tips for the parks

Looking for tips and strategies to make your trip smoother? Here are some ideas to help you out!

· FYI – For those flying in for the Disneyland parks – read over the following:
In order to utilize the Disneyland Resort Express, guests may fly into Los Angeles International airport (LAX) or John Wayne airport (aka Orange County airport SNA)

*In order to utilize the Super Shuttle, guests may fly into John Wayne Airport (SNA), Long Beach Airport (LGB), Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), Ontario International Airport (ONT), Bob Hope Airport (BUR), or San Diego International Airport (SAN)

*There is a charge for both Disneyland Resort Express and the Super Shuttle.

*If you choose the Super Shuttle, and you have a small child under 4′ 9″ and 8 years of age, you will need to provide a car seat or booster seat. This is mandatory.

Disney World Tips

· The cabins at Fort Wilderness are a nice consideration for families traveling with special needs. While staying at the cabins, you are able to park right at your front door. If you are traveling with a large amount of medical supplies, this makes unloading your vehicle fast and easy. If your child is prone to melt downs, you don’t have to worry about bothering your neighbors since the cabins are not connected to each other. The cabins are equipped with a full kitchen so that you can still have ample space for all necessary food preparations for your family. Many of the cabins are handicap accessible with ramps for entry and roll-in showers. There are a variety of types of handicap accessible cabins – just express what you need and I will find the best one for you.

· Don’t forget to take a “resort day” in the middle of your trip and enjoy the pools at your resort! No reason to pack a beach towel for the pool – towels are provided by the resorts down at the pools.

pool

· If you are arriving at the Orlando International airport and you are traveling with a wheelchair, make sure that you notify Disney’s Magical Express about the wheelchair. Disney’s Magical Express is Disney’s complimentary transportation from the airport to the resort and back. Not all Magical Express motor coaches are handicap equipped with a lift. This is not so important for your arrival as it is for your departure. When you arrive, there are plenty of motor coaches available to accommodate your needs. However, when you are leaving to go back to the Orlando International Airport, Magical Express needs to make sure they send the appropriate motor coach to pick you up at your resort that is equipped with a lift.

· If you are using Disney’s Magical Express to get from the Orlando International airport to your resort, keep in mind that you will not need a car/booster seat for small children. The Magical Express is a large motor coach. If you need to bring a car/booster seat due to needs for the flight, it will be stowed in the lower area of the motor coach with the luggage during your ride to the resort.

· For those traveling with large children and young adults in diapers, you can use the 1st Aide Center at any of the Disney resorts for a clean environment to handle any changes. The 1st Aide centers offer full size tables and beds. There are also rooms that you can use for additional privacy.

· The 1st Aide Center at the Disney parks is equipped with a wide array of necessities (Tylenol, Benedryl, Advil, blood pressure monitors, etc). If you find yourself in a bind, stop by the 1st Aide Center – they may have what you need.

· For Walt Disney World ~ Don’t worry if your child has sensory issues and refuses to wear the new Disney MagicBands ~ someone else in your travel party can wear the band for him/her!

magic bands

· Dining reservations can be booked starting 180 days prior to your arrival! If you are using me as your travel planner, let’s work up your list of restaurants a few days in advance so that I can call in 1st thing on day 180 to get those coveted dining reservations!

pluto at chef mickeys

· When you are planning a trip to Orlando or Anaheim, go ahead and sign up for a Groupon or Living Social account a month or 2 before your visit. They have great offers for some of the area attractions – i.e. Legoland, Sea World, Clearwater Marine Aquarium, etc. This will give you some great adventure off property during your down days.

If you have any questions and would like to use a planner for free – contact me at Robyn@travelwiththemagic.com or call me directly at 1-800-670-4312 ext 125. I have an unexplained passion for Disney and making sure that everyone is getting the most that they can out of every visit!