This brand new Disney+ documentary is one of Disney’s strongest shows to date. Here’s our Magic of Disney’s Animal Kingdom review.
Filmed across five months using cutting-edge technology including custom built Go-Pro enclosures and underwater camera system this documentary really has it all.
From celebrating a Gorilla’s 39th birthday to watching Tigers solve puzzles, each episode brings the magic to life at Animal Kingdom.
It’s clear to see that every single member of staff absolutely adores their job.
With over 300 species and 5000+ animals within Disney’s Animal Kingdom there’s plenty for the parks vast number of staff to be getting on with and they seem to love every minute!
The work load that each staff member undertakes must be commended but they always say, if you love your job you’ll never feel like you’ve worked a day in your life.
This eight episode documentary series takes us behind the scenes with some absolutely outstanding footage within this private access tour behind the curtain of what makes Animal Kingdom so magical and unique.
Narrated by Josh Gad, a man who’s certainly no stranger to Disney being the voice of Olaf the Snowman in Frozen and Frozen 2.
Josh fills in the gaps between staff interviews and segments involving animal care, park maintenance and overall training of particular animals.
Watching a giraffe learn to put his foot on a step for his hooves to be manicured or seeing an Alligator being trained to follow a sign in order to get food.
These are things you just wouldn’t see from your standard visit to the park.
It really feels as though we are right there with the team as every inch of the park is covered.
Not only is Disney’s Animal Kingdom covered but we jump straight to Epcot’s The Seas exhibit.
Home to 3000 ocean animals as we get up close and personal with sea turtles, spotted eagle rays and manatees.
Animals have always been at the heart of Disney storytelling and so much love and care goes into keeping them safe.
Their enclosures look much larger than UK zoo or safari equivalents but even watching the show I still don’t like seeing any animal in a cage.
Whether it’s for a routine check-up or a feeding session I still absolutely hate seeing that.
When the animals are back out in the open I somewhat breathe a sigh of relief as it’s certainly a massive step up from some of the shocking conditions i’ve seen at various zoo’s across the world.
Magic of Disney’s Animal Kingdom tends to focus on three things mainly. Training, health and breeding.
Seeing the animals train is great, breeding is a strange one.
Yes it has to be done but putting two random strangers together and expecting them to breed seems a bit weird to me.
It would be like us being forced to mate with some randomer who we might not even like.
This was uncomfortable for me to watch as a human but animal psychology is not my field of expertise so I’ll just let them do their thing!
Each episode within this series featured at least one animal being sedated for either an operation or routine check-up.
Yes it has to be done but for me, I was uncomfortable watching these scenes every single time.
I understand the park has to look after the animals and that’s absolutely wonderful but some of the reasons for putting the animals under were a little light at times.
In what is overall such an incredible show this was the only time I had to fast forward a little.
It wasn’t nice to see but I guess it’s necessary for the wellbeing of that animal within the confines of the animal kingdom.
Viewers get up close to veterinarians working in one of the world’s most advanced animal health facilities as they solve a menagerie of medical mysteries and revolutionize the care they give to their animals.
We briefly touch on Imagineering for a split second as a tree is installed. But that’s about it as far as theming and imagineering went.
It would have been nice to go more into detail about how certain areas were crafted but in this show the animals will always take centre stage.
Through breathtaking cinematography and such a wonderful bouncy positive flow throughout Magic of Disney’s Animal Kingdom is by far the best zoo / safari animal documentary i’ve ever seen.
A documentary so truly, truly wonderful as we see these beautiful creatures from every corner of the globe in all of their beauty.
Every single one of them being cared for by some of the most loving and wonderful staff members you could ever wish to see.
Magic of Disney’s Animal Kingdom will be airing on Disney Plus September 25th.
DON’T MISS IT!
Magic of Disney’s Animal Kingdom review by Sean Evans
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Our Rating
Summary
Absolutely breathtaking from start to finish as the audience gets a back stage all access pass to Disney’s Animal Kingdom.
Strap in for 8 episodes of beautifully shot well-narrated feel good content.
One of the best documentaries on Disney Plus to date.
