The Walt Disney World Resort has been called many things—a world-class resort, an endless playground for young and old alike, and even a mecca for capitalism—but we have never heard it called boring.

The “World” (as it is known to insiders) began in 1971. Opening on October 1st of that year, it offered a small fraction of what we enjoy today: the Magic Kingdom park and the Contemporary and Polynesian Village resort hotels. It was the dream of an all-American leader, Walt Disney, who didn’t live to see opening day. Yet his legacy flourished, becoming the 43-square-mile wonderland we know and love today.

One of the things that makes the Walt Disney World Resort so special is the attention to detail and service. It takes tens of thousands of people, known as “cast members,” working together to stage the “show” we see as “guests.” You’ll notice that Disney often uses special words to describe their unique services and attractions. There’s nothing mundane here.

To help you recognize these terms, we begin with Park Passwords, defining the “Disneyese” you’ll hear and read, such as the much touted FastPass+ ride reservation system. We then move on to practical matters, such as transportation and admission to the parks. Next come our expanded and detailed attraction descriptions for the four major theme parks, along with plenty of color photos and the largest theme park maps you’ll find in any Disney guidebook. (They fold out!) Descriptions and maps of the smaller parks follow, along with hints, tips, and a Touring Worksheet to help you decide what to do. Don’t overlook our at-a-glance attraction lists and theme park touring plans.

So let’s go around the “World” in 102 pages!