Attractions

The minute someone even mentions Walt Disney World, most people's minds immediately conjure up visions of Cinderella Castle and the Magic Kingdom. That's unsurprising when you take into account that the park that started it all -- it opened in 1971 -- is still the most widely recognized and the most popular Disney destination in the United States.

Today, however, Walt Disney World has grown to include an array of themed resorts, hundreds of restaurants and shops, nightclub venues, smaller attractions, and four major theme parks: the Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney's Hollywood Studios, and Animal Kingdom. And even with an uncertain economy, park attendance continues to rise. WDW attracted more than 47 million paying customers in 2007, according to estimates by TEA Inc. and Economic Research Associates. All four Disney parks make the country's top five in attendance list (the remaining park on the list is Disneyland in California). But that should hardly surprise you -- they offer a fanciful, self-sufficient vacation where wonderment, human progress, and old-fashioned family fun are the key themes. The Disney Imagineers show off their creative capabilities through spectacular parades and fireworks displays, 3-D and CircleVision films, nerve-racking thrill rides, and adventurous journeys through time and space. Though still more expensive, you'll seldom hear people complain about failing to get their money's worth -- at home, an evening out, including dinner, a movie, and a babysitter, can add up to a hefty amount without nearly the same return.

To keep you coming back for more, rides and shows are periodically updated, new experiences are added, and unique (often spectacular) year-long park-wide celebrations periodically add to the mix.

As Walt Disney World has matured, changes and additions have been numerous. Just this past year, several more attractions debuted, new restaurants (themed of course) opened their doors, and at random, guests were surprised with special experiences that money couldn't buy (including an overnight stay at Cinderella Castle, special FASTPASS giveaways, the chance to be an honorary cast member, and more). The Disney-MGM Studios even got a new name: Disney's Hollywood Studios.

Pin Mania -- Pin buying, collecting, and trading can reach frenzied proportions among Disney fans, including many cast members. All of the theme parks have special locations set aside for the fun, which are marked on the handout guide maps. There are, however, a few rules of pin-trading etiquette that must be followed. You can learn more about the madness on the Internet at www.dizpins.com and www.officialdisneypintrading.com.

Where to Find Characters -- Mickey's Toontown Fair was designed as a place where kids can meet and mingle with their favorite characters all day at the Judge's Tent and Toontown Hall of Fame Tent. Mickey, Minnie, and others can be found in residence. In Fantasyland, look for Ariel's Grotto and the Fantasyland Character Festival for daily greetings. Main Street (Town Square), Adventureland (at Pirates of the Caribbean and near Magic Carpets of Aladdin), and Tomorrowland (near the Space Ranger Spin) are other hot spots. Be sure to have your camera ready and waiting if you want to capture the moment before it's gone.

Tip: If you're willing to spend money to avoid waiting in a line, character meals at restaurants such as the Crystal Palace, the Liberty Tree Tavern, and Cinderella's Royal Table (as well as others at select WDW resorts) all offer the opportunity to meet your favorite characters. Just don't forget to make Advance Reservations if you go the dining route.

Frommer's Rates the Rides

Because there's so much to do, we're shifting from the star-rating system used for rooms and restaurants to one that has a bit more range. You'll notice most of the grades below are As, Bs, and Cs. That's because Disney designers have done a reasonably good job on the attractions front. But occasionally our ratings show Ds for Duds.

Here's what Frommer's Ratings mean:

A+ = Your trip wouldn't be complete without it.

A = Put it at the top of your "to-do" list.

B+ = Make a real effort to see or do it.

B = It's fun but not a "must see."

C+ = A nice diversion; see it if you have time.

C = Go if there's no wait and you can walk right in.

D = Don't bother.

Fantasia Gardens & Winter Summerland

Fantasia Gardens Miniature Golf, located off Buena Vista Drive across from Disney's Hollywood Studios, offers two 18-hole miniature courses drawing inspiration from the Walt Disney classic cartoon of the same name. You'll find hippos, ostriches, and alligators on the Fantasia Gardens course, where the Sorcerer's Apprentice presides over the final hole. It's a good bet for beginners and kids. Seasoned minigolfers probably will prefer Fantasia Fairways, which is a scaled-down golf course complete with sand traps, water hazards, tricky putting greens, and holes ranging from 40 to 75 feet.

Santa Claus and his elves provide the theme for Winter Summerland, which has two 18-hole miniature golf courses across from Blizzard Beach on Buena Vista Drive. The Winter course takes you from an ice castle to a snowman to the North Pole. The Summer course is pure Florida, from sandcastles to surfboards to a visit with Santa on the "Winternet."

Tickets at both venues are $11.75 for adults and $9.75 for children 3 to 9. Both are open from 10am to 10 or 11pm daily. For information about Fantasia Gardens, call tel. 407/560-4582. For information about Winter Summerland, call tel. 407/560-3000. You can find both on the Internet at www.disneyworld.com.

DisneyQuest

The reaction that visitors have upon experiencing this popular attraction is often the same. No matter if it's from kids just reaching the video-game age, teens who are firmly hooked, or adults who never outgrew Pong, they leave saying: "Awesome!"

Four separate zones -- explore zone, a virtual adventureland; score zone, a superhero competition city; create zone, where imagination and invention rule; and replay zone, filled with classic games but in a futuristic setting -- ensures that everybody will be entertained . . . and likely for hours.

This five-level virtual-video arcade has everything from nearly old-fashioned pinball to virtual games and rides. Want appetizers?

Aladdin's Magic Carpet Ride puts you astride a motorcycle-like seat and flies through the 3-D Cave of Wonders. Invasion! An ExtraTERRORestrial Alien Encounter has the same kind of intensity. Your mission is to save colonists from intergalactic bad guys. One player flies the virtual module while others fire weapons.

Pirates of the Caribbean: Battle for Buccaneer Gold puts you and three mates in 3-D helmets so that you can battle pirate ships virtual-reality style. One plays captain, steering your ship, while the others assume positions behind cannons to blast the black hearts into oblivion. Each time you do, you're rewarded with some doubloons, but beware of the sea monsters that can gobble you and your treasure. In the final moments, you come face to face with a ghost ship, which can send you to Davy Jones's Locker.

Try the Mighty Ducks Pinball Slam if you're a pinball fan. It's an interactive life-size game where you ride platforms and use body English to score points.

If you have an inventive mind, stop in at CyberSpace Mountain, where Bill Nye the Science-Turned-Roller-Coaster-Guy helps you create the ultimate loop-and-dipster, which you can then ride in a simulator (yes, you'll actually turn upside down). It's a major hit with the coaster-crazy crowd.

Finally, if you need some quiet time, sign up at Animation Academy for a minicourse in Disney cartooning (a drawback, however, is that you'll have to fork out yet more bucks just to keep your artwork). There are also snack and food areas for those who need something more tangible than virtual refreshment.

DisneyQuest (tel. 407/828-4600; www.disneyquest.com) is located in Downtown Disney West Side on Buena Vista Drive. The admission ($40 for adults, $34 for kids 3-9; prices don't include 6.5% sales tax) allows you unlimited play from 11:30am to 11pm (until midnight Fri-Sat). Unfortunately, heavy crowds tend to gather here after 1pm, which can cut into your fun and patience.

Disney's Wide World of Sports

The 200-acre Disney's Wide World of Sports complex has a 7,500-seat professional baseball stadium, 10 other baseball and softball fields, six basketball courts, 12 lighted tennis courts, a track-and-field complex, a golf driving range, and six sand volleyball courts. It's a haven for sports fans and wannabe athletes.

Note: The Hess Sports Field North, opened in the spring of 2005, is the first expansion of the Wide World of Sports venue since its opening in 1997. The addition features 20 acres of playing fields, with space for four football/soccer fields and four baseball-softball diamonds.

The complex is located on Victory Way, just north of U.S. 192 (west of I-4; tel. 407/939-1500; www.disneyworldsports.com). It's open daily from 10am to 5pm; the cost is $11 adults, $8 kids 3 to 9. Organized programs and events include:

• The Multi-Sports Experience, which challenges guests with a variety of activities, covering many sports: football, baseball, basketball, hockey, soccer, and volleyball. It's open only on select days.
• The Atlanta Braves play 16 spring-training games during a 1-month season that begins in early March. Tickets cost $14 to $23. For tickets call Ticketmaster (tel. 407/939-4263). In addition to the Braves, the facility also hosts the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' spring training camp.
• The NFL, NBA, NCAA, PGA, and Harlem Globetrotters also host events, sometimes annually and sometimes more frequently, at the complex. Admission varies by event.

Richard Petty Driving Experience

Test Track is for sissies. The Richard Petty Driving Experience at WDW gives you a chance to do the real thing in a 600-horsepower Winston Cup car. How real is it? Expect to sign a two-page waiver that features words like DANGEROUS and CALCULATED RISK before you climb in. At one end of the spectrum, you can ride shotgun for a couple of laps at 145 mph ($105, including tax). At the other, spend from 3 hours to 2 days learning how to drive the car yourself and race fellow daredevils in 8 to 30 laps of excitement ($425-$1,330, including tax). Note: You must be 18 years old to do this. Hours and seasons vary. For reservations call tel. 800/237-3889, or head on the Web to www.1800bepetty.com.