The focal point and, by far, the most popular, if not the most charming, of Walt Disney World's four parks, the Magic Kingdom is the east coast version of Walt Disney's prototype, Disneyland. It uses a "hub and spoke" layout to connect the iconic Cinderella's Castle at its center with the themed lands: Fantasyland, Tomorrowland, Mickey's Toontown Fair, Adventureland, Fronteirland, Liberty Square and Main Street, U.S.A. By focusing on Disney's powerful and emotionally charged catalogue of characters, films and timeless stories and merging them with immersive attraction technologies, the Magic Kingdom exerts a magnetic pull on children and the child in all of us. It is the quintessential theme park experience.

Originally envisioned by Walt Disney as an actual "Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow" with real residents living and working in a Disneyfied utopia, his successors instead developed a world's fair-like park. Future World focuses on emerging technologies while World Showcase features pavilions devoted to a rainbow of nations. Originally the park took itself far too seriously and even banned Mickey and his pals. Now, the tone is lighter and attractions like Test Track have even given Epcot a bit of an edge

The smallest of the four Walt Disney World parks, Disney's Hollywood Studios is a bustling paean to the Hollywood of your dreams. Its streets are burnished, and its art deco motif sets the stage for some great movie-themed attractions. With the addition of the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror and the Rock 'n' Roller Coaster, the park is now home to WDW's most thrill-packed rides.

At first glance, Disney's Animal Kingdom might seem to come up short in comparison to its sister Walt Disney World parks. Instead of the Magic Kingdom's few dozen rides, this park has only a handful. Instead of Disney-MGM Studios' and Epcot's spectacular nighttime shows, AK isn't even open after dark. What it lacks in traditional park amenities however, AK makes up for with its elaborate themeing, its inviting aura, and its focus on animals. Less frantic than the Magic Kingdom, AK immerses you in its lush, tropical lands and sets the stage for some leisurely hang time with its vast menagerie. Not quite a zoo, not quite a theme park, Disney takes a dash of both, mixes it with pixie dust and creates a unique and engaging hybrid species.