Walt Disney World
Read our weekly Walt Disney World Update for current news about the Walt Disney World Resort.
Walt Disney World, despite Disneyland's precedence, is the jewel of the theme park industry. Taking advantage of dummy companies and cheap land, when Walt Disney decided to duplicate the success of Disneyland he ended up buying 47 square miles of Florida swampland. In other words, it is almost twice the size of the island of Manhattan, or as large as San Francisco. With the government of Florida eager to see the tourist dollars come to their state, Disney was given unprecedented concessions and can essentially run the entire property the way they want (even building a nuclear reactor if they so desire).
The result, after 35 years is a property that has four major theme parks, more than 20 hotel resorts, a giant sports complex, and a huge mall, with much of the property still unused.
- Location: Lake Buena Vista, Florida (20 miles southwest of Orlando)
- Phone #: 407-824-4321
- Number of Parks: 4
- Number of Hotels: 28
- Other Activities:
Park tickets are available from several sources and in many different combinations, from tickets good for just one of the parks for a single day up to tickets good for ten days of admission at either park.
The most popular tickets are the various flavors of Magic Your Way (MYW) tickets, which expire within 14 days of first use, unless the No-Expiration Option is purchased. Base MYW tickets provide admission to one park each day for the number of days purchased. The Park Hopper Option is available for a flat $50 charge, regardless of the length of the ticket, and allows the ticket to provide admission to all four major theme parks for each day of the ticket. The Water Park Fun & More Option, also available for a flat $50 charge, allows additional admissions to the two water parks, Pleasure Island, DisneyQuest and/or the Wide World of Sports Complex, with the number of admissions depending on the length of the base ticket. The No Expiration Option, available on a sliding scale of $17 (on a 2-day pass) to $200 (on a 10-day pass), is pretty self-explanatory, eliminating the 14-day expiration on the ticket. Annual Passes allow 365 days of admission from first use to the four major theme parks, and the Premium Annual Pass is the equivalent of adding the Water Park Fun & More Option to the standard Annual Pass.
Buying tickets for Walt Disney World is surprisingly complex (though showing up and getting a one-day ticket for just one-park will run $82 plus tax). The following lists lay it out.
|
Schedule of Magic Your Way Ticket Prices |
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(prices shown do not include 6.5 percent sales tax)
|
|
Base Ticket Price (Adult/Child) |
|
1 Day |
2 Day |
3 Day |
4 Day |
5 Day |
6 Day |
7 Day |
8 Day |
9 Day |
10 Day |
|
85/79
|
168/155 |
232/214
|
243/224
|
251/232
|
259/240
|
267/248
|
275/256
|
283/264
|
291/272
|
|
|
|
Base Ticket with Park Hopper Option |
|
1 Day |
2 Day |
3 Day |
4 Day |
5 Day |
6 Day |
7 Day |
8 Day |
9 Day |
10 Day |
|
120/114
|
223/210
|
287/269
|
298/279
|
306/287
|
314/295
|
322/303
|
330/311
|
338/319
|
346/327
|
|
|
|
Base Ticket with Water Park Fun & More Option |
|
1 Day |
2 Day |
3 Day |
4 Day |
5 Day |
6 Day |
7 Day |
8 Day |
9 Day |
10 Day |
|
140/134
|
223/210
|
287/269
|
298/279
|
306/287
|
314/295
|
322/303
|
330/311
|
338/319
|
346/327
|
|
(+2) |
(+2) |
(+3) |
(+4) |
(+5) |
(+6) |
(+7) |
(+8) |
(+9) |
(+10) |
|
|
|
Base Ticket with Park Hopper and Water Park Options |
|
1 Day |
2 Day |
3 Day |
4 Day |
5 Day |
6 Day |
7 Day |
8 Day |
9 Day |
10 Day |
|
175/169
|
278/265
|
342/324
|
353/334
|
361/342 |
369/350
|
377/358
|
385/366
|
393/374
|
401/382
|
|
|
|
Base Ticket with Both Options and No Expiration |
|
1 Day |
2 Day |
3 Day |
4 Day |
5 Day |
6 Day |
7 Day |
8 Day |
9 Day |
10 Day |
|
N/A
|
303/290
|
377/359
|
428/409
|
476/457
|
499/480
|
537/518
|
580/561
|
613/594
|
626/607
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Annual Passes
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Annual Pass type |
Purchase type |
Adult cost |
Child cost |
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Premium AP |
New |
$649 |
$598 |
|
Premium AP |
Renewal |
$599 |
$552 |
|
Annual Pass |
New |
$519 |
$478 |
|
Annual Pass |
Renewal |
$479 |
$441 |
|
DVC Premium Annual Pass |
New |
$504 |
$454 |
|
DVC Premium Annual Pass |
Renewal |
$464 |
$419 |
|
DVC Annual Pass |
New |
$399 |
$360 |
|
DVC Annual Pass |
Renewal |
$354 |
$320 |
|
Florida Premium Pass |
New |
$509 |
$469 |
|
Florida Premium Pass |
Renewal |
$464 |
$427 |
|
Florida Annual Pass |
New |
$389 |
$358 |
|
Florida Annual Pass |
Renewal |
$354 |
$326 |
|
Florida Seasonal Pass |
New |
$269 |
$248 |
|
Florida Seasonal Pass |
Renewal |
$241 |
$222 |
|
Florida Weekday Select |
New |
$179 |
$165 |
|
Florida Weekday Select |
Renewal |
$164 |
$151 |
|
Florida Epcot After 4 |
New |
$149 |
$138 |
|
Florida Epcot After 4 |
Renewal |
$139 |
$128 |
Premier Pass: This pass, equivalent to a Premium Annual Pass at both Disneyland and Walt Disney World, costs $749 per year.
On-Site Ticket Purchase: Ticket booths can be found at the main gates of Animal Kingdom, Epcot, and Disney's Hollywood Studios. The main ticket booths for Magic Kingdom are located at the Transportation & Ticket Center, though tickets can also be purchased at the Guest Relations window to the right of the main entrance gates of the park. You can also purchase park tickets at any of the resort hotels on property.
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Online Ticket Purchase: Tickets can be purchased online directly from Disney. Advance purchase discounts are available for tickets good for four days or longer.
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Other Purchase Locations: Just get to Florida and everybody will be trying to sell you tickets to Walt Disney World, though most of the "Ticket Discount Centers" are fronts for timeshare organizations and purchases will come with hard sells. Many hotels in the area of Walt Disney World also sell park tickets. You can also make your ticket purchases at any Disney Store (including annual passes).
Walt Disney World is located in Lake Buena Vista, Florida, just outside of Kissimmee and about 20 miles southwest of Orlando and Orlando International Airport.
From the airport you'll want to follow the directions to 417 and take that west until you have passed Interstate 4. Once in that area, you'll need to watch for the exit appropriate for your specific destination.
Parking at Walt Disney World is different depending on what you are doing. Parking at Downtown Disney is free. Parking at any of the on-property resorts is free for guests and anybody with appropriate business at the hotel (eating at one of the restaurants, for example). Parking is also free at the two water park, the Wide World of Sports complex and the golf courses. Each of the four theme parks has it own parking, which is free for guests of the on-property resorts and annual passholders but otherwise costs $14 for regular cars, $15 for RVs, and $18 for buses and tractor trailers. (Parking prices last increased in October, 2009.) Except for Magic Kingdom, the theme park parking is right in front of the gates. For Magic Kingdom you'll need to park at the Ticket & Transportation Center and take the monorail or ferry to the park.
Once on property, there is a resort-wide system of free buses. For the most part it is possible to get to every park from every hotel. If nothing else, every location with a bus stop connects to the hub at Downtown Disney from where you can connect to any other location. There is also a ferry that connects Epcot to the hotels in the Epcot area.
For additional information on getting around the parks with wheelchairs and ECVs see our Walt Disney World Mobility page.
Each of the four theme parks at Walt Disney World has a different focus and provides unique experiences.
- Disney's Animal Kingdom As the ads used to say, this is not a zoo, but it does mix a zoo with a theme park.
- Disney's Hollywood Studios Celebrate the history and wizardry of Hollywood.
- Epcot One half explores science and the future while the other half presents the cultures of the world.
- Magic Kingdom Modeled on the original Disneyland, Magic Kingdom is still its own unique destination.
Beyond the theme parks, Walt Disney World has an expansive array of other activities available to keep you entertained.
Downtown Disney— Shop, dine, or dance the night away.
Water Parks
Typhoon Lagoon
Blizzard Beach
Miniature Golf
Fantasia Gardens
Winter Summerland
Golf
Lake Buena Vista
The Magnolia
Oak Trail
Osprey Ridge
The Palm
Sports Activites
Wild World of Sports Complex
Richard Petty Driving Experience
Open Water Activities
The hotel resortson property at Walt Disney World are very much a part of the experience. While some are just basic hotels, others are destinations in themselves and no visit would be complete without taking a walk through the grounds.
Disney's Animal Kingdom- Discovery Island
- Flame Tree BBQ BBQ chicken or ribs, and some hefty side options.
- Pizzafari Basic pizza options with some interesting sandwiches and salads. Serves breakfast.
- Safari Coffee Coffee, espresso, and pastries.
Disney's Hollywood Studios
- Animation Courtyard & Mickey Avenue
- Hollywood Boulevard & Echo Lake Area
- Streets of America & Commissary Lane
Epcot- World Showcase - American Adventure
- World Showcase - Italy
- Tutto Italia Cuisine from the length of Italy.
- Tutto Italia Kiosk Coffee and alcoholic beverages with an Italian flair.
- Via Napoli The newest Disney/The Patina Group restaurant, Via Napoli is located at the rear of Epcot's Italy pavilion.
- World Showcase - Japan
- Kabuki Cafe Kakigori (Japanese shave ice), sushi and other snacks, along with beverages.
- Katsura Grill Several interesting Japanese dishes for those in more of a hurry.
- Teppan Edo Watch your chef put on a show while preparing your food at the table.
- Tokyo Dining Tempura and other classic Japanese dishes.
- World Showcase - United Kingdom
Magic KingdomAll Star Movies
- The only dining at All Star Movies is the World Premier Food Court, which is open 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. There are no full service restaurants at any of the All Star resorts.
All Star Music
- The only dining at All Star Movies is the Intermission Food Court, which is open 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. (a light snacks section is open until midnight). There are no full service restaurants at any of the All Star resorts.
All Star Sports
- The only dining at All Star Movies is the End Zone Food Court, which is open 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. (a light snacks section is open until midnight). There are no full service restaurants at any of the All Star resorts.
Animal Kingdom Lodge
- Boma Located in Jambo House, African-inspired cuisine served in a buffet style that allows sampling. Selections change daily on a weekly cycle and the soups are particularly noteworthy.
- Jiko: The Cooking Place A table service restaurant in Jambo House with that serves African-fusion cuisine. This restaurant also has an extensive wine list.
- Other dining — Mara is the resorts self-service fast food counter with decent sandwich, salad, and burger options. Uzima Springs is a poolside bar that also offers some light snacks. Victoria Falls Lounge is a bar located on the mezzanine above Boma and Jiko.
Animal Kingdom Villas
- Sanaa Table service dining at the Kidani Village annex serves lunch and dinner, featuring flavors of the historical spice route of the 1400s through Africa, India, China and Europe.
- Other dining — Mara is the resorts self-service fast food counter with decent sandwich, salad, and burger options. Uzima Springs is a poolside bar that also offers some light snacks. Victoria Falls Lounge is a bar located on the mezzanine above Boma and Jiko.
Art of AnimationBay Lake Tower
- Other dining — At Bay Lake Tower, Cove Bar provides light food and a full bar for guests enjoying the Bay Cove Pool. Up on the top floor of the tower, exclusively for Disney Vacation Club members (or guests of such) is the Top of the World Lounge, a full service bar with an observation lounge providing the best view of the Magic Kingdom and fireworks shows. Quick food options in the Contemporary Tower include Contempo Cafe, a late night quick food option with standard grill foods available until midnight, and Contemporary Grounds with all the normal coffee drink options.
Beach Club
- Beaches and Cream A turn-of-the-century soda fountain with all the ice cream and grilled goodness that implies.
- Cape May Cafe Goofy and friends host a character breakfast buffet in the morning. Dinner is a seafood buffet.
- Other dining — Beach Club Marketplace offers light self-service fast food options for resort guests. Hurricane Hanna's is a poolside bar and also has grilled items. There are two other lounges in the resort, Rip Tide and Martha's Vineyard, where adults can get the beverage of their choice. The dining options of the Yacht Club resort, Boardwalk resort, as well as Epcot's World Showcase are easily accessible on foot.
Beach Club Villas
- Other dining — Beach Club Marketplace offers light self-service fast food options for resort guests. Hurricane Hanna's is a poolside bar and also has grilled items. There are two other lounges in the resort, Rip Tide and Martha's Vineyard, where adults can get the beverage of their choice. The dining options of the Yacht Club resort, Boardwalk resort, as well as Epcot's World Showcase are easily accessible on foot.
Boardwalk Inn
- Big River Grille and Brewing Works Typical brewhouse options and a selection of beers.
- Boardwalk Bakery In addition to pastries and desserts, a selection of sandwiches are also available.
- ESPN Club An ESPN theme restaurant. Standard sports bar fair with countless televisions and occasionally something is taped there for ESPN.
- Flying Fish Cafe A quality seafood dining restaurant.
- Kouzzina by Cat Cora Fine Greek dining with a menu designed by "Iron Chef" Cat Cora.
- Other dining — The boardwalk has several small snack carts. Seashore Sweets serves soft-serve and regular ice creams. The dining options at Beach Club resort, Yacht Club resort, as well as Epcot's World Showcase are also easily accessed on foot.
Boardwalk Villas
- Other dining — The boardwalk has several small snack carts. Seashore Sweets serves soft-serve and regular ice creams. The dining options at Beach Club resort, Yacht Club resort, as well as Epcot's World Showcase are also easily accessed on foot.
Caribbean Beach
- Shutters at Old Port Royale American cuisine with hints of the Caribbean.
- Other dining The Old Port Royale Food Court has several stations with a variety of options and is open 6:00 a.m. to midnight. None of the pools have poolside bars.
Contemporary
- Chef Mickey's A very popular character breakfast buffet is a character dining location for dinner.
- The California Grill California fusion cuisine in a fine-dining environment. Time it right and get a great view of fireworks at Magic Kingdom.
- The Wave Casual American dining in an classy environment.
- Other dining — Contempo Cafe is a late night quick food option with standard grill foods available until midnight. Contemporary Grounds offers all the normal coffee drink options. The poolside Sand Bar serves sandwiches and ice cream in addition to alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages.
Coronado Springs
- Maya Grill The breakfast and lunch buffets are standard. Some traditional Mexican items are on the dinner menu but there are plenty of options.
- Pepper Market Essentially a fancy food court with several individual stations; gather your food, getting stamps as you do so and pay for your entire party when done eating.
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Other dining — Cafe Rix in the El Centro building offers take-out items for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Rix is a 5000 sq. ft. nightclub/lounge open in the evenings and regularly featuring life entertainment. Out at the Dig Site pool is Siesta's Pool Bar and Grill where fast food options are available in addition to bar drinks.
Dolphin
- Dolphin Fountain and Snack Shop A '50s diner with the ice cream and burgers you'd expect. The waitstaff has been known to break into song.
- Fresh Mediterranean Market Breakfast and lunch buffet where each item is made fresh to order.
- Picabu Buffeteria A large multi-station cafeteria with a vast selection. The attached convenience store is open 24 hours.
- Shula's Steak House An elegant steakhouse, part of the chain started by NFL football coach Don Shula.
- Todd English's bluezoo Restaurant High-end seafood from chef Todd English.
- Other dining — The Cabana Bar and Grill near the swimming pool serves burgers, sandwiches, and salads in addition to beverages.
Fort Wilderness
- Mickey's Backyard BBQ An all-you-can-eat picnic BBQ featuring live music, line dancing, and occasionally Disney characters.
- The Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue Very popular dinner theater combining all you can eat country vittles with country-western entertainment including comedians, singing, and dancing.
- Trail's End Restaurant Serving home cooking as a buffet for breakfast and dinner and a table service restaurant for lunch.
- Other dining — Like take-out options such as pizzas or quesadillas are available at Crockett's Tavern.
Grand Floridian
- 1900 Park Fare Buffet character dining featuring Mary Poppins at breakfast and Cinderella characters at dinner.
- Citricos High end dining with a Mediterranean flair.
- Grand Floridian Cafe A more relaxed table-dining restaurant, and the only one serving all three meals.
- Narcoossee's Seafood in an open-air environment, with a great view of the Magic Kingdom fireworks if you get lucky with a reservation.
- Victoria & Alberts Ultra-posh (and equally expensive) full service dining. The only restaurant at Walt Disney World with a strict dress code, and children under 10 are not allowed.
- Other dining — Gasparilla Grill is open 24 hours with self-serve takeout items. High tea is served in the Garden View Lounge every afternoon; reservations recommended.
Old Key West
- Olivia's Cafe All three meals are served at Old Key West's only full service restaurant. A variety of options though things tilt towards seafood.
- Other dining Good's Food to Go has standard fast food options as well as ice cream.
Polynesian
- 'Ohana While this is an all-you-can-eat restaurant it is not a buffet. Friendly staffers bring appetizers and a selection of spit-grilled meats for you. During the meal entertainment keeps the kids occupied. Breakfast is a character meal with Mickey, Goofy, Chip, and Dale.
- Kona Cafe Home of the famous Tonga Toast (banana stuffed sourdough french toast) this diner serves all three meals.
- Spirit of Aloha Polynesian Luau A luau meal in an outdoor theater.
- Other dining — Captain Cook's Snack Company provides hot take-out food and other basic snacks for resort guests. For adults seeking to slake their thirst, there is the Tambu Lounge next to 'Ohana or the Barefoot Pool Bar in the swimming area.
Pop Century
- Everything Pop is the resort's food court and has five stations open 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Classic Concoctions has quick snacks and the Petals Pool Bar has some snacks as well as drinks next to the Hippy Dippy Pool.
Port Orleans French Quarter
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Sassagoula Floatworks and Food Factory is the resort's food court, open from 6:00 a.m. to midnight, though some sections close earlier. There are no other dining locations at the resort, though a full service restaurant is available at Port Orleans Riverside.
Port Orleans Riverside
- Boatwright's Dining Hall American food with mild bayou touches in an old boathouse environment.
- Other dining Riverside Mill is the resorts food court and is well themed as a cotton mill; it is open 6 a.m. to midnight.
Saratoga Springs
- Turf Club Bar & Grill A small basic selection of meat and seafood dishes.
- Other dining — Artist's Palette is a quick service eating location, focusing on sandwiches and salads during the day and basic breakfast items for breakfast. Additional dining options are available across the lake at Downtown Disney, a 10-15 minute walk.
Shades of Green
- Evergreens A typical sportsbar with the emphasis on historical memorabilia rather than contemporary. Sandwiches, pizzas, and salads are served along with standard bar appetizers.
- Garden Galley A dinner buffet is available and changes daily on a weekly cycle. A regular menu is also available with the standard variety of an American food restaurant.
- Magino's Fine Italian cuisine in a casual dining environment.
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Swan
- Garden Grove Cafe Pluto and Goofy host a character breakfast on weekend. General breakfast and lunch items are served during the rest of the week.
- Il Mulino New York Trattoria Classic Italian cuisine.
- Kimonos Sushi and assorted Japanese appetizers.
- Palio's Italian cuisine in a swanky setting.
- Other dining — Splash Grill is near the pool and provides convenient drinks and standard grilled items. The restaurants of the Dolphin Hotel are a convenient walk away as well.
Villas as Wilderness Lodge
- Please see the dining section of our Wilderness Lodge page for dining options, which are shared by both resorts.
Wilderness Lodge
- Artist Point This fine dining location is dinner only, and serves dishes from the Pacific Northwest with an extensive wine list that also features products of the region.
- Whispering Canyon Laid-back dining with an emphasis on meat and quantity. The staff keeps things interesting with activities for kids and giving other guests a hard time, all in good fun of course.
- Other dining — Territory Lounge serves drinks and light appetizers. Roaring Fork Snacks is a quick-service counter open until midnight and home of the resorts refillable mugs.
Yacht Club
- Captain's Grille Breakfast offers the option of a small buffet or ordering standard breakfast items from the menu. Lunch and dinner tend towards seafood and chicken in the sailing-themed environment.
- Yachtsman Steakhouse Exactly what you'd expect from a nice steakhouse with just enough other options to ensure the whole family can find something to eat.
- Other dining — The Ale Compass Lounge and The Crew Cup are lounges that serve drinks and light appetizers. The dining options at the Beach Club and Boardwalk resorts as well as Epcot's World Showcase are within easy walking distance.
Regularly scheduled special events across the Walt Disney World Resort.
- Disney's Animal Kingdom Events
- Disney's Hollywood Studios Events
Disney offers the following tours giving detailed or behind-the-scenes looks at their parks.
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