Walt Disney World: New Horizons

[DisneyManOne]

Now, here's the first major piece of entertainment to be found here at Disney's Hollywoodland.

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Disney Stars and Motor Cars Parade

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When the stars of Disney travel to a red-carpet Hollywood movie premiere, they don’t travel in boring, conventional limousines. They travel in cars that reflect who they are. That’s the premise of this clever parade, making its triumphant return to Disney's Hollywoodland. For 25 minutes, you’ll be treated to a cavalcade of Disney stars and their customized cars. Some stars ride in the cars. Others walk along side them, often interacting with guests. The parade route starts in Echo Lake (from a brick arch in-between behind the eastern block of shops and The Great Muppet Ride), goes past the Lakeside Club and CineMagic, passes in front of the Chinese Theatre, goes down Hollywood Boulevard, and disappears backstage at Sid Cahuenga’s One-of-a-Kind Shop.

Before the parade starts, announcers come out on the street. The announcers are also Citizens of Hollywood, the streetmosphere characters that can be seen throughout the day. There are several announcers along the parade route, and they introduce the stars as they make their way to that particular area. When the parade starts, some motorcycle policemen come down the street with their lights flashing, giving an official air to the procession. First come the grand marshals for the parade, often a specially-selected family. The parade is officially heralded by a simple banner.

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The first float featured is Toy Story. Heralded by the Green Army Men, as well as Jessie, Bo Peep, Rex and Slinky Dog, this car is decked out to look like Andy's bed, complete with Woody and Buzz sitting on pillows at the back. Mr. and Mrs. Potato Head sit on the car's hood.

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Dancing penguins announce the arrival of Mary Poppins. Mary and Bert ride on carousel horses mounted on the back of their car. And the car is brightly painted, bringing back memories of the "Jolly Holiday" sequence from the movie.

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Next come the Muppets, with Kermit and Miss Piggy riding in a car shielded from the elements by a giant blimp. Typical Muppet fare, with some rockets, sandbags, and a life preserver on the car, along with a movie camera hood ornament. Other Muppets greet guests on the streets.

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Then, from that galaxy far, far away, come Luke Skywalker and Princess Leia. C-3PO, R2-D2 and marching Stormtroopers lead the way for this car, made to resemble Luke's landspeeder from his home planet of Tatooine. Darth Vader stalks behind the vehicle.

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Chinese warriors announce the arrival of Mulan, the valiant girl who saved the emperor and all of China.

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And then we have Mike Wazowski and James P. Sullivan from Monsters Inc., riding in a sporty red convertible.

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Up next comes a new float. Ice harvesters dance along the route (much like the Gravediggers from Mickey's Boo-to-You Parade, their pick-axes make blue sparks when they hit the pavement). Of course, they herald the arrival of the gang from Frozen. Here, Anna, Elsa and Kristoff ride in a car decorated to look like a sleigh. Olaf serves as the hood ornament.

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Dancing harem girls announce the arrival of Princess Jasmine and Prince Ali (aka Aladdin). Of course the car is really the Genie, and the passengers are resting against the Magic Carpet, who is along for the ride.

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When Pain and Panic drop by, that can only mean Hercules is coming! He and Meg ride in a car decorated with ancient Greek designs and columns. The hood ornament is actually a lightning bolt, no doubt placed there by Zeus himself.

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Behind them lurk the Disney Villains: the Evil Queen, Frollo, Jafar, Cruella de Vil, Dr. Facilier, Oogie Boogie, Captain Hook, Hades and the Queen of Hearts. Maleficent rides in a limo that resembles a hearse. Picture this, but without the flames.

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Next come Lilo and Stitch, in a car inspired by their home state of Hawaii. The wood sides, surf boards, palm trees, and torches all add to the atmosphere.

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Dancers straight out of Mardi Gras herald the way for Tiana and Naveen (of The Princess and the Frog fame). Their car is decorated with lily pads and swamp grass.

Behind them is yet another new addition: Wreck-It Ralph. Ralph and Vanellope von Schweetz ride in a car, presumably decorated by Fix-It Felix (if the car’s being made of bricks is any indication).

Ariel is up next in her clam shell vehicle, complete with a large seahorse on the hood. Eric, Sebastian and Flounder ride along with her. The shiny blue paint job looks like the bottom of a swimming pool on a sunny day.

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Behind them is the final new addition to the parade: Winnie the Pooh. Here, Pooh, Tigger, Piglet, and Eeyore drive a wheelbarrow-shaped car overflowing with plants from Rabbit’s garden and honey pots.

Next is the fairest one of all, Snow White, sitting in front of a large mirror. Dopey comes along for the ride in this car fit for a princess. The hood ornament on Snow White's car is a golden apple, which is conspicuously missing a bite. Looks like the evil queen has been up to her old tricks...

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And bringing up the rear, being heralded by various Disney characters, are everyone's favorites - Mickey, Minnie, Donald, and Goofy, riding in style in a film-inspired classic limo. And this car differs from the rest in that Goofy is doing double duty as the chauffeur. A great end to a great parade!

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If you think that was something to see, just wait till nightfall, 'cause it's then and only then that the pure unbridled magic of Disney comes alive like never before...

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Oh, and by the way, here is a complete list of everything found in my ideal Disney's Hollywoodland, including Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge and Toy Story Land.

Disney's Hollywoodland

Hollywood Boulevard
Attractions
1) The Great Movie Ride
2) Red Car Trolley
3) CineMagic
4) American Film Institute
5) Lakeside Club -- The D Show/Comedy Warehouse
6) Hollywoodland Hills & Eastern Gardens
7) Disney Stars and Motor Cars Parade

Dining
1) Hollywood & Vine
2) Trolley Car Cafe
3) Hollywood Brown Derby
4) ABC Bistro

Shopping
1) Crossroads of the World
2) Movieland Memorabilia
3) Sid Cahuenga's One-of-a-Kind Antique Shop
4) Mickey's of Hollywood
5) Keystone Clothiers
6) The Darkroom
7) Cover Story
8) Celebrity 5 & 10
9) Adrian and Edith's Head to Toe

Sunset Boulevard
Attractions
1) Tower of Terror
2) The Rocketeer and the Squadron of Doom
3) The Golden Mickeys
4) Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
5) Fantasia
6) Griffith Park Merry-Go-Round
7) Fantasmic!

Dining
1) Sweet Spells
2) Sunset Ranch Diner
3) South Seas Club
4) The Mallard Lounge

Shopping
1) Villains in Vogue
2) Legends of Hollywood
3) Mouse About Town
4) Hotel Gifts

Echo Lake
Attractions
1) The Incredibles Escape the Martians!
2) Casting Call
3) The Mickey Mouse Club

Dining
1) 50's Prime Time Cafe
2) Tune-In Lounge
3) Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater
4) Min and Bill's Dockside Diner
5) Dinosaur Gertie's Ice Cream of Extinction
6) All-American Waffle Co.
7) Candyland

Shopping
1) That Old Black Magic Shop
2) Plan 9 from Outer Space
3) Roy's Place

Muppet Studios
Attractions
1) Jim Henson's Muppet*Vision 3D
2) The Great Muppet Ride
3) Jim Henson's Muppet Workshop
4) Muppet Apartments
5) Muppet Labs

Dining
1) PizzeRizzo
2) Chez Muppet

Shopping
1) Rizzo's Prop & Pawn Shop

Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge
Attractions
1) Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance
2) Millenium Falcon: Smuggler's Run
3) Savi's Workshop
4) Droid Depot

Dining
1) Kat Saka's Kettle
2) Ronto Roasters
3) Docking Bay 7 Food and Cargo
4) Oga's Cantina
5) Milk Stand

Shopping
1) Dok-Ondar's Den of Antiquities
2) Toydarian Toymaker
3) Creature Stall
4) Jewels of Bith
5) Black Spire Outfitters
6) Resistance Supply
7) First Order Cargo

Toy Story Land
Attractions
1) Toy Story Mania!
2) Slinky Dog Dash
3) Alien Swirling Saucers

Dining
1) Woody's Lunch Box
2) Roundup Rodeo BBQ

Shopping
1) Toy Barn

Animation Courtyard
Attractions
1) Disney Animation
2) Beauty and the Beast: Live on Stage
3) Mickey's PhilharMagic
4) Roger Rabbit's Car Toon Spin
5) Mickey & Minnie's Runaway Railway
6) Earffel Tower

Dining
1) Animator's Palate
2) Ink & Paint Club

Shopping
1) Off the Page
2) Sherman Music Co.
3) Gag Factory

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[DisneyManOne]

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Imagine, my friends... Night has cast its shadow upon Disney's Hollywoodland. The bright lights of Hollywood shine brighter than ever. While some take this opportunity to revisit their favorite rides before the park closes for the night, most gather round at the farthest edge of the park for an amazing celebration of imagination, hopes and dreams. This is, of course...

Fantasmic!

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Fantasmic! is the nighttime show to end all nighttime shows here at Disney. This is a spectacular nighttime pageant as presented at the Hollywood Hills Amphitheater, a few feet beyond Sunset Boulevard. A mysterious island, dwarfed by a mighty mountain, is the stage for a timeless clash between good and evil, with lasers, projection mapping, cascading waters, extraordinary digital projections, and breathtaking pyrotechnics.

The show is going to go through an extensive refurbishment, much like the one Disneyland's went under last summer, improving both technical and show segments to the nighttime production. All around, lighting, fountains and pyrotechnic features are going to be updated and improved. The projection system utilized for these huge water screens is going to be updated to HD projectors, to deliver a crystal clear projection performance (to my understanding, I've heard this has already been done). Also, the sound quality of the attraction is going to be touched upon, just touching up on all of the technical qualities of the show.

In addition to the technical qualities of the show, the show will receive some all-new scenes. With the success of Fantasmic 2.0, as it's come to be known, I decided that Walt Disney World's needed an update. For this, I was largely inspired by the draft @MANEATINGWREATH put out for his Dream Disney Resort thread. So, without further ado, let's dive in!

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(Instrumental arrangements of Disney classics are our sole entertainment as we look toward a mysterious island, set around a gigantic mountain. Trees surround the area from all over. Walls of moss surround the mountain, hiding any backstage views. A sprawling plateau rests at the base of the mountain. There are also a series of trap doors within the stage that allows quicker set and character changes.

Suddenly, a hush falls over the crowd. The warm voice of our female narrator fills our ears...)

NARRATOR: Welcome to Fantasmic! Tonight, our friend and host, Mickey Mouse, uses his vivid imagination to create magical imagery for all to enjoy. Nothing is more wonderful than the imagination - for in a moment, you can experience a beautiful fantasy or an exciting adventure! But beware... Nothing is more powerful than the imagination - for it can also expand your greatest fears into an overwhelming nightmare. (As the lights come to a blackout, a dim musical chord begins to linger on the horizon, gradually growing louder and closer.) Are the powers of Mickey's incredible imagination strong enough and bright enough to withstand the evil forces that invade Mickey's dream? You are about to find out. For now we invite you to join Mickey and experienceFantasmic! - a journey beyond your wildest imagination...

(As the musical cord grows into an exhilarating crescendo, pixie dust begins to materialize among the shadows, briefly illuminating parts of the barren stage. With a triumphant fanfare, a single spotlight blasts to the night sky, the stage now awash in a technicolor glow. MICKEY MOUSE appears, audibly amazed by his fantastical surroundings. Over the following CHORUS, twirling searchlights and colored lights swirl about the arena, all in time with a frenzied build of musical notes.)

CHORUS: Imagination! (Imagination!)
Dream a fantastic dream!
Use your imagination!

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(With a chuckle, MICKEY discovers that - this being his dream - he can control not just the water, but the lights and air around him. To the inspired theme of "Imagination" - the iconic theme of the original "Fantasmic!," MICKEY transforms the entire riverfront into a technicolor whirl of dancing fountains and soaring pyrotechnics, all while colorful designs and figures engulf the stage. At one point, the fountains take the shape of the famous Sorcerer's Hat, as the projections fill in the moon and stars. As a "grand finale" to the act, MICKEY points one finger in either direction, blasting a stream of golden sparks from either fingertip. With one last chuckle and a shooting star, MICKEY vanishes, replaced by the traditional mist-screens of "Fantasmic!"

SORCERER MICKEY continues the dream-like fantasy, conducting an array of swirling lights, colored fountains and - of course - the marching broomsticks, all to the theme of "The Sorcerer's Apprentice." As they do in "Fantasia," the broomsticks become carried away, tossing their water-buckets into the river and subsequently "flooding" Mickey's dream. With a burst of power and shower of stars, SORCERER MICKEY halts the chaos, calming the music into a relaxed refrain... The dream transforms into an interstellar field of stars, marked by a shooting star passing overhead. Twinkling constellations and comets soar past on both the mist-screens and the island.)

FEMALE SOLOIST: See it in your mind,
And you can find
In your imagination
(WALL-E and EVE soar past, fire-extinguisher at hand, carelessly waltzing among the stars. A hint of "Define Dancing" plays underneath.)
Mysteries and magic,
Visions fantastic,
Leading to strange and wondrous dreams.

(WALL-E and EVE soar out of sight, followed by SORCERER MICKEY, also afloat in space. The relaxed orchestration continues as an amazed MICKEY discovers a field of jewel-like ice crystals. The glistening crystals float about in time with the music, forming into the silhouette of MINNIE. MICKEY bows, offering a dance. The two waltz among the stars for only a moment, interrupted by a sudden change in music. MINNIE scatters and vanishes. MICKEY turns, facing the sun. As MICKEY transforms into a black silhouette, the sun itself has transformed into the iconic opening sunrise of "The Lion King." An intrigued MICKEY walks toward the horizon.)

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MALE SOLOIST: Nants ingoyama bagithi baba!

(The sunrise fades into the image of BABY SIMBA held aloft by RAFIKI, a kaleidoscope of African designs and animals marching past.)

CHORUS: Sithi uhm ingonyama!

(The CHORUS continues the usual "Circle of Life" chant before the music takes a sudden turn for the mysterious... The mist-screens shutter, subsequently revealing the giant figure of KAA of The Jungle Book slithering about the island. Towering trees and exotic flora have taken over the stage as the rampant pace of tribal drums fills the air, accommodated by an eerie flute. With an adventurous fanfare, KAA's eyes blast light into the AUDIENCE. The drums grow wilder as a quartet of barges 'cross the water. Tribal designs overwhelm the stage.

Peculiar, muti-patterned MONKEYS perform an exhilarating dance from each barge, each barge also containing a jungle character: BALOO, RAFIKI, TIMON and KING LOUIE. The tribal drums fade in favor of a jazzy, almost Dixieland medley of "I Just Can't Wait to be King," "I Wan'na Be Like You" and lastly, "Hakuna Matata." As PINK ELEPHANTS blare their trunks as trumpets, the island is transformed into a thundering, jungle waterfall where TIMON, PUMBAA, SIMBA and SORCERER MICKEY cross the iconic log-bridge of "Hakuna Matata." Of course, they don't see the dancing PINK ELEPHANTS in close pursuit... Multi-patterned PINK ELEPHANTS appear on the mist-screens as the CHORUS continues...)

CHORUS: Hakuna! Matata!
Hakuna! Matata!
Hakuna! Matata!
Hakuna! Matata!
Whoaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!!

(Heavy metal overwhelms the score as Mickey's dream is taken over by the PINK ELEPHANTS of Dumbo infamy!



An electric guitar, bass and drums plunk out the familiar, albeit ominous melody of "Pink Elephants on Parade" . Frightening, psychedelic imagery of invasive creatures is shown on the mist-screens.)

ROCK CHORUS: Look out!
Look out!

ROCK VOCALIST: Pachyderm!

They're here! They're there!
Oh, no! Look out!
They're everywhere!

(The music abruptly changes to the score of a sweeping western film: "Jessie's in Trouble" of Toy Story 2 mixed with a hint of "The Magnificent Seven." The stage has since become the western town of "Woody's Round-Up," presented in black-and-white. Black-and-white COWBOY MICKEY stands center, looking around.)

ANNOUNCER: Cowboy Crunchies, the only cereal that's sugar-frosted and dipped in chocolate proudly presents: "Mickey's Finest Hour!"

MICKEY: Well, gosh. That's me!

(Black-and-white WOODY and BULLSEYE run onstage from opposite ends, meeting center.)

WOODY: What is it, Bullseye? What's wrong? (BULLSEYE whinnies and neighs. MICKEY and WOODY watch in horror.) What's that? Jessie and Prospector are trapped in the old abandoned mine?

MICKEY: And Prospector just lit a stick of dynamite thinking it was a candle, and now they're about to be blown to smithereens? (BULLSEYE nods.) Ride like the wind, Bullseye!

(The sweeping score continues as the mist-screens show WOODY galloping atop BULLSEYE, COWBOY MICKEY - also presented in CGI - riding at the rear. BULLSEYE leaps over the Grand Canyon in a stunning display. The mist-screens fade and the stage returns to color. MICKEY, WOODY and BULLSEYE approach the "old abandoned mine," where JESSIE and STINKY PETE appeared bound and tied to a lit barrel of dynamite. MR. POTATO HEAD, aka "ONE-EYED BART" stands atop the island's highest peak.)

MICKEY & WOODY: One-Eyed Bart!

WOODY: You got a date with justice, One-Eyed Bart!

JESSIE: Woody! Mickey! Save us!

POTATO HEAD: Heh-heh-heh! What're you looking at ya hockey puck?

MICKEY: We're looking at you! You've reached the end of the line, Bart!

POTATO HEAD: I always wanted to go out with a bang!

(POTATO HEAD pushes a button, igniting the lit barrel of dynamite into an explosion of water and pyrotechnics. WOODY, MICKEY, STINKY PETE, JESSIE, BULLSEYE and POTATO HEAD all fall in a field of ash and smoke on the mist-screens, clearly disoriented. Our focus returns to MICKEY, now a sorcerer again, who falls with a splash into the foreground of Atlantica. MICKEY swims alongside ARIEL toward the icon of KING TRITON's castle. ARIEL's legendary "Ah-ah-ahs" fill the air as Atlantica fades into the Drop-off of "Finding Nemo." MR. RAY, NEMO, DORY and MARLIN swim past as an instrumental of "Part of Your World" subdues into "Nemo Egg" of Thomas Newman's incredible score. An entire school of manta-rays soar past.

The calm music trickles into the familiar intro of "Under the Sea." SEBASTIAN appears, singing to a delighted SORCERER MICKEY. Colorful fish and sea life dance around with MICKEY on the island and mist-screens.)

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SEBASTIAN: Hey-hey!
The seaweed is always greener
In somebody else's lake.
You dream about going up there
But that is a big mistake!
Just look at the world around you
Right here on the ocean floor
Such wonderful things around you
What more is you lookin' for?

(GENIE suddenly appears, picking SEBASTIAN up by the shell. Various animated bits of "Friend Like Me" occur over the following as a now-onstage SORCERER MICKEY watches.)

GENIE: Thank you! (GENIE tosses SEBASTIAN aside) I don't think you quite realize whatchu got here. So why don't you just ruminate whilst I illuminate the possibilities? Can your friends do this? (GENIE turns into DONALD)

MICKEY: Well, uh -

GENIE: Can your friends do that? (He turns into GOOFY)

MICKEY: Well look at that!

GENIE: Can your friends pull this? (GENIE pulls his arm and spins into a pinwheel.)
Out their little hat? (The stage is transformed into the neon outline of Agrabah, complete with dancing MONKEYS, CAMELS and ELEPHANTS.)
Can your friends go poof?
Well looky here! (Belly dancers join the dancing creatures. MICKEY does a baffled chuckle.)
Can your friends go abracadabra, let her rip,
And then make the sucker disappear?
You ain't never had a friend like me! Yeah!

(LUMIERE suddenly interrupts from the mist-screen. With a tip of his "hat," he begins a rousing chorus of "Be Our Guest." SORCERER MICKEY, also on the mist-screen, sits in place of BELLE at the table. Throughout, dancing dishware and such are shown in a variety of patterns on the island as the fountains continue to "dance.")

LUMIERE: Ma chere Mickey Mouse, it is with deepest pride
And greatest pleasure that we welcome you tonight, so please -
Be our guest, be our guest
Put our service to the test
Tie your napkin 'round your neck, Mickey,
And we provide the rest -

(The music quickly jumps to the song's finale. This is the most spectacular imagery we've seen yet!)

CHORUS: Course by course, one by one
'Til you shout, "enough I'm done!"
Then we'll sing you off to sleep as you digest
Tonight you'll prop your feet up
But for now, let's eat up
Be our guest
Be our guest
Be our guest
Please, be our guest!

(An army of teapots and teacups blow the tea from their "noses," once again bringing us beneath the surface where JIMINY CRICKET swims in search of PINOCCHIO. A calm instrumental of "When You Wish Upon a Star" plays underneath. PINOCCHIO is briefly seen before swimming out of sight.)

JIMINY: Pinocchio! We're down here! (Floating past in a bubble, JIMINY uses his umbrella to catch his astray hat from a different bubble.) Wha? Ho, there! (His bubble fills with water and pops. A school of fish scurry past with the voice of the krill from Finding Nemo.)

FISH: Swim away!

(The music grows suspenseful as MONSTRO the WHALE awakens, frightening JIMINY. The threatening music is almost "JAWS"-like as MONSTRO gives chase, splashing the water and launching with an open-mouth toward us. Just before he can bite, the screens fade to a terrified SORCERER MICKEY caught in a swirling vortex of water.)

MICKEY: Help! Whoaaaaaaaaaaaa! (The darkness consumes MICKEY, showing only his bright eyes engulfed in shadow. He looks around.) Hey, uh - what's goin' on? Uh-oh!

(The music grows louder and more suspenseful as thunder and lightning engulf the stage and screens. A battered ship appears amid the stormy sea, tossed among the waves. In an abrupt silence, a cannon fires. The familiar theme of Peter Pan rings out. As if by magic, The Jolly Roger has been transported to the rivers, rounding a bend in the river.)

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LOOKOUT: Peter Pan ahoy!

(PAN crows as an EPIC action sequence occurs aboard the deck and masts of the Jolly Roger over the following. PIRATES cheer on HOOK as he engages in combat with PAN, up close and personal. WENDY watches in horror from below, shouting out encouragement. As expected, the TICK-TOCK CROC follows the boat in close pursuit, ticking the night away with his glowing, yellow eyes.)

HOOK: Swoggle me eyes, it is Pan! Look alive, you swabs!

SMEE: All hands on deck!

WENDY: Oh Peter, do be careful.

HOOK: Come down, boy, if you've a taste for cold steel! (THEY spar. PAN laughs and swings down to the deck.) Blast this hook!

PETER: Whoa, haha!

HOOK: Scurvy brat! (The PIRATES corner-in on PETER)

PIRATES: Going somewhere? Let's string him up! I'm gonna make you walk the plank! I'll feed you to the sharks! Ha-ha!

HOOK: Double the powder and shorten the fuse!

SMEE: Shorten the powder, and double the fuse. (Cannon fires again, causing HOOK to fall with a scream from the ship's rigging.)

WENDY: Oh, how dreadful!

PETER: Watch this, Wendy!

SMEE: Cap'n! Cap'n! (SMEE misses his mark, NOT catching HOOK from his fall. SMEE falls to his knees in sadness. Regardless, HOOK recovers to his feet.)

HOOK: Get up, you idiot!

SMEE: Aye-aye, sir!

HOOK: I'll get you for this, Pan, if it's the last thing I do! (The PIRATES corner-in on PAN once more, this time behind his back.)

WENDY: Fly, Peter! (PAN launches back to the upper rigging. HOOK is furious.)

HOOK: Oh, you blithering blockheads! That cursed Peter Pan!

PETER: I say, Captain, do you hear something? (Both PAN and HOOK notice the CROCODILE swimming in the ship's wake. Frightened, HOOK falls from the back of the ship, suspended by a loose rope.)

HOOK: No! Nooooooo!

PETER: Mr. Crocodile, do you like codfish? You do? (Laughs)

HOOK: Save me, Smee! Save me! Please!

SMEE: I'll save you, Cap'n! (HOOK screams, swinging out of sight) Oh, dear.

(As the Jolly Roger and CROCODILE fade from sight downriver, the water-screens depict the sensation of delving deeper and deeper into the waters. The lights slowly dim out, leaving us in total blackness. When the lights come back on, we find ourselves in a large undersea cavern, centered by a large mound of sparkly, golden treasure. MOANA and MAUI carefully approach it. Suddenly, the mound moves and shifts to reveal that it's merely the shell of the monstrous crab TAMATOA! He eyes the two human intruders suspiciously, before his gaze falls on MAUI.)

TAMATOA: Well, well, well
Little Maui's having trouble with his look
You little semi-demi-mini-god
Ouch! What a terrible performance
Get the hook! (Get it?)
You don't swing it like you used to, man
Yet I have to give you credit for my start
And your tattoos on the outside
For just like you I made myself a work of art
I'll never hide, I can't!
I'm too shiny!

(TAMATOA starts to hunt down MAUI.)

Soak it in, 'cause it's the last you'll ever see
C'est la vie, mon ami
I'm so shiny!
Now I'll eat you so prepare your final plea
Just for me

(TAMATOA's skin changes. He now looks like some kind of neon, glow-in-the-dark nightmare!)

You'll never be quite as shiny
You wish you were nice and shiny

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(But just before TAMATOA can deal the final blow, MOANA stands defiant, holding up a green rock.)

MOANA: Hey! I got something shiny for ya.

TAMATOA: The heart of Te Fiti...

(MOANA tosses it aside, so she and MAUI can escape. TAMATOA rushes over to the rock and looks it over.)

TAMATOA: Yes! I have the-wait a minute... Augh! Oh, I see. She's taken a barnacle, and she's covered it in bioluminescent algae. As a diversion. (crushes the barnacle) GRAAHH! (noticing the escaping MOANA and MAUI) Hey! Hey! ...Did you like the song?

(Triumphant music swells as the lights fade on the cavern. MOANA appears aboard her tamaran, leading on other tamarans with MOANA'S fellow VILLAGERS aboard. All the tamarans sail triumphantly on the waves.)

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CHORUS & VOCALIST: Aue, aue!
We set a course to find
A brand new island everywhere we roam
Aue, aue!
We keep our island in our mind
And when it's time to find home, we know the way

Aue, aue!
We are explorers reading every sign
We tell the stories of our elders in a never-ending chain
Aue, aue!
Te fenua, te mālie
Nā heko hakilia
We know the way!

(The shadow of MAUI in his eagle form is projected flying over the island. As the tamarans sail off for new voyages, the projected hand of SORCERER MICKEY wields a paintbrush, illustrating a sorcerer's hat against a starry-sky background.)

FEMALE VOCALIST: See it in your mind,
And you can find
In your imagination
Tales of enchantment,
Beauty and romance,
Happily ever after!

(The moon of the Sorcerer's Hat pans down to reveal the cityscape of Agrabah. Through the water screens, we can see ALADDIN and JASMINE aboard their magic carpet. We follow them as they soar through the desert.)

MALE VOCALIST: A whole new world
With new horizons to pursue

MALE VOCALIST & FEMALE VOCALIST: I'll chase them anywhere
There's time to spare
Let me share this whole new world with you...

​

(The music fades away as the O.G. 1992 arrangement of a familiar Disney love ballad starts up. BELLE and the BEAST appear on a decorative barge, sharing a waltz.)

MALE SOLOIST: Tale as old as time,
True as it can be.
Barely even friends,
Then somebody bends,
Unexpectedly.
Certain as the sun,
Rising in the east.

MALE AND FEMALE SOLOISTS: Tale as old as time,
Song as old as rhyme,
Beauty and the Beast.

(Their barge crosses paths with another barge. ARIEL - with fins - joins ERIC on another decorative barge. ERIC dances around her as she flips her tail.)

FEMALE SOLOIST: What would I give
If I could live
Out of these waters?

MALE SOLOIST: In your imagination!

FEMALE SOLOIST: What would I pay
To spend a day
Warm on the sand?

MALE SOLOIST: Dream a fantastic dream!

FEMALE SOLOIST: Betcha on land,
They understand.
Bet they don’t reprimand their daughters.

MALE AND FEMALE SOLOISTS: Bright young women,
Sick of swimmin’…

FEMALE SOLOIST: Ready to stand!

MALE SOLOIST: Ready to stand!

(Finally, SNOW WHITE and PRINCE FLORIAN appear on their own barge, also dancing.)

FEMALE SOLOIST: Someday, my prince will come.

MALE AND FEMALE SOLOISTS: Someday, we’ll find true love!

FEMALE SOLOIST: Tale as old as time…

MALE SOLOIST: Song as old as rhyme…

(Once more, the music grows ominous. The COUPLES have vanished and the island is bare. Suddenly, the MAGIC MIRROR appears on the water screens!)

MAGIC MIRROR: Great fame may be yours, young Sorcerer. But hold - another realm I see.

(SORCERER MICKEY appears on the island.)

MICKEY: Ooh...

MAGIC MIRROR: Where powers untold, far greater than yours, may be awakened. But beware ... only the bravest dare come to the mystery.

MICKEY: Huh-huh...

MAGIC MIRROR: Dost thou have the courage?

MICKEY: Oh, I don't know about this...

MAGIC MIRROR: Dare you look deeper?

MICKEY: Well...sure!

MAGIC MIRROR: Then...

MICKEY: Uh-oh!

MAGIC MIRROR: ...behold!

(With a burst of fire, MICKEY disappears and re-appears from within the MIRROR.)

MICKEY: Whoa! Look out! Oh, no!

(Demonic hands grab MICKEY, dragging him away. The EVIL QUEEN, in her OLD HAG form, appears on the island. She cackles.)

QUEEN: Now I'll turn that little mouse's dream into a nightmare fantasmic! Imagine this! Hahahaha! Magic mirror, on the wall, all the forces of evil I call... Hahahaha! (Eevil shadows materialize in the mirror and on the island.)

MIRROR: (Reappears) You have the power...

QUEEN: (Fading over the face of the MIRROR) To control his mind... (SHE cackles, transforming into URSULA.)

URSULA: Oh yes! How exciting! Let's do it! (URSULA laughs as a number of "poor unfortunate souls" look up in horror from the island and mist-screens. The music swells into "Poor Unfortunate Souls." Flotsam and Jetsam zip past on the riverfront, their eyes aglow.) Hello!
(Sings) I admit that in the past, I've been a nasty.
They weren't kidding when they called me, well, "a witch."
(Spoken) Ursula will take matters into her own tentacles. Ha! Mickey Mouse's mind will be mine! (MICKEY, composed of sludge and filth, appears frightened in the frame of the mirror, harassed by a pair of claw-like sludge-arms. URSULA returns.) To belong to me...to obey my every whim! Why not? Let's do it!

(With a sudden blast of smoke, the island is ignited into the Elephant Graveyard, a wasteland of steam and rocks. A gigantic puppet of SCAR appears, teasing MICKEY.)

SCAR: Life's not fair, is it? You see, I shall never be king. And you shall never see the light of another day... (As SCAR proceeds to chase MICKEY, the shadows of goose-stepping hyenas file past.)
(Sings) So prepare for the coup of the century
Be prepared for the murkiest scam.
Meticulous planning, tenacity spanning
Decades of denial is simply why I'll
Be king undisputed, respected, saluted
And seen for the wonder I am.
Yes, my teeth and ambitions are bared!
Be prepared!

(With a laugh, SCAR is about to do MICKEY in, when suddenly...A puff of smoke shoots up from out of nowhere! A pool of purple light comes up on DR. FACILIER, standing on the edge of the island.)

FACILIER: Mickey Mouse! A tip of the hat from "Dr. Facilier." Care to make a deal? (MICKEY is still on the island. SCAR has since vanished.)

MICKEY: Uh, no, I don't think so!

FACILIER: Oh, but I can help you get out of this nightmare, friend... But first, I'll need a little help from my friends on the other side... (Sings)
I got voodoo, I got hoodoo
I got things I ain't even tried!
And I got friends on the other side...

CHORUS: He's got friends on the other side.

DR. FACILIER: Especially this friend.

(The mist-screen zooms in on FACILIER's wicked smirk, focusing on his eyes. MICKEY vanishes from the island, reappearing as FACILIER's pupils. FACILIER morphs into the grinning face of CHERABOG, MICKEY, now running back and forth between CHERNABOG's hollow, yellow eyes. "Night on Bald Mountain" plays as a giant, hulking animatronic CHERNABOG rises up from behind the mountain and summons horrific spirits.

​

At the climax of the classic - and traumatic - "Night on Bald Mountain" sequence, the mist-screens part to reveal MICKEY face-to-face with MALEFICENT upon the island. An eerie, orange glow engulfs the riverfront.)

MALEFICENT: Now you will deal with me - and all the powers of my imagination!

MICKEY: Oh no!

(MALEFICENT casts a fiery spell at MICKEY, striking him. MALEFICENT begins to rise high above the earth with a dramatic crescendo of music, casting dark magic from her glistening scepter. Enchanted briars begin to entangle the island and riverfront. SHE cackles wildly as she ascends to the stars. MICKEY looks up in horror. HE knows what's next... The mist-screens reveal the startling transformation of MALEFICENT into a fire-breathing DRAGON. Briefly, the DRAGON morphs back into all the VILLAINS we have encountered thus far...)

QUEEN: (Cackles) Imagination!

(The VILLAINS all appear again, one by one, cackling wickedly. First URSULA, then SCAR, and then FACILIER. CHERNABOG breaks the brief montage with a growl, then morphs into the silhouette of the DRAGON.

The music grows more and more suspenseful as the dark silhouette gradually subdues into an actual, 45-foot DRAGON standing tall above the riverfront. The yellow-eyed monstrosity looks around for the cowering MICKEY. At the height of the music, the lumbering beast bellows a flamethrower from its maw, setting the waters aflame in a brilliant heat.)

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MICKEY: Uh, you may think you're so powerful. (Laughs feebly) Well, uh, this is my dream!

(As expected, MICKEY uses the power inside himself to vanquish the DRAGON, casting his gloves toward her. With a burst of light, MALEFICENT is overrun with electric current and sparkling magic, screaming and rearing in agony. The mist-screens depict the various villains writhing in defeat. CHERNABOG retracts from the light, FACILIER is pulled screaming into the "other side," SCAR is flung off Pride Rock, URSULA, electrocuted, sinks beneath the sea, and the OLD HAG painfully reverts into the EVIL QUEEN with a horrid scream. Finally, the DRAGON vanishes in a pyrotechnic spectacular. A brief blackout segues into TINKERBELL fluttering about, restoring light and color to the dark riverfront. As the lighthearted music grows, the light returns, colorful fountains and projections restoring hope and light to Mickey's dream.

​

A life-size replica of Steamboat Willie comes into sight, piloted by STEAMBOAT WILLIE MICKEY. Swirling pinwheels on the side of the boat give way to a dancing collection of DISNEY CHARACTERS waving ribbons to the theme of "Imagination." These CHARACTERS include: MINNIE, DONALD, GOOFY, PLUTO, CHIP, DALE, ALADDIN, JASMINE, GENIE, BELLE, THE BEAST, RAPUNZEL, FLYNN, QUASIMODO, HERCULES, ARIEL, ERIC, SNOW WHITE, PRINCE FLORIAN, DOPEY, TIANA, NAVEEN, MOANA, MARY POPPINS, BERT, POCAHONTAS, PINOCCHIO, WINNIE THE POOH, TIGGER, CINDERELLA, PRINCE CHARMING, AURORA, PHILLIP, LILO, STITCH, PETER PAN, WENDY, MOWGLI, BALOO, TIMON, RAFIKI, WOODY, JESSIE and BUZZ LIGHTYEAR.)

CHORUS: See it in your mind,
And you will find,
In your imagination,
Mysteries and magic,
Visions fantastic,
Leading to strange and wondrous dreams!

Dreams are make-believe,
But could they all come true?

Aah, aah, aah!
In your imagination!
Aah, aah, aah!
In your imagination!

Here in your mind,
It's magic you'll find.
When out of the night,
Dark forces ignite
To blind you with frightening speed,
You use your might
To brighten the light,
Creating a night of wondrous deeds!

​

(As the steamboat finally fades out of sight, SORCERER MICKEY magically appears onstage from the top of the mountain, once more conducting the riverfront in a spectacular array of color, fountains, lasers and pyrotechnics. At the climax of the music, MICKEY disappears from the mountain and reappears on the stage below, wearing the same attire from the show's beginning. A few subtle notes of "The Sorcerer's Apprentice" play, to which MICKEY conducts.)

MICKEY: Some imagination, huh? Hah-hah!

(MICKEY disappears, one final time to an epic fanfare and conclusion of fireworks.)

THE END

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As the lights come back up, the crowd jumps to its feet for a massive standing ovation (something that occurs quite often at Fantasmic!, as I have heard tell). We clap till our hands grow red and cheer till our voices go hoarse. As the jubilation settles and the iconic "Exit Music" plays, the crowd starts going their separate ways. Some opt to leave right away to catch the next bus back to the hotel or get to their car, some opt to stop by the concession and souvenir stands before leaving, and some are content to just sit around, enjoying the night, waiting to give one final hoarse cheer for the Exit Music (as I'm sure we have all done when we've gone to see a musical).

At last, it comes time to leave. As we head off for Hollywood Boulevard one last time, we see searchlights triumphantly waving behind the Chinese Theatre. This is Disney's Hollywoodland's way of saying "goodbye". Actually, "goodbye" doesn't sound right for a park like this. It's more like..."That's a wrap!"

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Disney's Hollywoodland is in the books! I'll be busy over this next weekend, but tomorrow, I'll give you the usual entrance/first land teaser that will ease us into the fourth park of Walt Disney World... Until then, please post any feedback you may have, and I'll see you in the next post!

 

[Twilight_Roxas]

It looks good, but if it’s going to be like Fantasmic 2.0 I don’t think the sword would be necessary since he would use his magic to extinguish the flames, and defeat the villains.

 

[DisneyManOne]

It looks good, but if it’s going to be like Fantasmic 2.0 I don’t think the sword would be necessary since he would use his magic to extinguish the flames, and defeat the villains.

Oh, that must have been an oversight. I took most of this from an old script of mine in which Brave Little Tailor Mickey was still used instead of Sorcerer Mickey. I'll go back and edit that right now.

 

[DisneyManOne]

All right, everybody, get ready... the journey is about to begin...

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The Walt Disney Company has always had a committing association to wildlife, as Walt Disney himself pursued his interest in animals during the creation of his True-Life Adventures series, a nature documentation film, edited together to feature hours of nature's landscapes and wildlife. And beyond that, Disney films have starred countless animals and the modern Disney company takes pride in taking part in environmentalist and conversation causes the world over. Yes sir, this incredible planet we call Earth has given us many natural wonders, from its unique and varied biomes and landscapes, to the many familiar animal friends that roam its forests, swamps, oceans and tree-lines; and we'll get a chance to see some of those incredible beings up close and in person as we begin our journey through Walt Disney World's fourth gate...

Disney's Animal Kingdom

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Disney's Animal Kingdom, which, fittingly enough, opened on Earth Day 1998, is dedicated to all of the animals of the world, real, extinct and imaginary. This park is a real-world experience, taking guests into a world of wonder and knowledge, observing and learning about the lives of the animal species that call Disney's Animal Kingdom their home. From the rolling plains of an African savannah, to the Himalayan mountains of Asia, to being transported to the dawn of the Jurassic era, Disney's Animal Kingdom is filled with adventure just waiting to be discovered.

The sentiment Walt Disney had when he was filming his True-Life Adventures decades ago was driven in the creation of Disney's Animal Kingdom, offering guests to see the wildlife and beautiful scenery of the world up close. Disney's Animal Kingdom has been described as "A New Species of Theme Park" and it definitely is. It might be the most distinct theme park, having its' theme solely revolve around nature and wildlife. Disney's Animal Kingdom, while much more than just a glorified zoo, actually brings these animals to life, telling the stories of these animals and the way that humans interact with them. With this sentiment, guests can actually walk away from the park at the end of the day, learning a valuable lesson about nature, a lesson that might not have been received by just any typical zoo. Each area of the park is an adventure in itself, drawing guests further away from the real world, bringing them into this kingdom of fantasy, nature and adventure.

Imagine for a moment: you are a traveler, whose trek to get here has been a long, tiresome journey. Think that the trek from the parking lot is akin to that of a trek across the desert. At last, the long journey has ended, and you have finally come to...

The Oasis

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The Oasis offers an escape from reality, operating as the entrance to Disney's Animal Kingdom. From first stepping into the entrance of the park, guests immediately find themselves taken away from the everyday world and transported into a beautiful oasis of palm trees and heavy jungles of trees on both sides of the entrance. The Oasis puts the guests in touch with nature and immediately sets the tone for the adventures to come. The Oasis is bountiful with unspoiled nature - to a time when some of the other complex natures found in the rest of the park did not yet exist at the time. While passing through the beautiful Oasis, to the left guests will find a path leading to the Rainforest Cafe, one of the two chain restaurants found on Walt Disney World property (the other found at Disney Springs), where guests dine in a heavily-immersive rainforest environment, complete with raging apes and elephants, beautiful aquariums, rain falls and sudden thunderstorms.

Guests proceed to the gated entrance of the park, showcasing the signage for Disney's Animal Kingdom. On both sides of the entrance, new waterfall features have been implemented into the entrance, to make the area look more lush and beautiful. The entrance of the park is also heavily influences by the Arts & Crafts movement, having nature itself being a heavy influence in the Oasis. Embedded in the courtyard of The Oasis is a matted graphic representation of the Tree of Life, something that might go unnoticed if you're not looking for it. After passing through the main gate, guests are then distributed into a promenade filled with lush jungles trees and vines. The sound of a cascading waterfall could be heard just in the distance. Throughout the day, various Disney characters can be found, ready to welcome you to a day of adventure. To the left, guests will find Guest Relations and the right features the Stroller and Wheelchair Rental and Garden Gate Gifts, a merchandise location that offers disposable camera and video belongings, as well as Disney's Animal Kingdom merchandise. There is a path that leads to both the left and right, re-connecting further into the Oasis.

On both the left and right paths, guests will find the Oasis Animal Exhibits. The winding pathways lead through dense vegetation and jungle alcoves. Canopies of tree branches and leaves blot out the sunlight from above. The pathways are filled with serene, peaceful settings and fascinating animals in very close proximity to the guests. The exhibits feature the outdoor animal living inhabitant areas for anteaters, sable antelopes, ducks, parrots, and other sorts of birds, iguanas, gazelles and other types of animals. The exhibits offer just a peek into the many wonderful encounters just waiting to be held further on in the park. Each animal is carefully sheltered into an environment that is reminiscent of their actual living environment. Being able to replicate a living space for a wildlife animal in a theme park can be somewhat of a daunting task, yet Disney's Animal Kingdom puts in the effort, flawlessly.

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The rest of the animal exhibits are located in-between flowing rivers, serene pathways overlooking lagoons, covered jungle alcoves and rock formations, spouting cascading waterfalls. The entire area is reminiscent of a serene maze through a mystical jungle. There is even a rock cavern that guests can explore, with flowing waterfalls, leading to a rocky wooden bridge. When emerging from the rocky cavern, all of the separate pathways throughout the Oasis converge into one, leading across a wooden bridge, deeper into Disney's Animal Kingdom...

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Wow, what a way to begin a day of adventure here, am I right? Stay tuned, because the adventure is just beginning!

 

[DisneyManOne]

Well, I had a nice weekend. So, now let us dive back into our journey...

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Discovery Island

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Discovery Island is the central hub of Disney's Animal Kingdom, consisting of the island in the center of a vast flowing river, which seems to flow its' way throughout the entire park. Bridges connected from several section of Discovery Island connect to the other lands of the park. Discovery Island is filled with vast jungles, flowing rivers, cascading waterfalls, encounters with real-animals and plenty of secrets left to be seen. Discovery Island is a place of excitement and adventure. The island honors the greatness of animals and nature, apparent in the buildings and overall thematic influences seen throughout Discovery Island. While Discovery Island is not meant to depict any sort of actual "place", its' architectural influences come from the equatorial islands from around the world, places like Bali, the Caribbean, the South Seas, Barbados and Jamaica. The artwork of the buildings features ornate animals carvings and sculptures.

Continuing on from the entrance from The Oasis, guests walk along an ornate wooden bridge, crossing over the Discovery River. Here guests are then emptied into the main plaza entryway of Discovery Island. Vast jungles, trees, beautiful flowers and ruins of what may have been a once very active building are scattered throughout the perimeter of the area. Trees and plants are even planted backstage, to make the area of Discovery Island seem more expansive, more immersive, as if a whole world could possibly be explored in this jungle.

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Just ahead, planted in the center of the island is the Tree of Life, the icon of Disney's Animal Kingdom. This centerpiece is one of the most exquisite and elaborate pieces of art that Disney has ever created. It is a piece of art that both captures the beautiful simplicity of nature and the kingdom of wildlife. The Tree of Life itself depicts the Animal Kingdom as it is, it is a metaphor of the park. The tree quite literally features an animal kingdom, featuring 325 animals carved into the wooden tree trunk, even carved into the roots and branched which extend from the tree. It could and will take hours to spot ever detail of the tree. The more one looks, the more it seems as though the tree is continuing to grow and branch off with new details!

When continuing down through the main plaza into Discovery Island, directly ahead, guests will find the Tree of Life Garden, a small garden area, surrounded by tall trees and plants. The garden leads into a small enclosed section of Discovery Island, where guests can get a closer look at the front side of the Tree of Life. The garden also offer glimpses of some of the animal inhabitants, such as flamingos, lemurs and kangaroos.

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A nearby path leads guests through dense, lush forests, proceeding directly inside the trunk of the mighty tree. From within the mighty tree, we are invited to take a seat and behold the world of animals and their habitats, and what we can do to make sure they last for a long time; behold the wonder of that magnificent planet we call ... Earth.

A collaboration between Disneynature and the BBC, they who gave the world the amazing Planet Earth series, this all-new 3D experience takes guests through various animal habitats, from the North Pole to the deep sea to the forests and savannas, revealing how plants and animals respond to the power of the sun and the changing seasons. The film should make heavy use of the amazing visuals of Planet Earth, set to a sweeping score and a warm, inviting narration. It should serve as one of the highlights of a day at Disney's Animal Kingdom. I can't really describe what this film would look like. If you ever get the chance, watch the Planet Earth miniseries, or the Disneynature film Earth to get a better understanding of what I'd like this film to be.

Heading back through Discovery Island, towards the entrance to Earth, guests will find the Discovery Island Trails, a trail which snakes it's way throughout the base of the Tree of Life. The area is actually very well-hidden and is missed by many people completely, it almost seems as a bit of a "restricted" area, but that is a part of the adventure, right? As guests make their way through the ascending paths leading up the slopes of the island, the lush foliage falls away to reveal breath-taking vistas of the Tree of Life. Ornate animal carvings are featured in the branches entangling throughout the path. Guests proceed under neath a tunnel passage, revealing a waterfall, creating a mist effect throughout the cavern. Continuing down the trail, guests will also find other viewing areas for the animals from the Tree of Life Garden, such as kangaroos, birds and even a pool of swimming fish.

The first trail disposes guests into the far-end of Discovery Island, just off of the entrance to Africa. We still have to head back down, to explore the left half of Discovery Island, but before doing so, there is still more to be discovered about this island. There is actually a second path in the Discovery Island Trails, just before the entrance to Africa. I had no idea that it even existed and I had been coming to this park for years, I guess it's all apart of the Imagineers' idea for the guests to actually "explore" the park. The trail leads way through some pelican and flamingo environments, a cluster of parrots, some porcupine, a tortoise and other animals. The path brings guests right down towards Discovery Lake, leading right to the exit of Earth, at the very base of the Tree of Life, offering more breath-taking vistas of the scenery. It is a beautiful sight to behold. Although hidden, they are sure to not be missed as they do offer very intimate, seclusive off-the-beaten-paths that are lush with beauty, while also offering close interactions with some of the animal life. It makes me wonder if there are any more of these hidden throughout the park. The work into making sure that these "animal habitats" are as natural and comfortable for the animals is a testament to the Imagineers' hard work. They wanted these animals environments to be as natural as possible and very similar to the animals' actual living environments, the terrain, the plants, the amount of light, the ability for physical movement and activity, everything. It is all apart of their way to tell the story of Disney's Animal Kingdom, by being able to re-create these environments in a way where guests can be provided with very personal experiences with these animals, but in a way that the animal is in a comfortable setting, similar to one that they would inhabit in an actual wildlife environment.

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Every day, watch as the skies above the Tree of Life burst with living color during Winged Encounters: The Kingdom Takes Flight, a show featuring macaws. Keep your peepers peeled for all 6 shades of macaw as they’re showcased in flight—from hyacinth, green-winged and military to blue and gold, blue-throated and scarlet. Each awe-inspiring specimen features a wingspan of up to 60 inches, which you can witness firsthand as they soar up and around the heart of the park.

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To the left of the plaza, guests will find the Island Mercantile store, a shop themed to a shipping company, celebrating working animals, such as camels and elephants. This store features Disney character merchandise, Disney's Animal Kingdom merchandise, clothing and other sorts of paraphernalia. It is one of the main shops of Disney's Animal Kingdom, offering a wide selection of merchandise to choose from. Lilo and Stitch often meet guests nearby.

Continuing northward, towards Africa, guests will find Pizzafari, a quick-service restaurant specializing in Italian foods and salads. Colorful animal murals decorate the restaurant. The restaurant also includes a small, closed off gazebo area at the back of the restaurant, also open to dine in, which almost appears to be sheltered completely in lush foliage, making it a quiet, relaxing place to take a break in. Located behind Pizzafari is an all-new restaurant: Tiffins. This table-service restaurant celebrates the art of traveling, featuring a diverse menu drawing from places that inspired the creation of Disney's Animal Kingdom. Open for both lunch and dinner, Tiffins includes waterfront views from comfortable indoor and outdoor seating areas. And if you're wondering about the name, "tiffin" is an Indian English word for a midday meal or a type of container used to carry food while traveling.

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Back at the exit of the Discovery Island Trails, directly ahead, right before the entrance to Africa, guests will come across Creature Comforts, a Starbucks location for the park.

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On the other side of Discovery Island, across from Island Mercantile, the Disney Outfitters store is located, offering nature-themed gifts and an abundance of clothing. The store also features ornately designed totem poles of animals. Quite recently, the Disney Outfitters store has expanded into an all-new store: the Riverside Depot. The store carries a variety of character merchandise, and offerings from many of the stores found in the park. The Disney Outfitters and Riverside Depot combination is basically Animal Kingdom's equivalent of the Magic Kingdom's Emporium. Just beyond the store(s), a small rampway leading down to a dock along the Discovery Lake, guests will find the Character Landing, a meet & greet location for many familiar faces. Expect to see faces like Donald, Daisy, Goofy, Pluto, Chip and Dale, all decked out in their finest explorers' gear.

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Just across from the Character Landing, guests will find the Flame Tree Barbecue, which serves up a selection of barbecued entrees, all wood-roasted to perfection. The seating location is also located right along the Discovery Lake, looking upon Expedition Everest. The seating area is a beautiful Balinese water garden and offers one of the most tranquil spots to enjoy a meal in the park. Guests can dine under ornately carved gazebos, overlooking the river. The entrance to Earth can be found right nearby, situated next door to the access point to the park-wide Wilderness Explorers game, inspired by the Pixar film Up. Nearby, you'll find a meet & greet area with Carl, Russell and Dug.

As stated earlier, the Character Landing is the place to go if you want to meet up with your favorite Disney pals. But what about Mickey and Minnie? Can you find them here at Discovery Island? Of course you can! Just head to the Adventurers' Outpost, right on the pathway towards Asia.

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So, that's Discovery Island. Not really much for changes here, and frankly, there won't be much changes to the existing lands of Animal Kingdom either. The only existing land that will receive a huge overhaul will be Dinoland U.S.A., which is quite overdue for an overhaul, if you ask me. The major additions to the park will come in the form of new lands.

Therefore, expect to see walk-throughs of the existing lands to be very much bare-boned, especially in the case of our next land, which is still fairly recent. Expect that to come by soon! Until then, if you have any feedback or comments, please feel free to share them with me. It's all very much appreciated!

 

[DisneyManOne]

I think I'll do two posts today. Expect the next one to come later tonight, but for now, let's explore the next land of Disney's Animal Kingdom...

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Pandora - The World of Avatar

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Disney's Animal Kingdom presents the world of three different types of animals: animals that are, animals that were and animals that never were. And the beasts presented here are animals that could only be created through the magic of cinema. Enter Pandora, a world inspired by the 2009 blockbuster Avatar. At first glance, it may seem surprising to devote a whole land to a film that no one really seems to care about. But then again, you'd be surprised at how a good theme park attraction can emerge from a horrible film. Just look at the Waterworld stunt show at Universal Studios Hollywood -- the film was terrible, yet the show still remains of the most popular attractions there.

And it seems that Disney themselves have acknowledge such a lack of interest. Therefore, Pandora focuses more on the natural aspect of this fictional planet -- its geology, flora, fauna, and the culture of the Na'vi people. In other words, this land treats Pandora as a real, living ecosystem rather than a movie setting. In fact, as Imagineer extraordinaire Joe Rohde once said, "Animal Kingdom is a place about the kind of realism that derives from those animals. We really want to live up to that state of realism to the detail, to the complete immersion which is part of the signature of that park to the sense that these are events that are really happening to you - that it is your adventure. When we translate that into the world of 'Avatar' it presents a whole new series of technical challenges because of the very nature of that world itself."

Pandora is a distant, distant moon, orbiting the closest star to the sun. To the people on Earth, Pandora is known for being mysterious, primal and terrifying. As we continue into this new realm, we slowly begin to embark on a strange and unusual adventure unlike any other. The terrain of Pandora is vast, differing from place to place. Tall trees swoop into the air, as canopies of leaves and vines dangle from the sky. It feels as though this dense forest fully surrounds the guests, seemingly entrapping them in a forest cage. Apparently, all of Pandora is seemingly floating, but due to the dense forested areas, that cannot be addressed further.

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Pandora is the most visually stunning land ever seen in a theme park. Everything about its landscape, from its mountains, rivers, and waterfalls to its trees and flowers, is so unique and breathtaking. Guests walking through this land would experience an environment the likes of which they have never seen before. It is an environment that is possibly even more beautiful at night than during the day, due to the bioluminescence of its plant life. New motion sensor technology will allow the plants to respond to tactile guest interaction. We continue further into the dense jungle, extravagant and majestic. The jungles emit a blue hue, casting a somewhat gloomy, but alluring tone to Pandora. The paths are seemingly created from large tree branched and open leaves. The jungle is filled with a variety of strange and unusual types of plants and other flora. From deep within the jungles, the sounds of distant mysterious creatures could be heard. As we continue down the bend into the deep jungles of Pandora, a flowing blue river flows down the right side of the path, before emptying out into a pool, featuring a cascading waterfall.

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The backstory for this land takes place many, many years after the film. In the space of time between these two points, the humans and the Na'vi have made peace with one another. RDA is but a thing of the past. Tourism company Alpha Centauri Expeditions has partnered with the Na'vi to present Pandora as a new destination for ecotourism and research, going so far as to start the Pandora Conservation Initiative, an initiative dedicated to preserving and studying the many animal species that inhabit Pandora. And a good way to see such animals is to take the Na'vi River Journey. On this visually stunning and mysterious river, you’ll glide through a series of caves and into a bioluminescent rainforest alive with the sights and sounds of exotic plants and creatures on all sides, even overhead! Soon, you’ll join the legendary Na'vi Shaman of Songs, who demonstrates her deep connection to the life force of Pandora and sends positive energy out into the forest through the power of her music.

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But, if you want to see Pandora from a different perspective, try taking the Flight of Passage. The system that RDA used on Jake to turn him into a Na'vi is still in use, and ACE is allowing you the chance to become an "avatar" yourself. Board your own mountain banshee and embark on a thrilling expedition, where interstellar explorers like you get an up-close look at this moon’s incredible landscape. Bonding with a banshee is a crucial step in the life of a Na’vi hunter on Pandora, and flying on the back of one of these powerful creatures is an important rite of passage. Now, as a visitor to Pandora, you finally have the chance to test yourself like a Na’vi!

In addition to these two epic adventures, there are also plenty of other places to explore. Should you grow hungry during your time on Pandora, visit the Satu'li Canteen. Inside this former RDA base turned public house, you can enjoy healthful dishes and familiar flavors from another world: wholesome grains, fresh vegetables and hearty proteins. But if thirst calls, Pongu Pongu is the place to go. Pongu Pongu welcomes weary travelers to try our "bioluminescent" frozen cocktail, indigenous beers, or even a sweet snack you won’t find elsewhere! Finally, there's Windtraders, a shop specializing in all sorts of Pandoran wares. Notably, this store offers us humans the chance to adopt our very own banshee.

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As you can see, there's a reason why I said I'd do two posts tonight. Pandora is quite a small land, and there's not much to talk about. So, with that in mind, we'll explore the next distinct area of Disney's Animal Kingdom later tonight. Until then, please post any comments or feedback you may have and I'll see you guys in the next post!

 

[DisneyManOne]

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Africa

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Walking through the deep jungles of Discovery Island, we continue north until we arrive at a wooden bridge, embedded with stone features. The sounds of distant drumming could be heard just over the bridge. On the other side of the bridge is Africa. The Africa that Disney's Animal Kingdom depicts does not focus on one sort of area, but many different areas that could be found in Africa. DAK's Africa is centered around the village of Harambe, which depicts a real place facing real environmental challenges. Harambe is a Swahili word, meaning "working together". When guests enter into Harambe, they have become a part of the story. When the guests walk the streets of this village, they are greeted by the residents, as though they are tourists exploring the city.

After crossing over the bridge, guests find themselves in the village just on the outskirts of a dense jungle and the Harambe Wildlife Reserve. The buildings are somewhat worn, showing both their age of construction and the natural, simple way that the buildings were constructed. The buildings are inspired from a form of Swahili architecture, a common form of architecture found throughout many parts of Africa. It was researched by the group of Imagineers that had designed the Africa section of Disney's Animal Kingdom that many of the architectural qualities of Africa that they had researched were unpractical work spaces and not conducive for theme park operations. It is all a part of the storytelling aspect of Africa, even just using legitimate building architecture that works for a functioning theme park, but is also a legitimate African architectural style. In the pavement of Harambe, guests will find stone linings, depicting the remnants of old city walls. The only remainder of these walls are the footprints that still lie cemented into the ground. Plastered along the somewhat dilapidated buildings are worn advertisements and tourist attraction signs that help better introduce the sense of story into Africa. On the right side of Africa, there is a path, leading along the back end of the park, traveling along Discovery Lake, leading towards the next land in the park. The pathway features a cluster of drums, as their rhythms sound throughout the entire land.

Just to the right as you enter is Tamu Tamu Refreshments, a quick-service location, offering drinks and a few dessert options. The location also features an outdoor seating area, which has seemingly fallen into disrepair, sheltered by worn rooftops and crumbled walls. Across the way is Tusker House, a sit-down restaurant located alongside Discovery Lake. The exterior of the building is made up of stone and brick accents, inspired by the architectural styles of Kenya. It is a top-notch dining experience featuring a greatly inspired African menu. The restaurant also features carved wooden features on the interior and an outdoor seating area under a thatched roof. The outdoor seating area is also a common location for a local live drum and performance troupe to perform. Nearby the restaurant is Dawa Bar, offering African beers.

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Off to the right of the Tusker House, guests will find the Harambe Theatre. Ever since Camp Minnie-Mickey closed to make way for Pandora, this place has been the home of Festival of the Lion King. This wildly-popular show, often hailed as one of, if not the, best shows in all Walt Disney World, features the animals and creatures of the kingdom, led by a troupe of four singers -- Kiume, Nakawa, Kibibi and Zawadi -- welcoming the audience to this celebration of song and dance, hosted by Simba. Performers and puppetry are integrated in the show, as the cast performs the film's classic songs: "Circle of Life", "I Just Can't Wait to Be King", "Hakuna Matata", "Be Prepared" and "Can You Feel the Love Tonight?" The show also features a tumbling act by Timon and his tumbling monkeys, fire-dancers, aerialists and audience participation.

Continuing into the heart of Harambe, on the right, adjacent to Tamu Tamu Refreshments, guests will find Mombasa Marketplace and Ziwani Traders, an African marketplace and trading company, featuring many safaris merchandise, clothes, African wood carvings, a selection of fine wines, pottery, masks and musical instruments. Opposite of the store, guests will find the Kusafiri Coffee and Bake Shoppe, a perfect location to grab a pastry and a cup of coffee in the morning, in this quiet, tucked away corner of Harambe. Located to the right of the bakery, continuing to the back of the village, guests will find Duka La Filimu, a location for guests to film equipment.

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Right behind Mombasa Marketplace and Ziwani Traders is the Harambe Market area. The area is set up as an outdoor marketplace with five different walk up windows to order some delectable African-inspired food and drinks. First, you have Wanjohi Refreshments, the window for all your drinking needs. Here you can find specialty drinks in a souvenir mug, wine and beer. Kitamu Grill offers ground beef flatbread and grilled chicken skewers. Both entrees come with a tomato, broccoli and red onion salad in a spicy vinaigrette. Boerewors Famous Sausages features the interesting curry corn dog. The corn dog also comes with the broccoli, tomato and red onion salad. Chef Mwanga’s Ribs serves up a huge chunk of spice-rubbed rib with a chickpea salad. Finally, we have Zuri's Sweets Shop, which features 80 new items, including decorative candy apples, uniquely flavored chocolate bars, African-spiced popcorn, animal-shaped lollipops, animal crackers, chocolate mini crocodiles and other treats. Zuri’s Sweets Shop also offer African spice rubs, a gourmet cocoa set and Flame Tree Barbecue sauce.

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Next, we continue to the back end of Harambe Village, where guests come across Kilimanjaro Safaris, the staple attraction of Africa and one of the most popular in the entire park. It is one of the central elements to Africa, both story-wise and theme park-wise. In the attraction, the Harambe Wildlife Reserve welcomes the tourists of Africa to explore their preservation zones, where animals live their lives as they ordinarily would. The intent of Kilimanjaro Safaris is for guests to enter into a natural environment with animals living in their own world, not on display. The entire attraction is about 110 acres, about the same size of the Magic Kingdom. The Kilimanjaro Safaris takes guests through vast jungles, where life animals roam and anything can happen. The jungle vehicles travel through lagoons inhabited by hippos, crocodile bayous, an African savanna, where giraffes, gazelles, ostriches and other types of non-carnivorous animals call their home, a lion's den, an elephant plain and a watering hole located by a set of zebras.

Now of course, the experience is one of the best in all Walt Disney World, but I'd still take the opportunity to "plus" it. First of all, in order to make the savanna look more realistic, all traces of the Wild Africa Trek and all currently-visible man-made fencing is eliminated/disguised/hidden (e.g. Okapi paddock, hyena paddock, cheetah paddock, etc.). In addition, the ride's more "dramatic" storyline, involving poachers trying to make off with a mother elephant and her baby, will be re-instated. Nearly every Disney attraction is based on the premise of having a strong story and now I believe that Kilimanjaro Safaris is lacking this. Therefore, I would restore Warden Wilson and the Big Red/Little Red storyline along with an abbreviated poacher scene at the end, complete with the rough and speedy portion. This just helps to give the attraction a more cohesive and feel with a beginning, middle, and end. And don't worry: both mother and child turn out safe in the end! All in all, this ride should make us feel like we're really traveling through the African savanna, with an impact similar to the IMAX film Africa: The Serengeti.

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In fact, the safari will see the arrival of a brand-new -- and incredibly breathtaking -- view, which will help to give something of a real-life IMAX experience to the ride. First of all, at the northern part of the attraction, the flood control canal is re-shaped into a naturalistic "Masai River". And beyond that, in the distance, are seen larger herds of elephants, buffalo, giraffe and/or other ungulates in what is currently the acclimatization paddock. Having large numbers of animals in the fore-, middle- and distant- ground makes for an awe-inspiring visual experience, that one typically would only see in the real savanna.

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And when the vehicles turn southward after this view of herds on the far riverbank, an even greater visual appears, a giant, snow-capped volcano--Mt. Kilimanjaro itself--and forms the distant backdrop to the rhino paddock and lion kopjes.

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At the exit of the attraction, towards the path leading south back down towards Harambe Village, guests will find the Gorilla Falls Exploration Trail right at the exit of Kilimanjaro Safaris. The attraction is a walking trail, taking guests through a research training facility, where researchers and scientists are taught conservation techniques. It is a learning experience for the guests, learning more about the animals, the world and the way that they can make a difference. The trail features a gorilla exhibit, located throughout a series of cliffs. The exhibit can be seen from many different vantage points throughout the trail.

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Back outside, leading back up the trail towards Harambe Village, on the left, guests will find the Harambe Railroad Station, one of many dropping-off points for the Wildlife Express. This attraction becomes story-based and "on-stage". In this idea, the ride includes numerous sights worth seeing. It takes passengers on a journey across the plains of India (where such trains were common), into caves where mysterious creatures dwell and past a wild African setting (via an SFX diorama).

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Nearby the station is a dense jungle forest, filled with bamboo thickets and dangling vines. Cascading waterfalls flow into pools of water nearby. The trail then empties out into an area themed around one of Disney's most underrated classics: Tarzan. Long-time visitors may remember that Tarzan used to be found at the Tarzan Rocks! stage show, which ran from 1999 to 2006 at the Theater in the Wild in Dinoland. But now, Tarzan will be receiving his own area of the park. Entering the area, the first thing guests see is a re-creation of Jane and Professor Porter's camp. The camp settlement is the one seen from the film and more-so, inspired by the "Trashin' the Camp" scene, as the entire campground is filled with tons of interactive elements, instrumental clotheslines, spouting teapots, spinning globes, books, pots and pans, old record players, maps, projection slides and the like. Right nearby is Tarzan's Treehouse, a replica of the treehouse Tarzan was found in as a baby. Here, kids would be able to climb, explore, and swing from vines in the tree. The area also serves as a meet & greet location for Tarzan, with Jane and Terk also making appearances.

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Another land down! The next post will be coming along at some point tomorrow, and in that post, we'll explore the ruins of mysterious Asia. Until then, please post any feedback that you may have and I'll see you in the next post!

 

[Twilight_Roxas]

I know this won’t happen till the contract expires, but if you sorta have plans for Wakanda should it be in a separate location in DAK or through a “secret passage” in Africa?

 

[Suchomimus]

I think I'll do two posts today. Expect the next one to come later tonight, but for now, let's explore the next land of Disney's Animal Kingdom...

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Pandora - The World of Avatar

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Disney's Animal Kingdom presents the world of three different types of animals: animals that are, animals that were and animals that never were. And the beasts presented here are animals that could only be created through the magic of cinema. Enter Pandora, a world inspired by the 2009 blockbuster Avatar. At first glance, it may seem surprising to devote a whole land to a film that no one really seems to care about. But then again, you'd be surprised at how a good theme park attraction can emerge from a horrible film. Just look at the Waterworld stunt show at Universal Studios Hollywood -- the film was terrible, yet the show still remains of the most popular attractions there.

And it seems that Disney themselves have acknowledge such a lack of interest. Therefore, Pandora focuses more on the natural aspect of this fictional planet -- its geology, flora, fauna, and the culture of the Na'vi people. In other words, this land treats Pandora as a real, living ecosystem rather than a movie setting. In fact, as Imagineer extraordinaire Joe Rohde once said, "Animal Kingdom is a place about the kind of realism that derives from those animals. We really want to live up to that state of realism to the detail, to the complete immersion which is part of the signature of that park to the sense that these are events that are really happening to you - that it is your adventure. When we translate that into the world of 'Avatar' it presents a whole new series of technical challenges because of the very nature of that world itself."

Pandora is a distant, distant moon, orbiting the closest star to the sun. To the people on Earth, Pandora is known for being mysterious, primal and terrifying. As we continue into this new realm, we slowly begin to embark on a strange and unusual adventure unlike any other. The terrain of Pandora is vast, differing from place to place. Tall trees swoop into the air, as canopies of leaves and vines dangle from the sky. It feels as though this dense forest fully surrounds the guests, seemingly entrapping them in a forest cage. Apparently, all of Pandora is seemingly floating, but due to the dense forested areas, that cannot be addressed further.

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Pandora is the most visually stunning land ever seen in a theme park. Everything about its landscape, from its mountains, rivers, and waterfalls to its trees and flowers, is so unique and breathtaking. Guests walking through this land would experience an environment the likes of which they have never seen before. It is an environment that is possibly even more beautiful at night than during the day, due to the bioluminescence of its plant life. New motion sensor technology will allow the plants to respond to tactile guest interaction. We continue further into the dense jungle, extravagant and majestic. The jungles emit a blue hue, casting a somewhat gloomy, but alluring tone to Pandora. The paths are seemingly created from large tree branched and open leaves. The jungle is filled with a variety of strange and unusual types of plants and other flora. From deep within the jungles, the sounds of distant mysterious creatures could be heard. As we continue down the bend into the deep jungles of Pandora, a flowing blue river flows down the right side of the path, before emptying out into a pool, featuring a cascading waterfall.

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The backstory for this land takes place many, many years after the film. In the space of time between these two points, the humans and the Na'vi have made peace with one another. RDA is but a thing of the past. Tourism company Alpha Centauri Expeditions has partnered with the Na'vi to present Pandora as a new destination for ecotourism and research, going so far as to start the Pandora Conservation Initiative, an initiative dedicated to preserving and studying the many animal species that inhabit Pandora. And a good way to see such animals is to take the Na'vi River Journey. On this visually stunning and mysterious river, you’ll glide through a series of caves and into a bioluminescent rainforest alive with the sights and sounds of exotic plants and creatures on all sides, even overhead! Soon, you’ll join the legendary Na'vi Shaman of Songs, who demonstrates her deep connection to the life force of Pandora and sends positive energy out into the forest through the power of her music.

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But, if you want to see Pandora from a different perspective, try taking the Flight of Passage. The system that RDA used on Jake to turn him into a Na'vi is still in use, and ACE is allowing you the chance to become an "avatar" yourself. Board your own mountain banshee and embark on a thrilling expedition, where interstellar explorers like you get an up-close look at this moon’s incredible landscape. Bonding with a banshee is a crucial step in the life of a Na’vi hunter on Pandora, and flying on the back of one of these powerful creatures is an important rite of passage. Now, as a visitor to Pandora, you finally have the chance to test yourself like a Na’vi!

In addition to these two epic adventures, there are also plenty of other places to explore. Should you grow hungry during your time on Pandora, visit the Satu'li Canteen. Inside this former RDA base turned public house, you can enjoy healthful dishes and familiar flavors from another world: wholesome grains, fresh vegetables and hearty proteins. But if thirst calls, Pongu Pongu is the place to go. Pongu Pongu welcomes weary travelers to try our "bioluminescent" frozen cocktail, indigenous beers, or even a sweet snack you won’t find elsewhere! Finally, there's Windtraders, a shop specializing in all sorts of Pandoran wares. Notably, this store offers us humans the chance to adopt our very own banshee.

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As you can see, there's a reason why I said I'd do two posts tonight. Pandora is quite a small land, and there's not much to talk about. So, with that in mind, we'll explore the next distinct area of Disney's Animal Kingdom later tonight. Until then, please post any comments or feedback you may have and I'll see you guys in the next post!

Do you think Pandora should get a third attraction? I know you didn’t add one in but it is speculated a bit given the upcoming movies and how popular the other two rides are.

 

[DisneyManOne]

I know this won’t happen till the contract expires, but if you sorta have plans for Wakanda should it be in a separate location in DAK or through a “secret passage” in Africa?

I'm afraid there wouldn't be too much room to expand. I intend to make use of the entire expansion pad in-between Africa and Asia, and it would be impossible to expand to the east, because that's used for animal care backstage.

Do you think Pandora should get a third attraction? I know you didn’t add one in but it is speculated a bit given the upcoming movies and how popular the other two rides are.

I have yet to see Pandora in person, so I'd much rather wait till I do see it; and for that matter, see how well the sequels do.

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Asia

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Continuing on, we will arrive in Asia, one of the largest sections of the park. From Africa, a pathway leads through the jungles at the northern section of Discovery Lake, leading into Asia. From here, guests will trek through the jungles and villages of Asia, to explore and discover the wonder and mystery that are yet to be seen. Guests enter into the village of Anandapur, located at the base and foothills of the Himalayan Mountains. The entire land is heavily inspired from Nepal, India and Thailand, using their influences to inspire a real-life experience of Asia.

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On the outskirts of Anandapur, found where the Caravan Stage is in the current Animal Kingdom, is a crumbling stone temple, like the temple of King Louie. Passing over a small stream, you enter a cave built into the side of the temple. Among the ruins that are being reclaimed by the jungle, I would put in exhibits for smaller, but no less important, critters of the Asian rain forest. As the ruins are being overgrown, little things like lizards, snakes and spiders would be moving in. Some examples would include the green snake and the red tailed rat snake. Both of these reptiles are fairly commonly found in zoos and make great exhibits. A good creepy animal would be a huntsman's spider. Many kinds of these spiders live in Asia. They are huge and hairy and looking at them makes your skin crawl. Perhaps there could be a submerged section of the ruins that is now home to the unusual snake-necked turtle. And I wouldn’t leave mammals out, either. Prevost squirrels do well in captivity, are fun to watch and, with their bizarre color pattern (mahogany fur on the belly and black and white up top), they make fun zoo animals.

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We exit back out into the jungle, now inside the temple. The show building looks like the interior of the temple, with a large "hole" in it, leading out to the jungle (i;e the stage). Even the temple itself looks like the jungle has reclaimed some of it. There are vines and ivy going across the stone, and mysterious tracks running along the aisles. Much like the former Caravan Stage, this temple serves as a theater, playing host to an old favorite returning to delight a new generation: Journey into the Jungle Book.

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Journey into the Jungle Book was an opening day attraction at Disney's Animal Kingdom, which ran solely for the first year of the park's existence, being replaced with Tarzan Rocks! a year later. In essence, this is a show that re-told the story of Disney's 19th animated feature film, using unique sets and costumes, innovative puppetry, and of course, the classic characters and songs from the movie. Making its triumphant return to the Theater of the Wild, this show would be an excellent addition to the park, because The Jungle Book is one of these films that would perfectly fit into the theme park, alongside with The Lion King and Tarzan, and after the renovation, it would be the only one of these films to not have its own attraction included in the park.

The show itself would play out the same as beforehand, but with one scene re-instated. If promo footage is to be any indication, originally, there was going to be a sequence where Mowgli is hypnotized by a gigantic puppet version of Kaa...

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And for further proof, this video contains audio of what the scene would've sounded like. Although the scene takes place before Mowgli runs away, I would place this scene right before the Dawn Patrol sequence, and add in some more dialogue to bridge the gap between the two scenes.

Across the way from the temple is a meet-and-greet area with the characters from the movie, particularly Mowgli, Baloo and King Louie. Plus, I've heard that when the Journey into the Jungle Book show was originally here, you would often have King Louie's monkeys causing mischief along the path to Discovery Island, trying to entice guests to go see the show. I would bring those monkeys back for meet and greets and general mayhem. They would be an awful lot of fun. Maybe there could be a rare sighting of Colonel Hathi, as well...or maybe even Shanti.

Continuing up the edge past the crumbling temple, guests will enter into the central city of Anandapur, where guests can discover the wonderful sights that are yet to be held in Asia. On the immediate left, guests will find Yak and Yeti, a restaurant that operates as a table service restaurant, while also having a separate quick-service location, as well. Yak and Yeti specializes in Asian Fusion cuisine. Just outside of the restaurant, in the Anandapur Plaza, guests will find the Yak and Yeti shopping units, which offers a wide variety of Asia-inspired merchandise, such as sushi plates and tea pots.

Continuing towards the back end of the Anandapur village, guests will come across three of Asia's attractions at the northernmost end of Asia. On the left, guests will find the Maharajah Jungle Trek, a walking tour, taking guests far outside of the village of Anandapur and to the ruins of a former sultan's palace. The walls have crumbled and broken, due to years and years of exposure to the weather. There are small towers and structures that have been clotted out by trees growing from within the the former palace. This attraction is very similar to that of the Gorilla Falls Exploration Trail, where guests experience real life animal exhibits, just feet away. Tigers make up a large part of the Maharajah Jungle Trek, being seen from three different locations, while traveling through the ruined palace chambers. Guests continue walking through the trek, discovering different types of reptiles, gazelles and coloful birds. The trail takes guests through pathways of gushing waterfalls and lush greenery, before taking them back to the village of Anandapur.

However, I would take the opportunity to expand the trek and include more Asian animals. Sadly, this would involve the closure of Kali River Rapids, which not only would block access to future expansion, but is also a tremendously scaled-down version of a concept called Tiger River Rapids, which would have featured live animals. However, one of the new lands featured in my ideas contains a new rapids ride with the same themes of environmentalism, so it's not too big a loss. This second leg of the Maharajah Jungle Trek would feature animals such as Asian elephants, clouded leopards, orangutans, red pandas, sloth bears, panthers and Indian rhinos.

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This new walking trail would actually utilize parts of the existing Kali River Rapids queue, which is extremely well themed and very detailed. Here, guests make their way through several themed temples, passing by ancient, decaying statues, shrines, overgrown ruins and lush landscapes.

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The main draw of this new trail, however, would be a massive giant panda exhibit. The giant panda is one of the world’s most beloved and recognizable animals and yet they can only be found at a handful of locations in the United States. Having giant pandas at a highly-visited place like Disney's Animal Kingdom would be a huge draw for the park.

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From here, guests then walk back south through the Anandapur Plaza, walking to the right, past a closed off temple, where monkeys are frequently spotted, swinging from the temple structures overhead. The path then curves to the left, leading alongside the Discovery Lake on the right. From here, Mount Everest begins to loom just overhead. Along the lake, a special temple had been built by the people of Anandapur, a possible shrine to show respect to the foreboding creatures of the region. The trail also features telescopes that helps guests receive a closer look at Mount Everest. The path then leads through a dense jungle, featuring small buildings offering some appetizer specials.

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Guests then enter into the opposite side of Asia, the town of Serka Zong. Serka Zong is a small village located at the base of the mountain, heavily inspired by Nepalese environments. Serka Zong features one of Disney's Animal Kingdom most prolific attractions, one of the most visually striking attractions in any of the Disney theme parks, Expedition Everest: Legend of the Forbidden Mountain. The mountain completes the skyline of Disney's Animal Kingdom, while also completely fitting into its' surroundings. The legend of a Yeti is one of the many folklore tales that travels through Nepal and India. These people believe that the Yeti is a real creature, capable of great destruction and terror. Guests board old tea trains, as they set up to scale Mount Everest. However, the sacred ground of Mount Everest is closely guarded by the watch of the Yeti. Our expedition may not be as simple as our tour guide would have us believe. Upon reaching the apex of the mountain, we find that the Yeti has torn the track apart, leaving the train to reverse through the cavernous chambers of the mountain, before taking a terrifying drop and coming face to face with the fierce Yeti, themselves.

This attraction will receive an extensive refurbishment to complete several adjustments to the attraction, such as adding in a heavy mist and chill to the peak of the mountain range, to add some interior rocky work to the caverns and to most importantly, fix the Yeti at the conclusion of the attraction. The attraction will be closed for an extended period of time to ensure that the attraction re-opens in top quality. The attraction exits out into the Serka Zong Bazaar, a merchandise location specializing in Expedition Everest merchandise.

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And that's Asia! From here on out, there are only two more existing parts of the park to talk about -- Rafiki's Planet Watch and Dinoland, U.S.A. All the rest are completely new lands, starting with ... well, I'll save that for the next post. Until then, if you have any comments or feedback, don't hesitate to post it and I'll see you all in the next post!

 

[DisneyManOne]

Now, here's the first of four brand-new lands at Disney's Animal Kingdom.

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North America

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Passing underneath a train trestle that the Wildlife Express passes over, the dense savanna foliage of Africa has transformed into the tall pine trees, quaint waterfalls and rolling streams of a Pacific Northwest oasis. A rustic sign welcomes our transition into North America, the first new land to be added to Disney's Animal Kingdom since Pandora opened in 2017. In the current Animal Kingdom, there's a massive plot of cleared land behind Asia, just waiting for expansion. As such, the next three lands we shall visit will take up that space, taking guests to lands representing three more continents. Disney's Animal Kingdom already does a very effective job at transporting guests to the faraway lands of Africa and Asia, introducing them not only to their animals but also their culture, art, and architecture. As such, these three new lands follow this proud tradition, highlighting the culture and animals of North America, South America and Australia. As for the other two continents on this planet, Europe will be represented through Beastly Kingdom, and since the animals of Antarctica are already well-represented at SeaWorld Orlando just down the road from Walt Disney World, we'll leave that continent alone here.

Getting back on track here, North America is a rustic, "outdoorsy" reflection of the natural beauty of its home continent. As you can tell from the picture above, the land is based on a redwoods national park -- a natural oasis of wood, rock and water. Although a wooden sign on the trestle names this land as "North America", that welcome sign we passed by labels the area as Redwood Creek.

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Apart from the tall pines and ferns, rolling green hills, gently-lapping rivers and red clay riverbanks, a number of blossoming apple trees line our entrance and exit into Redwood Creek. Naturally, we find this to be the location of Johnny Appleseed's Fruit Cart. The makeshift merchant's stall appears to have been built by Johnny himself - of course with the help of his critter companions. Nearby, the Redwood Trading Post is an old wooden cabin with a "cobblestone" chimney and thick grass growing on the roof. The rustic shop is unique for its selection of Native American arts and crafts, including a large selection of pottery, turquoise jewelry, totems, and kachina dolls.

On the other side of the path, overlooking the quaint river, the Klondike Inn is perhaps Animal Kingdom's best in immersive dining, being held within an intimate, dimly-lit cabin typical of the northern wilderness. Oil paintings, period lamps, stained glass, mounted trophy heads and antlers are used in nearly all of the decorating (no Gaston here) of this classy steakhouse, where surf'n'turf and steak dinners, salads and desserts are out-of-this-world extraordinary in both flavor, size, and price. The Klondike Inn also boasts a beautiful patio right on the banks of the river; providing excellent views and a good spot for people-watching.

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On a path nearby the Klondike Inn, we head down a forest trail past thundering waterfalls and crystal-clear streams. Rock formations in the shape of eagles, owls, and other "forest spirits" lay hidden among the falls, suggesting that perhaps magic lays deep within the earth. Totem poles appear on either side of the trail, the distant howl of a wolf setting an eerie tone. Down the trail, the drumming and chanting of the Native American people seems to grow louder and louder, until we finally find ourselves in front of a world seemingly untouched by modern man. Marked by a great rock formation, covered in grass, wildflowers and waterfalls, weaved boats stand ready to takes us down The Rivers of Nature. On this incredible journey, set to Native American tribal music, we sail through the forests and deserts of North America, coming across many friendly animal faces. But be warned --man is not so friendly, and nearly threatens to destroy the forest! Fortunately, all ends well, and the journey concludes with a trek through the Heart of the Forest, where man, animal, and nature all gather in perfect harmony.

And since this is the only ride I have any intention of doing a ride-through for here at Disney's Animal Kingdom, let's do it right now!

This all-new attraction, created specifically for Disney's Animal Kingdom, is a gentle boat ride that takes you through a natural forest habitat, meeting all the various inhabitants of the forest, and seeing how they live. A Native American-inspired score serves as the underscore for the ride, providing a very natural feel. There's no spoken dialogue. This ride is a truly emotional experience, relying heavily on natural sights and sounds. It all culminates in a beautiful moment where we encounter...well, I'm getting ahead of myself. Let's experience the ride for ourselves.​

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Almost hidden from sight in Redwood Creek, The Rivers of Nature is marked by a haven of rocks, trees, waterfalls and just all around beauty. We meander through the woods, going through a mirror-image of the DL Winnie the Pooh queue (as pictured above), and come across a wooden dock, where a parade of worn-out wooden boats passes through, guests stepping in and out as they prepare to take their journey. Now, if the idea of wooden boats reminds you of Splash Mountain just steps away, fear not. This ride is as gentle as a quiet river. The journey begins as you pass by the Klondike Inn, hugging the banks of the Rivers of America, and into the rocky structure itself. Native American flute music fills our ears as we enter the dark caverns. Suddenly, from within the caverns, the stars appear overhead. They turn into constellations, immersing us in a beautiful night atmosphere.​

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Soon, we find ourselves deep in the heart of the forest. Trees, flowers, plants and small animals like snakes, frogs and bugs all reside here, living peacefully in harmony with each other and the land. The trees occasionally turn bright green and send a beautiful green beam towards a green sky-bird that flies past. What is this creature? But before we can guess, the bird flies off...for now. ​

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A few feet away, we come across a beaver colony. In a scene taken out of Nature's Wonderland, friendly beavers build their dams and chop down trees in a sense of true companionship and cooperation. The bird from before flies past, and the beavers nod their heads respectfully. Again, our curiosity peaks. Who is this bird, and why were the beavers acknowledging it? ​

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We haven't time to wonder, because we find ourselves in Bear Country. These bears are gentle, casually scratching their backs against trees, and foraging for fish. The bird again flies past, and the bears acknowledge it. Why??? ​

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Say, is the temperature rising or it is just us? That's because we've wondered out of the forest, and into the desert. Cacti and prairie dogs roam the desert, as it gives way to the prairies, where the buffalo roam, and the deer and the antelope play. As we leave, we make an unsettling discovery...is that a forest fire in the distance? ​

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The animals desperately run through the burning branches, trying to get away. The fire rages stronger and stronger...until, the bird from before appears. With the swoop of its mighty wings, the fire stops. The animals turn round to face the bird and bow to it. Through the use of SFX, it's revealed that the bird is actually the spirit of Mother Nature, represented here as a green-skinned woman with flowers in her hair, and wearing a long green cloak. With a wave of her hand, we suddenly find ourselves in... ​

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...the true Heart of the Forest. This is where all flora and fauna, fish and fowl, animal and human, live in harmony. The trees intertwine, the flowers blossom, it all adds up to Disney's biggest and most elaborate show scene. As we circle through the Heart, a choir joins the triumphant Native American music. It's just too beautiful, I cannot even describe it in mere words. Just close your eyes and picture a world where nature rules supreme. Isn't it beautiful? ​

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As we head out, we come across one last scene. It's a scene similar to the "American farm" scene from EPCOT's Living with the Land, but it's night instead of dawn. A boy is casually looking up at the star-and-moonlit sky, in awe. Suddenly, the bird flies past. The trees give off the green beam again. The boy gasps. The bird turns back into Mother Nature, and gives the boy a reassuring smile. With that, she turns back into the bird and flies off into the night. We pass through yet another constellation-filled cavern and return to the old dock ​

Found in-between Klondike Inn and The Rivers of Nature is the Dance Circle, an outdoor entertainment arena where authentic dancers of various Native American tribes in the appropriate garbs perform dances that have been passed down for centuries among their people.

Right across the way from the the path leading towards The Rivers of Nature is the North American animal trail, the Redwood Creek Path. This trail features some animals that are more familiar to American tourists, but can still be a good chance to learn more about the animal kingdom.

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Small animals are first on the path with raccoons, prairie dogs, groundhogs, opposums, ferrets, foxes, squirrels, rabbits, skunks and beavers in their natural habitats.

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Next are some of the largest animals of the park, American bison, as well as American alligators. Then, we see wolves and coyotes in caves, followed by a trip past a North American bird habitat. After that guests pass a small habitats for deer, elk and pronghorns, before going across a stream that is the habitat for a family of otters.

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After that is the main animal of the trail, grizzly bears. This will be a very large habitat that is built up into the rockwork of the surrounding area. This is meant to be the most impressive animal area of the expansion and possibly of the park, taking you right into an authentic national park.

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In a secluded area of the deep redwood forest is a stage area, known as "Grandmother Willow's Grove", serving host to another former WDW favorite that has returned from the attraction graveyard: Pocahontas and Her Forest Friends. In this show, Pocahontas, Grandmother Willow and a little sapling named Sprig set out to find the fabled protector of the forest. As Pocahontas discovers the path she must take, she interacts with live trained animals such as rabbits, opossums, a skunk, a porcupine, a snake, and rats. All in all, the show is mainly about the importance of protecting and preserving our forests.

In addition to playing host to Pocahontas and Her Forest Friends, Grandmother Willow's Grove also serves as a home for live storytelling shows. In these shows, which run alternately with Forest Friends, Pocahontas, joined by an apprentice storyteller (and a few audience members), tells the tales of the Native American people. Passed down from generation to generation, these stories are based on a respect for all forms of life, especially the plants and animals we depend on.

Of course, if you're in the mood to meet up with Disney characters, this is the place to go to not only meet Pocahontas herself, but also her faithful raccoon Meeko, as well as Kenai and Koda, Thumper and Miss Bunny, Flik and Atta, Bernard and Bianca and Br'er Rabbit, Br'er Fox and Br'er Bear.

Aunt Martha's Kitchen, once tucked away from the hustle and bustle of Redwood Creek, is one of the most tranquil, down-home dining spots in Disney's Animal Kingdom. We must cross a bridge and stroll through a small pine forest to reach this rustic retreat nestled in the shadows at the farthest edge of Redwood Creek. At this counter-service paradise, crispy fried chicken, boysenberry, apple and raspberry pies, fresh greens, sweet potato fries, and other comfort foods come from Aunt Martha's titular kitchen. House-made funnel cake is what's for dessert!

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What do you guys think? I hope I did North America justice. And I must say that most of my inspiration for this post came from @MANEATINGWREATH's Mirror Disneyland, namely his "Folktale Forest" concept. I changed the name of his Aunt Polly's Kitchen to Aunt Martha's in reference to Martha Washington, wife of George.

Next post should come out quite soon, so until then, please leave any comments you have here and I'll see you in the next post!

 

[DisneyManOne]

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Australia

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Australia is quite possibly the home of some of the world's most unique animals, and they will be represented here at Disney's Animal Kingdom quite well. Heading to your right, from the point where North America meets South America, you'll find yourself in the glory of the "Land Down Under". Australia highlights some of the continent’s more unique animals as well as its Aboriginal culture and traditions.

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A small, sun-beat village greets us as we enter, offering a host of shops and restaurants. Directly to our right as we enter is the Outback Depot, a rustic train station worn by sand and heat, but is still in relatively good shape, being an Outback outpost of many, many years prior to our visit. The Outback Depot serves as a stop for the Wildlife Express. Across the way is The Yowling Yowie, themed to that of a roadside restaurant in the middle of absolutely nowhere, named for Australia's own Sasquatch, the Yowie. Unlike the Yeti of Expedition Everest, the Yowie is nowhere to be seen, only represented through decorative newspaper trimmings and its chef hat-wearing silhouette utilized in nearly all of the decorating. The main attraction of the "Yowie" is the unique menu of all-Aussie-inspired items; vegemite, sausage rolls, emu, pavlova, kangaroo, several variants on coffee, Australian twists on the classic hamburger, etc. The Outback Showbag next door is a remote gift shop selling souvenirs and trinkets unique to what one would find in the Australian Outback. For those of us not accustomed to life "down under," gifts strictly unique to Australia are also sold here (i.e. "license plates," keychains, mugs, etc.) in addition to boomerangs (which are not to be thrown in the park) and didgeridoos.

Neighboring the Outback Depot is Platypus Point, which is just a short walk from the edge of the crocodile pool, resembles that of a roadside food stand, this time selling...wait for it...wait for it...gelato and jerky! But REALLY unique gelato and jerky. Some of the gelato flavors include vegemite, coffee, and an unspecified "mystery flavor," while jerky-types include emu, kangaroo, crocodile, and animals non-native to Australia, such as alligator and ostrich.

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Beneath the scorching desert sun we find ourselves peering into a remote mud hole, almost an oasis of sorts. However, this oasis is barred-off and ridden with caution signs as it plays home to of a family of actual saltwater crocodiles, or "salties" as the locals refer to them. This mini-zoo sits near the entrance to the Steve Irwin Conservation Centre, an oddity amid the Disney theme park setting. As a "satellite extension" of the Australia Zoo, the conservation center is dedicated to the late Steve Irwin, more famously known as the "Crocodile Hunter." In this well-sized building, we are invited to step inside and learn about Australia's vast collection of colorful wildlife, as well as other wildlife around the world, whether they're endangered or not. Here we learn of the Australia Zoo and Disney's Animal Kingdom and their efforts to conserve and protect the creatures of the planet as illustrated through demonstrations, videos, and exhibits, not to mention a moving tribute and memorial to the Crocodile Hunter himself. Several varieties of insects and reptiles are kept here in enclosures, allowing an up close and personal glimpse at potentially-deadly creatures.

As mentioned before, the crocodiles in the "mud hole" outside are in fact living, breathing creatures. Zookeepers trained through the proper channels at the Australia Zoo are on duty at the Conservation Centre, doubling as hosts at the center and as the keepers of the salties. These same keepers also perform daily demonstrations of crocodile safety and upkeep, as well as a showcase of several birds native to Australia, including the ever-famous kookaburra. This demonstration is appropriately called Australian Animals. Speaking of demonstrations, the center of this village is where Bugandi can be found performing in a small arena crafted from the desert terrain. "Bugandi," which translates to "to sing" in the Aboriginal language, is a small group of Aboriginal performers who put on displays of traditional Aboriginal song and dance, didgeridoos and all.

Appropriately enough, the land's animal trail is located right across the way from the Conservation Centre: the Aussie Adventure Trails. This trail puts you right in the middle of the verdant Australian Outback marked by verdant fields of grass and gum trees, dominated by a replica of Uluru, the mighty sandstone rock formation sacred to the Anagu, the Aboriginal people of the area. Along the trails, guests can encounter a variety of animals such as emus, platypus, galahs, kookaburras, dingoes, black-necked storks, kangaroos, wallabies, wombats, Tasmanian devils, and koalas.

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At the end of the village street is small gorge with a stream running down from it and forming a small river that runs through the land. A dock and a large boat sit next to this stream, marking the entrance to a reef area, where the waves crash upon the sand. Since Australia is home to the legendary Great Barrier Reef, it makes sense to devote some space to honor such a location. Plus, this area will also serve well to introduce animals from the ocean into the park, as the current version of the park does not. This way, the park will fully feature animals from the ocean, sea and sky. I also don't want to introduce too much of the ocean into the park, as it would take a lot away from The Living Seas over at EPCOT, so I think just a small area would be nice. So, again, while the area might be small, it is still a needed area for the theme park.

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This "Great Barrier Reef" area is contained within the interior confines of a massive oceanic rock covered in kelp, seaweed, coral, and other aquatic matter. The salty waves of the tide crash up against the base of the massive rock. Before we enter through a cavernous hole crafted into the side of the rock, we hear the nearby cawing of some beady-eyed seagulls perched upon a smaller rock, famously shrieking "MINE! MINE! MINE!" Entering the Great Barrier Reef is almost like entering an aquatic dreamworld of sorts...in a mere matter of seconds, the atmosphere around us has been transformed into a near-exact replica of one of Australia's many natural wonders...giant coral, oversized anemones, and the shimmering sunlight reflecting upon the visible oceanic surface above our heads, accomplished via clever lighting, projections, and a rather convincing scrim...luscious orchestrations taken straight from the films provide an ambient environment of realistic fantasy...the silhouettes of passing fish and other sea creatures are cast upon the rocks, hinting at an unseen community of wildlife beyond the limits of our own imaginations...every so often, a boat, otherwise referred to by younger fish as a "butt" can be seen treading water on the waves above, causing the aforementioned silhouettes to scatter and hide until the "butt" is well out of sight. Our adventure has begun...

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Of course, the Great Barrier Reef finds most of its attractions based around that iconic Pixar film, Finding Nemo. Embedded into a large volcanic rock, is a screen that plays films about preserving Australia's Great Barrier Reef and all the oceanic wildlife that inhabit it, warning of the dangers of pollution and the motto of "all drains lead to the ocean." This little area is known as the Junior Explorer Academy, managed and operated by Mr. Ray. Built right nearby is a circular cove, surrounded by think rocky moss formations and coral. The entire area seems like an aquatic grove with a rocky sand sketched floor bottom. Upon entering the great mossy rock, guests will enter into the Undersea Life Exhibits, a great aquarium featuring numerous aquatic animals; schools of numerous different types of fish, sharks and stingrays, mainly the breeds and types represented in Finding Nemo, all of them finding a home here. Cast Members located throughout the great exhibit grounds offer more information on the animals found within.

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Another large oceanic rock, found in the center of the grotto, serves as our entrance to a re-located Finding Nemo: The Musical. In this innovative production, which has delighted guests of Disney's Animal Kingdom since 2007, the story of father and son lost and re-united is brought to life through the music of Robert Lopez and Kristen Anderson-Lopez, best known for their work on Frozen and Winnie the Pooh, as well as for writing the Oscar-winning "Remember Me" from Coco. (And among the Broadway circuit, Robert is known for co-writing Avenue Q and The Book of Mormon.) The show is lush with large sets and an entire ensemble of characters, utilizing puppetry to portray the memorable characters from the Pixar film.

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On the other side of this indoor grotto, you may notice a large turtle shell careening in and out of a canyon wall. Well, my friends, that's because this side of the rock is home to Crush's Coaster. This attraction is one of the most popular at Walt Disney Studios Paris and provides some mild thrills along the lines of the current Primeval Whirl (Of course, I'm getting rid of Chester & Hester's Dino-Rama -- sorry, spoilers -- so consider this a good way to fill the void). Guests ride in a turtle shell through elaborate show scenes depicting different events from the movie before going on a high-speed spin through the EAC where the turtle shell itself starts to spin as it moves along the track. The attraction is very much like a more thrilling and more highly detailed version of the Seas with Nemo and Friends attraction currently at Epcot. Of course, the whole "studio" aspect Paris has will be scrapped, so the queue and exterior will be themed around meandering catacombs located deep beneath the ocean's floor.

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And that's Australia! What do you think? I must point out that my inspiration for Australia came from two sources: one, @MANEATINGWREATH and his "Badlands" and "Pixar Place" concepts from his 2016 Dream Disney Resort thread, and @Imagineerland and his own Australia idea from his 2018 Dream Plan for the park.

Our trek to South America will begin very soon, so until then, please post any feedback and/or comments you may have and I'll see you in the next post!

 

[DisneyManOne]

Let us now finish this "continent" triptych. From here, we'll only have three more lands to explore: Conservation Station, Beastly Kingdom and Dinoland. From there, we'll get started on a project that I'm incredibly excited for! In fact, expect the posts to come fast and furious within the next few days, because I can't wait to start work on the new project!

With that said, let's take a look at the fourth-to-last land of Disney's Animal Kingdom...

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South America

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South America is home to one of the most famous natural landmarks in the world: the Amazon Rainforest. As such, of the "continent triptych", it takes up the most space solely to do justice to such an amazing locale. The lush tropical rainforests of South America lend themselves perfectly to creating a highly immersive land. Guests would be able to walk through a dense jungle environment, filled with exotic flowers and plant life, past waterfalls and rivers.

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From the fork-in-the-road at North America, the path splits. Go to the right and you're in Australia; but continue northward and you'll find yourself in South America. Stepping further inside the land, we enter a riverside village made up of a series of thatch-roofed buildings. Here, students from a local university have set-up camp to study the creatures and plant life of the rainforest as well as the negative effects of the logging companies that have been chopping down trees at an alarming rate. Thus, the message of conservation is very strongly tied with the attractions in this area. Among the village, we find quite a few shops and restaurants. The major shop here is Rainforest Outfitters. Here, you'll find everything from character merchandise to South American-themed items to leather goods. A cool shop with some neat items you probably won't find elsewhere. The major restaurant here is the Yucatan Grill, which serves up a variety of barbecue-style dishes. Plus, it's quite a good place to go if you want to enjoy some healthy food. There are also quite a few food trucks, decorated like they are set up by the university students in the village.

This village is the embarkation point for two attractions, both of which emphasize the natural beauty of the rainforest and the importance of protecting this environment. As you can tell by the image at the top of the page, the major headliner here is a full-blown replica of Shanghai Disneyland's Camp Discovery. At Camp Discovery, you can choose from a variety of expeditions to uncover the wonders of the Amazon Rainforest. You can climb on elevated rope courses to survey the stunning terrain of the rainforest's mountains, hike through the breathtaking scenery or work inside a dig zone to unearth ancient artifacts.

There are three unique elevated rope courses, known as the Challenge Trails that traverse the terrain—taking adventurers over river gorges, waterfalls and sheer cliffs, through stunning terrain and into spectacular caverns.

• Hidden Falls Chamber – Journey behind a waterfall and deep into the jungle to a mystical cavern, home to the glittering gem-encrusted Temple of the Milky Way.
• Echo Cavern – Wind along a perilous river gorge, discover magnificent rock carvings and cave paintings, and hear for yourself how Echo Canyon got its name.
• House of the Ancients – Trek to the site of an in-progress excavation, where the university archeologists are unearthing an ancient trading center.

If you don't want to climb the ropes, you can traverse the Vista Trail. Vista Trail is a beautifully landscaped walkway that provides all adventurers with the opportunity to explore the wonders of the ropes courses at ground level, where the ageless beauty of the Amazon Rainforest is revealed in photo opportunities around every bend—including a trio of large, hemispheric "humming stones," also known as the "Mmm stones," which emit a nearly inaudible hum heard only by the most nature-attuned individuals.

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But for a more thrilling adventure through the Amazon jungles, then take the Amazon River Adventure. This attraction would mark a major upgrade over Kali River Rapids in that not only would it be longer and far more immersive, but it would also feature live animals. The backstory for the attraction is that students from the local university have prepared a river rafting expedition to study a few of the more remote parts of the rainforest and have invited you along. The first half of the ride is very calm. As the raft passes through the dense jungle, guests encounter other small fishing villages and a wide variety of birds, monkeys, and other exotic animals.

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Guests then come upon the devastation of a logging camp, where hundreds of trees have been either chopped or burned to the ground. This scene presents a marked contrast to the natural beauty earlier in the ride.

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From here the ride takes a tumultuous turn as the raft picks up speed and guests encounter a series of violent rapids as they race past waterfalls, get spun around in whirlpools, and narrowly escape an attack by a school of piranhas before returning back to the village. The attraction would thus offer far more in the way of thrills than the current Kali River Rapids.

Nearby the settlement, you can explore the lush tropical rainforests of South America yourself, by way of the Amazon Rainforest Trail. Here, encounter a wide variety of animals, such as two-toed sloths, giant anteaters, spider monkeys, golden lion tamarins, toucans, macaws, jaguars, howler monkeys, capybaras, owls, llamas, sloths and tree frogs.

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The other major attraction here in South America is Rainforest Race, an honest-to-God zip-line experience through the canopy of the rainforest. Taking off from a ledge on the mountains, we glide over the rivers of Camp Discovery, and through the trees of the Rainforest Trail, thus giving the sense of zip-lining through the Amazon Rainforest. This would give a whole new kind of experience not only to Disney's Animal Kingdom, but to Walt Disney World in general. Believe it or not, a rollercoaster similar to this was actually planned for EPCOT at one point and would have been a part of a completely re-imagined Land pavilion. I think this new South America section of Animal Kingdom would be the perfect home for it.

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What do you guys think of that? Now, I'll admit, the next area of the park is somewhat small, so I'll think I'll share my post regarding that area later tonight. Until then, if you have any feedback or comments, please feel free to post them!

 

[DisneyManOne]

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Rafiki's Planet Watch

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Rafiki's Planet Watch is one of the very few areas of the park where guests can actually learn about the health and well-being of the animals that take up residence at Disney's Animal Kingdom. It offers a behind-the-scenes look at the care methods and procedures that happen at the park, while also exploring the possibility of conservation efforts happening all around the world. The presence of Rafiki's Planet Watch in Disney's Animal Kingdom offers a real-world experience, where there doesn't have to be any major attraction or storyline, the animals, their health and the efforts of research and advances being initiated in the pavilion is the entire purpose of the exhibit. Rafiki's Planet Watch informs the guests that they can do good in the world and that they can take action to make the planet a better place. It should be noted that due to the three new lands of the park, Habitat Habit will close. Despite this, the cotton-top tamarins will still have a place in the park. habitat will become part of the Amazon Rainforest Trail in the South American section of the park. After all, South America is the tamarin's native home.

Anyways, whether by a path from South America or via the Wildlife Express (whose Planet Watch station has been moved to be closer to the Conservation Station), you find yourself standing in front of the entrance to the Conservation Station. The exterior of the Conservation Station features several animals in a marquee above the entrance. The pavilion features bright and bold colors and shapes, the patterns are playful and colorful. Images of animals appear everywhere, in a very realistic fashion. We enter into the Conservation Station, where the wise and knowing Rafiki acts somewhat as a host, speaking of humans' actions upon the environment and how all of our choices have consequences. Along the walls of the pavilion, video screen exhibits play of the animals' lives in their natural habitat, as Rafiki narrates the films. The center of the indoor pavilion is lush with large trees and a flowing raised waterfall fountain, circulating throughout the lush foliage, as it cascades down the sides of the fountain. This fountain is a popular place to meet two special characters -- Rafiki himself and Jiminy Cricket, who serves as the mascot of Disney's "I've Got Environmentality" program.

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Conservation Station is where many animal program efforts take place, in some ways, it could be considered as the truest heart of Disney's Animal Kingdom. There are various exhibits here, and they can be dividable into two categories: Animal Care and Environmentalism. On the "Animal Care" side of things, we have a food preparation center, a backstage viewing area, a hatchery, a nursery, a science center (where actual working scientists come to do research), as well as windows featuring amphibian, reptile and invertebrate habitats. But by far, the most popular exhibit in the "Animal Care" category is the Veterinary Treatment Room. This is where guests learn and witness the care methods given to the animals of Disney's Animal Kingdom. The visible windows into the care units of the station shows that Disney uses the highest level of care that they could possibly give. At times, this exhibit offers the guests a chance to see into a surgery or a birth, which can happen from time to time.

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On the "Environmentalism" side of things, we have the "Eco-Web", which showcases conservation efforts taking place around the globe, as well as Song of the Rainforest, where guests enter booths, put on headphones and listen to the sounds of a rainforest. The experience had never really been to significant to the pavilion and in some occasions, was not even functioning properly, which is partly responsible for its' removal. In its' place, guests will now find the Conservation Community, where guests are brought into a simulated rainforest, complete with falling rain and thunderstorms. The exhibit welcomes guests to learn about eco-friendly methods to help the environment and to help preserve the beauty of nature.

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At the north end of the pavilion, connecting back to the entrance, guests will find the Affection Section, an area for guests to have the closest encounters with animals. The Affection Section operates as a petting zoo, where guests can have physical contact with the animals, bringing that value closer to the guests. Although, the Affection Section might only seem as a petting zoo for sheep, llamas, horses and rams, but it also brings a sense of connection to the animals throughout Disney's Animal Kingdom. Rafiki's Planet Watch also features Out of the Wild, a shop featuring conservation-themed apparel, decorative gifts, bath care, books and soft cuddly animal toys.

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What do you guys think of that? I think that the next post in our trek through Animal Kingdom won't come till tomorrow night, so this is where we'll stop for now. We are one step closer to finishing our time in Disney's Animal Kingdom, and then, we'll move on to the big project I've been really excited for!

Until tomorrow, please post any comments or feedback you may have, and I'll see you all in the next post!

 

[DisneyManOne]

Here is the second-to-last land of Disney's Animal Kingdom, one that's 21 years in the making...

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Beastly Kingdom

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Returning to the mainland of Disney's Animal Kingdom, heading past Expedition Everest, a crystal-clear stream trickles beneath an arched footbridge, churned by a thundering waterfall pouring from a nearby rock formation in the shape of a fire-breathing dragon. The mysterious ruins of Asia transition into the forests of Beastly Kingdom, welcoming us to the world of mythological beasts and animals, a fairy tale come true for RPG nerds everywhere. At last, this land, long since lost to the pages of history, shall finally join the storied history of Disney's Animal Kingdom, finally completing the triptych of animals represented in-park: Animals that are, animals that were, and animals that never were.

Beastly Kingdom was originally slated to stand on land that became Camp Minnie-Mickey, and since Pandora has taken over that space, that doesn't leave much room left in the park. Therefore, Beastly Kingdom will make use of the land currently held by the Theater in the Wild (hence, why I moved Finding Nemo: The Musical to Australia) and Chester and Hester's Dino-Rama. To make room for this land, the backstage dock is relocated to the space just behind Expedition Everest. That space is nearly unusable for public space because of the backside of the Everest showbuilding, so it makes sense to make it backstage space.

On the horizon, an ancient castle stands tall above the kingdom, perhaps inhabited by the darker creatures of mythology. On the adjacent horizon, a luscious mountaintop casts a welcoming shadow on the kingdom below, perhaps inhabited by the kinder creatures of mythology. Passing the bridge and going through a brief forest, we first find ourselves standing before a golden house. This estate is Mythica Manor. Inside this Renaissance-inspired home, we find a museum-like tribute to the various creatures of folklore. Real-life cryptozoology is also featured within the museum, exhibits showcasing the likes of the Sasquatch, Loch Ness Monster and Yeti on prominent display. Going westward from Mythica Manor, we come across the "darker" side of Beastly Kingdom.

In taking the dark forest road, guests would be led along a path with charred suits of armor, abandoned weapons, and an eerie smokey atmosphere. Emerging from the path, we find ourselves before an old tavern. This is the Heroes' Tavern, a place where knights of old used to rest. When they weren't fighting dragons or saving damsels, you can bet they were right here, enjoying themselves. The bill of fare is traditional pub fare: meat, chicken, vegetables, tons of desserts, cheeses, and all that jazz. Plus, this is a good place to go for ale, mead and other English beer.

But just beyond this tavern, we head towards a certain town under the shadow of a curled-hill...a trail separate from the others leads to an ancient castle perched high above the treetops, appearing to be battered and worn from an ancient battle centuries ago...

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A clearing in the forest brings us to the threshold of this ancient stronghold, immediately surrounding us with a Stonehenge-like arena seeming to have been built as a tribute to some great spirit. In the center of it all rests the skeletal remains of a mighty dragon, and not of the Maleficent variety. This giant fossil was at one time a true medieval dragon, the ones in which haunted the dreams and visions of the European countryside in the Dark Ages. Suddenly, a massive fireball spews from the twisted-facade of the castle, closely followed by a pair of reptilian eyes peering outward before disappearing into the shadows. From within, we hear screams of absolute delight and terror. We have stumbled upon the remains of the Dragon's Tower.

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Venturing deep inside the castle, we find that at one time a Royal Family of unknown origin resided over the surrounding land, ruling with a cheerful, loving hand. Scorch-marks and the skeletal remains of many a charred-knight imply that long ago, a dragon had indeed attacked the castle and all those within it, perhaps even taking over the estate. Our suspicions are confirmed when we come face-to-face with a band of giant vampire bats whom have been gifted with the ability of speech. These bats are a band of thieves known as the Dracula Six, and according to local legend, the dragon that now resides within this castle has a sea of treasure underneath his belly that he's not willing to share anytime soon...unless it's stolen... Boarding a bat-winged roller coaster train suspended from the ceiling, we embark deep within the castle to rob the sleeping dragon of his priceless gems, only to unintentionally awaken the beast and undergo a thrilling, chilling roller coaster ride through the remains of this charred castle past restless spirits, booby traps, and of course, the dragon overlord himself.

As the Dragon's Tower has an in-ride photo opportunity, it seems only fitting that a gift shop is located just near the exit, Dragon's Tower Portrait Studio, a medieval-themed photo supplier and Dragon's Tower-themed gift shop nestled in the former dungeon of the once-grand castle...

On the eastern path leading from Mythica Manor, we find ourselves in a land of rolling green hills, trickling streams, and endless, patchwork fields of multi-colored flowers and temperate trees bathed in the colors of autumn. The remainder of Beastly Kingdom represents that of Ancient Greece, land of heroes and monsters, gods and goddesses, adventure and magic, a natural fit in the realm of mythical beasts.

This area features two attractions. First is Fantasia Gardens, a boat ride themed around the animal-based elements of Fantasia. Along the same lines as Storybook Land Canal Boats or Shanghai's Journey to the Crystal Grotto, this is a gentle boat ride past dioramas, both outdoor and indoor. Expect to see the sights and sounds of Ancient Greece, as represented in "The Pastoral Symphony"; the yo-yo-ing flamingo and his disapproving brood of "The Carnival of the Animals"; Noah's ark, as seen in "Pomp and Circumstance"; and, of course, the dancing animals of "Dance of the Hours".

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Second, and perhaps the most intricate and detailed of the attractions in Beastly Kingdom, is Quest for the Unicorn, an interactive maze where guests wander through a labyrinth in search of the mythical and elusive unicorn. Guests need to awaken five golden icons in order to enter into the underground grotto where the unicorn lives. It's all very visually engaging and detailed...

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From there, the path connects back to the Dragon's Tower, but I don't really wanna go there again. So, let's just head on back to the mainland, why don't we? Besides, there's still one more area of Disney's Animal Kingdom we need to check out...

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I'm sure you guys know what land remains here at Disney's Animal Kingdom, so I shall share it with you later tonight. Until then, please post any comments or feedback you may have. What do you guys think? Isn't it exciting to finally have Beastly Kingdom in the park?

 

[Suchomimus]

So I take it that Wildlife Express will still only go to Africa and Planet Watch?

 

[DisneyManOne]

So I take it that Wildlife Express will still only go to Africa and Planet Watch?

And Australia, as well. I made sure to mention that a station would be built in Australia.

Here we go, the last land of Disney's Animal Kingdom!

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The Dino Institute

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As we all know, the main problem with the current Dinoland U.S.A. in its current formation is that the vast majority of the the land is a theme park within a theme park. It is not like Disney has never done this before, a notable example being DCA's Paradise Pier, which is now Pixar Pier/Paradise Gardens Park, but that actually works. It has gotten better over the years, with the additions of Little Mermaid, Toy Story Mania and World of Color and they actually fully committed to the idea of having a romanticized boardwalk area. However, over at DAK, they sort of dropped a bomb here. Chester and Hester's Dino-Rama just doesn't match up with the Dinosaur attraction. Plus, the land takes up so much space by adding in the midway carnival games in the middle, which doesn't really make much sense being in a dinosaur themed land.

Now that Beastly Kingdom has taken over the area formerly held by Dino-Rama (save for a small sliver of land that will be used as trees to block views of the new land), the land will be re-themed as the archaeology site of the Dino Institute. Also, something to address is that, when guests enter into The Dino Institute, they are still in the current day real-world. They are not entering into the world of the dinosaurs, as that simply interferes with the storyline of the Dinosaur attraction, where guests have to go back in time. The entire land has to take place in the real world in order for it to consistently make sense. With that said, the entire land will heavily use the theme of time travel, to go back to a time when dinosaurs did exist. While dinosaurs may be extinct, they still play a major part in the story of Disney's Animal Kingdom. The Dino Institute displays the beliefs and attitudes about dinosaurs that we have come to believe for all of the world to see. The Dino Institute "theme" from the Dinosaur attraction has been expanded to fit the entire land in two distinct areas: the Institute itself and the excavation site.

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The excavation site, the first area guests enter in this land, has the look and feel of a working paleontological dig. Entering the site, guests will first come across The Boneyard on the left side of the path. 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 Triceratops and a Tyrannosaurus rex buried beneath the sand.

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Across the street from the Boneyard, almost hidden behind the trees, guests will come across Restaurantosaurus, which will be remodeled to match the theme of The Dino Institute, to feature 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. 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 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 be accommodate for 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.

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Housed within the same exhibit are two different animals. First is the Abdim stork, which is at least concern for endangerment...

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...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.

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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.

Gradually getting closer to the headquarters of the Dino Institute, we find one more interesting sight on the right-hand side of the building. Currently, the Dino Institute is in the process of using time travel to bring dinosaurs back from prehistoric times to the modern day, so that they can study them up close. As such, we have the Dinosaur Encounter, where guests can interact with "lifelike" dinosaurs. Using the most sophisticated animatronic technology to date, these dinosaurs can interactively react to guests in real time. Also within this building is the Cretaceous Creatures display unit, which offers the skeletal bone remains of several dinosaurs, similar to the one of the Carnotaurus constructed in the queue of the Dinosaur attraction. The exibits offer a wealth of information about each of the dinosaurs, while also continuing to carry out the Dino Institute theme throughout the entire land.

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And now, of course, we come to the Dino Institute's signature attraction: Countdown to Extinction! On Countdown to Extinction, guests board EMV vehicles known as "Time Rovers" and travel back in time to rescue an Iguanodon. Here, guests are sent back in time, to the end of the Cretaceous Period, to the end of the dinosaurs, right before the meteor that struck the Earth impacts. The trip takes guests on a frantic chase through prehistoric forests, as they catch glimpses of broad displays of different dinosaur species, crashing meteors and several encounters with a Carnotaurus, whom spots the guests as his prey. As for refurbishing the ride, I'd make sure that all the effects were restored to their original working condition. For example, guests riding today might not know that the Pterodactyl originally swooped down at the Time Rover and the Compsognathus leapt over the vehicle as it passed by. In addition, there are multiple lighting and smoke effects that were originally part of the ride that are no longer working.

I would also take the opportunity to "plus" Countdown to Extinction with enhanced show scenes to make the experience even more immersive. Dinosaur shares the same track layout as the Indiana Jones Adventure at Disneyland, but where the two differ is in the amount of detail featured on the ride. Whereas Indiana Jones has elaborately themed and detailed scenes, Dinosaur is very dark with lighting that mostly just highlights the large animatronic figures while paying little attention to their surroundings. I would seek to enhance the attraction by building up the environments around the animatronic figures. A good example of this comes from some of the original concept art for the attraction

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Also, I read on Wikipedia that when Countdown to Extinction turned into Dinosaur, they toned down a couple aspects because, now that the ride was a tie-in to the film, more kids would be riding. So, with that said, I'd restore a few things from the early days of the ride. I'd make the EMV motion much more intense and restore the ride's original soundtrack. In the original soundtrack, after the encounter with the first audio-animatronic Carnotaurus, the footsteps and roars of the dinosaur could be heard directly behind the vehicle, giving guests the feeling that they were being pursued. And that sounds really frightening...and perfect for a ride like this! This would allow the ride to become more popular than it currently is!

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Disney's Animal Kingdom

The Oasis
Attractions
1) Oasis Animal Exhibits

Dining
1) Rainforest Cafe

Shopping
1) Garden Gate Gifts

Discovery Island
Attractions
1) Tree of Life
2) Earth
3) Tree of Life Garden
4) Adventurers' Outpost
5) Character Landing
6) Winged Encounters - The Kingdom Takes Flight

Dining
1) Pizzafari
2) Flame Tree Barbecue
3) Creature Comforts
4) Tiffins

Shopping
1) Island Mercantile
2) Disney Outfitters
3) Riverside Depot

Pandora - The World of Avatar
Attractions
1) Na'vi River Voyage
2) Flight of Passage

Dining
1) Satu'li Canteen
2) Pongu Pongu

Shopping
1) Windtraders

Africa
Attractions
1) Kilimanjaro Safaris
2) Festival of the Lion King
3) Gorilla Falls Exploration Trail
4) Wildlife Express
5) Tarzan's Treehouse

Dining
1) Tusker House
2) Dawa Bar
3) Tamu Tamu Refreshments
4) Kusafiri Coffee Shop & Bakery
5) Harambe Market

Shopping
1) Mombasa Marketplace and Ziwani Traders
2) Duka La Filimu

Asia
Attractions
1) Expedition Everest
2) Journey into the Jungle Book
3) Maharajah Jungle Trek
4) Rivers of Light

Dining
1) Yak and Yeti

Shopping
1) Serka Zong Bazaar

North America
Attractions
1) The Rivers of Nature
2) Pocahontas and Her Forest Friends
3) Dance Circle
4) Redwood Creek Path

Dining
1) Johnny Appleseed's Fruit Cart
2) Klondike Inn
3) Aunt Martha's Kitchen

Shopping
1) Redwood Trading Post

Australia
Attractions
1) Wildlife Express
2) Steve Irwin Conservation Centre
3) Aussie Adventure Trails
4) Bugandi
5) Junior Explorer Academy
6) Undersea Life Exhibits
7) Finding Nemo: The Musical
8) Crush's Coaster

Dining
1) The Yowling Yowie
2) Platypus Point

Shopping
1) The Outback Showbag

South America
Attractions
1) Amazon River Adventure
2) Camp Discovery
3) Rainforest Race
4) Amazon Rainforest Trail

Dining
1) Yucatan Grill

Shopping
1) Rainforest Outfitters

Rafiki's Planet Watch
Attractions
1) Wildlife Express
2) Conservation Station
3) Affection Section

Shopping
1) Out of the Wild

Beastly Kingdom
Attractions
1) Mythica Manor
2) Dragon's Tower
3) Fantasia Gardens
4) Quest for the Unicorn

Dining
1) Heroes' Tavern

Shopping
1) Dragon's Tower Portrait Studio

The Dino Institute
Attractions
1) Countdown to Extinction
2) The Boneyard
3) Endangered Animal Trail
4) Dinosaur Encounter & Cretaceous Creatures

Dining
1) Restaurantosaurus

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Disney's Animal Kingdom is in the books, my friends! Now, don't think that our time exploring the parks will end with this one post. As I've said before, I have plans for a long-proposed fifth gate stewing about in my mind, and come tomorrow, I will open the gates and invite you all to come join me for a look at what this new park will be like.

Until then, please feel free to post any feedback or comments you may have, and I'll see you all in the next post!

 

[Suchomimus]

And Australia, as well. I made sure to mention that a station would be built in Australia.

Sorry, I didn’t see it when I first read it.

As for refurbishing the ride, I'd make sure that all the effects were restored to their original working condition. For example, guests riding today might not know that the Pterodactyl originally swooped down at the Time Rover and the Compsognathus leapt over the vehicle as it passed by.

Technically, they did fix those during the 2016 refurbishment; albeit the Compies now use screens.

 

[Twilight_Roxas]

Well if Wakanda couldn’t be added there’s also putting in either a Black Panther attraction were it was supposed to be a normal tour through Wakanda till Hydra or the Kree attacks or a meet & greet for the Black Panther in the Africa section. You don’t have to though.