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By AARP   Published April 18, 2022 Theme parks

With as many over-the-top attractions as there are mouse ears, Orlando can be overwhelming. The theme parks are big — really big. Animal Kingdom alone is 500 acres — about the size of the

Principality of Monaco! Visitors to Disney World walk 10 to 15 miles a day, on average. Theme park touring means you’ll be on your feet a lot, often in high heat and humidity. Be sure to

take air-conditioned breaks and drink plenty of water along the way. 

The good news is that Disney World offers complimentary buses, boats and monorails to transport you around. Universal and SeaWorld offer some free park-to-park shuttles. Plus, all the parks

have plenty of benches and are very accommodating to visitors with mobility challenges.

Strenuousness aside, the parks are a blast, for all ages. Here’s the lowdown on how to pick your park.

Plan Your Trip Dining Out Getting Around Day Trips AARP's Top Picks

There are four separate theme parks under the WDW umbrella (Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom) and two water parks (Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon) that sprawl

over nearly 40 miles. They also encompass more than 25 resort hotels, 63 holes of golf on four courses, two full-service spas, Disney’s Wedding Pavilion, ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex

and Disney Springs, a massive entertainment, shopping, dining district and more. Whew!

Some highlights at the Disney parks include the popular Keys to the Kingdom tour, where you'll learn fascinating behind-the-scenes tidbits and see the famous utilidor (utility corridor)

tunnels below the park, and the nightly Enchantment fireworks, guaranteed to knock your Mickey socks off during 15 minutes of pyrotechnic glory. Visit Pandora – The World of Avatar after

dark when the bioluminescent rain forest lights up, and conjure childhood memories at classics such as It’s a Small World or Peter Pan’s Flight.

Universal has two theme parks, Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure, both known for adrenaline-pumping roller coasters — winners if the grandkids are in tow. At the Wizarding

World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley in Universal Studios you can sample butterbeer and be wowed by spellbinding scenery (Potter fan or not). Or stop for one of the movie- or TV-related

shows (Lassie and Mr. Ed reenactors, anyone?). For R&R, snag a private thatched-roof cabana at Volcano Bay, a 30-acre waterpark with a 200-foot-high faux volcano. Afterward, enjoy dining,

shopping and entertainment in CityWalk, a 30-acre complex with shopping, restaurants and nightlife.