Disney World Map

Magic Kingdom Map Update: Visit Tinker Bell and the Disney Fairies in Mickey's Toontown Fair

2008-09-30T09:05:00.001-07:00

Time to update your Magic Kingdom map! You can visit Tinker Bell and her fairy friends at a new character greeting area in Mickey's Toontown Fair, one of the best places for character interaction at Walt Disney World.

The Imagineers have sprinkled their pixie dust over the Toontown Hall of Fame, nestled between Mickey's and Minnie's houses in Toontown ... and created a new greeting area. Guests are "transported" to a magical forest called “Pixie Hollow,” a special place deep in the heart of Never Land.

Isn't Disney magic wonderful?

Tinker Bell (of course, you recognize her in the center of this photo) is most famous at Peter Pan's pal in the 1953 Disney animated classic. Since then, she's been the hostess for many Disney television specials and for “flying” above the Disney theme parks. Tink is joined inside Pixie Hollow by four fairy friends: Iridessa (left), a light fairy; Rosetta (second from left), a garden fairy; Silvermist (second from right), a water fairy; and Fawn (right), an animal fairy.

So it looks like taking "the second star on the right" to reach Never Land just got a little bit easier... thanks to this last update to the Disney World maps!

How your Disney World map reflects the magic of theme parks

2008-06-24T06:48:00.001-07:00

This very cool article in the Orlando Sentinel, Talent hub for theme parks lies in Orlando-area, really echoes what makes Walt Disney World vacations so special.... It really is all about the people ... or cast members, in Disneyspeak.

The article talks about the number of businesses focused on creating themed entertainment that have sprung up in Florida. And it hits the nail on the head with this quote:

The industry's unique aspects require not just unique skills but a special frame of mind, said Jerry Aldrich, a former Disney executive and now president of Amusement Industry Consulting in Orlando. Those unique aspects, he said, show up in something as complicated as coordinating the ride systems, themes and special effects needed to create an attraction such as the Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man -- or in something as simple as knowing where to place the bathrooms, or how many toilets to install.

Disney folks consistently prove they have that mindset by building and operating the kind of vacation destinations that makes guests want to return again and again. So when you're studying your Disney World map as you plan your next vacation, take a few minutes to notice how perfectly the park is arranged... the flow of attractions, restaurants, shops, entertainment, even the restrooms ... so that you can get the most of your Disney vacation!

Tampa Bay announces training camp dates at Disney's Wide World of Sports

2008-06-23T15:23:00.001-07:00

Woo hoo! It's time to check your Disney World map for the location of Disney's Wide World of Sports.... The Tampa Bay Buccaneers just announced their training camp schedule at the sports complex. Read the details here: Bucs Report Sports - from TBO.com Blogs

The first day of training camp is July 26, with sessions planned on most days through August 13. Note this:

Certain practices are open to the public, but others will be moved inside a tent and closed to the public. In addition, the Bucs will hold their first ever night practice session on August 7 from 7:30 to 9:10 p.m. The night session will be open to the public.

If you'll be visiting Disney World during this time, expect larger than usual crowds at Wide World of Sports. It might be tough to find a parking space, so you might plan to take the bus from Disney's Hollywood Studios... that's usually the only bus service to the sports complex. Ask for transportation details at your Disney hotel!

By the way, the Wide World of Sports is located on the southern edge of Walt Disney World. Look on your Disney World map near just south of Disney's Pop Century.

Epcot Map Highlight: Flower and Garden Festival

2008-04-21T13:39:00.000-07:00

The 15th Annual Flower and Garden Festival is in full swing at Epcot, one of the four theme parks at Walt Disney World in Florida. I've marked by Disney World map with my favorite features of the Flower and Garden Festival -- the topiaries and the butterfly garden.

Since this year's theme is "Fun in the Sun," all of the topiaries have an outdoor flavor. (Wait... I think I'm mixing metaphors there. Oh, well...) Here's a picture of Mickey with some seashells. He's standing next to Minnie and Goofy at the entrance of the park. By the way, Goofy is the largest topiary this year.... 14 feet!

Other topiaries can be found just north and south of the Dancing Fountain, which is at the center of Future World. And of course, there are more displays around the lagoon in the World Showcase. In all, there are 70 topiaries.

My other favorite addition at Epcot for the Flower and Garden Festival is Minnie's Magnificent Butterfly Garden. It's a screened-in gazebo just south of Mouse Gear, between the main walkway and Test Track. The gazebo is 40 feet in diameter and houses 10 different species of butterflies. It's jam packed with lots of beautiful flowers -- plumbago, passion flower, honeysuckle and much more.

Just a little warning ... The butterfly garden can get very crowded. I prefer to wait until there are no strollers inside, then take my time browsing around. Early morning is the best time avoid the crowds.

Here are a few interesting tidbits about the Flower and Garden Festival:

The Disney folks say there are 30 million blooms in all on display!
At least 25 different plants are used to create the topiaries.
More than 15 floral, herbal and spice ingredients of 10 popular perfumes are on display in the Fragrance Garden at the France pavilion. Guerlain, the perfume maker featured at the pavilion.
Every evening, music from the 60s and 70s is featured at special (albeit short) "Flower Power" concerts at the American Gardens Theater.

Visit this special page on the Disney World web site to download the Flower and Garden Festival Guide.

No matter when you visit Walt Disney World, be sure take along your Disney World map. There's always something to explore! If you're lucky enough to be traveling before June 1, plan to spend plenty of time at Epcot enjoying the "Fun in the Sun" at the Flower and Garden Festival.

Disney World Map Special Edition: Mickey's Pirate and Princess Party

2008-03-01T19:50:00.000-08:00

I'll admit it …. In my collection of Disney World maps, the Pirate and Princess Party map of the Magic Kingdom has a special place. I was very excited to see that Disney is adding more party dates this spring. Well, technically, it's really late winter, but the beautiful Florida weather makes it feel like spring already.

So exactly what is the Pirate and Princess Party? Basically, Disney closes the Magic Kingdom early, then re-opens for admission with a separate ticket for a few more hours. Only the most popular attractions are open, with dining available at a few popular locations. What makes the Pirates and Princess Party special are the extra activities that combine rowdiness and elegance…

First is the special parade … Seeing the pirate ship with Captain Jack Sparrow surrounded by dancing pirate is devilishly fun. The princesses and their princes make striking figures on dramatic floats. Even Tinker Bell makes an appearance down at ground level, rather than flying overhead.

There's a special version of Wishes, the Magic Kingdom's nightly fireworks display. Broader and wilder than the regular version of Wishes, (title)

The treasure spots around the park are a nice treat, even if I'd prefer more beads and baubles rather than candy. Interactive shows and activities are located in each land… Learn how to be a pirate or dance with the royal court.

Because it is a separate ticket and NOT included with your Magic Your Way ticket, the crowds are typically much smaller. The party typically runs till midnight, which affects how you can get the most out of your trip.

If you have little ones, plan ahead by going back to your hotel room for a long afternoon nap. Return for the evening party well rested, and plan to sleep in the next morning. In other words, don't plan an early morning breakfast on the morning after the party.

For anyone else, my suggestion is to arrive later or chill out during the first hour or two of the party. If the park is crowded, the odds are good that it will become less crowded as families who didn't plan ahead (and didn't have naps) head home when their kids get tired. You'll find the lines typically get shorter as the hour gets later.

When you enter the park, be sure to pick up the special Pirate and Princess Party version of the Magic Kingdom map and check the schedule. It's definitely a map that you will treasure!

Disney World Map Update: Disney's Hollywood Studios

2008-01-10T19:47:00.000-08:00

So all of the Disney World map guides have been updated to say "Disney's Hollywood Studios. I just have to ask: What's in a name?

Some bloggers and Disney critics ask if the new name more than just a way to avoid issues related to the original partnership with MGM Studios.

To me, the old issues with MGM don't really matter. Even back in the 1980s when Disney-MGM Studios opened, Disney hardly needed to shore up its identity in the world of movies, television and music. Being able to use the MGM name and collection was just a nice bonus … a way to provide more variety and perhaps a classic angle that added depth to the theme park.

So here's what I care about … What does the new Hollywood name mean to guests like you? I see the possibilities from two different angles.

On one hand, the "Hollywood" name reminds those of us of a certain age … yes, you know who you are… of the Golden Age of Hollywood. We think of great American traditions. Film and television stars, classic movies and timeless music recall a world of dreams fulfilled. The new art-deco-style logo seems to be inspired by this golden age. So that gives me hope that the Disney folks understand the foundation of historic Hollywood and we'll see more attractions based on Walt's vision of quality entertainment.

On the other hand, the word "Hollywood" means something different to my teenage daughter. Pop music, blockbuster movies, television shows for every conceivable audience, even trendy fashions have become the new trademarks. Hollywood has become hot, cool, phat, with-it, or any slang you can think of… anything that means everyone wants a piece of it. Tagging the park Disney's Hollywood Studios makes me think that we'll continue to see changes, just as we see changes in the weekly television schedule or Top 40 Billboard chart.

Both of these angles are good. Traditional and innovative are not mutually exclusive terms. So far, we've seen the new parade and Playhouse Disney show. Exciting details are leaking out about Toy Story Mania, and this week we heard that American Idol is coming to the park. It looks to me that the name change is a sign that Walt would be very proud of Disney's Hollywood Studios… always changing to bring the latest and greatest entertainment to his guests.

Cinderella's Castle: Sparkling Spot on Your Disney World Map

2007-11-13T17:03:00.000-08:00

Oh, my, what a wonderful addition to your Disney World map .... twinkling, shimmering lights have transformed Cinderella's Castle for the holiday season.

Officially dubbed "Cinderella's Holiday Wish," the specially decorated castle debuted last week ... with 200,000 tiny, LED lights cascading like icicles from the turrets. Every night through January 6... which happens to be the Feast of the Epiphany on the Christian calendar ... Cinderella and her Prince Charming preside over lighting the castle. Mickey, Minnie and the gang are also on hand for the ceremony.

Cool facts about the castle lighting:

It took 65 "evles" and two cranes six weeks to put up the lights.
Fifteen miles of cables, which are colored to match the castle, and 32,000 square feet of fishing net support the lights.
In all, there are 200,000 energy-efficient LED lights and 500 strobes.

The lighting ceremony begins at 5:45 PM each evening, and the castle is illuminated through the evening's activities... seasonal live shows, Holidays Wishes fireworks show, and Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party on selected evenings.

Where to mark your Disney World map ... Go to the Magic Kingdom, which is located on the top center of the resort map. Enter and go under the train station to Main Street USA. Head north.... It's hard to miss the castle!

Harlem Gospel Choir at the Theater of the Stars

2007-11-08T05:28:00.000-08:00

Here's a special place to mark on your Disney World map: the Theater of the Stars at Disney-MGM Studios. That's where you can find the Harlem Gospel Choir beginning Nov. 30.

Known around the world, the Harlem Gospel Choir will bring their trademark soulful spirit to Disney-MGM Studios this holiday season. The 12-member group includes the finest singers and musicians from Harlem's Black Churches. They will present songs of peace and joy each evening from November 30 through December 25.

The performances will be at the Theater of the Stars at 5:00 , 6:00 and 7:30 p.m. nightly. To get to the Theater of the Stars, head down to the end of Sunset Boulevard.... that's the street to the right off Hollywood Boulevard, the central street at Disney-MGM Studios. I would expect a full house for every show, so plan to arrive early to get a good seat.

I'll be posting more about special notes to add to your Disney World map if you're traveling this holiday season. Gee, I love Christmas! What better place to spend it than at the land where dreams come true!

Must-Have Disney Trip Planning Tools

2007-10-24T12:25:00.000-07:00

Amazon.com Widgets

Disney World Map: Twilight Zone 13K Route

2007-10-13T13:52:00.000-07:00

If you'll be at Walt Disney World on Saturday, October 27, be sure to add the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror 13K to your plans.... and mark the route on your Disney World map if you want to catch part of the action.

One of the popular running events held at Walt Disney World each year, the Tower of Terror 13K begins at 9:30 PM that evening inside Disney-MGM Studios. You can join in the fun by getting "party tickets" that give you admission to the park until 1:00 AM. There will be a live band; select attractions will be open; and you can witness all of the finish line activities.

What attractions will be open? The Tower of Terror, Rock N Roller Coaster and The Great Movie Ride. Tickets cost $25 for adults and $10 for children age 3-9. For more details and to purchase tickets, visit the Disney World Sports web site.

So what's the route? The race begins at Disney-MGM Studios, exits through the back of the park and follows the roadway to Disney's Wide World of Sports. After circling around the sports complex, racers head back to the Studios, wind through the park and end in the shadow of the Hollywood Towers Hotel, AKA the Tower of Terror.

So that's the latest addition to my Disney World map suggestions. Be sure to check out the other mosts for more ideas on how to use your map of Walt Disney World to get the most out of your family vacation!

How To Use Your Disney World Map

2007-09-12T04:33:00.000-07:00

Today, let's look at how to use your Disney World map to help plan your vacation.... Using a theme park map might seem a little different from using a road map. You might be surprised by how much alike they are!

When you use a road map, you usually start by locating where you are starting. Then you find where you want to go and plot the best route between the two locations. Use a pencil or a highlighter to mark the way.

When you look at a Disney World map, you'll want to do that same thing... Use the entrance to the park as your starting point. Most theme park maps put the entrance at the bottom center (even if that doesn't put north at the top of the map). Look for the ticket booths, lockers, stroller rentals and restrooms.

Then follow the walkways to explore the park. Use a pencil or highlighter to mark the attractions and restaurants that are most interesting to your family. Notice how the park is arranged... This will help you get around faster when you visit the park.

The Magic Kingdom and Disney's Animal Kingdom use the classic "hub and spoke" layout. That is... A main walkway leads to the center of the park, then other walkways radiate out from the center to lead you to the other areas of the park.

Disney-MGM Studios is a modified "hub and spoke" design. Some areas of the park aren't directly connected to the center hub. Follow the walkways to reach the back side of the park.

And Epcot is arranged like two circles side by side... From the main entrance, you'll enter Future World, which is mostly like a "hub and spoke" design. By walking through Future World, you'll reach the World Showcase. The attractions are arranged on an oval walkway around a lagoon.

No matter what park map you are exploring, check out each attraction, restaurant and other points on the map. Highlight the areas with the most interest, then plan your trip to the park by drawing a route on the map... just as you would on a road map.

So, think of the theme park map as your road map to your vacation. Some Disney World maps will have more details than other maps. I like putting short descriptions on the maps... that helps me remember important details and makes enjoying my day in the theme parks that much easier!

Magic Kingdom Focus on Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party

2007-08-28T10:40:00.000-07:00

Today we are opening our Disney World map to the Magic Kingdom... and taking a sneak peek at Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party. I admit that I'm not a big fan of Halloween, but Mickey and his pals make it more fun than usual...

The Magic Kingdom is located on the north side of Disney World, near the top of the map. Since we always stay at the Disney hotel, it's just a (relatively) short ride right to the front entrance. If you're staying off property, you'll drive to the main parking area then take a tram to the Ticket and Transportation Center... and then take the boat or monorail over to the Magic Kingdom.

So what do you need to know about Mickey's Halloween Party? First of all, it's an "after hours" event. That means you'll need a special ticket... which costs $39 for adults and $33 for children age 3-9. Next, there are lots of special activities... trick-or-treating stops, special decorations, a special parade and a special fireworks show. (I told you there were lots of specials!)

And finally, some... but not all... of the Magic Kingdom attractions will be open. The official word is the "most popular" attractions will be open. That means the attractions that probably have the longest lines during the day are the ones that will be open for the party.

So how does your Disney World map help you plan? Use your map to find all of the hidden, out-of-the-way or less popular attractions ... and ride them during regular park hours. If you can, get copy of the special party map at Guest Relations and find the attractions that will be open... and plan to enjoy them during the Halloween Party!

Disney World Map Zoom: Grand 1 Cruise on the Seven Seas Lagoon

2007-08-23T08:03:00.000-07:00

Our Disney World map focus today is on the boat dock at the Grand Floridian Resort on the Seven Seas Lagoon. The Seven Seas Lagoon is the large lake south of the Magic Kingdom... Look toward the top or north side of your Disney World map. The Grand Floridian Resort is located on the west side of the lagoon just a short monorail or water launch ride from the entrance to the Magic Kingdom....

But today, we're checking out activities outside the theme park. How about a luxury cruise on the Seven Seas? The Grand 1 is a 52-foot Sea Ray yacht that's the ultimate in luxury at Disney World! For $450, you and up to 17 of your friends can take a one-hour cruise... and you can add food and beverages ... even butler service. The possibilities are endless. If you're looking for the perfect way to propose at Disney World, this could be it.

The Grand 1 is moored at the marina at the Grand Floridian (that's a view of the hotel from the dock). If you want to just stop by for a peek, look for the Magic Kingdom on your Disney World map. Follow the monorail route counter-clockwise from the Magic Kingdom entrance, and you'll see the Grand Floridian. Enjoy!

Disney World Map Zoom: International Food and Wine Festival at Epcot

2007-08-20T07:20:00.000-07:00

Today, we're zooming in on the International Food and Wine Festival at Epcot.... Epcot is one of the four theme parks at Walt Disney World, located near the center of the resort. If you have a copy of the EZ Fun Guide to Walt Disney World, turn to Page 24.

I absolutely LOVE the Food and Wine Festival... There are little kiosks located around the lagoon in the World Showcase, and each stand has small servings of ethnic food for sale. Prices are about $2 to $4, which is a great price for theme park food. And other areas feature interactive displays, wine lectures, cooking demonstrations and concerts.

To make sure that you get the most of your time during the Festival, check your Disney World map guide to learn about all of the countries in the World Showcase. The extra displays and kiosks make the World Showcase feel a bit crowded... so the more you know in advance, the more you'll enjoy the experience.

The International Food and Wine Festival begins on September 28 and runs through November 11... plenty of time for lots of us to enjoy it!

Why You Need a Good Disney World Map

2007-08-16T19:02:00.000-07:00

Whenever anyone asks the best way to start planning their vacation to Disney World, I answer with these words: a good Disney World map!

Did you know that Disney World is 47 square miles? Learning your way around will give you the inside track on so many things…

First, you'll know what makes each park special. As you look around the maps, you'll see that each park has a different "personality." And you'll be able to decide on how much time you want to spend in each park.

Then, you'll know your way around. That will make sure that you get the most out of the time that you spend in the theme parks! Why spend time wandering around?

When you are doing what is most fun for you without wasting time, you'll have more fun! And isn't that what a Disney World vacation is all about?

The purpose of this new blog is to give you all the best information on Walt Disney World maps... where to get them, how to stay updated, how to use maps to plan your Disney World vacation. If you have any tips on using maps to plan your Disney World vacation, feel free to share them. I'd love to hear from you.