Walt Disney World

Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida opened in 1971 as a simple theme park post-dating Disney Land in Anaheim, California. Over three decades later, Walt Disney World consists of four major theme parks: Animal Kingdom, Disney-MGM Studios, Epcot Center, and the original Magic Kingdom. These four theme parks each offer unique attractions, rides, and events for persons of all ages. Disney Animal Kingdom, the newest of the four major Orlando theme parks, offers a glorified zoo complete with interactive shows and experiences.

In 1989, the Disney Corporation opened the Disney-MGM Studios in Orlando, in alignment with their original commitment to supporting the motion picture industry. In 1979, the second theme park to open on Disney grounds in Orlando was Epcot Center, a $1.4 billion project that encompasses both earthly and space travel.

Finally, the 107 acre Magic Kingdom, which opened officially in 1971, is the heart of Walt Disney World and contains such famous attractions as "It's a Small World," "Space Mountain," and "Pirates of the Caribbean." Although each of these theme parks offers something different, they all comprise the total Disney Orlando experience. The newest installment of Walt Disney World, Animal Kingdom, opened in 1998. Rather than offering the expected excitement of the other Disney theme parks, Animal Kingdom is a laid-back yet stimulating experience.

No building at Animal Kingdom is permitted to be taller than thirty feet high, so that the trees can tower over the Kingdom's landscape. The resulting effect for the visitor is like being in sub-Saharan Africa. The Animla Kingdom is divided into seven major sections, each with unique options for exploration: Rafiki's Planet Watch; Discovery Island; The Oasis; Camp Minnie-Mickey; Dino-Land USA; Asia; and Africa. Each section provides educational opportunities as well as pleasure.

For instance, through interactive plays and exhibits, Rafiki's Animal Watch offers information about conservationism; Because Animal Kingdom is the most recent of the four Disney World theme park installments, its ultimate plan has yet to be manifest. Nevertheless, Animal Kingdom offers a welcome alternative to the three other major Disney theme parks in the Orlando area. Disney-MGM Studios opened in 1989 and now consists of five main areas of attraction. The studios are arranged to provide the visitor with insight into the filmmaking industry as seen from the Disney perspective.

Mickey Avenue is a genuine working studio; New York Street mimics the excitement of Manhattan; and Hollywood Boulevard and Sunset Boulevard offer wild rides including the "Twilight Zone Tower of Terror" and the "Indiana Jones Stunt Spectacular." Disney's Epcot Center consists of two major sections: the World Showcase and Future World. The former consists of pavilions from major countries including China, Canada, and Germany. Each world pavilion boasts shops and restaurants selling native wares.

As the name suggests, Future World offers the visitor a glimpse into the future through interactive rides and exhibits designed to stimulate creativity and awareness of science. Finally, the Magic Kingdom is the heart of Walt Disney World in Orlando. With such famous.