By Peter Covino

Entertainment Editor

Christmas week and New Year’s are possibly the worst time possible for locals to head on out to the theme parks.

It is pretty much guaranteed you will have to wait for everything, and frequently, the parking lot at Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom gets maxed out to the point, that parking is no longer possible on the busiest days.

But if Uncle Elmo and Aunt Ida are in town, and little Elmo just has to see Mickey Mouse there is some good news: there are discount coupons at some of the Disney restaurants.

Yes, discount restaurant coupons at one of the peak periods at the theme parks.

You can print out a 30 percent discount coupon dining voucher (you probably should print out more than one because it is one coupon per transaction) at The Disney Parks Blog site, http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/walt-disney-world-dining-voucher/.

There are some restrictions, but if you are looking for a bargain, it is worth eating earlier.

There are “discount” restaurants at all four Disney theme parks. Diners have the option of eating before noon or between 3 and 4:30 p.m. to take advantage of the savings offer, which is good through Jan. 1.

Alcohol is not included in the discount and you can not use the discount with the Disney Dining Plan.

The restaurants include:

Magic Kingdom: Cosmic Ray's Starlight Cafe, Columbia Harbour House, Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn and Cafe, Pinocchio Village Haus, Tomorrowland Terrace Restaurant.

Epcot: Electric Umbrella, Liberty Inn, Sunshine Seasons.

Hollywood Studios: ABC Commissary, Backlot Express, Studio Catering Company.

Animal Kingdom: Flame Tree Barbecue, Pizzafari, Restaurantosaurus, Tamu Tamu Refreshments.

Restaurant hours vary, but most open by 10 or 10:30 a.m. but a few have later openings such as Tomorrowland Terrace (11 a.m.), Liberty Inn (11:30 a.m.); Backlot Express (10:45 a.m.); Studio Catering (11:15 a.m.)

You can even make that meal breakfast at Epcot’s Sunshine Seasons. It opens at 9 a.m.

Epcot is open 9 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. today and 8 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Sunday. The Magic Kingdom is open 8 a.m. to 1 a.m. today and 8 a.m. until midnight Sunday. Animal Kingdom is open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. today and Sunday and Disney’s Hollywood Studios 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday and 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday.