Disney World

Walt Disney's concept for Disney World was of a larger, more expansive version of Disneyland, so that it could constantly expand and not be as constrained by the need for land that Disneyland suffered from. Walt Disney World also was to be a sort of "Disneyland of the future" where breakthroughs in science and technology could coexist with the original Disney vision of themed entertainment.

Walt Disney also envisioned this project as incorporating a working community where his ideas about urban planning could be tested. He called this concept the "Experimental Prototype Community (or City) of Tomorrow," or EPCOT. The theme park that eventually opened under the Epcot name bore little resemblance to this vision, though the neighboring planned community of Celebration, which was founded by the Walt Disney Company, incorporates a few of the ideas.

Although he participated in much of the planning for the project, Walt Disney himself died in 1966 and never got to see the realization of his vision. The resort was originally to be named "Disney World," but before its opening Walt's brother Roy renamed it to "Walt Disney World" in his honor.

The land within Walt Disney World is part of the Reedy Creek Improvement District which allows the Disney Corporation to exercise quasi-governmental powers over the area.

Walt Disney World has four major theme parks, each with a main attraction that serves as its symbol:

v The Magic Kingdom (Cinderella Castle).
v Epcot (Spaceship Earth, the giant golf ball-looking geodesic sphere).
v Disney-MGM Studios (the giant Mickey sorcerer's cap, though formerly the 'Earful     Tower' water tower represented it).
v Disney's Animal Kingdom (the Tree of Life).

There are also two water parks, Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach. (A third, River Country, has been closed indefinitely).

The Downtown Disney area contains many shopping, dining, and entertainment venues, including DisneyQuest (a "virtual theme park" inside a building), and a permanent Cirque du Soleil show (La Nouba).

Disney Vacation Development, Incorporated, a fully-owned subsidiary of the Walt Disney Company incorporated in Florida, owns and manages the Disney Vacation Club's operations.

Disneyland

Disneyland, probably the first, and certainly the most famous of the world's theme parks, was conceived by Walt Disney, and opened in Anaheim, CA, in 1955. Built in one year, at a cost of $17m, Disneyland is divided into five smaller parks: Main Street, USA; Adventureland; Frontierland; Fantasyland; and Tomorrowland. It is populated by characters from the Disney studios, such as Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck, Pluto, Goofy, Snow White, and Cinderella, and the rides and shows are all built around famous Disney characters and films, such as Peter Pan, Dumbo, Sleeping Beauty, The Lion King and The Little Mermaid. Some feature films have even been inspired by Disneyland attractions, most notably, Pirates of the Caribbean and The Haunted House.

Also called "The Magic Kingdom," Disneyland calls itself "The Happiest Place on Earth." There are sister Disney theme parks in Orlando, FL (Disney World); Paris, France (Disneyland Paris or EuroDisney); Hong Kong (Hong Kong Disneyland; and Tokyo (Disneyland Tokyo).

Walt Disney World Resort

Owned and operated by The Walt Disney Company, the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida, USA is home to four theme parks, two water parks, many resort hotels and golf courses, and various shopping and entertainment areas. Most of the Walt Disney Company's Central Florida land, and all of the public areas, are located in the Cities of Bay Lake and Lake Buena Vista, which are both contained in the Reedy Creek Improvement District. These governmental entities, controlled by the Walt Disney Company, are located southwest of Orlando and a few miles northwest of Kissimmee. The Walt Disney World Resort opened on October 1, 1971. It is the largest theme park resort in the world, although Dubai Land, twice its size, is planned to open in 2006.

The Downtown Disney area contains many shopping, dining, and entertainment venues, including DisneyQuest (a "virtual theme park" inside a building), and a permanent Cirque du Soleil show (La Nouba).Another notable aspect is the large number of hotel resort complexes on the Walt Disney World property. The non-themed hotels are owned by private, non-Disney hospitality companies such as Marriott and Hilton.

The Spaceship Earth sphere is the symbol of Epcot.

Universal Studios

Universal Studios is a famous "Hollywood" movie studio located at 100 Universal City Plaza Drive in Universal City, California, which is in the San Fernando Valley.

Universal Studios Theme Parks

Universal Studios has long hosted tours of its studios to eager tourists. In 1964, the humble tram tour became a full-blown theme park -- the narrated tram tour still runs through the studio's backlot, showing off the sets and props from a huge variety of Universal movie and TV productions, but the Universal Studios Hollywood and Universal Orlando Resort theme-parks have added some high-tech rides, stunt shows, and attractions.

Universal Studios has since opened theme parks in Hollywood, California, Orlando, Florida, Japan (Osaka), and Spain (although without the working studio attached).

SeaWorld

SeaWorld is a chain of theme parks in the United States, with operations in Orlando, Florida, San Diego, California, and San Antonio, Texas. The parks feature killer whale, sea lion and dolphin shows and zoological displays featuring various other marine animals. The parks' icon is Shamu the killer whale.

SeaWorld parks also feature a variety of thrill rides, including roller coasters like Kraken at SeaWorld Orlando and The Steel Eel at SeaWorld San Antonio. Journey To Atlantis, a combination roller coaster and splashdown ride, can be found at both SeaWorld Orlando and SeaWorld San Diego. The parks are owned by Busch Entertainment Corp., the family entertainment division of Anheuser-Busch, which is best known for brewing beer but also owns nine theme parks.

One of the biggest attractions is the Shark Encounter, in which guests are carried through a submerged acrylic tube into the sharks' tank.

Also See:

Vacations
Busch Gardens
Universal Studios Florida
Islands Of Adventure
Sea World
Florida Beaches
Wet and Wild Water
Everglades