New attraction for AK?

[nytimez]

Given that Disney has a working relationship with the Chinese government, I really think they should fight hard for a Panda. Set up a real elaborate habitat of the quality of the Tigers at Maharajah back at Rafiki's Planet Watch. Make it a real draw, a reason to take that train (give the train riders something to look at.) Then start the breeding program backstage, and let guests see some of how care for Pandas works.

It's actually a lot more complicated than the type of relationship an organization has with the Chinese government. For a variety of reasons, most of them directly and indirectly related to $$$, you almost certainly won't ever see pandas at DAK.

 

[marni1971]

Things have been mooted. Scratch one though until FOTLK moves.

 

[SirLink]

One of these "things" wouldn't happen to be "fix" DinoLand USA and MI - would it @marni1971 ?

 

[The Duck]

Given that Disney has a working relationship with the Chinese government, I really think they should fight hard for a Panda. Set up a real elaborate habitat of the quality of the Tigers at Maharajah back at Rafiki's Planet Watch. Make it a real draw, a reason to take that train (give the train riders something to look at.) Then start the breeding program backstage, and let guests see some of how care for Pandas works.

I would love to see pandas but....
There are only 4 zoos in America that are displaying pandas at the present time. The National Zoo in Washington D.C., Memphis Zoo, Zoo Atlanta and the San Diego Zoo.

Pandas are VERY expensive to obtain and maintain. The Chinese government lends (not sells) pandas to zoos outside of China and the last price that I've heard is one million dollars per year for a pair for a 10 year loan. After 10 years, both pandas and any offspring (if any) are to be returned to China unless another 10 year/10 million dollar contract can be arranged. In the meantime, the zoo can hope that the pandas will increase attendance and souvenir sales to make the investment worthwhile.

Pandas are also very sensitive to hot and humid conditions. The pandas that I've seen in Memphis and Atlanta were behind glass in air-conditioned exhibits for most of the year and only allowed outside during the late fall through early spring. Pandas in central Florida would almost certainly have to displayed indoors year round making a exhibit building quite expensive.

Could Disney do this? Of course. A China area could be added and could possibly be tied in with a Mulan theme with perhaps a Mushu themed coaster for considerably less money than Avatarland.

 

[SirLink]

Not so much the franchises relevance but the new film. What if Disney developed something based around the new film and its about as popular as the prequels, that's the hesitation I'm hearing. Not a hesitation on the franchise but a hesitation on the chance that the new films characters could have issues. The new films are a risk, Disney has to go back and change the association of star wars from the prequels to something new and fresh

Or ya know they could develop attractions, shopping and dining based on the 'original' trilogy - then if the new film does really well - add elements from them to those attractions. It is kinda backward, no?

I get more depressed every day with regards to Disney and World in the same sentence. However won't be long until facades go up on Calamity Kitchen in DSP.

 

[dreamfinder]

Could they maybe build the Indiana Jones ride in Asia at DAK...the one that's in California? That would be inside a very large show building and could be themed to Indy going to find some kind of animal that is rare in Asia, maybe an Asian unicorn creature?

You mean the ride already in AK that is identical in every way except for theming and quality of upkeep?

 

[marni1971]

One of these "things" wouldn't happen to be "fix" DinoLand USA and MI - would it @marni1971 ?

Sadly no.

 

[tl77]

I've was watching the Tinker Bell movies recently and thought those characters would be a perfect fit for Animal Kingdom, because each of the pixies are like caretakers for different aspects of the environment, plants, water, nature, animals, and so on

But it'd be a great way to put some Disney Characters into a Disney park and serve in an educational capacity instead of just meet and greets... although I'm sure they'd have M&G's too

 

[SirLink]

Sadly no.

Any clues ... please...

 

[Patricia Melton]

I've was watching the Tinker Bell movies recently and thought those characters would be a perfect fit for Animal Kingdom, because each of the pixies are like caretakers for different aspects of the environment, plants, water, nature, animals, and so on

But it'd be a great way to put some Disney Characters into a Disney park and serve in an educational capacity instead of just meet and greets... although I'm sure they'd have M&G's too

I really like this idea. I would have never thought of this.

They really could put those pixies all over the park...with a different one doing something different with different kinds of animals. And "Pixie Hollow" could be built under the Tree of Life where the Bug's Life thing is. To me that would be much better than having the bugs in there.

 

[SirLink]

I've was watching the Tinker Bell movies recently and thought those characters would be a perfect fit for Animal Kingdom, because each of the pixies are like caretakers for different aspects of the environment, plants, water, nature, animals, and so on

But it'd be a great way to put some Disney Characters into a Disney park and serve in an educational capacity instead of just meet and greets... although I'm sure they'd have M&G's too

Urgh... just ... no ...

 

[Nemo14]

I've was watching the Tinker Bell movies recently and thought those characters would be a perfect fit for Animal Kingdom, because each of the pixies are like caretakers for different aspects of the environment, plants, water, nature, animals, and so on

But it'd be a great way to put some Disney Characters into a Disney park and serve in an educational capacity instead of just meet and greets... although I'm sure they'd have M&G's too

It's time like these that we really need a DISLIKE button!

 

[Patricia Melton]

It's time like these that we really need a DISLIKE button!

Well, my niece LOVES the Tinkerbelle and Pixie Hollow stuff. Her little school friends love it too. For the last three years she's been a different kind of fairy for Halloween. I remember the Halloween sections in the stores being full of fairy costumes.

So the youngest generation out there now really loves the fairies...and fairies and nature have always gone together. This really would fit well...and there could be different fairies representing different cultures and parts of the world.

Done right, it could be interesting because each culture has its own take on fairies and their relation to nature.

 

[SJN1279]

I'm surprised they never built a Lion King dark ride at Animal Kingdom. It is Disney's highest grossing traditional animated feature, and has great songs and characters.

 

[SirLink]

Well, my niece LOVES the Tinkerbelle and Pixie Hollow stuff. Her little school friends love it too. For the last three years she's been a different kind of fairy for Halloween. I remember the Halloween sections in the stores being full of fairy costumes.

So the youngest generation out there now really loves the fairies...and fairies and nature have always gone together. This really would fit well...and there could be different fairies representing different cultures and parts of the world.

Done right, it could be interesting because each culture has its own take on fairies and their relation to nature.

Apart from Animal Kingdom doesn't need Princesses or Fairies brand invading the last cohesive themed park in WDW. Give me Dragons, Give me tall Blue-Egyptian-Cameron-Alien-Natives, give me more rides ... but honestly it is a stupid idea ...

 

[SirLink]

I'm surprised they never built a Lion King dark ride at Animal Kingdom. It is Disney's highest grossing traditional animated feature, and has great songs and characters.

They have a show though ...

 

[Patricia Melton]

Apart from Animal Kingdom doesn't need Princesses or Fairies brand invading the last cohesive themed park in WDW. Give me Dragons, Give me tall Blue-Egyptian-Cameron-Alien-Natives, give me more rides ... but honestly it is a stupid idea ...

I really think Pocahontas and Tarzan are the characters I would like to see more of in Animal Kingdom. They should have attractions for their movies...and also the Jungle Book characters. There are so many great animal themed movies...and I never understand why they don't put these characters in the parks.

 

[awoogala]

Well, my niece LOVES the Tinkerbelle and Pixie Hollow stuff. Her little school friends love it too. For the last three years she's been a different kind of fairy for Halloween. I remember the Halloween sections in the stores being full of fairy costumes.

So the youngest generation out there now really loves the fairies...and fairies and nature have always gone together. This really would fit well...and there could be different fairies representing different cultures and parts of the world.

Done right, it could be interesting because each culture has its own take on fairies and their relation to nature.

we adore the fairy movies too. They are better than most movies disney has done for theater release in the last few years. I don't know about spreading them through ak, but I have no qualms about a lovely pixie hollow under the tree if they get rid of flik. I still wish Pixie Hollow had been built in New fantasyland. Some families are a little sick of princesses.
You will find no support on these boards, though. Anytime I mention anything, people start freaking and being nasty. They don't mention if they have ever seen the movies, just react with disgust.

 

[M.rudolf]

Or ya know they could develop attractions, shopping and dining based on the 'original' trilogy - then if the new film does really well - add elements from them to those attractions. It is kinda backward, no?

I get more depressed every day with regards to Disney and World in the same sentence. However won't be long until facades go up on Calamity Kitchen in DSP.

I don't disagree they need to have a mix of the old and the new

 

[td1129]

And "Pixie Hollow" could be built under the Tree of Life where the Bug's Life thing is. To me that would be much better than having the bugs in there.

Wow. Just.....wow.