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

[Brer Panther]

A park with an Asia and Africa land is adding a Central/South America land. I’m just not that offended.

The Africa land has an enormous safari and a walking trail where you can see animals. Plus a show featuring characters from a movie about animals (which was originally in another area of the park anyway).

Asia has a walking trail where you can see animals. And a bird show (is that still there?).

A South America land would be a great fit for Animal Kingdom if done right. You could have some sort of Amazon River cruise with animals (either real or animatronic), a walking trail where you can see animals, maybe something Rio or a show hosted by Antonio (ONLY Antonio - no Mirabel, no Bruno, no Luisa, etc.) or Kronk showcasing real animals if you MUST get an IP in there.

Instead, they're removing dinosaurs from the park entirely so they can shove in two franchises that are about people, not animals, and no real animals at all.

Why is this so hard to understand?

The park has had rides that aren’t really about animals for a long time.

The only ride I can think of is Kali River Rapids (maaaaaaaaybe the Avatar rides, too?), and I wouldn't complain if they replaced it... provided the attraction they were replacing it with actually fit the park. If they replaced it with a Moana land or a Mulan attraction, I'd complain because those IPs don't belong in Animal Kingdom either.

 

[rle4lunch]

I hope the new play area has big slides like the boneyard did.

 

[James Alucobond]

Why is this so hard to understand?

No one is having a hard time understanding you. They're just discussing what is actually happening versus the prior state of the land, and opinions naturally differ on the degree to which the use of IP is offensive, thematically inappropriate, and/or obtrusive. Many of the things you have suggested in the past as "preferable" IP attractions for AK can also very easily be argued as thematically inappropriate, but we let them go about 250 pages ago.

 

[Brer Panther]

I'm starting to feel like I'm being gaslit. They're not discussing what is actually happening versus the prior state of the land, they're arguing that this land will be fine for Animal Kingdom and that it'll be so much better than Dinoland.

 

[BrianLo]

But, marketing may be concerned they have nothing to market during the first half of 2027?

Unrelated, but I would not preclude that we fully understand 2027 yet.

From my recollection the RnRC overlay was announced late 2024 and then Buzz, Animation Courtyard, Carousel of Progress, Soaring over America last year. We’re also in a mainline D23 year.

 

[James Alucobond]

I'm starting to feel like I'm being gaslit. They're not discussing what is actually happening versus the prior state of the land, they're arguing that this land will be fine for Animal Kingdom and that it'll be so much better than Dinoland.

You're not being gaslit. You're assuming anyone who says anything remotely positive about the land (even if it's just positive relative to Dinoland) endorses everything about the change and thinks it will be the best thing ever. The person you quoted simply said that they're not especially bothered by Tropical Americas because it at least still incorporates a village section, not that every attraction within was a perfect paragon of thematic integrity for the park.

As far as gaslighting goes, if we're talking about trying to mess with people's perception of reality, how about walking into a thread and randomly telling everyone they're going to feel so foolish when We Don't Talk About Bruno shows up in the attraction when ... no one ever said it wouldn't show up in the attraction?

 

[BlindChow]

It is the openness that makes the IJ version so great. seing the bridge, feeling the vastness of the temple space. Dinosaur in all it inky blackness you really can't tell where you are or where you are going.

I agree. Dinosaur/CTX never felt to me like we were outside in a rainforest (unlike, say, the dinosaur portion of Universe of Energy). The perpetual darkness coupled with badly and unrealistically spot-lit dinosaurs made the whole experience seem cheaper and more artificial to me.

I trust they will at least light up the new Indy ride now they don't have to pretend it's outdoors...

 

[JohnD]

This post has slides from WDI's presentation at a Maya archaeology conference last year. The symbols and imagery seem to indicate that "water" is going to be an important concept for the ride.

I have all the slides, if anyone's interested.

That doesn't mean it's going to be a boat ride. My guess is Indy gets in the temple, the water god becomes ... displeased ... and Indy has to get out before the deluge.

So @lentesta , how about those slides?

 

[wdwmagic]

Here is a last ride through of DINOSAUR from this week

 

[mickEblu]

Is this whole land including both rides opening in 2027?

 

[James Alucobond]

Is this whole land including both rides opening in 2027?

That was and continues to be the target, but dates can obviously always slip.

 

[Gusey]

Is this whole land including both rides opening in 2027?

That's the current official timeline, Tropical Americas will open in 2027 with an Encanto dark ride, Indiana Jones replacement for Dinosaur, new Carousel, the Hacienda replacing Resotauntosaurus and a new play area

 

[Gusey]

One thing I have been thinking about recently is the store at the end of Dinosaur. At the moment its themed to the Insititue's gift shop, but how will they theme it to a store within a Mayan Temple? Do we think they might repurpose the shop for something else that will fit a bit better, or will we still just exit through the gift shop as I'm assuming the ride photo spot will remain?

 

[wdwmagic]

One thing I have been thinking about recently is the store at the end of Dinosaur. At the moment its themed to the Insititue's gift shop, but how will they theme it to a store within a Mayan Temple? Do we think they might repurpose the shop for something else that will fit a bit better, or will we still just exit through the gift shop as I'm assuming the ride photo spot will remain?

That's a great question. This whole overlay is quite a fascinating one. Very interested to se exactly how it is all going to work.

 

[mickEblu]

That was and continues to be the target, but dates can obviously always slip.

That's the current official timeline, Tropical Americas will open in 2027 with an Encanto dark ride, Indiana Jones replacement for Dinosaur, new Carousel, the Hacienda replacing Resotauntosaurus and a new play area

Cool thank you. I’m not sure why I remember reading that one of the two major attractions was most likely going to debut in 2028. A Spring or Fall 2027 WDW trip may be in the cards and would be cool if this lined up. Fall would be the safer bet of course.

 

[James Alucobond]

One thing I have been thinking about recently is the store at the end of Dinosaur. At the moment its themed to the Insititue's gift shop, but how will they theme it to a store within a Mayan Temple? Do we think they might repurpose the shop for something else that will fit a bit better, or will we still just exit through the gift shop as I'm assuming the ride photo spot will remain?

I've thought this about both the pre-show and the shop. Neither really fit in their current format with the temple. I suppose the shop could be set up as a sort of archaeologist encampment, which would also tie in with the nearby playground.

 

[Gusey]

I've thought this about both the pre-show and the shop. Neither really fit in their current format with the temple. I suppose the shop could be set up as a sort of archaeologist encampment, which would also tie in with the nearby playground.

The pre-show I can see them doing something similar to Indiana Jones in Disneyland where its switchbacks in that room whilst a continuous film plays. We know that the expanded queue is getting a new roof so I can see them trying to fit more queue in the building where possible

 

[Gremlin Gus]

 

[Icarus846]

Is it just me or this the show building started to look different from the original model?

 

[gorillaball]

I'm starting to feel like I'm being gaslit. They're not discussing what is actually happening versus the prior state of the land, they're arguing that this land will be fine for Animal Kingdom and that it'll be so much better than Dinoland.

It will be better than Dinoland, my personal opinion. Nothing more than an opinion, and one I promise to not share for the next 18 months on a regular basis. I made my point, I can move on and discuss more meaningful things.