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Here are some questions that get asked a lot!
Theme Parks
Water Parks
Dining
Shopping
General
Technical
More Questions
In addition, here are some useful tips to help you get the most out of your stay.
Theme Parks
Q: Where can we meet Disney Characters?
A: There are several places around the Walt Disney World® Resort where you can spend some time with the Disney Characters:
Magic Kingdom®
Park
Get the latest Daily Entertainment Schedule at Guest Relations at City Hall in the Magic Kingdom® Park, and be sure to catch
all the Characters!
Mickey's Toontown® Fair
Mickey Mouse at the Judge's Tent; Minnie Mouse in the Toontown Hall of Fame; various Disney Characters in the Toontown Hall of Fame. Daily appearances.Characters also appear daily at the following locations:
Adventureland® Area
Captain Hood and Mr. Smee at Pirates of the Caribbean.
Characters from Aladdin near The Magic Carpets of AladdinFantasyland® Area
Mad Tea Party
Fantasyland® Area Character Festival
Ariel's GrottoCastle Forecourt Stage
Visit with the "stars" of Cinderella's Surprise Celebration - see guide map for show times.
Epcot®
Discover Disney Characters on Vacation every day at the Fountain
of Nations - see guide map for times.
Disney-MGM Studios
Find out where the Characters are in action in the Daily Entertainment
Schedule, available at the Guest Relations at Crossroads
of the World in the Disney-MGM Studios.
Mickey Avenue
Featuring Mickey Mouse, daily, and other Disney Characters appearing throughout the day.Al's Toy Barn
Operation: TOY STORY. It's your chance to meet Buzz, Woody, and all of your favorites in special Character appearances held daily.
Disney's Animal
Kingdom® Theme Park
Visit Camp Minnie-Mickey, an old-fashioned summer camp where the characters
go when they're on vacation. Throughout the day, this is where you'll
find Mickey and his pals waiting to greet you!
Discovery Island® Character Landing
Your favorite friends from the 100 Acre Woods appear daily.
What's more, Character Dining is available at a variety of locations within the Walt Disney World® Resort.
*Entertainment is subject to change without notice. Performances may be delayed or cancelled due to inclement weather.
Q: Where are the parades and fireworks?
A: All over the place! Get the latest Daily Entertainment Schedule at the Guest Relations at Magic Kingdom® Park, Epcot®, Disney-MGM Studios and Disney's Animal Kingdom® Theme Park.
Q: Can I see maps of the Parks?
A: You can download Theme Park maps from the Maps section. A property-wide map, road map and maps of different areas at the Walt Disney World® Resort are also provided.
When you arrive at the Theme Parks, visit Guest Relations to receive a guide map in your language.
Q: Is there language assistance available?
A: Disney cast members speak multiple languages. Check their name tags for flags representing the languages they speak. If you need assistance and you can't find anyone who speaks your language, a cast member can contact a language assistance line or you can return to Guest Relations near the Park entrance for immediate assistance.
Q: Is there any way to experience an attraction in a different language?
A: Yes. You can pick up a Personal Translation Unit (PTU) for 13 popular Walt Disney World® Attractions. The headphone device provides narration in French, German, Japanese, Portuguese and Spanish. Pick one up at Guest Relations in the Magic Kingdom® Park and at Epcot® for a $100 refundable security deposit. Currently at the Disney-MGM Studios, the PTUs are only at the Walt Disney: One Man's Dream Attraction and no deposit is currently required.
Participating Magic
Kingdom® attractions:
The ExtraTERRORestrial Alien Encounter®, The Hall of Presidents, Tomorrowland
Transit Authority and the Walt Disney World® Railroad.
Participating Epcot®
attractions:
Ellen's Energy Adventure, "Honey, I Shrunk the Audience!", Living with the
Land, O Canada!, Spaceship Earth, American Adventure, The Circle of Life,
and at Test Track - in the GM Test Track Briefing Room.
Participating Disney-MGM
Studios attraction:
Walt Disney: One Man's Dream Attraction
More attractions will be available soon. Now you won't just see the magic...you can hear it in your language too!
Q: What are the ride restrictions?
A: There are lots of things to see and do at the Walt Disney World® Resort. Some of these attractions have ride restrictions to ensure safety. For example, height requirements. For specific restriction information, check out the pages dedicated to the attractions in which you're interested.
Q: What are the busiest and least busy times of the year?
A: Although special events and promotions may influence Theme Park attendance levels, the following list highlights historic attendance trends throughout the year:
Lowest Attendance:
January (except New Year's Day) through mid-February
The first week in September through mid-November
The first three weeks of December prior to ChristmasModerate Attendance:
Mid-February through early March
Late April through early June (except Memorial Day weekend -- last weekend in May)Highest Attendance:
U.S. Presidents' week in mid-February
Mid-March through late April (U.S. school Spring Break)
Last weekend in May (U.S. Memorial Day holiday)
Mid-June through beginning of September
U.S. Thanksgiving Day (last Thursday in November) and weekend
Christmas week through New Year's Day
Also, during regular attendance periods, Parks tend to be the busiest on the following days:
Magic Kingdom® Park: Monday, Thursday, and Saturday
Epcot®: Tuesday and Friday
Disney-MGM Studios: Sunday and Wednesday
Disney's Animal Kingdom® Theme Park: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday
Water Parks
Q: May I bring my own food and beverages into the Water Parks?
A: Picnic areas are located in each Water Park, and coolers are welcome! But please, no glass containers or alcoholic beverages.
Q: Is the water heated at Disney's Water Parks?
A: The water at all of Disney's Water Parks is temperature controlled year-round, so it's tropically toasty, even on cool days!
Q: How much do parking and tube rental cost?
A: Parking and inner tube usage are complimentary at all Water Parks!
Q: Is snorkelling available at any of the Water Parks?
A: At Disney's Typhoon Lagoon Water Park, you can snorkel through a coral reef teeming with live sharks at Shark Reef!
Q: Are life vests available at the Water Parks?
A: Yes, all of Disney's Water Parks have life vests available at no additional cost, but Guests must leave a deposit.
Q: When is the best time of day to visit the Water Parks?
A: It's always a good idea to arrive early at the Water Parks, especially if you want to get a lounge chair! A good time frame is to arrive long before noon.
Q: Is it possible to surf in the surf pool at Disney's Typhoon Lagoon Water Park?
A: Sure, for an additional cost. Disney's Typhoon Lagoon Water Park offers surfing lessons every Wednesday morning before the Park opens.
Dining
Q: How old do I need to be to buy alcohol?
A: The minimum age for buying alcohol or consuming alcoholic beverages is 21 years of age. A valid photo identification (passport or international driver's licence, etc.) may be required upon purchase of alcohol or for entry to bars and nightclubs.
Q: What is Priority Seating?
A: You are encouraged to take advantage of this service to save yourself some waiting time at certain restaurants. When you call 407-939-3463*, you will get a Priority Seating number. Upon your arrival at your dining location, please present your name and Priority Seating number at the podium. This is not a reservation and your party will be seated at the next available table that will accommodate your party size.
* If you are under 18 years of age, you must have your parent's or guardian's permission to dial this number.
Q: How much should I tip at the restaurants?
A: Service charges or gratuity (tips) are not usually included in your bill in the United States, and tips are always expected. For most restaurant waiters and bartenders, the average tip is 15 to 20%.
Shopping
Q: Where can I find souvenirs and other goods that are sold only at Walt Disney World® Resort?
A: First check out World of Disney, located in the Downtown Disney® Marketplace. This Disney store - the world's largest - is an attraction in its own right, offering a wide variety of Disney merchandise. You can also find many other types of stores throughout the Marketplace that will make your shopping experience an enjoyable one.
Magic Kingdom® Park
More than 50 different stores offer collectibles, Christmas ornaments
that feature Disney characters, attraction-theme merchandise, and many
other goods that are all part of the Disney fantasy.
Disney's Animal Kingdom® Theme Park
Each theme area within the park features truly unique Disney merchandise,
from stuffed safari animals and dinosaurs to animal-motif goods and stationery
- everything for the "wild" at heart!
Disney-MGM Studios
A veritable collector's paradise! Purchase a made-to-order clock featuring
your favorite Disney character, or memorabilia from your favorite movie.
You can even find out what it's like to become a celebrity by having your
own photo placed on a custom magazine cover.
Epcot®
The World Showcase offers a wide selection of specialty goods and arts
and crafts from eleven different nations. You'll be surprised at the treasures
you'll find here.
Q: Can I use my credit card to shop and dine? What about currency exchange?
A: Both are possible at Walt Disney World® Resort, where any one of these credit cards is accepted everywhere (with the exception of cart vendors and some stores): VISA®, VISA Electron®, Japanese Credit Bureau (JCB), Diners Club®, Discover® Card, MasterCard®, American Express®, The Disney Credit Card.
Visitors who wish to convert currency into U.S. dollars can do so at any theme park guest relation counter. Please note that there is a limit to the amount of currency that can be exchanged in a single session. Inquire upon arrival for more details.General
Q: What banking facilities are available at the Walt Disney World® Resort and where are they located?
A: Currency exchange and bank machines, or Automatic Teller Machines (ATMs) are available at all four Disney Theme Parks.
Q: Do the bank machines, or ATMs, accept international banking cards/credit cards?
A: Yes. Cirrus®, Star®, Honor and Plus banking systems are recognized by the bank machines, or ATMs, in Disney Parks; Visa® MasterCard® and American Express® are also accepted for cash advances, provided you have arranged in advance for cash advance eligibility with your bank.
Q: Is smoking allowed in the Theme Parks?
A: There are designated areas within each Theme Park where smoking is permitted. All Walt Disney World® Resort restaurants, however, are non-smoking.
Q: What is the weather like?
A: Florida weather is generally good, but can be unpredictable. Here you will find climate information for different times of the year:
|
Maximum |
Minimum |
Precipitation |
|
|
January |
71 / 22 |
49 / 9 |
2.3 / 5.8 |
|
February |
73 / 23 |
50 / 10 |
3.0 / 7.6 |
|
March |
78 / 26 |
55 / 13 |
3.2 / 8.1 |
|
April |
83 / 28 |
59 / 15 |
1.8 / 4.6 |
|
May |
88 / 31 |
66 / 19 |
3.6 / 9.1 |
|
June |
91 / 33 |
72 / 22 |
7.3 / 18.5 |
|
July |
92 / 33 |
73 / 23 |
7.2 / 18.3 |
|
August |
92 / 33 |
73 / 23 |
6.8 / 17.3 |
|
September |
90 / 32 |
72 / 22 |
6.0 / 15.2 |
|
October |
85 / 29 |
66 / 18 |
2.4 / 6.1 |
|
November |
79 / 26 |
58 / 14 |
2.3 / 5.8 |
|
December |
73 / 23 |
51 / 11 |
2.2 / 5.6 |
|
Source: U.S. NOAA, U.S. National Weather Service |
|||
Q: What type of clothing should I plan to bring?
A: Walt Disney World® Resort covers a wide area, so you should plan to bring light, comfortable clothes and shoes. The sun's rays are also very strong, so please do not forget to bring sunglasses, a cap, and sun block to protect your skin. Jeans and t-shirts are appropriate daywear if you're visiting in the summer, and light jackets, sweaters, and socks are recommended for winter visits. When dining, general casual wear is appropriate. Recommended dining attire for men is button-down shirts, wing-collared shirts, polo shirts, and casual slacks; for women, slacks, blouses, and casual dresses are appropriate. For more formal dinners, sport jackets are recommended for men and formal dresses or pantsuits for women.
Q: Where can we find information for Guests with disabilities?
A: Information for Guests with disabilities is available at all four Disney Theme Parks. Rooms that are accessible to Guests with disabilities are available throughout the Walt Disney World® Resort. For specific ride restriction information, check out the pages dedicated to the attractions in which you're interested.
* If you are under 18 years of age, you must have your parent's or guardian's permission to dial this number.
Technical
Q: How do I print pages from my browser or pop-up window?
A: Printing is easy. To print pages from your browser, hold down your CONTROL key while you press the letter "P" key. If you have a Macintosh, hold down the COMMAND (Apple) key while you press the letter "P" key.
To print pop-up windows, right click (or hold the mouse down if using a Macintosh) in the pop-up and select the print option.
Q: What's a PDF file?
A: PDF is an acronym for "Portable Document Format." PDF is a file format created by Adobe that lets you view and print a file exactly as the author designed it, without needing to have the same application or fonts used to create the file.
Q: What is Adobe Acrobat Reader and where can I get it?
A: Adobe Acrobat Reader is a free software program that lets you view and print PDF files, sometimes right within your browser window using a plug-in. You can download the Adobe Acrobat Reader here.
Q: What are plug-ins, and where can I get them?
A: This web site features movie clips, songs, sounds, and other existing features that need certain programs to work. These software products go by different names, like "helper applications" and "plug-ins," and each will make your experience at this web site even more enjoyable. See your browser's help for more details.
Most of the plug-ins that are used are already included in the latest versions of Microsoft Internet Explorer and Netscape Navigator or Communicator, but just in case, here's a list of what you might need:
Macromedia Flash
Macromedia's Flash is a "plug-in" for the Netscape and Explorer browsers. It lets you view animation and play games directly on-line. To download flash, click here.Apple QuickTime (Movie Player) and QuickTime VR (QTVR)
Apple Computer's QuickTime allows you to view short audio and video clips. Apple Computer's QuickTime VR allows you to view panoramic 360 degree images. Both of these plug-ins are available here.iPIX Plug-in
iPIX plug-in allows you to view panoramic 360 degree images. This plug-in is available here.
Q: Okay, I've installed the plug-in, but it still doesn't work. Help!
A: Some plug-ins won't start working until you completely exit and then re-start your browser. If that doesn't work, refer to the plug-in's installation instructions.
More Questions
Q: Are there places where I can leave my pets?
A: With the exception of service dogs for Guests with disabilities, pets are not permitted in Disney Theme Parks, or on Disney buses. They may, however, stay in one of five on-site air-conditioned kennels, each of which is a member of the American Boarding Kennel Association. Pet Care Kennels are located adjacent to the Magic Kingdom® Park Transportation and Ticket Center, at the entrance to Epcot®, at the entrance to the Disney-MGM Studios, Disney's Animal Kingdom® Theme Park, and near the entrance to Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground.
* If you are under 18 years of age, you must have your parent's or guardian's permission to dial this number.
