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

[Mike S]

From what I’ve heard, Dinoland should be closed next year. Maybe the new South/Central American land will open in 2027/2028?

If that’s the case it lines up with the rumors of when the Zelda replacement for Lost Continent at IoA could potentially open.

 

[FettFan]

Indiana Jones and the Temple of Time

Deep in the Central American rainforest, a recently-unearthed temple is mystifying locals and archeologists alike. The temple's insertion l interior has been set up as a makeshift museum to share their recent discovery. Along with the usual paintings and artifacts, the temple's corridors are lined with the monsters of a prehistoric age. The artwork depicts natives interacting with the ancient beasts, demonstrating some sort of time-bending cooperative civilization. In the main chamber, historians discovered a complete Carnotaurus fossil... standing majestically behind an alter covered in time-worn offerings. On this alter rests a tall pedestal... a display whose prize jewel appears to be missing. The locals have long heard their elders tell stories of an enchanted stone - said to be a raw emerald three times the size of a man's head - that allowed their ancestors to cross timelines and live amongst dinosaurs.

Brought in to assist the local scientists, Indiana Jones journeys deep into the so-called Temple of Time in search of the emerald. An elder tribesman warns up as he begins his exploration that finding the emerald just might be the beginning of this journey, not the end. Once the emerald is found and restored to its proper place, the timelines again cross and the prehistoric world starts to blend with the current. With no balance between man and nature, the timelines cannot settle. Can Indiana Jones survive this encounter with ancient beasts and restore order and balance to the temple? Ride along to find out.

See? It wouldn't be *that* hard to make it all work.

After the failure of “Dial of Destiny”, I think it’s wise to prevent Indiana Jones from doing any more time travel stories.

 

[FettFan]

It’s a mistake regardless. Dinosaurs deserve a permanent spot at Animal Kingdom.

Disney can present actual dinosaurs, which is something that *that other* franchise doesn’t do.

I mean, have you SEEN the newest recreations of Dilophosaurus?

 

[ToTBellHop]

After the failure of “Dial of Destiny”, I think it’s wise to prevent Indiana Jones from doing any more time travel stories.

I imagine they’ll stick with a ~40-year old Indy. No Grandpa Jones.

 

[danlb_2000]

So what are our expectations here? No closure date has been announced for DINOSAUR, logic would tell me that Country Bears, Test Track and DINOSAUR should all close in January, but I suspect none of that will happen.

My expectation is that Disney has no clue what they really want to do in AK and will tease something totally different at next year's D23.

 

[neo999955]

From what I’ve heard, Dinoland should be closed next year. Maybe the new South/Central American land will open in 2027/2028?

Seems so crazy to leave AK without one of their few major attractions for that long. I would hope they'd build the new Encanto ride and redo that area while Dino is open and then retheme Dino. I guess maybe it's too much work/extra money to split it up like that, but how awful for the park for 2-4 years.

 

[ToTBellHop]

Seems so crazy to leave AK without one of their few major attractions for that long. I would hope they'd build the new Encanto ride and redo that area while Dino is open and then retheme Dino. I guess maybe it's too much work/extra money to split it up like that, but how awful for the park for 2-4 years.

Operationally, and given the apparent scope of the plans, it would be better to close off the entire land and do it all at once. Whenever they are ready to commit those $100s of millions…

 

[doctornick]

Operationally, and given the apparent scope of the plans, it would be better to close off the entire land and do it all at once. Whenever they are ready to commit those $100s of millions…

It would be better to add another ride to Pandora ASAP and then close Dinoland after adding that capacity.

 

[Rich Brownn]

That's a good one, and I guess Dinosaur opened before the movie Dinosaur came out

Animal Kingdom opened April 22, 1998. "A Bugs Life" didn't come out until November, 1998

 

[WaltsTreasureChest]

Im glad the dinorama is going away. Seemed too cheap.

 

[jpinkc]

Seems so crazy to leave AK without one of their few major attractions for that long. I would hope they'd build the new Encanto ride and redo that area while Dino is open and then retheme Dino. I guess maybe it's too much work/extra money to split it up like that, but how awful for the park for 2-4 years.

I think you are thinking Uni time scale this is TWDC it will take 10-12 years

 

[KingMickey13]

Operationally, and given the apparent scope of the plans, it would be better to close off the entire land and do it all at once. Whenever they are ready to commit those $100s of millions…

Seems so crazy to leave AK without one of their few major attractions for that long. I would hope they'd build the new Encanto ride and redo that area while Dino is open and then retheme Dino. I guess maybe it's too much work/extra money to split it up like that, but how awful for the park for 2-4 years.

It’s true that Animal Kingdom needs more attractions open, not less, but I just can’t see Disney keeping Dinosaur open much longer.

 

[FettFan]

I imagine they’ll stick with a ~40-year old Indy. No Grandpa Jones.

No no no. Grandpa Jones goes to CBJ.

 

[FettFan]

My expectation is that Disney has no clue what they really want to do in AK and will tease something totally different at next year's D23.

Given their cost-cutting track record, it wouldn’t surprise me if they were to decide to get rid of all the actual animals at Animal Kingdom in favor of IP expansion.

Kilimanjaro Safaris will be leveled to make way for a fully fleshed out Zootopia, the rest of Africa will be all transformed into Lion King Land with two additional theaters for extra stage show performances.
And every part of Asia that isn’t Everest will become Robin Hood Land.

 

[RSoxNo1]

Given their cost-cutting track record, it wouldn’t surprise me if they were to decide to get rid of all the actual animals at Animal Kingdom in favor of IP expansion.

Kilimanjaro Safaris will be leveled to make way for a fully fleshed out Zootopia, the rest of Africa will be all transformed into Lion King Land with two additional theaters for extra stage show performances.
And every part of Asia that isn’t Everest will become Robin Hood Land.

I sincerely hope no one at Disney is reading this post and honestly request that Steve delete it for fear of this actually happening.

 

[Disgruntled Walt]

And every part of Asia that isn’t Everest will become Robin Hood Land.

I'd actually be okay with this

 

[FettFan]

I sincerely hope no one at Disney is reading this post and honestly request that Steve delete it for fear of this actually happening.

There’s a saying I’ve seen on these boards…
Something about Disney parks turning into what people who hate themed entertainment think amusement parks are supposed to be.

Just wait until they have “Haunted Hollywood Nights” at DHS with Toy Story, Star Wars, and Indiana Jones mazes.

 

[lazyboy97o]

I sincerely hope no one at Disney is reading this post and honestly request that Steve delete it for fear of this actually happening.

Leaving it up is the best way to keep it from happening. Disney’s afraid of being accused of stealing an idea.

 

[DKampy]

So what are our expectations here? No closure date has been announced for DINOSAUR, logic would tell me that Country Bears, Test Track and DINOSAUR should all close in January, but I suspect none of that will happen.

My gut is telling me the Zootopia show in the Tree of life will come first probably 2025 sometime… that way they will have something new to promote before closing Dinosaur… Then Indiana jones will open first in that section( sometime In 2026)as it will be the easiest to do as already having the track and ride system in place as well having a template to follow in the Disneyland version… with the rest of South America opening 2027/2028… that way they will also have something new to promote every year within the first few years of Epic Universals opening

 

[Andrew25]

Not sure if this has been brought up earlier, but I'm a bit interested/worried about how the closure of Restaurantosaurus will impact other dining locations at DAK. At the moment, it's 1 of 2 "safe" options for families that may not be interested in the more "exotic" venues at DAK. I'd assume it would be converted to feature Latin-inspired food... so where do the nuggets, burgers, and fries go? Seems like every WDW park needs at least one standard venue. Harambe Market maybe as it is pretty underutilized?

I'd hate for Flame Tree's menu to be impacted by it as that's the closest QSR location and centrally located.