Disney Facts

Magic Kingdom ® facts

Walt Disney World opened in 1971 with the Magic Kingdom first, and mirrors the Disneyland ® California Theme park very closely.  The idea was to have plenty of room to grow, and to have the area around the park controlled without a lot of other commercial development encroaching on the grounds.  This was accomplished by having the Theme Park located several miles from the edge of the property, and even the parking lot is located across the Lagoon - you must either board a ferry or the Monorail to gain access to the Magic Kingdom. 

The other major difference between Florida and Disneyland Park in California is the size - the original Disneyland would fit into the Parking lot for the Magic Kingdom!  There are parking trams that carry guests from their car to the ferry terminal or the Monorail depot for the short ride to the entrance of the Magic Kingdom, building the anticipation of your first glimpse of Cinderella's castle. 

• TIP: use FASTPASS to reserve a time for the more popular rides, then explore other areas at your leisure.

Three hotels were built along the Monorail, for a true "insider" experience: the first was the Contemporary Resort, a very futuristic engineering marvel with the Monorail running directly through the lobby!  The rooms, incidentally, were constructed and furnished outside the property and cranes hoisted each room into place in the structure much like a "drawer sliding into a dresser".   The Polynesian was next with a lush tropical island theme, including "long houses" for the guest rooms.  Finally, Disney's Premier Grand Floridian Resort and Spa is a charming Victorian-style showcase of the best that Disney has to offer.

You can bet a day at the Magic Kingdom will be filled with all the wonders you've loved from the California Disneyland park, and a careful eye will reveal the subtle differences between the two.  There is of course much more room in the Florida location, and you'll find plenty of lush gardens and unique Disney landscaping to enjoy throughout the park. 

There is plenty of Magic to explore in the other Parks as well, and each deserves a full day to explore. 

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Disney's EPCOT® FACTS

EPCOT - Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow came next with two distinct areas - the World Showcase with pavilions from around the world, where each country shows off what makes them unique.  The cast at these pavilions are residents of their respective countries and generally spend one year at EPCOT, representing the culture and traditions.  You'll find specialty dining and shopping, as well as exciting presentations that give you a feel for visiting these countries from the people who know it best!  A visit during the holidays is a special treat with all the different traditions observed around the world.

• TIP: make dinner reservations as soon as you arrive in the morning, as popular restaurants book very early!

The other half of EPCOT is where the visions and technology of the Future are explored and celebrated.  Here you will find leading edge technology showcased in today's world, and be able to explore all the wonders and mysteries of our planet.  From The Living Seas, The Land, Kodak's Imagination, to the far off horizons of Mission: Space, and the innovations on Test Track, and more, EPCOT engineering show piece is the geodesic dome Spaceship Earth, with over 11,000 triangles making up the dome that rests just 18 feet above the ground. 

• TIP: use FASTPASS to reserve a time for the more popular rides, then explore other areas at your leisure.

The nightly fireworks displays deploy over 1,100 shells and is a spectacular of laser lights, fireworks, water, music, and narration celebrating our planet.  The perfect ending for a glorious day. 

EPCOT was Walt Disney's last project on the board, and one he never got to see completed.  It was his vision of what tomorrow could be.  You'll spend an entire day here, with all the tempting cuisine, thrills, and wonders to be found throughout this very entertaining park. 

Disney's Beach Club and Disney's Yacht Club Resorts and Disney's Boardwalk Resort are all just a short walk from the International Gate Entrance located at the World Showcase near the France Pavilion.  You'll also find a water taxi ride to the Walt Disney Swan and Walt Disney Dolphin Resort here, located adjacent to the Yacht and Beach Club Resort and Boardwalk Resort.  The Water Taxi will also take you to the next Walt Disney Theme Park - Disney's MGM Studios ®

Disney's MGM STUDIOS® facts

This was the third park to open at Walt Disney World and is a nod to Walt's own beginnings in the movie industry, celebrating Hollywood of the past with famous landmarks such as the Brown Derby and the Chinese Theater.  There are plenty of thrills to be found, including the Rockin Roller Coaster ® starring Aerosmith that propels guests from 0 to 60 in under 3 seconds, with plenty of inversions, loops, and incorporating the innovative Linear Synchronization Motor that accomplishes that first mind numbing acceleration.  On July 24th 1994 Disney's Introduced the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror ™, and "T4" incarnation makes 6-8 drops, determined randomly by computer making each ride unique.

In May 2005 the Lights, Motors, Action Extreme Stunt Show ™ was introduced, with a fleet of specially designed cars that speed, flip, spin, and jump in a fiery explosive filled stunt show. 

There are Broadway-style shows, 3-D shows, self-guided Animation tours, and everything about the movies to make this a full day immersed in a Hollywood dream come to life.

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