News 'Encanto' and 'Indiana Jones'-themed experiences at Animal Kingdom

[JustInTime]

He undoubtedly did Pandora well. He did was he was asked with MB. But why would he want to try and inject Indiana Jones and Encanto into AK? Fools errands with that subject material.

Realistic does not equal miserable. Try it sometime.

I’ve heard there is another planned attraction for AK, too. Perhaps that is why he’s been seen with imagineers and is rumored to be at minimum a consultant on an unannounce project. Maybe something shared with Disneyland? IMO, why wouldn’t he return at that point? It’s not like things are going well over at Virgin. I’ve also heard he likes the South Americas plan more than Moana (rightfully so).

I would NOT be shocked for him to be brought out if/when the AK and Pandora announcements are made at d23 where he is coincidentally, being inducted as a Disney Legend.

 

[Sorcerer Mickey]

So what the bus driver told me this morning is Disney will soon confirm Indy and "Encanto" coming to AK, the latter being tied to the upcoming release of "Encan-two", which was actually supposed to be a TikTok but was repurposed into a full-blown theatrical sequel. You heard it here first.

 

[Henry Mystic]

Just curious, what is actually being proposed for the Encanto ride? Even taking out the surrounding trees and support buildings, it’s not a massive area for a C or D Ticket dark ride.
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While not a large attraction by any means, Mystic Manor is one of the best executed E-tickets anywhere and would fit perfectly if they went that route with Encanto.

Though for a larger show building in the style of a Rise or Shanghai Pirates they would have to eat into the park, backstage areas, and the trees between it and Dinosaur, but it's no different than other expansions in the past. There's a ton of room.

 

[ToTBellHop]

I’ve heard there is another planned attraction for AK, too. Perhaps that is why he’s been seen with imagineers and is rumored to be at minimum a consultant on an unannounce project. Maybe something shared with Disneyland? IMO, why wouldn’t he return at that point? It’s not like things are going well over at Virgin. I’ve also heard he likes the South Americas plan more than Moana (rightfully so).

I would NOT be shocked for him to be brought out if/when the AK and Pandora announcements are made at d23 where he is coincidentally, being inducted as a Disney Legend.

It’s not as though he’d be project lead. But, as a consultant they call up for advice? No reason he’d say “no” unless he thought they were ignoring his advice (as, rumor has it, Tony Baxter felt over TBA).

 

[JustInTime]

It’s not as though he’d be project lead. But, as a consultant they call up for advice? No reason he’d say “no” unless he thought they were ignoring his advice (as, rumor has it, Tony Baxter felt over TBA).

I could see him being brought on fully, not just as a consultant. I guess we will see!

 

[MisterPenguin]

So what the bus driver told me this morning is Disney will soon confirm Indy and "Encanto" coming to AK, the latter being tied to the upcoming release of "Encan-two", which was actually supposed to be a TikTok but was repurposed into a full-blown theatrical sequel. You heard it here first.

The driver should stop reading Twitter while driving.

 

[ToTBellHop]

I could see him being brought on fully, not just as a consultant. I guess we will see!

Perhaps, but in any event, he obviously still loves the park and I’d be shocked to hear he wouldn’t pick up the phone if he thought he could help the additions be even 10% more in-line with the park’s vision.

 

[Henry Mystic]

You joke, but DAK will be the far easiest to add capacity and add draws between the four existing parks.

Dinoland was the only area that needed attention.

Afterwards, they have several opportunities for easy expansion with minimal overhead/retrofits.

Exactly.

Hollywood needs to blow up the hub, the entirety of Animation Courtyard, and portions of Echo Lake and Commissary Lane don't feel up to the standards of today.

EPCOT needs to redo Imagination, Wonders of Life, and update Spaceship Earth. Even beyond that the Seas and Land need aesthetic updates. A new World Showcase Pavilion would be great, but honestly all of that needs to be addressed first.

Magic Kingdom presently has Stitch sitting empty, and many underutilized/outdated attractions that need renovating from Buzz to CoP and the Speedway. Basically Tomorrowland. We still need a Peter Pan's Flight update and BTM explosion scene added as well.

Animal Kingdom literally only has Dinoland. An argument could be made that Kelli needs to be extended and the Yeti needs an update, but they did just bring Expedition Everest back to tip top condition recently. The waterfalls, steam effects, etc. all work work.

I think the Animal Kingdom would be best served by adding another ride after Tropical Americas. Dinosaur is underutilized and mediocre and it will become one of the world's best rides. An Encanto indoor ride checks the expansion box that the park needs, and if they actually do end up adding a third ride either (ie. Pandora, Lion King), and toss in a new show (drones, anyone?), Animal Kingdom will arguably be the best park in Orlando.

The park needs rides more than any WDW park, but the bones are there.

 

[JustInTime]

Perhaps, but in any event, he obviously still loves the park and I’d be shocked to hear he wouldn’t pick up the phone if he thought he could help the additions be even 10% more in-line with the park’s vision.

EXACTLY!!!!

Do you think the DL Avatar experience will be something new that could work as an expansion to AK, too?

 

[ChrisFL]

Couldn't agree more. It's so much better it's not even funny. Dinosaur got budget cut into oblivion and also just isn't as well executed in general.

It's really obvious when you see ride-thrus of Dinosaur with the lights on...it's BARREN in a lot of places

 

[lazyboy97o]

I could see him being brought on fully, not just as a consultant. I guess we will see!

Walt Disney Imagineering hires lots of full time consultants so both could be true.

 

[arich35]

They better be adding at least two attractions to AK, any less is a fail IMO

 

[Tha Realest]

They better be adding at least two attractions to AK, any less is a fail IMO

Is it “adding” if one is a reskin and the other merely replaces PE?

 

[arich35]

Is it “adding” if one is a reskin and the other merely replaces PE?

No, they need to add two completely new rides not replacements. There just isn't enough there IMO, adding two solid rides will do that park wonders IMO

 

[GhostHost1000]

They better be adding at least two attractions to AK, any less is a fail IMO

Adding is the key word. Yes some attractions need a redo, but we need additions first. We can’t afford existing attractions out of commission.

 

[yensidtlaw1969]

Adding is the key word. Yes some attractions need a redo, but we need additions first. We can’t afford existing attractions out of commission.

AK can afford it in the short term for better occupancy of the facility in the long term.

 

[GhostHost1000]

AK can afford it in the short term for better occupancy of the facility in the long term.

Of all the parks that need more things, AK can’t afford anything down. People are already opting to not visit AK as much, that would make it even worse for a few years.

 

[the_rich]

It’s not a direct clone of DLs. Animal-related lore.

Even better. The Indy ride in dl does such a great job of evoking the movies imo. All I would want is a different theme.

 

[James Alucobond]

Of all the parks that need more things, AK can’t afford anything down. People are already opting to not visit AK as much, that would make it even worse for a few years.

This park existed without Pandora’s slate of attractions for ages. It’s not ideal, but it can handle it. It has in the past.

 

[Teddybearre]

Of all the parks that need more things, AK can’t afford anything down. People are already opting to not visit AK as much, that would make it even worse for a few years.

The way I’m looking at it is that the only way they can make things better is if they temporarily make things worse. It’ll be rough for the next few years, but we just have to keep in mind that it’s for the benefit of the long term (hopefully)