Animal Kingdom is BY FAR Orlando's best theme park, here's why

All good theme parks should immerse you. All great theme parks immerse you to the point you forget about the troubles of the outside world. For me, that’s exactly what Animal Kingdom does. Join us as we explore what makes Animal Kingdom the best Orlando theme park (and why it's not even a competition).
TWITTER: / coasterbot
DISCORD: discord.coasterbot.com​​​​​​
INSTAGRAM: / coasterbot
STORE: coasterbot.com/store​​​​​
VIDEOS:
JohnYChen - • It's Tough to Be a Bug...

[@coasterbot]

If you enjoyed this video, consider subscribing - that'd be awesome 😎

[@SethDU]

@@CaliforniaHigh-SpeedRail Wait, really? I always thought Zoe is his girlfriend. :D

[@coolkid7029]

Everyone sleeps on animal kingdom fr

[@coasterbot]

Oh for sure!

[@CobbleBompster]

Magic Kingdom and Epcot should be much more slept on than Animal Kingdom. They’re iconic, yes, but compared to Animal Kingdom, most Disney parks don’t stand a chance, not to say that Magic Kingdom and Epcot are bad, even if they’ve gotten worse, I still love them.

[@mynameiskrysta]

It’s the ninth most popular park in the world

[@benyboybob]

ITS CRAP! Honestly find the love for it baffling! It has the worst selection of rides BY FAR out of the Disney Parks! All of you seriously must prefer zoos over theme parks. It’s a mid-tier park at best.

[@ryandewerff]

Glad to see Animal Kingdom getting the love and recognition it deserves. Almost all aspects of the park exemplify Disney Imagineering at their best

[@coasterbot]

Definitely!

[@demodex9653]

Literally just went there today for the first time and I was shocked by how much better it is than all the other Disney parks. Expedition Everest is a masterpiece!

[@coasterbot]

I'm glad you enjoyed it! :)

[@IsaacWalter]

Loved this style of content, fantastic video!!

[@coasterbot]

Thanks Isaac! :)

[@ajc703]

Let's go - been waiting for a coaster bot video. Been binge watching 😂

[@coasterbot]

Thanks for watching :)

[@camikelly2356]

Good video, Harry! I loved your explanation of the park and your experience. Pandora looks amazing! I haven’t been to Animal Kingdom since 2009, so I cannot wait to go back someday! I rode Primeval Whirl when it was there. It was alright, nothing too special. Cannot wait to see your Hollywood Studios experience! Btw, I still have the picture you sent me of you and Zoe on Expedition Everest. Love that coaster!

[@coasterbot]

Pandora is amazing! I definitely didn't enjoy Hollywood Studios as much. Hopefully you can visit Animal Kingdom again soon - Expedition Everest is awesome!

[@technoandrew]

Really great to see this series from your trip continue! Flight of Passage really does sound like something that has to be experienced.

[@coasterbot]

Thanks! Flight of Passage is beyond incredible!

[@panegyr]

My main quibble with animal kingdom is the hours in conjunction with Pandora, it's incredibly difficult to get to see pandora in its full glory, at night. I legitimately wonder if they would consider adding a second entrance for after dark access to /only/ that land, since it doesn't have any animals nearby.

[@coasterbot]

That is genuinely a good point - we managed to spend time there in the dark

[@TedsCoasterChannel]

Animal Kingdom was actually my favorite Disney Park during my Orlando trip last year. Such a nice and beautiful park!

[@coasterbot]

Great to hear!

[@mcrclaire]

I love these videos so much, and I couldn't agree more with this one! DAK is everything.

[@coasterbot]

Thanks for the kind words! DAK is everything!

[@Howlingburd19]

I’ll always like Islands of Adventure… probably because of the mix of theming and thrill. But of course Animal Kingdom is jaw-dropping

[@coasterbot]

Islands of Adventure and Animal Kingdom are Orlando's two best theme parks

[@NL2Designs2826]

@@coasterbotJust wait until Epic Universe opens! 👀

[@ethanhcomposer]

While it may not be my favorite theme park in Florida, it's definitely a one-of-a-kind spectacular park. Really shows you about how world-class the Orlando parks are truly (excluding Universal Studios Florida). I've been going to Animal Kingdom since I was an infant, and to this day it still holds special memories that I've made with my family and friends.

[@coasterbot]

It definitely is one-of-a-kind!

[@sldorhout1]

Absolutely agreeing with you....I never kenw that I would love Animal Kingdom the most....for the little details...tranquil surroundings , rides, animals and good food option. As an Efteling fan ( yes I'm Dutch)....I feel the park as familiar...it's an exploration with great theming and thought out rides that fit naturally. Loved it and always wanted to go back.....

[@coasterbot]

Animal Kingdom and the Efteling do have a similar vibe, for sure!

[@ontheed9239]

Been waiting for the Animal kingdom rambles episode for ages but this has deffo scratched the itch

[@coasterbot]

The podcast series will return, I want to record something this weekend for release asap. Then hopefully we can stick to the normal schedule again!

[@petermc7098]

Hello There, this was a great video and thank you for sharing your thoughts, it definitely looks like an immersive area and hopefully they'll continue to develop this Disneyland Attraction in the right way. Cheers Peter :)

[@coasterbot]

Thanks for watching and for the kind words!

[@petermc7098]

@@coasterbot Hello There, you're welcome and it's well deserved. Cheers Peter :)

[@ZoniesCoasters]

Is boba tea just not a big thing in the UK? That's what those balls are in the drink. I think it originates from Japan but a lot of people in the US are obsessed with it

[@coasterbot]

Maybe it is, but neither of us are familiar with it. The more you know!

[@MysTaeryColorful]

I used to work on the animal trails at this park. Truly one of the best experiences of my life. Even working there and seeing all the behind-the-scenes stuff does not break the immersion of this beautiful park. It was also wonderful knowing how well the animals are taken care of. Don't miss out on the Wildlife Express to Rafiki's Planet Watch! You get to tour the vet facilities, interact directly with animals in a petting zoo, and learn how to draw beloved Disney animal characters. It was my favorite place to work as a cast member.

[@coasterbot]

Thanks for the comment, I'm glad you enjoyed working there so much!

[@irisjones6636]

It's been my favorite of the 4 parks for a long time.

[@coasterbot]

That's awesome! 😎

[@MattMcIrvin]

While I'm not sure Animal Kingdom is the *best* Orlando theme park, I do think it's underrated. In both of my visits to WDW (which were before Pandora opened), Animal Kingdom was the first park I went to and I rode Expedition Everest early--so I now think of Expedition Everest as the canonical way to kick off a Disney visit. I go on that and I get the feeling "OK, now you know you're really at Disney World." When it first opened, Animal Kingdom had relatively little to do aside from the animal exhibits (which weren't as extensive then) and the safari ride, and that was a reputation it took a long time to live down. But it's an obsolete take.

[@user-jz7ny1qc6j]

What is the difference between the flying theater here and other flying theaters?

[@JamesonThomas24]

I feel what zoey said at 3:21 about, how are we supposed to carry on after riding flight of passage? I can verify that I, have not, been able to carry on since riding flight of passage. I am unwell years later, except not really, except yes.

[@coasterbot]

It really is a life-changing experience!

[@MysTaeryColorful]

I also cried my first time. I never knew a theme park ride could be such a transformative experience, but it really was.

[@henryeth3753]

I was quite happy to spot on my first visit, there is a giant gorilla in Pandora from a certain angle, hint 2:30 I wonder how Soarin’ will continue alongside FoP. Here’s to hoping they both stay for decades

[@coasterbot]

I must be blind, I can't see the hidden gorilla :(

[@henryeth3753]

@@coasterbotlook for the eyes/nose/mouth on the left side of the rock in the top middle, that rock is the head. It’s not that obvious thinking about it

[@danielnew2319]

im glad i saw this video come up on my recommended, i loved animal kingdom when i visited disney partly because i also just like animals. although i do have to say that dinoland needs to go, it just seems so out of place in a disney park and feels much more like a fun fair, there could be so much more done in that area that would for sure make animal kingdom be the best

[@coasterbot]

Dinoland definitely needs to go! Thanks for watching :)

[@sethradspinner]

Have you thought about making a video about why some roller coasters allow casts and braces while others don't? I feel that if Intamin roller coasters can allow casts, then B&M roller coasters should do the same.

[@coasterbot]

Yes, it's on my list of videos to make and I'm currently researching something very similar!

[@frankie4073]

Pandora in night time is such a masterpiece...

[@coasterbot]

It really is!

[@Shockzone1495]

Coasterbot: animal kingdom is BY FAR the best theme park in Orlando. Epic universe: i will seek vengeance.

[@coasterbot]

I really hope it does!

[@SethDU]

The concrete part could be named "Generic US state fair - Land" 😅 I am looking forward to the Efteling video. Without doubt the best theme park in The Netherlands!

[@coasterbot]

For sure! I won't be making a video about this on the Efteling until I visit again (which I hope to do sooner rather than later). Though we did make a vlog from the park last September: kzbin.info/www/bejne/pIbalYCFfKqbbqMsi=bDLXD-F_T9WsJjP5

[@DisneyParksMusic.]

Imagine if in Epic Universe at Universal Studios Orlando they build a ride system exactly like Flight of Passage in the How to Train Your Dragon land and theme the ride to Dragon Racing from the 2nd movie or defeating the Red Death from the first movie that would be freaking awesome but none the less this is my all time favorite Disney ride just behind Guardians of the Galaxy Cosmic Rewind and Indiana Jones Adventure Temple of the Forbidden Eye! But someone who just went to WDW last year for their first time I loved Animal Kingdom more than Magic Kingdom and Hollywood Studios! I knew I would love this park but it somehow entranced me into love love Love loving this park it’s honestly the definition of Disney when not strict on a budget! I like to make the joke that “Animal Kingdom Park is the closest we’re ever going to get to traveling to Tokyo Disneyland without ever leaving the U.S.!”

[@coasterbot]

I would be fully behind a How to train your dragon flying theatre ride!

[@CobbleBompster]

I will never give up hope on them fixing the Yeti, someday, I swear.

[@coasterbot]

One day

[@sonimatic]

HE DONT MISS!!!! SO TRUE!!!

[@coasterbot]

ha ha love it

[@MattMcIrvin]

...Also, I really like Dinosaur but I think many parents don't expect it to be as scary and thrilling a ride as it is. Kali River Rapids is nicely themed (with an actual message!) but tame for a river rapids ride. It does have, in my opinion, the most beautiful queue at Disney World, and the small drop is a nice gimmick you don't often see on these rides. I don't care for It's Tough To Be A Bug!

[@coasterbot]

Dinosaur was definitely the surprise attraction of our whole WDW visit, I had no idea it would be that fun. I'm upset we missed the rapids, but I've done many rapids before. I'm glad you're a fan of Animal Kingdom! You'll have to revisit now that Pandora is open. It's a much more palatable theme park than the other three at WDW!

[@snerttt]

sounds exhausting, still, fun.

[@coasterbot]

Exhausting but fun!

[@BellhopDrew]

I'm guilty of sleeping on DAK almost every single time i go to WDW 😂 i focus way too hard on DHS

[@coasterbot]

DHS has great rides but is an awful theme park, it's horrid to be in

[@BellhopDrew]

@@coasterbot i just ride Tower of Terror an unhealthy number of times (286 atm)

[@Chaoshero5567]

I like phantasialand and island of adventure more because THRILLS

[@coasterbot]

Phantasialand is great too!

[@amazingjake3417]

I really like animal kingdom. But my family hates it because of the lack of attractions. I think it could use a few more rides too like instead of getting rid of Dinoland you could make it feel like you go back in time to an area in the land of dinosaurs( I did not want to type the official words). And then Africa could use another flat ride. But I still think the park is second in my ranking for Disney world.

[@coasterbot]

It definitely needs more attractions. What Disney World park do you rank higher?

[@amazingjake3417]

@@coasterbot Hollywood studios. Has more thrill rides and thrill rides appeal more to me.

[@uujims3762]

Yooo

[@jonny-b4954]

I live 40 minutes away haven't been since before Avatar area opened. It used to be a super boring park with little to no rides. Not sure if that's changed or not. And Busch Gardens does animals better in my experience. Avatar looks nuts though.

[@coasterbot]

It still doesn't have that much but Avatar is incredible

[@AllieThePrettyGator]

Animal Kingdom is not just a theme park its also a zoo

[@Shag471]

It used to be Orlando’s best theme park but it’s a toss up now.

[@coasterbot]

If you're just comparing rides, then sure, Universal Island's of Adventure and Disney's Hollywood Studios is up there. As theme parks, places to have fun and just enjoy yourself, Hollywood Studios is horrible, and Island's of Adventure doesn't quite match up to Animal Kingdom!

[@Shag471]

@@coasterbot It’s not about rides for me as I’m an Orlando local. It’s about overall experience, offerings and keeping attractions, shows and effects in working order. DAK has some great things but it needs some real attention. Their one and only nighttime event failed, they haven’t maintained broken ride effects in over 15 years, and after 25 years of the parks existence, Animal Kingdom is still not a full-day experience, even though the price is. I can understand how this park would be that high on a ratings list for a tourist but as a local, it just misses the mark. No offense, love your videos! 🤟🏼And I agree with you about Hollywood Studios. That park is a hot mess; not even a studio anymore. It’s lost it’s coercive theme and has become just an amusement park now.

[@coasterbot]

Out of curiosity, which of the four Disney parks do you prefer the most? And I guess in the wider Orlando area, what's your favourite park? I can see that Animal Kingdom would get a little samey after a while with minimal investment and minimal change.

[@Shag471]

@@coasterbot As far as Disney goes, I’ve always been keen to Epcot because I went there as a kid the first year it opened. It’s going through some major reconstructing now but it’s lost it’s original charm. Other than that I would say Universal’s IOA. It’s a theme park with amusement park thrills. I’m kind of partial to it because I was a ride op there for several years at Forbidden Journey and The Incredible Hulk rollercoaster. Also, Sea World has really been doing great these past several years as they keep adding more and more coasters. But I’m sure Epic Universe will steel everyone’s thunder when it opens in a couple of years.

[@edvaira6891]

I have a bit of a strange reason for disagreeing with you (this is actually my second Least favorite!) and that is….I live less than ten minutes from what is considered the best Safari Park in the USA, San Diego Zoo’s Safari Park (and which is why I think Kilimanjaro Safaris is probably the most overrated ride at Disney…our Safari Trek is actually better….I Do enjoy Animal Kingdom, but it just doesn’t have enough top-notch attractions to make it a worthwhile experience overall

[@coasterbot]

I think that's fair enough honestly! It's unique in it's bubble, but compared to dedicated Safari parks I can see why it wouldn't hold up

[@uujims3762]

16 seconds? What

[@hokyman]

I only rode Navi River Adventure to see the animatronic... Sadly it was broken and they just had a video of it... Considering how lame the ride was this was a huge disappointment. That said, Animal Kingdom is my favorite park at WDW too. Flight of Passage is amazing and so is everything else there. Okay, other than Dinoland USA. ;)

[@coasterbot]

I can't tell you how much I hate the whole A-mode B-mode thing. How can you run Navi River Journey without that animatronic at the end working, that's insane! I'm glad you like Animal Kingdom as much as I do!

[@ratbones620]

So much of Animal Kingdom is imagineering at its best. All that really needs to be replaced is the outdated Dinoland USA (in my opinion anyway).

[@coasterbot]

100%, couldn't agree more

[@totallycoasters]

nope universal ioa is better, because well i like it better haha

[@coasterbot]

Understandable

[@chazgames3690]

I like launches and I get plenty of them in IOA 😂

[@benyboybob]

So many enthusiasts have this opinion about this park, but I’d literally rather go to bush gardens any day. Animal Kingdom is a mid-tier park at best, and Hollywood Studios is the superior Disney park in my opinion. I think any enthusiast that states it’s the best park CLEARLY prefers zoos over theme parks. The rides there suck! Flight of passage was CRAP! Awful dark ride, it’s just a flying simulator with some extra padding, and the river Journey literally gets rank of the worst Disney ride from me. It’s basically a crappier it’s a small world that’s Avatar themed. And your partner is way to easily impressed by everything. And to be such a large Avatar fan in itself is weird.

[@coasterbot]

There's a difference between overall theme park experiences, and the rides theme park's offer. If you like roller coasters particularly, Animal Kingdom will never be the park for you. Hollywood Studios has better rides than Animal Kingdom, but the park itself is ugly, overcrowded and horrible to be in. It doesn't feel like you're escaping from it all, it feels even worse than normal! I can't agree with your thoughts on Flight of Passage at all, in terms of an overall ride experience, it's up there among the best in the world. There's truly nothing like it that can give you the same emotion and feeling. As I said in the video I'm not a fan of Avatar at all, I couldn't care less about the characters either!

[@SteveAndAlexBuild]

This was our least favourite Disney park. Get in Do Pandora then lap expedition Everest a few times . Rainforest cafe for lunch then out 1/2 day done . I say was because after 13 years and 11 trips to Orlando we found out in October last year that We don’t have enough money to be part of the Disney elite who get the perks and the app ruined every day we spent in Disney so we won’t return. It’s definitely not the most magical place on earth any more 😭🧱👍🏼

[@coasterbot]

Disney has definitely gone downhill. Most of the parks are simply not that enjoyable to be in. I don't blame you for not wanting to go back, I have no desire to return either!