Walt Disney World is the most-visited vacation resort in the
world. Yet as magical as it is, it can also be extremely overwhelming
for parents, grandparents, and even children themselves.
For
over 20 years, Fodor’s Travel has helped families travel smarter to
Disney with its annual Walt Disney World with Kids guidebook. The
authors of the book, Kim Wright Wiley and Leigh C.W. Jenkins, are the
ultimate Disney World Experts: they've been there over 100 times
combined, and Leigh even worked there for three years. Here are their
top 10 things not to do at Disney World.
SLEEP IN AND ARRIVE AT THE PARKS WHENEVER YOU FEEL LIKE IT
Ordinarily, one of the perks of going on vacation is getting to sleep in—but not at Disney! The number one mistake first-time guests make is thinking they can arrive at the parks at 11 a.m. and see everything in a couple of hours. The park is least crowded in the first hour after opening, so this is your best chance to get on the big-name rides without long waits. Later you can have an afternoon siesta.
EXPECT TO DO IT ALL
A fact to ponder: Walt Disney World is twice the size of Manhattan. With four theme parks, two water parks, and countless sporting, shopping, and dining options, it's impossible to see everything in the course of one vacation. (In fact, they designed it that way to make sure you'll come back.) Rather than treating the vacation like some military assault, consider the age, stamina, and risk tolerance of everyone in your party and prioritize accordingly. Reading up on the parks in advance will give you a good sense of which attractions are "must dos" for your family, which are nice if you have the time, and which are skippable. And you don't have to do everything together: strapping Grandma onto Space Mountain against her will or hoping a three-year-old sits still through The Hall of Presidents is a recipe for disaster.
MAKE THIS A TOTALLY PARENT-PLANNED TRIP
Parents often plan a vacation for their kids without consulting the very people they are trying to entertain. Besides helping the kids get excited about the trip, letting them in on the decision-making will prevent temper tantrums and fighting while you're on vacation. One strategy is to let each family member choose three must-see attractions in each park and then agree to honor those choices. (This can also help you create the basis of your FastPass+ list.)
“WING IT”
Thanks largely to FastPass+, the My Disney Experience app, and the ever-expanding size of the parks, gone are the days where Disney can be tackled without a plan. If you're thinking, "We'll just show up, get a map, and see what everybody feels like doing," you're likely to find yourself shut out of the best restaurants and most popular attractions by families who made advance reservations. This is especially true if you're traveling during summer or over a major holiday.
STAY ON THE EASTERN SIDE OF ORLANDO
There is a reason good deals can be found at hotels on the eastern side of Orlando (I-4, exits 80 and higher)—they're the farthest away from Disney. Staying in this area guarantees you'll be fighting Orlando rush-hour traffic every morning, on top of the traffic Disney itself draws. If you plan on spending most of your time in the parks and not on the highway, make sure to stay in hotels that are off exits 79 and below.
EAT NOTHING BUT FAST FOOD
Not many
people associate Disney with culinary delights, but you should! Disney
goes to great lengths to provide an array of dining choices to its
guests, with both variety and quality increasing steadily every year.
One of the best ways to find out where to go? Ask a cast member where
their favorite place to eat is. No one knows the parks—and its
food—better!
KEEP THE FAMILY TOGETHER 24/7
It
may seem counterintuitive to split up—this is a family vacation, after
all—but little breaks will make the time together better, so schedule
time apart to explore or just to relax. Older kids can split off from
the group to ride a favorite over and over, or one parent can take the
younger kids to Fantasyland while the other tackles the coasters with
the older ones. Babies, older family members, and anyone who has just
plain had it can go back to the room while the teens stay in the parks.
(Granted, this is easier if you're staying on-site at a Disney-owned
hotel and can use their transportation system to come and go whenever
you please.) Parents, look into in-room babysitters or the kidsitting
programs provided at most hotels so you can enjoy an evening at one of
Disney's upscale, adult-centric restaurants.
HAVE TUNNEL VISION
The
Disney parks are full of wonderfully creative details. While walking
down Main Street in the Magic Kingdom, look up to the store windows to
find the names of people who have influenced the Disney Company. In the
Animal Kingdom, spend time studying the Tree of Life and its more than
300 animal carvings. Hollywood Studios has some of the best
Streetmosphere performers—actors and actresses who walk around like
they're in 1920s Hollywood, interacting with guests and putting on
small shows. Epcot has shows going non-stop around the World Showcase
in the afternoon and many, like the young acrobats in China, are
especially fun for kids. And the number one thing to notice? The cast
members! Many guests report that the highlight of their trip was
getting to know the men and women who make Walt Disney World the
magical place it is.
GIVE YOUR KIDS MICKEY-PHOBIA
Many
toddlers and even a few older kids will find the experience of meeting
Mickey Mouse and friends to be intimidating. If your kids seem
overwhelmed when they get through the gates and find that the main
mouse is actually five feet tall, start them off slowly by meeting the
face characters—those like Aladdin or Cinderella who don’t wear a mask.
And instead of forcing kids into the picture, allow them to watch the
characters before approaching. Employees have been trained to be
sensitive around nervous children and are good at slowly inviting them
to participate on their own terms. If you schedule a character meal,
save if for the last day. By then, even the most cautious kids usually will have warmed up.
ASSUME ALL RIDES ARE APPROPRIATE FOR ALL AGES
Sure,
Disney is for families, but some of the attractions can pack quite a
wallop. It’s easy to figure out that a ride called Tower of Terror
might be terrifying, but keep in mind that Disney does scary
atmospheres as well. The Haunted Mansion, It’s Tough to be a Bug,
Stitch's Great Escape—all of these are tame rides with elements that
might frighten some youngsters. When in doubt, let a parent ride first
and come back with the verdict, or do a baby swap.
What to Do in Paris in the Winter
At
this time of year, many of us find ourselves daydreaming about a
holiday in the sun. There's another way to get through the winter
months, though: embrace them. Escape for a short holiday without having
to go long haul by exploring the winter wonderland that many European
cities offer, not least Paris.
It's more affordable in winter, for starters; hotels offer their lowest room rates, and many museums offer free entry on the first Sunday of the month
in the low season. It's the time of year when "Paris is for Parisians",
and it's a blessed relief not to deal with crowds everywhere you go.
Below are some suggestions on how to make the most of a mid-winter
stay, along with some hotel recommendations. We've highlighted three below that will place you close to the action.
1.The City of Lights
The
greyness of winter vanishes as soon as it gets dark, as the City of
Paris illuminates around 125 streets throughout the city, and from late
November to early January over 200 trees on the Champs Élysées are
festooned with lights stretching from the Place de l'Étoile and the Arc
de Triomphe to the Place de la Concorde. Walk down the avenue, admiring
the lights as they change colour in turn, and end up at the large
Christmas market, which has little chalets selling handmade gifts and
specialties from all over France. The department stores on Boulevard
Haussmann, Printemps and Galeries Lafayette, are also lit up
spectacularly, and have incredible window displays and indoor
decorations.
2.The January Sales
London
is famed for its January sales, but the Paris sales aren't exactly
shabby. The winter sales last five weeks (from January 8 to February 11
in general this year) and include small boutiques as well as the larger
department stores. It's a great time to get a designer item at a good
price and again, there are far less crowds than during the June/July
sales.
3.Ice-skating
The
main space of the Grand Palais exhibition complex (above), with its
Beaux-Arts iron, steel and glass barrel-vaulted roof, has been
transformed into France's largest and most impressive rink, the Grand Palais des Glaces,
running from December 13 to January 6. There's a special area for
children and novices, and it's open until 2am on Thursdays, Fridays and
Saturdays, with DJs playing dance music.
The most well-known ice-skating rink in Paris is outside the Hotel de Ville
and runs from December 21 to March 17. It especially comes to life
after dark - again, the lights! It's the perfect way to get some
exercise, young or old.
Another, the Patinoire des Cinq Continents
(or "The Five Continents"), is located right in the Christmas market on
the Champs Élysées; a 60 metre long winding path leads you past over
300 animated animals and there's a special track for speed skaters. It
runs from November 15 to January 5 this year.
Where to stay:
Hotel Mansart
Some rooms at the Hotel Mansart overlook the elegant Place Vendôme, which is lit up spectacularly in winter. You're located right behind the Ritz and a ten minute walk from the department stores on Boulevard Hausmann, as well as being close to the Jardin des Tuileries and the Louvre. Most of the rooms are spacious by Paris standards and are decorated in elegant, soothing neutrals. Breakfast includes bacon, eggs and sausages as well as fruit and cereals, perfect for filling up before hitting the wintry streets. Double room start at €145.
Hotel Cambon
The Tuileries Gardens are only 50 metres from the Hotel Cambon; perfect for a brisk walk after a heavy lunch (and even more magical if it is snowing while you visit). You're in the heart of a great shopping district, too - the very first Chanel boutique to open is on Rue Cambon. A couple of metro stops or a short taxi ride will get you to ice-skating at the Grand Palais. This hotel bills itself as an "art hotel", and the hotel has an extensive collection of sculptures and paintings on display, and rooms decorated in bright cheerful colours.
Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
Beach lovers flock to the idyllic coasts of Punta Cana and Semana,
but many of them make it a point to avoid the island’s bustling capital
city of old Santo Domingo. It has a rep for having a gritty stretch or
two, so I was surprised to find a breezy colonial town that’s chock
full of old world charm (it's actually the oldest European city in the
New World.) Tucked along the historic quarters of Zona Colonial are
long leafy boulevards, grand European-style squares like the Parque
Colon, elegant restaurants, churches dating back to the 1500s, and
quaint little shops. It has a few boutique hotel options, too—go for
the ideally located Hostal Nicolas de Ovando
, which is housed in a former 16th-century Spanish estate. I felt as
completely at home sitting around its pool overlooking the Caribbean as
I did strolling around the city’s main streets—which were safe to walk
even at night. —Lindsay Talbo
People visit ice sculptures illuminated by colored lights during a
trial operation ahead of the 31st Harbin International Ice and Snow
Festival in the northern city of Harbin, Heilongjiang province, China,
January 4, 2015
World's Biggest St. Patrick's Day Celebrations
New York hosts the country’s and the world’s largest St. Patrick’s Day celebration,
with more than two million people gathering for the city’s grand parade
on March 17. The march up Fifth Avenue starts at 11 am on 44th Street
and lasts about six hours, ending at 79th, with a stop at the St.
Patrick’s Cathedral along the way. There are no floats or cars allowed
in the parade, which features bands, bagpipes, and dancers, and
typically between 150,000 to 250,000 participants. The tradition itself
dates back to 1762, making the NYC St. Patrick’s Day Parade older than
the U.S. itself.
Paris in spring
Paris
is beautiful to explore any season. But spring is the time to soak up
that special ‘April in Paris’ charm that Sinatra sung about so well:
chestnut groves blossom, city parks burst into flower, plane trees
sprout foliage over boulevards, and cafe terraces buzz with new-found
energy as Parisians head outdoors to enjoy spring’s soft warm days.
Here are our top 10 things to do in Paris in spring.
Eiffel Tower
No Parisian landmark embraces springtime blue skies so enthusiastically as the Eiffel Tower – its spire is frequently half-lost in fog in winter. On clear spring days, the 324m-tall tower is striking from any angle. And with the new glass flooring on the 1st floor – peer down at Paris beneath your feet – views have never been sharper.For a panorama of the city from the tower, lunch at 58 Tour Eiffel or Michelin-starred Le Jules Verne. For ringside views of the icon and its webbed ironwork imprinted on blue sky, consider Les Ombres or the more casual Café BranlRomance oozes out of every historic nook and cranny of Île St-Louis and Île de la Cité, both perfect for a springtime stroll. These two islands on the Seine have quaint car-free streets full of old-world boutiques. Start on a high with the bestial rooftop of Cathédrale Notre Dame, then relax on a bench beneath pink cherry blossoms in the Seine-side garden of Square Jean XXIII.The stained glass windows inside Notre Dame and at nearby Sainte-Chapelle are dazzling at this time of year when the sunlight streams in. Cool down afterwards with une glace (an ice cream) from Paris’ most famous ice cream shop, Berthillon.
Jardin du Luxembourg
Lounging on a sage-green deckchair in this mythical city park is a Parisian spring essential. Chasing a vintage wooden sail boat around the park’s octagonal Grand Bassin pond is brilliant fun – kids have done this since the 1920s. This spring will also see the opening of a new puppet-show season at Théâtre du Luxembourg and a new art exhibition at Musée du Luxembourg, both in the park
Musée Rodin
Spring marries perfectly with the Musée Rodin, one of Paris’ loveliest art museums in the former studio and showroom of sculptor and painter Auguste Rodin. Sculptures inside the 18th-century mansion are world-class (don’t miss Rodin’s L’Eternel Printemps (Eternal Spring), a sculpture of two lovers embracing) but the museum gardens are most memorable. Roses mingle with The Kiss, The Thinker and other voluptuous Rodin sculptures, while wooden sun lounges demand peaceful contemplation between springtime blossoms.
Nuit des Musées
The annual Nuit des Musées (Museum Night; nuitdesmusees.culture.fr) in May is a prime opportunity to revel in Paris’ second-to-none portfolio of museums and monuments: sights stay open all night on 16 May 2015 and admission is free.
Cafe culture
Watch the world go by over un café (a coffee) or early evening apéro (pre-meal drink) on one of the city’s zillions of cafe pavement terraces – there is no finer time of year to indulge in Parisian cafe culture than spring as outdoor heaters are put away and tables multiply. Traditional neighbourhood cafes with sunny terraces and bistro chairs meticulously arranged in tight rows include Le Petit Fer à Cheval and Café Charlot in Le Marais neighbourhood; Le Progrès, loaded with ambience in Montmartre; Café Saint Régis, footsteps from Notre Dame; and Café La Palette where art dealers and fashionistas congregate on the Left Bank. At dusk place du Marché Ste-Catherine is a pretty cafe-laced square to sit beneath fairy lights and sip an apéro.Chez Prune is the cafe-bar that put Canal St-Martin on the map. Elegant Le Saut du Loup has a stunning terrace overlooking the Louvre and the green lawns of Jardin du Carrousel while homemade ginger lemonade and hibiscus flower cordial make L’Ebouillanté, footsteps from the Seine, an artsy favourite.
Canal St-Martin
The tranquil, 4.5km-long Canal St-Martin in northeastern Paris was surely created with sunny spring days in mind – reflections on the water are superbly photogenic and a stroll or cycle along the canal’s leafy towpaths or between trendy boutiques is like a scene straight out of a film. Watch canal boats pass through locks and beneath vintage swing bridges that pivot 90 degrees when boats approach.
Al fresco dining
Spring in Paris is about sitting outside and feasting on the city’s extraordinarily varied cuisine. Gastronomic restaurants rarely have outdoor seating, but budget and midrange places do.
Immediate hot spots near the Eiffel Tower – popular among the local office crowd for a brasserie lunch in the midday sun – are La Mascotte and Upper Crèmerie. In Le Marais, a trendsetting crowd lunches in the hidden courtyard of Derrière, while the terrace at Mini Palais is magnifique for soaking up the old-world atmosphere of art nouveau Paris. Beloved Left Bank addresses include casual Le Square and Yves Camdeborde’s raved-about gourmet bistro Le Comptoir du Relais. Chez Nathalie is a sweet spot in the 13th arrondissement to dine on modern French.
Paris’ open-air street markets, such as Marché Bastille, burst with fresh seasonal produce at this time of year and are a treat to explore and to pick up goods for a park picnic.
Château de Versailles
Late spring ushers in the start of Les Grandes Eaux Musicales (Musical Fountain Show) in the magnificent gardens of Château de Versailles, France’s most colossal castle is very much in a class of its own when it comes to over-the-top opulence. Its seasonal ‘dancing water’ fountain displays – set to music composed by baroque- and classical-era composers – are unique, magical and a highlight of any day trip from central Paris to Versailles.
Street entertainment
Spring raises the curtain on Paris’ fantastic gaggle of clowns, mime artists, living statues, acrobats, inline skaters, musicians and other street entertainers. Best spots to catch a fun, free show outside include Pont St-Louis near Cathédrale de Notre Dame, place du Tertre in Montmartre, place Georges Pompidou in front of the Centre Pompidou, and place Joachim du Bellay by the Fontaine des Innocents in the 1st arrondissement.
