Disney World rockets into the 21st century: a futuristic space attraction, another visually astounding vacation village, and a dazzling fireworks display keep folks clamoring for the magic only Disney delivers.

• Author: Leavitt, Stacey Eager
• Position: Going Places

Thirty years ago, my father surprised us with the exciting news that we would be taking a vacation to a great new place in Florida Wait Disney World. We wondered what could be so special that it would be worth a two-day drive from New York to Orlando. As soon as we arrived, though, we understood. All these years later, Disney World has become a sort of second home to me. The same feelings I experienced as a child come flooding back with each visit. It's not just a fun vacation spot, but a comfort zone.

It was Walt Disney's intention to make a visit to Disney World an immersive experience, relates his nephew, retired executive Roy Disney. This is a place to escape from the real world. Visitors are considered "guests" and park workers are "cast members." This formula creates the illusion of a perfomance taking place.

Walt Disney World has grown tremendously over the last three decades. When the park first opened, it was no bigger than what now is known as the Magic Kingdom. Today, there are three other theme parks (Epcot, Disney/ MGM Studios, and Animal Kingdom) and two water parks (Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach). In addition, a trio of areas are geared primarily for adults seeking lesssaccharin environs: Pleasure Island (dining and entertainment), Downtown Disney (extensive shopping), and Disney Boardwalk (nostalgic arcades).

It is the atmosphere of Walt Disney World that sets it apart from other amusement parks. I understood this during a recent visit to another locale where many of the rides were fun, but the lines were intolerably long. How much entertainment value was lost during the wait? Despite the thrilling roller-coaster ride that finally ensued, our time in the queue was not happy. It was a cold, stale, endless trek to an attraction that, due to height restrictions. would allow passage for only two of my three children. The third one endured the line with endless queries: "How much longer?" "Are we there yet." This changed into a plaintive: "That's not fair!" when instructed to watch while her siblings rode the coaster.

Contrast this scene with an attraction in Disney World. Height requirements are posted, usually in the form of a cartoon character. before the wait commences. A new system called "FastPass" allows a family to choose a time slot and receive a printed pass ensuring preferred entry at the allotted time.

Disney Imagineers, meanwhile, blend imagination with technology to transmute the ordinary amusement park into...