Discover the Walt Disney World® Resort - a magical place with four exciting Theme Parks and two incredible Water Parks. Bring your friends and family on a Magical Gatherings™ vacation to experience a world as big as your imagination and create memories to last a lifetime.

How the Magic Kingdom has managed to maintain its charm and appeal over the years is a lesson in simplicity. It has stayed true to its original vision, a place where families could gather in a clean and safe environment to enjoy the time they spend together. No trip to Disney World is complete without visiting the Magic Kingdom. For veteran visitors to Walt Disney World, visiting the Magic Kingdom is like visiting an old friend. To first time visitors, they find themselves quickly, and almost helplessly, transported back to their childhood.

The Magic Kingdom is divided into five distinct areas (lands), arranged in a spoke-like formation, all meeting at the top of Main Street USA right in front of Cinderella Castle. The five lands consist of Tomorrowland, Fantasyland, Frontierland, Liberty Square and Adventureland. Each land is themed to its appropriate title and maintaining that theme is paramount to the parks operation. A vast network of underground tunnels connect all sections of the Magic Kingdom, thus preventing guests from seeing any of the necessary "behind the scenes" operations, and preventing cast members from one land from having to walk through another. The idea struck Walt Disney in California, when he noticed a Tomorrowland cast member, walking through Frontierland to go "off stage". Since all Cast Members wear uniforms appropriate to their area, the poor Tomorrowland worker was clearly out of place in "the wild west".

Epcot, the Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow, opened in 1982. It was conceived by Walt Disney to "take its cue from the new ideas and new technologies that are now emerging from the creative centers of American industry." This concept is best exemplified by Spaceship Earth, the glistening geosphere that has become Epcot's icon.

Epcot consists of two themed areas, Future World and World Showcase. Future World features attractions that focus on energy, communication, health, the land and our environment, the ocean, imagination, transportation and space exploration. "Spaceship Earth" traces the history of communication as it evolved over the centuries. The "Universe of Energy" humorously transports you back to prehistoric times to find the origin of energy as we know it today.

Centered around a beautiful reflective lagoon is Epcot's "World Showcase". Eleven countries are represented, each providing fascinating glimpses into their unique culture. You can sample the cuisine, shop for native wares and enjoy performances, exhibits, movies or rides that reflect the heritage of each nation. Strolling from one land to another, you'll find yourself immersed in the distinct atmosphere that each country offers.

Every evening Epcot presents "IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth". This spectacular presentation is centered around the World Showcase Lagoon where fireworks, lasers and dancing fountains combine in a choreographed display performed to an inspirational musical score.

When the Disney MGM Studios opened on May 1, 1989, chairman Michael Eisner declared "Welcome to the Hollywood that never was and always will be." Evoking the Golden Age of Hollywood, you are transported back in time from the moment that you approach the main gates. Art Deco is the prevailing style as you stroll down Hollywood Boulevard surrounded by sleek chrome trimmed architecture and neon highlights.

As a fitting tribute to the studios of the past, a water tower is prominently displayed. The "Earffel Tower" adds the distinctive Disney twist of sporting a pair of 5000 pound Mouse Ears.

Portions of the 135 acres that the Disney MGM Studios covers are devoted to television and movie production. The Backlot Tour is an exciting behind the scenes look into the world of special effects. You can watch Disney animators at work when taking the "Magic of Disney Animation" tour. Patterned after the popular TV show, "Who Wants To Be A Millionaire-Play It" gives you the opportunity to get in the Hot Seat and win fabulous prizes. Entertaining stage shows and productions such as "Beauty and the Beast", "Voyage of the Little Mermaid", "Playhouse Disney-Live On Stage" and the "Indiana Jones Stunt Spectacular" are sure to delight and thrill audiences.

Speaking of thrills, the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, Rock 'n' Roller Coaster and Star Tours provide fast paced rides for those who dare to try them. Take a nostalgic journey with some of Hollywood's favorite films in the Great Movie Ride. Join Kermit, Fozzie, Miss Piggy and friends in the madcap "Jim Henson's Muppet Vision 3-D". For a rare glimpse into the man behind the Mouse, "Walt Disney: One Man's Dream" is a fascinating exhibit of Walt's life and the path he followed to achieve his goal of creating the "Happiest Place On Earth."

As evening descends, it's time for "Fantasmic!" With the use of lasers, pyrotechnics, animation and water screens, you'll be captivated as you watch Sorcerer Mickey and friends battle the Disney villains. It's an amazing finale to your exciting day at this unique park.

Disney's Animal Kingdom Park opened to the public on Earth Day, April 22, 1998. The slogan "Nahtazu" is clearly evident from the moment that you enter this unique destination. It's so much more than a traditional zoo. Great care has been taken to transport guests to exotic locales within it's lush confines. You'll encounter wildlife from all the corners of the earth, enjoy exciting shows, experience the thrill rides that you've come to expect as part of your Disney vacation, and leave with a renewed respect for this planet and its inhabitants.

The Animal Kingdom Park covers 500 acres. Among it's residents are over 1700 animals representing 250 different species. Great efforts were made to re-create their native habitats. Over 4 million plants, trees, grasses and shrubs were planted to produce this jungle in the midst of Florida.  You enter through the Oasis where you're immediately immersed in the tropical atmosphere. Nestled in the backdrop of cooling streams, waterfalls and luxuriant foliage you'll find macaws, anteaters, boars and iguanas as well as other exotic animals.

The Animal Kingdom layout is similar to the Magic Kingdom. The majestic Tree of Life is the icon of this park and serves as the center of the hub that leads to the different sections. At 14 stories tall, this amazing showpiece commands your attention. You'll find 325 animals intertwined in it's intricately sculpted trunk and limbs. Located on Discovery Island, the Tree of Life is home to the 3D attraction, "It's Tough To Be A Bug." Put on your "Bugs Eyes" and be prepared to be chilled and thrilled as you experience life from the perspective of an insect. In this section are the Discovery Island Trails which are home to Galapagos tortoises, tamarins and lemurs.

The underlying theme of the Animal Kingdom Park is conservation and preservation. As Walt Disney once said: "I have learned from the animal world, and what everyone will learn who studies it is, a renewed sense of kinship with the earth and all its inhabitants."

This water park ranks #2 in the United States. Think of Florida, and the word "SNOW" does not naturally come to mind. This whimsical water park is built on the concept of a freak winter storm dropping snow over the western side of Walt Disney World, just north of the All Star Resorts. An immediate plan is made to open a ski resort. Things do not go as planned, however, as temperatures soar and the ice and snow rapidly melt. The ski resort is ready to close, until the operators spot a playful alligator sliding down the "liquid ice" slopes and realize that the melting snow is creating the tallest and fastest water-filled ski and toboggan runs in the world. From this concept, the ski resort/water park adventure was born.

The theming is continued throughout the park, as former ski slalom courses and bobsled and sledding runs become downhill water slides. Chair lifts carry swimmers to the top of the slides. Melting snow reveals sandy beaches, a pre-teen play area and many other activities. The best part about this winter-themed water park is that the water stays a toasty and comfortable 80-82 degrees all year round.

This 56-acre water park would most likely be the choice of FISH if they could choose an amusement park, as Typhoon Lagoon features some of the wettest and wildest attractions at Walt Disney World. Before Blizzard Beach opened, Typhoon Lagoon was the largest water park on property. It is still immensely popular, with its twisting tides, roaring rapids, wonderful waterways and relaxing rivers. Typhoon Lagoon also features a special area where guests can snorkel among live sharks and other tropical fish. Excluding the snorkeling area, all water is heated to a toasty 75-80 degrees year-round.