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

[vagabondarts]

This is the best image I could get of the new Hacienda (replacing Restaurantosaurus) Anyone know if an official veresion was released?:
View attachment 809035

Is this a quickservice restaurant or is there a sit-down full service restaurant coming too?

 

[Gusey]

Is this a quickservice restaurant or is there a sit-down full service restaurant coming too?

Still going to remain Quick Service, being described as "one of the largest quick-service restaurants at Walt Disney World Resort."

 

[andre85]

You know what I find hilarious? Jack Sparrow is just an A100 and yet he seems far more lively than Tiana. Same goes for Lincoln, Washington, Biden, and the whole cast of American Adventure.

I don't understand why the new animatronics' fingers don't move!! How has no one else noticed this?! I feel like I'm taking crazy pills.

 

[DCBaker]

This is the best image I could get of the new Hacienda (replacing Restaurantosaurus) Anyone know if an official veresion was released?:
View attachment 809035

Here's the official concept art:

 

[MaximumEd]

All this talk about adding capacity misses one thing. They don’t want the parks any bigger. That would add infrastructure and maintenance to said infrastructure. It also requires more cast to run. All of that eats into profits. They’d rather cram more people into “underutilized” space than add more space.

 

[Gusey]

Here's the official concept art:

Thanks, so it looks like the either a new entrance to that building or an extra entrance

 

[James Alucobond]

Thanks, so it looks like the either a new entrance to that building or an extra entrance

The model shows it’s a standalone archway that leads into the original area outside the entrance, now shaded with various awnings.

 

[KDM31091]

Is this a quickservice restaurant or is there a sit-down full service restaurant coming too?

Really hope it’s not just a beige box inside. Restaurantasarous is very well themed

 

[J4546]

I tried to figure out approximately how large the Encanto show building is.

View attachment 808492

A = Carousel
B = Restaurant (previously Restaurantosaurus)
C = Fountain
D = Indiana Jones entrance
E = Shops (previously Chester & Hester's)
F = Encanto entrance
G = Encanto extended queue ?

The building is cut off on the left side of the model, but the top has a short green wall on the roof, so I assume that this is actually the end of the building. This is about in line and parallel to where the Dinosaur show building starts.

The white area on the map below is where the Encanto show building would go as seen on the model. This is almost 1.75 acres and that is about the same size as the Dinosaur show building. On the top there are some backstage buildings in the way, but on the left side it lines up nicely with a parking lot.

View attachment 808494

looks awesome thanks, that encanto showbuilding is massive so I wonder what it will be like inside? Hopefully some animal exhibits as well

 

[vagabondarts]

Really hope it’s not just a beige box inside. Restaurantasarous is very well themed

Hopefully its immaculate.

 

[WorldExplorer]

So billions in investment to add a single D-ticket ride? Re-skinning Countdown to Extinction is not adding anything to the park...

Don't forget: that was a rollercoaster just a few years ago. And you're losing the Boneyard, plus the games, which weren't massive people eaters but they were SOMETHING.

So you're not really adding any capacity at all.

I dont think they really feel like they need to add animals to this area. The existing site doesn't have anything beyond the crocodile.

There's a tortoise and vulture on the other side of the crocodile. Not that I've ever managed to spot the tortoise...

 

[Architectural Guinea Pig]

Any possibility for animals in the new area? Obviously, holding pens would have to be built to keep them at night. Piranhas probably wouldn't be a good idea, though.

Does AK still have capybaras? An “Antonio’s Cavy Club” with capybaras and guinea pigs would be so cute.

 

[KDM31091]

What are the chances we get at least a nod to dinosaurs or perhaps one animatronic in the new ride?

I know I'm dying on this hill, but for the park to have zero dinosaur representation just seems crazy, unless there's going to be a dinosaur figure on the carousel.

 

[co10064]

No doubt I am excited about this land… but does this really move the needle for anyone in terms of booking a trip or inspiring first-time visitors? Or is it more about improving guest satisfaction?

I just can’t see this doing what Pandora did for DAK attendance when it first opened.

 

[James Alucobond]

No doubt I am excited about this land… but does this really move the needle for anyone in terms of booking a trip or inspiring first-time visitors? Or is it more about improving guest satisfaction?

I just can’t see this doing what Pandora did for DAK attendance when it first opened.

I think the goal is probably to encourage better distribution of guests throughout the park. No one stays in Dinoland very long. It's in and out for Dinosaur, if that. Meanwhile, a disproportionate number of people hang out in Pandora, which can clog things like Na'vi River and Satu'li beyond what they're meant to support. I honestly think the Encanto ride is a great move since it should be able to be designed with excellent capacity in mind and will be indoors, making it an attractive alternative to anyone thinking about waiting in an overly long line for Na'vi. Additionally, though Restaurantosaurus is excellently themed, I think they'll ultimately attract more diners with Central and South American options.

 

[vagabondarts]

No doubt I am excited about this land… but does this really move the needle for anyone in terms of booking a trip or inspiring first-time visitors? Or is it more about improving guest satisfaction?

I just can’t see this doing what Pandora did for DAK attendance when it first opened.

It continues the trend of Animal Kingdom being the only Disney Park I feel comfortable going to and just chilling out in. I enjoy just being there. I can’t say the same for the other parks which promote more stressful feelings. The artwork shows an area I would love to sit and draw or take my time and people watch.
So I dig it. It just so happens there are some more rides as well. (One reskin, two new)

 

[CSOM]

Say what you want about TBA and how the story of the ride came out, but I wouldn’t call it a “cheap” overlay in anyway. But maybe that’s just me

The fun of being in two hugely different fan communities. TBA in my mind is Metallica's 1991 release known as The Black Album.

Took me a while to figure out the context here

 

[KDM31091]

No doubt I am excited about this land… but does this really move the needle for anyone in terms of booking a trip or inspiring first-time visitors? Or is it more about improving guest satisfaction?

I just can’t see this doing what Pandora did for DAK attendance when it first opened.

Agreed. I think Indy is generally seen as old news, been there done that kind of property. Not that that means it's unpopular of course. But, do I foresee a turnout like Pandora? No. Especially when the ride is not fundamentally any different, so people who don't like Dinosaur for motion reasons still won't like Indy.

 

[KDM31091]

Don't forget: that was a rollercoaster just a few years ago. And you're losing the Boneyard, plus the games, which weren't massive people eaters but they were SOMETHING.

So you're not really adding any capacity at all.



There's a tortoise and vulture on the other side of the crocodile. Not that I've ever managed to spot the tortoise...

This exactly. The games are not immensely popular, but I always see at least a few people playing. At $6 a game I highly doubt they're unprofitable, and it's unusual for Disney to take out something that is seemingly easy money. Maybe they'll relocate them to Boardwalk. I can dream.

But yes, the capacity issue. The coaster, Boneyard, and Spin is to me roughly the same capacity as Encanto plus a Carousel, even considering demand levels. Boneyard is still popular. Kids ride the spinner still plenty. The coaster was moderately popular too when it was actually open anyway. So I'm not sure we are gaining much real capacity. Hopefully the area will have other diversions to keep people busy and staying there longer. The Boneyard is also unique because the time is relatively unlimited, whereas Encanto + Carousel will be a few minutes long and then you have to go do something else.

 

[UNCgolf]

I think the goal is probably to encourage better distribution of guests throughout the park. No one stays in Dinoland very long. It's in and out for Dinosaur, if that. Meanwhile, a disproportionate number of people hang out in Pandora, which can clog things like Na'vi River and Satu'li beyond what they're meant to support. I honestly think the Encanto ride is a great move since it should be able to be designed with excellent capacity in mind and will be indoors, making it an attractive alternative to anyone thinking about waiting in an overly long line for Na'vi. Additionally, though Restaurantosaurus is excellently themed, I think they'll ultimately attract more diners with Central and South American options.

I agree with everything except the last sentence -- Restaurantosaurus was always packed, because it was the kid option for burgers and chicken fingers. I think they may have a bit of a problem moving away from that.