What is the Best Disney World Park in 2024?

It can be hard to figure out which is the best theme park at Walt Disney World. After all, guests want to take advantage of every single minute of their vacation, and they want to prioritize their time based on what is going to give them the most return, and that means understanding which of the 4 parks is best for their family.

So, what is the best Disney World theme park?

In this post, we are going to rank all 4 Disney World parks in order from best to worst and then tell you which is the best one in 2024 and beyond. Now don’t get me wrong, we love each of the 4 parks, and they are all special in their own way. But it’s pretty obvious that they each have their specific draws which makes them appealing to a different crowd.

Your group is going to have a big influence on which park you spend the most time at since small children, teenagers, and adults have completely different priorities at Disney World. If you are all about rides for example, there may be a park or two you only need 1/2 a day to do. If you have small children, then you will be avoiding places that are more thrill-ride-centric.

Our goal is to explain each of the 4 parks in a way that helps you understand where you should be spending the majority of your time, especially given how crazy expensive it is to visit Disney World these days.

Not only are we going to break down each of the 4 parks and rank them, we are also going to categorize the best parks by group. Then lastly, we will do a head-to-head comparison in case you are torn between two parks and don’t know which one to go to.

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Ranking Criteria

When evaluating the Disney World Theme Parks, nostalgia is a primary ranking factor, and that can create a highly unique experience for every Disney World visitor. This differs greatly from guest to guest and while nostalgia should be a factor, in our ranking criteria we look beyond just sentimentality.

In fact, this ranking is based on our personal favorites but an unbiased assessment of each of the parks! Our overall rankings of the parks are more a current state of each Disney World Park. 

Our list is NOT fixed and is instead a fluid list that ebbs and flows depending on the current park experience. Even in the last few years, our rankings have changed around quite a bit! 

In each park, we will look at the attractions, the atmosphere, nighttime shows and entertainment, dining, and the predominant things that make each of them so magical. 

Considering all of these ranking factors while examining the current state of each of them, we have formulated our rankings of the four Disney World Theme Parks. We are NOT factoring in water parks or Disneyland Parks. Instead, just the four Walt Disney World Parks which are:

• Disney’s Animal Kingdom Park
• EPCOT
• Disney’s Hollywood Studios
• Disney’s Magic Kingdom

Disney World Parks Ranked Overall

With that being said, let’s get right into our rankings. We will go from 4 down to 1. While all of these parks hold a special place in our hearts, we have done our best to be objective. 

So what are our rankings? 

1. Magic Kingdom
2. EPCOT
3. Animal Kingdom
4. Hollywood Studios

Just because a park is ranked 4th doesn’t mean we don’t love it nor does it mean that it isn’t a great park. All four of the parks have strengths and weaknesses. And just because Magic Kingdom is the 1st ranked park also doesn’t mean that it’s perfect without its flaws. 

Let’s go through them one by one, starting with number 4, Hollywood Studios.

#4 Hollywood Studios

At 4th on our list of the Best Disney World Parks is Hollywood Studios. Opening up in 1989, this was the 3rd Disney park built in Orlando, and originally it was both a theme park and a live operating production studio. Hollywood Studios has changed considerably since its inception as MGM and is only a theme park now. 

Since adding newly developed lands, Toy Story Land and Galaxy’s Edge, Hollywood Studios has seen a major increase in excitement, attractions, and overall park attendance in the last few years. So even though we have it ranked 4th, it doesn’t mean that we don’t love it. 

In fact, Hollywood Studios is the BEST park in Walt Disney World for teens. It’s the closest park to rival Universal and Sea World’s thrills, making it a fan of older kids who are looking to scream and be entertained. 

With highly popular rides such as Tower of Terror, Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway, Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster, Rise of the Resistance, and Slinky Dog Dash, lines can be EXTREMELY long.

Some can make the argument that Hollywood Studios has the BEST top-end rides out of all of the Disney World Parks and this makes the park extremely popular with guests wanting to get to all of the main attractions. While it’s possible your family might not desire to visit every attraction, if you do, strategic planning is vital especially if you only have one day. 

So why do we have it ranked last on our list of Disney World Parks? With the addition of the new lands, Hollywood Studios just feels busy all the time! When you factor in long lines at all of the main attractions with little else to do in the park, and a poor park design, you’re left with bad crowd flow! 

We also feel it isn’t a great park for families with small kids or seniors who don’t have as much interest in riding the more teen-centric rides of Hollywood Studios. 

Sadly, we’ve noticed over the years that Hollywood Studios has gotten away from some of its original theming, lacking the centralized theme of movies and television in favor of adding additional Disney IPs, all reasons to have it in last place.

Attractions

• Hollywood Boulevard – Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway
• Echo Lake – Star Tours, Jedi Training, Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular, For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Singalong
• Grand Avenue – Muppet 3D Vision
• Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge – Rise of the Resistance, Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run
• Toy Story Land – Toy Story Mania, Slinky Dog Dash, Alien Swirling Saucers
• Animation Courtyard – Star Wars Launch Bay, Walt Disney Presents
• Sunset Boulevard – The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster, Beauty and the Beast Live on Stage

In addition to the 7 lands mentioned above, Hollywood Studios also has Commissary Lane and Pixar Plaza. The main issue with Hollywood Studios attractions is that there aren’t enough low-end attractions with long queues that can occupy a lot of people and reduce foot traffic. 

This causes the main attraction queues to completely fill up, causing rides that don’t have long queues to frequently have 60+ minute wait times even during the slow times of the year. While we are excited about the soon-to-be-opened, revamped Little Mermaid show, the previous show’s failure to open with the park’s reopening in 2020 has only hurt guests’ ability to be entertained while in the park. 

Then there is the problem with Hollywood Studios attractions frequently being down and needing major renovations making this problem further exasperated! (Yes I’m talking to you, Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster.) 

For this to improve we’d love to see Hollywood Studios add a couple of smaller attractions that can improve foot traffic while also adding additional entertainment offerings! 

READ: Best Hollywood Studios Attractions

Atmosphere

Celebrating the Golden Age of Hollywood is a fun-themed concept that appeals to guests of all ages as they can enjoy the tributes through the Chinese Theater and the rest of the park. We enjoy the atmosphere at Hollywood Studios, especially in the evening hours as the lit-up streets of Sunset and Hollywood Boulevards give the park a fun ode to the good times of American Folklore. 

We feel this has lost some of its luster as Disney has squeezed more and more IPO into the parks to the detriment of the park’s wonderful original theming (though it’s hard to deny the incredible atmosphere in Galaxy’s Edge). 

We still thoroughly enjoy it but we hope Disney continues to hold to the park’s original centralized theme.

Nighttime Shows & Entertainment

• Fantasmic! – The forces of good and evil battle inside Mickey Mouse’s dreams with many appearances from Disney classics. This show focuses on the Disney Villains. 
• Wonderful World of Animation – This 12-minute show takes you on an incredible journey through more than 90 years of Disney and Pixar animation.

We enjoy the fact that there are two nighttime shows at Hollywood Studios. Fantasmic! is the longest-running nighttime show at Hollywood Studios and it never gets old! Wonderful World of Animation is a nice complement to those who can’t get into Fantasmic.

Dining

In total, there are about 30 different places to grab food in Hollywood Studios. Most are a mix of quick-service locations and snack stands. We think Hollywood Studios has some truly great snack and quick-service options for guests, especially with the addition of Toy Story Land and Galaxy’s Edge. 

In addition to those, there are also 4 different lounges and 4 different table service restaurants. 

When it comes to table-service dining, Hollywood Studios is a bit underwhelming. While we enjoy 50’s Prime Time Cafe and Hollywood Brown Derby, but as a whole, the other choices are just meh. With only 1 signature dining experience (Hollywood Brown Derby) and 1 character meal (Hollywood & Vine), the options are simply lacking.

READ: Best Hollywood Studios Restaurants

Galaxy’s Edge

Hollywood Studios’ newest expansion to the park is the completely immersive new land Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge, which opened in 2019. This land takes you on your own Star Wars story, taking you to the far corners of the galaxy where you might see familiar faces as you explore this breathtaking land! 

Here you’ll find unique merchandise locations where you can even build your own custom lightsaber or build a droid and find other unique items. 

There are some awesome dining experiences here, including the standout Oga’s Cantina where you’ll get to enjoy unique concoctions (alcoholic and nonalcoholic), as you listen to DJ Rex playing some of the greatest space tracks in the galaxy! 

In addition to the merchandise and dining spots, there are also two attractions: Millenium Falcon: Smugglers Run and Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance. On Smugglers Run, you’ll get to hop aboard the Millennium Falcon and go on a thrilling adventure in which you have a part.

But the real standout is Rise of the Resistance, which is one of the most awe-inspiring and ambitious attractions the Disney Company has ever built! 

More than just a ride, this ultimate experience puts you in the middle of a battle between the First Order and the Resistance! This is one of the best attractions, if not the best, in all of Walt Disney World.

#3 Animal Kingdom

Not because it isn’t a fabulous park in its own right, but currently Disney’s Animal Kingdom is third on our rankings of the best Disney World Parks. There is SO much to love about Animal Kingdom, but the potential for it is even greater in the future! 

Opening its doors in 1998, Animal Kingdom was the last of the four major theme parks to open at Walt Disney World. Part zoo and park theme park, it’s unlike any other park around. And it’s BY FAR the largest park in Walt Disney World based on pure square area, stretching out over 500 acres! 

We personally love Animal Kingdom due to its uniqueness, our love of animals, and the fact that it never feels TOO busy. The park’s sheer size lends well to never feeling too crowded, like some of the other parks. 

The theming here is spectacular, whether it’s the magnificent Tree of Life, which features over 325 animal carvings. It’s also incredible to comprehend the phenomenal lengths the Disney Imagineers went to in creating the unique theming throughout each of its themed lands.

Honestly, it would take us hours to talk about the lengths Disney went to make this park so spectacular and brilliantly themed. 

The last of the new attractions to appear in Animal Kingdom is when Pandora: World of Avatar opened up in 2016. And while Pandora is spectacular, unfortunately, since then, the park hasn’t brought us anything new. Like EPCOT in previous years, Animal Kingdom is currently a park stuck in a giant flux. 

Not to mention, Animal Kingdom has the most limited park hours out of all of the theme parks and has zero nighttime entertainment since the reopening of the parks in 2020. 

We are excited about the future of Animal Kingdom, but we think the next few years might be bleak as the park enters a new stage of renovations and updates.

Attractions

• Discovery Island – The Tree of Life, It’s Tough to Be a Bug!
• Pandora – Avatar Flight of Passage, Na’vi River Journey
• Africa – Kilimanjaro Safaris, Gorilla Falls Exploration Trail, Festival of the Lion King
• Rafiki’s Planet Watch – Wildlife Express Train, The Animation Experience
• Asia – Expedition Everest, The Maharajah Jungle Trek, Kali River Rapids
• DinoLand U.S.A. – Dinosaur, Finding Nemo – Big, Blue and Beyond, Dino-Rama

Animal Kingdom has 6 different themed lands that will take you all over the world. The theming in each of the last is spectacular and the rides typically perfectly encapsulate the land in which they are featured. We love the rides here and think they are a nice mix of thrill and family-friendly. 

The park could use another 1 or 2 E-Ticket attractions to further excite guests and to minimize wait times for the ALWAYS long waits found at Flight of Passage. We are confident this will happen as the park continues to evolve and the back section of the park undergoes its giant refurbishment in the coming years. 

Another downer is the majority of the guests fill up Pandora, leaving other areas of the park essentially dormant and unoccupied. The good news is that once the updates finish, we think Animal Kingdom can quickly rise to the number one or two spot in our rankings! 

READ: Best Animal Kingdom Attractions

Atmosphere

If you’re a nature lover who loves the ability to enjoy a world both real and imaginary, it’s hard to not love the theming of Animal Kingdom. With over 1,000 animals and 250 different species in the park, just learning about the different animals is educational while at the same time being fun. 

You’ll feel completely transformed when walking through Animal Kingdom. Whether you’re visiting Africa, Asia, or Pandora, the theming is beyond intricate! 

The seamless transitions as guests walk between lands are barely consequential as you’ll almost feel as if it’s natural! We love the overall atmosphere but be prepared, this park GETS HOT!

Nighttime Shows & Entertainment

The one nighttime experience in Animal Kingdom at this moment in time is the Tree of Life Awakenings. This happens after dark every 10 minutes until the park closes. You’ll see The Tree of Life come to life with a stunning display of color and light with the animals moving across the tree! 

Unfortunately, there are no full nighttime shows at Animal Kingdom anymore. Disney had two different nighttime shows (Rivers of Light and Rivers of Light: We Are One) prior to the pandemic when park hours were open later, but both of them are long gone now. 

Sadly guests tend to leave this park earlier than the other parks, with lower appeal since the nighttime entertainment is more limited. We are confident once Disney makes additions to the park and guests are once again excited, Disney will bring back a new nighttime show. 

The fact that Animal Kingdom is the only Walt Disney World Park without a nighttime show knocks it down quite a bit for us. That coupled with the fact that the park hours are limited to closing at 6:00 or 7:00 most nights is disappointing! 

We loved when Animal Kingdom had later hours, allowing guests to experience the animals and the safari at night as well as the other attractions. Expedition Everest was fantastic at night! We can’t wait for Disney to bring this back in the future.

Dining

Animal Kingdom has 31 different food options that will appeal to all of the different members of your family. Of course, there are a ton of snack and quick-service options, but they also have four different table-service restaurants too. 

We think Animal Kingdom has some truly terrific and varied choices for all kinds of eaters in the group! From pizza to Asian food to barbecue to standard American fare, there truly is something for everyone here at Animal Kingdom! 

We also think the options are great for adults who are looking for lounge fare, and we LOVE the Nomad Lounge, in fact, we ranked it quite high on our list of favorite lounges in Walt Disney World. They also have one of our favorite character meals in Walt Disney World, and that’s at Tusker House! 

READ: Best Animal Kingdom Restaurants

It’s All About the Animals

There’s no denying the fact that the thing that makes Animal Kingdom stand out more than the other park is it truly is ALL ABOUT THE ANIMALS!, of course with some rides sprinkled in.

We always marvel at how well Disney takes care of the animals in the park, going to extreme extents to replicate their natural habitats is quite remarkable. Animal lovers appreciate the great work Disney does with conservation to ensure animals both at the park and in the wild are being taken care of. 

And while this is wonderful for guests that love conservation, wildlife, and animals, some guests frankly just aren’t interested in it. And that’s understandable! 

But if you’ve ever wanted to encounter as authentic a safari as possible without visiting Africa, we’d be hard-pressed for you to ever find one that is as authentic as the Kilimanjaro Safari, in the Africa-themed land.

One of the most specular Imagineering feats in Disney history is creating this 110-acre Wildlife Preserve that takes you through a wide variety of wildlife roaming freely around you through forests, grasslands, and savannas. You’ll never have the same journey twice! You’ll never know which animals you’ll encounter and which you won’t!  

In addition to the safari, there are several different animal walk-through areas, allowing guests to enjoy the wide variety of animals and wildlife without worrying about ‘wait times’ or extensive queues. 

We love Animal Kingdom for this reason, as there is no other park where you can see and do so many things without worrying about getting in line.

#2 EPCOT

After finishing its major revamp over the last few years, EPCOT is once again shining bright in our rankings, coming in at 2nd overall in the list of best Disney World Parks. It’s not devoid of limitations or perfect in any sense, nor are we completely in awe of its recent updating. But it’s still a LOT better than it has been in recent years! 

EPCOT opened up in 1982 with its focus on bringing you on a journey around the world to discover human innovation, technology, and culture almost as if you’re at a giant all-year-long World Fair! 

While it is a somewhat limited park for families with kids, we do feel it has gotten better in that sense with new rides (Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind) and new walkthrough attractions like Moana: Journey of Water. 

And it’s still without a doubt, the BEST Disney Park for adults! Whether it’s dining, drinking, entertainment, or just unbeatable repeatability, it’s tough to beat!

EPCOT has turned into the Festival Park with four different festivals that represent each of the seasons. There is essentially one running on every day of the year (minus a little bit of transition time between festivals), with unique food offerings, merchandise, and entertainment at each! 

The park also used to be split into Future World (which was the front of the park), and World Showcase. Now Future World has been split up into three different themed neighborhoods: World Celebration, World Nature, and World Discovery. 

While it’s taken some criticism, we enjoy the look of the new EPCOT and think it’s a HUGE step up from the giant construction walls of the last few years (we are aiming high, I know).

While EPCOT has some great food and entertainment offerings, it still offers little in the way of attractions, especially when comparing it to the other Disney World Parks. With those complaints aside, we still LOVE EPCOT.

Attractions

• World Celebration – Spaceship Earth, Journey into Imagination with Figment, Journey of Water – Moana
• World Discovery – Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, Mission: Space, Test Track
• World Nature – Soarin’ Around the World, Living with the Land, Awesome Planet, The Seas with Nemo and Friends, Turtle Talk with Crush
• World Showcase – Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure, Frozen Ever After, Gran Fiesta Tour Starring The Three Caballeros

As you can see, EPCOT suffers from a loss of total attractions. Another weakness is the fact that it lacks the family-friendly offerings of the other Disney World theme parks. We can understand why some families hesitate to bring their young families to EPCOT for a long day. 

But we are a glass half full guy when it comes to the attractions due to the fact that they have brought on Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure, and the new walk-through attractions Journey of Water – Inspired by Moana. These have GREATLY helped EPCOT in terms of broadening its appeal to families of all ages. 

READ: Best EPCOT Attractions

Atmosphere

EPCOT, or the Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow has brought Walt’s unfinished concept of a planned community into a somewhat more realistic view of futurism and modernism. The atmosphere here brings out a somewhat futuristic view of the world while highlighting mankind’s greatest achievements. 

It’s an ode to what man has done with a look at the possibility of tomorrow, not too different from the Tomorrowland theming found at Magic Kingdom and the Contemporary Resort. While the front part of the park felt beyond outdated for years, with its recent updates, it finally feels new again. Again, this makes it a little more believable since it’s supposed to be representing the future!

The atmosphere in the World Showcase is completely different as it pays homage to the great cultures and foods of the world. We love the World Showcase and it uniquely combines 11 different countries into a wonderful international experience.

Nighttime Shows & Entertainment

EPCOT has slightly changed its nighttime offerings in recent years and its latest nighttime show Luminous: Symphony of Us debuted in 2024. This show takes place each night on the World Showcase Lagoon featuring all kinds of fireworks, lasers, and original music. Check the schedule to see what time it is playing, as it can sometimes rotate time slots. 

We think EPCOT has done a really good job with this new iteration of a show, and while it’s not perfect, it’s exceeded some of the other recent nighttime shows. It’s a good combination of terrific fireworks while highlighting some of Disney’s great films but with an original element of new scores in addition.

Dining

Where EPCOT shines above the other parks is in dining options, both in terms of quick-service and table-service offerings. And while the overwhelming majority of the dining options are around the World Showcase Lagoon, there are still some wonderful options in the other three themed lands as well. 

In total, there are 57 different dining options! And that doesn’t even include the various different festivals that are running practically every day of the year, perfect for snacking around and drinking around the world.

EPCOT has everything you’d want when it comes to dining, including some truly outstanding signature dining experiences to some of the best bakeries you’ll find anywhere on Walt Disney World property. 

There’s no shortage of options when it comes to food here, and we are confident anyone can find something mouthwatering and memorable when coming here! 

READ: Best EPCOT Restaurants

Festivals

As we’ve mentioned above, there are four different themed festivals that take place at EPCOT. Each one of these festivals has slightly different booths and different entertainment offerings. 

Here’s a list of the festivals in addition to the special live concerts and performances that they offer: 

• EPCOT International Festival of the Arts – Disney on Broadway Concert Series (mid-January – mid-February)
• EPCOT International Flower and Garden Festival – The Garden Rocks Concert Series (March – mid-July)
• EPCOT International Food and Wine Festival – Eat to the Beat (mid-July – mid-November)
• EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays – Candlelight Processional (mid-November – December)

These dates can slightly differ from year to year and are more of a generic guideline of what you’d expect. We enjoy all of the different festivals as they all have a unique element to them! 

Festival of the Arts highlights the visual arts, performing arts, and culinary arts around the world. The food dishes are focused on presentation above all else. 

The Flower and Garden Festival focuses on the gorgeous gardens, exhibits, and living sculptures of Disney Characters that you’ll send in the form of giant topiaries around the parks. It’s truly the most beautiful time of year at EPCOT! 

The Food and Wine Festival tends to be the most popular for adults as it takes you on a culinary eating and drinking adventure around the world and its focus is on the celebration of global cuisine. It’s usually the longest-running of the 4 festivals! 

Festival of the Holidays focuses on the celebration of the holidays in different cultures from around the world. The eats here are focused more on sweet treats and desserts. 

Our personal preference is the Flower and Garden Festival due to its beauty and we find that the food offerings here are on par with the Food and Wine Festival.

Is EPCOT a Full-Day Park?

I hate to preface this, but my initial reaction would be: it depends. If you’re going with young children with shorter attention spans who can’t quite ride some of the bigger attractions yet, possibly not. But for most people, I’d say absolutely! 

With the addition of Remy’s Ratatouille and Cosmic Rewind, there is more to do at EPCOT than there’s ever been! Between walking the World Showcase, exploring the different pavilions, and enjoying the many interactive elements of the park, there is MORE than enough to do and see. 

I’d recommend taking it slow and enjoy! EPCOT puts you in the frame of mind that you don’t need to rush around nor will you feel like you are sandwiched by the hoards of people, due to its layout. (Which we love!) 

Have a drink, grab a snack or just explore the different countries’ pavilions, and I’m sure you can easily occupy a full day at EPCOT now!

#1 Magic Kingdom

And finally, we’ve reached the current Best Disney World Park and that is…… (drum roll please) the Magic Kingdom! To the surprise of no one, we have ranked the original home of magic as the best current park. 

This original 1971 masterpiece is still in all of its glory perched above the rest, but with that being said it is certainly in need of some sprucing up in the future. And for that, we are fully confident as they attempt to maximize the footprint of this property. 

But why the Magic Kingdom? In addition to being the home of the beautiful Cinderella Castle, classic Disney attractions that have withstood the test of time, and the best family-friendly offerings, Magic Kingdom just feels special! It truly is the most magical of the bunch, no matter how frustrating it can be amongst the myriad of people! 

It’s gotten even better with the addition of TRON: Lightcycle Run, which has given Magic Kingdom another E-Ticket offering that appeals to older kids and adults alike. The park has lacked some appeal for teens and adults for many years, but it’s finally offering options for even them! This park truly caters to ones of all ages!

And this certainly doesn’t need to be said, but it’s BY FAR the best park for young kids. With the most plentiful attractions without height requirements, kids as young as infants can begin enjoying many of the attractions at Magic Kingdom! 

Adding additional unique ticketed events that appeal to many travelers such as Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party and Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party gives families appeal at all times of the year without continued repeatability. 

It also has entertainment offerings, including our favorite nighttime show Happily Ever After, that are unmatched in terms of brilliance and fan support. 

And as much as we love Magic Kingdom right now, we are even MORE excited about the future of Magic Kingdom! With rumored BIG changes on the table for the park, we are convinced the future of this park is going to get even better.

Attractions

• Fantasyland – The Barnstormer, Dumbo the Flying Elephant, Enchanted Tales With Belle, “it’s a small world”, Mad Tea Party, Mickey’s PhilharMagic, The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, Peter Pan’s Flight, Prince Charming’s Regal Carousel, Princess Fairytale Hall, Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, Under the Sea: Journey of the Little Mermaid
• Adventureland – Enchanted Tiki Room, Jungle Cruise, The Magic Carpets of Aladdin, Pirates of the Caribbean, Swiss Family Treehouse
• Frontierland – Big Thunder Mountain, Country Bear Jamboree, Tom Sawyer Island, Tiana’s Bayou Adventure
• Liberty Square – The Hall of Presidents, Haunted Mansion, Liberty Square Riverboat
• Tomorrowland – Tomorrowland Transit Authority People Mover, Astro Orbiter, Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin, Carousel of Progress, Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor, Space Mountain, Tomorrowland Speedway, TRON: Lightcycle Power Run

As you can see, Magic Kingdom is unparalleled in terms of attractions for families of all ages. These rides and attractions range from classic dark rides attractions to show stopping E-ticket attractions like Tron: Lightcycle Run! 

While Hollywood Studios can potentially rival Magic Kingdom in terms of top-end attractions, no park comes even close to Magic Kingdom when it comes to the variance and quantity of truly terrific all-around rides that everyone in the family can enjoy. 

READ: Best Magic Kingdom Attractions

Atmosphere

Immersing yourself in the magic here really transports you into the stunning worlds of the classic Disney World films, unlike any other park. Dreams do come true when visiting the Magic Kingdom as your imagination will run wild as you walk around “The Most Magical Place on Earth.” 

It’s hard to beat the sheer delight of walking through the front gates and seeing the Walt Disney World Railroad running above you as you walk through the gates and into the land of fantasy and make-believe. Even adults will be transformed into children again as they walk down the streets of Main Street U.S.A.

Nighttime Shows & Entertainment

There is only one nighttime show during most of the year and that’s Happily Ever After, which is a nighttime spectacular that takes place each night over Cinderella’s Castle.

 It returned back to the park in April 2023 after Disney World Fans screamed for its return following its untimely closing. There is nothing like it anywhere in Walt Disney World, as it’s truly unforgettable! 

There is also the other four seasonal nighttime shows, including:

• Disney’s Not So Spooky Spectacular
• Minnie’s Christmas Time Fireworks
• A Fourth of July Concert in the Sky
• A Sparkling Celebration: New Years Fireworks

These only run on individual days or at special ticketed events during the holiday seasons.

Dining

There are 20 different dining options in Magic Kingdom right now. These range in terms of offerings with 8 of the options being Table-Service sit-down restaurants. 

While Magic Kingdom doesn’t have as many quick-service or snack stands as some of the other parks, they have the 2nd most table-service offerings for guests wanting a sit-down experience. 

Out of those 8 Table-Service restaurants, 2 of them are also character meals. These will allow guests wanting to eat with the characters an option to have breakfast, lunch, or dinner! 

Sure, the top-end food at Magic Kingdom isn’t on the same level as EPCOT, but they have still come a long way in terms of family-friendly offerings. There are a few real stand-out snack options, including dole whip, citrus swirls, spring rolls, and so much more! 

READ: Best Magic Kingdom Restaurants

That Classic Disney Magic

The thing about Magic Kingdom that no other park can come close to replicating is the classic Disney Magic! Magic Kingdom can’t be beat in terms of ambiance from the stunning Castle to the incredible and never-tiresome theming of the six themed lands. 

If you can walk into the park in the later part of the day when the crowds have quieted down and just take your time, a walk through Magic Kingdom feels like a time capsule that never opens. It truly is magical. And for that reason, we have it still ranked number 1 on our list.

Best Park for Rides

When it comes to strictly rides, it’s hard to beat the Magic Kingdom. Whether it’s the sheer volume of attractions or the highly varied experiences in each of the different themed lands, Magic Kingdom rises above the rest. 

Sure, it lacks the number of thrill rides that Hollywood Studios has, but they more than make up for it with classic attractions and dark rides. 

With the recent hit TRON: Lightcycle Run and the soon-to-be opening Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, we think Magic Kingdom continues to pack a great punch for the entire family. Not only is their mix of attractions highly varied but they are also incredibly family-friendly.

Best Park for One Day

If you want to see everything in one day without necessarily feeling like you’re rushing around and attempting to cram everything in, I’d suggest the Animal Kingdom. It has the least amount of high-ticket attractions, meaning that it’s easier to get all of the main things done. 

It also closes a bit earlier than the other parks and it is the least visited Walt Disney World park, meaning that it is easier to get around without feeling crammed. 

It’s hard to go wrong with Animal Kingdom right now especially considering it’s a park in somewhat flux, as it is understood that a major renovation is on the horizon shortly. While some might consider this a bad thing, we think it’s good because the park experience is still great, while the park attendance is low.

Best Park for Adults

The best park for adults is clearly EPCOT. No park can appeal to adults the way EPCOT can with the four different themed festivals each year. It tends to bring out a lot of couples for date nights, bachelor and bachelorette parties, and locals looking to enjoy some live entertainment. 

Annual Passholders can enjoy coming to EPCOT on particular nights when bands are performing that they want to see without worrying about additional costs. It’s also the biggest drinking park with some of the best Disney World lounges and bars at practically every corner and crevice of the park.

Though sometimes this isn’t always a good thing, especially on weekend evenings during festival seasons.

Best Park for Dining

While there is some debate here in regards to the best park for dining, our pick would still be EPCOT. With BY FAR the most table-service restaurants including a few high-end signature experiences, it’s hard to top EPCOT when it comes to dining. 

Not only are there top-notch high-end experiences there are also outstanding quick-service and snack options for guests looking to get tastes from around the world in World Showcase. 

There is also some good food in the front end of the park with the recent addition of Connections Eatery, which is a stellar addition to the front of the park. You’ll never run out of tasty options at EPCOT!

Best Park for Teens

The clear pick for teens is Hollywood Studios. It has the most amount of thrill attractions for young ones who are looking for that kind of thing. Between the Tower of Terror, Rise of the Resistance, and Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster, there is no shortage of fun thrill rides for kids. 

Kids tend to love the theming of the parks as well with popular movie franchises like Indiana Jones, Star Wars, and Toy Story at the forefront of all of the main attractions. They’ll be emotionally vested in the stories lending to their enjoyment of the park.

Best Park for Babies & Toddlers

When it comes to smaller kids, namely babies and toddlers, we’d have to go with Disney’s Magic Kingdom. Even though kids of this age are limited when it comes to ‘what attractions’ they can ride, there are more attractions here that they can go on than anywhere else! 

That’s because the Magic Kingdom has by far the most amount of attractions without a height requirement, allowing parents to take their newborn babies on certain attractions! In fact, we recently went on a family trip with my 3-month-old nephew and there were things he was able to go on and enjoy!

READ: Best Rides for Toddlers & Babies at Disney World

Best Park for Characters

Between the two different character dining experiences and the countless meet-and-greet opportunities, Magic Kingdom is far and away the best park for characters. You’ll get a chance to meet all of your favorites from Mickey and Minnie to classic Disney Villains and even some of the princesses. 

The characters change regularly depending on a number of factors. On special Magic Kingdom ticketed nights, you’ll see even more of them out and about if you want to splurge on one of these events. 

Take a look at the schedule on the My Disney Experience app to find out which characters will be there on the day you are visiting. You’ll see where they are and at what times they’re there as well.

Most Relaxing Park

This can be hard and to me it’s usually a toss-up between EPCOT and Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Both never feel as rushed as the other two parks, and both have excellent crowd spacing allowing for guests to have more room while walking around. 

Neither of these parks has a ton of high-ticket attractions either, lending to a more relaxing feel of not having to run around to go on ride after ride. You’ll stop and smell the roses more at these parks as you enjoy the other things to do in each of the parks other than just going on the rides.

Most Nostalgic Park

This HAS to be the original, Disney’s Magic Kingdom. It’s here where you’ll likely create the most magical memories with your family. From first character interactions to character meals to fireworks over Cinderella’s Castle. 

And we know many families have had special moments here at the park. Hey, even my sister got engaged inside Cinderellla’s Castle!

For many people, there’s a nostalgia level at Magic Kingdom that beats any of the other parks. From walks down Main Street U.S.A to the first time they’ve ridden classic attractions like Pirates of the Caribbean or Space Mountain. It’s hard to top the nostalgia level here!

What is the Best Disney Water Park?

In this next section, we will consider the two different Disney Water Parks, Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach. While both are completely different there are some similarities as well! Both have some fantastic attractions for anyone in the family who loves water and water-based attractions. 

They are a brilliant breath of fresh air on a hot Florida day to enjoy a complete change of pace while having to deal with far fewer people and minimal wait times. Let’s get into those parks now.

Typhoon Lagoon

Opening up in 1989, Typhoon Lagoon was the first of the two current water parks at Disney World. While technically it is the first of the two, there was actually another water park that opened up before Typhoon Lagoon, and that’s River Country, which sadly closed back in 2001. 

Typhoon Lagoon is themed to a tropical paradise, reminiscent of your favorite Caribbean Destination. It feels relaxing and inviting. The attractions are all situated around the focal point of the park, which is the giant 2.5-acre surf pool, which generates waves up to 6 feet tall every 90 seconds. 

Typhoon Lagoon is situated on the eastern side of Walt Disney World property, as it’s practically across the street from Disney Springs. 

Its attractions here are:

• Bay Slides
• Castaway Creek
• Crush ‘n’ Gusher
• Gangplank Falls
• Humunga Kowabunga
• Keelhaul Falls
• Ketchakiddee Creek
• Mayday Falls
• Miss Adventure Falls
• Storm Slides
• Typhoon Lagoon Surf Pool

Only two of the waterslides, Crush ‘n’ Gusher and Humunga Kowabunga have any kind of height restriction at all, meaning that the park is almost entirely family-friendly for kids of all ages.

Blizzard Beach

The second of the two current parks to open, Blizzard Beach opened up back in 1995 and is located over by the Animal Kingdom at the western end of the Disney World Property. 

Like Typhoon Lagoon, it’s currently not open year-round and will close at times. Generally speaking, during the colder winter months, one of the two water parks will remain closed for renovations. Both parks will also often close on the rare chilly days in Central Florida. 

With a completely different theming, Blizzard Beach is more of a ski resort that turned into a water park. And back in 2022, Blizzard Beach got a major facelift as the Disney Imagineers added elements of the movie Frozen into certain aspects of the park. 

To us, it just feels colder and less inviting, and we’ve noticed that even the water in the pools and slides just feels colder. Maybe it’s just the theming that feels that way. But if you want to escape the Florida heat and get transported to your favorite ski destination, Blizzard Beach is the place for you! 

The attractions at Blizzard Beach are:

• Chairlift
• Cross Country Creek
• Downhill Double Dipper
• Melt-Away Bay
• Runoff Rapids
• Ski Patrol Training Camp
• Slush Gusher
• Snow Stormers
• Summit Plummet
• Teamboat Springs
• Tike’s Peak
• Toboggan Racers

Blizzard Beach has more height requirements than Typhoon Lagoon, with 4 of the attractions here having 48” height requirements for kids. 

Blizzard Beach definitely features the most thrilling of the waterslides, Summit Plummet, which features a 12-story practically straight-down drop through a darkened tunnel making it the tallest waterslide in the United States.

How the Water Parks Compare

Let’s consider the main similarities and the main differences between the two Disney World Water Parks. 

Similarities:

• Number of attractions – Both parks have a nearly identical list of attractions for guests to enjoy.
  
• Food options – Both have done a nice job of updating their food options to give guests a number of different types of food options throughout the parks. Blizzard Beach has 9 different places to eat while Typhoon Lagoon has 7. All of them are quick-service and snack stand locations.
  
• Both have relaxing areas and lazy rivers – While Typhoon Lagoon has the Castaway Creek lazy river and the Wave Pool, Blizzard Beach has Melt-Away Bay and Cross Country Creek lazy river.
  
• Family-friendly attractions – Both parks have a great amount of family-friendly attractions that everyone in the entire family can enjoy. 

Differences:

• Theming – While we love the unique theming of Blizzard Beach, as you literally get transported to a snow-filled paradise amidst the heat of the Florida sun, you can’t top the paradise and relaxed vibes over at Typhoon Lagoon.
  
• Differences in Wave Pool – Blizzard Beach’s wave pool Melt-Away Bay is a more relaxing wave pool, which features more bobbing time than actual waves. It’s better for smaller kids and toddlers. Typhoon’s wave pool features 5.5 hours of surf waves that can reach up to 6 feet high!

Best Water Park by Age

While both of the water parks are great for kids, we think Blizzard Beach is slightly better for kids overall. While they both have dedicated play areas (Ketchakiddee Creek in Typhoon Lagoon and Tike’s Peak in Blizzard Beach). It also has a huge dedicated area for older kids and pre-teens called Ski Patrol Training Camp. 

This area features Fahrenheit Drops zip lines where kids can test their bravery. There is also the Thin Ice Training Course, where kids can wade over ice flows. Then you’ll have the twisty-turny slides as kids attempt to race each other down the slides. And with the Frozen elements added to this area, kids LOVE it. 

Teenagers also tend to enjoy Blizzard Beach better due to the theming and the thrilling Summit Plummet, which is the most thrilling and adventurous waterslide in Walt Disney World. 

We think Typhoon Lagoon reigns supreme for adults. Its older adult-like theming is catered to adults who want a more relaxing and low-key day. 

We also find that their slides in general have more repeatability while being thrilling. This includes the awesome Humunga Kowabunga slides, Crush ‘n’ Gusher, and Mayday Falls.

What is the Best Disney Water Park in 2024?

It really is a toss-up. Blizzard Beach has done a fantastic job with the recent refurbishment and has made the conversation more of a 50/50 split depending on preferences. We don’t think there is a clear-cut answer here and you’ll likely get differing views. 

My personal feeling is that every time we go to Typhoon Lagoon, we enjoy it slightly more. We prefer the theming, the wave pool, and the slides. It feels more like a relaxing day, in which our family members are easy to find and no one is ever too far away. 

Blizzard Beach is more spread out with a bit of a confusing layout, making it harder to meet back up with family and friends. We also come down to Florida to escape the cold winters not to get put back into it. 

Going down the Blizzard Beach lazy river while freezing cold water sprays at us definitely takes away some of the relaxing elements of it. But there’s definitely an argument to be made that Blizzard Beach has more to do for kids, and the theme certainly caters to children, even as young as toddlers.

If you want a unique water park experience, check out the H2O Glow After Hours event at Typhoon Lagoon, one of our absolute favorites.

Disney World Park Comparisons

In this next section, we will touch on individual park comparisons and help you decide which one to choose based on your individual interests. We will make it more personal, making it about YOU. Of course, no two people are the same, so we shouldn’t assume everyone thinks the same way.

Magic Kingdom vs. Hollywood Studios

Magic Kingdom is better when it comes to essentially all the main categories. This includes better food options, better character meet and greets, and better attractions and entertainment. The one group Hollywood Studios wins for is Star Wars lovers. 

Exploring Galaxy’s Edge at Hollywood Studios can take hours for Star Wars buffs who want to immerse themselves in a Galaxy Far Far Away! We know many teens feel they are too cool and grown up to enjoy Magic Kingdom, they will likely enjoy the vibes at Hollywood Studios more. 

Sadly, Hollywood Studios has turned into a half-day park for many guests who simply don’t have an interest in Star Wars.

EPCOT vs. Animal Kingdom

Even though they are our two picks for the most relaxing and laid-back parks, these two are EXTREMELY different. 

They both suffer from a lack of attractions, but they both offer outstanding experiences in their own unique way. Guests who love nature and animal elements will love Animal Kingdom. We also think most families with small kids will usually enjoy Animal Kingdom more. 

For adults who want to enjoy eating and exploring the different country’s pavilions in the World Showcase, it’s hard to top EPCOT. 

It also has the best food and certainly alcoholic beverage options anywhere in Walt Disney World. And while they don’t have a ton of attractions, we love the addition of Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind!

Can I call this a tie?

Magic Kingdom vs. EPCOT

The first two of Disney World’s theme parks, Magic Kingdom and EPCOT are separated via a simple monorail! Picking between these two almost entirely comes down to the ages of the travelers that are visiting.

If you’re with kids, it’s impossible to beat Magic Kingdom, especially when comparing it to EPCOT, which has a more older appeal. 

While we have Magic Kingdom as the 1st ranked park currently in Walt Disney World, we find ourselves personally spending more time at EPCOT. This is because of the more adult-like feel and the sheer amount of things to eat at the various EPCOT festivals, which never get old!

Magic Kingdom vs. Animal Kingdom

The newest park vs the oldest Walt Disney World Park. If you’re visiting for the first time or if you want the unbelievable nostalgia and Disney vibes, you just can’t top Magic Kingdom. 

Also, if you’re looking to go on a high volume of rides, Magic Kingdom is absolutely going to be the better option. 

But if you’d like to escape the crowds, and have a more low-key day without having to deal with the insane volume of people, Animal Kingdom will certainly provide you with that. It will also be ideal for family members who want to see the different animals and have a more educational type of experience. 

Magic Kingdom is clearly going to be the winner for most people due to the shows, parades, fireworks, evening hours, and Disney character meets and greets. Plus you’ll have all the iconic classic Disney attractions and sights.

EPCOT vs. Hollywood Studios

When comparing them side to side, EPCOT is the better of the two parks. It’s got a better park experience, better park layout, better food options, and a more laid-back experience! But if you’re a massive Star Wars or movie buff, being at Hollywood Studios is special! 

We love walking around Hollywood Studios in the evening hours, strolling up and down Sunset and Hollywood Boulevard or even catching Fantasmic. Plus Hollywood Studios has better all-around thrill attractions. 

Personally, I spend more time at EPCOT due to the festivals and food offerings. If I was a teenager or I was visiting the parks with a teen, I’d suggest taking them to Hollywood Studios.

Which Park Should You Visit First?

When it comes to which park you should visit first, I’m a big fan of recommending Magic Kingdom. That’s the place that started the magic and was the first to open. You’ll immediately get to see the appeal of being in a whole new world as you enter the gates of fantasy and are immersed in Cinderella’s Castle.

Honestly, we don’t feel like our vacation has started until we step onto Main Street U.S.A.

We understand some guests think that Magic Kingdom should be saved for last since it’s the best and if it’s the first guests to go to, they could be underwhelmed by the rest. But we think a visit to Magic Kingdom gets the trip started on the right foot and immediately immerses guests in the experience.

Which Park Takes the Longest to Visit?

Once again, I’m going to say the Magic Kingdom. While technically it’s the smallest of the Disney World parks based on sheer square footage, it has the MOST things to do and see. Between the shows and attractions, it’s almost impossible to do it all in one day. 

Each time we go to Magic Kingdom, we find ourselves doing something we’ve either never done or it’s been years since we’ve done it. That park has so much to do and experience from VIP Tours to lesser-known attractions such as the Liberty Square Riverboat.

Disney Springs: A World of Dining and Shopping

Disney Springs, formerly Downtown Disney, is the ultimate mecca of dining, shopping, entertainment, and drinking at Walt Disney World. Other than EPCOT, it’s the premier spot to be in Walt Disney World for adults and locals. 

Disney Springs is located on the eastern side of the Walt Disney World complex and is split up into four different areas:

• The Marketplace
• The Landing 
• Town Center
• West Side

Each of these different areas offers you completely different shopping and really incredible restaurant offerings. Disney Springs offers free parking, both indoor and outdoor. They have large sprawling parking lots, and it’s helpful to know which parking lot to park in, depending on which part of the Springs you’d like to visit. 

Disney Springs is massive with about 100 different shopping locations, 60+ different dining locations, and around 20 different entertainment offerings. There is something for everyone here, whether you’re looking to catch a Cirque du Soleil show or ascend to 400 feet in the air above Disney Springs in a giant hot air balloon.

Disney Springs vs. Disney BoardWalk

The next closest thing to Disney Springs in Walt Disney World is the Disney BoardWalk, which is located just outside of EPCOT’s World Showcase. It’s an easy walk and connects the various EPCOT Resorts to each other. It’s also an easy walk or boat ride away from Hollywood Studios as well. 

The Disney BoardWalk is built on the theme of a classic NJ or NY-themed boardwalk in a coastal town in the early 20th century. This will likely create quite a bit of nostalgia for guests who grew up in the Northeastern United States. 

The BoardWalk is a charming little area that includes just a few different shops, a few restaurants, and a few recreational activities. In comparison, the Disney BoardWalk is a tiny fraction of the size of Disney Springs. 

While we love the BoardWalk, you can’t compare it to Disney Springs when it comes to entertainment offerings, high-quality dining options, and shopping. The BoardWalk only has three stores, with all of them being strictly Disney-centric.

Disney Springs has of course Disney shopping, including the largest Disney Store on the property (World of Disney), they also have loads of shops based on name-brand stores including Vera Bradley, Tommy Bahamas, Columbia, Coach, etc…. 

The Disney BoardWalk has some funny entertainment offerings including street performers in the evenings, fun carnival-styled games, surrey bike rentals, a dueling piano bar called Jelly Rolls, and the Atlantic Dance Hall. 

While you might say the Disney BoardWalk is a more intimate experience, Disney Springs is a grand experience. You can visit the Disney BoardWalk and see everything within a couple of hours whereas in Disney Springs you can easily spend the entire day there eating, shopping, and being entertained.

READ: Disney BoardWalk Restaurants

What Will the Best Disney World Park Be in 5 Years From Now?

To the surprise of no one…. Our answer is still the same: Magic Kingdom. Why can we confidently say this? As I wrote about a while back, Magic Kingdom is not only the current best park, it’s projected to get even better in the next few years with the big expansion project.

Making the best park even better just isn’t fair! When these new areas are rethemed and better utilized, Magic Kingdom is going to be even more impressive. 

That’s not to say it won’t have its rough patches while it undergoes some major renovations as EPCOT has had over the last few years. But we are confident it won’t affect the park experience as much due to where the expansion is going to take place.

And while we know Disney World expansions take time and can sometimes be LOOOOONG drawn out, we are excited for the future of Magic Kingdom. Our hope is it will continue to be as timeless and nostalgic as it is now with even more brilliantly themed lands and attractions that guests can benefit from.

It’s also noteworthy that Animal Kingdom has a chance to move up at least one spot when the DinoLand USA replacement is finished. If they really knock the new attractions and theming out of the park, it could even push for #1.

Not Sure Which Parks to Visit?

If after reading this you’re still confused and not sure which Disney World Park or Parks to visit, I recommend talking to an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner who can guide and walk you through every step of planning a Disney World trip. 

And for that, I can’t recommend highly enough, Show You the World Travel. Rene and her team over there are unbelievable at helping guests plan and maximize their time and their interests in personalizing the very best possible trip for you and your family. 

The best part of all is that it won’t cost you a dime! So you don’t have to worry about them pressuring you or forcing you to do anything you don’t want to do. They’ll help you plan the BEST possible trip. 

I’ve used them for so many trips now, and as experienced as I am, couldn’t imagine not having the help of a seasoned Disney expert. 

Not just for the amount of knowledge and experience they have, but also for the amount of time they save me! And for someone who values my time, this is why I continue to use them trip after trip! I promise if you use them for your vacation, you will thank me later! 

That wraps up our look at the best Disney World Parks. We hope that helps you to compare them and figure out which ones to spend the most time at on your vacation.

If you are thinking about going to Walt Disney World in the near future, here are some other popular articles where you will find all the info and tips you need to plan your trip.

• Disney World Vacation Planning Guide
• Disney World Crowd Calendar
• When are the Best Times to Visit Disney World?

Your Thoughts

I want to know what you think about our ranking of the Disney World parks…

• Which do you think is the best park?
• If you had to skip on on your next trip, which one would it be?

Let us know in the comments section below!

If you enjoyed this article, as always I appreciate it if you’d share it with others via social media.  I work hard at making this website into a useful resource for you and your family to plan your visit to the Disney Parks and I hope it can help you! Thanks 🙂