The centerpieces of Walt Disney World are the four theme parks: The '''Magic Kingdom''', '''Epcot''', '''Disney's Hollywood Studios''', and '''Disney's Animal Kingdom'''. Walt Disney World also has the world's two most popular water parks, '''Typhoon Lagoon''' and '''Blizzard Beach''', both heavily themed. Two shopping and entertainment districts, '''Downtown Disney''' and '''Disney's Boardwalk''', provide extensive shopping, dining, and entertainment options. If none of that strikes your fancy, check out some of the lesser-known activities: golf, miniature golf, tennis, boating, spas and health clubs, backstage tours, character dining, and much more.
If you can't find something fun to do at Walt Disney World, you aren't trying hard enough.
Walt Disney World can roughly be divided into five distinct areas—one for each of the four theme parks, plus Downtown Disney. The various resort hotels, and the attractions and restaurants found within, are grouped with the nearest park.
:''"Walt Disney World is a tribute to the philosophy and life of Walter Elias Disney, and to the talents, the dedication, and the loyalty of the entire Disney organization that made Walt Disney's dream come true. May Walt Disney World bring joy and inspiration and new knowledge to all who come to this happy place, a Magic Kingdom where the young at heart of all ages can laugh and play and learn — together."'' <small> — Roy O. Disney, 25 October 1971</small>}}
:''"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."'' <small> — Walt Disney </small>
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.
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. [http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/wdw/special/flashPages/index?id=GoogleEarthPage&CMP=OTC-3dparksVanity&bhcp=1] Features of the tour include interactive 3-D views of all four theme parks and over 20 Disney resort hotels.
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.
A few Disney movies are based on theme park attractions (as opposed to the other way around):
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 eight <!-- If you update this section, be sure to update this number too! --> of the most well-known instances. If you know of any more, please feel free to add it here. <!-- Make sure that, if you add a new item to this list, it is in the proper chronological order. -->
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 "Weather" in the Stay Safe section).
Inclement weather can often lead to the temporary closure of outdoor rides and live performances. In the case of rides, they will re-open after the weather improves, and FastPass tickets will continue to be accepted, even if the printed time interval has expired. Live performances may be either delayed or canceled outright. On the other hand, inclement weather could be a good thing, as outdoor queue lines tend to be shorter or even gone altogether.
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.
:''"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."'' <small> — Walt Disney</small>
Most visitors fly into '''Orlando International Airport''' ({{IATA|MCO}}) [http://www.orlandoairports.net/main.htm]. 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''' [http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/wdw/resorts/benefitDetail?id=BenefitDMEDetailPage]: a free bus service from the airport to the Disney-owned 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.
'''Orlando-Sanford International Airport''' ({{IATA|SFB}}) [http://www.orlandosanfordairport.com/], 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. British carriers serving Sanford are Flyglobespan [http://www.flyglobespan.com/], Monarch Airlines [http://www.monarch.co.uk/], Thomas Cook Airlines [http://www.thomascookairlines.co.uk/], and Thomson Airways [http://www.thomson.co.uk/]. If you are flying Allegiant Air [http://www.allegiantair.com] or Direct Air [http://www.visitdirectair.com/] from within the US, or Icelandair [http://www.icelandair.com/] 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.
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.
'''Amtrak's''' [http://www.amtrak.com] ''Silver Service'' [http://www.amtrak.com/servlet/ContentServer?pagename=Amtrak/am2Route/Vertical_Route_Page&c=am2Route&cid=1081442674074&ssid=136] 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'' [http://www.amtrak.com/servlet/ContentServer?pagename=Amtrak/am2Route/Vertical_Route_Page&c=am2Route&cid=1081256321200&ssid=136], which can carry both passengers and automobiles, serves nearby Sanford non-stop from Lorton, Virginia (in the Washington, DC, metro area).
The '''Disney Cruise Line''' [http://disneycruise.disney.go.com] provides bus service 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 are available [http://www.portcanaveral.org/cruising/groundtransport.php].
'''Greyhound''' [http://www.greyhound.com] serves both Orlando and Kissimmee, with the latter being closer to Walt Disney World.
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'''LYNX''' [http://www.golynx.com]. 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.
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If your vacation dates are flexible, plan to arrive to the Orlando area on Thursday. Both Friday and Saturday are transition days for park visitors, especially in the summer months. Saturdays do draw in more Annual Pass holders to the park, but that is the major day that people either arrive or leave the area. This causes attendance figures to be down, making it a perfect day to visit the parks.
If you are planning to have a day of rest in your vacation, by arriving on Thursday you can enjoy two days of parks with reduced crowds and then use Sunday to rest. If during those first two days you are planning to visit the Magic Kingdom, plan to do it on Friday. Attendance figures pick up for that park on Saturday. You will be able to do more attractions in the first two days while you are revved up, and then it will allow you to relax and enjoy the park on the more crowded days.}}
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 at least one day remaining; 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):
{| border='1' cellpadding=5 cellspacing=0 style="text-align:center" ! rowspan=2 | Days ! colspan=2 | ages 3-9 ! colspan=2 | ages 10+ ! Total !! Per Day ! Total !! Per Day
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.
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.
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. From Shades of Green (a military-only resort) it's a five-minute walk to Disney's Polynesian Resort, to take the monorail or ferry to the Magic Kingdom; and from the Polynesian Resort it's another five-minute walk to the Transportation and Ticket Center, to take the monorail to Epcot.
'''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.
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 actually part of a resort, so visitors from other resorts (except Swan/Dolphin or Yacht/Beach Clubs) will have to travel there via one of the parks. The most convenient option is 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 and exiting out the back entrance, 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.
The '''monorail''' service is limited and only goes to certain areas, all originating from the '''Transportation and Ticket Center'''. There are three monorail lines:
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. It is also possible to walk to the TTC from Disney's Wilderness Lodge, which is not connected to the monorail. The distance is about half a mile, and takes around 10 minutes.
Walt Disney World also has several waterways which are serviced by '''ferryboats'''.
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. The Hess stations on Disney property do charge market rate for their fuel, unlike a few Orlando gas stations where the cost of fuel is still outrageous despite the recent drop in gas prices. Gas stations along State Road 535 (Apopka-Vineland Road) near the Downtown Disney Hotel Plaza are notorious for pricing well above the market rate for fuel. However, for sheer "chutzpah," you gotta hand it to Suncoast Energys, located on State Road 436 (Semoran Boulevard), just outside the Orlando International Airport. Its location across the street from the Hertz and Thrifty rental-car lots makes it a tempting top-off-the-tank stop, but be sure you take note of the pump price, which is usually $1.50-$2 ''higher'' than the local average. Visit '''Orlando Gas Prices''' [http://www.orlandogasprices.com] to find the local average price and get addresses for other handy gas stations.
:''"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."'' <small> — Walt Disney </small>
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 [http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/parks/].
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 it 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 as animatronic figures sing children's songs to the riders, 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 experience.
'''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', a ride 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.
'''Disney's Hollywood Studios''' (formerly Disney-MGM Studios) opened in May 1989 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 TV show ''American Idol''.
'''Disney's 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.
Walt Disney World's two water parks, '''Blizzard Beach''' near Animal Kingdom and '''Typhoon Lagoon''' near Downtown Disney, 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.
'''Downtown Disney''' 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.
'''Disney's Boardwalk''', located next to Epcot, is a smaller collection of nightlife themed as a 1920's Eastern Seaboard boardwalk.
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Similarly, stores selling '''knives and swords''', such as chef's knives and ''katana'' swords at the Mitsukoshi store in Epcot's Japan pavilion, are required to ship the purchase to the buyer's home; these items will be shipped free of charge to US addresses.}}
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.
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.
Realizing that many of its souvenirs such as the giant Mickey dolls simply aren't made to be lugged around a theme park all day, Disney will save the day with its '''Package Pick-Up/Delivery''' service. Guests staying at an on-site resort hotel can have their purchases delivered directly to their rooms, while everyone else can have their purchases held at the Package Pick-Up window at the front gate of each theme park. The service is free of charge, but be sure to factor in delivery times—allow about 24 hours for a package to be delivered to your room, or about three hours for it to reach the front gate of the park.
The complete listing of stores on the property may be found on the Shopping page of the WDW website [http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/shopping/?showPage=0].
:''"Hot dogs! Hot dogs!"'' — <small>Mickey Mouse, from ''The Karnival Kid'' (1929)</small>
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 entree 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.
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.
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 2PM 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.
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.
If a dietary restriction requires you to bring your own food into the parks, it is permissible to do so, on the condition that it does not require heating or any other kind of preparation. To ensure freshness, carry it in an insulated lunch box or bag. Keep in mind, though, that Florida Department of Health regulations prohibit Disney's Culinary Cast Members from preparing, or even handling, foods brought in by guests.
The complete list of dining options can be found on the Restaurants page of the WDW website [http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/restaurants/?showPage=0]. AllEars.Net maintains a list of restaurant menus [http://allears.net/menu/menus.htm] on its website.
A large variety of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages are available in Walt Disney World. There are a few things to keep in mind when purchasing alcohol at WDW.
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.
One of the most important choices you must make when planning a Walt Disney World vacation is whether to stay on-site at one of the famed Disney resorts, or off-site at one of countless less expensive but more traditional hotels.
For many visitors, a vital part of the Walt Disney World "experience" is staying at one of the 23 Disney-owned and -operated resorts. ''Each and every one'' of the Disney resorts is strongly themed, impeccably maintained, and a vacation experience all to itself. Although none of the resorts can really be called cheap—in fact, most of them are luxurious and priced accordingly—the least expensive resorts have rooms for as little as $82 a night in the off-season.
Lower prices can be found outside the resort (see nearby areas Lake Buena Vista and Kissimmee, or even Orlando), but there are numerous advantages to staying at a Disney hotel:
On the other hand, staying off-property can have its own perks. Lodging and food costs are cheaper, with discounts more available. You can book condos or home rentals for large groups, which allows you to cook meals making dining costs even cheaper and lodging costs very cheap. Many off-site resorts do have shuttle service to the Disney parks, although the service can be limited, potentially inconvenient, and may carry a fee.
One possible compromise is to stay at the Walt Disney World Swan or Walt Disney World Dolphin, which offer a more traditional hotel experience with most of the Disney resort benefits available, or to stay at a hotel in the Downtown Disney Hotel Plaza, which are fairly generic but very close to Downtown Disney.
<!--WEB-START--> <dl> <dt>Value <dd>January to mid-February; mid-July to September; early December <dt>Regular <dd>late April to mid-July; October and November <dt>Peak <dd>mid-February to mid-April <dt>Summer <dd>(value resorts only) late May to early August <dt>Holiday <dd>late December </dl> <!--WEB-END--> <!--PRINT ''Value:'' January to mid-February; mid-July to September; early December ''Regular:'' late April to mid-July; October and November ''Peak:'' mid-February to mid-April ''Summer:'' (value resorts only) late May to early August ''Holiday:'' late December PRINT-->
Disney has created an incredible variety of themed resorts over the years, each one offering a unique experience to guests, ranging from the basic services and colorful decor at the three All-Star resorts, to the opulence and luxury of the Disney's Grand Floridian Resort and Spa, to the rustic, wooded charm of Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground.
Please see the {{web|district articles}}<!--PRINT district chapters PRINT--> for extensive details on each hotel.
Please note that ''all'' Disney hotel rooms and other indoor areas are '''100% smoke-free'''.
Disney classifies their cheapest options as "Value" resorts. These resorts are great for guests with a limited budget, or for families with young kids on whom the sophisticated theming and amenities at the other resorts would be wasted. Prices (one room, two adults and two children) range from $82/night for a standard room in the value season to $160/night for a preferred room during Christmas week. There is a $10 fee for each adult beyond two per room.
The Value resorts have basic rooms with exterior entrances and minimal amenities. The theming is bold and colorful—kids ''love'' the larger-than-life decorations—but not particularly evocative of any particular environment. Hotel amenities include food courts and swimming pools, but no sit-down restaurants or other on-site recreation options.
The Value resorts are '''All-Star Movies''', '''All-Star Sports''', and '''All-Star Music''' near Animal Kingdom; and '''Pop Century''' near Hollywood Studios.
If you have a tent, camper, or motorhome, perhaps the best value on Disney property is at '''Fort Wilderness''' (near the Magic Kingdom), where you can rent a campsite for as little as $43 a night.
These are Disney's "Moderate" resorts. Guests who want the full Disney resort experience without paying for the extra luxuries and amenities at the Deluxe resorts will be more than satisfied by the Moderate resorts. Prices (one room, two adults and two children) range from $149/night for a standard room in the value season to $250/night for a preferred room during Christmas week. Prices can go even higher for the new pirate-themed rooms at Caribbean Beach and club-level rooms and suites at Coronado Springs. There is a $15 fee for each adult beyond two per room.
The Moderate resorts have basic rooms with exterior entrances. The theming is straightforward but fun and evocative of the appropriate time and place, from the Louisiana bayou at Port Orleans-Riverside to the warm Caribbean colors of the Caribbean Beach. Hotel amenities include food courts, sit-down restaurants (usually), limited room service, swimming pools with extras (such as a slide), and some on-site recreation activities.
The Moderate resorts are '''Caribbean Beach''' near Hollywood Studios; '''Port Orleans-Riverside''' and '''Port Orleans-French Quarter''' near Downtown Disney; and '''Coronado Springs''' near Animal Kingdom.
Disney's "Deluxe" resorts and the "Deluxe Villas" fall into this category, the largest by far.
The Deluxe resorts are for guests who want the ultimate in Disney hospitality, with luxury-hotel amenities and signature Disney experiences. Prices in this category vary widely. Some basic rooms can be had for as little as $240 a night in the value season, but more commonly start at $355/night and go up to $835 or more for the best single rooms. Luxurious suites are available at most of the resorts, starting at over $1,000/night and going up from there. There is a $25 fee for each adult beyond two per room.
Deluxe resorts feature well-appointed rooms with interior entrances and extensive theming to match the resort. A Deluxe resort's decor is evocative and all-encompassing, with as much attention paid to detail as at any of the Disney theme parks. Hotel amenities include multiple full-service and casual restaurants, often with character dining; full room service; extensive pool and beach facilities with plenty of extras; numerous on-site recreation activities; and valet parking.
The Deluxe resorts are the '''Contemporary''', the '''Wilderness Lodge''', the '''Polynesian''', and the '''Grand Floridian''' near the Magic Kingdom; the '''Boardwalk Inn''', the '''Yacht Club''', and the '''Beach Club''' near Epcot, and the '''Animal Kingdom Lodge''' near Animal Kingdom.
The rental cabins at '''Fort Wilderness''' (near the Magic Kingdom) have full kitchens, plumbing, and maid service. They sleep six for $265–$410 a night.
The Deluxe villas were created to be part of the '''Disney Vacation Club''', a time-share program created by Disney, but when DVC members aren't using them, they're open to the general public. The villas offer a more "home-away-from-home" feel, with studios and one-, two-, and even three-bedroom suites available. Prices range from $295/night for a studio at Old Key West or Saratoga Springs during the value season to $2,215/night for a three-bedroom Grand Villa at the Boardwalk or Beach Club Villas during Christmas week. If that price seems astonishing, consider that those villas sleep twelve people!
Studios have a kitchenette; the suites have full kitchens, and the largest ones, Grand Villas, have full dining rooms. Most of the DVC resorts are attached to one of Disney's Deluxe resorts, sharing amenities with the "parent" resort; the others (Old Key West and Saratoga Springs) are standalone but have comparable amenities.
The DVC resorts are '''Bay Lake Tower at the Contemporary''' <small>{{web|(opening June 2009)}}</small> and the '''Villas at the Wilderness Lodge''' near the Magic Kingdom; the '''Boardwalk Villas''' and '''Beach Club Villas''' near Epcot; the '''Animal Kingdom Villas''' near Animal Kingdom; and '''Old Key West''' and '''Saratoga Springs''' near Downtown Disney.
This covers only those resorts that are not owned/operated by Disney, but are located on Disney property. {{web|For areas outside the property, see Lake Buena Vista and Kissimmee.}} If you're going to stay off-property, be sure to research your selection well. Lots of hotels advertise themselves as being close to Walt Disney World, often with the word "Maingate" in their name, but they could be several miles way in reality.
If you or a family member is an employee or retiree of the United States Department of Defense, including the military, you're in luck. '''Shades of Green''', near the Magic Kingdom has rooms starting at $93, depending on the employee's pay grade. Amenities are somewhat limited, though; see the full listing for details.
For everyone else, affordable deals can be found at the '''Downtown Disney Hotel Plaza''' located adjacent to the Downtown Disney Marketplace. There are seven franchised or independent hotels in the Downtown Disney Hotel Plaza. Disney amenities are virtually nonexistent; only their proximity to Downtown Disney separates them from the other hotels in Lake Buena Vista. Their prices are quite reasonable, though, considering their location.
The '''Walt Disney World Swan''' and '''Walt Disney World Dolphin''', located near Epcot and not far from Hollywood Studios, have most of the amenities of Disney Resorts but are operated by Starwood Hotels, under the Westin and Sheraton banners (respectively). They are ideal for guests who want a more traditional hotel experience while still being right in the middle of Disney property. The whimsical exteriors are a sight to see all by themselves.
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.
The {{web|above}} warning <!--PRINT seen below PRINT--> applies to the following attractions:
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.
Alternatively, you can also take LYNX Route 50 to SeaWorld from the Transportation and Ticket Center or Downtown Disney Westside.
It is also possible to get to Universal via the LYNX system, but it involves making transfers. Take Route 50 to SeaWorld and transfer to Route 8 which will take you to Wet 'n Wild, at the intersection of International Drive and Universal Boulevard. Here you can either transfer to Route 37 or walk about 15 minutes to get to Universal.
Mears Transportation provides round-trip shuttle service to Busch Gardens from various locations in the Orlando area. [https://secure.mearstransportation.com/MearsExpress/BuschGardens.asp] The fare is $10.00 per person, or free with the Orlando Flex Ticket Plus. Note that you are responsible for your own transportation to/from the pickup point.
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''' [http://www.goorlandocard.com/], 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 {{web|here [http://www.goorlandocard.com/orlando-attractions.html].}}<!--PRINT at their web site. PRINT-->
:''"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."'' <small> — Walt Disney</small>