Disney Club

The Resort itself encompasses a massive 43 square miles, that means it's twice the size of Manhattan Island! Once you pass through the gates onto Disney property you'll find the four theme parks: Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney's Hollywood Studios and Disney's Hollywood Studios. But that's not all. You'll also find two water parks, a shopping village, a movie theatre, a sports complex, several golf courses, more than 100 restaurants, hotels, a campground, four lakes, four-lane highways, an elevated monorail system and a network of canals. Still think it's just a theme park?

The Theme Parks

The Magic Kingdom - the cause of the confusion is that when most people think of Walt Disney World they picture The Magic Kingdom. This park features the iconic Cinderella Castle as well as Disney characters, attractions, rides and shows. It was the first park to be built in the Resort and is sub-divided into seven lands. When you enter the Park you find yourself on Main Street USA and from here you can access Adventureland, Frontierland, Liberty Square, Fantasyland, Tomorrowland and Mickey's Toontown Fair. The Magic Kingdom is loved by children and adults alike and could be considered as the heart of the Walt Disney World Resort. For the ultimate convenience on your vacation three hotels, the Contemporary, Polynesian and Grand Floridian are connected directly to the park entrance by Monorail.

Epcot - this park is twice the size of The Magic Kingdom and was opened back in October 1982. It is divided into two main areas; Future World and World Showcase. The park represents a permanent World's Fair and visitors will experience pavilions about human creativity and technological advancements as well as the ability to travel the world in an afternoon, experiencing almost a dozen countries and there social and cultural heritages. Disney's Yacht Club, Boardwalk Inn and Villas Resort and the Beach Club Resort and Villas are all within a five to 15 minute walk of the International Gateway entrance to the park.

Disney's Hollywood Studios - the park opened in 1989 as the Disney-MGM Studios but has recently been renamed. Here visitors immerse themselves in the movies with stunt demonstrations, movie-based attractions and high-tech rides. Movie-buffs will enjoy the backlot tour which takes guests through the working motion-picture and television production facility. This park is connected to the rest of the Resort by highway and canal but not by monorail. Guests staying at the nearby Epcot hotels can walk to the Studios, or arrive by boat.

I'm sure you all know about Disney World's amazing theme parks, but are you familiar with the myriad of fascinating activities for children offered throughout Walt Disney World that are either complimentary or offered for a reasonable fee to Disney resort guests? Here are some of the best:

• Snag a Bass On a Kid's Fishing Excursion. 1-hour angling trips just for children are available from the resort marinas of Disney's Contemporary, Grand Floridian, Polynesian, Wilderness Lodge, and Yacht Club. For miles of shore fishing head over to Disney's Ft. Wilderness where cane poles and rods and reels may be rented at the Bike Barn in the Meadow Recreation Area. Call 407-WDW-PLAY for reservations.

• Enjoy the Old West. Hayrides depart each evening from Pioneer Hall at Fort Wilderness for a 45-minute trip. Very tame, cowboy-guided trail rides are also offered, or younger children can opt for a $2 pony ride at the Fort Wilderness Petting Farm. Make reservations in advance by calling 407-WDW-PLAY.

• Sing-Along in Front of the Campfire. Families gather round the campfire each evening at Ft. Wilderness for a sing-along, marshmallow roast, and a Disney animated movie. Complimentary to all Walt Disney World resort guests.

• Watch the Electrical Water Pageant Parade. Nightly on the Seven Seas Lagoon is a delightful 1000-foot string of illuminated barges featuring King Neptune and his court of whales, sea serpents, and other deep-sea creatures. The free show can be seen from the beaches of Disney's Polynesian, Grand Floridian, Contemporary, and Wilderness Lodge Resorts.

• Ride Up Front with the Monorail Driver. Simply ask the Cast Member on duty. They will be happy to oblige as long as the front car is empty.

• Take a Spin on a Watermouse Boat. Rent one of these two-seater mini-power boats and zip around one of Disney's lakes at 22 miles per hour. Kids absolutely love them! Available at the Contemporary, Polynesian, Grand Floridian, the Yacht and Beach Club, Downtown Disney, and the Wilderness Lodge.

• Dive into One of Disney's Fabulous Themed Pools. You can't do much better than a dip in one of Disney's wonderful swimming pools. Children's favorites: the Volcano Pool at Disney's Polynesian Resort featuring a smoking volcano slide, underwater music, and sparkling waterfall, all with a superb view of the Seven Seas Lagoon; the Wilderness Lodge's boulder-lined pool featuring waterfalls, rocky overlooks, water slide, and a nearby geyser; the eye-popping Stormalong Bay, a mini-water park complex that meanders between the Yacht and Beach Club, offering three acres of winding, watery delight including sandy bottom pools, a giant "shipwreck" waterslide, a tidal whirlpool, bubbling hot tubs, a kiddie pool with its own slide next to the beach, and enough length to float lazily in inner tubes to your heart's delight.

• Search for Buried Treasure on a Pirate's Cruise. Every Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday children sail from the dock of Disney's Grand Floridian Resort on a 2-hour supervised trip to a deserted island. A similar Albatross Treasure Cruise departs from the Yacht Club Marina each Wednesday and Friday. Call 407-WDW-DINE for reservations.

• Attend a Children's Tea Party. A "Wonderland Tea Party" happens Mon-Fri at 1:30 P.M. in 1900 Park Fare at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort. Hosted by characters from Alice in Wonderland, the little ones play games, listen to stories, and drink apple "tea". $28. Strictly for children ages 3-10. Call 407-WDW-DINE for reservations.

• Take in a Character Meal. These extremely popular dining opportunities, offered at both the Disney theme parks and resort hotels, are a perfect way for your children to spend extra time with favorite Disney characters. Meals are offered in three ways depending on the restaurant: buffet-style, family-style, or pre-plated meals; regardless, it's essentially all-you-can-eat. Characters work the room, stopping at each table to interact with guests, pose for photos, and sign autographs. Book Advance Dining Reservation early, particularly for Cinderella's Royal Table, Epcot's Princess Breakfast in Norway, and Chef Mickey's by calling 407-WDW-DINE.

Having trouble figuring out a theme for your child's birthday party? Look no further, here are some ideas to get you started:

Girls

There's a wide array of classic choices for any girl's birthday party, consider a princess theme, cowgirl theme, fashion, ladybug, butterfly or beading party.

Boys

For boy's there are themes centered around trucks, cars, fire trucks, cowboys, construction, kung fu among many other themes.

Music

Music themed parties have skyrocketed in popularity thanks to Disney channel movies like High School Musical and Camp Rock. More music themes include Hannah Montana well as Elvis and other musical groups.

Movies

Movie themes have been popular for a while. Popular movie themes include Iron Man, Spiderman, Batman, Wall-E, Madagascar, Star Wars, Pirate of the Caribbean, Indiana Jones, Kung Fu Panda and many others.

Sports

Sports is a popular theme as many kids love sports. Any sport that the child likes can be used as a theme, including baseball, basketball, soccer, football, tennis, even car racing, bowling and other sports. There are now official party supplies for many teams and drivers in the NFL, MLB, NASCAR as well as other sports. Due to the popularity and wide availability of official team party supplies for the Superbowl, World Series and other major events, it's easier than ever to theme a party after your child's favorite sports team or sports hero.

Sleepover or Slumber Party

A fun theme for girl's between certain ages is to have a sleepover party. Girls can have fun stargazing, telling stories, watching movies, making popcorn and snacks and generally have a good time.

Crafts

Crafts can be a great theme for kid's parties. You can choose many crafts or concentrate on certain types of crafts. For instance, a baking party can include the baking of cookies, cupcakes and other treats. A painting party can include the painting of mugs, clothing, hats as well as other painting activities like finger painting, face painting and sidewalk chalk painting.

Interests

You can also theme your party by the child's interests. Does you child love space? How about dinosaurs? Or the ocean, wildlife, tractors, fire fighters, fashion, horses, trains, the circus or cats? Virtually any interest can be turned into a birthday theme. Does you child love to read? Even reading can be turned into a theme by choosing a favorite book to use as a theme.