Walt Disney World (U.S.)

Spotlight on Walt Disney World

The Walt Disney World Resort, sometimes shortened to Walt Disney World or Disney World, is the world's largest and most-visited recreational resort. Located approximately 21 miles (34 km) southwest of Orlando, Florida, USA, the resort covers an area of 30,080-acre (47.00 sq mi; 121.7 km2) and includes four theme parks, two water parks, 23 on-site themed resort hotels (excluding 8 that are on-site, but not owned by the Walt Disney Company), including a campground, two health spas and physical fitness centers, and other recreational venues and entertainment. It opened on October 1, 1971 with only the Magic Kingdom theme park and has since added Epcot (October 1, 1982), Disney's Hollywood Studios (May 1, 1989) and Disney's Animal Kingdom (April 22, 1998).

The resort was inspired by the dreams of Walt Disney and his creation of Disneyland in California. Its original theme park, Magic Kingdom, is designed similarly to Disneyland. Walt Disney created "Disney World" in order to have a vacation resort that was much different from Disneyland's one-day visit; this includes a much wider variety of sports, recreation, uniquely-themed resort hotels and entertainment.

 

Theme Parks & Water Parks:

  • Magic Kingdom® Park - Enchanting entertainment, classic attractions, beloved Disney Characters and spectacular parades and fireworks in a place where fairytale dreams can come true.
  • Epcot®- Attractions and entertainment dedicated to technological innovation and the culture and cuisine of 11 nations.
  • Disney’s Animal Kingdom® Park - The world's largest animal-themed park full of attractions, adventure and fantastic animals.
  • Disney’s Hollywood Studios® -  Shows, attractions and tours offering behind-the-scenes glimpses of Hollywood-style action.
  • Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon – Attractions for the whole family—from fast waterslides to a children's area with pint-sized raft rides. Catch 6-foot waves in the Surf Pool and snorkel Shark Reef—with real sharks!
  • Disney’s Blizzard Beach - Featuring one of the world's tallest and fastest waterslides, as well as slides and rides for the whole family.

Other Areas:

  • Disney’s BoardWalk - Disney's BoardWalk contains more than 9,000 square feet of shops, restaurants and nightclubs. It encompasses Crescent Lake and is "a village on the water" near many Disney Resort hotels in Walt Disney World Resort. This quarter-mile entertainment, dining and shopping area is also conveniently close to 2 Disney Theme Parks.
  • Downtown Disney Area - Divided into 3 sections—Downtown Disney West Side, Downtown Disney Marketplace and Pleasure Island—Downtown Disney area is an ever-changing destination committed to keeping the experiences exciting and new. La Nouba is a mesmerizing and extraordinary avant-garde circus spectacle performed by Cirque du Soleil exclusively in the Downtown Disney West Side area at Walt Disney World Resort.
  • ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex - Play at the next level of sports excitement when you take to the field at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. This 220-acre sports facility at Walt Disney World Resort hosts nearly 300 amateur and professional events each year.
  • Golf Courses:  Magnolia, Palm, Osprey Ridge, Lake Buena Vista, Oak Trail; Miniature Golf: Disney's Fantasia Gardens Miniature Golf Course inspired by Disney's Fantasia, and Disney's Winter Summerland

Resorts:

Value Resorts

  • Disney's All-Star Movies Resort
  • Disney's All-Star Music Resort
  • Disney's All-Star Sports Resort
  • Disney’s Art of Animation Resort (opening 2012)
  • Disney's Pop Century Resort

Moderate Resorts

  • Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort
  • Disney's Coronado Springs Resort
  • The Cabins at Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort
  • Disney's Port Orleans Resort-French Quarter
  • Disney's Port Orleans Resort-Riverside

 Deluxe Resorts

  • Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge
  • Disney's Beach Club Resort
  • Disney's BoardWalk Inn
  • Disney's Contemporary Resort
  • Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
  • Disney's Polynesian Resort
  • Disney's Wilderness Lodge
  • Disney's Yacht Club Resort

Disney Deluxe Villa Resorts

  • Disney's Animal Kingdom Villas
  • Bay Lake Tower at Disney's Contemporary Resort
  • Disney's Beach Club Villas
  • Disney's BoardWalk Villas
  • Disney's Old Key West Resort
  • Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa
  • Villas at Disney's Wilderness Lodge

Campground

  • The Campsites at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort

 Other Select Deluxe Hotels

  • Walt Disney World Swan Resort
  • Walt Disney World Dolphin Resort

 

** ALL of our agents have visited the Walt Disney World Resort. Please visit our sister site, www.MouseEarVacations.com for more details and information **

View Cruise Specials Walt Disney World (U.S.) Offers...

View Vacation Specials Walt Disney World (U.S.) Offers...

...back to Destination Articles