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

[SplashJacket]

Huge win. Replacing one of the worst lands in any Disney theme park with likely one of the best in any theme park anywhere.

Finally we can get the flavors of South American food represented in the park, give me some empanadas!

Finally Dinosaur will no longer be a “what we could’ve had” every time we ride it. It’ll finally become the attraction it always should’ve been.

A mystic manor style indoor family attraction is exactly what Animal Kingdom needs.

Everything about this is infinitely better than the actual blue sky they threw out last year.

If you noticed, they glossed over Magic Kingdom, because they don’t have firm plans anywhere, but for Animal Kingdom, they actually clarified what they’re planning to do. Animal Kingdom was always the priority number one and this confirms that. This isn’t the blue sky nonsense of last year and it’s super exciting.

A full South American continent is perfect for Animal Kingdom. New animal exhibits throughout the continent, gorgeous placemaking, and a true upgrade. Perfect, perfect, perfect. Hopefully the area between Indy and Encanto becomes a new animal trail.

 

[No Name]

For what it’s worth, while I think replacing Dinosaur is a poor decision, this year’s blue sky idea is leagues better than last year’s.

Goodbye Dinosaurs. You’re extinct in real life and now also at Walt Disney World. One of the reasons I loved this place as a kid.

Now if only Universal would fix up the River Adventure

I mean maybe Dinosaur will stay, and as a yearly tradition, Disney will spitball a new idea they might possibly consider for the area. What will it be next year? Elemental and Dr Strange?

 

[wdwmagic]

Higher res concept art
https://www.wdwmagic.com/attractions/animal-kingdom/gallery/09sep2023-tropical-americas-encanto-land-concept-art-at-disney's-animal-kingdom.htm

 

[neo999955]

Do we think they'll clone an existing Indy or make something new? It would be neat to have it involve dinosaurs in some way with a new story.

 

[flyerjab]

Have to say I am surprised by this announcement. I was fully expecting more Moana and Zootopia concept art. Nothing cohesive at all about that idea, although some of the Moana area looked good.

This at least is now a more cohesive idea for another land to go along with Africa and Asia. This is a blue sky idea I like much better than last year’s idea. The big IF though is whether or not animals and the concepts of conservation are present or not. Last year’s D23 blue sky chit chat more or less came off as let’s just shove IP here. The fact that this was presented more along the lines of ‘we are adding a South American section to this park’ is way more promising. The Animal component has to be present though. If done with the spirit of the park in mind, this could be great. I mean, if Encanto is a ride, it could almost be similar to Mystic Manor - a house that comes alive as you go through it on tracked vehicles. And Indy would still be a great ride even if the last movie tanked.

This one I am still looking forward to if it continues to track in the direction of a South American section. The food could be great, with some great entertainment offerings also. Again, from an entertainment perspective, Encanto music could be used here also. I got some positivity from this one.

 

[LSLS]

I mean, is this any further along than Moana and zootopia when those were announced last year? I guess I just have very little faith they do any of this, or if they do, it will be completed in my lifetime.

 

[JohnD]

Super mixed feelings. A broad South America land would fit great in AK. I love Indy and I guess Encanto could fit fine.

Why oh why must it replace my beloved Dinosaur though

Indy makes sense though. DINOSAUR will become Indy certainly. It's the same ride track as the Indy ride in DL. Also not surprised by S. America or "Tropical Americas" as they call it. It was pretty much the only area left not represented. We dodged a bullet with Zootopia only being a Tree of. life show, thankfully.

 

[SteamboatJoe]

Higher res concept art
https://www.wdwmagic.com/attractions/animal-kingdom/gallery/09sep2023-tropical-americas-encanto-land-concept-art-at-disney's-animal-kingdom.htm

Looks like the carousel is the current TriceraTop Spin and the building to the right is Restaurantosaurus which means Dinosaur turns into DL's Indy.

EDIT: I wonder if Theater in the Wild is not long for this world with his plan - especially if Casita is an attraction of some sort.

 

[JohnD]

Do we think they'll clone an existing Indy or make something new? It would be neat to have it involve dinosaurs in some way with a new story.

It will be the same track. The DL ride is in India, I think? Isn't the golden idol at the start of Raiders in S. America? They could pull that in.

 

[SteamboatJoe]

I've been wanting to see South America for a while although I unfortunatley can't really see how they get any animal exhibits into this area.

 

[SteamboatJoe]

It will be the same track. The DL ride is in India, I think? Isn't the golden idol at the start of Raiders in S. America? They could pull that in.

Yes, Raiders begins in Peru.

 

[SteamboatJoe]

I wonder what this means for Indy long-term in DHS.

 

[Squishy]

Is the encanto area going to include a trackless ride or only the carousel? The moana flume ride wouldve been a nice new way to cool off...

 

[Mike S]

I wonder what this means for Indy long-term in DHS.

Probably not much. Nemo has had a ride in Epcot and a show in AK for years.

 

[TarzanRocked99-]

I've been wanting to see South America for a while although I unfortunatley can't really see how they get any animal exhibits into this area.

They clearly left the old Dino Discovery Trail area, my hope is that this turns into a small Live Animal Trail

 

[SteamboatJoe]

Probably not much. Nemo has had a ride in Epcot and a show in AK for years.

This artwork makes it look like Nemo may not be there much longer.

 

[Ghost93]

I personally like Dinosaur better than Indiana Jones, but this at least allows them to cohesivally rebrand the area as "South America."

 

[SamusAranX]

IF they can tie Indy into an animal based macguffin, this could work. Like trying to get an extinct animal egg. Big IF though.

Same with Encanto. It needs to relate to the animal kingdom in some way.

I won’t hold my breath. Why oh why can’t they preserve what is arguably the last cohesively themed park behind MK? Why? Otherwise it will become a MK lite with animals.

 

[arich35]

Never been an Indiana Jones fan but do love the ride at Disneyland, and the kids will love Encanto. Hopefully they add at least two rides in addition to the Dinosaur redo.
I just hope this is done before my daughter is 10 (she is currently 4)

 

[jmuboy]

I personally think this is a vast improvement over another Moana area and Zootopia. Hoping for a live animal component as well

I have to agree

South America with a jungle temple Indy reskin of Dinosaur. A casita Encanto attraction. A super realistic village square like Africa and an animal exhibit is 1000 times better than Moana and Zootopia. I know details are vague still. But it is totally an improved idea over the original blue sky