News & Features
News Stories by Kim Wright Wiley
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7 Tips to Save Time at Disney
A lot has changed at Walt Disney World—celebrating its 40th anniversary this month—but what hasn’t is its popularity. While it can be challenging, these tips will help you zip-a-dee-do-dah your way through the park.
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School Projects at Walt Disney World: An Age-by-Age Guide
If the idea of working on a school project while on a trip to Walt Disney World has your kids groaning, take heart. Disney is full of educational opportunities—some more obvious than others, but all of them packed with fun!
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Top Princess Experiences at Walt Disney World
At Disney, your little princesses can eat, sleep, and dress up just as princesses should. They can also hobnob with Cinderella, Belle, and other Disney royals.
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What’s New at Walt Disney World
Something is always happening at Walt Disney World, and there’s plenty on tap for 2011–2012. So whether your preference is cruise ships, princesses, wild animals, or a galaxy far, far away, Disney has something new of interest to you.
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Disney World Isn't All About the Rides: 10 Tips for Finding and Meeting the Characters
First-time visitors to Disney World often make the mistake of thinking it's all about the rides. But parents constantly write to me about something else: how absolutely blown away their kids were at the chance to meet Mickey, Minnie, and the rest of the Disney characters. Here's how to maximize your character experience.
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6 Reasons Why Families Should Stay On-Site in Walt Disney World
Now that there are 21 on-site hotels at Walt Disney World, families have almost unlimited lodging options. And, since most of the rooms added in the last five years are in the budget category (i.e., $82–$114 a night), it's hard to think of any reason why a family wouldn't stay at a Disney hotel.
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Disney Dining Plans Demystified
No one could have predicted the runaway success of the Walt Disney World Dining Plan. But how do you know which package to choose? And how can you make sure those dining credits are getting maximum bang for the buck? Here are some essential tips.
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Saving Time at Walt Disney World: 5 Fastpass Tips
If there's any justice in the world, the genius who created FASTPASS is relaxing somewhere on his yacht. Because FASTPASS helps Walt Disney World theme-park guests drastically cut down on the amount of time spent waiting in line. Which means more rides, and fewer tantrums.
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5 Ways to Navigate Walt Disney's World's Parades, Fireworks, and Evening Shows
The good news: Orlando's Walt Disney World offers gi-normous parades, fireworks, and other evening spectacles so you can end your theme-park day with a bang. The bad news: Everybody knows the shows are fabulous, so virtually every guest in the park converges at one place and one time to watch them. The result is major crowds and hassles . . . unless, of course, you know a few insider tips.
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Ask a Disney Expert: Dining at Disney
For Fodor's recent "Ask a Disney Expert" Contest, travelers submitted their toughest Disney questions for Kim Wright Wiley, author of Walt Disney World with Kids 2009. Kim will answer questions from the contest's 8 winners, along with several others, in a four-part series on Fodors.com. Winners will receive a complimentary copy of the guide. Thank you to everyone who sent a question in! View all of Kim's tips: Where to Stay | Touring Tips | On a Budget There's no shortage of delicious finds at Disney; knowing which restaurants or meal plan suits your family can be a challenge though. Kim weighs in this week with her tips for navigating meal time at Disney.
Question: "My family is traveling to Disney World in September. We've never been there before and we are getting the Deluxe Meal Plan. I am wondering how we decide where to eat and do I really have to make dinner reservations now?" --- submitted by BethL3 (winner)... Kim's Answer September is less crowded than many times of the year but frankly...
