Key Difference – Magic Kingdom vs Hollywood Studios
Magic Kingdom and Hollywood Studios are two theme parks in Walt Disney World at Florida. Magic Kingdom was the first theme park to be built on the premises. This was followed by Epcot in 1982, and Hollywood Studios in 1989. The key difference between Magic Kingdom and Hollywood Studios is their themes; Magic Kingdom is based on the theme of fairy tales and Disney characters whereas Hollywood Studio is based on the theme of show business and Hollywood.
CONTENTS
1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Magic Kingdom
3. What is Hollywood Studios
4. Side by Side Comparison – Magic Kingdom vs Hollywood Studios in Tabular Form
5. Summary
What is Magic Kingdom?
Magic Kingdom was the first theme park to be built in Walt Disney World, in 1971. This park is built on a land of 43 ha. This is the most popular theme park at Disney World and is built around the themes of fairy tales and Disney characters. This theme park is divided into six themed sections: Main Street, USA, Frontierland, Liberty Square, Tomorrowland, Fantasyland, and Adventureland. Main Street USA connects to all these sections and to the parking. These sections meet at the top of the Main Street, in front of the Cinderella Castle, which is also the icon of the Magic Kingdom.
Attractions
Being a favorite of people all ages, Magic Kingdom offers many attractions, rides, character meets as well as unique dining experiences. Some of its most popular attractions include
- Pirates of the Caribbean
- Space Mountain
- Seven Dwarfs Mine Train
- Splash Mountain
- Peter Pan’s Flight
- Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor
- Enchanted Tales with Belle
- Haunted Mansion
- Jungle Cruise
- Mickey’s PhilharMagic
- Under the Sea – Journey of the Little Mermaid
- Mad Tea Party
Figure 02: Fireworks in front of the Cinderella Castle
Another major attraction of Magic Kingdom is the opportunity to meet favorite Disney characters. Magic Kingdom is home to popular Disney fairytale characters such as Jasmine, Aladdin, Cinderella, Rapunzel, Anna, Eliza, Belle, and Ariel as well as cartoon characters such as Minnie Mouse, Daisy Duck, Donald Duck, Goofy, Chip and Dale.
There are many places to eat in Magic Kingdom. Some of these places include Cinderella’s Royal Table, Be Our Guest, Storybook Treats, Tomorrowland Terrace Restaurant, Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Café, Liberty Tree Tavern, Crystal Palace, and Gaston’s Tavern.
What is Hollywood Studios?
Hollywood Studio, which was opened as the Disney-MGM Studios Theme Park in 1989, was the third addition to the four theme parks at Walt Disney World Resort, Florida. This park is built around various themes of show business, including television, movies, theater, and music. This park is especially inspired the golden era of Hollywood in 1930s 1940s and is built on a land of 55 ha.
Like other Disney theme parks, this park is also divided into five themed sections: Hollywood Boulevard, Echo Lake, Pixar Place, Animation Courtyard and Sunset Boulevard. Hollywood Boulevard is the Park’s main entrance and functions the same as Main Street USA in Magic Kingdom.
Entertainments at Hollywood Studios include popular rides, character meets, live events and other Hollywood inspired attractions. Some of these attractions are as follows.
Attractions
Live Events
- Beauty and the Beast – Live on Stage
- Disney Junior – Live on Stage!
- Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular!
- Voyage of the Little Mermaid
- Frozen Sing-Along Celebration
- Jim Henson’s Muppet Vision 3-D
- Fantasmic
Rides
- Tower of Terror
- Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster
- Toy Story Midway Mania
- Star Tours: The Adventures Continue
Figure 04: Twilight Zone Tower of Terror
You can also meet a variety of favorite Disney characters such as Olaf, Buzz Lightyear, and Woody. It also has some interesting restaurants such as The Hollywood Brown Derby, Mama Melrose’s Ristorante, 50’s Prime Time Café, Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater, Hollywood and Vine, and Hollywood Waffles of Fame.
Two more sections named Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge and Toy Story Land will be added to the park in the coming year.
What is the Difference Between Magic Kingdom and Hollywood Studios?
Magic Kingdom vs Hollywood Studios |
|
| Magic Kingdom is built around the themes of fairy tales and Disney characters. | Hollywood Studios is built around the themes of Hollywood and show business. |
| History | |
| Magic Kingdom was opened in 1971. | Hollywood Studios was opened in 1989. |
| Size | |
| Magic Kingdom is built on a land of 43 ha. | Hollywood Studios is built on a land of 55 ha. |
| Icon | |
| Cinderella castle is the icon of Magic Kingdom. | There is no icon for Hollywood Studios at present. Earfell Tower (1989-2001) and Sorcerer’s Hat (2001-2005) were used as icons in the past. |
| Attractions | |
| Magic Kingdom has a variety of rides, attractions, character meets. | Hollywood Studios has comparatively more live shows and performances. |
| Themed Sections | |
| Magic Kingdom has six themed sections: Main Street, USA, Frontierland, Liberty Square, Tomorrowland, Fantasyland, and Adventureland. | The themed sections in Hollywood Studios are Hollywood Boulevard, Echo Lake, Pixar Place, Animation Courtyard and Sunset Boulevard. |
Summary – Magic Kingdom vs Hollywood Studios
Both Magic Kingdom and Hollywood Studios offer many attractions to visitors of all ages. Rides, live shows, character meets, themed restaurants, parades, firework displays are some of their main events. The main difference between Magic Kingdom and Hollywood Studios is their themes.
Image Courtesy:
1. “Map – Walt Disney World – Magic Kingdom” By (WT-shared) LtPowers (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Fireworks at Walt Disney World Magic Kingdom” by Candace Lindemann (CC BY 2.0) via Flickr
3. “Map – Walt Disney World – Hollywood Studios” By (WT-shared) LtPowers (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia
4. “The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror–Hotel Lobby” By Athanasius28 – Own work (CC BY 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia