Fixing DAK without Avatar

[IWant2GoNow]

Let me start off by saying that I don't mind the possibility of Avatar coming to DAK so please don't turn this into an Avatar Bash-fest. With a large amount of people unhappy with the idea, I've thought up something to counter that I'm really starting to believe in more & more. Some other ideas could be added or names changed but I just wanted to see what the good folks of WDWMagic had to say. Not that any of this will happen but I think it's at the very least plausible.

To me, Camp Minnie Mickey & the unused land behind it could be split into two smaller lands. Those lands would be "The Americas" & "The Poles".

"The Americas" could combine North & South American animal exhibits & house two attractions. A boat ride themed to Pocahontas with indoor (caves) & outdoor (woods) areas with live animals (bears, raccoons, deer, etc.) to view as you float along, & an Emperor's New Groove attraction of some kind complete with llamas! This also may be a great spot to place a big Up! attraction with a backdrop of Paradise Falls with a ride that takes place inside the cliffs. Of course some animals from the Amazon would accompany. I'm not saying all 3 attractions would fit as "The Americas" would take up all of what is CMM currently. It would need a lot of work to adapt it into this vision.

"The Poles" would be obviously themed to the North & South Poles so that they could display polar bears, penguins, seals, walrus, & maybe even beluga whales. This would take over the empty space behind CMM. I don't feel as though they would need an attraction here as those animals should attract enough attention. Most of this area could be inside a giant ice cave structure which would allow some A/C relief for guests. Heck, the A/C could be the attraction alone!

Over behind Finding Nemo: The Musical they could expand into a small area & make this "Austrailia" put in some koalas, kangaroos, wallabies, & dingos, then top it off with the Crush spinning coaster from Disneyland Paris & you have yourself a full operational park. Enough capacity to allow them to fix the Yeti in Expedition: Everest & a bulk of the special effects in Dinosaur.

Not to mention, they could plan this all out to open up in "stages" & keep something new coming for a few years if they did it right. Thanks for reading! Thoughts?

 

[Omegadiz]

I do like yor ideas quite a lot. I just think that the placement of somethings could be switched. I believe that North America and South America can be two seperate lands tha5 take up all of cmm and its empty plot. NA would have the live forest animals and attrations/spaces themed to pocahontas, brother bear, bambi etc. SA would have its attractions with the falls and have some themes of Kuzco, Up etc. They would together be "the americas" but it would be obvious of the difference rather than all bunched up.

The Poles is a really good idea. I would kind of want to see it around the Nemo theater and its surrounding area so that it can lead to Dinosaur and rid of dino land. (As in The Pole> The Ice Age> Dinosaurs)

Australia, I believe should take up that space between Africa and Asia....though it doesn't make sense geografically those continents have a lot to offer in animals.

 

[Beholder]

I've posted elsewhere, but I truly believe a well designed (big budget), exquisitely themed addition to the dinosaur area should encompass the marine reptiles/prehistoric marine life. It's an overlooked, little understood area of megafauna that is both terrifying and wondrous. I think an attraction, or better yet, an entire pavilion dedicated to the different era's of ocean life would be amazing. Prehistoric sharks, Kronosaurs, trilobites, it's literally endless. Maybe set up like a modern day aquarium, when, you know, in typical Disney fashion, something goes terribly wrong! Or some variation thereof...

 

[Omegadiz]

I've posted elsewhere, but I truly believe a well designed (big budget), exquisitely themed addition to the dinosaur area should encompass the marine reptiles/prehistoric marine life. It's an overlooked, little understood area of megafauna that is both terrifying and wondrous. I think an attraction, or better yet, an entire pavilion dedicated to the different era's of ocean life would be amazing. Prehistoric sharks, Kronosaurs, trilobites, it's literally endless. Maybe set up like a modern day aquarium, when, you know, in typical Disney fashion, something goes terribly wrong! Or some variation thereof...

Well I'm all for an Extinct animals land as I've mentioned on another post. And in order to clear enough space for the Arctic, they could build some façad in the back of Everest and use the pad north-east of the theater. Then, demolish the theater and use it's area and a bi of the area behind it for the ice age. That leaves dinoland to be rethemed and have your marine lizards (lol). I'm not entirely sure about the pavillion and aquarium bc it would seem a little redundant with epcot even though it would be themed a bit different.

 

[Beholder]

Well I'm all for an Extinct animals land as I've mentioned on another post. And in order to clear enough space for the Arctic, they could build some façad in the back of Everest and use the pad north-east of the theater. Then, demolish the theater and use it's area and a bi
of the area behind it for the ice age. That leaves
dinoland to be rethemed and have your marine
lizards (lol). I'm not entirely sure about the
pavillion and aquarium bc it would seem a little
redundant with epcot even though it would be
themed a bit different.

No redundancy. There would absolutely no Nemo and friends!

 

[Omegadiz]

No redundancy. There would absolutely no Nemo and friends!

I'm sorry. When you mentioned the words "pavillion" and "modern day aquarium" my mind automatically thought of the seas. Can you elaborate on what your idea is?

 

[Beholder]

It isn't something I've actually conceptualized in an attraction, but I love the scale and visage of prehistoric marine life. Perhaps a time machine/submarine journey into the depths of both time and the seas. Perhaps even a 20k Nautilus finds it's way into a "lost world" of undersea adventure and peril, jurrassic style? I'm just convinced of the potential that these one time living animals possess. Not sure about the execution yet...

 

[Omegadiz]

I can see a water ride but you would need a new vehichle that's a faster loader and has better views. Do you at least know what level of ride this would be? D-Eticket?

 

[ExtinctJenn]

I actually like your ideas... which (and I swear I'm not trying to be a smart a** here) is a rare thing when I read this kind of post. My only other thought is that since they already have refernces to the unrealized mystical area, it'd be great to see it come to fruition. The parking lot and entrance and a few other spots still have things like Dragons and Unicorns so I'd love to see it happen. I've always thought that the Dinosaur area was the one spot in DAK that was "Fantasy" but from the perspective of realism (Dinosaurs aren't around now but they were). A land truly based on Fantasy could be something Disney could do wonderfully and it'd help to lessen the "it's a zoo" feeling so many guests have when visiting. Of course, technically that's what Avatar is going to be bringing in I suppose.

 

[Beholder]

I can see a water ride but you would need a new vehichle that's a faster loader and has better views. Do you at least know what level of ride this would be? D-Eticket?

E-ticket. And yes, a newer, higher capacity, faster loading vehicle would be needed. But I'm thinking something with AA's on a massive scale, something that pushes the limits of realism and precision motion capability. Think Yeti, but bigger (actual sized) but with a better structural base! I imagine a large, darkride with an almost other-worldly feel.

 

[Omegadiz]

E-ticket. And yes, a newer, higher capacity, faster loading vehicle would be needed. But I'm thinking something with AA's on a massive scale, something that pushes the limits of realism and precision motion capability. Think Yeti, but bigger (actual sized) but with a better structural base! I imagine a large, darkride with an almost other-worldly feel.

Try not to go too "other-worldy"
Now about your AA's thisi attraction would take place under actual water right? Can AAs handle that?

 

[Beholder]

Well, no, not real water. I'm thinking an implied environment. Lighting effects, ride vehicle originated effects, perhaps with elements of real water. I know it's rather vague, but like I said, I've never sat down and engineered this thing. Just a general concept. And by other worldly, I mean being in a different time, different waters inhabited by creatures that might as well be from another world, considering their size and adapted forms.

And when I said pavilion earlier, I'm thinking something that contains an entire array of exhibits. Fossils, interactive displays, some sort of teaching (gasp!) area, and a fully realized store, with books, DVD's, replicas, all pertaining to the theme and concept.

This is all blue sky thinking, pipe dream stuff, but I enjoy imagining the possibilities.

 

[Beholder]

I actually like your ideas... which (and I swear I'm not trying to be a smart a** here) is a rare thing when I read this kind of post. My only other thought is that since they already have refernces to the unrealized mystical area, it'd be great to see it come to fruition. The parking lot
and entrance and a few other spots still have
things like Dragons and Unicorns so I'd love to
see it happen. I've always thought that the
Dinosaur area was the one spot in DAK that was
"Fantasy" but from the perspective of realism
(Dinosaurs aren't around now but they were). A
land truly based on Fantasy could be something
Disney could do wonderfully and it'd help to
lessen the "it's a zoo" feeling so many guests
have when visiting. Of course, technically that's
what Avatar is going to be bringing in I suppose.

Sometimes I wish I'd never heard of the undeveloped BK concept, it just frustrates me. The possibilities are endless, the various cultures around the world (ours, not Pandora!) provide an amazing library to choose from, not just unicorns and (God forbid!) faeries.

I would love to see this concept realized, but I prefer things a bit darker, more sinister. You've got have the fun, cartoonish Disney stuff, but stay true to some of the original source material.

 

[ScorpionX]

Beastly Kingdom. 'Nuff said.

 

[IWant2GoNow]

I do like yor ideas quite a lot. I just think that the placement of somethings could be switched. I believe that North America and South America can be two seperate lands tha5 take up all of cmm and its empty plot. NA would have the live forest animals and attrations/spaces themed to pocahontas, brother bear, bambi etc. SA would have its attractions with the falls and have some themes of Kuzco, Up etc. They would together be "the americas" but it would be obvious of the difference rather than all bunched up.

The Poles is a really good idea. I would kind of want to see it around the Nemo theater and its surrounding area so that it can lead to Dinosaur and rid of dino land. (As in The Pole> The Ice Age> Dinosaurs)

Australia, I believe should take up that space between Africa and Asia....though it doesn't make sense geografically those continents have a lot to offer in animals.

Thanks for your comments! I would enjoy more space for The Americas as I thought up the concept for the Up! attraction as an afterthought so having both those plots would give plenty of space for both continents. I would sacrifice Dinoland USA for The Poles. You could even retheme Dinosaur into a ride about going back in time to see how the Ice Age started. I still feel like Australia should go back behind the Nemo theatre & I will state why below the next quote...

I actually like your ideas... which (and I swear I'm not trying to be a smart a** here) is a rare thing when I read this kind of post. My only other thought is that since they already have refernces to the unrealized mystical area, it'd be great to see it come to fruition. The parking lot and entrance and a few other spots still have things like Dragons and Unicorns so I'd love to see it happen. I've always thought that the Dinosaur area was the one spot in DAK that was "Fantasy" but from the perspective of realism (Dinosaurs aren't around now but they were). A land truly based on Fantasy could be something Disney could do wonderfully and it'd help to lessen the "it's a zoo" feeling so many guests have when visiting. Of course, technically that's what Avatar is going to be bringing in I suppose.

Don't worry. Even if people were to rip my idea to shreds I wouldn't mind. Just curious as to what others thought because for the most part it all seemed fairly plausible (not sure about the belugas though). Once I heard about BK I wondered why it had never come into play, but I think the best placement for this would be the unused space behind Kali River Rapids. There is plenty of space & although it borders KS, I feel like there is enough of a tree line where the noise from the new land would not affect the animals or distract from KS as an attraction.

Typing this full plan out for DAK has made me wonder why they didn't think of it already (and maybe they have?) & put the plans in motion for the next decade or more. They could build a new section every 3 years or so & always have something new coming to DAK. Would also create a lot more jobs. But it's always easier to think this stuff out than to actually do it. Thanks again for everyone's comments!

 

[Omegadiz]

Thanks for your comments! I would enjoy more space for The Americas as I thought up the concept for the Up! attraction as an afterthought so having both those plots would give plenty of space for both continents. I would sacrifice Dinoland USA for The Poles. You could even retheme Dinosaur into a ride about going back in time to see how the Ice Age started. I still feel like Australia should go back behind the Nemo theatre & I will state why below the next quote...

Excuse my ignorance, but I'm not entirely sure why austrailia shouldn't go in the plot between africa and asia. I just feel as is it should be just as big as the other continents and not to mention you can't thematically fit everest next to austrailia even with a façade cover. Can you elaborate a little more?

 

[ZaneB]

as an australian disney fan, I love the idea of an Australia land! I feel reptiles are over looked at DAK and we do have alot I think the main attraction would have to be a boat ride similar to JAWS at universal (but about crocs!)

I always imagined Antarctica being a land as well (still staying with the A pattern) but I feel now it might be considered a copy of Seaworld's new area.

I think a nemo themed land should be built. It could have aquariums, the Nemo musical and Crush Coaster.

 

[alissafalco]

as an australian disney fan, I love the idea of an Australia land! I feel reptiles are over looked at DAK and we do have alot I think the main attraction would have to be a boat ride similar to JAWS at universal (but about crocs!)

I always imagined Antarctica being a land as well (still staying with the A pattern) but I feel now it might be considered a copy of Seaworld's new area.

I think a nemo themed land should be built. It could have aquariums, the Nemo musical and Crush Coaster.

I love all those ideas!! You could have kangaroos, koala bears, & crocs! Forget Avatar old news movie land, it makes no sense...Australia & an underwater/Nemo land would be amazing!!

 

[IWant2GoNow]

Excuse my ignorance, but I'm not entirely sure why austrailia shouldn't go in the plot between africa and asia. I just feel as is it should be just as big as the other continents and not to mention you can't thematically fit everest next to austrailia even with a façade cover. Can you elaborate a little more?

I don't feel you're being ignorant at all, so no worries there. Looking at the aerial maps again, I understand the problem & you are absolutely correct. My initial thought was to build the Crush Coaster on the Everest side of that "land" but I see now that it would not cover up hardly any of it. I'm sure there would be ways to hide it but at what cost? I was also completely forgetting that a river flows between the Nemo theatre & the expansion plot I was thinking of which complicates things even more. Again, not impossible to build a bridge but I believe you are correct in that there is just no room.

I think I was just trying to squeeze in both Australia (which to me is a no brainer) & some sort of mythical creature land. That plot between Africa & Asia has always intrigued my mind as to what would go there. Australia would work just fine there as you said. Where to find room for "BK" though is the next question. Not that I feel it needs a "BK" but just because people seem to be clamoring for it.

 

[Omegadiz]

I loved the Beastly Kingdome concept, but with Potterland around, I always felt that it would seem like the more obvious combat move by Disney. And personally, some of those elements should have been included in FLE (this is the only reason it doesn't sit right with me that Dumbo, tho beautiful, extends out to the north where there should have been a junction to use the land behind the service rode and fle for dragon tower and fantasia gardens)

Back to the point, if it must be built, the Austrailia plot is hugesp you could use half and have a big austrailia and the other half for bk