Pauline Frommer's Walt Disney World and Orlando, Second Edition (Pauline Frommer Guides)

Spend less, see more. This is the philosophy behind Pauline Frommer’s guides. Written by travel expert Pauline Frommer (who is also the daughter of Arthur Frommer), and her team of hand-picked writers, these guides show how to truly experience a culture, meet locals, and save money along the way.Industry secrets on how to find the best hotel roomsDetails on alternative accommodations, great neighborhood restaurants, and cool, offbeat findsPacked with personality and opinionsEven though most American families will make at least one pilgrimage to Orlando, too many of them end up spending far more than they have to for their vacations. This book initiates you into the world of savvy discount travel shopping, from finding the very lowest airfares to booking theme park tickets through the right sources so you pay less.The book has a complete breakdown of every major theme park's attractions—their best seats, their histories, how to evade their long lines—with opinionated advice on which to hit and which to skip, depending on your taste and age (and the age of your kids).We'll explore lodgings in depth, starting with the best theme-park-based hotels for your money. We also name reputable renters of palatial digs such as full houses and condos located less than two miles from Disney, which come with screened-in pool, free internet, private game rooms and more—all for less than you'd spend on a cramped hotel room.Pull back the curtain on Orlando and see how the "magic" is made:Slip backstage at Universal Studios and learn how its most complex rides workExplore the Utilidor, Walt Disney World's hidden underground passagewaysBe a dolphin trainer for the day at SeaWorldAnd moreAvoiding wallet drain for meals in Orlando is only half the battle. We cover secret, lesser-known local restaurants as well as give readers a useable, fun strategy for the best theme park meals. Pauline Frommer's WALT DISNEY WORLD & ORLANDO 3 Contents 5 List of Maps 9 Chapter 1: America’s Playground 14 THE SIGHTS YOU MUST SEE 15 THE TRUE CHARACTER OF THE PLACE 17 LODGING TO BEAT THE RECESSION 17 FOOD, BEYOND THE CHAINS 17 THE BEST “OTHER” EXPERIENCES 18 SUGGESTED DISNEY ITINERARIES 18 PLANNING UNIVERSAL & SEAWORLD 24 Chapter 2: The Lay of the Land 26 GETTING AROUND ORLANDO 28 GETTING TO KNOW ORLANDO’S LAYOUT 32 Chapter 3: Where to Stay, in or out of the Parks 38 HOME RENTALS 38 ORLANDO’S HOTELS 45 Chapter 4: Dining Options Around Town 78 OUTSIDE THE DISNEY PARKS 79 UNIVERSAL ORLANDO 85 ALL-YOU-CAN-EAT BONANZAS 87 U. S. 192 & LAKE BUENA VISTA 89 INTERNATIONAL DRIVE & CONVENTION CENTER 92 DOWNTOWN ORLANDO 97 WINTER PARK 103 DINNERTAINMENT 104 CHARACTER MEALS 108 Chapter 5: Walt Disney World 111 TICKETING 111 EATING ON-SITE 116 NAVIGATING THE PARKS 119 OPTIONAL PARK SERVICES 119 THE MAGIC KINGDOM 120 EPCOT 146 DISNEY’S HOLLYWOOD STUDIOS 164 DISNEY’S ANIMAL KINGDOM 175 THE WATER PARKS 183 MINOR DISNEY WORLD DIVERSIONS 186 Chapter 6: Universal, SeaWorld & Busch Gardens 188 UNIVERSAL ORLANDO 188 SEAWORLD ORLANDO 216 AQUATICA 227 DISCOVERY COVE 229 BUSCH GARDENS AFRICA 231 Chapter 7: Beyond the Major Parks 237 INTERNATIONAL DRIVE AREA 237 U. S. 192 AREA 241 DOWNTOWN ORLANDO 242 SOUTH OF ORLANDO 247 WINTER PARK & NORTH ORLANDO 249 EAST OF ORLANDO: THE KENNEDY SPACE CENTER 253 Chapter 8: The Other Orlando 257 HOW ORLANDO WORKS 257 HOW ORLANDO PLAYS 266 HOW ORLANDO LIVES 270 HOW ORLANDO PRAYS 272 HOW ORLANDO HELPS 274 Chapter 9: Outdoor Orlando 276 GARDENS 276 NATURAL SPRINGS 277 NATURE RESERVES 279 GOLF 284 HORSEBACK RIDING 287 WATER-SKIING 287 HOT-AIR BALLOONING & HANG GLIDING 287 Chapter 10: Orlando After Dark—and in the Dark 289 THE THEME PARKS’ DISTRICTS 289 PROFESSIONAL SPORTS 296 THE PERFORMING ARTS 296 DANCE CLUBS, BARS & LIVE MUSIC VENUES 299 Chapter 11: Shopping: The Good, the Bad & the Discounted 306 OUTLET MALLS 306 RETAIL MALLS 308 FLEA MARKETS 310 ANTIQUES 311 DOWNTOWN DISNEY 312 OTHER INTERESTING STORES 314 Chapter 12: The Essentials of Planning 316 WHERE TO FIND TOURIST INFORMATION 316 WHEN TO VISIT 318 INFORMATION FOR INTERNATIONAL VISITORS 323 GETTING TO ORLANDO 325 TRAVEL INSURANCE—DO YOU NEED IT? 329 TRAVELING FROM ORLANDO TO OTHER PARTS OF AMERICA 330 MONEY MATTERS 330 HEALTH & SAFETY 332 PACKING 334 GETTING ATTRACTION DISCOUNTS 334 SPECIALIZED TRAVEL RESOURCES 336 STAYING WIRED 339 RECOMMENDED BOOKS & FILMS 340 Index 344

spend Less, See More. This Is The Philosophy Behind Pauline Frommer’s Guides. Written By Travel Expert Pauline Frommer (who Is Also The Daughter Of Arthur Frommer), And Her Team Of Hand-picked Writers, These Guides Show How To Truly Experience A Culture, Meet Locals, And Save Money Along The Way.

• Industry Secrets On How To Find The Best Hotel Rooms

• details On Alternative Accommodations, Great Neighborhood Restaurants, And Cool, Offbeat Finds

• packed With Personality And Opinions

even Though Most American Families Will Make At Least One Pilgrimage To Orlando, Too Many Of Them End Up Spending Far More Than They Have To For Their Vacations. This Book Initiates You Into The World Of Savvy Discount Travel Shopping, From Finding The Very Lowest Airfares To Booking Theme Park Tickets Through The Right Sources So You Pay Less.

The Book Has A Complete Breakdown Of Every Major Theme Park's Attractions—their Best Seats, Their Histories, How To Evade Their Long Lines—with Opinionated Advice On Which To Hit And Which To Skip, Depending On Your Taste And Age (and The Age Of Your Kids).

We'll Explore Lodgings In Depth, Starting With The Best Theme-park-based Hotels For Your Money. We Also Name Reputable Renters Of Palatial Digs Such As Full Houses And Condos Located Less Than Two Miles From Disney, Which Come With Screened-in Pool, Free Internet, Private Game Rooms And More—all For Less Than You'd Spend On A Cramped Hotel Room.

• pull Back The Curtain On Orlando And See How The Magic Is Made:
• slip Backstage At Universal Studios And Learn How Its Most Complex Rides Work
• explore The Utilidor, Walt Disneyworld's Hidden Underground Passageways
• be A Dolphin Trainer For The Day At Seaworld
• and More

Avoiding Wallet Drain For Meals In Orlando Is Only Half The Battle. We Cover Secret, Lesser-known Local Restaurants As Well As Give Readers A Useable, Fun Strategy For The Best Theme Park Meals.

A reference for savings-minded visitors explains how to enjoy an authentic trip while adhering to budget needs, in a reference that shares financially friendly and behind-the-scenes tips for shopping, dining, and lodging. Original.