The Four Theme Parks of Disney World

The Magical World of Disney can hardly be explored in one visit. The Walt Disney World Resort near Orlando, Florida consists of four theme parks (and two water parks) which make the area one of the most popular destinations for families to go on vacation. Disney's theme park admissions tend to be a bit pricey, one day base tickets for any park are $82 (ages 10+) and $74 (ages 3-9), with an extra fee of $54 if you want to "park hop," so we recommend trying out one (maybe two) parks per visit. Tell the kids not to worry though, these theme parks have stood the test of time, and will certainly be around the next time you travel to Orlando.

Magic Kingdom- A place where fairytale dreams come true, Magic Kingdom is the oldest theme park of Disney World, opening on October 1, 1971. Designed to look like a wheel, with the hub in front of Cinderella Castle, pathways span out across the 107 acre-park, leading guests into seven enchanting lands. On Main Street, U.S.A. you'll find remnants of Main Streets from across the country. Lined with merchandise shops and sit-down eateries, Main Street U.S.A. has an early 20th Century Small Town America appeal. In Adventureland guests can explore the remote areas of Africa, Asia, the Middle East, South America, South Pacific and the Caribbean. Here you'll find rides such as Pirates of the Caribbean and Jungle Cruise. Fans of the Wild West will enjoy Frontierland, its major attractions include Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, Splash Mountain and the Country Bear Jamboree. Liberty Square gives off an American Revolutionary town, and here you will find the Liberty Belle Riverboat, Haunted Mansion and the Hall of Presidents. Fantasyland is themed in a medieval- faire/carnival style, and this section of the park is currently going through an expansion. Mickey's Toontown Fair is home to Disney's beloved characters, and features Mickey's Country House, Minnie's Country House, Goofy's Barnstormer and Donald's Boat. The park's final land is one themed after an intergalactic city. Tomorrowland's famous attractions include Space Mountain and Tomorrowland Speedway. Magic Kingdom is operates daily from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Epcot- Dedicated to international culture and technological innovation, Epcot represents a utopian city of the future, as envisioned by Walt Disney, and features the accomplishments of 11 distinct nations. First opened on October 1, 1982, the park consists of two sections: Future World and World Showcase. Future World is composed of 8 pavilions which explore innovative applications of technology and include: Spaceship Earth, Innoventions, Universe of Energy, Mission: SPACE, Test Track, The Seas with Nemo and Friends, The Land and Imagination! Many of the future worlds are sponsored by world-famous corporations including General Motors and Hewlett-Packard. World Showcase contains pavilions representing Mexico, Norway, China, Germany, Italy, the United States, Japan, Morocco, France, the United Kingdom and Canada. Each is made up of shops and restaurants staffed by citizens of their respective countries. Many of the these countries' pavilions also feature rides. Aside from its daily attractions, Epcot features annual events throughout the year that never fail to draw a crowd. Each spring it hosts the Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival, bringing in themed floral displays, topiary sculptures of Disney characters and visiting gardening experts. The Epcot International Food and Wine Festival takes place every fall, and features amateur and professional gourmets, including celebrity chefs. Epcot's annual holiday celebration is showcased in Holidays Around the World with storytellers from all 8 countries of the World Showcase. On New Year's Eve the park celebrates with live DJs and a special light show edition of IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth. Epcot typically operates from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., but features some extra magic hours on special days.

Hollywood Studios- There's no business like show business, and this theme runs true throughout Disney's Hollywood Studios, the third park built at Walt Disney World Resort on May 1, 1989. The park is "divided" into six themed areas, but just like a real motion picture, each section blends into the next. Visitors start on Hollywood Boulevard, which is full of Disney merchandise, and serves as a popular parade route for the zany characters who live at the park. At the far end of the boulevard stands the Sorcerer's Hat from Fantasia, the symbol that represents the park. Movie buffs and thrill seekers will enjoy the Great Movie Ride, featuring clips from Casablanca, The Wizard of Oz and Raiders of the Lost Ark. Don't forget to explore Echo Lake and its Golden Age of Hollywood glamor; the Streets of America which emulate parts of New York and San Francisco; Animation Courtyard with its Magic of Disney Animation attraction as well as live theatrical performances; the new Pixar Place and its sole attraction Toy Story Midway Mania!; and of course, Sunset Boulevard, featuring The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror and the Rock 'n' Roller Coaster. Hollywood Studios is open 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily.

Animal Kingdom- Full of attractions, adventure and exotic animals, Disney's Animal Kingdom is the world's largest animal-themed park, and the single largest Disney theme park in the world. Opened on April 22, 1998, Animal Kingdom is focused around animal conservation and is considered a zoological park. Many of the park's species have given birth to rare and extinct offspring, including white rhinos from Uganda. Animal Kingdom focuses on three classifications of animals--those that exist today, those that did exist, but are now extinct , and those that exist in legend and mythology. Every animal from wallabies and giant anteaters to dinosaurs, crocodiles and dragons are represented at Animal Kingdom. The park is divided into seven themed areas: Oasis, Discovery Island, Camp Minnie-Mickey, Africa, Rafiki's Planet Watch, Asia and DinoLand U.S.A. Every visitor will be amazed at the park's centerpiece, the 14-story Tree of Life, consisting of 325 animals carved into its bark. Animal Kingdom opens at 9 a.m. daily and stays open to 7 p.m. most days, check the park's schedule for early closings each month.