At the happiest place on earth, there is no shortage of things to do at Walt Disney World. With the five parks and many attractions, there is something for everyone at Disney. However, some parks have different perks and disadvantages. Here is a ranking of each one, and hopefully this will help you discover which Disney World park is best for you!
- Magic Kingdom:
Ranked at the top of the list, Magic Kingdom is a classic park that brings out childhood nostalgia for many. This is the best park to visit on your first vacation because of the variety of things to do there. From roller coasters like Space Mountain to kid friendly rides like the People Mover, there is something for everyone to enjoy. The People Mover is an especially great option to go on during the fireworks at night, giving you a view of the tremendous show without the crowd as it passes in and out of sight of the castle. This park is most like Disneyland and gives families with younger kids a good place to vacation. Castles and towers can be seen from almost anywhere in the park, creating a beautiful scenic route as you walk around.
2. Epcot:
Second on the list is Epcot. Often referred to as the permanent world’s fair, Epcot has lots of cuisines from all over the world. As you walk through the park, you’ll find yourself immersed in the culture of countries like Morocco, Japan, Canada, Norway, Italy, and many more. There are a few good rides, but the online queues are very hard to get into, specifically for the ride Cosmic Rewind. There are lots of shopping opportunities in every country that you walk through, with small rides in each country – in Norway there is a Frozen ride, and in France there is a Ratatouille ride. The Frozen ride is probably one of my favorites, with just the right amount of drops but also spectacular music and lights.
3. Hollywood Studios
Originally known as Disney-MGM Studios, Hollywood Studios is known for its thriller rides. This park is not as good for young families and is best suited for teens or young adults. While the rides can be really fun, there are extremely long lines for most of the rides with the Tower of Terror and Rockin Rollercoaster being the longest. However, I noticed with some rides like the Rockin Rollercoaster, you can leave the ride in pain because of all the twists and turns, so be prepared to have your neck hurt a little. Depending on how much you like adventure and thrill, the wait may be worth it and this may be the perfect park for you.
4. Animal Kingdom:
While there is really nothing wrong with Animal Kingdom, there is just not as much to do, and you could probably get through the park in half a day. There are a few big rides like Expedition Everest and the Flight of Passage, but the lines can reach up to three hours. I personally feel like both of those rides are worth the wait, especially the Flight of Passage. There even ocean and forest scents that waft throughout the ride and the seats even move to make you feel like you’re actually on a banshee. As for the best time of year to go to Animal Kingdom, I think that it’s better to go in the summer, especially so you can go on the water rides. The park also might not be as interesting if you’re not into animals because there are many animal shows and safaris.
5. Disney Springs
Ranked last on the list, Disney Springs is sometimes not even considered a park. It is essentially an outdoor mall for shopping with one ride. One cool thing about Disney Springs though is that they have the Cirque du Soleil which is an immersive acrobatic show. If you have one last day in Orlando to kill, and money to burn, this is the perfect place for you.
