Disney World Vacations - Overview, Tips

- overview of Disney World Vacations: theme parks, water parks, resorts...

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.

Part of Epcot is a sort of permanent world's fair, with international pavilions, and hands-on exhibits at Future World. Some call it educational; but it's also very entertaining to tour the 11 countries surrounding the lagoon at World Showcase. Every pavilion has some type of live show, movie, or interactive experience. The pavilions also have great eats: from the casual (French patisserie, anyone) to fine dining.

Epcot also has plain ol' fun like the "Honey I Shrunk the Kids", Test Track rides, Soarin', and Mission Space.

Not to be missed: at night, the beautiful IllumiNations fireworks show is staged over the lagoon.

^{* photo © Teresa Plowright}

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.

Disney's Hollywood Studios has some great live shows: Indiana Jones, the Beauty and the Beast musical... Don't miss the night-time Fantasmic! show, a unique spectacular of fireworks, lights on water "hydrotechnics", and "real" pirate ships.

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.

In 2009, an American Idol attraction debuted: guests can audition, and perform for votes in front of a live audience.

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.

With a Disney World vacation, theme parks are about much more than "rides". At no extra charge, guests can enjoy PARADES in the day-time at several parks, and beautiful night parade in Magic Kingdom; IllumiNations, unique spectacle at night at Epcot, followed by fireworks; more FIREWORKS, at Magic Kingdom; and some great LIVE STAGE SHOWS, including a stunningly imaginative staging of Finding Nemo in a (cool, covered) theatre in Animal Kingdom.

Meanwhile, for an extra charge: CHARACTER MEALS give you much for your bucks-- for ex., a giant buffet with kids' section, at the Crystal Palace (left) Do a late breakfast and make it lunch. The characters sing, dance, and pose for pix.

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.

Choose from 22 themed on-property resorts, with large grounds, fun pools, recreation, eateries. Nice perks include: Disney's Magical Express airport shuttle; Disney buses to the theme parks; Extra Magic Hours at the parks; assured entry on crowded days.

Luxury resorts feature kids' club, spa, fine dining, special ambiance. At Moderate resorts, recreation includes playgrounds, kayaking, surrey bike rides, horseriding. Value resorts are a great deal; save even more by camping at Fort Wilderness.

Or choose a Disney Resort by LOCATION: several top resorts near Magic Kingdom have monorail and boat access to two theme parks; the resorts clustered near Epcot are prime, too.

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.

Lots of families bring babies and toddlers on Disney World vacations, and Mickey pays special attention to his littlest visitors. For starters, online tools help parents find the best wee-kid attractions and entertainment in each theme park. Once arrived, special amenities make things easier: such as stroller rental, Baby Care Centers (for nursing, changing, and feeding babies), and "the baby swap".