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Sneakers? Check. Sunscreen? Check. Hat, backpack, theme-park multiday ticket? Check. Once you choose to vacation in Neverland, it's never too soon to begin strategizing. Because no one truly "escapes" to the magical worlds of Disney and other parks without fine-tuning a game plan. Armed with your map and provisions -- snacks, water bottles, sport drinks -- you're ready to outmaneuver the pixie-dusted millions who visit the area each year. Once you're prepared with a realistic vision of your vacation, you'll be more than ready to let the fantasy sweep you away

I love universal studios Orlando! My husband and I went to their Mardi Gras celebration on 4-8-06. my husband began to enjoy the parade when he started catching a lot of beads for me! We most enjoy going during the off season when it is less crowded.

Big Ben is the name of the clock inside this famous tower that also forms part of the Houses of Parliament. Its impressive mechanism weighs in at over 13.5 tons, and the pendulum, which beats once every two seconds, is 13 feet long and weighs 690 pounds. The clock was named Big Ben after the First Commissioner of Works, and since 1885 a light above it has been lit while the House of Commons is in session.

Buckingham Palace has been the official abode of British royalty since 1837. The forecourt is the setting for one of London's most popular and spectacular tourist events: The Changing of the Guard. The Mews are working stables, where you can see the Queen's horses and state carriages. The Buckingham Palace state rooms are only open during certain days in August and September in. Admission to the mews: adults GBP4.60; child GBP2.60; under 5 free. State rooms: adult GBP11; child GBP6.

Westminster Abbey is regarded as an architectural masterpiece of the medieval period. It has been the venue for most of the country's coronations since 1066 and for numerous other Royal occasions. At present, it is still a church dedicated to regular worship and to the celebration of great events in the life of the British nation.

Tower Bridge is one of the most instantly recognisable of London's landmarks. Built at the close of the 19th century, the bridge is in a neo-Gothic style with twin towers, and is unique in having bascules, which can be raised to give access to tall ships. The stone clad towers offer a rich insight into London's history, plus panoramic views across the skyline enable you to see the city's finest architecture. The Tower Bridge Exhibition is a self-guided tour which introduces you to the colorful

Started in 1759 by Princess Augusta, her hobby developed into one of the most famous collections of flowers the world has ever seen. Kew Gardens is now a sprawling 300-acre riverside site housing over 300,000 different varieties of plantlife. The main attractions at Kew are the world-renowned greenhouses, each one an architectural masterpiece - the Japanese Pagoda, Queen Charlotte's Cottage and finally the Palm House. There are also various magnificent themed gardens exhibited throughout the year. The opening times below are for March to September, with shorter opening hours throughout the rest of the year. The museum closes at 5.30pm every day.

The famous waxworks, started by Madame Tussaud in 1835, are one of the most popular tourist attractions in London, and usually have queues to match. Now they've introduced a fast-track booking scheme, you should be able to bypass the queues by pre-booking a time slot for a #1 surcharge. Madame Tussaud learned her trade making death masks during the French Revolution, and those of Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette are displayed beside the actual blade that beheaded them. There are wax models of the famous and the infamous from every walk of life, some of which are amazingly lifelike.

The London Tate Gallery, opened in 1897, is set in a beautiful palatial riverside edifice. Exhibiting Britian art from 1500 to present, the gallery is also known for its support of new and avant-garde multimedia artists. The modern art exhibited ranges from the Pre-Raphaelite period to Cubism. Giacometti, Picasso, Moore, Hepworth and Warhol are among the creators on show, and the gallery also annually exhibits the artists that are short-listed for the Turner Prize. Admission is free, except for special exhibitions.

The British Museum is London's top tourist attraction as well as being a major scholarly resource. Its collection was bequeathed to the nation in 1753 and the Museum's distinctive Greek revivalist structure was built during the 19th century. The collection expanded massively during the heyday of the British Empire, leading to the museum's notoriety for plundering sources all over the globe and leaving it with over 6.5million objects to look after.

Visit the glorious reconstruction of Shakespeare's original playhouse, built alongside the very foundations some four centuries later. This version of the Bards venue also boasts the first thatched roof in London since the Great Fire. The partially open-air theatre provides a standing area and some seating, although it proves hard and uncomfortable, but cushions can be hired. Royal Shakespeare Company actors put on the finest performances in this fabulous theatre. Come and soak up the atmosphere even if you are unfamiliar with the Bard's work. The Globe is also home to an exhibition on Elizabethan theatre and theres the opportunity to take a guided tour of the landmark and try out that stage for yourself.

The main stage is used for a wide variety of shows including drama (especially contemporary Spanish), ballet, zarzuela (Spanish opera) and live flamenco and folk concerts. One of the other stages is used for the Children's Puppet Theatre season that runs from autumn to spring with shows every Sunday at 4.45pm. It also has a prestigious exhibition space and is considered one of the city's major cultural centres. It's surrounded by impressive fountains, monuments and gardens opposite the Wax Museum.

One of the capital's largest churches, it's also noted for having a huge and outstanding collection of paintings displayed amongst its seven chapels. You'll see work by Goya, Zurbaran, Alonso Cano, Maella and Casado del Alisal along with marble sculptures by Ricardo Bellver and Mariano Benlliure. The dome and barrel-vaulted ceilings are covered in lovely frescoes and the beautiful stained-glass

This former royal residence houses a fantastic collection of paintings (Velazquez, Caravaggio and Goya), sculpture, furniture, tapestries, glassware, gold and silverware, medals, porcelain and musical instruments. It is well worth visiting the rooms decorated by Gasparini as well as the Royal Pharmacy, the Library, and the Royal Armoury. King Felipe V commissioned the Italian architect Sabatini to design the palace, and work was carried out betwween 1738-1770. Admission: EUR7 or EUR8 with a guide; children, students and EU senior citizens: EUR5.50; Wed: free for EU citizens.

Considered one of the world's most important art galleries, it exhibits paintings by Goya, Velazquez, Murillo, Zurbaran, El Greco, Ribera, Titian, Boticelli, Tintoretto, El Bosco, Rubens, Van Dyck, Poussin and Durer. The collection of decorative arts features the Tesoro del Delfin. There are displays of classical Greek and Roman sculpture. Carlos III commissioned Juan de Villanueva to design this beautiful building, which was converted into an art gallery in 1819. There is a cafe, bookshop, souvenir shop, conference room, and reference library. Admission: EUR3; students: EUR1.50; under-18s, unemployed and OAPs: free. Free admission on Sun, Dec 6, Oct 12, and May 18