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Disney World

The Walt Disney World Resort [1] located in Lake Buena Vista, Florida, near Orlando, is the flagship of Disney's worldwide theme park empire. It is by far the most visited theme park resort in the world.

The primary destinations within Walt Disney World are the four theme parks. The Magic Kingdom, based on the original Disneyland in Anaheim, California, is the oldest and most popular park of the complex—in fact, with over 17 million visitors annually; it's the most-visited single theme park in the world. The Magic Kingdom has various 'lands' organized around the central landmark of Cinderella's Castle, and while it is more oriented toward children, many adults will love the escapism as well. Epcot, the second theme park, is an "educational park" dedicated to international culture and technological innovation with two distinct areas, "Future World" and "World Showcase". The third theme park is Disney's Hollywood Studios, which is themed around movies and television, with a variety of live shows and attractions based on those media. Finally, Disney's Animal Kingdom is a wildlife park, something of a mix between a zoo and a theme park with both naturalistic animal exhibitions and typical Disney rides.

Walt Disney World also has the world's two most popular water parks, Typhoon Lagoon and the newer Blizzard Beach, both heavily themed. For more adult entertainment, Downtown Disney has extensive shopping, nightclubs, restaurants, and unique entertainment. Disney's Boardwalk is a smaller collection of restaurants, gift shops, and nightlife spots themed as a 1920's Eastern Seaboard boardwalk. Other activities throughout the resort include golf, miniature golf, tennis, boating, spas and health clubs, backstage tours, and many more.

Understand

"I do not make films primarily for children. I make them for the child in all of us, whether we be six or sixty. Call the child 'innocence'. The worst of us is not without innocence, although buried deeply it might be. In my work I try to reach and speak to that innocence, showing it the fun and joy of living; showing it that laughter is healthy; showing it that the human species, although happily ridiculous at times, is still reaching for the stars." -- Walt Disney

The most important thing to understand about the Walt Disney World Resort is that it was designed to be fun for anyone. Singles and couples without children who think a Walt Disney World vacation is just for kids ignore the many "adult" entertainments available throughout the resort. Gourmands, sun-worshippers, world travelers, adventure-seekers, comedy-lovers, movie buffs, sports fans, club-hoppers, and history buffs can all find numerous activities and attractions to pique their interests.

The resort is enormous, a multi-day resort destination. Each of its four theme parks is big enough to occupy visitors for a full day (and often two, depending on crowds). Unless you live nearby, four days is considered the bare minimum length of visit to even begin to experience the resort; some people stay as long as two weeks and still bypass some attractions.

Traveling to Walt Disney World represents a major pilgrimage for many American families. The "typical" visit would involve flying into Orlando International Airport, busing to an on-site Disney hotel, spending about a week without leaving Disney property, and returning home; of course, there are infinite variations on this template, but this remains the standard from which all other itineraries are deviations.

Everything at Walt Disney World is carefully constructed and choreographed to maintain your perceptions of visiting an idealized world. Company jargon frames every aspect of customer service as part of the "show": employees are "cast members", visitors are "guests", and every prop and costume must be completely "in-character" while "on-stage" (visible to guests). While some people find this cloying and artificial, the vast majority of visitors are happy to immerse themselves in this relaxing, carefree environment.

Even so, the realities of Walt Disney World can be stark: long lines, sweltering heat, rude guests, and expensive merchandise are common. There are ways to avoid the worst elements (namely by carefully choosing when to visit) and customer service is almost universally impeccable, even (or perhaps especially) when things go wrong.

Many first-time visitors try to do too much during their stay. Unless crowds are unusually small, this is a sure recipe for burnout and exhaustion. You need to have a basic schedule in mind, but you should remain flexible in order to account for closed rides, full restaurants, special events, and just changing your mind. If the crowds get too heavy or the weather gets too hot, smart guests staying on-site head back to their hotels to relax, grab a snack, or take a swim, then return later in the day.

With some careful basic planning, an open mind, and a cheerful attitude, a visit to Walt Disney World can be whatever you want it to be: fulfilling, exciting, relaxing, enlightening, or just plain fun. Whatever you chose to do, your visit is guaranteed to be an experience, in every sense of the word—one you'll never forget.

Play

Walt Disney World and Google Earth have teamed up to create the most comprehensive, state-of-the-art 3-D virtual tour of the resort. [4] Features of the tour include interactive 3-D views of all four theme parks and over 20 Disney resort hotels.

Watch

Unless noted otherwise, external links in this section lead to pages of the DisneyShopping.com Movies, Music & Books website. Also unless noted otherwise, DVDs are compatible only with Region 1 (United States, US territories, Canada, Bermuda) DVD players.

Sing Along Songs

Walt Disney World is featured in three Disney "Sing Along Songs" titles, all of which are meant to be enjoyed by children and adults alike.

• Campout At Walt Disney World (1994) [5] This title is set at Disney's Fort Wilderness Campground (see Sleep below).
• Beach Party At Walt Disney World (1995) [6] Undoubtedly the best of the three, with great use of WDW's swimming activities, including a "Surfin' Safari" number set at Typhoon Lagoon, a "Hot, Hot, Hot" number at Blizzard Beach, and of course a version of "Part Of Your World" sung by Ariel herself. Also features notable early performances by actresses Caitlin Wachs and Mika Boorem, aged 6 and 8 respectively.
• Flik's Musical Adventure At Disney's Animal Kingdom (1999) [7] The Sing-Along Kids, with Flik from Disney/Pixar's a bug's life (voiced by David Foley) as their guide, explore Disney's wildlife discovery park.

Films

A few Disney movies are based on theme park attractions (as opposed to the other way around):

• Tower of Terror (1997) [8] Based on the popular free-falling attraction at Disney's Hollywood Studios (though having no tie-in to The Twilight Zone).
• The Country Bears (2002) [9] Based on the Magic Kingdom's Country Bear Jamboree.
• Pirates of the Caribbean (Curse of the Black Pearl, 2003; Dead Man's Chest, 2006; At World's End, 2007) [10]* A three-part series, without a doubt the best of the attraction-based movies. *This is a region-free Blu-Ray disc set, compatible with any Blu-Ray disc player. Will not work in a standard DVD player.
• The Haunted Mansion (2003) [11] Check your pulse before you enter. That is, if you even have one.

Television

Every year on Christmas Day the Walt Disney World Christmas Day Parade, hosted by Regis Philbin and Kelly Ripa, is broadcast on ABC. In recent years the parade has also included segments taped at the original Disneyland in California, hosted by Ryan Seacrest. The 2005 edition of the parade won Harborlight Entertainment and ABC the Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Special Class Special.

Walt Disney World has been featured on television numerous other times; here are six of the most well-known instances. If you know of any more, please feel free to add it here.

• The Mickey Mouse Club [12] The 1950's classic was revived in 1989, and lasted until 1994. Filmed before a live audience at Disney-MGM Studios (now Disney's Hollywood Studios) it was essentially a part of Walt Disney World's marketing and advertising campaign. But the best known aspect of the series was that it launched the careers of pop superstars Britney Spears, Justin Timberlake and Christina Aguilera.
• The Muppets at Walt Disney World Aired on NBC on May 6, 1990, just ten days before Jim Henson's death, this TV special was made to promote The Walt Disney Company's proposal to purchase the Muppet characters (which it would do eventually in 2004). Unfortunately, there is no known video release.
• Full House The show's sixth season concluded with a two-part episode set at Walt Disney World, which aired on May 11 and 18, 1993. Of course, there's a noteworthy performance by Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen, who were six years old at the time. (Purchase the Full House - The Complete Sixth Season DVD set at Amazon.com: [13])
• Thunder in Paradise was a short lived action series, starring Terry "Hulk" Hogan, that aired for just one season in 1994. The show centered on two mercenaries operating out of a (fictional) seaside hotel - portrayed by Disney's Grand Floridian Resort. (Purchase the Thunder in Paradise Collection at Amazon.com: [14])
• Family Matters A two-part episode that aired on April 28 and May 5, 1995 took place at Walt Disney World.
• Sabrina, the Teenage Witch Season 2, Episode 23: On a field trip to Disney's Animal Kingdom, Sabrina, working to pass a critical test for her witch's license, accidentally turns Libby and Valerie into zebras. But nothing will stop Libby's attempts to steal Harvey from Sabrina. Meanwhile, Hilda and Zelda visit Animal Kingdom's DinoLand U.S.A., where they magically create their own prehistoric man. Harvey ends up a tour guide on a Kilimanjaro Safaris adventure through a wildlife reserve and Mr. Kraft thinks he's finally discovered what Sabrina's hiding. This aired on April 24, 1998, just two days after Animal Kingdom first opened. (Purchase the Sabrina, the Teenage Witch - The Second Season DVD set at Amazon.com: [15])

Read

There are dozens of guidebooks and travel guides, both official and unofficial, written about Walt Disney World every year (each being updated periodically to cover changes at the resort). The official guides are published by Birnbaum Travel Guides (known to fans as just Birnbaum's); they include Birnbaum's Walt Disney World and the similarly named ... Dining Guide, ... for Kids, and ... Without Kids.

Other popular books include The Complete Guide to Walt Disney World by Julie and Mike Neal, The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World, and guides from Fodor's [16] and Frommer's [17]. Another interesting option is PassPorter's Walt Disney World [18], which includes a travel guide, a planner, an organizer, and a journal, all intended to turn the book into a keepsake once your trip is complete.

Several web sites also provide in-depth information and tips, including All Ears Net [19] and DIS [20].

Climate

Like all of Central Florida, the climate at Walt Disney World is humid and subtropical. Summer (May-October) is hot and sticky and winter (November-April) is mild and drier. Visitors from higher latitudes are often surprised by the sheer intensity of the summer sun in Florida, which can rise to within a few degrees of straight overhead in June and July. In late August through September, late afternoon thundershowers are very common; plan accordingly.

That said, climate problems are well known at Walt Disney World and there are several means to cope (see Stay safe below).

Talk

As in most places in the United States, English is the default language throughout the Walt Disney World Resort. The cast members at World Showcase in Epcot are largely citizens of the featured countries, and so will be fluent in their native tongues as well as English. Other cast members throughout the property may also be bi- or tri-lingual; any such cast members can be identified by flag icons on their name tags, representing the languages they speak (i.e., a flag of France on a cast member's name tag indicates that s/he speaks French).

All four theme parks have an information center known as Guest Relations, near the main entrance. Cast members, who usually are multilingual, will be available here to answer any questions you may have.

Disney's Ears to the World, an audio headset that provides foreign-language translations of the dialogues of selected attractions in French, German, Japanese, Portuguese, or Spanish, may be rented at Guest Relations. However, there are a limited number of them available, so they must be returned. A refundable $25 deposit will be charged, and will be refunded upon return.

For guests with visual disabilities, linguistic services are in the form of audiocassette tour guides and Braille guidebooks, also available for rent at Guest Relations.

For hearing-impaired guests, assistive listening devices and captioning (handheld, reflective, and video) are available for selected attractions. Cast Members with knowledge of American Sign Language can be identified by the appropriate symbol on their name tags, and interpretation is available by appointment.

Get in

"A person should set his goals as early as he can and devote all his energy and talent to getting there. With enough effort, he may achieve it. Or he may find something that is even more rewarding. But in the end, no matter what the outcome, he will know he has been alive." -- Walt Disney

Park admission

Visiting Walt Disney World is a very expensive affair. Tickets are sold at several levels: the Magic Your Way base tickets cover the cost of visiting one theme park a day for each day of the ticket. On top of this, you can add the Park Hopper option, which allows you to go through multiple theme parks on the same day as many times as you like. You can also add the Water Park Fun & More option, which grants admission to the two Disney water parks as well as other attractions. Each of those add-on options costs $50 above the cost of your tickets, regardless of how many days are on your tickets. Neither one is likely worth it if you buy only a one-day ticket, but their value goes up sharply as you add more days.

The Park Hopper option in particular is often overlooked, but it's strongly recommended because of the flexibility it offers. Without it, you could be stuck with nowhere else to go after doing everything you want to do at one park; or you could run out of time to do one last attraction and be unable to come back another day to pick it up. If you have seven-day tickets, it only costs about $7.00 a day to add this option; the value of being able to visit one park in the morning and another in the evening should not be underestimated.

Multi-day tickets do not have to be used on consecutive days. However, these tickets will expire 14 days after they are first used, so be sure to use all the days purchased prior to that. A "no-expiration" option can be added to any multi-day ticket; with this option, the ticket expires when the last purchased day is used, which can be months or even years after the initial use. A side benefit of this option is locking in your admission price for your next visit(s). The price for this option is variable, based on the number of days purchased.

The best feature of a Disney admission ticket is its flexibility. Options can be added even if the ticket has already been used at least once. For example, a base ticket (no park-hopping) can be upgraded to include park-hopping by paying the $50 cost for the option. Or, if a change in travel plans will not allow the user to utilize all purchased days prior to the ticket's expiration date, the "no-expiration" option can be purchased for the remaining days. These changes may be made at any ticket window or at the Guest Relations office inside each theme park.

The prices below were accurate as of August 2008 (6.5% Florida sales tax not included):

Children under age three are admitted for free.

Florida residents who provide proof of residence get discounts of varying degrees, but they can't purchase beyond a 7-day ticket (meaning that Florida residents who ask for the discount can't purchase 8, 9, or 10 day tickets). Annual passes are also available for frequent visitors or residents.

Disney resort guests (those staying on-site at Disney hotels) are usually best served by getting package deals that include both lodging and admission. Admission in those cases is "length-of-stay": from the time you check in at the hotel until closing time on the day you check out.

By plane

Most visitors fly into Orlando International Airport (IATA: MCO) [21]. It is served by nearly all major US airlines and a wide range of international carriers. From there, you can rent a car, take a taxi, order a limo or towncar, or take Disney's Magical Express [22]: a free bus service from the airport to the WDW resort hotels (prior reservations required, call 1-407-WDISNEY). Florida State Roads 528 (to the north) and 417 (to the south) link the airport with Interstate 4 which leads directly into Walt Disney World. Bear in mind that when booking air travel online, you may be asked to provide an airport's three letter IATA code. Perhaps the best way to remember the code for Orlando International Airport is to think that MCO stands for "Mickey and COmpany" (it actually stands for the airport's original name, McCoy Air Force Base).

Orlando-Sanford International Airport (IATA: SFB) [23], which is farther away from Walt Disney World than is Orlando International, serves several flights from the United Kingdom, including those from Belfast in Northern Ireland. If you are flying Allegiant Air [24] from within the US, Jetairfly [25] from Belgium, or Icelandair [26] from Iceland, you will land here. The Disney's Magical Express service is not available here. Florida State Road 417 connects the airport to Interstate 4.

By car

Interstate 4 is the most direct driving route into Walt Disney World. Depending on your point of origin, the Florida Turnpike can be quite useful. This is particularly true when you might be arriving from Miami or all points south. If you will be arriving from a cruise at Port Canaveral, Florida State Road 528 links PC with I-4, with Orlando International Airport and the Turnpike en route.

By train

Amtrak's Silver Star and Silver Meteor [27] Miami - New York City routes serve Orlando. Service is four times daily, with two trains in either direction. Northbound trains from Miami arrive at 1:43 PM and 7:08 PM; southbound trains from NYC arrive at 10:17 AM and 12:55 PM. The Auto Train [28], which can carry both passengers and automobiles, serves nearby Sanford non-stop from Lorton, Virginia (in the Washington, DC metro area).

By bus

The Disney Cruise Line provides bus service [29] to the Walt Disney World resort hotels from the DCL terminal at Port Canaveral, for passengers debarking the Disney Magic or Disney Wonder cruise ships. The one-way fare is $35 per person. For passengers debarking Carnival or Royal Caribbean International ships, other shuttle providers [30] are available.

Greyhound [31] serves both Orlando and Kissimmee, with the latter being closer to Walt Disney World.

• Orlando Terminal: 555 North John Young Parkway, 407-292-3424.
• Kissimmee Terminal: 103 East Dakin Avenue, 407-847-3911.

LYNX [32]. Public transportation by the Central Florida Regional Transportation Authority. Nine LYNX routes provide service between Walt Disney World and the surrounding area. All of the routes, except 56 and 111, serve the Downtown Disney Westside terminal.

• Route 50, from the Transportation and Ticket Center, adjacent to the Magic Kingdom parking lot, to SeaWorld and downtown Orlando. This route serves as WDW's primary public transit connection to International Drive [33], the main tourism corridor within the city of Orlando.
• Route 56, from the Transportation and Ticket Center to the Osceola Square Mall in Kissimmee.
• Route 111, from the Transportation and Ticket Center to the Florida Mall and Orlando International Airport. Note: This is not a viable option for getting from the airport to the resort and back; it operates only once per hour. However, for those who wish to visit the Florida Mall, this is the most direct option.
• Route 300, from Downtown Disney to downtown Orlando.
• Route 301, from Animal Kingdom to Pine Hills.
• Route 302, from the Magic Kingdom resorts to Rosemont.
• Route 303, from Hollywood Studios to Washington Shores.
• Route 304, from Downtown Disney to Rio Grande.
• Route 305, from the All-Star Resorts to Kirkman/Raleigh.

Get around

Getting around Walt Disney World is easy. You may walk, drive, or ride public transit (in this case, buses, monorails, or ferryboats). In most cases, the service is direct and non-stop. All Walt Disney World transit vehicles are wheelchair-accessible*, and there is no additional fee to use any of them.

*If you are traveling with a stroller, you must take your child out of the stroller, then fold it and hand-carry it onto the vehicle.

By foot

In some places, walking is the most convenient way to travel from one area to another. Epcot, Disney's Hollywood Studios, and the three resorts in between (Swan & Dolphin, Yacht & Beach Clubs, and Boardwalk) are connected by walkways, as is Downtown Disney to Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort. If you are staying at Disney's Contemporary Resort, you will find it quicker to walk to the Magic Kingdom than to take the ferry or monorail.

Wheelchairs and strollers are readily available to rent at the entrance to each park; they can be brought onto some rides but must be left at the entrance of others. If you have a problem standing too long, or if walking on the hot pavement makes your feet ache, renting a wheelchair—manual or electric—can make a big difference.

By bus

Walt Disney World has an extensive bus system, so there is no need to rent a car unless you are traveling outside of the property. The bus routes are set up to facilitate travel from a resort to a park, but not from one resort to another or from one park to another. Most resorts have five bus routes originating from them, providing direct service to all four theme parks and Downtown Disney. Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach are also serviced by the Downtown Disney and Animal Kingdom routes respectively. Disney's Boardwalk is technically a resort, so visitors from other resorts (except Swan/Dolphin or Yacht/Beach Clubs) will have to travel there via one of the parks*; preferably Disney's Hollywood Studios, which has two connections to the Boardwalk: walking or ferry.

*Although Epcot is the closest park to the Boardwalk, using it as an interchange is not recommended, as it would require entering through the main entrance (Future World) and exiting out the back entrance (World Showcase), thereby costing the admission fee.

Note that there is no bus service to the Magic Kingdom or Epcot from the Magic Kingdom-area resorts; they are served by the monorail system. Likewise, service to Epcot and Disney's Hollywood Studios from the Epcot-area resorts is by ferry or walking. There is also no direct bus service between the theme parks and Downtown Disney. To travel to Downtown Disney from a theme park, or vice versa, you must travel to any resort and change buses. The most convenient resort for this purpose is Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort, which is right next door to Downtown Disney; you can get there via a pedestrian bridge, bus, or ferry.

The buses are reliable, fairly efficient, and reasonably comfortable, but they can be slow and inconvenient if, for example, you are traveling with young children or strollers. Expect to wait up to fifteen minutes for a bus to your destination, and another ten to thirty minutes to get there—possibly longer during the busy season. Also keep in mind that guests in wheelchairs have first priority when boarding.

By monorail

The monorail service is limited and only goes to certain areas, all originating from the Transportation and Ticket Center. There are three monorail lines:

• Express: This route travels from the Transportation and Ticket Center (adjacent to the Magic Kingdom parking lot) to the Magic Kingdom gates and back, without stopping at the resorts. This is primarily used by Magic Kingdom guests who parked in the lot or are coming from Epcot. This route runs on the outer rail, counter-clockwise around Seven Seas Lagoon.
• Resort: This route runs parallel to the Express route, but runs clockwise on the inner rail and stops at all the resorts it passes. The stops are, in order: Transportation and Ticket Center, Polynesian, Grand Floridian, Magic Kingdom, and Contemporary. This route is used by resort guests to get to the Magic Kingdom or Epcot, and by guests visiting one of the resorts.
• Epcot: This route travels between the Transportation and Ticket Center and the Epcot gates. When entering Epcot this way, the monorail makes a nice loop in the park before arriving at the station, giving a great aerial view of Future World and the World Showcase.

If you are going to Epcot from the Polynesian Resort, it is recommended that you walk to the Transportation and Ticket Center to get to the Epcot monorail, instead of taking the Resort monorail completely through the loop.

By boat

Walt Disney World also has several waterways which are serviced by ferryboats.

• From the Magic Kingdom, large ferries transport guests to the Transportation and Ticket Center, adjacent to the parking lot. Smaller ferries travel to the Contemporary, Grand Floridian, Polynesian, Fort Wilderness Campground, and Wilderness Lodge.
• From Epcot and Disney's Hollywood Studios, service is to the Swan/Dolphin, Yacht/Beach Club, and Boardwalk.
• From Downtown Disney, service is to the Port Orleans, Saratoga Springs, and Old Key West Resorts.

By car

If you are staying at a hotel off Disney property, a car is absolutely recommended. Many off-resort hotels offer shuttle service to the parks, but the schedules may not be convenient. If you are staying on-site, a car is not necessary unless you wish to travel off property during your stay. Some people purchase groceries to use during their stay; while there are a couple of places on the property to buy them, better selection and prices are found off property. Other people use a car to avoid the delays that can sometimes affect the public transportation options.

Getting around Walt Disney World by car is not much of a problem. All you need to do is follow the purple directional signs with black Mickey Mouse ears to your destination. Your WDW resort will also provide a map of the complex.

Parking at any of the four theme park lots is $12 for most ordinary vehicles, and slightly more for larger vehicles such as buses or 18-wheelers. Parking is free, though, for guests staying at any of the on-site Disney Resorts (a parking ticket will be issued at check-in), or who have a valid Annual Pass. Parking at the two water parks or Downtown Disney is free. Valet parking is available at the Splurge resorts (see below under Sleep) for $10/day.

For your convenience, there are three Hess gas stations within the resort: on World Drive near the Magic Kingdom Resort Area entrance, on Buena Vista Drive near the entrance to Disney's Hollywood Studios, and on Buena Vista Drive across from Downtown Disney. In addition, there is a Chevron station at the intersection of Interstate 4 and Florida State Road 535, just outside the resort boundary.

See and Do

"Here in Florida, we have something special we never enjoyed at Disneyland — the blessing of size. There's enough land here to hold all the ideas and plans we can possibly imagine." -- Walt Disney

Theme Parks

The sheer number of attractions—including rides, stage shows, parades, and fireworks displays—at Walt Disney World's four theme parks can be intimidating to guests. It's usually best to have a plan going in. Check the guide map for the park you plan to visit and decide which attractions will be your highest priorities before you leave for the park. Keep in mind that parades and some shows occur only at specific times, and plan your route to put you nearby in time to get a seat. Be flexible, though—once you've hit your priority attractions, you can go back and pick up more if you have time remaining.

The traditional amusement park advice of arriving early and heading to the back of the park first tends to work well, although more and more guests are starting to catch on, so the benefit may be reduced.

Be aware that during the busiest times of year, lines can be up to two hours long for the most popular attractions. One option for avoiding these lines is the free service known as FastPass, available only at select attractions. Simply insert your park ticket into the machine, and you'll get a FastPass ticket with a time interval stamped on it, at any time during that interval, you may enter the attraction using a separate, shorter queue. Note that the FastPass queues may bypass some or all of the scenery and theming found in the longer lines, which for some guests is a significant part of the Disney experience. Consider what you may be missing if you choose to get a FastPass.

Note that the lists of attractions in the following subsections may not be entirely all-inclusive. The complete lists may be found in your park brochures, as well as on the Theme Parks and Water Parks Website [34].

Magic Kingdom

The Magic Kingdom is the main park, based on the original Disneyland in Anaheim, California. It is organized around the central landmark of Cinderella Castle, with various "lands" arrayed around a central hub. The lands are, starting from the main entrance and going clockwise around Cinderella Castle, Main Street USA, Adventureland, Frontierland, Liberty Square, Fantasyland, Mickey's Toontown, and Tomorrowland.

The park is the oldest, most popular, and the most child-friendly, although many adults love the escapism as well. Adult visitors who do not enjoy rides such as "it's a small world" where you sit in vehicles that take you in a circle through a tunnel, and listen to childlike delight and screams, may want to visit Epcot or Hollywood Studios instead.

Though the FastPass system works well, it is not available for all attractions, and lines there can be endless but always keep moving. Food and merchandise can be pricey, but not too bad considering where you are. Plan accordingly for a trip and expect to spend at least $100 per person for a visit.

Despite it all, most people would agree that the lines, the crowds, and the prices are worth it for the magical Disney experience that makes all adults 'children', if even only for a day.

Main Street USA

• Main Street Vehicles - Ride a horse car, omnibus, jitney, horseless carriage, or fire engine from the entrance to Cinderella Castle and back.
• Walt Disney World Railroad - A 19th century steam train that circles the park, with stops at Frontierland and Mickey's Toontown.

Adventureland

• The Enchanted Tiki Room Under New Management - Classic Audio-Animatronic show with Iago from Aladdin and Zazu from The Lion King.
• The Flying Carpets of Aladdin - "Tell me, princess, now when did you last let your heart decide?"
• Jungle Cruise - Tour the world's jungle rivers.
• Pirates of the Caribbean - Now features Captain Jack Sparrow and other characters from the blockbuster film series!
• Swiss Family Treehouse - Tour the shipwrecked family's ingenious home.

Frontierland

• Big Thunder Mountain Railroad - A roller coaster with a runaway mine train theme.
• Country Bear Jamboree - Live stage show with country music-singing Audio-Animatronic bears.
• Splash Mountain - A log flume ride based on Song of the South, with a terrifying 50 foot drop!
• Tom Sawyer Island - A fun-filled island playground just for kids.

Liberty Square

• Hall of Presidents - A course on the history of the presidency, complete with life-size figures of all the Presidents. Closed for refurbishment. President Obama will join the cast when the attraction reopens on July 4, 2009.
• Haunted Mansion - Enter if you dare. Heh heh heh...
• Liberty Belle Riverboat - Ride a steam-powered stern-wheeler into America's past.

Fantasyland

• Ariel's Grotto - Meet Ariel!
• Cinderella's Golden Carousel - A classic horse carousel ride. An interesting side note: the carousel was built in 1917, making it the oldest ride in the park.
• Dumbo the Flying Elephant
• "it's a small world" - Set sail on the happiest cruise around the world.
• Mad Tea Party - Spin in a giant teacup.
• The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh - Follow Pooh and his friends on an adventure through the Hundred Acre Wood.
• Mickey's PhilharMagic - A CGI 3D movie featuring musical scores from Fantasia, The Little Mermaid, Aladdin, and more.
• Peter Pan's Flight - Soar over Neverland.
• Snow White's Scary Adventures - Find your way through the woods to the Seven Dwarfs' cottage. But beware the Wicked Witch!

Mickey's Toontown

• The Barnstormer at Goofy's Wiseacres Farm - A children's roller coaster.
• Donald's Boat - Children's play area.
• Mickey's House
• Minnie's House
• Judge's Tent
• Pixie Hollow - Meet Tinkerbell and the other Disney Fairies.
• Toontown Hall of Fame

Tomorrowland

• Astro Orbiter
• Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin - An indoor dark ride with a laser gun game. Help Buzz Lightyear beat the evil Emperor Zurg!
• Carousel of Progress - A four-part Audio-Animatronic production through a century of technological progress. This show originally debuted as General Electric's pavilion at the 1964 New York World's Fair and holds the record of being the longest-running stage show in history.
• Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor - Comedy show with Mike and Sulley.
• Space Mountain - Space rocket-themed roller coaster. Closing for extended refurbishment April 19, 2009; will remain closed until late 2009.
• Stitch's Great Escape! - Try to keep Stitch detained. I assure you, it is not an easy task!
• Tomorrowland Indy Speedway - A driving course.
• Tomorrowland Transit Authority - Round trip sightseeing tour around Tomorrowland, featuring an inside look at Space Mountain. Closing for extended refurbishment April 19, 2009; will remain closed until late 2009.

Parkwide

• Disney's Dreams Come True Parade - Daytime parade of classic Disney moments inside oversized snowglobes.
• SpectroMagic - Nighttime parade with over half a million electric lights.
• Wishes: A Magical Gathering of Disney Dreams - At park closing there is a fireworks show to send everyone home with a great memory. (Be aware that the best viewing areas generate very crowded conditions).

There is an official tour that can be taken by any Guest over the age of 16 for a cost of (the last time I checked) $75. This cost is in addition to Park Entrance. Go to Guest Relations in City Hall and ask for the Keys To The Kingdom Tour. This tour is not given every day, so call ahead to book a day. If this is your first visit to the Magic Kingdom, don't take this tour. Spend at least two days just enjoying yourself and experiencing the Magic. Also, be forewarned that this will forever change the way that you look at Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom. It's like pulling apart a flower to see how it grows. You end up knowing more, but in your mind you will never look at a flower the same way.

Epcot

Epcot is an "educational park." It is divided into two distinct areas, Future World and World Showcase. World Showcase is structured to showcase various international locations, especially in terms of food and/or trade goods. Don't miss the impossibly cheesy but fun Mexico ride along with the extravagant Maelstrom ride in the Norway pavilion. Future World is comprised of various 'futuristic' attractions, many sponsored by various industrial concerns. The Test Track, a recent addition in which visitors go through the motions of tests for new cars, is a probably the most fun, and the most traditionally theme-park. Recently, Epcot has added "Soarin'", an adventure where visitors hang-glide through many landscapes, and "Mission Space". Epcot may appeal more to adult visitors, but the park has made efforts to appeal to the entire family in recent years with the addition of more character greetings and "Kidcot" funstops which encourage the children to work on a craft and interact with the cast members who are representing their home countries.

Future World

Future World is the front area of the park, dedicated to technological innovation.

• Imagination! - Home of three attractions:
  • "Honey I Shrunk the Audience" - 3D movie, definitely not for the faint of heart!
  • ImageWorks - Interactive exhibit.
  • Journey Into Imagination with Figment - A classic Disney dark ride, starring Eric Idle.
• Innoventions - A hands-on exhibition featuring the latest in technology and how it's finding its way into every aspect of our lives. (Note that it is divided into two wings: Innoventions East and Innoventions West.)
• The Land - Home of three attractions:
  • Circle of Life - A movie about conservation starring the Lion King characters Simba, Puumba, and Timon.
  • Living with the Land - An educational boat ride through Disney's hydroponic greenhouses and a lesson on how we can live in peace with the land.
  • Soarin' - A simulated aerial flight over California, a copy of the highly popular ride at Disney's California Adventure in Anaheim, California.
• Mission: Space - A flight simulator which simulates a journey to Mars.
• The Seas with Nemo and Friends An AZA-member aquarium, with a ride using state-of-the-art holographic technology to show characters from "Finding Nemo" with real fish, and "Turtle Talk with Crush", an interactive show featuring the sea turtle.
• Spaceship Earth - A dark ride travel through the history of communication inside Epcot's iconic geodesic sphere, narrated by Judi Dench.
• Test Track - A unique thrill ride along a vehicle test track designed to push your vehicle to its limit.
• Universe of Energy - A slow moving dinosaur experience featuring Bill Nye the Science Guy and Ellen DeGeneres.

World Showcase

World Showcase is the back area of the park with different pavilions representing countries from around the world, all themed with architecture, food, drink and culture to match. All pavilions, except the United States, have a table service restaurant and most also have a counter service restaurant. Starting from the Future World/World Showcase plaza and going clockwise around World Showcase Lagoon, the countries included are:

• Mexico
  • Gran Fiesta Tour Starring The Three Caballeros - Join Panchito, Jose Carioca, and Donald Duck on a boat ride through Mexico's colorful past.
• Norway
  • Maelstrom - Ride a Viking boat through Norway's storybook lands, and enjoy a travel film afterwards.
• China
  • Reflections of China - A Circle-Vision 360 travel movie of China's most well-known sights.
• Germany
• Italy
• United States
  • The American Adventure - Film and Audio-Animatronic presentation through American history.
• Japan
  • Bijutsu-Kan Gallery - Changing exhibits on Japanese culture
• Morocco
  • Gallery of Arts and History
• France
  • Impressions de France - A travel movie through the French countryside with a classical music soundtrack.
• United Kingdom
• Canada
  • O Canada! - A Circle-Vision travel movie narrated by Martin Short.

Epcot is also the only park with a back entrance. Guests who are coming in from Disney's Hollywood Studios, or who are staying at the Swan/Dolphin, Yacht/Beach Clubs, or Boardwalk, may walk or take the ferry to Epcot and enter through the International Gateway, located between the United Kingdom and France pavilions in World Showcase.

Parkwide

• Illuminations: Reflections of Earth - At park closing, enjoy this extravagant display of fireworks, lasers, fountains and electric lighting over World Showcase Lagoon.
• Kim Possible World Showcase Adventure - An interactive adventure, designed to be both entertaining and educational. Use your official "Kimmunicator" (distributed at kiosks throughout the park) to receive messages from Kim and other members of Team Possible to help with your assignment: save the world from villains in one of seven World Showcase pavilions (Mexico, Norway, China, Germany, Japan, France, United Kingdom)

Disney's Hollywood Studios

Disney's Hollywood Studios (formerly Disney-MGM Studios) opened in May 1989 and joined Magic Kingdom and EPCOT as the third theme park of Walt Disney World. The park is themed around 20th-century movies and television, and features a variety of live shows and attractions based on some of the most iconic films from that era. Among the attractions are a few exceptional thrill rides, most notably The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror (a 13-story-high vertical drop) and the Rock 'n' Roller Coaster (a horizontal launch, 0-60 in 2.8 seconds). The latest addition to the park is an interactive live stage show, based on the hit TV show American Idol.

Hollywood Boulevard

• The American Idol Experience - Interactive live performances by park guests, who will compete for the grand prize of auditioning for the actual American Idol TV show! American Idol is a registered trademark of FOX Television and Fremantle Media.
• The Great Movie Ride - Slow moving ride through scenes of some of the greatest movies recreated using Audio-Animatronics, including Alien, The Wizard of Oz, Raiders of the Lost Ark, and Mary Poppins.

Sunset Boulevard

• Beauty and the Beast: Live on Stage
• Fantasmic! - Live action presentation with incredible film and lighting effects, shown at park closing.
• Rock 'n' Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith - WDW's only roller coaster with loops, synched to the music of Aerosmith!
• The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror - A 13-story free fall down a deserted 1930's hotel, based on The Twilight Zone. The Twilight Zone is a registered trademark of CBS.

Backlot

• Backlot Studios Tour - Tram tour of old Disney movie props, as well as the infamous Catastrophe Canyon.
• "Honey, I Shrunk the Kids" Movie Set Adventure - A huge play area that makes you look and feel like you're a quarter of an inch tall.
• Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular - Live action stunt show recreating some of the best scenes from Raiders of the Lost Ark. Raiders of the Lost Ark and the Indiana Jones character are registered trademarks of Lucasfilm and Paramount Pictures.
• Jim Henson's Muppet Vision 3D - A 3D movie featuring the Muppet characters shown in a "special" auditorium.
• Lights, Motors, Action! Extreme Stunt Show - Imported from Disneyland Resort Paris. Features amazing live action stunt driving (kids, don't try this at home!).
• Sounds Dangerous Starring Drew Carey - Comedy show with Drew as an inept detective.
• Star Tours - The only official Star Wars ride takes you into battle with the Death Star. Star Wars is a registered trademark of Lucasfilm and Twentieth Century Fox.
• Toy Story Midway Mania A 3D virtual game complete with moving targets and special effects.

Animation Courtyard/Mickey Avenue

• Journey into Narnia - Explore the making of the Chronicles of Narnia film series.
• The Magic of Disney Animation - Tour a formerly working animation facility and learn the animation process.
• Voyage of the Little Mermaid - Go "Under The Sea" with Ariel and friends.
• Walt Disney: One Man's Dream - Exhibition of Walt's life and career, including how he built the global entertainment empire that bears his name.

Parkwide

• Block Party Bash - Daytime parade with characters from Disney/Pixar films.

Disney's Animal Kingdom

Animal Kingdom, a member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, is a wildlife discovery park, organized in a Magic Kingdom-like format, with different continents revolving around the central Tree of Life. It's a mix between a zoo and a theme park. Naturalistic animal exhibitions are interspersed, and sometimes integrated, with typical Disney rides. Among these are a jeep safari past live animal enclosures, a raft ride through the deforestation of a tropical rainforest, a time travel ride which includes close encounters with dinosaurs and the newest ride, "Expedition Everest", which is a roller coaster ride and includes an encounter with the Yeti. While light on rides, there are also shows and plenty of animals to view (though the variety of species seems a bit sparse when compared to many larger city zoos). Animal Kingdom is more of a kid friendly theme park with many animals that would attract the attention of younger generations as well as Camp Minnie-Mickey, a special space for youngsters where they can meet all of their favorite characters.

Note: Under AZA animal safety policy, Animal Kingdom's restaurants do not provide lids for drinks. However, paper straws are now available. Also note that under that same policy, balloons are not sold in Animal Kingdom and may not be brought in from the other three parks.

Discovery Island

Discovery Island is the central hub of Animal Kingdom. The Tree of Life is located here.

• It's Tough to be a Bug! - Interactive 3-D show featuring Flik and the other characters from a bug's life.

Camp Minnie-Mickey

• Festival of the Lion King - Acrobatic theatre-in-the-round featuring Simba, Timon, and Puumba.

Africa

• Kilimanjaro Safari - A safari jeep ride through the African plains, featuring vast assortment of wildlife. Great for photos.
• Pangani Forest Exploration Trail - A walk-through area near the exit of the Kilimanjaro Safari. Great if you missed something on the Safari.
• Wildlife Express - Train ride to Rafiki's Planet Watch.

Rafiki's Planet Watch

Rafiki's Planet Watch is accessible only via the Wildlife Express train from Africa. This is an interactive learning center documenting wildlife conservation efforts around the world. Best of all, it includes a petting zoo.

Asia

• Expedition Everest: Legend of the Forbidden Mountain - High-speed roller coaster on Everest with an encounter with a 25 foot Yeti.
• Flights of Wonder - See exotic birds up close.
• Kali River Rapids - Water-tire ride through a tropical forest; you may get soaked!
• Maharajah Jungle Trek - Walk-through of Asian wildlife featuring Bengal tigers.

Dino Land USA

• Dinosaur - A race against time to escape the asteroid impact that destroyed the dinosaurs!
• Finding Nemo: The Musical - Acrobatics and puppetry, giving a feeling of being underwater.
• Primeval Whirl
• Triceratop Spin

Parkwide

• Mickey's Jammin' Jungle Parade - Celebrates the animal spirit that is the reason for Animal Kingdom.

Unlike the other parks, Animal Kingdom usually closes at 5:00 PM. Likewise, there is no evening entertainment such as a fireworks show.

Water Parks

Walt Disney World's two water parks, with a combined total of close to 4 million visits, are the most visited water parks in the world. Unlike most ordinary water parks, both have a unique central theme.

Blizzard Beach

What's a ski resort doing in central Florida? The Disney Imagineers who created this park claim that they built it after an unusual freak winter storm blanketed the area, only to have it experience a massive meltdown shortly thereafter.

• Chairlift - What's a ski resort without a chairlift? You can use this to get from the park entrance to Summit Plummet, Slush Gusher, Teamboat Springs, Toboggan Racers and Snow Stormers.
• Cross Country Creek - A relaxing inner tube ride around the whole park.
• Downhill Double Dipper - Two speed slides on which you ride inner tubes.
• Melt-Away Bay - The park's largest pool.
• Runoff Rapids - Three "ski slopes" into a pool of melted "snow".
• Ski Patrol Training Camp - A play area for older children.
• Slush Gusher - Go over two "moguls" down the mountainside.
• Snow Stormers - Three more exciting "ski slopes".
• Summit Plummet - At 120 feet high, this is the tallest, steepest, fastest water slide in the world. Guests who dare will plummet at over 55 mph straight down an 85 degree angle.
• Teamboat Springs - A family ride, with 3- to 6-passenger tubes.
• Tike's Peak - A play area for younger children.
• Toboggan Racers - Ride a "toboggan" down a slippery, melting slope.

Typhoon Lagoon

This water park's theme is that of a island paradise battered by a tropical storm, complete with a wrecked fishing boat atop a mountain.

• Castaway Creek - A 2,000 foot tubing river that winds through the whole park.
• Crush 'n Gusher Water "Rollercoaster" What do you get when you cross a water slide with a roller coaster? This!
• Gangplank Falls - A family ride, in four-passenger tubes.
• Humunga Kowabunga - Three 214 foot long slides send you plummeting straight down, at a terrifying five stories per second!
• Keelhaul Falls - A whitewater rafting experience.
• Ketchakiddee Creek - A children's play area.
• Mayday Falls - Inner tube slide winding down the side of an artificial mountain.
• Shark Reef - A snorkel pool featuring tropical fish, rays, small (non-threatening) sharks, and a mock sunken ship.
• Storm Slides - Three 30 mph slides through dark caverns.
• Surf Pool - One of the world's largest wave pools with some of the largest artificially created waves. Take advantage of the surfing lessons offered here.

Other places

Downtown Disney

Downtown Disney [36] is an outdoor shopping, dining, and entertainment paradise, geared primarily towards adults. Most of the entertainment activities are found on Downtown Disney Westside. (The east side, known as Downtown Disney Marketplace, is made up largely of shops and will be covered in the Buy section.)

• AMC Downtown Disney 24 - An all-stadium seating, surround sound, and digital projection movie theatre. Online schedules and ticketing are available at MovieTickets.com.
• DisneyQuest - A five-floor interactive virtual theme park for the whole family. (Ages 3-9 $34, Ages 10+ $40)
• House of Blues - A blues club.
• La Nouba by Cirque du Soleil - You'll have to see it to believe it. (Held from Tuesday through Saturday at 6:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m., no performances on Sundays or Mondays.)

Disney's Boardwalk

Disney's Boardwalk [37] is a smaller collection of nightlife themed as a 1920's Eastern Seaboard boardwalk.

• Atlantic Dance Hall - That's just what it is. (Must be 21.)
• ESPN Club - A huge entertainment venue, centered entirely around sports.
• Jellyrolls - Watch a comedy of dueling pianists.

Buy

Finding souvenirs is one of the easiest things to do at Walt Disney World; avoiding the expense is considerably harder. Many attractions, especially the most popular ones, route their exit queues directly into a merchandise store, usually one themed to the attraction. (In fact, several rides even take your picture, which will be available for purchase in the shop.) On the bright side, this does make it easier to find merchandise with a particular theme.

The complete listing of stores on the property may be found on the Shopping page of the WDW website [38]

Magic Kingdom

Main Street, U.S.A., the Magic Kingdom's entrance area, is anchored by The Emporium, which takes up most of the western side of the street and carries a variety of generic Disney merchandise. The other side of the street has more specialty shops, including the Main Street Confectionery, The Chapeau (hat shop), Crystal Arts (glass shop with live glass craft demonstrations), Uptown Jewelers, and more. Other well known shops include:

• Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, (inside Cinderella Castle). A fashion salon for young girls. Here they'll receive the best makeover ever - a transformation into a favorite Disney Princess. Space is very limited, call (407) WDW-STYLE to book in advance. 
• Mickey's Star Traders, (at the exit from Stitch's Great Escape). While it's not very heavily themed, this Tomorrowland store is widely regarded as one of the best souvenir shops in the park.  
• Pirates Bazaar, (at the exit from Pirates of the Caribbean). Rest assured Disney is aware of the current popularity of pirate-themed goodies. 
• Ye Olde Christmas Shoppe, (in Liberty Square). Open year round, this store sells holiday-related goods reminiscent of 18th and 19th century Christmases. 

Epcot

In Epcot, World Showcase is, to some visitors, just one big international shopping plaza. Every pavilion is chock-full of authentic merchandise imported from the host countries. Genuine German cuckoo clocks, British toys, Canadian maple syrup, Japanese kimonos, Chinese furniture, Mexican leathers, Italian wines—and that doesn't even begin to scratch the surface of what's available. The number of different items available is amazing, with numerous products that are normally available only overseas, including many handcrafted by native artisans.

Future World, on the other hand, has only two shops of note:

• The Art of Disney, (inside Innoventions West). A store for Disney art lovers; there is another one in the Downtown Disney Marketplace. 
• MouseGear, (inside Innoventions East). This may be the largest single store outside of Downtown Disney. You can find almost any kind of character or park souvenir here. 

Mission: Space, Test Track, and The Seas with Nemo and Friends all have smaller shops themed to the pavilions.

Disney's Hollywood Studios

Disney's Hollywood Studios is an especially rich location for themed merchandise that's hard to find elsewhere. The main shopping areas of Disney's Hollywood Studios are Hollywood Boulevard and Sunset Boulevard. Most of the merchandise is generic, but there's a wide variety. One of the less generic locations is Sunset Boulevard Shops, with menswear, timepieces, housewares, and collectibles.

• Animation Gallery, (at the end of the Magic of Disney Animation tour,). Here you'll find this combination display gallery/high-end art store, with displays featuring some of Disney's Academy Awards as well as some very expensive animation cels, prints, and collectibles. Wonderful to look at, even if you can't afford to buy anything. 
• Indiana Jones Adventure Outpost, (near the Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular). Indy fans can find authentic, licensed fedoras and bullwhips here, along with more traditional Indy-branded souvenir fare. 
• It's a Wonderful Shop. A Christmas store, open all year, complete with snow on the ground outside. It's a great place to buy Disney ornaments and decorations, even if it's not December. 
• Rock Around The Shop, (at the exit from Rock 'n Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith). A rock music-themed store. 
• Sid Cahuenga's One of a Kind, (near the park entrance). This small store is filled to overflowing with celebrity memorabilia, especially autographed photos. Expensive, but lots of fun to browse. 
• Stage One Company Store, (just outside Muppet*Vision 3D). This store boasts Muppet merchandise that's hard (or impossible) to find elsewhere. 
• Tatooine Traders, (at the exit of Star Tours). This shop offers a wide variety of Star Wars-themed merchandise, in a variety of price ranges. Most Star Wars merchandise is sold online; being able to shop here in person is a rare treat, and there are several exclusive items found only here. 
• Tower Gifts, (at the exit from The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror). The fashion boutique of the Hollywood Tower Hotel has everything for Twilight Zone fans. 

Disney's Animal Kingdom

Discovery Island, the central island on which the Tree of Life is located, is home to most of the shops, which sell animal-related merchandise.

• Chester & Hester's Dinosaur Treasures, (in DinoLand USA). Mountains of prehistoric merchandise. 

Downtown Disney

Downtown Disney is the largest shopping area on the property (except perhaps for World Showcase). The highest concentration of shops is in The Marketplace, the eastern part of Downtown Disney. The Marketplace is anchored by the 50,000 square foot World of Disney, a Disney Store on steroids, with a truly stunning array of character and park merchandise, and a store-within-a-store (Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, just like the one in Cinderella Castle in the Magic Kingdom). This is the place to go if you can't find a souvenir you like anywhere else. If that doesn't suit your fancy, try out these other shops:

• Arribas Brothers. A well-known name in crystal arts. 
• Disney's Days of Christmas. There are 365 days of Christmas at this shop, with a much larger selection than Ye Olde Christmas Shoppe or It's a Wonderful Shop. 
• Disney Tails. A shop for pet lovers. 
• Lego Imagination Center. Here you can gawk at the Lego sculptures, try your hand at building some of your own, or shop for that one set that you're missing from your collection. 
• Mickey's Mart. WDW's only discount store, where everything is sold for $10 and under. 
• Once Upon a Toy. WDW's second-largest collection of Disney toys (after World of Disney). 
• Pooh Corner. Everything at this store is centered around Pooh and his friends. 
• Rainforest Cafe. (see Eat) The restaurant has a gift shop featuring its own logo-ed merchandise. 

At Pleasure Island and Downtown Disney West Side, you'll find a Harley-Davidson shop, Planet Hollywood's gift shop, the Virgin Megastore, Magnetron (magnet shop), Magic Master (magic shop), and a host of other specialty retailers.

At the Resorts

Sometimes overlooked by shoppers are the various resorts. All of the resorts have a gift shop of some sort, but many go further. The Grand Canyon Concourse on the fourth floor of Disney's Contemporary Resort, underneath the monorail platform, has several specialty shops including shops that sell jewelry, sundries, and housewares. Zawadi Marketplace at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge has unique African merchandise not available elsewhere. At Disney's Boardwalk, look for the Wyland Galleries, with underwater-themed prints and paintings, featuring the work of the artist Wyland. In fact, each of the resorts has something a little different that you won't find elsewhere on the property, and it can be fun to look for those little hidden gems.

Eat

Food is surprisingly good, considering that Walt Disney World isn't known for it. In particular, try an exotic restaurant in Epcot's World Showcase, or many of the hotels have good places to eat, some sophisticated, some complete with screaming children.

Every park has low cost meals in the $3-$4 range for kid meals and $6-$8 for adult meals at the sandwich shops, ethnic specialty nooks, cafeterias, and communal dining halls. They provide ample food for the money. You can often feed your whole family for little more than the cost of one expensive entrée at any of the upscale restaurants.

For the lowest possible prices, there are two McDonald's restaurants in the resort, at the intersection of Buena Vista Drive and Osceola Parkway between Blizzard Beach and the "All-Star" budget hotels, and in the Downtown Disney Marketplace.

Table service restaurants, character breakfasts, and dinner shows take advance dining reservations; call +1 407 WDW-DINE. If you want to be assured of getting seating, make reservations up to 90 days in advance. Special dietary needs (food allergy, diabetes, etc.) can be accommodated. Note on reservations: Considering how popular the table-service restaurants within the resort are and how quickly they fill up, Disney does request the courtesy of notifying the restaurant if you are unable to keep your reservation. In most cases, this can be done without penalty, especially if done in advance. However, select restaurants will charge a cancellation fee if the reservation is canceled closer than 24 hours to the requested time. When making a reservation for one of those restaurants, the agent will ask for a credit card number; the card will only be charged for a no-show or a late cancellation.

Below is a partial list of unique dining opportunities worth experiencing. The complete list can be found on the Restaurants page of the WDW website [39]. AllEars.Net maintains a list of restaurant menus [40] on its website.

In the parks

Food is easier than easy to find in all four theme parks. In-park dining opportunities range from snack carts to the most common fast-food joints to the less common table service restaurants.

Bear in mind that the hours between noon and 2 p.m. are generally considered the "peak" dining time in the parks. If you find yourself eating lunch within this time frame, expect to wait 30 minutes to an hour in line before being served, unless you have a reservation at a table service restaurant. As an alternative, some snack carts serve fairly large portions (such as smoked turkey legs in the Magic Kingdom's Frontierland), and have short lines most of the time.

Magic Kingdom

• Cinderella's Royal Table (inside Cinderella Castle) - Dine with the Disney Princesses. Young girls will love this experience the best. $$$ (Note: This may be one of the hardest, if not THE hardest reservation to get, so make sure to call very early to get a seat; reservations for this restaurant can be made up to 180 days in advance. Additionally, sometimes people cancel their reservations to restaurants, so call back daily for an outside chance to snag a reservation for this dining experience and be flexible with your times.)
• The Crystal Palace (in Main Street USA, to the left of the Adventureland walkway) - The only buffet in the park, housed in a building inspired by the legendary Crystal Palace in London. $$
• Liberty Tree Tavern (in Liberty Square) - A restaurant inspired by 18th century New England. $$
• Tony's Town Square Restaurant (in Main Street USA, near the entrance) - Order a huge plate of spaghetti and step into the most memorable scene from 'Lady and the Tramp'. $$

Epcot

All of the World Showcase pavilions (except the United States) have a table service restaurant, featuring authentic dishes prepared by native chefs. In addition, some of the restaurants even have live entertainment, such as belly dancing in the Morocco pavilion or teppanyaki cooking in the Japan pavilion.

Two unique restaurants can be found in Future World:

• Coral Reef Restaurant (in The Seas with Nemo and Friends) - Dine in an underwater restaurant complete with a nice view of the main aquarium. $$$
• The Garden Grill (on the second floor of The Land pavilion) - Revolving circular restaurant above the 'Living With The Land' ride. $$

Disney's Hollywood Studios

Disney's Hollywood Studios probably has the most unique restaurants on the property, with most themed around movies and television.

• 50's Prime Time Cafe - Dine in a kitchen inspired by classic 1950's sitcoms. $$
• The Hollywood Brown Derby - Dine like the stars in the East Coast's version of Hollywood's most famous restaurant. $$
• Hollywood & Vine - A buffet set in the glitter and glamour of Hollywood in the 1930's. $$
• Mama Melrose's Ristorante Italiano - A casual Italian restaurant. $$
• Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater - Watch classic Sci-Fi movies from your "car" in a re-created 1950's drive-in movie theatre. $$
• Toy Story Pizza Planet - A combined pizza parlor/video arcade, right out of the movie. Absolutely a must for kids. $

Disney's Animal Kingdom

• Rainforest Cafe (outside the entrance) - Animatronic animals, thunderstorms, and good food. $$
• Restaurantosaurus (in Dino Land USA) - Character dining for breakfast and fast food meals throughout the day. $

At the resorts

All of the Disney Resorts have at least one restaurant. The most unique and exquisite of these are found at the Deluxe resorts. Some of the hotel restaurants have Disney character greetings.

Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge

• Boma: Flavors of Africa - Authentic African cuisine served buffet style. $$
• Mara - Cafeteria style eats with American cuisine served hot and fresh. $

Disney's Contemporary Resort

• California Grill (on the top floor of the resort) - California cuisine served with the best view on Disney property on the side. The menu changes frequently, as the chefs vary the tastes according to season and their ingenuity. Priority seating is a must for this restaurant (especially at the time of the Wishes display), and window seats (some with a view of the Magic Kingdom) are not guaranteed. If all seats are taken, another option is the bar, which offers a great selection of wines and sushi. $$$$
• Chef Mickey's - An all-you-care-to-eat character buffet hosted by Mickey Mouse himself. Features a separate buffet with items geared for more adult tastes. Kids will enjoy the setting in the hotel's Grand Canyon Concourse, watching the monorails pass through on their way to the Magic Kingdom. Due to its popularity, reservations can be booked as far as 180 days in advance. $$

Disney's Fort Wilderness Campground

• Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue - A western-themed dinner theater. $$$
• Mickey's Backyard BBQ - An all-you-can-eat outdoor picnic with Mickey and Company. $$$

Disney's Grand Floridian Resort

• Victoria & Albert's - Undeniably the best restaurant on Disney property. Victoria & Albert's is a AAA Five-Diamond rated restaurant, the only one in central Florida. Designed for a more intimate dining experience; meaning leave the children at one of the many popular child activity centers and have a night out just for the adults. A menu designed specifically for the party and impeccable service. Wine pairing is also an option. Reservations are accepted a maximum of 180 days in advance. $$$$

Disney's Polynesian Resort

• Disney's Spirit of Aloha Show - A South Pacific Luau-themed dinner theater with hula dancers. $$$

Disney's Port Orleans Resort

• Boatwright's Dining Hall - Shared by Port Orleans French Quarter and Port Orleans Riverside, this may be the largest restaurant on the property, serving Southern fare such as ribs, chicken, steaks, etc. Great for families or groups of adults, as the large restaurant is big enough to absorb a lot of noise. $$

Disney's Wilderness Lodge

• The Whispering Canyon Cafe - Tuck the napkin under your collar, shout as loud as you want, and boo or blow raspberries when the waiter announces that someone is going to SeaWorld or Universal Studios! $$

Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin

• Il Mulino New York Trattoria - Traditional Italian cuisine from the Abruzzi region of Italy. $$$
• Kimonos - Experience the fine art of sushi preparation in an intimate atmosphere. $$
• Shula's Steak House - Shula’s serves only the biggest and the best, including Premium Black Angus Beef. $$$
• Todd English's bluezoo - Enjoy coastal cuisine from celebrity chef Todd English. $$$

Downtown Disney

Downtown Disney is WDW's largest dining destination, and while it is geared primarily towards adults, most restaurants are family-friendly.

Marketplace

• Cap'n Jack's - A nautical-themed seafood restaurant on a pier jutting into Buena Vista Lagoon. $$
• Earl of Sandwich - This is lot more than an ordinary sandwich shop. The line is long but moves steadily. $
• Fulton's Crab House - A multi-floored seafood restaurant onboard a fake steamboat. Interesting fact: the boat was originally called Empress Lilly, after Lillian Disney, Walt's wife. Lunch: $$ Dinner: $$$
• Ghirardelli Chocolate Shop and Soda Fountain - Enjoy chocolates, ice cream, and other great desserts at this San Francisco legend. $
• Portobello Yacht Club - A fine Italian restaurant. Lunch: $$ Dinner: $$$
• Rainforest Cafe

Westside/Pleasure Island

• Bongos Cuban Cafe - The best thing to know about this restauarant is that it was founded by Gloria Estefan. $$
• House of Blues - $$
• Planet Hollywood - Look for Forrest Gump's shrimp boat outside this movie-themed eatery. Inside, admire the collection of movie props and costumes. $$
• Ragland Road - You ought to feel "lucky" to dine at this Irish restaurant complete with a full-service pub. $$
• Cooke's of Dublin - Adjacent to Raglan Road, known for its fish and chips. $
• Wolfgang Puck Cafe - The most high-end restaurant in all of Downtown Disney. Lunch: $$ Dinner: $$$

Disney's Boardwalk

• ESPN Club - A sports-themed bar and grill. $
• Here you can find the traditional boardwalk fare: corn dogs, cotton candy, funnel cakes, popcorn, and so on.

Drink

A large variety of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages are available in Walt Disney World. Keep in mind these few things when purchasing alcohol at WDW:

• The drinking age for alcohol in Walt Disney World (and all of Florida, for that matter) is 21. Be prepared for strict enforcement of this rule; anybody caught drinking underage, even with parents, may be subject to ejection from the property and criminal prosecution.
• There are no alcoholic beverages for sale in the Magic Kingdom.
• Be sure to bring an actual I.D. with you when purchasing beverages. Copies will not suffice.
• No alcoholic beverages may be brought in to any of the theme parks.
• Alcoholic beverages may not be consumed outside of, or even removed from, their designated places of purchase (i.e., alcohol purchased in Disney's Hollywood Studios cannot leave the park). Alcohol purchased at selected gift shops (such as Weinkeller in Epcot's Germany pavilion in World Showcase) will be sealed in a gift box; if the box is opened, the purchase cannot be carried out of the park. As an alternative, the shop will have the package delivered to the front gate or to your on-site resort hotel free of charge, or you can arrange for shipping back home for a fee.

In Epcot, some try "Drinking Around the World," getting alcohol in every country of World Showcase. Or for a fun, free, and sober trip "around the world" try Club Cool in the Innoventions pavilion. They offer nearly a dozen unlimited free samples of Coke products made around the world.

Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom offer a small variety of draft beer at select dining locations.

Downtown Disney, Disney's Boardwalk, and the resort hotels have the largest selections of alcoholic beverages.

Sleep

Walt Disney World has a seemingly endless array of accommodation options, ranging from no-frills budget inns to 5-star luxury resort hotels. Those who prefer the great outdoors might want to choose Disney's Fort Wilderness Campground. The Disney Vacation Club [41] offers Disney's most lavish accommodations, in the form of 2- and 3-bedroom villas complete with kitchens and laundries. Further information about the resorts, including price ranges and availability of amenities, may be found at the Resort Hotels Website [42]. The combined reservations number for all of the Disney Resorts is 1-407-WDISNEY.

In addition to the Disney-branded resorts, there are seven franchised or independent hotels in the Downtown Disney Hotel Plaza [43], located adjacent to the Downtown Disney Marketplace. And of course there are numerous other accommodations off-property.

Budget

• Disney's All-Star Movies Resort, 1991 W. Buena Vista Dr., ☎ (407) 939-7000(fax: (407) 939-7111), [44]. Experience the best of Disney films and animation in one of five themed areas: Fantasia, Toy Story, 101 Dalmatians, The Mighty Ducks, and The Love Bug. 
• Disney's All-Star Music Resort, 1801 W. Buena Vista Dr., ☎ 407-939-6000, [45]. The magic in music. Themes are Country, Broadway, Jazz, Rock, and Calypso. 
• Disney's All-Star Sports Resort, 1701 W. Buena Vista Dr., ☎ 407-939-5000(fax: 407-939-7333), [46]. Find your inner fan in one of five sports themes: Football, Tennis, Baseball, Basketball, and Surfing. 
• Disney's Pop Century Resort, 1050 Century Dr.(off Osceola Parkway), ☎ 407-938-4000, [47]. Take a walk through the best of 20th century pop culture, in one of five "decades". 

Mid-range

• Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort, 900 Cayman Wy(off E. Buena Vista Dr.), ☎ +1 407 934-3400(fax: +1 407 934-3288), [48]. checkin: 3PM; checkout: 11AM. Enjoy the ambiance of the tropics on one of five "islands": Barbados, Jamaica, Martinique, Aruba, and Trinidad.$134-$184.  
• Disney's Coronado Springs Resort, 1000 W. Buena Vista Dr., ☎ 407-939-1000(fax: 407-939-1001), [49]. Lakeside resort with Mayan flourishes. 
• Disney's Port Orleans Resort French Quarter, 2201 Orleans Dr.(off Epcot Center Drive), ☎ 407-934-5000(fax: 407-934-5353), [50]. Take a walk down Bourbon Street. 
• Disney's Port Orleans Resort Riverside, 1251 Riverside Dr.(adjacent to Port Orleans French Quarter), ☎ 407-934-6000, [51]. Experience the gentle feel of the mansions and towns along the lower Mississippi River. 

Splurge

• Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge, 2901 Osceola Pkwy., ☎ 407-938-3000(fax: 407-938-4799), [52]. checkin: 3PM; checkout: 11AM. Immerse yourself in a safari adventure at an African-themed lodge where you can view hundreds of exotic creatures on an African wildlife reserve. 
• Disney's Beach Club Resort, 1800 Epcot Resorts Blvd., ☎ 407-934-8000, [53]. Let the elegant lakeside accommodations of this sand and surf motif hotel take you back to the good old days of an 1870's New England beach holiday. 
• Disney's BoardWalk Inn, 2101 N Epcot Resorts Blvd, ☎ 407-939-5100, [54]. Check into a lively turn-of-the-century Atlantic City resort complex. 
• Disney's Contemporary Resort, 4600 N. World Dr., ☎ (407) 824-1000, [55]. Step in to a modern design and an architectural gem, complete with a monorail running through the Resort's A-Frame tower. 
• Disney's Grand Floridian Resort and Spa, 4401 Grand Floridian Wy., ☎ 407-824-3000, [56]. Undoubtedly the most elegant high-end Disney Resort, with Victorian elegance that pays homage to the golden days of Palm Beach. 
• Disney's Polynesian Resort, 1600 Seven Seas Dr., ☎ (407) 824-2000(fax: (407) 824-3174), [57]. A tropical paradise that celebrates the spirit and hospitality of the South Pacific. 
• Disney's Wilderness Lodge, 901 Timberline Dr., ☎ 407-824-3200(fax: 407-824-3232), [58]. Appreciate the rustic charm of the grand lodges of the National Parks of the Old West 
• Disney's Yacht Club Resort, 1700 Epcot Resorts Blvd., ☎ 407-934-7000, [59]. checkin: 3pm; checkout: 11am. A nod to the nautical-themed Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket Island seashore hotels of the 1880s.$289 - $2,040.  
• Shades of Green, [60]. United States Department of Defense use only. A lavish golf resort exclusively for active and retired military personnel. 
• Walt Disney World Dolphin Resort, 1500 Epcot Resorts Boulevard, ☎ (407) 934-4000(fax: (407) 934-4099), [61]. checkin: 3PM; checkout: 11AM.  
• Walt Disney World Swan Resort, 1200 Epcot Resorts Boulevard, ☎ +1 407 934-3000(fax: (407) 934-4499), [62]. checkin: 3PM; checkout: 11AM.  

Disney Vacation Club Resorts

• Disney's Animal Kingdom Villas, (at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge), [63]. Condominiums themed as an African village. Phase 1, currently open, occupies the higher floors of the current Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge structure. Phase 2, opening in May 2009, will be an entirely separate building nearby. 
• Disney's Beach Club Villas, (adjacent to Disney's Beach Club Resort), [64]. Villas inspired by mid-Atlantic seaside mansions. 
• Disney's BoardWalk Villas, (at Disney's Boardwalk), [65]. Charming waterfront cottages inside the Boardwalk complex. 
• Disney's Old Key West Resort, 1510 North Cove Rd., ☎ 407-827-7700, [66]. The spirit of the Florida Keys. 
• Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa, 1960 Broadway, ☎ 407-827-1100, [67]. checkin: 4PM; checkout: 11AM. A lush country retreat capturing the heyday of Upstate New York. 
  • The Treehouse Villas at Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort. Octagonal cabins on stilts in a forest setting, scheduled for opening in Summer 2009. This addition will make Saratoga Springs the largest and most luxurious Disney Resort ever imagined.
• The Villas at Disney's Wilderness Lodge, [68]. A scenic woodland retreat. 

Campground

• Disney's Fort Wilderness Campground, 4510 N. Fort Wilderness Trail, ☎ 407-824-2900. Enjoy camping in an air-conditioned cabin [69], or stay in secluded campsites [70] for tents and all types of RVs.From $35 (campsites) to $249 (Wilderness Cabins).  

Downtown Disney Hotel Plaza

• Best Western Lake Buena Vista Resort, 2000 Hotel Plaza Blvd., 407-828-2424, [71].
• Buena Vista Palace, 1900 Buena Vista Dr., 1-866-397-6516, [72].
• Doubletree Guest Suites, 2305 Hotel Plaza Blvd., 407-934-1000, [73].
• Hilton Resort, 1751 Hotel Plaza Blvd., 407-827-4000, [74].
• Holiday Inn, 1805 Hotel Plaza Blvd., 407-828-8888, [75].
• Regal Sun Resort, 1850 Hotel Plaza Blvd., 1 800-624-4109, [76].
• Royal Plaza, 1905 Hotel Plaza Blvd., 1-407-828-2828, [77].

Off-resort Lodging

• Clarion Hotel Maingate, 7675 Irlo Bronson Memorial Hwy, +1 407 396-4000, [78].
• Comfort Suites Maingate, 2775 Florida Plaza Blvd, +1 407 397-7848, [79].
• Embassy Suites Lake Buena Vista, 8100 Lake Street, 1-407-239-1144, [80].
• Southern Select Villas, 148 Heather Lynn Dr., 877-301-3564, [81].

Contact

Offical Sources

• Walt Disney World Resort Offical Website [82]
• General Reservations and Disney's Magical Express: 1-407-WDISNEY
• Walt Disney World Dining 1-407-WDW-DINE
• Walt Disney World Fairy Tale Weddings 1-407-828-3400
• Orlando International Airport 1-407-825-2001
• Walt Disney World University 1-407-828-2850
• Hotel Babysitting 1-407-827-5444
• Walt Disney World Recreation 1-407-939-7529

Stay safe

Walt Disney World is a very safe area, and spends a lot of time and money ensuring that guests remain safe. But, do not be complacent or feel completely safe. Although the parks are relatively safe, and do have guards throughout, take caution, and watch the children closely. You are in a park with strangers, and although rare, there have been problems as you would have on any street in any country. Be aware at all times, and do not allow young children to roam unattended or be too far from your sight.

Weather

• Do not fear being caught in one of the daily afternoon rainstorms, because rain ponchos and umbrellas are sold throughout the parks, for just that reason. Walt Disney World does not close down due to rain.

• Wear a light-colored shirt during the summer. White and light colors reflect sunlight better than darker colors, so you won't get overheated as easily. Wear a hat and sunglasses to protect your head, face and eyes. Sunscreen may be purchased at most gift shops.

• Drink lots of water. You can easily become dehydrated in the heat. Stay clear of carbonated drinks, tea and coffee. Dehydration can lead to weakness, fatigue, and eventually heat stroke due to the body's reduced ability to regulate its temperature.

• Go back to your hotel in the afternoon for a dip in the pool to cool you off. Or cool off in the one of the many interactive fountains that can be found in the parks. (Don't forget to take spare clothing with you!) Another good idea would be to visit Blizzard Beach or Typhoon Lagoon in the morning, then head to the theme parks afterwards; this will give your body adequate hydration to better withstand the heat.

• Go indoors, into an air-conditioned shop or attraction. Try to do the outdoor attractions in the morning, and save the indoor attractions and shows until the afternoon when it's hotter.

Security

• While theft is rare and security is always present throughout the resort, it is advisable to keep valuables locked in the electronic safe in your hotel room. Avoid bringing unnecessary items with you.
• Keep your eye on your belongings at all times. Do not display cash in public. Consider wearing a money belt. Do not leave anything in an unattended stroller or wheelchair, especially when you go on a ride. If possible, leave loose articles with a non-rider.
• Children are very safe at Walt Disney World, but it's not uncommon for parents and children to get separated due to the crowds. One suggestion is to write down your child's name with your name, resort and cell phone number on a 3x5 index card. Also include any vital medical information. Place the card in your child's pocket and instruct him/her to show the card to a cast member in the event that you get separated. Conversely, if you lose your child, notify a cast member immediately.
• If your child goes on a ride on his/her own, make sure you know where the ride's exit is. Arrange a place to meet with all members of your party if you become separated. Note: Make the meeting place easy to find, but out of the way; areas such as in front of Cinderella Castle or the front of the park are likely to be too crowded to be useful.

Ride Safety

The above warning applies to the following attractions:

• Magic Kingdom: Space Mountain, Tomorrowland Speedway, Splash Mountain, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
• Epcot: Test Track, Mission: Space
• Hollywood Studios: Star Tours, Rock 'n' Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith, The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror
• Animal Kingdom: Dinosaur, Kilimanjaro Safaris, Expedition: Everest, Kali River Rapids, Primeval Whirl

If your child does not meet the ride's height requirement, there is a "rider swap" service available. This service enables one person to wait with the child while another goes on the ride; afterwards the person waiting with the child may board the ride without having to wait in line. Ask a Cast Member for more information.

Also note that lap children are not permitted on most rides, especially if there are restraining devices.

Water Safety

• Always supervise your children in or near swimming pools, and do not allow them to engage in any behavior that could pose a danger to themselves or others. Do not run on a wet pool deck.

• At the water parks, follow the same safety rules as you would with any ordinary swimming pool. Be aware that some of the attractions have height or other safety restrictions.

Animal Safety

• With the exception of service animals for the disabled, pets are not permitted in the parks, Downtown Disney, transportation vehicles, or resorts. (Disney's Fort Wilderness Campground is the only pet-friendly resort. [83]) There are five air-conditioned kennels on the property, at each of the four theme park entrances and at Fort Wilderness Campground, all of which offer overnight boarding. [84]

• Do not leave your pet in your car. It is against the law in Florida, as well as potentially fatal. The penalty is a $5,000 fine. A car with a pet locked inside will be broken into to remove the pet, and WDW will not be held liable for any damages incurred.

• Service animals may not be accommodated on some attractions. In that case, they must remain with a non-riding member of your party, as Disney's cast members are not authorized to handle service animals.

Assistance

• If you have car trouble while in a theme park's parking lot, raise your car's hood, and someone will come to your assistance.

• Just like anywhere else in the USA, the emergency number throughout Walt Disney World is 911. Contacting this number will get you in touch with Reedy Creek Emergency Services, WDW's police, fire, and ambulance service. [85]

• Minor first aid services are available free of charge at any park or resort and offer a quiet and cool place to rest.
  Locations:
  • Magic Kingdom - next to the Crystal Palace, left around the central hub.
  • Epcot - next to the baby center on the World Showcase side of the Odyssey Center.
  • Hollywood Studios - at Guest Relations
  • Animal Kingdom - in Safari Village, next to Creature Comforts

• If an emergency need for prescription drugs occurs, the Gooding's supermarket [86] at the intersection of Interstate 4 and Florida State Road 535 has a pharmacy. Be sure to bring your prescription information with you. There are also several Walgreens locations nearby.

• There are two full-service medical facilities just outside the property lines:
  • Celebration Health, 400 Celebration Place, 407-303-4000, [87]. Located at the intersection of I-4, US-192, and FL-417.
  • CentraCare, 12500 S Apopka Vineland Rd, (407) 934-2273, [88]. Located adjacent to the Downtown Disney Hotel Plaza.

Get out

Walt Disney World lies at the heart of an archetypal Floridian paradise, with a plethora of other activities to be seen outside of Disney's property. However, not everyone can travel outside of the property, as it requires access to an automobile almost 100% of the time (with a few exceptions, addressed in the infobox at right).

If you are planning to travel outside of the property, you might want to consider getting the Go Orlando Card [89], which is available in increments of 1, 2, 3, 5, and 7 days and gives free admission and express entry to a number of attractions in and around Orlando and Kissimmee. Unfortunately, Walt Disney World, SeaWorld, and Universal Studios are not included in the Go Orlando Card. The complete list of attractions where it is accepted may be found here [90].

To Orlando...

• International Drive, [91]. Orlando's dynamic tourist corridor, featuring a multitude of attractions, dining, and shopping. Here you can also find Orlando's other two world-famous theme parks: 
  • SeaWorld Orlando, (located at the intersection of Interstate 4 and Florida State Road 528), [92]. See Shamu and his friends perform the most fascinating animal shows ever. 
  • Universal Orlando Resort, (located off I-4 East via Exit 75A), [93]. Features Universal Studios Florida, Islands of Adventure, and CityWalk. 

...and beyond

• Busch Gardens Africa, (in Tampa Bay, at the western end of Interstate 4, about 1 hour from Walt Disney World), [94]. An African wildlife park. 
• Citrus Tower, (in Clermont; take Exit 64 off Interstate 4 to get to US Route 192, then take US Route 27 north), [95]. One of the oldest central Florida landmarks, completed in 1956, this 226-foot observation tower still stands tall over former orange groves.  
• Cypress Gardens, (in Winter Haven, about 20 minutes south of Exit 48 off Interstate 4), [96]. Florida's first theme park, with its botanical garden, spectacular water-ski stunt show, and hoopskirt-wearing Southern belles. 
• Daytona 500 Experience, (in Daytona Beach, at the eastern end of Interstate 4), [97]. Billed as "The Official Attraction of NASCAR", this is a must for car-racing fans. 
• Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, (off the eastern end of Florida State Road 528, about 1 hour east of Interstate 4), [98]. Has a museum on the history of space exploration, two IMAX theatres, and tour buses to the (otherwise restricted) launch facility. 

See also

"We keep moving forward, opening up new doors and doing new things, because we're curious, and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths. We're always exploring and experimenting." -- Walt Disney

• Disneyland Resort, home of the original Disneyland, in Anaheim, California.
• Disneyland Resort Paris near Paris in France.
• Hong Kong Disneyland - the newest member of the global Disney empire.
• Tokyo Disney Resort near Tokyo in Japan - where the magic first reached new shores.

This page was last edited at 16:33, on 19 March 2009 by Stefan Ertmann. Based on work by Eric Polk and Colin Jensen, Wikitravel user(s) LtPowers, Jonathan 784, OrlandoParkRat, Msainz, Gastronome, Texugo and Edmontonenthusiast, Anonymous user(s) of Wikitravel and others.

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