{"id":829,"date":"2005-04-11T07:55:21","date_gmt":"2005-04-11T11:55:21","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.themouseforless.com\/blog_ms_news\/?p=829"},"modified":"2022-05-04T21:27:28","modified_gmt":"2022-05-05T01:27:28","slug":"the-last-rest-stop-before-walt-disney-world","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.themouseforless.com\/blog_world\/the-last-rest-stop-before-walt-disney-world\/","title":{"rendered":"The Last Rest Stop Before Walt Disney World"},"content":{"rendered":"

By Erica Colmenares
\nPhotos By Tammy Norman<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cMom, when are we gonna get there?\u201d<\/p>\n

Have you ever heard that on a road trip before? What parent hasn\u2019t? Multiply that question by 100 if your road-trip destination is Walt Disney World. But if your route takes you down I-75, take a final rest stop that will provide that needed Disney Magic before you drive your final 90 miles- the Disney Information Center.<\/p>\n

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You can\u2019t miss it, either. There are plenty of signs on I-75, ensuring you don\u2019t pass your turn-off. Take Ocala exit 350 (old 68) and ta-dah! The Disney Information Center awaits! Open since 1987, this is Disney\u2019s first (and only) travel reservation center. It\u2019s a perfect place to stretch your legs, talk to a genuine Disney Cast Member, maybe buy a souvenir, make a hotel reservation, or see a WDW promo movie. You may even see a hidden Mickey!<\/p>\n

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The Disney Information Center has giant two-dimensional images of Mickey and Minnie as you enter; pose here for the first Disney photos of your trip. The building\u2019s windows are decorated with characters, mingled with merchandise much as they would be on Main Street in Magic Kingdom. A painted \u201croad\u201d leads through the entrance doors to an interior that is as well-maintained and whimsical as the exterior. There are character cut-outs- practice getting your pictures taken with them! Or \u201cdrive\u201d a \u201ccar\u201d down the \u201croad\u201d to Guest Services.<\/p>\n

The small theater has continuous showings of the \u201cTop Seven Things to Do at Walt Disney World,\u201d the same promo they play \u2018round the clock on TV in the WDW resorts. Watch your hostess, Krissa, do Summit Plummet and search for Goofy in all the parks. This movie will give you an entertaining general overview of Walt Disney World, and provide a nice break in a cool, air-conditioned place. Kind of like the Hall of Presidents at Magic Kingdom! The show repeats every thirty minutes.<\/p>\n

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Then there\u2019s the gift shop. This is a Disney establishment, after all. The prices aren\u2019t any cheaper than at Walt Disney World, but it\u2019s still fun to wander around. This might be a convenient place to buy matching Disney tees for the family, or get that Disney plush your niece wants you to bring back for her. If you are on your way home from Disney and forgot a gift for someone, here\u2019s your last chance to get something and say, truthfully, \u201cI got this for you in Florida.\u201d If you own Birnbaum\u2019s Walt Disney World 2005, it includes a coupon for a free “Disney Souvenir” when you present it at the Ocala Disney Information Center (12\/31\/2005 expiration).<\/p>\n

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Guest Services is at the end of the \u201croad,\u201d and offers assistance with tickets, reservations, dining, and information. You can get guide maps for the theme parks and waterparks, make on-site hotel reservations, and the cast members will help you with all of your priority seating arrangements. Park tickets are for sale, but don\u2019t expect any bargains- tickets here go for gate prices! Several years ago, you could find deeply-discounted rooms at the Disney Information Center, but now the only discounts offered are to AAA, Florida residents, and Annual Passholders, the same ones booked by calling 1-407-WDISNEY or through Disney-specialty travel agents.<\/p>\n

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Before you leave, don\u2019t forget to take advantage of another good photo-op: the cut-outs from Mission Space and Stitch. And use the restrooms- they\u2019re spacious and CLEAN! And are you wondering where that Hidden Mickey is hiding? Look up! He\u2019s in the clouds, specifically in the painted clouds of the seventh blue and white ceiling panel on the left as you enter the building.<\/p>\n

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The Disney Information Center is open from 9 AM to 6 PM daily, with somewhat extended hours during the summer months. Call (352) 854-0770 to confirm.<\/p>\n

Magically Speaking Featured Article
\nLibrary of Congress ISSN:1556-3863<\/p>\n

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