Introduction

Walt Disney World Resort is the largest and most visited recreational resort in the world, containing four theme parks; two water parks; 24 themed hotels; and numerous shopping, dining, entertainment and recreation venues. Owned and operated by the Walt Disney Parks and Resorts segment of The Walt Disney Company, it is located southwest of Orlando, Florida. The property is often abbreviated Walt Disney World, Disney World or WDW.

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It opened on October 1, 1971, with the Magic Kingdom theme park, and has since added Epcot (on October 1, 1982), Disney’s Hollywood Studios (on May 1, 1989), and Disney’s Animal Kingdom (on April 22, 1998).

Location

Despite marketing claims and popular misconceptions, the Florida resort is not located within the Orlando city limits, but is in its own cities: Lake Buena Vista and Bay Lake, about 21 miles (34 km) southwest of Orlando within southwestern Orange County, with the remainder in adjacent Osceola County. Bay Lake and Lake Buena Vista are controlled by Disney through the Reedy Creek Improvement District.

The 25,000 acres (101 km2; 39 sq mi) site is accessible from Central Florida’s Interstate 4 via Exits 62B (World Drive), 64B (US 192 West), 65B (Osceola Parkway West), 67B (SR 536 West), and 68 (SR 535 North), and Exit 8 on State Road 429 (Florida), the Western Expressway.

At its peak, the resort occupied approximately 30,000 acres (120 km2) or 47 square miles (120 km²), about the size of San Francisco, or twice the size of Manhattan. Portions of the property since have been sold or de-annexed, including land now occupied by the Disney-built community of Celebration.

Attractions

Theme Parks

Walt Disney World Resort features four theme parks. Each park is represented by an iconic structure:

* Magic Kingdom – Cinderella Castle
* Epcot – Spaceship Earth
* Disney’s Hollywood Studios – The Sorcerer’s Hat
* Disney’s Animal Kingdom – The Tree of Life

Water Parks

* Typhoon Lagoon
* Blizzard Beach

Other Attractions

* Downtown Disney
* Disney’s BoardWalk
* Disney’s Wedding Pavilion
* Disney’s Wide World of Sports Complex
* Walt Disney World Speedway / Home To The: Richard Petty Driving Experience

Golf and recreation

Disney’s property includes five golf courses. The four 18-hole golf courses are the Magnolia, the Palm, Lake Buena Vista and Osprey Ridge. There is also a nine-hole walking course called Oak Trail, designed for young golfers. Additionally, there are two themed miniature golf complexes, each with two courses, Fantasia Gardens and Winter Summerland.

Catch-and-release fishing excursions are offered daily on the resort’s lakes. A Florida fishing license is not required because it occurs on private property. Cane-pole fishing is offered from the docks at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground and Disney’s Port Orleans Resort.

Additional recreational activities inlcude watercraft rentals, surrey bike rentals, and firework cruises that launch from several resort marinas.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/destinations-articles/walt-disney-world-information-florida-1584929.html

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Fortunately, you can travel to most of the major Florida vacation areas by Amtrak.  Three daily trains travel to and through the state from the east coast.  As a relaxing and affordable method for travel to Florida, the train is preeminent.  Given the rising cost and hassle of air travel, a land alternative may be the most enjoyable way to get to the Sunshine State.

Here are five tips/hints for effectively traveling to/from Florida by Amtrak:

One:  You must decide which long-distance train you wish to take to Florida.  If you wish to stay in the Jacksonville-Orlando-Miami corridor, the Silver Meteor that originates in New York (with great connections from Boston) will be your train of choice.  You can leave New York or Washington in the afternoon and arrive in Orlando or Miami the next afternoon.  If you wish to go Florida’s Gulf Coast, you will be best served on the Silver Star.  At Tampa, there is connecting Thruway Motorcoach service to Sarasota and Fort Myers.  Finally, if you wish to bring your car along for the ride, the Auto Train runs from Lorton, Virginia (outside of Washington, DC) to Sanford, FL (45 minutes from Orlando.)

Two:  Most Florida Amtrak cities have connecting local transportation from Amtrak stations.  Miami International Airport can be reached from the Miami train station by Miami Metrobus and the Hollywood train station by the Tri-Rail commuter trains.  Connecting taxi service from DeLand to Daytona Beach can be reserved with your Amtrak ticket.  If you are going to Walt Disney World, you may wish to miss the crowds at the Orlando station and go on to the next stop, which is Kissimmee.  At Kissimmee, there is complete baggage service, taxi cabs and pre-arranged van service available.  Although there is no good public transportation options at either Orlando or Kissimmee, you are actually closer to the park (and thus you will incur lower transportation costs) from Kissimmee. 

Three:  For many people, having the flexibility of a rental car allows them to easily take advantage of all that their Florida destination offers.  At Jacksonville, you can pick up your Hertz car right at the train station daily except Sundays.  At most other stations, you can pre-arrange for Enterprise or other major car rental company to pick you up or reimburse you for taxi fare to their offices.  Before you leave home, talk to the local rental office (not the toll-free reservation agents) and confirm their hours of operation and the best method to reach the office.

Four:  The Auto Train is one of the most unique experiences Amtrak offers.  You and your vehicle (it can be a car, motorcycle or trailer camper of limited size) board the train at Lorton, Virginia or Sanford, Florida in the afternoon and travel nonstop 800 miles to the other location, arriving the next morning.  Your vehicle travels in specially-made carriers in the back of the train.  You can either stretch out in a reclining coach seat or reserve private Superliner sleeping accommodations.  All passengers receive a complimentary sit-down dinner with wine and continental breakfast.  There is also a lounge car that features movies for family entertainment.

Five:  It is extremely important to make advanced reservations for transportation to and within Florida.  By buying your tickets in advance for both Amtrak and local transportation services, you may be able to receive discounted advance purchase fares or special fares for students and seniors.

Charles Self is the editor of the <a rel="nofollow" target="”_new”" target="_blank" href="”Amtrak”>http://www.passengertraininfo.com/””>Amtrak Train Stations Across America website. At <a rel="nofollow" target="”_new”" target="_blank" href="”http://www.passengertraininfo.com/florida.aspx”>http://www.passengertraininfo.com/florida.aspx””>http://www.passengertraininfo.com/florida.aspx you will find additional information on traveling to Florida and Amtrak train stations.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/destinations-articles/florida-train-service-five-tips-to-travel-to-florida-by-amtrak-1488251.html

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Walt Disney World vacations are considered among the special vacation that everyone should try. Disney World is all about family entertainment with special surprises. Experience the magic, thrilling rides and breathe-taking events that is exclusive in Walt Disney. There are so many theme parks to choose from. You better choose the one that you will like the most because you will not be able to go to every theme park for a short while. What’s more, you can also get discounts by bringing the whole family. With their group packages, you will be able to save a lot.

If magic is what you want, and then be ready because you will blow away with excitement when you purchase Magic Kingdom tickets. This theme park is more on magical rides and attractions. This is like a portal to your dreams, a place where the impossible are made possible. Magic Kingdom has so much to offer that every family will not forget. Experience a new wave of adventure as you go along with their fascinating shows with highly decorative stage effects. Hold on tight with your seats that you might be disappeared with magical events that you will going to witness.

After going to Magic Kingdom, you don’t want your family to miss the Pleasure Islands. For gimmick lovers or for simple shoppers that is looking for a new trend of shopping and entertainment, this is a perfect place for you. Your Pleasure Islands tickets are your gate pass to access every entertainment hub in the island. You will be tired going around this place since non-stop entertainment is all about. Everybody’s pleasure will be satisfied. Your family may not want the day to finish without experiencing every part of Pleasure Islands. Do not miss buying tickets for this, because for sure, your family will have a memorable vacation that will treasure forever.

You can purchase Walt Disney World Vacations Tickets from Online store and save your amount. Don’t miss out the good deals on Pleasure Island Tickets and Magic Kingdom Tickets.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/destinations-articles/a-perfect-family-vacation-with-pleasure-island-and-magic-kingdom-tickets-1441748.html

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Today Disney announced a new program that celebrates the spirit of volunteer service with a simple proposition: “Give a Day, Get a Disney Day.”

Disney World hopes to inspire families to volunteer in their communities during 2010 through this first-of-its-kind program. One million people who perform volunteer service for a participating organization will receive a free one-day admission ticket to a Walt Disney World Resort or Disneyland Resort theme park.

While the “Give a Day, Get a Disney Day” program kicks off Jan. 1, 2010, you can learn more about the program and how to get your free one-day admission to a Walt Disney World or Disneyland theme park by visiting www.DisneyParks.com or www.DisneyParks.ca (Canada).

This year, guests were given one free allowed into Disney World for free on their birthday as part of the “What Will You Celebrate?” campaign.

“In 2010, we want to recognize and add one more reason for celebration: the contributions people make to their communities every day,” said Jay Rasulo, chairman of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts. “We want to inspire one million volunteers – people who will invest time and energy to make their own communities and neighborhoods a better place.”

To enable people to sign up for an eligible volunteer project, Disney is working with HandsOn Network, the nation’s largest volunteer network. Part of Points of Light Institute, HandsOn Network has 250 on-the-ground volunteer action centers across the country and connects volunteers to more than 70,000 nonprofit agencies that need their help.

Starting Jan. 1, 2010, guests can go visit the Disney Parks Web site to search for volunteer opportunities available in their area through HandsOn Network and sign up for a day of volunteer service. Many of the opportunities will be for projects that entire families can participate in together.

If annual passholders would like to participate, they’ll be offered one of three choices instead of the free ticket:
• Special Fastpass cards for certain attractions for up to six people.
• A collectible Ear Hat figurine with exclusive trading pins.
• Donate the free ticket to a non-profit organization designated by Disney.

The free tickets will not be valid at Walt Disney World between March 29 and April 8 or on July 4, 2010.

Ticket quantities are limited. The program begins January 1, 2010 and continues until all tickets are distributed or Dec. 15, 2010, whichever occurs first.

Still haven’t got your Disney Vacation Package yet? Then check out our website at www.orlandodiscountticketsusa.com for all your Disney Vacations needs.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/destinations-articles/disneys-give-a-day-get-a-disney-day-1282708.html

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