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3. Its intricate theming

Of course, for the concept and storytelling to work, the park would need to be themed with even more care and attention to detail than Disney's other parks – and it is in this area where Animal Kingdom truly begins to excel.

Its lush flora and fauna, its stimulating visual aesthetic, its flowing water, and its kinetic animals all combine to make Animal Kingdom an overwhelming location at first glance. From moment to moment, there are just so many different and interesting things to look at, its easy to feel swallowed up inside it all.

But, then, that is the entire point. It is this exquisite and exuberant theming that makes Disney's Animal Kingdom rise above the other Disney parks. Other parks don't have to stay true to such an immersive environment quite so consistently throughout their grounds. The Magic Kingdom, for all its titular magic, has pauses for basic design work in its hub and its entry way. Epcot, while certainly grandiose, is very honest in its artificiality – it doesn't require much imagination, because it's not really asking you to buy into anything imaginary. Even the Hollywood Studios has momentary lapses in magic – particularly jarring due to its post-modern “film studio” aesthetic.

But the Animal Kingdom is unrelenting. It strives to place you in a natural world, and keep you believing in that world for the entirety of your stay. Nothing feels overly artificial except for those moments where you're meant to appreciate that dichotomy. Most of the buildings seem to recede beneath the natural environment rather than stand atop it. Not only is this an example of beautiful theming, but it also uses the design work to help push forward the park's main message: Humanity must protect and defend the natural world – especially from ourselves.

4. Its verisimilitude

How many times at Walt Disney World are you asked to suspend your disbelief? How many times are you meant to look at a robotic fox and think, “Yes, that is a real, living being”? How many times do you encounter pirates, aliens, or cartoon characters?

It is this suspension of disbelief that drives many away from Disney. To them, it's little more than make believe – something we're meant to grow out of when we're young. For them, it's hard to connect with Disney attractions because they're simply asking too much of them: “Just for a few minutes, pretend this is real.”

And this, more than anything else, is what Animal Kingdom does differently. Because for all the fantasy – for all the disco Yetis and Iguanadons – there are real, live animals there. When you hop on Kilimanjaro Safaris, or walk down the Maharajah Jungle Trek, what you see is – more than anything else at Disney, anyway – real. Those are real lions and tigers and giraffes and elephants. They're there. You can see them.

And because of this, Disney's Animal Kingdom offers a verisimilitude that simply doesn't exist at the other Disney parks. And, because of it, it makes Animal Kingdom's fantastical attractions pop that much more. After spending 20 minutes looking at zebra and hippos on a safari, and really seeing them up close, who's to say that Carnataurus isn't real?

It is this tension between what is real and what is fiction that drives Animal Kingdom creatively. The theming and the storytelling are there to convey the message of conservation, but that tension is what creates the sense of wonder and all of the thrills – and that's really what's at the heart of Animal Kingdom.

5. Its sense of adventure

There's a possibly apocryphal story that goes something like this:

Animal Kingdom creative director and Imagineering executive Joe Rohde wanted the park to be a completely different experience from everything that came before it. He wanted guests to take their time to explore the park in new ways, letting themselves become lost amid the scale and grandeur of it. And so, he thought, why not really make guests explore? Like, for real? Why not refuse to print and disseminate maps of the park?

The idea was genius: If guests didn't know where to go, they'd be forced to move at their own pace, exploring the nooks and crannies of his new park with the same sense of adventure a real explorer might have. However, for about a million different reasons including restroom needs, first aid, and general guest efficiency, this idea was scrapped. However, it led to the decision to make the Oasis – Animal Kingdom's Main Street USA – the canopied, multi-directional transition point it is today, giving guests that same sense of choosing their own adventure.

Animal Kingdom was always meant to be different. It was always meant to ask guests to approach it differently – to look at it not as a series of attractions to be conquered, but rather, as an adventure to be savored. More than any other park, you'll have moments at Animal Kingdom where you truly can't believe you're standing in Central Florida. You might even have moments where you feel lost, or completely transported somewhere unfamiliar. That's entirely the point.

And so, if you find yourself lost in Disney's Animal Kingdom, find your way home the way you always were meant to: Put away the map, and explore.

 
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Comments

Can I just say this has been one of my most favorite reads here on TPT? Not only have you most likely swayed my decision on what is my favorite park next to MK but you describe exactly how I feel when I'm in the park and all I see are those that are rushing from one attraction to the next. With the exception of MK this park feels more complete than any of the others. Everything in this park is there for a reason. You should see the look on some peoples faces once they realize that the shrine on the other side of Discovery River, across from Everest line up perfectly with the mountains on the ride. Even those that have been there lots of times don't know this because they are so busy. Dakota, I don't think you're crazy. I think you hit the nail on the head with what Walt always had in mind. Just as each land in MK feels like one complete experience, this whole park has that feeling and I for one cannot wait until it is open later in to the evenings just so I can stay that much longer.

This is a Really good article, I love animal Kingdom for all the reasons stated above. I could spend a whole day there because I do like to wander about. Not point a to point b, instead should I go left or right. That's the way Animal Kingdom works best.

Don't forget "educational".

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