The official title is The Walt Disney World Resort. It is often referred to as Disney World or even WDW, and it is the world’s biggest and most popular recreational destination. The park is located around twenty-one miles southwest of Orlando, Florida and it is over thirty thousand acres in expanse. The resort has four different theme parks, two water parks, twenty-three different on site themed hotels (not to mention eight more that are on site but not officially owned by WDW). Additionally, the resort has a campground, two health spas and fitness centers, and even more recreational activities and entertainment destinations. The park opened on October 1st, 1971 with the first theme park, the Magic Kingdom. Later, Epcot center (October 1, 1982), Disney’s Hollywood Studious (May 1, 1989), and Disney’s Animal Kingdom (April 22, 1998) were added.
The motivation for the gorgeous resort came from the genius mind of Walt Disney and the original Disneyland in Southern California. The Magic Kingdom at in Florida is very close to Disneyland in layout and content. However, the larger East-Coast resort is different in that it provides a much larger assortment of activity and beckons for a stay surpassing the usual one-day Disneyland escapade. For example, the two water parks (Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach) can be a full day activity on their own. Further, Downtown Disney, Disney’s BoardWalk, Disney’s Wedding Pavilion, ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex, and Walt Disney World Speedway (Including the “Richard Petty Driving Experience) offer a huge assortment of amusement to visitors.
The resort widens its scope even further with five unique golf courses. These include the 18-hole Palm, the Magnolia, Lake Buena Vista, and Osprey Ridge. There also exists “Oak Trail, a nine-hole track designed with youth golfers in mind. One can also go catch-and-release fishing on one of Walt Disney World’s lakes or cane-pole fishing from the docks located at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground and Disney’s Port Orleans Resort. Not to mention, the guest can also rent watercraft, bikes, and go on firework cruises. The deluxe resorts at Disney World include: the Animal Kingdom Lodge, the Beach Club Resort, the BoardWalk Inn, the Contemporary Resort, the Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, the Polynesian Resort, the Wilderness Lodge, and the Yacht Club Resort. For slightly less money, check out the Caribbean Beach Resort, the Coronado Springs Resort, the Port Orleans Resort French Quarter, or the Port Orleans Riverside. Finally, for ultimate value, the resort offers the Pop Century Resort, the All-Star Movies Resort, the All-Star Music Resort, the All-Star Sports Resort, and the upcoming Art of Animation Resort.
This article has only skimmed the surface of the rich, colorful, and truly magical destination that is The Walt Disney World Resort. One could argue that it offers the largest and most varied experience of any resort in the world. It is obviously unique and must visit for any family or Disney fan. One might have to spend a lifetime to experience every aspect of this resort, but it is guaranteed that even a few days at WDW will leave you feeling magical.
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