Basilica of the National Shrine of Mary, Queen of the Universe

Pope Benedict XVI made this Vineland Avenue church a minor basilica in 2009, a status the Vatican reserves for real pilgrimage significance. It exists because Walt Disney World's 1966 opening sent Catholic tourists flooding into a Central Florida diocese scrambling to keep up; the sanctuary, dedicated in 1993, seats 2,000 and remains the closest Catholic church to the parks.

Weekday mid-mornings, between Masses, when the Magnificat Windows and marble Mary sculpture are easiest to view undisturbed.

The 8-foot Carrara marble Mary sculpture by Jill Burkee and the 14 Magnificat Windows are easy to miss if you rush to the pews.

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