Are you ready to tackle a thrilling adventure through Walt Disney World’s four iconic theme parks in just one day? Welcome to the exhilarating world of the Four Park Challenge, where the goal is to experience the wonder of Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom—all within 24 hours.
There are several versions of the Four Parks Challenge. But even the most familiar version sets the bar high, requiring participants to ride at least one attraction in each theme park and capture a memorable photo in front of each park’s iconic landmark- Cinderella Castle, Spaceship Earth, the Tower of Terror, and the Tree of Life.
However, for those seeking an even more momentous challenge, you can add to riding attractions and snapping photos the requirement of indulging in a park-specific snack or treat at each location.
So, are you ready to take on the Four Park Challenge and make memories that will last a lifetime?
Planning Your Day
Embarking on the Four Park Challenge requires detailed planning to ensure a seamless and successful journey through Walt Disney World’s theme parks. And since all-day park hopping has returned as of January 9, 2024, and theme park reservations for date-based tickets have been eliminated, the excitement of this challenge has reignited.
Your first strategic consideration is choosing your starting and ending points. Many guests opt to begin their adventure at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, taking advantage of its early opening times and concluding their day with the enchanting spectacle of Disney’s Happily Ever After at Magic Kingdom. Others prefer to kick off their journey at Magic Kingdom, taking advantage of its central location, which allows for an easy transition to the other parks.
Another thing to keep in mind when developing your game plan is to factor in the proximity of certain parks to optimize travel time between them. For example, Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Epcot are conveniently situated near each other, allowing for a brisk walk between the two in less than half an hour. But Animal Kingdom is the most outlying park, requiring you to travel by bus or rideshare.
You also should consider the overall crowd levels and the potential need for additional services such as Genie+ or Individual Lightning Lane passes, especially during busier periods.
Familiarize yourself with park maps and utilize resources like My Disney Experience to strategically plan your route, ensuring minimal backtracking and maximizing your time for rides, snacks, and iconic photo opportunities.
Navigating Transportation
Transportation is pivotal in conquering the Four Park Challenge at Walt Disney World, guaranteeing easy shifts between the resort’s fantastic theme parks.
Buses
Buses serve as the primary mode of transportation, offering direct routes between each theme park. These well-equipped vehicles operate on regular schedules, making them a reliable choice for getting around the resort. You can track their arrival time on The My Disney Experience App.
Monorail
Connecting the Magic Kingdom with Epcot is a perfect and picturesque way to travel between the two. Offering stunning views and swift travel times, the monorail provides a memorable transportation experience while saving valuable time between park hops.
Boats
Boats offer another lovely and leisurely way to travel between certain theme parks, such as Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Epcot via the Friendship Boats. Still, they tend to take a little longer and might reduce your Challenge time.
Skyliner
For a scenic and speedy mode of transportation between Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Epcot during your Four Park Challenge, consider utilizing the Skyliner. This innovative gondola system offers stunning aerial views of the resort while swiftly transporting guests between the two theme parks. Plus, the unique experience of gliding above the picturesque landscape adds an extra layer of excitement to your Disney journey.
Rideshare
Consider using rideshare services like Disney’s Minnie Van for added convenience and flexibility during your Four Park Challenge. These adorable vehicles offer a convenient and quick way to travel between the parks with friendly and knowledgeable drivers at the helm. And the whimsical Minnie Vans add an additional touch of magic to your Disney experience, making every ride a memorable part of your adventure.
Game Plan
As you embark on the Four Park Challenge, it’s essential to have a strategic plan for each of Walt Disney World’s unique theme parks. Here is the game plan that my son and I completed for our Four Park-One-Day Challenge.
Park #1: Disney’s Animal Kingdom
We started at Animal Kingdom since it is the farthest park (and we were staying at Animal Kingdom Lodge). We took advantage of the Early Theme Park entry and entered the park at 7:30 a.m. After stopping for a photo in front of The Tree of Life, we used our Lightening Lane pass to ride Avatar’s Flight of Passage in the incredible and immersive world of Pandora.
As we exited the ride and steered toward the gate, we grabbed a refreshing pineapple lumpia from Pongu Pongu. We waited for a bus to Hollywood Studios just as the crowds were beginning to pour into the park.
Park #2: Disney’s Hollywood Studios
We arrived at Hollywood Studios just after the park opened. We waited a few minutes to get through security and the gates, but nothing too long. There was only one Disney PhotoPass photographer near the Tower of Terror, so we first rode Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith. Even though we did the stand-by line, the posted wait time was 45 minutes, but it only took 30 minutes. Once off the ride, we snapped a picture in front of The Tower of Terror and then enjoyed a delicious Butterfinger Cupcake from Trolley Car Café.
Park #3 EPCOT
Instead of taking the short walk to EPCOT from Hollywood Studios, we jumped on the Skyliner and relished the ride. Since the Skyliner dropped you us at the International Gateway entrance, we walked over to France to grab a decadent Framboise for me and a Chocolate Carmel Tarte for my son at Les Halles Boulangerie-Patisserie. Then we headed toward the front of the park, stopping to ride one of our favorites- Journey Into Imagination With Figment. We snapped a picture under Spaceship Earth before heading to the monorail to travel to the Magic Kingdom.
Park #4 Magic Kingdom
After a quick monorail transfer at the Transportation and Ticket Center, we ended our day and Four Park Challenge at the iconic Magic Kingdom. We posed for our Cinderella Castle picture, ate Mickey pretzels and churros, and rode Space Mountain. We concluded our exhausting but fantastic day stretching out of the famous Hub Grass, eating a chili-cheese hot dog from Casey’s Corner, and singing along to the fabulous Disney’s Happily Ever After Fireworks show.
Final Thoughts
Undertaking the Four Park Challenge at Walt Disney World is an exhilarating endeavor that promises unforgettable adventures and cherished memories. Whether you’re seeking to experience popular attractions, indulge in delicious snacks, or capture memorable photos in front of iconic landmarks, this challenge offers a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in the magic of Disney like never before. So, gather your enthusiasm, pack your sense of adventure, and prepare to tackle a journey filled with excitement, wonder, and endless possibilities at Walt Disney World. Are you ready to take on the challenge and make your Disney dreams come true?
Have you ever visited all four Disney World theme parks in one day?