"Disneyworld:MGM ,Animal Kingdom,Cocoa... " a Orlando Travel Page by jodssmile

Spent week at Orlando for Disneyworld Experience. If you want to stay on Disney property you pick from different price ranges. Value, moderate, or deluxe. We stayed at moderate resort. Value gets shuttle service to each of parks and also to the 3 waterparksowned by disney. Do not get the same amount of food choices on property as the moderate.
Moderate has shuttle service plus extra options for food.
Deluxe- some of the deluxe have choice of shuttle or can use the monorail that goes to their hotel faster. Also have restaurants that have character breakfasts in their actual hotel. (These must be arranged by phone before you arrive).
We stayed at The Carribean Resort. It was beautiful. Yet, we felt we spent so little time at our hotel.
Yet, shuttle services were nice. We bought Dreammaker package that gives you "Parkhopper" card to get into all parks at any time. It was awesome not to wait in ticket lines.
This card can be put in a machine in front of certain popular rides(called fastpass). We saved hours not waiting in line using them. It lets you come back and actually walk to front of lines.
Major disadvantage of Disneyworld is expect to pay way more on extremely overinflated priced food and beverages. Disney makes sure you are not easily accesible to food sold by anyone then them. So we were shocked how much we spent on food.
Pack suntan lotion, very lightweight stroller if kid 2 and under. Hats, sunglasses, camera. If kids, bring autograph books ( a notebook is fine) and pens. Thing is Disney characters sign their names everywhere.
Itinery: I really planned it out. We spent 2 days at MAGIC Kingdom.IT is definitly the best of all the parks! Most rides. Need most time here. My 4 year old was 44 inches so just made cut-off to get on every ride.(but many for littler ones 2).
Watch schedule for parades and fireworks at end of day.
Buses can take longer time getting everyone home at end.But stay for the awesome fireworks -they are worth it.
Wear good tennis shoes each day. You walk alot.
We spent one day at ANIMAL KINGDOM. It is fun. We called way in advance to 1-800-4-Disney and arranged 2 different character breakfasts. One early at this park called Dino Dig with Mickey Mouse, Goofy, Pluto, and Donald Duck. This was is the best meal we had for our money/It was a huge yummy buffet. The characters come to each table and sign your kids autograph. Saves time waiting in lines. Have the book and camera ready they are gone fast!
Amimal Kingdom was a good day's worth if you go thru it FAST. There is a show you can't miss-THE LION KING. It was awesome!
Show Tarzan Rock okay.
Come half hour early at least for shows. Go to Fliks Bug Life 3-d short movie. What Fun! You will love it.(At Magic Kingdom they have fun Philharmagic Show that was a must see).
Epcot: We spent one and then another 1/2 day at Epcot. I loved it. Beautiful gardens.
The front of the park opens early with many buildings with rides and shops.Go to Test Track. Mission Space is the most difficult ride I have ever been on.A few people complained from the horrible spinning .So if you hate a huge fast spin-stay away.
We did a character breakfast called Princess Breakfast (in country of Norway). If you do this character breakfast know if takes extra time to get there, is a longer walk than you know. I did'nt think the food was that great and a little stingy on the portions for our large crowd. Different 'princesses' come in and sign autographs/pics. I thought it was just an okay at best. My daughter on the other hand is 6 and was in princess heaven. It was the highlight of her trip.On the day we went we saw Jasmine,sleeping beauty, Princess Aurora,Mulane, and Snow White.
The other half of Epcot is a very long circle with buildings, movies, show, and restaurants that display many different countries. I loved this part of Epcot.
Near Italy a lady in pure white acts as staue and rarely moves. She is neat.

Went day to MGM. I did this on a Saturday. Is busy on weekends at Parks. I did not care for MGM. They had one great ride: Tower of Terror. A must if there. Otherwise park did not compare after seeing others.
Waterparks: we did not do these as we ran out of time.
Instead took rental car to Cocoa Beach area. Found beach with noone on it. My kids don't see ocean often so were estatic.Also was nice at end of week with crowded theme parks to be on quiet beach alone.