A NOTE TO OUR READERS:
"Ultimate Orlando" is from the July 2002 issue of Southern Living. Because prices, dates, and other specifics are subject to change, please check all information to make sure it's still current before making your travel plans.

As a little girl, I lived next door to Disneyland. The woman who played Tinkerbell was my dad's golfing pal. My parents even named me after a Mouseketeer. As an adult, I moved to Central Florida and began visiting Orlando's parks often. So when it comes to knowing the theme parks, I'm your guide. I've developed a system--one that's mindful of different budgets, ages, and time frames--for making them fun. Let me take you through it.

Everyone would like to create a dream vacation that includes each park and restaurant. But when it comes to Orlando, that isn't realistic. You can't do it all in one visit, so why try? You need to save something to come back to next year. Here's my advice for making the most of your time in Orlando.

Three-Day Getaway
Day one--SeaWorld. Whet your appetite for the larger parks at this compact one. Schedule activities around the shows: Don't miss Shamu, the dolphins, the sea lions, and the waterskiing stunt performances. Fill the time between with shark, penguin, manatee, and Clydesdale encounters. Budget a few bucks to feed the animals.

Day two--Universal's Islands of Adventure. Thrills abound here with some of the best coasters in the world. Blast off on The Incredible Hulk (0 to 60 m.p.h. in two seconds); then test the side-by-side Dueling Dragons to see which you prefer. Mornings in Seuss Landing delight young and old with a colorful carousel and Cat in the Hat ride. (The area lacks shade, making it hot later in the day.) Walk through a circle of spinning water at Poseidon's Fury for a one-of-a-kind experience. Save The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man for last. We think it's one of the best rides ever, combining 3-D graphics on a motion simulator with live special effects bursting around you. Squeeze in as much as you can; no other park is as exciting as this one.

Day three--Disney-MGM Studios. If you have only one day in a Disney park, opt for this venue that combines the best of Epcot, the Magic Kingdom, and Universal Studios. Grab a FastPass (see "Disney Tips" on page 5 of this article) at the Rock 'n' Roller Coaster, and line up for the nearby Tower of Terror. Suspense builds as screams peal from each carful of Tower of Terror riders. Pick up the next FastPass at Who Wants To Be a Millionaire--Play It!, and catch the Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular for a shady wait. The Fantasmic! show tops off a long weekend you'll remember for years.

Five Days in the Parks
Day one--Universal's Islands of Adventure. If at all possible, splurge for an exciting VIP Tour Experience. Your well-informed guide walks you to each activity, providing behind-the-scenes details and slipping you into the front of the lines without a wait. No matter how you visit Islands, save the three water adventures (Jurassic Park River Adventure, Dudley Do-Right's Ripsaw Falls, and Popeye & Bluto's Bilge-Rat Barges) for last so you can change clothes soon after.

Day two--Discovery Cove. This may be your favorite day. Settle into a comfortable lounge chair on a sandy beach. Once you're rested, receive personalized service for a day of cavorting with trained dolphins, schools of tropical fish, and sweet 4-foot rays that nudge your shins like purring kitties.

Day four--Magic Kingdom and Epcot. Take advantage of the monorail to see both parks in one day. Leave your car at Epcot, and zoom to the Magic Kingdom for the morning (this monorail route opens at 8:45 a.m.). Walk the lands counterclockwise, and then claim a curbside seat by 2:30 for the 3 p.m. parade. Afterward, hop in the monorail to Epcot for a stroll around the World Showcase and a fine dinner. Enjoy the IllumiNations fireworks from a waterside seat at the Rose & Crown Pub.

Day five--Disney-MGM Studios. End your week with spectacular shows. Tap your toes to the songs at "Beauty and the Beast Live On Stage" and "Disney's The Hunchback of Notre Dame--The Musical Adventure"; then chill out at the zany MuppetVision 3-D movie. Kids will gravitate to Star Tours and Voyage of the Little Mermaid--use your FastPass at both. Cure nostalgia at the 50's Prime Time Café, where servers insist you keep your elbows off the table and eat your vegetables.

Rates, excluding tax
Disney parks: One-day, one-park ticket: $48 ages 10 and up, $38 ages 3-9. Four-day Park Hopper: $192 ages 10 and up, $152 ages 3-9. Parking: $6; (407) 824-4321.

Discovery Cove: $249 for dolphin swim, and $149 for all the park's amenities except for the dolphin swim. (prices vary seasonally; as of Sept. 1 they will be $229 and $129, respectively). Reservations are required; toll free 1-877-434-7268 or www.discoverycove.com.

SeaWorld: Admission is $53.95 ages 10 and up; $44.95 ages 3-9. 1-800-406-2244 or www.seaworld.com.

Universal's Islands of Adventure: $49.95 ages 10 and up, $40.95 ages 3-9; VIP Tour Experience is $120. (407) 363-8000.

Area discounts: Four Park Orlando Flex Ticket includes 14 consecutive days' admission to SeaWorld, Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure, and Wet 'n' Wild; $169.95 ages 10 and up, $134.95 ages 3-9. Call 1-888-837-2273. The free Orlando Magicard offers up to $500 savings at restaurants, attractions, shops, and lodging. Call 1-800-551-0181, or visit www.orlandoinfo.com.

Universal's Islands of Adventure Tips

• Stay at an on-property hotel (Hard Rock Hotel, Portofino Bay Hotel, or the new Royal Pacific Resort) to use your room key as an Express pass.
• Regular ticket holders can obtain Universal Express appointments at distribution kiosks.
• Consult with attendants about Child Swapping, a program that eliminates a second wait in line for adults who must take turns watching a child who is too young for a particular ride.

Disney Tips

• You can't do everything in the Magic Kingdom in a single day, so prioritize.
• Line up at the front car of monorail stops for the best view.
• FastPasses, return-with-no-waiting tickets, are issued at kiosks throughout the park and work best on less crowded days. You can receive only one pass at a time--the machines won't issue a second until the first one is used or expired. On crowded days, passes are typically all distributed by early afternoon.

Discovery Cove/SeaWorld Tips

• Apply free sunscreen at Discovery Cove's locker area. Their special formula won't harm the creatures in the interactive pools.
• Wear water shoes at Discovery Cove in the lagoons as well as in the swift-moving river, which has surprisingly sharp places along the bottom.
• SeaWorld's Adventure Express offers guests VIP treatment with a guided tour, back-door ride access, reserved seating at shows and meals, and a behind-the-scenes encounter with the penguins. (Petting a penguin is worth the price!)