Disney World Attractions

Go on an African safari, take a trek through an Asian jungle, and dig for answers in a land of prehistoric giants at Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park, Orlando's wild theme park with a penchant for adventure. On Expedition Everest, board a steam train bound for Himalayan disaster, and on the wet and wild Kali River Rapids, help divert illegal loggers set on a course to ecological ruin. Be forewarned that the ride aboard Kilamanjaro Safaris is a rough one. If you want to bounce a tired baby to sleep, one trip should do the trick. Upon entering the park, check the tip board for a daily schedule. Along with Finding Nemo the Musical, Mickey's Jammin Jungle Parade is a masterful production of puppetry and pageantry that shouldn't be missed.

Experience the thrill of the stage and screen at Disney's Hollywood Studios, a theme park and working studio since 1989. Be a gamer or a game show contestant in Toy Story Mania and The American Idol Experience, two of the newest and most exciting attractions to debut in Orlando in recent years. The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror takes guests to new heights of drama with extra-sensory special effects, while Rock 'n' Roller Coaster, Starring Aerosmith, launches fans on a wild ride into the Hollywood night. At Beauty and the Beast -- Live on Stage, families will be inspired by Broadway-caliber performances, and at Playhouse Disney -- Live on Stage!, little performers can sing and dance along with their favorite Disney stars, from Handy Manny to Mickey Mouse.

Meander around Downtown Disney, a small town of a place that is chock full of shopping, entertainment venues (from Irish pub themed Raglan Road to Cirque du Soleil and 24 movie theatres), plus a wide variety of restaurants. Check out the new T-Rex: A Prehistoric Family Adventure, an interactive dining experience where kids can Build-a-Dino with the Build-a-Bear folks. Or, create your own t-shirt at Disney's new Design-a-Tee shop. Save room for one of the heavenly desserts at the Ghirardelli Ice Cream and Chocolate Shop. Admission to Downtown Disney is free.

Epcot is two parks in one: Future World rides and attractions have a science and technology bent, while World Showcase is a mile-plus stroll past themed pavilions that give guests a glimpse in to the culture, food, art and entertainment of over 10 different countries.

Best for Young Children: Board a "clamobile" at The Seas with Nemo and Friends for a ride-through-movie type attraction inspired by Finding Nemo. Listen to that lovable turtle-dude, Crush, crack jokes and interact with the aAnimal Kingdom, which are marked with a "K" on the guide map. Pick up a Wildlife Passport (and receive special stamps) at each location as kids learn to identify insects, go on a scavenger hunt, and match up dinosaur bones. My 7-year-old had as much fun searching and visiting each club as he did anywhere else in the Kingdom. Best part: Get all six stamps and visit the Guest Relations center on the way out of the park for a free animal themed activity book.

Magic Kingdom has seven themed lands, from old-fashioned Frontierland to futuristic Tomorrowland, plus the striking Cinderella's Castle, and an old-fashioned Main Street complete with a barbershop and ice cream parlor. Head to popular rides first thing in the morning or grab a Fastpass - a free ticket to a shorter line when you return later at a preset time. Attractions offering Fastpass are marked with an FP on maps.

Fun for the Family: Magic Kingdom's new "Move It! Shake It! Celebrate It!" is part parade, part dance party. Oodles of Disney characters, stilt walkers and other performers groove their way down Main Street, U.S.A. toward Cinderella Castle to tunes like "I Like To Move It," then mingle and dance in the street. The parade is roughly 15 minutes long; check the Times Guide for times.

Best for Young Children: Check out Mickey Mouse's house, meet Disney princesses and ride Goofy's gentle kiddie coaster, all at Mickey's Toontown Fair - an entire section of Magic Kingdom devoted to little kids (and one of the best places to meet characters). Board a honey pot for a bouncy ride through the Hundred Acre Woods at The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh. Transform princess aficionados into their favorite princesses or pop idols, complete with hair extensions and costumes at Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique (inside Cinderella's Castle, available 8 a.m. until 7 p.m. Price: $49.95-$239.95).

Best for Elementary Age Kids (up through adults): Ride in a log through bayous and down a waterfall on Splash Mountain. The entertaining journey tells the tall tale of Br'er Rabbit and how he outfoxes a fox. You must be 40 inches tall. Ride first thing in the morning or Fastpass it for afternoon when weather is warmer. Riders in the back of the log stay drier. Shoot at neon-lit targets for points and to help defeat Evil Emperor Zurg from your mini-spaceship at Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin.

Best for Tweens and Teens: Zoom through dark galaxies at the newly renovated Space Mountain. Ride through the wilderness in search of gold at Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, an outdoor story-themed coaster.

Tip: Little kids can have fun waiting for older siblings on Space Mountain with a ride on the Tomorrowland Transit Authority. These elevated open-air tramcars take riders all around Tomorrowland and even through a portion of Space Mountain.

Go bobsledding down "snowy" slopes and race on Mt. Gushmore's side-by-side racing slide at Disney's Blizzard Beach, a northern ski resort-themed water park. Or, go saltwater snorkeling alongside butterfly fish and nurse sharks, surf waves at a two-and-one-half-acre wave-making lagoon, and ride a water-coaster at the more tropical Typhoon Lagoon.