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Schedule Some R&R at WDWDr. Steve Barrett says taking breaks will make your experience more enjoyableSteven Barrett, author of The Hassle-Free Walt Disney World Vacation 2011, is first and foremost a doctor. While his book is chock full of all the wonderful things to do at Walt Disney World, he also advises visitors to pace themselves. By following his customized tour plans and his commonsense tips, they can experience the best of WDW without (literally) burning themselves out. The Florida heat and sun can take a toll on the heartiest individuals, and it’s not hard to imagine what the threshold would be for a couple of 5- or 7-year-olds or stroller tots. Shade is always a good thing! Barrett recommends bringing pain remedies, sunburn protection, bandage strips and first aid cream, hats or caps, water bottles, extra socks, a poncho and other essentials to keep you and your family comfortable. Interspersed throughout the book are little oases where you can take a break, sip a beverage and refuel before heading out to the next phase of your adventure. Barrett also makes note of the least crowded restrooms along the way. “Busy as they are, each of the major theme parks offers some inviting places to sit and relax,” says Barrett. At Magic Kingdom, Barrett recommends Liberty Square Park, behind Ye Olde Christmas Tree Shop; the small theater at the back of Town Square Exposition Hall; benches in the small alcove to the right of the entrance to Pirates of the Caribbean (there’s also a restroom nearby); benches under the shed at the end of the rose garden between the two entrance bridges to Tomorrowland; and the chairs at the end of the cul-de-sac to the right, halfway down Main Street as you’re entering the park. At Epcot you can visit 11 different countries without leaving Florida, plus you can travel to the future (via Future World). To recharge, Barrett recommends the benches inside the Innoventions buildings; the benches in the small alcove in France by the Plume et Palette shop; and the benches in the park at the rear of the United Kingdom. There are also restrooms by the Imagination!Pavilion; at either side of the Odyssey Center between Future World and World Showcase; and to the right of Germany. Disney’s Hollywood Studios is a combination theme park and movie set. Since there are a lot of fairly lengthy attractions – Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular is 30 minutes as is the Studio Backlot Tour – so a bit of a break might be called for, especially if you’re toting young kids. Barrett suggests the benches in the trees between the Sci-Fi Dine-in Theater Restaurant and Star Tours; the shady chairs under cover at the Studio Catering Company, which may be noisy due to the Honey I Shrunk the Kids playground; plus there are a few benches on a side street across from the entrance to Beauty and the Beast, which, at 25 minutes, can be trying on a hot, steamy Florida afternoon. Barrett says that there’s an inside restroom to the left of the entrance to The Hollywood Brown Derby, just through the door. There’s another in the Tune-In Lounge, go left at the rear. After Animal Kingdom’s jungle explorations, raft rides, and roller coasters some R&R is at the top of the list. Barrett says there are some shaded chairs in the large sitting area on the waterfront by the Flame Tree Barbecue restaurant, benches along the winding trails (some shaded) around The Tree of Life in the Oasis, as well as the shaded square behind Tamu Tamu Refreshments so be sure to get some cold drinks. Restroms can be found next to Chester and Hester’s Dinosaur Treasures in Dinoland USA; along the trail to the right, before the bridge to Dinoland; and at the rear of Tusker House Restaurant in Africa. In addition to specific resting spots activities such as afternoon tea at the Garden View Lounge on the first floor of the Grand Floridian Resort, watching the fireworks from a resort beach, and taking a carriage ride in the evening at Fort Wilderness or at the Port Orleans or Sarasota Springs Resorts. Let your body be your guide. By keeping your eyes open and paying attention to your surroundings, you’ll be sure to find other little areas to rest and recharge your batteries. After all you want to remember Walt Disney World as a place of enjoyment, not as an exhausting experience. To order The Hassle-Free Walt Disney World® Vacation 2011, click here. The Hassle-Free Walt Disney World® Vacation 2011
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