Theme Park Visits

For everyone that asks for advice.........

September 29, 2010



How to get the most out of a Disney/Universal theme park visit

By Jayne Clark, USA TODAY


A hot-off-the-presses copy of The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World 2011 arrived in the mail the other day, which seemed like a good excuse to ring up author Bob Sehlinger for a refresher course on how to squeeze the most out of a Disney/Universal theme park visit. With single-day admissions recently hiked to $82 at both, time really is money at these Orlando parks.

Sehlinger started the Unofficial Guide franchise back in 1985 when he told Disney honchos he was going to write a guidebook about their theme parks and they replied, "You can't do that," Sehlinger recalls.

Turns out he could. And he did.

Today, the series has six Disney-related titles, three of which are updated annually by a team of 30 or so including data collectors, dining critics, hotel inspectors and two child psychologists. He even has a patent-pending algorithm used to create touring plans that weighs variables such as ride capacity, traffic flow and mechanical reliability.

"(The plans) will absolutely save you up to four hours of waiting in queues over the day," Sehlinger declares.

This year's 800-pound gorilla of the theme park world is The Wizarding World of Harry Potter attraction at Universal Orlando's Islands of Adventure theme park. It debuted last summer to raves and interminable lines -- up to seven hours in the first weeks after opening, Sehlinger says. (And yes, apparently it's the sort of thing a hard-core fan dressed in a Hogwarts school uniform will happily endure.)

Crowd control at the attraction has improved and the crowds aren't quite as daunting, he adds. But here's a tip for the Wizarding World bound: Wait until 3 or 4 p.m. to go. It'll still be busy, but the early throngs will have cycled through. Better yet, if the park is open late, wait until 6-ish to queue up. "Things are winding down, with cooler temperatures and a vastly smaller crowd," Sehlinger advises. "And you'll have the added benefit of being able to seeing Wizarding World with its lights. It's magical."

Some of Sehlinger's favorite tips for tackling the theme parks:

-- Plan, plan, plan.

Not only should you buy tickets in advance so you're not wasting time at the ticket window, but you should have a touring plan (this is where the Unofficial Guide comes in). "It's the best way to experience the most attractions in the least amount of time," Sehlinger says. "We can tell which families have a plan to see the park, because they're doing stuff. Without a plan, people are like chickens in a thunderstorm clucking over a map."

-- Besides having a logistical plan, you should prepare physically. Sehlinger figures the typical theme park attendee walks eight miles in a single day. "People who aren't accustomed to that or the crowds or the heat fall apart," he says.

-- Arrive at the park early to get a jump on the masses. (If you're staying at a Universal or Disney-owned lodging, take advantage of exclusive guest-only time in the parks.)

-- You can't avoid the hefty entrance fees, but you can save on lodging and food.

You'll always save money staying in a non Disney/Universal hotel. And given the economy, there are some incredible hotel deals in the Orlando area, Sehlinger says. Do a broad Internet search (he likes Kayak.com) and when you find something, call the hotel directly to ask about specials or other ways to sweeten the deal with a room upgrade, for instance. (Avoid timing your visit when there's a big convention in town, which drives up rates. You can check the schedule on the Orlando/Orange County Convention & Visitors Bureau website.)

-- If you're driving, pack a cooler. If not, buy a Styrofoam one when you arrive. Stock it with breakfast fixings and snacks, which you can take with you to the parks to avoid dropping a bundle on expensive vendor food.

-- Another benefit of staying off-property is that you'll have access to less expensive eateries than those in the parks. (Check the brochure racks at your lodging for discount coupons.)

-- Don't try to do it all. This goes double for families with children 12 and younger. "Take a mid-day break," Sehlinger says. "Go back to the hotel for lunch, a nap and swim. In summer, with longer park hours, you can go back at night."


Enjoy!