Disney Playing catch up with Universal... Potter Disney's biggest mistake in 20 years...

[DinoInstitute]

It's odd how AK seems to elicit such extreme reactions in people. The things is, I really get why people land on the sides of the arguments they do. Personally, I LOVE AK. The environment, the lush setting, the feeling I get when I'm there, that I'm actually on an adventure in an exotic land. Now, I understand people don't want to pay what Disney wants to walk around a really nice "garden". Or zoo. But, to each their own I suppose. And I am looking forward to Pandora. If it's not great, then that'll stink. But I'll reserve that call based on my own experience. Just my opinion folks.

I 100% agree with you.

While it "may be" their opinion too, it bothers me on review sites where ignorant people looking to complain just say DAK is a glorified zoo with no rides, and you can get the same thing in your own hometown

 

[Mike S]

It's odd how AK seems to elicit such extreme reactions in people. The things is, I really get why people land on the sides of the arguments they do. Personally, I LOVE AK. The environment, the lush setting, the feeling I get when I'm there, that I'm actually on an adventure in an exotic land. Now, I understand people don't want to pay what Disney wants to walk around a really nice "garden". Or zoo. But, to each their own I suppose. And I am looking forward to Pandora. If it's not great, then that'll stink. But I'll reserve that call based on my own experience. Just my opinion folks.

I fully agree. While it may not have a ton of rides Animal Kingdom is much more than just a zoo. I really hope Avatar is amazing when it's finally built and we get more than just that cause Animal Kingdom sure deserves it.

 

[Animaniac93-98]

I 100% agree with you.

While it "may be" their opinion too, it bothers me on review sites where ignorant people looking to complain just say DAK is a glorified zoo with no rides, and you can get the same thing in your own hometown

And it bothers ME when people brush aside criticisms about limited offerings (of both the zoo and ride kind), slow growth and maintenance problems because the park looks pretty.

 

[Beholder]

I fully agree. While it may not have a ton of rides Animal Kingdom is much more than just a zoo. I really hope Avatar is amazing when it's finally built and we get more than just that cause Animal Kingdom sure deserves it.

That really is my hope, for myself and company, that Avatar/Pandora is a winner. The decision to bring it in the first place MIGHT have been misguided, but despite that, there isn't any reason it CAN'T be great. Obviously budget, bad mngt decisions, bean counters can water it down significantly, but on the other hand, they just may surprise us. And truth be told, blindly some may say, I am going to maintain my positive outlook. I'm not going all "hippy", but there is something to say about my personal happiness by staying positive.

 

[twebber55]

I think Pandora is exactly what DAK needs....I personally enjoy DAK but my 11 and 15 year old are ready to go after we ride EE and Dinosaur....so a new immersive land with additional rides will go along way.... now DHS is another story

 

[Mike S]

And it bothers ME when people brush aside criticisms about limited offerings (of both the zoo and ride kind), slow growth and maintenance problems because the park looks pretty.

I don't brush aside the criticisms of limited offerings and maintenance at the park. I fully agree with them but I still think Animal Kingdom is more than just a zoo.

 

[mahnamahna101]

Animal Kingdom is 5 to 7 attractions away from being a truly 100% full day park (in addition to Pandora)... a few family dark rides, a coaster without a broken Yeti, maybe a state of the art E ticket on par with Universal's current offerings

 

[Beholder]

And it bothers ME when people brush aside criticisms about limited offerings (of both the zoo and ride kind), slow growth and maintenance problems because the park looks pretty.

To be clear, I'm specifically talking about the park (AK) itself, as it exists as was intended. I am fully on board with the justified criticisms of TDO's lack of competence when it comes to maintenance, lack of attraction/ride offerings, and a lack of (lessening of?) customer focus. But strictly speaking about the AK and as it exists within the context of what the park is and what it's not, I really like the place. And I think all the parks are pretty.

 

[Beholder]

Animal Kingdom is 5 to 7 attractions away from being a truly 100% full day park (in addition to Pandora)... a few family dark rides, a coaster without a broken Yeti, maybe a state of the art E ticket on par with Universal's current offerings

I think you hit the nail on the head with AK needing family oriented rides. I'd say perhaps at least 3. I'd love to see great omnimover style attractions once again make themselves relevant in a big, Horizons if you will, way. And the critisism about it not being a full day is park 100% accurate.

You know, when I think about it, not building it fully realized and not exploring the near limitless potential of The Animal Kingdom may actually have a bigger, if not more long term, mistake than Harry Potter. HP may be a future "classic", but it's hard to beat the timelessness of 100 million year old Dinosaurs.

 

[Quinnmac000]

I think the problem with Animal Kingdom isn't the number of attractions, it lacks diversity needed. Its like Epcot World Showcase but with Africa as a focus and a little bit of Asian influences. Hester and Chester Dinoland area is a joke. Why couldn't they keep it simple and added a forest area not jungle influenced with Bears, Deers, Owls, etc. All that money invested into Avatarland, they could of used their own IPs like Bambi, Winnie the Pooh, Song of the South, Maleficent, even Snow White and put 100 Acre Woods mixed with the forest from Maleficent which vagues looks like Pandora also.

 

[Matt_Black]

All that money invested into Avatarland, they could of used their own IPs like Bambi, Winnie the Pooh, Song of the South, Maleficent, even Snow White and put 100 Acre Woods mixed with the forest from Maleficent which vagues looks like Pandora also.

I'd rather visit an alien world than the woods. If I want woods, I can go over the hill in my backyard.

 

[ctxak98]

I'd rather visit an alien world than the woods. If I want woods, I can over the hill in my backyard.

I totally agree! I really dislike the idea that disney could use there own IP's for Animal Kingdom. Avatar is much more immersive and will bring in a bigger crowd and fan base ,than Bambi or Winnie the Pooh! My opinion entirely!

 

[Beholder]

I think @Matt_Black has a good point. If Disney had decided on a land or attraction based on Pooh or Bambi, I'm not sure the same level of interest would occur. Not saying that it couldn't be great, obviously Disney is (was?) capable of creating wonderful attractions from any concept, but Cameron's involvement should at least insure SOME sort of standard. Of course Beastly Kingdom would've been the obvious route, but I think UNI has that covered now.

 

[Matt_Black]

but Cameron's involvement should at least insure SOME sort of standard. Of course Beastly Kingdom would've been the obvious route, but I think UNI has that covered now.

Exactly, and I think that's what a lot of posters seem to be missing. I've heard "value engineering" thrown about quite a bit as a prediction for this, but the fact is when licenses are involved, certain standards have to be met by the licensee. Unless Cameron and FOX signed a really bad deal (doubtful), TDO has to appease both Burbank AND the FOX and Cameron.

 

[WondersOfLife]

I take back what I said about Disney doesn't have to play catch up with Universal.... I take it all back. Just that small expansion they added to Harry Potter looks better than any of Disney's theme parks as a whole. Step up your game Disney! Your Fantasyland expansion was WEAK!!!

I hate Avatar, but you know, I hate Harry Potter too.. So you guys better make Avatarland GOOD! !

 

[DisneyCane]

I think the problem with Animal Kingdom isn't the number of attractions, it lacks diversity needed. Its like Epcot World Showcase but with Africa as a focus and a little bit of Asian influences. Hester and Chester Dinoland area is a joke. Why couldn't they keep it simple and added a forest area not jungle influenced with Bears, Deers, Owls, etc. All that money invested into Avatarland, they could of used their own IPs like Bambi, Winnie the Pooh, Song of the South, Maleficent, even Snow White and put 100 Acre Woods mixed with the forest from Maleficent which vagues looks like Pandora also.

The issue with AK as well as Epcot and DS is a lack of quality attractions that somebody that has been there hundreds of times actually wants to ride. When I go to AK, its Everest, Dinosaur, Safari if line isn't bad or I have FP and maybe Kali if it is hot out and the line isn't too bad or I have FP. On a light day or with FP I can "do the park" in 2 hours or less.

Studios is worse. No way I'd wait for TSMM. I rode it once and I don't need to wait that long (or waste FP+) to play a few 3D video games for 5 minutes. There it is R'nR, ToT and Star Tours. 2 hours MAX.

Epcot has either Soarin' or TT (depending on FP+ reservation), possibly TT as single rider if Soarin' FP+ reserved, SSE and sometimes Nemo if I want to check out the Seas that day. 2 or 3 hours.

That is all compared against MK which I won't list all but has 13 or 14 rides/attractions worth doing for the 100th time. Everything isn't E-Ticket, just high quality and worth riding. I can spend a whole day at MK. With legacy fastpass I could do the other three parks combined in a little more than a half day in the slow season.

 

[BigTxEars]

The issue with AK as well as Epcot and DS is a lack of quality attractions that somebody that has been there hundreds of times actually wants to ride. When I go to AK, its Everest, Dinosaur, Safari if line isn't bad or I have FP and maybe Kali if it is hot out and the line isn't too bad or I have FP. On a light day or with FP I can "do the park" in 2 hours or less.

Studios is worse. No way I'd wait for TSMM. I rode it once and I don't need to wait that long (or waste FP+) to play a few 3D video games for 5 minutes. There it is R'nR, ToT and Star Tours. 2 hours MAX.

Epcot has either Soarin' or TT (depending on FP+ reservation), possibly TT as single rider if Soarin' FP+ reserved, SSE and sometimes Nemo if I want to check out the Seas that day. 2 or 3 hours.

That is all compared against MK which I won't list all but has 13 or 14 rides/attractions worth doing for the 100th time. Everything isn't E-Ticket, just high quality and worth riding. I can spend a whole day at MK. With legacy fastpass I could do the other three parks combined in a little more than a half day in the slow season.

I think it's all in how you look at a day in any of the parks. As far as rides go you are correct with what you posted. But if you take into account the other offerings of the parks I think the day expands 5 fold. AK for example has tons to see, the trails alone can take 3-4 hours.

I am not saying your view is not correct, just that I don't view the parks as "what rides they offer" and rate them as far as how long to spend there based just on that. But I am not a big ride guy really so my view is influenced upon that. It's that old saying "everybody does Disney differently"

 

[mahnamahna101]

I think it's all in how you look at a day in any of the parks. As far as rides go you are correct with what you posted. But if you take into account the other offerings of the parks I think the day expands 5 fold. AK for example has tons to see, the trails alone can take 3-4 hours.

I am not saying your view is not correct, just that I don't view the parks as "what rides they offer" and rate them as far as how long to spend there based just on that. But I am not a big ride guy really so my view is influenced upon that. It's that old saying "everybody does Disney differently"

Not sure I'd spend 3 to 4 hours walking down a trail for $94 and every time I visit.

Can't imagine spending that much of my visit walking down a trail.

Animal Kingdom is a theme park so it is natural to expect rides. They have plenty of those "experience once" walkthroughs/exhibits/shows but as stated above Animal Kingdom really only has 4 truly major rides and one must do show if you're an AP holder. Granted I'm not saying people need to book it and rush ride to ride, but the parks could use enough rides that both the "ride" and "non-ride" crowds can enjoy AK equally

 

[erasure fan1]

but the parks could use enough rides that both the "ride" and "non-ride" crowds can enjoy AK equally

This exactly. It's always the ones who like shows and the zoo trails who always say it is a full day park. But for the ride-centric crowed AK is not worth more than a half day. I like animal displays as much as the next guy, but I can go to 2 nice zoos by me anytime I want. What I can't do is have an Everest or Dinosaur type experience by me so that is what I want when I go to a Disney park.

2 awesome attractions will be a huge upgrade to the park, no matter what the IP is that they came from.

 

[BigTxEars]

I have nice zoos near me as well in San Antonio and in Houston. But none of them are as nice as AK, I would guess most zoos are not.

If someone does not want to pay to experience that side of AK then the value of the park overall goes down. Heck we spent almost two hours at Planet Watch last month alone.

No doubt if rides are your primary interest then it's not a all day park. For us it is, in fact we are planning two days at AK when we go in Jan.