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

[Cmdr_Crimson]

I rode DINOSAUR and everything appeared to be working. I forgot how much I enjoyed it. I really hope they find a way to keep it.

There was this video that popped up show that the Carno's were just not into it. Especially the one where you get your photo taken..

 

[RSoxNo1]

Tagging @lentesta in this thread (instead of just the Epic Universe thread). Len, on your latest show you mentioned for the second time that you didn't think Animal Kingdom was the next park to get attention. Do you know something we don't about the timeline of Tropical Americas? Has that already been put on the back burner?

 

[lentesta]

Tagging @lentesta in this thread (instead of just the Epic Universe thread). Len, on your latest show you mentioned for the second time that you didn't think Animal Kingdom was the next park to get attention. Do you know something we don't about the timeline of Tropical Americas? Has that already been put on the back burner?

I could be wrong. But yeah, what I've heard is MK and HS are the focus.

This is all off the top of my head, so help me clarify my thinking here.

The thing I don't know is whether the strategy Disney's betting on is:

1. Add to already-popular parks -or-
2. Add to less-popular parks

Strategy #1 seems to make sense if Disney sees a need to get people in the door. So if surveys say "I'm not coming because there's nothing new", even after everything that's been added to EPCOT, then adding to MK makes sense. Lots of people think WDW === MK.

Strategy #2 seems to make sense if they need to get people to stay longer. Like, people are coming, but they're only going to 2 parks instead of 3 or 4.

I mention strategy #2 because I recently got an email asking for advice about G+. When I asked for details about the trip, the response was "We're doing 2 days at MK, 1 at EP, and 1 at HS."

I would love to see how many people are skipping AK like that. And this person has a 2-BR at BLT for a week. They have the money and the time.

 

[doctornick]

I could be wrong. But yeah, what I've heard is MK and HS are the focus.

Well, that's interesting if true. We already know that "Beyond Thunder Mountain" is a potential thing and there's also the new talk about maybe doing something at SGE.

But any ideas what (and where) is being considered for DHS? I personally feel like redoing all of Animation courtyard including taking out the old animation building and connecting it to the RNR area is the right play but I'm curious as to Disney's thoughts.

I also think there's no way they should close Dinoland USA down unless they add rides elsewhere first (*cough* Pandora) to compensate for potential lost capacity.

 

[ᗩLᘿᑕ ✨ ᗩζᗩᗰ]

Well, that's interesting if true. We already know that "Beyond Thunder Mountain" is a potential thing and there's also the new talk about maybe doing something at SGE.

But any ideas what (and where) is being considered for DHS? I personally feel like redoing all of Animation courtyard including taking out the old animation building and connecting it to the RNR area is the right play but I'm curious as to Disney's thoughts.

I also think there's no way they should close Dinoland USA down unless they add rides elsewhere first (*cough* Pandora) to compensate for potential lost capacity.

Orlando still likes the idea of Carsland/ RSR but they're hesitant on pulling the trigger just yet, unless things changed. But it could be somethings else entirely.

For them to circle back to DHS makes me think MMRR wasn't the draw they had hoped.

 

[doctornick]

Orlando still likes the idea of Carsland/ RSR but they're hesitant on pulling the trigger just yet, unless things changed. But it could be somethings else entirely.

Hmmm. We are assuming that would go in DHS (where it makes the most sense), right? I'd have no problem with adding and it would be a good addition in terms of that park's needs if they could make it fit, but my biggest gripe would be the redundancy of Mater's with Alien Saucers.

 

[J4546]

my biggest gripe would be that cloning lands in FL and CA gives people on each coast less of a reason to visit the other coast. I love carsland but keep it in CA and keep Avatar in FL.

 

[Bocabear]

I would gladly trade Avatar for Carsland...
but we all know if they actually decided to build Carsland in Florida they would put it in Adventureland or Animal Kingdom....lol

 

[bmr1591]

I'd personally prefer something unique and creative. I'm really surprised they haven't revisited the old Silly Symphonies dark ride idea they had decades ago. I guess it isn't relevant enough today, but it would fit perfectly in Animation Courtyard.

 

[bmr1591]

I would gladly trade Avatar for Carsland...
but we all know if they actually decided to build Carsland in Florida they would put it in Adventureland or Animal Kingdom....lol

"In this brand new land, you'll learn about how to conserve fuel during your adventures, and see the disastrous effects cars can have on the environment."

It's just a Lightning McQueen M&G.

 

[lentesta]

Well, that's interesting if true. We already know that "Beyond Thunder Mountain" is a potential thing and there's also the new talk about maybe doing something at SGE.

But any ideas what (and where) is being considered for DHS? I personally feel like redoing all of Animation courtyard including taking out the old animation building and connecting it to the RNR area is the right play but I'm curious as to Disney's thoughts.

I also think there's no way they should close Dinoland USA down unless they add rides elsewhere first (*cough* Pandora) to compensate for potential lost capacity.

I think Animation Courtyard is a good thing to focus on. I've heard "Monsters, Inc" for the area, including some version of the long-rumored coaster.

 

[lazyboy97o]

Orlando still likes the idea of Carsland/ RSR but they're hesitant on pulling the trigger just yet, unless things changed. But it could be somethings else entirely.

For them to circle back to DHS makes me think MMRR wasn't the draw they had hoped.

The problem with Disney’s Hollywood Studios is that it seriously lacks capacity. It cannot be more of a draw because there is no room to put people. More than any other park it needs filler.

 

[JohnD]

I could be wrong. But yeah, what I've heard is MK and HS are the focus.

This is all off the top of my head, so help me clarify my thinking here.

The thing I don't know is whether the strategy Disney's betting on is:

1. Add to already-popular parks -or-
2. Add to less-popular parks

Strategy #1 seems to make sense if Disney sees a need to get people in the door. So if surveys say "I'm not coming because there's nothing new", even after everything that's been added to EPCOT, then adding to MK makes sense. Lots of people think WDW === MK.

Strategy #2 seems to make sense if they need to get people to stay longer. Like, people are coming, but they're only going to 2 parks instead of 3 or 4.

I mention strategy #2 because I recently got an email asking for advice about G+. When I asked for details about the trip, the response was "We're doing 2 days at MK, 1 at EP, and 1 at HS."

I would love to see how many people are skipping AK like that. And this person has a 2-BR at BLT for a week. They have the money and the time.

I'm going on a trip in March with a FR family of three. They purchased the 3-Day Disney Thrills ticket and are definitely doing MK and HS each on a separate day. They'll polling their 8 year old son on the remaining park. The mother isn't too keen on AK. It's a "zoo". I think they're leaning Epcot. Besides, you can stay all day in Epcot. Not so AK, even if you're not going park commando and are diligent about doing the shows and walking trails.

I don't know the Disney strategy, but AK needs to build out its Tropical Americas and do other things to make it an all day park.

 

[doctornick]

I think Animation Courtyard is a good thing to focus on. I've heard "Monsters, Inc" for the area, including some version of the long-rumored coaster.

Interesting. It would be a decent enough idea but the big thing IMHO would be making sure it add enough new attractions. Whatever things get added to DHS need to add another 3 attractions at least (and this is with retaining everything already there).

I'd rather they go with a more generic option like "Toontown" that could utilize multiple different IPs, but if they go with Monsters, they need to figure out multiple rides to put there.

 

[doctornick]

I don't know the Disney strategy, but AK needs to build out its Tropical Americas and do other things to make it an all day park.

They need to add stuff elsewhere (another ride in Pandora and one more in either Africa or Asia) then close Dinoland for Tropical Americas while also opening up a new nighttime show in the waterside theater.

DAK really can't afford to close anything down given its capacity.

 

[Disgruntled Walt]

I would guess that the Cars Land of DHS would be significantly smaller, probably only including RSR if anything. Let's check sizes...

As you can see, RSR itself is actually larger than the space they have at DHS. I'm assuming if they did this they would have to rearrange things backstage a bit at DHS. But there's basically no way we are getting an entire Cars Land over there.

 

[JohnD]

They need to add stuff elsewhere (another ride in Pandora and one more in either Africa or Asia) then close Dinoland for Tropical Americas while also opening up a new nighttime show in the waterside theater.

DAK really can't afford to close anything down given its capacity.

I'm fine with whatever order they do it in. Yours makes sense.

 

[bmr1591]

I think Animation Courtyard is a good thing to focus on. I've heard "Monsters, Inc" for the area, including some version of the long-rumored coaster.

Just ditch the 'Toy Story Land' sign and make a Pixar Studios land, make the left side a LucasFilms land, make Animation Courtyard a Disney Animation land, and let Sunset Blvd be a Golden Era land.

 

[Disgruntled Walt]

I think Animation Courtyard is a good thing to focus on. I've heard "Monsters, Inc" for the area, including some version of the long-rumored coaster.

Fascinating, that's the first I've heard of the Door Coaster being at all alive in a very long time. I do know for a fact that the old plans still exist at WDI (haven't seen them, but I know someone who has).

 

[doctornick]

I would guess that the Cars Land of DHS would be significantly smaller, probably only including RSR if anything. Let's check sizes...

View attachment 765926View attachment 765927
View attachment 765928
As you can see, RSR itself is actually larger than the space they have at DHS. I'm assuming if they did this they would have to rearrange things backstage a bit at DHS. But there's basically no way we are getting an entire Cars Land over there.

I would be shocked - and extremely disappointed - if they were reworking the Animation Courtyard area and didn't build into the substantial (backstage) land just north of what you are depicting which has buildings that could easily be torn down and their functions moved. they need to connect Animation Courtyard with the RNR are for better flow in the park.