Youre going to Walt Disney World Resort in Florida! The magical place where dreams come true is within your grasp.
The wonder of Walt Disney World Resort of course, is that no matter how many times you go back, youll always find something new to see or do.
Not only because Walt Disney World Resort is ever-evolving – adding new attractions, introducing new shops and themed restaurants and updating the classics – but because it is just so vast – six fantastic Disney Parks, including two Water Parks, plus two exciting night-time entertainment districts, a state-of-the-art sports complex, over 20 themed Disney Resort Hotels AND countless opportunities for dining, shopping and recreation – youd be hard pressed to see it all.
Whether this is your first trip or youre a frequent visitor, here are 9 amazing things to do at Walt Disney World Resort.
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For the best advice on how to fit it all in, visit Virgin Holidays for help with everything from finding hotels and flights to Disney Park tickets and more.
They will plan it, book it and put it all into an itinerary for you so you dont miss a thing. All you need to do is pack your mouse ears and get on the plane.
1. Happily Ever After fireworks show
One of the night-time spectaculars at Walt Disney World Resort, Happily Ever After is a super-sensory pyrotechnics display especially for the dreamers.
It features more lights, lasers and projections in 18 minutes than any other fireworks show in the entire history of Magic Kingdom Park.
Happily Ever After celebrates the adventures Disney Characters have embarked upon – including favourites from Aladdin, The Lion King, The Little Mermaid, Moana, Frozen and Brave.
The epic display of fireworks and original animation has been created just for the show – along with a soundtrack featuring contemporary versions of classic Disney songs – music to the ears of Disney music lovers.
It is the number one way to round off a day at Walt Disney World Resort. Find out more and check showtimes here.
And after the days activity, there are more epic night shows to catch: The sensational Rivers of Light at Disneys Animal Kingdom Theme Park, complete with a beautiful soundtrack and colourful lit-up animals gliding along the river, reflecting spectacularly on the water.
And Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular at Disneys Hollywood Studios – an absolutely stunning firework, laser and projection show featuring Star Wars Characters and some awe-inspiring pyrotechnics. This is a must-see, whether you are a Star Wars fan or not.
2. Pandora – The World of AVATAR
Visit Pandora—The World of AVATAR, at Disneys Animal Kingdom Theme Park where you can journey to a distant world where floating mountains defy gravity. Where nature comes alive in a brilliant bioluminescent glow and mystical rivers flow. Where you can fly on the back of a mountain banshee and feel it breathing beneath you.
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Your expedition begins in the Valley of Moara where the land is an adventure unto itself. Hike under mountains that hover mysteriously above while you discover the totems, cuisine and artifacts of the Navi culture that surrounds you.
Ready for a rite of passage, until now exclusive to the Navi of Pandora? On AVATAR Flight of Passage you can climb aboard the back of a living, breathing banshee, and let anticipation build knowing youll experience flight like never before on one of Pandoras largest predators.
Or why not board a reed boat on Navi River Journey and experience a mystical Pandoran river where every moment tells a story. With the rainforest canopy glowing with life around you, discover plants and exotic creatures as the Navi Shaman of songs calls.
3. Toy Story Land at Disneys Hollywood Studios
Step into Toy Story Land, where kids and grown-ups alike experience all-new adventures youll only find at Disneys Hollywood Studios. In the so-much-larger-than-life setting of Andys backyard, Woody, Buzz, Jessie and the rest of the Toy Story gang invite you to join them.
Slinky Dog Dash
Andys assembled his awesome coaster kit and Slinky Dog is poised to take you on a wild journey. Hold on for an exhilarating ride that twists Slinky Dogs coils around curves, hills, bridges and drops. Its a crazy ride the whole family can enjoy together.
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Alien Swirling Saucers
The aliens have powered up their flying saucers to take you on a spin through space. Climb into a toy rocket and hang on as aliens lead the way on an interstellar romp set to an out-of-this-world beat. If youre really lucky, you just might get chosen by the claw.
Toy Story Mania!
Take aim, and head over to Andys room where your Toy Story pals will help you blast your way through the 4D arcade. Fire at targets with everything from baseballs to cream pies — but youd better be on your toes, because high-score bragging rights are on the line!
4. Embark on Adventure in Arendelle
Experience Frozen Ever After at Epcot, an unforgettable adventure where youll be whisked away for an on-the-water journey through Arendelle—one set to the tune of your favourite songs from Frozen!
And dont forget to head over to the Royal Sommerhus where youll have the opportunity to pose for pictures with your favourite royal sisters.
5. Have a splash at one of the waterparks
Soak up a storm of fun under the Florida sun at Disneys Typhoon Lagoon Water Park. Plunge down rushing rapids, sunbathe on a sandy beach, glide down a lazy river, and enjoy the thrills and spills of the whitewater journey called Miss Adventure Falls where you can board a treasure raft and hit the high seas for the longest ride in the history of the Disney Water Parks!
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The second Water Park came about when Disney built a ski resort in Florida. And it melted… go figure. What remains is the very cool Disneys Blizzard Beach Water Park. From bunny slopes to black diamonds, its packed with downhill thrills and plenty of ways to chill, whether youre a little squirt or making a big splash.
Summit Plummet is the most extreme attraction at Disneys Blizzard Beach Water Park. Scale the heights of Mt Gushmore, then plunge at over 55mph straight down a sheer 120ft slope — theres even a digital clock at the bottom to display your top speed!
6. Disney Springs
Disney Springs is it a place for fashion-forward finds at flagship stores, but its also a place for culinary adventures with world-famous chefs, and loads of exciting entertainment.
Everyone will love the World of Disney at Disney Springs – its the worlds biggest Disney Character store guys – where you can find everything from clothes, jewelry and toys to collectibles and even home decor.
Once the kids have their souvenirs, grown-ups can get their kicks at the high end boutiques selling fine jewellery, art, beauty products and accessories. Brands like Kiehls, MAC, LOccitane, Sephora are on offer, as well as Anthropologie, Kate Spade and Zara.
And if all that shopping has left you in need of some sustenance, there are plenty of options around Disney Springs. Head to The BOATHOUSE® for fresh seafood, a raw bar and premium steaks—complete with retro dream boats, from vintage American Amphicars to Italian Water Taxis. Linger into the evening to enjoy night-time entertainment like live music.
7. Dine with a Disney Character
Meeting the Disney Characters is one of the most exciting parts of a trip to Walt Disney World Resort, and those with the inside scoop with book a spot at a Character Dining experience.
There are tonnes to choose from (a full list of Character Dining experiences is here), but we love Tusker House Restaurant in Disneys Animal Kingdom Theme Park, where you might meet Mickey, Goofy, Daisy and Donald in safari gear while tucking into a buffet featuring flavours of Africa along with homegrown US classics.
8. A Beauty and the Beast themed dinner at Be Our Guest Restaurant
Be Our Guest Restaurant is one of the most sought-after dinner spots in the entire Magic Kingdom Park.
At the Beasts enchanted castle in Fantasyland you can choose to dine in one of three rooms: In the chandelier-lit baroque Grand Ballroom where snow-laced Gothic arches add to magical scenes, in the Beasts study in The West Wing for a dark, atmospheric room complete with his enchanted rose, or The Castle Gallery, aka Belles private library, where youll find larger-than-life figures of Belle and Beast dancing.
You may remember Lumière the candlestick urging Belle to Try the Grey Stuff, its delicious! Here at Walt Disney World Resort you can find out once and for all just what the grey stuff is.
Reservations are strongly recommended for all meals—especially dinner—and can be made up to 180 days in advance. So get the date in your calendar and click here to book.
If theres no table-service spots for dinner, its also open for quick service breakfast and lunch too.
9. Stay in a themed Disney Resort Hotel
At Disney, theres no need to leave the fun behind when the parks close for the day. With themed Disney Resort Hotels, you can live, breathe, eat and sleep Disney round the clock.
Disneys Art of Animation Resort, one of over 20 Disney Resort Hotels, is one of the most meticulously themed of all the resort.
The blue-hued The Little Mermaid room has an under the sea vibe with shell lights, a coral mirror and imagery of Ariel on the shower curtain.
There are Cars and Finding Nemo family suites and a The Lion King suite with gorgeous decor where its practically law to wake the family up singing Hakuna Matata.
Elsewhere, if pirates are more your bag, the Pirate Rooms at Disneys Caribbean Beach Resort are themed to the nines, and even have pirate ship beds.
For more of a spirit than a theme, Disneys Polynesian Village Resort is the one: a slice of the South Pacific in Orlando, with tropical palms, lush vegetation and cute waterside huts positioned right over the lagoon.
There are more than 20 unique Disney Resort Hotels to choose from ranging from value to deluxe. When you stay at a Disney Resort Hotel, youll enjoy a range of benefits – including extra time in the Disney Parks (valid Theme Park admission and Resort ID required) and complimentary resort transportation .
HOW TO GET THE BEST DEAL FOR WALT DISNEY WORLD RESORT IN FLORIDA
Disneys 7, 14 and 21-Day Ultimate Tickets^ start from just £24 per day and are only available to purchase pre-arrival in the UK and Ireland.
Make sure you buy before you fly to enjoy benefits such as Disney FastPass+ planning^^, enabling you to reserve selected attractions, entertainment experiences and Disney Character Experiences before you even leave home.
Memory Maker* (standard gate price $199**) is also included with 2018/19 adult Disneys Ultimate Tickets***. With Memory Maker, youll receive access to digital downloads of your Walt Disney World holiday memories, including:
- All your Disney PhotoPass photos, including Character Experiences and Magic Shots
- Photos from selected attraction and dining locations
- Magical extras like Animated Magic Shots and videos from selected attractions
^Child prices are valid for children aged 3-9 years on day of first use; children aged 10 years and above pay the adult ticket price; children under 3 years do not require a Theme Park Ticket and are admitted free when accompanied by an adult. Water Parks are subject to seasonal and weather closures. Tickets for Special Events must be purchased separately in advance by calling freephone on 0800 085 0582.
Disneys 7-Day, 14-Day and 21-Day Ultimate Tickets include unlimited access to 4 Walt Disney World Theme Parks, 2 Walt Disney World Water Parks, ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex and Disneys Oak Trail Golf Course, plus one round per day (prior to 4pm) at Disneys Fantasia Gardens or Disneys Winter Summerland Miniature Golf Courses. Note Disneys Oak Trail Golf Course includes green fees only, subject to availability, tee time reservations required (call 001 407 938 4653). ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex access valid only on event days, some events priced separately.
Disneys Ultimate Tickets are available for 7, 14 and 21 day durations. 7-Day and 14-Day tickets expire 14 days from first day of use, 21-Day ticket expires 21 days from first day of use. 2018 tickets are for arrivals between January 1, 2018, and December 31, 2018 and must be used for the first time at any park listed above by December 31, 2018.2019 tickets are for arrivals between January 1, 2019, and December 31, 2019 and must be used for the first time at any park listed above by December 31, 2019.
^^Valid Theme Park admission and online registration required. Disney FastPass+ attractions and entertainment experiences, the number of selections you can make, and available arrival windows are limited. Disney FastPass+ attractions subject to change.
*Memory Maker includes Disney PhotoPass photos and other digital content taken during the Memory Maker window and linked to the Memory Maker guests Disney account. If Memory Maker is sold or ordered in combination with a Park ticket, the Memory Maker window for that Memory Maker entitlement will be equal to the usage window of the associated Park ticket and will automatically begin upon the first use of the associated Park ticket. The Memory Maker window will end upon the sooner of either the expiration or depletion of the Park ticket. A MagicBand is required to receive certain attraction photos and other digital content. Photos and other digital content will expire pursuant to the expiration policy at mydisneyphotopass.disney.go.com/help-and-support. Valid Theme Park admission required for certain photo locations. Memory Maker is subject to Memory Maker terms at mydisneyphotopass. disney.go.com/memory-maker-terms and, if applicable, Family & Friends terms at https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/en_GB/ park-experience-terms-conditions. Disney is not responsible for missing, lost or damaged photos or other digital content. **Standard gate price $199 correct at the time of article publication. ***Book by 31 Dec 2019 for arrivals through to 31 Dec 2019.
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