Mirror Walt Disney World 3.0 – The Definitive Version

[DisneyManOne]

Recap time!

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Disney’s Animal Kingdom​

The Oasis

ATTRACTIONS
1. Conservation Station
2. Affection Section
3. Oasis Animal Exhibits

SHOPPING
1. Garden Gate Gifts
2. Out of the Wild

Discovery Island

ATTRACTIONS
1. Earth
2. Tree of Life Garden
3. Discovery Island Trails
4. Discovery Island Riverboats

DINING
1. Pizzafari
2. Tiffins
3. Flame Tree Barbecue
4. Creature Comforts

SHOPPING
1. Island Mercantile
2. Disney Outfitters
3. Riverside Depot
4. Beastly Bazaar

ENTERTAINMENT
-- Mickey’s Jammin’ Jungle Parade
-- Viva Gaia Street Band
-- The Adventure Begins
-- Tree of Life: Awakenings
-- Winged Encounters: The Kingdom Takes Flight
-- Discovery Island Flotillas
-- DiVine

Beastly Kingdom

ATTRACTIONS
1. Mythic Manor
2. Dragon’s Tower
3. Fantasia Gardens
4. Queen’s Garden Trail
5. Pal-Around Woods
6. Merlin’s Menagerie
7. Beastly Spin
8. Quest for the Unicorn

DINING
1. Heroes’ Tavern

SHOPPING
1. Mother Goose’s Cottage
2. Dragon’s Tower Portrait Studio

Africa

ATTRACTIONS
1. Kilimanjaro Safaris
2. Festival of the Lion King
3. Gorilla Falls Exploration Trail
4. Wildlife Express
5. Tarzan’s Treehouse
6. Discovery Island Riverboats

DINING
1. Tusker House
2. Tamu Tamu Refreshments
3. Dawa Bar
4. Kusafiri Coffee and Bake Shoppe
5. Harambe Market

SHOPPING
1. Mombasa Marketplace and Ziwani Traders
2. Duka La Filimu

ENTERTAINMENT
-- Burudika Band
-- Tam-Tam Drummers of Harambe
-- Harambe Village Acrobats
-- Kora Tinga Tinga

Asia

ATTRACTIONS
1. Journey into the Jungle Book
2. Maharajah Jungle Trek
3. Panda Valley
4. The Great Continent
5. Expedition Everest: Legend of the Forbidden Mountain
6. Discovery Island Riverboats

DINING
1. Yak & Yeti

SHOPPING
1. Anandapur Baajaar
2. Kites and Flights
3. Serka Zong Bazaar

ENTERTAINMENT
-- Anandapur Street Celebration
-- Journey

North America

ATTRACTIONS
1. Nature’s Wonderland
2. Redwood Creek Nature Path
3. Redwood Creek Challenge Trail
4. Pocahontas and Her Forest Friends
5. Our America
6. Bambi: A Life in the Forest
7. Wildlife Express

DINING
1. Johnny Appleseed’s Fruit Cart
2. Klondike Inn
3. Yellow Mountain Coffee House

SHOPPING
1. Redwood Trading Post
2. The Naturalist’s Canvas

ENTERTAINMENT
-- Brother Bear Totem Ceremony

South America

ATTRACTIONS
1. Amazon River Expedition
2. Camp Discovery
3. Amazonia
4. Amazonian Aviators
5. UP Snapshot Safari
6. Wildlife Express

DINING
1. Yucatan Grill

SHOPPING
1. Rainforest Outfitters

ENTERTAINMENT
-- Artists of the Amazon
-- The Great Kapok Tree

Australia

ATTRACTIONS
-- Alkawari --
1. Steve Irwin Conservation Centre
2. Aussie Adventure Trails
3. Discovery Island Riverboats
-- Great Barrier Reef --
4. Finding Nemo: The Musical
5. Crush’s Coaster
6. Jumpin’ Jellyfish
7. Blowfish Balloon Race
8. The Whirlpool
9. Junior Explorers Academy
10. Undersea Life Exhibits
11. Dory’s Tidepool
12. Turtle Talk with Crush

DINING
1. The Yowling Yowie
2. Harbourside Inn
3. Platypus Point

SHOPPING
1. The Outback Showbag
2. Crocodile Mercantile
3. The Golden Wattle
4. The Humpback Whale

ENTERTAINMENT
-- Bugandi
-- Australian Animals

Dinoland, U.S.A.

ATTRACTIONS
1. Countdown to Extinction
2. The Excavator
3. Mammoth Falls
4. The Boneyard
5. Modern Dinosaurs

DINING
1. Restaurantosaurus

SHOPPING
1. The Institute Shop ***

CHARACTER GREETINGS AROUND THE PARK
-- Rafiki, Pocahontas and Jiminy Cricket at Conservation Station
-- Mickey and the Gang throughout Discovery Island
-- Lilo and Stitch near Island Mercantile
-- Characters from Robin Hood and Winnie the Pooh at Pal-Around Woods
-- Merida roaming through Beastly Kingdom and at Pal-Around Woods
-- Rafiki and Timon across from Festival of the Lion King
-- Tarzan, Jane and Terk at Tarzan’s Treehouse
-- Characters from The Jungle Book across from Journey into the Jungle Book
-- Pocahontas, Meeko, Kenai, Koda, Thumper, Miss Bunny, Flik, Atta, Bernard and Bianca in North America
-- The Three Caballeros *** in South America
-- Carl, Russell, Dug and Kevin nearby UP Snapshot Safari

~ ~ ~ ~ ~​

Although this is the recap post, don't think that this will be the final post about Disney's Animal Kingdom (apart from ride-throughs, of course). I still have one more post up my sleeve. The way @PerGron went into detail with his Wild Kingdom inspired me to do a supplemental post: specifically, a natural roll call. Later today, expect to see a complete list of all the species found here at Disney's Animal Kingdom!

 

[DisneyManOne]

Here now are all the creatures you'll be able to find in Walt Disney World's third theme park.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The Animals of Disney’s Animal Kingdom
​

CONSERVATION STATION

• Caiman lizard
• Centipede
• Colorado river toad
• Dart frog
• Fire salamander
• Gopher tortoise
• Green tree python
• Prehensile-tailed skink
• Puerto Rican crested toad
• Scorpion
• Stick insect
• Tarantula
• Tree monitor

AFFECTION SECTION

• Alpaca
• Goat
• Kunekune pig
• Miniature donkey
• Pineywoods cow
• Sheep

THE OASIS

• Fulvous whistling-duck
• Black-bellied whistling-duck
• Marbled duck
• Argentine ruddy duck
• Black stork
• Long-tailed duck
• Northern pintail
• Eurasian white-fronted geese
• North Sulawesi babirusa
• Southern giant anteater
• Military macaw
• Patagovian cavy
• Reeve’s muntjac
• Rhinoceros iguana
• Scarlet macaw
• Roseate spoonbill and African spoonbill
• Swamp wallaby
• Black swan
• Black-necked swan

TREE OF LIFE GARDEN / DISCOVERY ISLAND TRAILS

• Scarlet macaw
• Red-fronted macaw
• Blue-and-gold macaw
• Blue-throated macaw
• Green-winged macaw
• Military macaw
• Hyacinth macaw
• Cotton-top tamarin
• Collared lemur
• Ring-tailed lemur
• Flamingo
• Painted stork
• Saddle-billed stork
• White stork
• African crested porcupine
• Tambaqui
• West African crowned crane
• Aardwolf (Replaced kangaroos when the exhibit moved to Australia)
• Matschie’s tree kangaroo
• Galapagos giant tortoise
• Asian small-clawed otters and spotted-neck otters
• Lappet-faced vulture

QUEEN’S GARDEN TRAIL

• Capercaillie
• Red deer and fallow deer
• Wisent
• European mouflon
• European lynx
• European mink
• European badger
• Mute swan
• Italian wolf
• Reindeer
• Norwegian lemming
• Camargue horse
• Puffin
• Wolverine
• Red fox
• European brown bear
• European rabbit (coney rabbit)
• Western barn owl

KILIMANJARO SAFARIS

• Okapi
• Greater kudu
• Saddle-billed stork
• Sable antelope
• Greater flamingo
• Blue wildebeest
• White-backed wildebeest
• Bontebok
• Thomson’s gazelle
• Common eland
• Yellow-billed stork
• Pink-backed pelican
• Mandrill
• Scimitar oryx
• Bongo
• Waterbuck
• Plains zebra
• Black and white rhinoceroses
• Hippopotamus
• Nile crocodile
• Warthog
• Ostrich
• Cheetah
• African elephant
• Lion
• Spotted hyena
• African wild dog
• Painted dog
• Springbok
• Ankole cattle
• Nigerian dwarf goat

GORILLA FALLS EXPLORATION TRAIL

• Western lowland gorilla
• Grevy’s zebra
• Aardvark
• Hamerkop
• Slender-tailed meerkat
• Naked mole rat
• Sitatunga
• Black-and-white colobus monkey
• Drill monkeys
• Pygmy hippopotamus
• Pygmy goose
• Red-tailed monkeys
• Dumeril’s boa
• Golden weaver
• Great blue turaco
• African bullfrog
• Ornate spiny-tailed lizard
• African cichlid fish
• African pancake tortoise

MAHARAJAH JUNGLE TREK

• Bengal and Sumatran tigers
• Gibbons and macaques
• Orangutans
• Boa constrictors and pythons
• Green peafowl and Indian peafowl
• Blackbuck and gaur
• Malayan flying fox
• Sloth bears
• Eld’s deer, axis deer and sambar
• Bar-headed goose and other Asian birds

PANDA VALLEY

• Giant panda
• Red panda
• Golden, black-and-white, and gray snub-nosed monkeys*
• Northern white-cheeked gibbon*
• Black crested gibbon*
• Hainan black-crested gibbon*
• Northern pig-tailed macaque*
• Tibetan macaque*
• Pangolin*
• Clouded leopards
• Raccoon dog
• Corsac fox
• Water buffalo
• Spotted seal
• Siberian and South China tigers
• Indian elephant
• Chinese water deer and Pere David’s deer

* These animals are found along the queue. In order to get the most use out of a limited space -- remember, this sits where Kali River Rapids sits in our real-life WDW -- smaller animals are found along the queue, while the bigger animals are only visible from the train. In essence, the very queue itself is its own animal trail.​

AMAZONIA

• Giant otter
• Jaguar
• Spectral bat
• Common vampire bat
• Fischer’s little fruit bat
• Agouti
• Red-eyed tree frog
• Poison dart frog
• Surinam horned frog
• Amazon river frog
• Green anaconda
• Annulated tree boa
• Boa constrictor
• Green iguana
• Arrau turtle
• Yellow-footed tortoise
• Common basilisk
• Forest gecko
• Toco toucan
• Yellow-throated toucan
• Green-billed toucan
• Plate-billed mountain toucan
• Aracari
• Scarlet macaw
• Red-and-green macaw
• Blue-and-yellow macaw
• Hyacinth macaw
• King vulture
• Tanager
• Amazon parrot
• Spider monkey
• Harpy eagle
• Llama (outside Camp Discovery)

AMAZON RIVER EXPEDITION

• Cotton-top tamarin
• Pied tamarin
• Golden lion tamarin
• Two-toed sloth
• Three-toed sloth
• Giant anteater
• Howler monkey
• Capybara

NATURE’S WONDERLAND

• North American beaver
• Marmot
• American black bear
• White-tailed deer
• Olympic elk
• Javelina
• Prairie dog
• American desert hare
• Mexican hare
• Coyote
• Bobcat
• American bison
• Cougar

REDWOOD CREEK TRAIL

• Common raccoon
• Virginia opossum
• Black-footed ferret
• American red squirrel
• Fox squirrel
• Eastern chipmunk
• Woodchuck
• American red fox
• Brush rabbit
• Mountain cottontail
• Appalachian cottontail
• New England cottontail
• American pika
• Striped skunk
• Pronghorn
• Grizzly bear (American brown bear)
• Grey wolf
• Spotted salamander
• Marbled salamander
• Blue-spotted salamander
• Tiger salamander
• Rocky Mountain tailed frog
• Giant bullfrog
• Florida bog frog
• Northern leopard frog
• Pacific tree frog
• American green tree frog
• Spring peeper
• Common coqui
• American toad
• Western toad
• Yosemite toad
• American alligator
• Mohave Desert tortoise
• Western pond turtle
• Common snapping turtle
• Blue jay
• Cardinal
• Mallard
• Trumpeter swan
• Loon
• Ruby-throated hummingbird
• Upland sandpiper
• Bald eagle
• Wren
• Swallow
• Woodpecker

AUSSIE ADVENTURE TRAILS

• Koala
• Red kangaroo
• Western grey kangaroo
• Agile wallaby
• Parma wallaby
• Swamp wallaby
• Tasmanian pademelon
• Quokka
• Wombat
• Bilby
• Australian dingo
• New Guinea singing dog
• Tasmanian devil
• Platypus
• Emu
• Brolga
• Brush turkey
• Galah
• Kookaburra
• Black-necked stork
• Wedge-tailed eagle
• Rainbow lorikeet
• Cockatoo
• Cockatiel
• Butcher bird

STEVE IRWIN CONSERVATION CENTRE

• Saltwater crocodiles
• Goanna
• Frill-necked lizard
• Bearded dragon
• Blue-tongue skink
• Pig-nosed turtle
• Green tree frog

UNDERSEA LIFE EXHIBITS

• Clownfish
• Regal blue tang
• Moorish idol
• Porcupine fish
• Sea star
• Yellow tang
• Royal gramma
• Striped damselfish
• Cleaner shrimp
• Hermit crab
• Horseshoe crab
• Porcelain crab
• Butterfly fish
• Kelp bass
• Ocean sunfish
• Triggerfish
• Tuna
• Betta
• Flounder
• Sturgeon
• Eel
• Lionfish
• Sunfish
• Kissing fish
• Sawfish
• Yellow-tail catfish
• Flapjack octopus
• East Pacific red octopus
• Seahorse
• Moonfish
• Jellyfish
• Grouper
• Anglerfish
• Barracuda
• Spotted eagle ray
• Great white shark
• Hammerhead shark
• Mako shark
• Whale shark
• Beluga whale
• Humpback whale
• Green sea turtle

MODERN DINOSAURS

• American crocodile
• Southern cassowary
• Abdim stork
• Asian brown tortoise
• Shoebill

~ ~ ~ ~ ~
​

Quite the list, eh? Looking through this list, some of you may notice that I decided to utilize some of the creatures found at @PerGron's Genesis Gardens. Seeing those pictures in his posts made me want to bring those creatures into this Mirror Animal Kingdom, so I have to credit him as my biggest inspiration for creating this list.

Anyways, that's my last post for now. Wednesday, January 25, will be the day I begin the next leg of our tour of Mirror Walt Disney World. Stay tuned...

 

[Dark PerGron]

Here now are all the creatures you'll be able to find in Walt Disney World's third theme park.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The Animals of Disney’s Animal Kingdom
​

CONSERVATION STATION

• Caiman lizard
• Centipede
• Colorado river toad
• Dart frog
• Fire salamander
• Gopher tortoise
• Green tree python
• Prehensile-tailed skink
• Puerto Rican crested toad
• Scorpion
• Stick insect
• Tarantula
• Tree monitor

AFFECTION SECTION

• Alpaca
• Goat
• Kunekune pig
• Miniature donkey
• Pineywoods cow
• Sheep

THE OASIS

• Fulvous whistling-duck
• Black-bellied whistling-duck
• Marbled duck
• Argentine ruddy duck
• Black stork
• Long-tailed duck
• Northern pintail
• Eurasian white-fronted geese
• North Sulawesi babirusa
• Southern giant anteater
• Military macaw
• Patagovian cavy
• Reeve’s muntjac
• Rhinoceros iguana
• Scarlet macaw
• Roseate spoonbill and African spoonbill
• Swamp wallaby
• Black swan
• Black-necked swan

TREE OF LIFE GARDEN / DISCOVERY ISLAND TRAILS

• Scarlet macaw
• Red-fronted macaw
• Blue-and-gold macaw
• Blue-throated macaw
• Green-winged macaw
• Military macaw
• Hyacinth macaw
• Cotton-top tamarin
• Collared lemur
• Ring-tailed lemur
• Flamingo
• Painted stork
• Saddle-billed stork
• White stork
• African crested porcupine
• Tambaqui
• West African crowned crane
• Aardwolf (Replaced kangaroos when the exhibit moved to Australia)
• Matschie’s tree kangaroo
• Galapagos giant tortoise
• Asian small-clawed otters and spotted-neck otters
• Lappet-faced vulture

QUEEN’S GARDEN TRAIL

• Capercaillie
• Red deer and fallow deer
• Wisent
• European mouflon
• European lynx
• European mink
• European badger
• Mute swan
• Italian wolf
• Reindeer
• Norwegian lemming
• Camargue horse
• Puffin
• Wolverine
• Red fox
• European brown bear
• European rabbit (coney rabbit)
• Western barn owl

KILIMANJARO SAFARIS

• Okapi
• Greater kudu
• Saddle-billed stork
• Sable antelope
• Greater flamingo
• Blue wildebeest
• White-backed wildebeest
• Bontebok
• Thomson’s gazelle
• Common eland
• Yellow-billed stork
• Pink-backed pelican
• Mandrill
• Scimitar oryx
• Bongo
• Waterbuck
• Plains zebra
• Black and white rhinoceroses
• Hippopotamus
• Nile crocodile
• Warthog
• Ostrich
• Cheetah
• African elephant
• Lion
• Spotted hyena
• African wild dog
• Painted dog
• Springbok
• Ankole cattle
• Nigerian dwarf goat

GORILLA FALLS EXPLORATION TRAIL

• Western lowland gorilla
• Grevy’s zebra
• Aardvark
• Hamerkop
• Slender-tailed meerkat
• Naked mole rat
• Sitatunga
• Black-and-white colobus monkey
• Drill monkeys
• Pygmy hippopotamus
• Pygmy goose
• Red-tailed monkeys
• Dumeril’s boa
• Golden weaver
• Great blue turaco
• African bullfrog
• Ornate spiny-tailed lizard
• African cichlid fish
• African pancake tortoise

MAHARAJAH JUNGLE TREK

• Bengal and Sumatran tigers
• Gibbons and macaques
• Orangutans
• Boa constrictors and pythons
• Green peafowl and Indian peafowl
• Blackbuck and gaur
• Malayan flying fox
• Sloth bears
• Eld’s deer, axis deer and sambar
• Bar-headed goose and other Asian birds

PANDA VALLEY

• Giant panda
• Red panda
• Golden, black-and-white, and gray snub-nosed monkeys*
• Northern white-cheeked gibbon*
• Black crested gibbon*
• Hainan black-crested gibbon*
• Northern pig-tailed macaque*
• Tibetan macaque*
• Pangolin*
• Clouded leopards
• Raccoon dog
• Corsac fox
• Water buffalo
• Spotted seal
• Siberian and South China tigers
• Indian elephant
• Chinese water deer and Pere David’s deer

* These animals are found along the queue. In order to get the most use out of a limited space -- remember, this sits where Kali River Rapids sits in our real-life WDW -- smaller animals are found along the queue, while the bigger animals are only visible from the train. In essence, the very queue itself is its own animal trail.​

AMAZONIA

• Giant otter
• Jaguar
• Spectral bat
• Common vampire bat
• Fischer’s little fruit bat
• Agouti
• Red-eyed tree frog
• Poison dart frog
• Surinam horned frog
• Amazon river frog
• Green anaconda
• Annulated tree boa
• Boa constrictor
• Green iguana
• Arrau turtle
• Yellow-footed tortoise
• Common basilisk
• Forest gecko
• Toco toucan
• Yellow-throated toucan
• Green-billed toucan
• Plate-billed mountain toucan
• Aracari
• Scarlet macaw
• Red-and-green macaw
• Blue-and-yellow macaw
• Hyacinth macaw
• King vulture
• Tanager
• Amazon parrot
• Spider monkey
• Harpy eagle
• Llama (outside Camp Discovery)

AMAZON RIVER EXPEDITION

• Cotton-top tamarin
• Pied tamarin
• Golden lion tamarin
• Two-toed sloth
• Three-toed sloth
• Giant anteater
• Howler monkey
• Capybara

NATURE’S WONDERLAND

• North American beaver
• Marmot
• American black bear
• White-tailed deer
• Olympic elk
• Javelina
• Prairie dog
• American desert hare
• Mexican hare
• Coyote
• Bobcat
• American bison
• Cougar

REDWOOD CREEK TRAIL

• Common raccoon
• Virginia opossum
• Black-footed ferret
• American red squirrel
• Fox squirrel
• Eastern chipmunk
• Woodchuck
• American red fox
• Brush rabbit
• Mountain cottontail
• Appalachian cottontail
• New England cottontail
• American pika
• Striped skunk
• Pronghorn
• Grizzly bear (American brown bear)
• Grey wolf
• Spotted salamander
• Marbled salamander
• Blue-spotted salamander
• Tiger salamander
• Rocky Mountain tailed frog
• Giant bullfrog
• Florida bog frog
• Northern leopard frog
• Pacific tree frog
• American green tree frog
• Spring peeper
• Common coqui
• American toad
• Western toad
• Yosemite toad
• American alligator
• Mohave Desert tortoise
• Western pond turtle
• Common snapping turtle
• Blue jay
• Cardinal
• Mallard
• Trumpeter swan
• Loon
• Ruby-throated hummingbird
• Upland sandpiper
• Bald eagle
• Wren
• Swallow
• Woodpecker

AUSSIE ADVENTURE TRAILS

• Koala
• Red kangaroo
• Western grey kangaroo
• Agile wallaby
• Parma wallaby
• Swamp wallaby
• Tasmanian pademelon
• Quokka
• Wombat
• Bilby
• Australian dingo
• New Guinea singing dog
• Tasmanian devil
• Platypus
• Emu
• Brolga
• Brush turkey
• Galah
• Kookaburra
• Black-necked stork
• Wedge-tailed eagle
• Rainbow lorikeet
• Cockatoo
• Cockatiel
• Butcher bird

STEVE IRWIN CONSERVATION CENTRE

• Saltwater crocodiles
• Goanna
• Frill-necked lizard
• Bearded dragon
• Blue-tongue skink
• Pig-nosed turtle
• Green tree frog

UNDERSEA LIFE EXHIBITS

• Clownfish
• Regal blue tang
• Moorish idol
• Porcupine fish
• Sea star
• Yellow tang
• Royal gramma
• Striped damselfish
• Cleaner shrimp
• Hermit crab
• Horseshoe crab
• Porcelain crab
• Butterfly fish
• Kelp bass
• Ocean sunfish
• Triggerfish
• Tuna
• Betta
• Flounder
• Sturgeon
• Eel
• Lionfish
• Sunfish
• Kissing fish
• Sawfish
• Yellow-tail catfish
• Flapjack octopus
• East Pacific red octopus
• Seahorse
• Moonfish
• Jellyfish
• Grouper
• Anglerfish
• Barracuda
• Spotted eagle ray
• Great white shark
• Hammerhead shark
• Mako shark
• Whale shark
• Beluga whale
• Humpback whale
• Green sea turtle

MODERN DINOSAURS

• American crocodile
• Southern cassowary
• Abdim stork
• Asian brown tortoise
• Shoebill

~ ~ ~ ~ ~
​

Quite the list, eh? Looking through this list, some of you may notice that I decided to utilize some of the creatures found at @PerGron's Genesis Gardens. Seeing those pictures in his posts made me want to bring those creatures into this Mirror Animal Kingdom, so I have to credit him as my biggest inspiration for creating this list.

Anyways, that's my last post for now. Wednesday, January 25, will be the day I begin the next leg of our tour of Mirror Walt Disney World. Stay tuned...

Now this would be a zoo worth visiting!

 

[KingMickey13]

Ah, I love this so much. Does Pandora go to the fourth park here?

 

[Suchomimus]

SHOPPING
1. The Institute Shop ***

-- The Three Caballeros *** in South America

I've everywhere in your post on Dinoland, but there's no mention of it or any other kind of a store. Also, what's with the asterisks besides the two I've quoted?

And now, here's the final land of Disney's Animal Kingdom!

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Dinoland, U.S.A.

​

In 1947, the quaint American smalltown of Diggs County was just that: quaint. Nothing much happened there. But one day, the town’s sand and gravel company made a shocking discovery. As workers were digging up sand to load into a waiting dump truck, they uncovered a massive dinosaur bone. All were amazed at this revelation, and with eager hearts, they kept digging around the site to find not just a wealth of bones, but a plethora of perfectly-intact dinosaur skeletons! This piqued the interest of one of the workers, an amateur fossil-hunter, and he soon teamed up with fellow scientists to buy up the property where the bones were found. On that property, they established the Dino Institute, a research and study center for all paleontologists. The property itself was soon affectionately dubbed “Dinoland, U.S.A.” by the scientists who worked at the Institute.

One of those scientists was a wealthy benefactor who became obsessed with why so many perfectly preserved dinosaur skeletons could be found in this one spot. The only way to solve this particular mystery was to travel back in time and then attempt to observe whatever it was that actually caused this massive dinosaur extinction. The wealthy benefactor thus helped pour billions into the creation and funding of the Dino Institute, whose research resulted in the invention of the CTX Time Rover. To this very day, Dinoland, U.S.A. invites one and all to come and explore at their perpetual Open House, so that they may see the latest and greatest in what the Institute is learning about these prehistoric beasts.

The atmosphere in Dinoland is bustling with discovery and fun. Excavation gear is found almost everywhere. Flyers and posters advertise the latest goings-on at the Institute. The sounds of excavation can be heard for miles. And speaking of sounds, the Institute even has its own radio station, where the two DJs, Digger and Bonehead, plays a wide variety of tunes about dinosaurs, bones, digging and anything with even the vaguest of connections to the Institute’s line of work. For example, you can expect to hear “Grazing in the Grass” by Friends of Distinction, “It’s the End of the World As We Know It (and I Feel Fine)” by R.E.M., “I Feel the Earth Move” by Carole King, “Bad to the Bone” by George Thorogood and the Destroyers, and of course, “Walk the Dinosaur” by Was (Not Was). Oh, and that song featured at the start of this post? That is an original piece made specifically for Dinoland!

​

The site where the dinosaur bones were found has been turned into a full-blown excavation site, dubbed “The Boneyard” by the paleontologists. The Boneyard is an open-air playground made to look like an archaeological dig site. In fact, in addition to the usual slides, rope bridges, caves and other playground detritus, there’s also a large dig site, with the bones of a Columbian mammoth, a Triceratops and a Tyrannosaurus rex buried beneath the sand. The Boneyard is marked by a bridge from which stands the skeleton of a proud Brachiosaurus.

It seems only fitting that The Excavator take up residence right nearby this dig site. Back in the days when Dinoland was nothing more than a dig site for Diggs County’s sand and gravel company, the Excavator was a pivotal piece of machinery: a series of ore cars that had once been used to haul materials up out of the heart of this pit to the area where the dump trucks got loaded up. Over time, due to over-digging and as the sand in the pit began to shift, the Excavator became unsafe to operate. The sand and gravel company then shut down the ore cars and the Excavator stood empty and abandoned for a few years, becoming even more rickety and unsafe. Then, when the Dino Institute was set up, the wealthy benefactor sent in groups of college students to work on the site. These college students then decided to put this old and unsafe piece of mining equipment back to work again, allowing them to use the old, rusty ore cars to haul some of the larger dinosaur bones that they’ve discovered. If only they could take the time to fix up the rusty old thing…

As guests move through the queue for this attraction towards the load area, they walk past dozens of “Condemned” signs in addition to all sorts of safety barriers that the sand and gravel pit’s workmen had set up that the college students have recently pulled down. The ride itself is a wooden roller coaster that takes guests past antiquated pieces of mining equipment, dodging around massive dinosaur bones and fossils, giant dinosaurs made out of metal and discarded machinery, and careening through unstable mine shafts that could collapse at any moment. This wild and crazy ride is similar to that of the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train or Thunder Mesa Railroad over at the Magic Kingdom, or Big Grizzly Mountain over at Hong Kong Disneyland.

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Not too far from The Excavator is a large rocky mountain, covered in snow. At the top of this mountain, the rockwork is carved in the shape of the front half of a wooly mammoth; its trunk raised up triumphantly toward the sky. A cavern is found within this mastodon formation, with a roaring waterfall spilling out of the cavern and into an icy lake below. Within this mountain is Disney’s Animal Kingdom’s secondary water thrill ride: Mammoth Falls. In this ride, we glide back in time, to the world that once was; a world that trembles beneath giant feet. Strange mammals and hulking creatures thrive among the subtle populace of early man. Sabre-toothed cats and monstrous wolves stalk their prey. The mammoth, mastodon, ground sloth and wooly rhinoceros graze amidst the frozen tundra. It all climaxes with a dramatic, 50-foot plunge into the lake! And if that wasn’t enough, in a style similar to Shipwreck Falls at Six Flags parks around the world, the splashdown causes a wall of water to shoot up into the air, absolutely drenching guests…and anyone foolish enough to be standing nearby!

Across the street from these three attractions, almost hidden behind the trees, guests will come across Restaurantosaurus, which serves as the mess hall for the workers at the Institute. The restaurant is noted for its décor, as it features skeletal replicas of several dinosaurs and mosaics of every era of the dinosaurs along the walls of the restaurant.

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Further down the path is a special animal exhibit set up by the Dino Institute, highlighting a few special animals… Modern Dinosaurs. The animals presented here are animals who may be descended from the dinosaurs, as well as animals who are in grave danger of ending up like the dinosaurs… extinct. First, we have the American crocodile, who is vulnerable to endangerment. The American crocodile exhibit will be designed with inspiration taken from the Floridian mangrove forests found within its natural range. Guests will be able to see the crocodile swim throughout its exhibit or sunbathe on either land or upon the artificial tree branches submerged within the exhibit’s pool. The dense foliage will transport guests into the mangrove forests, and the sounds of other native animals are heard in the distance as if the guests really stumbled onto a pond in the wilderness. Guests will be able to see a small research area comparing crocodiles, alligators, and their ancient ancestors to each other.

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Next, we have the Southern cassowary, a creature at least concern for endangerment. Although the Southern cassowary seems gentle, watch out! Much like their velociraptor ancestors a swipe from their claws will leave any foe dead. These birds are truly descendants of the mighty dinosaur. The exhibit for this bird will be designed as a thick Australian rainforest with various fruit trees planted within the exhibit providing the animal with an authentic cycle of fruits throughout the year. This exhibit will accommodate the cassowaries’ unique defensive maneuvers. The viewing area will be housed within a research camp with glass walls separating the guests from the bird safely. This research camp theme will provide for various learning experiences to be housed such as a cassowary claw and dinosaur claws being on display highlighting their similarities.

Housed within the same exhibit are two different animals. First is the Abdim stork, which is at least concern for endangerment, and then, we have the critically-endangered Asian brown tortoise. The reason why they share the same exhibit is because their space will come with a display demonstrating how birds are more related to dinosaurs than reptiles.

As part of this new exhibit space, the crocodile exhibit will be moved to a bigger, more expansive space, as detailed above. As for the old space, that has been converted into an exhibit for the shoebill, a creature vulnerable to endangerment. The shoebill is a carnivore, eating mostly fish; it is diurnal, and its natural range is throughout Central Africa. It is an unusual looking bird, and even more unusual is the sound that it produces, reminiscent of that of what dinosaurs have been believed to sound like. Similar to the rest of exhibits within the land there will be a comparison to an extinct species. The head of a shoebill and phorusrhacid will be on display to highlight both the differences and similarities of the two different yet similar looking species.

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And now, of course, we come to Dinoland’s signature attraction: Countdown to Extinction! On Countdown to Extinction, guests enter the headquarters of the Dino Institute, where its current head, Dr. Helen Marsh (played by Phylicia Rashad), promises a calm ride through the early Cretaceous Period aboard the Institute’s fleet of Time Rovers. However, her associate, the eccentric Dr. Grant Seeker (Wallace Langham), has hijacked the plans and wants to use our journey to rescue an Iguanodon from extinction. Oh, and did I mention the timeframe he’s sending us into is right before the meteor hits?

The trip takes guests on a frantic chase through dense prehistoric jungles, forests and swamps, as they catch glimpses of broad displays of different dinosaur species, most of which get in near misses with the Time Rovers. For example, guests deal with a Pterodactyl swooping down at the Time Rover and a Compsognathus leaping over the vehicle as it passes by. And that’s not even considering that we have to deal with volcanic eruptions, feasting Alioramus and attacking Velociraptors! If that’s not enough, guests also have to deal with crashing meteors and several encounters with a Carnotaurus, who sees the guests as his prey.

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Countdown to Extinction was made in the wake of the resounding success of the Indiana Jones Adventure EMV at Disneyland; and its subsequent arrival in the Magic Kingdom. Tasked with going above and beyond the lofty standards of Indy, the Imagineers succeeded immensely. Just as Indiana Jones places us in the midst of a temple fraught with booby traps, Countdown to Extinction takes us into the twilight of the Age of the Dinosaurs, where danger and peril is around every corner! Making full use of unique lighting, smoke, some of the roughest EMV moment in any theme park attraction, a unique soundtrack and some of the scariest and advanced Audio-Animatronics in Disney history, Countdown to Extinction is an E-ticket, and then some!

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And thus, we have Dinoland, U.S.A.! Our main walkthrough of Disney's Animal Kingdom is over! The recap post will be out tomorrow, as well as a post detailing how many animals one can find here at the park!

I should point out that "Modern Dinosaurs" came from an idea for the One Little Spark Competition back in 2019, created by
@kmbmw777, @Miru, @NateD1226, @Pi on my Cake, @tcool123 and @AceAstro. Likewise, the idea to include Mammoth Falls came from S.W. Wilson's parallel Ideal Buildout concept and the description was borrowed from @MANEATINGWREATH's description of the "Ice Age" railroad diorama from his 2017 Dream Resort thread.

 

[DisneyManOne]

I've everywhere in your post on Dinoland, but there's no mention of it or any other kind of a store. Also, what's with the asterisks besides the two I've quoted?

As I mentioned in my Magic Kingdom recap post, those asterisks mean that they are a part of the park, but I did not discuss them in the posts. It's yet another technique I've borrowed from MEW's Mirror Disneyland.

And now, at last, it is finally time to explore the fourth park of Mirror Walt Disney World!

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Disney’s Mythica

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What is it about the civilizations that our world was founded on that causes our minds to race? Is it the thrill of learning about these ancient histories? Or maybe just wondering what life was like in a budding planet? Haven’t we all wanted to explore the Pyramids or go back in time to the days of Ancient Greece? It’s not for nothing that so many stories have their roots in ancient history, awakening new dreams for one and all. And as the sun rises on this new era in Walt Disney World history, we too, can explore the wonders of the past in a whole new way.

The newest park in Walt Disney World – and the creation of S.W. Wilson, whose work has served as an inspiration to me and to many Armchair Imagineers – Disney’s Mythica brings guests into the ancient civilizations of centuries past. Attractions take inspiration from other parks, be they Disney or otherwise, brought to new heights with a unique approach. Classical concepts mix with newfangled experiments. Disney’s Mythica boasts many beloved Disney properties, plus exciting never-before-seen concepts. Family-friendly features appeal to the young, and the young-at-heart, while thrill rides draw in a wider audience.

We’ve already discussed the means of getting there, but there’s one more mean we must mention. In this mirror universe, the space that is the Hilton in our real-life WDW is the Pineapple Parking Garage. In keeping with Disney Springs’ fruit-themed parking areas, the Pineapple Garage offers exclusive parking for guests visiting Disney’s Mythica. In addition, Disney Springs guests and guests staying at Saratoga Springs can walk directly to Mythica from the Village Marketplace, passing right underneath the Monorail tracks. Once our car is parked, the path leads towards the park’s entrance.

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Mythica’s Entrance Plaza – Traveller’s Green – is a thing of natural beauty. Live musicians, a central fountain, and exotic trees set the stage for a timeless adventure. Trees sway gently in the breeze. Flowers are in full bloom. The Sensational Six, alongside Chip and Dale, have their only meet ‘n’ greet area in the park set up right here in Traveller’s Green, ready to welcome all travelers to this mythical kingdom. Throughout Traveller’s Green, the air is filled with song. The sonorous area music is global in origin, inspired by the culture and taste of an international network, for at one moment one might hear the serenity of Chinese Zen music, in another, the haunting charm of an Arabic flute. Listening to this music should make you feel as if you are stepping back in time. In front of the fountain is a large granite slab with a golden plaque upon it. On this plaque reads the dedication for Mythica.

Directly behind the fountain are the main gates. The main gates – in addition to the park’s PeopleMover station – are almost Renaissance-esque in their design. At 9:00 a.m., the Keeper of the Pharos Lighthouse appears alongside Mickey and the gang, as well as a platoon of Renaissance trumpeters and drummers, to welcome guests to Mythica in a ceremony called “The Legend Starts.” Timed to a countdown, the gates of the park slowly open, revealing the vast worlds of mythology and legend that we can explore. Beyond these gates…

Anglia

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Anglia is, in S.W. Wilson’s words, “the most ‘modern’ area of the park, in terms of theme.” Here, 19th-century Britain comes to life through Cheshire, a representation of a typical, 19th-century British country town. If the United Kingdom pavilion in EPCOT is focused more on the urban side of England, then Anglia dedicates itself to the naturalistic side.

Beyond the gates of Traveller’s Green, we are met with a warm and welcoming atmosphere. Directly to the left of the entrance gates is the Hospitality House, Mythica’s location for Guest Relations, First Aid, Baby Care and Locker Rentals. Nearby are two buildings, connected via an overhead walkway. To the left is The Mapmaker’s Shoppe, selling curios pertaining to mapmaking, as well as essential things travelers like us will need on our sojourn today. To the right: The Ploughman’s Inn. This cozy place offers English breakfasts come morning, as well as traditional pub fare for lunch and dinner – bangers and mash, shepherd’s pie, and even full Sunday roasts come that particular day. But the main entrée here is what the Inn is named after: the ploughman’s lunch, consisting of bread and butter, cheese, onions and pickles, although salad, ham, hard-boiled eggs and apples can also be added.

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Across the way from these three abodes is Cheshire’s main eatery: Holmes’ Estate. Here at 221B Baker Street, we can step back in time to Victorian England, for a full Victorian meal…and quite a suspenseful meal, at that! Walt Disney World has always prided itself on its dinner shows. The Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue and the Polynesian Revue continue to pack in the crowds, even 50 years later! And within Holmes’ Estate, The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes continues that proud tradition! Sherlock Holmes and Dr. John Watson have been alerted that there is a great mystery that must be solved within the walls of the Estate…and the culprit is lurking amongst us! As we enjoy our meal, we are entrusted to help Holmes and Watson solve the mystery before it is too late. Clues keep popping up throughout the meal service, so keep your eyes open!

Holmes’ Estate is flanked on both sides by two shops. On the right is Watson’s Study, selling all sorts of paraphernalia related to Sherlock Holmes. On the left is the Towne Library, specializing in famous British pieces of literature – from Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes tales, to the plays of Shakespeare, and even the books that inspired classic Disney films, like Peter Pan, Winnie-the-Pooh, and The Wind in the Willows.

Not too far away from Holmes’ Estate is The Light & Dark, Mythica’s Starbucks location. “Light and dark” is Cockney rhyming slang for “park”, and this location sits on the edge of a waterside park. Disney’s Mythica is built around the famous Lake Buena Vista, and there are plenty of places to enjoy views of the lake. This retreat offers Starbucks Coffee and all other sorts of pastries. It, like The Ploughman’s Inn a few feet away, is the perfect place to go for breakfast before a day of adventure here at Disney’s Mythica. Across the way from The Light & Dark is The County Curio, Mythica’s major shop. Held within an eclectic bunch of buildings, The County Curio offers any and all things related to Disney’s Mythica, as well as Disney character merchandise, clothing, toys, autograph books, and other such curios.

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Beyond these two locations is the Henge of the Ancients, an old hill inspired by the legendary Stonehenge. Each distinct area of Disney’s Mythica has its own central landmark, and the Henge of the Ancients serves as Anglia’s landmark. Beyond the Henge is an elaborate park, with plenty of places to watch the nightly lagoon show. But, you know, there is another place in Anglia to watch the show. There is also Loch Ness Keep, old Scottish ruins that may be the hiding place for the elusive Loch Ness Monster…

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The visage of the Mythica Tramp Steamer Line fills Lake Buena Vista with motion and activity, escorting guests to Helios, Atlantis and Tianxi. And in addition to that, the lake also plays host to two incredible spectaculars. Since the layout of Mythica would be insufficient for a parade to pass through, we have a “water parade”: the Ocean of Wonders Processional.

Aboard a series of uniquely-decorated barges, we find our Disney friends in a celebration of world history. Expect to see Mickey and the gang, dressed like they came out of the Renaissance, in a barge designed as a Renaissance-era ship; a royal barge featuring the Disney princesses; a Chinese barge featuring Mulan and Aladdin; a barge designed like a Viking ship; and so much more. Furthermore, musicians accompany the processional from certain vantage points. A Renaissance group of trumpeters and drummers play from Loch Ness Keep; Greek musicians play from the Parthenon; and Egyptian musicians play from the Library of Alexandria.

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But by night, the lake is transformed into a living collage of imagination and wonder in The Legend of Earth. Basically, this would be a re-worked version of the incredible Skies of Fantasy show @D Hulk created for DisneySky, reworked to fit the narrative of Mythica. The Legend of Earth seeks to tell just that – the history of our humble blue planet, from creation, to formation, to the ascension of life and the progress of humankind. Utilizing fireworks, projections, drones, live performers, barges, giant sailing ships and even special animatronics, all accompanied to the powerful chords of Gustav Holst’s “The Planets”, the eight distinct worlds of Disney’s Mythica come together in a celebration of history and progress. As the show’s extraordinary elements are woven into a kaleidoscope of imagination, the spectacle sweeps the surface of Lake Buena Vista.

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And that is the first leg of our journey through Disney's Mythica! Ah, but don't think we're done with Anglia just yet. There's still one more area we need to visit before we move on to the next land; and we shall visit that area on Friday, January 27, so stay tuned for that!

I should point out that, in addition to once again crediting @D Hulk, whose Skies of Fantasy will greatly inspire my Legend of Earth, Traveller's Green was inspired by a concept from @MANEATINGWREATH's 2018 take on the Disneyland Australia dream resort. In that take, Main Street was World Bazaar; and Traveller's Green served as a Town Square equivalent.

 

[Evilgidgit]

Here's me hoping that my own myth-based 3rd gate for Paris doesn't end up being a copycat of yours! Though it'll have European, Norse, Japanese, Egyptian/African, Latin American, Polynesian, and Greek myths in it - and Wakanda!

 

[oogie boogie man]

WooHaa! I wasn't expecting that partner. Nice to see something different on the forums. It definitely piques my interests in what's sure to come.

 

[MANEATINGWREATH]

Darn you, DisneyMan, trying to pull me out of retirement I see...

 

[DisneyManOne]

Here's me hoping that my own myth-based 3rd gate for Paris doesn't end up being a copycat of yours! Though it'll have European, Norse, Japanese, Egyptian/African, Latin American, Polynesian, and Greek myths in it - and Wakanda!

Disney's Mythica will feature eight areas of myth: English, Greek, Atlantean, Egyptian, Norse, Chinese, Incan and Polynesian by way of Māori mythology; so we'll only have four (technically five, since you will focus on Latin American mythology in general; whereas I'm focusing solely on Incan culture) of the same areas.

WooHaa! I wasn't expecting that partner. Nice to see something different on the forums. It definitely piques my interests in what's sure to come.

This actually isn't my first time using S.W. Wilson's incredible Mythica concept for a project of mine; I previously used it as the "fifth park" of a "how would I improve WDW in its current state" thread; rather than a "mirror" thread. And frankly, I like "mirror" threads more, because it gives you more of a chance to play around with history.

By the way, while I'm here, I'd like to say that I've gone back and slightly updated the ImageWorks. Upon learning more about the various iterations of ImageWorks, both upstairs and down, I decided to combine elements from all three. I decided to forgo Figment's Coloring Book and restore the original Bubble Music, restored Lumia in-between the Rainbow Corridor and the Mirage Room, added a new exhibit and gone into greater detail in describing a few elements.

 

[DisneyManOne]

Let us resume our travels through Mythica.

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Now, here is my first deviation from S.W. Wilson’s original concept. To the left, one would find an extension to Anglia, featuring Oxbridge, an area themed around a Victorian city, centered around the Royal Oxbridge Hotel. I decided to get rid of it for two reasons. One, I did not want to add another hotel to this Mirror Walt Disney World – I have eighteen hotels here; I think we’re good on that count – and two, I wanted to include another unique area to the park. So, with that in mind, let us move on to the next sub-land of Anglia.

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Castle gates mark our arrival in Medieval England – particularly, the days of Camelot, the kingdom of, perhaps, England’s most famous legend: King Arthur. And within his castle, we can join the King himself on his most epic quests in Knights of the Round Table! In this epic dark ride, cut in the same style as Pirates of the Caribbean or Sindbad’s Storybook Voyage, we sail off on a stylized take through the legends of King Arthur, as he and his Knights – Lancelot, Galahad, Lionel, Bedevere, Pellinore, Percival, Gawain, Bors, Dinadan and Sagramore – set off to find the Holy Grail. Ah, but the journey is long and fraught with danger. Can Arthur lead his knights to glory, or will they fail in their quest? The ride exits out into the Castle Treasury, offering toy swords and shields, costumes for knights and maidens, and other regal goodies.

Arthur’s castle is fully explorable. We can explore each room, and every nook and cranny. King Arthur and Queen Guenevere themselves even hold court in their throne room, allowing one and all to chance to meet them. Naturally, the other Knights can be found in Camelot, as well – and so can Merlin (who here is represented as he appeared in Disney’s The Sword in the Stone – the only true Disney character found in Camelot). But that’s not all: the castle also is home to the Great Hall.

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Have you ever read Aliki’s A Medieval Feast? If so, have you ever wondered what it would be like to actually take part in a feast like the one presented in the book? Well, here in Disney’s Mythica, those wonderments can become a reality. The Great Hall brings a medieval feast to stunning new life – so much so, that it is open only for dinner. And boy, what a dinner it is! With each one announced to the sounds of drums and trumpets, we dine on course after course. Most medieval feasts only had five courses to their name, and the menu has plenty of variety with each passing day: pigs, fish, game birds, Cockentrice (basically capon and suckling pig that have been cut in half, mismatched, and put together again), meat pies, soups, breads, fruits, vegetables, cheeses, and even a castle-shaped pastry dish which is, as Aliki described it, “stuffed with meat, eggs, fish and nuts.” Plus, many medieval dishes were vegetarian in nature, so vegans and vegetarians need not fear. There’s also elaborate desserts, Subtleteys (marzipan sculptures in elaborate designs) and plenty to drink. Even the plates themselves are edible – they’re called trenchers, and are basically flat bread. Oh, and the meal is accompanied by live entertainment – the likes of jugglers, minstrels and jesters – and there’s also quite a few other little surprises here and there, as well. It is truly a feast for the eyes, the ears, and the mouth; and one of Walt Disney World’s most sought-after reservations.

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On the outskirts of Arthur’s castle, is an expansive forest with two major points of interest. Unicorn Glade is so named because the rock formations there are in the shape of the mystical beast. The air surrounding it is mystical, and mist dances on the water. Steps away is a familiar locale: Sherwood Forest, the hiding place of Robin Hood and his Merry Men. One of the few attractions in the park to be based on an IP, Sherwood Forest is based much more on the 1973 Disney animated feature than the typical depictions of the legend. Sherwood Forest is also the first of many “Explore Zones” in the park. In the words of S.W. Wilson, “All such ‘explore zones’ in this park are not just static museum exhibits or playgrounds: they feature memorable elements, such as special fx/projections, triggered audio narration, secret doors and passageways and interactive features & puzzles, as you might find in Fortress Explorations or games such as Jewels of the Seven Seas or Uncharted.”

Within the forest are places like the Merry Men’s hideout, and a replica of Prince John’s castle serving as a play area. In addition, you’ll find an actual archery ground, where all amateurs can try their hand with a bow and arrow, as well as meet and greets with the legendary hero, Robin Hood, as well as his accomplices – Maid Marian, Little John and Friar Tuck – and his nemeses – Prince John and the Sheriff of Nottingham. And if you’re still in the mood to meet Disney characters, there is one who roams around Anglia: namely, Merida.

Returning to the mainland, we find two more shops. First is the Royal Armory, offering all knights at heart the chance to purchase replica daggers, shields, swords and armor. By the time you’re done shopping here, you’ll feel like you yourself are a Knight of the Round Table. Then, there’s the Heroes’ Hall, selling goods for any and all Merry Men: bows and arrows, Robin Hood hats, and other such things.

Beyond these two shops, the castle gates lead us towards the next location in Mythica…

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...a land which we shall explore on Sunday, January 29; so stay tuned for that!

 

[Twilight_Roxas]

Cool. Btw is there any MWDW plans for Disney100?

 

[DisneyManOne]

Cool. Btw is there any MWDW plans for Disney100?

I do have a few things in mind at the moment, but I'll probably wait until later on down the line to tell you about them.

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Helios

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Do you know why I left Greece out of EPCOT this time around? Well, it was so I could put it here. Greece has one of the most unique histories and one of the most famous collections of architecture in all the world, and the atmosphere would lend an air of peacefulness to the Mythica experience. In essence, I think S.W. Wilson’s Mythica concept is sort of an extension to EPCOT’s World Showcase…an opportunity to represent even more countries within Walt Disney World. Ah, but don’t expect to be at peace for long in Helios. Ancient Greece is a time of some of the great heroes, with one adventure after another just waiting to be unlocked. And with traditional Greek music playing in the background, it would be absolutely beautiful.

Proceeding further into Helios, we find a bustling Mediterranean community living under the shadow of the mighty Mount Olympus. First stop: the Agora, a traditional Ancient Greek marketplace. The Agora sells Greek dolls, Greek Orthodox Iconography, leather goods, and evil eye charms, just to name a few. Smaller stores in the Agora come in the form of Θησαυροί της Ελλάδας (“Treasures of Greece”), which sells Greek masks, carvings, statuettes, paintings, pottery, miniature mosaics and stories on scrolls, and Νέκταρ των Θεών (“Nectar of the Gods”), which sells food items, like Kalamata olives, olive oil, and traditional Greek spices. The smells of such wares carry throughout the pavilion. Helios’ quick-service restaurant can be found here in the form of Κόσμημα της Μεσογείου (Jewel of the Mediterranean). In this eatery, quick-service Grecian delicacies are on the menu.

The center of the Agora is a prime source for entertainment. A large circle in the center of town marks the performance space of Χορευτές των ηλικιών (“Dancers of the Ages”), a team of Greek dancers. To the lively sounds of the bouzouki, the Dancers take to the streets to perform a series of traditional Greek dances, and even invite fellow guests to come and try their hand at a dance or two!

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But, if you’re the kind of guy who likes to rub shoulders with Disney characters, Helios is the place to go if you want to meet Hercules and Megara, occasionally joined by Philoctetes and the Muses.

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Amidst the bustling Agora is the entrance to a most unusual attraction: Labyrinth of the Minotaur. In order to immerse guests into the world of this attraction, the queue is, well, a labyrinth. According to the legends, the Minotaur was a most fearsome and deadly beast, and Daedalus built the Labyrinth to contain him. Foolishly, we have wondered into the Labyrinth ourselves, and a chariot serves as our vehicle out of there. But…can we escape before the Minotaur gets us in his clutches?

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Not too far away from the Labyrinth is a replica of the Odeon of Herodes Atticus. As with many Ancient Greek theaters, the entire theater is outdoors and built along a hill, with the seating areas looking down upon the playing space. Throughout the day, the Players of Helios gather in the shadow of the Odeon to perform condensed versions of classic Greek theater productions, from Sophocles’ Oedipus Rex to Aristophanes’ The Frogs. Each production has been translated and adapted by Greek theater historians and runs about 30 minutes. Of course, an adaptation of Disney’s version of Hercules alternates with these productions, as well.

Across the way from the Odeon, sat high atop a plateau overlooking Lake Buena Vista is the Acropolis. An exact replica of the Acropolis in Athens, here among this ancient citadel are remnants of a civilization long before our own. Among the ruins of the Acropolis are various exhibits detailing the history of Ancient Greece, an Explore Zone, as well as Η Ελιά, which means “The Olive Tree.”

The Olive Tree is an authentic Mediterranean and Greek restaurant set around a giant olive tree. According to Greek mythology, Athena, the goddess of wisdom, gave such a tree to the Greeks as a blessing. And the food for sale at The Olive Tree is a blessing unto itself! Spanakopita, tzatziki, gyros, baklava, moussaka, and souvlaki every day. Not to mention ouzo, raki, and other traditional Greek drinks. Of course, the wine would flow like rainfall here. Greece is home to some of the world's most famous wines, so it seems only fitting that the pavilion honor such a legacy. Η παραγωγή του κρασιού (“The Making of Wine”) is connected to the The Olive Tree, showing us how authentic Greek wine is made. The Making of Wine features wine tasting (at a cost), wine-flavored ice cream, wine-flavored candy, and wine-flavored...well, I’m gonna stop whining about it and just let you put the rest together for yourself.

Naturally, across the way from The Olive Tree is the Parthenon, the very temple of Athena herself. The Parthenon here at Disney’s Mythica has been painstakingly replicated down to the last detail, and it stands proudly as one of the icons of Helios. There are no attractions or exhibits here – the temple itself serves as the attraction. Within the rocky base of the Acropolis are two other attractions. Guests aboard the Mythica Tramp Steamer have to pass through the rockwork in order to reach Helios, but the journey is not smooth sailing…for the inner sanctums of this rock contains the lair of the notorious Hydra, the feared multi-headed sea serpent! Also near the base of the rock is Pegasus, a Dumbo-spinner ride that puts you aboard the back of the mythical winged horse.

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Standing proudly in Helios is the imposing visage of Mount Olympus, home of the gods of Greek mythology. The mountain itself is towering, creating an impressive backdrop when you view the pavilion from across the lagoon. Inside the mountain, we'll set forth on an adventure of epic proportions – Mount Olympus: Gods and Heroes. Mount Olympus is another thrilling adventure coming to the park, themed after the perils of Greek mythology. Beautifully blending a dark ride with a classic Disney roller-coaster, Mount Olympus promises itself to be another shining jewel in Mythica’s crown.

The ride’s queue is themed to what looks like the ruined remains of an old Greek temple, taking guests past marble columns and beautiful frescos. Finally, guests walk into the pre-show, where the largest animatronic Disney has ever created will make its appearance. In dedication of the original designs for The Living Seas, Poseidon will make his appearance in this hall. He will stand still as guests enter into this hall in groups. But, as soon as the hall is filled, Poseidon will come to life in a jovial way. He will greet the guests and offer guests the chance to help Helios on his quest to take the sun on its daily journey. Guests will make their way through a side tunnel that will lead them into the station. From here they will board their ride vehicle that is shaped similarly to a Greek chariot. This ride vehicle will leave the station and with a flash of lightning, guest will find themselves flying through mist and clouds until they reach Olympus, where an animatronic of Helios tells guests that he needs their help to get the sun delivered to the sky. The coaster dives left into a heat room, simulating proximity to the sun. With the sun “following” us, our journey is stopped by a Hades animatronic (an original design created specifically for this attraction), who steals the sun in the hopes of using it for his own nefarious purposes. In Hades’ wake, the track rolls backwards through a backwards section as if they are falling and losing control of the chariot. Finally the coaster will come to a stop again as Zeus (likewise, another original design) tells guests that they must retrieve the sun. With that, Zeus gives guests the power of lightning and the coaster launches off again on a new track. With strong use of special effects and projections, quest will rush through a battle between Zeus and Hades. Of course, all ends – Hades is defeated, Zeus and Helios retrieve the sun, and as we return to earth, Zeus gives us a blessing of a prosperous and fulfilling life.

In S.W. Wilson’s original concept, this attraction was a flume ride. However, in my version of Mythica, Tianxi claims the flume ride, hence why Helios gets the coaster.

There are still two more experiences to see here in Helios. First is another spinner: Flight of the Furies. This spinner is less like Dumbo, and more like the Jet Packs at Shanghai Disneyland, allowing guests to fly on the wings of these mythical deities. The Furies are the gods of vengeance in the Ancient Greek mythos, and they serve to deal with mortals’ complaints by taking action against the offender. And then, we have one more restaurant: Poseidon’s. This table-service restaurant, held within the confines of old sea rock, offers Mediterranean seafood and other sea-based delicacies.

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Helios was a combination of five distinct concepts. Apart from S.W. Wilson's concept, of course, there is also @MANEATINGWREATH's Beastly Kingdom, which was also from his 2016 Dream Resort thread, the Greece pavilion concepts of @TheDesignPirate and @ScorpionX, as well as the Helios' Journey ride created for a tournament back in 2013 by @Voxel and @jdmdisney99. Their version was created for a potential Italy pavilion expansion, but I thought it would work better in a Greek-inspired setting. Besides, the Greek gods and Roman gods are basically the same people with mostly different names.

The next post will be coming out on the first of February, and in that post, it's off from a land inspired by Ancient Greece to a land first noted in the works of an ancient Greek philosopher. See you then!

 

[DisneyManOne]

Now, this was a land that I was quite excited to work on, because I am quite the fan of the 2001 cult classic. Let's go!

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Atlantis

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Of all the myths that have ever been told, there has never been a myth that has so thoroughly captured the imagination of humanity than that of Atlantis. Ever since Plato described the fallen city in Timaeus and Critias, the world of art has been mystified by the concept of Atlantis. Even Disney tried their hand at the legend in 2001, with their film Atlantis: The Lost Empire. Although the film was not successful upon release, it has since gone on to gain a cult following. And it is in the foundation of this cult following that Mythica casts its Atlantis.

Suffice to say, Atlantis is the only land in the park based on an IP. While the other lands have traces of IP here and there, or no IP at all, Atlantis is the sole exception. What helps, in my opinion, is that Atlantis: The Lost Empire is relatively unknown among the mainstream, compared to some of the other Disney films represented in the resort. Plus, given the film has such an expansive lore already, the experiences here could tie into not just Disney’s interpretation of Atlantis, but into other interpretations of Atlantis, as well.

The design of Atlantis is very similar to how it appears in the movie: a tiered city structure surrounded by water. Waterfalls run down rocky formations on the edge of the land, flowing into Lake Buena Vista. The Guardians of Atlantis, giant stone sculptures, encircle Atlantis, protecting it from any grave danger. Above the highest peak of Atlantis (forced-perspective), the Heart of Atlantis – the very lifeblood of the Lost City – provides its power.

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Upon entering into the City, we arrive in the Harbor, home of the Atlantean Marketplace. Feel free to explore the harborside marketplace, selling all sorts of unique, Atlantean trinkets, and say “tokh” (hello) to the merchants. As you can tell, Marc Okrand’s Atlantean language plays a huge part in the worldbuilding of Atlantis in Mythica. Indeed, the signage of Atlantean language – or “Dig Adlantisag”, in the native tongue – is everywhere. And for hardcore fans of the series, it is quite fun to decipher what the messages are. Of course, Atlantis’ Explore Zone is quite expansive, allowing guests to fully immerse themselves in the mythos of the Lost City.

The Explorers’ Hall, set up by the members of the Ulysses expedition, can be found within one building in the city. It is here that we can enjoy a meal combining the flavors of America with the flavors of Atlantis.

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In the Atlantean Throne Room, we can meet the rulers of the realm: Queen Kidagakash Nedakh – or Kida, for short – and Milo Thatch. Of course, occasional visits are made by Milo’s friends from the Ulysses crew – Dr. Sweet, Vinny, Mole, Audrey, Cookie, Mrs. Packard and even Preston Whitmore.

There is one smaller attraction within Atlantis. The Atlantean Zoo features Audio-Animatronics depictions of various Atlantean animals: parrot-lizards, pyreflies, Bahadmok tigers, lava-whales and other such fantastical creatures.

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Ah, but the main attraction here can be found within the caves of Atlantis. Following the same path the Ulysses crew took to reach the Lost City, we find the starting point for Atlantis: The Myth Reborn. The ride takes us aboard a Martag, a fish-shaped vehicle that the Atlanteans and the Ulysses crew used in the film to stop Rourke from stealing the Heart. But since one Martag can only hold one person, what’s to be done? Well, it’s simple: we utilize a ride system similar to TRON Lightcycle Power Run, with two Martags side-by-side on a seven-piece train – fourteen Martag vehicles in all per train. Of course, these Martags are able to hold guests steady without fear of them flying off. On this ride, we zip and zoom through the caves of Atlantis, dealing with lava, fighting Leviathans, and dealing with a new threat to the safety and well-being of Atlantis: another, long-lost dormant volcano, set to erupt. Can we prevent the volcano from its deadly intentions, lest Atlantis becomes lost again?

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Guests exit the attraction through a small gift shop called Hearts of Atlantis, housed with the hull of an old explorer’s submarine, with the items on sale crafted by Atlantean blacksmith and jewelers, but also various sections created by the expedition crew – for example, Moliere has put out crystals, rare rocks, and a colored magic sand pit, Audrey sells mechanical devices and toys, Cookie sells cookbooks and food products, etc. Every guest who rides the attraction will receive a free Atlantean crystal as a gift.

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I must credit @Evilgidgit because I borrowed his Hearts of Atlantis gift shop from his Disneyland Paris expansion thread; and the plot of The Myth Reborn -- particularly the element of stopping an underwater volcano from destroying Atlantis -- was borrowed from his Atlantis Underwater Voyage. However, I went with the TRON system route with the ride for two reasons. One; I thought the Martag would be a more fitting ride system than the ATV; and second, the next land will feature an EMV system, so I didn't want to be redundant.

Ah, but what is the next land, you ask? Well, join me on Friday, February 3, as we uncover the mysteries and secrets of a land that has always tickled the collective imagination: Ancient Egypt! See you then!

 

[Evilgidgit]

In the Atlantean Throne Room, we can meet the rulers of the realm: Queen Kidagakash Nedakh – or Kida, for short – and Milo Thatch. Of course, occasional visits are made by Milo’s friends from the Ulysses crew – Dr. Sweet, Vinny, Mole, Audrey, Cookie, and even Preston Whitmore.

Ahem...aren't you forgetting someone?

 

[oogie boogie man]

I rewatched Atlantis, Treasure Planet and Home on the Range a few months ago and couldn't believe how good they were. I think the mid to late 90's get a bad rep, but they were better than the most recent movies.

 

[Twilight_Roxas]

With the Oceans of Wonder Processional does Raya join the Chinese Barge when Raya and the Last Dragon is before or after release?

 

[DisneyManOne]

Ahem...aren't you forgetting someone?

How could I forget Mrs. Packard? I'll go back and add her in later.

With the Oceans of Wonder Processional does Raya join the Chinese Barge when Raya and the Last Dragon is before or after release?

She'd probably get her own barge, maybe modeled after Boun's boat.

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Aegyptus

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Aegyptus is centered by a grand pyramid, which dominates over the rest of the pavilion, and is easily an impressive structure in the Mythica skyline. Sand floors are sketched into the pavement of the pavilion. Set along the banks of Lake Buena Vista, the rockwork and sandy beaches blend in beautifully with the desert setting. The pavilion is built right on the edge of the lake, almost as if the lake itself was the Nile, as tall strings of grass appear from the waterbeds of the river. In the center of the pavilion, guests will find the Egyptian Marketplace, which is a bustling metropolis of activity, almost like it came straight out of Cairo. The Marketplace features several stores and restaurants.

The restaurants include the Cairo Café quick-service restaurant, which offers a splendid selection of Egyptian foods, including falafel, shawarma, ful medames (mashed fava beans), kushari (a dish combining lentils, rice and pasta) and kebabs prepared over a large open fire pit, right before our eyes. There’s also the Market Bakery, featuring a large selection of breads, which are the backbone of Egyptian cuisine, as well as numerous Egyptian pastries and sandwiches. Among the stores, the Cleopatra Jewelers store is located, featuring a great supply of wonderful jewelry and fragrance items. There’s also Ancient Artifacts, which sells, well….ancient artifacts, like wooden sculptures, tablets, Pharaoh masks and miniature mummies; in addition to clothing and incense.

Egyptian hieroglyphics and twin statues of Anubis craft the threshold to The Pharaoh’s Tomb, a gloomy, cavernous boutique filled with the spoils of a yesteryear expedition to the Land of the Nile. Haunting refrains and wall decor reminiscent of the innermost sanctums of a long-lost pyramid tell the timeless legends of gods and goddesses, long-since lost to the sands of time. Figurines, papyrus illustrations, model ships, and other trinkets and oddities of an Egyptian expedition line the sandstone countertops and shelves.

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In the center of the marketplace square is the Caravan Carousel, a double-decker carousel fit for a king…er, pharaoh. In addition to the usual horses, you can ride on the backs of the likes of camels, elephants, bears, lions, and other such animals associated with Ancient Egypt and its royalty. Parading through the Marketplace throughout the day are the Egyptian Minstrels, a roving band of musicians who perform on traditional Egyptian instruments. There are two percussionists, one playing the goblet drum and one playing the sistrum, a lyre player, a trumpeter and three ney players – a ney being an Ancient Egyptian flute.

On the outskirts of the Marketplace are two separate Explore Zones. First are the Karnak Ruins, a replica of the real-life Karnak Temple Complex. The Karnak Ruins are basically a bunch of old, decaying buildings – Wikipedia claims that among these buildings are old temples, chapels and pylons. There’s even a replica of the Precinct of Amun-Re, with a sacred lake. The second Explore Zone is the Thalamegos, best known as being the barge of one Cleopatra. This two-story ship showcases how the royalty of Ancient Egypt went about on the river.

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On the farthest southern edge of the Marketplace, overlooking Lake Buena Vista is the Library of Alexandria. Often considered a very valuable place in ancient history, the Library of Alexandria stands as a testament to knowledge and literature, two of the very concepts which mythology owe a great deal to. Not only does the Library contain an Explore Zone detailing the history of the mighty Library, but it also contains two important attractions. First is the Library itself. Yes, within the walls of the Library of Alexandria is a legit library, featuring acres upon acres of books just waiting to be discovered! It’s a library that would put the one in the Beast’s castle to shame.

The Library of Alexandria also contains The Oasis, a lavish table-service restaurant blending together tastes from all over the world. As part of the symbol of all Mythica, the biggest tastes come from the regions represented in the park – England, Greece, Egypt, Scandinavia, Peru, China and New Zealand, although other worldly eats are available here, as well. In a relaxing, almost tranquil, setting, we dine amid the majesty of the Library of Alexandria and the power of mythology. Large windows in The Oasis look out towards the lagoon – the restaurant itself gets pretty packed at night, with people wanting to eat whilst taking in World of Myth. A viewing section for the show is found on the Library’s outskirts. More natural beauty in the Library comes from the Palm Gardens, found on the opposite side of the Library. A natural oasis of palm trees and reflective lakes makes this one of the most beautiful spots in all of Disney’s Mythica.

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Steps away from the Library of Alexandria is the park’s very icon: Pharos Lighthouse, a replica of another prominent Ancient Egyptian landmark. Having been deactivated in 1323 A.D., great pains were taken to restore the lighthouse – and the Library – to as close as an exact replication as possible. However, its massive height – estimated to be somewhere between 338 to 387 feet – could not be accurately represented due to the 200-foot height limit. Therefore, the Pharos Lighthouse here in Disney’s Mythica is 199 feet, the same height as the Tower of Terror in the Magic Kingdom. Great consultation was taken with Egyptian builders and museums the world over. There are various explorable rooms within the lighthouse, and the view from the top is extraordinary. And of course, being the park’s icon, it plays a huge part in World of Myth.

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From this Marketplace, the guests are then led along a sand road, adorned with ancient columns, destroyed after years and years of decay. The stone columns line the way to an exact replica of the Great Sphinx; and the grand and recognizable shape of the Great Pyramid of Giza; where Secrets of the Pyramid is located. This is a combination of a dark ride and a roller coaster that takes guests through the Pyramid of Giza to gather the knowledge of the facts and myths of the worlds of Egypt and what lies beneath the deepest chambers of this sacred pyramid. This adventure offers guests a once in a life-time journey to explore the secrets of a pyramid, lost to the world for hundreds of years, including a ride through the tombs and treasure rooms belonging to the Pharaohs of old. But it’s not all fun and games – our exit from the pyramid sets off a booby trap or two, so we must escape quickly!

Now, about the coaster portion of the ride – In a world where Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind becomes a simulator, Secrets of the Pyramid gets the honor of being the Mirror universe equivalent. I absolutely love Cosmic Rewind, and I still want its track layout to be part of this Mirror WDW, so once the booby traps get sprung, it’s off to the races. Launching backwards, we spin, fall, twist and turn through these ancient catacombs, desperate to escape; and all the while, our vehicles rotate a full 360 degrees as we zip and zoom. It all adds up to one of Mythica’s biggest – and most popular – E-tickets. Plus, the massive Pyramids help to hide the towering ride building, so double bonus!

Steps away is another prominent Egyptian landmark: the Great Sphinx of Giza. Although in real-life, this Sphinx reclines along the sands, the Sphinx of Mythica sits atop a rocky rostrum, marking the entrance to Mystery of the Sphinx. Hopping aboard an EMV vehicle designed almost like a scarab, we sail through the inner sanctums of Ancient Egypt, coming across the various Gods of Ancient Egypt – Ra, the sun god; Kek, god of chaos; Hathor, goddess of the sky, Anubis, the god of death; and so many others. Nearby the attraction is King Tut’s, a sit-down restaurant inside a lavish treasure chamber.

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We are halfway through our tour of Mythica! Only four more lands to go. And on Sunday, February 5, we'll explore the land of the Norse gods: Valhalla! See you then!

 

[Suchomimus]

In addition to the usual horses, you can ride on the backs of the likes of camels, gorillas, elephants, llamas, bears, lions, and other such animals associated with Ancient Egypt and its royalty.

Except gorillas and llamas weren't known in Ancient Egypt, especially as the latter was only known in South America at the time. Baboons and antelope on the other hand...

 

[DisneyManOne]

Except gorillas and llamas weren't known in Ancient Egypt, especially as the latter was only known in South America at the time. Baboons and antelope on the other hand...

Really? I did not know that. I'll have to go back and edit things accordingly.

Let us move on to our next land:

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Valhalla

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From the sands of Ancient Egypt, we step into the dense forests of Scandinavia. This is Valhalla, the home of the gods of Norse mythology. We have briefly touched upon Norse mythology in the Norway pavilion in EPCOT’s World Showcase, but that mainly focused on the Vikings themselves. In Mythica, this land is entirely devoted to the gods the Vikings worshiped. Not only that, but S.W. Wilson claimed that another purpose of this land is “so people can learn what inspired things like the popular MCU characters.”

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Mere steps away as we enter is Yggdrasil. In Norse mythology, Yggdrasil is quite an important landmark. It is the centralized point of the entire Norse world. And within the mighty branches of Mythica’s Yggdrasil is a swing ride. In a style similar to Silly Symphony Swings at Disney’s California Adventure, Yggdrasil sends us flying around Valhalla at incredible speeds as it tilts around and around.

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Beyond Yggdrasil is Myrkviðr Forest, the land’s explore zone. Myrkviðr translates to “dark wood”, and it played a prominent part in the prominent Norse legend Hervarar saga ok Heiðreks (The Saga of Hervör and Heidrek), a work that would go on to inspire J.R.R. Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings series. Roaming around the Myrkviðr is enough to make anyone feel like they are Vikings, exploring the world. This is an area very similar to the Redwood Creek Challenge Trail – in that it involves climbing, caves and plenty of ways to explore. There are even places where guests can try their hand at Viking swordplay!

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Across from the Myrkviðr is Jötnar Mountain, a terrain-based roller-coaster similar to Big Thunder Mountain or the Matterhorn at Disneyland. The coaster takes us hurling through the icy, snowy tundra of Scandinavia, passing through crags and caves. However, the mountain gets its name because it is the home of the jötnar, entities that are oftentimes referred to as “Norse forest giants.” They are very prominent figures, on par with the gods themselves – in fact, according to the mythology, Odin and Thor were descended from jötnar! Of course, our trespassing on the mountain arouses their wrath, and we must escape with our lives! Elaborate indoor scenes bring the jötnar to life, while a particular jötnar appears only at night to take part in World of Myth.

In the shadow of the mountain, to the right of the entrance gate is the Jötnar Keep, a shop selling goods related to the jötnar. It’s not really so much an “exit through the gift shop”, as the entrance and exit both take place within an old stronghold, but it still offers merchandise related to the ride. On the other side of the entrance gate is another small shop: Treskjærerbutikk, which is a woodcarving shop. It’s a shop similar to the woodcarving shop in Liberty Square, but this one utilizes traditional Scandinavian woodcarving style, and features wooden effigies of the gods.

Beyond the mountain and the forest is a Viking settlement. There is an aura of foreboding, yet an aura of welcoming, about this settlement. Two small huts in the settlement offer more shops in the area. Våpen, meaning “arms”, offers all sorts of things that Vikings need: helmets, swords and shields. And Skatter i Skandinavia, which is Norwegian for “Treasures of Scandinavia”, sells goods not only from Norway, but from the rest of Scandinavia, as well – Denmark, Sweden and Finland.

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The settlement also plays host to Valhalla’s main restaurant: the Mead Hall. In Norse mythology, the mead hall was a prominent place among warriors. Here, all would gather to “eat, drink and be merry”, and here within the Mead Hall, we can partake in an authentic Norse feast. Just like how the Great Hall brings us back to the days of King Arthur, so too does the Mead Hall bring us back to the days of Beowulf and other such great heroes. What’s on the menu? Well, according to fjordtours.com, the menu includes such delicacies as “roasted and boiled meats, rich stews, platters of buttered root vegetables, sharp, welcome greens, and sweet fruits.”

Speaking of Beowulf, throughout the day, the Fortellere take to the streets to tell the stories of Norse heroes, up to and including Beowulf. Fortellere is Norwegian for “Storytellers”, so you can understand what whimsy you’re in for.

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Towering high above Valhalla, even dwarfing Jötnar Mountain, is Odin’s Tower, the Mythica equivalent to the Magic Kingdom’s Tower of Terror. Yes, Odin’s Tower is also a freefall attraction with dark-ride elements. For this, I would utilize a similar storyline to what the blog Re-Imagining Disney World proposed as a Maelstrom replacement: You, being visitors to Valhalla, are going about, meeting the gods. However, the visit is derailed when Loki, the trickster god, fools us into trying to take one of the Golden Apples, the source of the Gods’ immortality and perpetual youth. Guests then find themselves in a race to escape Valhalla, fleeing from Idun, Guardian of the Golden Apples, and the Valkyries, warrior maidens on flying horses. Of course, all ends well, as Loki is justly punished for his mischief, and Odin recognizes us as true heroes.

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Returning to the center of Valhalla, going east of Yggdrasil brings us towards The Adventures of Thor. In a style similar to Knights of the Round Table or Sindbad’s Storybook Voyage, this ride also utilizes the “stylized animatronic” approach to bring to life another popular legend. Here, we follow Thor through his many, mythical adventures – from the forging of Mjolnir, to his fight with the Midgard Serpent, to his epic quest to retrieve Mjolnir after Loki has taken it away. The experience exits out into Mine of Mjolnir, a shop featuring all sorts of wares themed around the Thor legend – and not of the MCU Thor.

Various small huts and buildings are on the other side of the Adventures of Thor building, offering small souvenirs as well as snacks. At the southern end of the land is the Bifrost, the rainbow bridge that is said to take all souls to Valhalla. But for us, it bridges the gap between Valhalla and our next land…

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...which we shall visit in the next post. Join me on Tuesday, February 7, for a trip back to the days of Ancient China to explore Tianxi! See you then!