Disney World Parks Ranked – What’s The Best Disney World Park?

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Visiting Walt Disney World is no easy task, especially in this day and age. With four theme parks (Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom), two water parks (Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon and Disney’s Blizzard Beach), a shopping/entertainment district (Disney Springs), and many resort hotel options to pick from, there’s more options then ever at the world’s most popular theme park destination.

Unfortunately, there may be vacations where you can’t get to everything you want. How do you decide where to go?

I’m going to be sharing my own rankings of the four Walt Disney World theme parks as someone who’s visited numerous theme parks over 25+ years. Hopefully, this will help you decide where to visit on your next vacation if time doesn’t permit you to do everything.

1. Disney’s Animal Kingdom

When it comes to Disney World theme parks, my favorite has to be Disney’s Animal Kingdom. The joy I get from visiting this park is worth the price of admission alone for me. From iconic rides and experiences to mouthwatering food, this park has it all. It’s my favorite Disney park that I’ve been to.

Pros of Disney’s Animal Kingdom

Animal Kingdom has some of the most immersive theming of any theme park in the world, and is a great choice for families with young children. You truly feel like you’re in another world filled with the wonder and splendor of animal life all around you.

I find this park extremely relaxing to be in, and just being able to leisurely stroll around and take in the sights is one of the best things about coming here, which is what makes it stand out from more crowded parks like Magic Kingdom. You also don’t usually need Lightning Lane for this park.

This is where you come if you want to see animals at the Walt Disney World Resort. Of course, there’s the Kilimanjaro Safaris, an open-air tour where you get to explore many animals like lions, giraffes, and elephants in the wild up close.

There are also shows like Festival of the Lion King, one of the best on property, that retells the story of the famous animated movie. And there are more animal shows and exhibits located throughout the park.

Expert Tip: There’s no way to control the animals on Kilimanjaro Safaris, but the best times I’ve found to see them moving around out in the open is first thing in the morning or around 5pm.

Avatar: Flight of Passage is like Epcot’s Soarin’ ride cranked up. Sit down and ride on the back of a banshee through the breathtaking world from James Cameron’s Avatar movies.

And we can’t forget my favorite Disney ride anywhere, Expedition Everest. Featuring a large drop, forwards and backwards sections, and a disco yeti, this roller coaster is a fun and thrilling experience that contains one of the best themed queues anywhere.

The food at Disney’s Animal Kingdom is also fantastic. Yak & Yeti has some of the best Indian-inspired food I’ve ever had, Satu’li Canteen is (in my opinion) the best quick service restaurant on property, and Nomad Lounge is a relaxing place to grab a cocktail and enjoy the beauty around you. It’s sometimes easy to forget you’re at a theme park!

Cons of Disney’s Animal Kingdom

While Disney’s Animal Kingdom boasts some of the most stunning theming and immersive experiences, it’s also the Disney World theme park with the fewest thrill rides. While Expedition Everest and Avatar: Flight of Passage offer thrills aplenty, those seeking adrenaline-pumping experiences may find themselves wanting more.

There are those who claim Animal Kingdom to be a half-day park. While I agree that you don’t need to get there at 7am and stay until close to have a great time, you can definitely fill up most of your day here. However, if you’re looking for a place with rides instead of animal experiences and shows, this may not be your favorite Walt Disney World theme park.

I have only seen this park at night once, but it’s absolutely beautiful. I wish it was open later into the night so more people got to experience it.

Expert Tip: Because Animal Kingdom closes earlier than the other parks (something I hope Disney fixes in the future), you can park hop to another park after it closes to maximize your time.

Some people also find this park to be hot, given all its lush landscaping. I personally have never found this to be too big of an issue, as the scenery at least provides some shade, but I know that’s something some people complain about.

Who Should Plan A Visit: Animal lovers, families with young children, and anyone seeking a more immersive experience

Who Should Skip This Park: Thrill junkies, no real passion for animals, ride-heavy preferences

2. Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Disney’s Hollywood Studios plunges you into the heart of Hollywood and movies. From intense, iconic thrill rides to immersive movie experiences, this Disney World theme park has changed since its inception from being a half-day park to an all-day destination.

Pros of Disney’s Hollywood Studios

If you want thrill rides, this is the Disney World theme park for you. From launching into Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster, the only ride at Walt Disney World to go upside down, to plummeting down the drops of Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, there’s no shortage of thrills to be found here.

The park has also received some great new updates in Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway, an extremely fun family ride with impressive projection mapping, and immersive lands like Toy Story Land and Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. These newer additions really show the level of detail that Disney puts into its parks.

Expert Tip: Try to do Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance first thing in the morning, as this ride tends to get long lines and break down frequently.

Disney’s Hollywood Studios has one of my favorite sit-down restaurants on property, Sci-Fi Diner, where you sit in car-themed booths and watch old movie commercials while you enjoy classic food like burgers and shakes.

It also has the recently opened Roundup Rodeo BBQ in Toy Story Land, where, for one price, you get to eat all the food you want in a restaurant themed like you’re in the Toy Story movies. Be sure to listen for when Andy is coming!

It also has my favorite Disney nighttime show – Fantasmic. There’s nothing that beats seeing Mickey appear on that stage at the start of the show, ready to take you on an experience through his dreams and nightmares before your very eyes. Enjoy all the water and fire effects as well as some appearances by other famous Disney characters!

Cons of Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Disney’s Hollywood Studios may have the most thrill rides on property, but that can also be its downfall. There aren’t too many family-style rides here. Having so many big thrill rides in one park, and having those be the majority of the rides, results in long wait times for most attractions. Pair that with the highly technologically advanced Star Wars: Rise of The Resistance, and you may experience break downs that result in even longer waits.

Expert Tip: I highly recommend getting Lightning Lane for this park, as the rides tend to have long lines. If you don’t want to splurge, some rides offer single-rider lines you can wait in if you don’t mind being split up from your party and riding with strangers.

While there’s great places to eat here, like Sci-Fi Diner and Roundup Rodeo BBQ, the quick service options here are good, but nothing fancy. It’s nothing that’s going to ruin your day, but it’s nothing to write home about – especially with some of those prices.

And even though this theme park has received a lot of new investment, there are still some flaws in those additions. I often refer to Toy Story Land as “the surface of the sun” because it offers little shade from the Florida heat.

And if you’re visiting Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge expecting to see a lot of characters and locations from the older trilogy, think again. Aside from the Millennium Falcon, this land represents a new and unique setting within the theme parks.

Who Should Plan A Visit: Thrill-seekers, movie lovers, and anyone who wants to experience Star Wars

Who Should Skip This Park: Families with smaller children, anyone who doesn’t love thrill rides, and people who prefer eating quick service meals over sit down

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3. Magic Kingdom

Yes, I have this park at #3 when it comes to ranking Disney World parks, but that doesn’t mean it’s a bad park (no theme park on this list is). As the flagship park of Walt Disney World, Magic Kingdom holds a special place in the hearts of Disney fans, young and old, who love that classic Disney magic.

Pros of Magic Kingdom

When it comes to Walt Disney World parks, there’s no denying that if you want a jam-packed day, visit Magic Kingdom. There’s so much to do here that I think it’s impossible to see it all in one theme park visit or even one vacation!

Magic Kingdom is home to more attractions than any other Disney World park, and some of Disney’s most beloved attractions, including Pirates of the Caribbean, Space Mountain, and the Haunted Mansion. Enjoy the wildest ride in the wilderness on Big Thunder Mountain Railroad or slow down on iconic rides like It’s A Small World, Jungle Cruise, and Peter Pan’s Flight.

There are also many princesses to meet at Magic Kingdom. If anyone in your family or group wants to meet characters like Cinderella or Belle, this is the theme park to take them to at Walt Disney World.

If you love firework shows, this is the park for you, as the nightly firework shows here are something to behold, going off behind Cinderella’s Castle. Main Street even has projection mapping that dazzles as well!

Expert Tip: If you don’t care to watch the firework shows, it’s a great opportunity to enjoy shorter lines at attractions like Peter Pan’s Flight and Seven Dwarves Mine Train, who often see waits over an hour.

Cons of Magic Kingdom

Magic Kingdom is the most popular theme park in the world, which means more crowds. Come prepared to wait in some long lines for these iconic attractions. This is another park I recommend getting Lightning Lane for.

This theme park also has the most children walking around, so if you’re someone who wants to relax on their vacation without a bunch of kids running around everywhere, skip this park.

It’s also not super easy to get to Magic Kingdom. You park at the Ticket & Transportation Center and then have to hop on a monorail or boat ride to get to the actual theme park itself, which adds time to the start of your day, and can be annoying at the end of the day when everyone is tired and ready for bed.

Expert TIp: While more expensive, staying at a Disney resort hotel provides you with transportation options that don’t require you having to go to the Ticket and Transportation Center before leaving. Just hop on a bus, monorail, or boat to get to your bed!

In my opinion, this is the worst theme park at Walt Disney World for food. While there are some highlights (Skipper’s Canteen, for example), there’s not a ton here that really wows me, and you can get things like Mickey pretzels and ice cream bars at the other parks as well.

Who Should Plan A Visit: Families with young children, people who love Disney princesses, anyone wanting to do some of the most iconic and classic Disney attractions

Who Should Skip This Park: Anyone who doesn’t want to be around lots of kids, people who want the best food on property, introverts who find large crowds and lines overwhelming

4. EPCOT

Every ranking has to have something at the bottom of the list, and unfortunately, that’s where I place EPCOT in my Walt Disney World rankings. EPCOT is often considered the most adult-friendly of the Disney World parks, thanks to its diverse array of dining options, cultural experiences, and innovative attractions.

It also hosts various festivals throughout the year, increasing the chances for those culinary and cultural experiences. 

Pros of EPCOT

EPCOT’s World Showcase is a culinary and cultural feast for the senses, with 11 pavilions representing countries from around the globe. Whether you’re savoring sushi in Japan or enjoying a stein of beer in Germany, you’ll feel like you’ve traveled the world without ever leaving the park. It’s a great park to grab a drink and walk from one location to the next in a relaxing way.

Expert Tip: The World Showcase is in the back of the park and tends to open later. If you get to the park after opening, head there first and then try to do the rides in the front – the lines will probably be shorter later in the day than first thing in the morning.

This theme park isn’t without its iconic rides, either. Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind is a fantastic attraction that’s unlike anything you’ll find almost anywhere. It’s just the intense, thrilling ride that EPCOT needed.

Soarin’ Around the World takes you on a breathtaking hang-gliding tour across iconic global landmarks. And Test Track allows you to race along the fastest ride in all of Walt Disney World as you test your own vehicle’s limits.

Cons of EPCOT

It’s not that I don’t enjoy EPCOT, I just personally think it’s overpriced for what it is – keep in mind, it’s usually only $5-10 cheaper than Magic Kingdom and Disney’s Hollywood Studios. It doesn’t have as many “must-do” attractions for me, so I don’t like paying to come in and basically spend more money just eating and drinking all day.

There’s definitely some areas of this park that could use a refresh (I’m looking at you, Figment). I know there’s been some work done to the park, but I honestly don’t know if that work really took care of most of the issues I have with this park (Guardians excluded).

I also find this park to be extremely hot, with little shade from the central Florida sun while you eat and drink. There also never seem to be enough places to sit and eat, causing many Disney fans to be familiar with “trash can table time”.

For me, if I were a local, I’d love coming to this park. But if you’re looking for a theme park with a lot of exciting rides and shows to see, there are better parks on this list for that. This is definitely a food and drink festival park – come here during one of those to really enjoy it.

Expert Tip: I personally plan to spend $100 on food and drinks when I visit EPCOT during festivals. I find budgeting that amount allows me to get a good sampling of things throughout the event.

Who Should Plan A Visit: People who enjoy food and drinks from different cultures, anyone looking to focus more on relaxation and eating than riding rides

Who Should Skip This Park: Anyone who wants to focus on mostly rides, people who don’t care about “eating or drinking around the world”, families with young children

Making the Most of Your Disney World Trip

Now that you’ve seen how the Walt Disney World parks ranked on my list, here are some more expert tips to maximize your Disney World experience:

• Utilize Lightning Lane to your advantage: Consisting of Lightning Lane Multi Pass, Lightning Lane Single Pass, and Lightning Lane Premier Pass, this service allows you to schedule arrival windows for select attractions throughout the day, saving you valuable time waiting in line. I recommend getting this for Magic Kingdom and Disney’s Hollywood Studios on most days.
• Plan your meals: Walt Disney World offers a vast array of dining options, from quick-service counters to table service restaurants to character dining experiences. Make reservations for popular restaurants in advance, especially during peak seasons. And consider getting a Disney Dining Plan to prepay for your meals before your vacation!
• Consider visiting during the off-season: The crowds (and prices!) tend to be lower during shoulder seasons (post-holidays and fall) compared to peak summer months and holidays. It’s also hotter in central Florida in summer, so visiting during the shoulder seasons will keep you cooler as well.
• Download the My Disney Experience app: This handy app allows you to manage your park reservations, access Lightning Lane, view wait times, and even mobile order food.
• Don’t forget the magic: Take some time to soak in the atmosphere, watch impromptu street performances, and capture those picture-perfect moments with your favorite characters. Walt Disney World is all about creating lasting, magical memories, so slow down, enjoy the show, and let yourself be swept away by the magic.

There’s A Disney World Theme Park for Everyone!

There isn’t a bad park on this list, and that’s a great thing to be able to say. Everyone has something different they’re looking for when it comes to theme parks, whether it’s thrill rides, roller coasters, shows, food, or relaxation. Hopefully, I was able to help give you some insights into which Disney World parks are best for you.

If you’d love to go on a Disney World vacation, but don’t know where to begin planning, reach out to me for stress-free trip planning. I’ll make sure you make magical memories that last a lifetime without the extra headaches that can accompany vacation planning.

FAQs

Which park is the best in Disney World?

In my personal opinion, the best Disney World park is Disney’s Animal Kingdom. It’s my favorite, and I also think it’s the best Disney park I’ve been to.

What are the four Disney World theme parks?

In order of opening date, Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom are the four theme parks at Walt Disney World.

Which Disney World park has the castle?

Cinderella’s Castle can be found at the Magic Kingdom park.

Which Disney World park is the best for food?

I believe Disney’s Animal Kingdom and EPCOT are the best for food at Disney World.

Which Disney World park has the most festivals?

EPCOT has festivals for a considerable portion of the year, including the Festival of the Arts, Flower & Garden Festival, International Food & Wine Festival, and Festival of the Holidays.

Where can I “eat and drink around the world”?

EPCOT has the World Showcase in the back of the park, featuring food and drinks from different countries around the world.

Which Disney World park has Star Wars?

Disney’s Hollywood Studios has Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, an immersive land themed to Star Wars featuring Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance and Millennium Falcon: Smuggler’s Run attractions. The park also has Star Tours separate from the Galaxy’s Edge area.

Does Disney World have a zoo?

It’s not a zoo, per say, but Disney’s Animal Kingdom features animal walking trails and attractions such as Kilimanjaro Safaris that put you up close and personal with animals.

What is the most successful Disney park?

In a way, that’s up to personal preference, but Disneyland Park in California was the very first Disney theme park. Without it, the others (and lots of other theme parks around the world) wouldn’t exist! If we’re talking attendance, Magic Kingdom sees the most annual attendance among the Disney parks.

What is the largest Disney park?

With over 500 acres of land, Disney’s Animal Kingdom is the largest Disney park, and one of the largest in the world.

Which Disney World park takes the longest to visit?

Because it has the most attractions of any Disney park, Magic Kingdom will probably take the most time to see and do everything. I highly recommend getting Lightning Lane when you visit this park!

Should I go to EPCOT or Animal Kingdom?

Why not both! Animal Kingdom opens earlier than the rest of the theme parks at Disney World, so visit there for the first part of the day, and then park hop to EPCOT for the evening hours!

What is the 2PM rule at Disney World?

Annual Passholders may visit the theme parks after 2PM without a theme park reservation, except on Saturdays and Sundays at Magic Kingdom park.