Tips, Tricks, and Information
Money-saving tips, time-saving tricks, and
some peace-of-mind information. Baby
Swap Orlando Weather
Express, Express Plus, and Fast Passes
Tickets Guide
Character Meets and Autographs
Character and All Other Dining
Age and Height Requirements
Money Savers
Time Savers
Extra Tips
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Baby Swap
The “baby swap” is used at rides if there is a young child
or infant that, due to height or age requirements or fear of
a ride, will not be able to participate in the ride. To use
the baby swap, there must be at least two adult with the
child. The attendant of the attraction must be told that you
wish to use the baby swap, and the entire group will move
through the line. At the end of the line, the child [or
children] and one adult will stay behind. Once the riding
adult finishes the ride and informs the cast member, the
adult that stayed behind will get on. If there is a third
adult, then that adult will be able to ride twice, once with
each of the other adults.
Available at most
parks, including Disney, Universal Studios, and Islands of
Adventure parks.
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Weather in Orlando
|
Month |
Highs &
Lows [F] |
Rainfall
[in] |
|
January |
72, 49 |
2.1 |
|
February |
73, 50 |
2.8 |
|
March |
78, 55 |
3.2 |
|
April |
84, 60 |
2.2 |
|
May |
88, 66 |
4.0 |
|
June |
91, 71 |
7.4 |
|
July |
92, 73 |
7.8 |
|
August |
92, 73 |
6.3 |
|
September |
90, 73 |
5.6 |
|
October |
84, 65 |
2.8 |
|
November |
78, 57 |
1.8 |
|
December |
73, 51 |
1.8 |
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FastPass, Express Pass, and Express Plus Pass
Disney's Fastpass tickets are
offered free of charge within the parks, and allow you to
skip long lines for certain attractions; these tickets are
given in front of certain rides with a time stamped on them.
At that time, return to the ride and walk right past the
line and directly into the ride. You will need your ticket
to be issued one of these. They are free of charge.
Universal's Express Passes,
similar to Disney's Fast passes, reduce line-up time for
popular rides. To get an Express pass, insert your regular
admission ticket into a machine and select a ride. You will
receive a slip of paper with a time marked on it. During one
hour, you're able to board that ride using the Express lane.
You're only allowed one Express Pass at a time, but can get
another one after you ride the ride, after your hour is up,
or two hours after you obtained your Pass. They are free of
charge. Universal
Express Plus passes go on sale at both theme parks one hour
after opening, and only a limited number are sold. The cost
is $20, and buys you one-time access to popular rides via a
special Express queue that is lightning-fast.
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Character Meets and Autographs
Disney
In the Magic Kingdom, check in at City
Hall to see where and when different characters will be. This is
definitely good for children who are hoping to see certain characters.
Universal Studios
Beetlejuice and The Universal Monsters
pose pictures for 20 minutes after the Monster show and sign autographs.
If a show is taping, sometimes the Nickelodeon stars will appear on
Nickelodeon Way.
General
Characters are always friendly and happy
to take photographs and sign autographs!
Take along a thick Sharpie or other large
writing tool, as many of the characters have large hands and it can be
difficult for them to hold small pens or pencils.
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Money
Savers
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To
avoid spending a lot of money on food, bring a backpack
with some snacks or a small cooler with frozen water;
this way you have something to eat during the day and
can save money for a sit-down lunch or dinner at one of
the nice restaurants.
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If you
don't want to carry the food or water with you all day,
since it can be cumbersome to ride attractions, it is a
good idea to rent a locker. These can be found at all
parks.
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Before
buying a small cooling fan at the park, considering
looking for one at a nearby gas station.
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For
children with diapers, make sure to bring enough-
diapers at Disney can be expensive.
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Time
Savers
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The
earlier you get into a park, the smaller the crowds.
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Often,
if you begin at attractions in the back of the parks,
the lines will be smaller. Then you can work your way
back to the front.
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Single
Riders lines are much shorter, and small groups will
often end up sitting together anyway.
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As a
parade nears, usually in the Disney parks, the lines are
much shorter because many people are getting ready to
see the parade.
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Sometimes the parks may open about half an hour before
the stated time. Although the attractions will not be
open, shops and stroller rental will be open.
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At the
Magic Kingdom, MGM Studios, and other parks, shops stay
open one hour after the last attraction has closed. Find
out the closing time for shops and leave the souvenirs
for last in lieu of riding attractions.
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At most
parks, people attempting to leave early will leave the
parks before the rides close. This makes lines
dramatically shorter and it's easier to walk around the
parks.
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Most
posted wait times at rides are on the high side, so the
lines are usually shorter.
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Check
signboards, scattered around the parks, that will tell
you wait times for popular rides. Pick the shorter wait
times because some rides are busy all day long.
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Extra
Tips
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Many
rides will get you wet- especially those in Sea World!
If you don't want to place some of your things in a
locker, put them in ziplock bags or watertight
containers that go around your neck, which are small
enough for tickets, bills, and keys. These are
especially good for the water parks and can generally be
found at any park.
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Bring
water, best frozen so that is can melt during the day.
Water bottles can be refilled at drinking fountains.
Water is important because sodas will not prevent
dehydration, a big cause of heat stroke in Florida's hot
climate.
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Bring
foods high in protein, such as peanuts or peanut butter
sandwiches, trail mix, and snack bars. This will keep
your energy up without being too sugary, and will keep
your hunger at bay until you visit one of the many
delicious restaurants!
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Check
out height requirements before going into a ride; your
child may be pulled off just before riding otherwise.
There will be a measuring stick permanently placed
outside the ride, and if a child seems small, a ride
operator will usually check with their own measuring
stick.
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Take a
small towel and perhaps a change of clothes with you to
the parks- there are many rides where you will get wet,
and this will prevent being cold at other attractions,
or chafing from wet clothing.
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Sunblock is a must! Even on cloudy days, it is easy to
get a sunburn without noticing, and bad burns can ruin a
perfect vacation.
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There
are stroller rentals at the parks. If you bring your own
stroller, mark it somehow to avoid another family
mistaking it for their own and taking it with them,
often with your belongings still attached underneath.
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Consider unique ponchos in case it rains; park-bought
ponchos are usually either yellow or blue, and it can be
difficult to keep track of family if everyone's the same
color.
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If you
don't have a cell phone, or it has no power, an employee
will be glad to help you track down family members.
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If your
child is lost, don't panic! Lost children can be safely
found at Guest Services, where employees will be
patiently waiting for you pick up your traveling tots.
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