As any good Pennsylvanian would know, Benjamin Franklin once said, “If you fail to plan, you are planning to fail.” Like you, Jeff, I, too, need a good lay of the land before I go anywhere, so I can appreciate you wanting to get a head start on your Walt Disney World Resort vacation by taking a good gander at the various Theme Park Guide Maps.
To ensure you and I are on the same page (map), let’s ensure we are looking at the same thing. On the main Disney World site, hover over the Tickets & Parks section, then select the park of your choice. Next, click on the map icon in the colorful bar under the video playing (or you can scroll to the bottom of the page). Once the page jumps or you scroll to the map, you will see a link to that specific park's Guide Map. After clicking, your web browser should open a PDF version of the park Guide Map that you can print. Unfortunately, you can’t request or order these Guide Maps before your trip, so if you are having trouble reading the printable version, I suggest continuing your planning using the PDF on your screen and your computer or browser's zoom function. While some browsers will allow you to zoom in/out directly on the PDF screen, some will require more effort. If you have Windows and Linux, try pressing Ctrl and +. If you have a Mac, press Command and +.
Do you want to know what’s even better than trying to plan the perfect Disney vacation all on your own by looking at the Guide Maps? Using all of the planDisney panelist at your disposal! Here are some of my planDisney friends and what they specialize in, so if you have any additional questions, click on their name to ask them a question directly:
- Jenna has two teenagers, loves to shop, and knows where some of the best dining locations are.
- Jennifer has three little ones, knows everything about the Dining Plans, and can help you plan with a large group.
- Lizzie can help you and your family find their favorite Disney Characters around the parks and plan the perfect Disney date.
- Susan is our all-around Disney Queen with expertise in Disney Vacation Club (DVC), competitions, and general awesomeness.
- While I can point out the best rides at each park, I take pride in my knowledge of food and beverage throughout the resort.
So, if you can’t wait to get your hands on one of the Guide Maps to help you plan and the zoom function on your computer isn’t working, come back to planDisney and ask away, Jeff! We are here to help and would love to share our knowledge with other Guests!
Good luck!
Brent