Walt Disney World has four parks and two water parks.

People always ask which of the four parks they should skip and the answer to that is not simple.

If you can see them all, you should. If you have limited time, let this overview help you decide which park to save for next time.

Park Overview

  • Magic Kingdom

    When you think of Disney World, this is the park you think of. It is the home of the castle and we suggest you spend two days here. You’ll explore Fantasyland, Tomorrowland, Adventureland and more. Meet Princesses, ride rollercoasters and end the night watching fireworks over the castle.


    This is where you will find the most nostalgic rides. There are plenty of options for small kids that have no height requirement. Some of these rides include Peter Pan, Small World, Winnie the Pooh, Dumbo and more!

    Tron is the newest rollercoaster, located in Tomorrowland. Splash Mountain was reimagined and is now Tiana’s Bayou Adventure. This park is for everyone.


  • Epcot

    The BEST ride in all of Disney World is here - Cosmic Rewind. If you like thrill rides, you must go to Epcot.

    You also need to come if you are a Frozen fan. Epcot is where you will find the ride and meet Anna & Elsa.

    Some people think this isn’t a good park for small kids. Those people haven’t been to Epcot in a long time. Besides Frozen, you can also explore Moana Journey of Water, ride Remy's Ratatouille Adventure & Finding Nemo. Experience Turtle Talk with Crush and more!

    The World Showcase is my favorite part. Travel through the countries and experience new foods. Replace a meal with snacking around the world.

  • Animal Kingdom

    Pandora. Please don’t miss Pandora. It’s a beautiful land with one of the best rides in Disney World, Flight of Passage.

    The Safari is another huge hit at Animal Kingdom. You will find a roller coaster in the mountains and several shows you won’t want to miss.

    The safari is every animal lovers favorite ride. There are a fewer rides here that don’t require a height requirement, but there are shows to make up for it. The smallest kids love the Lion King and Finding Nemo show. Don’t forget the animal trails to explore.

  • Hollywood Studios

    This is necessary for all Star Wars fans. It’s an entire land with two rides. You can build a droid and a lightsaber. There are two dining areas plus Oga’s Cantina.

    This is the land for the Toy Story Fans! There are three rides, including a great starter coaster for the smallest thrill riders.

    You’ll find the best show at Disney, Fantasmic at Hollywood Studios.

    There are several shows, along with thrill rides for the bigger kids.

Choosing your length of stay

Our recommendation is 5 park days with time for 1-2 break days in between.

You will want to visit all 4 parks with 2 days at Magic Kingdom. But it is tough on your body to do four big park days in a row. I highly suggest a rest day. (It is hard - but totally possible to skip a rest day if you are a hardcore parkgoer like I was when I was in my twenties 😉) But please know that Disney World is the size of San Francisco - you will not see and do everything in one trip.  I will help you prioritize and come up with a plan that will be the best use of your time!

When to Stay

“When’s the best time to visit?” is a frequently asked question.

There are 3 main things to consider:

  1. Crowds

  2. Pricing

  3. Weather

My favorite time to go is the first week of May, the first week of September and the first week of December. The least crowded days are usually the days no one wants to take their kids out of school.

Least Crowded: Early May, Late August and September.

Lowest Priced: January, Early May, August and September.

Cooler Weather: December, January & February.

Most Crowded: March, Early April, and anything near a holiday, including President’s Day. The most crowded week is between Christmas and New Year.

Hottest: June - September.

Resorts

  • Value Resorts

    $150 - $250 a night.
    Family Suites: $350-$450 a night.
    Value resorts are motel-style, with doors that open to the outside. These resorts also have big theming. If you want Disney character theming everywhere - stay value! There are big central pools, but no waterslides. Food Court dining is available. Some values only have bus transportation and some also have skyliner transportation. Pop Century is my go-to resort because of the skyliner and pricing. 

  • Moderate Resorts

    $250 - $450 a night.
    Moderate Resorts are a step up from value. The grounds are beautiful. The rooms are still motel style, with doors opening to the outside. The theming is more sophisticated. The pools have waterslides. There is food court dining along with sit-down, table service restaurants. Some moderates only have bus transportation. Caribbean Beach also has the skyliner option, which makes it my favorite moderate resort. 

  • Deluxe Resorts

    $400 - $1000+ a night.
    Deluxe Resorts are the top-tier resorts. Some of these resorts have extra amenities, like spas, character dining, and more! You can find deluxe resorts on the monorail line, which is super easy access to Magic Kingdom. And some are a short walk away from Epcot. Deluxe resort guests get extended evening hours on select nights. Beach Club is my go - to because of it’s sand bottom pool and you can walk to Epcot.

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