Walt Disney World in Orlando, Fla. is the most visited theme park in the world.
Owned by the Walt Disney Company, Disney World now holds three more theme parks in addition to its original Magic Kingdom. Also within its 47 square miles (roughly the size of San Francisco) are 30 resort hotels, six golf courses, two water parks and two entertainment megaplexes, visited by tens of millions of guests each year.
Disney World Orlando History
Disney World was preceded by Disney Land in Anaheim, Cal. Disneyland, the dream of animator Walt Disney, came true when the first theme park opened in 1964.
As Disneyland grew, Walt Disney realized the lack of surrounding land greatly hindered expansion and began planning the enormous Disney World. Disney died five years before it opened and his brother Roy took over the execution of this second, larger theme park. Roy added the “Walt” to Walt Disney World in memoriam, though it’s still commonly called Disney World even today.
Disney World Orlando Timeline
When Disney World first opened in 1971, it offered not only the Magic Kingdom but also its Contemporary Resort, Polynesian Resort, Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground Disney. The entertainment complex has added many new elements since then:
1973: Golf Resort, now called Shades of Green
1982: Epcot Center
1989: MGM Studios, now Hollywood Studios and Typhoon Lagoon water park
1994: All-Star Sports Resort and Wilderness Lodge
1998: Animal Kingdom
1999: All-Star Movies Resort
2004: Saratoga Springs Resort and Spa
Disney World Orlando Attractions
As Disney World has grown larger, it’s become almost impossible to see everything in one trip. Highlights can be found in each of the four theme parks. The choice of which lands to visit may be determined by a family’s favorite activities.
Water: Summit Plummet offers a 120-foot, 12-story drop at Blizzard Beach Water Park; Shark Reef Snorkeling has sharks, stingrays and schools of tropical fish in Typhoon Lagoon Water Park; Splash Mountain boasts a 40-mile-an-hour, 45-degree, 52-foot plunge.
Animals: Kilimanjaro Safaris is a Jeep ride offering close-up experiences with rhinos, giraffes and many other animals; It’s Tough to Be a Bug is a 3-D movie that lets you experience a bug’s life; Festival of the Lion King is a Broadway-style show that allows the audience to particiapte.
Thrill rides: Twilight Zone Tower of Terror offers multiple free falls, some of which are in the dark; Spider Man is a 3-D animated adventure that takes your breath away; Rock 'n' Roller Coaster twists and turns to the tunes of Aerosmith.
Shows: Lights, Motors, Action! Extreme Stunt Show is a highly synchronized stunt show; the American Idol is a competitive show that everyone can enter; Fantasmic! dinner package is a musical that journies into the mind of Mickey and features many Disney characters.
Before getting the kids excited about any of these rides and shows, parents should make sure they’ll be allowed to enjoy them. Many Disney World attractions have age, height and weight requirements. Visitors will also want to find the best deals on ticketsbefore going. They should look into Fastpass to make sure they don’t have to stand in line for the park’s most popular rides.
Disney World Orlando Accomodations
One of the most important decisions to make is when to go, taking into consideration the most crowded time periods and the weather. For accommodations and meals, there are many options, depending on preferences and budget.
It’s often cheaper to find a hotel outside Disney World in Orlando, but that would require transportation to the park. Among the 23 resorts within the complex, there are rooms that run less than $150 per night, like the All-Star Music Resort. More extragavant accomodations, such as the Polynesian Resort, start at $350 per night, but there are many options in between.
Most hotels are kid-friendly, but some are especially so. Other hotels offer convenience or a certain ambience. From Disney’s Saratoga Springs, guests can walk to downtown Disney, or stroll to Epcot from the BoardWalk Inn. Fort Wilderness offers seclusion and cabin accommodations; the Animal Kingdom Lodge is built around a 33-acre animal reserve.
Eating at Disney World Orlando
Food costs can add up quickly, but there are many ways to cut corners. Kids eat free at some establishments and visitors can take store-bought snacks into the park. There are food courts and stand-up eating areas that are less pricey than sit-down restaurants.
Other eating options include fine dining, as well as the opportunity to eat with Disney characters (if booked in advance). Many restaurants participate in the Disney Dining Plan.
Related Disney World Resources
About.com Florida Travel: All-Star Sports Resort [1]
About.com Family Vacations: Family Vacation News: American Idol Attraction [2]
About.com Theme Parks: Disney's Animal Kingdom [3]
About.com Theme Parks: The Latest Travel Deals to Florida [4]
About.com Orlando: Top Dining at Walt Disney World [5]
About.com Theme Parks: Disneyland Park [6]
About.com Orlando: Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida [7]
About.com Orlando: Epcot's World Showcase [8]
About.com Orlando: Using FASTPASS at Disney Theme Parks [9]
DisneyWorld.com: Festival of the Lion King [10]
About.com Orlando: Walt Disney World's Golf Courses and Annual Events [11]
About.com Orlando: Top Holiday Events at Walt Disney World [12]
About.com Orlando: MGM Studios Fantasmic! [13]
About.com Hotels/Resorts/Inns: Hotels Within the Walt Disney World Resort Property [14]
About.com Orlando: Jobs at Walt Disney World [15]
About.com Hotels/Resorts/Inns: Top 10 Kid-Friendly Orlando Hotels [16]
About.com Family Vacations: Animal Kingdom: Kilimanjaro Safari [17]
About.com Theme Parks: Lights, Motors, Action! Extreme Stunt Show [18]
About.com Florida Travel: The Magic Kingdom [19]
About.com Theme Parks: Disneyland Park [20]
About.com Hotels/Resorts/Inns: The Disney World Resorts Wizard -- Results [21]
About.com Orlando: Rock ‘n Roller Coaster [22]
About.com Coupons/Bargains: Disney Deals Hunter - Save on Food at Disney [23]
About.com Orlando: The Spa at Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort [24]
About.com Orlando: Downtown Disney Shopping Spectacular [25]
About.com Theme Parks: The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man [26]
About.com California Travel: Splash Mountain [27]
About.com Florida Travel: Walt Disney World Ticket Information [28]
About.com Theme Parks: The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror [29]
About.com Florida Travel: Disney's Typhoon Lagoon [30]
About.com Florida Travel: Walt Disney: Did You Know? [31]
About.com Florida Travel: Disney's Wilderness Lodge Resort [32]
AllEars.net: Walt Disney World Dining [33]
AnaheimOC.org:Visitor Info [34]
DIS: Disney's Height Requirements Calculator [35]
DIS: Disney World Info [36]
Disney Discounts: Disney World History [37]
Disney Website: Roy E. Disney Bio [38]
Disney World Guide: A Complete Guide To Walt Disney World [39]
DisneyWorld.com: Official Website [40]
DisneyWorld.com: Disney's All-Star Movies Resort [41]
DisneyWorld.com: It’s Tough to Be a Bug [42]
DisneyWorld.com: Shark Reef [43]
DisneyWorld.com: Summit Plummet [44]
Expedia.com: Discount Orlando Hotels [45]
Fodor's: Disney World's Top 26 Attractions [46]
Frommer’s: When to Go [47]
Mouseplanet.com: A Brief History of the Disney Parks [48]
Orlando Travel and Visitors Bureau [49]
Theme Park Insider: Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom [50]
DisneyWorld.com: Corporate Information [51]
Walt Dated World: Homepage [52]