Hey there, Matt! It sounds like you are gearing up for a grand whirlwind adventure! I'm so glad you stopped by planDisney with this question. With four amazing theme parks, I have Ursula in my head saying, "Life's full of tough choices, innit?" Luckily, it a choice among all phenomenal options!
For a one-day trip to a
Walt Disney World Resort theme park with a teen and tween, I would consider
Magic Kingdom Park and
Disney's Hollywood Studios. I'll tell you why I would pick either, hoping this information is helpful as you consider your family's interests.
Let's start with the Magic Kingdom. This park is the quintessential Disney. If you dream of a Walt Disney World vacation, views of Cinderella Castle take center stage. It is home to classic attractions like Haunted Mansion, Pirates of the Caribbean, Jungle Cruise and "it's a small world." With experiences like the Carousel of Progress, Hall of Presidents and the Enchanted Tiki Room, you can sit and cool off while seeing Walt's ideas come to life. For thrill-seekers, this park has Space Mountain to go hurling through the dark, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad for the wildest ride in the wilderness, and Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, where a million diamonds shine. It is also home to two of Walt Disney World's newest attractions: TRON Lifecycle / Run and Tiana's Bayou Adventure. With Mickey's PhilharMagic, Under the Sea - Journey of The Little Mermaid and Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin, you can immerse in some of your favorite Disney movies. And there is Happily Ever After. Any day that ends with fireworks over Cinderella Castle will be magical.
One tip for a day in the Magic Kingdom, head to the back of the park first. Main Street, U.S.A. is captivating, but you may find you can save time in lines by going against traffic flow.
I'll admit my bias: it will always be Magic Kingdom for me. My kids, who are similar in age to yours, would choose Hollywood Studios. There are so many good reasons why, starting with
Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge. The first time I went on Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run, I thought all my Star Wars dreams had come true. Flying the Falcon? Yes, please and thank you. And then I went on Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance. It is an experience unlike any other. It makes you feel like you are on an epic journey for the Rebellion and living the movie.
In addition to the galaxy far, far away, Hollywood Studios brings experiences a little closer to home, too. Slinky Dog Dash is one of my son's favorite coasters with its two moments of blasting off and speedy hills. There is also The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror - if you dare. And for us, no trip is complete without enjoying the show Muppet*Vision 3D. I love Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin at Magic Kingdom, but Toy Story Mania! ups the gaming with 3D glasses and some fast-paced shooting. On the first game screen (after the practice round), look for the hen house at the bottom of the screen. When the fox comes out, shoot it to release some chickens worth a lot of points.
One of the hidden gems here is Head to Backlot Express for lunch. This quick-serve has beverage stations so you can enjoy your meal and refill your soda. If the day's heat takes a toll, this is my favorite place for a quick recharge.
If you have any questions about my advice,
come back and ask me. We are all happy to help you with information and ideas to make the most of your Disney vacation.
Reach for the Sky!
Jana