Suggested
Planning Sites
If you
know of any other resources on the net for folks visiting from outside
the US and would like them mentioned here, please
let us know.
Ears
to the World, Disney's Show Translators
On
July 14, 2003, the newly designed Ears to the World, Disney`s Show Translator
was introduced in all four theme parks. Guests can use these new light-weight,
integrated, digital headset devices in more than 30 attractions across
the four theme parks.
This
complimentary Guest amenity translates our key narrative attractions
into our most widely spoken Guest languages: French, German, Japanese,
Portuguese and Spanish. Although there is no charge for Guests to use
the device, Guests will be asked for a $100 security deposit when they
obtain their translators at Guest Relations.
*****
WDW
Information in Spanish : 1-800-438-9876
Official
Walt Disney World Websites:
For
the English Speaking Canadian Website visit: http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/wdwi/en_CA/index
For
the French Speaking Canadian Website visit:
http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/wdwi/fr_CA/index
America
Latina Espanol: http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/wdwi/es/index
Sirato
provides US tourist attraction information in Japanese. This link
takes you to the WDW section http://www.jsdi.or.jp/~shirato/oldw.html
Currency
Converter - This site provides a printable, pocket-size
currency chart
Walt Disney World Resort Offers International Guests
Special Services
WDW PRESS
RELEASE - LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla.
Whether
walking through World Showcase at Epcot or conversing with a resort
cast member in his native language, international guests are made to
feel right at home
at the Walt Disney World Resort.
With international
travelers making Walt Disney World Resort a holiday location of
choice, Disney is committed to providing special services to meet the
needs of these guests.
International
Traveler Assistance includes:
Foreign
Language Assistance -- By dialing 824-7900, guests
can converse with a guide in French or Spanish. Cast members
speaking such languages as Portuguese and German are often
available to assist.
Cast
Member Language Assistance -- In the Magic Kingdom,
Epcot, Disney-MGM Studios, Disney's Animal Kingdom and all
Disney resorts, cast members who speak a foreign language wear a
gold badge with a flag from that country.
Personal
Translator Units -- At Epcot, personal translator units
are available for international guests. The PTU's translate shows at
several of the attractions into French, German or Spanish.
Attractions include: "The Circle of Life" at The Land, Universe of
Energy, "Wonders of China," "Impressions de France" and "O
Canada."
Guidebooks
-- Detailed maps of the Magic Kingdom, Epcot and
Disney-MGM Studios are provided in Spanish, French, German,
Portuguese and Japanese at any guest relations location.
Currency
Exchange -- Banking services and currency exchange
are available at Sun Trust locations at Magic Kingdom and across
from Downtown Disney Marketplace; hours are from 9 a.m. until 4
p.m. Currency exchange is also provided at all Disney resorts and
theme park guest relations locations, up to $50.
World
Showcase -- An entertaining international expo featuring
11 distinct pavilions at Epcot. Each pavilion was designed to
capture the essence of a nation -- from its cuisine to wares in the
shops. Cultural representatives from the countries add flavor to the
pavilions.
Telephone
Software -- Walt Disney World resorts recently
implemented new software designed to expedite the international
dialing process. The system allows guests to dial direct to
international destinations, avoiding any operator assistance.
Public
Telephones -- Throughout Walt Disney World Resort, pay
telephones have instructions in Spanish, French, German,
Portuguese and Japanese.
International
Calling Cards -- Available at Guest Relations in the
Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney-MGM Studios and Disney's Animal
Kingdom.
Magic
Kingdom Guided Tours -- Keys to the Kingdom and
Family Magic tours are offered in Spanish, Japanese, French,
German, Portuguese and Italian.
Interpretation
of Ticket Media -- All ticket sales locations and
Guest Relations have details of ticket media posted in Spanish,
Portuguese, French, German and Italian.
**********
Our family
truly believes that WDW is the happiest place on earth The journey from
UK, however, is long and very tiring. We now feel, after several trips,
that we have perfected getting over the jet lag. If you catch a flight
that gets you to America about 3pm we always want to go to sleep but
we have found this is really bad as you will suffer the jet lag longer
and will wake at 3 in the morning!!! Instead we collect all the park
brochures and go to Downtown Disney for a meal and look over the brochures
at dinner and do a bit of planning. After this depending, on the time
we found a trip to the cinema was relaxing. By then everyone was tired
enough to sleep reasonably well and was not be affected by the jet lag
so much. However it will still affect you a little!!! You will wake
early!! We took this as an oppurtunity to go to Animal Kingdom before
it opens and get on the Safari while its still quiet. We saw loads of
animals and were the second safari to leave that day. After this everyone
is tired so we go to a waterpark for the day just to unwind (and get
a headstart on the tan!!!!). this plan might not work for you but it
certainly halped us a great deal!!! (Jo Wiggins)