Hey readers!  I am starting a new series called “what the heck IS?” and it will be overviews of different information, especially regarding theme parks and different theme park features. Like Disneyland Resort’s Maxpass and Walt Disney World Resort’s Fastpass+.

Click here if you’d like to learn What the heck is Disneyland!

In this post, I’ll be giving a basic overview of the Walt Disney World Resort, which is located in Orlando Florida, or more specifically, Lake Buena Vista/Bay Lake Florida. It isn’t formally “Disney World” or “Disney Park” for a reason — it is called “Resort” because the property encompasses way more than just a theme park.

In fact, this is what it does include:

• 4 Theme Parks

  • Magic Kingdom

  • Epcot

  • Disney’s Hollywood Studios

  • Disney’s Animal Kingdom

• 2 Water Parks

  • Blizzard Beach Water Park

  • Typhoon Lagoon Water Park

• 2 Entertainment Districts

  • Disney Springs

  • Disney’s Boardwalk

• 1 Sports Complex

  • ESPN Wide World of Sports

• 2 Miniature Golf Courses

  • Winter Summerland

  • Fantasia Gardens

• Several 9 and 18 hole Golf Courses

• Over 25 Resort Hotels

  • Too many to list!

  • I will be doing highlight posts in the future about the Resort Hotels

The geographic area of the entire Walt Disney World Resort is the size of San Francisco, or twice the size of Manhattan.  Currently, about ⅓ of their property is developed, and ⅓ is available for development, and ⅓ will always remain undeveloped as a nature preserve.  

In addition to all the “on stage” (or view-able to guests) spaces, there are tons and tons of “backstage” areas.  These spaces are for “Cast Members” only — that is what Disney calls their employees. They include: Disney University (where new cast members are trained), Cast Connection (discounted discontinued products for Cast Members), Property Control (damaged or returned merchandise deeply discounted for Cast Members), Costuming, Dance Practice Facilities, Holiday Decoration Storage, and much much more.  

If you’ve ever heard that Walt Disney World is full of tunnels underneath, you heard right!  They are only under the Magic Kingdom and are called Utilidors — they consist of pathways for Cast Members to travel, as well as costuming and makeup departments, and a bank and hair-cutter!

Flying In

If you are going to be flying to your vacation, you will most likely be flying into the Orlando International Airport, or MCO.  The huge perk for flying in here rather than Tampa (which is also pretty close to Disney) is the ability to use the Magical Express.  If you are staying at a Disney Resort Hotel, this is a complimentary service included in your reservation. I’ll make a post about it later, but the short version is: they pick you up in a bus from the airport and deliver you to your hotel.  You also don’t have to visit the baggage claim, your bags will magically arrive in your hotel room!

Free Entertainment

The different shopping and entertainment districts and resort hotels are totally open to the public and have no admission fee to visit!  This is a HUGE value, as Disney Springs and The Boardwalk usually have live performances you can see with no cost and no reservations.

Free Entertainment at the Resort Hotels

Also, the resort hotels are hidden gems of entertainment — most of them have top-of-the-line restaurants and activities.  Just visit the front desk and ask for a recreation calendar. Some examples of activities at the resorts are: a drum parade or animal scavenger hunt or a culinary tour at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge! Or a campfire sing along with Chip and Dale,followed by an outdoor movie, at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort.

The Walt Disney World Resort has endless entertainment. It would take weeks to see it all.  I like to spend 8 days there if I have the time and money to do so. Maybe 10. Or 14 🙂

If you are planning a trip to The Walt Disney World Resort, please feel free to leave me a comment with any questions you have!