Time for Disney?

If your children are under age five, the infamous 107-acre Magic Kingdom, the oldest and most famous of Disney's four parks (the others are Epcot Center, MGM Studios, Animal Kingdom), is an obvious best bet. The venerable MK is perfect for little ones, between the many non-scary rides, the elaborate parades (both day and night), the fireworks and the character meals, where Winnie, Mickey and even Cinderella will wander to your table for a visit. (Reservations are suggested for character meals; call 407-WDW-DINE.) Mickey's Toontown Fair provides a guaranteed spot for meeting the mouse and his buddies and has a gentle, toddler-friendly roller coaster.

Other great spots for this age group include The Country Bear Jamboree in Frontierland, where the crooning, robot-like audio-animatronics bears provide an amusing and cooling break from the often blinding sunlight. There's a constant array of short, but elaborate, stage presentations in Fantasyland, like Beauty and the Beast and the Lion King. Our four-year-old couldn't get enough of the Haunted Mansion in Liberty Square (fun scary, not terrifying scary), and rode twice on Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin in Tomorrowland. And when we all needed a break, we boarded the railroad that makes a 15-20 minute grand circle tour of the Magic Kingdom or took advantage of the water sprouts that provide quick cool-downs (bring a bathing suit or an extra set of clothes for each child) in places like Ariel's grotto and Donald Duck's boat in Mickey's Toontown.

If you have an infant, there are diaper-changing rooms in every restroom, and baby-care services that include a nursing room (with rocking chairs and dim light) and feeding rooms with high chairs, bibs and plastic spoons. The one in Magic Kingdom is behind Casey's Corner on Main Street USA, not far from the entrance.