The Best Disney World Park Is…
Have you ever wondered which Disney park is the best? And are wondering whose opinion is best — mine or your buddy’s Bob from accounting? I’ve tested all 4 of the Walt Disney World parks (Magic Kingdom, EPCOT Center, Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom), and to be honest, I’ve found that each has a place in my heart — and there is no bad Disney park.
Seriously. While some people are going to be partial to their favorite, you can’t go wrong with any of them. They’re all incredible and offer something different.
There are four major theme parks in the Walt Disney World Resort: Magic Kingdom Park, Epcot, Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park. Each park has its own personality and style, so it’s worth visiting each one at least once during your vacation!
Wondering what to expect out of a Disney vacation? Check out this article on Disney World Expectations vs Reality
Best Disney World Park: Let's Look at the Options!
If you’re visiting Walt Disney World for the first time, it can be a bit overwhelming. There are four theme parks, two water parks, and two golf courses to choose from. And that’s not even including the shopping and dining options outside of the parks!
Deciding which park to visit is a big part of planning your trip. It’s no secret that Magic Kingdom is the most popular park at Walt Disney World. But if you’re looking for something different, here are our recommendations:
Magic Kingdom is a dream come true for kids of all ages, but the best part is that it’s also great for grown-ups.
There’s something for everyone: rides, shows, food and merchandise galore! When it comes to rides and attractions, Magic Kingdom has more than 50 to choose from—including classics like Space Mountain, Splash Mountain, and Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. There are also plenty of new experiences coming up like Tron Lightcycle Run and the new addition of cavalcades (mini parades) in the last few years. If you’re looking for something less adrenaline-inducing, don’t worry: there are plenty of shows that will keep both kids and adults entertained all day long.
If you’re looking for a place to eat while you’re at Magic Kingdom (or if you need a snack while waiting in line), there are dozens of options available including counter service locations at each park entrance plus many table service restaurants located throughout the park grounds (we recommend Be Our Guest Restaurant!). You can also find plenty of cute souvenirs such as Mickey ears or Disney apparel as well as unique gifts like toys or books at many shops scattered throughout Magic Kingdom.
Epcot
Epcot is a world-class theme park located in Orlando, Florida. It’s a place you can go to explore the world, experience international cultures, and learn how to be a kinder person.
There are a lot of things to do at Epcot for kids and adults alike. For kids, there’s the slow rides such as Ratatouille and Frozen Ever After. There are also tons of rides for more of the thrill-seeker such as Cosmic Rewind and Test Track , or just enjoy some family time together while getting some fresh air. As far as attractions go, there’s something for everyone!
For adults, one of my favorite parts of Epcot is the food! The World Showcase area has so many different options: everything from pizza to sushi to tacos. Plus they have amazing desserts like gelato and all the small stores with amazing bakery items! I could eat here every day!
Another thing I love about Epcot is its educational aspect: there are so many different exhibits that focus on different countries and cultures around the world—you can learn about everything from language and culture differences between countries like Japan and China all the way down to how people eat.
Hollywood Studios
Hollywood Studios is a great place to go with kids. There are a lot of attractions that are fun and educational, and the park is small enough that you can get around easily. And even though the park is smaller than some other Disney parks, it still has several shows and parades that are worth seeing.
If you’re looking for things to do at Hollywood Studios, we recommend checking out Toy Story Land and rides such as Slinky Dog Dash and Alien Swirling Saucers. The Toy Story Mania ride has also been updated with all new scenes from Toy Story 4!
There’s also Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, which has been open for a few years nw and has been wowing guests since it’s opening. It’s based on the Star Wars movies and gives you a chance to live out your own Star Wars adventure.
Another thing adults love about Hollywood Studios is there’s plenty of dining options for all ages—and even some unique restaurants like Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater Restaurant or 50’s Prime Time Cafe!
Animal Kingdom
This park is for ALL ages and is beloved, for very good reason!
First, it’s got tons of animals. You can see big cats, monkeys, hippos, elephants, and more! Second, the rides are great for kids. There’s the Expedition Everest rollercoaster, where you can ride on a train through the Himalayas (or at least a mountain range that looks like it). And then there’s Kali River Rapids—a flume ride where you’ll get soaked no matter how dry you were when you got in line.
Not to mention the world of Avatar is jaw dropping. You will be in awe of the world they created here. Be sure not sure miss the Flight of Passage ride as it’s one of the most talked-about rides on Disney property!
Animal Kingdom has some great restaurants that are perfect for adults or kids alike! My personal favorite is Yak & Yeti Restaurant because they have awesome sushi rolls and this amazing crème brûlée that tastes like heaven on earth (probably because they put crack in it).
My Choice of Best Disney World Park
So, what’s the best Disney park? Which one deserves top honors? That depends on your own unique criteria. Everyone has different interests and needs, after all. For us, the best Disney park is Epcot. It’s not our favorite park overall—that honor goes to Magic Kingdom—but it’s our favorite in terms of what we hope to get out of a Disney World experience. So when planning your next visit to Orlando, be sure to decide which criteria are most important for you as a visitor, then figure out which park will match your needs and preferences. You might just end up discovering a new favorite!
Before you go…Other Helpful Links
Plan your next Disney World Vacation with me by filling out this form HERE and we can get started planning!
- Mouse Dining Alerts – Get Dining Alerts for your favorite Disney Restaurants
- Disney Princess Dresses from Joy Costumes (Get 20% off with code mommysmoviemagic20)
- Order your shirts for the parks!- Castle Outfitter (Get 10% off with code bethany10)
- Kingdom Stroller Rentals (Get 10% off with code SMT10OFF)
- Disney World Within Reach System – Grab the book Now!
- Mommy’s Movie Magic – Instagram Page
- Mommy’s Movie Magic Pinterest Page.
- Mommy’s Movie Magic Tik Tok
- And check out my Youtube page for a ton of other videos to create more movie nights with your family!
