Walt Disney World Resort is a contiguous 40-square-mile, world-class entertainment and recreation center featuring four theme parks (Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney's Hollywood Studios and Disney's Animal Kingdom); two water adventure parks (Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon); 32 resort hotels (22 owned and operated by Walt Disney World, includes five Disney Vacation Club resort properties); 99 holes of golf on six courses; two full-service spas; Disney's Wedding Pavilion; Disney's Wide World of Sports Complex; and Downtown Disney, an entertainment-shopping-dining complex encompassing the Marketplace, Pleasure Island and West Side. Walt Disney World Resort is also included in vacation packages of Disney Cruise Line.

Located at Lake Buena Vista, Fla., 20 miles southwest of Orlando, Walt Disney World Resort opened Oct. 1, 1971. Open daily, year-round.

EMPLOYMENT:
Approximately 59,500 cast members.

Opened Oct. 1, 1971, the first theme park at Walt Disney World Resort sits on 142 acres with the 189-feet-tall Cinderella Castle at its center. Similar to Disneyland in California, Magic Kingdom is divided into seven themed lands -- Main Street, U.S.A.; Adventureland; Frontierland; Liberty Square; Fantasyland; Mickey's Toontown Fair; and Tomorrowland. Popular attractions include Pirates of the Caribbean, The Haunted Mansion, it's a small world, Space Mountain, Splash Mountain, "Mickey's PhilharMagic," Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, Jungle Cruise, The Hall of Presidents, Mad Tea Party, Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin, The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, Country Bear Jamboree, Tom Sawyer Island, Peter Pan's Flight and Dumbo the Flying Elephant.

An ever-changing international and discovery showplace covering 305 acres.
Opened Oct. 1, 1982.

Future World - Theme areas focusing on discovery and scientific achievements. Major attractions: Innoventions, Spaceship Earth, Universe of Energy, Imagination! (Kodak), The Land (Nestlé USA), The Seas with Nemo & Friends (formerly The Living Seas), The Wonders of Life, Test Track (General Motors), Mission: SPACE (HP).

World Showcase - Eleven nations surrounding World Showcase Lagoon: Canada, United Kingdom, France, Japan, The American Adventure, Italy, Germany, China, Mexico, Morocco, Norway.

A working film, TV and radio studio, as well as a theme park on 135 acres. Production facilities opened summer 1988. Entertainment facilities opened May 1989. Attractions include: "Lights, Motors, Action! Extreme Stunt Show" (Brawny), Star Tours, The Great Movie Ride, "Muppet Vision 3-D" (Kodak), "Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular!" Catastrophe Canyon, Disney-MGM Studios Backlot Tour, The Magic of Disney Animation, "Beauty and the Beast-Live on Stage," "Voyage of the Little Mermaid," "The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror," "Fantasmic!," Rock 'n' Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith, "Playhouse Disney-Live on Stage," Walt Disney: One Man's Dream.

High adventures with real exotic animals, close encounters with prehistoric giants and warm, fuzzy moments with beloved Disney characters create unsurpassed fun. The Oasis entry garden welcomes guests into Disney's fourth major theme park, which sprawls across 403 acres. Jungles, forests and a vast savannah are divided into five themed lands: Africa, Camp Minnie-Mickey, DinoLand U.S.A., Discovery Island and Asia. Major attractions include: Expedition Everest, DINOSAUR, Kali River Rapids, Kilimanjaro Safaris, Primeval Whirl, "It's Tough to be a Bug" and The Tree of Life. Opened April 22, 1998.

Pleasure Island - Six acres adjacent to Downtown Disney Marketplace, featuring shops and restaurants, including a 400-seat Planet Hollywood.

Marketplace - Disney's waterside shopping village with more than two dozen shops including World of Disney, the largest Disney character merchandise showplace in the world, plus dining options such as the 550-seat Rainforest Cafe.

West Side - A lively dining and entertainment district including Cirque du Soleil, DisneyQuest, House of Blues, Bongos Cuban Cafe, Wolfgang Puck Cafe and AMC 24-screen theater.

A 220-acre complex designed to accommodate professional-caliber training and competition, festival and tournament events and vacation-fitness activities in more than 30 individual and team sports. The complex, which includes a 7,500-seat baseball stadium and 5,000-seat fieldhouse, is the official spring training home of the Atlanta Braves. Also features All Star Cafe. First event: March 28, 1997.

How can a guest get the absolute most theme park fun – and value – out of a Walt Disney World visit?

            The overarching tip is: Get to know the territory.  Do research.  Ask questions.

            Several means to this end are:

• Read a guidebook.
• Visit the official Walt Disney World Resort Web site (www.disneyworld.com) and obtain a free vacation planning DVD; at the site, also check out the online planning tools which offer suggestions about experiences which may be of interest to first-time guests or to those combining a celebration with a Disney vacation.
• Consult with the Disney World Moms Panel (www.disneyworldmoms.com) comprised of Disney-savvy parents who share knowledge in an online forum.

           
The information gleaned from a combination of sources may lead a guest to conclude – correctly – that many considerations are involved in getting the most out of the theme park experience.  Furthermore, many of the considerations ultimately involve a guest’s interests and individual circumstances.
           
For instance, while the four Walt Disney World theme parks are all created for family fun, virtually any guest familiar with Disney World has a “favorite park.”  That’s because the parks’ themes vary dramatically – from lands of whimsy in Magic Kingdom to worlds of scientific and cultural accomplishment at Epcot to streets, sets and backlots of show business at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, to realms of animals living, extinct and imaginary at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.

Guests are immersed in those thematic worlds through stories “told” in attractions and experiences.  But the methods of immersive storytelling are many.  Sometimes a physically interactive entertainment concept is used, with guests being drawn into the action and becoming stars of the show.  Sometimes ride systems carry guests on journeys that range from tame to wild – just like the stories.  And sometimes the experience is physically passive, designed for the senses to “drink it in.”

With “homework” ahead of vacation, a guest can customize an itinerary to suit interests as well as considerations such as age, height restrictions and ambulatory limitations.  A valuable source of information relating to “Traveling With Little Ones” and “Guests With Disabilities” is www.disneyworld.com.  (On the home page, under the heading “Plan Your Vacation,” click on “In-Depth Planning Topics” for links to specialized information.)
           
Many considerations that impact satisfaction are common to all guests.  They involve tickets, time and convenience.  Here’s a closer look at some aspects of ticket-buying, time use (plus time saving and time “expanding”) and guest services that can add up to an exceptional, value-enhanced theme park experience.

Shopping ‘smart’ for tickets
The Magic Your Way ticket system lets guests decide what ticket features best fit their Disney vacation plans … and that’s what they buy.  Guests decide the number of days and whether optional features – park hopping, visits to Disney attractions outside the theme parks and “non-expiration” of tickets – are important.  Some price and value considerations…

Per-day ticket costs decrease for longer stays.  A seven-day ticket without optional features brings down the per-day cost to less than half the price, per day, compared to seven individual one-day Base Tickets.  And the per-day cost of a 10-day ticket is less than one-third the price, per day, compared to 10 individual one-day Base Tickets.

The Water Park Fun & More option can produce significant savings for recreation and entertainment outside the theme parks.  Here’s what you need to know about the option:

• It provides admissions to the guest’s choice of Disney’s Blizzard Beach water park, Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon Water Park, DisneyQuest, Disney’s Oak Trail golf course and Disney’s Wide World of Sports Complex.
• The number of admissions it provides varies depending upon the number of days of the Base Ticket (the option added to a one- or two-day Base Ticket provides two visits to the guest’s choice from among the listed attractions; added to a seven-day Base Ticket, it provides seven visits).
• It costs $50.  Considering that one-day admission to a water park or DisneyQuest is $34-$40, substantial savings are possible.

The Park Hopper option can enhance the value of the vacation by allowing a guest to take advantage of special fun offered at different times of day at different Disney theme parks.  Other potential Park Hopper benefits:

• If the vacation stay is longer, “hopping” is perfect for repeating favorite attractions at the various parks.
• If the guest is staying “on property,” park-hopping can be the ticket to extra time in the parks (more about this under “Making the best use of time”).

Kids under age 3 are provided free admission to all Walt Disney World theme parks.

Making the best use of time
If “a penny saved is a penny earned,” then what of time?  Shouldn’t it follow that saving time is also merit-worthy?  Certainly using time purposefully is important, given that a guest has invested both money and time in a vacation.  What is “purposeful” varies from person to person, however.  Some guests at Epcot once shared that they were so enamored with the gardens that they hadn’t done any attractions – but they weren’t complaining; rather, they were complimenting … and beaming.  Here are some ways to “make time,” save time, add time and use time during a Disney park visit…

Disney’s FASTPASS system allows guests to avoid waiting at designated popular attractions in all four Walt Disney World theme parks.  Here’s how it works:

• At the entrance to attractions offering FASTPASS, two times are posted – (1) approximate wait time using the normal queue and (2) return time for FASTPASS tickets currently being issued.
• If the wait in the normal queue is long, guests can choose to obtain a FASTPASS ticket (at no charge) with an assigned return time (an hour-long window) and then use the time until then to enjoy other experiences in the park.
• Upon returning to use their FASTPASS, the guest can hop on the attraction with little or no waiting.

A "rider swap" program lets both parents enjoy a ride – one parent waits with a child who is unable to ride an attraction while one parent rides.  Afterwards, the other parent can board the ride with minimal wait time.

Tip Boards located at strategic “crossroads” in each theme park provide guests with a heads-up concerning attractions’ wait times.  Guests can save time – and “steps” – by consulting the boards throughout the day.

Extra Magic Hours provide guests of select hotels at Walt Disney World Resort an opportunity for exclusive time in a Walt Disney World theme park.  The details:

• The exclusive time is one hour prior to scheduled park opening or up to three hours after park closing.
• The park varies from day to day.
• In all, there are up to 16 extra theme park hours available each week.
• The time is exclusively for guests of the 23 Walt Disney World owned-and-operated hotels, the Walt Disney World Dolphin, Walt Disney World Swan, Shades of Green and the Hilton at Downtown Disney.
• Disney water parks sometimes open one hour early for guests of select Disney resort hotels.
• To take advantage of the additional time in the parks, guests must have a Magic Your Way ticket valid for the park(s) offering Extra Magic Hours – and, of course, their hotel ID.
• The Park Hopper option on Magic Your Way tickets allows guests to take advantage of Extra Magic Hours in a park or parks different from where the guest spends the rest of the day.

Guests arriving at park opening frequently head to a favorite attraction and enjoy it before it gets busy.

Guests who decide to forego viewing a popular parade frequently discover it’s a time to experience a popular attraction with less wait.

Festivals and special events are times when the theme parks feature extra entertainment and excitement –included with regular admission.  Several long-running events are the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival (spring), Epcot International Food & Wine Festival (fall), ESPN The Weekend (spring at Disney’s Hollywood Studios), Star Wars Weekends (spring at Disney’s Hollywood Studios), and elaborate decorations and seasonal entertainment at all four parks for the holidays.

The “best time” to visit depends.  The busier times to visit Walt Disney World parks are when school’s out for major holidays, the summer and three-day weekends.  The very busiest times typically are Christmas to New Year’s and around Easter.  Some considerations:

• Avoiding the busy times likely means shorter waits for attractions and shows and better access to dining reservations.
• Busy times can mean extended operating hours and sometimes special incremental entertainment.
• Disney planners attempt to schedule periodic attraction closures for refurbishment at times other than vacation peaks.

Quick Service meals can cut down dining time – and sometimes cost.  Addin flexibility because you can catch a gulp on the go without a reservation, and quick service can make consummate “good sense.”

Table Service restaurant experiences can enhance the theme park experience.  There are restaurants that are worth the extra planning effort of a reservation, the extra time at the table, and possible extra expense.  These eateries, replete with elaborate theming, extend the entertainment experience of the park to mealtime.  Dining and relaxing in an ambiance reflecting a different time or place is an entertainment experience worth the time sitting.  Sometimes these restaurants serve up entertainment acts along with meals.  And sometimes the meal may be part of a package that provides preferred seating at no extra cost for a signature entertainment performance (such as “Finding Nemo–The Musical” at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Candlelight Processional at Epcot, or “Fantasmic!” at Disney’s Hollywood Studios).

A longer stay can yield a vacation at a more comfortable pace.  Guest surveys show higher satisfaction ratings for longer stays – with “pace” typically cited as the reason.  After a week-long visit, guests have reported that they “didn’t feel rushed” and they “discovered a pool at the hotel.”
For a short-duration visit, make a short list of “must-sees” and “must-dos” based on the vacationing group’s interests.  One of the worst mistakes a guest can make is over-scheduling.  Be realistic in planning.  Don’t attempt to see and do everything.  Vacation shouldn’t feel like a track meet!  And remember to take into account any relevant factors such as height restrictions or ambulatory concerns.

Taking advantage of Guest services
Young guests.  Old guests.  Guests with mobility challenges.  Guests with vision or hearing disabilities.  Guests whose “native tongue” isn’t English.  Guests with special diets.  The “Guest-centric” culture of Disney strives to create a welcoming environment for everyone.  …

Special guide maps pointing out kid-stuff – where you can find the characters plus attractions, entertainment and interactive activities ofspecial interest to young children – are available at Guest Relations in all the theme parks.

Baby Care Centers in all four theme parks feature private rooms with rocking chairs for nursing mothers, diaper-changing rooms, and feeding rooms with highchairs, bibs and plastic spoons. There are even diapers, formula and teethers for sale.

Stroller rentals are available.  Rather than lugging a stroller (including on and off of parking lot trams), parents with young children can rent a stroller at the theme parks.  Tips for renters:

• A length-of-stay rental saves some money;
• Even for a one-day rental, keep your receipt; if you park-hop, drop off the stroller when you leave a park and use your receipt to obtain a stroller when you enter another park.  (The receipt also permits you to claim another stroller if yours “disappears.”)

Theme park guidemaps are available in six languages – English, French, German, Japanese, Spanish and Portuguese.  They are available at Guest Relations locations in each park, along with times guides for shows, character greetings, parades and fireworks.

The Guidemap for Guests with Disabilities provides a detailed overview of services and facilities available for guests with disabilities and is available at Guest Relations locations within all four parks as well as Lobby Concierge locations at Walt Disney World resort hotels.  Types of disabilities covered include mobility disability, hearing disability, visual disability and non-apparent disability.

Wheelchairs and Electric Convenience Vehicles (ECVs) are available for rent at Disney theme parks for the convenience of guests with disabilities.  A tip:

• A length-of-stay rental ticket is available which offers not only savings but also involves a one-time payment transaction after which the guest simply shows the receipt at the stroller rental location and is expedited through the queue with little or no wait time.

Special dietary requests can typically be accommodated.  The Walt Disney World Food & Beverage team is committed to offering a wide range of choices to accommodate guests who require lifestyle dining options, as well as most specific requests from guests with food allergies or intolerances.  Some considerations to note:

• Whether dining at a table service restaurant or at a quick service restaurant, desired dining requests will be addressed.
• In many cases, advance notice is required – usually at the time of your reservation.
• Please call Disney’s Dining Reservation Center at 407/WDW-DINE to discuss arrangements.

Professional photographers take keepsake shots of family vacations – with everyone in the picture.  Here are some of the details:

•  Disney’s PhotoPass service photographers are stationed at prime photo spots throughout the theme parks.
• The guest’s Disney’s PhotoPass ID card (issued free) is used by the photo team to keep track of images.
• The images can be viewed online; guests can order prints, customized photo albums, T-shirts, mugs and more.
• Additional information is available online by visiting www.disneyphotopass.com.

Merchandise purchases don’t have to be a burden.  There are alternatives to carrying the packages throughout the parks:

• Package pickup is available at no charge.  Merchandise is moved to package pickup, conveniently located near the front entrance of each park, for guests’ pickup when they are leaving the park.
• Hotel delivery is available at no charge to guests of Walt Disney World resorts.  Purchases made prior to 7 p.m. will be delivered to the guest’s hotel by noon the following day.  Purchases made after 7 p.m. will be at the hotel on the second day after purchase.
• Shipping is available for an additional charge at the time of purchase.

Lockers are available for rental.  They are first come, first served – and quite popular.  They are located near the entrance of each park.  There are a variety of sizes.  If you are park-hopping, you don’t have to pay the locker fee a second time on a day (just a key deposit) provided you keep your receipt.

Disney Parks overflow with extra-magical experiences to make “celebration vacations” more memorable than ever. Between Walt Disney World Resort in Florida and Disneyland Resort in California, there are more than 200 ways to add more magic to stays – and to customize and personalize a visit.

With everything from fireworks cruises, street parties and behind-the-scenes tours … to specialty cakes and in-room decorations to choose from, guests who have decided their answer to “What Will You Celebrate?” have more choices before them as they ponder, “How will I celebrate?”

Thanks to new Web planning tools, learning about available choices and then customizing a “celebration vacation” itinerary – or “gifting” a celebrating family member or friend with a personalized Disney experience – is easier than ever. Through www.disneyparks.com, guests (or their travel agents) choose the celebration destination – Disneyland Resort in California or Walt Disney World Resort in Florida. With a click, they access an interactive online celebration “planner” to shop the many experiences that are a cornerstone of a “celebration vacation” at Disney Parks – experiences that transform guests into the stars of their own party.

Guests indicate what they’re celebrating – birthday, reunion, personal triumph, true love (wedding, honeymoon or anniversary) or even “first visit.” Based on the occasion, the online “planner” shares a selection of ideas – everything from a street party celebration on Main Street, U.S.A. that will be a must-do for Disneyland and Walt Disney World guests of all ages … to intimate, candlelit dinners for two.
 
If the guest adds considerations – such as the ages in the group or the type of experience (for instance, dining or entertainment or sports and recreation) – the planner will “fine tune” the possibilities. When the guest clicks on a possibility, the planner serves up information and images. Guests can add items to a “Wish List” or “Scrapbook” and then call a designated phone number to complete their arrangements.

Now there is also a way to participate in a guest’s upcoming celebration visit when you aren’t going to be in attendance: by “gifting.” The giver reviews the possibilities using the online planner, then calls a Disney Dream Maker to personalize and customize the gift.  At Walt Disney World Resort, Dream Makers can be reached at 407/WDW-GIFT. At Disneyland Resort, Dream Makers are at 714/781-GIFT.

With all there is to do in Disney parks, guests can tailor a celebration with favorite attractions, favorite characters and special experiences. Maybe they have a “princess” day with themed meals, shows, attractions and perfectly princess merchandise at Disneyland capped by a fun-filled treasure hunt through the park. Or they turn a Walt Disney World stay into a celebration of “the pirate’s life” with pirate-themed resort accommodations, kids’ pirate adventures, a cruise with Captain Hook and Smee, and an adventure ride – or two or three – through Pirates of the Caribbean. Or they turn Walt Disney World “wild” with horseback riding, bass fishing and parasailing.

A sampling of the vacation options:

        Inside the Magic – Specialty tours take guests inside the storytelling, adventure and history of Disney Parks.
 
·        “A Walk in Walt’s Footsteps” provides a look at Walt Disney’s original theme park from the perspective of Walt himself, revealing secrets behind the inspiration for Disney Parks. (Disneyland Resort)
·        “The Magic Behind our Steam Trains” explores one of Walt’s lifetime loves and their role at Magic Kingdom. (Walt Disney World Resort)
·        “Disney’s Key to the Kingdom” gives insiders a peek into Walt’s vision and philosophy around the creation of the Magic Kingdom theme park. (Walt Disney World Resort)
·        “Behind the Seeds” is a hands-on discovery tour with a close-up look at plants, insects and aquatic life at Epcot. (Walt Disney World Resort)
·        “UnDISCOVERed Future World” reveals the legacy of Walt and the creation of Epcot, plus many backstage encounters. (Walt Disney World Resort) 

It’s All About the Kids – Enchanting tea parties, princess makeovers and pirate adventures await youngsters looking to celebrate VIP style.
 
·        “My Disney Girl Perfectly Princess Tea Party” invites guests to a deliciously delightful tea party. 
(Walt Disney World Resort)
·        “My Disneyland Birthday Party” at the Plaza Inn on Main Street, U.S.A. is a jolly party packed with music and laughter as guests create their own bakery “mouse-terpieces” by decorating personal mini-cakes. (Disneyland Resort)
·        Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique is a glamorous princess makeover salon under the supervision of a Disney Fairy Godmother-in-training. (Walt Disney World Resort & coming in spring 2009 to Disneyland Resort)
·        “Discover the Magic” tour, designed especially for children, combines a tour of Disneyland with a
fun-filled treasure hunt through the park. (Disneyland Resort)
·        “Princess Fantasy Faire” offers princesses and lords of all ages “quality time” with the Disney princesses, including face painting, specially themed foods and instructions in court etiquette. (Disneyland Resort)
·        Adventure Cruises are ideal for young bucs wanting to set sail to exotic ports of call. (Walt Disney World Resort)

Unique Experiences – Excursions with exotic animals, family portrait sessions and special experiences.
 
·         Epcot DiveQuest invites guests to dive in a six-million-gallon aquarium and come face to face with 65 species of marine life. (Walt Disney World Resort)
·        Sunrise Safari offers the chance to roam a true African savannah with more than 200 animal species at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, followed by breakfast. (Walt Disney World Resort)
·        A celebration street party invites guests of all ages into the heart of the castle parks to join Disney characters and dozens of performers in a celebratory song and dance party.  (Walt Disney World Resort & Disneyland Resort)
·        Guests board Segways for a one-of-a-kind pre-opening exploration of Disney’s California Adventure in the “Cruzin' Disney’s California Adventure Park! Tour.” (Disneyland Resort)
·        PhotoPass Portrait Session captures the moment with loved ones during a 20-minute private photography session at select Disney resort hotels. (Walt Disney World Resort

Dining Delights – Decadent delights make festivities sweeter than ever.
 
·        My Mini-Cake Surprise, themed personal-sized party cakes with a special surprise included. (Walt Disney World Resort & Disneyland Resort)
·        Sweetheart Dinner for Two, a gourmet-style prix fixe meal for two, plus souvenir toasting glasses to commemorate the moment. (Walt Disney World Resort & Disneyland Resort)
·        Celebrate Today! Party Favors, the ultimate goodie bag packed with fun activities and a surprise pop-up centerpiece. (Walt Disney World Resort & Disneyland Resort)

The Sky’s the Limit – Over-the-top recreation, relaxation and more.
 
·        Spa time, where it’s pure indulgence with full-service spas offering a range of wellness and beautifying services. (Walt Disney World Resort & Disneyland Resort)
·        Parasailing thrills, where your dreams of soaring above the water become reality.  (Walt Disney World Resort)
·        VIP Tour Services help guests navigate the parks with expert VIP hosts who act as personal concierges and tour guides. (Walt Disney World Resort & Disneyland Resort)

Gatherings of a Lifetime – Mark the occasion with a special meal, fireworks cruise or character greeting.
 
·        Set sail in a new nighttime excursion around Seven Seas Lagoon for a spectacular view of “Wishes,” the nightly fireworks display. (coming spring 2009 to Walt Disney World Resort)
·        “Celebration Roundup and Barbecue at Big Thunder Ranch” is the place to celebrate any occasion – cowboy-style. Disney characters share in the celebration fun, which includes the new outdoor Big Thunder Family Barbecue restaurant. (Disneyland Resort)

In-Room Surprises – The celebration can happen inside guests' Disney resort hotel rooms.
 
·        “Mickey and Pals Big Birthday” wish turns a guestroom into party central with personalized gifts from Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck, Goofy and Pluto – Disney’s “Fab 5”!  Birthday banners, a balloon bouquet, colorful packages, an autograph from Mickey Mouse and other customized offerings await the birthday boy or girl – young or old!
·        “Simply Magical” is one of dozens of customized floral bouquets available for special occasions.  This elegant arrangement includes roses and lilies and is decorated with streamers and pixie dust in a Disney-themed collectible vase.
·        “A Pirate’s Life” is the ideal treasure for young buccaneers seeking all the fixings for a pirate.  The in-room gift includes a pirate hat overflowing with chocolate booty, an authentic eye patch and clip-on earring.
·        “Treasure Your Princess” is a cookie cake made up of pink frosted cookies topped with a light-up tiara, fit for a princess.  A candy jewelry set and glass slipper filled with goodies round out the enchanting treat.