Which Disney World was the original?

Although Magic Kingdom was the first park completed, until he died, Walt Disney had been focused on what eventually became the second park, EPCOT.



The term "Disney World" refers to the entire Florida resort complex, but the original theme park at the resort was the Magic Kingdom, which opened on October 1, 1971. It is often confused with Disneyland, which is the original Disney park globally, located in Anaheim, California, and opened in 1955. The Magic Kingdom was the centerpiece of "The Florida Project," Walt Disney’s ambitious plan to create a vacation kingdom with more space than his California park. When it opened in 1971, it featured many attractions similar to Disneyland but built on a much larger scale, including the iconic Cinderella Castle, which stands significantly taller than Sleeping Beauty Castle in California. The rest of the "World" followed later: EPCOT opened in 1982, Disney-MGM Studios (now Hollywood Studios) in 1989, and Animal Kingdom in 1998. In 2026, the Magic Kingdom remains the most-visited theme park in the world, serving as the sentimental and logistical heart of the Walt Disney World Resort and the definitive "original" of the Florida parks.

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Disneyland® Resort in Anaheim, California, is the original of the Disneyland® Resorts. It is one of the oldest and largest theme parks in the world, having been built in 1955.

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Disneyland in Anaheim, California was the very first of Disney's theme parks. It opened on July 17, 1955. Walt Disney World near Orlando, Florida (consisting of just the Magic Kingdom and two resorts at the time) opened on October 1, 1971.

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For a longer trip complete with luxury accommodation and visits to multiple parks, Walt Disney World in Orlando might be your best bet. If you live on or near the West Coast and you're looking for a short getaway teeming with nostalgia, Disneyland is the way to go.

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Disney World tends to be cheaper overall for stays of one night or more, largely due to Florida's lower hotel prices. But for some expenses, like tickets and food, Disneyland is cheaper. Click to access available viewer actions.

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A: The three best Disney World parks are: #1 – Magic Kingdom, #2 – EPCOT, #3 – Animal Kingdom.

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Disneyland is smaller, features fewer theme parks and hotels and costs less than Walt Disney World. Walt Disney World is a sprawling complex that encompasses four theme parks, more than two dozen hotels and other attractions to boot.

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With space in California limited by the surrounding city, Disney bought a much larger parcel of land in Florida in 1965. Ringing in at a total of 43 square miles — or 27,520 acres — Walt Disney World is substantially larger than its older sibling. The park also has grown and it now covers 47 square miles.

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What is the biggest Disney park in the world? The biggest and best Disney theme park is the Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida.

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“Later, when asked what attracted him to Orlando, [Disney] would say: 'The way the roads crossed,'” Foglesong writes. Orlando also had the advantage of room—acres and acres of otherwise overlooked, alligator-infested swampland. St. Louis never stood a chance.

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There are some similarities between Disneyland tickets and Disney World tickets. At both resorts, theme park ticket prices vary based on park and date, but Disneyland's are almost always slightly cheaper. The average price for a one-day Disneyland ticket for entry between April and August 2023 is $154.

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By 1952 he had formed WED Enterprises, a corporate entity created to plan and build the amusement park on studio grounds. Eventually, he chose a plot of land in rural Anaheim, close to Los Angeles, for the park instead, largely as a result of the hostility of Burbank city officials toward the studio project.

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If you're more interested in large rides like roller coasters, Universal is going to be your best bet. The same is true if you're a big fan of Harry Potter. If you don't mind some of the more family-friendly rides or you have little ones to bring along, Disney may be a better option.

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Both resorts offer multiple choices for character dining. Service is returning to normal with characters being able to visit with you and hug you! Disney World is generally more crowded than Disneyland, although Disneyland can get crowded, too, at times.

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One of the most significant features to look forward to when visiting Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida, is the various attractions. In terms of which Disney World park has the most rides, Magic Kingdom beats all other parks by far.

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You should visit Disney's Magic Kingdom on the first day of your vacation. Why? Because this is everyone's traditional idea of what Disney World is all about. It's true that if you visit Magic Kingdom first it will help get you right into that Disney fun frame of mind.

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The most fascinating and the best Disneyland in the world is in Florida, USA. It is also one of the largest and was built in 1971. It is known as Walt Disney World and has some of the best and latest Disney attractions. Disney World is spread over an area of 47 sq-miles and is home to four theme parks inside it.

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