If you liked Disneyland in Southern California, you're going to love Disney World in Central Florida. It's new and improved – bigger (twice the size of Manhattan Island and about the same size as San Francisco) and in many ways better than its California counterpart. In fact, it's vast enough to live up to what it's imaginatively being called: a family-vacation kingdom."
Located just 15 miles southwest of Orlando among lakes and citrus groves, Disney World is scheduled to open in October. Of course, not the whole complex consisting of 27,000 acres and incorporating an industrial park, a leisure-oriented residential community, five resorthotels, golf courses, dude ranches, campsites,and a futuristic airport, will be complete. But the fun part, the "Magic Kingdom" amusement area – something like Disneyland, but larger – will be open.
Two of the lakeside resort hotels – one of contemporary design, the other based on a Polynesian theme – will be ready for guests this year. And herein lies one of the main differences between Disney World and Disneyland. Says Dick Nunis, Vice President of the Disney corporation. "The amusement area in Florida is 2,500 acres as compared to the 350 acres in Anaheim. This means that visitors will be able to stay overnight or for a whole extended vacation in luxurious resort hotels right on the property. Special family rates will be built into the room rates to include admission, transportation around thearea, and many of the attractions."
And about those attractions ... Would you believe an exact replica of a 15th-century French castle with towers reaching 8 stories high? Well, just such a structure will form the entrance to Fantasyland. Called "Cinderella's Castle," it will have sweeping curved bridges that will cross a reflecting moat. Inside, King Steffan's Banquet Hall will serve as one of the resort-area's restaurants.
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