Avatarland to take over Rafiki's Planet Watch?

[NoChesterHester]

There is no definite word on how many attractions Avatarland will hold but there will be more than one "E-ticket" attraction (probably just 2).

"just" 2? No one builds more than one e-ticket at the same time in the same expansion. Too much budget and it isn't needed. Blow the wad on one big headliner and fill in with a couple supporting rides.

I would love to see more than one headliner attraction, but it is probably only wishful thinking.

 

[jt04]

"just" 2? No one builds more than one e-ticket at the same time in the same expansion. Too much budget and it isn't needed. Blow the wad on one big headliner and fill in with a couple supporting rides.

I would love to see more than one headliner attraction, but it is probably only wishful thinking.

If the rumors of a large scale potter expansion are true then the Avatar project may prove the exception to the rule. I would not be suprised to see 2 large scale attractions plus more.

 

[MichWolv]

Ok, getting back to the original topic of this thread...

Seems to me that IF the train and RPW are going away for Avatar, it would probably just be the guest portions of RPW that are going away. That is, the actual animal care, etc could remain, with no guest access, except maybe backstage tours. That would allow the land now used for the train and the walkway at the RPW end betewen the train station and the facilities to all be used for Avatarland, along with the plot that is already cleared behind Kali and Maharajah Jungle Trek. The entrance to the land would be along the east-west path between the bird show and Africa. There's plenty of forested area there that could be used for the entrace, leading to what would be a pretty large area between the cleared plot and the land now used for the train.

 

[wdw71fan]

Ok, getting back to the original topic of this thread...

Seems to me that IF the train and RPW are going away for Avatar, it would probably just be the guest portions of RPW that are going away. That is, the actual animal care, etc could remain, with no guest access, except maybe backstage tours. That would allow the land now used for the train and the walkway at the RPW end betewen the train station and the facilities to all be used for Avatarland, along with the plot that is already cleared behind Kali and Maharajah Jungle Trek. The entrance to the land would be along the east-west path between the bird show and Africa. There's plenty of forested area there that could be used for the entrace, leading to what would be a pretty large area between the cleared plot and the land now used for the train.

forested area doesn't matter.. the entire area will be a barren wasteland of sand, mud, and concrete pours with not a piece of greenery in sight.. then they'll move the trees in...

 

[MichWolv]

forested area doesn't matter.. the entire area will be a barren wasteland of sand, mud, and concrete pours with not a piece of greenery in sight.. then they'll move the trees in...

Bad wording on my part. I wasn't suggesting that the area was good for Avatarland because of the trees that exist now, but instead pointing out that there is a swath of area that is just trees, and not filled with any buildings, attractions, or other guest areas, and would therefore be available for use as part of Avatarland.

 

[Horizonsfan]

Ok, getting back to the original topic of this thread...

Seems to me that IF the train and RPW are going away for Avatar, it would probably just be the guest portions of RPW that are going away. That is, the actual animal care, etc could remain, with no guest access, except maybe backstage tours. That would allow the land now used for the train and the walkway at the RPW end betewen the train station and the facilities to all be used for Avatarland, along with the plot that is already cleared behind Kali and Maharajah Jungle Trek. The entrance to the land would be along the east-west path between the bird show and Africa. There's plenty of forested area there that could be used for the entrace, leading to what would be a pretty large area between the cleared plot and the land now used for the train.

I question if RPW would actually disappear. My thinking would be it's a low cost way to boost the park's attraction count. Plus kids really eat up the petting zoo. I wouldn't be surprised if they only ditched the train and current pathway, and created a new access point for RPW from Avatarland.:drevil:

 

[MichWolv]

I question if RPW would actually disappear. My thinking would be it's a low cost way to boost the park's attraction count. Plus kids really eat up the petting zoo. I wouldn't be surprised if they only ditched the train and current pathway, and created a new access point for RPW from Avatarland.:drevil:

Possible, but odd to tell people that if you want to pet goats, you need to go through an alien environment to get there. If it's the petting zoo concept they want to keep, just moving that to CMM seems easy enough.

 

[mickeysaver]

RPW can go. While I love the animal interactive parts, there just isn't enough of it or any other activities offered to warrant a trip over every time we go. The tree huggin' hippie crap that is part of the exhibit is only tolerable once. The animal petting zoo holds no facination for me, especially since my MIL and SIL own an an alpaca farm with horses, chickens, rabbits, etc. so my little one already has plenty of chances to see and pet critters. I hated the train ride too and for those with an ECV, it's especially not mobility issue friendly.

As for the loss of the animal care facility, I would like to hazard a guess that with all of the advancements and changes in technology, that the facility could use some updates that might be more easily accomplished with a fresh new building than trying to retro-fit the existing facility. Sometimes, change is a good thing.

Put the petting zoo over in Dinoland in that carnival area. Almost every cheap carnival that I ever went to has a petting zoo area. I think it would be a good enough fit over there.

 

[Horizonsfan]

Possible, but odd to tell people that if you want to pet goats, you need to go through an alien environment to get there. If it's the petting zoo concept they want to keep, just moving that to CMM seems easy enough.

I get that the petting zoo is the only popular part, what I'm suggesting is that AK could continue to count the zoo and the pavilion's exhibits as attractions at little to no cost for relocation (be it to CMM or elsewhere). And while getting to it through an alien environment might be odd, it wouldn't be the first awkward land transition (Critter Country through NOS, RNRC through 1940s Sunset, etc). Once again, I'm not saying I hope this happens. I just wouldn't be surprised.

...And "the tree huggin' hippie crap"? Really? What about Conservation Station exhibits is crap? (besides the animal dung.:lol

 

[RSoxNo1]

The Animal Encounter show is an entertaining diversion, but it's not any different that what can be found at your local zoo.

 

[NoChesterHester]

...And "the tree huggin' hippie crap"? Really? What about Conservation Station exhibits is crap? (besides the animal dung.:lol

I don't know anything about the "tree huggin" but I don't care for the building design or environment. The whole building and grounds feels far too conventional when everything else at AK is so heavily themed. The design, look, and construction is no different then what we have here at the craptastic Nashville Zoo. I expect more.

I do however, love the train... the look of it... the station design... I wish it could be repurposed.

 

[Horizonsfan]

I don't know anything about the "tree huggin" but I don't care for the building design or environment. The whole building and grounds feels far too conventional when everything else at AK is so heavily themed. The design, look, and construction is no different then what we have here at the craptastic Nashville Zoo. I expect more.

I do however, love the train... the look of it... the station design... I wish it could be repurposed.

I agree. It does have the feel of a very sterile Epcot pavilion as opposed to a rich environment that the rest of the park has. Walking in the front door you're met with that interesting space and then it turns into what looks like a converted food court.

 

[InsiderImagine]

The petting zoo is not going anywhere...however it is being relocated to Camp Minnie-Mickey because it has more of a fit in that land. The Animal Care facilities will also be moved but it is unclear to where at this point. They are ironing out the final details before they break ground early next year.

 

[drew81]

The petting zoo is not going anywhere...however it is being relocated to Camp Minnie-Mickey because it has more of a fit in that land. The Animal Care facilities will also be moved but it is unclear to where at this point. They are ironing out the final details before they break ground early next year.

Any word if the other animal exhibits will be added to CMM? Like the ones that are currently at RPW???

 

[Ignohippo]

I question if RPW would actually disappear. My thinking would be it's a low cost way to boost the park's attraction count. Plus kids really eat up the petting zoo. I wouldn't be surprised if they only ditched the train and current pathway, and created a new access point for RPW from Avatarland.:drevil:

RPW would just move to CMM (especially the petting zoo).

 

[Atomicmickey]

It makes sense to expand CMM. It would be all "Meet n' greets" with Disney characters and live animals. Meet n greet the goats! It's easy to get to with kids, friendly theming.

I like it.

That having been said, would FOTLK stay or go under that plan, I wonder?

ETA: Thanks for sharing, InsiderImagine. Your posts have consistency, and the ring of truth. We'll know soon enough,
but you've convinced me.

 

[Alektronic]

First, let's consider the infrastructure and backstage areas.

Removing RPW does nothing to provide extra space for anything else.

Removing the train leaves them with no access to the area at all.

To put in a walking trail, they would have to extend the Marajarah Jungle Trek or have a path go through there.

To move all the animal care facilities would take a lot of money and would really not serve any purpose.

The expansion area behind Asia, would be perfect fit for more animal exhibits or lands because of all the animal care already being centrally located.

 

[djkidkaz]

I would hate to see them get rid of the train all together. I think it would be awesome if they could get the train to run from Animal Kingdom Lodge to the park and back. How cool would it be to have a resort that has train access to a park!

Or at the very least re-purpose the train and give it a more scenic route, because the way it is, there is really nothing to see and its quite a dull ride on a gorgeous train.

 

[imagineer boy]

Here's an idea: How about they scrap Avatar land all together and build Beasty Kingdomme where it was supposed to be?

 

[ChrisM]

I would hate to see them get rid of the train all together. I think it would be awesome if they could get the train to run from Animal Kingdom Lodge to the park and back. How cool would it be to have a resort that has train access to a park!

I've been advocating this for years. This should absolutely be done.