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

[dmw]

Neither the Matterhorn or 20k are OG.

true... but, definitely more OG than Indi. My first visit to DL was in the 60's (according to my parents, since I was too young to remember)... LOTS of change since then. But, most of my memories of DL are from the 80s when I lived in SoCal.

 

[Touchdown]

Neither the Matterhorn or 20k are OG.

Matterhorn is the original tubular steel roller coaster. Every steel roller coaster built after it would not have been built without that ride. It is absolutely OG. The amusement/theme park industry would be drastically different without that ride it is absolutely “OG.”

 

[denyuntilcaught]

so funny to hear something as new as Indi (1995) considered OG. My wife grew up in San Diego and I lived there many years (high school, college, Navy...) until we moved to Georgia in 1991. Disneyland OG to me is the Matterhorn with the skyway going through it, 20k Leagues (pre-Nemo), and still being able to buy cap guns, Davey Crockett vests and racoon-skin hats in Frontierland.

Ah! For clarity, I meant OG in reference to Indy at DLR being the original Indy attraction, with TDS being the second iteration and now DAK the third, not a reference at all to it being an OG attraction in the grand scheme of things.

 

[TrainsOfDisney]

Every steel roller coaster built after it would not have been built without that ride. It is absolutely OG.

Sure. But then Indy is the og Indy ride.

 

[Touchdown]

Sure. But then Indy is the og Indy ride.

Indy is a sub genre of dark rides. Steel Roller Coasters are the premier amusement park ride, make up a vast majority of new coasters built and are often the ride type on which an entire park is judged on. The steel tubular track coaster can be argued to be Walt’s greatest theme park innovation, especially if you account for the broader industry. I don’t think Disney fans really appreciate it much but they absolutely should. There’s a good chance amusement parks would have fizzled off and died without it. The industry’s last great boom (1989-2000) was thanks to the steel tubular track coaster almost exclusively.

 

[TrainsOfDisney]

I don’t think Disney fans really appreciate it much but they absolutely should.

Somewhere I have a Matterhorn t-shirt I got at Disney that has a really cool obscure reference to arrow development.

Coasters are fun but I’m not a Disney fan for the coasters. I can get them at sea world and Knotts for much cheaper (or other parks)

 

[Touchdown]

Somewhere I have a Matterhorn t-shirt I got at Disney that has a really cool obscure reference to arrow development.

Coasters are fun but I’m not a Disney fan for the coasters. I can get them at sea world and Knotts for much cheaper (or other parks)

My argument wasn’t about that it was about whether Matterhorn should be considered “OG” that’s all.

 

[TrainsOfDisney]

My argument wasn’t about that it was about whether Matterhorn should be considered “OG” that’s all.

it’s not part of the original (aka og) park. That’s all. Haha. I’m not trying to be argumentative we are just all making different points lol.

 

[Gremlin Gus]

 

[FigmentFan82]

Progress looks great!

 

[veritas55]

Progress looks great!

yep, they are cruising on this one.

 

[WorldExplorer]

On the topic of the last day of Chester & Hester’s Dinorama specifically, I think most folks, especially now with the advent of social media and that area in particular’s infamous status of being the cheap carnival/fair side attraction that was attached to an otherwise very well done ride , lots of people flocked there both ironically and unironically to be the last folks to experience the stuff there, for that isolated scenario.

I was there in person, I talked to people and saw all the little things happening through the land, and I can promise you it wasn't ironic. The Internet (where you can still find plenty of people expressing they like the area) is not representative of everyone and even then a quick search through Reddit and YouTube videos is showing me plenty of people willing to say they enjoyed it.

This is a regular pattern: the people who are so sure no one likes Dinoland also don't like Dinoland and so spend no time there. But they're sure they know how people feel about it.


And yes, people went there to be the last people: when that happens for other attractions it's taken as a given the crowds who want to be there on the last day must like the area, except here where people would rather assume anyone showing visual signs of disagreeing with them is just being sarcastic.

 

[FigmentsBrightIdeas]

I was there in person, I talked to people and saw all the little things happening through the land, and I can promise you it wasn't ironic. The Internet (where you can still find plenty of people expressing they like the area) is not representative of everyone and even then a quick search through Reddit and YouTube videos is showing me plenty of people willing to say they enjoyed it.

This is a regular pattern: the people who are so sure no one likes Dinoland also don't like Dinoland and so spend no time there. But they're sure they know how people feel about it.


And yes, people went there to be the last people: when that happens for other attractions it's taken as a given the crowds who want to be there on the last day must like the area, except here where people would rather assume anyone showing visual signs of disagreeing with them is just being sarcastic.

Did you happen to see my second response towards you? Interesting you decided to respond to my first response yet again as opposed to my second/follow up one directly addressing this. I am not denying the fact ‘Dinoland’ has its fans.. but I would argue much of this would have to do with the Countdown to Extinction/Dinosaur ride rather than the Chester’s & Hester’s Dinorama extension added in ‘01. I will gladly look back and see if what I witnissed back then and had read those years ago, on various sites, was mistaken and not correct as I initially thought. But I’m almost positive it was different. Hold on

 

[WorldExplorer]

Did you happen to see my second response towards you? Interesting you decided to respond to my first response yet again as opposed to my second/follow up one. I am not denying the fact ‘Dinoland’ has its fans.. but I would argue much of this would have to do with the Countdown to Extinction/Dinosaur ride rather than Chester’s & Hester’s Dinorama extension added in ‘01. I will gladly look back and see if what I witnissed back then and had read those years ago, on various sites, was mistaken and not correct as I initially thought. But I’m almost positive it was different. Hold on

I read your other posts: I quoted that one because the claim was completely baseless. I don't really care what you read online. I know you can come back with screenshots of people saying they don't like it, the same as I can come back with screenshots of people saying they do. My issue is trying to claim people showing up to the last day of Dino-Rama, with dinosaurs, merchandise, whole collections of plush, special outfits, stuff they had to spend real money and time on, etc., actually don't like Dino-Rama based on "people online said they didn't like it".

Also, the goal posts are being moved. People in here keep saying no one liked it and trying to imply people are just being contrarian by claiming to be upset Dinoland is leaving, then when people say "that's not true", suddenly it's "oh well of course some people liked it but...".

Stop saying no one liked it if that's not what you mean. I can see that you edited the post after I posted, by the way. I'm pretty sure that "almost" wasn't there before.

And though you specifically didn't do it, "no one actually cares about Dinoland leaving because no one liked it when it wasn't on the chopping block" requires no one to like it for the argument to work. I wasn't talking solely to you to start..

 

[TrainsOfDisney]

I’m sure if they cut all of the meet and greets people would say “nobody actually liked meeting people dressed up like a character”

It’s the definition of gas lighting. You didn’t see and experience what you saw and experienced.

Nobody liked dinosaur land
Nobody liked muppets
Nobody liked the riverboat

Oh you did? You are nostalgic, stuck in the past, and probably need mental help. *maybe I’m projecting a bit too much? *

 

[WorldExplorer]

I’m sure if they cut all of the meet and greets people would say “nobody actually liked meeting people dressed up like a character”

It’s the definition of gas lighting. You didn’t see and experience what you saw and experienced.

Nobody liked dinosaur land
Nobody liked muppets
Nobody liked the riverboat

Oh you did? You are nostalgic, stuck in the past, and probably need mental help. *maybe I’m projecting a bit too much? *

Right!? Somewhere in this thread is a whole conversation where someone tried to say he had positive conversations about Dinoland with people who were upset it was leaving and the response was those people must've just been humoring him. The people online who didn't have those conversations, of course, would know so much better than him what happened during said conversations.

I really do not understand why some people are so dead set against the idea of Dinoland being a cult favorite. Not a smash hit. Just something that has a dedicated fan base somewhere. The park equivalent of Atlantis: The Last Empire, if you will.

It's completely unthinkable for some reason.

Edit: Disney didn't feel it was worth trying to cash in on any other closing but eventually released Dinosaur merchandise, which sold very well. But no one liked Dinoland/Dinosaur.

 

[FigmentsBrightIdeas]

I read your other posts: I quoted that one because the claim was completely baseless. I don't really care what you read online. I know you can come back with screenshots of people saying they don't like it, the same as I can come back with screenshots of people saying they do. My issue is trying to claim people showing up to the last day of Dino-Rama, with dinosaurs, merchandise, whole collections of plush, special outfits, stuff they had to spend real money and time on, etc., actually don't like Dino-Rama based on "people online said they didn't like it".

Also, the goal posts are being moved. People in here keep saying no one liked it and trying to imply people are just being contrarian by claiming to be upset Dinoland is leaving, then when people say "that's not true", suddenly it's "oh well of course some people liked it but...".

Stop saying no one liked it if that's not what you mean. I can see that you edited the post after I posted, by the way. I'm pretty sure that "almost" wasn't there before.

And though you specifically didn't do it, "no one actually cares about Dinoland leaving because no one liked it when it wasn't on the chopping block" requires no one to like it for the argument to work. I wasn't talking solely to you to start..

Well no kidding, I added “almost” because there have been times, where, being the fallible person I am, I’ve been wrong and/or forgot to put in the message something I meant to but didn’t upon a second read, typing fast. It’s a given. i promise you it wasn’t an intentional slight against you.
But as I specifically mentioned before, the thing I find particularly fascinating is the way folks here have seemingly insisted in their minds time and time that anytime “Dinoland” is mentioned, it automatically and almost specifically means the Chester & Hester’s Dinorama extension while conveniently ignoring that the Dinosaur/Countdown to Extinction ride is there and what it started with. Which is seemingly what’s tripping people up here and the darkride is what I’ve seen the majority of folks are upset about I’d argue.. and reasonably thinking about it, Considering Triceratops Spin & Primeval Whirl are basically off the shelf rides found around the world and nothing particuarly unique other than plywood/sheet metal cutouts of dinosaurs and vehicle shape, I can rationally see why that would be a consensus (that “nobody” (which shouldn’t be taken literally, it means the majority, not all) regarding those elements of the land specifically, liked it . Don’t forget too, those being extensions to form a land around the main ride, it’s completely reasonable to come to the conclusion, the reason folks are also experiencing them is simply due to the fact it’s an additional attraction added to the area that is generally a fun, quick thing that’s filler to do but not particularly noteworthy or a must-do, the capacity & load times are clearly less than the main Countdown to Extinction ride to add to this.

And before I end my response here, you can’t possibly & genuinely insist and believe that the phrase “but nobody liked it” is meant to be taken ‘that’ literally. Almost ‘always’ (and I mean always) it would simply mean “the majority”. There have always been fans of attractions, even ones that are considered “the worst”. And granted, yes, I wasn’t there for Dino’rama (not “land’’s) last day so I can’t speak for what the general sentiment was that day, but I can easily say what folks are referring to as ‘Dino’land’, not Rama, which would encompass the entire land which includes the darkride rather than the opposite. I find it particularly baffling that it seems so many are willing and/or are simply confused as to what the phrase “Dinoland” means and why they’d reasonably be upset otherwise. The Dinosaur/Countdown to Exitinction ride as we speak still hasn’t closed for good yet and is still open as we speak. People are mostly upset the Indiana Jones ride is replacing that. Hope this makes sense. As weirdly complex as it’s gotten, for something that should (IMO) be very simple to understand

 

[TrainsOfDisney]

I really do not understand why some people are so dead set against the idea of Dinoland being a cult favorite. Not a smash hit. Just something that has a dedicated fan base somewhere. The park equivalent of Atlantis: The Last Empire, if you will.

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?

 

[FigmentsBrightIdeas]

And when it comes to the Dino’rama’ section.. folks are dissapointed that rather than something actually feeling like a sincere extension of the land’s theme, it’s being replaced with a random Encanto ride coming out of nowhere. That’s all. lol!
What basically the biggest argument here boils down to is what folks actually consider to be “Dinoland”? Is it the Countdown to Extinction/Dinosaur darkride + Chester & Hester’s Dinorama, is it just Chester & Hester’s Dinorama, or is it just Countdown to Extinction/Dinosaur? That’s it. lol!

 

[FigmentsBrightIdeas]

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?

Agree with your sentiments here 100%. It was the execution of ‘Dino’rama’’ that could’ve been improved to something like you mentioned. And the rest of the elements of the ‘land’ like Lucky, Jugglers, etc. absolutely were great and should’ve been retained