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

[TrainsOfDisney]

What basically the biggest argument here boils down to is what folks actually consider to be “Dinoland”?

I get what you’re saying - it’s like the rivers of America and Tom Sawyer island. While I liked the island - the river and riverboat were the items that I cared about - if those could have been saved - I would be ok.

Likewise - the Dino carnival itself isn’t a huge loss, although the replacement makes no sense in the park. (Like cars in Frontierland).

But the loss of the play area, the fun nostalgic nods to roadside attractions, the restaurant, and dinosaur ride is a pretty big hit for so many reasons.

 

[Fox&Hound]

I felt like the worst design issue was the coaster - they needed to do a full on traditional dark ride - intentionally cheap and cheesy like Mr. Toad. Then all ages could have enjoyed it.

The original fantasyland at Disneyland was basically a carnival - just clean and well presented. The idea of a roadside tourist attraction outside a “legit” dinosaur research center was very clever.

When the land was filled with life (lucky the dino, jugglers, etc.) it was really fun.

Is Encanto and a carousel and more cracked cement that looks like dirt really this huge upgrade?

Your last sentence is utterly ridiculous…

 

[Fox&Hound]

I am more upset by the removal of the boneyard playground than Dinosaur, Primieval whirl, or anything else Dinoland had to offer…

 

[Centauri Space Station]

When the land was filled with life (lucky the dino, jugglers, etc.) it was really fun.

Is Encanto and a carousel and more cracked cement that looks like dirt really this huge upgrade?

A family dark ride vs an off the shelf coaster and some carnival games? Yes

 

[EagleScout610]

Looks like they've fixed a few more of the lights (the first scene was nearly pitch black for weeks) and the first Carno looks to be moving incredibly.

 

[Nickm2022]

I'll make the argument the boneyard is the only good and overall well themed part of dinoland imo. which overall was an un-cohesive land that shoulda been like the boneyard. Will say tho a play area that looks like mayan ruins does excite me

 

[Bocabear]

I felt like the worst design issue was the coaster - they needed to do a full on traditional dark ride - intentionally cheap and cheesy like Mr. Toad. Then all ages could have enjoyed it.

The original fantasyland at Disneyland was basically a carnival - just clean and well presented. The idea of a roadside tourist attraction outside a “legit” dinosaur research center was very clever.

When the land was filled with life (lucky the dino, jugglers, etc.) it was really fun.

Is Encanto and a carousel and more cracked cement that looks like dirt really this huge upgrade?

Let's face it...Chester and Hester area was a knee-jerk add on, done on the cheap. They needed Lucky the Dinosaur and Jugglers in order to make up for the shortsighted design... Actually designing a cohesive thematic land will be a huge upgrade...as will not losing an attraction to do it... We are trading a spinner for a spinner...as the Primeval Whirl closed years ago, we are not losing anything there by adding the new Dark Ride.....and the IJ ride will be better than Dinosaur has become....Honestly Dinosaur never quite hit the mark, though I did enjoy it over the years.... I wish there were at least one more additional attraction of some sort added to this area to make it actually add to the attraction count of this area instead of just being the same number of rides...

 

[James Alucobond]

I wish there were at least one more additional attraction of some sort added to this area to make it actually add to the attraction count of this area instead of just being the same number of rides...

While seeing the ride count tick up is always nice, you're replacing an attraction of the exact kind Animal Kingdom doesn't need (outdoor, off-the-shelf, one-and-done with no interesting hook whatsoever, etc.) with something that is potentially much better for the park long-term (indoor, custom design and animatronics, flagship franchise, etc.). Replacement doesn't bother me that much when you're obliterating the Primeval Whirls of the world.

 

[TrainsOfDisney]

Replacement doesn't bother me that much when you're obliterating the Primeval Whirls of the world.

The carousel will also be an improvement design wise compared to the dinosaur spinner.

 

[Gusey]

And with the new play area, the only listed attraction on the map not getting a replacement is the Fossil Fun Games, which is definitely a good thing. I don't think carnival games would fit in the Tropical Americas Land

 

[Bocabear]

While seeing the ride count tick up is always nice, you're replacing an attraction of the exact kind Animal Kingdom doesn't need (outdoor, off-the-shelf, one-and-done with no interesting hook whatsoever, etc.) with something that is potentially much better for the park long-term (indoor, custom design and animatronics, flagship franchise, etc.). Replacement doesn't bother me that much when you're obliterating the Primeval Whirls of the world.

I would agree...

 

[TrainsOfDisney]

and the IJ ride will be better than Dinosaur has become....

Will it? That’s proprietary.

 

[AidenRodriguez731]

Will it? That’s proprietary.

Lets not pretend like Dinosaur is a particularly great attraction in recent years. It's almost pitch black save for a few dinosaurs that you interact directly with that do a motion, Dr Seeker screams in your ear for a second then you go to the next dino, etc. Now do I have a lot of love for this attraction still? Sure, but its not some masterpiece and a sufficiently well-themed dark ride like all the IJ rides have been thus far should surely top it.

 

[TrainsOfDisney]

a sufficiently well-themed dark ride like all the IJ rides have been thus far should surely top it.

Indy in California is a masterpiece just like the original Spider-Man.

But Disney hasn’t created anything like that recently.

It could still be as good or better than dinosaur- but the appeal of Dino’s is real.

 

[dmc493]

That’s proprietary.

I just need 90s-hairdo Phylicia Rashad preshow content…. It won’t happen but one can dream

 

[AidenRodriguez731]

Indy in California is a masterpiece just like the original Spider-Man.

But Disney hasn’t created anything like that recently.

It could still be as good or better than dinosaur- but the appeal of Dino’s is real.

Disney knows they are not going to win the dinosaur game against Universal. Just like how Universal doesn’t make princess rides or stuff like that

 

[EagleScout610]

Lets not pretend like Dinosaur is a particularly great attraction in recent years. It's almost pitch black save for a few dinosaurs that you interact directly with that do a motion, Dr Seeker screams in your ear for a second then you go to the next dino, etc. Now do I have a lot of love for this attraction still? Sure, but its not some masterpiece and a sufficiently well-themed dark ride like all the IJ rides have been thus far should surely top it.

I think DINOSAUR is showing its age the worst of most of the replaced attractions, even in its more recently fixed up state.

 

[HMF]

Disney knows they are not going to win the dinosaur game against Universal. Just like how Universal doesn’t make princess rides or stuff like that

That is just an absurd notion. No company has a monopoly on any one subject matter.

 

[HMF]

I think DINOSAUR is showing its age the worst of most of the replaced attractions, even in its more recently fixed up state.

That's largely because of lack of investment and care on the part of TDO and WDI.

 

[AidenRodriguez731]

That is just an absurd notion. No company has a monopoly on any one subject matter.

There is no “monopoly” but there is a choose your battles thing. Universal tried a more Disney like movie, didn’t do too well. Disney tried dinosaurs, did not do too well either.

Each company decided to play to their strengths rather than continue trying to compete with literal cultural touchstones. Jurassic Park was a cultural phenomenon when it came out and remains in the mainstream today. Disneys princess movies hold a similar weight. That’s just what they do best.

I’d rather have them stick to what they’re known for and best at then keep trying to take on something that they simply can’t really beat. Even with a perfect dinosaur ride, they’ll never reach the popularity of Jurassic Park because it is JURASSIC PARK. You don’t touch that.