DAK 'Encanto' and 'Indiana Jones'-themed experiences at Animal Kingdom

[JustInTime]

The park that was built as a repository of a bunch of clones. Not really the same situation as the present day.

It absolutely is but okay.

 

[JohnD]

So your current opinion is that there won’t very likely be any animal additions with this expansion? I noticed that during Bruce’s intro to a Tropical Americas themed land here carefully used words like “guests will enjoy theming and experiences found in this part of the world.” Nothing about new animal exhibits. If there is no educational value regarding the rainforest and its importance as an ecosystem that will be a complete whiff by Iger and his silly IP all the time mandate.

Due to the positioning of this area of the park, it would put animal exhibits close to parking and up against a water retention area. All the current animal exhibits are north and east of the park where there is room for exhibits and backstage holding areas for them (with the exception of small enclosures in Oasis and around the Tree of Life).

I suppose it could be done with access by CMs via E. Savannah Circle, based on the map.

 

[MisterPenguin]

It *seems*, going by recent history, that there's been an attempt by Disney to have California and Florida to have the same number of *rides.*

In the one-upmanship between WDW and DLR fans over whose park has the most rides, it's been neck and neck. When one gets a new ride, so does the other.

Coincidence or intentional?

And if it is intentional, if Disneyland Forward drops 10 new rides in Anaheim, will there be 10 new rides in WDW?

 

[DisneyNittany]

Seems like they could have still had their IP cake, while making a few concessions, that would have (IMO) been a better use:

• Repurpose the train/railway as a unique means of transportation between AKL and DAK
• Extend Kali to be a longer attraction that is less about getting wet and more serves as Asia's version of the Safari
• Make area north of Asia the Tropical Americas
  • Indy is axed and goes to DHS
• Repurpose Dinoland as Oceania to tie-in Nemo show

 

[flyerjab]

Will be interesting to see if this is for more than just the Tropical Americas land. I know @MouseBrayden has indicated there is another E ticket being considered for addition that has nothing to do with Tropical Americas build.

 

[JohnD]

Seems like they could have still had their IP cake, while making a few concessions, that would have (IMO) been a better use:

• Repurpose the train/railway as a unique means of transportation between AKL and DAK
• Extend Kali to be a longer attraction that is less about getting wet and more serves as Asia's version of the Safari
• Make area north of Asia the Tropical Americas
  • Indy is axed and goes to DHS
• Repurpose Dinoland as Oceania to tie-in Nemo show

While I like your "blue sky" thinking, most of the ideas aren't practical or have already been decided:

• Repurpose the train/railway as a unique means of transportation between AKL and DAK That's on the northeast side of the park. Are you saying scrap Rafiki's altogether and moving the tracks to the southwest side where AKL is?
• Extend Kali to be a longer attraction that is less about getting wet and more serves as Asia's version of the Safari Okay. Most are on board with this as there is general agreement that Kali is too short.
• Make area north of Asia the Tropical Americas Too late for this. Dinoland is already being replaced.
  • Indy is axed and goes to DHS There's already a huge Indy show there. One it's a "people eater" that puts multiple guests in one place daily. Two. Where would you put it?
• Repurpose Dinoland as Oceania to tie-in Nemo show Nemo already fits as being between Asia and tropical Americas, literally in the park and on the globe. It doesn't necessarily have to be in Asia or Tropical Americas.

 

[discos]

Due to the positioning of this area of the park, it would put animal exhibits close to parking and up against a water retention area. All the current animal exhibits are north and east of the park where there is room for exhibits and backstage holding areas for them (with the exception of small enclosures in Oasis and around the Tree of Life).

I suppose it could be done with access by CMs via E. Savannah Circle, based on the map.
View attachment 773948

There are currently animal exhibits in Dinoland, albeit small, so they could definitely make something work. Tropical Americas could house some great animal exhibits, especially if Encanto is the anchor. Does anyone else think that if Encanto does get the green light, Nemo will be changed to a new show that coincides with the whole area?

 

[JohnD]

There are currently animal exhibits in Dinoland, albeit small, so they could definitely make something work. Tropical Americas could house some great animal exhibits, especially if Encanto is the anchor. Does anyone else think that if Encanto does get the green light, Nemo will be changed to a new show that coincides with the whole area?

They just recently changed up the Nemo show from the original 45 minute longer Nemo story to a shortened 30 minute recap. I think it fits fine being between Asia and Tropical Americas as a transition between the two areas.

 

[Zummi Gummi]

Would be cool if the rainforest/ Tropical Americas animal exhibit brought jaguars to DAK, but that'll never happen.

 

[Teddybearre]

Disney Fans: We want new attractions at WDW we’ve been waiting for too long
Disney: *starts plans for Tropical Americas land*
Disney Fans: NO YOU’RE DOING IT ALL WRONG NOBODY WANTS THIS
Disney:

 

[Incomudro]

Disney Fans: We want new attractions at WDW we’ve been waiting for too long
Disney: *starts plans for Tropical Americas land*
Disney Fans: NO YOU’RE DOING IT ALL WRONG NOBODY WANTS THIS
T

"Tropical America's Land?"
Yeah, that's not what I see going on here.
And at the expense of losing dinosaurs in the park.

 

[GhostHost1000]

If they get ride of The Boneyard, TriceraTop Spin & Dinosaurs, in addition to Primeval Whirl already gone, then the Tropical Americas land will not be adding any capacity, but taking it away with current rumors (4 for Dinoland, 3 for Tropical Americas). Of course the attraction lineup is not announced for Tropical Americas, but I'm hoping a version of The Boneyard does remain in some form

That’s my fear. They are going to basically end up with the same number of “attractions” as they did once before. They don’t seem to get we need to ADD more people eater things as well

 

[JD80]

I don't know the answer to this. What was the theoretical capacity of Dinoland USA? What was the actual? Did actual capacity match or come close to theoretical? Even if the theoretical capacity was downgraded to "max realistic" capacity was that capacity fully realized on a daily basis?

My point is this - if they added all new rides that matched capacity of what was there before but instead of poor attractions they were attractions that actually drove attendance like Pandora/Rise/Remy/Tron/GotG would the capacity of the park INCREASE just because the actual max capacity was being utilized?

 

[DisneyDodo]

It would be cheaper just to clone it if they do plan to do it, plus I do like a good flume ride.

Cheaper than building that same ride from scratch, but still not cheaper than building the ride they developed for that plot. And probably too big.

 

[LSLS]

Disney Fans: We want new attractions at WDW we’ve been waiting for too long
Disney: *starts plans for Tropical Americas land*
Disney Fans: NO YOU’RE DOING IT ALL WRONG NOBODY WANTS THIS
Disney: View attachment 773964

Yes, I want new attractions. Not replacements, new. Additional. More things to do. And I want it to thematically fit (admittedly IF we are getting a Tropical land, that does fit. We will see on the rides). Maybe I'm just a horrible customer.

 

[danlb_2000]

I don't know the answer to this. What was the theoretical capacity of Dinoland USA? What was the actual? Did actual capacity match or come close to theoretical? Even if the theoretical capacity was downgraded to "max realistic" capacity was that capacity fully realized on a daily basis?

My point is this - if they added all new rides that matched capacity of what was there before but instead of poor attractions they were attractions that actually drove attendance like Pandora/Rise/Remy/Tron/GotG would the capacity of the park INCREASE just because the actual max capacity was being utilized?

To me, this is where things get tricky. Adding more rides increases operating costs and it if doesn't drive more spending to offset that what is the point of doing it from business perspective? If the new rides do drive more attendance it won't solve the capacity problem. Almost a catch 22.

 

[GhostHost1000]

Really think they might pivot Beyond now especially since Coco/Encanto might be part of AK. I think they would love to put Arendelle beyond Big Thunder Mountain. They would have to make it part of Fantasyland if so.

If feels like they’ve been trying so hard to find a way to shove Coco and Encanto in the parks somewhere regardless if it “fits” or not

 

[GhostHost1000]

To me, this is where things get tricky. Adding more rides increases operating costs and it if doesn't drive more spending to offset that what is the point of doing it from business perspective? If the new rides do drive more attendance it won't solve the capacity problem. Almost a catch 22.

From an AK perspective, if they can add enough rides and things to do for a full day park, they can then have a night show again and make money from more guests in the parks buying things.

 

[Gusey]

The only way I can see Coco being added would be if TriceraTop Spin was converted into an alebrije spinner. I do hope they keep a spinner attraction in this area of the park as it is the only flat ride in the park, and is something without a height requirement

 

[JD80]

To me, this is where things get tricky. Adding more rides increases operating costs and it if doesn't drive more spending to offset that what is the point of doing it from business perspective? If the new rides do drive more attendance it won't solve the capacity problem. Almost a catch 22.

I'm a systems engineer so I think in terms of systems and layers. Here's how my brain looks at this AK problem.

This is all based on my own assumptions and not hard data.

Most people are going to AK so they can do Pandora and the Safari. They stay for the trails, EE and maybe one or two of the shows. If the lines aren't too long they maybe head into Dinosaur. First timers are probably trying to do most of everything. Return visitors and locals are probably skipping Dinosaur more often than not.

If Dinoland is replaced by a headliner(s) that draw attendance it does a few things:

1. Takes pressure off of FoP
2. Keeps people in the park longer
   1. How often do you hear Rope Drop and leave by 1pm? Keeping people in the parks longer gets maybe 1 or 2 additional meals out of them and maybe additional merch.
3. Attendance and capacity is smoothed out over the course of the day. I have to assume that Dino has a ton of un-utilized capacity outside the peak hour of the park. If new attractions are attractive enough to people, that max capacity is utilized longer throughout the day.

Drawing people to that side of the park may increase interest and utilize capacity more at Nemo too.