A trip around the world (Disney World that is)

If April Showers Bring May Flowers, what do April Snow Falls Bring? Waking up to a snowy Indianapolis morning has me Disney Dreaming and really excited that this JSTP agent/blogger will be "home" for a few days starting April 7!

Disney World is made up of four theme parks and two water parks (not to mention the putt putt, shopping districts, and all that others stuff but that won’t be talked about today!) Let’s take a closer look at the four theme parks and two water parks.

Up first, the original park - Magic Kingdom. The Magic Kingdom was opened to model Disneyland and featured many of the same rides. Over the years, Magic Kingdom has changed to fit Disney’s movie library. Some of the original rides include the Haunted Mansion and Pirates of the Caribbean (both made into Disney movies), and my favorite pun-filled stop, Jungle Cruise (coming soon to a theater near you). Within the park there is Cinderella’s Castle at the center and six lands that spoke out from the hub.

There are roller coasters (Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, Big Thunder Mountain, Space Mountain, Barnstormer!) and a water ride (Splash Mountain). Several rides that are for the little folks, and plenty of characters. Also, don’t forget to stop at the bathrooms by Rapunzel’s tower - they are clean, well themed, and just the cutest place for a bathroom! A nighttime spectacular, Happily Ever After, is a fireworks and projections display that is worth staying up for

Next on the Disney’s expansion list was EPCOT. EPCOT started out as an example of what life could be like in the 2000s (ha!) and an area where countries from around the world could showcase their culture. The countries are amazing and have fun places to eat and learn. EPCOT houses the popular Test Track and Soarin’ over the World (I miss Soarin’ over California!). IllumiNations rounds out a day at EPCOT! And don’t forget to stop by the “Golf Ball” (spaceship earth) and Thank the Phoenicians. You’ll get the joke once you experience the ride!

Hollywood Studios was originally MGM! It focused on movies and Hollywood. Over the years it’s undergone several changes and is home to Disney’s two largest expansions - Toy Story land and an immersive Star Wars land. Thrill rides like Tower of Terror and Rock N Roller Coaster and shows like Beauty and the Beast and the Frozen Ever After singalong keep everyone entertained and Fantasmic spotlights the struggle between good and evil!

Animal Kingdom rounds out the theme parks. No, it's not a Zoo! There are animals but it's so

much more. You can learn about Disney’s conservation efforts to save endangered species by walking trails and enjoying a safari. Fun rides such as Expedition Everest and Kali River Rapids are great for any adrenal junky. And I forgot the shows! The Lion King and Finding Nemo have mini-Broadway style productions that are enjoyable for all ages. In 2017, Animal Kingdom opened the new land of Pandora, where the Avatar movie is featured. Flights of Passage and Navi River have long wait times but I will say the theming in the areas is as if you were on Pandora itself.

Last, the two water parks. First up, Blizzard Beach! Blizzard Beach feels like a one-time ski resort that has melted into a watery wonderland, complete with white sandy beaches and killer water slides. Typhoon Lagoon is more of what you expect from a water park: rushing rapids, a sandy beach to layout sunbathe on, glide down a lazy river, and even a roaring rapid!

All these are stops you can visit on a trip to Disney World. Let a Jet Set Travel Planner agent help you develop the best plan for your family!