Visiting Disney World, Orlando: info, prices and tips

If you are in Florida, you certainly cannot miss one or more days at the wonderful Walt Disney World Resort, the most famous and important of these theme parks in the world! This is a real daydream: here you will find no less than 6 distinct and autonomous parks, with a total area of no less than 122 square kilometres! Get ready to visit 4 theme parks(Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney's Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom), 2 water parks(Disney's Typhoon Lagoon and Disney's Blizzard Beach Water Park) and several special areas! Due to its size, you should allow at least 2 days to visit Disney World.
Here's everything you need to know about how best to organise a visit to the Walt Disney World Resort!

Where it is located

The Walt Disney World Resort is located 30 km from the Central Business District, also known as Downtown, the central business district of Orlando. The airport is Orlando International Airport, from which it is also 30 km away. For Miami, the distance is much longer: from Miami International Airport it is 370 km!

From Orlando Airport there is no public transport connection, apart from the shuttles reserved only for guests of the parks' hotels. You will therefore have to reach the city centre and then move from there by bus line 300. Bear in mind, however, that the best solution is to move around by car: once you have arrived, you can park it in the relevant car park and then move around within the chosen park and between the parks with the available means of transport, which include shuttles and monorails.

When looking for a convenient place to stay near the airport, the Sheraton Suites Orlando Airport Hotel is the perfect choice. This hotel is located only a few minutes' drive from the airport and offers a variety of amenities for its guests. The hotel rooms are spacious and comfortable, and the hotel features a fitness center, pool, and restaurant. Additionally, the hotel provides a free shuttle to and from the airport, making transportation to the Walt Disney World Resort a breeze.

• By car: 30 km from Orlando International Airport, reachable by car via FL-528 W/FL-528 Toll W (20/30 min). 370 km from Miami International Airport, by car via Florida's Turnpike (3 h 30 min). Walt Disney World Exit" - Get directions

• By bus: bus line 300 from Lcs-Lynx Central Station, downtown, to the Wdw Transportation & Ticket Ctr. station. From here you can travel by the parks' internal transport. Duration between 1 h and 2 h depending on traffic. Ticket $2.00 (€1.80), daily $4.50 (€4.00)

• By taxi: average journey time 30 min, varies depending on traffic. Average cost per ride €60.00 to €70.00, varies by route and traffic

Opening hours

*timetables are subject to change throughout the year (delayed closures), you may find out more on the official website.

NB: Holders of the Park Hopper option (i.e. the special pass that allows you to move between parks) can use it from 14:00 onwards.

Cost of tickets

First of all, it should be noted that there are currently no day tickets on sale. Tickets are valid for a minimum of 2 days and up to 10 days. Prices for adults start at €229.00 for the 2-day minimum ticket, but are subject to change depending on the season and duration.

NB: Admission is free for children under 3 years of age.

How to visit and what to see at Disney World

Magic Kingdom

The Magic Kingdom is the oldest park at Disney World Orlando. It was, in fact, the first to be opened, in 1971, following in the wake of the success of the Disneyland theme park in Los Angeles.

As with all Disneyland parks, the centrepiece of the Magic Kingdom is the wonderful castle. The park is then divided into 6 large thematic areas, which retrace the areas of the Los Angeles park: we find Main Street, the entrance;Adventureland, set in the wildest lands; Frontierland, dedicated to Indians and cowboys; Tomorrowland, with rides and adrenalin-pumping attractions; Libery Land, in colonial style; and finally Fantasyland, where you can immerse yourself in the world of classic Disney fairy tales, such as Snow White or Peter Pan. Fun guaranteed for all ages!

Best attractions, shows and activities

1. It's a small world: a 10-minute boat ride between continents, taking in the world's most characteristic scenery. Ideal ride for the little ones

2. JungleCruises: sit on your own dinghy and take a ride through the jungle, past wild animals and dense vegetation

3. HauntedMansion: a haunted house, inhabited by ghosts and paranormal phenomena. Inside you will have to walk through a labyrinth until you reach the exit

4. Country Bear Jamboree: one of the most famous shows in the Magic Kingdom. It is a 16-minute musical held inside Grizzly Hall.

5. Dumbo the Flying Elephant: a children's ride inspired by the famous baby elephant Dumbo

6. The Hall of Presidents: a show dedicated to the Presidents of the United States of America. You can see a short original short film and learn more about the country's history

7. Seven Dwarf Mine Train: the attraction dedicated to Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, where you can take part in a beautiful train ride

8. Piratesof the Caribbean: an interactive ride dedicated to the beloved world of Pirates of the Caribbean

9. Mickey's Celebration Cavalcade: at the Magic Kingdom there is no shortage of famous Disney character parades! You can meet Mickey and his friends, the parade is held five times a day

10. The Royal Princess Processional: the parade of the Disney princesses, much loved by the little ones! In addition, numerous encounters with the princesses are organised every day

Dumbo the Flying Elephant

Mickey's Celebration Cavalcade

The Royal Princess Processional

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How to get to the park

The Magic Kingdom is located on the north side at 1180 Seven Seas Dr, Lake Buena Vista(Get Directions), and is also easily accessible by car from Orlando. You can park at the Ticket and Transportation Center, the closest car park where tickets are also purchased, located about 1 km from the park entrance. Once parked, you can take the monorail from the ticket office that will take you directly to Main Street, the entrance to the Magic Kingdom.

Epcot

If you love futuristic atmospheres, then you can't miss Epcot Park, or Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow. It is a very special park: it is in fact a model of an ideal city that Walt Disney developed and that was realised in this amusement park in 1982, about 10 years after the Magic Kingdom, but surpassing it in size (it covers 1.21 square kilometres).

It is a true futuristic amusement park divided into two main areas: Future World, the section dedicated to knowledge and experience in the field of science and technology, through attractions and interactive games; and the World Showcase, a section dedicated to 11 countries and their main monuments, reconstructed in great detail. Here, for example, you will find the Japan Pavilion, the France Pavilion or The American Adventure.

Best attractions, shows and activities

1. Soarin' Around the World: this attraction allows you to fly over some of the most iconic places in the world, such as the Great Wall of China, the Swiss Alps or Greenland

2. Awesome Planet: this is a 10-minute film where you can take a trip around the world, admiring natural phenomena such as the Aurora Borealis

3. Frozen Ever After: here you can board an ancient Norwegian ship and be transported to the world of Arendelle, the realm of the famous cartoon Frozen

4. Mission: Space: this is a simulation of the launch of a rocket into space, so you can relive the emotions and sensations felt by astronauts

5. The Seas with Nemo & Friends: an attraction dedicated to children where they can discover the underwater world together with Nemo and his friends

6. China: here you can discover China, with its traditions, its most iconic monuments and the spectacular film Reflection of China

7. Morocco: here you can immerse yourself in the Moroccan atmospheres, made up of markets, intense scents of spices and traditional culinary recipes

8. Italy: 11 countries have been reconstructed at EPCOT, including Italy. Here you can feel truly at home for a moment

9. Illuminations: Reflections of the Earth: this is the daily show that closes the day at EPCOT, with water and light effects, a marvel

10. EPCOTInternational Festival of the Holidays: this is one of EPCOT's most anticipated festivals. It takes place between the end of November and the end of December and the whole area is illuminated with shows and light games. There are numerous events

The Seas with Nemo & Friends

Illuminations: Reflections of the Earth

EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays

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How to get to the park

Keeping the main Ticket and Transportation Center entrance of Magic Kingdom as a reference point, where you can also buy tickets, the entrance to Epcot is about 10/15 min drive away, located at 200 Epcot Center Dr(Get Directions). Alternatively, from the Ticket and Transportation Centre, you can also reach the entrance by the park's own means, i.e. by bus or monorail. Due to the park's location on a lake, if you stay at one of Disney World's hotels you can also reach the entrance by boat!

Hollywood Studios

Photo by Jedi94. Next to Epcot we find Disney's Hollywood Studios, a completely different area from the other parks: here it feels like you are constantly inside a big Disney movie set! Originally the park was called Disney-MGM Studios and opened in 1898, but in 2008 the name was changed to the current one.

Dedicated to Disney's masterpieces, and considerably smaller in size than the other parks, Hollywood Studios is divided into eight areas:Hollywood Boulevard,Echo Lake, Sunset Boulevard, Streets of America, Commissary Lane, Pixar Place, Mickey Avenue and theAnimation Courtyard. Among all the themed attractions and shows on offer, one of the great classics is the Star Wars area, with numerous rides, shows and attractions, a must for fans of the saga!

Best attractions, shows and activities

1. Star Wars: perhaps the most popular section of the park! Here you will find numerous attractions, such as the Star Wars - The Adventure continues, a 3D show, or the Star Wars Galazy Edge, where Star Wars comes to life

2. Star WarsCharacters: inside the park you can meet all the Star Wars characters! BB-8, Darth Vader and Chewbacca are just waiting to take a photo with you. You can also train and become a Jedi at Jedi Training

3. The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror: this is an attraction that will make you experience the sensation of falling into the void, truly adrenaline-pumping

4. Rock 'n' Roller Coaster: a roller coaster that will transport you straight to Los Angeles, discovering some of the symbols of Hollywood

5. Toy Story Land: an entire section dedicated to the famous Toy Story cartoon and its protagonists, ideal for young and old alike

6. Lightning McQueen's Racing Academy: the attraction dedicated to Lightning McQueen and the world of Cars

7. Disney's Hollywood Studios Entertainment: numerous parades are held daily in the park where the little ones can meet their idols. Don't miss the Mickey and his friends parade and the Pixar stars

8. Disney Movie Magic: every evening after sunset, scenes from Disney classics are projected on the facade of Grauman's Chinese Theatre, the best way to end the day

9. Muppet Vision 3D: a 3D show dedicated to the fantastic world of the Muppets

10. Lights, Motors, Action! Extreme Stunt Show: stuntmen are a staple of the film industry and here you can enjoy a show dedicated to their world

Lightning McQueen's Racing Academy

Disney's Hollywood Studios Entertainment

Lights, Motors, Action! Extreme Stunt Show:

The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror

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How to get to the park

As anticipated, Disney's Hollywood Studios, located exactly at 351 S Studio Dr, Lake Buena Vista(Get Directions), is about 6 km south of Epcot Park. The park entrance is located near the main street Hollywood Boulevard, which can be easily reached by car. Alternatively, you can leave your car at the Ticket and Transportation Centre and take the park shuttle from there. Again, as with Epcot, if you stay in one of Disney World's hotels you can also reach the park by boat!

Animal Kingdom

Photo by Jennifer Lynn. Finally, the fourth major theme park at Disney World is Animal Kingdom, the newest park in the entire complex, which opened in 1998. More than just an amusement park, it is a real zoo-park: it is home to more than 300 animal species, some of them rare and protected! Moreover, it is the largest Disney park in the world, so it takes quite some time to visit.

The Animal Kingdom is entirely dedicated to nature and the animal world. Like the others, it is divided into several thematic areas: theOasis, or Main Street, the entry point to the park with all the services; Discovery Island, which houses the Tree of Life, the park's symbol; the Africa section, dedicated to the animals of the African savannah; Rafiki's Planet Watch, an area entirely designed for children and accessible only by train; the Asia section, with several Asian species; and DinoLand U.S.A., a section dedicated to dinosaurs.

Best attractions, shows and activities

1. The World of Avatar: an entire section dedicated to the fantastic world of Avatar! Attractions not to be missed include the Avatar Flight of Passage and the Na'vi River Journey

2. Kilimanjaro Safari: you can take part in a tour that will take you to the Africa area, where the savannah animals live. Here you will pass through the animals' habitats

3. Kali River Rapids: you will experience a real adventure on board rubber dinghies, which will take you through the jungle, crossing the rapids of the Kali River

4. Expedition Everest: this attraction consists of a rollercoaster ride to discover Everest, escaping from the Yeti

5. DINOSAUR: aboard a vehicle you can go back in time and discover the land of the dinosaurs, admiring them up close

6. Maharajah Jungle Trek: this is a walking trail that takes you past trees, bridges and waterfalls, past exotic birds and other animals, to the area dedicated to the wonderful Asian tiger

7. Gorilla Falls Exploration Trail: another walking trail, but this time to discover the wonderful gorillas and their young cubs

8. Disney KiteTails: a wonderful new 10-minute kite show held during The World's Most Magical Celebration

9. Discovery Island Drummers Flotilla: one of the park's most distinctive and beautiful shows, where The Discovery Island Drummers play directly on a boat that travels along the park's river

10. Conservation Station: this is an area entirely dedicated to the animal world, where you can see vets and assistants looking after the welfare of the park's animals

Pandora - The World of Avatar

Gorilla Falls Exploration Trail

Discovery Island Drummers Flotilla

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How to get to the park

The Animal Kingdom is located on the southwest side of Disney World, more specifically at 2901 Osceola Pkwy(Get Directions). You can reach it easily by car, as the car park is located near the entrance and the Oasis area. Alternatively, as with the other parks, you can park at the Ticket and Transportation Centre, where you can also buy tickets, and take the shuttle bus from there.

Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach water parks

Photo by elisfkc. Besides the four theme parks, at Disney World Orlando you can also find two large water parks: Disney's Typhoon Lagoon and Disney's Blizzard Beach Water Park. The parks were opened in 1989 and 1995, respectively, and are ideal for spending a day of fun battling the high temperatures of Florida's hot summer days!

Disney's Typhoon Lagoon is inspired by a luscious tropical island: the pools and attractions are completely surrounded by greenery and you can relax in lounging areas with wonderful white sand. It will almost feel like being in Hawaii!

Disney's Blizzard Beach Water Park, on the other hand, is the water park you don't expect: no tropical island, no lush nature, here the main theme is snow! In fact, the park looks as if it has just been hit by a blizzard, a very unusual landscape in Florida. Not to be missed!

Best attractions, shows and activities

1. Typhoon Lagoon Surf Pool: at Typhoon Lagoon, this is a large pool where, thanks to the waves produced, you can surf all day long.

2. Ketchakiddee Creek: at Typhoon Lagoon, this is an entire area dedicated to the little ones, with play areas, shallow pools and small slides

3. Crush 'n' Gusher: at Typhoon Lagoon, this is one of the water park's best-loved attractions and is an adrenaline-fuelled descent for two, on special rafts

4. Humunga Kowabunga: at Typhoon Lagoon, this is a slide that descends at an angle of around 60° and much of the ride is indoors

5. Bay Slides: at Typhoon Lagoon, this is a small water slide suitable for children

6. Summit Plummet: at Disney's Blizzard Beach Water Park, this is a large slide that drops almost vertically, a truly adrenaline-fuelled descent and one of the largest in the world

7. Teamboat Springs: at Disney's Blizzard Beach Water Park, this is a family ride on inflatable boats, not too fast but very addictive

8. Toboggan Racers: at Disney's Blizzard Beach Water Park, this is a not-too-steep slide where you can challenge your friends to see who can reach the end first

9. Cross Country Creek: at Disney's Blizzard Beach Water Park, you'll be comfortably seated on a doughnut and you can follow the entire course around the park, which is very peaceful

10. Tike's Peak: at Disney's Blizzard Beach Water Park, this is the area dedicated to the little ones, with shallow pools and small water slides

Ketchakiddee Creek Typhoon Lagoon

Crush 'n' Gusher Typhoon Lagoon

Humunga Kowabunga Typhoon Lagoon

Bay Slides Typhoon Lagoon

Summit Plummet Disney's Blizzard Beach Water Park

Teamboat Springs Disney's Blizzard Beach Water Park

Toboggan Racers Disney's Blizzard Beach Water Park

Cross Country Creek: at Disney's Blizzard Beach Water Park

Tike's Peak: at Disney's Blizzard Beach Water Park

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How to get to the park

As with the 4 theme parks, the water parks also have their own car park, making them easy to reach by car. Disney's Blizzard Beach is located between Disney's Hollywood Studios and Disney's Animal Kingdom, at 1534 Blizzard Beach Drive(Get Directions), while Disney's Typhoon Lagoon is located between Epcot and Disney Springs, at 1486 Buena Vista Dr, Lake Buena Vista(Get Directions). Again, you can leave your cars at the Ticket and Transportation Center and ride the park shuttles from there, which will take you right to the entrance!

Other areas of the park

Photo by elisfkc. In addition to all the theme parks and water parks, Disney World Orlando has additional sections and special areas: specifically, we are talking about Disney Springs, Disney's BoardWalk and the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex.

The Disney Springs is a huge complex with restaurants and shops, including the world's largest Disney Store, a true paradise for Disney lovers. Also known as Downtown Disney World, it is about 10 km from Magic Kingdom and 15 km from Universal Studios, at 1486 Buena Vista Dr, Lake Buena Vista(Get Directions).

Disney's BoardWalk, on the other hand, is the beautiful promenade on the lake, specifically Crescent Lake (Getdirections). It is a promenade full of shops and restaurants, ideal for spending the evening.

Finally, we find the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex, a huge sports complex covering some 230 acres where more than 80 sports can be played. It is located in the southern part of Disney World Orlando, at 700 S Victory Way(Get Directions).

Where to stay: Walt Disney World Hotels and Resorts

Photo by bdesham. As with all Disneyland amusement parks around the world, Walt Disney World Orlando offers a large number of themed hotels and resorts. They are mainly located in the vicinity of the Magic Kingdom, Epcot and the Animal Kingdom, the latter area being the most reasonably priced.

Staying in these hotels brings numerous advantages: you can enjoy various exclusive guest services, such as boat transport to the entrance of some parks, the possibility of staying longer in the park than the closing times, and take advantage of numerous discounts and concessions thanks to the packages offered.

Moreover, by staying in a hotel you can experience all the Disney magic: you will find themed rooms, you can sleep under the stars at Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground or with a dreamy view at Disney's Polynesian Village Resort, or immerse yourself in the world of cinema at Disney's All-Star Movies Resort. And if you love the Star Wars saga, the Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser opens in 2022 for two-night stays!

Where to stay nearby

If you decide not to sleep in one of the hotels inside Disney World Orlando, surely the best choice is to stay in Orlando, the city closest to the park and from which it is very easy to get around.

The best area to stay in depends a lot on how you have organised your trip. If you want to be in a central area, we recommendInternational Drive, with numerous accommodations within walking distance of the main attractions. This is also one of the most touristy areas. If you are looking for a quieter and less touristy area with slightly lower prices, we recommend Downtown & North Orlando. Finally, if you want to stay close to the parks, the best area is the Maingate district. Compare the selection of the best accommodation on booking

Useful tips for visiting Walt Disney World

1. Best time of year: summer guarantees beautiful, sunny days. For events, don't miss the month of October for the Autumn at Walt Disney World Resort, or the month of December with the Holidays at Walt Disney World Resort, with the magic of Christmas;

2. Best times and days: definitely midweek. The ideal is to arrive at opening time and stay inside the park so you can enjoy it even after closing time;

3. Recommended minimum time: the recommended minimum time to visit the park is two days. Ideally, you should have at least four days available;

4. Download the official app: the My Disney Experience App is the park's official app. Here you can consult the map, see waiting times at attractions and restaurants, calculate itineraries and travel time. More info here;

5. Consult themap: to get acclimatised and get around 4 theme parks, 2 water parks and several special areas, consult the interactive map;

6. Skip the Line: The DisneyWorld FastPass is your ticket to skip the long, gruelling lines at selected attractions (those marked FP on the map);

7. Parking: the car is definitely the most convenient and fastest way to get around the parks. For parking, just pay a daily rate of $20.00 (€17.70) and you can park inside all the designated areas of Disney World;

8. Guests withdisabilities: The parks are fully accessible with special entrances for guests with wheelchairs or mobility problems. The hotel rooms also have many specially equipped rooms;

9. Clothing: Due to the size of the different theme parks, wear comfortable shoes and layered clothing, especially in mid-season. If you visit the water parks, bring a swimming costume, towel and slippers;

10. Restrictions: The parks are smoke-free, smoking is only allowed in the designated areas.

History and interesting facts

From the very beginning, Walt Disney Orlando was a very ambitious project, aiming to create a real Disney-themed entertainment city! Unfortunately Walt Disney never got to see this great work, in fact the only park he managed to set foot in was Disneyland Los Angeles, which opened in 1955. The first area of Walt Disney Orlando, the Magic Kingdom, opened in 1971 and Walt Disney died in 1966.

Over the years, the Walt Disney World Resort, the official name of the park, expanded more and more and today it houses no less than 4 amusement parks, 2 water parks and additional Disney-themed areas, occupying an area of 122 square kilometres! It may seem difficult to quantify how many 122 square kilometres there are, so some comparisons may be useful: think that, for example, Miami covers an area of 92 square kilometres or that, within the park, New York 's Manhattan district fits twice as much!