCT Disney Orlando Trip Pic My timing was perfect because the parade had made its way back down Main Street after completing the route (see map) through the Magic Kingdom. I came across the Button Man whose job was to hand out free souvenirs to all that inquire. I then walked pass the most famous and recognized structure in the park; Cinderella's Castle which has been there since the beginning in 1971 and once housed an apartment suite for Mr. Disney who died before the park opened. Today, there is a fine-dining restaurant on the second floor known as Cinderella's Royal Table which is the most highly-sought dining experience in the park. Just outside the 189-foot castle is a life-size bronze statue of the man himself -- Walt Disney.

QCT Disney Orlando Trip PicIt was now time to head on over to the first of the four major areas of the Magic Kingdom known as Tomorrowland. Read about my adventures here and the remaining areas of the park in our March 2016 edition.

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