Entertainment

CHILLING WITH MICKEY

Neighbors of mine flatly refuse to take their three kids to Disney World on the basis that they would come back needing a vacation.

Not so, say I. Well, I’d like to see the article that tells you how, they replied. So here it is – my top tips on how to meet the mouse and still come back from your vacation rejuvenated.

Stay in a Disney hotel

We’ve done it every which way. We’ve rented a private house with pool, which was too much like home (grocery shopping, tidying up and cooking.)

We’ve also stayed in “good neighbor” hotels which were cheap but not very cheerful, and ran a bus shuttle to the parks that constantly broke down.

Disney hotels are not the cheapest you’ll find, but in each category (deluxe, moderate, budget) they are of a high standard with good service, and they have a plethora of pluses.

Firstly, you can’t beat their locations, right within the resort, which is huge, encompassing 40 square miles. (Off-site hotels which claim to be five minutes from the gate can be as much as a half hour drive to the parks.)

Second, the theming and design is first rate. For relaxation purposes, we love Wilderness Lodge, which is right on the lake opposite the Magic Kingdom, just a calming five minute boat ride away. It evokes the Pacific Northwest, including lots of trees and a very faithful geyser.

Another favorite is the Animal Lodge, where you can sit and watch the giraffes, zebras and other animals from Animal Kingdom. The African fusion restaurant there, Jiko, is first rate too.

If you also plan to take in Universal, Seaworld and other attractions and/or money is a factor, stay a few days in an onsite hotel while you do Disney and then move on elsewhere to do the rest.

Many of the other attractions are some distance away from Disney anyway, so it cuts down on commuting through rush hour Orlando traffic.

Don’t rent a car

Staying onsite gives you access to the free and efficient network of Disney buses and boats, so no commuting to the park.

Also, the Magical Express bus will pick you up from the airport, collect your luggage for you and deliver it to your room. On departure, you can get your boarding passes and check your luggage at the hotel, then take the bus back.

If you feel the need to escape the compound, you can always take a cab.

Check which park is offering Magic Hours each day

Each day, one of the parks opens for an hour in the morning or up to three in the evening just for Disney guests.

You can get on more rides during this time than in a whole day of non-Magic hours.

Get a park hopper

These tickets cost a bit more but give you flexibility to go from one park to the next in the same day. This means you can cherry pick the attractions you want to see, rather than slog around one park relentlessly.

Recommendation: If you find yourself in the Magic Kingdom at lunchtime, instead of lining up for a rather average burger, jump on the Monorail to Epcot and grab a bite at one of the World Showcase countries. Fish and chips and a pint of ale at the canalside Rose and Crown pub is my personal favorite.

Treat visiting the parks as a marathon, not a sprint

You don’t need to see and do it all in one day, or even one visit. Nor do you have to stay from opening till closing time.

Go back to the hotel for a swim and a cocktail at the poolside bar at lunchtime (you’re not driving, after all!)

Take a nap, follow it with dinner, then return for the fireworks.

Allow for some days that are park free

Trust me, the kids won’t even mind – the pools alone will keep them happy. Stay by the pool and read a book, or rent a bike or a little zippy speedboat on the lake.

In Saratoga Springs, you can even get a spa treatment. There’s golf and horseback riding within the Resort, too.

Older kids can use the free transport to go to the parks on their own, leaving you freed up.

Make use of babysitting and the hotel kids clubs

Take some time off without the kids. Take in one of the clubs at Downtown Disney or a comedy club over at the Boardwalk area. Once again, you can use the transport, so there’s no need for a designated driver, either. Yay!