Five Insider Tips for Your Trip to Walt Disney World, Orlando

Here are some tips to help you make the most of your Disney vacation:

Meet and Greets
- Upon entering the park, resist the urge to walk with the crowds up Main Street, USA. Instead, take the Walt Disney World Railroad to the back of the park straight to Toon Town. Be first in line to meet and greet the princesses and fairies.
- Character Breakfasts in the resorts offer a great way to get pictures with the characters without wasting precious time standing in lines at the parks

Star in a Show
- Storytime with Belle (Magic Kingdom): Arrive early and sit up front. Before the show starts, find one of the assistants and let them know that your child would love to help Belle tell her story
- Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular (Hollywood Studios): Stand up and wave frantically when the casting director asks for extras to volunteer. Making noise helps, too.

Animal Kingdom Safari
- Try to get on the first safari of the day. The temperature is still cool, and the animals will be more active. The last safari of the day can be good as well since the animals are ready to head in, so they tend to be up and moving around.
- You can also ask when feeding time is and plan around then.

4th of July Fireworks Preview
- Watch the show from the beach at the Polynesian Resort on July 3rd. The view is great, and the music is choreographed, and there are no crowds. Bonus: The Electric Light Parade passes by here, too

Hidden Gems
- For the kids: Take a pony ride at Fort Wilderness.
- For the grownups: Resort hopping on the monorail. Have a mai tai at the Polynesian, a cosmo at the Contemporary, and an old-fashioned at the Grand Floridian. Musicians play every evening at the Polynesian and Grand Flordian.
- Take surfing lessons at Typhoon Lagoon.
- The Boardwalk is fun for the whole family. With eateries, street entertainers, boardwalk games, and boat rides, there's something for everyone.

-- Text by Drew Dixon

Photo credit: Magic Kingdom Castle, Orlando (courtesy, Orlando-Orange County Convention & Visitors Bureau, Inc.)