Pandas in AK

[Dads 2 Boys]

With Disney's reputation involving animal care and protection to endagered species along with their obvious relationship with China, I wonder why there are no Pandas in AK. The Giant Panda is such a beloved animal.

I know the Chinese gov't controls virtually the entire panda population in zoos around the globe but I would think AK would be perfect for them. Perhaps Disney ould have more success with breeding than other zoos in the U.S.

There is already the Asia section and I would think finding a sponsor to build a new habitat should be fairly easy. Fuji Film payed a very large sum to the National Zoo in DC to sponsor that exhibit.

 

[216bruce]

The Chinese government, like you said, controls the giant panda's exhibition and out of country transportaion. It is my understanding that they place a crazy amount of demands on the exhibitor about where, how the animals will be shown, so I would imagine that this has something to do with it. Also, a dedicated area would have to be built from scratch, most likely. Also, Disney seems to be, like any accredited zoo, more in the conservation and breeding business for the animals they do have and not-so-much in the acquisition of animals for show trade. So, in essence, it's most likely a business decision with some conservation thrown in for good measure.

 

[Dads 2 Boys]

I agree to an extent but the National Zoo in DC has been a large part of the conservation and breeding of pandas than show. I think the Giant Panda would be a tremendous addition to AK

 

[JimboJones123]

I don't think that I am exagerating by claiming that Pandas would raise AK attendance at least 1 million up to even 2 million people.

The main problem for WDW is crowd control.

San Diego's walk through -- which is VERY limited in viewing -- has a wait of about 30 minutes any given time to view.

DC's has LOTS of viewing, but the viewing sucks. We went by 3 times and the Pandas were out and playing, just in the back. It is very much like the Gorillas at AK. But when there are much less animals and they don't come out---

If AK cannot provide massive amounts of viewing for massive amounts of guests every single day, it will be concidered a failure. KS gets away with MIA animals becuase there is such a large variety to see. If the Pandas aren't playing and 25,000 people are trying three times a day to see them and never do -- MASSIVE FAILURE!

 

[DisneyparkFreak]

I think part of the problem has to do with noise levels as well. If I remember correctly when we went to the SDZ 3 years ago there were signs everywhere that stated be quite an no flash photography. Which we all know in WDW there are tons of people who disobey those rules in Philharmagic let alone a multimillion dollar giant panda visit.

-I agree with the crowd control argument as well. Then need the exhibit in a well traveled, high visibility area to get the most guests to see it. However that's also where the rides are and the people. I think for the short terms it would be insane, but after 3-4 years when everyone knows that AK has panda's then it may be manageable....

Just my opinion.

 

[powlessfamily4]

I the only zoos in the US with Giant Pandas are San Diego, Memphis, Washington D.C and Atlanta.

I live in the Atlanta area and Atlanta is home to parents Lun Lun and Yang Yang. They have a total of 3 cubs, Mei Lan (f) and Xi Lan (m), and newly born Po (m) (named for Kung Fu Panda) all born at Zoo Atlanta. They do have a Panda cam if you want to watch http://www.zooatlanta.com/1212/panda_cam#cub updates

They are VERY popular in Atlanta and we just love them!!

 

[Dads 2 Boys]

I don't think that I am exagerating by claiming that Pandas would raise AK attendance at least 1 million up to even 2 million people.

The main problem for WDW is crowd control.

San Diego's walk through -- which is VERY limited in viewing -- has a wait of about 30 minutes any given time to view.

DC's has LOTS of viewing, but the viewing sucks. We went by 3 times and the Pandas were out and playing, just in the back. It is very much like the Gorillas at AK. But when there are much less animals and they don't come out---

If AK cannot provide massive amounts of viewing for massive amounts of guests every single day, it will be concidered a failure. KS gets away with MIA animals becuase there is such a large variety to see. If the Pandas aren't playing and 25,000 people are trying three times a day to see them and never do -- MASSIVE FAILURE!

Excellent point about the crowd control because it would be a tremendous increase in traffic @ AK. Estimating a 1-2 million increase is definitely not out of the question at all.

We got lucky in DC when we went (in 2009) because the pandas (especially Tai Shan) were all over and we got amazing viewing and pictures. There were however zero noise restrictions when we went though so I'm not sure that would be an issue.

My son has joked a million times that his 1st WDW trip in 2007 was 99.9% perfect but wasn't 100% because "Disney doesn't have Pandas". :lol: He has been a panda freak since he was born.