PHOTOS - Discovery Island expansion at Disney's Animal Kingdom underway

[doctornick]

If attendance increases due to Avatar, a parade will be a nightmare. It was already an issue with guest flow as it was. As much as I enjoyed the floats, it was just too difficult to walk around the park before, during, and after the parade.

A "parade" on the water during the day (like Mythica in Japan) would probably be the best option for a daytime spectacle for DAK.

 

[doctornick]

I'd rather see DHS invest in a new daytime parade once the makeover is done.

Definitely. We haven't heard anything about the possibility, but I really hope the changes at DHS allow for a daytime parade to be a part of the park. It could really use it.

 

[Kman101]

Definitely. We haven't heard anything about the possibility, but I really hope the changes at DHS allow for a daytime parade to be a part of the park. It could really use it.

I'd even take the simple Stars and Motorcars again (as a placeholder until something better comes along) ... LOL. Too bad Paris butchered it to death.

 

[WDWtraveler]

Photo update as of Tuesday, Dec. 1. The construction walls are removed from around the Riverside Depot building at Discovery Island. However, the building is not yet open. Note the moveable planter boxes on this side of the building, which hide the door access under the porch and Riverside Depot sign.

This end of the building that faces the river.

The side entrance to the tower, the store's door is inside to the right. This side faces Island Mercantile, across the plaza.

The front entrance under the tower. The side entrance can be seen to the right, under the porch sign.

View looking up into the tower.

The front of the building showing the attachment to the existing Disney Outfitters building. The clocks on the tower show the correct time.

 

[JenniferS]

Photo update as of Tuesday, Dec. 1. The construction walls are removed from around the Riverside Depot building at Discovery Island. However, the building is not yet open. Note the moveable planter boxes on this side of the building, which hide the door access under the porch and Riverside Depot sign.

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This end of the building faces the river.

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The side entrance to the tower, the store's door is inside to the right. This side faces Island Mercantile, across the plaza.

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The front entrance under the tower. The side entrance can be seen to the right, under the porch sign.

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View looking up into the tower.

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The front of the building showing the attachment to the existing Disney Outfitters building. The clocks on the tower show the correct time.
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Great pics! Looks awesome.
Hard to believe this is the same crew that gave us Storybook Circus.

 

[Goofyque']

Loving the clocks, and the tower doors with the flamingos are AWESOME!! Thanks for the pics!

 

[FigmentForver96]

Someone jog my memory...this building is where on Discovery exactly?

 

[hpyhnt 1000]

Someone jog my memory...this building is where on Discovery exactly?

As you walk from the main entrance, it is on the right side immediately after you cross over the bridge onto Discovery Island.

 

[cjkeating]

I love the lights in the clock tower.

 

[RSoxNo1]

So is this store behind Disney Outfitters or are the two stores one and the same?

 

[Next Big Thing]

So is this store behind Disney Outfitters or are the two stores one and the same?

I feel like it took over part of Disney Outfitters (and expanded), but I very well may be wrong.

 

[drew81]

Looks great.

Now that the lemurs are back can they also add a couple new species to the area?

 

[Sage of Time]

Photo update as of Tuesday, Nov. 17. The 'expansion' of Disney Outfitters at Discovery Island will be a new store. The entrance is marked by a new sign "Riverside Depot." The clock hands have been installed, and yes, that is the correct time. A cast member said the store should be open the week after Thanksgiving.

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On the other side of Disney Outfitters, the construction walls have been removed around a new structure. It is not an expansion of Disney Outfitters, but a new stage for the music acts that often appear in this area. Inside the store, there is no customer "entrance" into the area behind the stage, so this building must be inventory/storage.

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And here, I thought the tower would be for projectors for the Tree of Life.

Still, that clock is lovely.

 

[Timothy_Q]

Is Disney Outfitters getting a new sign or are they keeping the old one?
It looks very 90s

 

[Kman101]

I would hope so. It seems most of the buildings have been getting new paint jobs and less cartoony signs.

 

[RSoxNo1]

Again, I ask the question. Are these two separate shops? Are they connected on the inside? Is it like the shops on the right side of Sunset Boulevard?

 

[Rteetz]

Again, I ask the question. Are these two separate shops? Are they connected on the inside? Is it like the shops on the right side of Sunset Boulevard?

I don't remember where it was but I saw a CM say that they are two separate shops. I don't know if they are connected or not tho. I would imagine yes.

 

[WDWtraveler]

Photo update as of Wednesday, Dec. 23. On the other side of Disney Outfitters, the new stage for the music acts that often appear in this area was open and operating this week. This gentleman was not part of the show....

 

[flyerjab]

Photo update as of Wednesday, Dec. 23. On the other side of Disney Outfitters, the new stage for the music acts that often appear in this area was open and operating this week. This gentleman was not part of the show....

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That's good cause if he was, color me disappointed.

 

[WDWtraveler]

Photo update as of Thursday, Jan 14. Recently, a construction wall has surrounded the existing Disney Outfitters, from the door near the new tower at Riverside Depot all the way around to the new stage area on the pathway to Dinoland USA. The only open door to the original Disney Outfitters is the one next to the tower. Inside this door, only the first room is open, which continues right through to the new Riverside Depot. To the left side of this room, the majority of Disney Outfitters is closed off. This appears to be a makeover of the Disney Outfitters interior, perhaps to match Riverside Depot décor, and perhaps a repainting of the exterior.

There is an opening in the construction wall at the Disney Outfitter door across from the entrance to It's Tough to be a Bug, but this door is closed, with a sign directing guests to the other side of the building.