Also coming soon are a revamped Pirates of the Caribbean attraction at the Magic Kingdom, ''Finding Nemo -- the Musical" at the Animal Kingdom, and The Seas with Nemo & Friends, featuring real and imaginary creatures together, at Epcot. Even with new attractions, though, some repeat visitors spend little time at the resort's four big theme parks, choosing instead to golf, dine, shop, and ride the water slides.
If you have school-age children, you may have to go in summer or on school vacation weeks. Alas, that is usually when the parks are most crowded. If you can arrange it, try visiting in late April through early June, Labor Day until Thanksgiving, and -- my favorite time -- the period after Thanksgiving weekend until mid-December. If you are bringing preschoolers,the Disney World website (www.disneyworld.com) has a ''Something For Everyone" menu on which the Preschoolers tab takes you to a page with the new Magical Beginnings program. It features a list of attractions and activities that will especially appeal to the wee ones, and tips on what to do before and during the vacation.
The deals are out there, both online and at brick-and-mortar travel agencies. A quick check finds Liberty Travel (888-271-1584 or www.libertytravel.com) offering a three-night package from Boston that begins at $525 and includes flights, rooms, tickets, and some meals. Travelocity (www.travelocity.com), meanwhile, has an entire section devoted to Disney trips. And Walt Disney World itself (see website above) features a six-night vacation, including rooms and tickets but excluding air fare, that it says a family of four can take for less than $1,500; prepaid dining options are also available.
