A wonderful Walt Disney World

It's billed as the most magical place on Earth. After the legendary Walt Disney built his first pleasure land in California, he turned his sights to the relatively obscure Floridian swampland of Orlando. The tourist mecca now boasts the biggest concentration of mega-theme parks on the planet, including delightful SeaWorld, action-packed Universal Studios (which houses the Harry Potter attractions), Gatorland and even the Holy Land Experience.
But the piece de resistance is unquestionably the sprawling Walt Disney World, a city within a city, complete with its own Mickey Mouse-themed street signs. Opened in 1971, Walt Disney World incorporates a slew of top-drawer attractions including the Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom.
The Magic Kingdom is what beckons tens of millions of tourists to beat a path to Orlando every year. Arrive early to get some face time and photo ops with the all-star cast, headlined by Mickey, and some classic characters including Donald Duck, Goofy, Pluto and Snow White. The number of days you want to devote to the Magic Kingdom will determine how many attractions you'll be able to experience. On a one-day pass you'll be able to take in the premium thrills, as long as you don't dawdle.
The do-not-miss rides, in my book, are Thunder Mountain Railroad, Magic Carpets of Aladdin, Pirates of Caribbean, Space Mountain and Dumbo the Flying Elephant. Add to that the two most well-know Disney amusements: the sedate boat ride through It's a Small World and the Mad Tea Party, better known as the spinning tea cups.
Plan your day around the character-packed lunchtime concert, staged in front of Cinderella's Castle. It is pure Disney pizzazz at its starry-eyed best.
When you've had your fill, transit to the neighbouring Disney parks. Epcot is a wondrous showcase of the world's landmark buildings and multi-cultural experiences, paired with a glimpse at future living in Future World.
The resort park also contains an amusing ride through the history of communications on Planet Earth, from prehistoric times to the present day.
For a complete change of pace, head across the lagoon to Walt Disney Hollywood Studios.
Headline attractions include the 3D Toy Story thrill ride, the Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular, and the interactive Muppet Vision show. For nostalgia buffs, check out the Great Movie Ride, which is a kaleidoscopic salute to the great classics of the silver screen, including The Wizard of Oz and Casablanca. And then, if you have the time, you can check out Disney's wildlife drawcard, Animal Kingdom.