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Walt Disney World Resort (commonly known as Disney World or
Disneyworld) is a complex of four separate theme parks, water parks,
resorts and other facilities located in Lake Buena Vista, Florida, near
Orlando, Florida. Walt Disney World is split into four separate parks:
• Magic Kingdom - It is the best-known park, organized around the
central landmark, or as Walt Disney would say a weenie, of Cinderella's
Castle. It has various 'lands' within it and is more oriented toward
children, although some adults love the escapism as well.
• Epcot - Epcot is an "educational park." It is very much
oriented toward adult visitors, and is structured to showcase various
international locations, especially in terms of food and/or trade goods. The
older part of the park is comprised of various 'futuristic' attractions,
many sponsored by various industrial concerns.
• Disney MGM Studios - Disney MGM Studios is a park with a 20th
Century movie theme. This park has lots of shows and some Thrill (capital T
you see) rides, the main one being a 13 story drop in the Tower of Terror.
• Disney's Animal Kingdom - Animal Kingdom is a mix between a
zoo and a theme park. Naturalistic animal exhibitions are interspersed, and
sometimes integrated, with typical Disney movie-themed rides.
Get around
Disney has an extensive bus and monorail service, so there is really no
need to rent a car unless you are traveling outside of WDW. The buses can be
slow and inconvenient if, for example, you are traveling with young children
or strollers. The monorail service is not very expansive and only goes to
certain areas, all originating from the Transportation and Ticket Center.
There are three monorail lines:
• Magic Kingdom / Transportation and Ticket Center. This is the only way to
enter the Magic Kingdom besides the fairy or WDW bus service.
• Magic Kingdom Resort Hotels / Transportation and Ticket Center. This line
runs parallel to the loop of the direct Magic Kingdom line, but stops at all
the resorts it passes. They are (in order) the Contemporary, Magic Kingdom
Park, Grand Floridian, and the Polynesian.
• EPCOT / Transportation and Ticket Center. When entering EPCOT this way,
the monorail makes a nice loop in the park, giving a great arial view of
Futureworld and the World Showcase.
Drink
There are no alcoholic beverages for sale in the Magic Kingdom. In Epcot,
some try "Drinking Around the World," getting alcohol in every country of
the World Showcase. Disney-MGM Studios and Animal Kingdom offer a small
variety of draft beer at select dining locations.
Contact
• 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 |
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• Attractions
• Dining
Shopping
There's a store at the exit to practically every attraction.
Other Lodging
• Best Western
• Doubletree Guest Suites
• Grosvenor Resort
• Hilton Resort
• Holiday Inn
• Hotel Royal Plaza
• Buena Vista Palace
Get in
Fly in to Orlando International Airport (MCO). From there, you can rent a
car, order a limo or towncar, or take Disney's Magical Express: a free bus
service from the airport to the WDW hotels (prior reservations required).
Some hotels offer free shuttles to and from the park. Ask at the front desk.
Alternatively, Interstate-4 is the most direct driving route into Walt
Disney World.
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