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

[Brer Panther]

Okay, the fact that there's a chance we'll actually be getting new animals makes me feel a bit better. I'd be shocked if Iger actually approved of it, though.

"Originally, the land was approved with no animals" - not surprised by that.

 

[ToTBellHop]

Okay, the fact that there's a chance we'll actually be getting new animals makes me feel a bit better. I'd be shocked if Iger actually approved of it, though.

"Originally, the land was approved with no animals" - not surprised by that.

He’s approved new exhibits elsewhere in the park. I doubt he actually cares about such a small investment.

 

[LSLS]

The original plans seriously called for NO animals in the land? Whoever made the original plans should not be allowed to design any more projects if that's true.

Everyone is going back and forth on Indy, but I'm slightly optimistic on it (slightly because Disney has lost my good will on them doing things correctly. It should fit well, but, you know...). I'm going to be the pessimist on Encanto. I just don't see it at all, and I don't have faith in them coming up with a good story to make it work.

 

[Ichabod Crane]

I still think Encanto will be an omnimover rather than trackless or a boat.

I will also say that the Indy retheme seems to have a lot more confidence behind it than TBA ever did.

Glad they seem to be in the direction of adding animals now, kind of crazy that’s something that had to be “added” but no harm no foul since it’s still design phase.

As for the animals themselves jaguars would be very very tough given the areas size restraints and the high standards that would come from Disney and big cat exhibits. Luckily things like a variety of monkeys, capybaras, and tapirs should be very doable.

 

[PREMiERdrum]

A tiny bit of clarity... I'm not sure it's 100% accurate to say that Tropical Americas was "first approved without animal exhibits." This concept started pretty fast and loose as a variety of ideas after the weird, Blue Sky Zootopia and Moana candy.

Once the attraction plans of Encanto new build, Dinosaur retheme into IJ, some sort of spinner, and service/support facility rethemes came into focus, planning work began with AK's care team to plot out transitions for the onsite animals. I don't think they knew at this point if the animal exhibits were to be included or not, but they knew they'd have to transition existing residents out of the area for construction... and I think this is where the "first approved without animals" bit came from.

I'm still expecting a few small, garden style exhibits for Capys and maybe some others near the casita, and perhaps some monkeys in the transition up to IJ. For reference, look to the right of the land's entrance arch in the new art...

 

[LSLS]

If they don't have snakes on the way to Indiana Jones the entire design team should be fired immediately.

 

[Surferboy567]

Indiana Jones, great friend and conservator of animals.

He’s clearly lighting the way for them to leave the tomb!

EDIT: In all seriousness though, in my head it’s not hard to marry Indy and some animal based theme. Sure, judging by the GIF it may seem awkward but definitely not impossible in fact I can think of a few ways off the top of my head.

 

[Magenta Panther]

Why can't we have a Pride Lands or Jungle Book dark ride in AK? Instead of Encanto? The only connection to animals with that IP is that the little kid can talk to animals. That's it. Jungle Book and Pride Lands feature actual talking animals that are wild. Seems a better fit to me, but oh well, we all know how much The Robert Iger Company feels about appropriate IP locations these days...

 

[Magenta Panther]

He’s clearly lighting the way for them to leave the tomb!

EDIT: In all seriousness though, in my head it’s not hard to marry Indy and some animal based theme. Sure, judging by the GIF it may seem awkward but definitely not impossible in fact I can think of a few ways off the top of my head.

Like what? The fact that Indy's afraid of snakes?

 

[Surferboy567]

Like what? The fact that Indy's afraid of snakes?

Deep in the tropical americas…Indiana Jones is in search of the jaugarian stone. This stone has supernatural properties that when interfered with brings death and destruction to the land along with its inhabitants. Indiana Jones leads a team of intrepid adventurers though the forest in search of the stone to restore the animals and forest to its rightful state.

That took me two seconds to come up with. I imagine WDI shouldn’t have a hard time.

EDIT: Oh, and in Temple of Doom he basically does this with the Sankara Stones.

 

[zakattack99]

I agree that getting Jaguars is probably not going to happen, but it would be cool to have one big animal attraction anchoring the land. Africa has the Lion, Asia has the Tigers so each of the other two lands (not including Avatar) has their giant cats represented, this South American styled land should have their big cat as well. But I guess I will have to settle for the noble Capybara...

 

[rd805]

If they don't have snakes on the way to Indiana Jones the entire design team should be fired immediately.

A Reptile House, with a nice themed South American ruin-esque building would be a wonderful side attraction to the Indy retheme. HELL - make something in the queue!

 

[ToTBellHop]

Snakes don’t need big enclosures. Maybe they can put some in the IJA queue. And some tarantulas (but they’re elsewhere in the park)?

 

[Surferboy567]

Why can't we have a Pride Lands or Jungle Book dark ride in AK? Instead of Encanto?

Funny you mention that. It’s probably coming, and like I’ve said many times Lion King definitely deserves a spot. Though, if we can have both why not?

Rumor - Lion King Flume Ride being considered for Animal Kingdom

According to @PREMiERdrum, a clone (edit: see next post for clarification) of the Lion King flume ride rumored for "Disney Adventure World" (yikes, I don't even like typing that) could be headed to Animal Kingdom. Thought this deserved its own thread to keep the Tropical Americas thread separate.

forums.wdwmagic.com

 

[PREMiERdrum]

it would be cool to have one big animal attraction anchoring the land. Africa has the Lion,

While it exceeds standards as set by the AZA, the relatively tiny size of the lion enclosure still surprises me. The dogbone shape and enhanced rockwork surely improve sight control from the trucks, its 5,000ish sq ft area is dwarfed by every other large mammal habitat on property.

 

[ToTBellHop]

While it exceeds standards as set by the AZA, the relatively tiny size of the lion enclosure still surprises me. The dogbone shape and enhanced rockwork surely improve sight control from the trucks, its 5,000ish sq ft area is dwarfed by every other large mammal habitat on property.

All you need for a happy kitty is to throw a dead rat in a bucket of water, freeze it, and voila! Hours of Ratsickle enjoyment followed by a nap.

The lions don’t show any anxious big cat behaviors as far as I’ve ever noticed. Honestly, the tigers do. Surprisingly.

 

[Timothy_Q]

If the rumors about Lion King are true we would probably see big cats around there I’d assume right? Lions, Tigers, etc.

There are no tigers in Africa
Plus, tigers already anchor Maharajah and Lions anchor the safari

 

[PREMiERdrum]

The lions don’t show any anxious big cat behaviors as far as I’ve ever noticed. Honestly, the tigers do. Surprisingly.

Not to go too much further in the weeds, but I have a dear friend involved in animal husbandry who was worked extensively with tigers. His experience is that while most big cats thrive in captivity with consistency, tigers require regular changes in surroundings, scents, sounds, and other stimulation to keep anxiety and stereotypical behaviors from setting in. He travels occasionally with his cats for movie and television work, and having been fortunate enough to spend time with him on some of these locations its clear that they settle in with new stimuli to explore.

AK rotates their population between the two yards with different enrichment to attempt this, but there's only so much that can be done to avoid the sameness.

 

[Surferboy567]

There are no tigers in Africa
Plus, tigers already anchor Maharajah and Lions anchor the safari

It’s a lion king ride, I think we can suspend some disbelief.

Also they can make the lion king area a small mini land where it fits better.

 

[MJL92]

Not to go too much further in the weeds, but I have a dear friend involved in animal husbandry who was worked extensively with tigers. His experience is that while most big cats thrive in captivity with consistency, tigers require regular changes in surroundings, scents, sounds, and other stimulation to keep anxiety and stereotypical behaviors from setting in. He travels occasionally with his cats for movie and television work, and having been fortunate enough to spend time with him on some of these locations its clear that they settle in with new stimuli to explore.

AK rotates their population between the two yards with different enrichment to attempt this, but there's only so much that can be done to avoid the sameness.

Each of my last two visits to DAK, the tigers on the Jungle Trek had the first viewing window shut. When we went around to the viewing area on the other side, the Tiger was stalking and pacing back and forth right outside the closed window.