Introduction to Walt Disney
World
In the beginning, Orlando may
have been a sleepy little southern town filled with
farmland as far as the eye could  see,
orange groves galore, and only two attractions to its
name (a water-ski show and some great big gators). Then
came the Mouse. More specifically, a mouse named Mickey
and his creator, a man of fantastic imagination and
vision named Walt Disney. Life in Orlando would never
be the same. Since the opening of Walt Disney World
back in 1971, Orlando has grown to become one of the
world's top vacation destinations. Over 44 million people
from all parts of the world make their way to this city
each year to sample its unending array of exciting,
unique, and diverse activities. Those of us who continue
to return year after year can count on each new visit
to provide a host of new experiences and magical memories.
When Disney World first opened
its gates to the public, I doubt if anyone but Walt
Disney, the original Imagineer, could have predicted
what lay ahead. Disney, searching for an East Coast
location for his second theme park, decided Orlando
was just the place he was  looking
for. In 1964, in a covert operation that would have
made James Bond proud, Walt Disney began quietly purchasing
large quantities of land in and around the Orlando area,
and within months he had acquired property nearly twice
the size of Manhattan. In 1965, Walt announced to the
public his plans to bring to Orlando the world's most
spectacular theme park. Fashioned after Disneyland in
California, construction soon began on Disney's Magic
Kingdom. Unfortunately, Walt Disney was never able to
see his dream come to life, as he passed away in 1966,
just five years shy of the opening of what, to this
day, still is the world's most spectacular theme park
-- Walt Disney World.
Disney's legacy, while commercialized
over the years, has practically become a right of passage,
not to mention a
national shrine to which visitors flock by the millions.
And if you have kids, a visit here is almost a requirement.
The opening of Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom started
a tourist boom in Central Florida the likes of which
has never been seen elsewhere. Today, The Kingdom That
Walt Built entices visitors with four theme parks, a
dozen smaller attractions, two nightclub districts,
tens of thousands of hotel rooms, a vacation club (otherwise
known as timeshares), scores of restaurants, and even
two cruise ships. Universal Orlando adds to the dizzying
array with two theme parks, three luxury resorts, and
an entertainment complex, home to several unique restaurants,
clubs, shops, and entertainment venues. SeaWorld tosses
in two theme parks and an entertainment, dining, and
shopping district of its own. And those are just the
major players. All in all, there are over 95 attractions,
both large and small, that will keep you coming back
for more. There are also plenty of restaurants, ranging
from fine dining to on-the-fly fast food; many of the
more casual restaurants are as themed as the parks themselves.
And the city doesn't lack for hotels and resorts either,
with more than 112,000 rooms, villas, and suites to
go around (and even more on the way). If you can believe
it, the landscape is still changing, evolving, growing,
and expanding to ensure your experiences will do the
same each and every time you stay and play in Orlando.
 Beyond
the fast-paced excitement, glitz, and glitter of Orlando's
theme parks you'll find Central Florida's more natural
side, with hidden treasures just waiting to be discovered.
Over 300 lakes, springs, and rivers are waiting to be
explored and enjoyed. There are numerous parks and gardens,
many with trails for walking and hiking, and the area's
wildlife sanctuaries and zoos showcase Florida's animal
inhabitants. The number of recreational  opportunities
-- picnics in parks, boating along waterways, fishing,
biking, and hiking, to name a few -- is almost limitless.
And Orlando's rich history and culture come to life
through its many museums, galleries, and theaters.
Where to go, what to do, when
to do it . . . with so many decisions to make you may
very well find your head spinning. Because of the vast
quantity of offerings, a vacation to Orlando requires
a reasonable amount of planning, not to mention budgeting.
The sheer number of attractions and available activities
requires that you narrow down your choices to fit both
your schedule and budget properly. Entrance fees can
be daunting (a 1-day ticket to one of the major parks
averages around $59 for adults and $48 for kids 3-9),
and when you add in the costs of dining, accommodations,
and souvenirs, sticker shock at the high price tag is
not out of the question. A typical family of four could
easily end up spending several hundred dollars a day!
Some parks have begun offering deals to bring down the
average daily price of your ticket if you buy multi-day
passes, but don't give them too much credit -- the parks
are wagering they'll generate additional revenues with
all of the money you'll spend on extra hotel nights
and meals. But even if you do have deep pockets, there
is so much to experience in Orlando that to take it
all in properly would require far more time than the
average vacation would allow. I doubt if even two or
three vacations could do the trick.
 That's
exactly why this book was written: to make available
to you the most up-to-date and detailed information
on what Orlando has to offer. A mix of options that
take into account every budget and taste are included
in each chapter so you can make the most informed decisions
possible. With this book, you'll have the tools to plan
ahead and ensure that your family has the best vacation
possible. I have traveled to Central Florida more times
than I can count over the past 16 years. Single, married,
with kids, and without, I've stood in all the lines,
ridden the rides, and dined in the restaurants -- even
during the height of summer and spring break. In other
words, I've done all of the hard work, so you don't
have to, and I give realistic and practical travel tips
throughout this book in order to help you enjoy a more
magical vacation. At the same time, I also give you
options to help make your vacation more affordable and
to keep expenses to a minimum while still having the
maximum amount of fun. The Orlando tourism gurus will
ensure your family has a steady stream of new things
to see and do.
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