Circle of Parks Podcast: Talking all things Walt Disney World
Because there's far too much to see and do. We're here to help guide you through. We are a married couple with two boys age 9 and 6 talking all things Disney World. This podcast will cover the tips and tricks we've learned along our journey, history of the parks and attractions, and most importantly why and how Disney makes us feel how we do while in the parks and that it's ok to feel that way.
Circle of Parks Podcast: Talking all things Walt Disney World
Episode #198: Animal Kingdom Attractions: Under, Over, or Properly Rated?
We take a deep dive into whether Animal Kingdom attractions live up to the hype, rating everything from the animal trails to the thrilling coasters as under, over, or properly rated.
• The Boneyard playground and DINOSAUR ride in Dinoland USA are both surprisingly underrated experiences
• Finding Nemo: The Big Blue and Beyond delivers strong performances but runs a bit long
• Expedition Everest features actual artifacts from Everest expeditions in its meticulously detailed queue
• The Maharajah Jungle Trek and Gorilla Falls trails offer intimate animal encounters that too many guests rush through
• Flight of Passage delivers an immersive experience worthy of its long wait times
• Na'vi River Journey lacks a compelling storyline despite beautiful visuals
• The Wildlife Express Train provides underappreciated glimpses into animal care facilities
• Kilimanjaro Safaris delivers a consistently excellent experience with unique wildlife encounters
• Nomad Lounge serves what may be the best churros on any Disney property
• Festival of the Lion King remains one of Walt Disney World's premier entertainment offerings
If you're planning a Disney vacation, contact our sponsor Travel Planner Erica at TravelPlannerErica.com for help with all your reservation needs and receive a Disney gift card based on your trip value.
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Hello and welcome to Circle of Parks podcast episode number 198. Today we are talking about if attractions in Animal Kingdom are under, over or properly rated. There is far too much to see and do. We are here to help guide you through, but before we do that, we must talk.
Speaker 1:Disney merch this week's Disney merch. If you go to DisneyStorecom, you will see there is a new Walt Disney World Starbucks mug for $24.99. It's refreshed memories of the most magical place on earth when drinking from this souvenir mug from Starbucks. The sizable and sturdy ceramic cup has an all over dimensional design Featuring popular Walt Disney World landmarks, characters and symbols. With it's contrasting interior and handle, it's a colorful reminder of your trips to the park. So again, ray's dimensional design Includes Cinderella Castle, spaceship, Earth, figment, tree of Life and the Hollywood Tower of Terror. I thought it was a unique design in a way compared to some of their others. So that's why I chose this for this week's Disney merch. And I'm just really missing Disney right now, and so seeing all those icons and characters and stuff just kind of hit me. So again, it's priced at $24.99, and that is this week's Disney merch.
Speaker 2:Yeah, I'm really getting the Disney blues right now too. It's been a while.
Speaker 1:It's been a long, long time for us. I don't think we've gone this long in a very long time, maybe like COVID.
Speaker 2:Even with my trip back. When was my last November?
Speaker 1:That was like October, November, Like early November.
Speaker 2:I went for my last november I was like october, november, yeah, like early november I went for my my last research trip. Research, yeah, it's early research trip. Um, yeah, I'm going again in two weeks good for you, something like that. Sorry, guys I'm, I'm really, yeah, I'm really getting the, the, you know, the disney blues right now, and yeah it's. This is what's keeping us going, though, is doing these shows.
Speaker 1:Yeah, because I mean, as a family, we'll be there soon enough, less than two months.
Speaker 2:We're less than 60 days out. Erica's already gotten our dining, dining reservations and everything's done, booked, all that Good to go. We just got to do the multi passes we're going to do for Magic Kingdom and Hollywood Studios right.
Speaker 1:Yeah, we'll see how that goes. I need to make sure we know what days we're doing what part.
Speaker 2:Yeah, and Erica can do all that for you. She can book your multi-passes for you and single passes and all that good stuff. Erica can do all that for you. We'll talk about her more in a bit, but if you're new to the podcast, thank you. We've got a lot of new listeners. We appreciate you. We really, really do. I'm zach.
Speaker 2:I'm britney and we do this show every single week mostly, and our, our goals are to help you get through the week. It helps us. It really does help us. Right now we're in the big disney blues and the weather's not helping.
Speaker 2:Weather's not good here and every now and then we just be like should we keep doing the podcast? Yeah, and then we get messages which we'll get to at the end of the episode that we're like yeah, this is why you know. And so we just, we just hope to help you get through the week, bring some Disney magic to your week and help you have a better Waltalt disney world or disneyland vacation. And that's what we do here.
Speaker 2:Yeah, try to have some fun yes uh, try to get some layers of the onion peeled back for information that you may not have known, with disney and and just yeah, just yeah, just to help you get through the week. So we're in animal kingdom. Yes, our favorite park. Yes, I'm just going to say it right now. This whole park is underrated, everything in the park's underrated.
Speaker 1:Show's over no, no, no, show's over no there's some things I have a few opinions on.
Speaker 2:All right, so we did this back, episode number 24 or 25. I don't know.
Speaker 1:Way back when.
Speaker 2:And we've added some more to this, some of the shows and experiences from that episode that we didn't do. So let's go ahead and we're going to start off Brittany with the Boneyard. Now, what is the Boneyard? A lot of people may not know this.
Speaker 1:Right, yeah, so it's an attraction located in Dinoland, usa, for now. For now, because you know they're redoing that whole area. But it's for now Because you know they're redoing that whole area, but it's for now. Roam in an open air space designed to look like a dinosaur dig where young paleontologists can play so you can be any height. It is geared more towards you know, your younger kids and toddlers, and so you're having fun with fossils. So kids ages 10 and under are invited to go on these rope bridges, climb through mysterious caves and hurl down twisting slides, and at the dig site you can dig up fossils from Triceratops and T-Rex. Discover lots more dino-sized surprises as you have a blast digging up the past. Parents of busy explorers can enjoy a shaded seating area at the dig site where large fans help keep things cool, and we used to do this a lot we have.
Speaker 2:Yes. So what did you think under over or properly rated?
Speaker 1:I said under because I, yes, there's always been people there when we would do it, but it wasn't ever crazy, because I don't think in the dig area I don't think everybody realizes that it's there, or you could have parents that are like I don't want you to get sand and stuff all over you, I don't know, um, but if you need a moment to just let them get some energy out and then you have a shaded, cooler area to sit um, this, we, we definitely took advantage of that, uh, so I say underrated completely agree.
Speaker 2:This is underrated. I wasn't.
Speaker 2:I'm not a big fan of like the slide area, because you can get pretty hectic there that area, but the dig site, the dig site is awesome, though, if you're a parent and you have kids that are 10 and under and you just need a break and let them get some just energy out or just explore a little bit, this is a great place. I've been known to take an adult beverage or two in here and just sit down, hang out, let the kids do their thing, and you know, I know it's not sand, it's like granulated yeah.
Speaker 1:When I said that.
Speaker 2:Smaller rocks.
Speaker 1:Yeah, so it's not sand.
Speaker 2:It can get in your shoes, but it comes out a lot easier than sand, and I remember our second trip ever and I remember walking through the airport because we went to Animal Kingdom and then we flew out that night. I remember having this granulated rocks in my shoes and you were like, oh, I'm sorry you got to him and I'm like, no, no, no, it's good because it's reminding me of them playing in the dick site all right like it wasn't painful, it wasn't yeah.
Speaker 1:I mean it was a little annoying. It just gives them a chance, not only for the energy but just, you know, to be kids yeah, it's a good chill spot.
Speaker 2:I would say, yeah, I agree, underrated. How long it's going to be here, I don't know.
Speaker 1:Yeah.
Speaker 2:Hopefully they will replace it with something similar.
Speaker 1:Right, because I think kids and the parents need something like this.
Speaker 2:Or I think they could just re-theme this to what they're doing there.
Speaker 1:Yeah.
Speaker 2:And then keep it and just have it themed differently.
Speaker 1:Right, that's what I would think they could. Shouldn't be that hard. I'm trying to think what they could like dig for with like ruins and stuff, because it's supposed to be like central america, right because like central american ruins or something, like that right, yeah, yeah, and it would. I mean it wouldn't cost much to just simply retheme it right and again, like, like zach said, the the slides and stuff area can be a little busy, but usually the digging area not so much.
Speaker 2:Yeah, all right, we agree. Yes, underrated, all right, moving on. Where are we heading to next?
Speaker 1:Next, we're still staying in Dinoland and heading over to Dinosaur.
Speaker 2:All right so again.
Speaker 1:This will be here a little longer.
Speaker 2:At least until the end of the year, and as of recording this, it is April 5th 2025. So at least until the end of the year.
Speaker 1:Yes, so it's a ride. Okay, again, located in Dinoland, you're traveling back in time as a prehistoric race to rescue a dinosaur before the meteor strikes. You do need to be 40 inches or taller. It is a thrill ride. There's some small drops, can be dark or scary for some of the younger children, and so it's again a race against time. A paleontologist recruits you for a secret mission to bring a 3.5 ton iguanodon back to the present. There. Just one problem the giant meteor that wiped out life on earth is on its way. So you're on this time rover vehicle, set off on a thrilling adventure through this forest filled with lifelike dinosaurs. It is bumpy, it is. You're driving over terrain and stuff. Uh, you know, the dinosaurs are going to kind of pop out. At times it can be a little loud, but I think it's a fun ride. Now, when our youngest was younger, it did kind of scare him a little bit the first time or two. Yeah, yeah, so do I find it under over or properly rated? I'm still saying underrated.
Speaker 2:Agreed Underrated. This is a very fun attraction and every time we get on it we're like, oh, this is a fun attraction, Like we're all smiling and laughing and having a good time.
Speaker 2:And very well themed. I love the pre-show. The story here is great. The queue there's some really cool stuff in the queue Inside Inside the queue there's some really cool stuff in the queue inside inside, uh, the queue there's some really good artifacts and stuff to read and and the dinosaur fossils and stuff. I just really overall, I really do just love this attraction. Never that long, but if it has a very long wait, it's a really busy day in the park yeah, exactly, usually it's roughly 30 minutes or less yeah you know there's been several times where we've um been able to almost walk on right.
Speaker 1:You know, just basically waiting for like pre-show kind of thing, yeah yeah, so I'm going underrated as well, we agree we're two for two hey, all right, we agree.
Speaker 2:All right, we're gonna move on from from Dinoland and go where.
Speaker 1:So I'm a little confused because on the website this is still saying located in Dinoland. It's kind of Like border.
Speaker 2:It's between yeah, so we'll say it's in Dinoland. We'll go with what it says, okay.
Speaker 1:So this is a show, a stage show Finding Nemo, the Big Blue and Beyond. So filled with puppets, singers, other performers set in the underwater world of Finding Nemo. It's roughly 25 minutes. There's, you know, posted showtimes on the app and website throughout the day, usually almost like every hour on the app and website throughout the day, usually almost like every hour on the hour. Once I don't remember what the earliest show time is.
Speaker 2:As of right now, it's showing today's show times as well.
Speaker 1:Well, it's showing 11, but it's because it is 11 there, so I'm wondering if there's an earlier time, but anyway, oh, I'm sorry. 11 am, 12, 2, 33, 30 and 4 30 yes, I guess the earliest show time is 11 am, because I clicked on tomorrow just to see if we missed any there you go all right.
Speaker 1:So the big blue world live on stage. So, again based on the movie, it's an exciting stage show invites you to discover the familiar tale of nemo and friends from a whole new point of view, as well as fan favorite songs such as Such as in the Big Blue World, and Go With the Flow. The adventure begins by catching up with the fish from Dr P Sherman's office in Finding Nemo, who made their way across the ocean to the Marine Life Institute. With live performers, animated backdrops, theater decked out with innovative lighting, sounds, special effects you know it again, just a different telling of it. Uh, I think overall, like they did a good job with it. However, I feel that it is overrated. Wow.
Speaker 2:Okay, explain.
Speaker 1:I just I don't know Like it was fun to watch, I enjoyed it, but I just, I don't know. I just felt like I don't think they could have done anything differently or whatever. I just felt like, eh, it's a one and done for me.
Speaker 2:Okay, I'm going with properly rated. Okay, it's a one and done for me. Okay, I'm going with properly rated okay. Um, it's a good show that the actors and actresses are very talented they are, they are very very talented.
Speaker 2:I think this show gets overshadowed by another great show in this park, which we will talk about later yeah so I think that may be part of it, but I rated it properly rated, because there's not any hype around this show. You don't really hear a lot of people talking about it, right? So I don't think it's over or underrated. I just I think it's my opinion. I think it's properly rated. Is it a bad show? No, are we going to go watch it again? Probably not right.
Speaker 1:I feel like maybe it could be slightly shorter. I don't know I felt myself getting a little antsy towards a little bored yeah I would agree with that.
Speaker 2:It did run a little long. Uh, yeah, it is a different telling of it. Again, the, the actors are are very talented, but it's just yeah. That's why I went proper yeah, not over under, because no one really talks about it, you know so but the ones that do are like oh, it's amazing, which, again great job.
Speaker 1:But I just, I don't know, I think it could, yeah, yeah, all right, we're moving on to asia yes, asia heading to expedition.
Speaker 2:Everest legend of the forbidden mountain and if I remember back from the first time we did these, I almost got up and walked out when you said what you said okay.
Speaker 1:So anyway, kareen, through icy himalayan peaks on a speeding train, while avoiding the clutches of the mythic Yeti. Now, this height requirement is very important. You must be 44 inches or taller. It's a thrill ride. There are big drops, dark, you go backwards, all of that stuff. So they do check the height for sure on this one, if, if your child looks kind of borderline with it. Again, 44 inches, uh, yeti or not, here he comes.
Speaker 1:Okay, so you're like in Tibet, like in a village at the base of Mount Everest, in board a train to the top of the world. Beware, some say, a legendary snow monster lives deep in the mountain. After a steep ascent, your train picks up speed and races into the darkness Without warning. A broken and twisted track appears in front of you. Brace yourself as you plummet backward into total darkness which would have been nice if I'd known that ahead of time. Inside the cavern, the mythical tale comes true as you see the shadow of a massive growling beast. Race to escape the cursed mountain before the Yeti claims another expedition.
Speaker 1:Now, some parts of this may be scary for children. This attraction features loud noises, fast drops, high speeds, dark places, frightening creature effects. So, first of all, the theming leading up to the mountain before you're even to the attraction, I feel like is kind of setting the tone. Yes, because you can see it from far, far away and they did a really good job throughout the Asia area of this park, so I think it just builds. I'm going to let you talk more on everything else, so that's why I'm just leaving it at that. Zach's going to dive in more into, like the queue and all of that stuff. But from what I have experienced from it, I say I haven't walked through the queue but I've done the right a couple of times and I say properly okay.
Speaker 2:Last time you said underrated okay, and I about walked out of here.
Speaker 1:That was almost our last podcast we were only like 25 in uh-huh, okay, so uh, but I put properly okay, um, I'm going under.
Speaker 2:The wait for this is usually not that long. If there's a long wait for this, it's really busy in the park. Normally it's under 30 minutes. The theming on this is just on point, just like everything in Animal Kingdom. The theming here is on point. The storytelling is on point. The cue the theming here is on point. The storytelling is on point. The queue it is the most detailed queue I've ever. All the artifacts in the queue are from. Sorry if you can hear something in the background. Our dog is scratching their paws right outside of our door.
Speaker 1:Yep, so I apologize for that.
Speaker 2:Sorry for that. Sounded like rain hitting the window for a second.
Speaker 1:Yeah, I was like what is that? But if you've been listening to our show for a while, you've heard Zach talk about this queue several times the artifacts.
Speaker 2:These are not props. What's in this queue are not props. These are actual items that were used on treks to Everest in the base camps. They were used on treks to Everest in the base camps. They were used on Everest. They were used in the base camps All of that. This is the real deal. This is not a prop they came up with, and so that just the authenticity alone here is just amazing. The coaster was at the time the most expensive roller coaster ever made. It's just everything you want in a Disney attraction.
Speaker 1:Right.
Speaker 2:Original IP. This is not a story that you know original Disney story. The theming is on point, the storytelling you're going through. You know it's Expedition Everest Legend of the Forbidden Mountain. You see a lot of the tea references and Amandapur tea company and all that. You're going through the mountains to get tea and that's what it is and you're not actually going to Everest. You're going to the Forbidden Mountain. The top peak here is not supposed to be Mount Everest. This is the Forbidden.
Speaker 2:People don't know that interesting uh, so again, just never that long of a wait. If it is, it's a really, really busy day in the park. Underrated the cue, the story.
Speaker 1:You're fully enthralled into the storyline and I love every bit of it yeah, like I put properly, because I feel that you do hear people talk about this ride more when when I hear people talking about animal kingdom, this is one of the first things that they say. But I almost wonder sometimes too, if they don't, if it doesn't have a long line, because they they board quickly they do turn them out. Yeah, really, it's like in credit, because there's how many on the track at one time?
Speaker 2:usually three yeah I think yeah, usually three it's like in credit Credit Coaster. They pump people through there quick.
Speaker 1:Right, that's in DCA. But yeah, because I mean even like if you're watching outside at one of the outside drops, like as that train's coming down, you see another one going up. So you know there's at least two there.
Speaker 2:So when one's going up, the one's going up into the mountain, one's coming down the mountain, there's always going to be one in the station as well. Okay, getting unloaded and loaded. So they do turn people through here really quick. It's got a really high ride capacity per hour, but again, it's still never more than 30 minutes, right, but on really busy days it'll get an hour plus. So that's why it's still underrated, because there's just so much here and people do talk about it and I can understand your proper rating on it. But yeah, on our Instagram poll we had one person that said something different. We'll get to that in a bit. You may want to rethink your life choices and all the decisions you've ever made in your entire life. All right, moving on. Moving on Staying in Asia.
Speaker 1:Yes, staying in Asia, Cali River Rapids. Set out on a thrilling whitewater adventure through a lush jungle in the heart of Asia. You must be 38 inches or taller. It's a thrill ride. Water ride, small drops spinning. So you're rafting down a rip-roaring river, skim across an erupting geyser, drift below a canopy of lush vegetation and be whisked along fast-moving rapids, graze, gushing waterfalls and bedrock amid the raging current. Then, as the harmony of nature is disrupted, you'll plummet down a dramatic 20-foot slope. You will get wet. You will surely get splashed on, if not soaked.
Speaker 1:Guests wishing to remain dry are encouraged to bring a waterproof poncho, extra clothes or towel to dry off. There's lockers for mobile devices and all of those things as well at the entrance of the ride. And yeah, so keep all of that in mind, because it's one of those. You don't know who's going to get wet. It's all about how this the raft spins and everything you know. One side might just get the little splash. The other side you could be, as it said, soaked, where you're wringing out your clothes. And I've seen people getting off of this ride and they're all coming off the same raft and half of them aren't so wet and the other half are like they just got out of the shower. So, um, I'm not going to rate this because I have not ridden on it. So, yeah, I just wanted to give the description I agree.
Speaker 2:No rating as well. We have not done it either um y'all have tried a couple of times so I know we said in our last when we went on a trip last summer that we were going to do it me and nolan were going to do it. However, after being just beat down by that whole trip, the coast to coast flying really takes a toll on your body, and the time difference, and all that the day we did animal kingdom.
Speaker 1:It was extremely hot and this would have been perfect this would have been perfect, but we were just worn out and it had an extremely long line the time we were going to do it, me and nolan.
Speaker 2:It was a 60 minute wait and we were just so hot, we were so tired, we were just like no yeah that was the moment we went to nomad lounge and we're just like sat in there for like two hours Right To cool down and yeah so, so, yeah.
Speaker 1:So we can't, we don't want to rate it when we haven't done it. However, you know, if, if you like wet rides and the surprise of am I going to get it or not, kind of thing, and and you're prepared to be either soaked or not, you know, I mean it could be, you know, a really fun ride. Now, there are times, like we said, that day, it was a long line, but there are times where it's not at all.
Speaker 2:No, and no one, and I both have said we are going to do it this summer. Yeah, long wait or not, we don't care right so, and it may not end up being like it was a 60 minute wait. I probably doubt it was a 60 minute wait, but at the time we're just like, no, we're not, yeah, not doing that, but this time um next two months.
Speaker 1:For now we are going to do it, we'll wait whatever and see, and normally too, in the past, like I know, those were like two trips combined, um, but we usually end on animal kingdom. But I think we're thinking about changing the days that we do Animal Kingdom so we don't feel so tired. Yeah yeah, no rating. No, no rating, no rating. All right, moving on, still in Asia.
Speaker 2:Still in Asia.
Speaker 1:The Marahah.
Speaker 2:Marahah.
Speaker 1:Jungle Trek. So any heights, all ages, it's a trail that you're walking down and you're going to see many different wild animals, as well as tigers, and it's the theming through all of this. You know there's towering footbridges. Roam around jungle bins, behold cascading waterfalls and stand in the shadow of a palace frozen in time. Hop into a chirping aviary where there are over 50 species of birds and some other animals that you may see. Besides the Asian tigers are gibbons, elds, deer, black buck, komodo, dragon.
Speaker 1:No what I'm just reading. I don't know what that animal is.
Speaker 2:You said black buck, that's what it says, okay, I thought you said something different no, this is a family show. I don't okay.
Speaker 1:I said black buck, okay, komodo dragon, malayan flying fox, water buffalo and then again the birds. So, uh, we have definitely seen the komodo dragon, we've seen the water buffalo, I believe. We've seen the birds, we've seen the gibbons and we've seen the tigers. Now, you know, the tigers have a decent area to roam around, so there may be times where you see them up close, like we have like right there in front of you, and then there's other times you might be kind of peering around things to see it, or you may not see it at all, but, um, it is definitely a very pretty tropical forest.
Speaker 1:I say yeah, and so I put underrated, because I feel like the trails here, just people are either rushing through it, not appreciating everything that it has to offer and taking the time to see the animals and other details. Um, you know, I think when you're thinking theme parks, there's so many people that are just like ride, ride, ride, ride, ride. You know, um, but there's a lot more to see in this park than just that and, as we've said before, this park is meant to make you slow down.
Speaker 2:Yes, so I put underrated I agree, I'm surprised and shocked.
Speaker 1:You did not talk about back, so oh, I forgot about back so well, it's because we haven't seen him in person yet if we had done our couples trip that we had to cancel, you know. So, yes, there's a baby tiger named back so he's just very playful any videos we've seen.
Speaker 2:Loving with his mom and dad.
Speaker 1:Yeah, yeah.
Speaker 2:Yeah, baby Tiger, go check it out.
Speaker 1:Yeah Well, because we haven't seen him ourselves.
Speaker 2:I can't believe she's going to talk about Baxo. You never mentioned him. Yeah, okay, I agree, underrated Great, this is off the beaten path. You have to look for this. It's not going to just jump out at you, be right there. So that's why I think a lot of people don't do it, because you have to go out of your way to find this path.
Speaker 1:Yes, this trail Underrated.
Speaker 2:There's some great stuff the tigers I like the bat area.
Speaker 1:I think that's really cool.
Speaker 2:The aviaries place kind of scares me a little bit. You don't want to get pooped on that and I just I don't know, it's just, you're walking into their world.
Speaker 1:Okay.
Speaker 2:And it just makes me a little uneasy, but I do. The storytelling here is great. The trail is great. It's a. It embodies what Animal kingdom was supposed to, is and was supposed to be. Joe rody the imagineer, that that lead imagineer, do you know? He didn't even want park maps or signs up in the park? Oh really, because he wanted you to explore and find things.
Speaker 1:Okay.
Speaker 2:He didn't want people to go know where they were going. So that goes to slowing you down and just stumbling upon stuff, which I think is just awesome. But I think this is that you kind of have to stumble upon this because it's not off the main path. I mean, it is off the main path but it's not.
Speaker 1:It's further back in it and there's not flashy signage leading you there.
Speaker 2:No, so underrated. I think it's great and yeah, there's some great animals on there, some good. Relax, take your time, slow down, enjoy that. Yeah, I agree. Yeah, all right.
Speaker 1:All right, all right, still in Asia. Okay, feathered friends in flight. Join the animal behavior specialist for a behind-the-scenes look at the free-flying birds of Disney's Animal Kingdom Park. Visit Anandapur Theater to learn how these specialists care for and train their feathered friends. This is all ages 35 minutes. It's usually every hour, on the 30, I believe. So like 10, 30, 11, 30, stuff like that, or just about every hour I think they have a little break, a little longer of a break, midday. So, um, yeah, so exactly what it said. You know how they train them. Um, there's different things that some of the birds may like go and seek out while they're in that theater, or or say even it's you know, a show again where they are free flying.
Speaker 1:So if you don't like birds flying around, you might not be your thing, but I put properly rated okay just because people that you don't hear a lot about this show, but people that are aware of it and everything and and how they enjoy it or or not, I just think it's properly okay. Yeah, I would underrate it okay, because I don't.
Speaker 2:You don't ever hear anything about it, you don't really hear about it, and I went underrated for one reason, or one reason only. So our oldest ryan's in middle school now and he's starting to be at the age where stuff's not cool anymore, you know, and we went to this show and he loved this. He thought it was funny, he thought it was entertaining and informative and I remember him walking out of that show was like wow, that was. That was really really funny. I really liked that show and for a middle schooler, Well, at the time, he wasn't.
Speaker 1:No, he was, he was yeah.
Speaker 2:For a middle schooler to say that. That's telling you something, right there, I think.
Speaker 1:Yeah.
Speaker 2:And so, based on his reaction to this show, is why I'm going underrated.
Speaker 1:I can see that I debated under or proper Because there's no hype around it.
Speaker 2:You never hear anybody talking about it, you never see any influencers or YouTubers going to it. But when our 13, 12-year-old son walked out of that going, that was really really good, that stuck out. That stuck with me. Okay, so underrated. All right, you may find it more entertaining than you think.
Speaker 1:Yeah, I mean it did entertain me for a longer period of time than I thought it would. Yeah, yeah, okay, all right, moving on. So going into Africa, the Wildlife Express train.
Speaker 2:We're in Harambe now.
Speaker 1:Cross the African savanna on a rustic locomotive for a behind-the-scenes look at the park's animals. So you can be any height, all ages. It's a slower-moving train and you can get on it between 9.30 to 4.30. Okay, okay, so 9.30 in the morning to 4.30 in the afternoon, and so you're boarding this train for a peaceful, seven-minute 1.2-mile journey to Rafiki's Planet Watch, an area dedicated to preservation and conservation of animals. Get a close-up look at the inner workings of Disney's Animal Kingdom theme park and enjoy fascinating educational activities for all ages. Travel past animal housing and veterinary facilities for our resident rhinos, elephants and more. After you visit Rafiki's Planet Watch, board the wildlife express train for your ride back to Harambee Africa. So I put that this is underrated.
Speaker 2:Agreed.
Speaker 1:Yep, you know several people do take the train and everything, but you're usually the line is usually just waiting for the next one. Yes, so it's never like crazy busy or anything like that, and sometimes I feel like this is almost a little hidden. It is as well like you do see a few signs for it, but again nothing like flashy to really jump out at you, and you know you're only going to really see it if you're already walking in this area, right? So uh, because I don't think we knew about it the first couple of times I remember seeing the signs for it, but I was like eh.
Speaker 1:Yeah, okay, so, yeah, so I put under, I put underrated as well.
Speaker 2:I agree we're pretty spot on with this Great theming here. This is amazing theming. Yes, the details they put on the train and the station. It's great the train ride to Rafiki's you get to see the housing of the animals, like the elephants and the tigers not the tigers, but the lions.
Speaker 1:I know Sorry.
Speaker 2:I'll just stop talking. No go ahead. I just love that. I love the behind-the-scenes part of it Great theming. I think it is very underrated. It really ties in the story of Harambe and Animal Kingdom, just with the detail and there's a nod to this in the Magic Kingdom, in the train station, if you want to know where you got to buy my book whenever it comes out Okay.
Speaker 1:So yeah, underrated Yep, I agree.
Speaker 2:Planning a Disney vacation can be overwhelming, but that's where our new sponsor comes in. You've heard us talk about her for a long time and now she's the official sponsor of this podcast, travel planner Erica with Wishes Code Travel Planning. As a travel planner specializing in Disney destinations, she takes care of every detail, from finding the best resort options for your family booking, dining reservations to park strategies and now offers a special, lightning-laying booking service to your park days. She truly offers top-tier service from start to finish, and the best part is her planning services are free when you book your room and ticket package with her.
Speaker 1:We're thrilled to have Travel Planner Erica as the official sponsor of this podcast, and exclusively for Circle of Park's listeners. When you plan your next Walt Disney World or Disneyland vacation or your next run Disney racecation with Erica, you'll receive a Disney gift card based on the value of your trip on your arrival day to put towards your Disney snacks.
Speaker 2:So if you're dreaming of a magical Disney trip, she's the expert you want on your side, ready to plan. Reach out to Erica at TravelPlannerEricacom or follow her on Facebook and Instagram at Travel Planner Erica. Yeah, erica is great. We use her for all of our vacation planning needs. And go check out their podcast. Once upon a park podcast. They took some jabs at us with their last episode. Uh, with our the epcot over under or properly rated, they came at us yeah, it's okay.
Speaker 1:And then on social media just yesterday with some churro stuff we're going back and forth at it man.
Speaker 2:So if you want wrong opinions, go check out their podcast Once upon a park podcast. If you want an amazing travel agent to plan your vacation, go check her out. Travel planner Ericacom. We again, we love her. We use her for everything that we do, all of our vacations. And if you want to listen to bad opinions, go check out once upon a park podcast.
Speaker 1:If you want to listen to Bad Opinions go check out Once. Upon a Park podcast. But again, like we were saying earlier, she made our dining reservations for us just about a week ago. We didn't have to wake up early to do it. She got the ones we wanted, even the one that just me and our youngest are going to do, and so we're very thankful and excited for that.
Speaker 2:And it's all in good fun. Yes, all right. Yes, all right.
Speaker 1:Yes, our jabs to each other.
Speaker 2:Yes.
Speaker 1:Yes, all right. So we had mentioned Rafiki's Planet Watch when we were talking about Wildlife Express train, and so Rafiki's Planet Watch and the Conservation Station, so it's any height, all ages. Get an in-depth look at animal habitats around the globe and see the expert veterinary care that the animals receive and I believe now you can meet Timon and Rafiki here I think that started last summer and you get a close-up look at the place where they care for the animals, like the veterinary treatment room, and even glimpse a procedure in progress if there's one. There's a nutrition center, so you're seeing how they prepare meals for the park's residents. There's amphibian reptile and invertebrate windows Creep over to see some of the tarantulas, scorpions, millipedes and snakes. Yuck, sorry, I'm not a reptile amphibian person.
Speaker 1:So, and then there's a science center where you check out what the resident scientists are working on, but also, in this same building, you get to draw with animators as well.
Speaker 2:So I don't see that on the website anymore. I don't know.
Speaker 1:So in the past, because I was wondering that since it wasn't listed, so we need to do some digging and maybe talk with Erica on this as well. In the past, even like a year ago, there was a section of this building where you could draw with an animator, and it would be an animator that had been in charge of drawing one of the characters from different movies, like we've done characters from Lion king and uh, I'm drawing a blank, so many different ones yeah, yeah, different characters.
Speaker 2:So what do you rate it?
Speaker 1:um, so I'm rating it under because I still don't think like what we were saying, because of the train and everything too, that people don't always realize what all is here, you know, or they don't want to take this train ride and slow down for a little bit from the rides and shows to see all this.
Speaker 2:I agree this is an underrated thing. I'm not big on the animal like the petting zoo.
Speaker 1:I could care less about that. A petting zoo would like farm animals there.
Speaker 2:But I do like the conservation station. I do like getting to get some behind the scenes things right, like you see the hospital and how they feed them, and I think it's just a nice break from the park, which isn't a hectic park, but this is even more relaxing than being in the main park. I do like seeing all of that. I love the animation stuff. I don't know if it's still there or not. I didn't see it anywhere on the website.
Speaker 1:Yeah, I'll have to research. That makes me think it's not, which would be a shame because it's so cool to do that. It is, and I feel like adults and children enjoy doing it, and then if the children got distracted, they would bring out like coloring sheets for them instead.
Speaker 2:Well, it's in a very beautiful setting as well, like it's just very peaceful and relaxing, and yeah, I hope it's still there. If it's not, you know, I you know. Whatever it is, what it is.
Speaker 1:It'll be sad, though, because it was something that, every time we went there, we we did almost 90% of the time.
Speaker 2:Yeah, so yeah Good.
Speaker 1:And our youngest likes to keep those drawings and right now he has all of ours like on on one of the walls in his room. He does. So yeah, so yeah underrated, yeah, underrated.
Speaker 2:I think it's a great addition to Animal Kingdom. I think it's something that I would hope would stay, because it's a good break from the everyday not the everyday, but it's a good break from your park day to go here and check some stuff out and slow down.
Speaker 1:Like your typical theme park day. Yeah, Yep.
Speaker 2:All right, staying in Africa. Where are we going next?
Speaker 1:Kilimanjaro Safaris. Set off in an open air vehicle for a guided tour of lush African savanna and spot real animals roaming free. Now you can be any height, all ages. It's not like a super fast ride and it's a truly wild adventure. Explore the Harambe Wildlife Reserve, home to over 30 species living in 110 acres of picturesque open plains, shady forest landscapes and rocky wetlands. Your rugged safari vehicle is driven by an expert guide who helps point out animals and shares fascinating facts during this 18-minute expedition Roughly 18 minutes.
Speaker 2:It can be longer.
Speaker 1:It can be longer because they try not to disturb the animals or scare them off, you know. And so sometimes the animals are crossing the path and decide to stop, and so you have to wait till they move. So, um spot, a lounging hippopotamus nestled in a peaceful pond, behold a regal lion sunbathing on rocky perch, drive past a towering giraffe grazing on the tall trees, or a white rhino relaxing in the cool mud. And then there's many, many other animals as well, including cheetahs, crocodiles, elephants, painted dogs, zebras and more. And yes, there have been so many times where there have been giraffes, literally right by the vehicle. Yep, you know so. Um, they have a mind of their own, as it says.
Speaker 1:So every expedition is a unique and unforgettable experience, you know so if you ride it different trips, different times of the day, like it's not going to be the same every time, because they're not always going to be in the same places. Yeah, yeah. So I put properly rated because I think this is one ride that, when you think animal kingdom, a safari, you know it's one that a lot of people go to. Um, that rope drop, it doesn't, you can't board it, right, then you have to wait. What is it?
Speaker 2:the 30 minutes when it's normal open time yeah, yeah, when it's normal open time.
Speaker 1:Yeah, yeah, when it's normal open time is when they start loading, so, um, but I don't know. I think it's properly, because when you hear people talking about this safari, a lot of people are excited for the animals that you get to see, and especially if you hear families talk about it, you know, I've heard a lot of kids like, oh, the giraffes are right next to our vehicle, or we had to stop for a while because so and so animal was in our way, and so that's just what I've heard. I know there's some others out there, including on our our poll, that are, you know, thinking otherwise. Um, but I think it is properly rated I agree this is a properly rated attraction.
Speaker 2:This is everything this park is about the conservation of animals, right right, education and conservation of animals, and this is what Walt really wanted. Walt originally wanted live animals on the jungle cruise, so I think Walt would love, love, love. This it's. It's great I love. So you talked about a lot of the giraffes coming right next to the vehicles.
Speaker 1:I've been on it quite a few times where the rhinos are right up to the vehicles okay and you get really close with the rhinoceroses yes, yeah, I haven't, but you've gone different times of the day, so I'm when I go do my book research trips.
Speaker 2:Uh, the rest when I'm done doing the research of the land, I the rest of my day I usually go to either Epcot or Animal Kingdom, and more often than not I usually go to Animal Kingdom because this is so peaceful and relaxing. That's how I like to end the day before I come home, and in the evening I don't do the last ride, but I do one of the last rides and the rhinos usually are like right up next to the vehicle, so they're out more in the evening.
Speaker 2:Yeah, okay, it's not as hot, and so we have had to wait 10 or 15 minutes several times for the rhinoceroses to move out of the way right the white rhinoceroses okay yeah, the ones at the end, not the ones you see in the beginning okay, yeah but yeah, uh, properly rated. It's different every Like you said. I just wish they would do something with this queue. The queue here sucks.
Speaker 1:They could do a lot. Come on, you can do something great with this queue.
Speaker 2:Instead, you just wrap around this maze.
Speaker 1:There's so many switchbacks, it's just you could do.
Speaker 2:Come on Disney. Yeah, you dropped the ball on this, on the queue. You dropped the ball here.
Speaker 1:On the queue, you could do much better with the queue.
Speaker 2:The ride is great. I think this is everything that you should be doing at this park. Properly rated, I think, is great. It's either no wait or a very long wait and it's just great. Yeah, properly rated. Can't recommend this enough. Not overrated, not underrated the hype, it is worth the hype.
Speaker 1:Completely agree. Yep, yep, all right. Still in Africa, going to Gorilla Falls Exploration Trail. So trek through a lush tropical forest and spot gorillas, hippos, zebra and more in their natural habitats. Again, this is a walking trail any high, all ages. The trail is open currently from 8 15 am to 6 30 pm and the the habitats, I guess you could say, are just beautiful. You're meandering along the winding pass through pangani forest and encounter afric African animals at every turn. Peer at a meerkat on a rocky perch or a zebra on the savannah. Come face to face with a gentle troop of western lowland gorillas on a grassy hillside During your self-guided tour. Snap pictures from convenient observation stations and learn about Disney's global conservation efforts to protect animals like this in their habitats. So I thoroughly love this trail. We do it just about every time the gorillas, depending on what time of day and everything. Obviously, if you go like first thing in the morning, the family, the little ones, are usually not out yet.
Speaker 2:They don't come out a little bit later?
Speaker 1:Yeah, they come out a little later, so keep that in mind. But they have the bachelors in a different section out and about and you have a or I think he's still there A very bougie one that has to drink water from like a certain cup and wash his food more even though it's already been washed, like he's very like his way, kind of thing. So you're still going to see those gorillas, you, just if you're looking for the family, though, go just a little later in the morning. I don't remember exactly what time they come out Like this is saying it's the trail opens at eight, 15. So I think maybe like 10 o'clock, maybe.
Speaker 2:Yeah.
Speaker 1:But when you do see the family like it's definitely you know little ones bugging the parents.
Speaker 2:Reminds us of our house.
Speaker 1:Or how it was a couple of years ago anyway, but yeah.
Speaker 2:No, still now.
Speaker 1:So anyway, but I thoroughly enjoy this, this trail, so Okay.
Speaker 1:And I rated it, underrated this, this trail. So okay, um, and I rated it underrated, same reason how. Why I did the. Uh, the other marajaha jungle trek is, you know, I think a lot of people just bypass this, even though you do see this one a little more with where its location is in africa, but I just feel like it just doesn't get talked about enough and so I think it's underrated Again. Slow down, do these trails? Take it all in Laugh at these, you know, gorillas acting like human kids and stuff.
Speaker 2:I rated it properly rated. Oh man, Because we were agreeing on things, because this is situated as you get off of the Safari, so I think a lot more people do this trail as opposed to the Marajajaja.
Speaker 1:Jungle Trek. I don't feel like a lot.
Speaker 2:But this one is usually a lot more crowded, though, than the Jungle Trek, in my opinion.
Speaker 1:Well, more crowded than that one, but I still don't think it's like crowded, crowded crowded.
Speaker 2:When you want to watch the gorillas can get crowded well it can be so properly rated. The gorillas are great. The bachelor gorilla habitat is stunningly beautiful. It is you're like, wow, like waterfalls.
Speaker 1:This isn't a theme park. Yeah, this is.
Speaker 2:This is insane. It is so beautiful, so peaceful, so relaxing. The gorilla family is great. I like the other little habitats you walk when you meander through to get to the gorilla habitat, like with the fish and all that. I think it's super peaceful, super relaxing. You can see kind of the backside of the safari, the first part.
Speaker 1:Oh yeah, you can.
Speaker 2:You can see the manatees, not the manatees. I was like manatees the hippos, yeah, the water park. I just, I love this Properly rated, just because it does see more foot traffic, I think.
Speaker 1:In my opinion, than Marajajaja Jungle Traffics, but I still just feel like not everybody does it.
Speaker 2:There's not a lot of hype, I agree, but I'm just going based on foot traffic. That's my opinion, alright, okay.
Speaker 1:So next, still in Africa, I'm going to a show Festival of the Lion King. Delight in a larger than life show filled with songs, pageantry, puppetry, celebrating the classic movie the Lion King, all ages. It is roughly around 40 minutes. Current times like for the morning is 10 am, 11 am, 12 pm, and then it continues throughout the day.
Speaker 2:Two, three and four and a five. Okay.
Speaker 1:And then seating will be limited for the show and is not guaranteed with park admission. But again, there's several times to see it, okay, um, so check, you know, the in park tip boards or speak with a cast member. Um, you know, at harambe theater for cue information and show availability, which is subject to to change, and sometimes, like if the line is getting really really long, that there's sometimes a cast member there saying you may or may not make it for that next show. So keep that in mind too, and that's for any show in Disney. They try to kind of let you know that ahead of time once the line reaches a certain point. So this show you're going to hear some of those famous songs that we've, if you're our age, have all grown up with. There is definitely a lot of performers. There's some. You know what's that when you work with fire.
Speaker 2:Fire throwers.
Speaker 1:Yeah, but I was looking for another word, but anyway yes, there's fire throwers, and that's not the word. I'm another word, but anyway, yes, there's fire throwers and that's not the word I'm looking for, but anyway, so it is definitely a really good show. I said it is properly rated.
Speaker 2:I agree properly rated. There is a lot of hype with this show.
Speaker 1:Yes.
Speaker 2:There is always a wait to get in and, like you said, you may not get in on that. You will get in and watch a show, right? But there's a lot of hype around it and I think this may be the best show in Walt Disney World and I think people would agree with that statement.
Speaker 1:Oh yeah, it is so well done, so well done. The entertainment of it, the singing of it, the dancing, just all of it, yes.
Speaker 2:Yeah, the dancing, just all of it, yes, yeah. I think people will agree with that statement that this is probably the best show in Walt Disney World Properly rated. It's a great show.
Speaker 1:And we've seen kind of two different versions of it, Like when it first came back after the pandemic and everything like they didn't have, like the flamethrowers and stuff you know they didn't have quite as many performers, but it was still enjoyable.
Speaker 2:And then when we saw it with everything, it was like wow, it's just, it's a great show, this is an amazing show quick little fact that I'm writing about in my book right now where mickey's philhar magic is now used to be a lion king show and it was a broadway type of show and it kind of led to the actual Broadway show for the Lion King and I think kind of helped with this show as well.
Speaker 1:Okay, interesting.
Speaker 2:Yeah, it's a lot of hype. A lot of people talk about it, for good reason.
Speaker 1:Properly rated. All right, we agreed again.
Speaker 2:Yes.
Speaker 1:All right, now switching areas of the park. You're heading into Pand agreed, again. Yes, all right, now switching areas of the park. You're heading into Pandora now, yes. So Avatar Flight of Passage. Climb atop a winged mountain banshee for a breathtaking 3D flight over Pandora's otherworldly landscape. This is another one. They're going to check your height. Believe me.
Speaker 1:Me, they did this when we know nolan was little and there was a time where he earlier in the day he got to ride expedition everest, but later in the day I guess your height kind of shrinks you a little bit, even had photographic evidence.
Speaker 2:Yeah, and we're like here.
Speaker 1:He's been on everest yeah, it's the same height requirement, 44 inches, but he cannot, he could not ride Flight of Passage that particular day.
Speaker 1:Now has he ridden it since Several times? Yes, so again, 44 inches or taller. They're going to check. And this is just before I even get started. It's just, it's amazing. Board your own mountain banshee and embark on a thrilling expedition where interstellar explorers like you get an up-close look at the moon's incredible landscape. Bonding with a banshee is a crucial step in the life of a navi hunter on pandora, and flying on the back of one of those powerful creatures is an important rite of passage. Now, as a visitor to pandora, you finally have the chance to test yourself like a navi this whole like. If you go through the queue and you're not doing like Lightning Lane or Multipass, whatever it's called. Now, if you go through the whole queue and everything, the queue in itself is an attraction. It's amazing. Tons of detail. Once you get in, like the lab area and stuff, you have Hank. What's up? Hank Yep, and that's an animatronic, not no, what's he called?
Speaker 2:I'm going blink right now.
Speaker 1:Yeah.
Speaker 2:It's the main part of the ride. Avatar.
Speaker 1:Yeah, so and yeah, it's just super cool. Tons of details, so the queue itself is amazing. Now, we don't do it every time, but we have done it several times, but a lot of times we get the lightning lanes for this ride.
Speaker 1:The pre-show is all right, it's trying to link you up and make sure you don't have any contaminants on you and all of this stuff. And then when you are boarding your Banshee and it's trying to connect with you and everything, that's pretty good as well. And then when the ride itself starts, for those, what is it? Five minutes?
Speaker 2:Four minutes and 30 seconds.
Speaker 1:It is absolutely breathtaking, absolutely amazing. We immediately are all smiling and just ah when we're on it. There's been several times when the ride is over, like the whole theater kind of thing I guess you could say is like, oh, because you were just so captivated in it, and so I think you know, because there is always a line for this, people talk about it a lot. I think it is properly rated.
Speaker 2:I agree, properly rated. Current wait time is 105 minutes. So yeah, still properly rated. Yes, like you said, this whole attraction is just amazing. This is, in my opinion, the best attraction in Walt Disney World For those four and a half minutes. Three and a half minutes, whatever, it is four minutes.
Speaker 1:I think it's four to five.
Speaker 2:Yeah you are transported to pandora. You really are like. I know people compare this as far as top attractions with riser resistance and in riser Resistance. Yes, you are transported into the Star Wars story, but not like this. This is. You are fully immersed in this and you really truly feel like you are riding on the back of a banshee. It is a must ride for us, every single time, multiple times. The queue is great, the story is great. 105 minutes is about typical for this, 90 to 100 to 100, even sometimes two hours. Great attraction get the lightning lane single pass and then ride it again before the end of the day and experience that queue yeah, the storytelling here is truly amazing yeah, so like if you did a lightning lane earlier than in the day.
Speaker 1:This is one of those, like we have said before, where, as long as you're in line before park closing, you know and go through the queue that way.
Speaker 2:Um, it's probably less than an hour at that point it's usually going to be about 30 to 45 minutes yeah, usually yeah, when I go on my day trips, this is how, in my trip, I end the trip with uh, cheeseburger pots and then get in line for this right before that's when the park closes earlier, though on those trips because currently, the park is staying open till eight.
Speaker 2:Yeah, I can't do that on the next trip yeah but yeah, properly rated it is, it is worth the hype. I know some people don't like this attraction, but it's just so great. Everything about this, the storytelling, the experience yeah.
Speaker 1:Amazing.
Speaker 2:It's truly amazing.
Speaker 1:We told this story a few minutes ago of you know that, one time when Nolan couldn't write it. So then the next trip when he finally could. Just the look on his face, the astonishment and the I finally get to see what they've been telling me. That was amazing in itself too.
Speaker 2:Yeah, completely agree.
Speaker 1:Yes, all right, still staying in Pandora and going right next door. Basically, navi river journey. Take a mythical journey by boat deep into pandora's glowing bioluminescent rainforest. You can be any height for this one, so it's good for all ages. It's a slower, slower ride, okay, so feel a sense of wonder as the full beauty of the extraordinary dreamscape unfolds before your eyes. On this visually stunning and mysterious river, you'll glide through a series of caves into a bioluminescent rainforest, alive with the sights and sounds of exotic plants and creatures on all sides, even overhead. Soon you'll join the legendary Navi Shaman of Songs, who I think I said that wrong- Shaman, okay, shaman.
Speaker 1:Who demonstrates her deep connection to the life force of Pandora and sends positive energy out into the forest throughout the power of her music. Navi River Journey offers explorers an experience that has to be seen and heard to be believed. So the details, the bioluminescence of it all is very beautiful. They did a good job with that and that animatronic is amazing. Um, it's currently a 60 minute, wait right now. No, that's short for its.
Speaker 2:Normally it's over. It's usually around 60. I've seen it a lot longer too, it can get higher, yes.
Speaker 1:Yeah, and so 60 minutes plus. Usually I'm putting it's overrated.
Speaker 2:Completely agree overrated.
Speaker 1:Yeah, some people might get mad at us for that, but I don't think people is going to disagree with that. I would not wait that long for this ride. I would wait 30 minutes yeah.
Speaker 2:I'd agree with that.
Speaker 1:But an hour plus. No, because I mean it is a slow moving. Yes, yes, we say slow down in this park, but I don't want to wait that long for this particular ride because, yes, it is beautiful, it is a way for you to slow down, but I'd rather slow down in other ways in this park.
Speaker 2:Yeah, I completely agree, overrated. I'm going to take a term from Erica. This is how am I going to word this correctly? This is it's a small world in Pandora.
Speaker 1:I can see that.
Speaker 2:That's, she uses it for a different attraction. But I'm going to say that this is. It's a small world in Pandora. The audio animatronic is amazing. They need to put that audio animatronic somewhere else for better. It can be used better. I think the problem with this, in my opinion, is there's no storyline to it. There's no story at all to this. It's just you're riding through the forest.
Speaker 1:Yeah, right, yeah, okay, maybe if they had a story with it.
Speaker 2:Have a story with something right, but 60 minutes this is consistently a 60 plus minute wait. No, completely overrated. I don't think anybody's going to disagree with that. I think a lot of people just do it because it's in pandora or because flight of passage is an even longer wait.
Speaker 1:So, hey, we can only do one. Which one, yeah, and I agree.
Speaker 2:I don't think anybody's going to disagree. Many people disagree with this being an overrated attraction, so okay, yeah, all right so our next two okay, I'm going to be more specific on the next one.
Speaker 1:I get the next one of why you put it in here Eating cheeseburger pods before you go on Flight of Passage. Or before or after.
Speaker 2:Underrated.
Speaker 1:So he puts the Thule Canteen on here, which is a dining location in Pandora and there is, you know, art and culture in this restaurant, the former RDA Mess Hall. Only at Pandora and the dining is, it can be a unique experience. I'm just going to let Zach talk about this.
Speaker 2:OK, the reason I put this on here was maybe to annoy Eric a little bit, but it is great. Theming the music in here really puts you into the mindset of being an avatar, being in Pandora. I'm sorry, it is a great, just experience. As for a quick service restaurant, a great experience and I think when you eat here before getting on Avatar Flight of Passage, I think it just fully immerses you in this world.
Speaker 1:That's what I think so.
Speaker 2:it's completely underrated.
Speaker 1:Yeah, getting the cheeseburger pods? Yeah, and we've talked about this restaurant so many times before. Oh, tons, I'm not cheeseburger pods, yeah, and there, and we've talked about this restaurant so many times before I'm not, I'm not going to view the menu and stuff again right now. I just put properly rated.
Speaker 2:And she's muted. Now I'm going to try to talk. Hey at least I said properly Got it.
Speaker 1:At least I said properly got it. At least I said properly all right, one more thing one more thing, kind of same reasoning, I think a little bit. Uh, chilling in nomad lounge eating the best churros. I said it, that's right the best, absolute best churros. Um, and then zach likes to drink a tempting tigress as well yes, completely underrated.
Speaker 2:Hanging out in nomad lounge is yeah, yeah. This may be our favorite place now in walt disney world to hang out.
Speaker 1:Yeah, I agree it's underrated. You know, whether you're sitting outside along the river or inside, the theming of it and how it creates a relaxing environment as well as having like small plate type appetizers and if you do drink cocktails, if not, you know they have other.
Speaker 2:They have, mocktails, they have mocktails and things as well.
Speaker 1:So it's just a very unique menu all in itself and again, the atmosphere and the absolute best churros ever on any disney property, at least the ones that we've been at between both coasts. So, um, just a great way to to.
Speaker 2:Completely agree Underrated. No Bad Lounge. I think it is seriously becoming our favorite place to hang out in Walt Disney World. It's just so cool. Churros are great. Don't need any of the sauces.
Speaker 1:You don't.
Speaker 2:I do use them a little bit, but you don't need them.
Speaker 1:No, yeah, meanwhile, those back in the West Coast and all other areas of disney parks, you know they're just a little tough to bite into where these are not. So warm and soft yeah, they're just so good all right.
Speaker 2:So that is our uh, how we think animal kingdom is. I think animal kingdom as a whole is completely underrated. It's our favorite park. A lot of people agree that it is the best park. A lot of people disagree, and that's okay.
Speaker 1:Yes, you're either one or the other, it's either the best or it's not the best.
Speaker 2:I think it is an important park in your vacation, as it is going to slow you down. Take the time, slow down. This is not going to be a hectic park like the Magic Kingdom or Hollywood Studios. Oh, we have to do this. It's not that it's going to slow you down.
Speaker 1:Yeah, and I mean, a lot of people do choose this to be one of their park hopper days, but it is easily a full day park if you do all the shows and everything.
Speaker 2:It is a great full day park. I get it when they close at 6.
Speaker 1:It's very easy to park up somewhere else. I totally get that, but currently they're open till eight.
Speaker 2:Yes, so All right. So we have a new review.
Speaker 1:Yes, and then after that, we're going to talk about our Instagram polls.
Speaker 2:So this is on Facebook. Apparently, you can't leave a review on Audible without paying more money, so leaving it here. I didn't even know we were on Audible, audible right, I had no clue so, all right, great.
Speaker 2:I found the podcast while last week, while planning a trip to disney, I've been listening to it in reverse order an audible issue and am back to episode 125. Gotta say it's been really informative and a great distraction while dealing with family tragedy. Sorry about your family tragedy. Um, it always sucks to hear that.
Speaker 2:But going back to why we do this podcast to be, we want to be a distraction for you because we know everybody's going through different stuff and every time we do talk about man maybe we shouldn't do this we get messages like this. Like you know, we helped a listener that has autism really bad get through the park and really help them with what to do and how to and we don't know anything about autism, we're not trying to say that, but we really helped comfort them on their trip. So it's when we get messages like this it really reaffirms why we do this, and that's our main thing is just to be a distraction for you and help you have a better vacation. So sorry to hear about your tragedy, but thank you for telling us this. Yes, zach, sounds like someone who has had a career on the radio. No, I have not.
Speaker 1:But I get that.
Speaker 2:I work in aviation and Brittany sounds like a super friendly mom and, for some reason, an English teacher.
Speaker 1:Close.
Speaker 2:She's an education. Yeah, would you think, do you?
Speaker 1:think, the boys Thank you for that though, do you think?
Speaker 2:the boys would say you're a super friendly mom.
Speaker 1:Most of the time. But just like any mom, you know you got to put your foot down. Sometimes You're a great mom. Well, thank you, you're welcome. You're a great dad.
Speaker 2:Well, thank you. The podcast is super in-depth and never boring to listen to. I know Zach always asks for five-star reviews and I will give the podcast just that, but I must bestow upon the podcast the greatest rating amongst my friends, the Cult of the Curious from Bad Magic Productions. Three out of five stars wouldn't change a thing. Well, thank you for that. We really do appreciate it. Yes, thank you, thank you so much and again sorry to hear about your family, but I'm glad we could give a distraction during this time.
Speaker 2:Yes, all right. Moving on to the Instagram polls, brittany's been putting up the over under or properly rated polls for some attractions that we're doing here, and the first one is for Expedition Everest. 64% of our listeners said properly rated yes, good. 27% of our listeners said properly rated yes, good. 27% said underrated Nice and one person. One person said overrated.
Speaker 1:She's mad at us about the churros.
Speaker 2:You might want to rethink some of your opinions because, of all the people that responded to these, you're the only person that said overrated. You might want to rethink some life decisions. All right, moving on to Kilimanjaro Safaris, 54% of y'all said properly rated, completely agree, 15% said underrated and 31% said overrated.
Speaker 1:For the safari. Wow, wow, maybe they went in the middle of the day and it was super hot.
Speaker 2:It can get hot, I get it.
Speaker 1:Because if it is like summertime, middle of the day you're not going to see as many animals. No, yeah.
Speaker 2:All right, and then we did. I can't see.
Speaker 1:Finding Nemo, finding Nemo, finding Nemo, finding Nemo.
Speaker 2:Yeah, 45% of y'all said properly rated, 36% said underrated and 18% said overrated. Wow, all right. Okay, and for Flight of Passage. Overwhelmingly 67% said properly rated. Nice Good 8% said underrated. Nice Good 8% said underrated. Okay, 25% said overrated.
Speaker 1:Oh goodness guys.
Speaker 2:I get it. If you don't like the movie, or if you just don't like being entertained, then I guess you would find this overrated.
Speaker 1:Yeah, but I'm not huge on the movie either, but it's a captivating ride once you're on there. It is yeah, anyway, and for Festival captivating ride once you're on there, so anyway and for festival of the lion King, 58% of y'all said properly rated.
Speaker 2:Yeah, 25% said underrated and 17% said overrated.
Speaker 1:Well, I mean to each their own to each their own. That's okay, Except when it comes to churros. Travel planner Erica. But yeah, yeah, All right.
Speaker 2:So thank you everybody for listening. If you want to support the podcast, the best way to do that is to book your next vacation with Travel Planner Erica. Go check out her website, wwwtravelplannerericacom. She's also on Facebook and Instagram and tell her Circle of Parks sent you. Take advantage of that free gift card for your next trip. If you want to reach out to us, you can email us circleofparks at gmailcom. Our website is wwwcircleofparkscom and we're on Facebook, instagram and X all at Circle of Parks and if you want to, we really appreciate it. Leave us a five-star rating review on Apple Podcasts or wherever you would like to do that. We really do appreciate it and just thank you so much for listening. Next week we will be talking about the Magic Keeper.
Speaker 1:Yes, talk to you soon.
Speaker 2:Bye.