What is the Difference between the Four Parks at Disney World?

What’s the same?

Before we say what is different, let’s talk about what’s the same! They all have attractions, which consist of rides, shows, and character meet and greets. They also have entertainment, comprised of a combination of parades, fireworks, live shows, and street performers. They all have a variety of dining experiences that should have something to please almost anyone. And finally, they all have shops that provide you with ample opportunities to purchase souvenirs. Oh, yeah! They also all have Disney magic that helps provide a special day!

Magic Kingdom

Magic Kingdom is the oldest park, that was built with Walt Disney’s original ideas. Things have changed through the years, but what remains the same is the feeling of nostalgia. This is where you’ll find attractions that he created for the World’s Fair and then moved to Disneyland. When it was built, Carousel of Progress was eventually moved to Orlando. Some attractions like It’s a Small World were replicated from what he made for the Fair and consequently Disneyland. Along with those nostalgic attractions, you’ll also find newer ones like Tron Lightcycle Run, which opened just a few months ago. Magic Kingdom has something for everyone in the family! Don’t miss those evening fireworks! Talk about magic!

Epcot

The Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow was built next. The original idea Walt had was to build a living, working community for people. While Epcot is a different entity than he dreamed about, it is a place that was built as a forward thinking environment. The original Future World was filled with attractions that taught guests something: history of technology, automobiles, the sea, the land, and the imagination. It was a very different place than the Magic Kingdom! Throughout the years it evolved into what it is today. This park boasts the new Guardians of the Galaxy:Cosmic Rewind attraction! In addition, you can ride Test Track, Soarin and many other rides.

World Showcase hasn’t changed as much as Future World. Here you will find small versions of countries from around the world with cultural attractions, as well as food and merchandise available from those countries. Epcot hosts 4 Festivals throughout the year, which center mostly around these countries and often add even more booths that represent more countries. Want to go when there is a Festival? You’re in luck! There’s almost always a Festival!

Hollywood Studios

Originally designed as a studio lot, Hollywood Studios has definitely evolved through the years! Today, it has lands: Toy Story Land and Galaxy’s Edge, as well as attractions that are not in a land at all, like Rockin Rollercoaster and Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway. Certain areas still have that studio lot feel, like Sunset Blvd, but by and large the theme seems to be more about movies than Hollywood. That doesn’t stop it from being one of my favorite parks!

Animal Kingdom

The fourth park, Animal Kingdom is not a zoo! In fact, the original marketing for the park told us that over and over! There are animals of course, but there is also much more! One of my favorite attractions is Kilimanjaro Safaris because you get to see animals in what looks just like their natural habitat. But there are also rides like Everest and shows like Lion King. It’s hard to say exactly what this park is except to say it is a theme park with animals!

Whichever parks you choose to visit, it is important to remember that the magic comes with some thought and planning. You can’t do everything in one day. Pick some things you are interested in and then see what else there is. You don’t have to blow your budget to have a great time. It just takes a little planning and pixie dust!

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What is Pixie Dust?

First Time Magic When I was Young…and so was Disney World My first visit to Disney World was in 1971. I was not excited to be going to Disney. Why? I did not know that Disney existed, much less that I was going there. 1971 was the year that Walt Disney World opened in Florida and I was 5 years old! Whether my Dad kept it a secret so that it would be the ultimate surprise is unclear to me. What I am sure of is that he took us to the most magical place on earth. Operations were very different than they are now, but the one thing that remains the same is that it is still the most magical place on earth. What is Pixie Dust and how can I Make it Happen on my Trip? Pixie Dust is a magical, unexpected thing that can happen while you are at Disney, but you cannot make it happen. I have heard people recently complain that the magic is gone since the pandemic started. It’s not true. I am sad for these people because they are missing the point. There are two types of...

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Planning for Pixie Dust

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