The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World 2020

Bob Sehlinger, a Lowell Thomas Award-winning journalist, is best known as the creator and producer of The Unofficial Guide series. Len Testa, a lifelong Disney theme park fan, is also coauthor of The Color Companion to Walt Disney World, The Unofficial Guide to Disneyland, and The Unofficial Guide to the Disney Cruise Line. Len leads the team at TouringPlans.com, a research arm of The Unofficial Guides.

List of Maps and Diagrams


Introduction


PART ONE Walt Disney World: An Overview





What Is Disney World?
Universal Orlando


PART TWO Planning Before You Leave Home





Gathering Information
When to Go to Walt Disney World


PART THREE Making the Most of Your Time





Allocating Time
How to Avoid Long Waits in Line


PART FOUR Making the Most of Your Money





Allocating Money
Walt Disney World Admission Tickets
Optional Expenses


PART FIVE Accommodations





The Basic Considerations
The Disney Resorts
Readers’ Resort Report Card
Walt Disney World Hotel Profiles
How to Evaluate a Walt Disney World Travel Package
Hotels Outside Walt Disney World
Hotels and Motels: Rated and Ranked


PART SIX Dining In and Around Walt Disney World





Reader Surveys Plus Expert Opinions: Our Approach to Dining
Dining in Walt Disney World
What’s New?
Disney Dining
Character Dining
Disney Dining Suggestions
Counter-Service Mini-Profiles
Full-Service Restaurants In Depth
Dining Outside Walt Disney World


PART SEVEN Walt Disney World with Kids





The Ecstasy and the Agony
Lost Children
Disney, Kids, and Scary Stuff
Waiting-Line Strategies for Adults with Young Children
The Disney Characters
Character Meals
Childcare
Special Children's Programs
Birthdays and Special Occasions


PART EIGHT Special Tips for Special People





Walt Disney World for Guests with Special Needs
Walt Disney World “At Large”
Walt Disney World for Seniors
Walt Disney World for International Visitors
Walt Disney World for Expectant Mothers
Walt Disney World for Singles
Walt Disney World for Couples


PART NINE Arriving and Getting Around





Getting to Walt Disney World
How to Travel Around the World (or, The Real Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride)


PART TEN Bare Necessities





Money, Etc.
In-Park Issues
Services


PART ELEVEN The Magic Kingdom





Overview
Arriving
Getting Oriented
Main Street, U.S.A.
Adventureland
Frontierland
Liberty Square
Fantasyland
Tomorrowland
Magic Kingdom Entertainment
Traffic Patterns in the Magic Kingdom
Magic Kingdom Touring Plans


PART TWELVE Epcot





Overview
Arriving
Getting Oriented
Future World
World Showcase
Epcot Entertainment
Traffic Patterns in Epcot
Epcot Touring Plans


PART THIRTEEN Disney’s Animal Kingdom





Overview
Arriving
Getting Oriented
The Oasis
Discovery Island
Africa
Asia
DinoLand U.S.A.
Pandora—The World of Avatar
Animal Kingdom Entertainment
Traffic Patterns in Animal Kingdom
Animal Kingdom Touring Plan


PART FOURTEEN Disney’s Hollywood Studios





Overview
Arriving
Getting Oriented
Disney’s Hollywood Studios Attractions
Disney’s Hollywood Studios Entertainment
Disney’s Hollywood Studios Touring Plan


PART FIFTEEN Universal Orlando





Overview
Universal’s Islands of Adventure
Universal Studios Florida


PART SIXTEEN The Water Parks





You’re Soaking in It!
Planning Your Day at Disney Water Parks
Water-Park Touring Plans
Blizzard Beach
Typhoon Lagoon
Universal’s Volcano Bay


PART SEVENTEEN Behind-the-Scenes and VIP Tours at Walt Disney World





Multipark Tours
Behind the Scenes at the Magic Kingdom
Behind the Scenes at Epcot
Behind the Scenes at Disney’s Animal Kingdom
Behind the Scenes at Disney’s Hollywood Studios
VIP Tours


PART EIGHTEEN Disney Springs, Shopping, and Nightlife





Disney Springs
Shopping in the Theme Parks and Orlando
Nightlife at Walt Disney World Resorts


PART NINETEEN Recreation, Sports, and Spas





Walt Disney World Recreation
Run, Disney, Run
ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex
Miniature Golf
Serenity Now! A Look at Disney-Area Spas


APPENDIX A Readers’ Questions and Comments





Readers’ Questions to the Authors
Readers’ Comments


APPENDIX B Understanding Walt Disney World Attractions





Cut Your Time in Line by Understanding the Rides
Cut Your Time in Line by Understanding the Shows


Accommodations Index


Restaurant Index


Subject Index


Touring Plans