Disney goes into overdrive at the incredible Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida. With four theme parks, two water parks and a range of enchanting themed hotels, it’s the most magical place for a family holiday.
Nearly every family has a Disney holiday on their bucket list, and the biggest Disney experience of them all is the massive Walt Disney World Resort in Florida. Walt Disney dreamed big when he went to Los Angeles in 1923 with not much money and some ideas about a mouse. Today, surely even Walt would be surprised at how big Walt Disney World is!
Staying at the Walt Disney World Resort Orlando really is a world of Disney. Immerse yourself and your family in your Disney dream and come home with magical memories to last a lifetime.
How big is Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida?
If size counts for anything, then Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando has to be the best of the best! Spread across 11,140 ha (or 100 square kilometres) are four theme parks, two water adventure parks, over 25 resort hotels, four golf courses, dining and entertainment precincts and so much more.
Yes, we are talking huge – as big as San Francisco, in fact. Walt Disney World Resort is more like an interconnected city on the outskirts of Orlando than a theme park. As well as the Magic Kingdom, Walt Disney World Resort includes three more parks: Epcot, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom, where you can on safari and see lions, giraffes, elephants and other African animals.
Don’t forget the two fantastic waterparks – Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach, and a whole host of shopping, dining and entertainment options including Downtown Disney and Disney’s Boardwalk.
How long do I need to experience Walt Disney World Resort?
It isn’t unusual to find holidaying Americans spending a week or more at Walt Disney World, because there is so much to see and do, but most people visit for a few days. Certainly, it’s easy to spend at least a day exploring each of the theme parks.
Visit the iconic Magic Kingdom for classic Disney attractions
In the Magic Kingdom, princesses, mermaids, heroes, flying elephants and fairies are real. It was the first to open at Walt Disney World Resort in 1971, and now Magic Kingdom is the most-visited theme park worldwide.
Like Disneyland California it has six themed lands, with Cinderella Castle at its centre. They include Main Street USA, Adventureland, Frontierland, Liberty Square, Fantasyland and Tomorrowland.
Magic Kingdom is home to popular attractions such as the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, Pirates of the Caribbean, Haunted Mansion, it’s a small world, Space Mountain, the Mad Tea Party, Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin, The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, and Princess Fairytale Hall. Kids who love fast rides will adore Frontierland’s Big Thunder Mountain Railroad.
Fantasyland extends far beyond the shadows of Cinderella Castle at Walt Disney World. It’s here you’ll find the Enchanted Forest and Storybook Circus areas, where guests can get caught up in beloved Disney stories and magical places. With dining experiences in a castle, an enchanted forest to wander through, plenty of flying elephants, and a magic place where little girls can turn into princesses – and meet one!
Enchanted Tales with Belle in the Enchanted Forest
In Enchanted Tales with Belle, families step into the world of Beauty and The Beast. Lots of little princesses and knights – some fresh from an extreme makeover in the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique – wait to meet the beautiful Belle. This experience is interactive, and kids get to play a part in the story and spend time with the enchanting Belle.
You’ll also meet Madame Wardrobe, who introduces us to the castle, and then casts various kids to play the characters in the story. Lumière, the candelabra, comes to life with more breathtaking and cutting-edge Disneyfied technology. Every second of this storybook tour is a testament to the magic of the Disney imagineers and this experience will leave you and your kids absolutely enchanted.
Dumbo the Flying Elephant in Storybook Circus
Dumbo the ride has always been a family favourite at Walt Disney World Resort and now is twice as much fun. And instead of waiting in line, with frantic little folk and frazzled parents, guests are given a pager and ushered into a big top tent. Inside, in air-conditioned comfort, there is a playground with slides, a climbing net and a fabulous toddler section. Everyone is happy and cool until the pager buzzes to tell us that your flying Dumbo is ready for take-off!
More attractions in Fantasyland
Other attractions in Fantasyland include Under the Sea – Journey of the Little Mermaid, where you can ride under the sea with Ariel and her fishy friends, and then meet Ariel afterwards; the Be Our Guest restaurant is in the ballroom of the Beast’s Castle and offers French-inspired cuisine and Gaston’s Tavern is a casual restaurant in a comfy French lodge. After you’ve done all that there is still so much to experience – Fantasyland is just one land in the multi-zoned Magic Kingdom.
Celebrate culture and technology at Epcot
Epcot (Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow) is a must. This retro-futuristic park not only celebrates technology but also treats guests to cultures from around the world.
World Showcase
Visit the World Showcase to cruise on a boat through the Yucatan jungle, feast on Norwegian pastries, stroll through elaborate Japanese gardens, shop at a Moroccan Souk, and dine on crème brûlée at a French café.
Don’t miss the Mary Poppins-inspired neighbourhood and the Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure attraction. Other highlights include sailing into Arendelle with Anna, Elsa and friends on the Frozen Ever After attraction.
World Nature
In World Nature, Journey of Water, inspired by Moana, traverse the lush exploration trail where you can meet and play with magical, living water. Fly over spectacular scenic wonders on Soarin’ Around the World.
World Discovery
Replacing Future World at Epcot, this land still contains fun rides for the more daring, including steel coaster Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind. Mission: SPACE is a space-flight simulator, with two versions of the same mission. In the more intense version (which spins in a centrifuge), G-forces can even make it hard to lift your hand off the seat.
Visit Disney's Hollywood Studios for big screen adventures
Inspired by the world of film, television and music, Disney’s Hollywood Studios is home to the new land, Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge.
Many of the key attractions are similar or the same as at other Disney resorts, such as The Twilight Zone™ Tower of Terror, but a favourite with parents is the Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith, a high-adrenaline, high-speed ride in the dark, with Steve Tyler and crew blasting from speakers positioned behind your head. Another must-do is watching action hero Indiana Jones perform fight scenes and action sequences in the Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular!
Other highlights include Toy Story Midway Mania! and Slinky Dog Dash in the new Toy Story Land, Beauty and the Beast – Live on Stage, Voyage of the Little Mermaid, , Fantasmic!, and Walt Disney Presents, For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration.
Go wild and explore Disney's Animal Kingdom
See real exotic animals, journey into the fantastical world of Avatar and watch mesmerising shows at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Jungles, forests and a vast savannah are divided into five themed lands: Africa, DinoLand USA, Discovery Island, Asia and Pandora – The World of Avatar.
As well as a host of rides, dinosaur digs, a petting zoo and other attractions, Disney’s Animal Kingdom has around 2000 animals on display, representing 200 different species, including tigers, monkeys, giraffes, lions, warthogs, and some wallabies and tree kangaroos.
Some of the hottest attractions include Avatar Flight of Passage, Na’vi River Journey, Kilimanjaro Safaris, Expedition Everest, DINOSAUR, Kali River Rapids, Finding Nemo – The Musical, and It’s Tough to be a Bug!
Don't miss the water parks at Walt Disney World Orlando
Cool off at one of two fabulous water parks. Disney’s Blizzard Beach Water Park is built around the mythical tale of a one-time ski resort that melted into soothing, warm water. Adults can zip down the slushy slopes of Mount Gushmore on one of the world’s tallest and fastest free fall waterslides, while kids can splash about in their own water play area with a snow-castle fountain and kid-sized slides. Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon Water Park is a tropical paradise created by a fierce storm that left a shrimp boat perched atop Mount Mayday. It boasts the largest wave pool in North America, raft rides and lazy rivers.
Shop, dine and play at Disney Springs
This waterfront shopping, dining and entertainment complex is divided into four outdoor neighbourhoods: The Landing, Town Center, Marketplace and West Side.
Check out shops such as the World of Disney store, Coca-Cola store and ZARA, and dine at Morimoto Asia, Planet Hollywood Observatory™, Splitsville Luxury Lanes™ or House of Blues.
Take in the spectacular Drawn to Life by Cirque du Soleil, right in the heart of Disney Springs, with the signature jaw dropping human feats combined with quirky divine music and humour.
Where to stay at Walt Disney World Orlando
It doesn’t take long after arriving at your accommodation to feel the wonder of Disney. With more than 25 Disney Resort Hotels in the area, there is an accommodation option for every budget, from luxury hotels to camping.
The most affordable include Disney’s Art of Animation Resort, Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort and Disney’s Pop Century Resort. Moderately priced offerings include Disney’s Port Orleans Resort-French Quarter, Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort and Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort. Or splash out at one of the deluxe resorts, such as Disney’s Wilderness Lodge, Disney’s Beach Club Resort or Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa.
The bright and cheery Caribbean Beach Resort is a particular favourite for families. With hammocks on white sandy beaches, a choice of pools and playgrounds, bikes and boats to hire, and views of the nightly fireworks it might be hard to convince the kids to walk the 80 metres to the bus stop to go to one of the theme parks! They’ll love the pool with water slides and fun water-play areas while parents will appreciate the jogging track around the lake.
Whichever hotel you choose, everything Disney does is spectacular and orchestrated with sparkly perfection. With peppy Disney tunes we all know and love, life-size character replicas and cheery cast members, every second of every day spent in a Disney property will leave you and your kids believing in magic.
Guests staying at a Disney Resort Hotel benefit from early theme park entry in the mornings and extended opening hours in the evenings (running through 2025).
How to get to Orlando, Florida
Qantas offers regular flights from Australia’s East Coast to Los Angeles with connecting flights available to Orlando. Walt Disney World’s entrance is just 32km from Orlando International Airport with plenty of airport transfer options available.
How to get around Walt Disney World
All transport throughout Walt Disney World Resort is free for those staying on-site, and it saves finding your car in a parking lot that stretches to the horizon. Take advantage of the superb transport system that whisks visitors between the parks and hotels by bus, monorail and boat.
Best value Walt Disney World tickets
For extra value a Park Hopper ticket upgrade is worthwhile as it allows you to swap between the parks each day.
Content contributors: Elisa Elwin, Ken Eastwood
