Orlando Attractions

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The Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World

The first park opened at Walt Disney World, many still feel The Magic Kingdom is the best of the four theme parks. Children will remember their visit here for years to come, and adults can revisit the simple joys of childhood. Divided into six lands, each section of the park has its own unique flavor. Main Street USA, an idealized reproduction of an 1880's town, begins your visit to The Magic Kingdom. In Frontierland, the days of Davy Crockett and Tom Sawyer are recalled with Disney's usual pizzazz. If you have young children dying to see Mickey, you should definitely not miss Mickey's Toontown Fair. Adventureland, with its themes ranging from the jungles of Africa to the tropical forests of the Caribbean, features several great rides. The Haunted Mansion, with its 999 happy ghosts, is the major attraction in Liberty Square, and Fantasyland showcases rides for the younger set. Tomorrowland features ExtraTERRORestrial Alien Encounter, a sensory thriller from George Lucas.

EPCOT Center at Walt Disney World

Resembling a massive World's Fair, EPCOT is a celebration of human progress, imagination, and culture. The park is divided into two sections: Future World, which showcases the latest in technology and human innovation, and World Showcase, which highlights the culture, cuisine and architecture of eleven countries. Focusing on the scientific aspect of our lives, Future World's eleven pavilions each represent a different theme. Energy, biology, telecommunications and imagination are among the topics covered, each presented in dazzling style. The cuisine at World Showcase is well worth sampling, and each country's restaurant offers authentic dishes prepared by native chefs. This section of the park is also a shopping mecca, with an astounding variety of goods imported from the countries represented.

Disney-MGM Studios

A working movie and television studio, Disney-MGM Studios is devoted to the art offilm. Replicas of Grauman's Chinese Theater and The Brown Derby give the park Hollywood appeal, and the tours and attractions aim to educate as well as entertain. Complete with special effects and sets, the Studio Backlot tour gives real insight into film development. Attractions showcasing stunts, animation and film history are presented in spectacular fashion, and several thrill rides round out a day at this park.

Animal Kingdom at Walt Disney World

The newest theme park at Walt Disney World, Animal Kingdom features more than 1,000 animals in habitats replicating those found in the wild. Asia and Africa are both represented with native animals and plants, and an archeological dig complete with dinosaur bones is recreated in Dinoland USA. Showcasing architecture from Africa, Latin America, and the South Pacific, Safari Village is a collage of vibrant colors and native art. The centerpiece of the park, the Tree of Life, is a 14 story man-made tree with over 325 animals carved into its trunk, roots and branches.

Water Parks at Walt Disney World

Three water parks are located in Walt Disney World, each with its own unique styleand rides. Blizzard Beach, fashioned after a snow ski resort, features the tallest water slide in the world. With thrill rides, white-water rafting and toboggan racing rides, this park is a favorite among teenagers. Typhoon Lagoon, created to look like a tropical village, features the world's largest inland surfing lagoon. Mount Mayday, an 85-foot high man-made mountain complete with a shrimp boat teetering on top, is the parks centerpiece. River Country, Disney's first water park, was conceived as a modern day version of Tom Sawyers swimming hole. While lacking the huge slides of Disney's other water parks, this attraction has plenty of fun to offer and is usually less crowded.

Downtown Disney

Encompassing Downtown Disney Marketplace and Pleasure Island, Downtown Disney is Walt Disney World's shopping and entertainment district. Downtown Disney Marketplace showcases over 20 shops and eateries, as well as artists, dancers, storytellers and comedians. Pleasure Island, featuring eight nightclubs as well as shops and restaurants, is the only adult oriented attractions in the Disney universe. This attraction comes alive after dark, and a New Year's Eve celebration is held nightly, complete with booming cannons and confetti.

Universal Studios Florida

The place to "ride the movies"; Universal Studios has an edge of authenticity as it is the largest active film studio outside of Hollywood. More than 30 rides, shows and attractions are featured here, as well as nine sound sets and 40 street sets. Nickelodeon Studios, a favorite among children visiting the park, gives the younger set a chance to audition for a show, test games or be part of a live studio audience. Stunning visual effects and audio-animatronics are showcased at most of the attractions in the park, and make experiences like a confrontation with King Kong and a walk through a tornado seem real.

Islands of Adventure at Universal Studios

The newest theme park in Orlando, Islands of Adventure offers some of the mosttechnologically advanced rides and attractions ever made. Designed especially for children, Seuss Landing and Toon Lagoon are whimsical lands filled with rides and characters. Thrill seekers will flock to the other three "lands": Marvel Super Hero Island, The Lost Continent, and Jurassic Park. The rides here feature stomach wrenching drops, twists, and turns, as well as face-to-face encounters with dinosaurs and dragons.

SeaWorld Orlando

A marine animal adventure park, SeaWorld Orlando offersguests the chance to touch live stingrays and dolphins, take a journey to the Artic (complete with Polar Bears), laugh at the antics of seals, and marvel at the beauty of a tropical coral reef. The undisputed star of the park is Shamu, the Killer Whale. His audience-drenching splashes and silly antics have been favorites since the parks opening. Shows here feature marine animals such as Sea Lions, Otters, Beluga Whales and a Walrus. The park has recently added its first thrill ride, Journey to Atlantis, an elaborate water ride.

Discovery Cove

Operated by Sea World, Discovery Cove is more an experience than a theme park.Limited to 800 guests per day, admission to the park is by reservation only. Guests spend the day swimming with Dolphins, snorkeling among thousands of tropical fish, exploring man-made underwater grottos and shipwrecks, and playing with more than 300 tropical birds.

Cypress Gardens

Heralded as "Florida's Original Theme Park", Cypress Gardens has been delighting visitors since the 1930's. A great place for kids and adults alike, this attraction lacks the large crowds and frantic pace of Orlando's larger theme parks. Though missing the spectacular thrill rides and special effects, there are plenty of things to see and do. The Original Gardens are a blaze of color year-round, and over 8,000 varieties of plants from 90 different countries are featured. Renowned for its world-class water skiing shows since it's opening, this tradition continues and the shows are more daring than ever. Island in the Sky, a revolving platform that rises 15 stories, offers an unbelievable view of the gardens. The new ice-skating show, Fairy Tales on Ice, will delight children of all ages. The amusement also features "Wings of Wonder", a butterfly conservatory with over 1,000 free flying butterflies, and a European Circus Magic Show with everything from fire-eaters to clowns. In the Birdwalk, lories and lorikeets fly free and can be hand fed. A petting zoo, model train display; kiddie rides and paddleboat tour round out the activities.