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

[doctornick]

I cannot believe that Disney feels that dinosaurs should have zero presence in AK

I also can't believe that it seems like the Boneyard is going away even though it is awesome and can easily be (minimally) re-themed to an archeological concept.

 

[TheCoasterNerd]

I'm just assuming this is a teenager posting? Seen a few posts from them today and figured they are just venting.

As a teenager, I can agree that @Magenta Panther's content looks like the kind of thing a teenager would post.

 

[ToTBellHop]

I also can't believe that it seems like the Boneyard is going away even though it is awesome and can easily be (minimally) re-themed to an archeological concept.

They are progressively abandoning large playscapes that must be staffed to prevent dangerous behavior. It’s unfortunate but too many parents do not parent their children. A carousel is safer. I used to hate taking my kids to playgrounds because of the other kids.

 

[BaconPancakes]

I'm just assuming this is a teenager posting? Seen a few posts from them today and figured they are just venting.

You'd be sadly mistaken.

 

[LSLS]

It's sad how low my optimism is (and probably speaks alot about myself). My hopes are just super low for this melding together (and again, full admit I didn't like Encanto, so that will be some bias), and it feels like we will once again be a net negative for rides when all is said and done. I may not have liked how dino was executed, but it had a ride, a coaster, a spinner, and a playground. Right now it feels like the replacement will be two rides and a carrousel.

I know, wait til the announcement and the finished product to judge, but I feel I kind of am. I'm not saying it's terrible, and not saying this is incredible, just that this is really doing nothing for me. In other words, it doesn't feel like a slam dunk fit for me into the park, and I just can't give the benefit of the doubt at this point personally.

 

[DisneyHead123]

They are progressively abandoning large playscapes that must be staffed to prevent dangerous behavior. It’s unfortunate but too many parents do not parent their children. A carousel is safer. I used to hate taking my kids to playgrounds because of the other kids.

Those tunnel slides are hard because of low visibility. I was at a McDonalds play place last summer and only realized after 45 minutes that the slide was full of puke which is why the kids were avoiding it. Kids climbing up the wrong way and getting smashed by kids sliding down is also an issue.

 

[KDM31091]

I don’t understand how this is really an “expansion” since the attraction count will almost certainly be the same or lower

 

[yensidtlaw1969]

I know we are all excited about something new, finally, even though it’ll take about 5 years, but also keep in mind what they show us or sometimes even announce initially rarely ever ends up that way after budget cuts during the project

^Quoted for posterity.

 

[ToTBellHop]

I don’t understand how this is really an “expansion” since the attraction count will almost certainly be the same or lower

They never said all of the spending was on expansion. This is an underutilized area of the park that needs work.

 

[GhostHost1000]

They never said all of the spending was on expansion. This is an underutilized area of the park that needs work.

and popcorn bucket R&D

 

[HauntedPirate]

What really chaps my hide is this:

That area, as stripped down as it was, was pure WDI - Original, creative, and unrestrained (except for the idiots who cut the budget). You had no expectations before you entered and were astounded at what you saw.

Now, with Indy and Encanto and/or Coco going in, you have expectations before you even set foot in the area. Imagineers are restrained to what's familiar and from the movies. They are not allowed to flex any sort of creative muscle and come up with new and unique ideas for the area - It all has to be based on the movies.

What "faith" Bob & Josh have in WDI.

 

[Disney Analyst]

They never said all of the spending was on expansion. This is an underutilized area of the park that needs work.

And I’d still argue, adding attractions that are more popular, that pulls more guests in, does increase capacity, and does help the park. Even if attraction count stays close to the same.

Many people skipped over Dinoland’s attractions. Low capacity, not interesting.

And building a richly themed land with more things to explore also helps.

 

[ToTBellHop]

And I’d still argue, adding attractions that are more popular, that pulls more guests in, does increase capacity, and does help the park.

Many people skipped over Dinoland’s attractions. Low capacity, not interesting.

And building a richly themed land with more things to explore also helps.

Absolutely. Still hoping for some modest animal exhibits, though. There are plenty of Central American animals that don’t need huge enclosures.

 

[Andrew25]

And I’d still argue, adding attractions that are more popular, that pulls more guests in, does increase capacity, and does help the park. Even if attraction count stays close to the same.

Many people skipped over Dinoland’s attractions. Low capacity, not interesting.

And building a richly themed land with more things to explore also helps.

I'd say the same about Maelstrom being converted to Frozen. We can go back and forth about whether or not you like FEA, but it is far more in demand than Maelstrom ever was.

 

[Disney Analyst]

I'd say the same about Maelstrom being converted to Frozen. We can go back and forth about whether or not you like FEA, but it is far more in demand than Maelstrom ever was.

Absolutely. Norway did not gain an attraction, but it does have increased attendance and guest pull. Capacity is being utilized fully now.

 

[Disney Analyst]

In short attraction count is really not as important as attraction pull. The types of rides you are putting in.

Replacing a small wild mouse coaster with limited capacity with a potential high capacity popular IP dark ride (Encanto), is utilizing the space better, and will have far wider appeal and guest pull. Capacity increases.

 

[Starship824]

And I’d still argue, adding attractions that are more popular, that pulls more guests in, does increase capacity, and does help the park. Even if attraction count stays close to the same.

Many people skipped over Dinoland’s attractions. Low capacity, not interesting.

And building a richly themed land with more things to explore also helps.

Keep in mind that all the attractions that are adding also won't be impacted for weather since they're covered or indoors. Which also helps capacity.

 

[PREMiERdrum]

Which was why the original Moana boat ride concept (which was much further along than Beyond Big Thunder at the time) will be used elsewhere.

And soon.

 

[Brer Panther]

FYI can confirm Encanto will be a dark ride experience.

Will it have anything to do with, y'know, animals?

I cannot believe that Disney feels that dinosaurs should have zero presence in AK

Me neither. I also cannot believe that Disney feels that dinosaurs should have zero presence in Disney World as a whole.

 

[Starship824]

And soon.

In DAK?