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

[solidyne]

Really? Because I occasionally volunteer with children and they seem to know Encanto pretty well even today and seeing how popular it was back in 2021/2022 with teenagers and young adults on TikTok, I'd assume people would know it more. But now that you mention it, I really don't think I saw any advertisement for Encanto back in 2021, though that's probably because of the pandemic.

"...a fairy tales course I teach..." sounds like a reference to a college class. My child, a college student and Disney fan, somehow missed Encanto. Could indeed be a timing thing.

 

[ChewbaccaYourMum]

This seems like a damned if they do, damned if they don’t reaction from some.

They can easily make the world of Indy fit into the world of DAK. But I guess people just want book reports of the IP only?

And then when they get book reports of an IP they complain even more about that

 

[lazyboy97o]

This seems like a damned if they do, damned if they don’t reaction from some.

They can easily make the world of Indy fit into the world of DAK. But I guess people just want book reports of the IP only?

This is one of the big problems with the franchise mandate. You’re damned because you’re not starting at what is the best story and experience for the park. It means pushing and pulling things from the acceptable properties to make them fit.

 

[Disney Analyst]

The Indy ride at Disneyland seems to be very popular but it’s not a book report.

Right, but it’s the classic “Indy story” with iconic moments like the boulder.

My point is, they can do whatever they want with Indy, and can make his world fit into DAK, with whatever original story they want to tell in the ride to make it work.

 

[Gremlin Gus]

It was rumored early on, along with a trackless system. And some of the concept art didn't rule it out.

The main reason I think it's not an omnimover is that there are maintenance bays big enough to work on a train of two cars, which is what the drawings show for the load/unload area as well. I ran it by Jim Shull, who seemed to agree.

Huh, in that case now I'm curious to know what ride system it is then, because if it's not an omnimover or trackless, I genuinely have zero clue what other ride system it could be. I'm hoping DD23 this year or D23 next year confirms what it is because now it's bothering me lol

 

[Gremlin Gus]

"...a fairy tales course I teach..." sounds like a reference to a college class. My child, a college student and Disney fan, somehow missed Encanto. Could indeed be a timing thing.

Yeah I kind of figured it was a collage class, but even then I'm in (community) college and I still know several people who know what Encanto or at least We Don't Talk About Bruno is so yeah I guess it's timing

 

[doctornick]

Huh, in that case now I'm curious to know what ride system it is then, because if it's not an omnimover or trackless, I genuinely have zero clue what other ride system it could be. I'm hoping DD23 this year or D23 next year confirms what it is because now it's bothering me lol

Indications are that it is similar to Imagination’s ride system (which is not an Omni-mover)

 

[Gremlin Gus]

Indications are that it is similar to Imagination’s ride system (which is not an Omni-mover)

Oh yeah, now I remember, sorry I keep forgetting that Journey Into Imagination with Figment isn't an omnimover, but yeah that's what I meant by an omnimover similar to Journey into Imagination with Figment, sorry that my fault

 

[BlakeW39]

I see your point. This version of Indy would fit in Adventureland too.

One of the things that makes this okay for me in DAK is that all cultures use gods and mythology to explain natural phenomena. Those gods frequently take the form of animals on earth. So if part of DAK is exploring man's relationship with nature, this is a widespread, ancient form of that.

I think my main issue with everything I've heard about IJAK, is that just because the ride explores man's relationship with nature, does not make it fit into AK. Yes, man's relationship with nature is part of what AK is about. But like I said, it's also about THEME. Man's relationship with nature isn't a THEME. How is the ride going to actually convey the core themes of Animal Kingdom?

 

[James Alucobond]

But like I said, it's also about THEME. Man's relationship with nature isn't a THEME. How is the ride going to actually convey the core themes of Animal Kingdom?

We don’t know. That’s why there’s room for mishandling even if they pick the most appropriate subject matter possible within the context of the IP and largely shunt IJ himself to the side.

 

[Bocabear]

I think my main issue with everything I've heard about IJAK, is that just because the ride explores man's relationship with nature, does not make it fit into AK. Yes, man's relationship with nature is part of what AK is about. But like I said, it's also about THEME. Man's relationship with nature isn't a THEME. How is the ride going to actually convey the core themes of Animal Kingdom?

How the heck did Chester and Hester illustrate the core theme of DAK? I don't know that everything in the park has to accurately fit into the theme of the park, does it? Because fictional magical people living in an enchanted house doesn't really have much to do with it either.....

 

[rd805]

It fits the theme because it takes place in an environment (a NEW one at that - Tropical Americas), has a sense of adventure (Yeti / Everest!), gets to keep an existing ride system ($$!), rumored to have mythical creatures (park creation), and Indy is all about maintaining & preserving history. IMO - it fits Animal Kingdom almost perfectly.

 

[easyrowrdw]

Right, but it’s the classic “Indy story” with iconic moments like the boulder.

My point is, they can do whatever they want with Indy, and can make his world fit into DAK, with whatever original story they want to tell in the ride to make it work.

I think making it fit is a low bar. They made a janky area of carnival games fit in AK and a comic book rollercoaster fit in Epcot. They're making Cars fit in Frontierland for goodness sakes.

I'm not as opposed to Indy as some in this thread, but I see the points they're making. The classic Indy story really doesn't fit AK. But I think it’s largely the IP mandate to blame.

 

[lentesta]

I think my main issue with everything I've heard about IJAK, is that just because the ride explores man's relationship with nature, does not make it fit into AK. Yes, man's relationship with nature is part of what AK is about. But like I said, it's also about THEME. Man's relationship with nature isn't a THEME. How is the ride going to actually convey the core themes of Animal Kingdom?

I love the IJAK acronym. Thank you!

Let's agree that DAK's themes are what Joe Rohde says they are:

Given what we know about the IJAK ride, I'd say its theme is "psychological transformation through adventure", followed by what I'm guessing will be a personal call to action.

The use of specific religious symbolism for natural phenomenon, on the outside of the temple, is a clear reference to how the Maya valued nature.

So I think IJAK hits all three of DAK's themes.

Also, and not to put too fine a point on it, but Joe was at this Maya Archaeology conference. He clearly believes in the project and WDI's approach. I can't think of anyone else at WDI who, if they said "Trust me, this fits", that I would believe them as much as Joe.

 

[BlakeW39]

there’s room for mishandling even if they pick the most appropriate subject matter possible within the context of the IP and largely shunt IJ himself to the side.

I agree.

How the heck did Chester and Hester illustrate the core theme of DAK? I don't know that everything in the park has to accurately fit into the theme of the park, does it? Because fictional magical people living in an enchanted house doesn't really have much to do with it either.....

Yes, everything in a theme park has to accurately fit into the theme of said theme park.

Chester and Hester emphasized the value of nature through our widespread commercialization of it (same as Harambe, and same as Animal Kingdom itself, in the real world), even after it's been gone for 66 million years, we're still obsessed with it, that's how valuable it is. It emphasized the importance of conservation through the finality of extinction. It emphasized the superiority of nature through its weathered extererior, as natural forces subjugate human architecture. It explored our real relationship with the species we never got a chance to meet. I could go on.

Everything that has ever been in Animal Kingdom... has fit in Animal Kingdom.

But you are right that Encanto doesn't fit DAK anymore than Indy does, as an IP.

 

[Disney Analyst]

Chester and Hester emphasized the value of nature through our widespread commercialization of it (same as Harambe, and same as Animal Kingdom itself, in the real world), even after it's been gone for 66 million years, we're still obsessed with it, that's how valuable it is. It emphasized the importance of conservation through the finality of extinction. It emphasized the superiority of nature through its weathered extererior, as natural forces subjugate human architecture. It explored our real relationship with the species we never got a chance to meet. I could go on.

Honestly, did most people actually understand or get that from the land as it was? I certainly never did.

It just looked like a cheap carnival that had no business being in an immaculate park like DAK.

I think far more people will understand the themes and reasonings for the new Tropical America's area and the includes rides, than the former.

 

[lazyboy97o]

Honestly, did most people actually understand or get that from the land as it was? I certainly never did.

It just looked like a cheap carnival that had no business being in an immaculate park like DAK.

I think far more people will understand the themes and reasonings for the new Tropical America's area and it's rides, than the former.

You’re highlighting the issue with the philosophy that things can be made to fit. Chester and Hester’s Dino-Rama was an example of making something not really up to snuff fit. In its case the issue was financial, but it’s the same root issue with IPs that may have natured featured but aren’t actually about nature.

 

[Disney Analyst]

You’re highlighting the issue with the philosophy that things can be made to fit. Chester and Hester’s Dino-Rama was an example of making something not really up to snuff fit. In its case the issue was financial, but it’s the same root issue with IPs that may have natured featured but aren’t actually about nature.

But as @lentesta so beautifully pointed out, from the man himself, the themes of DAK absolutely will be serviced by Tropical Americas and the IP's they have chosen to include in it.

And heck, for once we are getting a land not stuck with just one IP.

This is a win people.

 

[cjkeating]

It just looked like a cheap carnival that had no business being in an immaculate park like DAK.

I do wonder if Chester and Hesters connected more with international guests? As to me the representation of 'America' was just as valid as the representation of Africa and Asia from the perceptive of someone from the UK.

It's kind of like how I watch many American bloggers come to European theme parks and they often seem to take offence at how nearly everyone European park has a 'Wild West' land and they think that is what we all associate America with. Which maybe is true on a superficial theme park level.

I think Tropical Americas will be better received by the American guest at WDW because it will feel less familiar than Dinoland USA/Chester and Hesters did and more like Africa and Asia.

 

[sedati]

Indications are that it is similar to Imagination’s ride system (which is not an Omni-mover)

Could this allow for speed changes?