Which park would you pick?While many people come to Florida for a Walt Disney World vacation, others just want to include Walt Disney World as part of a Florida vacation. They want to taste what the hype is all about, not order the full buffet. Sometimes, one day at Walt Disney World is all that they’re going to get. So how do you decide where to spend that day?
My first piece of advice might shock some people. If you only have one day at Walt Disney World, in most cases I would not recommend getting a Park Hopper ticket. Walt Disney World is huge, and you don’t want to waste valuable time traveling between theme parks. Pick a park, and stick with it.
How do you pick a park? That depends on what you’re looking for during that one day. Each of the four theme parks offers something unique, you just need to decide what is the most important to you.
The obvious choice for many people is the Magic Kingdom. It’s iconic and it’s the heart of the magic. Can you really say that you visited Walt Disney World if you don’t get a picture in front of Cinderella Castle? If you’re traveling with small children or you want to feel as if you’re in a fairytale, you can’t go wrong if you spend your only day at the Magic Kingdom. It also has the most rides, making Disney Genie+ a good idea.
Epcot has its own charm. You can still have somewhat of a fairytale feel and see a lot of princesses if that’s what you want. Epcot has its share of thrills, with a little bit of learning mixed in. You can travel to 11 different countries in one day! If you’ll be visiting during one of the four festivals, Epcot will be even more attractive because of the special foods and entertainment. My daughter recently had a friend in town and they had one theme park day. They picked Epcot because she knew her friend would love the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival.
If you’re a Star Wars fan, Disney’s Hollywood Studios might be the best choice for just one day. Galaxy’s Edge really makes you feel as if you’re part of the story! There’s so much to explore and see on Batuu. That said, if you’re not a huge Star Wars fan there is still plenty of fun at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. A couple of the biggest thrills at Walt Disney World are found at the park. There are also other rides, live shows, and hilarious films. You’ll also find plenty of characters.
For some, Disney’s Animal Kingdom might not be an obvious choice if they only have one day. It should be considered, especially if you’re an animal lover. One thing that I like about Disney’s Animal Kingdom is that you can go at your own pace. If you want to ride Expedition Everest, do it! If you’d rather do something less hair raising, explore one of the trails. Pandora – The World of Avatar is an attraction in its own right, and it’s home to one of the most popular rides at Walt Disney World. Check the hours before you choose Disney’s Animal Kingdom, because it often closes earlier than the other theme parks. If you’re there after dark, take one final walk through Pandora. It’s a different experience after the sun goes down.
If you only have one day at Walt Disney World, read up on the theme parks. The Walt Disney World website can be helpful, because you will see what is where. Decide what is most important to you, and then have a great time! One day at Walt Disney World is better than no days at Walt Disney World.