Walt Disney World has been named “The Most Magical Place on Earth” by people around the world since its opening in 1971. It features four different parks: Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Hollywood Studios, and the most recent addition as of 1998, Walt Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Since their openings, Disney fans have debated about which park is the best.
“If I were to rank the parks, it would be Hollywood Studios, Magic Kingdom, or Epcot, and then Animal Kingdom,” junior Abigail Dean said. “I find Animal Kingdom to be really boring.”
This is what many people say about Disney’s Animal Kingdom: it is the least favorite of the parks. It is often referred to as a “half-day” park, because it has the fewest attractions out of the parks. I believe that many don’t give Animal Kingdom a fair chance. All of the other parks have a distinct factor that sets them on a pedestal, which is why they draw attention away from Animal Kingdom. Magic Kingdom has a castle and a parade, Epcot features a unique theme of human achievement, and Hollywood Studios has the best rides. However, after visiting Disney World four times, my heart is set on Animal Kingdom as my favorite.
“It is magical how special Animal Kingdom is, how the characters and the movies come to life, and I feel like my childhood is alive again,” junior Blair Bono said.
What sets Disney World apart from any other theme park is its atmosphere. The rides, bathrooms, shops, and walkways are all tied together with intricate details that make it feel special or otherworldly. One example of this is how even the bathrooms are themed. In Magic Kingdom, there is a Tangled-themed bathroom, modeled after Rapunzel’s tower. Walking through the parks feels like walking through the Disney movies themselves.
“As a kid, I remember thinking that the princesses were real, and I danced with Belle, so that was my magic moment,” Bono said.
While all of Walt Disney World has a magical feel, the park that encapsulates the feeling of magic through its atmosphere the most is Animal Kingdom. A perfect example of this is in Animal Kingdom’s Pandora-The World of Avatar. Walking through the floating mountains at night is an unforgettable experience. The colorful lights are similar to the movie, showing bright blues and purples, as well as ambient sounds of a night in Pandora.
Another great example of atmosphere in Animal Kingdom is its Rainforest Cafe. The Cafe has a jungle canopy complete with a treetop ceiling that has snakes, elephants, birds, and other animals hiding all throughout. There are also scheduled rainstorms in the cafe; during the rainstorms, the restaurant turns dark, and the sounds of a jungle storm commence.
“My favorite part of Disney World is that it genuinely feels magical,” Dean said. “It’s hard to explain, but there is just this feeling you get when you’re at Disney World.”
Animal Kingdom is based on nature, which is one of the main reasons why I enjoy the park so much; it shows the beauty of Earth and its living things. The most iconic symbol of this in the park is the Tree of Life. The Tree is a representation of how all living things are connected through the ‘circle of life,” with over 300 animal carvings around the tree, including extinct species.
Another magical touch to this area is the free-flying parrots around the Tree of Life. Where guests can see a whole flock of South American Macaws going over Discovery Island, the bright red birds help make the guests feel more in nature.
“My favorite park is Animal Kingdom because I love the Tree of Life, and I love the safari,” Bono said. “It makes me so happy, because I love animals.”
The park features 5,000 animals and 300 different species such as giraffes, lions, rhinos, and various antelopes. Most of the animals can be seen on the safari ride called “Kilimanjaro Safari,” where guests ride on an open vehicle. The ride allows visitors to see the animals without a fence or a glass barrier between them. I believe this enhances the magic, especially for families with young children, because it doesn’t feel like being at a zoo looking through a wire cage or dirty glass; the people are there with the animals.
“Animal Kingdom is my favorite park,” senior Peyton Brady said. “The best part of Disney World is riding all of the rides and spending time with my family.”
While Animal Kingdom has always been my favorite Disney park, I believe that for many, their opinion can change as they get older. As a kid, Disney World feels magical because little kids don’t understand how the park works. Staff aren’t just regular people at their job; they’re one of my favorite Disney characters. The music playing is just there because they’re in a magical place, and a little kid doesn’t have the magic ruined for them yet. As people get older, they may be more into rides and want to go to a theme park for the thrill chase, making them have a fondness for Epcot or Magic Kingdom. I have always personally enjoyed Animal Kingdom for its charm and nostalgic feel. There is no place like it; it truly feels magical.
