Walt Disney World Resort Park Overview
One of the most common questions I get as a travel planner is, “Which Disney park should we spend the most time in?” With four main theme parks at Walt Disney World, each with its own personality, attractions, and entertainment, it can feel overwhelming to choose.
Here’s a quick overview of Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom, along with my recommendations for who will enjoy each the most. After you book your trip with Travel Grown, we will send you a personalized Adventure Plan to help you prioritize your day in the parks!
Magic Kingdom® Park
When most people think of Disney, they picture Cinderella Castle and that’s right in the heart of Magic Kingdom. This is the most classic park, full of fairytales, iconic rides, and a little bit of everything.
There are tons of kid-friendly rides with no height requirements and also some of the best thrill rides (Tron, Space Mountain, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad.) This is where I always feel the most nostalgic. You can meet characters and ride some of the Disney classics. I definitely recommend spending 2 days here. And you won't want to miss the fireworks.
Main Attractions:
Tron
Seven Dwarfs Mine Train
Tiana's Bayou Adventure
Space Mountain
Pirates of the Caribbean
Haunted Mansion
Peter Pan’s Flight
Jungle Cruise
Just a few things you might not want to miss:
Fireworks
Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique
Cinderella’s Royal Table
Princess Fairytale Hall
Disney Festival of Fantasy Parade
Who It’s Best For:
Families with younger kids who love Disney characters and storybook rides
First-time visitors (you can’t skip Magic Kingdom!)
Anyone who wants the “classic Disney” experience
Disney’s Animal Kingdom® Theme Park
Animal Kingdom is breathtaking. It’s home to incredible animal encounters and one of Disney’s most immersive lands, Pandora.
The theming and stunning look is a amazing enough, but the two rides are also wonderful. Flight of Passage is considered a favorite ride of all time and definitely worth a visit. The other big deal here is the safari. This is a must do attraction. You can enjoy almost a full day here enjoying the rides, shows, and animals.
Main Attractions:
Avatar Flight of Passage
Na’vi River Journey
Kilimanjaro Safaris
Expedition Everest
Festival of the Lion King
Who It’s Best For:
Families who love animals and nature
Guests looking for unique experiences you won’t find at other Disney parks
Anyone who wants a more relaxed pace (this park tends to close earlier than the others)
Disney’s Hollywood Studios®
Star Wars fan? Toy Story fan? Then you can’t skip this park. Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge® includes 2 Star Wars rides, Oga's Cantina, droids, light sabers, and more. Mickey and Minnie's Runaway Railway is Mickey's first ride ever! Toy Story Land is like walking into Andy's Backyard, with three rides. Hollywood Studios has several shows to enjoy like the Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular! And you won’t want to miss Fantasmic! An incredible night time show with characters and fireworks.
Main Attractions:
Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance
Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run
Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway
Slinky Dog Dash
Tower of Terror
Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster
Toy Story Mania
Who It’s Best For:
Star Wars fans of all ages
Toy Story fans of all ages
Families with school-age kids and teens who want thrill rides
Adults who love classic Hollywood nostalgia
EPCOT®
If you have a Frozen fan, you cannot skip Epcot. Please spend at least one full day here. For some reason, people still like to say this isn’t a kid friendly park. I will never understand why. If you are a foodie, you cannot skip Epcot. The quick service food here is incredible and you can eat your way around the world. The rides here are great too. Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind has become every thrill seeker’s favorite ride. There is also an aquarium here housing the Finding Nemo ride and Turtle Talk With Crush, which is a super fun experience that any Nemo fans will not want to miss.
Main Attractions:
Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind
Test Track
Frozen Ever After
Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure
Soarin’ Around the World
Spaceship Earth
Who It’s Best For:
Food lovers (the festivals here—like Food & Wine or Flower & Garden—are incredible)
Adults and teens who enjoy thrill rides and exploring different cultures
Families who like a slower pace with opportunities to snack, stroll, and relax
