DisneyWorld (more information)

I told you the least crowded time here is January & February but we went over yesterday forgetting this is President's Day (3 day weekend) plus Daytona 500 Race this last weekend so yesterday was one of those "busy" days. We had been here all winter but had not spent time at the Castle in Magic Kindom. When you come in the gate, grab a Magic Kingdom Guide Map & New Information card with them to tell you the times for everything in that park that day . You are now looking down Main Street (stop inside the gate at Guest Relations to get your FREE large Disney button to wear that is in the cart on the porch). At 3 0'clock on Main Street we enjoyed the wonderful "Celebrate a Dream come True" afternoon parade, if you can plan it right which we just luckily did. After the parade and a little shopping in the shops along Main Street we went to the front of the castle for the great 4:15pm 'Dream along with Mickey'(they do it 6 times a day starting a 10:35am so don't think you have to follow our schedule, it just worked so great for us & I wanted to share). Live characters put on the show on the front steps and stage of the Castle. After the show we went behind the castle for the indoor adventure rides/shows. They are very close together so go pick up the "Fast Passes" for each one. The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, Snow White's Scary Adventures, Mickey's PhilharMagic & Peter Pan's Flight. You can plan and go from one to the other without standing in line for 30 or 40 minutes if it's crowded. We were lucky and a couple of them were starting so we didn't need to get a fast past we just got in line and in 5 to 10 minutes were inside riding & seeing the show. It's a Small World - is just across from them so check it 1st (they don't give fast passes for it). If the lines are long, go do the other things and keep checking. It's a boat ride worth the wait!! BUT I warn you will have -It's a Small World song in your head the rest of the day. SO CUTE! They also have wonderful outdoor rides such as Mad Tea Party, Dumbo the Flying Elephant & Prince Charming Regal Carrousel if you have time (you may have to come back). Check your daily schedule sheet and see when they light up the castle in colors. Absolutely Gorgeous!! By now it was almost dark 6?pm and a MUST is the ""Main Street Electrical Parade."" AWESOME!!! So get around to the front of the Castle back on Main Street. After this stay on Main Street, walk towards the front gate where you started down main street when you came. At 8pm is the greatest fireworks you have ever seen over the castle and the further back you are the better you see it all. I do believe we saw & did more in this short time than any other park. Now you want to leave? We did. Just turn around and go thru the gate where you get on the MonoRail to get to the Trams that take you back to your parking lot where your car is located. You did remember where you were parked didn't you? Minnie, row 2? Goofy, 36? Dinasours, 21? etc. Very important when there are at least 2,000 cars out there and it's kinda dark. PLEASE! PLEASE! Go. If you do, you'll want to go back. There just isn't anything else to keep the kid alive in you like this adventure and you DO want to do that. I met 80 year old men wearing Goofy caps and Mickey shirts. The most fun I had was watching the little (2 -4 year olds) enjoying the park and they really did enjoy it. That age is so cute because they do and say what ever they think. So honest! Thats why Walt built it.
HINT: A week vacation would let you take a day getting there & 1 getting home leaving 5 days at Disney. I would recommend 1 day each at Epcot, Hollywood Studios, Animal Kingdom & 2 days at Magic Kingdom. It's the 1st park he built & will always be the best as far as me & little kids are concerned. Food & shopping is expensive so if you are on a limited budget (aren't we all?) there are ways to get around it like not eating much in the park. Most of the places to eat are hot dogs, hamburgers, etc. Things you could get for 1/4th of the price at a Fast Food place or pick up something at a grocery store & take with you. You're here to have fun, you can eat at home. BUT while there you just have to have one of those Mickey Ice Cream Bars $4.95 each, a little Caramel/chocolate bag of popcorn $4.95 , & other things you can't get anywhere, else. Now, if you are loaded with money or really saved for this trip and want to "splurge" eat in the restaurant IN the Castle. $65 a meal.