Walt Disney World Waterparks: Do I Need a Locker?

When visiting Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon in Disney World, you will have two options. Either rent a locker for the day (13$ for a small locker, 15$ for a large locker and you will receive 5$ back at the end of the day when you return your key) or leave all of your goods on a few beach loungers along with your towels. After just returning from Disney World two days ago, I have had my mind changed on this issue and will try to provide some insight.

When I travel to Disney, I visit the waterparks frequently - we spend the afternoon at the waterparks until they close and spend the rest of the day at the theme parks. It's a great way to have keep cool during the hottest part of the day. At 8$ for a locker, you will notice dozens of families using their chairs as a meeting place and thinking nothing of it. We too have always done this and never encountered a problem, until this week.

We were camped out at a popular spot in at Blizzard Beach, close to the wave pool and in the shade. Bringing only our drawstring backpacks, towels, clothes, sunscreen, flip flops and park passes, we had nothing of real value to a thief. After a day in the sun, we returned to a pair of empty loungers (and the large group who had been next to us was nowhere in sight). Notifying a park employee, we were more than surprised at the response we received. Expecting to hear 'That's what you get for leaving your stuff unattended and not renting a locker', Disney's excellent hospitality delivered. The custodian immediately put a call in on his radio to have the other custodians search all garbage cans and washrooms for any sign of our stuff. They took a security report, replaced our annual passes at no charge and canceled our chargeable hotel keys. Since we were left with nothing but the swimwear we were wearing, we were escorted to the gift shop to select new outfits to wear home.

If your clothes are stolen, you may have to wear a ridiculous outfit

The gift shop selection was not quite what we would normally wear, but we weren't complaining. 

While upset that our belongings were stolen, we realized how important it was that we left our cameras and cell phones back at the hotel room. On previous trips we brought our wallets, money, cameras and cell phones and left them where they could be stolen. This brings me to a few words of advice. Did I get a locker for the rest of the trip? You bet. Would I skip the locker in the future? Yes. If you are visiting the waterparks with a sizeable party that splits up and returns to your site frequently, you probably don't need a locker. In over 20 trips to the waterpark, we did not have our belongings stolen. Thieves are careful, they scope out guests and see who is not returning to their chairs. Two people are far more likely to be stolen from than a family of 6 in a populated area. Though we love bringing our Disney towels to the waterparks, they too are a target for theft. After the incident, we stopped bringing towels (you really don't need them, the Florida sun will have you dry by the time you leave the park!)

Another option that some guests use to prevent theft, while avoiding locker fees is a Vacation Vault. Several different brands make these and you will have the luxury of keeping your sunscreen, camera and room keys in an accessible spot, while knowing that theft is unlikely. Using a variation of a bike lock, you can secure your items in a sturdy case that will deter thieves.

A safe way to store your goods

I will be back in Disney in three months and will be testing out a lockable trunk. When you visit Disney, weigh your options carefully. While 8$ a day for a locker may seem ridiculous, consider the value of your goods and which is worth more. Coming soon: I will compare and review Disney World's Port Orleans resorts, French Quarter and Riverside.

The Magic Kingdom

The Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World is the centerpiece of the entire resort. As such, I feel that it deserves to be broken up according to the areas of the park to give it a more in-depth look. There is however, a bit of general information about the park, which I will detail here. (TIP: Visiting the Magic Kingdom before doing anything else is a wonderful way to start your trip right. Whatever your tradition may be, walking up Mainstreet USA towards the castle for the first time is a very special experience.)

Transportation

Being the main park in Walt Disney World, no method of transportation is spared when it comes to the Magic Kingdom. You can visit this park via boat, monorail, bus and car! All methods of Disney transportation come in quite a timely manner, I have rarely experienced any late buses and the cast members have been wonderful about looking into when the bus was coming if the wait was significantly longer than usual. The monorail can be ridden from The Polynesian Resort, The Contemporary Resort, The Grand Floridian Resort and the Transportation and Ticket Center. Note that from the transportation and ticket center, you can also take a different monorail to Epcot. The boats embark from Fort Wilderness, The Wilderness Lodge and Bay Lake Towers at the Contemporary Resort- also note that they often service multiple resorts before reaching the Magic Kingdom. If you are traveling to the Magic Kingdom after nightfall by boat, give yourself ample time to arrive. We have been held up for quite some time due to the Water Parade! Bus service runs to all of the Walt Disney World Resorts. If you are staying at a Downtown Disney area hotel, be sure to take the monorail to one of the nearby hotels and take the bus to Downtown Disney from there for the quickest route home.

Hours

The Magic Kindom is generally open the latest out of all of the parks, a perfect pick if you use the park hopper + water parks, fun and more option on your tickets. In the warmer months, it generally closes at 10PM at the earliest and with Extra Magic Hours can stay open until up to 3AM! (TIP: I consider Extra Magic Hours on their own to be worth staying on property, particularly in the summer months when the crowds are high during the day. If you're a night owl like me, this may be the best option for you) The Magic Kingdom opens early in the morning - approximately 9AM - as all of the parks do, for all of you early birds. The rope dropping is but a legend in my household!

Look forward to my next post, where I will highlight Mainstreet USA, the entry point of the Magic Kingdom

What is Fastpass and What Does it do?

One of the many great features of the Walt Disney World theme parks is Fastpass. It is a free and easy to use system that lets you bypass the long lines of the most popular attractions, significantly cutting down your wait time!

This is how it works:
Head over to the ride of your choice - there will be a little ticket booth beside the entrance - and insert your park ticket (hold on to your park ticket if you're only visiting Disney for a day!).
You will receive your ticket back, along with your fast pass. The fastpass will have a time displayed on it in which you can come back and cut the line. This time is generally at least 50 minutes ahead of the time you picked up the Fastpass, although on very busy days, the return time may be several hours ahead for the big ticket rides like Splash Mountain and the Expedition Everest. (TIP: When you arrive at your theme park of choice, head straight to the ride you want a Fastpass for, then get in line for another ride.)
Return, get into the Fastpass line and cruise past everybody in the stand by line!

Kali River Rapids Fastpass Lane

An important aspect of Fastpass to note is that you will be unable to pick up Fastpass for a different ride until you have used your old one, so choose wisely. (TIP: Pick up a Fastpass before heading to a meal, it'll shorten your wait!)

The scenery really adds something extra to your wait!

Top Fastpass Attractions

Animal Kingdom: Expedition Everest, Dinosaur, Kali River Rapids, Kilimanjaro Safaris
Magic Kingdom: Splash Mountain, Big Thunder Mountain, Space Mountain
Hollywood Studios: Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, Indiana Jones
Epcot: Test Track, Soarin'!, Mission Space

What to Pack for a Trip to Walt Disney World

A lot of first time Disney travelers are unsure of what to pack. Here I will explain what I and others bring and why they will be helpful. (There will be a more detailed entry later on non-wearable items you should pack.

Clothing

If you are visiting between April and October, I recommend packing very light clothing - thin fabrics, shorts and small tops (Disney has a policy against shirtless men). The combination of humidity and heat work together to bring the temperatures up to sweltering levels - I cannot stress enough that you mustn't bring heavy fabrics. On my last trip, we brought a friend who was insistent on wearing shoes at all times and heavy fabrics. She ended up with blistered feet and made a beeline for every single splash fountain! Aside from summer months, you do still need to pack a pair of pants and a light jacket because there may be a few slightly chilly evenings, and you will find everywhere to be highly air conditioned. In the winter, the temperature does drop near freezing, so you likely don't need a winter coat, but you won't be in a t-shirt either.

Swimwear

For women, a one piece swimsuit is a nice thing to bring with you if you want to ride some of the more intense waterslides at Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach without damaging your swimsuit (The vertical drop slides are the ones you need to worry about here). The wave-pool at Typhoon Lagoon is notorious for making off with your swim bottoms, so wear a two piece at your own risk! Buckles and other metal pieces are not allowed, so keep that in mind.

Footwear

This is a big one. Your footwear will play an important role in your comfort for the duration of your stay. If you choose to wear shoes, your feet will sweat. Wear moisture wicking socks to prevent blisters, because it's unlikely that they'll heal before you go home! (TIP: Bring a ziplock baggie of different sized bandaids. The last thing anybody wants is to spend 5 hours at the Magic Kingdom in the sweltering heat with a chafing blister on their foot!) Runners are the most popular shoe worn in Walt Disney World, but be sure to bring a spare pair in case you get caught in the rain or go on a water ride. Crocs are another very popular option, worn by kids and adults alike in Disney - very useful footwear because they can be worn on the water slides. Personally, I wear flip flops although many would disagree with their comfort. I wear ergonomic flip flops with arch support by Reef while in Walt Disney World and highly recommend them for the long days if you enjoy flip flops.

Extras

I'm a huge fan of drawstring backpacks. Light and expandable, these can be found in the parks and Downtown Disney for around 20$. They're great for packing a swimsuit, towel, camera and wallet and stowing quickly on rides, perfect for younger guests. For parents carrying snacks and extras, a large durable beach bag comes in very handy. Disney does sell a few of these, but it is advisable to bring one from home as they can be hard to find and there is not much selection.

It's not a trip to Walt Disney World without passing a few lobster red people, don't be one of them! I'm loyal to the Coppertone 80-100 SPF Sunscreen spray sold at the waterparks and Neutrogena SPF 100 oil free facial sunscreen, both of which do an excellent job of protecting skin from the sun's harmful rays. (TIP: Be vigilant with sunscreen if you go snorkeling, it's one of the easiest ways to develop an bad sunburn) I always pack a bottle of aloe vera as well, as it's easy to miss a spot or neglect your sunscreen when you're having fun.

Bring a hat! In the Florida sun, you will get a sunburn in a day or less without protection and we often forget our scalps. Disney sells a variety of hats, so you may want to buy one in the parks. I always pack a few straw hats! Your eyes need protection too, so make sure you bring a comfortable pair of sunglasses or you may find yourself spending the trip hunting for a pair.

The Lobby at the Polynesian Resort

One last tip: If you're flying in, pack a swimsuit, a change of clothes and comfortable park walking shoes in your carry on luggage. Always bring your tickets and the address of your hotel. If your luggage goes missing, you will not want to miss out on a day at the parks on top of lost luggage.

Happy Packing!

Typhoon Lagoon

What's one of the many benefits of visiting Disney in the warmer months? Access to two of the best waterparks ever built! You can't go wrong with either waterpark but today I'll discuss a few highlights of Typhoon Lagoon and what makes it so special.

As you drive up the winding road to the parking lot, you'll see from the beautiful landscaping that you're headed for tropical paradise.  As you enter the park, surf music begins to float in from every direction. Following the path up a slight hill, through a gap in the palms the surf pool and Mount Mayday come into full view.

The legend behind Typhoon Lagoon is that it is a tropical island after being hit with a hurricane. Up ended boats, fishing shacks and fruit washing stations are just a few of the details Disney has included to set the scene.

A feature of both Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon is that neither is built like a traditional waterpark. There are almost no stairs, rather the majority of the slides are built on a mountain in the center of the park and several sloped paths will take you to them. Getting around these waterparks is so quick and easy, largely because of the lazy rivers that run along the perimeter of each of them, looping the entire park. They're a great way to relax and enjoy the sun and you'll get some good views of the park.

While Blizzard Beach may look more exciting at first glance, a walk through Typhoon Lagoon will reveal plenty of tucked away adventures. (The fact that many of the attractions are hidden helps trim the lines and creates a sense of privacy among the hundreds of other guests.) A few of the best treats that take a bit of exploring to find are Humunga Kowabunga - enclosed free fall tube slides with more than a fifty foot drop, Mountain Walk - my favorite place in the park filled with waterfalls and sights - and the Crush n' Gusher - three heart dropping water coasters.

Humunga Kowabunga

Mountain Walk

The Surf Pool has its name for a reason. If you've been itching to try surfing (like I have!) then wait no longer! Typhoon Lagoon offers surfing lessons for ages eight and up before the park opens, but do keep in mind that you have to book the lesson in advance. The lesson lasts approximately two and a half hours, with two of these hours being in the water at a price of about 150$. If you're not looking to stretch your budget, fear not! The huge waves at Typhoon Lagoon are fantastic for body surfing and can carry you several meters. Be careful about your choice of swimsuit!

My shoddy video of the crowd being swept away in the shallows. I promise to get a better camera!

During a long day at Typhoon Lagoon, it's nice to kick back on a lounger in front of the Surf Pool. I love to grab a pulled pork BBQ sandwich or funnel cake during the middle of a hot day and sit on the beach. Which brings me to my next point..

Sometimes it's easy to forget to stay hydrated while swimming. Both Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach sell really handy mugs that you can refill as many times as you want at several stations throughout the park. (There are also sinks) They were around eleven dollars a year ago and if you like soft drinks, they're a great buy. The only catch is that you need a new scannable sticker every day that you visit, but this costs less than the full price of a mug. I think you'll notice that there's a way around this, but I'll let you figure that one out.

For tips on what to bring, I will be posting an entry about that very soon, so stay tuned!

The Animal Kingdom

The Animal Kingdom is - in my opinion - the second best theme park in Walt Disney World, coming up closely behind the Magic Kingdom. It has exhilarating rides, lush greenery everywhere you look, privacy and a variety of areas that are appropriate for all ages. Be sure to pick up a map at the entrance and make a beeline for the Fastpass booth at either Expedition Everest, Kilimanjaro Safaris or the Kali River Rapids!

Immediately after entering the park, you will be plunged into the tropical forest that is Discovery Island. One of my favorite sections of the park, I can't emphasize how beautiful and tranquil this area is. Animals and waterfalls are tucked into every corner and the canopy overhead shades you from the sun and rain.

Don't Miss out on these Rides

Expedition Everest - This ride is perfect for those who won't go near the roller coasters at Universal Studios (Me!), but still want a heart pumping ride. Expedition Everest begins at a calm pace until you reach the peak of the mountain. I'll leave what happens at the top a surprise for first time riders, but you do end up flying backwards down the mountain at a tremendous pace! This ride is refreshing on a hot day and a Fastpass is a must. Aside from the Kali River Rapids, the wait for this ride is often the longest in the park and you will be waiting outdoors for most of it! This is one of those instances where a water fan is a life saver. We have braved the 1 hour + standby line on a 35 degree day with the aid of a water fan keeping us cool. The line also winds through some pretty neat scenes, so you'll certainly find ways to stay entertained!

Kilimanjaro Safaris - This is always a difference experience! Venture to Africa and explore the vast expanse of land filled with exotic animals and settings. There are a few surprises and you may end up caught behind a herd of gazelles at some point!

Kali River Rapids - On a hot day, there is no better ride at The Animal Kingdom than the Kali River Rapids. You'll travel through lush lands as you get soaked from head to toe (bring a change of shoes or wear flip flops, as you are not permitted to ride barefoot!) There will be a sealed compartment to protect you belongings, but they still may get wet. (TIP: Pack zip-lock bags of a few different sizes. They're a fool proof way of ensuring your electronics are always protected, whether you're on a water ride or in the rain!)

Dinosaur - Despite having spent a good deal of time traversing The Animal Kingdom, I did not experience Dinosaur until my trip in May of 2011. This ride throws you into the Jurassic period, on a mission to find an Iguanadon..if only it were that simple! As you drive, you'll be chased by the terrifying larger than life Carnotaurus, as well as a few other dinosaurs. I would not recommend this ride for younger children, unless they love a good scare!

That's all for my quick overview of The Animal Kingdom! Next, I will be writing about one of the two most visited waterparks in the entire world - Typhoon Lagoon.

Thanks for reading!

Questions!

While I am currently working on a review of The Animal Kingdom, I am open to any and all questions you may have about planning a trip to Walt Disney World. Post in the comment section below and have a great day!

Disney World in May

My absolute favorite Month of year to visit Disney World in is May. This month is fantastic for so many reasons and I highly recommend visiting at this time of year if it is your first trip!

As a Canadian born in the wrong climate, I can't get enough of the Florida heat. In May the temperatures tend to hover around 30C (86F), although cold bouts of 23C (73F) do occasionally happen. As the month heats up, temperatures rise to 35C (95F) - making for the perfect trip to Typhoon Lagoon. To first time Disney guests who don't enjoy the heat, don't worry! Disney keeps their shops, rides and restaurants so air conditioned that you feel a refreshing blast as you walk past the entrances. (TIP: To keep your party comfortable in line on the hotter days, invest in a portable fan that sprays mist.)

Not only are the temperatures wonderfully moderate in Orlando in May, but there is less risk of being rained out of a park than in the summer months. The storms in Orlando can come up quickly, but disappear with equal speed. I recommend visiting the water parks in the morning and leaving in the early afternoon for the theme parks - when it is most likely to rain. Many of the rides in Disney World are built indoors, so pick up a poncho and carry on! (TIP: When a storm begins, all of the Disney stores sell ponchos. These are great for protecting clothes on a late night trip down Splash Mountain on a not so warm night and for braving the rain while everybody else takes shelter!) The warm air makes for a very comfortable walk in the rain, and the lines will be much shorter. My favorite theme park to visit on a rainy day is the Animal Kingdom, because you can often ride the Kilamanjaro Safari and Expedition Everest without a fastpass and little wait. The greenery is also spectacular in the rain, particularly around the rivers.

Another bonus of Disney World in May is that it is regular season, meaning that you'll often find great discount codes to use when booking - significantly reducing the cost of your trip. In previous years I have saved up to 30% on Moderate resorts during May!

The May crowds are thinner than in the Summer, although towards the end of the month, more families do begin to show up. As the month progresses, Disney opens up more Extra Magic Hours evenings and the closing times of Extra Magic Hours are often later. You'll find even find the Magic Kingdom open until 3AM at least once in May, leaving the park calm and leaving you to ride your favorite rides with little wait!

Welcome!

Welcome all readers! In beginning this blog, my aim is to help you plan the best possible trip to Disney World. I believe that every family deserves to visit Disney World at least once, but it's not always easy to plan the perfect trip, or budget! In order to help you get the biggest bang for your buck, I'll be answering any questions you have and sharing some of the best tricks that I have discovered over the years to reduce the cost of your trip.

I have planned several trips to Disney World, including family vacations for myself, vacations for friends and anybody who is looking for advice. As a seasoned Disney traveler, I know that the first trip can cost almost double the price of your third trip, even if you do more on the third! On each trip I've made, I've learned more about how to brave the crowds, save money and have an amazing time than the last, so stay tuned for reviews and more!