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

[celluloid]

Hard disagree, while the queue is indeed nicer the main showroom is darker and just generally less impressive. I thought the TDS version felt like a downgrade when I first rode in 2019 and had the same opinion last month.

That's fine. That's fine. The large scene being perpetually wet and effects working was a much better set up than what was not with DL's. I like that the effects worked.

It would be nice if we were even getting that scale for WDW's like the original concept art depicted, but it has since been scaled down so much.

 

[celluloid]

With all this talk of potential closure dates... Obviously there are no guarantees until Disney says something, but insiders: is there a chance Dinosaur might still be open in early 2025? Like, Jan-Feb? Was thinking of making one last one-last-trip; don't wanna buy tickets and book flights/hotel only to find out "surprise, it's closing January 2".

Leapfrogging off this post: I think people are assuming it's gonna end up being a clone of DL/TDS, but given there are apparently aspects of the way the ride is built that would make a "mirror" 1:1 clone impossible, I don't think it will be. The story is different enough that it wouldn't make entirely too much sense to be the same. There's not going to be one big room in the center, for instance, that's closed off in Dinosaur's architecture IIRC.

That said, I would be very surprised if there isn't some boulder reference at some point. If it's not replacing the static jump-scare Carnotaurus, there'll be a screen with Indy running from one while you run into whatever the mythical creature ends up being. I know your post is more about the quality of effects Disney might put in (projections/screens vs. practical), but, I'm just spitballing ideas here.

One thing I wonder... to further differentiate the two rides, is it possible to like, take the ride cars and turn them around? Then it would technically be the same track, but mirrored AND reversed.

Interesting idea. But the design is based on the climax of the finale with that slope the way it is.

I think this will be done to save as much resources including money, as possible and that would defeat the ROI scale.

 

[Karakasa]

Interesting idea. But the design is based on the climax of the finale with that slope the way it is.

I think this will be done to save as much resources including money, as possible and that would defeat the ROI scale.

Mhm, good point on the slope being key to the climax. Just a thought I had!

 

[KDM31091]

With all this talk of potential closure dates... Obviously there are no guarantees until Disney says something, but insiders: is there a chance Dinosaur might still be open in early 2025? Like, Jan-Feb? Was thinking of making one last one-last-trip; don't wanna buy tickets and book flights/hotel only to find out "surprise, it's closing January 2".

Leapfrogging off this post: I think people are assuming it's gonna end up being a clone of DL/TDS, but given there are apparently aspects of the way the ride is built that would make a "mirror" 1:1 clone impossible, I don't think it will be. The story is different enough that it wouldn't make entirely too much sense to be the same. There's not going to be one big room in the center, for instance, that's closed off in Dinosaur's architecture IIRC.

That said, I would be very surprised if there isn't some boulder reference at some point. If it's not replacing the static jump-scare Carnotaurus, there'll be a screen with Indy running from one while you run into whatever the mythical creature ends up being. I know your post is more about the quality of effects Disney might put in (projections/screens vs. practical), but, I'm just spitballing ideas here.

One thing I wonder... to further differentiate the two rides, is it possible to like, take the ride cars and turn them around? Then it would technically be the same track, but mirrored AND reversed.

I’m not an insider but my guess is Dinosaur is safe until spring ish. There’s a lot more work to be done in the carnival area since they’re starting from scratch there. It would make sense to keep Dinosaur open as long as possible. The park needs capacity especially in winter when demand for the river rapids goes down leaving them with even less to do.

 

[rle4lunch]

Hopeful that the new ride will have water effects to do something different than DL Indy w/fire. Think of how many water effects/stunts throughout the series of movies that they could lean on to put in the ride..

 

[celluloid]

Hopeful that the new ride will have water effects to do something different than DL Indy w/fire. Think of how many water effects/stunts throughout the series of movies that they could lean on to put in the ride..

That would be neat but water effects are as hard on theme park attraciton for upkeep(and in most cases more) than fire.

I am putting expectations in check and thinking we are getting dark stone with projections, and some animatronic/animation reskins to be giant snakes.

 

[jannerUK]

I would even hazard with a guess that it might still be there in Summer 2025. They might be looking to keep it at least for the Summer season before accepting Summer 2026 is too late/much and crack on with it

 

[Coaster Lover]

Build an impressive Quetzalcoatl animatronic (not just a reskin of the giant snake animatronic that they have at DL's Indy) and fix the Yeti and the park could have a nice collection of some of the most impressive (both in size and motion) animatronics at any Disney park (Shaman + Yeti + Quetzalcoatl)... though that assumes that both Indy gets an impressive animatronic AND they fix the yeti (and I think we're lucky if we just get one of those two things to happen).

I do hope that the Quetzalcoatl isn't in the final Carnotaurus/Boulder scene and we do get the same boulder scene as Cali. I love the idea of 99% of the ride being new/unique, but that boulder scene is just so iconic (both to the ride in Cali and to the franchise) and such a perfect finale to the experience.

 

[MisterPenguin]

Watch the millions of people who will see this and post how Joe Rohde is awful!!!!!

 

[Starship824]

Watch the millions of people who will see this and post how Joe Rohde is awful!!!!!

Why would they say that?

 

[MisterPenguin]

Why would they say that?

Wait for it...

 

[KDM31091]

I highly doubt the physical effects that make Indiana jones will be included. The real fire, the fog, the “moving backwards” illusion, etc.

I wonder if we will even get the rolling boulder.

Exactly. I don’t put the faith in them to do that. Probably lots of screens. And reskinned existing animatronics.

 

[BrianLo]

Wait for it...

 

[Consumer]

View attachment 818808

I thought that was George Lucas.

 

[Bocabear]

no, he seems to have a chin....

 

[Rich Brownn]

Well millions in advertising and etc will ensure opening years are likely larger in crowds. Also if it has issues of downtime, it will be interesting.
If Disney closed Dinosaur for a year and gave new show scenes and spent millions on promoting it as plussed. We would naturally see some sort of bump as well. Not on the scale of what they are doing but neither the scale of changes either.
For sure the new enhancements will draw people to it. That is more a ROI situation because of course something new and promoted will have novelty and enhancement at the bare minimum.

No matter what the merch sales or spendjng lernguest that rides will make them happier, but it is interesting how all of this was approved as Dial of Destiny showed the legacy alone is not as strong as Disney would hope for continuing.

It is also not equal in that Indy likely costs more to operate, even with so many things broken, Dinosaur has been even more neglected then it.

As you said, unfortunately Countdown to Extinction was solid anchor marquee but did not have supporting nearby to bring people to it.

Success would have bread success.

Besides not meeting expectations, one of the bigger reasons it lost money was its insane budget of nearly $300 million. It would have needed $800 million in grosses to return a profit, something no Jones films could do in this day and age.

 

[celluloid]

Besides not meeting expectations, one of the bigger reasons it lost money was its insane budget of nearly $300 million. It would have needed $800 million in grosses to return a profit, something no Jones films could do in this day and age.

Yeah Disney was hoping...but popular with the public on par with modern theatrical hits of 100 million budget would have been a start.
The thing could did even make 176 million domestic. It should habe been a shoe in for that. They greenlitnthis thinking so. And not a level that a theme park will continue tongive E ticket level attractions in the current exec clomate outside a pandemic box office number.

 

[Marc Davis Fan]

It would be nice if we were even getting that scale for WDW's like the original concept art depicted, but it has since been scaled down so much.

Oh no… you mean the IJA plans have been scaled back compared to what @Moth (I think?) and others heard? So we should no longer be optimistic about this being “the best version” as suggested by insiders here previously?

Disney is aware of Epic Universe, right?

 

[Mike S]

“Scaled down.”

I really just have to laugh at this point. This is already just a ride switcheroo they’re pulling off here for f’s sake. How much more do you possibly need to save.

 

[Touchdown]

Clearly not many of you rode CTX back in the day because if you did, you would know the finale track is exactly the same as IJA because CTX ended with a meteor hurdling towards you. It had the moving (jungle) wall and the big bolder that had lighting and other effects to loook like a metor. The problem was it didn’t really work and instead looked like a slow moving bolder.

If Disney wanted to they could end IJA AK exactly like how the other two end.