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Walt Disney World Resort
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The Mouse’s House ...and More
What began as one man’s dream so many years ago not only became a reality, but has now become a legend. Walt Disney World (now officially known as the Walt Disney World Resort) opened its gates for the first time in 1971. It was created with the idea that it would be the best theme park in the world. That it was, and that it still is.
The first park to open was the Magic Kingdom, fashioned in part after Disneyland, the original Disney theme park located in California. Within only a few years, plans were underway for additional parks. Epcot was the next to open in 1982, with Disney-Hollywood Studios, Typhoon Lagoon, and Pleasure Island all following in 1989. 1995 brought about Blizzard Beach, and in 1997 Downtown Disney became a reality.
This expansion explosion continued as Disney’s Wide World of Sports opened in 1997, Disney Quest and Disney’s Animal Kingdom in 1998. All the while the Disney resorts were springing up everywhere, each more spectacular and uniquely themed than the last. The Disney Cruise Line and Cirque du Soleil were the last of the major additions, but each of the parks has seen expansions, additions, and changes within, ensuring that guests will experience fresh and exciting not to mention the most technologically advanced rides and shows anywhere each and every time they enter the World of Walt Disney.
The entire resort encompasses over 47 square miles (think of it in terms of being twice the size of Manhattan), which can be positively daunting and is the very reason why planning is so incredibly important. The sheer size and magnitude of the resort is simply overwhelming to most, especially first-time visitors. Even those visiting for a second or third time may still find it so. You could spend weeks, even months at Disney and still not have experienced everything it has to offer. Even as I write, attractions are being added, resorts are being built, and the World of Disney continues to grow. Without a reasonable amount of planning, you may find too late that you have missed out on some very exciting or unique experiences.
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Disney 101
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Disney 101 is packed with tons of useful information about the Walt Disney World Theme Parks.
What You’ll Find:
-Magic Your Way Tickets – Prices and Explanations
-Disney’s FastPass – All the Details on How It Works and Which Rides Offer Them
-Disney’s Theme Park Hours – Which Theme Parks are Open and When
-Disney’s Extra Magic Hours – How They Work and When They’re Scheduled
-Theme Park Maps
-Guest Services at the Theme Parks – A List of Services and Where They’re Available
-The Rides & Attractions – Which have Height Restrictions, and a Time Line for Scheduled Refurbishments and Repairs
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 This site is bursting with information regarding the parks, the resorts, dining, recreation, and entertainment options all found at the Walt Disney World Resort – explore and enjoy!
Worth Noting:
New rides, new shows, and new experiences (not to mention new, or at least newly renovated resorts), are just part of what makes Walt Disney World (and Orlando) such a dynamic destination. Year after year millions of visitors come from around the world to experience the magic of Disney’s theme parks (some of whom return time after time after time). Disney, over the years, has added new rides (and at times refurbished the older ones), revamped and added to their lineup of shows, and continually created unique one of- a-kind experiences, all to ensure that their guests come away having had the most exciting and extraordinary vacation imaginable. And for the many guests who find the magic of the Mouse’s house simply irresistible, returning to take it all in year after year, it ensures that they’ll never experience Disney in exactly the same way twice.
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GENERAL NEWS
Disney’s Tropical Weather Policy: Disney announced their new policy regarding cancellations on advanced reservations in the event of a hurricane. Should a hurricane warning be announced by the National Hurricane Center either in Orlando or in your place of residence, guests may call to reschedule or cancel their Walt Disney World Travel Company “Magic Your Way” vacation package without incurring any cancellation or change fees. This also applies to MOST room-only reservations booked directly through Walt Disney World. Also included are the Vero Beach and Hilton Head Island locations should a hurricane warning be issued for those locations (or again your place of residence).
If your vacation package includes services offered by third parties (like airlines, hotels, car rentals, or vacation insurance companies) you will still be responsible for any nonrefundable payments, required cancellation or change fees they may impose.
Certain special events and signature dining experiences may be excluded from this policy. For complete details check out www.disneyworld.com
Mickey Ears are all the rage at the parks and resorts.
Of course this should come as no great surprise – they’ve always been one of Disney’s hottest souvenirs and always will be. This year however, Disney’s added a whole new twist – for those of you who prefer to make a slightly more fashionable statement, Mickey Ears now come in several styles. Included in the lineup are Mouse ears with pink princess veils, jeweled crowns, wild cheetah prints, pirate scarves with hoop earrings, gold sequins, patriotic colors, Stitch themed ears, and a bride’s veil and groom’s top hat, and plenty more. They’re available at select locations throughout the parks - just keep in mind that quantities are limited. Mickey’s original mouse ears however can still be found everywhere at both the parks and resorts.
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Pirate Booty Now Available at Walt Disney World:
 Three new Disney Dollars, each themed to the Pirates of the Caribbean, will soon be released throughout Walt Disney World - thanks to the upcoming release of Disney’s "Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End". The all-new pirate booty (of sorts) will be available in $1 denominations and feature, very appropriately, a skull and cross bones on the front with one of the three flagship vessels on the back (The Black Pearl, The Flying Dutchman and the last, a ship that has yet to be revealed - until the release of the upcoming film that is).
The first two bills (themed to the "Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl" and "Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest") are currently available for purchase and use at stores throughout Disney property. The third will be released May 15, 2007, just prior to the nationwide release of "Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End."
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