Some Disney World theme parks feel like a race from attraction to attraction, but others encourage you to slow down.

Disney World and the word “relaxing” don’t exactly seem like natural companions. Between the crowds, the 20,000-plus steps of walking, the Florida heat and the never-ending list of things to see, a park day gets exhausting fast. But after enough visits, I’ve learned that some parks make it much easier to slow down than others.

This ranking isn’t about which park has the smallest crowds, but rather which of the four encourages you to take your time, enjoy the surroundings, and have a full day without feeling like you’re constantly rushing.

1. Animal Kingdom

Disney’s Animal Kingdom is easily the most relaxing Disney World park. Yes, it has some major (and thrilling) attractions, including Expedition Everest and Avatar Flight of Passage, but so much of the park encourages you to slow down and look around. 

Photo by Danny Shuster

You can spend time watching animals, wandering the Discovery Island Trails, exploring the Gorilla Falls Exploration Trail or Maharajah Jungle Trek, or simply taking in the incredible scenery. Thanks to the numerous animal encounters, trails, and even sit-down-and-relax shows throughout the park, it’s easy to find ways to take your time here.

And that’s what makes Animal Kingdom feel different. You don’t have to be constantly focused on checking attractions off your list. Kilimanjaro Safaris is literally designed around observing animals, while shows like Festival of the Lion King and Finding Nemo: The Big Blue… and Beyond! give you a chance to sit and enjoy yourself. Even the entrance’s Oasis Exhibits encourage guests to wander through lush paths, waterfalls, and animal habitats as it sets the mood for the rest of the park.

2. EPCOT

EPCOT comes in a close second because it’s one of the easiest parks to explore without a rigid agenda. World Showcase gives you plenty of reasons to wander, whether you’re browsing shops, stopping for food, watching entertainment, or simply exploring the individual pavilions.

Photo by Laurie Sapp

There are certainly plenty of attractions here that can come with long waits (and Lightning Lane requirements), but EPCOT offers plenty of alternatives. You can ride Living with the Land, watch a show, hang out around Communicore Plaza, or spend time wandering World Showcase. The park gives you permission to make the day about more than rides, especially when a festival is taking place. And that makes a huge difference when you’re trying not to feel like you’re racing the clock.

3. Magic Kingdom

Magic Kingdom is not what I’d call a relaxing park overall. It’s busy, energetic, and filled with people moving in every direction. But it has some excellent places to escape that feeling if you know where to look.

Photo by Judd Helms

The Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover is one of my favorite examples. It’s a chance to sit down and see Tomorrowland from a completely different perspective without having to accomplish anything. Attractions such as Country Bear Musical Jamboree can serve the same purpose. The trick at Magic Kingdom is recognizing that you don’t have to spend the entire day following the crowd or chasing the most in-demand rides.

4. Hollywood Studios

Disney’s Hollywood Studios lands at the bottom of my list, not because I don’t enjoy it, but because it has a distinctly more rushed feeling. It’s by no means a relaxing park; instead, I always feel like I’m trying to get somewhere.

Photo Courtesy of Disney

Here, the combination of popular attractions, a relatively compact layout, and heavily trafficked areas make the park feel more chaotic than the others. And right now, that feeling is amplified by all the changes happening around the park. Monstropolis is currently under construction, blocking off a solid portion of Hollywood Studios, and the park also introduced reimagined experiences like The Magic of Disney Animation. All of the changes create a more congested feel.

Then there’s the Florida heat, which can make an already busy park feel even more exhausting. Hollywood Studios is naturally quite a hot park with limited shade. While there are plenty of places to sit and indoor attractions to enjoy, I find that it takes more effort to create a leisurely day here. If I’m looking for a Disney World park where I can slow down and breathe, this is the last one I’d choose.