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Condé Nast Traveler picks
 Orlando for Families
Orlando is the home of Walt Disney World, which is perhaps the planet's premier destination for families and is so large that, especially for first timers, it is nothing if not daunting. Covering an area roughly the size of Boston, it comprises four major theme parks (Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, Epcot, and Disney-MGM Studios); two swimming theme parks; two nighttime entertainment venues; a sports complex; 34 hotels; a campground; about 75 full-service restaurants and an equal number of counter-service restau-rants; six golf courses; four interconnected lakes; a nature preserve; and a transportation system consisting of four-lane highways, elevated monorails, and a network of canals plied by water taxis. Did we mention shopping? Not to worry, you can buy stuff in just about any place big enough to hold a cash register.
The good news is that you can stumble into the World without knowing anything and have a great time, but it's like trying to skin a possum from the inside: possible but not ideal. A Walt Disney World vacation is pretty much what you make it. If you put a little energy into some research and planning, you can turn a good vacation into the trip of a lifetime. First, choose a time of year to go. If your children are pre-school age, go in the off-season—preferably in November, before Thanksgiving, or in December but before Christmas. The crowds are comparatively light, the weather is usually warm and sunny, and the theme parks sparkle in their Christmas regalia. If you have school-age kids, your best bet for avoiding huge crowds is early June, as soon as school is out, or late August, just before classes resume. Children three and younger will respond to the color and festivity, and you'll bring home some really sweet pictures of the kids on Dumbo, but they won't remember a lot about the experience. And research has documented that kids up to the age of nine or ten cite swimming in the hotel pool as their favorite activity on a Walt Disney World vacation. If your objective is to spend most of your time in the theme parks, wait until your children are at least a mature seven or eight. With more than nearly 300 hotels to choose from in the area, selecting one can be tricky. Perks such as extra hours in the theme parks, free parking, and use of the Disney transportation system come with staying in a Disney hotel, but comfortable, clean properties outside the World can be had for a fraction of the cost. Because Walt Disney World is so large, be aware that some hotels outside are actually closer to the theme parks than several on-site Disney resorts. Disney World restaurants are typically expensive, so economizing on meals is much easier if you stay and eat outside the World. Free coupon books abound to lure you out of Walt Disney World, which can save you a considerable sum on dining. Wherever you lodge, it's a good idea—not to mention a time-saver—to buy a cheap cooler and breakfast staples so you can have the first meal of the day in your hotel room. Disney theme park admissions start with a Base Ticket, or Starter Pass. Features such as visiting more than one park in a day (park hopping), a no-expiration-date option, and the inclusion of admission to minor theme parks and attractions can be tacked on to the Base Ticket on an à la carte basis for an additional cost. The objective is to purchase exactly what you need—no more, no less. TouringPlans.com has a nifty free feature that will tell you, after you answer a few basic questions about your itinerary, what the best admission option is for you. Plot your attack on the World. The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World, by Bob Sehlinger, is by far the most comprehensive and objective. Among other things, it offers tested touring plans for each of the theme parks that will save you four and a half hours of standing in line a day (Wiley, $19). Lastly, a few tips to mentally prepare:
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