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Sights Overview

The sheer enormity of the property -- 25,000 acres near Kissimmee, Florida -- suggests that WDW is more than a single theme park with a fabulous castle in the center. The property's acreage translates to 40 square miles -- twice the size of Manhattan. On a tract that size, 107 acres is a mere speck, yet that's the size of the Magic Kingdom. When most people imagine Walt Disney World, they think of only those 107 acres, but there's much, much more.

Epcot, the second major theme park and, at 300 acres, more than twice as big as the Magic Kingdom, is a combination of a science exploratorium and a world's fair. Disney-MGM Studios is devoted to the world of movies and TV shows. The Animal Kingdom, the fourth major theme park, salutes creatures real, imaginary, and extinct. Add two water parks, more than two dozen hotels, a sports complex, and countless shops, restaurants, and nightlife venues, and you start to get the picture. And still there are thousands of undeveloped acres. Deer patrol grassy plains and pine forests, and white ibis inhabit swamps patched by thickets of palmettos.

Disney's tradition of constant and excellent upkeep has persevered through years of ups and downs within the company. Whatever is happening in the background, all is still well on the kingdom's grounds. Walt Disney's original decree that his parks be ever changing, along with some healthy competition from Universal Studios, SeaWorld, and other area attractions, keeps the Disney Imagineers and show producers on their toes as they dream up new entertainment and install higher-tech attractions. To avoid missing anything, do plenty of research before you go, make a plan, then try to relax -- and have a wonderful time.