Disney World
is located in Orlando, Florida. The first theme park, the Magic Kingdom, opened in October of 1971. Epcot was added in 1982, followed by Disney's Hollywood Studios in 1989 and Disney's Animal Kingdom in 1998. The recreational "world" also features 2 water parks, 23 hotels, shopping and dining. Visitors from all over the world travel to Florida to enjoy a "magical" vacation.
History
Walt Disney began looking for a site for a second park to compliment Disneyland in Anaheim, California. He wanted to appeal to visitors east of the Mississippi who were too far away to venture out to California. He also wanted to control the land around the site because he disliked the businesses around Disneyland. He wanted, as well, to create a place that was a world of its own. He saw the Orlando site for the first time in 1963. For the last 3 years of his life, he remained focused on his "Florida Project," but died before it came to fruition.
Features
Each theme park in Disney World features the signature Disney characters, shops, musical extravaganzas, unique rides, parades and fireworks. The original park, the Magic Kingdom, is based on the same design found in Disneyland in California, right down to Main Street. Epcot focuses on the concept of the Spaceship Earth. International villages decorate half of the park's landscape, allowing visitors to sample products, food and culture from around the world. The other half features rides, exhibits and shops that focus on the technology of the future. Disney's Hollywood Studios takes full advantage of the Disney film industry, television network and Broadway productions. Even the big fireworks show takes its cues from Fantasia. The final theme park to open, Disney's Animal Kingdom, focuses on the savannas of Africa and the animals that live there.
Considerations
Disney World is a first pick choice for school groups, family vacations, wedding planning and summer trips. Adults and children alike thrill to stay in the Disney resorts, visit the theme parks and dine in the numerous restaurants. A visitor to Disney World can spend their entire Florida vacation on Disney property for a week and still not see everything there is to see. Disney promotes vacations through special package offers and more, like Disney's year of a million wishes. During the promotion which ran through 2006 and 2007, Disney Cast Members would choose one person at random and grant them a "wish." In some cases, that meant staying in the Cinderella apartment inside Cinderella's Castle and more.
Benefits
Many special events call Disney World home. The resort and theme parks play host to Disney's Super Soap Weekend every November. Soap opera fans from all over the United States travel to Disney World where they have an opportunity to see their favorite daytime actors and actresses. Star Wars weekends are also very popular events in May. Every October, Disney World hosts Mickey's Not So Spooky Halloween bash and a magical Christmas wonderland for the December holidays. These special events include extended evening hours.
Warning
Be sure to plan ahead for the Disney vacation, because simply there is too much to do and too much to think about. If you are interested in Disney's meal plan (paying ahead for meals at Disney restaurants when you book your tickets), be sure to pick out the restaurants that require reservations only because they book up months in advance. Discuss what you'd like to see most with your family members before you hit the parks, and be sure to take at least a full day at each theme park.
Tags: Disney World, theme park, Animal Kingdom, Disney Animal, Disney Animal Kingdom, Disney Hollywood