The first moment the public saw Mickey Mouse in Steamboat Willie, he was sailing happily on water. Later, in his most lauded performance, a little too much water challenged him—from all those brooms in Fantasia. And on your Walt Disney World vacation, water transports you, makes you laugh and pampers you, and simply adds shimmering beauty around most every corner.
Walt Disney and his Imagineers discovered water is a great way to transport Guests through whatever they could dream up for them. When it opened in 1964 at the New York World's Fair, "it's a small world" took Guests along "the happiest cruise that ever sailed." Its success led to also developing Pirates of the Caribbean as a boat ride, through the escapades of those rascally scalawags—who are now joined by Captain Jack Sparrow—on the classic Magic Kingdom attraction.
Of course, water is part of lots of Magic Kingdom fun, like the 52-foot plunge into the Laughin' Place at Splash Mountain; the exotic adventures aboard Jungle Cruise to Tom Sawyer's Island and the Liberty Square Riverboat. Let's not forget those "moist-mouthed" camels at The Magic Carpets of Aladdin, or how the rain, rain, rain, comes down, down, down at The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh.
"Ferry" tales can come true!
You also have the option of getting to Magic Kingdom Park by ferryboat via the Seven Seas Lagoon, where all manner of watercraft blithely bob or zestfully zip along those waves and the adjoining Bay Lake. In fact, Walt Disney World Resort actually has the fifth largest fleet on Earth!
At one of the largest Walt Disney World "oceans," The Seas with Nemo & Friends, you'll find a fun-filled ride-through attraction and Turtle Talk With Crush, both inspired by Disney•Pixar's Finding Nemo, plus you'll see hundreds of sea creatures swimming in our own "reef." Dining at the Coral Reef Restaurant offers a spectacular view.
Epcot has glorious fountains that leap into musical choreography near the MouseGear shop; a "backwards waterfall" at Journey Into Imagination with Figment; and lovely lakes and streams in most of the World Showcase countries. You'll see amazing agricultural marvels as you ride on water at Living with the Land and dodge tricky trolls as you flume (in reverse!) at Maelstrom.
But the most lavish use of liquid magic has to be IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth, a dazzling blend of fireworks, lasers and light in the gigantic World Showcase Lagoon, every night at Epcot.
In space, no one can hear you splash
A leisurely boat ride from Epcot is Disney's Hollywood Studios, where Star Tours—The Adventures Continue offers over 50 different ways to help "the Force" save the galaxy, including one of the favorite scenes in the watery world of Naboo.
At Voyage of The Little Mermaid, it will seem as if the entire theater is immersed in this live, musical version of the Walt Disney Pictures animated feature. And if you love to see how movies are made, check out the exciting Lights, Motors, Action! Extreme Stunt Show, where jet skis are put through their paces along with stunt cars and motorcycles.
On the Backlot Tour, see several "lucky" Guests get drenched as gallons of water are dashed overhead, demonstrating the art of the action sequence. On the same tour, your entire tour tram survives a fiery explosion, doused with more water, at Catastrophe Canyon! You can even set off sprays of fun when you score points as you ride along on Toy Story Mania! , inspired by Disney•Pixar's Toy Story films.
On special nights, Sorcerer Mickey faces off with vicious villains in Fantasmic! , a nighttime spectacular starring a "who's who" of Disney Characters and a fire-breathing dragon, all set against a mountainous stage surrounded by enchanted waters.
The waters can get even wilder at Disney's Animal Kingdom Park, the only place where you can see the Broadway-style stage show, Finding Nemo—The Musical, featuring a wonderful original score and a superbly talented cast. It's also the exclusive home of Kali River Rapids, where you can get very wet as you challenge a runaway river—and other Guests squirt you as you pass them! (FYI—Kali River Rapids reopens February 9, 2012.)
The ultimate water experiences!
We've talked about water that splashes, sprinkles and carries you along. But the 2 places in all of Walt Disney World Resort where water does ALL of this—and so much more—are the 2 glittering "H2O crown jewels": our 2 fun-filled Walt Disney World Water Parks, both offering thrilling slides and flumes, as well as chill-out relaxation in the Florida sun.
Disney's Typhoon Lagoon Water Park is a tropical paradise with an expansive wave pool and the Crush 'n' Gusher water coaster. Disney's Blizzard Beach Water Park has one of the tallest slides anywhere and lots of lengthy flumes for the whole gang, set in a ski lodge "melting" in the sun.
Want to dine along one of the breathtaking waterfronts of Walt Disney World Resort? Try Cap'n Jack's Restaurant or Fulton's Crab House at the Downtown Disney area, or Narcoossee's at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa. And speaking of spas, let the waters of the bubbling whirlpools and other soothing treatments at this Resort hotel (as well as The Spa at Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort) ease you into the calmness you so richly deserve.
And naturally, every Walt Disney World Resort hotel offers sparkling pools, some almost as elaborately themed as the Theme Park attractions! The entire Resort is truly a wondrous water wonderland!
©Disney/Lucasfilm Ltd.
©2012 Lucasfilm Ltd. & TM.