Disney World in Orlando (The Walt Disney World Resort)

The Walt Disney World is the largest theme park resort in the world at 103.56 square kilometers, located 32 kilometers southwest of Orlando off Federal Highway 4 and Interstate 192 (for more information, including Disney’s diverse services, call 0870-242-49-00 or visit http://disneyworld.disney.go.com).

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General Information

Disney World Orlando includes four separate theme parks, two water parks, a sports complex, five golf courses, two dozen hotels, 100 restaurants and two shopping and two nightlife districts – all proving that this “world” is not so small. At times it seems ridiculously crowded, but, with or without kids, you can’t help but feel the infectious Disney enthusiasm and a sense of warm-hearted nostalgia. Sure, there’s a lot to want, but even the “happiest place on earth” (as they say here) doesn’t always match the expense. But something always happens: Cinderella curtsies to your little beauty, your personal Jedi Knight defeats Darth Maul.

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Tickets

Tickets open admission to one park per day and come in varying lengths of validity (one to ten days): adults from $82 to $262, children ages three to nine from $74 to $239. On the sixth day, the daily cost is 50% of the one-day ticket, and so on. The days themselves don’t have to follow each other at all, but once inside the park, all tours and exhibits are free. Buy your tickets in advance so you don’t have to wait in line at the gate.

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There are some other offerings (for an additional fee): discounted passes to other Disney areas, an unexpired ticket (for unused days), and the most recommended, the Park Hopper ($56), which gives you access to all four WDW parks during the day. Packages can be checked on the website.

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To find out about discounts, go to www.rnousesavers.com and www.undercovertourist.com.

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A “fast pass” ticket eliminates the need to wait in long lines. Be sure to purchase a map and schedule when entering each park.

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When to go

When schools are empty (during the summer or other holidays and vacations), WDW is always crowded. Fewer people in January and February, mid-September, October and early December. Late fall has the best weather, with frequent showers following the hot, humid summer months.

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What to see

Magic Kingdom

Once you’ve left the gatehouse, choose whether you want to take the ultra-modern one-rail or the more leisurely ferry across the lake to get to the entrance to the Magic Kingdom. And here you are in the magical land where Cinderella’s castle stands and you are surrounded by numerous characters of Disney cartoons along with Mickey-Mouse. All you have to do is decide where to go.

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Main Street, USA

Main Street, USA, which has become a symbol of the good old American way of life, runs from the entrance of the train station, past the pointed, turreted houses of the late 19th century to the town square, where the city council building will tell you in general terms about the Magic Kingdom and the park itself.

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Adventureland

Adventureland features the exotic animal and plant life of the tropics. A huge (reinforced concrete) Indian ficus, a banyan tree, with a Swiss Family Robinson hut on top, stands by the landing stage for the Jungle Cruise, which is full of vines and animals (made of foam rubber). The Pirates of the Caribbean ride capitalizes on the incredible popularity of the movies of the same name, with corsairs firing cannons, bickering over booty and drinking beer on the rails. “Frontier” presents the time of the pioneers of the West in a romanticized light. “Splash Mountain” is a chute descent where you end up soaked to the skin, while “Rumbling Mountain Railroad” is a roller coaster ride among spectacular red rocks. “Pioneer’s Edge Shooting Range” is nothing short of a shooting gallery where, for a few 25-cent coins, you can shoot at a target with vintage rifles where laser beams have replaced bullets.

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Liberty Square

“Liberty Square” doesn’t cancel out a visit to New England at all, but rather boldly attempts to recreate the atmosphere of the cradle of the republic at the Liberty Tree Tavern. The truly impressive attraction, however, is the Haunted House.”

Fictional Country

Fantasyland sucks you into a giant tea cup of a mad Hatter. All of our childhood heroes seem to be here, including Peter Pan and Snow White and the seven dwarfs. Among the most memorable spectacles is the 3-D and smell-enhanced performance of “Mickey Mouse’s Philharmagic Magic,” shown continuously in the 500-seat theater, where Donald the Duckling introduces you to a world of 3-D animation, music, and special effects.

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Mickey Mouse Multigrade Fair

Mickey’s Toon-town Fair is a real phantasmagoria on an area of 1 hectare, where Goofy the dog, Minnie the mouse and, of course, Mickey Mouse himself have a place. Test the strength of the lily leaves that unexpectedly splash water.

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Futureland

Tomorrowland is about space technology and science fiction. It is not clear what the Indy-car race track has to do with the future of our planet, as we are looking at an ordinary karting, although very popular. More dynamic is the attraction “Space Adventures of Baz Lighter” – a character from the cartoon “Toy Shop”, where all cars are equipped with a control lever, laser guns, musical accompaniment and special effects. The goal of the game is to destroy as many villains as possible and help the space wanderer Baz in saving the universe from the evil Emperor Zarg.

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Epcot Center

Epcot Center (Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow) – This park is located south of the Magic Kingdom. Here, the past and future of our planet are represented on several hundred acres (ha) around an artificial lake. The cosmos can be explored in the form of a fantastic journey. A 3D special effects movie “Honey, I Shrunk the Audience” is shown. World Showcase offers “notes” and cuisine to travelers who don’t have the opportunity to wander the world. And IllumiNations, the pyrotechnic phantasmagoria of the center of the future, will give you a never-before-seen spectacle.

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Future World

In Future World, a single-rail suspended railroad introduces you to polygonal, spherical, domed or pyramidal pavilions (each arranged by a major American company) representing the development of our civilization and the new technology that will enter our lives tomorrow. The main attraction is Spaceship Earth – a white globe 55 meters high. Other attractions include the “Energy Universe” and “Wonders of Life”, including “Body Wars”, a model simulating traveling inside the human body. At the center of the future, you also see the World Showcase, where different countries are represented by their monuments, landmarks and cuisine.

Disney’s Hollywood movie studios

Disney’s Hollywood Studios (Disney’s Hollywood Studios). The Art Deco streets of this theme park will introduce you to real and faithfully reproduced movie sets. You’ll see amazing stunts, dive into movie history, meet Muppets in three dimensions and learn some of Walt Disney’s animation secrets. Rock ‘n’ Roll Slides with Aerosmith include limousine-like cars equipped with speakers that play Aerosmith music. The Indiana Jones Adventures grand spectacle around the artificial Echo Lake is a huge hit. The attraction “Phantom!” (Fastasmic!) presents a nighttime spectacle that amazes spectators with laser lighting, fountains and pillars of flame.

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Disney’s Animal Kingdom

Disney’s Animal Kingdom. This largest park is essentially a modern menagerie with an unusual design. Along with live productions like “The Lion King Celebration,” based on the cartoon The Lion King, it offers forest walks where you can see endangered species such as kingfishers, hippos, gorillas, and meerkats.

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To see the individual attractions of all the parks, you’ll need at least a week, and possibly more. You will have to walk more than one kilometer and stand in queues lined up at the parks at the most visited time. Such an enterprise is especially tiring in the hot summer (the largest influx of visitors is in June-August), although you can rent a stroller and wheelchair.

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Accommodation

Disneyland Orlando has 24 different types of “overnight” accommodations for families, from camping to five-star resort hotels. Plus, guests staying at Disney receive many benefits at the parks (extended park hours, discounts pa “dining plan,” free transportation, buses that take you to the airport). Prices vary by season, and there are 20 of them! Disney’s website gives detailed information on the rates and all the possible additional delights and amenities for each type of lodging. The approximate prices below are for peak times.

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If you’re looking for exceptional comfort, opt for the cozy Deluxe Villa (villas $540-1600), the only lodging with a full kitchen and on-site laundry and drying facilities. At the other end of the scale is Tent Camp (tents $70-100, cabins $360), an impeccably planned and thoughtfully designed campground with tons of outdoor activities. Value Resorts (rooms $120-150) are the least expensive option (aside from camping); the quality is on par with simple chain hotels. But fair warning – it’s full of school kids.

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When evaluating lodging, the main thing to consider is its location relative to the parks you want to visit; room quality is uniformly average, except for upscale hotels, of course. Many visitors prefer the Deluxe Resort hotels in Epcot (Boardwalk Inn, Beach Club and Yacht Club, 505 Swan and Dolphin); these hotels are within walking distance to Epcot, Hollywood Studios, and Disney’s Boardwalk.

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Cafes and restaurants

The food at the theme parks ranges in quality from acceptable to terrible; the most interesting is at World Showcase at Epcot. It’s best to choose a cafe where you can sit down at a table and eat, but always make reservations in advance or it will be nearly impossible to find a free seat. Whichever cafe you choose, you can call central reservations (Tel: 407-939-3463) as early as 180 days before arrival.

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Disney has three types of show dinners (luau, outdoor BBQ, and vaudeville) and about 15 types of themed dinners with cartoon and movie characters, all of which are hugely popular (check the website for details). Order as soon as your 180-day window is open. The most memorable lunch is Cinderella’s Royal Table (adults $33-45, kids $24-28), which takes place inside the Magic Kingdom palace. You’ll dine with Disney princesses.

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Entertainment

In addition to theme parks and events like the Magic Kingdom Parade, fireworks, and Epcot Disney Illuminations, Disney has two other entertainment districts, Downtown Disney and Disney’s Boardwalk. Here you will find both restaurants, bars, and music, as well as movie theaters, shopping, and various shows.

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Transportation

Most hotels in Orlando and Kissimmee, as well as all Disney hotels, offer free transportation to WDW. Disney-owned resort hotels also offer to pick you up from the airport. Drivers can drive up to all four parks 1-4 and park for $14. The Magic Kingdom grounds are huge; streetcars drop you off at the entrance.

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WDW has created a whole complex of monorail networks, boats, and buses that will move you between parks, hotels, and entertainment districts. Pick up a transportation map from your hotel or Guest Relations; the Disney Official Guidebook App (http://m.disneyworld.go.com) can be helpful, too.

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