Seeing Mickey and Minnie the easy way

Tips for a fun getaway to Walt Disney World and Orlando

By Phyllis Steinberg

Disney World has long been one of my favorite destinations since I was a child. Now, that I am a senior, I enjoy the area even more when I see the faces of hundreds of children light up when they get an opportunity to get a handshake or a hug from a Disney character.

But Disney can be quite exhausting for seniors. I recently wrote a guidebook on the area and stayed at many different resorts, dined at countless restaurants, attended a myriad of dinner theaters and checked out numerous shopping outlet malls.

On my most recent trip to Orlando with my family, we stayed at the Hilton located at the Walt Disney World Resort and discovered what it was like to stay at a resort that really goes out its way to make the Disney World experience a hassle-free experience.

Our check in at the Hilton was fast and efficient. Seems simple enough, but oftentimes at hotels in Disney World area you have to wait in long lines, just to check in. Not fun. Especially after you have traveled a whole day to get to the destination and often have small children with you. Our check out was even better. The bill was under our door and the only reason to go to the desk to check out is if you disagree without the amount on the printed statement.

The Hilton located in the Disney World Resort is a large hotel, with more than 800 rooms, three massive ballrooms and many special meeting rooms. It also has a large staff to accommodate the needs of conventions as well as its senior guests.

Location is a very important aspect of any vacation and in the Orlando area it is especially important. The Hilton in the Walt Disney World Resort is the closest hotel to Downtown Disney. It is located just steps away from the outdoor complex, which includes Downtown Disney Marketplace, Downtown Disney Westside and Pleasure Island. There is a lighted path leading from the hotel to Downtown Disney which was extremely convenient for dining, shopping and fun without fighting traffic or walking long distances from the parking area.

Downtown Disney is a must for visitors to Orlando. It has several restaurants, stores and entertainment. Earl of Sandwich was one of our favorite eateries for a quick bite after a long day at the theme park. It is located in Disney Marketplace and is the first restaurant you will see after entering the Marketplace. Other enjoyable places to eat are the Rainforest Café, Fulton’s Crab House and Ghiradelli’s Soda Fountain and Chocolate Shop.

The Marketplace also has many amusing stores that the kids will love. There is the Once Upon a Toy store with classic games and toys, including Disney attraction toys and toys with a Disney twist. The Lego Imagination Center features displays of wonderful LEGO constructions. Mickey’s Pantry has a delightful assortment of Disney home and kitchen products. The World of Disney store provides an interactive shopping experience including finding pirate treasure and playing royalty in the Adventure Room.

I also enjoyed my stop at the Disney Pin Traders Shop. It has the largest pin-trading location in the Disney World Resort. We took pictures with the life-sized statues of Minnie and Mickey at the Disney Pin Traders store.

Just around the bend in the road at Disney Marketplace, you will reach Disney West Side with the gigantic Virgin Megastore, a haven for music lovers. The two-story record store also has books, movies and a café. Other interesting sites are the Candy Cauldron where you can watch your candied apple or other sweet made to order in a show kitchen. Pleasure Island is just a short walk ahead. The fabulous Cirque du Soleil La Nouba show is located here and the 24 seat AMC movie theater and several nightclubs including the House of Blues, BET Soundstage, Mannequins Dance Palace, Comedy Warehouse and more.

When we walked back to the Hilton, we enjoyed an ice cream at Mugs Wine Bar in the hotel and were surprised that we could get an ice cream cone for just $2.25. One evening when we were just too tired to venture out of the hotel, we dined at the Hilton’s Andiamo, a gourmet Italian restaurant with reasonable prices and outstanding cuisine. There is also a Benihana Restaurant at the Hilton where chefs whip up tasty dishes at your table.

Shopping at the many outlet malls in Orlando is always fun especially for bargain hunters. Orlando Premium Outlets is located less than 10 minutes from the Hilton and guess what it stays open until 11 p.m. Some of our favorite outlet stores for fabulous prices were Calvin Klein, Kenneth Cole, Izod, Perry Ellis, Burberry, Coach, Mikasa and Bass, but there are many more. Located near Orlando Premium Outlets is Dolly Parton’s Dixie Stampede dinner and show, a fun place for the whole family. Enjoy dinner and a show featuring a country hoedown, animal races and plenty of music and dancing,  but make reservations early as this attraction is often booked well in advance.

The Hilton located at the Walt Disney World Resort also offered us many amenities which included complimentary and continuous transportation to Disney Theme Parks, preferred tee times and complimentary transportation to 99 holes of Walt Disney World golf, advanced reservations at Walt Disney World restaurants and a Sunday Disney Character breakfast right in the Hilton at the Covington Mill Restaurant. The hotel also has a state-of-the-art health club and fitness center, Disney store, swimming pools and children’s spray pool.

My grandchildren especially liked the extra magic hours benefit offered by the Hilton at Disney World. Each day one of the theme parks opens an hour early so guests of the Hilton have the opportunity to get extra time in the parks. We also enjoyed staying in an executive level room. For an extra charge per day, we had access to the executive lounge where we took pleasure in a daily complimentary breakfast buffet, hors d’oeuvres, soft drinks and an honor bar. The hotel also has a 24-hour business center where we had an opportunity to catch up on our latest emails.

by Phyllis Steinberg

Hilton in the Walt Disney World Resort, 1751 Hotel Plaza Blvd., Lake Buena Vista,  hiltonorlandoresort.com, 407-827-4000.

Cirque du Soleil, 407-939-1298

Disney World information, 1-408-W-Disney or Disneyworld.com

Orlando Premium Outlets, www.premiumoutlets.com, 407-238-7787

Dolly Parton’s Dixie Stampede Dinner and Show, 8251 Vineland Ave., Orlando, www.dixiestampede.com, 407-238-4455