Disney survival strategies: as Florida residents, perhaps we've become jaded about Disney World. But play the park right, and it's still magic for families — especially if you turn it up a notch with the Cirque du Soleil - Executive Travel Disney World

South Florida CEO, Sept, 2002 by James Broida

With summer finished and the kids back in school, September may seem like an odd month for a trip to Disney World. But it's actually a perfect time. It's cooler, far less crowded and still full of fun -- as long as you know how to navigate it.

First, if you are going to visit Disney, stay in "The World" itself. There may be off-property bargains, but nestling in one of Disney's resorts continues the experience, seamlessly, with everything from Disney TV channels to 'character breakfasts' on premise. Many accommodations come with kitchens, so you can feed and water the troops during down times. The kids can also enjoy certain latitudes of independence -- like taking buses or monorails on their own to the various parks.

Unless you've been living under a rock, you know that Disney World now has four theme parks: the Magic Kingdom, Epcot, MGM Studios and the Animal Kingdom. Each has its own attributes: Epcot is the most adult-friendly, if for no other reason than its World Showcase -- with pavilions from nations around the globe -- serves alcohol. The Magic Kingdom, on the other hand, is geared for kids, with its Mickey Mouse parade and rides like "It's a Small World." MGM may be the most appealing to teens, with some wilder (and scarier) rides, while the Animal Kingdom generally works for all ages.

But you know that. What you may not know is that a successful Disney experience requires certain survival strategies. Follow these, and you'll have a great time.

First, never, never wait in long lines. These are for people from out of town, who have no choice but to see that ride now. You live in Florida. You can come back anytime. Fortunately, the busiest rides offer a Fast Pass. Get one of these, and you can return later at the specified time and walk right in. Say the "Tower of Terror" ride in MGM is backed up. Get a Fast Pass, go take the "Great Movie Ride" (which never has a line) and then return. Easy. Just pay attention to the boards that list the line-wait times at the entrance to each park.

Second, work the parks in a counter-rhythm. Because most visitors come from off-campus, so to speak, the crowds peak at mid-day, from noon to 4 pm. Shun these times. Go early or late, before the crowds arrive or after they've given up. The first and last hours are always the easiest. And, since you're staying in The World, you can rest and take a swim during the busiest (and hottest) part of each day.

Finally, as a resident of The World, you'll be offered certain nights when only those staying on premises are allowed into a given park. You'll pay a slight premium, but it's more than worth it. The absence of lines is almost dreamlike.

Another down-time option is to visit Disney Downtown, a shopping village with several entertainment venues and the best restaurants in The World (certainly the best nightlife). Chief among the entertainment options is the Cirque du Soleil.

This all-human circus puts on a show that is, literally, mind blowing. Unlike their traveling acts, here the Cirque performs in its own state-of-the-art theater, which includes an enormous open stage that is constantly shifting with moving platforms that rise and descend.

The current show is "La Nouba, a cross between Fellini, Opera, Magritte and the Ringling Brothers. The sheer stretch of imagination is enthralling, with performers who dance, climb, jump, fly, balance and flip: tiny Chinese girls who toss diabolos, or Chinese yo-yos, into the air while performing back flips; twin brothers who work "German Wheels" -- six-and-a-half foot in diameter double hoops -- which they turn, flip and spin while clinging on; trampoline troupers who bounce up the sides of walls while the stage is set on fire.

And then there are cyclists, flying trapeze artists, aerial ballet performers, bizarre looking clowns, a singing diva, and so on. All of this is performed to live music, with stage sets that put the average Broadway play to shame. As one child said after the show, "Wow, that's the best circus I've ever seen." Maybe the strangest, too. Fortunately, the summer discount for state residents is good through September.

For Disney reservations go to their web site at www.Disney.com. For cirque du Soleil reservations, call (407) 939-7600, or visit www.wdwig.com/cirq.htm