With four unique theme parks, two spectacular water parks, extensive shopping, excellent restaurants and an area twice the size of Manhattan, there is something for visitors of all ages at Walt Disney World Florida!
Walt Disney decided in the mid-1960s to realize his dream of Walt Disney World, the world's largest theme park landscape. Disney's Magic Kingdom kicked off the entire "Walt Disney World" in 1971 with its now four theme parks and two water parks in Lake Buena Vista in Florida, about 30 kilometers southwest of Orlando.
Magic Kingdom" with its landmark Cinderella Castle, "Epcot", "Disney's Animal Kingdom" and "Disney's Hollywood Studios" with the Indiana Jones stunt show are also available. In addition, the water parks "Disney's Typhoon Lagoon" and "Disney's Blizzard Beach" await the visitors.
Magic Kingdom
This most typical of all Disney theme parks is divided into a total of seven magical areas, where attractions, restaurants and stores are based on the popular Disney themes of fantasy, past and future: Main Street U.S.A., Fantasyland, Adventureland, Frontierland, Liberty Square, New Tomorrowland and Mickey's Toontown Fair. Everywhere visitors meet Mickey and Minnie, Cinderella and Snow White, as well as countless other Disney characters.
The Fantasyland theme area is best known for its nostalgic characters and rides such as the flying elephant Dumbo, the crazy teacups, Peter Pan, Cinderella and of course Mickey Mouse. There is a Storybook Circus area with The Barnstormer and the Great Goofini family ride, the Dumbo flying carousel, the Flying Elephant, the Casey Jr water attraction. Splash 'N' Soak Station and the Be Our Guest Restaurant in the Beast's Castle. In the Princess Fairytale Hall in the heart of Fantasyland, young visitors can meet beloved princesses such as Aurora, Cinderella and others in person. Other attractions include Under the Sea ~ Journey of the Little Mermaid with Arielle and her friends and Enchanted Tales with Belle, where guests of all ages can relive fairy tales with Belle.
Other favorites at the park include the colorful parades as well as the attractions Splash Mountain, Big Thunder Mountain, the family roller coaster The Seven Dwarfs Mine Train Coaster, Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin, Space Mountain and The Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor.
Mickey and his friends welcome numerous characters from Disney classics in the live show "Mickey's Royal Friendship Faire".
Seven Dwarfs Mine Train
Visitors to Walt Disney World Resort can go on a great ride with the Seven Dwarfs: The Seven Dwarfs Mine Train family roller coaster takes fairy tale fans young and old on a playful and musical journey through a diamond mine where the Seven Dwarfs do their day's work.
The ride takes you directly into the world below ground. There, the lovable dwarfs Grumpy, Sleepy, Happy, Hatschi, Pimpel& Co., known from the Disney animated film classic "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs," day in and day out for diamonds.
The ride features an innovative, one-of-a-kind mechanism that jolts passengers back and forth in the cars during turns, twists, inclines and declines. Visitors traverse an enchanting mountain landscape and a sparkling mine, past gnomes and gleefully frolicking woodland creatures. Spectacular audio-animation technology provides background music with melodies from the animated film during the tour. The cars slow down in between so passengers can get a close look at the different scenes.
The final stop is the dwarfs' cottage, faithfully recreated by the Walt Disney Imagineers with great attention to detail. There you can see Snow White dancing behind a window. The attraction in New Fantasyland, which is part of the Magic Kingdom area, opened at the end of May 2014.
Epcot
Disney's Epcot is also worth a visit: a 120,000-square-meter area.000 square meters of the Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow (EPCOT), which represents one of Walt Disney's lifelong dreams. This, however, was opened only in 1982 after its death.
"Soarin'Around the World" takes guests on a journey around the world.
The park's grounds are divided into two areas: The World Showcase on one side allows visitors to learn about more than ten different countries and their cultures, foods and products. Future World, on the other hand, presents the latest technologies and offers plenty of entertainment.
World Showcase features a kaleidoscope of nations and diverse cultures: The American Adventure, Canada, China, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Morocco, Norway and the United Kingdom.
Frozen Ever After: Little princesses get wide-eyed when they visit the World Showcase. Norwegian flair in the middle of Florida? Trolls, a talking snowman and two princesses from Northern Europe at Walt Disney World? That can only be the royal sisters Anna and Elsa. Your Kingdom of Arendelle is located in the Norwegian Pavilion and the Frozen Ever After attraction transports all fans to the fairytale world from "The Ice Queen – Completely Unforgiven". The family adventure takes guests into the fairytale world, combining the royal story of the two sisters, the famous movie score and new technologies for a heartwarming ride through the ice.
Major attractions include Test Track Presented by Chevrolet (refurbished in Dec. 2012), Mission:SPACE, where the launch of a space shuttle is simulated, Soarin', where visitors are lifted 12 meters off the ground under a giant screen dome, and The Seas with Nemo& Friends, an original and visually stunning attraction that features the stars of the movie Finding Nemo cavorting among live sea creatures in the massive aquarium of The Living Seas pavilion.
Disney's Hollywood Studios
As the third part of Walt Disney World, Hollywood Studios opened in 1989 as "Disney's MGM Studios" and contains mainly sets from the long history of film productions. The theme park includes a complete film and television studio. The theme and movie park's shows, which are well worth seeing, also focus on the glitterati of the entertainment industry.
Among the main attractions are the American Idol Experience, ToyStory Mania!, the Lights, Motors, Action! Extreme Stunt Show, Disney Junior – Live on Stage!, the Rock 'n' Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith and The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror.
Lightning McQueen's Racing Academy is a live show that features. Included are the popular characters of the series "Cars" such as Lightning McQueen and Tow Mater.
The Force Awakens at Hollywood Studios: "Star Wars: A Galaxy Far, Far Away" and the nighttime show "Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular" combine fireworks, pyrotechnics, special effects and video projections to deliver one of the most impressive shows in the park's history.
"Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge" features two exciting galactic rides, impressive stores, a restaurant and the chance to meet the popular Star Wars heroes.
Disney's Animal Kingdom
Disney Animal Kingdom is neither a classic zoo nor a theme park, but a whole new kind of theme park. In this largest Disney park in the world, there are real animals, shows, rides and other attractions. This project celebrates a fun interplay between live and fictional animals and Disney caricatures.
The park offers exciting adventures and unique encounters with live exotic animals, as well as fantasy creatures and giant dinosaurs from a prehistoric world. Highlights include the Expedition Everest roller coaster, the 30-minute live show Finding Nemo – The Musical, TriceraTop Spin, Primeval Whirl!, DINOSAUR and Kilimanjaro Safaris.
The Jungle Book: Alive with Magic evening show inspired by a live-action movie.
Water Parks
Disney's Typhoon Lagoon
The water park impresses visitors with massive tidal waves, wild rapids, changing tides and calm river flows. Whether you're sliding down the nine water slides, swimming with sharks and tropical fish, or conquering man-made waves in the largest wave pool in the U.S., this exotic paradise is the wettest water adventure ever.
The fascinating coral reef "Shark Reef" invites to snorkel amidst real sharks, rays and other tropical fishes. The "Surf Pool," a giant wave pool, offers fun and action. For relaxation under palm trees, "Sandy White Beach" is the place to be.
Disney's Blizzard Beach
Disney's Blizzard Beach water park is reminiscent of a winter snowscape in the Alps and makes visitors freeze with cold and wonder just looking at it. In swimwear, guests ride the ski lift up the glacier to whiz down one of the world's tallest and fastest water slides. But there are also relaxing attractions like a temperate river walk and a white sand beach for sunbathing.
The largest of Disney's two water parks has 22 water slides and "icy" bobsled rides that are always warm and excitingly fast. Almost one hundred kilometers per hour in the highest and fastest water slide in America, daredevils plunge in free fall over 35 meters into the depths. The slide called "Summit Plummet" is part of the attractions at Disney's Blizzard Beach and outwardly resembles a ski tow. In true style, artificial snow trickles down on the brave park visitors as they hurtle down the fast-paced curves.
Disney's Blizzard Beach is home to Orlando's longest "lazy river". Sit back, relax and let your worries drift away as you slowly glide across the river. Cross Country Creek is almost a kilometer long and takes about 40 minutes to complete. The river flows throughout the park and is a convenient transportation option to other areas of Blizzard Beach.
Disney Springs
The large entertainment complex at Walt Disney World Resort with stores, restaurants and much more promises fun for the whole family.
Disney Springs West Side includes the House of Blues with a diverse music program featuring after-dinner performances by world-famous musicians, Bongo's Cuban Cafe designed by Gloria Estefan, sophisticated cuisine to accompany the AMC Downtown Disney 24 movie experience, the imaginative show La Nouba by Cirque du Soleil, and Splitsville, a retro bowling center with vintage decor and a novel music, dining and entertainment concept.
The unique Morimoto Asia restaurant was developed by Chef Masaharu Morimoto. For that extra-special Asian restaurant experience, the 11-meter-high building features two floors and a variety of seating, including a terrace, a large hall, secluded seating, a long bar, a cocktail lounge, waterfront areas and more.
The BOATHOUSE is an upscale restaurant that treats guests to unique offerings beyond the culinary. Live music or a romantic boat tour on the Venezia, a 12-foot wooden boat serving champagne and chocolate-covered strawberries, await visitors. BOATHOUSE will offer an impressive building with three different bars, one of them even above the water, as well as numerous seats in the restaurant. Guests enjoy a daily changing gourmet menu featuring steaks, chops and fresh seafood.
STK Orlando combines two concepts at once – a modern steakhouse with a chic lounge. Special offers include a live DJ and a charged atmosphere in an elegant setting that invites guests to socialize with each other. STK Orlando also offers a rooftop dining terrace.
Restaurants
A truly royal treat awaits guests at the Victoria& restaurant Albert's at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort& Spa. The restaurant focuses on modern American cuisine with exquisite products from around the world as well as the best local produce such as chicken rouge from North Carolina or shrimp from Florida. The inventive menus have received glowing reviews from the likes of Zagat and Forbes Travel Guide critics, and the restaurant boasts a AAA Five-Diamond rating. The elegant ambiance of the establishment, where fine linens, Riedel crystal and Cristofle silver from France come standard, provides the ideal setting for a stylish dining experience. (disney.go.com)
Accommodation
The Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World Resort is located just minutes from both Disney theme parks, Magic Kingdom and Epcot. Guests can enjoy all-around pampering at this luxury hotel with 444 guest rooms (including 68 suites), a Tom Fazio-designed golf course, a full-service spa, three restaurants and an elaborately designed pool area.
The cuisine at Capa restaurant features Spanish influences. The Steakhouse on 17. Floor of the Four Seasons Resort Orlando offers a great view of the nightly fireworks at the Magic Kingdom.
Disney's Polynesian Villas& Bungalows offers 20 bungalows on the Seven Seas Lagoon and 360 deluxe studios. The bungalows are the first of their kind at Disney and can accommodate up to 8 guests. A pool with a view of the fireworks over Magic Kingdom Park is available.