Disney family vacations have made millions of families happy since Walt Disney World first opened its gates to the public on October 1, 1971. When I think of Disney World, I think of magic, fantasy and excitement… a place where all dreams can come true (if only for a few days!).
The Disney World Resort is actually located in Lake Buena Vista, Florida which is Orlando. It’s the flagship of Disney's worldwide theme park empire. It’s the most popular theme park resort in the world and where most people take their Disney family vacations.
While most people find this to be a place of wonder and adventure, there are some who find it overcrowded and tacky. If you are one of those who find it overcrowded, keep reading to find out when to go to avoid those crowds. If you are someone who finds it tacky…. then try going back to the home page to find a vacation that better suits you. But I’d bet you would love it here. Disney family vacations make kids and adults smile!
Walt Disney World is actually made up of four theme parks: The Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney's Hollywood Studios, and Disney's Animal Kingdom. Walt Disney World also has the world's two most popular water parks, Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach, which are both also heavily themed.
There are also two shopping and entertainment districts, Downtown Disney and Disney's Boardwalk, which offer endless shopping, dining, and entertainment options. If none of that sounds appealing, check out some of the lesser-known activities such as golf, miniature golf, tennis, boating, spas and health clubs, backstage tours, character dining, and much more.
If you can't find something fun to do at Walt Disney World, you aren't trying hard enough!
Walt Disney World can really be divided into five separate areas—one for each of the four theme parks, plus Downtown Disney. There are so many choices for Disney family vacations! You can find the different resort hotels, attractions and restaurants within these areas. I’ve listed them according to the nearest park. Hopefully this will make it easier to read and understand.
The Magic Kingdom — This park is based on the original Disneyland in California and is the oldest and most popular park of the complex. More than 17 million visitors annually spend their Disney family vacations here! Don’t let that scare you away though… there are less crowed times you can visit. The Magic Kingdom has the most kid-friendly attractions for both young and old.
Epcot — Meant to be a sort of "permanent World's Fair", Epcot is dedicated to both international culture and technological innovation. This park is my personal favorite! The World Showcase takes you on a trip around the world. Each section is divided up according to country and has eleven in all. As you visit them you can experience different cultures filled with the art, architecture, people, and products of each individual country.
Future World explores human achievements dedicated to communication, imagination, conservation, and more. Disney's Boardwalk is very close to Epcot and has a collection of restaurants, gift shops, and nightlife spots. They are all themed as a 1920's Eastern Seaboard boardwalk. So much fun!
Disney's Hollywood Studios — This park represents the "Hollywood that never was," with attractions themed around movies and television. You'll find a variety of live shows and attractions based on Disney, Lucasfilm, and MGM productions. Disney's Wide World of Sports Complex is nearby.
Disney's Animal Kingdom — Something of a mix between a zoo and a theme park, Animal Kingdom has both live animal exhibits and typical Disney amusement rides. Most Disney family vacations wouldn't be complete without a visit to see the animals! One of Disney’s water parks, Blizzard Beach is nearby.
Downtown Disney — Now this is more for the "grown-up" activities (and you thought Disney was just for kids!) Downtown Disney has shopping, nightclubs, restaurants, and unique entertainment. This is where Disney’s “nightlife” is. The Typhoon Lagoon water park is nearby.
Disney allows you to completely immerse yourself into the Disney atmosphere by staying at one of their themed resorts. These resorts are broken down into categories according to their price. There are many benefits to saying on the property and you can find Disney vacation deals at many of them.
The most important thing to understand about the Walt Disney World Resort is that it was designed to be fun for anyone. Of course, the best part of a Walt Disney World vacation is in experiencing the parks through your child’s eyes. That is when you really understand Walt Disney's vision of a place where kids and parents can have fun together.
Even so, the realities of Walt Disney World can be long lines, sweltering heat, rude guests, and expensive merchandise. There are ways to avoid these issues. The best way is visit during off-season. There are also a lot of great tips to minimize these issues.
"I do not make films primarily for children. I make them for the child in all of us, whether we be six or sixty. Call the child 'innocence'. The worst of us is not without innocence, although buried deeply it might be. In my work I try to reach and speak to that innocence, showing it the fun and joy of living; showing it that laughter is healthy; showing it that the human species, although happily ridiculous at times, is still reaching for the stars." — Walt Disney
