Festival of the Lion King moving to Africa

[wolf359]

I would hate to see the animals around the tree of life go as well, but I would be shocked if 10% of the people that go into AK even know they exist.

I'd hate to see them go too, but if this is a "moved, not REmoved" situation it could be a positive change in the long run. If creating a new land and adding some kind of "nighttime spectacular" is what it takes to make Animal Kingdom a late-night park I'm all for it.

 

[GiveMeTheMusic]

That's nothing compared to the animal exhibits Rhode wants to remove from around the Tree of Life. These have NOT been scheduled and may never happen; but he is walking through DAK with an entourage, pointing out what he wants to be removed, relocated, etc.—especially now that they've been testing nighttime lasers and lighting for about three months.

Does that mean a nighttime show is imminent?

 

[SirLink]

I seriously laughed when it said on the blog that the new theatre would open 2014. LOL. Disney would make a snail look fast.

 

[Hobbes130]

Dumb question guys, but save me reading all 34 pages, I see that Disney have now confirmed that FOTLK is moving to Africa and opens in 2014.

Is the show still operating in it's current location?

We are going to be there in Dec this year and wondered if we can still see it....

 

[tirian]

I would hate to see the animals around the tree of life go as well, but I would be shocked if 10% of the people that go into AK even know they exist.

The entrance will probably be significantly reworked, and the animals will be relocated, not removed.

This is only IF the current plans that AREN'T finalized go through. The goal is to create a night show viewing area that doesn't disturb animals. Rumors have swirled for years, but now the tests and preliminary plans are actually happening.

 

[tirian]

I seriously laughed when it said on the blog that the new theatre would open 2014. LOL. Disney would make a snail look fast.

Especially since it's well underway! Maybe all the fast contractors are at that other resort up I-4?

 

[Bolna]

The entrance will probably be significantly reworked, and the animals will be relocated, not removed.

This is only IF the current plans that AREN'T finalized go through. The goal is to create a night show viewing area that doesn't disturb animals. Rumors have swirled for years, but now the tests and preliminary plans are actually happening.

So that would affect the Oasis as well? I think this is one of the most beautiful spots of the park and does set the mood for everything that is beyond it. Makes you feel like you are really leaving the real world behind you when you enter the park.

 

[danlb_2000]

Dumb question guys, but save me reading all 34 pages, I see that Disney have now confirmed that FOTLK is moving to Africa and opens in 2014.

Is the show still operating in it's current location?

We are going to be there in Dec this year and wondered if we can still see it....

Yes, it is still open in it's current location.

 

[Wikkler]

Original reports said September 2013...
How hilarious that is...

 

[SirLink]

Especially since it's well underway! Maybe all the fast contractors are at that other resort up I-4?

Nah personally I think that BoD would not rather share any profits on F+B or Merch in any expansion or improvement of DAK. So they are delaying clearing the Avatar site to the point JC just gives up - so Disney doesn't have to pay him or Fox any money for ending said contract.

 

[ToTBellHop]

So that would affect the Oasis as well? I think this is one of the most beautiful spots of the park and does set the mood for everything that is beyond it. Makes you feel like you are really leaving the real world behind you when you enter the park.

I would be very sad to see the Oasis go, but it's inevitable if there is a nighttime show. Far too dark, too narrow, and too windy for people exiting en masse at night. Still, it would be sad to see such a beautiful area go. It would be possible to set up a large bypass if they got rid of Rainforest Cafe that would allow them to keep much of the Oasis...not that I'm suggesting this is in any way the plan (I'm sure it isn't).

Nah personally I think that BoD would not rather share any profits on F+B or Merch in any expansion or improvement of DAK. So they are delaying clearing the Avatar site to the point JC just gives up - so Disney doesn't have to pay him or Fox any money for ending said contract.

And the conspiracy theories continue...

 

[Hobnail Boot]

This caught my eye:

Wes – The new theater is being constructed west of the existing Harambe Village in Africa. When complete, you’ll see it to the left as you cross the bridge into the Africa section of the park.

Since you can see it from the bridge, I hope that means the theater will have appropriate themeing for Africa. That's one of the things I've been worried about with this move.

 

[ToTBellHop]

This caught my eye:

Since you can see it from the bridge, I hope that means the theater will have appropriate themeing for Africa. That's one of the things I've been worried about with this move.

Of course, Disney finds this to be sufficient, so we'll see:

 

[Hobnail Boot]

Of course, Disney finds this to be sufficient, so we'll see:

That's what worries me...

 

[willtravel]

That's nothing compared to the animal exhibits Rhode wants to remove from around the Tree of Life. These have NOT been scheduled and may never happen; but he is walking through DAK with an entourage, pointing out what he wants to be removed, relocated, etc.—especially now that they've been testing nighttime lasers and lighting for about three months.

That surprises me. Such good work, why change? Just for space?

edit: Never mind read further

 

[ToTBellHop]

That surprises me. Such good work, why change? Just for space?

Because this would be dangerous at night with 10000 people trying to get out.

 

[Horizonsfan]

This caught my eye:

Since you can see it from the bridge, I hope that means the theater will have appropriate themeing for Africa. That's one of the things I've been worried about with this move.

I would have to assume this is going to be a near copy of what was built at HKDL. Lots of African touches throughout covering essentially the same structure from CMM.

 

[Hobnail Boot]

^ That's actually the design I've been hoping for. It's a little more cartoony than Harambe is, but I'm sure they could make the adjustments to make it fit.

These are the best two shots I have of it.

 

[doctornick]

The entrance will probably be significantly reworked, and the animals will be relocated, not removed.

This is only IF the current plans that AREN'T finalized go through. The goal is to create a night show viewing area that doesn't disturb animals. Rumors have swirled for years, but now the tests and preliminary plans are actually happening.

To clarify/inquire:

1. Areas that would be affected include the Oasis and Discovery Island, right? There are trails/animals in both locations.
2. The Disney Hipsters website had this article about a night time show called River of Light with projections on the tree and a parade of floats on the water. Is that the basically what is being tested? Or is it plans for a World of Color type show with fountains and projections onto water?
3. Can you give any more info on how a "viewing area" would be set up? If it is projections onto the Tree, can we assume that the viewing area would be on one side only or would it be "in the round" and viewable from different parts of the park. Is there plans for seating or a theater or would it be expected for people to stand and view.

 

[luv]

I sincerely hope they are not going to turn the best-themed park in Orlando into some kind of miss-mashed hodgepodge park like DHS.

Pull out the Oasis to have a night show? Has Joe Rohde lost his mind?