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Walt Disney World
Walt Disney World is what Orlando, and indeed Florida, is mainly renowned for, and one of the main things that brings the tourists flooding in year after year, but it's more than just a couple of theme parks - it literally is a whole world of theme parks, water parks, hotels and much, much more. |
Try to arrive at the parks as early as you can, and make sure to take advantage of the "Fast Pass" facility, especially if you have kids. Be aware that Fast Pass's often run out on popular attractions by mid-day. |
Walt Disney World Theme Parks |
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Magic Kingdom
The heart and soul of Walt Disney World. Dubbed "the happiest place on Earth", Magic Kingdom is a tribute to Walt himself, and the home of the Disney Castle, it's a fantasy world of magic and adventure, geared towards kids and adults alike. |
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The park is set out in a wheel shape, with the hub centered right in front of Cinderella's castle, where pathways lead into an array of seven themed areas, which are as follows :-
Main Street USA
Based on and inspired by the memories Walt Disney himself had of his hometown, Main Street USA. is a 7/8 scale re-creation of early 20th century small-town America. Everything here is traditional, the shops, a classic town hall and even an old-style barbershop.
Adventureland
A swashbuckling blend of daring voyage and fun adventure, Adventureland is synonymous with Magic Kingdom, and homes many of the more popular, classical attractions, including Pirates of the Caribbean and Jungle Cruise.
Frontierland
Experience all the fun, adventure and excitement of the old Wild West. Frontierland has that "good ol' U.S of A" feel about it, with traditional wooden structures forming the basis of one of the more thrilling areas of Magic Kingdom - rides like Big Thunder Mountain and Splash Mountain make sure of that. |
Splash Mountain |
Liberty Square
This area of Magic Kingdom pays tribute to America's colonial heritage with the Hall of Presidents. The Haunted Mansion, one of Disney's best and most popular attractions, is also found here.
Fantasyland
Fantasyland is the archetypal world of fairytales with castles, princes and princesses and all the kids' favourite characters. This area is geared mainly towards the little ones.
Mickey's Toontown Fair
If you want to take the kids to meet Mickey and his pals while you're at Magic Kingdom, this is the place to go. Another area of the park that is mainly aimed at the kids, they can even venture in to Mickey and Minnie's houses.
Tomorrowland
Take a trip to the future in Tomorrowland. Fend off aliens with Toy Story's Buzz Lightyear or travel through the galaxy at warp speed on the classic dark-coaster Space Mountain.
Ensure that you visit all of the areas so you don't miss out on anything you will regret missing out on.
Must see/do attractions : Haunted Mansion, Splash Mountain, Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin. And if you can, watch the parade and try and catch a firework's display.
Overall park rating : 3.5/5
Great for kids, and a thoroughly enjoyable day out, but some of the attractions are a little dated and you may be disappointed if it's white knuckle thrills you are after.
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MGM Studios
Disney's MGM Studios take you behind the scenes of some of the most famous movies of all time, and give you the experience of being in the movies. |
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Guests can also witness what goes on in a working production studio and kids can meet some of Disney and MGM's characters.
Like Magic Kingdom, MGM Studios is split into defined areas, five in this case, each housing numerous attractions. The areas are as follows :-
Hollywood Boulevard
As you enter the park, you find yourself on Hollywood Boulevard, and soon find yourself in front of a giant Mickey Mouse Sorcerer's hat (the park's icon). Hollywood Boulevard is home to one of the trademark attractions of MGM Studios - The Great Movie Ride.
Sunset Boulevard
Sunset Boulevard is the place to purchase merchandise based on classic Disney characters, with a whole host of themed shops. But primarily, this is the area for the thrill seekers, with the flawless Hollywood Tower Hotel ride - "The Tower of Terror" - based on The Twilight Zone television series with a great couple of drops, as well as the brilliant Rock 'n' Roller Coaster, starring Aerosmith, which has a fantastic "catapulted" start and blasts you with Aerosmith tunes from speakers inside your carriage. |
The Tower of Terror |
Animation Courtyard
An area for kids, with the likes of The Voyage of the Little Mermaid and Playhouse Disney Live! But one that can also be enjoyed by adults, with a behind-the-scenes look at animation coming to life in The Magic of Disney Animation.
Mickey Avenue
Home to one of the attractions that has become synonymous with MGM Studios - The Studios Backlot Tour - A 25 minute tram ride giving guests the chance to experience functional sets at work. This area also has a theme park version of the hit television series "Who Wants to be a Millionaire?", where guests can win real prizes - the current star prize being a 3 night cruise on a Disney ship.
Streets of America
Attraction-packed area of the park, with the must-see MuppetVision 3D, Star Wars simulator "Star Tours", the Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular and the very unique sound-based "Sounds Dangerous with Drew Carey".
Again, as with Magic Kingdom, all areas have something worth doing, so be sure not to miss any out.
Must see/do attractions : MuppetVision 3D, Rock The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, Studio Backlot Tour and The Great Movie Ride.
Overall park rating : 3.5/5
Great park, lots of fun for all age groups, but some areas could do with modernising, and although The Great Movie Ride is an essential experience, it could probably do with a revamp.
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Epcot
Originally called "Epcot Center", Epcot takes a unique look around the world and in to the future. It was to be Walt Disney's dream of the Experimental Prototype Community Of Tomorrow. |
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Unlike many of the other parks in Orlando, rather than having a few attractions scattered around several different themed areas, Epcot has only two main named areas, each packed with attractions - Future World and World Showcase. Details follow :-
Future World
Experience the past, present and future of the wonderful world of technology. Future World is a unique mixture of rides (such as the excellent Test track), shows (like the hilarious Honey, I Shrunk the Audience) and the usual shops and food stops. |
Test Track |
World Showcase
The World Showcase takes you on a tour around the world, with themed areas which include dining, shows, rides and shops, based on the following countries : Mexico, Norway, China, Germany, Italy, America, Japan, Morocco, France, The United Kingdom and Canada. Within each of these lands you can sample and enjoy a taste of the arts, architectures and cultures of the said countries.
As is becoming the common synopsis, be sure to take you time with Epcot, you'll find something for everyone.
Must see/do attractions : Test Track, Honey I Shrunk the Audience, Mission : SPACE, Spaceship Earth.
Overall park rating : 3/5
Probably the weakest of the four Disney theme parks, but still undoubtedly worth experiencing. Not necessarily going to keep young kids entertained all day.
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Animal Kingdom
The newest of the four main Disney parks, and obviously the one for the wildlife lovers. |
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The park is set out in a circle, much like Magic Kingdom, with the impressive Tree of Life standing tall as the park's trademark icon. Seven themed lands form the circle. These are those lands :-
Oasis
This is the area you find yourself in when you enter Animal Kingdom. It has lush tropical greenery and a variety of exotic animals in the gardens. Look out for the talking tree "Wes Palm".
Discovery Island
Acting as the hub of the park, Discovery Island is where you can branch out in to the other areas in each direction. Here the symbolic Tree of Life stands before you. The main attraction in this area is "It's Tough to be a Bug", based on the "A Bug's Life" film. This attraction is delivered via the latest in 3D and animatronics technology.
Camp Minnie-Mickey
Themed like an Adirondack summer camp, Camp Minnie-Mickey has benches and outdoor furniture handcrafter by actual artisans from the Adirondack camps to make it more authentic. Attractions here include the enjoyable Festival of the Lion King live show, and a Pocahontas show for the kids.
Africa
This area is a fictional African village called "Harambe", which is loosely based on Lamu in Kenya (although nothing is exactly replicated). Here you will see the 40 foot baobob tree, which is the traditional icon of the African Savannah. Best attraction in this area is the must see Kilimanjaro Safari, where you will see real live animals up close and personal.
Rafiki's Planet Watch
Originally called "Conservation Station", this area is a behind the scenes look at how the animals in the park are looked after.
Dinoland USA
Dinoland USA is, simply put, a tribute to dinosaurs. From "The Boneyard", which is a playground for kids, to "Dinosaur", which is a must see thrill ride, containing the largest animatronics ever used, everything here is dino-based, including the largest and most complete T-Rex skeleton ever found. |
Dinosaur |
Asia
Over the bridge from Africa (sounds weird), Asia is themed on the mythical "Kingdom of Anandapur", which means "place of delight". Here you will see the eroded and crumbling remains of an ancient Asian village. Asia is the newest area in Animal Kingdom, having opened in 1999. It hosts the Kali River Rapids where you will be able to cool off as you are guaranteed to get wet, as well as the Maharajah Jungle Trek and a bird show.
As usual, don't rush Animal Kingdom.
Must see/do attractions : Dinosaur, Kali River Rapids, Kilimanjaro Safari, It's Tough to be a Bug.
Overall park rating : 3.5/5
Nice addition to the Disney World theme parks. Animal Kingdom will keep animal lovers, old and young, entertained all day. If you're not an animal fan, I think it's self-explanatory to keep away. |
Walt Disney World Water Parks
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Blizzard Beach
Legend has it that a freak snowstorm hit the Western end of Walt Disney World. Before you could say "what the hell?" Disney had the idea to make a ski resort! |
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This didn't go according to plan, however, because no sooner than it came, the snow started to melt. Pools of water formed at the base of mountains. Disney were about to scrap their plans, until they saw a playful alligator shouting "yahoo" sliding down a mountain and into a pool of water, causing a big splash! The idea of a water park was born.
Well that's the legend, but the reality is that this a great water park.
The ski resort theme still runs through the park, but the skiers are now swimmers and the ski-jump is the world's highest water slide. There are even ski lifts to take visitors around the park.
Blizzard Beach can easily be visited to it's full potential in one day, so don't rush things, and get on the rides as many times as you can.
Must see/do attractions : Summit Plummit, Slush Gusher
Overall water park rating : 4/5
Excellent water park. Nice theme and something for everyone.
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Typhoon Lagoon
One of the most unique water parks in the world. |
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The water slides here aren't the tallest or fastest in the world, but they are the most scenic and beautiful. You travel down the slides through landscaped areas of beauty, with streams winding and flora growing.
It's not all about slides, either. Shark reef is a snorkeling area where you can actually swim with tropical fish and some small, harmless species of shark.
Then there's the Surf Pool with six foot waves and Castaway Creek where you can relax around nearly half a mile of tropical delights.
Of course, there are slides as well, including the new Crush 'n' Gusher, where you will white-knuckle it through a rusty old tropical fruit facility. You have three routes to choose from - Banana Blaster, Coconut Crusher and Pineapple Plunger, each varying between 410 and 420 feet in length. Other thrills come in the form of Gang Plank Falls and Humunga-Kowabunga, as well as a few more slides.
Must see/do attractions : Crush 'n' Gusher, Shark Reef.
Overall water park rating : 3.5/5
Less thrills than your average water park, but enough to keep you entertained, and there's more to it than your average water park as a whole. Good day out.
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With regards to the theme parks, and the fact that they simply can't be done to their full potential in one day, it is highly recommended that you buy a Disney Park Hopper. They come in various varieties and prices, and should be chosen to suit your intentions.
There are other aspects to the Disney empire in Orlando, such as hotels and "Downtown Disney", with Cirque du Soleil, the lively nightlife of Pleasure Island and Planet Hollywood among other places worth visiting, but I can't review everything. Just take my word for it that the hotels are nice and Downtown Disney is well worth a visit.
You simply can't miss out on the Disney experience when you visit Orlando.
*Please note*
Some rides at the theme parks and water parks have restrictions on height etc.
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