“I do not make films primarily for children. I make them for the child in all of us, whether we be six or sixty. Call the child ‘innocence’. The worst of us is not without innocence, although buried deeply it might be. In my work I try to reach and speak to that innocence, showing it the fun and joy of living; showing it that laughter is healthy; showing it that the human species, although happily ridiculous at times, is still reaching for the stars.” – Walt Disney

The most important thing to understand about the Walt Disney World Resort is that it was designed to be fun for anyone. Singles and couples without children who think a Walt Disney World vacation is just for kids ignore the many “adult” entertainments available throughout the resort. Gourmands, sun-worshippers, world travelers, adventure-seekers, comedy-lovers, movie buffs, sports fans, club-hoppers, and history buffs can all find numerous activities and attractions to pique their interests.

The resort is enormous, a multi-day resort destination. Each of its four theme parks is big enough to occupy visitors for a full day (and often two, depending on crowds). Unless you live nearby, four days is considered the bare minimum length of visit to even begin to experience the resort; some people stay as long as two weeks and still bypass some attractions.

Traveling to Walt Disney World represents a major pilgrimage for many American families. The “typical” visit would involve flying into Orlando International Airport, busing to an on-site Disney hotel, spending about a week without leaving Disney property, and returning home; of course, there are infinite variations on this template, but this remains the standard from which all other itineraries are deviations.

Everything at Walt Disney World is carefully constructed and choreographed to maintain your perceptions of visiting an idealized world. Company jargon frames every aspect of customer service as part of the “show”: employees are “cast members”, visitors are “guests”, and every prop and costume must be completely “in-character” while “on-stage” (visible to guests). While some people find this cloying and artificial, the vast majority of visitors are happy to immerse themselves in this relaxing, carefree environment.

Even so, the realities of Walt Disney World can be stark: long lines, sweltering heat, rude guests, and expensive merchandise are common. There are ways to avoid the worst elements (namely by carefully choosing when to visit) and customer service is almost universally impeccable, even (or perhaps especially) when things go wrong.

Many first-time visitors try to do too much during their stay. Unless crowds are unusually small, this is a sure recipe for burnout and exhaustion. You need to have a basic schedule in mind, but you should remain flexible in order to account for closed rides, full restaurants, special events, and just changing your mind. If the crowds get too heavy or the weather gets too hot, smart guests staying on-site head back to their hotels to relax, grab a snack, or take a swim, then return later in the day.

With some careful basic planning, an open mind, and a cheerful attitude, a visit to Walt Disney World can be whatever you want it to be: fulfilling, exciting, relaxing, enlightening, or just plain fun. Whatever you chose to do, your visit is guaranteed to be an experience, in every sense of the word—one you’ll never forget.

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