Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
6
Exploring Walt
Disney World
The minute someone even men-
tions Walt Disney World, most people's
minds immediately conjure up visions of
Cinderella Castle and the Magic King-
dom. That's unsurprising when you take
into account that the park that started it
all—it opened in 1971—is still the most
widely recognized and the most popular
Disney destination in the United States.
Today, however, Walt Disney World has
grown to include an array of themed
resorts, hundreds of restaurants and shops,
nightclub venues, smaller attractions, and
four major theme parks: the Magic King-
dom, Epcot, Disney's Hollywood Studios,
and Animal Kingdom. And even with an
uncertain economy, park attendance con-
tinues to rise. WDW attracted more than
48 million paying customers in 2008,
according to estimates by TEA, Inc.,
and
Economic Research Associates. All four
Disney parks make the country's top five
in attendance list (the remaining park on
the list is Disneyland in California). But
that should hardly surprise you—they
offer a fanciful, self-sufficient vacation
where wonderment, human progress, and
old-fashioned family fun are the key
themes. The Disney Imagineers show off
their creative capabilities through spectac-
ular parades and fireworks displays, 3-D
and CircleVision films, nerve-racking thrill
rides, and adventurous journeys through
time and space. Though still more expen-
sive, you'll seldom hear people complain
about failing to get their money's worth—
at home, an evening out, including dinner,
a movie, and a babysitter, can add up to a
hefty amount without the same return
(though that price comparison is not as
positive as it used to be in past years).
To keep you coming back for more,
rides and shows are periodically updated,
new experiences are added, and unique
(often spectacular) year-long park-wide
celebrations periodically add to the mix.
As Walt Disney World has matured,
changes and additions have been numer-
ous. Just this past year, several more attrac-
tions debuted, new restaurants (themed,
of course) opened their doors, and guests
who visited on their birthdays got into one
of Disney's parks for free—which leaves
me to wonder—just what will they think
up next?
But before I dive into the action, giving
you details on all the new and updated
experiences at the theme parks, let me take
care of some basic business.
1
ESSENTIALS
GETTING INFORMATION IN ADVANCE
Before leaving home, call or write to the Walt Disney World Co., Box 10000, Lake
Buena Vista, FL 32830-1000 (
&
407/934-7639
), for a vacation CD and the
Walt Dis-
ney World Vacations
brochure; both are valuable planning aids. Both can also be ordered
(and even viewed) online at
www.disneyworld.com
. When you call, also ask about
