Garfield Builder
Well-Known Member
You really think so, PerGron?
-
Welcome to the WDWMAGIC.COM Forums!
Please take a look around, and feel free to sign up and join the community.
Disney's Wild Kingdom: [Write-Ups and Ride-throughs Ongoing]
- Thread starter PerGron
- Start date
Yes, I would like to think that the project that I have drafted up about a subject that I am very well-versed in and have been writing about since I could first write will have a level of uniqueness that I can bring to it.
Honestly man, what is your endgame here? You only ever pop on to critique other people’s work and never offer anything other than negative comments completely irrelevant to the discussion. I’m sorry, but I don’t need you popping on here to question me when you and I have no rapport. I can take joshing and razzing from others who I have worked with and formed relationships with, but the only interaction I ever have with you is you commenting negative things on my or other peoples hard work.
None of this matters. It’s not real, it’s creative exercises. If you don’t think it is or will be good, just ignore it and do your own thing. None of us want to hear it from you man. None of us. If you can do everything so much better than we can, you go write your own Disney marine park/aquarium. I’d love to see how much better it is than mine.
Disney Warrior
Well-Known Member
Meanwhile I need to start to read through this! From what i’ve seen (the first land), you’ve done a great job! I’m probably gonna learn a thing or two about animals lol
Chaos Cat
Well-Known Member
I was talking about the real world SeaWorld and had completely forgot about that project, but that's valid, too.
Garfield Builder
Well-Known Member
b-wolf95, did you enjoy this thread so far?
Chaos Cat
Well-Known Member
Yeah, absolutely! PerGron's stuff is always great!
Character Landing
For guests visiting Disney’s Wild Kingdom, the reason for attendance could vary greatly. Some guests want to see the abundance of wildlife displayed in massive naturalistic habitats, some want to ride the plethora of highly-themed and exciting attractions, some may want to attend a Broadway-level show, and others may simply want to immerse themselves in the feeling of nature. Whatever you’re looking for in a theme park experience, Disney’s Wild Kingdom has something for everyone. And for those in your party who may be character hunters, there’s no better place to stop by than Character Landing.
Character Landing is located in a large building nearby the Earth Center Mercantile as well as near the pathway that leads to the Conservation Station. This building is made of hand-carved wood with the corners of the buildings each representing a stylized version of a different animal, from an armadillo to a lizard to a frog to a trout.
Once inside the building, guests are filled with the nostalgia and warmness brought on by their beloved Disney Characters. Why? Because this landing also serves as the headquarters for Mickey Mouse and his friends while on Safari here at Disney’s Wild Kingdom.
The queue is set up like a house, with different rooms that you wind through and scenery to look on. When you first enter, you’re in the living room where you can see a series of gags and references to different Mickey and friends cartoons. By a table there are chairs all with the initials of Donald’s nephews carved into them, each with a hiking backpack in their individual color scheme -it appears they must’ve forgot their bags on their way out the door- as well as a hat rack with multiple Goofy hats with tears and stains in them.
The next room is the equipment room and you can see fishing gear labeled MM & MM as well as more backpacks, binoculars, and a tent that is pitched in the living room with a tear in it that resembles a certain bipedal dog.
We then pass by rooms for Mickey and Minnie, Donald and Daisy, Goofy, Huey, Dewey, and Louie, as well as a bed for Pluto. We only get to peek in, but each room features references and gags to each character.
Finally, guests reach the back porch where we wait to be let in to the meet and greet area. Here, a large tv showcases some of Mickey and Friends’ most exciting wild adventures through different shorts.
Finally, the doors open and guests are invited into a room full of lush environments making you feel like you’ve stepped outside. Here, four different areas await, each with a character. These spots all rotate, all except the last one which always serves as the place to meet Mickey Mouse. However, you never know who you’re going to see otherwise.
Guests can expect to find any combination of characters including Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck, Daisy Duck, Goofy, Pluto, Huey, Dewey, Louie, Max Goof, Chip, and Dale. All of these characters are wearing unique Safari outfits. Sometimes characters do double up, such as Goofy and Max or Minnie or Pluto joining Mickey to give you more than four characters, but you’re always guaranteed at least four characters during your experience.
Once you’ve met the characters, guests then exit through the Earth Center Mercantile and then back into Disney’s Wild Kingdom.
For guests visiting Disney’s Wild Kingdom, the reason for attendance could vary greatly. Some guests want to see the abundance of wildlife displayed in massive naturalistic habitats, some want to ride the plethora of highly-themed and exciting attractions, some may want to attend a Broadway-level show, and others may simply want to immerse themselves in the feeling of nature. Whatever you’re looking for in a theme park experience, Disney’s Wild Kingdom has something for everyone. And for those in your party who may be character hunters, there’s no better place to stop by than Character Landing.
Character Landing is located in a large building nearby the Earth Center Mercantile as well as near the pathway that leads to the Conservation Station. This building is made of hand-carved wood with the corners of the buildings each representing a stylized version of a different animal, from an armadillo to a lizard to a frog to a trout.
Once inside the building, guests are filled with the nostalgia and warmness brought on by their beloved Disney Characters. Why? Because this landing also serves as the headquarters for Mickey Mouse and his friends while on Safari here at Disney’s Wild Kingdom.
The queue is set up like a house, with different rooms that you wind through and scenery to look on. When you first enter, you’re in the living room where you can see a series of gags and references to different Mickey and friends cartoons. By a table there are chairs all with the initials of Donald’s nephews carved into them, each with a hiking backpack in their individual color scheme -it appears they must’ve forgot their bags on their way out the door- as well as a hat rack with multiple Goofy hats with tears and stains in them.
The next room is the equipment room and you can see fishing gear labeled MM & MM as well as more backpacks, binoculars, and a tent that is pitched in the living room with a tear in it that resembles a certain bipedal dog.
We then pass by rooms for Mickey and Minnie, Donald and Daisy, Goofy, Huey, Dewey, and Louie, as well as a bed for Pluto. We only get to peek in, but each room features references and gags to each character.
Finally, guests reach the back porch where we wait to be let in to the meet and greet area. Here, a large tv showcases some of Mickey and Friends’ most exciting wild adventures through different shorts.
Finally, the doors open and guests are invited into a room full of lush environments making you feel like you’ve stepped outside. Here, four different areas await, each with a character. These spots all rotate, all except the last one which always serves as the place to meet Mickey Mouse. However, you never know who you’re going to see otherwise.
Guests can expect to find any combination of characters including Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck, Daisy Duck, Goofy, Pluto, Huey, Dewey, Louie, Max Goof, Chip, and Dale. All of these characters are wearing unique Safari outfits. Sometimes characters do double up, such as Goofy and Max or Minnie or Pluto joining Mickey to give you more than four characters, but you’re always guaranteed at least four characters during your experience.
Once you’ve met the characters, guests then exit through the Earth Center Mercantile and then back into Disney’s Wild Kingdom.
DisneyManOne
Well-Known Member
It's so wonderful to have you back, PerGron! I can't wait to see what other surprises Wild Kingdom has in store!
Also, I think your Street Celebration concept from your Asia section has come to life.
Also, I think your Street Celebration concept from your Asia section has come to life.
Located in the Gardens of Life, the Conservation Carousel is a 90-seat carousel themed to endangered and critically endangered species. While this carousel is of standard size and offers little different in terms of experience, being a simple up and down movement as the vehicles move around the carousel floor, the thing that makes the conservation carousel unique is the animals featured.
Rather than horses of different colors, the Conservation Carousel features a full roster of 90 unique endangered species from around the planet.
Rather than horses of different colors, the Conservation Carousel features a full roster of 90 unique endangered species from around the planet.
- Sumatran Tiger
- Giant Panda
- Indian Elephant
- African Bush Elephant
- Black Rhinoceros
- Javan Rhinoceros
- Sumatran Rhinoceros
- Amur Leopard
- Bornean Orangutan
- Saola
- Vaquita
- Western Lowland Gorilla
- African Painted Dog
- Chimpanzee
- Red Panda
- Hippopotamus
- Polar Bear
- Snow Leopard
- American Bison
- Whooping Crane
- Hawksbill Sea Turtle
- Masai Giraffe
- Malayan Sun Bear
- California Condor
- Blue-throated Macaw
- Black-footed Ferret
- Addax
- Okapi
- Aye-Aye
- Black and White Ruffed Lemur
- Ring-tailed Lemur
- African Lion
- Scimitar-horned Oryx
- Somali Wild
- Grevy’s Zebra
- Reindeer
- Pere David’s Deer
- Chinese Alligator
- Przewalski’s Horse
- Malayan Tapir
- Green Peafowl
- Komodo Dragon
- Gharial
- Umbrella Cockatoo
- Tasmanian Devil
- European Rabbit
- Mexican Gray Wolf
- Attwater’s Prairie Chicken
- Florida Panther
- Red Wolf
- Wattled Curassow
- Southern Cassowary
- Chacoan Peccary
- Giant Anteater
- Galapagos Tortoise
- Electric Blue Day Gecko
- American Burying Beetle
- Panamanian Golden Frog
- Edward’s Pheasant
- Bali Mynah
- Guam Kingfisher
- Hawaiian Crow
- Red-headed Vulture
- Ruppell’s Griffon Vulture
- Cotton-top Tamarin
- Blanding’s Turtle
- Axolotl
- American Bumblebee
- Long-tailed Chinchilla
- Cheetah
- Pygmy Hog
- Giant Oceanic Manta Ray
- Numbat
- African Penguin
- Smalltooth Sawfish
- Great Green Macaw
- Clouded Leopard
- Golden Lion Tamarin
- Chinese Pangolin
- Ecuadorian Capuchin
- Caribbean Spiny Lobster
- Katipo Spider
- Utila Spiny-tailed Iguana
- Monarch Butterfly
- Indiana Bat
- Rodrigues’ Flying Fox
- Leatherback Sea Turtle
- Walden’s Hornbill
- Radiated Tortoise
- Hawaiian Monk Seal
Suchomimus
Well-Known Member
D Hulk
Well-Known Member
For guests who trek deep into the jungles of Disney’s Wild Kingdom, they will eventually come across a clearing with the most impressive sight to behold: The Tree of Life. Featuring over 600 hand-carved animals adorning its trunk, with its branches reaching for the heavens and taking up much of the sky, this amazing man-made tree symbolizes unity and harmony between both humans and nature. And for guests, this tree symbolizes the entire message of the park. Her roots burst from the concrete pathways and jutt out, forming arches and benches alike, showcasing how this massive tree unites everything together as well as battles man-made structures for dominance over the park.
However, there is more to see from this immense behemoth of dendrological proportions than just her towering trunk and ever-expanding roots. The guests who dare to be drawn in by her allure will soon learn that this tree is not just the catalyst for nature, but is actually the embodiment of the Earth herself. Animals live in countless grottos, the only barriers being her roots themselves, keeping them safe and protected beneath her shade. Some call her trunk itself their home, burrowing into the crevices and feeding from the nutrition she provides. We see river systems bend to her will as water pours from her trunk, running down a gutter system formed by her roots as it feeds the thirsty river that encircles the park below. We see the tiniest details playing their part in the great circle of life as the animals carved into her bark reveal themselves the closer you get, looking up at you from the roots on the ground, or down to you from their perches on her branches above.
As you wind deeper and deeper through the gardens at the Tree of Life’s base, you’re soon enveloped in the woody knots and roots as the ground slopes before you. The foliage parts as a cave within the tree is exposed to you. The woody bark peels to the sides as a waterfall pours to the left. Inside, the lights of torches beckon you closer, a siren song of humanity within the abundant nature that has completely surrounded you.
The inside of the tree’s dark and cool interior is filled with the sounds of its residents going about their daily lives. The chittering of insects as they tear off pieces of wood to bring back to the nest to eat, the squeaking and squealing of a rodent family who has made residence in a tree knot above you, and the sniffing of some large predator who is searching for a delicious meal amongst the tree’s roots. A calm and serene music fills the atmosphere, one that invites you to relax as you take a seat on the tree root benches that line the cavern you are in. Towards the end of the cavern, overgrown by the wood reclaiming them, is a series of doors. These doors open towards you as a yellow safety line lies across the floor. Directly in front of that safety line, guests dodder and dawdle as they mingle with one another. A cast member, clad in the blue and green shirt with khaki shorts that are synonymous with the staff of Earth Center rises up from their perch at a podium and taps a microphone, gaining your attention.
“Good [Morning/Afternoon], my name is ___ and it’s my pleasure to welcome you to the Tree of Life Theater. In just a moment, the automatic doors in front of you will be opening out towards you. For your safety, please remain behind the yellow line until the doors have opened completely. Once inside the Tree of Life Theater we ask that there is no eating, drinking, smoking, flash photography, or external video lighting throughout our presentation. Once you’re in the theater, please choose a row and move all the way down to the end to make room for everyone. There are no bad seats and everyone will be able to see the entire show. Now, the doors will open momentarily so please remain behind the yellow line and enjoy our presentation of Earth: An Environmental Tale.”
The click of a microphone signifies the end of the safety spiel and, like clockwork, the automatic doors swing open and the horde of people rush in to claim their seats. Rather than battling the crowd, you wait your turn, taking in the environment of the cool, dark cave. The artificial torches flicker like a real flame would, illuminating the walls and casting light and shadows into the room, illuminating the animal carvings inside the room. An ant, a squirrel, and a mole stick out to you specifically, but as you look around, the crowd moves forward, prompting you to fall in line and make your way into the theater.
The theater opens up in front of you, the woody base of the tree wrapping around you, the cavity in the center sprawling out to feature a 600-seat theater. Projected colors and fog up, just below the ceiling, casting light over the theater. The theater seats are wooden benches with backings, looking like they have been carved from the tree itself. All 600 seats face towards a stage which is covered with a curtain of leaves and vines stemming from the tree herself. Once you make your way over to your seat, you sit down and face the theater as the automatic doors behind you close. The lights dim and a spotlight appears at a second podium in front of the stage. A cast member, wearing the blue and green outfit of the Gardens of Life cast members, steps up and turns on the microphone.
“Good [morning/afternoon] and welcome to the Tree of Life Theater. As a reminder, please refrain from eating, drinking, and smoking while inside the theater. We also ask that you refrain from flash photography and any external video lighting. The Tree of Life Theater does enter a period of darkness, fog, flashing lights, and other special effects, so, for your safety, please remain seated throughout the duration of our presentation. If you must exit the theater, for any reason, please make your way to the lit up exit doors to the left of the theater. Now, Disney’s Wild Kingdom proudly presents: Earth: An Environmental Fable.”
As the microphone clicks off and the spotlight fades, the lights aim towards the curtains as they pull back, the leaves rushing to the sides and exposing a massive screen. The screen is alive with a video of the Earth, slowly spinning as music begins to swell. The music is whimsical and ethereal, characterizing the spinning globe with utmost respect. As you are entranced by the spinning planet, a voice emerges from the darkness of space surrounding it.
“Like a grand and miraculous spaceship, our planet has sailed through the universe of time; and for a brief moment, you have been among its passengers. Far before the age of man, life has flourished on Planet Earth, from the early single-celled protozoa to the mighty dinosaurs and beyond. No matter the species in control, the history of Planet Earth is far grander than anyone can imagine.”
As the planet rotates, a figure begins emerging, rising from the stage with a swelling of orchestral music. A glimmering figure of a woman wearing a golden gown and covered in vines, leaves, and branches wrapping her body and jutting from her hair. A bird’s nest has been constructed on a branch of her head as her hair twists and tangles, draping down her shoulders and spilling onto her gown.
“I am Gaia, or, as you may know me, Mother Earth, and I am the voice of Planet Earth. From the beginning of life, I have been here, watching and helping species to take root across our vast planet. From the tiniest of bacteria to the great blue whale, life in our solar system has flourished only on Earth. Now, it is our time to share the amazing stories of triumph and life here on Earth. ”
Gaia slides to the side as the Earth fades from the screen and we are soon soaring high above the clouds with only the snow-capped mountain peaks sticking above the puffy white clouds. As we drop beneath the clouds, the chase is on as we witness a snow leopard in hot pursuit of an ibex. The cat springs and bounds from the rocks as it pursues its prey, with the ibex taking sharp turns and leaps to keep the hungry predator from catching up to it.
“High in the snowy mountaintops of Asia’s Himalayas, we see a snow leopard and its prey play a deadly game, bounding and leaping from rock to rock. Both animals must plan their every move far before making it. To take a wrong step in this dangerous terrain leads to certain death by cascading down the mountain. Still, despite the danger, these animals move with great speed and sure-footedness, keeping the chase afoot.”
We watch as the snow leopard lunges at the ibex’s leg, causing the goat to stumble and slip, falling off the snow-covered rocks and tumbling below. The cat bounds after it, leaping and seemingly flying through the air as it clears multiple levels of stone. With a thud, the ibex hits the powdery snow below, yet, despite the amazing height it fell from, the animal rises and continues bounding away, the cat rushing to catch up with it. We see the ibex approach a cliff, taking a leap of faith as it jumps, falling below where we can see. The snow leopard catches up, but brakes just before the cliff. The camera zooms in to see the cat’s face as it pants heavily, appearing resigned as it turns to walk back up the mountain. The camera zooms out to show the ibex survived its fall and was rejoining the herd.
“Sometimes, the leap of faith may be the best option for survival, as it was for this ibex. The balance of predator and prey is among the most important to preserve. For every successful hunt, there must be many failed hunts to keep this balance. The ibex lives to see another day, yet the snow leopard will hunt again. If it is successful, its meal will be worth the victory. If it fails, it will continue to try until it wins. This is the delicate circle of life. Without predators, prey destroys itself, yet, without much prey, no predator can survive. Everything in life works together in harmony.”
Clouds fill the screen as the ibex rejoins the herd, but soon dissipate over a jungle canopy. We swoop deep into the rainforest as we see a single male orangutan shaking a tree. As he shakes, insects pour from the inside to defend their nest, yet, the orangutan simply allows them to get stuck in his fur and eats them as they struggle to navigate the orange tangled mess of hair. We see the camera pan from the male over to another tree where a baby orangutan attempts the same maneuver. However, he falls out of the tree, catching himself on a branch below him.
“Deep in the jungles of Borneo, a new life has begun. Yet, just as every other life, this young orangutan struggles to thrive in his place. Life is about learning, and adapting, to suit one’s place in its great circle. For every living creature, there must be an older, wiser creature to help it grow. Even the trees these gentle giants rest in require some assistance from others to grow, such as birds and monkeys who spread their seeds, or insects such as these ants who hunt and kill harmful pests that may hurt the tree. The orangutan, the ants, and the tree are all just a few members of the great Circle of Life.”
We watch as the baby orangutan climbs back up the tree and maneuvers towards the male to watch up close. We see the male lick his fur and use it to get the ants to climb over. The baby mimics this behavior and does the same, collecting a few ants from the other side of the tree from its father. We then watch the male shake the tree again, causing leaves to fall and more ants to rush from their nest. The baby gets excited and stumbles, once again, nearly falling from the tree. An arm reaches out and catches the baby by its foot and we see a female orangutan lift him back onto the branch. We then watch as she uses a stick to fish ants from their nest. The baby breaks a stick and attempts to do the same thing.
“Survival requires growth, but it also requires determination. Any living being that hopes to conquer a challenge, be it feeding, fighting, or any other facet of survival, must use this determination to succeed. This young orangutan is learning a valuable skill, and while he may be struggling to master the craft of catching insects, this practice will one day lead him to become a masterful ant hunter.”
The clouds cover the orangutan as we spin backwards out to the spinning Earth. Gaia looks around, confused, her glittering gown flowing majestically as she questions what is going on.
“Our story, it shouldn’t be done yet. I know we have more, so why are we here?”
We watch as the video of the Earth turns from the lush green paradise it has been, with its bright blue oceans and white puffy clouds into a dull and bleak version of itself, with the greens turning to browns and the blues turning sickly gray and the clouds an ominous black. We then hear a deep and sadistic masculine disembodied voice join as the music signifies the change.
“Ah, that’s more like it. Now, tell me dear sister, where was your story going? I certainly am curious as to where it ends. Oh, nevermind, I already know where it ends. It ends with me.”
A second figure, a masculine figure with a sharp jawline and jagged features enters from the stage, rising up as the Earth’s colors continue to become bleaker. The figure wears a set of black robes whose bottom flares out into the black roots of a once mighty tree. Behind his head we see a collar and apparent crown made of the dead branches of the same tree, a juxtaposition to his sister’s outfit.
“Thanatos.”
“Yes dear sister, it is I, but please, call me by what these Earthlings will recognize me as: Death.”
As Death enters the scene, fog pours across the stage, snaking and falling over the edge of the stage and into the audience. The fog and lights from before the show reappear, the colors in the lights a series of reds and yellows, flashing as we hear Thunder crash in the distance.
“What are YOU doing here, brother? Haven’t you your own work to do?”
“Why yes, in fact, if it weren’t for you, I’d have no work at all. You tell these people of the majesty of life, of how it all connects and circles together, yet, you leave out the most important part.”
“The most important part? How dare you, brother. How dare you claim…”
“But you said it yourself, dear sister, prey without a predator destroys itself, and a predator without prey merely won’t survive. Your great circle of life is nothing without me. I completed the circle. But why tell you, when instead I can show you.”
The screen fades again, opening up in a barren wasteland of dry cracked Earth with towering volcanoes forming an impenetrable wall around the land. The sky is a reddish bronze as it fills with ash and smoke from the erupting volcanoes all around it. Lava streams down the volcanos, slowly creeping forward as smoke billows from the mouth of the great mountains.
“This is Earth, long before you or I were here. In fact, nothing was here, nothing but rock, smoke, and toxic water. Volcanic ash made up much of the atmosphere, and anything that would attempt to live here wouldn’t occur for millions of years. Yet, what do you see when you stare at this sight? Do you see destruction? How about chaos? Or perhaps you see evil within those volcanoes. But no, in fact, there is nothing here except for the very foundation of life itself.”
We watch as the landscape is battered by storms rolling by as the lava continues to flow and smoke continues to billow from the volcanoes, the music getting more and more tense. However, as the destructive environment grows, the music reaches a peak before switching quickly into something juxtaposing the violence occurring. The music becomes serene and almost peaceful as waves crash on the shore and havoc rains down.
“These volcanoes created the very land we stand upon. But maybe that’s not enough for you, maybe it’ll take the knowledge that the gasses released by these very volcanoes helped to establish a breathable atmosphere that every living thing takes advantage of today. Or that the gasses created by all of this destruction helped to create a barrier from the sun’s harmful rays, or that they trapped heat and moisture, allowing our oceans to grow without evaporating away. Tell me sister, could life thrive without our oceans? What about our atmosphere? What would life be like without destruction?”
“Yet you yourself said neither of us were here for this. How can you claim the creation of life if neither you nor I were present?”
Death snarls as the image becomes blurry as we’re transported millions of years into the future. The Earth is now covered in plant material including trees, grasses, and ferns. The volcanoes lie dormant and the sun peers down, gently. We hear grunting as the mighty stomping of many animals approaches. We see what made the noises as a small quadrupedal animal darted in front of the camera from behind it. It has a heavy plate of skin and scales that stands erect behind its head, with three tiny nubs, one on its nose and the others in the brow above the eye. It is a baby triceratops. We hear the snapping of branches and leaves being pushed out of the way as a whole herd of triceratops make their way into the clearing. The baby runs around, jovially, as the rest of the herd graze on the plants in the surrounding area.
“Life here seems peaceful, this herd of triceratops has not a care in the world. Do you think that these simple creatures ever predicted the devastation that would be brought to them?”
“Dinosaurs ruled the Earth for millions of years. They were massive and helped to shape our planet. Whatever happened to them was not a part of my plan. Dinosaurs battled for life in the same way as every other species, and should a predator hunt them, it’s a part of their life cycle. We built them strong enough to be resilient to this fact.”
The dinosaurs soon hear a terrifying roar as the theater shakes from the stomping of a much larger creature. Coming into frame we see a tyrannosaurus, its body tall and muscular with a massive tail that swung from side to side. Atop its head and running along its back is a series of feathers, yet the rest of its body appears scalier, like a combination of the traditional t-rex and the more outlandish feathered rex. This depiction is expected to be the most scientifically accurate. The tyrannosaur lets out a terrifying roar as the triceratops form a circle around their young and elderly, much like buffalo do when facing predators. The rex gnashes its teeth and strikes at weak spots in the herd’s defenses, but is rebuked by the sharp horns of the triceratops.
“No sister, the Circle of Life doesn’t begin and end at predator and prey, that’s far too simple. Think, something far greater happened to the dinosaurs at the end of the late Cretaceous, something we call the K-T extinction. Does this one ring a bell?”
As Death finishes his statement, a massive meteor begins plummeting from the sky, it rapidly approaches the ground and we hear a SLAM that rocks the theater. Dust fills the skies and once it clears, we see the ash-covered outline of triceratops and tyrannosaurus. The music becomes slow and somber as the sun is blocked out in the sky.
“You brought about destruction and death, not I. I did not plan for the extinction of the dinosaurs, you caused this. Do not place blame on me, brother. I had to clean up YOUR mess.”
We see Gaia waving her hands as the dust blows, clearing the skies as slowly the ashy Earth springs to life as plants grow back where they once were. The shapes of the dinosaurs fade into the Earth as we see a very small rodent-like animal creep out and scurry over the landscape.
“Yes sister, I did cause the extinction. I wiped out the dinosaurs, not to upset you, but to continue life! This is what you fail to understand. The dinosaurs ruled the Earth for over 100 million years, it was time for a change. The mammals got their shot now, the small dinosaurs would become birds, evolution would occur and a whole new series of life would take hold. Life must progress, dear sister, it cannot stand to stagnate. Evolution and nature must take its course, and the course of the dinosaurs had begun, climaxed, and ended, just as the Late Devonian saw the extinction of so many aquatic species pushing for evolution onto land, and the Triassic-Jurassic extinction allowed the massive dinosaurs to roam. Each extinction event leads to the progression of life here on this planet. Death isn’t about violence or destruction, it is about rebirth and progression. The weak shall die so the strong shall live, and now, mammals have claimed the planet. Mammals that you adore so much, like the snow leopard and orangutan you have shown.”
We see the small rodent-like creature grow in numbers as we watch them branch off into hundreds of different species. We see the creation of elephants, lions, deer, and even humans all on a global scale. We see these animals dropping across the planet, expanding as they take over the rapidly developing planet and securing their places in the Circle of Life. We see Gaia appear shocked, looking on as the mammals expand and claim the planet for themselves. She looks over to her brother, resigned and with a new perspective developed.
“Perhaps I have judged you too harshly brother. I see now the importance of every feature in life. Everything is connected, from the soil to the sea to the animals and plants that use these as homes or nutrients. Without death and decay, there can be no life.”
“Now you see, my dear sister, we are not at odds. No, quite the contrary, we are a part of the same crucial cycle, as is every living thing that we watch over. But the most amazing thing about our great Circle of Life isn’t that it is unstoppable and forever ongoing, it’s that it can be influenced. One single piece removed at the wrong time can cause catastrophic devastation for all beings. In fact, this is what our planet is facing now.”
We watch as the screen goes back to the Planet Earth as images appear, showcasing humans and the destruction caused by them. We see footage of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, we see footage of California’s wildfires, of stacks of elephant tusks, rhino horns, and animal pelts being confiscated, and of many other major man-made natural disasters and other issues.
“Humanity has shown us the true destruction that disrupts the entire Circle of Life. The overuse and misuse of the planet and her natural resources undoes all of the progress every species has fought, lived, and died for. Humanity has undone our plans, dear sister, and now that I’ve shown you the purpose of death and decay, perhaps we can agree that this is the time for theirs! What shall it be? Volcanic eruption? Plague? Tidal wave? Tell me sister, help me choose!”
We watch as the video of Earth halts its spinning as Death approaches it, seemingly creating a storm. Suddenly, Gaia reaches out and blasts her brother back, sending him reeling on his track. She continues the Earth’s spinning as hopeful music begins swelling up.
“No! Brother, you may see the harm they’ve done, but certainly you can also see the amazing things they have done to fix their issues.”
Pictures and videos begin flashing up on the screen of people rescuing sea turtles from nets, teams of people cleaning trash off of the beaches, zoos introducing baby animals to their herds as well as a herd of Scimitar-horned oryx being released into the wild. We see countless other examples of humanity helping nature and resolving their issues.
“It’s not too late for them or for our planet. Yes, we see bad things happening, but this is a part of evolution and development. Just as destruction and death are a part of it, so aren’t the growing pains of evolving. Humanity has been here for such a short amount of time in the grand scheme of things, but in such a time, they’ve already begun to learn the error of their ways.”
We watch as Death recovers from his blast and looks out over the crowd of people in the audience, then at his sister, then at the globe in the center. He sighs, resigned, and looks back up at his sister.
“Perhaps we all have a lot to learn of our place here on Earth... Now, I too see, it’s not too late for humanity, there’s still time to save what they’ve built. Perhaps, just maybe, humans will find their place as the ultimate stewards for their planet. I suppose it is up to them.”
“Yes brother, it appears as though we’ve both come a long way, but so must they. If life is to remain as sacred as it has always been, it is up to them to bring peace and harmony back to the great Circle of Life. I, for one, am excited to watch to see how far they can go.”
Both Gaia and Death look at the crowd, then at the Earth. We see them both seemingly smile as the music swells up and they both speak one final time.
“Well sister, I suppose it’s time for us to go. Our story doesn’t end here, but neither does theirs.”
“Yes brother, I do believe you’re right. Remember everyone, this is not the end, and if everyone works together, the end doesn’t have to come. Namaste.”
The two animatronics lower back below the floor and the screen flashes up more videos and images of people helping nature as the song “In This Together'' by Ellie Goulding plays, celebrating life.
The video ends and lights come up as a cast member returns to the podium. The click of the microphone turning on resonates across the theater.
“We hope you’ve enjoyed this presentation of Earth: An Environmental Fable. Now, please gather your belongings, take small children by the hand, and exit through the doors on your left. We sincerely hope you enjoyed our show and hope you have an amazing rest of your day here at Disney’s Wild Kingdom, or on whatever adventure life may take you.”
With that, you rise from your seat and follow the crowd out the side doors, slowly acclimating to the sunlight as the roots make an awning, blocking direct sunlight and allowing your eyes to adjust. From there, you trek back through the gardens, making your way back to Earth Center.
DisneyManOne
Well-Known Member
That was amazing!!! Honestly, I think this would be a good replacement for It's Tough to Be a Bug at Animal Kingdom.
JokersWild
Well-Known Member
I’ve been waiting for years for someone to finally realize Brownland! Very excited for tomorrow.
Evilgidgit
Well-Known Member
Ah, a gigantic ant farm. Genius!
Suchomimus
Well-Known Member
That was an arbitrary deadline for myself. It’s coming soon lol
Inside the Tree
When visiting Disney's Wild Kingdom, guests are sure to enjoy some very thrilling rides, experience once in a lifetime shows, and devour delicious food, but none of these classic theme park staples encompass the overarching theme and purpose of Disney's Wild Kingdom. More than anything else, Disney's Wild Kingdom seeks to explore and present all the parts of the natural world, and that is why we consider Inside the Tree the most important attraction within the Tree of Life Gardens.
Buried within the roots and trunk of the massive Tree of Life, just as so many other trees across the planet, are the homes to countless animals. Animals that call the living breathing walls of these massive lifeforms home and use it for shelter, for food, or for places to raise young can be found scurrying throughout this walkthrough attraction.
Serving as one of only two indoor animal exhibit complexes in the park, Inside the Tree presents a glimpse into the lives of some of the most forgotten, most misunderstood, and most mysterious species that call our planet home. Within 39 different exhibits of varying sizes we can find tons of unique and interesting species. Now, please, join me as we explore Inside the Tree.
When visiting Disney's Wild Kingdom, guests are sure to enjoy some very thrilling rides, experience once in a lifetime shows, and devour delicious food, but none of these classic theme park staples encompass the overarching theme and purpose of Disney's Wild Kingdom. More than anything else, Disney's Wild Kingdom seeks to explore and present all the parts of the natural world, and that is why we consider Inside the Tree the most important attraction within the Tree of Life Gardens.
Buried within the roots and trunk of the massive Tree of Life, just as so many other trees across the planet, are the homes to countless animals. Animals that call the living breathing walls of these massive lifeforms home and use it for shelter, for food, or for places to raise young can be found scurrying throughout this walkthrough attraction.
Serving as one of only two indoor animal exhibit complexes in the park, Inside the Tree presents a glimpse into the lives of some of the most forgotten, most misunderstood, and most mysterious species that call our planet home. Within 39 different exhibits of varying sizes we can find tons of unique and interesting species. Now, please, join me as we explore Inside the Tree.
As you approach the Tree of Life, you are surrounded by animal exhibits across sprawling acres of foliated gardens, crystal blue pools of glimmering water and gentle careening waterfalls, yet the allure of the massive Baobab that stands ahead of you pulls you in. The roots that jut out of the ground and form benches, arches, and fences along the walkway get tighter and tangle together more and more as you are pulled in towards the tree. As the roots envelop you within the base of the tree, you pass around the entryway to the Tree of Life Theater and wrap around the back. Here, you find what you were looking for, the siren call drawing you deeper and deeper into the tree.
The Inside the Tree exhibits wrap around the theater and provide plenty of room for the animals being exhibited as most exhibits are small to medium sized. Within the winding walls of the tree's interior sit 39 different exhibits housing a total of 40 different species.
Beginning at the entryway, Guests encounter a slew of five small terrariums built into the walls of the tree. These five exhibits represent some of the tree's smallest, but no less important, inhabitants. Each exhibit houses a single species of invertebrate, some that are crucial to the survival of the tree, others that more represent its detriment.
The first exhibit is made up heavily of bark hides, a small pool of water up front, and lots of moss and leaf litter. This exhibit houses a pair of Giant African land snail (Achatina achatina), a species from Western Africa that is spreading to become an invasive species due to the pet trade and accidental imports on cargo ships. This species doesn't live in trees, but does call the grounds near tree roots home, utilizing the small plants that grow nearby as food.
The second exhibit houses Pacific dampwood termites (Zootermopsis angusticollis) and appears to be the inside of a termite mound, much like a much more complex ant farm. This exhibit houses a full colony of termites which are found in the Pacific Northwest and feed exclusively on the damp rotten wood found in decaying trees and homes. These termites cannot survive without the rotting damp wood which also helps to clean up the forest to allow more plants to grow as the dead ones disappear.
Exhibit number three houses the banana slug (Ariolimax californicus), a species of slug found along the American West Coast from California to Alaska. This exhibit is very similar to the snail's enclosure as the two species share similar niches as plant eaters. This exhibit houses five of these hermaphroditic slugs and eggs are collected and fed to other animals as enrichment. Being hermaphrodites, these slugs can change from male to female at will in order to breed, so the five here breed and lay eggs frequently, providing great enrichment for other animals across the park.
Exhibit four houses the most dangerous animal housed within the tree, at least, the most dangerous to the tree. This species is the emerald ash borer (Agrilus planipennis), a beetle from China and the surrounding area that feeds on and kills ash trees. This exhibit features bark and soil, but has a background of the exhibit is made up of damaged ash wood to showcase the damage these animals do. This exhibit houses eight ash borers of unknown gender. The Disney Conservation Fund also uses this exhibit to educate about eco-friendly ways to eradicate the invasive species as well as has a donation box here for programs that help control this deadly invasive.
Finally, exhibit five is a forest floor exhibit covered in leaf litter with roots hanging from the top. This exhibit is home to the giant vinegaroon (Mastigoproctus giganteus) an arachnid species found in Florida that calls the forest floor and holes under trees its home. This species releases a pungent vinegary oil that burns to the touch and also smells very strongly to ward off predators.
All five of these small exhibits sit side by side with educational and interpretational artifacts lining with it such as signs about each species and an important diorama nearby the ash borers.
Continuing around the perimeter, we now pass by five larger exhibits, the first being the largest of the five. This corner enclosure looks less like it is a part of the tree and more like a cave. That is because this exhibit houses a colony of 60 Mexican free-tailed bats (Tadarida brasiliensis) who may not live in trees, but do live in cave systems created by the trees roots. These bats are insectivores and are also the fastest mammal on Earth, able to fly at speeds of 100mph. This enclosure is a nocturnal enclosure and you must walk behind a wall (made to look like roots) which keep the light from other enclosures out.
Exhibit seven comes after rounding the corner and brings you to an incredibly lush and well-foliated terrarium. This terrarium (which is built into the walls like the others) houses a pair of critically endangered electric blue day geckos (Lygodactylus williamsi). These geckos spend their time hidden amongst the branches of trees while foraging for food in the form of insects that call the trees home, fruits that grow on the trees, and even honey produced by bees.
Exhibit eight continues the theme of branch life as it exhibits a trio of critically endangered lemur tree frogs (Hylomantis lemur) from South America. This exhibit features a mister that keeps the exhibit constantly damp as well as a light fog to give the frog more comfort for hiding. Both this species and the previous geckos are labeled as SSP (species survival plan) species that Disney participates in.
Continuing along we come to a long and tall exhibit that offers climbing and perching along the top, feeling like a mess of vines and twigs in a bush along the ground. The bottom of the exhibit also offers a cave beneath a root, showcasing the Eastern copperhead (Agkistrodon contortrix), a venomous snake species that uses the roots and leaf litter around trees to disguise itself. This exhibit houses a sole male copperhead as these snakes are known to consume other snakes they live with, as well as rodents, amphibians, birds, eggs, and many other animals, serving as an important predator to keep the trees and the surrounding habitat thriving.
The final exhibit on this stretch is a similarly-sized tall enclosure that serves as the branches and treetops for the emerald tree monitor (Varanus prasinus) an arboreal lizard that feeds mainly on birds and their eggs in the treetops. This exhibit houses only a single female monitor as the species is territorial.
Continuing further down the perimeter come five more exhibits, beginning with a very lush and vine-heavy enclosure. This enclosure is made to represent the branches of trees with lots of complex knots and paths to travel. Much like the lemur tree frog enclosure, this exhibit has a mister that keeps the enclosure damp and with a slight fog around it. Inside this exhibit is a Meller's chameleon (Trioceros melleri).
The next exhibit is one of a few nocturnal exhibits, the red light illuminating the dense jungle behind you. Out of all of the animals on exhibit Inside the Tree, this is the hardest species to see as this exhibit houses a lone female pygmy slow loris (Nycticebus pygmaeus), the only venomous primate on Earth. This species is endangered and thus is a part of the Species survival plan, however, the male and female are not kept together due to being solitary. The male lives over at the Conservation Station in a behind the scenes breeding building where the two live during the mating season. When breeding is occurring, this exhibit plays host to an ambassador corn snake.
Continuing down the line, we come across the next exhibit, another hosting a mammal. This exhibit has decent height and length to ensure that the animals inside are able to glide. This exhibit is different than the others as rather than replicating the branches or the forest floor, this exhibit features different trees within it that the animals can glide to, resembling a forest in its own right. This exhibit houses a group of four Japanese dwarf flying squirrels (Pteromys momonga).
At the corner as the path rounds, you encounter an entire research center including unattended lab equipment like microscopes and notepads. Those who read the notes will realize that this is a study site for a colony of American burying beetles (Nicrophorus americanus), a critically endangered beetle species that once ranged the entire Eastern and midwestern United States and now exists in only a few small populations in Rhode Island, Oklahoma, Ohio, and Nebraska. This exhibit is a forest floor and exhibits up to six beetles at a time, but behind the scenes at the Conservation Station, Disney's Wild Kingdom has over 200 individuals breeding, joining only Roger Williams Park Zoo, Cincinnati Zoo, Tulsa Zoo, and Saint Louis Zoo in their American burying beetle conservation program.
Continuing along, you come to a heavily tropical exhibit with decent height and ground space. This exhibit is also often covered in spider webs, despite keepers' best efforts in cleaning them. The reason is that this exhibit is home to a female critically endangered gooty sapphire tarantula (Poecilotheria metallica). Like the other endangered and critically endangered species, this individual was once a part of a conservation breeding program. However, at this time, Disney's Wild Kingdom does not house a male and thus breeding efforts have been halted until one of these incredibly rare tarantulas finds its way to the park.
On the final stretch of exhibits on the exterior of the trails, we come across the largest of these exhibits. This exhibit is large cavernous burrow with a water pool, indents in the back walls that provide more cover, climate-controlled rocks to cool and heat the animals as needed, and a large sand pit in the center for digging and enrichment. This exhibit houses a duo of bat-eared foxes (Otocyon megalotis) in a nocturnal setting. However, instead of the standard red light, this exhibit is lit by a cool blue light, allowing for decent viewing of the animals without interrupting their circadian rhythm. Like the other nocturnal exhibits, if you visit after sundown, the main lights are on to simulate "daytime" making these animals schedule opposite our own.
Next to the foxes, guests walk through a narrow bit of path where the tree squeezes into a sort of archway. If you stop when passing through and look around, you'll see the entire exhibit is filled with hundreds if not thousands of Madagascar hissing cockroaches (Gromphadorhina portentosa). This exhibit is unique as you are looking into the walls as the animals surround you. There is also an artificial roach that guests can press that vibrates and hisses, often startling guests that aren't expecting the noise. These animals serve as decomposers for much of the food wasted by other animals throughout the park as well as are food themselves. Guests may see keepers collect roaches throughout the day and feed them to the other animals in the tree as enrichment. Lucky guests may even get to toss a roach or two themselves.
Continuing along, the next exhibit, once again, resembles the forest floor and is, again, a nocturnal exhibit. However, this exhibit is more dense in foliage and also features holes for the animal to hide in. This exhibit hosts a single male black-and-rufous elephant shrew (Rhynchocyon petersi) who is often found rummaging around for insects within his exhibit. Same as the bats and loris, this exhibit utilizes red nocturnal lights which are brighter and more condensed, illuminating underneath them but not spreading as far, giving the animal a bit more privacy when in the foliage.
Continuing on, guests will encounter a set of six exhibits all connected by glass tunnels. One exhibit is significantly larger and is heavily planted with tropical plants. The rest of the tunnels look into a colony of leaf-cutter ants (Atta cephalotes) who can be seen constantly moving chunks of plants from the large vivarium through the tunnels and into the nest for food. In order to make sure the exhibit doesn't get over eaten, keepers go in twice a day to replant the large vivarium with new plants.
Right next to the ant enclosure complex is a decently sized terrarium that hosts a trio of two female and one male dictator scorpions (Pandinus dictator), one of very few social scorpion species. These scorpions live in a forested enclosure with lots of plants and places to hide, and other than the loris, may be the most difficult animals to find while making your way through the trails due to their timid nature. However, if they are out, these animals are an impressive-sized scorpion sure to cause wonder, and probably some fear, from all guests.
Continuing down the line, you'll encounter a very heavily foliated exhibit with a tree branch structure allowing for a very complex set of sticks and vines to hold up a single eyelash pit viper (Bothriechis schlegelii), a venomous snake species that lives in trees and hangs out in the branches eating birds and small mammals. This exhibit is large enough for the snake to stretch out and climb freely rather than have to remain coiled up, though it usually prefers to do that anyway.
The final exhibit on this perimeter path is actually beneath a massive waterfall in an open-top tank. While you may think that the crashing noise of the violent waterfall and the mist arising may be intolerable for the animals below, this is actually crucial habitat for the Kihansi spray toad (Nectophrynoides asperginis) an extinct in the wild species that once lived within the spray of the Kihansi Waterfall in Tanzania. Disney's Wild Kingdom joins the Bronx Zoo and the Toledo Zoo in a breed to release program for this species. While the ten toads on exhibit are not a part of the program, a collection of 1,000 toads live behind the scenes at the Conservation Station and have participated in the breeding program where many of their offspring have been released back into the protected land beneath the Kihansi waterfall.
With that, we've completed the perimeter walk. I'll be posting the interior exhibits as well soon, so keep posted for those. Hope you enjoyed Inside the Tree!
With that, we've completed the perimeter walk. I'll be posting the interior exhibits as well soon, so keep posted for those. Hope you enjoyed Inside the Tree!
Suchomimus
Well-Known Member
"A new upload!"
"It's been so long..."
"It's been so long..."