New and Updated Land Suggestions/Possibilities for Disney's Animal Kingdom

[BlakeW39]

I like Disney's Animal Kingdom a lot. I have been thinking lately, about this land, its purpose. I have come to the conclusion that I would like to see a greater variety of wildlife at this park. Africa is well done in terms if selection, except for the fact that it is missing 2 if it's big 5 puzzle pieces - the African Leopard and Cape Buffalo, which would be great additions, the former being the only predator in their jungle section of Kilimanjaro. Asia though... seriously lacking. No Asian Elephant/Rhino species? Snow/Clouded Leopard? Panda/Sloth Bear? Just something more there may be good. However I really wanted to see what you guys thought would be great to add in terms of wildlife and also lands, attractions, as well as what wildlife/lands and attractions would be likely additions in the future.

 

[Cameron1529]

I like Disney's Animal Kingdom a lot. I have been thinking lately, about this land, its purpose. I have come to the conclusion that I would like to see a greater variety of wildlife at this park. Africa is well done in terms if selection, except for the fact that it is missing 2 if it's big 5 puzzle pieces - the African Leopard and Cape Buffalo, which would be great additions, the former being the only predator in their jungle section of Kilimanjaro. Asia though... seriously lacking. No Asian Elephant/Rhino species? Snow/Clouded Leopard? Panda/Sloth Bear? Just something more there may be good. However I really wanted to see what you guys thought would be great to add in terms of wildlife and also lands, attractions, as well as what wildlife/lands and attractions would be likely additions in the future.

I would love to see different animals etc. at AK but I tend to think Disney intentionally wants to limit the perception they are a 'zoo' so to speak. Hence the reason they are increasingly the focus on themed lands and attractions.

An Avatar land expansion would be something that would really finalise and further the immersive nature of the current land. Possible an additional attraction about the conversion from a human to the Avatar.

Even an Indiana Jones themed land would be awesome and fit into the AK atmosphere and it would definitely appeal to those both young and old

 

[BlakeW39]

I very much believe that. They do wish to eliminate the idea that they are some sort of zoo of sorts to maintain their reputation as a grade A theme park. I see why some people at Disney think this but many others do not. Their problem with being called a zoo is not that they have too many animals, in fact, compared to a zoo their arsenal is sadly limited, but rather their limited selection of rides. I think that it would benefit them to possibly add more onto Kilimanjaro, and add a water safari to Asia (not as long as Kili probably) but rides do need to come along. DAK just does not have enough of them. Add some fast paced or traditional rides to some places and rehaul Dinoland would be great.

Indiana would be bad to me though - it promotes an idea that DAK is just a giant version of Adventureland, which is not true as DAK is about the power and beauty of nature, harmony with it and conserving all aspects of it, in particular, animals. Indiana Jones is not about nature at all, nor is nature a focus of his series at all, in fact his series' focus is the exact opposite. Indy is an archeologist, and archeologists study ancient human society and history, he was not a zoologist nor was he a paleontologist, and he has no place at Animal Kingdom.

As for not adding anything, they very well might, Disney is constantly updating their parks and they all need it pretty much equally, excluding Magic Kingdom. So Pandora I doubt is the last large update DAK.

 

[Mickey's Angels]

I really think Oceania should be represented in that park. That whole area to the east of Kali seems like such a waste. That would be great spot to make a land there that is divided into the different sub-regions of Oceania with their specific land and aquatic animals. They could make a sailboat type of ride that goes to the different islands while passing through different Pacific eco systems, and the final stop would be a gift shop with a bunch of Moana stuff.

 

[KINGLOUIS1993]

I would love to see different animals etc. at AK but I tend to think Disney intentionally wants to limit the perception they are a 'zoo' so to speak. Hence the reason they are increasingly the focus on themed lands and attractions.

An Avatar land expansion would be something that would really finalise and further the immersive nature of the current land. Possible an additional attraction about the conversion from a human to the Avatar.

Even an Indiana Jones themed land would be awesome and fit into the AK atmosphere and it would definitely appeal to those both young and old

Why did it have to be snakes?

 

[BlakeW39]

I really think Oceania should be represented in that park. That whole area to the east of Kali seems like such a waste. That would be great spot to make a land there that is divided into the different sub-regions of Oceania with their specific land and aquatic animals. They could make a sailboat type of ride that goes to the different islands while passing through different Pacific eco systems, and the final stop would be a gift shop with a bunch of Moana stuff.

I do think that Oceania would be a great land, land animals could and should remain the major focus but animals of the sea should be represented well, still. If they were to add a land I think this would be the best choice, next to a prehistoric land set in the Mesozoic to replace the horrific Dinoland U.S.A.

 

[Seabasealpha1]

Oceana would be great...but they're not gonna have TWO huge aquariums on property...they don't give the one they have the best attention already...

 

[BlakeW39]

Oceana would be great...but they're not gonna have TWO huge aquariums on property...they don't give the one they have the best attention already...

True, but honestly, they should take the other WDW aquarium down and build an area for aquatic species. They need to be conserved as well.

I think they are limited in the space where the rides can be made (the front of the park) because the animals have to be able to sleep at night. There's probably some kind of code or law about that for animal welfare.

As far as Indy, they can just retrofit the Dinoland ride into an Indy ride.

I would think that South America, Amazon rainforest, Patagonia, etc would be next.

I don't think space is all that limited, I mean, yes, they need space for animals to sleep, but each area is huge and had many places not near animal life, they could easily fit another 5 rides in Africa and close to that in Asia, more when you consider they have so much room to expand. Indy honestly has no place at DAK, like I said. Just because it's set in the jungle does not mean it has a place at DAK - there are animals in Coming to America, and that film has no place either. Both films are about humans, not animals at all, which is why zootopia has no place either. Containing animals does not give a pass.

South America would be nice, but remember, SA is not home to very many large animals... which are what people like most, and are what can be featured on an attraction. SA would have to be very small because the anals that live there are. Same goes for Australia but on an even smaller scale. Plus the two present themed lands (excluding a small part of Asia) are already tropical climates, East Africa and South Asia, they would do themselves a favor to have a North American or European themed land, they have impressive animals there too, far larger that herbivores of South America. Maybe they could have one land called The Americas that contains North and South America.

 

[J_Carioca]

South America would be nice, but remember, SA is not home to very many large animals... which are what people like most, and are what can be featured on an attraction. SA would have to be very small because the anals that live there are. Same goes for Australia but on an even smaller scale. Plus the two present themed lands (excluding a small part of Asia) are already tropical climates, East Africa and South Asia, they would do themselves a favor to have a North American or European themed land, they have impressive animals there too, far larger that herbivores of South America. Maybe they could have one land called The Americas that contains North and South America.

There are lots of large, impressive animals in South (and Central) America. Jaguars, sloths, giant anteaters, spectacled bears, dozens of monkey species, wolves, tapirs, deer, llamas, loads of snakes...there's no shortage.

I would like to see a land devoted to the Americas. The best thing about AK in my opinion is the theming in Africa and Asia. I think they could do something similar with an Americas land. I also love the idea of an aquatic safari.

 

[Edward M]

I think the next step for Animal Kingdom should be fixing Dinoland USA carnival section. I know that Dinosaur has the same layout as Indiana Jones, but the building, construction, and animatronics are all so different and putting in a new theming that would cost $100+ million is ludicrous. I think they should keep Dinosaur since the ride, while not perfect, fits Animal Kingdom extremely well. Get rid of the Dinoland carnival area ASAP. Add in a nice little dinosaur subsection and try and focus on a dark ride for kids and a roller coaster maybe. Perhaps expand the Dino Institute to take over the carnival area and have a ride that is actually successful in going back in time (aka Dinosaur but calm). AK has mainly rides for older kids, but I think a kid based dark ride would be nice for the park. I would love to have an area that is actually in the prehistoric time, but it would ruin the Dinosaur Institute plot. I'm unsure exactly what to do but GET RID OF THE CARNIVAL.

 

[BlakeW39]

There are lots of large, impressive animals in South (and Central) America. Jaguars, sloths, giant anteaters, spectacled bears, dozens of monkey species, wolves, tapirs, deer, llamas, loads of snakes...there's no shortage.

I would like to see a land devoted to the Americas. The best thing about AK in my opinion is the theming in Africa and Asia. I think they could do something similar with an Americas land. I also love the idea of an aquatic safari.

South and Central America have some impressive predators, but that is as far as it goes. There really are no large animals like buffalo and bison or even larger deer and antelope. Certainly nothing like Elephants. The largest animal in South America is a BrazilianTapir, which grow to around 600lbs. They could do it but it would be better if it were mixed with North America, and split into 2 regions, temperate and tropical. Africa and Asia are great, though they could stand to expand both, Africa in particular, and they should follow suit. Oceana would be great in particular, maybe incorporate a submarine or something. Idk.

 

[BlakeW39]

I think the next step for Animal Kingdom should be fixing Dinoland USA carnival section. I know that Dinosaur has the same layout as Indiana Jones, but the building, construction, and animatronics are all so different and putting in a new theming that would cost $100+ million is ludicrous. I think they should keep Dinosaur since the ride, while not perfect, fits Animal Kingdom extremely well. Get rid of the Dinoland carnival area ASAP. Add in a nice little dinosaur subsection and try and focus on a dark ride for kids and a roller coaster maybe. Perhaps expand the Dino Institute to take over the carnival area and have a ride that is actually successful in going back in time (aka Dinosaur but calm). AK has mainly rides for older kids, but I think a kid based dark ride would be nice for the park. I would love to have an area that is actually in the prehistoric time, but it would ruin the Dinosaur Institute plot. I'm unsure exactly what to do but GET RID OF THE CARNIVAL.

Idk man, I think they should just scrap the whole thing and create a land names Mesozoica or something. Have it set in prehistoric times and then build on that. Though that would cost a lot, so maybe the destruction of Dinorama would be fine for now.

 

[BlakeW39]

Galapogos Giant Turtles (owned by Ecudardo), Brazil Giant Anaconda, Llama and Alpaca

Galapagos Tortoises they are, and they are not native to South America. And domesticated animals don't count.

 

[J_Carioca]

Galapagos Tortoises they are, and they are not native to South America. And domesticated animals don't count.

Well...Kilimanjaro Safaris does feature domesticated animals (Watusi cattle).

 

[RHCP Mickey]

There are lots of large, impressive animals in South (and Central) America. Jaguars, sloths, giant anteaters, spectacled bears, dozens of monkey species, wolves, tapirs, deer, llamas, loads of snakes...there's no shortage.

I would like to see a land devoted to the Americas. The best thing about AK in my opinion is the theming in Africa and Asia. I think they could do something similar with an Americas land. I also love the idea of an aquatic safari.

An Up themed ride, beginning as a water safari through aquariums/terariums housing tapirs, Amazonian fish (arapaima, pacu, etc.), jaguars, etc. After you get through the river section, the ride vehicle lifts into the air and rises into a mid-canopy setting through an aviary full of tropical birds, then into a section of howler and spider monkey exhibits. After passing through the aviary, the ride takes you from the canopy of the Amazon into the Andes, where the more fantastical Up theming takes charge. Maybe it turns into a dark ride where effects are used to make you feel as though you've risen into the mountains and have to chase a Kevin through harrowing mountain passes.

If nothing else I think I deserve an A for optimism.

 

[FettFan]

Australia.

 

[BlakeW39]

Well...Kilimanjaro Safaris does feature domesticated animals (Watusi cattle).

Oh yeah xD well you are right my friend. I certainly wish they'd take them out though - they have no function in a "natural" ecosystem and therefore should not be a sight of a safari. I vote for Cape Buffalo! Lol

An Up themed ride, beginning as a water safari through aquariums/terariums housing tapirs, Amazonian fish (arapaima, pacu, etc.), jaguars, etc. After you get through the river section, the ride vehicle lifts into the air and rises into a mid-canopy setting through an aviary full of tropical birds, then into a section of howler and spider monkey exhibits. After passing through the aviary, the ride takes you from the canopy of the Amazon into the Andes, where the more fantastical Up theming takes charge. Maybe it turns into a dark ride where effects are used to make you feel as though you've risen into the mountains and have to chase a Kevin through harrowing mountain passes.

If nothing else I think I deserve an A for optimism.

Sounds good to me! Although I don't if the mountains are necessary! I think you could accomplish that Argentina vibe without building a large structure.

Australia.

Idk man, Australia doesn't even have a mammal that (normally) reaches 200lbs, and only 2 that reach 100lbs. I would like to see it represented in an oceania section, give a unique feel to the inevitable land themed pathways.

 

[graphite1326]

I recently spent a week at Yellowstone. Awesome. The scenery, thermals everywhere.. Wolves, Bison, Grizzlies, Elk, Mule deer (ever see a mule deer run, funny), Big Horned Sheep, and cowboys. Well the cowboys were in Cody but still neat to see. It would make a great land.

You have to remember that a lot of the people coming to WDW are from another country and it would be different for them.

 

[epcotWSC]

Sierra Nevada featuring a Homeward Bound ride

 

[Cmdr_Crimson]