Walt Disney World Resort Orlando Florida

The Walt Disney World Resort Click Here for Disney Site 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 is the oldest and most popular park of the complex, based on the original Disneyland in Anaheim, California. 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 20th-century movies and television, with a variety of live shows and attractions based on some of the most iconic films from that era. 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 two large 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 and nightlife spots themed as a 1920's Eastern Seaboard boardwalk like that of Atlantic City. Other activities throughout the resort include golf, miniature golf, tennis, boating, spas and health clubs, backstage tours, and many more.

Understand

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.

Getting in

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. The prices below were accurate as of March 2008:

Florida residents who provide proof of residence get discounts of varying degrees, but can't purchase beyond a 7-day ticket (meaning that Florida residents who ask for the discount can't purchase 8, 9, and 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.

The Park Hopper option 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. The value of being able to visit one park in the morning and another in the evening should not be underestimated.

By plane

Most visitors fly into Orlando International Airport (IATA: MCO) . 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 [Disney Link]: a free bus service from the airport to the WDW hotels (prior reservations required, call 1-407-WDISNEY). Florida State Routes 528 and 417 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) , 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 from within the US or Icelandair  from Iceland, you will land here. The Disney's Magical Express service is not available from this airport. Florida State Routes 46 and 417 connect 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 Route 528 links PC with the Turnpike and I-4.

By train

Amtrak's  Silver Star and Silver Meteor Miami - New York City routes serve Orlando, while the Auto Train  which can carry both passengers and automobiles serves nearby Sanford non-stop from Lorton, Virginia (in the Washington, DC metro area).

By bus

Greyhound  The Orlando terminal is located at 555 North John Young Parkway. Its phone number is 407-292-3424.

LYNX - Public transportation by Central Florida Regional Transportation Authority. With the main hub centered on Orlando, bus service provided in Osceola, Orange, and Seminole Counties. Some buses link to neighboring counties. Service to and from Walt Disney World is available.

Getting 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, pursuant to state law and the Americans with Disabilities Act, and there is no additional fee to use any of them.

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 buses can be slow and inconvenient if, for example, you are traveling with young children or strollers.

The bus service is a hub-and-spoke distribution paradigm. 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.

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; right next door to Downtown Disney, you can get there via pedestrian bridge, bus, or ferry.

By train (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 MK Resorts 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 for any of the four theme park lots is $11 for Car/Taxi/Shuttle/Limousine/Motorcycle, $12 for Camper/Trailer, $15 for Bus/Tractor Trailer, and free for Disney Vacation Club guests with a valid resort-issued parking ticket. 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 two Hess gas stations within the resort: one near the Magic Kingdom Resort Area entrance and another on Buena Vista Drive across from Downtown Disney. In addition, there is a Chevron station at the intersection of Interstate 4 and Florida State Route 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

The sheer number of attractions—including rides, stage shows, parades, and fireworks displays—at Walt Disney World 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.

Magic Kingdom

Cinderella's Castle, 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. It has various 'lands' within it and is more oriented toward children, although many adults love the escapism as well. This is the first park opened in the Florida complex and also the most heavily attended and geared towards children, although most enjoyable for adults 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 is expensive, and Disney merchandise is reasonable considering where you are. Plan accordingly for a trip and expect to spend at least $100.00 per person for a visit, but most 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 for the day.

• Swiss Family Treehouse (walk through)
• The Flying Carpets of Aladdin (flying young childrens ride)
• Pirates of the Caribbean (classic indoor boat ride)
• Splash Mountain (log ride with a 50 ft. water drop)
• Big Thunder Mountain Railroad (medium fast rollercoaster)
• Haunted Mansion (indoor dark ride)
• Snow White's Scary Adventures (indoor dark ride)
• The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh (indoor dark ride)
• "it's a small world" (classic indoor boat ride)
• Cinderella's Golden Carousel (classic horse carousel ride)
• Mickey's Philharmagic (3D movie featuring digital representations of Disney characters.)
• Space Mountain (dark indoor rollercoaster)
• Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin (indoor dark ride with laser gun game)
• Carousel of Progress (originally developed by Walt Disney for the 1964 World's Fair, then reinstalled at Disneyland, California.)
• Stitch's Great Escape! (Alien Encounter remake)

Additionally, there are numerous shows and characters to see during the day. At park closing there is a fireworks show, currently "Wishes - A Magical Gathering of Disney Dreams," to send everyone home with a great memory. (Be aware that the best viewing areas generate very crowded conditions).

Epcot

Spaceship Earth The icon of Epcot is Spaceship Earth, a 180-foot geodesic sphere. Both the name and the building were influenced by the work of Richard Buckminster Fuller, though he was not credited for it. The name comes from Fuller's book Operating Manual for Spaceship Earth. The building has a similar texture to the Fuller-designed Montreal Biosphere (the former United States pavilion from Expo 67) in Canada, but in fact the two are not structurally similar - Spaceship Earth is a complete sphere supported on legs, while the Montreal Biosphere is three quarters of a sphere.

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 handglide 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

• Mission:Space (a giant centrifuge which simulates a journey to Mars)
• Spaceship Earth (a dark ride travel through the history of communication)
• Test Track (a unique thrill ride along a GM test track designed to push your vehicle to its limit)
• The Land (home of three attractions: "Living with the Land"-a relaxing boat ride showcasing Disney's hydroponic greenhouse and 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; and "Circle of Life", a movie about conservation starring the Lion King characters.
• The Universe of Energy (a slow moving dinosaur experience featuring Bill Nye the Science Guy and Ellen DeGeneres)
• Imagination! (Home of 2 attractions, "Honey I Shrunk the Audience" 3D movie; Journey Into Imagination....with Figment- a classic Disney dark ride.)
• The Seas with Nemo and Friends (An AZA-member aquarium, with a ride that shows underwater scenes using technology to show characters from "Finding Nemo" with real fish.)
• Innoventions (a hands-on exhibition featuring the latest in technology and how it's finding its way into every aspect of our lives)

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. The countries included are:

• United Kingdom-restaurants and shops.
• France-restaurants (including a French patisserie, or bakery), shops, and a travel movie featuring the French countryside and a classical music soundtrack.
• Morocco-restaurants, a small museum, and shops.
• Germany-restaurants (including a German beer hall with a show), and shops.
• Japan-restaurants, shops (including a large Japanese department store), and a small museum.
• China-restaurants, shops, a small museum, and a "Circlevision" travel movie.
• Mexico-restaurants, shops, and a gentle boat ride featuring historical facts and travel to Mexico.
• Norway-restaurants (including a bakery), shops, and a boat ride with mild flume drops though the history and sights of Norway- followed by a travel film.
• Italy-restaurants and shops.
• USA-a fast food restaurant, a small shop, a small museum, and a patriotic show featuring film and Audio-Animatronic representations of historical figures.
• Canada-restaurants, shops, and a "Circlevision" travel movie.

Illuminations: Reflections of Earth At park closing, enjoy this extravagant display of fireworks, lasers, fountains and electric lighting over World Showcase Lagoon.

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 automobile stunt show called "Lights, Motors, Action".

• The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror (13-flight free fall based on The Twilight Zone)
• Rock 'n' Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith (WDW's only roller coaster with loops, synched to the music of Aerosmith!)
• Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular (Live action stunt show recreating some of the best scenes from 'Raiders of the Lost Ark')
• Jim Henson's Muppet Vision 3D (3D movie featuring the Muppet characters) shown in a "special" auditorium
• Star Tours (The only official Star Wars ride takes you into battle with the Death Star)
• Lights, Motors, Action! Extreme Stunt Show (The most popular show in Disneyland Resort Paris is now at Hollywood Studios. Features some amazing live action stunt driving)
• Backlot Studios Tour (Tram tour of old Disney movie props, as well as the infamous Catastrophe Canyon)
• The Great Movie Ride (Slow moving ride through scenes of some of the greatest movies recreated using Audio-Animatronics, such as Alien, The Wizard of Oz, Raiders of the Lost Ark, and Mary Poppins.)
• Honey, I Shrunk the Kids Movie Set Adventure (Huge play area that makes you feel like you're a quarter of an inch tall)
• Fantasmic! (Live action presentation with incredible lighting effects, shown at park closing)
• Toy Story Midway Mania (3D virtual game complete with moving targets and special effects)

The Twilight Zone is a registered trademark of CBS.
Star Wars is a registered trademark of Lucasfilm and Twentieth Century Fox.
Raiders of the Lost Ark and the Indiana Jones character are registered trademarks of Lucasfilm and Paramount Pictures.

New Attractions

American Idol: The Experience

Opening in January 2009, this live stage show, based on the hottest TV show of the 2000's, will place you on stage, where you'll compete for the grand prize of a lifetime - the chance to be the next American Idol!

American Idol is a registered trademark of FOX Television and Fremantle Media.

Disney's Animal Kingdom

Tree of Life at 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.

• Kilimanjaro Safari (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 Kilimanjaro featuring gorillas as well as other African wildlife. Great if you missed something on the Safari.)
• Dinosaur (dark, scary ride; formerly known as Countdown to Extinction)
• Kali River Rapids (water-tire ride where you may get soaked)
• Maharajah Jungle Trek (Walk-through of Asian wildlife featuring Bengal tigers.)
• Expedition Everest: Legend of the Forbidden Mountain (high-speed rollercoaster with a visit to a 25-foot Yeti. Opened in April 2006)
• It's Tough to be a Bug! (Interactive 3-D show feature Flick and the other characters from 'A Bug's Life.')
• Festival of the Lion King (Acrobatic theatre-of-the-round feature Simba, Timone, and Pumba.)

Disney's Blizzard Beach Water Park

Team Boat Springs, Blizzard Beach

A newer water park with bigger thrill slides, a smaller bobbing wave pool, and an improved kiddie area than it's older cousin, Typhoon Lagoon. The theme here is a Florida ski resort meltdown.

• Summit Plummet the tallest, steepest, fastest water slide in the world. 120 feet high causing those who dare to plummet at over 55 mph straight down at an 85 degree angle
• Downhill Double Dipper
• Slush Gusher
• Teamboat Springs
• Cross Country Creek
• Tike's Peak

Disney's Typhoon Lagoon Water Park

A water park with a giant surf wave pool, numerous slides, a snorkeling lagoon, and a tropical beach theme. The snorkeling lagoon includes living sharks, so while not for the faint of heart, it's an unforgettable experience. Typhoon Lagoon's great fun, especially for those with kids, but be warned: if you only use sunscreen once in Florida, this is the place to do it.

• Featuring Surf Pool, one of the world's largest wave pools with some of the largest artificially created waves
• Crush 'n Gusher Water "Rollercoaster"
• Humunga Kowabunga
• Mayday Falls
• Castaway Creek
• Ketchakiddee Creek
• Shark Reef- a snorkel tank featuring tropical fish, rays, small (non-threatening) sharks, and a mock sunken ship.

Eat

Food is surprisingly good, considering WDW 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.

Here are a few unique dining opportunities worth experiencing:

• Magic Kingdom
  • Cinderella's Royal Table - Dine in Cinderella Castle.
• Hollywood Studios
  • 50's Prime Time Cafe - Dine in a kitchen inspired by classic 50's sitcoms.
  • Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater - Watch classic Sci-Fi movies from your "car" in a re-created 1950s drive-in movie theatre.
  • The Hollywood Brown Derby - Dine like the stars in the East Coast's version of Hollywood's most famous restaurant.
• Animal Kingdom
  • Rainforest Cafe - Animatronic animals, thunderstorms, and good food
  • Restaurantosaurus - character dining for breakfast and fast food meals throughout the day
• Fort Wilderness Campground
  • Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue - Western themed dinner theater
• Disney's Polynesian Resort
  • Disney's Spirit of Aloha Show - South Pacific Luau themed dinner theater
• Animal Kingdom Lodge
  • Boma: Flavors of Africa - authentic African cuisine served buffet style.
  • Mara - Cafeteria style eats with American cuisine served hot and fresh.
• Epcot
  • Coral Reef Restaurant - Dine in view of the main aquarium of The Seas with Nemo and Friends.
  • Teppanyaki - Japanese chefs prepare your very tasty meal in front of you in the Japan pavilion. Great food and nice atmosphere. Lunch offers an extensive menu at a slightly lower price than dinner.
  • Chefs de France - Savor the finest French dishes in a Parisian setting in the France pavilion.
• 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.
• Disney's Contemporary Resort
  • California Grill - 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 seatings are 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 seatings are taken, another option is the bar, which offers a great selection of wines and sushi.
• Disney's Port Orleans Resort
  • Boatwright's Dining Hall- American/Southern fare such as ribs, chicken, steaks etc. Great for families and or groups of adults, as the large restaurant is big enough to absorb a lot of noise. Moderate prices, especially for Disney.
• Downtown Disney
  • House of Blues
  • Rainforest Cafe
  • Wolfgang Puck Cafe
  • Ghiradelli Chocolate Shop and Soda Fountain

If you want to save cash on dining, there are two McDonald's restaurants in the resort, one at the intersection of Buena Vista Drive and Osceola Parkway, and the other at Downtown Disney.

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.

In Epcot, some try "Drinking Around the World," getting alcohol in every country of the World Showcase. Or for a fun, free, and sober trip "around the world" try Club Cool located near Spaceship Earth. 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.

Sleep

 Budget

• Disney's All-Star Movies Resort - Disney films and Disney animation
• Disney's All-Star Music Resort - the magic in music
• Disney's All-Star Sports Resort - find your inner fan and salute the world of sports
• Disney's Pop Century Resort - take a walk through the best of 20th century pop culture

Mid-range

• Disney's Port Orleans Resort Riverside - experience the gentle feel of the mansions and towns along the lower Mississippi River. Formerly Disney's Dixie Landings Resort. Opened as a part of Disney's 20th anniversary in 1991.
• Disney's Port Orleans Resort French Quarter - take a walk down Bourbon Street
• Disney's Coronado Springs Resort - lakeside resort with Mayan flourishes
• Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort - the ambiance of the tropics in one of five 'Island Villages'

Splurge

• Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge - 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 - 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 - check into a lively turn-of-the-century Atlantic City resort complex
• Disney's Contemporary Resort - step in to a modern design and an architectural gem, complete with a monorail running through the Resort's A-Frame tower
• Walt Disney World Dolphin (operated by Sheraton) - Soak up the atmosphere of the magnificent architecture in the heart of the WDW Resort. This resort with a pyramid atop and its sister, the Swan, were designed by Michael Graves. Rumor has it that the presidential suite at the top of the pyramid was occupied regularly by Michael Jackson in his heyday.
• Disney's Grand Floridian Resort and Spa - Victorian elegance that pays homage to the golden days of Palm Beach
• Disney's Polynesian Resort - tropical paradise that celebrates the spirit and hospitality of the South Pacific
• Shades of Green (United States Department of Defense use only)
• Walt Disney World Swan (operated by Westin) - Become immersed in an environment featuring enchanting architecture, inspiring artwork and spectacular views
• Disney's Wilderness Lodge - rustic charm of a Resort modeled on the grand lodges of the National Parks of the Old West
• Disney's Yacht Club Resort - nod to the nautical-themed hotels of Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket Island seashore hotels of the 1880's

Disney Vacation Club Resorts

• Disney's Beach Club Villas - villas inspired by mid-Atlantic seaside mansions
• Disney's BoardWalk Villas - charming waterfront cottage near the Boardwalk complex
• Disney's Old Key West Resort - spirit of the Florida Keys
• The Villas at Disney's Wilderness Lodge - scenic woodland retreat
• Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa - lush country retreat
• Disney's Animal Kingdom Villas - the newest Disney Vacation Club resort. Phase 1, currently open, occupies the higher floors of the current Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge structure. Phase 2 will be an entirely separate building adjacent to the Kilimanjaro area of the park.

Campground

• Disney's Fort Wilderness Campground - enjoy camping in an air-conditioned cabin, or stay in secluded campsites for tents and all types of RVs

Downtown Disney

• Regal Sun Resort (Walk to Downtown Disney or take the complimentary shuttle to the other Disney Theme Parks), 1850 Hotel Plaza Blvd, ☎ +1 800-624-4109.  

• Best Western
• Doubletree Guest Suites
• Hilton Resort
• Holiday Inn
• Hotel Royal Plaza
• Buena Vista Palace

Off-resort Lodging

• Magical Memories - Orlando Vacation Rentals, 2801 North Poinciana Blvd, Kissimmee, 34746, [13], Our beautifully appointed villas, condos, and vacation homes provide nearly everything you need for an extraordinary vacation in Central Florida, from the comforts of home to first-class amenities to prime locations near the Walt Disney® World Resort Area, at a price comparable to an Orlando hotel.

• Radisson Resort Orlando - Celebration, 2900 Parkway Blvd, , a 718 room resort located only 1.5 miles from Walt Disney World. Shuttles provided to Disney, Sea World and Universal Studios. 3 pools, cascading waterfalls, 2 whirlpools and a 40' waterslide. Extensive Kids Activies program available onsite. KIDS EAT FREE.

• Clarion Hotel Maingate, 7675 Irlo Bronson Memorial Highway, +1 407 396-4000, .
• Embassy Suites, Lake Buena Vista. Two room suites, including a hot breakfast.
• Hilton Grand Vacation Club. A Hilton time share with two room apartments surrounding a lake.
• Holiday Villas Walt Disney Area, 2928 Vineland Rd., Kissimmee, (407) 397-0700, Toll-free: (800) 344-3959, . Accommodations consisting of two and three bedroom, 2 Bath condominiums that range from 1,400 to 1,500 square feet, Sleeping 6 to 8 people. Heated Pool, Sauna, Tennis, Jacuzzi, Movies, Gameroom, Exercise Facility, Poolside Snacks.
• Private Vacation Rentals Walt Disney Area -  Rent Orlando villas direct from the owners. All homes have private pools and many have games rooms and Jacuzzi's.
• ALL STAR Vacation Homes, 7822 W. Irlo Bronson Hwy., Kissimmee. Travelers choose from more than 130 upscale vacation homes within 4 miles of Disney World. 2-3 bedroom condos, up to 7 bedroom homes with private pools, game rooms, kitchens, spacious floorplans and more. Reservations: 1-888-345-9940 or 407-997-0733
• PRIVATE LUXURY VILLA 5 bedroom /5 bath in the 5-star Windsor Hills resort community, 5 minutes to Disneyworld -- great pricing direct from the owner / private pool & spa / fitness center / waterslide / private movie theater / tennis / volleyball / clubhouse Accommodates up to 12 guests.  Call:(888)565-7126 U.S. & Can. or international 001-225-709-0146.
• Tangerine Suites Vacation Homes, Accommodations of three to five bedrooms that sleep up to 12 people close to Disney World. All homes include a private heated pool, full kitchen, 2-car garage, and many homes include jacuzzi's and games rooms.

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 even umbrellas are sold throughout the parks, for just that reason. Walt Disney World does not close down due to rain.

• Wear a white shirt during the summer. White reflects sunlight better than any other color, so you won't get overheated as easily. Wear a hat and sunglasses to protect your head, face and eyes.

• 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!)

• 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 your car, or in the electronic safe in your resort.

• 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.

• Write down your child's name and your name, resort and cell phone number on a card, and place the card in your child's pocket. (If your child is a member of MedicAlert or an equivalent organization, that information should also be included on the card as well, or s/he should always be sure to wear his/her ID tag.) Instruct your child to show the card to a Cast Member (a Disney employee) in the event that you get separated. 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: Try not to make your meeting place something that is too obvious, such as in front of Cinderella Castle. Crowding is likely to occur at these places.

Ride Safety

WARNING: Some attractions have safety restrictions. Children not meeting the minimum height requirement and pregnant women are not permitted to experience these attractions. Anyone susceptible to motion sickness or having heart, neck, or back problems should also refrain from riding as these conditions are easily aggravated. Restraining devices may prevent persons of body size from riding.

The above warning applies to the following attractions:

• Magic Kingdom: Space Mountain, Tommorowland 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.

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.

• 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 at the intersection of Interstate 4 and Florida State Route 535 has a pharmacy. Be sure to bring your prescription information with you.

Contact

Official Sources

• Walt Disney World Resort Offical Website
• 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