The Area
So many things to do, not enough time!
Here are some of the major attractions in the area.
Here are some of the major attractions in the area.
Magic Kingdom Theme Park
Classic Disney: Magic Kingdom is the original Disney theme park, first built in the original Disneyland in California, and now part of every Disney location (Disneyland Paris, Hong Kong, etc.) Signature attractions include The Haunted Mansion and the three mountain roller coasters (Space, Splash, and Thunder). Magic Kingdom is the top Disney World theme park for little kids, with attractions such as the Dumbo tea-cup ride, carousel, Winnie the Pooh, Peter Pan, etc.
Classic Disney: Magic Kingdom is the original Disney theme park, first built in the original Disneyland in California, and now part of every Disney location (Disneyland Paris, Hong Kong, etc.) Signature attractions include The Haunted Mansion and the three mountain roller coasters (Space, Splash, and Thunder). Magic Kingdom is the top Disney World theme park for little kids, with attractions such as the Dumbo tea-cup ride, carousel, Winnie the Pooh, Peter Pan, etc.
Epcot: Introduction
The word stands for "Experimental Prototype Community Of Tomorrow," and Walt Disney once dreamed of an entire community built on-site. Disney died years before Epcot Center opened in 1982, and the park probably doesn't much resemble what he had in mind. But still the vision is different from any other theme park; as its dedication plaque says, " May Epcot Center entertain, inform and inspire."
The word stands for "Experimental Prototype Community Of Tomorrow," and Walt Disney once dreamed of an entire community built on-site. Disney died years before Epcot Center opened in 1982, and the park probably doesn't much resemble what he had in mind. But still the vision is different from any other theme park; as its dedication plaque says, " May Epcot Center entertain, inform and inspire."
Disney's Hollywood Studios
Top attractions include the Star Tours simulator ride, the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror drop ride, Rock'n'Roller Coaster. Movie buffs can tour the working studios, or try The Great Movie Ride. A unique attraction is American Idol: guests can belt out a song in an audition, and later perform for votes in front of a live audience.
Other highlights in this theme park are some great live shows: Indiana Jones, the Beauty and the Beast musical... Don't miss the night-time Fantasmic! show, a unique spectacle of fireworks, lights on water "hydrotechnics", and "real" pirate ships.
Also don't miss the gigantic desserts at the Prime Time Cafe, where everything, including the wait staff, is themed to the fifties. Expect wisecracks from your waitress.
Top attractions include the Star Tours simulator ride, the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror drop ride, Rock'n'Roller Coaster. Movie buffs can tour the working studios, or try The Great Movie Ride. A unique attraction is American Idol: guests can belt out a song in an audition, and later perform for votes in front of a live audience.
Other highlights in this theme park are some great live shows: Indiana Jones, the Beauty and the Beast musical... Don't miss the night-time Fantasmic! show, a unique spectacle of fireworks, lights on water "hydrotechnics", and "real" pirate ships.
Also don't miss the gigantic desserts at the Prime Time Cafe, where everything, including the wait staff, is themed to the fifties. Expect wisecracks from your waitress.
Animal Kingdom
Five times the size of Magic Kingdom-- is unlike any other theme park: fun rides, yes, but also the unparalleled African wildlife safari experience; animals in large habitats; beautiful themed Asia and Africa areas. "Dinoland", meanwhile, is wacky fun.
Highlights are the Kilimanjaro Safari, Expedition Everest coaster, Kali River Rapids ride, "It's Tough to be a Bug" show, live musicals "Festival of the Lion King" and "Finding Nemo".
As for animals... Zoos, thankfully, have changed greatly and Mickey-- with his deep pockets-- has created some large habitats for animals. The gorillas, for example, have acres to play in. You can also see beautiful tigers who like to cool off in their moat.
Five times the size of Magic Kingdom-- is unlike any other theme park: fun rides, yes, but also the unparalleled African wildlife safari experience; animals in large habitats; beautiful themed Asia and Africa areas. "Dinoland", meanwhile, is wacky fun.
Highlights are the Kilimanjaro Safari, Expedition Everest coaster, Kali River Rapids ride, "It's Tough to be a Bug" show, live musicals "Festival of the Lion King" and "Finding Nemo".
As for animals... Zoos, thankfully, have changed greatly and Mickey-- with his deep pockets-- has created some large habitats for animals. The gorillas, for example, have acres to play in. You can also see beautiful tigers who like to cool off in their moat.
Waterparks: Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon
Each of these giant waterparks is a terrific place to spend the day.
66-acre Blizzard Beach pretends to be a ski resort: the waterslides down snow-capped Mt. Gushmore have names like Toboggan Racer. A lazy river tube-float goes round the whole park.
56-acre Typhoon Lagoon has a lazy river float, raft rides, and mountain with waterslides, and 2-1/2 acre wave pool where you can body-surf. Kiddie water playground, too.
Both waterparks are beautifully landscaped, with many spots to lounge and have a picnic. These spots go fast; those in the know make a beeline when the park opens, to stake out a home-base. Arriving as early as possible will also net you some hours on the waterslides before line-ups get long.
Each of these giant waterparks is a terrific place to spend the day.
66-acre Blizzard Beach pretends to be a ski resort: the waterslides down snow-capped Mt. Gushmore have names like Toboggan Racer. A lazy river tube-float goes round the whole park.
56-acre Typhoon Lagoon has a lazy river float, raft rides, and mountain with waterslides, and 2-1/2 acre wave pool where you can body-surf. Kiddie water playground, too.
Both waterparks are beautifully landscaped, with many spots to lounge and have a picnic. These spots go fast; those in the know make a beeline when the park opens, to stake out a home-base. Arriving as early as possible will also net you some hours on the waterslides before line-ups get long.
Downtown Disney
The Downtown Disney shopping/entertainment zone offers:
•fun for kids - at the Lego store, in a pool and fountain, on a carousel or train ride (for a charge)
•lots of shops; nightlife; restaurants, including the Rainforest Cafe (make a reservation first)
•Cirque de Soleil's La Nouba show (suitable for big kids and teens)
•DisneyQuest a five-story, indoor interactive virtual adventureland. For ex., a Pirates of the Caribbean quest takes a crew of four into five action-packed minutes in a 3-D world.
Visitors can also do miniature golf, golf, biking, spas, horseback riding, boating-- see Disney World Vacations Without the Theme Parks.
The Downtown Disney shopping/entertainment zone offers:
•fun for kids - at the Lego store, in a pool and fountain, on a carousel or train ride (for a charge)
•lots of shops; nightlife; restaurants, including the Rainforest Cafe (make a reservation first)
•Cirque de Soleil's La Nouba show (suitable for big kids and teens)
•DisneyQuest a five-story, indoor interactive virtual adventureland. For ex., a Pirates of the Caribbean quest takes a crew of four into five action-packed minutes in a 3-D world.
Visitors can also do miniature golf, golf, biking, spas, horseback riding, boating-- see Disney World Vacations Without the Theme Parks.
SeaWorld
Combines fun rides with animal viewing. The Atlantis whitewater raft ride has a huge splash finish, and the Kraken is "the tallest, fastest, longest and only floorless roller coaster in Orlando".
SeaWorld is most famous for its Shamu killer whale show, but kids will also enjoy feeding seals, petting dolphins, and walking through a clear plastic tunnel with sharks around and overhead. Shark aficionados can even take a dip in a (well-protected) cage in the giant shark tank. If you have time for it, SeaWorld can even be educational.
Combines fun rides with animal viewing. The Atlantis whitewater raft ride has a huge splash finish, and the Kraken is "the tallest, fastest, longest and only floorless roller coaster in Orlando".
SeaWorld is most famous for its Shamu killer whale show, but kids will also enjoy feeding seals, petting dolphins, and walking through a clear plastic tunnel with sharks around and overhead. Shark aficionados can even take a dip in a (well-protected) cage in the giant shark tank. If you have time for it, SeaWorld can even be educational.
Universal Orlando
the other multiple-park multiple-day theme park destination in Orlando, has two theme parks, Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios Florida; the CityWalk area of restaurants, shops and entertainment venues; and three hotels, the Portofino, Hard Rock Hotel, and Royal Pacific Resort. All are connected by walkways and by waterways with free water-taxis.
the other multiple-park multiple-day theme park destination in Orlando, has two theme parks, Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios Florida; the CityWalk area of restaurants, shops and entertainment venues; and three hotels, the Portofino, Hard Rock Hotel, and Royal Pacific Resort. All are connected by walkways and by waterways with free water-taxis.
The Villa at Town Center Reserve, Davenport, Florida