By Angela Dalecki
Walt Disney World is one of the most popular vacation destinations in the world. With four major theme parks, two water parks, golf courses and a plethora of themed hotels, it draws in millions of visitors each year.
History
Walt Disney World opened on October 1, 1971, just southwest of Orlando, Florida. At that time, it consisted of a single park--the Magic Kingdom. Although Walt Disney conceived and designed the park, he died of lung cancer in 1966 and never saw the project completed.
Features
Present-day Walt Disney World consists of four major theme parks. In addition to the original Magic Kingdom, it also boasts Epcot (opened 1982), Disney's Hollywood Studios (formerly Disney-MGM Studios, opened 1989), and Disney's Animal Kingdom (opened 1998). Other attractions include the water parks Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard beach, Disney's Wide World of Sports complex, Downtown Disney shopping center, and the Boardwalk.
Identification
Walt Disney World is most easily recognized by the icons in each of its four parks: Cinderella's Castle (Magic Kingdom), Spaceship Earth (Epcot), the Sorcerer's Hat (Disney's Hollywood Studios) and the Tree of Life (Animal Kingdom).
Size
The Walt Disney World resort covers 47 square miles--about the size of San Francisco. It's twice as large as Manhattan.
Misconceptions
An old urban legend claims that Walt Disney was cryogenically frozen and buried under the Magic Kingdom. This is not true. Walt Disney was cremated and his ashes rest in Glendale, California. However, the Magic Kingdom is home to the Utilidors--an inspired labyrinth of underground tunnels created so that cast members (code for Disney employees) can walk to different areas of the park without being seen by tourists.
Resources
About the Author:
Angela Dalecki has been a freelance writer since 2005. Her articles have appeared in a variety of publications, including "TV Guide," "Pet Gazette," Helping Psychology, Nights and Weekends and Reality News Online. She also has over six years of full-time experience as a copy editor and is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Liberal Arts in English and psychology from the University of Massachusetts-Lowell.
