Disney World Parks To Skip if You’re Short on Time

There’s so much to do at Disney World theme parks in Florida. You could easily spend days or a week at Disney World and still would only be able to see some of it.

So should you skip a park or two if you’re short on time? And what parks should you skip?

On a brief trip, the most common question is: which Disney World Parks to skip if you’re short on time? This article will help you decide which Disney World park to visit and which to avoid under different circumstances and why.

How Many Parks Are There in Disney World?

Disney World has four main theme parks. If you plan to stay for a short trip, you will miss some Disney World parks. Other factors, such as the weather or preferences, influence the types of parks you want to skip. Let’s discuss the list of Disney World parks before moving on.

Four Disney World Theme Parks

There are four major theme parks at Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida:

1. Animal Kingdom

This park is the perfect spot for animal enthusiasts to come together, and it’s a favorite among kids! Additionally, two of the most well-known creations based on “The Lion King” and “Finding Nemo” animated movies can be found here.

2. EPCOT

It’s a fun theme park that combines world cultures’ past, present, and future. At EPCOT, there are many things to do, but most are not rides but experiences.

3. Hollywood Studios

This park features numerous thrill coasters with strong adult appeal. Many of them are based on Disney films.

4. Magic Kingdom

This is the original Disneyland-inspired theme park at Disney World. A wide variety of activities in this area will interest children and adults.

Two Disney World Water Parks

There are two water parks in Disney World Florida: Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach. Both remain open throughout the summer, fall, and through spring. However, one way or the other, it may be closed for renovations from time to time. Of course, these parks provide plenty of water fun if you’re into water rides and activities.

Disney World Parks To Skip if You Are Short on Time

In a perfect world, you could visit all Disney parks and get on all the rides. However, not everyone has the time to explore everything. So you may have to skip some parks, especially if you’re going for a short trip (one to three days). However, there’s no one answer to what parks to skip at Disney World if you’re short on time. It may depend on your circumstances.

So here are some guidelines to help you choose the parks to skip on your Disney World trip for different scenarios:

If You’re Going During Summers

Summer can be incredibly hot in Orlando. It is best to avoid Magic Kingdom during summer because the park offers little to no shade. After all, it is largely in the open. You will be scurrying for whatever shade you can find on a summer day in Florida filled with heat and humidity.

You can always escape the heat at EPCOT or Hollywood Studios by visiting indoor attractions. Given that trees shade the bulk of the park, Animal Kingdom may be the best theme park to visit during a heat wave.

If the Weather Is Bad

You should avoid going to the water parks if the weather is bad. If you’re in Disney World during the rainy season and are worried about running out of time, go ahead and forgo the water parks. The rainy season typically runs from May 15 to October 15 in Orlando and surrounding areas.

The water parks normally close when it’s bad weather. There is much to do at the four major parks, so if you have a short time, avoid swimming in the rain. 

Additionally, due to the absence of enclosed areas, Animal Kingdom can also be skipped during rain.

If It’s Your First Time

You should consider skipping Animal Kingdom. Although the park boasts amazing experiences like Pandora’s Flight of Passage and Expedition Everest, Animal Kingdom offers the fewest attractions.

Try Test Track at Epcot, Tower of Terror, Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, or Spaceship Earth in Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Since Magic Kingdom was created in the likeness of Walt’s initial concept, the Disney park is a must-visit for first-timers.

Therefore, a first-time visitor should skip Animal Kingdom. Put it on your list of things to do when you return to Disney, but give the more well-known parks and activities priority.

If You’re Visiting With Kids

If your vacation to Disney World is brief and you are bringing the kids along for the experience, you might consider skipping EPCOT. It unquestionably serves as more of an adult playground.

Many rides have a height requirement of 40″ or higher; even if a child meets this requirement, some may be too intense for them. Additionally, the World Showcase is targeted at an older audience, which makes up half of EPCOT.

If You Want To Avoid Crowds

You might want to avoid the popular parks and the associated crowds if your Disney vacation is brief or planned for a busy period, such as a weekend or holiday. You should avoid Magic Kingdom since it is the park with the most visitors and has the busiest weekends.

Visit Animal Kingdom and EPCOT instead. Although there are consistently fewer visitors and shorter wait times at both of these parks, the crowds that visit are frequently dispersed more evenly due to their size.

Summary

The Magic Kingdom amusement park is a timeless masterpiece with age-appropriate vintage rides. EPCOT provides thrilling rides and offers dining, shopping, and drinking, followed by a water and fireworks display.

Animal Kingdom offers a new, interactive zoo experience along with thrills. Lastly, Hollywood Studios mixes well-known attractions with brand-new rides and the latest technology and inventiveness available to Disney Imagineers.

Unfortunately, it takes a lot of time to experience Disney World. So you may want to skip a park or two if you’re visiting for a shorter time.

The parks you should skip depend on your visiting time and your preferences. In the end, if you’re still undecided about which Disney World parks to skip, consider extending your stay to take advantage of all the parks have to offer.