If you’ve been doing your research, you’ve probably read that it’s impossible to do only one day at Disney World and see everything. Heck, it’s pretty much impossible to see everything in only one of its parks.
Having written that, there are times when you only have a single day to spend at Walt Disney World. I totally get it.
The tougher problem is picking a theme park to spend your day in. Need help narrowing down the best Disney World park for one day? Here’s the scoop on each park, what there is to do and see (and ride!), and how to maximize your time with only one day at Disney World.
One Day at Disney World: Magic Kingdom
Magic Kingdom was named that for a reason. The second you walk through those famous gates, you’re completely immersed in the magic of Disney.
With four separately-themed lands and attractions that fit the look and feel of each, you’ll find yourself humming along to the ambient music and watching shows and parades from rope drop to the Cinderella Castle nighttime show. Magic Kingdom is quintessential Disney in a nutshell.
Why Magic Kingdom will be your best one day at Disney World park : First Time Visitors to Walt Disney World, families with children that love Disney characters, parade and live show lovers. There are plenty of Magic Kingdom character meets and greets, too – including the Disney Princesses.
One Day at Disney World – Tips for visiting Magic Kingdom:
- Hit Magic Kingdom at Rope Drop (park opening). The crowds are at their lowest for the day and you can get a whole lot more done in the first two hours.
- Enjoy your meals at non-peak times like when the restaurants first open or when everyone else has eaten.
- Grab a park guide when you hit the park, look it over, and make a plan. you can also check the My Disney Experience app for current wait times.
- Want to do see as much as you can? Ride the popular rides first thing in the morning (Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, Space Mountain, and Peter Pan’s Flight) while the crowds are low.
- You’re going to give your body and feet a workout (we’ve walked as many as 14 miles in one day!) so wear comfy shoes and keep hydrated.
- If you’re all about shopping, ask the service counter to hold your bags at the Chamber of Commerce in Town Square. They’ll be there at the end of the day so you don’t have to drag them around the park. You can also rent a locker at the front of the park to stash food and extras.
- You won’t be able to “run” for Seven Dwarfs Mine Train Ride at rope drop: Disney castmembers will leisurely walk you to the attraction so there isn’t a stampede.
- All Disney parks allow guests to bring in meals – it’s a great way to save some serious cash.
Another way to save some serious money is by knowing what’s free, but do you know about the SECRET Freebies at Disney World?
One Day at Disney World: Epcot
The “Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow”, Epcot is always a good choice if only spending one day at Walt Disney World.
The acronym was given by Walt himself and is all about beauty, advancements, and of course, highlighting countries all over the world in World Showcase.
Depending on when you visit, you’ll see everything from backwards waterfalls to ornate details.
You can also sample food from around the world in both restaurants and kiosks. If the kids love Frozen, Norway Pavilion will give them their fill with Anna & Elsa meet and greets and the Frozen Ever After Ride.
Why Epcot will be your best one day at Disney World park: Folks that love culture and learning about other countries, foodies, fans of Frozen.
One Day at Disney World – Tips for Visiting Epcot:
- Rope drop is your best friend. Make sure you walk fast to your top attraction first so you’re chance of riding the popular rides (Soarin’, Test track, Guardians of the Galaxy, Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure, and Frozen Ever After) will be better.
- If you didn’t get the chance to make them before higher crowd levels kick in, you’ll have to make a tough decision on what to ride with the lowest wait time, so keep an eye on My Disney Experience app. Also, before the park closes generally offers lower wait times.
- If the kids really want to ride Frozen Ever After, your best bet is to hit the ride first.
- World Showcase opens up after the rest of the park (apart from Frozen Ever After, Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure, and Akershus Dining Hall with its advance dining reservations in Norway Pavilion) so see as much as you can in the front of the park and work your way back to World Showcase. Of course, you are permitted to walk around World Showcase without anything being open, so if you want to check it out with low crowds, that would be the time.
- All Disney parks allow guests to bring in meals – it’s a great way to save some serious cash.
- If you’re all about shopping, ask the service counter to hold your bags at The Gift Stop in Future World or World Traveler in World Showcase.
- They’ll be there at the end of the day so you don’t have to drag them around the park. You can also rent a locker at the front of the park to stash food and extras.
One Day at Disney World: Disney’s Hollywood Studios
Disney’s Hollywood Studios (DHS) is a tribute to all things cinematic. At DHS you’ll find the cinematic salute everywhere – from the live shoes to the attractions and restaurants. In the process of a major overhaul, the park will have additional spots to get your fill.
With the resurgence of Star Wars, there’s plenty of places to check out including Launch Bay where you can meet Kylo Ren and Chewbacca.
Also, keep in mind that Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge has been opened for a couple of years and is a huge offering for SW fans.
Don’t fret if you’re not a massive fan, there are plenty of character meets and greets, indoor shows for preschoolers and younger children, and a must-see salute to Mr. Walt Disney himself.
Hollywood Studios is the Best Best Disney World park for one day For: younger children that love Disney Junior, Star Wars fans, fans of Disney movies
One Day at Disney World – Tips for Visiting Disney’s Hollywood Studios
- Hit the park at rope drop. You’ll accomplish the most during the first two hours of park opening..
- Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance is THE ride to hit in DHS. Depending on crowd levels on your visit day you may either have to grab a priority pass ahead of time and wait in a virtual standby queue or wait in the actual standby queue.
- There are plenty of restaurants, from counter service to sit-down style, to choose from. If you don’t want to wait in line, make sure to queue up at non-peak dining times: at restaurant opening or after the rush.
- If you’re all about shopping, ask the service counter to hold your bags at Oscar’s Super Service on Hollywood Boulevard.
- They’ll be there at the end of the day so you don’t have to drag them around the park. You can also rent a locker at the front of the park to stash food and extras.
One Day at Disney World: Disney’s Animal Kingdom
Disney’s Animal Kingdom (AK) is all about animals. Animal conservation, animal-themed rides and attractions, and the countries where you can find exotic animals.
Think of it as a glorified zoo but on steroids. Just like the other three WDW theme parks, you’ll find themed areas (at AK it’s based on countries including Africa & Asia). Each of the areas is filled with beauty and attention to detail.
There’s rides and attractions for everyone’s taste and the park, while massive, is doable in a day.
Animal Kingdom is the Best Disney World park for one day for: Families with young kids, zoo lovers, folks that like to turn in early, Pandora fans
One Day at Disney World -Tips for Visiting Disney’s Animal Kingdom:
- There’s plenty of restaurants, from counter service to sit-down style, to choose from. If you don’t want to wait in line, make sure to queue up at non-peak dining times: at restaurant opening or after the rush.
- If you’re all about shopping, ask the service counter to hold your bags at Garden Gate Gifts near the park’s main entrance.
- They’ll be there at the end of the day so you don’t have to drag them around the park. You can also rent a locker at the front of the park to stash food and extras.
- Right now, Avatar – Flight of Passage, Expedition Everest and Kilimanjaro Safaris are the lead attractions to visit. If given the choice of all three, choose Flight of Passage at rope drop.
- The animals are most active in the morning and after dark (many are nocturnal). If you want to see them not asleep, jump on Kilimanjaro Safaris when the sun goes down.
- There are no parades at AK but there are plenty of live shows like The Lion King in Africa. Take advantage of the indoor ones when it gets super hot mid-afternoon.
- If you don’t want to wait in a queue to see characters, keep your eyes on the river – flotillas with Mickey, Minnie, Pluto, Chip, Dale, and others frequently show up.
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