Festival of the Lion King moving to Africa

SirLink

Well-Known Member
Agreed. Mysterious Island would be a much more likely option than Beastly Kingdomme if Avatar Land falls through. At least MI is already build elsewhere so the development cost is far less and it was the most recent concept for the CMM space prior to Pandora.

The only reason for them going with MI,I may be slightly off about this,I'm sure Martin will help - was that the ride layouts and attraction systems were already done, and that they could open it up in phases

They just needed to re-theme the rides to be more Mythical in-nature. It wasn't like they were going to add a Lava worm and space sea aliens to the park, especially if Joe had his way.
 

marni1971

Park History nut
Premium Member
The only reason for them going with MI,I may be slightly off about this,I'm sure Martin will help - was that the ride layouts and attraction systems were already done, and that they could open it up in phases

They just needed to re-theme the rides to be more Mythical in-nature. It wasn't like they were going to add a Lava worm and space sea aliens to the park, especially if Joe had his way.
There was indeed potential to open an MI clone in phases. And again, note the theme of some of the land and or rides could have been different to the TDS original to match the DAK theme.
 

RSoxNo1

Well-Known Member
There are plans for north of Kali. I'm not aware of definite plans but the long term proposal is to be able to walk to the Planet Watch area.
From the entrance, that will be one of the longest walks in any park. Using Wikimapia's ruler tool to make estimates, here are some distances (all approximates, trying to follow paths):

Epcot Entrance to The American Adventure: 4487 feet
Animal Kingdom Entrance to Expedition Everest: 2290 feet
Magic Kingdom Entrance to Journey of the Little Mermaid: 2182 feet
Hollywood Studios Entrance to Lights Motors Action: 2135 feet
Epcot Entrance to The American Adventure: 4487 feet
Animal Kingdom Entrance to Rafiki's Planet Watch going through Maharajah Jungle Trek/Plot North of Asia: 3857 feet
 

MerlinTheGoat

Well-Known Member
I know there's already technically a train inside a part of the park to transport guests to the Planet Watch area. But would it be possible to build a different train with a track that goes around a large portion of the perimeter of the entire park ala the Magic Kingdom style parks? I actually think Busch Gardens has a train similar to that (though I don't think it circles the exact perimeter in its entirety). Having a train that travels around the park including stops to different areas could be a nice way to alleviate the walking involved, it would work in a thematic sense, and it would be a nice relaxing ride with lots of nice scenery. If done right, I see a lot of potential for a train ride around Animal Kingdom being a legitimately great and fun attraction. Could add considerably more capacity to the park as well.

The main station would be at the entrance of the park (perhaps going overhead the gates like at Magic Kingdom). It would then travel clockwise around the perimeter (either through or around the area that is now CMM). It wouldn't have to go around the entire Kilomanjari Safari area itself, but just travel through general queue area (either overhead or underneath the queue). At that point it would merge with the original route for the Planet Watch train track and travel around the Kali River area, then downwards through the Everest area, and eventually through the Dinoland area. Finally it comes back to the main station. As I said, various stops along the way to key lands around the park.

Is this possible to do? I hate to toot my own horn here but I would love for them to do something like this.
 

RSoxNo1

Well-Known Member
I know there's already technically a train inside a part of the park to transport guests to the Planet Watch area. But would it be possible to build a different train with a track that goes around a large portion of the perimeter of the entire park ala the Magic Kingdom style parks? I actually think Busch Gardens has a train similar to that (though I don't think it circles the exact perimeter in its entirety). Having a train that travels around the park including stops to different areas could be a nice way to alleviate the walking involved, it would work in a thematic sense, and it would be a nice relaxing ride with lots of nice scenery. If done right, I see a lot of potential for a train ride around Animal Kingdom being a legitimately great and fun attraction. Could add considerably more capacity to the park as well.

The main station would be at the entrance of the park (perhaps going overhead the gates like at Magic Kingdom). It would then travel clockwise around the perimeter (either through or around the area that is now CMM). It wouldn't have to go around the entire Kilomanjari Safari area itself, but just travel through general queue area (either overhead or underneath the queue). At that point it would merge with the original route for the Planet Watch train track and travel around the Kali River area, then downwards through the Everest area, and eventually through the Dinoland area. Finally it comes back to the main station. As I said, various stops along the way to key lands around the park.

Is this possible to do? I hate to toot my own horn here but I would love for them to do something like this.
It's possible, but probably not likely. You'd be looking at around 45 minutes round trip. I think if they make the move to a walking path to Rafiki's Planet Watch they may re-do the train so that it could somehow have two tracks that run parallell with the turnaround's being smaller or used on some sort of turntable. Simply put, the current location of the train, Rafiki's Planet Watch, and the Maharajah Jungle Trek make accessing the large area north of Asia more difficult.
 

RSoxNo1

Well-Known Member
It would be a trek, but who's to say there wouldn't be.... Diversions... On the way? Like I said, long term.
I think a better use of that space are long thin queues leading to a nighttime show that's entirely isolated in that location. Another option would be removing/relocating the Maharajah Jungle Trek, expanding Kali River Rapids, and adding another Asia walk through that gives more access to this area.
 

Magenta Panther

Well-Known Member
Until they put in a new land or two with rides this will always be a half day park for my family. It is also the most easily cut for my trip park because we can see most things and be done by 3.

The last 2 times I visited WDW, I skipped AK altogether. Didn't miss it. And I won't be back until A. The yeti is fixed and/or B. There's something else there worth seeing.
 

bstiles

Active Member
Agreed, I was there last week with my family we saw all shows and rides and was done by 3. I think next time I plan my trip for WDW animal kingdom gets the boot in favor of a day at Universal.
 

RSoxNo1

Well-Known Member
The last 2 times I visited WDW, I skipped AK altogether. Didn't miss it. And I won't be back until A. The yeti is fixed and/or B. There's something else there worth seeing.

Agreed, I was there last week with my family we saw all shows and rides and was done by 3. I think next time I plan my trip for WDW animal kingdom gets the boot in favor of a day at Universal.

I applaud you for "voting with your wallet", but personally I would still prefer to go to DAK over DHS or Epcot.
 

themonkeyisthesultan

Well-Known Member
They are moving dirt and clearing the area right now. This will probably take a while because there are a lot of trees on the site.
It's kind of the elephant in the room, they're obviously doing something and pretty much everyone knows what it is, but no one is "officially" saying anything. Just that it's a "guest experience coming to Africa". Nothing is really visible to guests at this point.
 

George

Liker of Things
Premium Member
I can't speak for everyone, but for me, the what and when of what's going into CMM after the theatre moves is the most interesting thing going on at WDW right now.

I applaud you for "voting with your wallet", but personally I would still prefer to go to DAK over DHS or Epcot.

When I'm in the right mood I agree with you. DAK is gorgeous. I can just walk around and enjoy the eye candy. But, I have to be in the right mood. It needs some development.
 

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