The theme park you don’t know

OK, you have arrived at the world’s largest tourist destination and are ready for some theme parking (yes, theme park has been turned into a verb). Armed with your tickets in hand, you and the family are ready for serious vacation activities. What do you do first?

Upon arriving at the theme park of your destination, grab a map and walk straight to the back of the park. Most visitors will walk in, utter something like, “Wow! Look at that!” and go to the first attraction they see, making the shows, rides and other points of interest near the entrance crowded in the early part of the day. Head for the rear and work your way forward. You’ll find shorter lines by doing it this way. Make sure to check the park guide for show times and hours of operation for attractions you don’t want to miss—some may close early or have limited runnings.

If you have a choice of two doors or separate lines, go toward the left. The left lines are always shorter. If the estimated time for waiting in line reads 45 minutes, don’t be discouraged. Routinely, the wait times are reported longer than they actually are so visitors will think it really wasn’t so bad after all.

Remember, not all theme park adventures happen inside the gates of the actual park. Fireworks are popular attractions at the Magic Kingdom and EPCOT Center. To guarantee an excellent view of the spectacles, don’t fight the crowds for a spot with limited vision. Book your own fireworks cruise. A private viewing can be arranged for small groups of eight to ten people. Pontoon boats glide across the waters of the Seven Seas Lagoon to take guests close to the Magic Kingdom’s Wishes fireworks. Or you can sail across the lake in the center of EPCOT’s World Showcase for an outstanding view of Illuminations: Reflections of Earth. The price of the cruises varies depending on the number of people, size of the boat, and if any refreshments are requested. Participants may also ask for private dining onboard the boats.

For another water adventure, put on your blue blazer and ascot and play yachtsman for a day. The “Breathless Cruise” allows guests to rent a 1930 mahogany reproduction Chris Craft run-about boat. The boat has a six guest maximum and is available at Disney’s Yacht Club Resort and Disney’s Beach Club Resort. This cruise can be booked during Illuminations, or vacationers with a fondness for daytime cruising can rent it throughout the day.

Another option is to take a VIP Cruise on Grand I Yacht, a 45-foot Sea Ray yacht staffed by a captain and deckhand. Available at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, the yacht offers a 13 guest maximum. Again, private dining is available if desired.

If you ride the Walt Disney World monorail, and almost all visitors do, go to the front and ask nicely if you can ride with the engineer. If no one else has beaten you to it, it’s a great view of the grounds and lot more fun than being crammed into a car with dozens of other tourists. You even get an official Walt Disney World Co-Pilot license as a souvenir.

But, for the ultimate in theme park adventures, be sure to take in some of the behind-the-scenes tours at Walt Disney World. There are about 17 such tours offered at any given time, (more during the holidays) ranging from “Living Seeds,” a 45-minute peek at EPCOT's huge greenhouses, to a seven-hour walk through three separate parks.

Participants can also swim with the sharks and other sea creatures at EPCOT’s Living Seas pavilion, glide on a private boat through the Magic Kingdom’s Jungle Cruise, ride a Segway around EPCOT, and get a real backstage glimpse behind the magic that makes everything work. For a real family treat, try a scavenger hunt in the Magic Kingdom. Some special tours allow guests to ask questions and get answers that are never heard in the mainstream tourist areas. Custom tours are also available.

For easy fun, look for Hidden Mickeys—the three circles that comprise the head and ears of the world’s most famous mouse. They can be found on the rides, in landscaping, concealed in the architecture—just about everywhere on Disney property. Some hotels offer contests to see who can find the most Hidden Mickeys.

Remember, theme parking is hard work. At almost any time of the day, exhausted tourists napping on benches throughout the parks are a common sight. Go to the parks early in the day and take a break from the afternoon heat. Go back to your room for a nap or a swim in the pool, and then return to the parks in the evening. Pace yourself, wear comfortable shoes, and enjoy your visit to the theme park capital of the world. And, go home with stories about a special experience no one else has ever imagined.

By Vicki Slingluff-Andrews Orlando Today