World of Disney: What’s Your Fav?

Disney baby Disney.

Disneyworld is filled with exciting things yet can seem a little overwhelming whether for your kids or because of them. For those going for the first time or first time in a long time, here are highlights of each of the parks.

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Fireworks in Magic Kingdom, Image by Brian McGowan

Magic Kingdom

Magic Kingdom is the most essential park inclusive of the most iconic stories and characters, fairytales, and attractions. Here, you’ll see the castle, Mickey strolling around, scenes from childhood favorites, and the rides catered to the youngest of ages.

Epcot

Epcot is an area broken up into sections that celebrate the diverse cultures of the globe. There are sections all over the Earth represented and inclusive to their food, rides, and entertainment in each. More educational and worldly than fantasy or fairy-tale.

Animal Kingdom

Animal Kingdom is an integration of a theme park and a zoo space that has rides specific to animal or adventure encounters. Water rides and adventure rides are found here.

Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon

The water park of Disney is comprised of two water parks that have all of the typical water park slides and activities.

Hollywood Studios

Hollywood Studios showcases Disney’s movies and television including rides in homage to these.

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Universal Studios

Technically not a part of Disneyworld itself, Universal Studios is next door and includes two theme parks and a water park of its own. Notable sensations such as Jurassic Park and Harry Potter World are within Universal, it’s the section catered most to teenager or young adult demos.

Classic castle, who didn’t dream of seeing this after seeing it at the beginning of every Disney movie?

Best Rides

Avatar Flight of Passage in Animal Kingdom

Perhaps the most unique and grand of the rides. Avatar is like a swing that becomes 3D as you zoom through the fantastical world of the blue creatures. James Cameron waited and developed equipment for years to ensure the futuristic detail of Avatar films, maybe it’s translated here. Regardless, it’s sensational. It feels like you’re being whisked away somewhere. You can also hike around the created world of Pandora which is beautiful. I recommend getting a Lightning entry which will ensure you don’t have to wait on a line for ages.

World of Pandora

World of Pandora

It’s A Small World at Magic Kingdom

Who used to rave about this ride post going on repeat as a little tyke? There is a nostalgia and old-school Disney feel about the world little figurines that represent the multitude of countries along this ride. The song will be stuck in your head for days, for years, for life. Your kids will love it or hate it. The lines move fast for this one.

Peter Pan’s Flight in Fantasyland of Magic Kingdom

This is an easy peasy ride, it’s a sweet touch of a beloved classic. It’s a simple ride and enjoyable to the max, rated up there with the ET bicycle ride. There are usually short lines for this one.

Epcot Overall

I put Epcot overall even though it’s one of the places or sections. Regardless of the rides, visiting Epcot is fun to get a gander for the appreciation of the world’s people. Originally, Epcot was an acronym meaning “Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow.” The park was a concept spot to showcase Disney’s ideals of a utopian global society comprised of cultural integrations and exchanges, and a technological future.

The whole area of Epcot is like a large circular venue sectioned into global representations. This means there are buildings from around the world as well as food from these areas, some have educational presentations or films about the regions, and there are rides in the various sections as well.

Frozen Ever After is a cute one, fun for kids, especially those who have loved the films.

The space ride is strangely realistic and I recommend not going on it after consuming food.

Harry Potter + Butter Beer in Universal Studios

Harry Potter at Universal Studios is a pure delight and a highlight. If you reveled in the books, or your kids reveled in the books, rest assured that you’ll be transported.

It’ll feel like Dumbledore is overhead as you walk along…And I’d waited yeaaars to try butter beer and it sure didn’t disappoint. The rides there are detailed while the souvenir stores are reflective of the quaint places of the books. There’s a magic show at the wand store that my nephew even got chosen for which I recommend participating in if you’re with youngins.

Harry Potter is one of those things to me that makes everyone feel like a kid, or ageless.

A cold butter beer

Seeing the goblins in the bank during the ride is hysterical

Topolino’s Terrace at Riveria Resort

The food is legit at Topolino’s Terrace, delicious well-crafted eats. There are suggested wine pairings, excellent service, and delectable desserts. The restaurant is even more fun because in the evening you can see the fireworks display at Epcot from overlooking the terrace. We wanted to see the fireworks, especially for the young ones but none of us wanted to be in the crowds. Being able to appreciate the show safely from the restaurant is special.

Fast and Furious Supercharged in Universal Studios

Oh Vin Diesel, Oh Paul Walker, Oh Tyrese. The whole shebang is a shebang, the music, the glitz of the speedy cars. Being a fan of the franchise, this ride feels like being on the set as much as a car chase ride.

Minion Mayhem in Universal Studios

If you love Gru and crew and especially are toting tots along, this is a fun one. It’s like being a 3D participant in the movie but with scenes unseen previously.

Race Through NYC Starring Jimmy Fallon

Jimmy Fallon zooms you along the streets of Manhattan and it’s zippy and his voice is upbeat as he gives you a show.

Most of the rides at Universal have some lines, but they move quickly.

Main entrance to the Magic Kingdom, I suggest buying Mickey or Minnie ears if you want them ahead of time

Entrance to Universal

Where to Stay? Residence Inn

If you want to stay near Disney but not be entrenched in the hubbub of the resort 24/7, Residence Inn by Marriot is your standard nice hotel right nearby. It has a hearty breakfast buffet, and comfortable spacious suites if you’re traveling with family. It’s refreshing to have a reprieve from the high-end energy of the world of magic if you’re going for consecutive days especially. Residence Inn is 7 miles from the entrance to the kingdoms. It’s a short drive to get to Disneyworld.

* Safety tip

The park has an app you can use to track where you’re going and what rides you intend to go on.

Bottom line

Disneyworld: there’s nowhere like it.

It’s like the movies come to life and are even more dynamic in the whizzing whirring jostling rides all around. The various parks all have their perks, they’re all a bit different, all totally Disney.

If you’re going to Disney for the first time and have only one place to go to with young kids, I recommend Magic Kingdom.

If you’re going to Disney as an older teen or adult and have only one place to go, I recommend Universal Studios.