Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom are Disneyland’s best theme parks. Each has unique attractions, themes, and rides to offer. On one hand, we have Hollywood Studios, which feature exciting thrill rides and fantastic film-centric films. On the other, we have Animal Kingdom, known for its live stage shows, outstanding rides, and animals.
Disney fans debate which of the two is arguably better and people are divided at this point. So we’ll look at the two theme parks and compare them side-by-side in this article.
There are lots of areas to compare between Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom. For example, in terms of the rides, Hollywood Studios is the clear winner as it features the classics such as the Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster and the Tower of Terror.
However, it’s a close competition as Animal Kingdom also has a range of top-tier rides, such as Expedition Everest and Avatar Flight of Passage.
Meanwhile, Animal Kingdom wins when it comes to the attractions as it features a showcase of wild animals and two of the best film-related entertainment. But, of course, that’s not to say Hollywood Studios don’t have unique attractions, as there are tons of them throughout the park.
We’ll compare the two theme parks based on several factors, including entertainment, attractions, rides, and dining options.
Hollywood Studios vs. Animal Kingdom
If you haven’t been to either of the two, the answer to which is better would depend on your and your family’s needs. Each theme park has its set of attractions and entertainment that can cater to visitors of all ages.
This means that no matter your choice, you will have a great time. It’s just a matter of which type of entertainment and attractions you’re most willing to visit and take part in.
Animal Kingdom might be the better choice if you’re an animal lover. It’s a place where you can find an exclusive area where wild animals roam freely. On the other hand, Hollywood Studios is perfect if you want to visit more film-centric attractions.
To give context to this comparison, let’s first briefly discuss each of the two theme parks.
Hollywood Studios Overview
Statistically speaking, Hollywood Studios is the least popular park of the four theme parks in Disneyland. According to previous data back in 2021, the park has received the least daily and yearly attendance. However, it’s worth noting that COVID-19 played a huge part in this.
Still, that doesn’t take away from its overall charm. One of the most exciting things about Hollywood Studios is that most of its expansions and construction projects over the past few years are now completed. This means you can spend an entire day in the park without interference.
The entire theme of Hollywood Studios centers on the magic and glamor of the movie industry. As such, you can find entertainment and attractions featuring live stage shows of some of your favorite Disney classics.
Animal Kingdom Overview
Animal Kingdom is widely known for its variety of wild animals that roam freely around a particular area of the park. It’s for this reason that the park got its name. Situated at the front of the park is the giant Tree of Life, which measures 145 feet tall – so tall you won’t miss it.
Apart from that, the park also features a handful of thrill rides for thrill-seekers. There’s the Expedition Everest roller coaster, one of Disney’s biggest roller coasters.
Unlike Hollywood Studios, which focuses on movies, Animal Kingdom is mainly about animals. It’s also where you can meet the characters from some of your favorite animal-centric movies.
Which Has Better Entertainment and Attractions?
Now that we have a brief overview of both parks, let’s now move on to the comparison part. Let’s first talk about entertainment and attractions.
Hollywood Studios has shows like Fantasmic!, Walt Disney Presents, MuppetVision 3D, and Beauty and the Beast, to name a few. Most of these shows feature popular Disney films and even showcase modern storytelling with fireworks displays and other exciting effects.
On the other hand, Animal Kingdom has two of the best shows in Disneyland: the Festival of the Lion King and Finding Nemo: The Musical. The performances in these shows are top-notch, and you can expect these shows to be filled with people most of the time.
You can also find attractions such as the Maharajah Jungle Trek and Gorilla Falls Exploration Trek which will take you on a jungle exploration where you can meet several animals in the wild.
As far as entertainment and attractions go, Animal Kingdom takes this one. The fact that it has two of the best shows alone makes it the better choice. Adding wild animals throughout the park is just the icing on the cake.
Which Has Better Rides?
When it comes to the rides, both parks offer excellent and enjoyable rides. This made it difficult to decide which was the better choice between the two. That said, Universal Studios won this one since it features classic rides, such as the Tower of Terror.
It also features other amazing rides, such as the popular Rise of the Resistance, Millenium Falcon, and Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway. You and your family will surely enjoy all of the park’s rides, especially since it only comes with a handful of thrill rides.
Animal Kingdom has no shortage of top-tier rides, either. Its most popular ride would be the Avatar Flight of Passage which will take you on a journey to the fantastic world of Pandora in Avatar. There’s also Expedition Everest which offers you some of the most majestic views of the park.
However, most Animal Kingdom rides are tamed compared to the ones at Hollywood Studios. They’re more geared towards family exploration than for thrill-seekers.
Which Has Better Dining Options?
This one’s easy. Despite having limited dining options compared to Hollywood Studios, the food quality at Animal Kingdom restaurants is easily superior. Quality beats quantity in this case.
Some of the most well-known restaurants in the park include Tiffins, Yak & Yeti, and Satu’li Canteen. Tiffins, in particular, is a newer restaurant but already offers some of the best food throughout Disney World.
Hollywood Studios also has a good selection of dining options to choose from. The Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater Restaurant gives you a unique dining experience in an outdoor drive-in movie theater.
Another good option is The Hollywood Brown Derby which offers an excellent selection of meals for adults. However, if you bring kids with you, they might prefer something other than the food options in the restaurant. The rest are quick-service restaurants that you can find throughout the park.
Conclusion
As you can see, both parks offer completely different experiences. Animal Kingdom has always been designed for families with kids fascinated with animals and nature. Its overall atmosphere offers a more immersive experience than Hollywood Studios.
Meanwhile, Hollywood Studios is more geared toward fans of sci-fi Disney films, particularly Star Wars. Its attractions mostly have a sci-fi theme, and each offers a level of immersion different from that of Animal Kingdom.
Needless to say, which park you choose to spend most of your time in will depend mainly on your and your family’s preference. We would recommend that you check them out so you can see which is the better choice. You can schedule one day of your trip to Hollywood Studios, then the next to Animal Kingdom, or vice-versa.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Is Bigger: Animal Kingdom or Hollywood Studios?
Animal Kingdom is many times bigger than Hollywood Studios in terms of total land area. It’s the most famous theme park of four, measuring a total area of 500 acres. In comparison, Hollywood Studios only has a total area of 154 acres.
If you plan to spend most of your time in Animal Kingdom, you’ll have to allocate at least 2 days of stay if you want to visit most of its attractions.
Is Hollywood Studios a Good Option for Kids?
Absolutely, as with every other Disney theme park. However, Hollywood Studios leans more toward older kids. Nevertheless, you can still find a wide variety of attractions that are great for little ones.
It’s also the only place where you can come face-to-face with Disney Jr. characters, making it ideal for little kids.
