Hi guys! Next February I’m taking my first trip to the US. I’m going to spend a month in Orlando: in the first two weeks I’ll be visiting all the parks and after that I’ll be staying in a home accommodation and will be taking an English course in the University of Central Florida. I have a few questions for those who live or are at least familiar with Orlando or just the parks in general. I hope you can help me.
Well, as a dedicated Disney fan, one of the things I’m looking forward the most in the trip is that I will be able to get lots of Disney books and DVDs. Which stores in the park you think are the best regarding the availability of this kind of material? And when I talk about books I mean art and technical books.
Some of the DVDs I’m looking forward to buying as to complete my collection are “Make Mine Music” and the Walt Disney Treasures “Legendary Heroes” and “Spin & Marty”. I know “Make Mine Music” is still in print, but since it was released such a long time ago, can it be easily found? And what about these two Treasures, do you think they are still going to be widely available by February? Regarding the park-exclusive DVDs, are they widely available in the park’s stores?
As for libraries outside the park and near the University of Central Florida area, which ones do you think are the best? I’ll try to look for books that have been long out-of-print, like some of The Art of books (The Lion King, Pocahontas). Do you think I can be lucky enough to find them, even if in used conditions?
I also intend to get “Lady and the Tramp” in its release day. What DVD stores/ libraries you recommend me?
As for the weather, what is it like in this time of the year? Is it too cold or rainy?
Regarding the parks themselves, I don’t have a lot to ask, since as a Disney fan I’m a bit educated in the subject, hehe. Well, I believe this time of the year is the one in which the parks are not as crowded, right? Still, are the lines for the attractions usually too long?
Well, by now I think that is about it, hehehe. I’ll ask more things as the doubts comes a long. Any help will come quite in hand. Thanks a lot!
Help a first-time traveler to Orlando!
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Joe Carioca
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I'm not 100% certain, but I think that you may be able to pick up Spin and Marty and Legendary Heroes easily. Bearing in mind that they're the most unmarketable of this year's Treasures, they could still be easy to find.
I haven't been to Disney World in almost a decade, but if I remember, the Virgin Megastore (is it still there?) in Downtown Disney had a huge number of Disney videos (DVD was in its infancy in 1997
). If it's still there, that may be a place to go.
Hope you enjoy your time in Orlando! I wish I could go to Disney World next month. For the time being, I'll have to invent a magical theme park kingdom where children's dreams become reality in my head...Salt Wisney Land, here I come!
I haven't been to Disney World in almost a decade, but if I remember, the Virgin Megastore (is it still there?) in Downtown Disney had a huge number of Disney videos (DVD was in its infancy in 1997
). If it's still there, that may be a place to go. Hope you enjoy your time in Orlando! I wish I could go to Disney World next month. For the time being, I'll have to invent a magical theme park kingdom where children's dreams become reality in my head...Salt Wisney Land, here I come!
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Joe Carioca
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Hey, Joe Carioca! I haven't see you and your ever changing Jose Carioca comic avatars in a while...then again I don't come to UD as often as I used to. Anyhow, I hope you have a lot of with your full MONTH at Orlando! 
And good luck with finding all the stuff you want!
At each park's biggest gift shop (The Emporium at Main Street in Magic Kingdom, Mouse Gear at Futureworld in Epcot, the shops of Hollywood Boulevard in Disney MGM Studios, and Island Mercantile in Animal Kingdom), you'll find the standard Disney souveniers and Disney books/DVDs with theme park prices. The park exclusive DVDs are in their respective parks.
As far as the books you want, you're best bets are:
The World of Disney: (Downtown Disney) Most of the touristy books (WDW Then, Now, and Forever...Birnbaum's guidebooks...Disneyland in Pictures...etc) are here along with some of the artsy books like The Art of Disneyland, Imagineering, John Hench's Designing Disney. Also you'll find kiddie Disney books as well. You'll find a great selection of Disney CDs and DVDs too, but also Disney prices. Also, all the park exclusive Disney DVDs (coming in a box set) are here.
Animation Gallery: (Disney-MGM Studios) This store is at the end of the Magic of Disney Animation attraction (the new additions are awesome, but definitely not as awesome as the original tour, character development art work gallery, and intro movie was). You'll find most of Disney's art books like "How To Draw ____" and "The Art of______" though I might add they're of the more recent Disney features (Brother Bear, the Incredibles, Lilo and Stitch to name a few) and they come complete with the ever famous Disney price tag. You'll also find a nice selection of Disney posters. Though if your wallet can't take it, large postcards of the same posters are the next best thing (and more travel friendly).
The Art of Disney: (Epcot) This gallery is a great place filled with all kinds of Disney art from cels to posters figures/figurines and even original art works with Disney themes. There's also a Disney artist making sketches. They might have the books you're looking for, but I'm not positive.
The Virgin Megastore: (Downtown Disney) Okay, if you had no luck at the parks, you're most likely to find nearly everything you want at the second floor of this store. There is a little section with JUST Disney related books from The Art of Disney to a guide to Hidden Mickeys to The Gospel According to Disney. In the kids section of books, there's a music section with some Disney music books and sheet music. I've seen some really old stuff there too like a faded Jungle Book piano book, but also a Disney Fakebook for really easy piano playing. In the kids music section (also upstairs) you'll find most of the Disney soundtracks and Disney compilations. We were lucky and found the complete Classic Disney CD set (imported) in the sale rack. Also you may find most of the Disney DVDs you want here too.
Outside the WDW Resort:
Music For a Song: (Orlando Premium Outlets) This fairly new outlet mall is just outside Downtown Disney and next to the Mary, Queen of the Universe Catholic Church. I've had a lot of luck at this music/DVD/game/book store. It's not as big as the Disney stores, but you'll have a greater chance of finding your DVDs here. Also, I've seen the Art of Brother Bear and the Incredibles here. I also got lucky and got Disney: The First 100 Years here for only $10! You'll find better prices for your books here, but their availability is not definite as they're always getting all kinds of entertainment books here.
FYE or Sam Goody: (The Florida Mall or Mall of Millenia...whatever the latter is called) You'll definitely find the Disney Treasures here and maybe Make, Mine, Music. Any music/DVD store at any American mall usually has a much better chance of having recent OOP Disney DVDs.
I don't really know about Orlando libraries, but perhaps a little online googling can help? Though if you can't find the Art books at the stores, the libraries most definitely will have them. My high school (in NJ tho) had some of Disney's art books, but for reference only. You weren't allowed to take them out.
For Lady and the Tramp DVD, to get the best price head to the closest Best Buy, Wal-Mart, or Target. Wal-Mart usually has the best deal. Don't get it at the mall or a pharmacy like Walgreens. You'll usually have to pay the SRP. You can also may be able to preorder/reserve a copy at a Disney Store or Disney's Character Premiere (in Orlando Premium Outlets) and get some nice little extra for reserving with them. In the past, you got a pin set and lanyard for preordering at Character Premiere (and I think Disney park stores too) for Aladdin DVD. At the Disney Store, if you preordered Cinderella, you got an exclusive Lenticular of Cinderella's rags to riches transformation.
You're picking a good time to go to the parks. According to Escapay and Jane McCoy, the parks usually aren't that crowded in January and Febrauary and the weather is rainy and can get pretty cold. Lines can get pretty short too! Though anytime you go to WDW, Magic Kingdom is usually the most crowded and Animal Kingdom the least since its so big. Presidents Weekend will draw in some crowds as well. Another thing, since this is the off season, some rides may not be open (like the Timekeeper, Carousel of Progress) or closed for refurbishing. Intercot.com usually has a list (here it is, http://www.intercot.com/infocentral/calendar/refurb.asp ). It looks like you may not get a chance to ride Buzz Lightyear 
, but you may be lucky and get a ticket to Who Wants to Be A Millionaire with host Meredith Viera (see link for details)!
Wow, that was a lot to say, hehehe! I think I'm done now and I hope this information is useful! Also, have fun on your first trip to The USA! Make sure to eat at Chick-fil-a! IMO, their food will beat McDonald's any day!
And good luck with finding all the stuff you want! At each park's biggest gift shop (The Emporium at Main Street in Magic Kingdom, Mouse Gear at Futureworld in Epcot, the shops of Hollywood Boulevard in Disney MGM Studios, and Island Mercantile in Animal Kingdom), you'll find the standard Disney souveniers and Disney books/DVDs with theme park prices. The park exclusive DVDs are in their respective parks.
As far as the books you want, you're best bets are:
The World of Disney: (Downtown Disney) Most of the touristy books (WDW Then, Now, and Forever...Birnbaum's guidebooks...Disneyland in Pictures...etc) are here along with some of the artsy books like The Art of Disneyland, Imagineering, John Hench's Designing Disney. Also you'll find kiddie Disney books as well. You'll find a great selection of Disney CDs and DVDs too, but also Disney prices. Also, all the park exclusive Disney DVDs (coming in a box set) are here.
Animation Gallery: (Disney-MGM Studios) This store is at the end of the Magic of Disney Animation attraction (the new additions are awesome, but definitely not as awesome as the original tour, character development art work gallery, and intro movie was). You'll find most of Disney's art books like "How To Draw ____" and "The Art of______" though I might add they're of the more recent Disney features (Brother Bear, the Incredibles, Lilo and Stitch to name a few) and they come complete with the ever famous Disney price tag.
You'll also find a nice selection of Disney posters. Though if your wallet can't take it, large postcards of the same posters are the next best thing (and more travel friendly).The Art of Disney: (Epcot) This gallery is a great place filled with all kinds of Disney art from cels to posters figures/figurines and even original art works with Disney themes. There's also a Disney artist making sketches. They might have the books you're looking for, but I'm not positive.
The Virgin Megastore: (Downtown Disney) Okay, if you had no luck at the parks, you're most likely to find nearly everything you want at the second floor of this store. There is a little section with JUST Disney related books from The Art of Disney to a guide to Hidden Mickeys to The Gospel According to Disney. In the kids section of books, there's a music section with some Disney music books and sheet music. I've seen some really old stuff there too like a faded Jungle Book piano book, but also a Disney Fakebook for really easy piano playing. In the kids music section (also upstairs) you'll find most of the Disney soundtracks and Disney compilations. We were lucky and found the complete Classic Disney CD set (imported) in the sale rack. Also you may find most of the Disney DVDs you want here too.
Outside the WDW Resort:
Music For a Song: (Orlando Premium Outlets) This fairly new outlet mall is just outside Downtown Disney and next to the Mary, Queen of the Universe Catholic Church. I've had a lot of luck at this music/DVD/game/book store. It's not as big as the Disney stores, but you'll have a greater chance of finding your DVDs here. Also, I've seen the Art of Brother Bear and the Incredibles here. I also got lucky and got Disney: The First 100 Years here for only $10! You'll find better prices for your books here, but their availability is not definite as they're always getting all kinds of entertainment books here.
FYE or Sam Goody: (The Florida Mall or Mall of Millenia...whatever the latter is called) You'll definitely find the Disney Treasures here and maybe Make, Mine, Music. Any music/DVD store at any American mall usually has a much better chance of having recent OOP Disney DVDs.
I don't really know about Orlando libraries, but perhaps a little online googling can help? Though if you can't find the Art books at the stores, the libraries most definitely will have them. My high school (in NJ tho) had some of Disney's art books, but for reference only. You weren't allowed to take them out.
For Lady and the Tramp DVD, to get the best price head to the closest Best Buy, Wal-Mart, or Target. Wal-Mart usually has the best deal. Don't get it at the mall or a pharmacy like Walgreens. You'll usually have to pay the SRP. You can also may be able to preorder/reserve a copy at a Disney Store or Disney's Character Premiere (in Orlando Premium Outlets) and get some nice little extra for reserving with them. In the past, you got a pin set and lanyard for preordering at Character Premiere (and I think Disney park stores too) for Aladdin DVD. At the Disney Store, if you preordered Cinderella, you got an exclusive Lenticular of Cinderella's rags to riches transformation.
You're picking a good time to go to the parks. According to Escapay and Jane McCoy, the parks usually aren't that crowded in January and Febrauary and the weather is rainy and can get pretty cold. Lines can get pretty short too! Though anytime you go to WDW, Magic Kingdom is usually the most crowded and Animal Kingdom the least since its so big. Presidents Weekend will draw in some crowds as well. Another thing, since this is the off season, some rides may not be open (like the Timekeeper, Carousel of Progress) or closed for refurbishing. Intercot.com usually has a list (here it is,
http://www.intercot.com/infocentral/calendar/refurb.asp ). It looks like you may not get a chance to ride Buzz Lightyear , but you may be lucky and get a ticket to Who Wants to Be A Millionaire with host Meredith Viera (see link for details)!Wow, that was a lot to say, hehehe! I think I'm done now and I hope this information is useful! Also, have fun on your first trip to The USA! Make sure to eat at Chick-fil-a! IMO, their food will beat McDonald's any day!
