We’ve mentioned this elsewhere, but we never had a chance to see EPCOT Center – the original version of the park that arguably existed for the first couple of decades, albeit in a state of constant change (or demise depending on who you talk to). This was a elaborate dark ride / animatronic lover’s paradise – with thematic integrity reflecting a world’s fair in its truest form. Since that time, the front half of the park – Future World – has changed so much it is almost unrecognizable today. Contrast that to the back half of the park – World Showcase -which has remained mostly untouched since the debut. Today, Epcot is transforming and Future World will no longer even exist in name – as it morphs into a multi-themed showcase area with many new attractions. But we’re looking at the park today, and thus this front half of Epcot has little going for it – other than a whole lotta’ construction walls. There are couple of gems – Test Track is a solid e-ticket thriller, Spaceship Earth and Living with the Land are great remnants of old-school Epcot “edutainment”, and you can’t go wrong with Soarin’. Beyond this, there are a few so-so experiences that arguably were better in a prior life (Journey Into Imagination, Mission: Space, and Under the Sea with Nemo and Friends come to mind). The back half of the park is where Epcot still shines, as World Showcase is a unique experience that provides authentic look at 11 different countries. And while only two of these currently have rides, the shops, entertainment, shows, and food are all top-notch and make this area a fantastic way to spend the day. We look forward to Harmonious – the new nighttime spectacular that is in development – as it will fill a huge hole left when Illuminations was retired. And we can’t help but think the new Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind indoor roller coaster is going to be a major headliner for decades to come. But we can’t overlook all that is missing today, and as a result, Epcot is at the bottom of our list – but with a very positive trajectory for the future.

In contrast to Epcot, which is currently undergoing a massive overhaul, Disney’s Hollywood Studios just wrapped up their own reimagining, and as a result went from a half-day park to a legitimate player in the Florida theme park roster. Here the neon of Hollywood shines bright through the entry plaza and both Hollywood and Sunset boulevards are fantastic, consistent experiences. Two major anchor e-tickets: Tower of Terror, and Rock and Roller Coaster both reside in this area of the park, and are absolute gems. The center of the park is anchored by the fantastic Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway – which we find to be worth the hype and then some. To the back of the park is the world’s best Toy Story Land, as well as Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge – with it’s unbelievable Rise of the Resistance attraction. Rounding out the park are two classics: Star Tours and MuppetVision 3-D. Which brings up the obvious: while the theming here is top notch it is also incredibly inconsistent. Going from a Hollywood tinsel-town era street to Andy’s oversized backyard to the Star Wars planet of Batuu makes for some jarring transitions. This runs counter to much of Disney’s core Imagineering principles, but in this day and age, it’s becoming extremely common. Elsewhere, there are some fun eating options in this park – from Docking Bay 7 in Galaxy’s Edge, to the Sci-Fi Drive in Diner and 50’s Prime Time Café – all among the best themed eateries in all of Walt Disney World. But the studios park is at its core all about the entertainment – and that’s where Disney’s Hollywood Studios offers more than any of its peers. From the Beauty and the Beast show to Fantasmic to the Indiana Jones Stunt Spectacular, the park is overflowing with live entertainment, and that really rounds out the experience here. And while we’d love to see one or two more mid-level attractions to counter-balance all of the major e-tickets, it’s still a very solid offering – though an incredibly inconsistent one – at Disney’s Hollywood Studios – the third best theme park at the Walt Disney World resort.

The original park at Walt Disney World is Magic Kingdom, and this castle park is arguably the most “magical” of all the parks at the resort, with it’s blueprint patterned after the original park in California, but supersized to handle much larger crowds. Here are all the classics: Space Mountain, Haunted Mansion, Pirates of the Caribbean, Splash Mountain, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad – the list goes on and on. The challenge here is that while in some cases, those attractions are among the best versions of their peers in the world, but in others, there are some real drawbacks compared to the competition. And that’s a shame for the world’s most visited theme park, where each attraction should unquestionably be the best of it’s kind in the world. Still, characters abound, retail stores ooze details, and food – while overall a bit lacking other than one or two standouts – is in no shortage. Magic Kingdom stalled out back in the 2000’s and for some time felt extremely dated, but thanks to New Fantasyland, which added the fantastic Seven Dwarfs Mine Train among other rides and offerings, the park received a shot in the arm that propelled it back to its former glory. Many other areas received updates and much needed TLC, and today, most of Magic Kingdom park feels like the flagship theme park it should be. We’re incredibly excited about the upcoming Tron: Lightcycle Run coaster which was a big hit for us when we rode it in Shanghai, and we also anticipate that the upcoming revamp of Splash Mountain into Princess and the Frog will spare no expense given that attraction’s profile. Today it’s a great theme park that gets close – but not quite – to that coveted #1 spot, as the second best Disney theme park in Orlando.

In the top spot is Disney’s Animal Kingdom, for several standout reasons. For starters, the theming in this park runs deep and consistent from the moment guests step inside. Everything from the pathways to the buildings to the foliage immerses in true Disney fashion, and it is absolutely impossible not to get swept up in the theming and believe that this really is Asia or Africa or even Pandora. The rides and attractions are solid – with major e-ticket winners like Expedition Everest roller coaster and the Avatar: Flight of Passage simulator. Entertainment abounds here – with authentic touches scattered throughout the lands that pay tribute to the countries and cultures they are based on. Food is overall the best lineup in all of Walt Disney World, with creative and adventurous offerings at places like Tiffins, or Yak & Yeti. And retail in Disney’s Animal Kingdom offers not only more consistent theming, but also many unique and authentic items sold nowhere else at the resort – another nice touch. But the real star of the show at this park are the animals, and in this regard, Disney knocks it out of the park. Whether it’s admiring monkeys or birds playing overhead while waiting in line for an attractions, or wandering down one of several themed trails to see several different species in their natural habitats, there are literally hour’s worth of animals to observe and learn about. And on top of all of this is the Kilimanjaro Safari attraction – an incredible experience that mimics a true African safari – where the animals are not only plentiful but also in extremely close proximity to the vehicles. Experiencing this one in the early morning or at dusk is a fantastic experience sure to produce several “wow” moments as the animals are most active at those times. The only real blemish at this park is the Dino-Rama area, but it seems with the removal of Primeval Whirl that this area may finally be on its way out, and it’s a small blip on the radar in an otherwise amazing place. At its core, Disney’s Animal Kingdom is a theme park/zoo hybrid on steroids – and it’s the best theme park at Walt Disney World resort.