Disney's Animal Kingdom is my favorite WDW park.
It has the best themed coaster (Everest), one of the best dark rides (Dinosaur), an excellent Safari Ride (Kilimanjaro), the best themed white water raft ride not named Grizzly River Run (Kali River Rapids), an excellent 4D movie (It's Tough to be a Bug), two top notch shows (Nemo and Festival of the Lion King), two animal walking tours one of which is just outstanding (Maharajah Jungle Trek), a pretty nifty bird show (Flights of Wonder), and a petting zoo area if you make it back to that part of the park (Raffiki's Watch). Add to that all the exploration you can do around the Tree of Life, the Oasis, and the Boneyard, and you have an excellent day for the whole family.
One more note, I would add: I love zoos and theme parks, so DAK is almost the perfect place for me. I say almost because I think a small tactical nuke needs to land squarely in the center of the Hester and Chester area of Dinoland, but otherwise the park is amazing.
I like Epcot because of its equally good mix of attractions, theming, scenery, music, live entertainment, nighttime entertainment, and dining.
teens i'd say DHS.
toddlers or old people, MK.
EPCOT and AK are probably in between the two ages.. depends if you like zoo's or communication/countries.
I really have to split hairs to make distinctions – but I am assuming this is one of those “gun to your head” moments.
Okay, from last to first.
4. Disney's Animal Kingdom
It's a beautiful park. The meandering pathways and lush landscapes are a tribute to Mr. Rhodes' and his team at WDI. But frankly, there isn't a whole lot of reason to return over and over again. I love 'Expedition Everest.' I think the entertainment (both in the streets and in the theaters [Nemo and Lion King]) are wonderful. I could sit and watch the mountain gorillas for hours. But they need to add some big new "gate-crasher" attractions (like my 'Nessie' concept) otherwise its soon going to become "been-there-done-that."
3. Disney Hollywood Studios
If WDI gets moving and adds another coaster and a really aggressive dark ride, this park could leapfrog to number two on my list. I like the meandering layout. I was on the WDI team that built the massive Wizard Hat and the 'One man's Dream' exhibit. 'Star Tours' remains my favorite simulator (sorry Homer). 'Tower of Terror' is one of the world's greatest attractions. 'Rockin' Rollercoaster's' launch into the vertical ascension is terrific. But the other studio attractions in town have consistently outpaced DHS. The new coaster at USF and Harry Potter demand that WDI step up and juice this park.
2. EPCOT
I was there on opening day in 1982 (Magic Kingdom College Program). In 1986 I worked in guest relations. I have walked on the scaffold ABOVE Spaceship Earth (see my TPI profile pic). I have watched the 3D movies 'Magic Journeys' and 'Captain Eo.' I laughed along with the performers in the 'Kitchen Kaberet.' I got tossed around by 'Body Wars,' laughed at 'Cranium Command,' and rode all three endings in Horizon' -- all of these attractions are now gone (and by the way, the original O' Canada film was MUCH better than those that have replaced it). Every year I love walking World Showcase sampling international beers -- passing the time while my wife squeals over David Cassidy’s annual appearance at the American Gardens Theater. I love the street entertainers, the way the torches around the lagoon come to life at sundown and the lights music and fireworks of the show closing the day. This park maintains an sense maturity, elegance and unique personality that has not been emulated by any other park.
1. Magic Kingdom
For a theme park aficionado, walking into the Magic Kingdom stirs the same feelings as a baseball fan walking into Wrigley Field. I first visited the park in 1973. I was a Jungle Cruise Skipper from 1982 through 1984. My wife still works there -- performing in the role of Mickey Mouse. For me, visiting the Magic Kingdom is like returning to my old neighborhood. Riding in the front seat of the train on 'Space Mountain' is one of the great theme park experiences. Watching my four year old daughter dancing with Snow White on Main Street USA in 1997 and then jumping rope near the same spot in 2008 are indelible memories. And I've always said you're not a real Floridian until you've made-out with a date on the Haunted Mansion. And finally there's that castle, an iconic structure as familiar to Americans as the White House or the Capitol building. Striking against a blue sky on a clear Florida day, beautifully lit when the sun goes down and absolutely breathtaking when covered in lights at Christmas.
Yeah ... The Magic Kingdom has to be number one.
However, Magic Kingdom is the most visited overall, and is the quintessentail WDW "Disney" park...no visit is complete without it
MK is best for kids, Epcot for adults, DHS for teens/movie lovers, and AK for everyone really/animal lovers
Disney would never be able to make a park like Epcot today. It has the smallest lines and has a great feeling to it. It is the best walking park and has a lofty sense of learning behind it.
Your the one I can yell at with the Wizard Hat in the middle of DHS! I dont see how it fits with the park! And I thought it was just temporary!
