Disney World offers fantastic rides, but in addition to the great rides, Disney also offers great ways to get around the resort and parks. Whether you are going from your resort to a theme park, or just getting around the theme park itself, getting there is half the fun. Here are our top 10 modes of transportation at Walt Disney World:

#10: Parking Lot Trams – While not exciting at all, and you really don’t get to see much but the parking lot, the trams are fun, and for many people, the first “ride” they get to experience at Disney. Pay close attention to the driver’s announcement, they are often very hilarious.

#9: Horse-drawn Trolley – Located along Main Street in the Magic Kingdom, the horse-drawn trolleys are a slow moving way to get down main street. If you can get by the smell the horses leave behind, it is a fun way to enter the Magic Kingdom.

#8: Horse-drawn Wagons – Located at Disney’s Fort Wilderness, the horse-drawn wagons take you around the areas surrounding the resort, and are a fun activity for adults and kids. Hay included.

#7: Walt Disney World Buses – Definitely low on the excitement scale, but extremely high on the functionality scale. These buses are everywhere, and can get you from just about any spot you are to any spot you want to go to. Make friends with the buses, and they will treat you right.

#6: Fire Engine – Located on Main Street in the Magic Kingdom, this replica of an old time fire engine brings back memories for many of thee older guests, and sparks dream in the younger ones. The fire engines makes for a fun, and often noisy, ride down Main Street.

#5: Omnibus – Also located on Main Street in the Magic Kingdom, this is my favorite way to start a day in the Magic Kingdom. The two story bus is a ride in itself. Hop on the top level for great views of Main Street.

#4: Walt Disney World Boats – It seems as though there are as many boats at WDW as buses. My favorites are the big ferry that goes back and forth between the Ticket and Transportation Center and the Magic Kingdom. Great views from the top deck of the resorts and the Magic Kingdom. The Port Orleans boat is also very fun, going back and forth between the Port Orleans resorts and Downtown Disney. Boat service at WDW might be slow compared to other options, but you usually get views you can’t get from anywhere else.

#3: People Mover - While technically a ride and not a mode of transportation, it was originally designed as a way to get around Tomorrowland. Quiet, quick and pollution free, it was to be the transportation of tomorrow. Renamed the Tomorrowland Transit Authority (what were they thinking?), it is now a relaxing way to see tomorrowland from a different angle.

#2: Walt Disney World Railroad - While also a ride in the Magic Kingdom, the Walt Disney World Railroad is a fun way to get from one part of the Magic Kingdom to another. These are original early twentieth century trains, complete with steam and whistles. Just sit back and relax as you enjoy a tour of the Magic Kingdom.

#1: Monorail – Disney World has two separate monorails, one service the Magic Kingdom and near by resorts, and a second service Epcot, both connecting at the Ticket and Transportation Center. Great views, a fun ride and a great way to get around. If it isn’t crowded, make sure you ask to sit up from. The area where the pilot sits also has seats for up to 6 people, and you get a great view out of the front of the monorail, and it is really cool to see how you actually drive the monorail.

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Walt Disney World has some fantastic swimming pools, and why not? You have swimming weather available to you most of the year, and thousands of resorts guests looking for a break from the heat and theme park crowds. While the water parks are great, there is an entrance fee involved, and often, they are just as crowded as the parks. So, if you are picking your resort based on the swimming pool, here are the top 10:

#10: Contemporary Resort Pool – The Contemporary features a very nice pool, with a nice, if tame, water slide. The location on the back side of the Contemporary allows the pool to be very quiet and a bit removed from all the activity of the parks. A great beach is adjacent to the pool, and don’t miss the quiet pool just a few steps away, it actually “floats” over Bay Lake.

#9: Port Orleans Riverside Pool - Ol’Man Island at Port Orleans Riverside sits on it’s own island in the Sassagoula River. With easy acces from either the Mansions or Bayou side of the resort, the pool is quite and fits in quite well with the resort. There is a great little water slide and plenty of fun areas to explore. A bit on the small side, but worth the visit.

#8: Old Key West Pool – What used to be one of the worst pools at Disney World, Old Key West just finished a total rehab of their pool, and it now features a nice water slide and play area for little kids. It has nice views overlooking Old Key West, though my one complaint is that it is not private at all.

#7: Polynesain Pool - The Nanea Volcano Pool is a recent addition to the Polynesian. The Volcano water slide is the main feature, and is quite fun. The pool features many quiet areas, including semi-hidden hot tubs. There are also great views from most parts of the pool, including the Magic Kingdom and the nightly water parade.

#6: Saratoga Springs Pool – Great new pool at the new resort, with a super fun water slide, great kids area and plenty of places to sit and relax, both in the sun and shade. Surrounded by buildings though, not private at all.

#5: Grand Floridian Pool – a newer pool, located to the South of the Grand Floridian, Disney World did a great job or making it so that you can’t see the pool from the monorail or really, anywhere else. A great water slide and waterfall make this pool quiet and fun for everyone. Great white sand beach next to the pool is fun as well.

#4: Animal Kingdom Lodge Pool – a decent swimming pool, and very similar to the one at the Polynesian (they were built at the same time), the special thing about the Animal Kingdom Lodge pool is the fact that you can see animals from the pool area. While there won’t be any giraffe drinking out of the kiddie pool, it is special none the less.

Please note Disney World does not allow “pool hopping”, and many of the pools are closely watched and resort ID is required. So, if you want to swim in one of these great pools, you must stay at that resort.

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Walt Disney World has a great selection of restaurants, both in the parks and at the resorts. However, whether you are with kids or not, you just can’t do three sit down meals each day. There is too much to do and too little time. Disney World offers a wide choice of quick service restaurants, here are our top 10:

#10: Lotus Blossom Cafe – Located in the China Pavilion in Epcot, the Lotus Blossom Cafe offers decent Chinese food in a fast food setting. Usually uncrowded, even on busy days, as it is hidden from the main traffic of the World Showcase. Don’t miss the Rou Jia Mo (Chinese beef sandwich) for a different take on your everyday Chinese fare.

#9: Kringla Bakeri – Located in Norway Pavilion in Epcot, the Kringla Bakeri offers fantastic open face sandwiches and soups. Better known for their pastries, stop by Kringla for something different. Great seating area with a fun playground nearby.

#8: ABC Commissary - Located in Disney Studios, the ABC Commissary tries to replicate a sound stage restaurants, but in reality, just has good food. The Cuban Sandwich is the reason to stop by for lunch of dinner.

#7: Yakitori House – Located in the Japan Pavilion in Epcot, the Yakitori House has decent food, but a fantastic location. Perched high above the Japanese Pavilion, the Yakitori House has a nice quiet, dare I say zen like, garden area that will fool you into believing you are anywhere but Epcot.

#6: Casey’s Corner – Located in the Magic Kingdom, Casey’s Corner features hot dogs and more hot dogs. While it normally wouldn’t be in my top 10, Casey’s is a staple for many long time Disney guests. It gets very crowded at lunch, as it is very small, so come early or late to avoid long line.

#5: Columbia Harour House – Located in the Magic Kingdom, the Columbia Harbour House is the hidden gem of Disney World counter service restaurants. Across from the Haunted Mansion in Liberty Square, most people don’t even know there is a restaurant there. The Starboard Deck Sandwich is by far the best counter service entree available despite not sounding exactly appetizing (ham on olive bread with munster cheese and broccoli slaw). You will just have to trust me on this one.

#4: Toy Story Pizza Planet – Located in Disney Studios, the Toy Story Pizza Planet offers middle of the road pizza, but the atmosphere, especially for Toy Story fans, should not be missed. Kids of all ages love eating here, so make sure you arrive early.

#3: Yorkshire County Fish Shop – Located in the United Kingdom Pavilion in Epcot, the Yorkshire County Fish Shop has only a few items on their menu (Fish and Chips to be exact), but they quality is top notch. Everything is hand made inside the little shop, right in front of you. Great place to stop for dinner while you are waiting for Illuminations.

#2: Cantina de San Angel – Located in the Mexico Pavilion in Epcot, Cantina de San Angel features decent Mexican food with a great seating area overlooking the World Showcase. Just watch out for the birds, they are overly aggressive, you can’t leave your food along for even a second.

#1: Tangierine Cafe – Located in the Morocco Pavilion in Epcot, the Tangierine Cafe is our top choice for counter service restaurants at Walt Disney World. Featuring high quality food, huge portions and great seating areas, the Tangierine Cafe should not be missed on your trip. The portions are so large, you can easily share an entree. Don’t bother even looking at the menu, head straight for the chicken and lamb Shawarma Platters. I prefer the lamb, very moist, huge amounts of meat and as fresh as can be.

You may have noticed, we excluded a few counter service restaurants that probably should be included (Cosmic Rays, for example), but a hamburger is a hamburger, and there are a half dozen places that serve the same hamburger, and personally, I would rather try something else from time to time.

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Disney World can be expensive. There are times when you find yourself at Disney World looking for something to do that won’t cost an arm and a leg. Here are our top 10 free activities to do while at Disney World:

#10: Watching the “Old Faithful” Geyser – Located at the Wilderness Lodge, the Old Faithful Geyser erupts just about every hour, all day long. While not exactly Old Faithful, it is a fun event to watch with the kids. There are also plenty of walking paths, and the lobby of the Wilderness Lodge is great.

#9: Touring the Deluxe resorts – Disney has some fantastic resorts, all with great theming and wonderful areas to explore. None of the resorts require an entrance fee, just jump on a bus from one of the parks or Downtown Disney to a resorts of your choice and start exploring.

#8: Downtown Disney – Disney’s mall. With Disney shops galore, there is plenty to do and see at Downtown Disney. Make sure you visit the oft missed West Side.

#7: Boat Rides – Disney operates many different boats around WDW, all free to ride. Take a boat from the Magic Kingdom to the Wilderness Lodge, from Port Orleans Riverside to Downtown Disney or the big steamer from the Magic Kingdom to the Ticket and Transportation Center.

#6: Magic Kingdom Monorail – The monorail that serves the Magic Kingdom is basically a big circle, stopping at the Contemporary, Polynesian, Grand Floridian and the Ticket and Transportation Center. A great way to see the resorts and Magic Kingdom up close without spending any money. Feel free to get off at any of the resorts to explore.

#5: Epcot Monorail - They monorail that serves Epcot runs from the Ticket and Transportation Center to Epcot and back. While there isn’t much to see between the two stops (a lot of trees, Epcot parking lot and if you look closely, the old Walt Disney World Airport), but once you arrive at Epcot, the monorail actually enters the park, and you get an up close view of the entire park, without paying admission. A great introduction to Disney World.

#4: Magic Kingdom Fireworks – While best seen from inside the Magic Kingdom, you get a great view of them from either the California Grill (you must be dining there to watch from that point) or from the main level, where they often pipe in the music direct from the Magic Kingdom.

#3: Animals – The Animal Kingdom Lodge is spectacular, but you don’t have to be staying there to enjoy the animals. Once inside the resort, just head to the back of the lobby, go downstairs, and walk outside. You will be located right in the middle of the savanna surrounding the resort. There is an area where you can walk out into the savanna for a better view. They often have guides from the resort pointing out animals and asking question.

#2: Electrical Water Pageant – Each night, the Electrical Water Pageant passes through the Seven Seas Lagoon and Bay Lake, and can be seen at the Grand Floridian, Polynesian, Contemporary, Wilderness Lodge and Fort Wilderness. By far the best place to see it is from the Beach at the Polynesian. Plenty of places to sit, nice soft sand and easy access make this a prime place to spend a while watching the special water parade.

#1: Boardwalk - The Boardwalk area, located just outside of Epcot, is the hidden gem of Walt Disney World. Plenty of wonderful places to walk, good good, a decent view of the Epcot fireworks are just part of the reason why you should make a stop here. My favorite is the Buskers that appear on weekends (Thursday through Sunday night). They are very entertaining for both adults and kids, and are absolutely free, and don’t ask for tips either. If you feel like spending a few dollars and burning a few calories, rent one of the surrey bikes available on the Boardwalk. They will seat between 2 and 12 people, and there is an awesome circular path that goes around the Boardwalk, past the Yacht and Beach Club resorts, and back to the far end of the Boardwalk. 30 minutes is ample, it doesn’t seem like that long of a time, but trust me, after 20 minutes, you will wish you had only paid for 15.

Disney World does offer many other free events and activities around the resorts, and many that are very affordable. Just ask around. Many deluxe resorts do tours and special events throughout the year, so don’t be afraid to ask at your front desk or call the resorts directly.

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The holidays are a fantastic time to visit Disney World. Starting just after Thanksgiving, all of the Disney resorts and parks get into the holiday spirit with special events, parades and activities to get you into the mood of the season. No need to go over Christmas week either, early December will get you access to all the events. There are a ton of things to do at Disney World anyways, but here are the top 10 to do for Christmas:

#10: Hollywood Holly-Day Parade – Located in Disney Studios, the Hollywood Holly-Day Parades gives you all of your favorite Disney characters in the holiday best. This is a fairly quick parade, but it is fun for the entire family to see their favorite characters up close.

#9: Disney’s Days of Christmas - Located in Downtown Disney, Disney’s Days of Christmas is a small shop, open year round, selling Christmas ornaments and other items. While open year round, this place really shines for Christmas, a great place to stop before heading home to grab some last minute gifts or decorations.

#8: Gingerbread House – Located at the Grand Floridian, the Gingerbread House is a must see. Once you enter the lobby, you can smell the gingerbread. Hand made each year, this near life size house feature a gingerbread store inside. As a related activity, the decorations at all the deluxe resorts are fantastic, in particular, the Grand Floridian and Wilderness Lodge.

#7: Tree Lighting Ceremony – Located in Epcot at the entrance to the World Showcase, each night at 6:00 PM, Mickey and friends light up the huge Epcot Christmas Tree. A quick, though enjoyable ceremony should be seen at least once during your Christmas trip.

#6: Harlem Gospel Choir – A special for 2007, and hopefully for years to come, the Harlem Gospel choir performs inspirational Christmas songs nightly at the Theater of the Stars in Disney Studios.

#5: Voices of Liberty – Located in the American Pavillion in Epcot, Voices of Liberty is an eight-part a cappella group that sings holidays songs in and around the rotunda of the American Pavillion. While they sing year round, it is their Christmas show that makes the group special.

#4: Santas from around the world – Located in Epcot, meet the Santas from around the world, from Santa in the American Pavilion to Père Noël in France and La Befana in Italy. Kwanzaa and Hanukkah is also featured in several countries. A great way to introduce the kids to the different Christmas traditions around the world.

#3: Osborne Family Spectacle of Lights - Located in Disney Studios, the Osborne Family started decoration their home in Little Rock, but things got a bit out of hand. The Arkansas supreme court barred them from displaying lights, so Disney stepped in, and move them to Disney World. Featuring over 5 million Christmas lights, it isn’t like anything you have ever seen before. This is also one of your only chances to see snow in Florida.

#2: Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party – Located in the Magic Kingdom, Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party requires a separate entrance in addition to your park passes, but you get to see a special Disney Christmas parades, a special edition of the Fantasy in the Sky Fireworks, Goofy Santa, Hot Chocolate and snow on main street. Plus, many of the Magic Kingdom rides are open for your enjoyment.

#1: Candlelight Processional – Located in the American Pavilion in Epcot, the Candlelight Processional is a moving reading of the Christmas story by a celebrity, accompanied by a huge choir and orchestra. Just a first rate Christmas event, this is a not miss. Seating is first come, first serve, and the line is often very long, as there are only three shows per night. Celebrities that have participated in the past are Edward James Olmos, Gary Sinise, Rita Moreno and Marlee Matlin.

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