Hi, Angela! Welcome to planDisney.
What a fun time to be planning your Walt Disney World vacation! January is a wonderful month to visit, with typically lighter crowds than the Christmas season and cooler weather that makes exploring the parks less of a sweat-fest. Since you'll be in town from January 14–16, 2026, let's look at how you might want to spend those days:
Magic Kingdom ParkNo visit to Walt Disney World feels complete without stepping onto Main Street, U.S.A. and seeing Cinderella Castle in the distance. Magic Kingdom Park is home to so many classic rides, like Pirates of the Caribbean, Haunted Mansion, and Space Mountain, just to name a few. It's also where you'll find newer favorites like TRON Lightcycle / Run and Tiana's Bayou Adventure. If you only choose one park, this is the must-do.
EPCOTIf you love food, technology, and travel, EPCOT is a perfect choice. You can soar above breathtaking landscapes on Soarin' Around the World, hit some high speed on Test Track, and let it go on Frozen Ever After. You'll be able to eat and drink to your heart's content around World Showcase, and save the galaxy on Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind. EPCOT is currently my favorite park!
Disney’s Hollywood StudiosIf you're a movie lover or thrill seeker, this park is for you! Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge transports you to another world, whilst Toy Story Land invites you to imagine yourself as one of Andy's toys. And you don't want to miss my favorite nighttime spectacular: Fantasmic!
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park
This park combines natural beauty with jaw-dropping attractions. Expedition Everest, Kilimanjaro Safaris, and Avatar Flight of Passage are the standouts here. The lush atmosphere makes it a park where you’ll want to slow down and soak it all in, especially in the cooler January weather.
Since you're visiting for just three days, the Park Hopper option can be your best friend, Angela. You could start your day with Animal Kingdom's early-morning safari, then hop over to EPCOT for a leisurely evening around World Showcase. Or pair Hollywood Studios' thrills in the morning with a nighttime Happily Ever After fireworks spectacular at Magic Kingdom.
With three days, I'd recommend visiting Magic Kingdom for a full-day, then dividing your time between the other three parks using the
Park Hopper. That way, you’ll get a little taste of everything Walt Disney World has to offer. If you would rather skip the Park Hopper and just visit three parks, I would personally leave out Disney's Animal Kingdom.
I hope that's helpful, Angela. Happy planning!
Mike