Animal Kingdom a sleeping Giant!!!

[stingrock23]

The first few times I went to WDW when AK was open, I didn't go. I just didnt' feel like there was enough to do to justify me going. But the last 2 trips I've gone, and enjoyed myself. It has a lot of potential, and in time I think could be come the #2 park of the four. You don't necessarily need lots of big attractions, but i'd say one or 2 more E-tickets, a Jungle Book dark ride, and a Lion King dark ride would add tons to this park. I don't have that much of a problem with Dinoland, I enjoyed Primevil whirl. The park's theming is so incredible, and that really helps for long term growth. I think AK can and will become a truly great park.

 

[SafariGuy]

What a great idea about the torches & lanterns! Reminds me of the Poly & their Tiki torches at night - makes that resort much more interesting at night.

Not sure about the summer, but AK has stayed open as late as 8:00 during the chaotic Christmas/New Years week. I never go then, so I've never experienced the current nighttime atmosphere or safari.

 

[ZHoyt]

moving the living seas, maybe, but not the land. the notion of conservation, science, and development go perfectly with epcot. i also think living seas goes well there. if you were to move living seas you'd have to completely redesign it and get rid of sea base alpha, which i personaly love. realistically though, i don't see it being possible cost wise, maybe even physically, to move the living seas. you have to remember that the aquarium is bigger than spaceship earth.

 

[tomm4004]

Obviously they weren't planning for it to be that forever if they put the rocks there.

Duh! I hadn't thought of that. I assumed that BK got dropped in the planning stage but obviously it was still a go in the building phase since those objects are there as you say. Also, they built the boat ride but didn't build any of the special effects to go with it - thus prompting its demise. (although the rocks where the dragon was supposed to be are there I believe).

It would be interesting to know just when the plug got pulled and why. I wonder if the Lion King was originally suppose to go somewhere else or if it was a last minute idea. What's an African lion doing in the Adirondacks anyway?

It just shows how plans get changed even at the last minute.

 

[jrriddle]

Just a thought, but perhaps if the "The Chronicles of Narnia" are successful we'll see a new version of Beastly Kingdom based on the movies.

 

[DarkMeasures]

Lets hope it is succesful. We were supposed to get a Beastly Kingdom if Reign of Fire was successful.

 

[tomm4004]

I read Jim Hill's 3-parter about the demise of BK. Fascinating reading, whether accurate or not. It certainly rang true. It said that Eisner pushed hard for Dinoland to synergize with the Dinosaur movie. When are they going to learn that synergy doesn't work very well with rides. If you build a great ride it doesn't matter. Even the Indy Jones ride achieved legendary status because of the quality of the experience, not solely for what it was based on. As have Soarin, Splash (a 50-year-old movie!), etc. It's actually best to give these things an identity of their own. It's good that E:E isn't based on anything - although we may get a Yeti movie if the ride is a hit!

 

[cherrynegra]

I agree with you tomm4004. May I just state for the record that the word and concept "synergy" is the most overused phrase and concept and it needs to be put down like the lame horse idea that it is? Ewww. I wince whenever I hear that word because of fiascos at other companies that thought "synergy" would be the end to all their problems. And don't get me started with "branding."

 

[KevinPage]

I don't hate Dino Rama, the only part I dislike is the cheap carnival games. Otherwise, the area is a play off the cheap roadside attractions in US history. Tacky, and gives guests more to do.

Any park needs low tech rides, not everything needs to be an E-ride. But AK needs some sort of "dark ride" . Every Disney has one except AK and Jungle Book would more than fit the bill. It doesn't even have to be anything whiz bang.

A park needs to have all the colors of the rainbow. Shows, thrill rides & simple rides. MK has this mix and what a shocker, is the most successful park.

And the sooner they rubble Tarzan Rocks, the better :lol:

 

[Hank Scorpio]

Originally posted by KevinPage


And the sooner they rubble Tarzan Rocks, the better :lol:

I quite like Tarzan Rocks. I went into it because it was just about to start and we had quite a bit of spare time on our hands, so it wasnt a must do and neither was I expecting much. I was amazed by what I saw. Perhaps it was the lack of expectation, but it was simply brilliant.

And with regards to the title of this thread... I think Animal Kingdom is a sleeping giant. You've got to look at the bigger picture. There was no way it was going to compete with the Magic Kingdom from day one. For starters the budget wasnt there, and it was a whole new concept. I rubbish any claims that this is just another zoo, especially by those that have never been. This park is slowly growing into an amazing place to visit, and I really can't wait to see how it turns out.

 

[jrriddle]

While I am no fan of Synergy and Branding, and I love the original rides the Imagineers come up with.
If it can get Beastly Kingdom here any faster with some great Narnia rides. I'm all for it.

 

[marksniles]

Originally posted by KevinPage
But AK needs some sort of "dark ride" .

What's DInosaur? THat's a dark ride!

 

[Poncho1973]

Originally posted by tomm4004
EPCOT first. World Showcase has pretty much stayed the same for 17 years. Nothing really new. As for Future World, they butchered Journey, took out the ride in Living Seas, closed Wonders of Life, and replaced two rides with two other rides. Far from hitting its stride, I'd say it's about the same in quantity and quality is a matter of opinion. I preferred EO, WofM and Horizons over the current offerings.

Grizz... you've got a disciple!

It's called progress... and it's AWESOME!

 

[Poncho1973]

Originally posted by marksniles
What's DInosaur? THat's a dark ride!

I think by definition... Dinosaur is a thrill ride... a dark ride isn't called that merely for being inside.

I could be wrong... but that is how I've always believed it to be.

 

[JBSLJames]

Having never been to AK, what area would be most frequnted by kids 5 and 8 years old?

 

[DarkMeasures]

Cause it's a great big beautiful tommorow, especially when Walt Disney gets cloned....

 

[Hank Scorpio]

Originally posted by JBSLJames
Having never been to AK, what area would be most frequnted by kids 5 and 8 years old?

Probably Camp Minnie Mickey as that is aimed at the younger ones, but if they are a bit too old for that then most of the rest of the park would be enjoyed by them. I think as things stand only Dinosaur may be a bit too much, but i'd never class it as a scary ride.

 

[DarkMeasures]

Isn't Camp Minnie Mickey supposed to be temporary....

Anyway, kids can ride Primeevil whril and go to the petting zoo if it gets removed.

 

[tomm4004]

Isn't Camp Minnie Mickey supposed to be temporary....

According to Jim Hill it proved so popular that they decided to keep it. So all you people who rave about the Lion King show are responsible!

 

[tomm4004]

There are plans for Australia to be built between Africa & Camp Minnie-Mickey... Don't ask how, it doesn't seem to have enough room to me,

They're not building the entire country, just a scale model!

Gryphon's Tower!
Since Universal stole (or whatever) the dragon concept, why not turn Dragon's Tower into Gryphon's Tower? It is a dragon-like mythical animal with wings. Wouldn't it be cool if the gryphon rose into the air with its wings spreading. The myth begins in the ancient Middle East and Egypt which would be a neat backdrop for the land - instead of the medieval castle which IOA already has. I don't think they breathed fire but I'm sure they did something unpleasant that the Imagineers could torment us with.