Continuing on her series, ‘A First Timer’s Guide to Walt Disney World® Resort’, Magic Maker® Brenda Wenk is back with Part Three of her series!
As you’ve discovered through Part One and Part Two, there is a lot to seeing and navigating Walt Disney World® Resort. From the magic of Walt Disney World® Resort’s four parks, to the resorts and dining that abound throughout; Walt Disney World® Resort is a total, immersive experience. Now it’s time to introduce you to some of the unique terms that you’ll hear throughout your planning and stay!
(Audio Animatronics™) Audio Animatronics™ was developed by Walt Disney himself with the help of the Imagineers. They took animals and people and gave them lifelike sound and movement. The first example of this technique can be seen in The Tiki Room, Under New Management®, in Magic Kingdom® Park. Examples of this technology can be seen in Pirates of the Caribbean® Attraction and Hall of Presidents’ in Magic Kingdom® Park; The American Adventure in Epcot®; The Great Movie Ride® Attraction in Disney’s Hollywood Studios®; and Expedition Everest® Attraction’s yeti in Disney’s Animal Kingdom® Theme Park.
(Character Meet and Greets) Character Meet and Greets take place in each of the four theme parks. These provide the opportunity to get autographs and photos with your favorite characters. Some characters can only be seen in certain parks. For example, if you want to meet Sofia the First or Little Einsteins, head to Disney’s Hollywood Studios®! A Times Guide is available at the entrance to each park – pick one up as you enter each park. You will then be able to check the times and characters that you can interact with that day!
(E Ticket) E Ticket is not an electronic ticket but a term that refers to the top attractions and rides. When Walt Disney World® Resort opened in 1971, guests purchased a booklet of tickets coded A through E. A tickets were less popular like Cinderella’s Golden Carousel and Main Street Vehicles; E tickets were the most popular and included Country Bear Jamboree Show, Haunted Mansion® Attraction, Jungle Cruise® Attraction, and It’s A Small World® Attraction. You will still hear certain experiences referred to as an E Ticket ride.
(Disney Dining Plans) Disney Dining Plans are available with a wide range of choices – from Quick Service Dining that includes two counter service meals daily to Platinum Dining that provides three full service meals per day. Purchasing a Disney Dining Plan is optional. You may be fortunate to have scheduled your vacation during one of the free dining promotions. The quality of food and the number of table service restaurants has increased over the years but the demand for reservations has also increased. This has resulted in the need to make reservations for the signature dining experiences, character dining and more popular full service restaurants. Your Magic Maker® will alert you as to when it is 180 days from your arrival date. That date is very important if you want dining reservations because that is the day your reservations can be made. Those of us at Off to Neverland® can go over each available plan with you. If you do not purchase a dining plan, you may still buy a refillable mug at your resort to use during your stay for unlimited beverages.
(Disney’s FASTPASS®) Disney’s FASTPASS® allows guests to avoid waiting in line for the most popular rides and attractions. Each guest’s ticket is inserted into a FASTPASS® machine near the ride. A paper ticket will be printed with a one hour return window. When you come back to the ride, enter the designated line without the wait you would have in the standby line! Fastpass+ is replacing this paper ticket system and is being tested as part of the new MyMagic+ experience. Guests will no longer have to trek from ride to ride in order to collect the desired FASTPASS® – your Magic Maker ® will preselect three FASTPASS®’s per day for each guest in your party. Your Magic Maker® will let you know if your group has been selected to participate in this.
(Disney’s Magical Express) Disney’s Magical Express is a free bus service from the Orlando International Airport to Walt Disney World® Resort. Provide us with your airline information and we will get you scheduled. You will have the option of attaching tags to your luggage allowing you to bypass baggage claim and have your luggage delivered to your resort. Take the shuttle directly to your resort, check in, pick a park to visit and let the magic begin! You will receive vouchers for your return to the airport the day before your departure.
(PhotoPass®) PhotoPass® gives everyone in your group the opportunity to be in each photo! Disney photographers are stationed at the most desirable photo spots, character dining, and character meet and greets. You will be given a PhotoPass® card by the first photographer you encounter. Present it as each photo is taken so that all your photos are linked. You may preview your photos at various locations in the parks and resorts and online once you are home. PhotoPass+®+ must be purchased before you leave home. By prepaying, you get a cd of all photos taken during your trip at a reduced price. Ride photos and character dining photos are included in the price of PhotoPass+®.
As you can see, Walt Disney World® Resort has some phrases that are all it’s own! If you need help with any of these topics, or anything else, your Magic Maker® will go over any and all questions! By contacting us, all you have to do is pack and we’ll handle all the details!
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