Theme Parks in Disney World Ranked

Disney World comprises four theme parks, whether you must choose one or two to visit or wonder which is the best.

This article ranks the four Disney World theme parks from best to worst (well, not worst exactly, more like not as great as the first spot).

I will rank the four Disney theme parks mostly based on my research and, to some extent, personal opinion after visiting them. I’ll also list some popular attractions at each park and explain the reasons behind the ranking.

Best Disney World Theme Parks

Here are the four Disney theme parks ranked:

1. Magic Kingdom

At number 1, it has to be Magic Kingdom. Period.

The first theme park at Disney World Orlando is hands-down the best, whether you consider rides, ambiance, attendance, or dining. It’s the most visited theme park in the world.

It has the iconic Cinderella Castle at its center, which has become a Disney World symbol. The park also offers the most rides of all four parks.

But what makes Magic Kingdom the best, not just at Disney World but perhaps of all Disney parks worldwide, is that it has something for everyone.

You may think with all those Character meets and greets and cartoon-based rides, it’s probably a park suited for kids, but it also has a lot to offer for teenagers and adults.

While it has many classic Disney attractions, it also gets newer experiences to excite people.

That’s why it’s a big park that’s hard to cover in just one day. I recommend full two days for Magic Kingdom if you want to explore it fully.

Magic Kingdom hosts many special ticketed events, especially around holidays like Halloween and Christmas.

It also has the Festival of Fantasy Parade twice daily. Here are the most popular attractions at Magic Kingdom:

• Space Mountain
• Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
• Haunted Mansion
• Peter Pan’s Flight
• Enchanted Tiki Room
• Jungle Cruise

2. Epcot

At number 2, Epcot easily takes the runner-up title as the best theme park at Disney World.

This park has grown in popularity over the years and was quite underrated. But now, with more and more new things coming to the park, it’s quickly climbing the ranks.

Of the four Disney World parks, it was the third most visited after Magic Kingdom and Hollywood Studios, with over 7 million in attendance in 2021.

Epcot, short for Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow, is a result of Walt Disney’s imagination.

It mixes technology and culture with four neighborhoods: World Showcase, World Celebration, World Nature, and World Discovery.

World Showcase is my personal favorite, with pavilions from different countries.

Epcot also has some of the best restaurants at Disney World. Another reason why Epcot deserves the second spot is because it hosts many festivals like the Festival of the Arts and Food and Wine Festival.

The only downside of Epcot is that it’s better suited for teenagers and adults. With height restrictions on many rides, children might not be thrilled when visiting this theme park.

Here are the most popular attractions at Epcot:

• Saorin’ Around the World
• Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind
• Frozen Ever After

3. Hollywood Studios

At number 3, you have the Hollywood Studios, the second most visited of the four Disney World theme parks.

Hollywood Studios is another theme park good for the whole family. It’s based on film, music, and theater, so visitors love pop culture-themed attractions.

The addition of Toy Story Land and Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge have made this park even more popular, so you’ll find crowds similar to that in Magic Kingdom, especially during busier seasons.

Like Epcot, many of the attractions at Hollywood Studios are not for kids as they have height restrictions. And, like Magic Kingdom, it’s hard to cover in just one day.

Here are the most popular attractions at Hollywood Studios:

• Millenium Falcon: Smugglers Run
• Toy Story Mania
• Tower of Terror
• Rock n Roller Coaster
• Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway

4. Animal Kingdom

At number 4, it’s the Animal Kingdom: a great park in its own right but not as exciting as the others.

Animal Kingdom is the largest park at Disney World, and it’s all about wildlife. It also has some of the most sought-after rides at Disney World, including Kali River Rapids.

However, the park has gotten dated, and there haven’t been any new additions in a long time.

It’s a beautiful park for those who love animals and nature. Kids will particularly enjoy seeing many species. However, that’s something you can also find at a zoo.

Animal Kingdom does offer great dining with its quick-service and table-service restaurants.

Another reason why I ranked Animal Kingdom fourth is that most of it are open and unshaded. It’s not the best park to visit in Florida’s sweltering heat or when it’s raining.

That said, here are the most popular attractions at Animal Kingdom that are a must-visit:

• Kali River Rapids
• Avatar Flight of Passage
• Na’vi River Journey
• Dinosaur
• Expedition Everest

Disney World Theme Parks Ranked for Dining

Dining is an important part of any theme park visit. In Disney World, you can grab a quick cheeseburger with fries and dine in a fancy restaurant with heavenly food.

Character dining at some Disney World restaurants is incredibly popular with kids.

In terms of dining, here are the four Disney World theme parks ranked and the best restaurant at each of them:

1. Epcot (Space 220)
2. Animal Kingdom (Nomad Lounge)
3. Magic Kingdom (Be Our Guest)
4. Hollywood Studios (Hollywood Brown Derby)

Disney World Theme Parks Ranked for Kids

If you’re visiting Disney World with kids, you’d want to visit the most kid-friendly park. Here’s my ranking of the best Disney World theme parks for kids:

1. Magic Kingdom
2. Animal Kingdom
3. Hollywood Studios
4. Epcot

Kids love Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom; they are their top-ranking parks. Hollywood Studios is also fun for kids, but there aren’t as many attractions for them as in the two Kingdoms.

Finally, as mentioned earlier, Epcot’s attractions are better suited for adults.

Conclusion

So there you go; the top-ranking Disney World theme park is Magic Kingdom, simply because of its attractions and popularity.

Epcot follows it for its diverse attractions and dining, Hollywood Studios for its fun rides, and Animal Kingdom for its awesome zoological displays and rides.

Magic Kingdom is often considered the best Disney theme park of all Disney parks, and there are over a dozen worldwide.