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It's been debated since 1982: which is the best Walt Disney World park? There are four theme parks within Walt Disney World Resort. They are Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Hollywood Studios, and Animal Kingdom. Each park offers its own unique experiences. But which one is the best?
Why Magic Kingdom is the best Walt Disney World park
Pros of the Magic Kingdom:
Classic Disney feel
Magic Kingdom is often considered the best Disney park because it embodies the classic Disney experience that so many people cherish. With its iconic Cinderella Castle, beloved attractions like Space Mountain and Pirates of the Caribbean, and timeless characters roaming around, Magic Kingdom truly feels like stepping into your favorite Disney movies.
Immersive theming
Magic Kingdom has some amazing theming that transports you inside of your favorite Disney movies. You really do feel like you're under the sea with Ariel, or eating the same spaghetti Lady and Tramp kissed over, or riding over Agrabah on a flying carpet with Aladdin. Theming is truly what Disney parks do best, and it is especially evident at the Magic Kingdom.
Many attractions
Magic Kingdom has a ton of attractions for all ages. There's roller coasters like Space Mountain, spinning rides like Dumbo, and dark rides like it's a small world. Many rides have a short height requirement or no height requirement at all, making the Magic Kingdom the best Walt Disney World park for toddlers. And the attractions go beyond rides. There's entertaining shows, parades, character meet and greets, bands playing music, and the spectacular nightly fireworks. There is truly something for everybody here.
Cons of Magic Kingdom:
Crowded
Magic Kingdom is the most visited theme park in the entire world. Over 17 million people visited Magic Kingdom in 2022. While this objective statistic may be considered proof for Magic Kingdom being the best, some consider this a downside. So many people visiting means longer lines and limited elbow room. It is common for several rides at Magic Kingdom to have over an hour long wait time. And the more time you're standing in line, the less attractions you actually get to experience. Plus, the crowded walkways can make for an unpleasant experience.
Not as unique as the other 3 WDW parks
While the Magic Kingdom has great theming and the classic Disney feel, it is not as unique as some of the other Disney parks. Magic Kingdom's design is based off of Disneyland. This means the two are similar. They both have a Main Street, a Tomorrowland, a Fantasyland, a Frontierland, and an Adventureland. They both have different iterations of the same rides such as the Jungle Cruise, Pirates of the Caribbean, Haunted Mansion, Space Mountain, and Dumbo, among others. There are also other "castle" parks around the world - Disneyland Paris, Hong Kong Disneyland, Tokyo Disneyland, and Shanghai Disneyland. All of these parks share similarities to the Magic Kingdom. If you are looking for a unique Walt Disney World experience, then Magic Kingdom may not be the park for you.
Lots of kids and kiddie rides
Since the Magic Kingdom has a lot of rides catered towards younger kids, there's going to be a lot of tots at the park. This can be a con to people who don't particularly enjoy being around rambunctious children that like to lick the fence posts and scream and open-mouth cough on everyone in line. Gross. And if you heavily prefer thrill rides over family-friendly rides, then you're out of luck at the Magic Kingdom.
Why Epcot is the best Walt Disney World park
Pros of Epcot:
Unique park
Epcot is one of the most unique Disney parks across the globe. It is one of a kind. Every single other Disney location has a castle park like Magic Kingdom, but none of them have an Epcot. Many Disneyland natives are not won over by Walt Disney World until they visit Epcot and see just how cool it is. What makes Epcot unique is its innovative spirit. This park was built on the ideals of hope for a better, brighter future - one where individual cultures are celebrated and people can still come together to create community. The spirit of Epcot is truly inspiring.
Drinking and eating around the world
When you're a kid, Future World with all the cool rides and play areas is the best part of Epcot. But when you're an adult, the World Showcase is the best part of Epcot. Many guests love to grab a snack and a drink at each pavilion. You'll get to walk off some calories in between each stop. Maybe you'll catch a show or wander through an art gallery. For those that no longer have the energy of a six year old after snorting a pixie stix, a leisurely stroll soaking in culture and delicious treats is an ideal vacation. For some people, the snacks are a highlight of the Disney parks, and Epcot has a lot of highlights.
Festivals
One of the best parts of Epcot are all the festivals. Epcot has several festivals throughout the year, so there is always something special going on at the park. The beginning of the year sees the International Festival of the Arts, where guests can create their own masterpieces. Springtime sees the Flower and Garden Festival and the whole park is beautified with topiaries. The later half of the year is for the fan favorite Food and Wine Festival. And then there's the Festival of the Holidays at the end of the year, which celebrates different holidays from around the world.
Cons of Epcot:
Drunk antics
Some adults like to drink and feel tipsy. Some do not. Let's face it -there's bound to be at least one person making a fool of themselves in a crowd of 10,000 drunk people. Don't get me wrong - Epcot is not nearly on the same level as a frat party, but some people just really do not like seeing adults get drunk in a public place.
IP takeover that classic Epcot fans don't like
One of the biggest criticisms of Epcot over the years by hard-core Epcot stans is the IP takeover in recent years. Opening day Epcot was very original. Nowadays it feels as if Disney is shoving characters from their movies in any little corner they can. Maelstrom turned into Frozen, the Seas turned into Nemo, and Marvel Thanos-snapped the Universe of Energy. Some people feel as if this is ruining the original Epcot. What do you think?
Outdated Future World
Disney has always been ahead of the game when it comes to implementing new technology. But what happens when those futuristic ideas become the fads of yesterday? This is the dilemma of Tomorrowland and, on a bigger scale, Epcot's Future World. Epcot was created as a showcase for advancements in technology. The place had touch screens that guests could use three decades before smartphones were popular. But when every kid in the world has a touch screen in their pocket, Epcot just does not seem interesting anymore.
Why Disney's Hollywood Studios is the best Walt Disney World park
Pros of Hollywood Studios:
Lots of E-ticket attractions
Disney's Hollywood Studios has some of the best rides in all of Walt Disney World. Rise of the Resistance is consistently ranked as one of the best theme park rides. There's also the classic Tower of Terror and the exciting Rock'n'Rollercoaster, among others. All of these thrill rides make Disney's Hollywood Studios the best Walt Disney World park for teens.
Great Entertainment
What better park to be entertained at than Hollywood Studios? There's some fantastic live shows here, like Beauty and the Beast and Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular. The Frozen sing a long show is surprisingly hilarious. Every night, there is at least one showing of Fantasmic at Hollywood Studios. Fantasmic is one o the best nighttime shows at Walt Disney World, and a must-do for every Disney vacation.
Best Park for Star Wars Fans
Disney's Hollywood Studios is the best Disney park for Star Wars Fans. Of course, there's an entire land dedicated to Star Wars - Galaxy's Edge. This land is based off of the sequel trilogy with Rey and Kylo Ren. You'll be able to drink blue milk and take a ride on the Millennium Falcon. Not a sequel fan? You can find original characters like Darth Vader in Star Wars Launch Bay. The park also has the classic Star Tours ride which historically started the relationship between Disney and Star Wars. Every May, Hollywood Studios holds special festivities for Star Wars day.
Cons of Hollywood Studios:
Not the best food
Disney's Hollywood Studios has the attractions, the shows, and the characters. If there's an area it's lacking in, that's food. The restaurants do have unique theming, but the actual food served is nothing special. You'll get typical theme park food here like burgers and school cafeteria pizza. Many guests actually leave the park for lunch or dinner. While there have been some attempts in recents years to amp up the food selection, it's still not nearly on the same level as the other three parks.
Disjointed theming and layout
Originally, Disney's Hollywood Studios was actually themed around a Hollywood studio. Guests could learn all about the behind-the-scenes of movie making. There were special effects shows, a tram tour that took guest through filming sets, and actual Disney animators drawing for actual Disney movies. In fact, Mulan and Lilo & Stitch were made at Hollywood Studios! Also, the Mickey Mouse Club with Britney Spears and Ryan Gosling was shot at the park! Real movie magic was being made here.
As the years went on, the park slowly lost their theme of the behind-the-scenes angle of making movies. Now, the park seems to be themed more along the lines of stepping into the middle of your favorite Disney movies. So, it now has the exact same theme as the Magic Kingdom.
Along with the lack of an individual identity, Hollywood Studios also has a weird layout. Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom both have an efficient spoke and wheel layout. Epcot is a figure-8. Hollywood Studios is...random. Making your way through the park can be confusing and time consuming.
Long wait times for all attractions
All the attractions at Hollywood Studios are top-tier. Naturally, everyone wants to ride all of those attractions. There are so few lower-tier attractions to absorb the crowds, which means everyone is waiting in line for the top-tier attractions. This results in almost every single attraction having a long wait time. It is not uncommon for many of the rides to have over an hour wait time. This is horrible news for people who forget to pack their patient pants.
Why Disney's Animal Kingdom is the best Walt Disney World park
Pros of Animal Kingdom:
The Best Theming
Many agree that Disney's Animal Kingdom has the best theming of all the Walt Disney World parks. Unlike the other three parks, the outside world is truly invisible. At the Magic Kingdom, you can see some resorts and parking lots when in Tomorrowland. And you can see Hollywood Studios from Epcot. But Animal Kingdom solved this problem. As soon as you scan your magic band to enter the park, you are fully immersed in a wild land that is all yours to explore.
Impacts the world outside of Disney
Disney's Animal Kingdom works to make a difference in the world. The park promotes and works with the Disney Conservation Fund. The park has helped to save endangered species like the black rhino and the okapi. The animal care team is constantly researching and discovering new ways to take care of animals. All while doing this, the park teaches the public about how they can live in harmony with nature and protect our home. This park is truly about something bigger than just mouse ears and churros.
Unique park with unique experiences
Disney's Animal Kingdom is a unique theme park. No other Disney park has a Flight of Passage, or a Kilimanjaro Safari, or a Mount Everest. And since the animals can be unpredictable, you'll have a distinct experience every time.
There's also fantastic entertainment not offered anywhere else. The Festival of the Lion King show is the top-rated show not just at DAK, but at all of Walt
Disney World.
Plus, there are some special food options here! Every Disney park has the Dole Whip, but only Animal Kingdom has an alcoholic Dole Whip. The land of Pandora offers other worldly snacks like the cheeseburger pods and the night blossom slushy.
From food to theming to rides, Disney's Animal Kingdom is a unique place.
Cons of Animal Kingdom:
Doesn't feel "Disney" enough
Did you know that Walt always wanted to have live animals in his park? His dream came true with Disney's Animal Kingdom. Walt was also a conservationist, and his values live on at Disney's Animal Kingdom. The park definitely has Walt's touch all over it. Still, many people do not associate Disney with the environment. When you think of Disney, you probably think of princesses and magic wands and castles. And Animal Kingdom does not have much of that.
Less rides than other parks
The main attraction at Animal Kingdom is the animals, but that does not stop guests from wanting more rides. As of now, there are only 7 rides in the park, which is the lowest number of all the Walt Disney World parks. This leads to many guests feeling as if there is not much to do at DAK.
Closes too early
Most guests agree that Pandora is one of the best themed lands in any Disney park anywhere. It especially shines at night. However, many guests miss out on the magic of Pandora at night when the park closes so early! Animal Kingdom used to be open into the night and have special offerings like the sunset safari and a nighttime show. Now, there is no nighttime show and the park closes at 6 or 7pm! This is especially bad news for night owls or park hoppers.
Your Opinion
Which park do you think is the best? Leave your thoughts in the comment section below!
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It's been debated since 1982: which is the best Walt Disney World park? There are four theme parks within Walt Disney World Resort. They are Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Hollywood Studios, and Animal Kingdom. Each park offers its own unique experiences. But which one is the best?
Why Magic Kingdom is the best Walt Disney World park
Pros of the Magic Kingdom:
Classic Disney feel
Magic Kingdom is often considered the best Disney park because it embodies the classic Disney experience that so many people cherish. With its iconic Cinderella Castle, beloved attractions like Space Mountain and Pirates of the Caribbean, and timeless characters roaming around, Magic Kingdom truly feels like stepping into your favorite Disney movies.
Immersive theming
Magic Kingdom has some amazing theming that transports you inside of your favorite Disney movies. You really do feel like you're under the sea with Ariel, or eating the same spaghetti Lady and Tramp kissed over, or riding over Agrabah on a flying carpet with Aladdin. Theming is truly what Disney parks do best, and it is especially evident at the Magic Kingdom.
Many attractions
Magic Kingdom has a ton of attractions for all ages. There's roller coasters like Space Mountain, spinning rides like Dumbo, and dark rides like it's a small world. Many rides have a short height requirement or no height requirement at all, making the Magic Kingdom the best Walt Disney World park for toddlers. And the attractions go beyond rides. There's entertaining shows, parades, character meet and greets, bands playing music, and the spectacular nightly fireworks. There is truly something for everybody here.
Cons of Magic Kingdom:
Crowded
Magic Kingdom is the most visited theme park in the entire world. Over 17 million people visited Magic Kingdom in 2022. While this objective statistic may be considered proof for Magic Kingdom being the best, some consider this a downside. So many people visiting means longer lines and limited elbow room. It is common for several rides at Magic Kingdom to have over an hour long wait time. And the more time you're standing in line, the less attractions you actually get to experience. Plus, the crowded walkways can make for an unpleasant experience.
Not as unique as the other 3 WDW parks
While the Magic Kingdom has great theming and the classic Disney feel, it is not as unique as some of the other Disney parks. Magic Kingdom's design is based off of Disneyland. This means the two are similar. They both have a Main Street, a Tomorrowland, a Fantasyland, a Frontierland, and an Adventureland. They both have different iterations of the same rides such as the Jungle Cruise, Pirates of the Caribbean, Haunted Mansion, Space Mountain, and Dumbo, among others. There are also other "castle" parks around the world - Disneyland Paris, Hong Kong Disneyland, Tokyo Disneyland, and Shanghai Disneyland. All of these parks share similarities to the Magic Kingdom. If you are looking for a unique Walt Disney World experience, then Magic Kingdom may not be the park for you.
Lots of kids and kiddie rides
Since the Magic Kingdom has a lot of rides catered towards younger kids, there's going to be a lot of tots at the park. This can be a con to people who don't particularly enjoy being around rambunctious children that like to lick the fence posts and scream and open-mouth cough on everyone in line. Gross. And if you heavily prefer thrill rides over family-friendly rides, then you're out of luck at the Magic Kingdom.
Why Epcot is the best Walt Disney World park
Pros of Epcot:
Unique park
Epcot is one of the most unique Disney parks across the globe. It is one of a kind. Every single other Disney location has a castle park like Magic Kingdom, but none of them have an Epcot. Many Disneyland natives are not won over by Walt Disney World until they visit Epcot and see just how cool it is. What makes Epcot unique is its innovative spirit. This park was built on the ideals of hope for a better, brighter future - one where individual cultures are celebrated and people can still come together to create community. The spirit of Epcot is truly inspiring.
Drinking and eating around the world
When you're a kid, Future World with all the cool rides and play areas is the best part of Epcot. But when you're an adult, the World Showcase is the best part of Epcot. Many guests love to grab a snack and a drink at each pavilion. You'll get to walk off some calories in between each stop. Maybe you'll catch a show or wander through an art gallery. For those that no longer have the energy of a six year old after snorting a pixie stix, a leisurely stroll soaking in culture and delicious treats is an ideal vacation. For some people, the snacks are a highlight of the Disney parks, and Epcot has a lot of highlights.
Festivals
One of the best parts of Epcot are all the festivals. Epcot has several festivals throughout the year, so there is always something special going on at the park. The beginning of the year sees the International Festival of the Arts, where guests can create their own masterpieces. Springtime sees the Flower and Garden Festival and the whole park is beautified with topiaries. The later half of the year is for the fan favorite Food and Wine Festival. And then there's the Festival of the Holidays at the end of the year, which celebrates different holidays from around the world.
Cons of Epcot:
Drunk antics
Some adults like to drink and feel tipsy. Some do not. Let's face it -there's bound to be at least one person making a fool of themselves in a crowd of 10,000 drunk people. Don't get me wrong - Epcot is not nearly on the same level as a frat party, but some people just really do not like seeing adults get drunk in a public place.
IP takeover that classic Epcot fans don't like
One of the biggest criticisms of Epcot over the years by hard-core Epcot stans is the IP takeover in recent years. Opening day Epcot was very original. Nowadays it feels as if Disney is shoving characters from their movies in any little corner they can. Maelstrom turned into Frozen, the Seas turned into Nemo, and Marvel Thanos-snapped the Universe of Energy. Some people feel as if this is ruining the original Epcot. What do you think?
Outdated Future World
Disney has always been ahead of the game when it comes to implementing new technology. But what happens when those futuristic ideas become the fads of yesterday? This is the dilemma of Tomorrowland and, on a bigger scale, Epcot's Future World. Epcot was created as a showcase for advancements in technology. The place had touch screens that guests could use three decades before smartphones were popular. But when every kid in the world has a touch screen in their pocket, Epcot just does not seem interesting anymore.
Why Disney's Hollywood Studios is the best Walt Disney World park
Pros of Hollywood Studios:
Lots of E-ticket attractions
Disney's Hollywood Studios has some of the best rides in all of Walt Disney World. Rise of the Resistance is consistently ranked as one of the best theme park rides. There's also the classic Tower of Terror and the exciting Rock'n'Rollercoaster, among others. All of these thrill rides make Disney's Hollywood Studios the best Walt Disney World park for teens.
Great Entertainment
What better park to be entertained at than Hollywood Studios? There's some fantastic live shows here, like Beauty and the Beast and Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular. The Frozen sing a long show is surprisingly hilarious. Every night, there is at least one showing of Fantasmic at Hollywood Studios. Fantasmic is one o the best nighttime shows at Walt Disney World, and a must-do for every Disney vacation.
Best Park for Star Wars Fans
Disney's Hollywood Studios is the best Disney park for Star Wars Fans. Of course, there's an entire land dedicated to Star Wars - Galaxy's Edge. This land is based off of the sequel trilogy with Rey and Kylo Ren. You'll be able to drink blue milk and take a ride on the Millennium Falcon. Not a sequel fan? You can find original characters like Darth Vader in Star Wars Launch Bay. The park also has the classic Star Tours ride which historically started the relationship between Disney and Star Wars. Every May, Hollywood Studios holds special festivities for Star Wars day.
Cons of Hollywood Studios:
Not the best food
Disney's Hollywood Studios has the attractions, the shows, and the characters. If there's an area it's lacking in, that's food. The restaurants do have unique theming, but the actual food served is nothing special. You'll get typical theme park food here like burgers and school cafeteria pizza. Many guests actually leave the park for lunch or dinner. While there have been some attempts in recents years to amp up the food selection, it's still not nearly on the same level as the other three parks.
Disjointed theming and layout
Originally, Disney's Hollywood Studios was actually themed around a Hollywood studio. Guests could learn all about the behind-the-scenes of movie making. There were special effects shows, a tram tour that took guest through filming sets, and actual Disney animators drawing for actual Disney movies. In fact, Mulan and Lilo & Stitch were made at Hollywood Studios! Also, the Mickey Mouse Club with Britney Spears and Ryan Gosling was shot at the park! Real movie magic was being made here.
As the years went on, the park slowly lost their theme of the behind-the-scenes angle of making movies. Now, the park seems to be themed more along the lines of stepping into the middle of your favorite Disney movies. So, it now has the exact same theme as the Magic Kingdom.
Along with the lack of an individual identity, Hollywood Studios also has a weird layout. Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom both have an efficient spoke and wheel layout. Epcot is a figure-8. Hollywood Studios is...random. Making your way through the park can be confusing and time consuming.
Long wait times for all attractions
All the attractions at Hollywood Studios are top-tier. Naturally, everyone wants to ride all of those attractions. There are so few lower-tier attractions to absorb the crowds, which means everyone is waiting in line for the top-tier attractions. This results in almost every single attraction having a long wait time. It is not uncommon for many of the rides to have over an hour wait time. This is horrible news for people who forget to pack their patient pants.
Why Disney's Animal Kingdom is the best Walt Disney World park
Pros of Animal Kingdom:
The Best Theming
Many agree that Disney's Animal Kingdom has the best theming of all the Walt Disney World parks. Unlike the other three parks, the outside world is truly invisible. At the Magic Kingdom, you can see some resorts and parking lots when in Tomorrowland. And you can see Hollywood Studios from Epcot. But Animal Kingdom solved this problem. As soon as you scan your magic band to enter the park, you are fully immersed in a wild land that is all yours to explore.
Impacts the world outside of Disney
Disney's Animal Kingdom works to make a difference in the world. The park promotes and works with the Disney Conservation Fund. The park has helped to save endangered species like the black rhino and the okapi. The animal care team is constantly researching and discovering new ways to take care of animals. All while doing this, the park teaches the public about how they can live in harmony with nature and protect our home. This park is truly about something bigger than just mouse ears and churros.
Unique park with unique experiences
Disney's Animal Kingdom is a unique theme park. No other Disney park has a Flight of Passage, or a Kilimanjaro Safari, or a Mount Everest. And since the animals can be unpredictable, you'll have a distinct experience every time.
There's also fantastic entertainment not offered anywhere else. The Festival of the Lion King show is the top-rated show not just at DAK, but at all of Walt
Disney World.
Plus, there are some special food options here! Every Disney park has the Dole Whip, but only Animal Kingdom has an alcoholic Dole Whip. The land of Pandora offers other worldly snacks like the cheeseburger pods and the night blossom slushy.
From food to theming to rides, Disney's Animal Kingdom is a unique place.
Cons of Animal Kingdom:
Doesn't feel "Disney" enough
Did you know that Walt always wanted to have live animals in his park? His dream came true with Disney's Animal Kingdom. Walt was also a conservationist, and his values live on at Disney's Animal Kingdom. The park definitely has Walt's touch all over it. Still, many people do not associate Disney with the environment. When you think of Disney, you probably think of princesses and magic wands and castles. And Animal Kingdom does not have much of that.
Less rides than other parks
The main attraction at Animal Kingdom is the animals, but that does not stop guests from wanting more rides. As of now, there are only 7 rides in the park, which is the lowest number of all the Walt Disney World parks. This leads to many guests feeling as if there is not much to do at DAK.
Closes too early
Most guests agree that Pandora is one of the best themed lands in any Disney park anywhere. It especially shines at night. However, many guests miss out on the magic of Pandora at night when the park closes so early! Animal Kingdom used to be open into the night and have special offerings like the sunset safari and a nighttime show. Now, there is no nighttime show and the park closes at 6 or 7pm! This is especially bad news for night owls or park hoppers.
Your Opinion
Which park do you think is the best? Leave your thoughts in the comment section below!
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