AVATAR land coming to Disney's Animal Kingdom

[GoofGoof]

I haven't seen anyone suggest that this as a plan. This feels like a straw man argument. I mean, there's always a risk that Disney could replace good attractions with other ones rather than expand but no one here is arguing that it should happen at DAK. And to their credit, Disney has pretty rarely gotten rid of something of substance at DAK except maybe the Discovery River Boats or the parade (yes, some shows have been replaced but that's par for the course for a theme park) -- they've at least expanded the park in its relatively short existence.

Regarding live animals in particular, I think Disney would recognize the value of them somewhere on the property. There's been a pretty constant presence of live animals as part of a WDW vacation from the start (the original Discovery Island not closing until DAK opened as well as the Living Seas). Perhaps I'm naive, but I would think that the powers that be would recognize the value in the distinct offering for DAK as park of a complete vacation destination.

It wasn't a straw man argument. Someone said the vibe they got from tourists they knew was that they don't want animals they want more rides. That's what started the discussion. I don't think anyone was saying there is an actual plan to remove animals or ruin the theme but I was saying that I feared the park would suffer a fate similar to EPCOT where the park would suffer in an attempt to appeal to people who don't like it. There is a historic precedent with EPCOT. At the end of the day if the masses want it then who am I to say don't do it, but it doesn't change the fact that I would be disappointed just like I am that EPCOT Center is gone.

I felt like people were making that specific claim actually. I feel like there was a general vibe from some posters in this thread along the lines of "if they add more rides and more guests enjoy DAK, it won't be the special thing that only I and select others can appreciate". Heaven forbid that more people would enjoy going to a theme park.

I can't speak for others but I don't feel that way. I just don't want them to screw up what is already there. It's a really solid park with a really solid theme that works so well. I'm not against additions at all. I actually think they need a little more meat to the park. Pandora is a great addition to the park IMHO. The Lion King theater was moved to a better location and all we lost was a meet and greet trail. The land fits the overall theme pretty well and adds to the ride count and nighttime activities too. I would have no problem with them using the expansion pad behind Asia too some day. Adding a new land with both animals and rides would be ideal. I just don't want to see them use "appealing to more people" as an excuse to remove stuff that works and give the park the EPCOT treatment.

 

[GoofGoof]

I think they should make all the land between Rafiki's and Africa actual park space. Maybe change Rafiki's to something else while keeping the animal hospital. This would of course mean getting rid of the train.

I'd find a way to keep the train, but I like trains so maybe that's just me. Maybe have it ride through a show building similar to people mover in MK or past some more animal exhibits or something.

 

[GoofGoof]

I'd think Disney's hollywood studios needs one more out door ride (Only the dog coaster in toy story is the only outside ride in the park) Maybe something along the lines as Seven Dwarfs Mine Train.

Kinda off topic but how about a water based outdoor ride like a raft ride or flume? That park has no water attractions. Maybe Indy themed to replace the stunt show. A true e-ticket boat ride similar in scope to Splash Mountain would be amazing.

 

[Jones14]

But it really doesn't change what's already there. If someone doesn't appreciate it now, they won't because they get to ride Jungle Book or Mystic Manor. JMO of course. But yes, if someone hasn't even gone to the park and it gets them there, then you would be correct.

I think the problem is that you can do every ride, show, and exhibit at a reasonable pace and be done at around 6:30 or 7:00 PM. Hollywood has a similar problem. If you meander and repeat, or take a break at the hotel and then have a table service meal, you MIGHT be able to stretch it, but it's on the guest to make it work.

And that's assuming you're interested in walking trails, animal exhibits, 30 to 45 minute Broadway style shows, and thrill rides, and water rides, and safari experiences. The park should have so much to offer that you can fill a full day while cutting out two to three of those "types" of experiences. Not everyone *can* do high speed coasters, or enjoy theatrical shows, or have an interest in going through 12 trails in a day. While at a point you can only cater to so much, a solid theme park doesn't punish those who can't or don't want to get on every type of ride/show/attraction.

Animal Kingdom has had a good balance of these types from Day 1. The problem is that there aren't enough attractions in each category to remove any categories without severely cutting into the length of the day.
Pandora will help because it strengthens 3 different "types". A thrill ride, a slow-paced eye candy ride, and a new trail are exactly in the vein of what Animal Kingdom needs, although the park still needs more.

 

[GoofGoof]

I think the problem is that you can do every ride, show, and exhibit at a reasonable pace and be done at around 6:30 or 7:00 PM. Hollywood has a similar problem. If you meander and repeat, or take a break at the hotel and then have a table service meal, you MIGHT be able to stretch it, but it's on the guest to make it work.

And that's assuming you're interested in walking trails, animal exhibits, 30 to 45 minute Broadway style shows, and thrill rides, and water rides, and safari experiences. The park should have so much to offer that you can fill a full day while cutting out two to three of those "types" of experiences. Not everyone *can* do high speed coasters, or enjoy theatrical shows, or have an interest in going through 12 trails in a day. While at a point you can only cater to so much, a solid theme park doesn't punish those who can't or don't want to get on every type of ride/show/attraction.

Animal Kingdom has had a good balance of these types from Day 1. The problem is that there aren't enough attractions in each category to remove any categories without severely cutting into the length of the day.
Pandora will help because it strengthens 3 different "types". A thrill ride, a slow-paced eye candy ride, and a new trail are exactly in the vein of what Animal Kingdom needs, although the park still needs more.

In recent history the park closes by 6 or 7pm most nights so like you said it's a full day if you do everything. With the addition of Pandora, ROL, the Night Safari and entertainment plus dinner that should add a few additional hours to stretch it to 9 or 10PM. I agree they probably need a few more attractions still. You should have a hard time figuring out how you will fit it all into 1 day instead of how you are going to stretch things out until night.

With AK if you skip everything but the rides you can probably be done with the park by the late afternoon even with Pandora. It would probably take a half dozen or more additional major rides to get to the point where the park is a full day park on just rides alone. I don't see that happening anytime soon...probably never.

 

[Mike S]

I agree with that. Total redo of that area but they should find a way to keep the train.

My point wasn't that more rides are a terrible thing but why would someone now love the park because they get another ride or two? I don't understand that. To doctornick it isn't about "heaven forbid others enjoy my special park" it's that I don't understand why the park is suddenly going to be appreciated because it has a few more rides, that's all.

If it's all walking space they wouldn't need the train. Walking is good for people

Also it's not about one or two rides. Like @doctornick said they should shoot for finally having like 12-15 and then going from there in the future.

 

[MisterPenguin]

Someone said the vibe they got from tourists they knew was that they don't want animals they want more rides.

Ride the animals!

 

[GoofGoof]

If it's all walking space they wouldn't need the train. Walking is good for people

Also it's not about one or two rides. Like @doctornick said they should shoot for finally having like 12-15 and then going from there in the future.

12-15 seems about right for AK. Right now with Pandora the ride count is 9 if you count the train:

1. Dinosaur
2. Primeval Whirl
3. Triceratops Spin
4. EE
5. Kali River
6. Safari
7. Train to Rafiki
8. Flight of Passage
9. Navi River Journey

3 to 6 more rides would nicely round out the park. The park is actually heavy e-tickets so I do think at least half of the new rides added should be more B/C level to fill out the park. A new land with an e-ticket and 2 smaller rides would get us mostly there.

At 12-15 rides it would still be at half the ride count of MK and it would be hard for someone to spend a full day there doing just rides. I would be perfectly fine with that but it may not please everyone.

 

[GoofGoof]

Ride the animals!

My local zoo has camel rides for the kids. Never tried it. Those things spit. We will get to ride a banshee soon

 

[Mike S]

12-15 seems about right for AK. Right now with Pandora the ride count is 9 if you count the train:

1. Dinosaur
2. Primeval Whirl
3. Triceratops Spin
4. EE
5. Kali River
6. Safari
7. Train to Rafiki
8. Flight of Passage
9. Navi River Journey

3 to 6 more rides would nicely round out the park. The park is actually heavy e-tickets so I do think at least half of the new rides added should be more B/C level to fill out the park. A new land with an e-ticket and 2 smaller rides would get us mostly there.

At 12-15 rides it would still be at half the ride count of MK and it would be hard for someone to spend a full day there doing just rides. I would be perfectly fine with that but it may not please everyone.

I would change that for C/D level and of course eventually replacing DinoRama with something better themed.

 

[GoofGoof]

I would change that for C/D level and of course eventually replacing DinoRama with something better themed.

Fair enough on the letters. In my mind they need a few more filler rides to do in between the headliners whatever ticket level that is. D is always better than B

DinoRama is an interesting problem. I'd rather see them address that last though after using the big expansion pad behind Asia. It's a lame land, but serves a purpose with the kids. Maybe repurpose the spinner and replace Primeval Whirl with a better ride. I like Dinosaur and the Dig site is pretty cool.

 

[HauntedMansionFLA]

I would change that for C/D level and of course eventually replacing DinoRama with something better themed.

But if you get rid if DinoRama you have people complain that "Disney is just replacing rides and not adding capacity" I'm fine with the area and it's clever theme. Like @GoofGoof stated, use the expansion pad behind Asia.

 

[Mike S]

Fair enough on the letters. In my mind they need a few more filler rides to do in between the headliners whatever ticket level that is. D is always better than B

DinoRama is an interesting problem. I'd rather see them address that last though after using the big expansion pad behind Asia. It's a lame land, but serves a purpose with the kids. Maybe repurpose the spinner and replace Primeval Whirl with a better ride. I like Dinosaur and the Dig site is pretty cool.

But if you get rid if DinoRama you have people complain that "Disney is just replacing rides and not adding capacity" I'm fine with the area and it's clever theme. Like @GoofGoof stated, use the expansion pad behind Asia.

I would change that for C/D level and of course eventually replacing DinoRama with something better themed.

Not right away.

 

[flyerjab]

Seems like I missed out on a great, constructive conversation today. Great stuff guys.

I can only add to this be stating that DAK needs more of what is already there (and being added to by Pandora). I would Target the expansion pad and go the Australia/New Zealand root, or the Central/South America root. And, with Joe Rohde at the helm, I would work the S.E.A backstory in somewhere. With the rich history of theme and immersion in this park, Rohde could knock that out of the park as the saying goes. Adding another E with 2 more C ticket rides, animals and another walking trail, this park would be untouchable as far as I am concerned.

 

[HauntedMansionFLA]

Seems like I missed out on a great, constructive conversation today. Great stuff guys.

I can only add to this be stating that DAK needs more of what is already there (and being added to by Pandora). I would Target the expansion pad and go the Australia/New Zealand root, or the Central/South America root. And, with Joe Rohde at the helm, I would work the S.E.A backstory in somewhere. With the rich history of theme and immersion in this park, Rohde could knock that out of the park as the saying goes. Adding another E with 2 more C ticket rides, animals and another walking trail, this park would be untouchable as far as I am concerned.

Great post - If they would go the direction of South America, I would love for them to bring attention to the rain forest that being wiped out. This would be in line with the parks message of conservation and saving the Earth.

 

[jt04]

I think they may no longer want to add more animals except in a limited way to existing areas. So that establishes some parameters for future growth.

Something like Pandora or Dinoland is much more likely than another continent filled with live animals.

In my opinion.

 

[roj2323]

I agree with that. Total redo of that area but they should find a way to keep the train.

My point wasn't that more rides are a terrible thing but why would someone now love the park because they get another ride or two? I don't understand that. To doctornick it isn't about "heaven forbid others enjoy my special park" it's that I don't understand why the park is suddenly going to be appreciated because it has a few more rides, that's all.

It's doable and wouldn't be terribly difficult either. The trick seems to be to expand the train track rather than remove it.

Red is existing.
Blue would be the expanded route.
green would be the relocated train station
orange would be bridges going over the tracks. The existing grading of the park is pretty well setup for bridges in that area already so it wouldn't take much.

This would give open access to an area roughly equivalent to the size of safari.. That said this is already disney's largest park and pretty much everyone is in agreement that Dinoland USA is next on the BIG remodel list and there's a few acres behind primeval whirl they could plop a ride building on if desired.

 

[HauntedMansionFLA]

I think they may no longer want to add more animals except in a limited way to existing areas. So that establishes some parameters for future growth.

Something like Pandora or Dinoland is much more likely than another continent filled with live animals.

In my opinion.

I loved how they added the kangaroo's by the ToL since our last visit. Plus, the area with the okapi ( my favorite)

 

[marni1971]

But it really doesn't change what's already there..

That's the point. Let you continue to enjoy your animals, let them enjoy a days worth of attractions.

 

[the.dreamfinder]

Seems like I missed out on a great, constructive conversation today. Great stuff guys.

I can only add to this be stating that DAK needs more of what is already there (and being added to by Pandora). I would Target the expansion pad and go the Australia/New Zealand root, or the Central/South America root. And, with Joe Rohde at the helm, I would work the S.E.A backstory in somewhere. With the rich history of theme and immersion in this park, Rohde could knock that out of the park as the saying goes. Adding another E with 2 more C ticket rides, animals and another walking trail, this park would be untouchable as far as I am concerned.

I would love to see the Tree of Life theater get a new film that works as a park thesis like The Great Movie Ride and Spaceship Earth do for their respective parks.