disney world orlando which park to visit

Which Disney Park is Best?

Even though there’s debate on which Disney World theme park is best, there is a general consensus.

The best Disney theme park is Magic Kingdom. It’s Walt Disney World Resort’s first theme park, and it’s most nostalgic and Disneyesque. Magic Kingdom’s rides and attractions just have more magic than anywhere else.

Let’s examine which Disney World theme parks will be the best for your family.

Determining the Best Disney World Theme Park

As you plan your Disney World vacation, you’ll quickly realize that it’s impossible to do everything in one trip. That’s why your touring plans should prioritize the Disney theme parks that your family will enjoy the most. Once you’ve figured out which theme parks to focus on, then you can begin to create your in-park itinerary with the rides, restaurants, and experiences you wish to do.

Disney World has four theme parks: Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Animal Kingdom, and Hollywood Studios. Each park offers something for people of all age groups. That said, some parks are better for toddlers and younger children while other parks are more appealing to tweens, teens, and adults.

Before we get to our list… we acknowledge that a lot of this comes down to personal preference.  With that in mind, we’re keen to offer you a second opinion from our favorite Disney YouTuber channel , The Vacationeer!

Now that we’ve shared their choices, let’s dive into ours!  Here’s a rundown of each Disney theme park, ranked in order of highest priority to lowest priority. Remember, this is just my opinion and your choice may be totally different than mine!

Get Free, Personalized Help Booking Your Disney Trip! Contact The Vacationeer Today

1. Magic Kingdom

Without question, Magic Kingdom is Walt Disney World Resort’s best theme park.

It opened in 1971 as Disney World’s original theme park. Today, Magic Kingdom remains Disney’s crown jewel and the single most popular theme park in the world. They must be doing something right!

If you love the classics, then you’ll love Magic Kingdom. There are legendary rides like Pirates of the Caribbean and Space Mountain and fan-favorites like Hall of Presidents, Country Bear Musical Jamboree, and Carousel of Progress. Magic Kingdom is Walt Disney World’s most nostalgic and “Disney-esque” park.

This is also the best park for toddlers and kindergartners. They’ll be able to enjoy plenty of attractions (with no height requirement) like Dumbo the Flying Elephant and Peter Pan.

Magic Kingdom has a lively thoroughfare (Main Street the USA) and a number of delicious restaurants ranging from Columbia Harbour House (Quick Service) to the legendary Be Out Guest (Table Service).  It wins out in terms of shows, parades, and fireworks. And the iconic Cinderella Castle creates the perfect backdrop to create the fairytale setting.

I think most people would agree that Magic Kingdom offers the most magical experience of all Disney theme parks.

Did I mention the characters? Everyone’s favorite Disney characters are everywhere you look in Magic Kingdom, and they’re ready to meet and greet your little ones.

Yes, the park may feel a bit dated, but I’d argue that THIS type of dated is a good thing. Disney nostalgia abounds.

The rumors are true – there are HUGE crowds and long lines . That’s just the price of being at “The Most Magical Place On Earth” – everyone wants a part of it!

Magic Kingdom is the most magical of all Disney parks and, hands-down, the best park for kids. Adults love it, too!

Learn More About Magic Kingdom

Please see our Best Magic Kingdom Rides , Best Magic Kingdom Restaurants , and Magic Kingdom Secrets pages for more information.

2. Animal Kingdom

In many ways, Animal Kingdom is Disney World’s best theme park. It has spectacular rides, amazing food, and plenty of exotic experiences. But what really distinguishes Animal Kingdom from other theme parks is its theme.

The 500-acre area is Disney’s largest theme park and the largest animal-themed park in the world. Animal Kingdom is devoted to educating people about wildlife and the natural world.  It’s home to over 250 animal specials and 1700 animals (wildlife biologists actually conduct research at the park). Yes, it still has the adventurous and exciting aspects like the other theme parks, but no other park is quite like Animal Kingdom.

Animal Kingdom will appeal to anyone who loves animals. Onboard the Kilimanjaro Safaris attraction, you’ll be able to get up close to lions, monkeys, giraffes, zebras, tortoises, and more species. Kids and adults alike will love the “Finding-Nemo: The Musical” and “Festival of the Lion King” stage shows .

Some of Disney’s best rides are found here, including my favorite roller coaster, Exhibition Everest, and the two Pandora – The World of Avatar rides (Na’vi River Journey and Avatar: Flight of Passage).

There are a few shortcomings. Animal Kingdom doesn’t have that classic Disney feels that Magic Kingdom (or even the other two parks) have. Plus, it could use some more rides, especially a family-friendly dark ride.

That said, Animal Kingdom is pretty spectacular as it is and should be a top priority on everyone’s touring plans.

Learn More About Animal Kingdom

Please see our Best Animal Kingdom Rides , Best Animal Kingdom Restaurants , and Animal Kingdom Secrets pages for more information.

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3. Hollywood Studios

With the recent addition of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge , Disney’s Hollywood Studios has jumped from #4 to #3 over the last year (in my book). Adding to its ascend is the brand new Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway attraction. All this comes on the heels of the recent opening of Toy Story Land, Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy, and Grand Avenue. There’s been a lot going on at Hollywood Studios in the last few years.

Yes, Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge does live up to the hype and it should DEFINITELY be a top priority on every Star Wars fan’s touring plans. Rise of the Resistance is considered by many to be one of Disney’s best attractions,  and Millennium Falcon – Smugglers Run ain’t too shabby either.

Despite its wonderful movie and TV-based attractions,  thematic elements, and its retro 1950s feel, Hollywood Studios still has a ways to go. I’d argue that the park could benefit from even more attractions and entertainment offerings. Furthermore, tweens and teens will enjoy rides like The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, Rock ’n Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith, and Slinky Dog Dash, but this isn’t the best park for toddlers and kindergarteners (except for the must-see “Frozen” sing-along show).

It’s still not on par with Magic Kingdom, but Hollywood Studios is certainly making a name for itself these days.

Learn More About Hollywood Studios

Please see our Best Hollywood Studios Rides , Best Hollywood Studios Restaurants , and Hollywood Studios Secrets pages for more information.

Epcot opened in 1982 as Disney World’s second theme park (after Magic Kingdom). With roughly 300 acres, the park is twice the size of Magic Kingdom although it’s still considerably smaller than Animal Kingdom.

Epcot has two distinct areas: Future World and World Showcase.

Future World celebrates science, technology, and innovation.  It’s home to the iconic Spaceship Earth attraction and other experiences that will stimulate any curious mind.

World Showcase, on the other hand, celebrates the international culture and cuisine of the global community.  A 1.3-mile-long lakefront path connects 11 country-themed pavilions. Each county (pavilion) showcases its native cuisine and souvenir shops.

The wonderful food is really the star of the show here, and it can be really fun to meet Cast Members from the actual countries that are represented in World Showcase. There’s also a lack of huge crowds at Epcot, and adults and couples tend to really enjoy this park, especially during the Epcot Flower and Garden Festival and the Epcot Food and Wine Festival .

On the downside, if your family seeks thrill rides, then you may find this park a little boring.  It’s 100% worth exploring, and a MUST for foodies , but Epcot probably isn’t the highest priority theme park on any active young family’s touring plans.

Learn More About Epcot

Please see our Best Epcot Rides , Best Epcot Restaurants , and Epcot Secrets pages for more information.

Get Free Help Booking Your Disney World Vacation

Our official travel partner  The Vacationeer offers completely free help planning your Disney World vacation.

As an Earmarked Diamond level  Authorized Disney Vacation Planner , the Vacationeer books thousands of Disney trips every year for families just like yours!

There are plenty of reasons to use a Disney travel agent such as The Vacationeer , especially if it’s your first-ever visit to Disney World or if you haven’t been in quite some time :

• Your trip won’t cost a penny more than if you’d booked it yourself (and it might cost less !)
• They will always work within your budget  and can help you set up a no-interest payment plan .
• They watch for new discounts and will automatically apply them to your trip.
• You’ll have a dedicated agent — no more waiting on hold with a massive call center.
• They focus on Disney and visit often — that’s expertise you won’t get from some wholesaler .
• They handle hotels, dining, theme park tickets, and ground transit  — so you can focus on fun!
• The specialize in first-timers and bucket list trips so you don’t miss anything important.

So let someone else handle the logistics so you can enjoy your trip! You’re never under any obligation to book, so there’s no risk in getting your free quote today!

We hope this article has provided you with all the information you need to decide which Disney park is best for you (even if you disagree with our rankings!)

For more information about Disney, see our Disney World Map , Planning a Disney World Vacation , Disney World Cost Calculator , and Disney Crowd Calendar pages. Enjoy your trip!

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Best & Worst Days to Visit Every Park at Disney World in 2024

Looking for the best and worst days of the week to visit each park at Walt Disney World? This strategy guide covers Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Hollywood Studios, and Animal Kingdom, offering info about when the wait times are lowest and highest, plus commentary about weekdays vs. weekends, special events, and more. ( Updated February 13, 2024 .)

When it comes to choosing the best and worst times to visit Walt Disney World, there’s a lot to consider. If you’re singularly focused on avoiding long lines, we recommend consulting our 2024 Walt Disney World Crowd Calendar to choose travel dates. That gets updated fairly regularly, with each individual month receiving a refresh right before it begins for optimal accuracy.

If you’re more concerned with the quality of the overall experience, we also have something more holistic and, frankly, practical: our list of the 10 Best and 10 Worst Weeks to Visit Walt Disney World in 2024 & 2025 . Once you narrow down the week you want to visit Walt Disney World, it’s time to start thinking about which days of the week to do each park. That’s where this post and its updates come into play…

For much of the last three years, conventional day of the week advice for Walt Disney World was irrelevant or flat out wrong. Capacity constraints and park reservations were big factors. Even though the Park Pass system is no longer needed to limit attendance, it’s still being used to redistribute crowds and normalize numbers among the parks. All of this has upended our normal recommendations.

Thankfully, attendance and crowd dynamics have started to normalize. With park reservations going away for many guests in January 2024 and good-to-go dates for Annual Passholders and Cast Members, we do expect more changes–but not major ones–in the first half of 2024. Consequently, typical weekly attendance and crowds patterns among the parks have also started to normalize.

Accordingly, here’s our new advice for best days of the week at Walt Disney World in 2024…

Wonky Weekends at Walt Disney World?!

Before we get to the park-by-park recommendations, we want to start with an interesting trend that emerged around one year ago, which we dubbed Wonky Weekends at Walt Disney World, for lack of a better term. In a nutshell, weekends were the slowest days of the week at Walt Disney World! 

Last year, the average wait time across all of Walt Disney World was 44 minutes on Monday, which has been the busiest day of the week. By contrast, Saturday had an average wait time of 39 minutes and Sunday was 38 minutes. That might not seem like a huge difference, but over the entire day at every attraction, it adds up.

This is all past tense for a reason. Thus far in 2024, this trend has largely vanished. Sunday is still one of the better days of the week to visit, but Saturday has become far worse. Admittedly, there isn’t a ton of consistency to this. Some weeks, Saturday is right on par with Monday; other weeks, it’s worse; others still, it’s far better.

The reasons for this are multifaceted, from weather to long weekends to locals upgrading APs to conventions and youth events. Other factors have not changed, though. (For a thorough explanation, see Why Are Weekends So Slow at Walt Disney World? ).

The biggest change is the 2024 Florida Resident Walt Disney World Ticket Deal . For the last several years, this has been weekday-only and had blockout dates. This year, it’s valid on weekends and has no blockout dates. That’s a  huge  difference and, unsurprisingly, a lot of Floridians who have normal Monday through Friday, 9 to 5 jobs previously didn’t buy the resident tickets. Now they are, and are using them disproportionately on weekends.

Consequently, that one variable is alone moving the needle on Saturday and (to a lesser extent) Sunday crowd levels at Walt Disney World. The reason we aren’t removing this section entirely is because the current Florida resident ticket deal ends on March 11, 2024. After that, we’re anticipating weekends to slow down a bit; most of the other variables that pushed people away from weekends last year will still exist.

With that said, we do expect weekends to be busier throughout 2024 some degree. And when the summer ticket deal inevitably includes weekends, you can expect Saturday to return to being one of the worst days to visit and Sunday climbing up the ranks. For reference, last year’s summer deal was valid for May 16 through September 29–we’d expect similar dates for 2024.

Basically, if you’re visiting between now and March 11, you can expect worse weekends (especially Saturday). If you’re visiting during Spring Break season, weekends shouldn’t be as bad. During shoulder and summer season, weekends will most likely go back to being busier–but that’s dependent upon the dates and details of the next ticket deal. We’ll continue monitoring this trend and will provide a more thorough update before the start of summer. For now, we wanted to provide this update so you can adjust your plans accordingly.

Now, here’s our regular day of week advice, starting with DHS…

Hollywood Studios

When we recommend doing Disney’s Hollywood Studios depends on whether weekends return to being wonky. For the past several years, the best days to do DHS has been, by far, Saturdays or Sundays. That has started to change as of Winter 2024, and honestly, there’s not yet a ton of consistency.

Currently, Sunday is still usually a good day to do DHS. Breaking it down even further, Sunday nights  are the absolute best time to visit Disney’s Hollywood Studios. If you’re arriving late (after 4 pm), you can accomplish a surprising amount in that half-day at DHS. Frankly, it’s difficult to explain the ‘why’ of that at this point. One possibility is that locals still do Disney’s Hollywood Studios on Sunday, but do so during the middle of the day and depart early.

This causes a big spike in midday wait times, resulting in both those guests and others bouncing early…and shorter wait times in the afternoon and evening. It’s also possible that locals are less inclined to do rides, especially ones with higher wait times.

DHS is a bad option on Mondays and Tuesdays. This is because it’s usually the #2 priority park (after Magic Kingdom) for most guests, so guests end up doing Disney’s Hollywood Studios earlier in their trip…which usually means Mondays or Tuesdays.

If you don’t do DHS over a weekend, Wednesday or Thursday are the best options. If neither of those days work, Friday is usually an okay option. Basically, crowd levels start out strong to begin the week and drop progressively starting on Wednesday.

Epcot is the worst pick on weekends because it’s the biggest “local’s park” at Walt Disney World, and Epcot is more popular with Floridians than tourists. Although the gap has closed a little with the debuts of Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure and Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, it’s still true.

This is an example of where analyzing wait time data would get you into trouble, as you would (incorrectly) conclude that it doesn’t really matter which day you do Epcot. That couldn’t be further from the truth, and there’s arguably no park where choosing the right day of the week is more important from a  qualitative  perspective, but not a  quantitative  one.

Wait times don’t tell the full story–or even the main one–when it comes to Epcot on weekends. Since locals are less likely to do rides, they add to ‘feels like’ crowds and congestion without making attraction wait times noticeably worse. This is still a negative, as lines for food booths are longer and World Showcase is generally less pleasant on the weekends.

You’re also more likely to encounter groups Drinking Around the World on Saturday and Sunday. For those of you who want to relive your glory days by attending an open air frat party, this might sound appealing. However, those days are long behind us, and we suspect many families don’t want their kids in that environment.

We’re not kidding. Weekends are prime time for college students with disposable incomes to descend upon Epcot’s festivals to get sloshed. (It’s noticeably worse when UCF doesn’t have a home football game.) Likewise, locals turn out to drink, sometimes to excess. Now, we are far from teetotalers, but this sometimes can be a tad too much for a family-friendly theme park. Even if it doesn’t cross the line (and it very well may not for you), World Showcase is significantly more crowded and congested on Friday nights, Saturdays, and Sundays.

Again, this is is largely a qualitative assessment, and not a quantitative one. Wait times are not significantly worse at Epcot on weekends. Since most of the aforementioned audience is visiting to drink, they have minimal impact on the wait times for rides. (Lines for food booths are a totally different story!)

As such, you might be able to “beat” the weekend crowds at Epcot simply by arriving early, doing World Showcase first, and then doubling-back into Future World (or whatever they’re calling those “neighborhoods” now) in the early afternoon. That’s a savvy strategy, and one we recommend in our Epcot 1-Day Itinerary .

With that said, our actual advice is visiting Epcot on a weekday. Mondays through Wednesdays are all equally good. We’ve noticed a slight uptick in crowds on Thursdays, and a more significant one on Fridays. Still, not nearly as bad as Saturday or Sunday.

Even though the impact on wait times isn’t terrible, Epcot is the one park we try to avoid on Saturday and Sunday if at all possible. I’d much rather deal with the crowds and longer waits on Saturday in Magic Kingdom than those in Epcot. To each their own, but it’s just not our scene.

Animal Kingdom

As a general matter, Animal Kingdom is the park that requires the least strategy and is the easiest place to beat the crowds in all of Walt Disney World. It doesn’t require Genie+ or Individual Lightning Lanes, and is pretty easy to knock out everything–and then some–if you stay for a full day.

Objectively, the best days to visit Animal Kingdom are weekdays. Across the board, average daily wait times are lower Monday through Friday than they are Saturday or Sunday. However, that comes with a pretty huge asterisk or caveat.

Weekend wait times are only “worse” at Animal Kingdom due to the middle of the day. If you’re staying on-site and taking advantage of Early Entry (or even going in the first couple hours the park is open), it’s pretty easy to beat the crowds.

Moreover, there’s a pretty steep fall off in wait times during the last couple hours Animal Kingdom is open. This one does vary by season (during the holidays, it’s less likely to be true) but is accurate to some degree throughout the entire year.

That makes Animal Kingdom trickier than other parks at Walt Disney World in terms of our recommendation. Statistically, it’s a “bad” park to do on Saturday or Sunday. Personally, we don’t hesitate to visit it on either of those days because it is so easy to outsmart the crowds–just arrive early and/or stay late, and do shows or animal exhibits midday when crowds peak.

If you’re able to follow that advice, Animal Kingdom is a solid Saturday or Sunday choice. That early opening time coupled with a late closing time—and a limited slate of attractions—makes Animal Kingdom easy to knock out.

Even on crowded days, the strategy for Animal Kingdom is relatively simple, as covered in our 1-Day Animal Kingdom Itinerary . Just be sure not to fight the midday crowds or try to swim upstream and you should be fine! (Honestly, the best practice is to choose your days for Magic Kingdom, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Epcot first. Whatever is left over can be “assigned” to Animal Kingdom. Don’t worry too much about this park.)

Magic Kingdom

Historically, the worst days of the week at Magic Kingdom are Saturday, Monday and Tuesday.

Outside of Party Season, Magic Kingdom is a great pick Wednesday through Thursday. The best day of the week in Magic Kingdom from an objective perspective is Wednesday. This is true even following the debut of Extended Evening Hours in Magic Kingdom, which have not noticeably moved the needle on daytime crowds.

Locals tend to visit on weekends, with Saturday being more likely than Fridays or Sundays. All three days see elevated attendance among Floridians. Then there are Southerners who take long weekend trips, impacting all three days (but again, Saturday disproportionately). Still, these demos are all smaller than tourists, so none of them are truly terrible.

Finally, tourists most frequently start their trips on the weekend, and Monday is the most common first day in the parks for them. In disproportionate numbers, out-of-state vacation-goers do the most popular or their favorite park first, and that’s usually Magic Kingdom.

Due to its rising popularity with Star Wars and Toy Story fans, Disney’s Hollywood Studios is increasingly becoming a #1 or #2 choice for many guests, which means Magic Kingdom has fallen to #2 for some visitors. As a result, it can still see elevated crowds on Tuesdays, when those tourists are doing their #2 park. (For the exact same reason, Disney’s Hollywood Studios is also seeing higher crowds on Tuesdays as it’s become a #2 park for many people.)

This leaves Wednesday and Thursday as the least busy days of the week at Magic Kingdom. Sunday has also emerged as a surprisingly uncrowded day at Magic Kingdom. We’re hesitant to recommend visiting on Sunday because historical wait time data suggests this will change, but it has certainly been a good option lately.

Magic Kingdom can be more challenging when it’s busy, but it’s still possible to have a satisfying and productive day in the park. We’d recommend buying Genie+ in Magic Kingdom, or at least using Early Entry. Follow our 1-Day Magic Kingdom Itinerary if you want to beat the crowds without either.

Party Season

Party season in Magic Kingdom encompasses early August through late December–a pretty big chunk of the calendar–when the Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party (MNSSHP) and Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party (MVMCP) special events are held.

On days when the party is held, Magic Kingdom opens at 8 am or 9 am and closes to regular ticket holders at 6 pm. On non-party days, Magic Kingdom opens at 9 am and closes at 10 pm or 11 pm. In other words, the park stays open 5 hours later to regular guests when MNSSHP and MVMCP are not held.

Most visitors behave accordingly, making the intuitive choice and visiting Magic Kingdom when they can spend 4-5 extra hours in the park. That seems like the “obvious” decision, as more time in the park–not to mention actually being able to see the fireworks and Magic Kingdom at night–is the smarter strategy.

Unfortunately, that is not true. Everyone making the intuitive decision throws a monkey wrench into attendance and crowd dynamics during the party season. The consequence of that guest behavior should likewise be obvious: Magic Kingdom is significantly less busy during the day time hours on dates when parties are held in the evening, and much more busy on non-party days.

To put this into context, Magic Kingdom regularly has 9/10 or 10/10 crowd levels on non-party days, with Saturdays being the worst. By contrast, Magic Kingdom typically has 1/10 to 4/10 crowd levels on party days. That amounts to an average wait time differential of about 20 to 30 minutes per ride , which adds up over the course of the day to the point that you can accomplish more in the party-shortened days when Magic Kingdom closes at 6 pm.

As a result, we strongly recommend  doing Magic Kingdom during the days shortened by the Halloween or Christmas, and then Park Hopping to another park before 4 pm. Guests of the events can start entering Magic Kingdom at 4 pm, and this ‘mix-in’ time with regular day guests is when the park goes from blissfully uncrowded to busier. (We usually aim to leave by 3 pm.)

Even though non-party days offer significantly longer hours, you’ll still come out ahead by avoiding Saturdays, Mondays, Wednesdays, and other non-party days. Despite far few hours on a party day, you will almost always come out ahead thanks to the time saved waiting in lines.

There’s another upside to visiting Magic Kingdom during the day when a party is held at night: earlier opening times on many/most dates. This is a huge  advantage, as covered in  Photo Report & Strategy: Magic Kingdom Early Entry at 7:30 am . Suffice to say, there’s a big difference in crowds for Early Entry on a day when Magic Kingdom opens to the public at 8 am v. 9 am.

The big downside to attending Magic Kingdom on a party day is having to leave by 6 pm. This means missing the fireworks and usually evening in the park. The upside is that you can see fireworks from outside the park–or you can Park Hop back to Magic Kingdom on a non-party night. Just brace yourself for significantly higher crowds than what you experienced on the party day, as many people will have the same idea!

There’s also a flip side to all of this, which is that the other 3 parks are less crowded on non-party days and more crowded on party days. If you think about it, this makes sense–Magic Kingdom crowds don’t exist in a vacuum. If less or more people are in one park, the opposite is true in the others.

As a result, Saturday is a great day to visit Disney’s Hollywood Studios or Animal Kingdom during party season. That’s not the case for EPCOT, since it’s the ‘party park’ (different kind of party in this context), and many Floridians and local college students visit on the weekends to drink around World Showcase.

All three other parks become good options on Mondays and Wednesdays. The converse is also true: EPCOT, Hollywood Studios, and Animal Kingdom are worse options on days when the parties are held in Magic Kingdom. None of this is as pronounced as it is with the roller coaster crowds in Magic Kingdom, though. With 3 other parks to absorb the displaced guests, the impact is lower on each of them than on Magic Kingdom itself.

With that said, our experience with crowds at Disney’s Hollywood Studios during the most recent Party Season is that it’s the park absorbing most of guests who are not doing Magic Kingdom on MNSSHP days. This makes sense, as DHS has emerged alongside Magic Kingdom as the top priority park for most guests due to its many recent additions (Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, Toy Story Land, Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway), so it’s typically the park guests do earlier in the week and usually not the park people cut from their plans if they only have 3-day tickets.

Wait times data doesn’t fully corroborate this yet, but anecdotally, we’ve done DHS on Saturdays (the best day to visit) and then the following Tuesdays (MNSSHP dates at Magic Kingdom) and it is a night and day difference. This is  especially true first thing in the morning–we’ve been able to accomplish a ton during Early Entry and rope drop at DHS on days when Magic Kingdom is open until 10 pm.

Currently, wait time averages are “only” 5-6 minutes better at DHS on Saturdays than Tuesdays during Party Season, but that’s over the course of an entire day. In our experience doing this a few times, the gap is much more pronounced in the mornings and there is a distinct advantage at Disney’s Hollywood Studios before the afternoon on days when Magic Kingdom is hosting a Halloween party.

If Saturday isn’t an option, the best days to do DHS during Party Season are going to be other days when Magic Kingdom is not hosting MNSSHP or MVMCP. During the earlier half of Party Season, that means Thursdays are best. Once that becomes a party day at MK, Wednesday is the second-best option after Saturdays. Presumably, the same will be true when Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party rolls around, but we’ll keep you posted. Beyond that, normal day of week advice applies to DHS, as discussed below.

Apologies for this lengthy explanation, but this is the most important consideration in choosing your day to visit each park. More than anything else, the ‘party season’ crowd dynamic is the most consistent and predictable–this same dynamic has played out with MNSSHP and MVMCP for years.

It’s also where most guests ‘goof up’ and choose the intuitive-but-incorrect approach. While it doesn’t encompass the entire calendar, it does apply to 5 months of the year–if you’re visiting during this stretch, we’d highly recommend buying Park Hopper tickets and following this advice!

Best & Worst Days at WDW Recap

We’ve covered a lot of ground and it can be overwhelming, so let’s try to break down the best and worst days to visit each park at Walt Disney World in a more concise manner:

Visit on These Days: 

• Wednesday and Thursday do Disney’s Hollywood Studios
• Wednesday and Thursday do Magic Kingdom
• Monday through Thursday do EPCOT
• Any weekday do Animal Kingdom
• Party Days do Magic Kingdom  if  able to Park Hop elsewhere
• Non-Party Days do Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Okay to Good Days:

• Sunday is okay at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, especially if staying late
• Sunday is also decent at Magic Kingdom, with nights again being best
• Friday is fine at EPCOT  if  arriving early
• Saturday and Sunday do Animal Kingdom  if  arriving early or staying late

Avoid These Days: 

• Saturday, Monday and Tuesday don’t do Magic Kingdom
• Monday and Tuesday don’t do Disney’s Hollywood Studios
• Saturdays and Sundays don’t do EPCOT
• Saturdays and Sundays don’t do Animal Kingdom  if  arriving late and leaving early

With it laid out like this, you should see that some days are consistently the best and worst for multiple parks. This means that during the course of an average vacation, you might have no choice but to do certain parks on days that are not objectively as good. Don’t worry about that, as explained in the final section…

How Much Does Day of the Week Matter?

Average wait times can vary by 3 to 10 minutes on the best versus worst days of the week at each park. That may not seem like much, but a 10 minute difference is actually huge. Over the course of the day, that can means spending an hour (or more) less time waiting in line if you choose correctly.

However, it’s not usually a 10 minute difference–that’s an extreme example. You also probably wouldn’t choose the worst days if picking at random, nor would you accidentally go at only the time of day when crowds are heaviest and the gap is highest. So in practice, you can probably expect to save only a few minutes per ride by making good choices with the day of the week you visit each park. That’s not a ton of time, but it does add up over the course of a trip.

With that said, there’s typically much more of a difference in crowds between weeks rather than within them. Accordingly, choosing a good time to visit Walt Disney World is significantly more important than how you allocate your days within the week.

Even more important is arriving early and/or staying late, which is the simplest way to beat crowds at Walt Disney World. Late morning to mid-afternoon is the busiest time of day at every single park, and when wait times are the worst.

Just as crucial is having savvy strategy. Picking a great day or week to visit can make touring the parks significantly easier, but so too can having a good itinerary that zigs when others zag.

Then there’s the option of buying your way out of crowds with Genie+ and Lightning Lanes, which is another good fail safe option. (See our Walt Disney World Itineraries page for options with Genie+ and without it.)

Choosing the best days of the week–and avoiding the worst ones–at each Walt Disney World theme park comes after all of those things. To be sure, it’s a good practice and worth keeping in mind that Magic Kingdom is best on Sundays, or that Epcot should be avoided on weekends.

It’s also useful for those boxed into less than ideal travel dates due to school or work schedules. Same goes for anyone who realistically won’t have the option to arrive early or stay late (there’s a reason those times are most advantageous–because it’s simply not feasible for many families with small children). Ditto anyone who doesn’t want to pay extra for Genie+ on principle, or because it’s not in their vacation budget. For anyone this describes, carefully choosing days of the week for each park can relieve some pressure and result in shorter wait times.

With that said, we wouldn’t upend our previously-planned schedules to account for this. In the past, we’ve offered day of week recommendations and have received frantic questions from readers who already have their Advance Dining Reservations set, and have made meticulous plans for each park, wondering if they should throw it all away and start from scratch.

The answer, without exception, is a resounding “no.” Day of the week matters, but not that much. Moreover, day of the weeke recommendations are pretty easy to disrupt. All it really takes is inclimate weather (relatively commonplace in Florida) or inordinate attraction downtime. Either of those things can be enough to turn a “bad” day into a “good” one in terms of wait times, or vice-versa.

Ultimately, simply by virtue of researching and reading a post about the best and worst days of the week to visit every park at Walt Disney World, you’re better equipped to avoid crowds than 95% of guests–but because you’re almost certainly not reading just this strategy. While the advice here is theoretically useful, it’s pretty far from make or break.

You’re much better off using the other resources on this blog to choose good months or weeks to visit. If that’s not an option (or even if it is), remember to arrive early or stay late. Failing that, use our itineraries to prioritize attractions in the best order. Don’t want to do that for some odd reason, spend the money on Genie+ and buy your way out of lines. If you’d rather not spend money and go with the flow during a midday-only visit…I guess this is the best advice for you!

Planning a Walt Disney World trip? Learn about hotels on our Walt Disney World Hotels Reviews page. For where to eat, read our Walt Disney World Restaurant Reviews . To save money on tickets or determine which type to buy, read our Tips for Saving Money on Walt Disney World Tickets post. Our What to Pack for Disney Trips post takes a unique look at clever items to take. For what to do and when to do it, our Walt Disney World Ride Guides will help. For comprehensive advice, the best place to start is our Walt Disney World Trip Planning Guide for everything you need to know!

Your Thoughts

Which days are your favorites for each of the parks? Think it’s good advice to avoid Epcot on weekends, even if it’s not supported by wait times? What about weekends at Magic Kingdom and Disney’s Hollywood Studios? Any other best or worst days at each of the Walt Disney World theme parks? Do you agree or disagree with our picks? Any questions we can help you answer? Hearing your feedback–even when you disagree with us–is both interesting to us and helpful to other readers, so please share your thoughts below in the comments!

Written by Tom Bricker

My daughter and I are taking a trip to WDW in mid-November (post Veterans Day and pre-thanksgiving week). We are first time holiday travelers and going to MVMCP. Between the two party offerings, over our five night stay, there is a party every night! I am at a loss with when to schedule a HS day in our trip. I suppose we should choose HS on a Jollywood Nights day over a MK party day – but the advice in the Jollywood Nights article makes me unsure. Any insight on crowd dynamics with the updated start time for that party is appreciated!

For days when there is a Jollywood Nights party in the evening, does Hollywood Studios see the same daytime lower crowds phenomenon that the Magic Kingdom sees with the Mickey Christmas Party?

Hello Tom! Thanks for your analysis. My family and I (3 young kids) were planning to visit Monday of Labor Day – which is a MNSSHP night. Think the party might make the crowds lower during the day despite it being Labor Day? Wondering your prediction. Thanks!

I compared 3 sites each recommending different days for each park to visit There seems to be some consistency around Wednesday and Thursday but that’s it. I guess it’s normal as methodology must differ

Dear Anne, For what it’s worth I’ve found Tom’s suggestions to be the best out there. We’ve made a dozen trips in the last 4 years that last from 2 weeks to a month. Today I began planning our days for our upcoming trip and I reviewed both Tom and Park Prodigy. They’re not all that different just minor things like one will suggest Wed then Thursday while the other has them Thursday, Wednesday. Tom however does a deep dive explaining his reasoning and the nuances. From my own experience he’s 99% of the time he’s spot on. Yes Tom there’s room for improvement. Best advice, if you can swing it, is Park Hoppers. Doing MK on a party day makes a real difference. Catch fireworks another day after another Park (AK being a great choice). Stay calm. You’ll figure it out.

Mickey 1928, Thank you so much for taking the time to reply, that’s incredibly useful feedback. I am always puzzled when I find discrepancy in what should be factually equivalent. I also find the quality of the information on the blog exceptional- hence my presence here ☺️ And hopefully you’re right, I’ll figure it out. Since you seem to have a good overview on that, what do you think of touring plans ?

Hello Tom, thank you for the article. We’ll be in Disney World from 7/28 Sunday to 8/1 Thursday this summer for the 1st time and have a four-day pass to visit one park per day. Could you recommend us what day is the best day to visit which park? And would you also recommend dining reservations and genie + or fast pass? Thank you!

Thanks for this super helpful article! I’ve been to Disneyland a bunch of times, but I’m planning for my first Disney World trip this September. I have a 5 day pass (thinking 1 day per park, and 2 days at MK), and have to use my tickets between Sept 1 and Sept 7. I know it’s a long weekend plus MNSSHP will be on Sept 2 and 6. Could you give me recommendations on which days you would go to each park? I feel a tad lost and not sure what the best form of action would be. Thanks so much!!

I know Tom does not write about them, but hopefully someone else will know: what is the best day to visit the water parks? Should we avoid the sunniest days? Or are they just busy at the weekends because they are popular with locals?

We are coming from somewhere where sleet is more common than sun, so the children are very excited to swim outdoors without needing to break the ice first!

Water parks are popular with locals, so weekends are generally busier.

Weather is also a huge factor–the hotter and sunnier, the more likely the water parks are to be busy. If it’s colder, they’re often dead (or closed!).

Thank you very much for your reply! Anything above 20° (68°) is warm for us, so we shall be happy to go on the coldest weekday and have the pool to ourselves!

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Which Disney World Park Is the Best: Ranked by Age Group

Since the winner of the best Disney World park largely depends on your travel party, I decided to break up this post into the best theme parks by age group. This way, you can read about the best things to do at each park for toddlers, young children, teenagers, and adults .

Since some of the Disney World rides enforce minimum height requirements, the best places to spend time with a toddler definitely differ from the best Disney parks for teens .

I know from visiting Disney World with my own family that that the babies and toddlers in our group prefer much different experiences than the big kids. So, I’ll rank the best Disney World parks below based on our visits with kids of all ages!

Best Disney Parks for Toddlers

Families taking a Disney vacation with 2 or 3 year olds may be wondering which is the best Disney park for toddlers. Although each of the four main theme parks offers plenty of entertainment options for little ones, some of the Disney parks offer more toddler activities than others .

Below, we will rank the best parks in Disney World for toddlers. These Disney parks are in order from best to worst not best, and you’ll notice that some have more height requirements than others.

1. Magic Kingdom

Disney’s Magic Kingdom Park has so many fun things to do that you’ll want to spend a full day at this park even with toddlers. Magic Kingdom is divided into themed lands, including Fantasyland, Tomorrowland, Frontierland, and Adventureland.

In addition to these sections of the park, guests will also find activities and dining options available in Liberty Square and on Main Street, USA. Some of the best toddler attractions at Magic Kingdom are located in Fantasyland.

However, little ones enjoy exploring all of the different sections of Disney’s Magic Kingdom Park. These are some of our favorite rides and attractions for toddlers at Magic Kingdom:

• The Barnstormer (Height Requirement – 35 inches)
• Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin
• Casey Jr. Water Play Area
• Disney Festival of Fantasy Parade
• Dumbo the Flying Elephant
• Enchanted Tales with Belle
• It’s a Small World
• Peter Pan’s Flight
• Jungle Cruise
• Under the Sea
• Magic Carpets of Aladdin
• Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
• Mad Tea Party

Additionally, Disney’s Magic Kingdom Park offers lots of character meet and greet opportunities for visitors.

2. Animal Kingdom

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park is perfect for toddlers and preschoolers because it’s full of amazing animals. Families love Animal Kingdom since the park typically feels less overwhelming than Disney’s Magic Kingdom . Some of our top picks for toddler attractions at Animal Kingdom include :

• Affection Section
• The Boneyard
• Donald’s Dino-Bash
• Festival of the Lion King 
• Finding Nemo
• Fossil Fun Games
• Kilimanjaro Safaris
• Na’vi River Journey
• Triceratop Spin

This park also provides plenty of character experiences along with the ability to view all sorts of animals .

Although other websites may list Epcot as the worst park for toddlers, my kids always LOVED visiting Epcot as 2 and 3 year olds . You will find all sorts of character experiences available at this park, including meet and greet opportunities with Frozen’s Elsa and Anna . 

Some of the toddler-friendly activities you’ll find at Epcot include:

• Beauty and the Beast Sing Along
• Frozen Ever After
• Gran Fiesta Tour Starring the Three Caballeros
• Journey into Imagination with Figment
• Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure
• Turtle Talk with Crush
• The Seas with Nemo and Friends

In addition to the attractions listed above, the World Showcase is a fun area to stroll through with toddlers. You can make stops for desserts and treats for little ones to enjoy in their strollers. Plus, toddlers love experiencing the live entertainment taking place outside some of the countries.

4. Hollywood Studios

Even though we are ranking Disney’s Hollywood Studios last in our list of best Disney parks for toddlers, it’s definitely worth a visit. If your family has Park Hopper tickets, you could even combine Hollywood Studios and Epcot into one day .

With the opening of Toy Story Land , Hollywood Studios offers even more fun for little ones. Some of our top picks for toddler attractions at Hollywood Studios include:

• Alien Swirling Saucers (32 inches or taller)
• Beauty and the Beast Live on Stage
• Disney Junior Play and Dance
• Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway
• For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-a-long Celebration
• Toy Story Mania

This park also offers lots of character experiences with Disney Jr. characters .

If you’re looking for more information on visiting Disney with little ones, we highly recommend checking out our post: Tips for Visiting Walt Disney World with Toddlers . In that article, we provide toddler-friendly itineraries for each park along with tips for surviving Disney with little ones.

Best Park for Kids

If you are visiting Disney World with kids, you’ll find plenty of attractions to experience on your trip. Depending on your child’s growth rate, 4 to 10 year olds can greatly differ in their heights. So, you’ll see that we have included the Disney World minimum height requirement for certain rides.

Disney’s Magic Kingdom Park ranks at the top of our list for kids much like it did for toddlers. This park is full of magical experiences like Cinderella’s Castle and Main Street, USA. 

Families will find all sorts of character meet and greet opportunities at this park as well as lots of other entertainment options. Additionally, Magic Kingdom is home to several exciting rides with fairly low height requirements that are perfect for young children . Some of the best attractions at Magic Kingdom include:

• Astro Orbiter
• Under the Sea- Journey of the Little Mermaid
• Splash Mountain (40 inches or taller)
• Barnstormer (35 inches or taller)
• Big Thunder Mountain Railroad (40 inches or taller)
• Casey Jr. Splash Area
• Seven Dwarf Mine Train (38 inches or taller)
• Pirates of the Caribbean
• Haunted Mansion
• Space Mountain (44 inches or taller)

Young kids also love exploring the Swiss Family Treehouse and Tom Sawyer Island at Disney’s Magic Kingdom.

2/3. Hollywood Studios

Although we are including Hollywood Studios in the second place spot, this Disney park actually shares this ranking with Disney’s Animal Kingdom. If your child is highly interested in Toy Story or Star Wars, Hollywood Studios would take the edge over Animal Kingdom. These are the fun attractions available for young kids at Hollywood Studios:

• Alien Swirling Saucers
• Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular
• Millennium Falcon: Smuggler’s Run (Minimum Height – 38 inches)
• Muppet Vision 3D
• Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster (Minimum Height – 48 inches)
• Slinky Dog Dash (Minimum Height – 38 inches)
• Star Tours (Minimum Height – 40 inches)
• Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance (Minimum Height – 40 inches)
• The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror (Minimum Height – 40 inches)

In addition to the rides and entertainment options listed above, Hollywood Studios is full of character experiences and dining options. You’ll also want to make sure you check out the fun things Toy Story Land has to offer!

2/3. Animal Kingdom

If your young child is more interested in animals than in Star Wars, he/she may place Disney’s Animal Kingdom ahead of Hollywood Studios in our list. With thrilling rides and amazing live shows, Animal Kingdom is a great park for little kids. These are some of our favorite attractions for young kiddos:

• Avatar Flight of Passage (44 inches or taller)
• Dinosaur (40 inches or taller)
• Kali River Rapids (38 inches or taller)
• Expedition Everest (44 inches or taller) 
• Festival of the Lion King
• It’s Tough to Be a Bug

Additionally, elementary aged kids love spending time viewing different animals at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park. The Animal Kingdom Lodge is also one of our top picks for families with young kids. This beautifully themed resort allows guests to view animals right from the balconies of their rooms.

Although Epcot is one of my personal favorite parks at Disney World, it takes the last spot in our list of best parks for young kids. This park is full of fun attractions that young children really enjoy; however, the other parks offer slightly more entertainment for this age group . Nonetheless, these are the super fun things to do at Epcot with little kids:

• Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind (Minimum Height – 42 inches)
• Mission: Space (Minimum Height – 40 inches)
• Soarin’ Around the World (Minimum Height – 40 inches)
• Test Track (Minimum Height – 40 inches)

If your family is interested in exploring the World Showcase with young kids, make sure you visit the Kidcot Fun Stops to pick up activity cards at each country you visit!

Best Park for Teens

If you’re visiting the Disney parks with teenagers, they may not be as impressed as the younger kids with character experiences and play areas. Instead, teens are often searching for the best rides and most entertaining shows .

1. Hollywood Studios

Disney’s Hollywood Studios sits at the top of our list for best Disney parks for teens. This park features thrill rides and great shows that teenagers love . Some of our top picks for best attractions for teens at Hollywood Studios include:

• Millennium Falcon: Smuggler’s Run
• Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster
• Slinky Dog Dash
• Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance
• Tower of Terror

2. Disney’s Animal Kingdom 

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park is another great park for teens at Disney World. In addition to the amazing animals, this Disney park is full of rides and exceptional shows. Some of our favorite attractions for teens at Animal Kingdom include:

• Avatar Flight of Passage
• Expedition Everest
• Finding Nemo Show
• Kali River Rapids

3. Epcot 

While not the most toddler friendly park at Disney World, Epcot has plenty to offer older kids and teenagers. If your teen is especially interested in cultures, he/she will love experiencing the countries in the World Showcase . Some of the other fun attractions for teens at Epcot include:

• Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind
• Mission: Space
• Soarin’ Around the World

4. Magic Kingdom 

While ranked at the bottom of our list, Magic Kingdom is still an appealing park to teens. It offers several rides in addition to the magical castle and parades. Some of the attractions that are most popular with teenagers include:

• Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
• Seven Dwarfs Mine Train
• Space Mountain
• Splash Mountain
• TRON Lightcycle

For a list of things to pack when you visit the parks, check out our Ultimate Disney Packing List . In that post we include a free printable packing list for your Disney vacation!

Best Park for Adults

Who says Disney World is just for kids?! The Walt Disney World parks offer plenty of excitement and entertainment for couples and adults as well. In fact, my husband and I spent part of our honeymoon visiting some of the Disney World parks.

Epcot is full of entertaining attractions for adults to enjoy. Some of our favorite experiences at Epcot include:

• Test Track 

In addition to the rides and entertainment above, adults love spending time touring the World Showcase at Epcot . You can often find live entertainment available in some of the countries. 

Additionally, the World Showcase is full of food and beverage options from all over the world . Adults often enjoy strolling through the different countries while enjoying an adult beverage or dessert from one of the many vendors.

Disney’s Animal Kingdom appeals to both kids and adults. With thrilling attractions and amazing live performances, this park is always a favorite for Disney World visitors. Some of the best attractions for adults at Animal Kingdom include:

• Expedition Everest 
• It’s Tough to be a Bug

Additionally, Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park provides great ambiance for adults looking to escape the hectic atmosphere of some of the other parks . Foodies will also be impressed with some of the unique options available at this Walt Disney World park.

3. Hollywood Studios

Hollywood Studios features all kinds of fun rides and shows for couples and adults. Some of our top picks include:

• Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith

4. Magic Kingdom Park

Disney’s Magic Kingdom Park offers many attractions and experiences for adults to enjoy. This park can be a bit crowded and wild , though, which forces it to the bottom of our list of best Disney parks for adults. Some of the best rides at Magic Kingdom for adults include:

• Hall of Presidents
• TRON Lightcycle Run

Disney Park Tickets

Disney ticket prices can vary greatly depending on several factors. Families do not need to purchase a theme park ticket for children under age 3 as they are free. Additionally, children aged 3-9 receive a very small discount on tickets.

Guests who want to visit multiple theme parks in the same day will need to purchase the “ Park Hopper ” feature in order to be admitted into two or more parks. 

If you’re looking for the best deals on Disney park tickets, we highly recommend checking out Undercover Tourist. This Disney approved company offers discounts on theme park tickets, hotels, and rental cars.

My family and I personally use Undercover Tourist when we vacation at Disney World since they consistently provide the best rates. They also provide amazing customer service if you ever need to contact them for anything. You can find out more information about this reputable company in our Review of Undercover Tourist for Disney Park Tickets

Where to Stay

If you plan to spend a majority of your time at a specific Walt Disney World theme park, you may want to reserve a hotel near that park . Since these conveniently located hotels tend to be classified as “Deluxe Resorts,” they can often come with a hefty price tag. The best way to stay on budget while booking one of these preferred hotels is to utilize David’s Vacation Club Rentals.

Rather than paying full price to stay at the deluxe resort near your favorite park, you can reserve your stay at a Deluxe Villa through David’s Vacation Club Rentals. This is by far the best way to save money on Disney hotels while still enjoying luxurious amenities and a convenient location.

If you are interested in learning more about how this process works, you can check out our post on the Best DVC Rental Site . My family and I have used David’s website to save hundreds of dollars per night at Disney resorts like:

• Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas
• Disney’s Beach Club Villas
• Disney’s Polynesian Villas and Bungalows
• Disney’s Boulder Ridge Villas

So, which is the best park at Disney World?

Overall, each of the Walt Disney World theme parks offers its own unique atmosphere and attractions . Guests really can’t go wrong visiting any of these magical parks.

Whether you’re looking for thrill rides, character experiences, or live shows, the four Disney World theme parks provide plenty of entertainment. Our lists above rank the Disney parks based on age, but even the “worst” ranked park is full of memory-making opportunities for guests .

We hope you have a magical trip to Walt Disney World no matter which of the Disney theme parks you choose to visit! You may also love our List of All Disney Characters at Disney World . In that post, we include a free printable list of every character experience in the parks!

So, what do you think? What is the best Disney World park to visit? Comment below to share your thoughts with us!

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Shari is an experienced planner and organizer for Disney vacations, cruising, and U.S. travel. Her family vacation information, reviews, and tips provide insight for moms and dads everywhere. You can read more about her story, including her journey through breast cancer, in the about me page.

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Best Order to Visit Disney World Parks – Does It Really Matter?

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A very common question is what is the best order to visit the Disney World Parks?

The answer is perhaps not as easy as perhaps most people are looking for! There are a number of factors that you need to take into account.

Here we will talk about Disney’s Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Disney Hollywood Studios, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom.

For this guide, I am not including the Disney Water Parks when deciding which order to visit the Disney parks.

There are various strategies and thoughts as to which are the best days to visit each of the Disney parks. The answer depends on a number of factors, possibly the strongest of which is a personal preference!

The things to consider are:

• How many days that you have to spend in Walt Disney World?
• What day do you arrive and leave?
• Are there any special events in the park you are visiting?
• What is your personal preference?

All these have to work in tandem for you to decide which is the best order to visit the Disney World parks for your vacation.

As we all know, recent years have been somewhat different at Walt Disney World – whilst attendance patterns and best days to visit used to be at least a bit predictable, a lot of that has simply gone out of the window in recent times.

There are some generalizations about the busiest days in each park which still do have some validity.

Many guides suggest that you start with Magic Kingdom first, followed by Epcot and then Hollywood Studios. This leaves Animal Kingdom as the last Disney theme park to visit on your trip.

However, it really isn’t as clear cut as that – there is some other advice to take into account.

When Should I Visit Magic Kingdom?

There is one view and this certainly has a lot going for it.

You should visit Disney’s Magic Kingdom on the first day of your vacation.

Because this is everyone’s traditional idea of what Disney World is all about.

It’s true that if you visit Magic Kingdom first it will help get you right into that Disney fun frame of mind.

If you have a young child this can really be something that you need to think about.

Let’s just think this through.

Is your three-year-old going to be fine with going to Animal Kingdom Park first and you have to explain that Cinderella doesn’t live here?

Or going to EPCOT and your child is disappointed because they wanted to see the Disney Cinderella Castle or ride on Dumbo?

Of course, if you are going to visit all of the Disney World parks you are going to face this issue at some point! However, would it be better to visit Magic Kingdom first and get the quintessential Disney Magic on day one?

Disney’s Magic Kingdom Park has the most popular attractions of any of the parks. There are a lot of rides here!

Popular rides here include Space Mountain, Haunted Mansion, Pirates of the Caribbean, Jungle Cruise, Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, and Big Thunder Mountain Railroad.

Only you can decide whether visiting the Disney theme park that most people identify first with is going to be a big thing for your particular situation.

For many guests on their first visit to Disney World going to Magic Kingdom first is a good choice.

Having said that, there are some days that are seen as the “ones to avoid if you have a choice”.

Magic Kingdom is mostly at its busiest on Saturday and Monday. Two decades have shown that this is a pretty safe general prediction.

But this is only a general prediction, which can be disrupted.

Particularly if there is a special event going on such as occurring during Halloween and Christmas.

These separately ticketed events as they are known, mean that Magic Kingdom closes earlier than other days. If you want to be in the park late at night then you have to have a separate ticket for the event, such as Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party.

Guests with a “party” ticket tend to arrive from around 4 pm meaning that it starts to get crowded from that time. But the other effect is that people tend to avoid Magic Kingdom in the morning if they see there is an event.

So it might be a good strategy to go as early as you can on one of these days if you don’t have a party ticket for the evening.

If you don’t have a party ticket but you do have a Park Hopper it can be a good strategy to go early in the morning on that day and then “hop” to another park at around 4 pm when lots of people start to arrive.

Generally, better days to visit Magic Kingdom are Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday – subject to what I have just said about the party days.

If Magic Kingdom is open until eleven or even midnight as it is on certain days you could still take advantage of park hopping from other parks.

You could visit another Disney theme park for the morning and early afternoon, but then park hop to Magic Kingdom so that you can see the fireworks and take advantage of the late opening hours.

When Should I Visit Epcot?

Often people ask what does Epcot stand for?

Many people say it stands for “Every Person Comes Out Tired”.

Epcot it a large park. You walk miles and miles here.

It probably isn’t what you think of as a traditional Disney theme park. But for me, this is my favorite park.

There are so many great attractions including Test Track, Soarin’ Around the World and Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure.

The World Showcase park of Epcot has some of the best shopping and dining opportunities in the whole of Walt Disney World.

Which day should you visit Epcot?

If you can, avoid Friday evenings, Saturdays, and Sundays at Epcot.

A lot of the visitors to Epcot are local and so travel on the weekends.

An activity known as Drinking Around the World is very popular with locals visiting Epcot on Friday nights and at the weekends.

This is a change in Epcot that I have seen happening over the past decade – it really is a very different park on a Saturday night.

This trend on the weekends doesn’t really mean that the lines for the rides get any longer. But it does mean that the atmosphere is very different.

Also good luck with how much extra time you will be standing in line for any Quick Service Epcot meal or snacks on a busy weekend!

And getting reservations for any of the fabulous Epcot restaurants is significantly more difficult.

Don’t get me wrong. Epcot is my favorite park. However, it is somewhere I would very much avoid on a weekend evening.

In addition events such as the Food and Wine Festival draw large crowds, particularly in the evenings on a weekend.

Special events generally draw crowds to the World Showcase area of the park.

If you really can’t avoid visiting on those days because that is when your trip is scheduled, you can use another strategy that may help.

What most visitors do is visit Future World and then make their way to World Showcase during the afternoon and evening.

If you want to avoid some of the crowds then behave in the opposite way and visit World Showcase first and then go to Future World.

Another strategy could be to get to Epcot early in the morning. There are some good options for eating breakfast in Epcot. Visit World Showcase from lunchtime. Go back to Future World and then park hop.

Another consideration though is that you really need to see the fireworks at Epcot at least once on your Walt Disney World vacation. Try and make sure that you fit the Epcot fireworks into your itinerary at least once.

It can be an exhausting strategy but it can mean that you can certainly cover more ground. The Skyliner is now available from World Showcase so you could visit Hollywood Studios very easily from there.

The monorail is also available to travel from Epcot Future World entrance to Magic Kingdom. It takes more time but can be a good strategy.

Disney’s Hollywood Studios – When to Visit

Should Disney’s Hollywood Studios be a park that you visit first on your Walt Disney World vacation?

Again. It depends.

If you are a Star Wars fan this may be the park that you have been looking for. And you will be wanting to visit it first.

If you want to pilot the Millenium Falcon this is definitely the place for you.

Crowd patterns are difficult to predict. Even with the Galaxy’s Edge expansion, this is a park with less to do, and it is certainly less taxing as there is less walking than in any of the other parks.

If your Disney World vacation is over a weekend, and let’s face it, it probably is, Disney Hollywood Studios is probably your best bet for a weekend day.

And if you are a Star Wars fan and really can’t wait to experience Rise of the Resistance, just go. Although you do need to be prepared for long lines.

There are some great rides in Hollywood Studios such as the Tower of Terror, Rock N Roller Coaster. Toy Story Land is a great place for all the family, particularly younger kids.

Don’t forget to ride the very popular Slinky Dog Dash Roller Coaster. This is a lot of fun, particularly if you ride it at night. It is an attraction that is a great option to do at the end of the day when the lines tend to be shorter.

There is no easy answer here about what the best order to visit the Disney parks is – so if you have a personal preference then go for it.

When Should I Visit Disney’s Animal Kingdom?

I have to say that I was a late convert to the appeal of Disney’s Animal Kingdom.

It was only when my kids were older that I really appreciated just how great Animal Kingdom park is.

The addition of Avatar Land helped a lot, but Animal Kingdom, whilst it does have a lot of appeal for kids, I see it as probably the most grown-up of all the Disney parks.

That is not to say that if you have young kids or early teens this is not the park for you. It is. Animal Kingdom has so much going for it.

The obvious point is that if you love animals you are going to love Animal Kingdom theme park.

One of the highlights is the Kilimanjaro Safari Attraction . This is the closest most people are going to get to a real safari!

Just that I think that we all appreciate the attractions and the incredible attention to detail in this park. Joe Rohde is a genius. However, even the retired Imagineer said that

“I do think it could use a few more things for younger audience members and more attention to sightlines below 3 feet”.

However, just be mindful that if you have younger kids, as with all the parks, give them the expectation that this is not Magic Kingdom.

Pandora is an incredible addition to the park. A must-do attraction is Flight of Passage. It is difficult to describe but it is both a fun and an emotional experience.

Disney’s Animal Kingdom is a good park to visit on any day. Particularly if you are smart and arrive early, or stay late.

Is There Really a Best Order to Visit the Disney Parks?

Whilst it may be tempting to give a definite answer – there really isn’t one.

It depends a lot on personal preference.

There are definitely some guidelines that can help you, such as avoiding Epcot on a Saturday, or going to Magic Kingdom first if you have young kids.

However, which Disney park to visit first really is a combination of many factors some of which are unique to your own unique family circumstances.

For instance, if the only day you can get a reservation for your favorite Epcot Restaurant is a Saturday then that is the day that you should visit.

It is all a balance.

Equally important as which order you go to the Disney parks is planning ahead so that you have the knowledge to make the best use of your time when you are actually there.

The Disney World parks are busy for most of the year these days. Yes, some days are better than others, but it is important to know how to use your time wisely.

Consider if it is worth the expense of a Park Hopper to make the most of your time.

Look at the opening and closing times of each park so you can stretch out the value of your ticket by lengthening the day.

Start your day at the park that opens earliest. End your day at the park that closes last. Hours of operation change from day to day in some parks.

You will probably be exhausted, but it will get you the maximum actual time in the parks. Again, it’s a personal balance of how to spend your time most wisely.

You need to factor in where you are staying. Is it going to be worth the upgrade to stay at one of the Disney World Monorail Resorts? You will have very easy access to Magic Kingdom.

Or if your priority is Epcot then an Epcot Hotel Resort is the best choice. And you will have easy access to Hollywood Studios from here too.

Do you have any thoughts on what is the best order to visit the Disney Parks?

Walt Disney World – Want to Know More?

How to Eat on a Budget a Walt Disney World – Essential Tips

Which are the Best Rooms at Disney’s Animal Kingdom?

Disney Wilderness Resort Dining – Why You Really Need to Eat There

Alison Meacham is the founder of EverythingMouse Disney Blog. For over 15 years she has shared her love of Disney Parks, Disney Cruises and Universal Orlando.  In over 30 years of Disney Travel she has spent countless months in Disney Parks and has sailed on over 45 cruises. A British native and now a United States resident she splits her time between California, Florida and the UK. And spends a serious amount of time sailing the seven seas. She helps over 200,000 people per month follow their Disney travel dreams.

Which is the Best Disney World Park? 2024 Parks Ranked

Vacation time at Walt Disney World Resort often causes guests not to want to waste a minute. So, which is the best Disney World theme park for your group to visit with your valuable vacation time?

Since “time is money,” as the saying goes, Walt Disney World Resort becomes an excellent place to test out that idea. If your time is limited at Walt Disney World, which theme park is best for you to visit?

To aid in that query, this resource covers some ways to determine the best Disney World theme park for your group, help with deciding about the Walt Disney World waterparks, and provide some guidance about the two main shopping and entertainment areas of Walt Disney World.

Another way of thinking about this concept would be to ask: If you only had a two-day ticket to Walt Disney World without the ability to park hop, which parks would you visit? You may be down for a convention with only one or two days to see the four Walt Disney World theme parks. What do you choose? Though it is not far, what is the best Disney theme park at Walt Disney World?

The Four Walt Disney World Theme Parks

Walt Disney World contains four very different theme parks. Those theme parks are:

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

Each of these theme parks possesses strengths and weaknesses. Determining the best Disney theme park varies from group to group. Still, some common factors influence the decisions.

Of course, each Walt Disney World theme park has attractions, shows, restaurants, and extras that make it worth the visit. Also, many Disney fans have strong feelings about which of these four Disney theme parks ranks as the best.

Magic Kingdom wins the best Disney World Park contest based on attendance patterns. In fact, Magic Kingdom hosts the most visitors of any theme park. For many people, Magic Kingdom brings everything they want from a Disney World Park in terms of nostalgia. However, the decision for your group should involve more variables than just attendance and nostalgia.

This resource strives to break down the positives of each Disney World theme park. Also, no Disney World theme park rates as perfect. Thus, the negatives will be covered as well. So, let us begin…

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Best Disney World Park? Magic Kingdom?

Magic Kingdom started the Disney theme park empire in central Florida. When most people think of Walt Disney World, they think of the Magic Kingdom due to the iconic castle and best Magic Kingdom rides . This Disney World opened over 50 years ago. With that comes plenty of nostalgia.

In addition, Magic Kingdom provides guests with incredible nighttime fireworks spectaculars every evening. This theme park also features parades and cavalcades that draw large crowds waiting and watching as they go by.

Magic Kingdom contains the most attractions of any Walt Disney World theme park. Magic Kingdom may be a must-choice for the best Walt Disney World theme park for families with young children. For example, the Fantasyland area contains many attractions for guests of all ages and heights.

Layout of Magic Kingdom

The layout of Magic Kingdom fits a traditional theme park hub and spoke design. At Magic Kingdom, guests enter through the main entrance from the transportation areas. After entering, they walk down Main Street U.S.A., passing shops and dining options.  Once through that area, guests reach the main hub and see the castle. At this point, guests will have options of pathways to choose from. Those choices take guests to:

• Adventureland- where attractions like Jungle Cruise and Pirates of the Caribbean can be found.
• Frontierland- where guests can Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
• Liberty Square- the home of the Haunted Mansion
• Fantasyland- This serves as the main area for families with young children. It contains plenty of character interaction possibilities and attraction for the whole family
• Tomorrowland- This area contains the two main thrilling roller coasters, Tron Lightcycle/ Run and Space Mountain.

One of the world's most highly respected theme park attractions resides at the Magic Kingdom. The Haunted Mansion continues to amaze guests after so many decades.

Roller coaster fans will enjoy Magic Kingdom. The coasters range from the Tron Lightcycle / Run launch coaster to a kiddie coaster. Sure, major coaster thrill junkies might be looking for a higher thrill coaster. Yet, the Walt Disney World-themed coasters fulfill the need for speed at Magic Kingdom.

Magic Kingdom offers a great theme park experience for all demographics. This serves as one of the best reasons that Magic Kingdom consistently draws large crowds of all ages.

Magic Kingdom Transportation

Nevertheless, the negatives of Magic Kingdom revolve around the crowd levels and the challenge of even getting to Magic Kingdom and back to your hotel. This weakness of Magic Kingdom does not slow down people’s love of Magic Kingdom.

Regarding crowd level, a slow day at Magic Kingdom can seem very busy to most people. Still, Magic Kingdom offers plenty of areas to spread out. You are planning a visit to Walt Disney World, so you probably expect crowds.

However, many first-time guests find themselves surprised by the parking and transportation methods needed to reach Magic Kingdom. On-site guests will use Walt Disney World transportation directly to Magic Kingdom. Nonetheless, guests staying elsewhere will take a more indirect route to Magic Kingdom. Guest driving their vehicle or being dropped off via shuttle bus or ride share will arrive at the Transportation and Ticket Center. This transportation hub at Walt Disney World provides ferry boats and the Disney Monorail to navigate guests from the Transportation and Ticket Center to the Magic Kingdom. This process can stress some guests out before and after a day at Magic Kingdom.

Despite that, Magic Kingdom rules as the most popular theme park around. If you only have one day at Walt Disney World, most people will select the Magic Kingdom.

Best Disney World Park? EPCOT?

The EPCOT theme park serves as the punchline for many jokes about the never-ending construction walls. This Walt Disney theme park has experienced some significant changes over the years. EPCOT, a concept devised by Walt Disney himself, was initially intended to be an ever-developing community of tomorrow. In fact, EPCOT originally stood for Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow.

This theme park creates an experience not found anywhere else. Many experienced Walt Disney World visitors claim this theme park is their favorite.

The current version of Epcot looks different than the original theme park in many ways. Several original attractions, like Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind , have replaced modern ones. In fact, the video of Star-Lord (Chris Pratt) in that attraction’s queue makes fun of how many Epcot attractions have changed from the old days.

In the present day, EPCOT is divided into four distinct neighborhoods. They are World Celebration, World Nature, World Discovery, and the World Showcase. The first three worlds used to be known as Future World.

EPCOT World Showcase

The World Showcase consists of 11 pavilions based on different countries. Each of these “countries” features merchandise locations, dining experiences, and often cultural representatives from the specific country. This enhances the theme park experience. The countries featured in the World Showcase area are:

• The American Adventure
• United Kingdom

A journey around the World Showcase area of EPCOT allows guests to enjoy so many aspects of different cultures. For a complete guide to World Showcase, please consult this resource .

EPCOT Festivals

However, for good or bad, EPCOT evolved into a festival theme park . If you love food and drink, EPCOT makes an excellent theme park for you. Most of the year involves a food festival happening at EPCOT. The current four festivals are:

• Festival of the Arts
• Flower and Garden Festival
• Food and Wine Festival
• Festival of the Holidays

These festivals make an excellent opportunity for adults to drink their way around the “worlds” of EPCOT. This gives EPCOT a reputation as being a theme park for adults. Common criticisms of EPCOT involve the theme park being tailored for adults with fewer kid options. Though this holds some truth, EPCOT offers plenty to do for kids but not to the level of Magic Kingdom.

EPCOT ends the evening with a nighttime spectacular on the lagoon in the World Showcase. The current nighttime lagoon show, EPCOT Forever, happens nightly. This will be replaced with a more permanent nighttime show in the near future.

EPCOT offers far fewer rides than Magic Kingdom. In addition, the rides at EPCOT offer far fewer thrills. Except for Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, Test Track, and Mission: Space, EPCOT contains little that passed as a thrill ride.

However, a day at EPCOT focuses on the overall experience. The unique nature of EPCOT shows how deciding the best Disney World theme park presents becomes a debatable issue.

Best Disney World Park? Hollywood Studios?

Disney's Hollywood Studios is the third oldest theme park at Walt Disney World. This theme park had faced construction woes and even a significant name change from MGM Studios.

This theme park opened in 1989 in a race between Disney and Universal to open a “movie studio” based park in Central Florida first. For the record, Universal Studios Florida opened in 1990.

Disney’s Hollywood Studios has gone from being a theme park with a working movie and television studio to a place to celebrate films and television. This theme features Toy Story Land , the Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge area, and The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror Attraction.

This theme park transitioned from being a place to celebrate all aspects of movies and entertainment to a theme park with significant intellectual properties, creating the basis of some of the most popular rides at any theme park. With the groundbreaking Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance attraction , Disney’s Hollywood Studios drew far larger crowds than before. This park became known for its popular attractions.

Higher Percentage of Thrilling Theme Park Attractions at Disney's Hollywood Studios

Disney's Hollywood Studios offers some of the best options if you are looking for well-done theme park attractions. The percentage of thrill rides is higher at Disney's Hollywood Studios than at the other three Walt Disney World theme parks. Since many of these well-done thrilling attractions have become extremely popular, the queues at Disney’s Hollywood Studios have become long no matter what time of year you visit. Disney’s Hollywood Studios feels like the busiest Walt Disney World theme park.

As a result, it requires more planning to enjoy many of the attractions. However, with the Rock ‘n' Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith and Star Tours – The Adventures Continue, in addition to the other rides previously mentioned, Disney’s Hollywood Studios provides the most theme park thrills at Walt Disney World.

That does not mean only thrill seekers should visit Disney's Hollywood Studios. This theme park offers some excellent shows like the I ndiana Jones Stunt Spectacular . Hollywood and Vine serves character meals with a focus on the entire family. 

Also, Disney’s Hollywood Studios offers a fantastic nighttime show. This show, “Fantasmic!” , happens in a large outdoor stadium at this theme park. This show features water effects, light displays, special effects, and, most of all, Mickey Mouse. The forces of good and evil engage in a classic battle inside Mickey Mouse’s dreams with many appearances from classic Disney villains. This show makes for a good experience. However, this will consume significant time waiting to enter the stadium towards the end of your theme park day.

However, in its current state, Disney’s Hollywood Studios makes an excellent choice for families with teens and young adults. Most of the attractions are ideal for teens and adults. From chatting with our theme park friends with younger children, they view Disney’s Hollywood Studios as a half-day park at best. They enjoy some of the Disney Jr. touches but fail to find enough to engage their children at Disney’s Hollywood Studios for the entire day

When you add in potential wait times reaching close to two hours during busy days for the top attractions, Disney’s Hollywood Studios displays some weaknesses. If you are looking for the most thrills at Walt Disney World, then Disney’s Hollywood Studios makes a great choice. However, if you want to avoid long lines or have younger members in your group, then Disney’s Hollywood Studios will not be the best Disney World theme park for your group.

Best Disney World Park? Disney’s Animal Kingdom ?

Disney’s Animal Kingdom opened in 1998. This theme park recently celebrated its 25-year anniversary. This theme park functions as a zoo and theme park all at the same time.

The signature attractions at Disney’s Animal Kingdom include the magnificent Avatar Flight of Passage, Kilimanjaro Safaris, and the roller coaster Expedition Everest. Disney’s Animal Kingdom also contains some excellent shows like the “Festival of the Lion King” and “ Finding Nemo: The Big Blue…and Beyond. “

In addition to the attractions, many Disney-level animal exhibits around this theme park create a wide variety of options for entertainment. Disney’s Animal Kingdom offers something for everyone.

However, Disney’s Animal Kingdom often gets accused of being a half-day theme park. This usually comes from people wanting more rides at Disney’s Animal Kingdom . This park offers plenty of musical entertainment and smaller shows for guests to enjoy as they traverse Disney's Animal Kingdom.

However, Disney’s Animal Kingdom makes a more relaxing theme park day at Walt Disney World. Many of the dining options at Disney’s Animal Kingdom increase the chance that you will have a slower-paced day at a Disney theme park. The quality dining encourages guests to slow down and enjoy the experience at this Walt Disney World theme park.

If you only have only a day or two at Walt Disney World, Disney’s Animal Kingdom might not be the best example of a Disney theme park experience. We love Disney’s Animal Kingdom. However, it does not fit many people’s idea of a theme park.

If you are deciding between visiting Animal Kingdom and EPCOT, see our full comparison of Animal Kingdom vs. EPCOT for everything you need to know. 

No Nighttime Show

In contrast to the other three Walt Disney World theme parks, Disney’s Animal Kingdom does not have a nighttime show. In the past, some nighttime shows have been conducted at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.  Yet, none have been overly successful.

Disney’s Animal Kingdom opens earlier than the other Walt Disney World theme parks. This makes it an ideal theme park to start your day if you are an early riser. However, it also closes earlier than the other Disney World theme parks.

If you only have a few days at Walt Disney World, Disney’s Animal Kingdom could be an excellent place to start your day if you plan to park-hop to another of the three Disney World theme parks. Of course, you will need an annual pass or a park hopper ticket to do this. Park Hopper tickets cost more than the standard day tickets, so bear that in mind as you plan.

In fairness, I love Disney’s Animal Kingdom. I could spend days just walking around this theme park. However, I doubt most people will find the same enjoyment with a limited time to visit. For those with a short time to visit Disney’s Animal Kingdom, this theme park does not make the proper choice for the best Disney World theme park in those circumstances.

Animal Kingdom Dining

Some argue that Disney’s Animal Kingdom offers the best dining at a Walt Disney World theme park. Sure, The Nomad Lounge qualifies as one of the best-themed lounges on the property.  However, picky eaters will struggle at several of Disney’s Animal Kingdom restaurants.

Also, if you do not regularly visit Walt Disney World or it is your first visit, Disney’s Animal Kingdom does not win the battle of the best Disney World theme park. Despite that, the overall theme looks and feels magnificent at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. With the ability to take a short safari ride, guests enjoy experiences not found elsewhere.

Also, Disney’s Animal Kingdom covers about 500 acres of land. This makes it the largest Walt Disney World theme park. With over 1,500 animals, Disney’s Animal Kingdom should inspire us to be better stewards regarding wildlife and conservation.

What is the Best Disney World Theme Park?

Once again, this depends on your group. For example, for the writer of this article, Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Disney’s Animal Kingdom provide the best Disney World theme park experience. Nevertheless, most groups will view Magic Kingdom as the best Disney World theme park.

In summary, the evaluation of the best Disney World theme park could look like this:

• Magic Kingdom- best overall, best entertainment, and something for everyone in your group
• Epcot- best adult theme park and most things to do.
• Disney’s Hollywood Studios- best thrill rides and best park for teens.
• Disney’s Animal Kingdom is the best overall theming and Disney theme park to relax.

What About the Best Disney World Water Park?

Walt Disney World contains Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon. Both water parks are built on a theme.

Blizzard Beach presents the idea of a freak snowstorm in the Orlando area. As ridiculous as that sounds, Disney World designed a water park based on the idea of converting a ski resort into a water park.

Typhoon Lagoon presents a more traditional water park idea. The Disney Imagineers revolved the theme here around the idea of a tropical resort town. However, the town was decimated by the typhoon leaving the water park today.

In recent years, only one of the two water parks at Walt Disney World has operated at a time. Water parks are commonly shut down for seasonal maintenance. Thus, having only one water park operating at Walt Disney World at a time should not be a surprise for certain times of the year, like the winter months.

However, Walt Disney World has not been operating more than one of the water parks at a time since reopening in 2020. We expect that at least by early spring 2024, both parks might be operational simultaneously. Either way, we expect Blizzard Beach to reopen during the holiday season, similarly to last year. Some speculation indicates that Walt Disney World might only operate each water park for six months yearly, allowing for more maintenance.

Based on the expectations of both Disney World water parks being open at the same time, soon, you may want to decide between the two water parks.

Disney World Water Park Similarities

These two Disney World water parks share many characteristics. They share these traits:

• Similar in size, with Blizzard Beach being slightly larger
• The same number of attractions
• Each has a lazy river and large pools
• Theme park reservations are not required to visit the water parks.

Also, these water parks share being part of a Walt Disney World miracle for vacationers. Guests can park for free at both water parks. This may not sound like a big deal. However, guests pay for parking at other competing area water parks.

Disney World Water Park Differences

Besides the theming, Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon offer some significant differences. Their wave pools operate differently. The Blizzard Beach one functions as a traditional wave pool. However, the Typhoon Lagoon pool varies from a constant bobbing style wave to a variable wave with a more intense wave about every 90 seconds. Also, the Typhoon Lagoon pool does not allow inner tubes and similar flotation devices. However, Blizzard Beach allows them.

Of course, the difference in theming between the two theme parks is noticeable. The winter theme makes a nice gimmick. This concept tends to appeal to families with young children more than the appeal of Typhoon Lagoon.

The addition of some “Frozen” theming involving characters from that movie adds to the appeal for children. Disney’s Blizzard Beach received a refurbishment in 2022. Some props based on “Frozen” were added to Blizzard Beach. For families with young children or big kids that love the “Frozen” movies, this difference could cause you to visit Blizzard Beach if given a choice.

Ski Patrol Training Camp at Blizzard Beach

Blizzard Beach offers a unique water park area. Ski Patrol Training Camp creates a play area for tweens. Both Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon provide quality kid play areas. Still, this area elevates the experience for tweens especially. Ski Patrol Training Camp contains two sets of slides, a small zip line, space for swimming, and a ropes course element where kids cross the water on moving “ice” pieces. This area makes Blizzard Beach more attractive to the younger demographics.

If your group contains some younger kids not quite ready for the big, thrilling water slides, Ski Patrol Training Camp serves an intermediate level of thrill for them. This one feature elevates Blizzard Beach for groups with that age group.

If Blizzard Beach Is Better for Kids and Tweens, Then Is Typhoon Lagoon Better for Adults?

To clarify, Typhoon Lagoon still makes a good water park for kids and tweens. We feel Blizzard Beach makes a slightly better choice. Still, logic dictates that Typhoon Lagoon offers a better experience for adults. That statement would be mostly true.

We say it is mostly true since the most thrilling attraction at either water park resides at Blizzard Beach. Summit Plummit provides the most thrills at a Walt Disney World water park. If the adults in your group want a thrilling water attraction, then declaring Typhoon Lagoon the best Disney World water park for adults would be presumptuous.

Despite that, Typhoon Lagoon offers several advantages for adults over Blizzard Beach. We think the theming overall works better for adults. We find Typhoon Lagoon more enjoyable to stroll around.

The main bar area, Hammerhead Fred’s, beats anything at Blizzard Beach. In fairness, this bar pales compared to options at Walt Disney World theme parks and hotels. Still, at the water parks, adults will prefer this option.

Most adults prefer the wave pool at Typhoon Lagoon. This preference revolves around most of the day the pool creates more robust waves regularly. This traditional wave pool effect adds to the adult fun. Younger kids might feel overwhelmed by the waves at Typhoon Lagoon.

Disney Springs Factor

Typhoon Lagoon is a short bus ride from Disney Springs . However, some may not see this as a positive. Disney bus transportation uses Disney Springs as a hub for Typhoon Lagoon. Our adult friends who frequent the Disney World water parks stated that the proximity to Disney Springs made Typhoon Lagoon more adult-friendly.

So, they stated that you can enjoy Typhoon Lagoon and then easily visit Disney Springs. Blizzard Beach’s location makes it a more challenging time to visit Disney Springs. Since Disney Springs serves as the signature dining, shopping, entertainment, and drinking spot at Walt Disney World, this makes sense for some adult groups. However, I voiced concern about wet clothes. Our friends express being able to change easily at Typhoon Lagoon. With Disney Springs also offering free parking, taking a car makes sense for this short drive.

Finally, on the adult side argument for Typhoon Lagoon, we should mention the H2O Glow Nights. On select evenings, a separate ticketed after-hours event happens at Typhoon Lagoon. This addition arguing for Typhoon Lagoon as a more adult water park might be unfair since it is a separately-ticketed event. However, families with younger children will not do as well staying up late at a water park.

Best Disney World Water Park?

Though you cannot go wrong with either Disney water park, Blizzard Beach is slightly better for groups with younger kids. Typhoon Lagoon looks to make a solid choice for adults. Of course, if both are open when you plan to visit Walt Disney World, you could visit both, right?

Best Disney World Park: Shopping, Entertainment, and Dining Areas

We will conclude the discussion of the best Disney World parks by looking at the shopping and dining areas. Walt Disney World offers two main shopping, dining, and entertainment complexes, Disney Springs and the Disney BoardWalk.

Disney Springs is an extensive shopping, dining, and entertainment complex. This complex is divided into four areas:

• The Marketplace
• The Landing
• Town Center

Each of these areas offers shopping and dining options of varied levels. Disney Springs has large parking garages and surface-level parking. All this parking is free to anyone looking to visit Disney Springs.

Disney’s BoardWalk area builds on the theme of a boardwalk in a coastal town in the 1940s. This creates some nostalgia for some guests,

Disney’s BoardWalk is conveniently located between Epcot and Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Guests can leave those two theme parks to visit Disney’s Boardwalk by walking or using the Disney free boat transportation. 

Disney’s BoardWalk hosts several charming shops, eateries, and nightlife venues. Dining options include quick service style casual boardwalk-style food stands to upscale dining at spots like the Flying Fish. The evening entertainment options range from Jellyrolls, a lively dueling piano bar, to AbracadaBar , a unique lounge filled with magic and fun.

Hotel accommodations are also available on the BoardWalk itself, with resorts designed to fit the seaside theme. These include Disney’s BoardWalk Inn and Disney’s BoardWalk Villas. Also, guests can stay across the water at Disney Beach Club and Disney’s Yacht Club.

Disney Springs or Disney’s BoardWalk?

This decision comes down to location. For most guests, Disney Springs is a better option. Disney Springs offers free parking and plenty of it. In contrast, Disney’s BoardWalk does not offer any free parking.

In fact, parking near Disney’s BoardWalk can be difficult. Unless you have an advanced dining reservation or are staying at Disney’s BoardWalk Inn or Villas, you officially cannot park in the BoardWalk area.  You can use Disney transportation to this area, though.

If you are looking for shopping options, Disney Springs wins easily. Disney Springs contains almost 100 merchandise locations. Disney’s BoardWalk contains under ten.

For dining options, Disney Springs wins again with over 20 table service dining options and over 60 dining options total. Disney’s BoardWalk offers a few excellent choices. However, the dining options list fails to reach ten in total.

The Disney Spring complex covered almost five times as much land as Disney’s BoardWalk. For example, some guests will make a day of entertainment out of the Disney Springs options. Disney’s Boardwalk does not offer enough for a day’s entertainment.

The decision of Disney Springs vs. Disney’s BoardWalk comes down to location. If you are staying at a hotel near Disney’s Boardwalk or visiting Disney’s Hollywood Studios, then the BoardWalk makes a reasonable choice. However, Disney Springs makes the best Disney World option for all others.

FAQ About Best Disney World Park

This will come down to many variables, like how long you are staying and the nature of your group. Most people suggest Magic Kingdom first, followed by Epcot.

Hollywood Studios is heavy on exciting attractions. However, Epcot presents guests with a more diverse theme park with something for everyone. Epcot offers more to do and eat than Hollywood Studios.

First-time visitors should prioritize Magic Kingdom. Disney’s Animal Kingdom provides a unique theme park experience. Still, most guests will prefer a day at Magic Kingdom.

Epcot earns a reputation as being the best Disney theme park for adults. The entire experience caters to adults.

Epcot and Magic Kingdom require at least one full day. We suggest more than one day is needed at these two theme parks.

Looking To Plan That Walt Disney World Vacation?

The resources of MickeyVisit can help you plan your next vacation. MickeyVisit offers a free newsletter to update you on the latest Disney news and ways to save on vacation. Also, the staff of writers at MickeyVisit continues to produce resources to help guide you to a wonderful Disney vacation. We placed some resources below to help you plan your vacation.

• Shiki-Sai: Sushi I zakaya
• Moana: Journey of Water
• Best Age For Disney World
• Marvel at Disney World
• World Showcase at Epcot

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About Jon Self

Jon Self is an avid theme park fan. You can follow him at @pastorjonself on Twitter. Jon has been writing and editing in the theme park media world for some time now. He also writes for several "foodie" sites as well as in the faith-based world at faithelement.net.

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GUIDE to all 4 Disney World Parks

By: Author Kristi

Those traveling to Disney World in Florida may not understand which theme parks are part of the Disney-themed area. There are 4 Disney World parks and they are all within an easy drive to one another (if not a boat ride or walk!).

The 4 Disney World Parks

Animal kingdom, hollywood studios, magic kingdom.

Animal Kingdom’s main theme is just that, animals and you will find the park divided into 5 different areas based on different lands.

Africa — In this area, you will walk through an African village where you will find everything from drum circles to acrobatic performers.

Guests can go on an African safari to see wildlife like lions, zebra, giraffes, and other magnificent animals roaming freely.

There is a Wildlife Express steam train that takes you from Africa to Rafiki’s Planet Watch, an interactive conservation center where guests enter and learn about animals and their environments.

Asia — Here, you will be able to walk past Asian ruins complete with monkeys and take a walking journey that will allow you to see Bengal Tigers, Komodo dragons and even bats!

Two rides you won’t want to miss are Expedition Everest (a coaster that brings you on a close encounter with the Yeti) and Kali River Rapids, a white-water raft adventure through a rainforest.

DinoLand U.S.A. — You will venture back in time with this part of Animal Kingdom.

Go on a thrilling ride to escape dinosaurs on DINOSAUR, kids can dig in The Boneyard for fossils and have a fun time in the dinosaur-themed fair playground.

Although not dinosaur-themed, you will also find the live show, “Finding Nemo-The Musical.”

Discovery Island — The center of Animal Kingdom is where all the lands meet. You will find The Tree of Life in the center.

Surrounding the tree are animal exhibits. Inside the tree, is a 3D show with special effects, “It’s Tough to be a Bug.”

Pandora – The World of Avatar — The newest area of Animal Kingdom makes you feel like you are walking straight into the movie, Avatar .

You can fly on the back of a mountain banshee in Pandora on the Avatar Flight of Passage or journey into a bioluminescent rainforest on Na’vi River Journey.

The first thing that you need to understand about EPCOT is that it is divided into four sections: World Celebration, World Discovery, World Nature and World Showcase.

World Celebration

World Celebration is the section of EPCOT nearest to the park entrance and focuses on connecting with the global community.

Spaceship Earth is the only ride in this section and it takes you on a journey through the evolution of society’s greatest achievements.

World Discovery

World Discovery focuses on innovation, technology and exploration.

This is where you will find some of the more popular rides at the park: Guardians of the Galaxy Cosmic Rewind, Test Track and Mission Space.

Mission Space allows you to feel what it’s like to travel in space as you travel on a space mission!

Test Track gives you a chance to develop your car and then race it against others to see how well it stacks up!

World Nature

World Nature encourages guests to learn about the world through interaction with our environment and to take care of our natural resources.

Journey of Water takes guests through the lifecycle of water so that they can see how valuable this natural resource is for us.

The Seas with Nemo & Friends is a ride where you will go on an adventure with Nemo inside a clamshell. When you finish, you can spend time exploring the Coral Reef.

Soarin’ Around the World takes you on a high-flying journey to different parts of the world where all your senses will be in overdrive!

EPCOT’s World Showcase

World Showcase invites you to explore cultures around the world.

Mexico Pavilion

Gran Fiesta tour. Go on a search for Donald Duck with 2 of the 2 Caballeros, Panchito (the Mexican charro rooster) and José Carioca (the Brazilian parrot).

“Remember Me!” – La Celebración del Día de Muertos exhibit. Learn about the Day of the Dead holiday and see scenes from Pixar’s Coco.

Norway Pavilion

Frozen Ever After . This is one of the most popular rides in EPCOT. Take a journey to Arendale to visit Elsa and see some of her friends along the way!

Royal Sommerhus . If you want to meet Anna & Elsa, this is where you will find them.

China Pavilion

Reflections of China takes you on a 14-minute journey to see parts of China you might not otherwise see.

Jeweled Dragons Acrobatics is a wonderful show that showcases talented acrobat artists from China.

Germany Pavilion

The Pavilion doesn’t feature any attractions or rides but does have great places to eat and unique shops selling delicious caramel treats, Christmas ornaments, and Beer Steins.

Italy Pavilion

The pavilion doesn’t feature any rides or attractions but you may see Sergio, the mime & juggler perform if you are there at the right time.

There are also some great restaurants and stores that sell glass, jewelry, and Venetian-style masks.

American Adventure

Colonial theater Benjamin Franklin and Mark Twain walk you through American history using 35 animatronic figures from history.

You may also enjoy listening to the singing of the Voices of Liberty inside the pavilion. They put on 15-minute performances throughout the day.

Japan Pavilion

There are no rides & attractions in Japan Pavilion, but they have some unique shops and great places to eat including Tepan Edo which is a Hibachi-style restaurant.

Morocco Pavilion

There are no rides & attractions in the pavilion, but you should take your time to walk around. There is plenty to see!

France Pavilion

Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure takes guests into the world of “Ratatouille,” where they will shrink to the size of Chef Remy and scurry through Gusteau’s famous restaurant.

Beauty & the Beast Singalong Visit a French cinema for a 15-minute film featuring songs from the animated classic,  Beauty and the Beast .

Impressions de France . Watch an 18-minute video that transports you to some of the most famous landmarks in France.

UK Pavilion

While there are no rides, attractions, or restaurants, there are some places to grab a pint or some fish & chips.

There are also plenty of great shops including a Tea Store, a Toy Store, and a Store specializing in Soccer gear.

Canada Far & Wide . Explore Canada in a newly updated edition of the classic Epcot Circle-Vision 360 presentation

This Disney World park focuses on giving guests a behind-the-scenes Hollywood experience.

You will find that the entire park has many Hollywood-inspired rides and attractions.

Hollywood Boulevard – is the central area of the park. You will find stage shows and a replica of Grauman’s Chinese Theater which is the central hub of Hollywood Studios.

Echo Lake – In this area of the park, you will find a theme of adventure.

Two of the most popular attractions in this area are Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular! and Star Tours—The Adventures Continues.

Grand Avenue– The Muppets take the center stage on this street. You will find a 3D Muppet show as well as Muppet-themed pizzeria.

Toy Story Land – The newest addition to  Hollywood Studios makes you feel as though you have walked right into the backyard of Andy.

Filled with Andy’s toys, you will find Toy Story-themed rides and experiences .

Galaxy’s Edge- This part of the park is built to make you feel like you are inside the Star Wars universe.

It is where you will find two new rides along with shops and Star Wars-themed experiences. It is brand new and perfect for anyone who wants to be where the action is!

Animation Courtyard- Star Wars Launch Bay is a primary location within the park for fans to celebrate all things Star Wars. Another area is dedicated to Disney Junior.

You’ll find a live stage show as well as a meet & greet for some of your favorite Disney Junior characters.

Sunset Boulevard –One of the most popular areas in Hollywood Studios, this street features some of the best rides and attractions.

The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror takes guests on a plummeting ride down 13 stories.

Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster is an indoor roller coaster featuring music from Aerosmith.

There are two amazing live shows: Beauty and the Beast and Fantasmic !

Magic Kingdom is divided into 6 different lands with Cinderella Castle as the centerpiece of the park.

Main Street, U.S.A. – This is the first area you go through when entering the park. You will find a town filled with its normal buildings including a Fire station, City Hall and Barbershop!

Adventureland – In this land, you will find rides and attractions that deal with adventure: Pirates of the Caribbean, Jungle Cruise, The Magic Carpets of Aladdin, and more.

Frontierland –Go back to a time when the United States was just beginning to go West.

Built to look like the old West, you will find the popular rides Big Thunder Mountain Railroad and Tiana’s Bayou Adventure in this part of the park .

Liberty Square –The location of the United States’ first White House was in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

This area of the park is built to look like you’ve walked back in time to Philadelphia in the 18th century.

You’ll find Haunted Mansion , Liberty Square Riverboat, and The Hall of Presidents.

Fantasyland – Probably the most favorite part of Magic Kingdom takes you into the Disney classics.

You’ll find rides and attractions that bring Disney characters to life Peter Pan’s Flight, Mad Tea Party, Prince Charming Regal Carousel, The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, Under the Sea – Journey of The Little Mermaid, Enchanted Tales with Belle , and Seven Dwarfs Mine Train.

Tomorrowland – Venture into the land of the future with rides and attractions that take on an out-of-this-world theme.

You’ll find TRON Light Cycle Run, Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin, Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor, Space Mountain, and Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress.

Each of the 4 Disney World Parks is in a separate area on Disney property but are all part of the true Disney experience.

In addition to these 4 Disney World parks, Disney also has two water parks ( Blizzard Beach & Typhoon Lagoon ), two mini-golf courses (Fantasia Gardens & Summerland), an ESPN Sports complex, and a shopping district ( Disney Springs ).

Visit each of the four main Walt Disney World Resort Parks starting at $99 per day when you book through Get Away Today ! This exciting offer is valid for travel April 2 – September 28, 2024.

Are you ready to plan a trip to Walt Disney World? Be sure to read our tips for planning a Disney World Vacation .

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Neil Harmon

Wednesday 28th of August 2024

At 83 I'm afraid I won't be able to come to Walt Disney World again. I did go several times with my children. We stayed in a camper in Fort Wilderness the first time and created some wonderful family memories. Only The Magic Kingdom and later Epcot were open at that time This guide helps me imagine what it's all like now. I'll save it view it again.

Home » Orlando Theme Parks » Walt Disney World Resort » Disney World Parks

Disney World Parks

Walt Disney World Resort is almost a 40-mile-square, full of amazing entertainment, and four incredible theme parks:

Magic Kingdom

• Disney’s Holywood Studios

Disney’s Animal Kingdom

And two amazing water parks:

Disney’s Blizzard Beach

Disney’s typhoon lagoon.

It is also full of family-friendly places to stay, including 34 resort hotels, spas, shopping centers, and even a sports centre (Disney’s ESPN Wide World of Sports).

We’ve put together informative and exciting park guides, which you can visit by clicking the specific park below:

The legendary castle from all of the stories is located here at Magic Kingdom. The park is the home of happily ever after, full of all of your favourite disney characters such as Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck and Elsa from Frozen. Popular rides include Space Mountain, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, and Splash Mountain.

A magical journey into wildlife, Animal Kingdom puts you in the heart of the jungle, where you can go on a Safari, get up close and personal with snakes, and enjoy amazing rides such as Expedition Everest. You can also go and see the world-famous “Festival of the Lion King” show. Cool off in the Kali River Rapids, and enjoy the refreshments on offer throughout the park.

The home of science fiction, culture and imagination, Epcot brings the future to life, with amazing high tech rides and attractions for the whole family. Travel through 11 nations celebrating local food, with spectacular evening entertainment in the IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth fireworks show. The park also has its fair share of rollercoaster rides to keep everyone on their toes.

Disney’s Hollywood Studios

The highlights of Hollywood Studios are the theme park rides, which consist of the Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster, and the terrifying Hollywood Tower of Terror (a vertical drop rollercoaster located in awe-inspiring Hollywood Tower). You can also enjoy spectacular Broadway-style stage shows, such as Beaty and the Beast – Live on Stage. A new area for 2019 is the Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, which has two rides: Millennium Falcon – Smugglers Run, and Star Wars – Rise of The Resistance.

This ski-themed water park is melting all around you! Amazing for kids and parents alike, with some extreme water sliders to keep everyone entertained, such as the world-famous Summit Plummet! Some other popular attractions include Chill ‘n’ Thrill with Kristoff and Olaf, Teamboat Springs, and Slush Gusher.

Typhoon Lagoon is a tropical-themed water park is full of exciting slides, rivers and wave pools that the whole family will love. A more relaxing experience than the typical busy theme parks, Typhoon Lagoon has many unique areas, such as: Mount Mayday, Humunga Kowabunga, Storm Slides, and more!

Disney Springs

Need a brand name shopping spree? You’ve come to the right place! Disney Springs has everything you need, from world-famous brands, to high-class dining and entertainment for the whole family. Enjoy the Cirque du Soleil show, live music at House of Blues, and Disney merchandise at World of Disney.

Disney’s ESPN Wide World of Sports

Are you a sports fan? This park is for you! Special events are happening all the time at Disney’s ESPN Wide World of Sports, with the opportunity to play your favourite game on a big stage. Over 230 acres to explore, with state of the art sports facilities where you can train and compete with your team, or enjoy yourselves watching others.

Disney’s BoardWalk

The Disney’s Boardwalk is a lovely waterfront resort hotel, home to a 1930’s style beach village, where you can enjoy shopping, dining and entertainment while you stay, the perfect peaceful choice for a Disney Park hotel.

Buy Disney World Parks Tickets

You can buy Disney tickets, and all Orlando Attraction tickets online here , with a special range of Disney Ultimate Tickets (UK Only) .

26 Best Things to Do at Disney World: Must Do Rides in Each Park

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Disney World can indeed be the most magical place in the world. At its best it’s pure, stress-free fun and a blissful escape from the real world.

To make the most of a trip to Disney and avoid long queues, you need to plan in advance.

Prioritize the attractions you most want to do and ride them first thing in the morning or use the new paid Lightning Lanes. A little planning makes Disney much more enjoyable.

Disney World in Orlando, Florida has four main parks: Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, Epcot, and Hollywood Studios.  Each one is very different and I recommend dedicating at least one full day to each park.

In this post, I share our picks for the Disney World must do rides in each park, plus a strategy to help you avoid lines and our favourite places to eat.

I’ve focused on the best things to do at Disney World for adults and older kids, but many of these are suitable for the whole family.

2024 Changes at Disney World

Video of best things to do at disney world, disney world must dos: our top picks, how to avoid queues at disney world, wheelchair access for disney rides, best rides at magic kingdom, best rides at animal kingdom, best rides at epcot, best rides at hollywood studios, final thoughts, more disney posts.

There have been many changes at Disney World over the last few years. Here’s what you need to know in 2024:

• You no longer need a Park Reservation if you have a dated ticket (which most guests will have).
• Park Hopping is back to normal so you can switch parks at any time of day.
• FastPasses have been replaced with Lightning Lanes (see below for details).
• Extra Magic Hours have been replaced with Early Entry, which gives Disney Resort guests a 30-minute early entry to each park every day. This is a big advantage for riding the top Disney World rides.
• You can only ride Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, Tron, and Guardians of the Galaxy by joining a virtual queue in the Disney app.

Back to Contents

Watch our video for ideas on what to do at Disney World Florida.

If you have limited time, these are our absolute favourite things to do at Disney World.

• Enjoy a magical flight over the stunning world of Pandora on Avatar Flight of Passage (Animal Kingdom).
• Experience Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance , Disney’s most immersive ride (Hollywood Studios).
• Ride Guardians of the Galaxy , Disney’s most joyful roller coaster (Epcot).
• Plummet down an elevator on the classic Twilight Zone Tower of Terror (Hollywood Studios).
• Race on a motorcycle on Tron Lightcycle Run, the newest ride at Disney World (Magic Kingdom).
• Feel like a Star Wars character with a drink at Oga’s Cantina , Disney’s best bar (Hollywood Studios).

There are two main ways to avoid long lines on the best rides at Disney World. By using them we rarely queue for more than 15 minutes (30 minutes is our maximum), when lines can peak at two hours or more.

Arrive Early

The first is to arrive at parks at least 30 minutes before the official opening time (which you can check on the Disney World website ) to be near the front of the line waiting to get in.

For the first hour of the day, you can get on most rides without much queuing. 

If you are staying at a Disney resort, you can enter every park every day 30 minutes early—definitely take advantage of this. I recommend arriving 60 minutes before the official park opening as they sometimes let guests in early.

In addition, if you are staying at a Deluxe Disney resort, you can stay late at select parks on certain days.

Check this Disney World crowd calendar for the best days to visit each park. 

Use Lightning Lanes

The second way to avoid long lines, even if you don’t arrive early, is to use Disney’s Lightning Lanes. These replaced the FastPass+ system.

Access to Lightning Lanes is primarily via Lightning Lane Multi Pass (which was called Genie+ until July 24, 2024).

You can buy Multi Pass from the My Disney Experience app for $15 – $39 per day and select up to three rides at a time. These can be booked 3-7 days in advance.

As the system is complicated, I highly recommend reading our detailed guide to how to use Disney Lightning Lane Multi Pass . You’ll get the most for your money if you are prepared.

The one or two most popular rides in each park are not included in the Multi Pass bundle. Instead, line-skipping for these is priced individually (called Lightning Lane Single Pass ) and the cost varies depending on demand.

While Multi Pass is a service that’s worth paying for (especially for Magic Kingdom and Hollywood Studios), you should be able to avoid paying for individual attractions by arriving early and riding them first.

Below I’ve included recommendations for Lightning Lane Multi Pass priority rides.

Most of these Disney World rides are accessible for guests in wheelchairs or ECVs (Electric Conveyance Vehicles), although many require transfer from a wheelchair to the ride vehicle. 

On the Disney website, you can see this list of services for guests with mobility disabilities which shows which rides are accessible for wheelchair users.

This guide to going on Disney rides in a wheelchair is also useful and answers common questions. 

Wheelchairs and ECVs can be hired at all the parks on a first-come, first-served basis. 

Magic Kingdom is the most classic Disney park with its fairytale castle and famous characters like Mickey and Minnie Mouse.

I haven’t included any Fantasyland rides below as they are aimed at small children, and the queues for rides like Peter Pan and Winnie the Pooh are usually very long and not worth it to us.

The most popular ride of all is the gentle roller coaster, Seven Dwarfs Mine Train . We like it, but we don’t think it’s worth the very long lines.

For a more detailed guide to the park including Fantasyland rides and no-wait attractions, see our post on the must do rides at Magic Kingdom .

Also Don’t Miss Tiana’s Bayou Adventure – One notable attraction missing here is the log flume water ride Splash Mountain, which has now closed. It reopened in June 2024 as Tiana’s Bayou Adventure based on the Disney movie, The Princess and The Frog . Once we’ve ridden it, it will likely resume its place as one of the top things to do at Disney World. Tiana can currently only be ridden by free virtual queue (see Tron for details) OR paid Lightning Lane Multi Pass.

1) Tron Lightcycle Run

The newest ride at Magic Kingdom is Tron Lightcycle Run, which opened in April 2023 and will be a priority for anyone who loves thrill rides.

We haven’t had a chance to ride it yet, but we can’t wait to hop on one of the motorbikes and speed around the track that goes outside with great views of Tomorrowland and inside through a huge dark warehouse.

There is no standby line for Tron. Access is by free virtual queue in the Disney app—be ready to book at 7am or 1pm as it sells out in seconds.

Deluxe Disney resort guests can also join at 6pm during Extended Evening Hours (currently Wednesdays at Magic Kingdom).

Alternatively, book a Lightning Lane Single Pass for $20 (best booked 3-7 days in advance).

2) Space Mountain

Classic Space Mountain is a high-speed roller coaster in the dark with plenty of twists and turns (but no inversions or large drops).

As you fly through the galaxy you never know what’s coming next.

We often ride this first thing and it’s quite the way to wake up!

Space Mountain is definitely a must do at Disney World. 

3) Big Thunder Mountain Railroad

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad is a fun outdoor roller coaster in Frontierland, which is our favourite area of the park with its Wild West theme.

It’s not as wild as Space Mountain, but we love the theming—you’re on a runaway mine train during the Gold Rush—and the views of the park.

Recommended Reading: See our Disney trip costs and money-saving tips in our post on planning a trip to Disney World on a budget .

4) Pirates of the Caribbean

Pirates of the Caribbean is a gentle indoor cruise through scenes of a pirate raid from the bombardment of a fortress to debauchery after the victory. 

Every time we ride it we notice new details. The films were inspired by this classic ride and you can now see an animatronic figure of Captain Jack Sparrow.

5) Haunted Mansion

A slow ride through a haunted estate full of ghosts and ghouls. It’s fun (and often humorous) rather than scary with lots of spooky details and special effects to enjoy.

The queue features interactive elements like a musical crypt, so a slightly longer wait here is fine.

6) Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin

On this Toy Story-themed interactive ride, you shoot targets with laser cannons and earn points as your spinning car (you control the spin) makes its way through the scenes.

It’s not as good as the similar ride at Hollywood Studios, but Simon still always wants to ride it again to beat his score.

The Best of the Rest at Magic Kingdom

Once you’ve got the main rides out of the way, one of the best things to do is just wander, soak up the atmosphere, and pop into one of the random shows and attractions that rarely have long waits.

If you are wondering what to do in Disney World when you’re feeling hot and exhausted, I recommend musical shows like The Enchanted Tiki Room , Country Bear Jamboree , and Mickey’s PhilharMagic. You won’t need to wait for long and they are perfect when you need a break.

We also love having a picnic on Tom Sawyer’s Island , clambering up the Swiss Family Treehouse , and getting on the water on the pun-tastic Jungle Cruise or the leisurely Liberty Square Riverboat .

The Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover takes you behind the scenes of Tomorrowland’s attractions and is especially lovely at sunset when you can see the park from above. We enjoy taking the Railroad around the park in the afternoon when we’re feeling tired.

Finishing the day with the Magic Kingdom fireworks above the castle is a Disney World must do.

Best Lightning Lane Multi Pass Rides at Magic Kingdom

If you’ve purchased Lightning Lane Multi Pass for Magic Kingdom (which is worth doing), the most popular selection is the new Tiana’s Bayou Adventure.

The next to sell out are usually Peter Pan’s Flight and Jungle Cruise. All these are Group A and you can only select one of these initially.

After those, choose Space Mountain and Big Thunder Mountain. In Group B, I would pick Haunted Mansion and Buzz Lightyear.

See our Lightning Lane Multi Pass review for more details on this line-skipping service and the best rides to book for each park.

Where to Eat at Magic Kingdom

Jungle Cruise-themed Skipper Canteen is our favourite table service restaurant.

Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn in Frontierland is our top pick for eating at Disney World on a budget —the veggie rice bowl is one of the healthier options.

Since the addition of Pandora—The World of Avatar, Animal Kingdom has become one of the most enjoyable parks at Disney World.

There are fewer major attractions than at other parks, but this makes for a more relaxing experience (with fewer queues), and there’s still plenty to do.

For a more detailed guide to the park, see our post on the best things to do at Animal Kingdom .

7) Avatar Flight of Passage

Avatar Flight of Passage is by far the most popular ride at Animal Kingdom and this unique experience is a Disney must do.

It’s best ridden during Early Entry as lines are long most of the day.

Flight of Passage is well worth the wait and the beautiful queue and fun pre-show are part of the experience.

It’s an exhilarating 3D flight simulator ride where you fly on the back of a dragon-like banshee. You can feel it breathe beneath you as you soar over the extraordinary Pandora world through forests and waterfalls.

While flying over the ocean a whale-like creature even jumps out of the water and splashes you. It’s magical and incredibly immersive.

While it’s not necessary, I’m glad I watched the first Avatar movie before we went on the ride.

8) Na’vi River Journey

The second Avatar ride is not as spectacular, but it’s worth doing if you don’t have to wait too long.

Na’vi River Journey is a peaceful river ride in the dark through a bioluminescent rainforest.

It’s a beautiful world with plenty to see, and the graceful Shaman of Songs is Disney’s most lifelike animatronic character yet.

9) Kilimanjaro Safaris

On Kilimanjaro Safaris you board a jeep to head out into Disney’s safari park to see real live animals.

It’s best first thing in the morning (we ride it after the two Pandora rides) when the animals are more active and the lines are shorter.

The guides are genuinely informative and you can see elephants, lions, giraffes, rhinos, cheetahs and more.

10) Expedition Everest

Expedition Everest is a fast roller coaster train that speeds through the Himalayan mountains trying to avoid the mythic yeti. 

The details in the queue (and in the whole Asian area of the park) reminded us so much of Nepal.

There’s a single-rider line that’s much quicker, so Simon usually rides it a couple of extra times by himself.

11) Kali River Rapids

This whitewater rafting ride is fairly gentle with a few thrilling drops. The fun is in the nervousness over whether you’ll get just wet (as everyone does) or truly soaked (as about one person per raft does).

The Best of the Rest at Animal Kingdom

The Dinosaur ride is surprisingly scary and doesn’t usually have long waits.

It’s well worth walking the informative Gorilla Falls Exploration Trail and Maharajah Jungle Trek to see gorillas, tigers, and many other animals.

Our favourite show is It’s Tough to be a Bug , and it’s also worth seeing the Festival of the Lion King and Feathered Friends in Flight . There’s plenty of street entertainment going on all day, too.

In the evening, don’t miss the Tree of Life Awakening (every 10 minutes after dark) and wandering through Pandora .

Best Lightning Lane Multi Pass Rides at Animal Kingdom

Lightning Lane Multi Pass is less useful at Animal Kingdom as there are fewer rides.

Your priority should be Na’vi River Journey followed by Kilimanjaro Safaris and Expedition Everest. Kali River Rapids and Dinosaur only really need it on busy days.

Unfortunately, Avatar Flight of Passage is only available if you pay individually. I recommend arriving early and riding it first.

Where to Eat at Animal Kingdom

Animal Kingdom has the most vegetarian-friendly food in all of Disney World.

For a quick lunch, the customisable bowls at Satu’li Canteen are a great option.

Nomad Lounge is the perfect spot for an afternoon rest, light meal, and cocktail.

We also enjoy lunch offsite at Sanaa restaurant in the nearby Animal Kingdom Lodge. You can watch giraffes and zebras wandering past as you eat, and the Indian food is delicious. Make sure to book.

See our Animal Kingdom must do guide for more suggestions.

While major rides at Epcot are limited, there are many other things to do.

World Showcase has pavilions representing 11 countries with shows, shops, and restaurants.

The front of the park (previously known as Future World) features the most rides plus interesting exhibitions.

12) Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind

Epcot’s newest ride, Guardians of the Galaxy, debuted in May 2022 and is now one of the top things to do at Disney World.

This Marvel-themed roller coaster is a thrilling dark ride where you embark on an intergalactic chase through space and time. 

It’s super smooth, has an amazing soundtrack and epic visuals, and is just so much fun!

You can’t just turn up and queue for Guardians of the Galaxy. You must either pay for a Lightning Lane Single Pass or join the free virtual queue on the My Disney Experience app at 7am or 1pm. 

There’s also a 6pm queue for guests staying in deluxe resorts during Extended Evening Hours (currently Mondays at Epcot). 

13) Soarin’ Around the World

Soarin’ is a wonderfully relaxing hand-gliding ride where you soar above the world and see famous sights like the Great Wall of China, Iguazu Falls, and Sydney Harbour.

14) Test Track (Closed until 2025)

Update: Test Track has closed for a major reimagining and is due to reopen in summer 2025.

Test Track is unique because you design your own vehicle, choosing to prioritise power or efficiency or responsiveness, before taking it for a high-speed test ride.

There’s a quicker single-rider line for Test Track, but you miss the design stage, so I’d only use it for a repeat ride.

15) Mission: SPACE

If you’ve ever wanted to be an astronaut, this space shuttle simulator is for you.

The Orange Mission is intense as you experience the real feel of a space launch as you rocket to Mars and dodge meteorites. The g-forces are incredibly realistic and unlike anything we’ve experienced before.

The Green Mission is a less intense ride without spinning where you orbit the Earth. I stick with this one as the Orange Mission aggravates my motion sickness.

16) Spaceship Earth

Spaceship Earth is a gentle journey exploring the history of communication from the Stone Age to the computer age.

After the ride there are interactive games and displays in Project Tomorrow—it’s areas like these that mean Epcot takes longer than you expect.

17) Frozen Ever After

This took over the old Norway ride and follows the same route. It’s a must for Frozen fans with excellent animatronics of Elsa and friends as you slowly ride a Norwegian vessel through the wintery world of the popular movie.

18) Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure

Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure is located in the France Pavilion of the World Showcase and is very popular.

This exhilarating 4D ride is based on the Ratatouille movie—you feel like you’ve been shrunk to Chef Remy’s size as you whizz around the bustling kitchen and restaurant in Paris.

This is the best ride to head to as soon as the park opens (especially if you have Early Entry). Or it’s included in Lightning Lane Multi Pass.

The Best of the Rest at Epcot

The new water trail, Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana , looks beautiful by day and night.

You can follow Nemo on The Seas and visit the aquarium afterwards. Living with the Land is also worth doing.

In the afternoon, heading over to World Showcase is a must do Disney experience. Stroll the different countries, eat and drink your way around the world, and pop into any of the shows that take your fancy.

The Impressions de France wide-screen movie is my favourite. The American Adventure is an interesting look at key moments in American history.

The Epcot fireworks show at the end of the day is a must see at Disney World.

See our Epcot must do guide for lots more suggestions

Best Lightning Lane Multi Pass Rides at Epcot

Multi Pass is less useful at Epcot unless you are park hopping.

You only really need it for Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure and Frozen, and they are in Group A so you can’t book them both in advance.

Where to Eat at Epcot

Eating and drinking your way around the world is part of the fun at Epcot and there’s plenty to choose from.

Our favourite restaurant is Space 220 where you dine in a space station looking down at Earth. The set menu is pricey, though, and you’ll need to book far in advance.

We love the atmosphere at San Angel Inn in Mexico. In the middle of the day, it was fun to have a romantic candlelit meal under the stars overlooking a river, temple, and volcano.

The food is decent, but the margaritas are the highlight.

You can also try them (along with 200+ tequilas) in the cosy bar next door, La Cava del Tequila —it’s a Disney must do for adults.

Hollywood Studios has some of our favourite Disney World rides, and we love the movie theme.

Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge is an incredibly detailed land that’s wonderful to wander day and night, even if you’re not a Star Wars fan.

19) Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance

Hollywood Studios’ most popular ride is Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance.

This immersive attraction takes you to the distant planet of Batuu where you join the Resistance in an epic battle against the First Order.

It’s unlike any other ride at Disney (or anywhere) and we were blown away. Don’t miss it! 

Rise is usually quietest in the last hour of the day or you can pay $20-25 for Lightning Lane Single Pass access.

20) Twilight Zone Tower of Terror

Tower of Terror is a Disney classic and is brilliant (and different) every time we ride it—it’s one of our favourite Disney rides.

The theming of the abandoned hotel is exceptionally detailed and atmospheric, and there’s nothing like the anticipation as you ascend in the elevator and wait for it to plummet.

21) Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster

Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster is one of the best things to do in Disney World for thrill-seekers.

It’s the scariest roller coaster at Disney with a fun introduction (you join Aerosmith on a race to their gig), super-fast launch, and exhilarating inversions. 

There’s a single-rider line which saves time, so Simon rides this one again and again. It’s one of the best rides at Disney World for adults. 

If you are a fan of intense coasters with inversions, check out our guide to the must do rides at Islands of Adventure at Universal Studios Orlando . It has some amazing thrill rides!

22) Millennium Falcon: Smuggler’s Run

Star Wars fans will also want to ride Millennium Falcon: Smuggler’s Run.

On this interactive experience, you fly the Millennium Falcon on a smuggling mission as the pilot (which is most fun), engineer or gunner.

23) Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway

Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway is a trackless dark ride that takes you into the world of cartoons with Goofy driving your train.

It’s charming and fun with unexpected twists and is suitable for all ages. 

24) Slinky Dog Dash

Slinky Dog Dash is located in Toy Story Land and is one of the most popular attractions at the park.

It’s a gentle outdoor roller coaster designed to look like Andy built it out of Tinkertoys. It’s fun but I wouldn’t wait too long for it.

Ideally, ride this with Lightning Lane Multi Pass or head there as soon as the park opens.

25) Toy Story Mania!

This is a much better, 4D version of the interactive Toy Story game at Magic Kingdom where you rack up points by shooting in carnival games.

26) Star Tours

Head into space on a 3D, motion-simulated space flight to popular destinations from Star Wars. Each ride is different so it’s a good one to repeat. There’s never a long wait.

The Best of the Rest at Hollywood Studios

Wandering Galaxy’s Edge is a highlight of the park. Make a reservation for Oga’s Cantina , the super fun Star Wars bar with a droid DJ and unique cocktails.

There are some good shows at Hollywood Studios including Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular , Muppet Vision 3D , and Beauty and the Beast (the latter is not a must-see but good for a break).

It’s worth staying after dark for the Fantasmic show using pyrotechnics, water, laser lights, and fireworks.

See our guide to the best things to do at Hollywood Studios for more tips.

Best Lightning Lane Multi Pass Rides at Hollywood Studios

Multi Pass is very useful at Hollywood Studios. The priority is definitely Slinky Dog Dash—it can sell out days in advance.

If you can’t score that, my second Group A pick would be Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster. Once you are in the park, you could use it for Millennium Falcon: Smuggler’s Run and Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway.

The best Group B picks are Tower of Terror and Toy Story Mania.

Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance is only available as a paid Lightning Lane Single Pass. It’s worth considering paying for, but passes can sell out early.

Note that wait times at Hollywood Studios peak in the morning, so if you can stay until the evening (or park hop), you’ll have shorter lines.

Where to Eat at Hollywood Studios

The food at Hollywood Studios has improved in recent years. The best casual options are in Galaxy’s Edge at Ronto Roasters and Docking Bay 7.

For a fun sit-down meal, try to get a reservation at Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater .

The restaurant is very cool—a huge space set up like a drive-in with a starry sky, vintage cars which you sit in to eat, and a screen showing 60s cartoons and movie clips.

I’m also excited to try the new Toy Story-themed Roundup Rodeo BBQ . You eat family-style for a set price, and there are plant-based options. Book 60 days in advance.

After four visits to Disney World Orlando as adults, we can attest that the magic is still alive!

It’s really one of the most fun places on Earth with a wide array of exciting rides, immersive worlds, and even delicious food and drink.

Each park offers a different experience so you’ll ideally spend a week exploring.

I hope our round-up of the best things to do at Disney World has helped you prioritize your time in the parks. Make sure you do some advance planning, arrive early, and have fun!

Plan your trip with our other Disney guides:

• Planning a Trip to Disney World on a Budget
• Is Disney Lightning Lane Multi Pass Worth it?
• Must Do Rides at Magic Kingdom
• Best Things to Do at Animal Kingdom
• Best Things to Do at Epcot
• Must Do Rides at Hollywood Studios
• Disneyland & California Adventure in One Day: An Itinerary for Adults

Outside of the US, we also have detailed guides to Disneyland Paris ,  Tokyo Disneyland , and  DisneySea Tokyo .

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24 Comments

Good info, thanks for sharing!

Reply ↓

Thank you so much for all the great tips and information! We just spent two days with park hopper passes for our family and kept this post at-the-ready the whole for quick reference! We had an amazing, fun-filled, successful time! Thanks again!

I’m so glad you enjoyed the parks!

I have a 7 year old that we will be taking to Disney in October 2024. He can ride 48″ rides at this point, are there any of the rides that you listed as the best at any of the parks that he will not be able to ride given his height? Or maybe the better question is, where can I find what the height requirements are for the rides you listed? Thank you!

Hi Ashley, my individual park guides have the height requirements listed for each ride. You can find the links at the bottom of this post: https://www.neverendingvoyage.com/best-things-to-do-at-disney-world/#MoreDisneyPosts

I believe that 48 inches is the tallest height restriction, though, so he should be good to go on everything. Enjoy!

This is the best travel blog I have ever found! Thank you for all of the wonderful information. Happy Travels!

Aw, thank you! 😀

Felt like I hit jackpot when I found this page. Exactly the kind of information I was looking for. Going from Uk for a week on January and your detailing of the rides are going to help me a lot on my first visit to Disney world Orlando. Many many thanks.

Aw, I’m glad it helped! Have a wonderful first trip to Disney! It shouldn’t be too busy in January (but pack a sweater!).

Loved the page. Very informative. Really helped us to plan our days

I may have missed it in the post, however could you provide some detail about the Star Wars area in the Magic Kingdom and the experiences which now exist. I’m coming out next August (23) Yes a whole year away and want the visit to be awesome. We are staying in a Disney Resort Hotel and have 14 day park hopper tickets and a three park pass for Universal.

I mentioned it in the post, but we haven’t had a chance to visit yet due to a cancelled trip. We will be going next month and updating this post and writing about it more in detail.

The Star Wars area is actually in Hollywood Studios. Rise of the Resistance is the most popular ride. That’s great you are staying onsite as you can enter the parks 30 minutes early – in fact, you want to arrive 1 hour early as they sometimes let people in even earlier. This is the best time to ride Rise without a long wait (or paying for Lighning Lane access). The other ride is Milennium Falcon.

You might also want to get an Advance Dining Reservation for Oga’s Cantina, the Star Wars themed bar (more of a place to drink than eat). We managed to get a slot by booking 60 days in advance of the day we will check in to the resort.

Sounds like you’ll have plenty of time to explore!

Hello Erin, thank you so much for all these useful informations! I would like to know if I have to reserve for the rides ahead of time ?

Also I can only go there three days .. would I be able to do two parks in one day? And if so, which ones you recommend to split in two

Thank you in advance

You don’t have to reserve the rides – you can just join the regular queue. If you pay for Genie+ you can book rides from 7am on the day of your visit but only one at a time (once you’ve ridden, book another one). See the How to Avoid Queues section in this post.

I would definitely give Magic Kingdom a full day. I would probably combine Epcot and Animal Kingdom – make sure you get a park hopper ticket to do so. Enjoy!

Hi This is our first time in Disney world with two little girls We are not staying in any disney resorts , do you still recommend we are in the entrance gate 1 hour before park opening ? We were planning to take the Genie + for the days we will be visiting the Magic Kingdom as that seems to have the maximum rides

I probably wouldn’t arrive that early as resort guests will be let in first. About 15 minutes before opening would be fine, especially as you’ll have Genie+. Magic Kingdom and Hollywood Studios are the best parks to use Genie+ in. Enjoy!

I see places that say: “Sign up early, spaces fills up”? What is this referring to, how do we sign up. We have made reservations??

Where are you seeing that? It could just be referring to park reservations. I can’t think what else it would be.

This guide was very helpful to us during our visit and helped us to effectively visit all the major attractions. Thank you so much for creating such a detailed document

I’m glad it helped and I hope you had an amazing trip!

Hi. It would be so lovely and helpful if at least one of these posts or utubers would be so kind to include and compile the rides at all of these parks that are wheelchair / stroller friendly for adults/children with disabilities…not one mentions this invisible and forgotten group..

That’s a great idea, Teresa, and I’m sorry I haven’t included that information already. I’ve now added some information to the post with resources I’ve found and eventually plan to update each ride listing. For now, take a look at these posts:

https://www.disneyworld.eu/guest-services/mobility-disabilities/ https://www.undercovertourist.com/blog/disney-world-disability-access-attractions/ https://diz-abled.com/going-disney-world-rides-wheelchairs-ecvs-mobility-issues/

I hope that helps.

I loved it it was alot of good thinks i would love too ride. Bit its covid-19 and i cant come there! Have a great day

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The correct order to visit each park on your disney world vacation.

Posted by: Michael Arnold July 25, 2023

A trip to Walt Disney World can be seriously overwhelming. Gone are the days of showing up, riding what you want, and eating whatever sounds good. Nowadays, there’s so much to consider. Dining reservations at hundreds of table service restaurants, Genie+, Individual Lightening Lanes, and transportation from MCO are all exacting considerations that can make or break your next Disney vacation. “Overwhelming” is probably a bit of an understatement. Maybe “chaotic” is a better word. Either way, numerous things could go wrong on your next Disney World vacation without proper planning.

Credit: Disney

As Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida, remains one of the top tourist destinations in the world, the popular vacation spot has seen tremendous growth since its opening. It has witnessed the addition of three Parks complimenting the original Magic Kingdom, the construction of thousands of Resort rooms, and expedited development in shopping and dining locations . As Disney World grows, proper planning becomes more of a priority. However, although a lot has changed at Disney World since its opening in 1971, one thing hasn’t. There is a correct order (according to me) to visit the Parks.

Walt Disney World’s Four Theme Parks

Excluding water parks, Walt Disney World is home to four amazingly immersive Theme Parks. Although Magic Kingdom was Disney World’s first Park, serving as the flagship for what we know today, the famous vacation destination quickly boomed as it garnered a worldwide audience. Within 25 years of opening, Walt Disney World had extended its offering to four main Parks, each providing a unique experience to visiting Guests.

If you’re reading this, chances are you’re planning a vacation. You’ve probably tirelessly scoured the internet looking for a cumulative list of “best-ofs” and “must-dos.” That’s not really what we’re doing here today, but there may be some vital information below that is helpful in planning when you’ll watch fireworks , see specific shows, or if you’ll rest and do a Resort day. We definitely encourage you to continue reading as we provide you with a 100% accurate, non-biased (just kidding), and well thought-out order to visit each Park at Walt Disney World.

Disney World Planning Day Number 1: EPCOT

Opening in 1982, Walt Disney’s original idea for his Florida Project was to build an experimental community where people could live and work. Obviously, this idea never came to fruition; instead, Disney created a Park that featured innovation, education, and cultural appreciation. EPCOT has seen the most change over its lifetime when compared to other Disney World Parks; although some will tell you this is bad, the concept of change is crucial as it reflects Walt Disney’s thoughts on continuing to provide up-to-date attractions, technology, and shows to visiting Guests.

EPCOT is home to many older attractions like Spaceship Earth that maintain an intense love from Disney World faithful and newer attractions like Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind that require intense scheduling and competitive planning even to experience. Despite amazing rides like Soarin’, Test Track, and Journey Into Imagination (I said it), the biggest draw to EPCOT is the World Showcase.

Encompassing Crescent Lake, the World Showcase features eleven different pavilions, each dedicated to its own country. In these countries, Guests will find authentic entertainment and, more importantly, food and alcoholic beverages. Each pavilion also offers unique shopping options specific to its country of origin. Guests can enjoy braised beef at Chefs De France and head next door to the United Kingdom for a lovely tea.

If you’re a world traveler, you will want to visit EPCOT on your first day. Make sure to get up early and try your hand at Disney World’s virtual queue system, but with rides like Frozen Ever After and Ratatouille, there’s plenty to enjoy. EPCOT fills up later in the afternoon as Guests tend to Park Hop there to “drink around the world.” In getting there early, lines are usually much shorter, although the World Showcase typically opens at 11 a.m. There’s a lot to see and do at EPCOT; however, once you clear the front of the Park, mostly there’s only food, drinks, and shopping. You can stop in and enjoy a few shows around the World Showcase. Maybe you’ll get lucky and visit during one of EPCOT’s many festivals. However (unless you’re looking to partake in adult beverages), there’s little to do once the sun sets, and many find the alcohol-fueled behavior of Guests to be too much.

READ ALSO: How to Have the WORST Day at EPCOT

Disney world planning day number 2: animal kingdom.

Credit: Brian McGowan on Unsplash

Let me begin this section by making this loud and clear. No matter what you’ve read, Animal Kingdom at Walt Disney World IS NOT a half-day Park. Although it is one Park at Disney where you can do everything in one visit, Animal Kingdom is a full-day Park if you know what you’re doing. There are many people out there that will tell you otherwise, and although I’ll admit that I have an unreasonable passion for Animal Kingdom, there’s much more to the Park than meets the eye.

Animal Kingdom was Walt Disney World’s final addition (so far) in Florida. Opening in 1998, the Park was mostly the brainchild of Disney Imagineer Joe Rohde . His eccentric style and exclusive attention to detail are on full display at Disney’s largest Park. Full of fantastic entertainment like  The Festival of the Lion King  and timeless rides like Expedition Everest: Forbidden Journey, Animal Kingdom is a diamond many Disney World Guests don’t appreciate. In addition, Animal Kingdom hosts some of the best food options on Disney property with Tiffins and Flame Tree Barbeque .

Credit: Disney, Canva

Animal Kingdom, first and foremost, is Disney’s crowning conservation jewel. The Park is home to many different types of animals that you’d generally find in zoos. However, Disney offers a different approach by allowing Guests to ride through exhibits such as Kilimanjaro Safari. Animal Kingdom is also home to Pandora, The Land of Avatar, with fan-favorite attraction Flight of Passage . Not only does the Park has immaculate theming in Discovery Island, Africa, and Asia (not you, Dinoland USA), but it has floating mountains! Come on, people, Disney-made mountains float, and you can ride on the back of a banshee! How cool is that?

The reasoning for planning Animal Kingdon on your second day at Walt Disney World is simple. After a full day at EPCOT and a hot day exploring the wilderness at Animal Kingdom, you’ll most likely be exhausted. Good news, the Park closes much earlier than its neighbors. As Animal Kingdom is home to various wildlife , the Park usually closes around 7 p.m. This will be a lot of much-needed rest time for day 3!

READ ALSO: How to Have the WORST Day at Animal Kingdom

Disney world planning day number 3: hollywood studios.

Credit: Howie Muzika on Flickr

All rested up from that earlier closing time at Animal Kingdom ? Good, ’cause we’ve got a wild day of thrills and intergalactic espionage ahead of us. Fittingly, the third Park built at Walt Disney World was MGM Studios, known today as Hollywood Studios . Opened in 1989, the Park was created as a working amination and film studio at Walt Disney World. Highlighting film production and old Hollywood, MGM today (HS) looks much different than it did 30 years ago. Featuring high-speed entertainment, some solid eats, and the second-best stage show at Disney World, you can expect high capacity on the third day of your vacation. Plan accordingly.

As the Park pays homage to the golden age of film, you’ll find many references to Disney classics and other Disney-acquired properties. Indiana Jones, Pixar, and Disney Junior take center stage at Hollywood Studios. You can hang with Elsa, Olaf, and Anna at a Frozen Sing-a-long and then pop in for an unexpected drop at the Tower of Terror . Not good enough? You can also ride with Slinky Dog and rock-out in the dark with Aersmith on Rock ‘n’ Rollercoaster. Oh, you can also check out the only ride at Disney featuring Mickey Mouse at Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway. There’s seriously so much to do and see; however, most visit Hollywood Studios for one reason. 

If you didn’t know, Hollywood Studios is host to the most popular attraction in all of Disney World. It’s also one of the most undependable rides at Disney, but that’s information for another story. Rise of the Resistance is the big draw to the newest Disney World land Galaxy’s Edge . Outshining its littler brother, Smuggler’s Run, this attraction is an absolute must-do. Yes, even if you aren’t a  Star Wars  fan. Speaking of Star Wars, there’s plenty of it! Build droids and lightsabers, hide from Kylo Ren and the First Order, or wash down a ronto-wrap with an ice-cold cup of blue milk! Disney Imagineering really brought the intergalactic space opera to life, and you aren’t going to want to miss any of it!

Visiting Disney World’s third Park on your third day is a happy coincidence. However, we picked it for day three for one uncomplicated reason. You’ll want to save Magic Kingdom fireworks for your last night. Instead, enjoy Fantasmic! Hollywood Studios’ unique nighttime spectacular features Sorcerer Mickey using his imagination to defeat all of those terrible Disney villains. This nighttime spectacular is easily the most elaborate you’ll find at Walt Disney World, and it’s well worth the crowds and late night to see.

READ ALSO: How to Have the WORST Day at Hollywood Studios

Disney world planning day number 4: magic kingdom.

You made it to day 4 of your Walt Disney World trip! Congratulations! You’re in for a treat today, as saving Magic Kingdom for last was the best way to ensure your vacation ends on the highest magical note possible. Outside of Tron: Legacy Lightcycle Run (you’ll need a virtual queue) there aren’t many exciting options at Magic Kingdom. To be honest, the food here is probably the worst of the four Disney World Parks, but we’ve saved the best for last for a very specific reason. 

Magic Kingdom opened alongside Disney World in 1971. Featuring fan-favorite attractions like Pirates of the Caribbean , The Haunted Mansion, Dumbo, and the Enchanted Tiki Room, Magic Kingdom is where Disney storytelling comes to life! Featuring Main Street USA, Adventureland, Frontierland, Liberty Square , Fantasy Land, and Tomorrowland, Guests to Magic Kingdom can meet princes and princesses, hang out with their favorite Disney (none royalty) characters, and ride original Disney concepts that hold a special place in all of our hearts! Follow the Carousel of Progress as it highlights advancement in technology over the decades, race through the mines with Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, or launch through Space Mountain while munching on a turkey leg (actually don’t do this). There’s something for everyone at Magic Kingdom.

As mentioned, Disney World’s flagship Park is home to classic rides created specifically for the Florida opening or brought over from Disneyland concepts. it’s a small world; Peter Pan’s Flight and the Hall of Presidents are all great examples of unique Disney World experiences that reside in Walt’s original Park as well. On top of fantastic, nostalgic rides, you’ll find lots of snacks at Magic Kingdom. Although not known for its food, there are still a couple of A-pluses to devour. Casey’s Corner has a large variety of hotdogs. Visit Main Street, U.S.A. Confectionary to satisfy that sweet tooth. Or dine with some of your favorite characters at Be Our Guest , Cinderella’s Royal Table, and Crystal Palace . 

We’d have to write an entire article to discuss all there is to do at Magic Kingdom, but the real reason we suggest you do this Park on the last night of your Disney World vacation is because of Happily Ever After . This tremendous emotion-invoking fireworks show is centered around Cinderella Castle. It includes a captivating projection display put to a musical accompaniment that won’t leave a dry eye in the house. Despite the use of lasers, fireworks, smoke, and projections, the real star of the show happens right at the climax. As the music belts over a sea of people (weather permitting), Tinkerbell takes flight! It’s truly magical to witness and is the perfect way to end your Disney trip. If you doubted coming back, Happily Ever After will have you checking booking rates on the monorail back to the car.

READ ALSO: How to Have the WORST Day at Magic Kingdom

You’ve come to the end of your stay. Soon the Disney blues will set in, but not to worry. You can keep up with everything going on here at Disney Dining. Although our advice isn’t the gospel in terms of visiting Disney World, we think it’s a great way to manage your Park time and leave Disney World with a lasting, magical impression. Of course, you can always do things your way. There’s no harm in that, but if you don’t visit Disney often, we definitely suggest saving Happily Ever After until your last night.

About Michael Arnold

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Best Days to Visit Each Park at Disney World

Want to wait in as few lines as possible?

You’ll need to be strategic about which park you visit each day of your trip.

And while it isn’t an exact science, there are some things you can do to ensure you’re visiting each park on the best days of the week (and avoiding the busiest).

Here’s what you need to know…

In this article

Best Days to Visit Disney World for the Lowest Crowds

First things first, let’s talk about overall Disney World crowd levels —just like any travel destination, selecting less-busy times of the year to visit, can help you avoid the heaviest crowds and the longest lines.

But even during the busiest times of the year, if you are strategic in planning out your days, you’ll still be able to maximize your time in the parks (and minimize your waits).

• Read more about How to Plan a Disney World Trip

We use a lot of info to put together these recommendations, including years and years of park visits plus data from sources like Thrill Data .

In general, here’s your best bets by day. As you can see by the list, the weekends are not typically ideal, but if you must visit a park on the weekend, we recommend either Animal Kingdom or Hollywood Studios:

• Sunday: All parks will be at their busiest
• Monday: Epcot, Animal Kingdom
• Tuesday: Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Hollywood Studios, Animal Kingdom
• Wednesday: Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Hollywood Studios, Animal Kingdom
• Thursday: Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Animal Kingdom
• Friday: Animal Kingdom
• Saturday: All parks will be at their busiest

Best Days of the Week to visit Magic Kingdom

Year after year, Magic Kingdom remains the most popular theme park in the world.

Many people like to start or end their vacations with a day here. And, if your trip is long enough, you may be able to do both.

Here’s what you should try to do:

• Avoid the Weekends: Magic Kingdom is the most iconic park and often the first stop for many visitors, leading to higher crowds on weekends.
• Avoid Mondays: Many visitors start their vacations at Magic Kingdom, leading to increased crowds at the beginning of the week.
• Mid-Week Sweet Spot: Mid-week days tend to be less crowded as many vacationers split their time between the four parks.

For the shortest waits at Magic Kingdom, aim to visit these days:

• Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday
• Any day there is a party like Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party or Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party (But please note that the park will close earlier on those days and you won’t be able to see the fireworks, but the overall crowds throughout the day will be significantly less than days without a party.)

Worst days to visit Magic Kingdom

If you want to avoid the highest crowds, skip Magic Kingdom on these days:

• All Saturdays
• Major holidays (Christmas, Easter, New Years, 4th of July)
• 1st day anything new opens up in the park (or something old is scheduled to close)

Best Days to visit Epcot

Epcot is a huge park, but some days are still better than others.

• Avoid Weekends During Festivals: Epcot hosts various festivals (Food & Wine, Flower & Garden), and weekends attract locals and tourists alike.
• Mid-Week for Lesser Crowds: Mid-week visits generally see fewer guests, especially during non-festival periods.
• Monday’s a Good Start: Many guests often start their week at Magic Kingdom, leaving Epcot less crowded on Mondays.

For the shortest waits at Epcot, aim to visit these days:

• Tuesdays and Wednesdays (top pick)
• Mondays and Thursdays (second best, however Thursday evenings can sometimes be a little rowdy)

Worst days to visit Epcot

With Epcot operating with nearly year-round festivals, the weekends here can be quite busy as local Annual Passholders enjoy the treats the food booths offer.

To minimize your chances of running into too many guests that have over-indulged on the adult beverages, avoid Epcot on:

• Friday nights
• Saturdays (and to a lesser extent, Sundays)
• Anytime something new is scheduled to open (or something old is scheduled to close)
• Opening day of a festival (Festival of the Arts, Flower and Garden Festival, Food and Wine Festival, Festival of the Holidays)

Best Days to Visit Hollywood Studios

Hollywood Studios has increased dramatically in popularity, so finding the best days to visit can really help keep those waits to a minimum.

• Avoid Weekends and Fridays: Hollywood Studios has become more popular with the addition of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge and other attractions, leading to larger crowds on weekends.
• Monday and Thursday Overflow: Many visitors may visit Hollywood Studios on these days as part of longer vacations.
• Mid-Week Advantage: Tuesday and Wednesday are typically quieter, providing a better chance to enjoy attractions with shorter waits.

For the shortest waits at Hollywood Studios, aim to visit these days:

• Tuesday and Wednesday

Worst days to visit Hollywood Studios

Hollywood Studios remains popular with local Passholders, too, that means the weekends stay busy.

With that in mind, we recommend you try to avoid Hollywood Studios on:

• Saturdays and Sundays
• May the Fourth
• Anytime something new opens (or something old is scheduled to close)

Best Days to visit Animal Kingdom

Animal Kingdom remains one of the easiest parks to fit into a Disney World vacation.

• Avoid Weekends: As with other parks, weekends are busier due to locals and tourists alike.
• Early Week Visits: Early in the week tends to be less crowded, making it easier to enjoy popular attractions like Avatar Flight of Passage.

For the shortest waits, aim to visit these days:

• Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday

Worst Days to visit Animal Kingdom

There really aren’t any “bad” days to visit Animal Kingdom.

But, for the lowest wait times, skip Animal Kingdom on:

• Anytime something new opens (or something old closes)

Monthly Calendars

Now that you know which days are the best for each park at Disney World, head over to the Monthly Calendars for detailed information for your travel dates.

There you will find the park hours for each park, scheduled refurbishments, and any special events that are planned.

Piece that information together with the tips we shared above to map out your dream Disney World itinerary.

Wednesday 19th of May 2021

Would you happen to know when the Food & Wine Festival food booths will be released? & The Eat To The Beat lineup will be released?

Gary Woodward

Friday 14th of May 2021

Any new updated opening info on Nemo, Boneyard area in Animal Kingdom? Thank you.

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Walt Disney World is approximately 15 minutes south of the heart of Orlando’s International Drive Entertainment District, and about 25 minutes south of downtown Orlando.

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Your guide to walt disney world in florida.

Disney World in 60 Seconds

Discover how to make the most of your visit to walt disney world in orlando, exploring all the attractions and experiences that await you and your family..

Walt Disney World Resort is an entertainment and recreation center of nearly 40 square miles featuring four theme parks (Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney's Hollywood Studios and Disney's Animal Kingdom); two water adventure parks (Disney's Blizzard Beach and Disney's Typhoon Lagoon); dozens of resort hotels (24 owned and operated by Walt Disney World); 81 holes of golf on five courses; two full-service spas; Disney's ESPN Wide World of Sports complex; and Disney Springs, an entertainment-shopping-dining complex. 

Cinderella Castle at Magic Kingdom Park

- Walt Disney World Resort

Embark on a Magical Journey: Theme Parks, Water Adventures, and Entertainment Await at Walt Disney World Resort

Magic kingdom.

Explore six lands of enchantment, one-of-a-kind attractions and magic here at the place where storybook fantasy becomes everyday reality.

Experience  Seven Dwarfs Mine Train , and race through the diamond mine on a swaying family coaster ride. Launch through the darkest reaches of the cosmos on  Space Mountain  or float through a lively bayou of singing critters toward a five-story splashdown on Splash Mountain ,  and swoop through a haunted gold-mining town on a runaway train while aboard  Big Thunder Mountain Railroad .

Animal Kingdom

Explore  Disney’s Animal Kingdom  Theme Park throughout the day and into the night. on an adventure into a world alive with magic. A new exploration will take you to  Pandora—The World of Avatar, a  distant world where you can float down a mystical bioluminescent river and fly on the back of banshees that soar past floating mountains. Back on Earth, at  Disney’s Animal Kingdom  Theme Park view thousands of animals in their natural habitats. Spot them while trekking Gorilla Falls Exploration Trail,  Kilimanjaro Safaris  and at the base of the  Tree of Life.  And behold the Tree of Life , commemorating Earth and its creatures. By day, it’s a visual exploration of animals big and small; by night, animal spirits awaken to tell colorful tales of nature's harmony.

Stroll through the scenic World Showcase and experience the architecture, culture and people of 11 countries. Enjoy sample-sized food, musical performances, and special events throughout the year at Epcot’s four different festivals. Hop aboard  Soarin’  Around the World to fly high on a hang-gliding adventure to famous places across the globe. Voyage to Arendelle aboard an ancient Nordic vessel as you take a musical tour of the wintery world of  Frozen  on  Frozen Ever After .  Feel as if you’ve shrunk to the size of a rat on a 4D culinary adventure when you take a spin around Gustaeu’s kitchen at Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure.

Disney's Hollywood Studios make you feels like you're walking through actual movie sets.

- The Walt Disney World Co.

Disney's Hollywood Studios

At  Star Wars:  Galaxy’s Edge, you’ll experience the smells and tastes of a cantina set in a galaxy far, far away. And, you can feel the rush of taking over control of the  Millennium Falcon . In Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway, burst into a crazy colorful cartoon world and join Mickey and Minnie on a runaway adventure. Become the size of a toy with Buzz and Woody and take a ride on Slinky Dog as he careens through Andy’s backyard in  Toy Story Land .

Chill out at Disney's Blizzard Beach.

Disney's Blizzard Beach and Disney's Typhoon Lagoon Water Parks

Guests can plunge into a world of themed water fun. Challenge Summit Plummet. Snorkel with sharks in Shark Reef. Zoom down side-by-side racing slides. Or, float leisurely down a meandering river. For thrills or just chilling out, a day in a Walt Disney World Water Park is watery fun for one of the most popular theme parks in Florida.

Disney Springs

Shop, dine and be entertained, at hundreds of incredible venues. For shoppers, you can discover well-known brands, unusual finds and keepsakes along with the world’s largest collection of Disney merchandise at more than 100 shops.

Dining?   Choose from more than 60 eateries, from quick bites to special meals – with a an unprecedented number of restaurants inspired by celebrity and award-winning chefs. Entertainment includes bowling, movies. and more.

PLACES TO REMEMBER

Lake Buena Vista

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A magical guide for how to plan a trip to Disney World this year

Editor's Note

If you want to know how to plan a trip to Disney World, you've come to the right place. This guide includes tips for choosing the right Disney World hotel for your budget, deciding which ticket type is right for you, determining which extras are worth splurging on and planning a trip that's fun and memorable without too much stress along the way.

Disney World offers four theme parks; two water parks; more than 25 on-site hotels; over 200 dining locations; and more attractions, experiences, shows and shops than we can list here. So, the best way to build a magical Disney World vacation is with planning, preparation and realistic expectations.

Planning a trip to Disney World should be fun and build excitement for your upcoming trip, and this guide can help.

How to start planning your trip to Disney World

There are a few questions you will want to answer early in the process of planning your Disney World vacation:

• What is your budget? Your budget will determine most other factors of your vacation, including where you stay and how many days you visit. How much it will cost you to go to Disney World can vary widely based on the choices you make.
• When will you go? You may be at the mercy of work or school schedules, but if you have the flexibility, you can plan your trip when crowds are smaller or the weather is better. The summer can be very hot and rainy. The week between Christmas and New Year's is one of the busiest, and weekdays when most kids are in school are often the least busy days.
• Where will you stay? You will typically pay more to stay in one of Disney's on-site hotels, especially at the moderate and deluxe tiers, but you'll also get perks like early theme park entry. Before you choose, you'll want to consider your budget, whether you want a themed room like the Royal Guest Rooms at Disney's Port Orleans Resort – Riverside and if you want to be near a certain Disney park. Pro tip: Renting Disney Vacation Club points can help you stay at a deluxe hotel for a moderate price.
• Which parks will you visit on which days? Depending on the length of your vacation, you may need to prioritize which parks you plan to visit. This will also influence whether you purchase one-park-per-day or Park Hopper tickets that allow you to visit multiple parks daily. If you have little kids, be sure your family will have the stamina for multiple parks per day before shelling out the extra cash to hop.
• Where will you dine? Popular Disney dining reservations get snatched up almost as soon as they become available. You'll want to plan ahead for any character dining or other table service restaurants, so you don't miss out.

It is important to book your hotel, dining and theme park tickets as early as possible for the best rates and availability. Disney also periodically releases special offers on hotels and vacation packages that you can often apply even if you have already made your reservations.

Related: Are the Disney Visa credit cards worth it?

We will dig deeper into each of these topics in this guide. Once you have a rough outline of your vacation based on the questions above, here are important dates to keep in mind so you can make your Disney dream a reality.

How soon can you book a Disney World hotel?

Disney releases hotel availability periodically, so there is no exact date that Disney hotel reservations become available. You can currently book Disney World hotel stays through Oct. 31, 2025.

Disney typically opens reservations for the following year around May or June, so you can expect to see 2026 availability around that time next year. If your plans change, you can cancel your room-only reservation up to five days before arrival for a full refund. Ticket and hotel vacation packages must be canceled 30 days before arrival to receive a full refund.

When can you purchase Disney World tickets?

Disney World tickets follow the same availability calendar as Disney hotel reservations. You can purchase tickets (or vacation packages including a hotel and tickets) through Oct. 31, 2025. Disney typically releases tickets for the following year around May or June, so you can expect to see 2026 availability around that time next year.

All tickets are date-based, and the price of one-day tickets also varies by park. You can purchase your tickets any time before you visit; the price won't change regardless of how long you wait. Theme park tickets are nonrefundable, but you may be able to change your ticket date if your plans change.

When do Disney World dining reservations become available?

You can begin making dining reservations 60 days prior to your visit. If you are staying in a Disney World hotel, you can make dining reservations 60 days before your check-in day for your entire stay (up to 14 days).

Reservations open on Disney's website or the My Disney Experience app between 5:45 a.m. and 6 a.m. EST, or you can call 407-939-DINE beginning at 7 a.m. EST; however, coveted reservations may already be snatched up by that time. You can cancel most Disney World dining reservations up to two hours before your reservation. Exceptions will be noted in the confirmation email you receive at the time of booking.

If you're not yet sure where to eat, here are our favorite restaurants at Disney World .

FOR NO-COST ASSISTANCE WITH PLANNING AND BOOKING YOUR NEXT DISNEY VACATION, CHECK OUT TPG'S DISNEY BOOKING PARTNER, MOUSE COUNSELORS .

What are the 4 parks at Disney World?

Each of Disney World's four theme parks is uniquely themed and packed with fun. You can learn more about each park — including attractions, shows, parade times and interactive maps to help you find your way around — in the My Disney Experience app.

Here's a bit more information about each and some tips for choosing the right ticket type to visit them all.

Magic Kingdom

Open since 1971, Magic Kingdom is Disney World's original theme park. This park is a world of fairy tales and fantasy, where you'll find five themed lands: Tomorrowland, Fantasyland, Frontierland, Adventureland and Liberty Square.

Magic Kingdom is home to some of Disney's most iconic attractions, including Space Mountain, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, Peter Pan's Flight and the Haunted Mansion. It also has exciting new rides like Tron Lightcycle / Run and the park's newest ride, Tiana's Bayou Adventure .

Epcot opened in 1982 and has changed drastically in the four decades since. Epcot's core purpose, however, hasn't changed: sparking visitors' imaginations through science, technology, nature and the human experience. The park is sectioned into "neighborhoods" — World Celebration, World Nature, World Discovery and World Showcase. You can visit pavilions that celebrate the arts, culture and customs of 11 countries around the world.

There are many new things to see at Epcot, including Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind , Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana and the all-new fireworks spectacular, Luminous: The Symphony of Us .

Disney's Hollywood Studios

Disney's Hollywood Studios is a movie-themed park that has lands and attractions inspired by blockbuster films and beloved Disney characters. In Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge , you can pilot the Millennium Falcon and meet familiar (and sometimes furry) faces like Kylo Ren, Chewbacca and Rey.

In Toy Story Land, visitors shrink to the size of Woody, Buzz, Jessie (who you can meet here, by the way) and Andy's other toys. The land's Slinky Dog Dash coaster is a family-friendly ride that's perfect for a kid's first roller coaster.

Outside of the lands themed to specific films, much of the park evokes an old Hollywood glamour that makes you feel like a bona fide movie star. In these areas, you'll find some of the park's most iconic shows and attractions are also some of its longest-running; these include The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror drop ride, Rock 'n' Roller Coaster and the Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular .

Disney's Animal Kingdom

More than 2,000 animals — from about 300 species — call Disney's Animal Kingdom "home," but this is not a zoo. However, you can visit many of these animals via walking trails, the Kilimanjaro Safaris ride and even a petting zoo.

In addition to the creatures and landscapes found on Earth, you can visit another planet at Pandora — The World of Avatar or go back in time at DinoLand U.S.A. The animals aren't the only things that are "wild" at Animal Kingdom. Expedition Everest is a thrilling coaster; Avatar Flight of Passage puts you on the back of a banshee as you fly over Pandora; and Dinosaur sends you careening through the Cretaceous period in an off-road vehicle.

What type of Disney tickets should I buy?

Disney world base tickets.

You can purchase one-day or multiday Disney World tickets. All tickets are date-based, and the price varies depending on the date of your visit. If you purchase a one-day ticket, the price will also vary based on which park you plan to visit, with Magic Kingdom being the most expensive.

Disney World Park Hopper tickets

A base ticket only gets you into one park per day. If you want to visit multiple parks on the same day, you will need to purchase the Park Hopper option with your ticket. (You can also add it on in person after you arrive.) You can save money by only visiting one park per day, but it does limit how much you can see and do during your vacation.

A Park Hopper Plus ticket includes two visits to either Disney's golf courses, miniature golf courses or water parks. However, this is only worth it if you know you will use it all.

Disney World special event tickets

Some of Disney's after-hours events , like Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party and Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party , require a separate ticket. The park is only open to guests with special event tickets during these events. If you plan on visiting for one of these parties, you may be able to forgo a general admission ticket that day and utilize your special event ticket, as you can usually get into the park a few hours before the party starts.

Disney World ticket add-ons

There are two major ticket add-ons that you should consider. Both can be worth it, but they will increase the cost of your vacation.

The first add-on you might want to strongly consider is Lightning Lane passes . By purchasing a Lightning Lane Multi Pass, you can skip the standby line and enjoy shorter wait times for most Disney World rides. However, a handful of attractions at each park require a separate Lightning Lane Single Pass purchase to skip the line. (Read more about Lightning Lane passes in the section on saving time in line further along in this guide.)

Another popular add-on is Disney's Memory Maker . Memory Maker gives you unlimited downloads of pictures taken by PhotoPass photographers during your vacation and on-ride photos. You can purchase a one-day Memory Maker for short visits or a multiday Memory Maker that covers your entire vacation. You can save $25 on a multiday Memory Maker when you purchase it at least three days prior to your visit, so it's best to purchase it when you buy your tickets.

How to get discounted Disney World tickets

Aside from Disney's own discounts, you can sometimes save money on Disney tickets by purchasing them from an authorized third-party reseller. There are a few reputable sources out there for Disney World tickets, but our go-to is Undercover Tourist .

Depending on your ticket type, you can usually save between $5 and $100. One of the best ways to save money with Undercover Tourist is when Disney World raises ticket prices , which usually happens at least once per year. Undercover Tourist typically has a limited amount of existing ticket stock available at the old prices while supplies last.

Related: Disney World discounts: Get a free Park Hopper ticket upgrade, hotel savings and more

If you are a Florida resident or an active or retired U.S. military member , there are generously discounted Disney World tickets available directly through Disney's website.

You can also use points or miles to pay for your Disney tickets , and that's a strategy we strongly recommend to keep costs down. For example, with the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card , you can earn a welcome bonus of 75,000 miles after spending $4,000 within the first three months of having the card, plus a $250 Capital One Travel credit in your first cardholder year. You can use those 75,000 miles as the same as $750 toward travel .

While ticket-only packages from Disney World typically don't code as a travel charge, buying them from Undercover Tourist — or as part of a larger hotel and ticket package directly from Disney — typically does code as a travel charge. So, you could save $750 just like that.

Is booking a Disney vacation package a good idea?

If you are staying in one of Disney World's on-site hotels or a certified " Disney World Good Neighbor " hotel, you have the option to bundle your hotel stay and theme park tickets into a Disney vacation package. Normally, these packages are not discounted, but they can be a great value if Disney runs any special vacation package promotions .

Aside from discounts (and the fact that it all likely codes as a travel charge for point-redemption purposes), there's one major reason to book a vacation package: When you purchase your tickets and hotel together, you only have to pay a $200 deposit at the time of booking. Payment in full is due 30 days prior to arrival. If you purchase your tickets separately from your hotel stay, you will have to pay the full amount at the time of purchase.

This is another great example of why you should book through an authorized Disney travel planner who can compare prices for you and keep an eye out for discounts.

When is the best time to visit Disney World?

Do you want the lowest crowds or the best weather? Do you want to attend a Halloween party or see Magic Kingdom's 65-foot-tall Christmas tree ?

The best time to visit Disney World depends on your reason for visiting.

If you want moderate temperatures and less chance of rain, you may want to plan your visit between October and December. If you want shorter waits, your best bets are late January, early May or just after Thanksgiving before the crowds descend upon the parks for winter break. Of course, regular weekdays typically see lower crowds than weekends and school breaks.

If you are planning a Disney World vacation on a budget, opt for midweek dates in August and September 2024, when prices start at $109 for a one-day ticket.

Read our full guide on the best times to visit Walt Disney World .

What's the best way to get to Disney World?

Getting to Orlando and getting to Disney World after arriving are two different topics, so let's look at each.

What is the closest airport?

The closest airport to Walt Disney World is Orlando International Airport (MCO). Most major airlines fly into MCO, and you can reach Disney World in about 25 to 30 minutes from the airport, depending on traffic. If you are flying Allegiant or Sun Country Airlines, you'll fly into Orlando Sanford International Airport (SFB). SFB is smaller than MCO and farther from Disney World. From SFB, it is about a 45-minute drive to Disney World.

What is the best way to get to Disney World from the airport?

Because of its size and proximity to Disney World, MCO has more and better options to help you get between the airport and Disney World.

From MCO or SFB, you can rent a car or use a ride-hailing service like Uber or Lyft. If you do rent a car from MCO, you can forgo paying tolls through the car rental company (which often comes with an additional fee) and pick up a Visitor Toll Pass to save on tolls during your trip.

Disney does not charge a parking fee for overnight hotel guests, so if you rent a car, you can park at your hotel and drive to Disney's theme parks without additional fees.

Keep in mind that you may not need a car if you don't plan on leaving Disney property after you arrive. Disney has a robust internal transportation system that operates between its on-site hotels and theme parks, water parks and Disney Springs.

You can also use Disney's official airport shuttle, Mears Connect , to travel from MCO.

Mears Connect is a shuttle service that picks you up from MCO and will drop you off at official Disney World hotels and a handful of nearby hotels. Pricing starts at $16 one-way for adults and $13 one-way for children. Mears Connect offers shared shuttles, where you will stop at multiple Disney hotels on the way to your own. You can pay an additional fee for an "express shuttle" that takes you directly to your resort. The easiest way to reserve your ride is online through the Mears Connect website.

What is the best way to get around Disney World?

If you are staying on Walt Disney World property, you can utilize Disney's complimentary transportation for travel between your resort and Disney's theme parks, water parks and Disney Springs. Disney offers transportation by bus, boat, monorail and Disney Skyliner gondola system. The transportation options you can access depend on your hotel.

All Disney hotels offer regularly scheduled bus transportation around the resort. Transportation begins 45 minutes prior to the theme park opening and up to one hour after the theme park closing.

Guests of Disney's Magic Kingdom-area resorts — Disney's Polynesian Village Resort, Disney's Contemporary Resort and Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa — can use boat or monorail transportation to travel to the Magic Kingdom. There is also a monorail line that will take you to the Transportation and Ticket Center, where you can transfer to a separate monorail line that goes to Epcot. These hotels also offer a walking path to Magic Kingdom.

Guests of Disney's Riviera Resort, Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort, Disney's Art of Animation Resort and Disney's Pop Century Resort can use the Disney Skyliner gondolas to travel to Disney's Hollywood Studios and Epcot. All Disney World visitors can also use Disney Skyliner to travel between these two parks, regardless of where they're staying. It's a fun and scenic way to get around the resort.

Many Disney World hotels also offer ferry boat transportation to nearby parks. The BoardWalk-area hotels, for example, offer boat transportation to Epcot and Disney's Hollywood Studios. Fort Wilderness, Disney's Wilderness Lodge and others offer boat service to the Magic Kingdom. You can view a full list on Disney's website . You can also walk to Epcot or Hollywood Studios from any BoardWalk-area hotel.

Whichever transportation option you choose, you can view the schedule, routes and stop locations in the My Disney Experience app or on video monitors at each stop location.

You can also utilize Disney's Minnie Van service for door-to-door (or door-to-front gate, as it were) service between your hotel and Disney's theme parks. You can book these private rides in red-and-white polka-dot vans directly through the Lyft app. Accessible rides and child safety seats are available.

Though not "official" Disney World hotels, Walt Disney World Swan, Dolphin and Swan Reserve hotel guests have access to Disney's complimentary ferry boat service to Epcot and Disney's Hollywood Studios. A walking path is also available. These resorts also operate their own shuttles to Disney's theme parks, which pick up approximately every 20 to 25 minutes throughout the day.

Disney Springs hotels operate their own shuttle services, independent of Disney's transportation. If you are staying at one of these hotels, you can inquire about scheduling and pickup times at the front desk.

What's the best place to stay on a Disney vacation?

There are more than two dozen Disney World hotels to choose from, so your main considerations will be your budget and what type of hotel experience you are after. Whether you want over-the-top Disney theming, an upscale cabin in the woods or a luxury villa with access to a club lounge, you can find it at Disney World.

Disney offers three hotel tiers: Value, Moderate and Deluxe.

Value Disney resorts are the most affordable, with prices ranging between $125 and $300 per night. Value resorts offer quick-service, cafeteria-style dining outlets and large pools but don't have full-service restaurants or pool amenities like waterslides and hot tubs.

On average, Moderate Disney resorts cost between $250 and $400 and offer amenities you won't find at Value Disney resorts. Some have full-service restaurants, and the pools are better-themed and equipped with waterslides. Many of them are also in central locations near Disney's theme parks.

Deluxe Disney resorts are the most expensive, ranging between $400 and $700 per night for a standard room. They also have the best locations, amenities and dining. You can expect large, well-furnished guest rooms, pool complexes with hot tubs, waterslides and beach areas, multiple full-service restaurants, spas and more.

Regardless of which hotel you choose, Disney's on-site hotels offer perks to enhance your stay:

• A 30-minute jumpstart on your day with Disney's Early Theme Park Entry benefit
• The ability to purchase individual Lightning Lanes for eligible rides begins at 7 a.m. on the day of your visit (nonresort guests can't do this until the park opens)
• Complimentary hotel and theme park parking
• Extended Evening Theme Park Hours for guests staying at Disney Deluxe Resort Hotels on select nights (also available to guests of Walt Disney World Swan, Dolphin and Swan Reserve hotels, as well as Shades of Green)

Best hotels at Disney World

The best Disney World hotel for you depends on what you are looking for in a hotel stay. If you don't plan on spending much time in your room, you can save a lot of money by staying in a Value resort.

If you plan on spending part of your vacation enjoying hotel amenities like the pool and restaurants, you may want to choose a Moderate or Deluxe resort.

Or, if you have a large family that won't be comfortable in a standard room, one of Disney's family suites might be your best bet.

Below are a few of our favorites.

Best Disney World resort if you are on a budget: Disney's Pop Century Resort may not be the most glamorous hotel at Disney, but the kitschy 1950s through 1990s theming and the starting price of around $200 per night will surely put a smile on your face. This resort has three pools, a playground and an arcade. Guest rooms are furnished with either one king bed or a queen bed and a space-saving table that folds out into a bed. It is also one of two Value resorts with Skyliner gondola access to Epcot and Hollywood Studios.

Best Disney World resort for large families : Disney's Art of Animation Resort is in Disney's more affordable Value category and has family suites themed to popular Disney films like "Cars," "The Lion King" and "Finding Nemo" that sleep up to six guests. The pool here is the largest at any Disney World resort, and you can take the Disney Skyliner gondolas to Epcot and Hollywood Studios. Standard rooms are also available.

Best Disney World resort for swimming : Disney's Yacht Club and Beach Club resorts are sister properties near Epcot. The two resorts have rooms that average around $600 per night and share access to Stormalong Bay, the best pool at Disney World . Stormalong Bay is really more than a pool. It is a water park with sand-bottomed pools, a lazy river, an activities pool with a volleyball net and daily pool games and a shipwreck-themed waterslide.

Best Disney World resort for a luxury stay : If the sky is the limit for your Walt Disney World vacation budget, the Copper Creek Cabins at Disney's Wilderness Lodge are some of the finest accommodations you can choose. With two bedrooms, a fireplace, a screened-in porch, a hot tub and lakeside views, these cabins are anything but rustic. The privacy offers you a chance to wind down after a long Disney day. Still, you are close enough to take a boat ride to Magic Kingdom and enjoy the amenities and dining in the resort's main lobby.

If you are leaning toward a luxury Disney stay, you may be able to save money by renting Disney Vacation Club points. DVC is Disney's version of a timeshare program. DVC members can rent out their points to nonmembers through sites like David's Vacation Club Rentals , helping you save hundreds of dollars versus booking directly through Disney. The trade-offs are that availability is limited and the cancellation policies are much less flexible than if you make the reservation directly through Disney.

Read our full guide on the best hotels at Walt Disney World .

Best hotels near Disney World

Disney World also partners with a handful of off-site hotels where you can still take advantage of certain benefits like Early Theme Park Entry and complimentary transportation while paying less than you would for an official Disney World hotel. These hotels also participate in major hotel points programs, so you can earn or redeem points for your stay.

The Walt Disney World Swan, Dolphin and Swan Reserve hotels all participate in the Marriott Bonvoy program. While not technically Disney hotels, they are on Disney property between Epcot and Disney's Hollywood Studios. If you are a Marriott Bonvoy elite member , these hotels offer benefits like complimentary upgrades, a welcome amenity and more.

Related: This affordable new Disney Springs hotel includes free hot food and 6 nightly drinks

Disney Springs has seven hotels from brands like Wyndham, Hilton, Holiday Inn and others. All of these are adjacent to the Disney Springs shopping and dining district, and some have room rates that start at close to $100 per night. These can be a great option if you want to save money and don't mind leaving the "Disney bubble" at the end of the day.

Read our full guide to Disney Springs hotels here .

What are the best restaurants at Disney World?

With more than 200 restaurants to choose from, you will have to decide which Disney World restaurants you most want to visit. Dining options run the gamut from the predictable burger and fries spot to an out-of-this-world restaurant in space.

Read our full guide to the best restaurants at Disney World .

Hardest Disney reservations to get (and how to get them)

Many of these restaurants are quick-service or snack stands that don't require advance reservations. However, there are a few popular restaurants that book up almost as soon as reservations become available.

If you want to dine with Disney royalty at Cinderella's Royal Table, for example, you'll want to make your reservation as soon as you can. Those staying at a Disney World hotel can make reservations for the entire vacation 60 days prior to check-in day.

Related: 'Be our guest' at these 5 best character dining meals at Walt Disney World

Other reservations that book up quickly include Storybook Dining at Artist Point , Space 220 at Epcot, California Grill, 'Ohana, Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater at Hollywood Studios and Topolino's Terrace, especially for the character breakfast. All of these have great food and atmosphere, making them popular for new and returning guests.

Best quick-service restaurants at Disney that don't require a reservation

Luckily, there are plenty of Disney restaurants with delicious food you can get your hands on without a reservation. Satu'li Canteen in Pandora — The World of Avatar at Disney's Animal Kingdom is consistently ranked as one of the best quick-service restaurants anywhere at Disney. The food is fresh, flavorful and surprisingly inexpensive. You can get a build-your-own bowl with beef, chicken or fish for less than $20.

Other must-try quick-service restaurants include Ronto Roasters at Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge (the Ronto Breakfast Wrap is the best handheld meal at Disney), Columbia Harbour House at Magic Kingdom for New England-inspired fare and Regal Eagle Smokehouse at Epcot for all things barbecue.

Using the Disney app to improve your dining experience

The My Disney Experience app is a must for your Disney World vacation for checking wait times, finding your way around and more. When it comes to dining, you can use it to find walk-up dining availability, score last-minute reservations, see what restaurants are nearby and place mobile orders at select quick-service restaurants.

When you place a mobile order via the app, you choose what time you would like to pick up your order (with the option to modify if plans change). When you arrive at the restaurant, you can click "I'm here. Prepare my order." Then, you'll receive a notification on your phone when your food is ready.

Should you buy a Disney Dining Plan?

The cost of dining at Disney can add up quickly, and Disney offers two dining plan options that may help you save money. The Disney Dining Plan lets you prepay for a specified number of meals and snacks for your Disney World vacation. You receive a certain number of meal and snack credits for each night of your stay.

The Disney Dining Plan is both convenient and flexible. By prepaying for your meals and snacks, you won't have to pull out your wallet for every meal and snack, and you aren't required to use a set number of credits each day. You can redeem them anytime during your stay in the way that best works for you.

There are two options: the Disney Quick Service Dining Plan and the Disney Dining Plan. The first is a bit less expensive and allows for more flexibility. The second is best if you plan on more sit-down dining and character meals during your vacation.

Whether or not you can save money with a Disney Dining Plan depends on how you utilize the credits. It is possible to break even or come out ahead if you maximize the value of your credits and actually eat all of the food available on the plan. If you don't use all of your credits, you are essentially leaving money on the table. Our guide can help you out with the math.

Read our full guide to the Disney Dining Plan .

How to save time in line at Disney World

Most Walt Disney World attractions offer a standby line. The only exceptions are new attractions, which will often offer a virtual queue for a limited time after opening. When Disney World is busy, though, standby lines for popular attractions can climb as high as two hours. Luckily, Disney has Lightning Lane passes that help you skip the standby line and get on more attractions with shorter waits.

With Lightning Lane Multi Pass, you can skip the standby line and utilize a much shorter Lightning Lane for most attractions. You can only purchase this add-on service on the day of your visit, beginning at midnight (though you will likely be safe waiting until you wake up in the morning, except on Disney's busiest days).

The cost of Lightning Lane Multi Pass varies per park and per day. The service starts at $15 per person, per day. It occasionally reaches a per-person price of $35 per day during the busy Thanksgiving and Christmas holiday season or in April during spring break.

If you are staying in a Walt Disney World hotel, the Walt Disney World Swan, Dolphin or Swan Reserve hotels or Shades of Green, you can purchase your Lightning Lane passes at 7 a.m. EST seven days before your vacation for the length of your trip. If you aren't staying in one of these hotels, you can purchase three days before your visit, one day at a time. When you purchase, you can also select your first three Lightning Lane Multi Pass rides and arrival windows as well as any Lightning Lane Single Pass rides and arrival windows.

Even if you plan to "park hop" to multiple parks in one day, you will purchase Lightning Lane Multi Pass and make your first three selections for the first park where you plan to use it. After you use your first selection, you can make subsequent selections for any other park you wish to visit.

Most attractions are included in the Lightning Lane Multi Pass service, but one or two attractions at each park require a separate Lightning Lane Single Pass purchase to skip the line. The Lightning Lane Single Pass pricing varies by day and attraction. It typically falls between $7 and $25 per person per attraction for Disney's most popular rides, such as Tron: Lightcycle Run and Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind.

You don't need to purchase Lightning Lane Multi Pass to buy individual Lightning Lane Single Passes and vice versa.

If you are staying in one of Disney's on-site hotels or in select "Good Neighbor" hotels, as mentioned in the section above, you can also save time in line by utilizing Early Theme Park Entry and/or Extended Evening Theme Park Hours. You can get into the parks 30 minutes early with the early entry benefit, but you actually want to arrive at the front gates 30 to 45 minutes before that. This will give you time to get through security and to the roped-off area where they hold guests, making you one of the first in line to rush to your favorite ride when early entry starts.

Related: Your guide to visiting Disney World with a child on the autism spectrum

If you or someone in your party has a disability that makes it difficult for you to wait in a traditional standby queue, you can also save time by registering for Disney's Disability Access Service. You need to start the registration process before your visit, and full instructions are available on Disney's website .

How to plan a Disney World trip on a budget

While sensational stories about $2,500 meals at Disney make for good headlines, it is totally possible to visit Disney World on a budget .

Related: Yes, you can visit Disney World on a budget: Here's how I did it

Here are some of the most important things you can do to make your Disney vacation budget manageable:

• Stay at a Disney Value resort like Disney's All-Star Movies Resort or use Marriott points to stay at the Swan, Dolphin and Swan Reserve. These are the best cards to get those points.
• Use Disney's complimentary parking and transportation for on-site guests instead of renting a car.
• Purchase groceries for some meals and snacks, and only buy one or two meals in the parks each day.
• Don't visit the parks every day you are at Disney. Stick to one park per day, avoiding park hopping. You can save on tickets by spending a day swimming or visiting Disney Springs.
• Don't forget to periodically check Disney's website for discounts. Even after you book, you may be able to apply a hotel or vacation package discount that can save you even more money.
• Be on the lookout for discounted Disney gift cards to help cover the cost of your trip and/or use points for the tickets.
• Visit during less busy times of the year. Ticket prices are cheapest in August and September, with one-day tickets starting at $109.

Disney World pretrip checklist

Now that you've determined your budget, purchased your tickets, booked your hotel and made a few dining reservations, your trip is nearly planned. There are some other details you'll need to consider to make your trip as magical as it should be. Here's our ultimate Disney World pretrip checklist:

• Pack accordingly : Depending on when you visit, you could be dealing with heat, humidity, afternoon showers, chilly temperatures or a mix of all of the above. It's important to pack comfortable shoes and clothing no matter when you visit, but you may also want rain gear, sun protection or a warm jacket, depending on the weather. You can read our full Disney World packing guide here .
• Download the My Disney Experience app : This app is an invaluable tool that you will use daily during your visit. You can use it to check everything from wait times to walk-up dining availability. You can also use it to navigate the parks with turn-by-turn walking directions, purchase Lightning Lane passes and even open your hotel room door.
• Check the park hours before your visit : You can view the park hours on the Walt Disney World website or the My Disney Experience app. Each park has separate opening and closing times, and parks occasionally close early for special events like Halloween and Christmas parties. When you view the park hours, you'll also be able to see times for any parades or fireworks shows happening each day of your visit and plan for early entry or extended theme park hours for eligible on-site hotel guests.
• Check the height requirements for attractions: If you are traveling to Disney World with young children, you can check the height requirements for attractions on Disney World's website or in the My Disney Experience app. There are also measuring stations at all attractions that have a minimum height requirement. Still, it's better to know ahead of time to avoid tears if your child isn't quite tall enough.
• Know where to find your favorite characters : Most Disney characters have designated meeting times and locations, which you can find in the My Disney Experience app. Booking a character meal can be a great way to meet multiple characters at once, but you can also meet many characters in the parks.
• Decide if you want to purchase PhotoPass photos : You can save money on Disney Memory Maker by purchasing it before you visit. It's the easiest way to capture your vacation memories and an add-on we highly recommend. You can view and download your photos in the My Disney Experience app.
• Study up on Lightning Lane passes: As helpful as Lightning Lane passes can be, there is a bit of a learning curve. Study up using our guide and Disney's own overview before your visit. It's good to know which attractions participate in the service, how to reserve Lightning Lane access and how to make the most of the service.
• Plan for downtime: One of the biggest mistakes people make at Disney World is overscheduling their trip and leaving no time for rest and relaxation. If you are visiting for more than a few days, try to schedule a day away from the parks where you swim, explore the other resorts or just lounge around the hotel. It'll help rejuvenate you for the rest of your trip. For shorter trips, you may want to schedule a slow morning or return to your hotel early one day instead of being at the parks from opening to closing every day of your trip.

Read all of our best Disney World tips here .

Bottom line

There you have it — the ultimate guide to visiting Walt Disney World.

In addition to the planning and preparation you've now mastered, there are two very important things you must do during your Disney World vacation: Don't overplan, and have fun. It's much better to have a short list of "must-do" rides, restaurants and activities than to have a minute-by-minute itinerary that almost certainly will not play out exactly how you planned.

Keeping a loose itinerary leaves room for magical moments like stumbling upon a favorite character, noticing a supershort line for a ride or deciding last-minute to watch a parade you happened upon. You can't do everything in one trip anyway, so do the things you can and save the rest for next time when you are a certified Disney pro.

FOR NO-COST-TO-YOU ASSISTANCE IN PLANNING AND BOOKING YOUR DISNEY VACATION, CHECK OUT TPG'S DISNEY BOOKING PARTNER, MOUSE COUNSELORS .

Related reading:

• The best Disney World hotels for your stay
• The 21 most underrated things at Disney World: What to see, do and eat that many guests miss
• Forgetting to do this 1 thing could ruin your Disney trip
• Disney's take on timeshares: Guide to Disney Vacation Club
• 8 Walt Disney World experiences that don't require a park ticket

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I change or modify my reservation?

The Best Days to Visit Each Disney Park

This article is your complete guide on the best day of the week to visit each Disney World park! From my experience selling tickets at the Magic Kingdom park and based on historical wait time data, I believe the best days to visit Disney World are on the weekdays of Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. This is typically because locals visit on weekends and families typically start their vacations on Sundays with the first day in the park being Monday. That means the middle of the week is normally the slowest time and the best time to go to each Disney park!

So if you’re ready to learn about the best days to go to Disney World read on!

SPECIAL NOTE: If you need help picking the best time to visit Disney World for your next vacation be sure to check out our Disney crowd calendar below!

 Disney World Crowd Calendar

The Best Days to go to Each Disney World Park

The best days to visit Walt Disney World are on the weekdays of Tuesday and Thursday, or Sunday during the weekend according to historical wait time data. The primary reason is that many families embark on week-long vacations at Disney, often starting their adventures on Monday. From my experience as a Cast Member at Walt Disney World , it’s apparent that Monday and Saturdays tend to be the busiest days. This surge in attendance is because families are eager to jump-start their Disney experience upon arrival. We have also seen recent Disney Genie+ data, which backs this observation up with the most expensive day of the week for the Disney World Genie+ being on a Monday.

Another trend that amplifies the crowd size is the Florida locals’ preference. Many Floridians visit Disney World during the weekends. This local influx, combined with vacationing families, ensures that the middle of the week becomes some of Disney World’s slowest days.

What days of the week are best for Disney parks?

These times are popular because long weekends are the most convenient for many working adults to take off. Speaking from the perspective of a Florida Resident, there’s a special charm in seizing long weekends at the resorts and diving into the parks to experience some magic . Thus, if you’re hunting for the least busy time at Disney World , aiming for the midweek is your best bet. Ultimately, knowing the best time to go to Disney can greatly enhance your experience.

Related Page: Disney World Ticket Deals and Discounts

Breaking it Down By Park

So, now that we’ve covered which days to avoid let’s review the best days of the week to visit Disney World parks in 2024. In general, the best days of the week to visit Disney World parks are Tuesdays and Thursdays. The reason is many families find that you need an entire week for a Disney vacation and typically arrive on Saturday or Sunday. We find weekends and Mondays the busiest days at Walt Disney World.

What is the best day to visit Magic Kingdom?

• Thursday or Tuesday

Simply put, the best day to visit Magic Kingdom is Thursday or Tuesday. The Magic Kingdom park is typically the first thing that comes to mind when most people think of Walt Disney World. It tends to be on almost every family’s do list and is also the most important part when planning the best days to visit Disney World. The Magic Kingdom park also holds a special place in my heart, as one of my very first jobs was selling tickets at the front gate. I was able to see firsthand the patterns of crowds visiting all four Disney theme parks , and I have been tracking wait time data ever since.

What is the best day to visit EPCOT?

• Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday

The best day of the week to visit EPCOT is Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday. We would recommend visiting on a Wednesday during the festivals mentioned above. One of the biggest advantages EPCOT has going for it compared to some of the other Walt Disney World theme parks is that it is the largest of the four Disney theme parks and tends to hold crowds better than the others. We also find that many guests with small children tend to avoid EPCOT as they don’t feel like there is much for young kids to do there makes this one of the best Disney parks for adults visiting Walt Disney World.  There are still certain ways to avoid large crowds, especially during the festival season.

What is the best day to visit Hollywood Studios?

• Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Sundays

When is the best day to visit Hollywood Studios? From our observations, Tuesdays and Wednesdays emerge as the least crowded days at Disney World , especially for this park. These days offer a more relaxed atmosphere, allowing for a more enriching experience. If, however, your schedule confines you to the weekend, then Sunday proves to be a more favorable choice compared to the hustle and bustle of Friday or Saturday.

What is the best day to visit Animal Kingdom?

• Sunday, Monday, or Friday

Animal Kingdom is one of the only Disney theme parks that we recommend visiting on certain weekend days. We typically see lower crowds on Fridays and Sundays. Wednesday is another one of the best days to go to Animal Kingdom. Even if you didn’t book your trip through the Park Prodigy let us know how we can help you plan the perfect Disney itinerary . It’s important to note the suggestions above are meant only to provide guidance and are based off of my experience as a vacation planner.

What are the best days to visit each park at Walt Disney World?

• Magic Kingdom – Thursday
• EPCOT – Tuesday
• Hollywood Studios –  Wednesday
• Animal Kingdom –  Friday

Related post:  What are the Best Disney World Hotels for Families?

Tips & Tricks for Picking The Best Days to Go to Each Disney World Park

Ticket Prices indicate the best days to visit each Disney World Park

One of the easiest ways to determine the best day of the week to go to Disney World in 2024  is to look at ticket prices during your visit. One of the ways Disney tries to entice people to visit during slower periods is with cheaper prices. We typically see the cheapest Walt Disney World tickets during weekdays in September.

Arrive early for the new extra magic half hour

One of the easiest ways to ensure you get the most out of your day, no matter which Disney park you plan to visit, is to arrive early and stay late when possible! This will also allow you to take an afternoon break at your hotel if need be. Disney recently made changes to the extra magic hour program, switching it to an extra magic half-hour at every Disney World park for on-site Disney resort guests . We’re huge fans of this, and we felt that extra magic hours in the morning always created some of the busiest days at Disney World. We feel like crowds will be a little bit more spread out as you won’t have everyone heading to the same park on the same morning.

So one of the easiest ways to take advantage of your time in Disney is to arrive early in the morning and get in a half hour before other park guests. This will also take some of the pressure off of making sure you picked the best Disney park for that day!  It’s important to note that this new early entry can also be a huge help for guests who plan to park hop as you will want to get the most out of your day.

Be sure to check back with us as we continue to update the best days to visit each Disney World theme park!

Avoid the weekends when possible

Weekend foot traffic at Walt Disney World can be unpredictable. Walt Disney World is home to so many festivals throughout the year such as EPCOT Flower and and Garden , Festival of the Arts , and the Food and Wine Festival that more locals are visiting now than ever before. The best way to plan around these crowds is to plan your full days at the parks on weekdays. The middle of the week generally tends to be the best day to visit Disney parks.

Avoid major holidays

This might seem like it’s obvious but Holidays tend to attract the largest crowds at Walt Disney World. In many cases such as Fourth of July and Christmas the parks will reach capacity. You can still plan a great family trip around holidays such as Labor day, memorial day, and Halloween however we still recommend following the tips outlined above.

Related post:  Complete Guide to Disney World Payment Plans

Best Days to Go to Disney FAQ

When is Magic Kingdom least crowded 2024?

Tuesday tends to be the best day of the week to go to the Magic Kingdom.

What is the busiest day at Magic Kingdom ?

The busiest day at The Magic Kingdom tends to always be Monday. This is because many families plan a week long vacation to Disney World, and typically receive the best deals by traveling Sunday or Monday. As you can guess almost everyone loves to start their vacation at the Magic Kingdom resulting in large Monday crowds.

Is Magic Kingdom better on a Sunday or Monday?

Now that we have established some of the busiest days at Magic Kingdom you might be wondering, is Magic Kingdom better on a Sunday or Monday?   And as a general rule of thumb if we had to pick between visiting Magic Kingdom on a Sunday or Monday we would always pick Sunday. The man reason is we typically find that Sunday is more likely to be a travel day compared to Monday which will result in more guests traveling on this day and either not visiting the Magic Kingdom park or arriving later in the day. On the flip side, we do find that Monday tends to be the first full day in the parks and many families do pick the Magic Kingdom for their first day.

Are You Ready to Plan Your Next Disney World Trip?

Planning a family vacation to Walt Disney World? Let our Disney travel experts plan a hassle-free vacation for you with a no-obligation quote, or call us at 321-966-4300 . Every family who books their Disney World vacation package through The Park Prodigy will receive a dedicated planner who manages every Disney vacation aspect. This includes help with Disney dining reservations, navigating the Disney Genie+ system, personalized park plans based on your children’s ages and height restrictions, and price monitoring to ensure you always get the best deal! Let our team of travel experts take all of the pressure off of planning your next Disney World vacation!  

Disney World Deals and Discounts 

Don’t forget to join our Disney community to learn about any additional deals and promotions on discounted Disney World tickets. All community members are always guaranteed to save vs. buying their tickets directly. Plus, you can opt into our concierge service, which includes custom Disney park plans to save up to three hours each day, dining recommendations, and price monitoring to ensure you always get the best Disney World deal!

Don’t forget to check out our wonderful friends over at  Theme Park Today , as well!

Who We Recommend

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Michael Belmont

Michael Belmont is the owner at Theparkprodigy.com, an authorized Disney and Universal travel agent. He specializes in Disney and Universal theme park tickets and vacation packages, as well as daily park plans to help optimize vacation time. Michael and The Park Prodigy have been featured on ABC’s Florida affiliate, WTFV, as well as over 10 Disney focused blogs. As owner, Michael manages The Park Prodigy blog and social media, a Disney themed podcast, and a Disney and Universal focused YouTube channel. Prior to starting The Park Prodigy, Michael was a long time Disney and Universal enthusiast, frequent visitor of the parks, and even served as a Walt Disney World Cast Member in Orlando, Florida!

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Walt Disney World Tickets

Save time and money on your next Walt Disney World vacation with The Park Prodigy. With our discounted Walt Disney World theme park tickets guests can choose from the following parks!

• Magic Kingdom Park
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Disney's Blizzard Beach announces reopening date

Penguin trek | free disney birthday perk.

In this rollercoaster ride of an episode of "Orlando Parks V.I.P.," FOX 35's Hannah Mackenzie soars into a conversation with theme park aficionado Tharin White. They dive into a 'flurry' of thrill over Seaworld's newest thrill, the Penguin Trek rollercoaster. Tharin spills the 'theme park tea', offering 'magical' secrets that are sure to 'cast a spell' on your park experience. Viewers will learn how to 'waltz' into the spotlight and get complimentary birthday recognition at Disney World, Universal Studios, and Disney Springs. And for that 'fairy-tale' touch, Tharin explains how families can 'snip' their budgets and still 'let down their hair', creating an enchanting Disney memory with their baby's first haircut for under $30. Buckle up for an episode jam-packed with whimsical insights that only a true 'park whisperer' could tell!

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. - Blizzard Beach Water Park is slated to reopen on Nov. 4, Disney has revealed. 

In addition to announcing the water park's reopening date, Disney is bringing back its Seasonal Water Park pass . 

The pass, which is available now for $79 plus tax, allows guests to visit Disney's water parks through May 23, 2025, excluding black-out dates between April 12-20, 2025. 

Typhoon Lagoon is now open, with its last date on Nov. 3, 2024. 

Disney announces Villains Land at Magic Kingdom, Monsters, Inc. land at Hollywood Studios and more

Disney unveiled exciting new attractions, cruise ships, lounges, and even a new parade during its D23 event, leaving fans astonished by what's to come over the next couple of years.

STAY CONNECTED WITH FOX 35 ORLANDO:

• Download the FOX 35 News app for breaking news alerts, latest news headlines
• Download the FOX 35 Storm Team Weather app for weather alerts & radar
• Sign up for FOX 35's daily newsletter for the latest morning headlines 
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Forget the Parks, $150 “Once-in-a-Lifetime” Experience Coming to Disney Springs

in Walt Disney World

Two award-winning celebrities will arrive at Disney Springs in just a few weeks, and guests will be able to experience a brand-new offering at a famed eatery.

Disney Springs at Walt Disney World

Disney Springs, once known as Downtown Disney, is now a must-visit destination at Walt Disney World Resort and a great way to get away from a Disney park. It blends vibrant entertainment, unique dining, and world-class shopping in one picturesque waterfront setting.

When it comes to dining, Disney Springs delivers an eclectic mix of options sure to please any palate. The culinary variety is astounding, from casual, family-friendly venues like T-Rex Café and Rainforest Café to foodie hotspots led by celebrity chefs such as Chef Art Smith’s Homecomin’ and Wolfgang Puck Bar & Grill–not to mention the specialty cocktails, craft beers, and indulgent desserts that make the perfect nightcap after a day of shopping or park-hopping.

Entertainment is always in full swing, with live music echoing through the streets and unique experiences like Splitsville Luxury Lanes for bowling, the AMC Dine-In Theater, and the captivating Cirque du Soleil show Drawn to Life .

Disney Springs doesn’t require an entry ticket, making it an ideal spot to relax, dine, and enjoy a slice of Disney magic outside the theme parks– although crowds can sometimes feel heavier than Magic Kingdom on weekend nights . Whether you’re catching a concert, shopping for the latest Disney merchandise, or savoring a meal crafted by top chefs, Disney Springs promises something special for everyone.

And on September 29, 2024, it truly will be special at Disney Springs as Breaking Bad legends Bryan Cranston and Aaron Paul–who played Walter White and Jesse Pinkman on the acclaimed AMC TV show for five seasons–will grace the Frontera Coccina Mexican restaurant for a culinary event.

The pair, who created the Dos Hombres Mezcal, will team up with Chef Rick Bayless for a special “once-in-a-lifetime” event at Frontera Cocina. The restaurant posted the news to Instagram earlier this week.

The guys are back in town and you are invited! 9/29/2024 11:00AM Join us for an unforgettable day at @fronteracocina as the legendary @doshombres Bryan Cranston and Aaron Paul team up with the culinary genius Chef Rick Bayless For booking please find the link in our bio. **Very limited availability**

View this post on Instagram   A post shared by Frontera Cocina (@fronteracocina)

Related: Two Months Later, Disney World Updates Fan-Favorite Location After Magic Kingdom “Scandal”

The experience costs $150 and can be booked here .

The massive Disney Springs transformation in 2015 brought new life to the area, with its design now inspired by Florida’s historic town centers and natural springs. Whether you’re browsing through Disney-themed treasures at the World of Disney ( the largest Disney merchandise store in existence ) or exploring stores like Coach, Zara, and Uniqlo–the latter having exclusive Disney apparel–the shopping experience is unparalleled.

Another prominent destination at Disney Springs is Gideon’s Bakehouse . The famed bakery—which sells giant chocolate chip-studded cookies, iced coffee, and mountainous cake slices—is so popular that a virtual queue is often implemented for guests wanting to get in on the baked goods action.

Recently, the Bakehouse came under fire after an Instagram account called Ghosts of Gideons @ghostsofgideons) claimed that the company had discriminatory views, unsafe working conditions, and unfair pay. The establishment contested the allegations in a series of social media posts .

Related: Disney World Character Loses Arm in Front of Theme Park Guests

Another controversy rocked Disney Springs this year after Disney park guest Kanokporn Tangsuan tragically died from allergies after eating at Raglan Road . A lawsuit has been filed by Kanokporn’s husband, Jeffrey Piccolo, which Disney has responded to .

Since May 24, 2024, Disney Springs has allowed guests to experience the nighttime spectacular magic often found in the likes of Magic Kingdom and EPCOT with Dreams That Soar!

Presented in the skies above the Springs, Disney described Dreams That Soar as “a one-of-a-kind, nearly 10-minute drone show.” The show ended on September 2 after running for almost four months .

Will you head out to experience the “once-in-a-lifetime” experience at Disney Springs? Let Inside the Magic know in the comments down below!

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