UPDATED SEPTEMBER 2026
A question I see asked all the time is if you should visit Hollywood Studios or EPCOT. It’s really a loaded question. You should visit both but sometimes there’s just not enough time.
If you only have enough time for one more Walt Disney World park, should you choose EPCOT or Hollywood Studios? I’ve spent plenty of time in both parks with my daughter, and the answer really depends on what you want out of your day. Hollywood Studios has the edge for major attractions and Star Wars, while EPCOT offers more variety in food, festivals, exploration, and World Showcase. Here’s how I’d compare them.
EPCOT vs. Hollywood Studios: Quick Answer
Choose Hollywood Studios if you care most about:
- Star Wars
- Major attractions
- Thrill rides
- Toy Story
- Family entertainment
- An attraction-focused day
Choose EPCOT if you care most about:
- Food
- World Showcase
- Festivals
- Drinking/snacking around the park
- Exploring
- A slower-paced day
- Variety
For me: EPCOT.
| If you care most about… | Consider |
| Thrill Rides | Hollywood Studios |
| Star Wars | Hollywood Studios |
| Food | EPCOT |
| Festivals | EPCOT |
| Immersive Theming | Hollywood Studios |
| Younger Kids | Depends (Read on) |
| Teens | Depends (Read on) |
| Adults | Depends (Read on) |
| A slower paced day | EPCOT |
| Culture | EPCOT |
| Maximizing Attractions | Hollywood Studios |
| Shopping/Exploring | EPCOT |
Hollywood Studios Background
Hollywood Studios was the third theme park to open at Walt Disney World on May 1, 1989. Back then, it was called Disney’s MGM Studios. Also, back then it was a production studio. Movies and shows would be filmed there. However, those days are long gone at Hollywood Studios. Today it is best known for its thrill rides and Star Wars. While you will still find elements of the old days. Hollywood Studios is changing around us.
Hollywood Studios Attractions
If you’re trying to decide between Hollywood Studios and EPCOT, the attractions are probably going to be one of the biggest factors in your decision.
Hollywood Studios doesn’t have the sheer number of attractions that some of the other Disney World parks have, but it packs a lot into a relatively small park. You have Star Wars, Toy Story, thrill rides, family rides, classic Disney characters and several live shows all competing for your attention.
Here are the attractions that I think are most important to consider when deciding whether Hollywood Studios is the right park for your trip.
Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance
If you’re a Star Wars fan, this one is pretty easy to explain: you are stepping into a Star Wars movie.
Rise of the Resistance isn’t simply a ride where you sit in a vehicle and watch a screen. You become part of the Resistance, board a transport, get captured by the First Order and find yourself trying to escape.
There are multiple parts to the experience, including walk-through sections, Audio-Animatronics, large-scale sets and a trackless ride system.
It is also one of Hollywood Studios’ more intense attractions. Disney lists a 40-inch height requirement and describes the attraction as dark and loud with small drops.
What you should know:
- Type: Immersive dark ride / trackless attraction
- Thrill level: Moderate
- Height requirement: 40 inches
- Good for: Star Wars fans, older kids, teens and adults
- Not ideal for: Anyone who dislikes dark, loud or intense attractions
Why you might care: If Star Wars is a major reason you’re visiting Disney World, this attraction alone can make Hollywood Studios a very different proposition from EPCOT.
Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run
Ever wanted to fly the Millennium Falcon?
This is your chance.
Smugglers Run puts you inside the cockpit of the Millennium Falcon and gives everyone in your group a job. Depending on your position, you could be the pilot, gunner or engineer while the ship heads out on a smuggling mission.
It’s a simulator rather than a traditional ride, so your experience can depend on how well your crew does its job.
Disney currently lists a 38-inch height requirement and describes it as dark, loud and featuring small drops.
What you should know:
- Type: Flight simulator
- Thrill level: Moderate
- Height requirement: 38 inches
- Good for: Star Wars fans, families with older kids, teens and adults
- Not ideal for: Anyone prone to motion sickness
Why you might care: Rise of the Resistance puts you inside a Star Wars story. Smugglers Run lets you actually fly the Millennium Falcon. If you’re a Star Wars fan, those are two very different experiences.
Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway
This is one of the easiest Hollywood Studios attractions to recommend to almost anyone because there isn’t a height requirement.
You climb aboard a train with Mickey and Minnie and quickly find yourself in the middle of a chaotic cartoon adventure involving Goofy, unexpected turns and plenty of classic Disney-style silliness.
It’s a trackless attraction with colorful sets, screens and special effects.
What you should know:
- Type: Trackless dark ride
- Thrill level: Low
- Height requirement: None
- Good for: Pretty much everyone
- Not ideal for: Someone looking specifically for a thrill ride
Why you might care: If your group has people who aren’t interested in coasters or intense rides, this gives you a major attraction that almost everyone can experience together.
The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror
Hollywood Studios wouldn’t feel like Hollywood Studios without the Tower of Terror.
You enter the Hollywood Tower Hotel, learn about the mysterious disappearance of several guests and then board an elevator that has developed a rather unfortunate habit of ignoring the laws of gravity.
The elevator doesn’t simply drop once. The ride uses randomized drop sequences, so you don’t necessarily know exactly what you’re getting each time.
Disney lists a 40-inch height requirement and identifies the attraction as dark, scary and featuring big drops.
What you should know:
- Type: Drop ride
- Thrill level: High
- Height requirement: 40 inches
- Good for: Thrill seekers, teens and adults
- Not ideal for: Anyone who hates heights, drops or being scared
Why you might care: This is one of those attractions where the theming is almost as important as the ride itself. Even if you don’t normally care about Disney rides, the hotel, story and atmosphere make this one memorable.
Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets
Hollywood Studios’ famous indoor rock-and-roll coaster has entered a new era.
The attraction now stars The Electric Mayhem, with guests climbing into a stretch limousine and racing through Hollywood while the Muppets provide the soundtrack. Disney lists a 48-inch height requirement and classifies it as a thrill ride with big drops and loud elements.
What you should know:
- Type: Indoor launch coaster
- Thrill level: High
- Height requirement: 48 inches
- Good for: Coaster fans, teens and adults
- Not ideal for: Young children or anyone who doesn’t like fast coasters
Why you might care: If you like roller coasters, this is one of the attractions that can push Hollywood Studios higher on your list.
Slinky Dog Dash
Slinky Dog Dash is a family coaster that winds through Toy Story Land as though Andy built the ride himself.
It’s fast enough to be exciting without being an extreme coaster, and the ride includes hills, curves and launches.
Disney lists a 38-inch height requirement and describes it as a thrill ride with small drops.
What you should know:
- Type: Family coaster
- Thrill level: Moderate
- Height requirement: 38 inches
- Good for: Families, kids, tweens, teens and adults
- Not ideal for: Anyone looking for a truly intense coaster
Why you might care: This is a great middle ground. It’s more exciting than a typical family ride but isn’t nearly as intimidating as Tower of Terror or Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster.
Toy Story Mania!
If your family turns absolutely everything into a competition, you’re going to understand this ride immediately.
Toy Story Mania! is a 4D interactive game where you compete in a series of carnival-style shooting games featuring characters from Toy Story.
There is no height requirement, and Disney classifies it as an interactive spinning attraction.
What you should know:
- Type: Interactive 4D game
- Thrill level: Low
- Height requirement: None
- Good for: Families, kids and competitive adults
- Not ideal for: People who take losing to a seven-year-old personally
Why you might care: It’s one of the easiest attractions for an entire family to enjoy together. Just be prepared for someone to spend the rest of the day explaining why they would have won if the other person hadn’t cheated.
Alien Swirling Saucers
This is Toy Story Land’s smaller attraction and is basically a spinning ride featuring little alien saucers being pulled around by a toy rocket.
It has a 32-inch height requirement.
What you should know:
- Type: Spinning ride
- Thrill level: Low to moderate
- Height requirement: 32 inches
- Good for: Younger kids and families
- Not ideal for: Anyone who gets motion sick easily
Why you might care: If you’re traveling with younger children, this gives them another attraction in Toy Story Land without needing to be tall enough for Slinky Dog Dash.
Star Tours – The Adventures Continue
Star Tours is one of Disney’s classic attractions, but it has continued to evolve over the years.
You climb aboard a Starspeeder and are thrown into a randomized Star Wars adventure. Disney describes it as a 3D flight simulator featuring different destinations and encounters, with C-3PO serving as your pilot.
What you should know:
- Type: 3D flight simulator
- Thrill level: Moderate
- Height requirement: 40 inches
- Good for: Star Wars fans, families, teens and adults
- Not ideal for: Anyone sensitive to simulator motion
Why you might care: It’s another Star Wars attraction, but it doesn’t require you to travel all the way into Galaxy’s Edge. And because the adventure can vary, you can get a different experience on different rides.
The Magic of Disney Animation
This newer experience gives you a chance to explore the animation process, including learning to draw Disney characters and seeing animation come to life.
Why you might care: If you enjoy Disney history, animation or hands-on experiences more than thrill rides, this is the sort of attraction that can make Hollywood Studios more appealing.
The Little Mermaid – A Musical Adventure
This live stage production brings the story of The Little Mermaid to the stage with music, characters and theatrical effects.
Why you might care: It’s a good option for families who want a break from rides, especially if you have someone in your group who isn’t interested in coasters or simulators.
Beauty and the Beast – Live on Stage
A live stage version of Beauty and the Beast featuring the familiar songs and characters.
Why you might care: It’s another opportunity to sit down, relax, and enjoy a Disney show rather than spending the entire day moving from ride queue to ride queue.
Disney Villains: Unfairly Ever After
This live entertainment experience focuses on Disney villains and gives some of the park’s classic bad guys a chance to tell their side of the story. Disney currently lists it among Hollywood Studios’ live entertainment offerings.
Why you might care: If you’re more interested in Disney villains than princesses, this is a pretty obvious stop.
Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular!
This live stunt show takes guests behind the scenes of an Indiana Jones-style adventure, featuring fight choreography, explosions, stunts, and special effects. It’s been a Hollywood Studios staple for years and offers something very different from the park’s rides.
Why you might care: If you enjoy movies, live performances, or seeing how movie stunts are pulled off, this is a fun break from the rides and something you won’t find at EPCOT.
Walt Disney Presents
Walt Disney Presents is a walk-through experience that explores Walt Disney’s life, career and legacy through artwork, models, exhibits and displays. There is also a short film about Walt Disney shown in the theater.
Why you might care: If you’re interested in Disney history or how the company and its theme parks came to be, this is worth a stop. It’s also a nice, quieter break from the crowds and attractions.
Toy Story Land
Ever imagine what it would be like to be a toy in Andy’s backyard? After a visit to Toy Story Land, you won’t have to wonder. Everything here is larger than life. From the huge Christmas lights to the large pixar ball.
With two amazing attractions (Slinky Dog and Toy Story Mania), you are in for a fun day pretending to be a toy.
And Then There’s Galaxy’s Edge
The land itself is an attraction.
You’re walking through Batuu, surrounded by the Millennium Falcon, Resistance and First Order activity, characters and Star Wars-themed experiences. You could spend half your day wandering around Batuu. Build your very own lightsaber or droid.
Even if you are not a Star Wars fan, you will be in awe of what Disney put together here.
At EPCOT, part of the appeal is wandering around World Showcase and exploring the different countries. At Hollywood Studios, part of the appeal is wandering around Galaxy’s Edge and simply being there.
If you’re a Star Wars fan, that distinction matters.
So What Does Hollywood Studios Actually Offer?
Hollywood Studios gives you a combination of:
- Big thrills: Tower of Terror and Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster
- Family thrills: Slinky Dog Dash
- Immersive experiences: Rise of the Resistance and Galaxy’s Edge
- Interactive attractions: Toy Story Mania!
- Classic Disney-style rides: Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway
- Star Wars: Rise, Smugglers Run and Star Tours
- Live entertainment: Multiple stage and character experiences
- Toy Story: An entire themed land
- Disney animation and characters: Several newer experiences
And that’s really the question you should ask yourself before choosing this park:
Do these attractions sound like the way you want to spend your Disney day?
If you read through that list and immediately start thinking “I need to ride that, that and that,” Hollywood Studios may have already made your decision for you.
If you’re looking at the list and thinking “Those are cool, but I’d rather spend my day eating around the world and exploring,” then that’s probably something we’ll need to consider when we get to EPCOT.
EPCOT Background
EPCOT was the second theme park to open at Walt Disney World on October 1, 1982, and this place is huge. It is twice the size of Magic Kingdom and is packed full of wonderful experiences and things to see.
EPCOT stands for Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow, and Walt Disney himself envisioned his own self-contained city on Walt Disney World property. That vision didn’t come true, but you can find elements of it at EPCOT. After years of major construction and updates, EPCOT has officially wrapped up its massive transformation, bringing a refreshed look and brand-new spaces to explore.
EPCOT Attractions
If you’re choosing between EPCOT and Hollywood Studios, the attractions are going to tell you a lot about which park fits your vacation.
EPCOT is a little different from Hollywood Studios. You have some genuinely great thrill rides, but you also have slow-moving dark rides, educational attractions, movies, interactive experiences, and, of course, the 11 countries of World Showcase.
In other words, you don’t necessarily go to EPCOT with the goal of riding as many rides as possible.
Sometimes the attraction is the ride.
Sometimes it’s the country you’re standing in.
And sometimes it’s the food you just bought five minutes ago.
Here are the attractions I think are worth considering when deciding whether EPCOT is the park for you.
Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind
If you’re looking for a thrill ride at EPCOT, this is the big one.
Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind is an indoor roller coaster that launches you into space alongside the Guardians. The ride vehicles rotate as you travel through the attraction, allowing you to face the action rather than simply moving forward.
It’s fast, dark and a lot of fun, but it doesn’t feel like a traditional roller coaster.
Disney lists a 42-inch height requirement and classifies it as a dark thrill ride.
What you should know:
- Type: Indoor spinning coaster
- Thrill level: High
- Height requirement: 42 inches
- Good for: Coaster fans, teens and adults
- Not ideal for: Anyone sensitive to spinning or motion
Why you might care: If you assumed EPCOT was mostly educational rides and people walking around with drinks, Cosmic Rewind is here to correct that assumption. If you love thrill rides, this attraction can be a major reason to choose EPCOT.
Test Track
Test Track lets you design a virtual vehicle and then take it out for a high-speed test around a simulated test track.
The attraction combines interactive design with a fast outdoor portion where your vehicle reaches high speeds as it takes on curves and hills.
Test Track has gone through its latest redesign and is once again operating at EPCOT. Disney currently lists a 40-inch height requirement and describes it as a thrill ride with small drops.
What you should know:
- Type: High-speed ride / interactive attraction
- Thrill level: Moderate to high
- Height requirement: 40 inches
- Good for: Families, teens, adults and car enthusiasts
- Not ideal for: Anyone who doesn’t enjoy speed
Why you might care: This is one of EPCOT’s attractions that feels more like a traditional theme-park thrill ride. If you want some speed during your EPCOT day, Test Track gives you another reason to choose this park.
Mission: SPACE
Mission: SPACE gives you the opportunity to experience what it’s like to take part in a simulated space mission.
There are different experiences available, including the more intense Mars mission and a gentler version that orbits Earth. Disney lists a 40-inch height requirement for the attraction.
What you should know:
- Type: Space-flight simulator
- Thrill level: Moderate to high, depending on experience
- Height requirement: 40 inches
- Good for: Space fans, teens and adults
- Not ideal for: Anyone prone to motion sickness
Why you might care: This is one of those attractions where knowing what you’re getting into is important. If the idea of a simulated space mission sounds awesome, you’ll probably enjoy it. If spinning and motion simulators aren’t your thing, there’s a good chance you’ll be happier watching everyone else go.
Soarin’ Across America
Soarin’ takes you high above some of America’s most recognizable landscapes and cities in a massive flying theater.
You’ll sit suspended in front of a giant screen while the ride creates the sensation of actually flying over the scenery.
Disney currently lists Soarin’ Across America as a 40-inch-and-taller attraction.
What you should know:
- Type: Flying theater
- Thrill level: Low
- Height requirement: 40 inches
- Good for: Families, adults, kids and anyone who enjoys immersive experiences
- Not ideal for: Someone looking for a traditional thrill ride
Why you might care: Soarin’ is one of those attractions that can be enjoyed by people who don’t necessarily like rides. There’s no roller coaster, no huge drop and no need to hang on for dear life. You’re basically sitting in a giant hang glider and taking in the scenery.
Spaceship Earth
You can’t visit EPCOT without noticing the giant golf ball.
Spaceship Earth takes you inside that giant sphere for a slow-moving journey through the history of human communication, from prehistoric times through the development of technology and into the future.
It’s one of EPCOT’s signature attractions and one of the rides that best represents the original idea behind the park.
What you should know:
- Type: Slow-moving dark ride
- Thrill level: Very low
- Height requirement: None
- Good for: Everyone
- Not ideal for: Anyone who needs every attraction to move at 60 mph
Why you might care: Spaceship Earth is less about thrills and more about the story. If you enjoy history, technology and classic Disney attractions, it’s one of the rides that makes EPCOT feel like EPCOT.
Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure
Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure shrinks you down to the size of a rat and sends you racing through Gusteau’s kitchen and the streets of Paris.
It’s a trackless 4D attraction with screens, physical sets and effects designed to make you feel like you’re part of Remy’s world.
Disney lists it as an all-ages attraction with no height requirement.
What you should know:
- Type: Trackless 4D dark ride
- Thrill level: Low
- Height requirement: None
- Good for: Families, kids, adults and Ratatouille fans
- Not ideal for: Anyone looking specifically for a thrill ride
Why you might care: This is one of EPCOT’s most immersive family attractions. It’s also located in the France Pavilion, which means you’re already getting the World Showcase experience before and after the ride.
Frozen Ever After
Frozen Ever After takes you into the world of Arendelle on a boat ride featuring Anna, Elsa, Olaf and the rest of the Frozen gang.
It’s a relatively gentle attraction, although there are a couple of small drops.
Disney lists it as an all-ages attraction with no height requirement.
What you should know:
- Type: Boat ride / dark ride
- Thrill level: Low
- Height requirement: None
- Good for: Families, kids and Frozen fans
- Not ideal for: Anyone expecting a major thrill ride
Why you might care: If you’re traveling with a Frozen fan, this attraction suddenly becomes a much bigger part of the EPCOT equation. And unlike some of EPCOT’s more educational attractions, this one gives younger Disney fans a familiar story and characters.
The Seas with Nemo & Friends
Climb aboard a “clamobile” and join Nemo, Dory and their friends for an underwater adventure.
The ride itself is fairly gentle, but the attraction doesn’t end when you get off. The Seas pavilion also includes a large aquarium where you can see sharks, rays, sea turtles and a variety of other marine life. Disney describes the aquarium as a 5.7-million-gallon habitat.
What you should know:
- Type: Slow-moving dark ride + aquarium
- Thrill level: Very low
- Height requirement: None
- Good for: Families and younger kids
- Not ideal for: Anyone looking for a thrill
Why you might care: This is a perfect example of why EPCOT is different from Hollywood Studios. You’re not just riding a ride. You can spend additional time exploring the aquarium afterward.
Living with the Land
Living with the Land is a slow boat ride through greenhouses and agricultural environments, exploring how humans grow food and use technology to produce it.
Yes, I realize that probably doesn’t sound like the most exciting attraction in Walt Disney World.
And yet…
There are people who absolutely love this ride.
What you should know:
- Type: Educational boat ride
- Thrill level: None
- Height requirement: None
- Good for: Adults, families and anyone interested in nature, agriculture or technology
- Not ideal for: Someone who thinks the words “educational boat ride” are a threat
Why you might care: If you like attractions that actually teach you something, Living with the Land is one of EPCOT’s best examples. It’s also a nice, quiet break from the more crowded areas of the park.
Journey Into Imagination With Figment
Journey Into Imagination takes you on a colorful trip through the Imagination Institute with everyone’s favorite purple dragon, Figment.
It’s a slow-moving dark ride with plenty of classic EPCOT weirdness.
What you should know:
- Type: Slow-moving dark ride
- Thrill level: Very low
- Height requirement: None
- Good for: Families, kids and longtime Disney fans
- Not ideal for: Someone looking for a major attraction
Why you might care: Figment has become one of those characters that is practically synonymous with EPCOT. The attraction is also a nice example of the more playful, imaginative side of the park.
Gran Fiesta Tour Starring The Three Caballeros
Located inside the Mexico Pavilion, Gran Fiesta Tour is a gentle boat ride featuring Donald Duck, José Carioca and Panchito as they travel through Mexico looking for Donald.
It’s short, relaxing and completely different from EPCOT’s bigger attractions.
What you should know:
- Type: Slow boat ride
- Thrill level: Very low
- Height requirement: None
- Good for: Everyone
- Not ideal for: Anyone expecting a major attraction
Why you might care: This is another example of how EPCOT blends attractions with World Showcase. You can ride a Disney attraction, step off the boat and immediately find yourself exploring the Mexico Pavilion.
Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana
Journey of Water is a walk-through interactive experience inspired by Moana that lets guests interact with water as they make their way through the environment.
Rather than sitting in a ride vehicle, you’re walking, exploring and interacting with the attraction around you.
Why you might care: If you have younger kids, this can be a fun way to let them burn off some energy while also experiencing something completely different from EPCOT’s rides.
And Then There’s World Showcase
This is where comparing EPCOT with Hollywood Studios gets really interesting.
At Hollywood Studios, you have Galaxy’s Edge.
At EPCOT, you have World Showcase.
And World Showcase isn’t one attraction. It’s essentially an entire half of the park dedicated to exploring 11 countries and their food, architecture, entertainment, shopping and culture. Disney describes World Showcase as a way to discover cultures across 11 countries.
You can visit:
- Mexico
- Norway
- China
- Germany
- Italy
- United States
- Japan
- Morocco
- France
- United Kingdom
- Canada
And each pavilion gives you something different to explore.
That’s a huge part of why I wouldn’t recommend judging EPCOT strictly by its ride list.
You can spend an hour walking around the Mexico Pavilion.
Then grab something to eat.
Then watch a performance.
Then walk through Japan.
Then stop in Germany.
Then ride Frozen.
Then grab something else to eat.
Then wander around France.
And somehow you’ve spent six hours without realizing it.
Why you might care: If you enjoy exploring, eating, shopping and experiencing different environments rather than simply checking attractions off a list, World Showcase may be the biggest reason to choose EPCOT.
The World Showcase Attractions
Several of the countries also have their own attractions and entertainment.
The American Adventure
This is a large-scale audio-animatronic stage show that takes guests through American history.
Why you might care: If you enjoy history or traditional Disney storytelling, this is one of the park’s more substantial shows and a good example of EPCOT’s educational side.
Beauty and the Beast Sing-Along
Located in the France Pavilion, this interactive film experience retells the story of Beauty and the Beast through a sing-along presentation.
Why you might care: It’s a quick, air-conditioned break that’s especially useful if you’re traveling with kids who love Disney movies.
Canada Far and Wide
This Circle-Vision presentation takes you on a cinematic tour of Canada.
Why you might care: It’s a relaxing way to experience some of Canada’s scenery without actually having to book a flight to Canada.
Reflections of China
This Circle-Vision presentation showcases China’s landscapes, cities and culture.
Why you might care: Like the Canada film, it’s less about thrills and more about experiencing another part of the world while staying inside EPCOT.
The Seas and Its Aquarium
I’d give this its own mention because the aquarium is easy to overlook when people are making an EPCOT ride list.
The Seas pavilion includes a massive aquarium environment with sharks, rays, sea turtles, reef fish and other marine life. Disney describes it as one of the largest man-made ocean environments, with a 5.7-million-gallon habitat.
Why you might care: If you’re traveling with kids who love animals, this can turn what looks like a quick ride into a much longer stop. It’s also a good place to slow down and escape the Florida heat for a while.
EPCOT’s Entertainment Is Part of the Experience
Just like Hollywood Studios, I wouldn’t judge EPCOT solely by its rides.
EPCOT has live performers throughout World Showcase, character experiences, stage entertainment and nighttime entertainment. Disney’s current attraction listings include performances and entertainment throughout the park, along with Luminous – The Symphony of Us at night.
And then there are the festivals.
EPCOT currently hosts several major seasonal festivals, including the International Festival of the Arts, Flower & Garden Festival, Food & Wine Festival and Festival of the Holidays.
Why you might care: If you’re visiting during an EPCOT festival, the park can feel like a completely different experience from simply visiting for the rides. Food booths, entertainment, decorations and special activities become part of your day.
So What Does EPCOT Actually Offer?
This is where the attraction list starts to explain the difference between EPCOT and Hollywood Studios.
EPCOT gives you:
- Major thrill rides: Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind and Test Track
- Simulators: Mission: SPACE and Soarin’
- Family attractions: Frozen Ever After, Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure and The Seas with Nemo & Friends
- Classic Disney attractions: Spaceship Earth and Journey Into Imagination
- Educational attractions: Living with the Land
- Interactive experiences: Journey of Water and other experiences throughout the park
- World Showcase: 11 countries to explore
- Food: Restaurants, snacks and festival food throughout the park
- Entertainment: Live performers, shows and nighttime entertainment
- Festivals: Seasonal events that can dramatically change the experience
And that’s really the question to ask yourself:
Does that sound like the kind of Disney day you want?
If you’re reading this and thinking, “I want Guardians, Test Track, Frozen and then I want to eat my way around the world,” EPCOT might be exactly what you’re looking for.
If you’re thinking, “I’d rather spend my day flying the Millennium Falcon, riding Rise of the Resistance and screaming on Tower of Terror,” well… that’s exactly why we’re comparing it to Hollywood Studios.
Food & Dining
For some people, food at Disney World is simply something you need to do between rides.
For others, it is part of the vacation.
If you’re in that second group, the choice between EPCOT and Hollywood Studios becomes a little more interesting.
Both parks have plenty of places to eat, but they approach food very differently. Hollywood Studios leans heavily into themed restaurants and quick-service locations that fit the lands around them. EPCOT turns dining into one of the attractions, especially once you reach World Showcase.
Hollywood Studios
Hollywood Studios has some genuinely fun dining options, especially if you want your meal to continue the theme of whatever part of the park you’re exploring.
In Galaxy’s Edge, you can grab a meal at Docking Bay 7 Food and Cargo, where the food is designed to fit the Star Wars setting, or stop at Ronto Roasters for its grilled sausage and roasted pork wrap.
And then there’s Oga’s Cantina, which is less about having a traditional sit-down meal and more about stepping into the Star Wars universe for a drink and some atmosphere. Disney describes it as a local watering hole in Galaxy’s Edge, and reservations are highly recommended.
Over in Toy Story Land, you have Woody’s Lunch Box for a quick meal and Roundup Rodeo BBQ, a full-service restaurant designed to make you feel like you’ve been shrunk down to the size of one of Andy’s toys. Roundup Rodeo BBQ currently serves a family-style barbecue meal with brisket, ribs, sausage, chicken and a variety of sides and desserts.
Then there’s the Hollywood side of Hollywood Studios.
You can eat in the retro setting of 50’s Prime Time Café, watch old sci-fi clips while dining at Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater Restaurant, or go for a more upscale meal at The Hollywood Brown Derby. Disney currently lists all three among the park’s table-service options.
There are also plenty of quick-service choices if you don’t want to spend an hour or two sitting down for a meal. ABC Commissary, Rosie’s All-American Café, Fairfax Fare and others give you plenty of ways to grab something and get back to the attractions.
Why you might care: Hollywood Studios has some really fun themed dining, but most people probably aren’t choosing the park specifically because they want to spend the day eating. The food fits nicely into the Hollywood, Toy Story and Star Wars experiences, but the attractions are still the main event.
EPCOT
This is where things get a little crazy.
If food is an important part of your Disney vacation, EPCOT gives you a completely different experience.
World Showcase is essentially one giant food tour. You can walk from Mexico to Norway, China, Germany, Italy, the United States, Japan, Morocco, France, the United Kingdom and Canada, with restaurants, quick-service locations, snacks and drinks scattered throughout the pavilions.
You can have Mexican food inside the Mexico Pavilion, grab sushi in Japan, eat pizza in Italy, enjoy French pastries in France or sit down for a meal overlooking the lagoon in one of several World Showcase restaurants.
And you don’t necessarily have to make reservations to enjoy the food.
EPCOT has plenty of quick-service locations and snack stops, including places such as Les Halles Boulangerie-Patisserie in France, Regal Eagle Smokehouse in the American Adventure, Katsura Grill in Japan, Tangierine Café in Morocco and Via Napoli’s pizza offerings in Italy.
Then there are the restaurants that turn the meal itself into an experience.
You can dine inside the Mexico Pavilion at San Angel Inn, enjoy a German buffet at Biergarten, have a Japanese meal at Teppan Edo, eat French cuisine at Chefs de France or try the prix-fixe experience at Space 220.
And then there are the festivals.
Depending on when you visit, EPCOT can have dozens of additional food and drink options scattered throughout the park. Disney’s festival offerings include the Food & Wine Festival, Flower & Garden Festival, Festival of the Arts and Festival of the Holidays, each bringing its own seasonal food and beverage offerings.
This can completely change the way you experience EPCOT.
Instead of thinking, “Where should we eat lunch?” you might find yourself thinking, “Do we really need another snack from that booth?”
The answer, of course, is yes.
Why you might care: If trying different foods, exploring restaurants and sampling snacks sounds like part of your idea of a great Disney day, EPCOT gives you far more opportunities to make food part of the experience rather than simply something you eat between attractions.
Quick Service vs. Table Service
Both parks give you choices between quick-service and table-service dining, so you don’t necessarily have to plan your entire day around restaurant reservations.
Hollywood Studios tends to work well if you want to grab something relatively quickly and keep moving. You can also make a reservation for one of the park’s more heavily themed restaurants when you want to slow down.
EPCOT gives you more opportunities to make dining itself part of your itinerary. You can grab something quick from one country, walk around for a while, stop for another snack, and eventually sit down for a full meal somewhere else.
That difference can matter more than the individual restaurants.
So Which Park Is Better for Food?
I’m not going to give you a winner here because I think that misses the point of the comparison.
Instead, ask yourself what you’re looking for.
If you want themed dining that fits into a day of rides and attractions, Hollywood Studios has some excellent options, particularly in Galaxy’s Edge and Toy Story Land.
If you want food to be one of the main reasons you’re visiting the park, EPCOT gives you an entirely different experience. World Showcase, international restaurants, snacks and seasonal festivals can turn eating into a major part of the day.
For me, that’s one of the biggest differences between these two parks.
At Hollywood Studios, I think about what I’m going to ride and then where I’m going to eat.
At EPCOT, sometimes I find myself thinking about what I’m going to eat and then what I’m going to do between meals.
Which Park Is Better for Kids?
This is where things get a little more complicated.
If you’re asking me whether EPCOT or Hollywood Studios is better for kids, I don’t think there’s one right answer. It depends a lot more on what your kids are interested in than how old they are.
I’ve taken my daughter to both parks over the years, and one thing I’ve learned is that kids don’t necessarily care about the things adults assume they will. One kid might want to ride Slinky Dog Dash ten times. Another might be perfectly happy wandering around World Showcase, eating snacks and looking for characters.
So instead of saying one park is automatically better for kids, here’s how I’d break it down.
Younger Kids
For younger kids, I’d give Hollywood Studios a slight edge if they are big Disney, Pixar or Star Wars fans.
Toy Story Land gives younger kids a lot to look at and do, with Slinky Dog Dash, Toy Story Mania!, Alien Swirling Saucers and character encounters with Woody, Buzz and Jessie. Hollywood Studios also has Disney Junior entertainment, Frozen, Beauty and the Beast and Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway.
That doesn’t mean EPCOT is a bad choice for little kids. Far from it.
EPCOT has Frozen Ever After, Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure, The Seas with Nemo & Friends, Journey of Water, character experiences and plenty of things to discover around World Showcase. There are also interactive experiences such as Kidcot Fun Stops.
The difference is that Hollywood Studios tends to put more of the things younger kids immediately recognize—Pixar, Disney characters, Frozen and Star Wars—front and center.
My pick for younger kids: Hollywood Studios, but it depends heavily on their interests.
Older Kids
This one gets much closer.
Older kids who love rides will probably find more to keep them busy at Hollywood Studios. Slinky Dog Dash, Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run, Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance, Star Tours and other attractions give the park a strong attraction-focused lineup.
But older kids can also have a surprisingly good time at EPCOT.
Frozen Ever After, Test Track, Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind and Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure give EPCOT plenty of rides, while World Showcase gives older kids more room to explore rather than simply going from ride to ride.
And depending on the kid, that freedom to explore can be a huge part of the fun.
My pick for older kids: Hollywood Studios for ride-focused kids; EPCOT for kids who like exploring, food and trying different things.
Teens
Now we’re getting into dangerous territory because teenagers can have very strong opinions about what counts as fun.
If your teenager wants thrill rides and Star Wars, I’d lean toward Hollywood Studios. Rise of the Resistance, Smugglers Run, Tower of Terror and the other attractions give the park a very different feel from EPCOT.
But if your teenager has started to appreciate food, photography, shopping, exploring or just wandering around without having every minute planned out, EPCOT becomes much more interesting.
And yes, I realize that last sentence probably sounds like I’m suggesting teenagers enjoy vegetables.
They don’t.
But some of them do eventually discover that there is more to Disney World than trying to ride everything before lunch.
My pick for teens: Hollywood Studios for thrill-seekers and Star Wars fans; EPCOT for teens who enjoy food, exploring and a slower-paced day.
What About Kids Who Don’t Like Big Rides?
This is where I’d lean toward EPCOT.
EPCOT has plenty of attractions without requiring your child to be a thrill-ride fanatic. Spaceship Earth, The Seas with Nemo & Friends, Journey of Water, Living with the Land, Frozen Ever After and the various World Showcase experiences give families plenty of options.
Hollywood Studios certainly has attractions for kids who don’t want big rides—Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway, Toy Story Mania!, shows, character experiences and other entertainment—but a larger portion of the park’s headline attractions are built around bigger or more intense experiences.
If your child sees Tower of Terror and immediately decides they’d rather spend the afternoon somewhere else, EPCOT may be the safer choice.
What About a Family With Different Interests?
This might actually be the most important question.
Let’s say one kid wants Star Wars, another wants Frozen, Mom wants good food, Dad wants to ride something terrifying, and everyone has a different opinion about what time they should get up.
Welcome to a Disney vacation.
In that situation, EPCOT can be surprisingly flexible because there is so much variety. One person can ride Guardians of the Galaxy while another explores World Showcase or checks out one of the park’s other experiences. There are also plenty of food and entertainment options for the people who aren’t interested in the same attractions.
Hollywood Studios can work really well for mixed families too, especially because it combines rides with shows, character experiences, Toy Story Land and Star Wars.
But I’d look at your family’s interests, not simply the ages of the kids.
So, Which Park Is Better for Kids?
If you forced me to pick one without knowing anything about the kids, I’d probably give Hollywood Studios a slight edge because so many of its headline experiences are immediately recognizable and appealing to children and teenagers.
But once you tell me what those kids actually like, the answer can change pretty quickly.
Star Wars? Hollywood Studios.
Toy Story? Hollywood Studios.
Frozen? Either one has something to offer.
Big rides? Hollywood Studios.
Food and exploring? EPCOT.
A kid who doesn’t care about rides? EPCOT.
A family with wildly different interests? EPCOT may have the broader mix.
And that’s really the point of this entire comparison.
There isn’t a universally better park.
There’s just the park that’s a better fit for your family on that particular day.
So, Which One Should You Visit?
If you only have time for one, think about what you want your Disney day to feel like.
Choose Hollywood Studios if you want a day centered around attractions, immersive lands, big-name Disney and Star Wars experiences, thrill rides and live entertainment. Galaxy’s Edge alone can make this park worth the visit if you’re a Star Wars fan, while attractions like Tower of Terror, Slinky Dog Dash and Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway give you plenty to do outside of Galaxy’s Edge.
Choose EPCOT if you want more than just rides. EPCOT gives you attractions like Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, Frozen Ever After and Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure, but it also gives you World Showcase, international food, cultural experiences, entertainment and plenty of reasons to slow down and explore.
And if you’re still stuck?
Look at your trip as a whole.
If you’re already visiting Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom and want another attraction-heavy day, Hollywood Studios may give you the kind of experience you’re looking for. If you want something that feels different from the other parks—a place where eating, exploring, wandering and discovering things are just as much a part of the day as riding attractions—EPCOT gives you plenty of that.
There isn’t a wrong answer here. They’re just very different Disney days.
For me, that’s the real difference between EPCOT and Hollywood Studios.
Hollywood Studios is a park I go to because I know what I want to do. EPCOT is a park I go to and see what the day turns into.
And sometimes, that’s exactly what I want from Disney.
