Walt Disney World

The wonderful world of Disney tops the list for most Orlando vacations for kids of all ages. Walt Disney World Florida first opened its gates to the public just over thirty-five years ago, transforming a quiet southern farming community into the biggest international vacation destination in the world.

Disneyland Florida is made up of four amazing theme parks in Orlando: Disney’s Magic Kingdom, Disney Hollywood Studios, Disney Animal Kingdom, and Epcot. At 30,000 acres, Walt Disney World is the size of the city of San Francisco, and twice as big as Manhattan.

Recently updated flexible Disney World Florida tickets options now fall under the Magic Your Way structure, which allows guests to customize their tickets by first purchasing a base ticket for a set fee, and then purchase add-ons. Options include a park-hopper no-expiration option, and Magic Plus Pack. Saving as much as 2 hours in lines on average, Disney’s FASTPASS is a very popular reservation-based approach to the rides.

Disney’s Magic Kingdom

The centerpiece of Walt Disney World Florida is the Magic Kingdom. The first of many global spin-offs of California’s Disneyland, it is home to the childhood memories of generations, from Snow White to the Lion King. Like Disneyland, it is made up of areas like Frontierland, Adventureland, Fantasyland, Tomorrowland. Don’t be surprised if you run into Micky, Goofy, or Cinderella along Main Street USA.

The starting point for most first-time visitors on a Disney World vacation, it’s good to arrive an hour early to beat the crowds at opening time. Frontierland has Splash Mountain, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, and the animatronic Country Bear Jamboree show. Tomorrowland features Space Mountain, Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin, and Stitch’s Great Escape. At Adventureland, you’ll find the Pirates of the Caribbean, Jungle Cruise, Swiss Family Tree house, and Magic Carpets of Aladdin. Other popular attractions include the Haunted Mansion and It’s A Small World.

Disney Hollywood Studios

Originally planned as a working studio, Disney Hollywood Studios is a fully functioning movie and television production center, as well as a top Florida family vacation destination.

The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror takes guests in a haunted elevator car of the deserted Hollywood Tower Hotel, and then drops them 130 feet. The Indiana Jones Stunt Spectacular has the audience involved in the filming of an action movie. Lights, Motors, Action! Extreme Stunt Show features high-flying high-speed movie stunts full of pyrotechnic effects. Other Attractions include the Rock 'n' Roller Coaster featuring Aerosmith.

Disney Animal Kingdom

This 500-acre zoo park features a menagerie of exotic free-roaming animals. The best time to encounter the lions, elephants, zebras, and giraffes of the free-roaming Kilimanjaro Safaris is in the cool of the morning or at the late-afternoon feeding by the Disney Animal Kingdom Lodge.

In between, chill out on the Asian tiger themed Kali River Rapids, and then head indoors to ride past the animated robotic Dinosaurs, or the popular 3-D show Its Tough To Be a Bug.

Epcot

A must-see at Disney's theme parks in Orlando is the Epcot center. Future World, dominated by the geodesic Spaceship Earth, offers popular edutainment rides like the interactive Mission: Space and Soarin’. Postcard pavilions from China, Mexico, and Morocco surround the World Showcase lagoon, where you can also enjoy a glass of wine in France or a stein of beer in Germany.