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

[EricsBiscuit]

A lot of people are saying “because there’s a wait, the attraction’s capacity is being used.” Unfortunately, Dinosaur is often operating at half capacity and still has a short wait, albeit mostly during the late afternoon.

 

[haveyoumetmark]

Yes.

MK is largely thought of as the only fully built out park and I even remember when they were charging more for the non-date-based tickets for it and yet it has about half the number of attractions of Disneyland park.

Still, attraction-wise (not just ride), it would be the only full day park of the four in Florida, even today if wait times were not a factor.

There's something to be said for the animal exhibits in AK, of course, but more and more, it seems they're looking to minimized the actual animal part of Animal Kingdom as they slowly turn it into a theme park sized Adventureland.

Probably in the minority here but all for more theme park and less zoo with Animal Kingdom. To me it feels like the zoo piece is completely sufficient, while the theme park piece needs more work.

I think the rumored new projects are both exciting and fitting. We’ll have a refreshed thrill with Indy and something more relevant and current that the whole family can enjoy (which the park needs more of) with Encanto.

If they intend to extend hours into the evenings again eventually, it makes sense logistically to keep the main animal exhibits in the north/northwest parts of the park, while most of the action and lighting can remain in the south/east/southeast parts of the park. This way, the animals can wind down in the evenings as they have for the last 25 years and the crowds can gradually move to where the nighttime entertainment infrastructure and exits are located.

Yes. Pandora expansion is what I’ve heard.

I thought this was earmarked for an animatronic meet and greet/photo op like the triceratops encounter at IOA, so nothing major unless that’s changed.

 

[JustInTime]

Probably in the minority here but all for more theme park and less zoo with Animal Kingdom. To me it feels like the zoo piece is completely sufficient, while the theme park piece needs more work.

I think the rumored new projects are both exciting and fitting. We’ll have a refreshed thrill with Indy and something more relevant and current that the whole family can enjoy (which the park needs more of) with Encanto.

If they intend to extend hours into the evenings again eventually, it makes sense logistically to keep the main animal exhibits in the north/northwest parts of the park, while most of the action and lighting can remain in the south/east/southeast parts of the park. This way, the animals can wind down in the evenings as they have for the last 25 years and the crowds can gradually move to where the nighttime entertainment infrastructure and exits are located.


I thought this was earmarked for an animatronic meet and greet/photo op like the triceratops encounter at IOA, so nothing major unless that’s changed.

I have heard it’s more than that. I guess we will see!

 

[SaveDinosaur]

They replace to provide new things to keep guests coming back without increases operating costs.

Then they need to cancel Disneyland Forward and start replacing their classic rides instead, since that project will massively expand the number of rides at the resort...

 

[MrPromey]

Universal has had to replace things in their parks due to infrastructure and not owning more land with expansion plots, and has limited shuttered venue spaces. Even then, they have managed to expand a few attractions counts in their limited space without replacing over the decades.

Magic Kingdom and EPCOT have entire shuttered attraction venues/pavilions and are still retheming/replacing rather than expanding.

Heck, they managed to fit Transformers* on a really small footprint by incorporating an elevator system into the ride to allow for a full ride length in a space never intended for that.

From what I understand, they did kind of the same thing with the Secret Life of Pets but with that one, were able to incorporate that more as a ride effect since it's supposed to be going up and around buildings in NY.

Disney could absolutely do more that way, too if they actually had to but they don't. They don't need to tear down old stuff to make new stuff and they don't have to be creative with ride layouts to maximize space usage. We get these redoes of existing attractions utilizing as much of the existing building and ride system as possible, mostly to reduce their costs - not out of any real necessity.

*Not a fan of the Transformers movies or the ride particularly (my son likes the ride) but I can still respect what they pulled off to make that happen where they put it.

 

[celluloid]

Heck, they managed to fit Transformers* on a really small footprint by incorporating an elevator system into the ride to allow for a full ride length in a space never intended for that.

From what I understand, they did kind of the same thing with the Secret Life of Pets but with that one, were able to incorporate that more as a ride effect since it's supposed to be going up and around buildings in NY.

Disney could absolutely do more that way, too if they actually had to but they don't. They don't need to tear down old stuff to make new stuff and they don't have to be creative with ride layouts to maximize space usage. We get these redoes of existing attractions utilizing as much of the existing building and ride system as possible, mostly to reduce their costs - not out of any real necessity.

*Not a fan of the Transformers movies or the ride particularly (my son likes the ride) but I can still respect what they pulled off to make that happen where they put it.

Crazy considering the company is the same one that since the early 60s they were going to need to pull that trick of the Haunted Mansion off to get beyond the berm and into the ride building show space.

 

[Teddybearre]

The way I’m looking at it is that Dinoland is currently the only section that is severely lacking in quality compared the rest of the park. So if they just get that one lesser-quality part of the park rethemed and out of the way first, then all of the park will be up to quality, and any changes to AK in the future will just be expansions. We don’t want a situation like Energylandia where they keep making expansions, even though half the park is still ugly and falling apart

 

[celluloid]

The way I’m looking at it is that Dinoland is currently the only section that is severely lacking in quality compared the rest of the park. So if they just get that one lesser-quality part of the park rethemed and out of the way first, then all of the park will be up to quality, and any changes to AK in the future will just be expansions. We don’t want a situation like Energylandia where they keep making expansions, even though half the park is still ugly and falling apart

That is a nice way to think of it.

I don't think that was executives thought as they have let it rot and completely torn down an attraction in the middle of it.

If they are only starting with Dinoland, it will be five years before anything else gets touched, and Rafiki and other things need attention.

Zootopia has also been announced to be going in Tough to be a Bug, so there will be quite an ugly mess.

 

[haveyoumetmark]

And it hurts the park for the two or three years it will take.

The theme itself is so out of touch. Adventure is the only rough connection. Indy had some opposite conservation messages in those stories as they were not anywhere close to the focus.

Dinosaur has one of the highest attendance numbers in the park, so the unpopular thing people want to think is odd.

I have loved Dinosaur since it’s been sponsored by McDonald’s. It’s beloved friend group lore, we quote it all the time… right, left, right, left; that’s proprietary; look who made it back with us; one dino extra large (which seems to not be there anymore); heeeeeeeeello there; at least this one’s a vegetarian; carnatorous; not our dino; we’re not gonna make it, we’re not gonna make it; etc. Jaws is the only other ride I can think of that comes close.

That being said, in its current iteration, it’s extremely outdated and doesn’t resonate with the modern guest anymore (only Disney has this data but we can infer). The preshow, the audio, the sparse show scenes, the aesthetic and appearance of the ‘Back to the Future‘ esque loading zone, the inaccurate depiction of dinosaurs, etc. I personally love it, and it sucks to lose, but in the grand scheme, it will likely be a major improvement. Indy is considered the pinnacle of this kind of attraction and a sustained guest favorite at DLR since its inception.

 

[TheCoasterNerd]

Was that confirmed anywhere?

https://twitter.com/imagineer_wife/status/1770124389482443200?s=46&t=HLYmTx5ynwpZ0f3R4bnAKg

 

[Disstevefan1]

IF they ever start this it will take them 5 or 6 years to complete from the time they actually start, not counting the one or two years they talk about it.

 

[celluloid]

I have loved Dinosaur since it’s been sponsored by McDonald’s. It’s beloved friend group lore, we quote it all the time… right, left, right, left; that’s proprietary; look who made it back with us; one dino extra large (which seems to not be there anymore); heeeeeeeeello there; at least this one’s a vegetarian; carnatorous; not our dino; we’re not gonna make it, we’re not gonna make it; etc. Jaws is the only other ride I can think of that comes close.

That being said, in its current iteration, it’s extremely outdated and doesn’t resonate with the modern guest anymore (only Disney has this data but we can infer). The preshow, the audio, the sparse show scenes, the aesthetic and appearance of the ‘Back to the Future‘ esque loading zone, the inaccurate depiction of dinosaurs, etc. I personally love it, and it sucks to lose, but in the grand scheme, it will likely be a major improvement. Indy is considered the pinnacle of this kind of attraction and a sustained guest favorite at DLR since its inception.

Yes, it always goes back to upkeep more than anything else.

But again, that is Disney's issue, not a reason that automatically makes Indy a good retheme.

DL's Indy is a great attraction, but it has not been in the upkeep that made it world renowned for a long time either.

And all the money to get what is coming to a version lesser than DL's would be better spent somewhere else.

 

[Gusey]

All this talk about Rafiki's Planet Watch reminded me that RPW was permanently closed between October 2018 and July 2019. Then the whole land reopened in 2019 so they could add the Animation Experience with Fastpass (Now Genie+)

Rafiki's Planet Watch to permanently close in October

The educational center and petting zoo at Disney's Animal Kingdom is closing next month.

www.wdwmagic.com

Date set for reopening of Rafiki's Planet Watch along with new Animation Experience

The Animation Experience at Conservation Station will be one of the new offerings opening this July.

www.wdwmagic.com

 

[Teddybearre]

I have loved Dinosaur since it’s been sponsored by McDonald’s. It’s beloved friend group lore, we quote it all the time… right, left, right, left; that’s proprietary; look who made it back with us; one dino extra large (which seems to not be there anymore); heeeeeeeeello there; at least this one’s a vegetarian; carnatorous; not our dino; we’re not gonna make it, we’re not gonna make it; etc. Jaws is the only other ride I can think of that comes close.

That being said, in its current iteration, it’s extremely outdated and doesn’t resonate with the modern guest anymore (only Disney has this data but we can infer). The preshow, the audio, the sparse show scenes, the aesthetic and appearance of the ‘Back to the Future‘ esque loading zone, the inaccurate depiction of dinosaurs, etc. I personally love it, and it sucks to lose, but in the grand scheme, it will likely be a major improvement. Indy is considered the pinnacle of this kind of attraction and a sustained guest favorite at DLR since its inception.

I definitely agree with this. When Dinosaur was built, it was designed to be a “modern” attraction, with modern being by 90’s standards. Obviously we’re not in the 90’s anymore, so the attraction feels like something ripped out from that era and not a modern 2020’s museum. Even if they were to modernize Dinosaur to fit today’s standards, it’s just going to cause a Tomorrowland problem, and guests in 2046 will just be saying “ew this attraction feels too 2020’s.”

An Indiana Jones retheme would work better because the fact it’s themed to an ancient temple that’s intentionally made to look incredibly old will make the attraction a lot more timeless, and will require far less renovations in the long run. It’s a win for us guests, and it’s a win for Disney

 

[celluloid]

I definitely agree with this. With Dinosaur was built, it was designed to be a “modern” attraction, with modern being by 90’s standards. Obviously we’re not in the 90’s anymore, so the attraction feels like something ripped out from that era and not a modern 2020’s museum. Even if they were to modernize Dinosaur to fit today’s standards, it’s just going to cause a Tomorrowland problem, and guests in 2046 will just be saying “ew this attraction feels too 2020’s.”

An Indiana Jones retheme would work better because the fact it’s themed to an ancient temple that’s intentionally made to look incredibly old will make the attraction a lot more timeless, and will require far less renovations in the long run. It’s a win for us guests, and it’s a win for Disney

I wish we could go back to 1998 standards. Indy would be better then too.

 

[osian]

I definitely agree with this. When Dinosaur was built, it was designed to be a “modern” attraction, with modern being by 90’s standards. Obviously we’re not in the 90’s anymore, so the attraction feels like something ripped out from that era and not a modern 2020’s museum. Even if they were to modernize Dinosaur to fit today’s standards, it’s just going to cause a Tomorrowland problem, and guests in 2046 will just be saying “ew this attraction feels too 2020’s.”

An Indiana Jones retheme would work better because the fact it’s themed to an ancient temple that’s intentionally made to look incredibly old will make the attraction a lot more timeless, and will require far less renovations in the long run. It’s a win for us guests, and it’s a win for Disney

So buidling attractions that are based in the past is the way to go? Sort of goes against the concept of recent Disney movie IP. Also, aren't dinosaurs about as far back as you can go? Why would an IJ ride built to modern standards but made to look old not age as much as a dinosaur ride built to modern standards but made to look old? You're making the classic mistake in thinking that to renovate an attraction it has to change theme.

 

[MagicHappens1971]

IF they ever start this it will take them 5 or 6 years to complete from the time they actually start, not counting the one or two years they talk about it.

I don’t think Disney will spread the costs of this project out. They can work quickly when they choose to. This could open Spring 2026 if they hustle

 

[Andrew25]

I don’t think Disney will spread the costs of this project out. They can work quickly when they choose to. This could open Spring 2026 if they hustle

Not sure about Spring, but late 2026 is more than plausible for this project. I know Disney is slow, but if Universal can build projects at a faster pace, Disney can too.

Transformers, was built in less than a year at UOR. Now that Disney has gone over the hump of Disney+ burning cash, I'd imagine things will loosen up for the parks division to go crazy fast.

Bob returned in Nov 2022, I'd imagine he's had a full year now to implore the parks to consider expansions and get things moving.

 

[Skibum1970]

Not sure about Spring, but late 2026 is more than plausible for this project. I know Disney is slow, but if Universal can build projects at a faster pace, Disney can too.

Transformers, was built in less than a year at UOR. Now that Disney has gone over the hump of Disney+ burning cash, I'd imagine things will loosen up for the parks division to go crazy fast.

Bob returned in Nov 2022, I'd imagine he's had a full year now to implore the parks to consider expansions and get things moving.

Probably depends completely on where they are on developing the concept. If they don't have the concept fully developed, they cannot start construction (a guess not knowledgable). @lazyboy97o is much more well-versed on this than I ever will be.

 

[celluloid]

Not sure about Spring, but late 2026 is more than plausible for this project. I know Disney is slow, but if Universal can build projects at a faster pace, Disney can too.


Bob returned in Nov 2022, I'd imagine he's had a full year now to implore the parks to consider expansions and get things moving.

I don't know. Bob from 2008 to 20019 proves he does not really have that kind of mentality for the parks.