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

[osian]

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Okay, maybe DINOSAUR was actually like Monsters Unchained and had a low wait because of the people it eats up. I can buy that now.

I guess the question is: how did DINOSAUR do on GSATs?

NB primeval Whirl was 1800. Two identical coasters of 900 each. Although of course I don't know if Disney operated them in such a way that they only achieved half their throughput. But why would they? They could have bought just one and operated it at full capacity. And Disney is known for operating their rides well.

 

[Disney Analyst]

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Okay, maybe DINOSAUR was actually like Monsters Unchained and had a low wait because of the people it eats up. I can buy that now.

I guess the question is: how did DINOSAUR do on GSATs?

Capacity is definitely a factor when it comes to the low wait times it enjoyed. But given how little there is to do in the park from a rides perspective, it still begs the question how the same system and capacity at both DisneySea and Disneyland results in much higher waits. Sure there are definitely more guests in both those parks each day compared to DAK, but is it THAT much of a difference when you add in how many more rides there are to absorb guests at Disneyland and DisneySea?

Dinosaur would get low low waits... like... deserted area waits.

 

[TrainsOfDisney]

Dinosaur would get low low waits... like... deserted area waits.

Only at extreme times of day in a park that had really odd guest flow.

 

[WorldExplorer]

Dr. Seeker finally has authorization from Dr. Marsh to go get that dino himself

Dude took the seat closest to the largest carno.

Or dude took the seat furthest from two of the carnos.

Can't tell if brave or not...

 

[ToTBellHop]

Only at extreme times of day in a park that had really odd guest flow.

In the past 15 years, I can recall exactly one time I waited more than 30 min for Dinosaur. It was Christmas Week a few years back. And I only go to WDW during school breaks.

 

[TrainsOfDisney]

In the past 15 years, I can recall exactly one time I waited more than 30 min for Dinosaur. It was Christmas Week a few years back. And I only go to WDW during school breaks.

Here’s the history of February 1 over the years - it would typically see 40+ minute waits during the peak of each day.

 

[Disney Analyst]

Only at extreme times of day in a park that had really odd guest flow.

And I am sure Disney looked at that data, along with other data, to determine money was worth being spent to fix the issue. It's an expensive system to run and maintain, they aren't going to keep it as is if it's not pulling in its full weight, when compared to the same system in other parks.

Thrill Data seems to say (if I am reading correctly, and if this is reputable?):

The average for Dinosaur is 22 minutes.

The average for Indy is double that, at 44 minutes.

 

[UNCgolf]

I feel like we've had insiders say that Dinosaur was not underutilized; it didn't routinely get long waits but it was basically full all day long.

In other words, this particular move wasn't about improving utilization. I think they just wanted to replace everything else and decided it was easier to get rid of Dinosaur as part of a full overhaul instead of orphaning it, which is understandable.

 

[DavidDL]

Losing this one hurts, it was a quintessential part of the Disney World experience for me (as a Disneyland native). Unless they are brave enough to somehow feature dinosaurs in the new Indy attraction, I doubt I'll get same mileage some will out of the upcoming experience. Thankfully, we got our final rides and photos in last year (along with Muppets).

Much love, DINOSAUR. Thanks for everything.

 

[TrainsOfDisney]

The average for Indy is double that, at 44 minutes.

The annual attendance at DL is double. Of course I’m not saying they were equally popular - Indy in Cali is a better attraction for sure - the real fire alone makes that happen!

 

[Brer Oswald]

This just wouldn’t work - it would be an incredibly aesthetically boring land. That’s why both major resorts took a very different design and narrative approach to their Dino lands.

I’ve always liked Dinoland - it was probably my second favorite land in a park that was often my favorite at the resort. It’s spotty reception by guests is the result of a lot of intertwining factors, but I think a big one is that what guests THINK they want from Dinos in a theme park would actually produce a terrible land. I think it’s a similar issue to the one we see with the Monsters Door Coaster or the various attempts to relaunch the Muppets - consumers have become dead set on ideas that just don’t work for the IP and Disney is determined to pander.

The more I think about it, the more I agree. Would be phenomenal for a boat ride though.

 

[Disney Analyst]

I feel like we've had insiders say that Dinosaur was not underutilized; it didn't routinely get long waits but it was basically full all day long.

In other words, this particular move wasn't about improving utilization. I think they just wanted to replace everything else and decided it was easier to get rid of Dinosaur as part of a full overhaul.

If I'm putting my cynical capitalism hat on, I have a feeling Disney in 2026 wants longer waits on their big e-tickets to push guests towards purchasing Lightning Lane.

I think doing Tropical Americas and bringing in a popular IP to that corner of the parks is a "the stars have aligned for us to fix the Dinosaur problem".

 

[James Alucobond]

The annual attendance at DL is double.

DL is also open much longer each day, though. There are a ton of variables.

 

[ToTBellHop]

DL is also open much longer each day, though. There are a ton of variables.

And it has MANY more attractions. To use simple numbers, 40000 guests in a park with 50 attractions will generally have shorter wait times than 20000 guests in a park with 10 attractions. In a park with so many attractions, long lines suggest to an even greater degree that an attraction is popular.

 

[BrianLo]

I feel like we've had insiders say that Dinosaur was not underutilized; it didn't routinely get long waits but it was basically full all day long.

In other words, this particular move wasn't about improving utilization. I think they just wanted to replace everything else and decided it was easier to get rid of Dinosaur as part of a full overhaul instead of orphaning it.

It’s also more broadly about increasing DAK visitation, which has been sluggish coming off the pandemic. Indy is a better received attraction.

There was legitimate consideration around replacing it with Indy in 2017 as well.

 

[HMF]

I think DHS is moving in the right direction as well. Animation Studios will be much more popular than launch bay, and Monstropolis will finally funnel guests into that courtyard. I would have much preferred to see a family attraction than ANOTHER coaster, but it’s still better than just a parking lot.

As has been pointed out before why is WDI suddenly leaning into the studio concept again suddenly after spending the last ten years trying to consciously get rid of it with the removal of GMR, TSL etc.

 

[HMF]

What baffles me is that back when DAK was under construction, the Indy ride at DL existed already, and they had the option to put in Dino or Indy. They intentionally chose Dino because it was a better fit for the park, from what I understand. So now, I guess they don't care? And are going back to remake a 30 year old ride? I have to admit, I don't get the logic nor do I really see how it fits the park, but I know today's Disney just doesn't care.

That's pretty much the go to answer for most of the things WDI does these days.

 

[HMF]

I hate the argument that low wait means low popularity. The ride had great capacity and throughput. Doesn't make it unpopular. POTC routinely has a 15-30 minute wait even on busy days, because of the great capacity and how it eats through people quickly. Does that make it unpopular? No. I am not suggesting Dinosaur was as popular as POTC but it was not unpopular, and Indy will have the same location and same ride system, so after the hype dies down it will be about the same in popularity in my opinion.

If we are using Dinosaur and the DCA Tower of Terror as barometers of what should be replaced because it's not as popular as it's deriving sister attraction than the Florida POTC should likely on the chopping block as well.

 

[mattpeto]

I have some thoughts on this.

I love DAK. It is my favorite WDW park. Just to be there in the morning, get coffee, and walk through the different lands is satisfying for me. My deal with my wife is that we must do at least one animal trail every visit. And the safari might still be my favorite attraction in all of WDW, mainly because it is always a different experience each time you ride it.

Here is the issue that Disney will always struggle with in regard to this particular park. There are not a lot of rides because of all of the on stage and back stage animal attractions and care facilities. That will always cut down the number of actual rides in this park as they maintain this balance of rides/shows and animal-based attractions.

The animal trails and the safari close at sundown, neutering the park experience into the evening. Attendance numbers show how most people, vacationing to WDW, go to the other parks more. This tells me that the masses really want more rides over more animals.

To increase park attendance historically, Everest was added initially. Then years later Pandora was added. Neither EE or Pandora are about animals, as you put it. But both really helped drive attendance to this park. If they want to keep this park competitive in the Orlando market, they most likely will not be adding actual animal content, at least for now. They want to boost this park’s attendance on a constant and consistent basis. Adding animals - aside from Bluey - is something they don’t feel will do this. Adding known, proven content like the Madrigals and Indy, most likely will. And it helps that all the attractions in TA will be covered or indoors, and can stay open at night. What this park doesn’t need right now is another land where half of the experience closes at night because of the animals. It is an unfortunate reality. I want more animals too but I fear the very thing that the park is centered on prevents it from truly flourishing. Compromise is needed, and another shot in the arm attendance-wise. I believe this will accomplish that. It is current leaderships best compromise - a non-IP land and town where the Imagineers can play a little bit, populated with content that will really help drive attendance, that in the long run should help sustain this park.

Really thought this post captured my thoughts as well.

I love that AK is a blend of what it is. How much “animals” are we losing by going from Dinoland to Tropical Americas, one small exhibit? Maybe there was more at one point? But it’s minimal from the recent state.

I’m all about what can keep Animal Kingdom open year till that nighttime show sweet spot, which seems to be 9 pm. I also don’t want to sacrifice the major animal attractions that exist, even though they have no pull at night. It’s not an easy compromise.

Will adding Encanto and Dino-to-Indy move the needle? Yes it will but it won’t be enough yet.

They need to get more creative with things to do at night. They could easily double down on food/bev offerings but they do need to do more for families too.

Hopefully this is phase 1 of 2 for AK.

 

[Serpico Jones]