Ask Magically Speaking

In each issue we like to answer questions from you. Are you wondering about a certain attraction? Are you curious about a resort or cruise? Do you have some nagging little trivia question that you are just dying to know the answer to? If so, please send them to us. We have a great team of Disney experts and sleuths that who would love to answer your questions! If you have a question, send it to us at magicallyspeaking@themouseforless.com.

Ask Magically Speaking is a regular feature in the Magically Speaking newsletter. The following Ask Magically Speaking was published in the February 11, 2008 issue
of Magically Speaking ISSN: 1556-3863

Q. [Editor's Note: In a previous response about Disney perks extended to non-Disney resorts, we included information about package delivery, stating on-site guests are able to have items they've purchased on property at most locations sent to their resort instead of having to carry the package around. This privilege is also extended to guests of the Swan, Dolphin, and Shades of Green. Kathy L wrote and asked the following question.] Is this a new practice of having packages delivered to the Swan? Last time we stayed there we could not send packages back. I hope the policy has changed, or were we just misinformed when we asked at the parks. Just wondering if we have a benefit while staying at Swan. (Submitted by Kathy L.)

A. We double-checked for you, Kathy, and good news! The Swolphin folks say that they have offered package delivery from day one. At the Dolphin, packages are available for pickup the next day at Daisy's Garden. At the Swan, they're available for pickup at Disney Cabanas. So shop with confidence, and enjoy your stay at the Swan. It's a beautiful resort.

Q. We've been going to Disney World for years, and now are planning a trip to the Universal parks and SeaWorld. We'll be staying on Disney property (we're DVC owners) so we won't have the front-of-the-line perk of staying on-site at Universal. So, any tips for approaching these non-Disney parks? We'll be there from Columbus Day through October 18. Thanks! (Submitted by Barry)

A. A good question Barry. While Disney offers FASTPASS to all guests, Universal and SeaWorld are totally different. Touring these parks is not at all like touring Disney.

SeaWorld has many exhibits and shows. When you arrive at SeaWorld, pick up a park map and take a look at the show times. You should base your park touring around those shows, and you may end up criss-crossing the park to see it all. As a general rule, the later Shamu shows are filled 30 minutes prior to showtime. If they are doing "Shamu Rocks" at night, you will need to be seated about 45 minutes prior to the show. "Shamu Rocks" is a high intensity and very loud show set to excellent rock music. Van Halen fans should be pleased and folks who are not fans of this genre may want to bring along a set of earplugs. For all Shamu shows, the lower level has a splash zone where ponchos are advisable, as you will get wet! You may even get soaked.

The other "don't miss" attraction is "Clyde and Seamore Take Pirate Island." With the human hosts and animal actors, you never know what you're going to see from show to show. This is a hilarious show -- be sure to visit the restroom prior to seeing it. ;-)

Sometimes, SeaWorld is so busy that you can't do it all in one day. Consider the two-day ticket so that you can return. Parking is $11 per day, or $15 per day for preferred parking, which gets you closer to the park entrance.

So, the general rule of touring SeaWorld is to look at show times and plan your exhibit touring around them. It is difficult to see all of the shows and all of the exhibits in one day. Arriving early will help, though. If you do a long sit-down dinner, like at Sharks Underwater Grill (where the food is quite yummy and the atmosphere is great), it may put you behind in your touring.

In early March, SeaWorld will be opening their new water park, Aquatica. Looks like Aquatica will be an amazing attraction and give the three existing water parks in Orlando a serious run for their money. Stay tuned to this newsletter for a review in the future.

Now on to Universal Orlando, which is comprised of two parks, Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure, as well as City Walk (a shopping and entertainment area), and three on-site hotels. Parking is $11 per day. Neither theme park has free FASTPASSes, but you can purchase a "Universal Express Pass" for an additional charge ($19-99-$45.99, depending on the visit date). The purchased Universal Express Pass gets you access to the front of the line, but some attractions may be limited to one express access per purchased pass. If you are an on-site Universal resort guest, though, your room card gets you unlimited front-of-the-line access for no additional charge. This makes staying in one of the three Universal resorts a good idea during high-crowd dates.

Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure are "coaster parks" with quite a few high-intensity attractions. They may not be suitable for the younger crowd. Like all park operators, Universal Orlando is concerned with safety, and height limits are strictly enforced. Because of the intensity of some attractions, you will find taller height requirements at Universal than at Disney World. If you have any younger members of your travel party, a quick check of the height requirements can determine whether or not going to Universal is a good investment for your time and money.

The same golden rule for touring any major theme park applies with touring Universal: arrive early! Criss-crossing the parks and doing the major attractions early will also be beneficial. During peak crowds, you will need one day per park. Know that the water rides at Universal theme parks are likely to leave you soaked, so bring a poncho. Also, there are some attractions at Universal that do not permit any bags or carry-on items at all -- you will either need to leave someone outside with these items or store them in a locker. There are some complimentary lockers for short-term storage at Universal. This author, however, has not had a good experience with lockers being available. Alas, many people use the complimentary lockers for all-day storage of "stuff," thus making them unavailable. Have a plan of what to do with all of your things if you find no lockers are open.

Food at Universal is varied, with many quick-service options. They have a meal deal, which is a purchased wristband that entitles you to unlimited food from a selected menu at selected locations. You will have to decide if the meal deal is beneficial to you. It is applicable to just one park per purchase, so you can't purchase one meal deal and use it in both parks. If you are going to be in the park all day long, it may be a good investment.

If you are a big Disney World fan, you will notice differences at Universal Orlando. Try not to compare to Disney -- Universal Orlando is "un-Disney" and they promote themselves as such. Go to Universal to ride and have fun.