Changes to character meet and greets at Disney's Animal Kingdom

[danlb_2000]

If they need the space it will be moved.

There was just a permit filed for roof work on Festival of the Lion King. Don't know how much that really means since this could be an emergency repair. There was also a permit filed to build guest lockers in Asia. Don't know what to think about that one.

 

[Tip Top Club]

I highly doubt that's anything more than routine maintenence. As far as those Bradley Falls Characters, who would be willing to be they were the characters that just got moved FROM Bradley Falls...

The plan as of several months ago was to move FOTLK when Avatar took over, but that was several months ago, I have no idea what the current plans are.

 

[Bolna]

There was also a permit filed to build guest lockers in Asia. Don't know what to think about that one.

That actually sounds like they might be adding lockers to use when riding Kali River Rapids. That would be great. DCA has them at the Grizzly River ride there and I think it makes a lot of sense to have a place to store stuff when on a raft ride.

 

[RSoxNo1]

Characters could be moving to the Bradley Falls area sometime down the road.

To people that don't know where this is, The "Bradley Falls Kiosk" is the egg roll cart on the pathway between Flights of Wonder and Africa

That actually sounds like they might be adding lockers to use when riding Kali River Rapids. That would be great. DCA has them at the Grizzly River ride there and I think it makes a lot of sense to have a place to store stuff when on a raft ride.

The rafts are different on the two rides though. Kali Rafts have a much larger center console so lockers aren't anywhere near as necessary.

 

[mousehockey37]

I went ahead yesterday and e-mailed Robert Iger about my concerns about the diminishing characters around the parks. This afternoon my cell phone rings and it is somebody from Robert Iger's office. She tells me Mr. Iger read your email and thanked me for sharing my feelings with them. I told her pretty much that my son who is 2 doesn't have the same oppertunities that my daughter who is only 6 did at his age. That every trip we go back another character is gone and that they are not replaced. She said Mr Iger would be forwarding my email to those in charge of character appearences. I expected to get an email back, but never a phone call. Funny thing I did not give my cell phone number in my email. Glad to see such a quick responce from his office. I can only hope we see results in the parks when we return in August.

So how did they get your cell phone number? That's very interesting that you got a phone call without listing a phone number. Is it possible that they looked you up through old guest records or what? It's kinda scary when you think about it, but it's still something to know that you got a response.

 

[BrightImagine]

Farewell dear Miss Bunny. I thought she was the most adorable fur character that ever existed (thus my name). I hope maybe she is going to return someday for this indoor meet and greet?

 

[COProgressFan]

So how did they get your cell phone number? That's very interesting that you got a phone call without listing a phone number. Is it possible that they looked you up through old guest records or what? It's kinda scary when you think about it, but it's still something to know that you got a response.

Sounds like the magic of NextGen.... where your level of service if you have a complaint is dependent on how much you've spent in the past, and (more importantly) how much you are projected to spend in the future...

 

[invader]

Will Tinkerbell be there?

 

[DisDadEddie]

Certain characters just belong in Animal Kingdom. Timon, Rafiki,Terk,Baloo,King Louie,Tarzan,Flik,Atta,Pocohantas,Ratcliffe,Koda & Kenai, Thumper & Miss Bunny, and also the Up characters fit in. I would love to see more Bug's Life characters as regulars in the park.Too bad more character are lost then gained. I would much rather see more disney themed attractions in Animal Kingdom than Avatar Land.

 

[JustInTime]

I still think that the elimination of characters is a sign of upcoming Avatar work...

 

[TubaGeek]

Apparently Timon is going under the knife for a COMPLETELY new look, inside and out. I like to think that this will allow him to come back with a lot more friends within a year.

 

[drew81]

Apparently Timon is going under the knife for a COMPLETELY new look, inside and out. I like to think that this will allow him to come back with a lot more friends within a year.

Even different from how he looked in parade last week?

 

[wdwmagic]

Apparently Timon is going under the knife for a COMPLETELY new look, inside and out. I like to think that this will allow him to come back with a lot more friends within a year.

Good news!

 

[RSoxNo1]

Apparently Timon is going under the knife for a COMPLETELY new look, inside and out. I like to think that this will allow him to come back with a lot more friends within a year.

Any changes to Festival of the Lion King as a result?

The Animal Kingdom doesn't have any indoor meet and greet locations so taking what is likely an under performing shop and converting it makes sense. It's also entirely likely that this is preparation for World of Avatar.

 

[TubaGeek]

Even different from how he looked in parade last week?

I don't know how he looked in parade. I suppose it's possible.

Any changes to Festival of the Lion King as a result?

The Animal Kingdom doesn't have any indoor meet and greet locations so taking what is likely an under performing shop and converting it makes sense. It's also entirely likely that this is preparation for World of Avatar.

I'd IMAGINE that they'd keep his look uniform throughout the park, but that would also mean putting more money into such a character... Hard to say, but I think they'd change him as well.

 

[drew81]

I don't know how he looked in parade. I suppose it's possible.

I'd IMAGINE that they'd keep his look uniform throughout the park, but that would also mean putting more money into such a character... Hard to say, but I think they'd change him as well.

I heard Timon won't be getting the new look at FOLK. He had the new look at MJJP last week.

 

[Zummi Gummi]

Anyone have photos of this "new look"?

 

[steve2wdw]

Avatar prep for sure. Just a feeling....but I bet FotLK will be relocated to Africa, behind Tusker House somewhere. Looking at aerials, there seems to be plenty of room behind the restaurant for the arena. Entry could be between the bridge into Africa and the patio area of Tusker House, and exit between Tusker and K Safari (where the parade used to enter and exit). Of course, this would mean a relocation of the Africa Trek meetup spot, but no big deal there. Those are my predictions, although I could be completely wrong. Only time will tell.

 

[Tip Top Club]

There's actually quite a bit of Infrastructure back there for both the Wild Africa Trek and for the Tusker House, so that is doubtful, unless they really wanted to. I could see it moved elsewhere though...

 

[RSoxNo1]

I think the easiest fix for relocating Festival of the Lion King would be to move it where Creature Comforts/Baby Care currently sits. This is the left hand side in Discovery Island before the bridge to Africa.

Another option is removing or moving the train station and/or modifying the Maharajah Jungle Trek to allow for a relocated Festival of the Lion King and future access to the North plot.

You can see the options here: http://www.wikimapia.org/#lat=28.3573153&lon=-81.5917844&z=18&l=0&m=b