105 Best Sights in Walt Disney World Orlando, Florida

This is the spot to check out costumes, concept art work, replica props, models, and artifacts from the Star Wars films on display in several galleries. A 10-minute film runs continuously in the Launch Bay Theater, documenting the creation of Star Wars through interviews with the directors, writers, and producers of this wildly popular film series. There's also an area where you can meet and have your photo taken with Star Wars characters. For people with disabilities: Guests can remain in wheelchairs and ECVs in specialty seating in the back of the theater. Handheld captioning, assistive listening, and audio description are available. Disney Visa Cardholders can show their card ID for an exclusive Star Wars Magic Shot experience.

If visiting a Star Wars thrill ride isn't enough, why not an overnight stay? The extremely expensive (up to $6,000 for a family of four), immersive, three-day, two-night ride, experience, and "resort" offers accommodations on a fictitious,100-cabin cruise ship, where guests join the battle between the Resistance and the First Order, enjoying a journey to Batuu, themed meals, and interactive experiences with costumed cast members. The details, portrayals and overall atmosphere are incredibly true to the galaxy far, far away and start the moment you are "launched" into space, continuing through meals and cocktails at the famed Cantina, lightsaber training, and roleplaying missions to the Rise of the Resistance attraction.  Kids will probably want to order their Star Wars costumes in advance to arrive "in character"

Inspired by the classic novel by Johann Wyss about the adventures of the Robinson family, who were shipwrecked en route to America, this attraction shows what you can do with a big faux tree and a lot of imagination. Disney detail abounds: the kitchen sink is a giant clamshell; the boys' room, strewn with clothing, has two hammocks instead of beds; and an ingenious system of rain barrels and bamboo pipes provides running water in every room. As you clamber around the narrow wooden steps and rope bridges that connect the rooms in this split-level dwelling, notice the Spanish moss. It's real, but the tree itself—some 90 feet in diameter, with more than 1,000 branches—was constructed by the props department. The 300,000 leaves are vinyl. Toddlers unsteady on their feet might have trouble with the stairs. For people with disabilities: With its 100 steps and lack of narration, this attraction gets low ratings among those with mobility and visual impairments. If you're with children 4 to 12 who like to explore, plan to climb while you're already in Adventureland.

Six-passenger rafts zip along green slopes in one of the world's longest family white-water raft rides. Since its original construction, it has doubled its speed of departure onto its twisting, 1,200-foot channel of rushing water, which ends with a refreshing waterfall dousing. This ride is a good place for kids too big for Tike's Peak to test more grown-up waters. Those who are pregnant or have heart, neck, or back problems should avoid this one. For people with disabilities: Guests using wheelchairs must transfer to the ride. This ride is great for the whole family: there aren't age or height requirements (beyond "no infants"), tubes seat four to six people, and lines move quickly.

Brand-new to the Magic Kingdom, this attraction will follow the same general track as its predecessor, Splash Mountain, but will feature songs and Audio-Animatronic characters from the beloved Princess and the Frog movie. Join Tiana on a trip through the bayou as she and her alligator friend, Louis, plan a one-of-a-kind Mardi Gras celebration in New Orleans. Expect a good few twists, turns, and at least one major drop along the way. In addition, Princess Tiana will be expanding her restaurant to include Tiana's Foods, an employee-owned co-op and salt mine. The opening date for this ride was expected to be some time late in 2024; check the Walt Disney World website for updates on its status.

Grab your mat, wait for the signal, and go! You and eight other racers whiz simultaneously down the watery trail on the purple slopes toward the finish line at the base of the mountain. The racing aspect and dips along the 250-foot-long slope make the ride fun, but it lacks the speed of single-rider green-slope rides like Slush Gusher. For a ride combining speed and friendly competition, check out the Downhill Double Dipper. Expectant mothers shouldn't ride, nor should guests with heart, neck, or back problems. For people with disabilities: Guests using wheelchairs must transfer to slide mats. It's more fun when you race family members or friends—up to eight people can ride at the same time.

This is one of those rides that incites instant addiction in children and immediate regret in their parents. The reasons for the former are evident: the children drive brightly colored Mark VII model cars that swerve around the four 2,260-foot tracks with much vroom-vroom-vrooming. Like real sports cars, the vehicles are equipped with rack-and-pinion steering and disc brakes; unlike the real thing, these run on a track. But the track is so twisty that it's hard to keep the car on a straight course. Expect to spend a lot of time waiting your turn on the track and returning your vehicle after your lap. All this for a ride that achieves a top speed of 7 mph. For people with disabilities: To drive the cars, you must be able to steer, press the gas pedal, and transfer into the low car seat.  Skip this on a first-time visit unless it'll break your child's heart.

A reincarnation of what Disney old-timers might remember as the WEDway PeopleMover, the TTA PeopleMover gives you a nice, leisurely ride with great views of Tomorrowland, circling the Astro Orbiter and gliding through the middle of Space Mountain. Disney's version of future mass transit is smooth and noiseless, thanks to an electromagnetic linear induction motor that has no moving parts, uses little power, and emits no pollutants. For people with disabilities: You must be able to walk several steps and step on and off a moving ramp to transfer to a ride vehicle. Equipped for handheld-captioning and audio-description devices. Hop aboard to view Tomorrowland, to preview Space Mountain, if you have young children, or if you need a relaxing ride; if there's no line, this is a great nap spot for toddlers.

A monument to all of Earth's creatures, the park's centerpiece is an imposing 14 stories high and 50 feet wide at its base. Its 100,000-plus leaves are several shades of green fabric, each carefully placed for a realistic effect. Carved into its thick trunk, gnarled roots, and soaring branches—some of which are supported by joints that allow them to sway in a strong wind—are nearly 350 intricate animal forms that include a baboon, a whale, a horse, the mighty lion, and even an ankylosaurus. At night, the tree is lit up by projections onto the vast trunk and leaves. Outside, paths tunnel underneath the roots as the fauna-encrusted trunk towers overhead.

To give you a bug's-eye view of the world, the path leads you inside the tree trunk, where you'll view the witty 3-D film adventure It's Tough to Be a Bug! Special effects spray you with "poison," zap you with a swatter, and even poke you with a stinger—all in good fun. Although the show has something for all ages, it's very loud, and some effects frighten young children (during the hornet attack, have children lean forward to avoid a "sting"). Note, too, that Disney has announced plans for this film to be replaced with a Zootopia inspired 3-D film, so check to see if this attraction is open before you go. Even if it's closed, you can spend a bit of time enjoying the carvings of the tree. For people with disabilities: Wheelchair accessible, but, to fully experience all the special effects, guests using wheelchairs should transfer to a seat. Equipped with reflective captioning and for audio-description and assisted-listening devices. If you have a service animal, check with a host before entering the theater. Short lines make this a good choice for the afternoon.

Head for the Sea Base area to line up for this real-time animated show starring Crush, the ancient sea turtle from Finding Nemo. Crush chats and jokes with kids so convincingly that young children, eyes wide as sand dollars, have walked up and touched the screen where Crush "swims." It's in a small theater, and there's often a wait, but it's a hit with young children as well as their parents. For people with disabilities: The theater is wheelchair accessible, and assisted-listening devices can be used. Check the My Disney Experience app for showtimes; arrive about 20 minutes early during busy times to guarantee a seat.

The shipwreck theme, craggy grotto rock work, waterfalls, lagoons, and magical landscape of this attraction draw you into Ariel's world long before you board a giant clamshell for a journey under the sea. While you enjoy standing in a shaded queue, you'll see starfish embedded in rocks, a sandy beach, palm trees, sea-grape plants, and other authentic seaside touches. Once inside the cavern beneath Prince Eric's Castle, you can join in an interactive game that plays out around every corner and stars Scuttle the seagull and his animated crab pals.

Through a cave portal, you enter the castle's stone hallways, where you hop aboard a clamshell ride vehicle and, thanks to cold air and light effects, feel the sensation of descending under the sea. You then float past animated and Audio-Animatronic scenes from The Little Mermaid film, including a Broadway-style "Under the Sea" number with Sebastian conducting the undersea orchestra. There are fish conga lines and ominous scenes starring villainess Ursula, but, of course, a fairy-tale ending is in store featuring the Menken-Ashman showstopper "Kiss the Girl." Most children love this ride, but some tots are afraid in the dark Ursula scene. For people with disabilities: Guests in scooters must transfer to a standard wheelchair to ride; equipped for handheld captioning and audio description.

A self-guided tour through a treasure trove of Walt Disney memorabilia follows his life from early boyhood, through the founding of his first studio, to Disneyland, and then to Disney World. After viewing the unique artifacts, catch a 15-minute documentary about the life of Walt Disney. For people with disabilities: Wheelchair and ECV accessible. Come in the afternoon, as this attraction is rarely busy.

If you click through the turnstile just before 9 am with young children in tow, wait at the entrance before crossing beneath the station. In a few moments, you'll hear a whistle in the distance and see the day's first steam-driven train arrive. For a great overview of the whole Magic Kingdom, step right up to the elevated platform above the Magic Kingdom's entrance for a ride into living history. Some of the locomotives date from 1928, the same year Mickey Mouse was created. Disney scouts tracked down these vintage carriers in Mexico (where they transported sugarcane in the Yucatán), brought them back, and overhauled them. They're splendid, with striped awnings, brightly painted benches, authoritative "choo-choo" sounds, and hissing plumes of steam.

The 1½-mile track runs along the perimeter of the Magic Kingdom, with much of the trip through the woods, and stops in Frontierland and Fantasyland. The four trains run at five- to seven-minute intervals. Note that you can't load bulky strollers—like those Disney rents. Go midafternoon to enjoy a leisurely circuit of the Kingdom while you rest. Since you are never forced to exit, it's a good chance for little ones to nap. For people with disabilities: You can remain in a standard wheelchair or transfer to one if you're in an ECV. Trains are equipped for handheld-captioning. The ride is a good introduction to the layout of the park; it's also great as relief for tired feet.

Originally seen at New York's 1964–65 World's Fair, this revolving theater traces the impact of technological progress on the daily lives of Americans from the turn of the 20th century into the near future. Representing each generation, an Audio-Animatronics family sings the praises of modern-day gadgets that technology has wrought. For people with disabilities: Wheelchair accessible; equipped for assisted-listening, handheld-captioning, audio-description, and video-captioning devices. Skip this on a first-time visit unless you adore nostalgia. Also, it might close early or entirely in low season.

The latest version of Disney's first Audio-Animatronics attraction brings back the original show, Tropical Serenade. Winged hosts Jose, Fritz, Pierre, Michael, and the boys take you on a tour of the attraction while cracking lots of jokes. The original ditty "In the Tiki, Tiki, Tiki, Tiki, Tiki Room" is second only to "it's a small world" as the Disney song you most love to hate. Many people do hate this attraction, finding the talking birds obnoxious and the music too loud and peppy. But you can also hear old-timers singing along to "Let's All Sing Like the Birdies Sing," tweet, tweet tweet, tweet, tweet. Plus, it's a haven of cool in the summer heat. For people with disabilities: Accessible for those in standard wheelchairs; equipped for handheld-captioning, audio-description, and assisted-listening devices. Go when you need to sit down with air-conditioning.