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Disney Feedback
The Occidental Tourist · October 18, 2000

The Tourist got a ton of great feedback on avoiding the Disney nightmare in Orlando. One response, from travel writer Christine Loomis, of Boulder, Colo., had much useful information to provide (as opposed to the usual content you read here). Christine disagreed with the Tourist's take that off-site lodging works best, and presented a strong case. So in the spirit of equal time, he's turning over this space to Christine for the week:

"As a person who's written about family travel for 16 years, I've had to go to Disney more than any human should. Of course, my kids love it there. And to be fair, I've had a good time or two myself.

I absolutely agree that if money is a huge issue, off-property lodging is the way to go. But given that a one-week Disney vacation for a family of four costs a small fortune anyway, spending an extra $50 a night for convenience is a drop in the bucket (we're excluding the Grand Floridian and other of the highest priced properties, natch). Here are my reasons for suggesting to readers that staying on property could well be worth the extra dollars (and how they can make up for it during the week).

1. Fine to take the parking lot shuttles to the park gates as long as you aren't lugging a stroller, diaper bags, extra clothes, and all that other stuff you need for young children. I once had to let two shuttles go by because there was no room for my family, stroller, and all of our stuff. It was hot and the day got off to one rotten start. Don't need a stroller, you say? I advise people to bring or get a stroller for their young child even if he/she has outgrown one at home. You'll be doing more walking than you thought possible. Imagine doing it when you're legs are short little things and you're trying to keep up with adults who are frantically hurrying you from one ride to the next in order to get their money's worth? Even an almost-seven-year-old has been grateful for some stroller time at Disney.

2. Disney is exhausting. The best way to experience the parks is to go in the mornings and evenings. In the afternoon when the parks are particularly hot and crowded, you want to return to your hotel for a swim, to relax, to unwind, to rest up for the second attempt. You can almost ensure tired, cranky kids (and parents) if you try to do the parks from morning until night. I've never yet failed to hear at least two or three way-short-on-temper parents scolding their screaming toddlers and preschoolers with "I paid a lot of money for these park tickets because this was the vacation YOU wanted and now you don't even want to be here!?!?!?!?! If we leave now we're never coming back ..."

One of the best times to get on those popular, long-line rides is right at dinner time. If you've gone back to your hotel, had a swim and an early dinner, you're all set. I've literally walked into Pirates of the CAribbean and Splash Mountain with no wait at all at around 6:15. Later, after the restaurants empty out, you can have an evening snack.

3. Staying on property allows you into one park every day an hour before it opens to the rest of the crowds. You avoid the long lines, you go when it's cool, you see much more in a shorter amount of time, you're all in a better mood.

4. Now, here's how to save. You said staying off property means you're not held captive by the expensive restaurants and shops in The World. True, but staying on property doesn't mean you have to be. Many of the moderate Disney resorts have food courts with surprisingly inexpensive fare. Ask for a refrigerator in your room. There's a small charge for it but it's worth it. Not only do you have food that's basically affordable, you haven't had to hassle the kids to get ready, get ready, get ready so the whole family can go out to eat before meltdown sets in due to extreme hunger and lack of coffee. Everyone takes time getting up and dressed, then you all start out well fed and in good moods. You save a small fortune on breakfast alone. Plus, you get some yogurts, bananas, extra juice, extra muffins or bagels, and take them with you to the park for snacks. Or save them for lunch when you return for your mid-day break."

The Occidental Tourist is a magazine writer in Washington, DC. He writes for Maxim, Capital Style and ABCNews.com. His column appears on Tuesdays. E-mail him at tourist@ticked.com.