Walt Disney World isn’t a single theme park, it’s four enormous ones, each with its own personality. For UK families arriving after a long flight, deciding which park to tackle first can feel surprisingly difficult. Get the order right and you’ll ease into the holiday with momentum and minimal meltdowns. Get it wrong and you risk burning out before you’ve found your rhythm.
I’m Matty from DM Airport Transfers, and while I’ll always get you to the airport in comfort, I also love helping families think through their trip. Here’s my honest guide to the four parks and which one makes the best first day.
The Four Parks at a Glance
Each of the four Walt Disney World parks offers something different, so understanding their character helps you plan the perfect order.
Here’s the quick overview:
Magic Kingdom is the classic, iconic Disney park with the famous castle, ideal for younger children and first-timers.
Epcot blends world cultures, food and futuristic attractions, with a more grown-up, leisurely feel.
Hollywood Studios is packed with thrilling rides and immersive lands, hugely popular with older kids and teens.
Animal Kingdom combines incredible animal experiences with stunning theming and some standout attractions.
Magic Kingdom: The Classic First-Day Choice
For most first-time UK families, Magic Kingdom is the perfect place to start. It’s the park everyone pictures when they think of Disney, with Cinderella Castle, the parades and the most beloved classic attractions. Seeing it for the first time, especially with children, is a magical moment that sets the tone for the whole holiday.
It’s also wonderfully suited to younger children, with plenty of gentle rides and character meets. Starting here gives the family that iconic Disney feeling straight away.
Epcot: The Gentle Option
If you’re arriving jet-lagged and want a slightly more relaxed first day, Epcot is a great alternative. There’s a lot of walking, but it’s less frantic than Magic Kingdom, with a strong focus on food, culture and gentle attractions. The World Showcase, where you can wander between countries, is a lovely way to ease in without the pressure of racing between big rides.
Hollywood Studios: Save It for When You’re Settled
Hollywood Studios is home to some of the most popular and high-demand attractions, which means crowds and careful planning. Because it can be intense, it’s often best saved for a day or two into the trip, once everyone has shaken off the jet lag and got to grips with how the parks work. Older children and teens will love it, but it’s not the most relaxing first day.
Animal Kingdom: A Different Pace
Animal Kingdom offers a wonderful change of pace, blending thrilling rides with beautifully themed areas and genuine wildlife experiences. It tends to be a hotter park with lots of walking and shade-seeking, so it’s worth choosing a cooler day if you can. It works well in the middle of a trip as a slightly different, more leisurely experience.
The Ideal Park Order for First-Timers
While every family is different, here’s a sensible running order for a first visit:
Start with Magic Kingdom for that classic Disney magic and a gentle, joyful introduction.
Move to Epcot or Animal Kingdom next, balancing excitement with a calmer pace.
Save Hollywood Studios for when you’re fully settled and ready for the busiest, most thrilling day.
Build a rest day in between parks if your trip is long enough, your feet will thank you.
Don’t Overlook the Journey to the Airport
Planning your park order is the fun part, but the holiday actually begins the moment you leave home. After all the excitement of organising your trip, the last thing you want is a stressful start, battling traffic, hunting for a parking space, and dragging cases across a car park before a nine-hour flight.
A pre-booked transfer takes that worry away entirely. At DM Airport Transfers, we collect you from your door and deliver you straight to the terminal, then collect you again when you land back home, tracking your flight in case of delays.
Why Families Travel With DM Airport Transfers
Here’s what makes us the easy choice:
Fixed, upfront pricing from £60 for a saloon and £90 for an MPV, with no surprises.
Spacious MPVs and minibuses for families, luggage and buggies.
Flight tracking, so we’re always there on time even if your flight is delayed.
24/7 availability for early flights and late returns.
Coverage to all major UK airports, including Manchester, Heathrow, Gatwick, Liverpool John Lennon, Birmingham, Leeds Bradford, East Midlands and Newcastle.
Final Thoughts
There’s no single right answer to which park to visit first, but for most UK families, easing in with Magic Kingdom or Epcot before tackling the busier parks works beautifully. Plan your order around energy levels, jet lag and the ages of your children, and you’ll get the very best from all four parks. And once your park plan is sorted, let us handle the journey there and back so your holiday starts and ends in comfort.
Ready to book your transfer for your Disney adventure? Get in touch today.
WhatsApp: +44 7947 199830
Email: info@dmairporttransfers.co.uk
Website: dmairporttransfers.co.uk
