List of Maps.
Acknowledgments.
Introduction.
How Come “Unofficial”?
Declaration of Independence.
Why So Many Books?
The Music of Life.
Your Personal Trainers.
About This Guide.
The Sum of All Fears.
Letter and Comments from Readers.
A Quick Tour of a Big World.
The Major Theme Parks.
The Water Theme Parks.
Other Walt Disney World Venues.
DisneySpeak Pocket Translator.
PART ONE: Basic Considerations.
Is Walt Disney World for You?
Different Folks, Different Strokes.
The Nature of the Beast.
Know Thyself and Nothing to Excess.
The Age Thing.
About Inviting Your Children’s Friends.
A Few Words for Single Parents.
“He Who Hesitates Is Launched!” Tips and Warnings for Grandparents.
Order and Discipline on the Road.
Six More Tips.
PART TWO: Getting Your Act Together.
Gathering Information.
Going High-Tech with Liliane.
Important Walt Disney World Telephone Numbers.
Allocating Time.
When to Go to Walt Disney World.
Holidays and Special Events at Walt Disney World.
High-Low, High-Low, It’s Off to Disney We Go.
Planning Your Walt Disney World Vacation Budget.
Walt Disney World Admission Options.
How Much Does It Cost per Day at Walt Disney World?
Babysitting.
Special Programs for Children.
Birthdays and Special Occasions.
PART THREE: Where to Stay.
Some Basic Considerations.
Cost.
Location and Transportation Options.
Commuting to and from the Theme Parks.
Dining.
The Size of Your Group.
Staying in or out of the World: Weighing the Pros and Cons.
Walt Disney World Lodging.
Benefits of Staying in Walt Disney World.
Walt Disney World Hotels: Strengths and Weaknesses for Families.
Magic Kingdom Resorts.
Epcot Resorts.
Bonnet Creek/Downtown Disney Area Resorts.
Animal Kingdom Area Resorts.
HOTEL INFORMATION CHART.
Independent Hotels of the Downtown Disney Resort Area.
How to Get Discounts on Lodging at Walt Disney World.
Lodging Outside Walt Disney World.
Selecting and Booking a Hotel Outside Walt Disney World.
The Best Hotels for Families Outside Walt Disney World.
Getting a Good Deal on a Room Outside Walt Disney World.
Out-of-the-World Children’s Programs.
Condominiums and Vacation Homes.
How to Childproof a Hotel Room.
PART FOUR: Dining.
Eating Outside Walt Disney World.
Buffets and Meal Deals Outside Walt Disney World.
Dining in Walt Disney World.
Disney Dining 101.
Disney Dining Suggestions.
THE TOP TEN SNACKS AT WALT DISNEY WORLD.
Readers’ Comments about Walt Disney World Dining.
Counter-Service Restaurant Mini-Profiles.
Disney’s Full-Service Restaurants: A Quick Romp Around the World.
Magic Your Way Dining Plan.
Character Dining.
Walt Disney World Restaurants: Rated and Ranked.
WALT DISNEY WORLD RESTAURANTS BY CUISINE.
PART FIVE: Disney Boot Camp: Basic Training for World-bound Families.
The Brutal Truth about Family Vacations.
Mental and Emotional Preparation.
Division of Labor.
Togetherness.
Lighten Up.
Something for Everyone.
Whose Idea Was This, Anyway?
Disney, Kids, and Scary Stuff.
SMALL-CHILD FRIGHT-POTENTIAL CHART.
A Magical Time for Mom and Dad.
Preparing Your Children to Meet the Characters.
Role-Playing.
Physical Preparation.
The Agony of the Feet.
Sleep, Rest, and Relaxation.
Developing a Good Plan.
The Great Walt Disney World Expedition.
Logistic Preparation.
Clothing.
Accessories.
Miscellaneous Items.
Supplies for Infants and Toddlers.
Remembering Your Trip.
Trial Run.
PART SIX: Get in the Boat, Men!
Ready, Set, Tour! Some Touring Considerations.
How Much Time Is Required to See Each Park?
Which Park to See First?
Operating Hours.
Official Opening versus Real Opening.
The Rules.
Your Daily Itinerary.
Touring Plans.
How to Find the Touring Plan That’s Best for You.
FASTPASS.
A Word about Disney Thrill Rides.
A Word about Height Requirements.
Waiting-Line Strategies for Adults with Young Children.
ATTRACTIONS AND RIDE RESTRICTIONS.
Character Analysis.
Character Watching.
Character Dining: What to Expect.
CHARACTER-MEAL HIT PARADE.
Cinderella’s Royal Table.
Other Character Events.
Strollers.
When Kids Get Lost.
Liliane’s Tips for Keeping Track of Your Brood.
PART SEVEN: The Magic Kingdom.
Main Street, U.S.A.
Adventureland.
Frontierland.
Liberty Square.
Fantasyland.
Mickey’s Toontown Fair.
Tomorrowland.
Live Entertainment and Parades in the Magic Kingdom.
Exit Strategies.
Magic Kingdom Touring Plans.
MAGIC KINGDOM TRIVIA QUIZ.
PART EIGHT: Epcot.
Epcot Services.
KIDCOT Fun Stops.
Future World.
World Showcase.
Live Entertainment at Epcot.
Epcot Touring Plans.
EPCOT TRIVIA QUIZ.
PART NINE: The Animal Kingdom.
Discovery Island.
Camp Minnie-Mickey.
Africa.
Asia.
DinoLand U.S.A.
Live Entertainment at Animal Kingdom.
Animal Kingdom Touring Plans.
ANIMAL KINGDOM TRIVIA QUIZ.
PART TEN: Disney-MGM Studios.
Live Entertainment at Disney-MGM Studios.
Disney-MGM Touring Plans.
DISNEY-MGM TRIVIA QUIZ.
PART ELEVEN: Universal Orlando and Seaworld.
Disney-MGM Studios versus Universal Studios Florida.
Universal Orlando.
Lodging at Universal Orlando.
Arriving at Universal Orlando.
Universal Studios Florida.
Universal Studios Florida Attractions.
Live Entertainment at Universal Studios.
Universal Studios Florida Touring Plan.
Universal’s Islands of Adventure.
Beware of the Wet and Wild.
Getting Oriented at Islands of Adventure.
Islands of Adventure Attractions.
Islands of Adventure Touring Plan.
SeaWorld.
Discovery Cove.
PART TWELVE: The Rest of the World.
The Water Theme Parks.
Blizzard Beach.
Typhoon Lagoon.
How to Make it Work.
Be Prepared.
A Word from the Weatherman.
Safety First.
Downtown Disney.
Marketplace Highlights.
The West Side Highlights.
Pleasure Island Highlights.
How to Make it Work.
Be Prepared.
The Best of the Rest.
Golf.
Miniature Golf.
Indexes.
Clip-out Touring Plans.