When planning a trip to Walt Disney World, you have multiple parks to choose from. While most visitors plan to spend at least one day in each of the main theme parks, if you are opting for a shorter trip, you will want to know the difference between them to help plan your time. Today we’re going to look at the four theme parks and two water parks that make up Walt Disney World.
Magic Kingdom
When you think of a trip to Walt Disney World, no doubt the Cinderella Castle springs to mind. As the centerpiece of the Magic Kingdom, seeing the castle is one of the highlights of any trip to Walt Disney World. However, there’s so much more to this park. You enter the park through the iconic Main Street, U.S.A., and from there, you can head off to explore the various lands that make up the park. Adventureland, Frontierland, Liberty Square, Fantasyland, and Tomorrowland all have something to offer visitors of all ages, and there’s a great combination of family-friendly attractions and more thrilling rides here.
Epcot
Epcot was the second park to open in Walt Disney World. It’s split into two areas: Future World and World Showcase. When you enter the park, you’ll see the iconic Spaceship Earth. Future World has most of the park’s major attractions, including Test Track and Soarin’. This area is all about discovery and education, with a focus on the environment, space, and progress in our world. Heading into World Showcase, you’ll find eleven different countries spread around the World Showcase Lagoon. Enjoy learning about the culture of each of these countries while sampling some delicious food and drink that’s unique to each pavilion.
Disney’s Hollywood Studios
Disney’s Hollywood Studios celebrates your favorite Disney and Hollywood movies with a fantastic selection of attractions and shows. The most recent addition to the park is Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, which offers two signature attractions and a huge themed land to explore. Toy Story Land is another popular area with families and celebrates the beloved Pixar movies. This is a great park for the thrill-seekers in your family, who will love riding The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror and Rock’ n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith.
Disney’s Animal Kingdom
The newest of the four Walt Disney World theme parks is Disney’s Animal Kingdom, which opened on Earth Day back in 1998. The park offers a slightly different experience from the other three theme parks, primarily due to it also being home to hundreds of animals. You’ll enjoy heading on a safari at Kilimanjaro Safaris and visiting the smaller creatures at Rafiki’s Planet Watch. The newest addition to this park is Pandora – The World of Avatar. Take a ride on the signature attraction in this land, Flight of Passage, or go for a more leisurely ride on the Na’vi River Journey.
Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon
If you need to cool off during your visit to Walt Disney World, head to one of the two on-site water parks. First up, Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon is home to one of the largest wave pools in the world. The central icon of the park, Mount Mayday, erupts every half an hour to offer incredible waves for swimmers. There are body slides and tube rides for the whole family here, with highlights including Humunga Kowabunga and Crush ‘n’ Gusher.
Disney’s Blizzard Beach
The second water park in Walt Disney World is Disney’s Blizzard Beach. The theme of the water park is that of an abandoned ski resort, and you’ll enjoy green, red, and purple slopes filled with slides. Take the ski lift up to the top of the park, where you can ride Summit Plummet all the way down. This is one of the tallest and fastest free-fall slides in the world. There are plenty of other great attractions to choose from, and smaller children will enjoy playing in Tike’s Peak.
So there you have the six parks that make up Walt Disney World. If you can, I highly recommend planning a day at each of the parks on your next trip. They all have something unique to offer visitors, and you’ll enjoy exploring everything they have to offer on your next vacation.
