My Top Disney picks

I recently reconnected with an old classmate who will soon be embarking on a trip to Disney with her family. I thought I would take the opportunity to share some of my personal Disney favorites! With four theme parks, there is a lot to take in! I hope this can lead some people to the "must see" points.
I always stay on property at Disney. Contrary to what many believe, it is actually cheaper! Disney regularly runs specials on rooms during non peak periods.A good source to check on specials and tips is mousesavers.com. Staying on property eliminates the need to pay for parking. It also eliminates the need to be at a bus location at a particular time from the off property resorts that offer bus service to and from Disney. Staying on property, buses will transport you to any and from any of the theme parks. Buses leave about every 20 minutes right outside your chosen Disney resort. Additionally, as a resort guest, you and your family will enjoy the benefits of extra magic hours! Hours specific to parks ( including magic hours) are listed in your check in packet from your resort.
On to those must see points! I always start out at the Magic Kingdom. Yes, there are many attractions geared towards younger kids. Don't let that fool ya! there are numerous cool things for older kids and adults there too! I make it a point to do Space Mountain on every trip! The attraction has the distinction of being the worlds first completely dark, inside roller coaster. A total of 31 rocket trains on two tracks ( no car #13 by the way) make this attraction a favorite among most guest! If you don't mind getting a little wet then you need to head for Splash Mountain, Magic Kingdoms log flume attraction. The attraction is based on the 1946 controversial film "Song of the South" and features brer Rabbit, brer Bear and brer Fox. Beware the laughing place and that final drop! its a doozie! Big Thunder Mountain offers the wooden roller coaster experience.You will sure get shaken up on this train as you go through caves, mines and over hills. The four minute long attraction opened in 1980 and is located in frontier land next to Splash Mountain. For 999 happy haunts, head over to Liberty Square to the haunted Mansion! Last year the Haunted Mansion had an overhaul and was updated. Madame Leota can now be seen free floating! Does her voice sound somewhat familiar? like an evil step mother maybe?? Also added was an upside down staircase and and a bride who takes "till death do us part" very seriously...be sure to check it out, especially if you have not been in a few years.No trip to the Magic Kingdom would be complete without a walk over to adventureland for "Pirates of the Carribean." The 8 1/2 minute boat ride whisks guest into the middle of a port battle and continues to a town full of rowdy pirates pillaging for treasures.Other pirates are engrossed in an auction, making bids on the red head,while others continue their search for Captain Jack Sparrow! and of course, one can't forget- the infamous jail scene. The attraction features over 100 audio-animatronics. Most recently the attraction added animatronics of Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp). The likeness and realness is absolutely amazing! you are sure to do a double take! Enough adventure? ready for a little R and R? try Mickeys PhilharMagic, located in Fantasyland. Its a wonderful 3-D show extravaganza. By far this is the BEST 3-D show I have seen! It integrates 3-D with other special effects on the largest purpose built 3-D screen ever built. At 150 feet wide, it makes this a definite must see attraction! I'll recommend Tonys on town Square for food! Its Italian cuisine, and hey-you can catch Lady and The Tramp while your waiting to be seated!. For a quick bite, I usually go with Casey's corner on Main street. Hot dogs, french fries..and YES, they even include all the cheese sauce you want for those fries! While strolling the park you might want to consider pin trading.Pin trading is a Disney phenomenon that began in 1999 as part of the millennium celebration and has become a Disney tradition. Guest can trade Disney pins with any cast member wearing a lanyard. Keep in mind, cast members wearing green lanyards only trade with kids 10 and under. Be sure to look for hidden Mickeys all around the park as well.Hidden Mickeys began as an inside joke between Disney imagineers. They can be found virtually anywhere in the park. There is no official listing of EVERY hidden Mickey. Most cast members can point you in the direction of a few of them. My favorite part of the Magic Kingdom experience is the fireworks show. "Wishes" is a phenomenal fireworks and pyrotechnics show set to a story narrated by Jiminy Cricket. Look for Tinker Bell to leap from the castle and fly across the magic Kingdom! Prior to "Wishes" you'll want to catch the Spectro Magic night parade.The lighted parade features numerous brightly lit floats, music and your favorite Disney characters. The parade last approximately 20 minutes. On your way out of the park, look to the 7 seas lagoon for the Electric water pageant. The pageant consist of numerous sea creatures, flags stars and a musical soundtrack. A nice end to a day at the Magic Kingdom!
SO, that's my picks for the Magic Kingdom. I'll get my picks for the remaining three Disney Parks over the next week or so!