Walt Disney World Resort

The **Walt Disney World Resort** (often shortened to **Walt Disney World** or simply **Disney World**) is a theme park resort located throughout Lake Buena Vista, Florida and nearby Bay Lake. It is one of the most visited resorts in the world with millions of visitors each year. The resort is home to several hotels, shops, and other amenities. It also features Disney's only water parks currently operating, Disney's Typhoon Lagoon (June 1st, 1989) and Disney's Blizzard Beach (April 1st, 1995). The main attractions however, are the 4 theme parks. Magic Kingdom Park (October 1st, 1971), EPCOT (October 1st, 1982), Disney's Hollywood Studios (May 1st, 1989), and Disney's Animal Kingdom (April 22nd, 1998).

## History

### Magic Kingdom

Walt Disney's original concept for a new Disneyland (or Project Florida) first came about in 1959. He was seeking for a much bigger plot of land to work with when creating the new park, and, in 1963, found that Orlando, Florida suited his desires well after he took a flight over it and several other potential sites. Rumors of a new park began to circulate on May 20th, 1965 when the Orlando Sentinel, a local newspaper, published an article presenting the construction of an "East Coast Disneyland." The new park was officially announced by former governor of Florida, Haydon Burns, on October 25th, 1965, calling it " Walt had originally planned to announce the new park himself on November 15th that same year, but later asked Burns to confirm the new park in light of the Sentinel's article. Unfortunately, Walt passed away on December 15th, 1966 due to circulatory collapse from lung cancer (he had always been a heavy smoker). His older brother Roy then stepped in to finish the new park, which would officially open as Magic Kingdom Park on October 1st, 1971. Roy named the property Walt Disney World in his brother's honor.

### EPCOT

Originally, EPCOT was not meant to be a theme park at all, but a full-blown city. Walt Disney came up the idea of his "Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow" as the city of the future. When Walt passed away, Roy announced the plans and roll for the former city during a press conference on February 2nd, 1967 at the Park Theatres located in Winter Park, Florida. During the conference, a film was shown explaining what EPCOT would be and what would be needed to create it and the resort as a whole. Despite Roy's attempts to revive his brother's plans, he too passed away on December 20th, 1971, just shortly after Magic Kingdom's opening. As time went on, EPCOT began to turn from a city to another theme park. The park would be the first Disney park not to be modeled after Disneyland, and opened on October 1st, 1982, originally called EPCOT Center. The park was divided into two sections: Future World in the front and World Showcase in the back. While the theming for World Showcase is the same as it was at the park's opening, Future World was originally themed to showcases and presentations of emerging technologies. Today, Future World is divided into many sections and is more about the futuristic theme and appearance rather than technology.

### Hollywood Studios

Plans for Hollywood Studios originally emerged in EPCOT. A few years after the park opened, two new pavilions were planned to open in Future World: Wonders of Life and the Great Movie Ride. The Wonders of Life pavilion did open at the park October 19th, 1989, but closed January 1st, 2007. As for the Great Movie Ride, former Disney CEO Michael Eisner decided it would fit better as the flagship attraction of a new park. This new park was to be themed to show business, movie making, entertainment, and Hollywood itself. As plans for the new park were underway, Disney was able to get permission to use the MGM logo and brand. The park opened on May 1st, 1989 as Disney-MGM Studios Park. The name was changed to Disney's Hollywood Studios on January 7th, 2008. Over the years, the park has strayed away from its overall movie making and Hollywood theme, though there are still some traces of it left.

### Animal Kingdom

The plans for a fourth park at the resort came about shortly after MGM Studios opened. The idea originally came from Joe Rhode, a talented imagineer. The park was originally set to be named "Disney's Wild Kingdom," with plans officially announced by Disney in 1995. Imagineers knew that one of the themed lands in the park was to be themed around Africa, so they actually traveled there for inspiration. They did the same a few years later in 1999 for Asia, an expansion that occurred just one year after the park originally opened. Construction began in 1996, with some international plant and grass seeds being collected to be used in the park. Disney acquired most of the animals set to be in the park in 1997, and the park, now named Disney's Animal Kingdom, opened to the public on April 22nd, 1998.

## Themed Lands

A themed land is an area of an amusement/theme park that is specifically themed around a certain subject and/or IP. Many parks feature themed lands, but Disney's are widely considered some of the best in the world. Each park at Disney World is home to several themed lands.

### Magic Kingdom

#### Adventureland

Themed to exotic, remote jungles in places such as Africa and the Caribbean. Main attraction is Jungle Cruise.

#### Fantasyland

Themed to many different fantasy films produced by the Walt Disney Company. Several attractions are considered must rides, but Seven Dwarfs Mine Train and Peter Pan's Flight are by far the most popular.

#### Frontierland

Themed to the 19th century American frontier towns. Both attractions are very popular, but Splash Mountain tends to get longer lines.

#### Liberty Square

Themed to the U.S. and patriotism. Main attraction is the Haunted Mansion.

#### Main Street, U.S.A.

Themed to various 20th century small towns, specifically Fort Collins, Colorado (not Walt's hometown of Marceline, Missouri like many people believe). Main attractions are the Main Street Vehicles.

#### Tomorrowland

Themed to Walt Disney's visions of the future. Main attraction is Space Mountain.

### EPCOT

#### World Celebration

Themed to many experiences and subjects that bring people together. Main attraction is Spaceship Earth.

##### World Discovery

Themed to adventures in space and science. Each ride is popular, but Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind has been drawing in the longest lines.

##### World Nature

Themed to the natural wonders and places of the world. Main attraction is Soarin' Around the World.

#### World Showcase

Themed to several different countries around the world, as well as some other pavilions. There are only 3 rides, but Remy's Ratatouille Adventure is the most popular. These pavilions are...

**Canada**

**China**

**France**

**Germany**

**International Gateway**

**Italy**

**Japan**

**Mexico**

**Morocco**

**Norway**

**Outpost**

**The American Adventure**

**United Kingdom**

### Hollywood Studios

#### Animation Courtyard

Themed to various Disney characters and films. No rides, but it is home to the Disney Junior Dance Party, Walt Disney Presents, and Star Wars Launch Bay, all popular experiences.

#### An Incredible Celebration

Themed to the characters and settings from the Incredibles films. No attractions.

#### Commissary Lane

Themed to the American Broadcasting Company (ABC), a subsidiary of Disney. No attractions.

#### Echo Lake

Themed to architecture from the Golden Age of Hollywood. Main attraction is Star Tours - The Adventures Continue.

#### Grand Avenue

Themed to the Muppets. Main attraction is Muppet Vision 3D.

#### Hollywood Boulevard

Themed to the real Hollywood Boulevard in California.

#### Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge

Themed to the Star Wars film franchise, specifically the fictional planet of Batu. Main attraction is Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance.

#### Sunset Boulevard

Themed to the real Sunset Boulevard in Los Angeles, California. Main attraction is The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror.

#### Toy Story Land

Themed to the Toy Story film franchise. Main attraction is Slinky Dog Dash.

### Animal Kingdom

#### Africa

Themed to the continent, specifically the fictional village of Harambe. Main attraction is Kilimanjaro Safaris

#### Asia

Themed to the continent, specifically the fictional kingdom of Anandapur. Main attraction is Expedition Everest - Legend of the Forbidden Mountain.

#### DinoLand U.S.A.

Themed to a fictional dinosaur research company, mostly. A small portion of the land called Chester & Hester's Dino-Rama is themed to a cheap, dinosaur themed carnival built for a quick buck. Main attraction is DINOSAUR.

#### Discovery Island

Themed to a fictional island where a massive baobab tree, the Tree of Life, provides shelter for all animals and the descendants of an ancient tribe. No rides, but the main attraction is really the Tree of Life itself.

#### Pandora - The World of Avatar

Themed to the film Avatar, specifically its main setting, the Valley of Mo'ara and the floating mountains. Main attraction is Avatar Flight of Passage.

#### The Oasis

No real theme, just a small area that serves as the main entrance of the park. The only attractions are The Oasis Exhibits, some small animal exhibits.

### Magic Kingdom

#### Adventureland

-Jungle Cruise

**-Pirates of the Caribbean**

-The Magic Carpets of Aladdin

#### Fantasyland

**-"it's a small world"**

-Dumbo the Flying Elephant

-Mad Tea Party

**-Peter Pan's Flight**

-Prince Charming Regal Carrousel

-Seven Dwarfs Mine Train

-The Barnstormer

**-The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh**

**-Under the Sea ~ Journey of the Little Mermaid**

#### Frontierland

-Big Thunder Mountain Railroad

**-Splash Mountain**

#### Liberty Square

**-Haunted Mansion**

-Liberty Square Riverboat

#### Tomorrowland

-Astro Orbiter

**-Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin**

-Space Mountain

-Tomorrowland Speedway

-Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover

### EPCOT

#### World Celebration

**-Journey Into Imagination With Figment**

**-Spaceship Earth**

#### World Discovery

-Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind

**-Mission: SPACE**

**-Test Track**

#### World Nature

**-Living with the Land**

**-Soarin' Around the World**

**-The Seas with Nemo & Friends**

#### World Showcase

**-Frozen Ever After**

**-Gran Fiesta Tour Starring The Three Caballeros**

**-Remy's Ratatouille Adventure**

### Hollywood Studios

#### Echo Lake

**-Star Tours - The Adventures Continue**

#### Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge

**-Millennium Falcon: Smuggler's Run**

**-Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance**

#### Sunset Boulevard

-Rock 'n' Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith

-The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror

#### Toy Story Land

-Alien Swirling Saucers

-Slinky Dog Dash

**-Toy Story Mania!**

### Animal Kingdom

#### Africa

-Kilimanjaro Safaris

-Wildlife Express Train

#### Asia

-Expedition Everest: Legend of the Forbidden Mountain

-Kali River Rapids

#### DinoLand U.S.A.

**-DINOSAUR**

-TriceraTop Spin

#### Pandora - The World of Avatar

**-Avatar Flight of Passage**

**-Na'vi River Journey**

#### Miscellaneous

-Walt Disney World Monorail (has a station at Magic Kingdom, the Contemporary Resort, and EPCOT)

-Walt Disney World Railroad (has stations throughout Magic Kingdom)