What’s next for Animal Kingdom?

[Kate F]

With Runaway Railway and Galaxy’s Edge having recently opened at DHS, as well as the upcoming additions of Tron to MK and Guardians, Rat, and Poppins to Epcot, I can’t help but think about how 3 years after Pandora’s opening, AK has nothing major planned within the next few years. I get Pandora’s popular and gave the park a much needed boost, but I still think they need to add more to this park. I don’t like how it seems that having a major new addition means not having to pay much attention to that park for several years. Think about how much time passed between Everest and Pandora. I have a feeling it will become the least popular if something new isn’t planned for it.

 

[UNCgolf]

They need to replace Dinorama with something worthwhile. Personally, I'd like to see an area themed around South America where they could add new animal exhibits and some sort of themed ride, but there's absolutely no chance that happens.

Instead, it would almost definitely be some sort of IP land. With the way things currently are, I wouldn't expect to see anything new there for a long time. Maybe not this decade.

There's also very little chance Poppins gets built at EPCOT.

 

[Jphaddad96]

They need to replace Dinorama with something worthwhile. Personally, I'd like to see an area themed around South America where they could add new animal exhibits and some sort of themed ride, but there's absolutely no chance that happens.

It would almost definitely be some sort of IP land, but with the way things currently are, I wouldn't expect to see anything new there for a long time. Maybe not this decade.

There's also very little chance Poppins gets built at EPCOT.

When you ask South America I think in Emperor's New Groove and Indiana Jones 1, but what else can be there?

 

[UNCgolf]

When you ask South America I think in Emperor's New Groove and Indiana Jones 1, but what else can be there?

Something not related to movie IP, like Expedition Everest. Which is why I said it'll never happen.

 

[Marc Davis Fan]

Dino-Rama is a blight on Disney's most beautiful US park. Joe Rohde and his team did the best they possibly good with the awful assignment they were given (it was during the Pressler era), but Dino-Rama is a net negative to the DAK experience, jarringly removing guests from the transportive world created by the rest of the masterfully-designed park.

Disney seems to like the idea of including mid-level roller coasters in its parks, a la Seven Dwarfs Mine Train and Slinky Dog Dash. Why not "dig up" the Excavator plans, and make a kid-friendly version of that?

As for what Disney is actually doing, there were apparently a few ideas being considered for Dinoland, at least some of which included the long-awaited removal of Dino-Rama. As mentioned above, supposedly there were also concepts for Pandora Phase 2.

Obviously things are currently up in the air regarding capital expenditures, but they will have to get back to expansions eventually, and when they do, Dinoland and Pandora seem to be the two most likely prospects...

 

[marni1971]

A decent night time show would be nice

 

[zengoth]

Before the thread devolves into Dinoland bashing! and/or Zootopia doesn't belong... there's huge swathes of animals that could still be represented at Animal Kingdom. I know if there's no IP tie-in chances are slimmer, but birds, reptiles/amphibians and exotics are well represented at places local to me like Busch Gardens Tampa and ZooTampa. I'd love to see how Disney could plus those kinds of experiences.

 

[NickPytlinski]

more about animals than IP

 

[Goofy213]

Always wondered why there was no Australian area? The unique animals that could be represented are countless. Kangaroos, koalas, dingoes, Tasmanian devils, crocodiles, and if you add an aquarium represting the great barrier reef hundreds more. As for IPs you have Finding Nemo and Rescuers Down Under. As for Dinosaur just refilm the preshow videos with Australian actors. But if this isn't feesable a South American area would be my second choice, at least that would keep Brazil out of Epcot.

 

[marni1971]

A table service restaurant?

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

The reality is nothing of significance.

It’s a shame too...but all the mojo they had finally managed to create is likely on ice for 5-10 years....if I had to put money on it. (Cause the bobs won’t)

 

[Club Cooloholic]

Before the thread devolves into Dinoland bashing! and/or Zootopia doesn't belong... there's huge swathes of animals that could still be represented at Animal Kingdom. I know if there's no IP tie-in chances are slimmer, but birds, reptiles/amphibians and exotics are well represented at places local to me like Busch Gardens Tampa and ZooTampa. I'd love to see how Disney could plus those kinds of experiences.

Always wondered why there was no Australian area? The unique animals that could be represented are countless. Kangaroos, koalas, dingoes, Tasmanian devils, crocodiles, and if you add an aquarium represting the great barrier reef hundreds more. As for IPs you have Finding Nemo and Rescuers Down Under. As for Dinosaur just refilm the preshow videos with Australian actors. But if this isn't feesable a South American area would be my second choice, at least that would keep Brazil out of Epcot.

What a great idea. We always are looking to attractions, but I would love another animal section added to the park, I really love the idea of an Australian area.
As for Dinorama, I think this area could be saved...if the story around it was maybe retrofitted to fit the park more. Perhaps, going with the South America theme, this was some sort of lost theme Park set up to entertain amazonia miners at the turn of the century. You could build a shell around the mouse coaster and make it more of a runaway mine ride, and theme the area up with more of a lost city of Z vibe.

 

[NickMaio]

With Runaway Railway and Galaxy’s Edge having recently opened at DHS, as well as the upcoming additions of Tron to MK and Guardians, Rat, and Poppins to Epcot, I can’t help but think about how 3 years after Pandora’s opening, AK has nothing major planned within the next few years. I get Pandora’s popular and gave the park a much needed boost, but I still think they need to add more to this park. I don’t like how it seems that having a major new addition means not having to pay much attention to that park for several years. Think about how much time passed between Everest and Pandora. I have a feeling it will become the least popular if something new isn’t planned for it.

Probably.......not much for a while.

 

[Brer Panther]

I think Disney thinks that since they built Pandora, Animal Kingdom is "good on added attractions" for a while.

Which is false. It needs more. Bulldozing Dino-Rama and adding some fun dinosaur-themed rides would be cool, but Disney doesn't have any popular dinosaur-themed IPs so who knows if that'll happen. There's gotta be room to expand SOMEWHERE in the park.

 

[Lilofan]

Fireworks show! ( kidding..)

 

[DisneyNittany]

Always wondered why there was no Australian area? The unique animals that could be represented are countless. Kangaroos, koalas, dingoes, Tasmanian devils, crocodiles, and if you add an aquarium represting the great barrier reef hundreds more. As for IPs you have Finding Nemo and Rescuers Down Under. As for Dinosaur just refilm the preshow videos with Australian actors. But if this isn't feesable a South American area would be my second choice, at least that would keep Brazil out of Epcot.

With them being dead set on IP integration, feels like turning Dinoland into Oceania would make the most sense, if they want to keep the Nemo musical around.

My question is, not if they will, but could they add another land where Rafiki's is and north of Kali?

 

[HongKongFooy]

When you ask South America I think in Emperor's New Groove and Indiana

I don't know anything about Emperor, but what in the world does IJ, in its major theme, have to do with animals????

 

[SteamboatJoe]

With them being dead set on IP integration, feels like turning Dinoland into Oceania would make the most sense, if they want to keep the Nemo musical around.

My question is, not if they will, but could they add another land where Rafiki's is and north of Kali?

The Conservation Station facility itself appears to be pretty landlocked between a canal, stormwater infrastructure, a road, Kilimanjaro, and backstage areas. Sure some of that could be moved with enough money but it would not free up that much land on its own. All that other stuff would also need to find a home elsewhere.

The big swath of undeveloped property lies just to the south of it on the other side of the canal, east of the railroad tracks. It could easily fit two smaller lands like DinoLand are one big land with additional walk-thru animal exhibits. When I glance at Google Maps, seven access options jump out to me, some better than others. I'm sure those better familiar with the park's layout and operations would be able to comment further on these or identify other alternatives.

1. Via the Wild Express Station, essentially allowing access only by train which does not seem ideal for access to an entire land(s).

2. Via the path to Wildlife Express Station to Rafiki's Planet Watch north of Harambe Market. This would likely necessitate the closure of that attraction, demolition of the railroad, and a bridge over or tunnel under the service road.

3. Via the alternate bypass path in the forested area between Asia and Africa. This access point would also have to deal with the service road and railroad issue one way or another.

4. Via the area immediately west of or in the location of the bird encounter. You might be able to squeeze an access path in between the railroad and backstage area.

5. Via spurring off the eastern trail of Maharajah Jungle Trek.

6. Via the swath of empty land between Kali and Everest. It would be a long walk to actually get there, require some screening, and likely require the re-routing of E. Savannah Circle.

7. Via significant reconfiguration of Kilimanjaro Safari and Gorilla Falls. This one seems the least desirable and very unlikely.

 

[SteamboatJoe]

When you ask South America I think in Emperor's New Groove and Indiana Jones 1, but what else can be there?

Up.

Imagine if they re-created Paradise Falls.

 

[DisneyNittany]

The Conservation Station facility itself appears to be pretty landlocked between a canal, stormwater infrastructure, a road, Kilimanjaro, and backstage areas. Sure some of that could be moved with enough money but it would not free up that much land on its own. All that other stuff would also need to find a home elsewhere.

The big swath of undeveloped property lies just to the south of it on the other side of the canal, east of the railroad tracks. It could easily fit two smaller lands like DinoLand are one big land with additional walk-thru animal exhibits. When I glance at Google Maps, seven access options jump out to me, some better than others. I'm sure those better familiar with the park's layout and operations would be able to comment further on these or identify other alternatives.

1. Via the Wild Express Station, essentially allowing access only by train which does not seem ideal for access to an entire land(s).

2. Via the path to Wildlife Express Station to Rafiki's Planet Watch north of Harambe Market. This would likely necessitate the closure of that attraction, demolition of the railroad, and a bridge over or tunnel under the service road.

3. Via the alternate bypass path in the forested area between Asia and Africa. This access point would also have to deal with the service road and railroad issue one way or another.

4. Via the area immediately west of or in the location of the bird encounter. You might be able to squeeze an access path in between the railroad and backstage area.

5. Via spurring off the eastern trail of Maharajah Jungle Trek.

6. Via the swath of empty land between Kali and Everest. It would be a long walk to actually get there, require some screening, and likely require the re-routing of E. Savannah Circle.

7. Via significant reconfiguration of Kilimanjaro Safari and Gorilla Falls. This one seems the least desirable and very unlikely.

Again, I have no idea to the plausibility of it all, but I always thought it'd be kind of cool to re-purpose the train as a means of transportation between Animal Kingdom and Animal Kingdom Lodge. That might be pie-in-the-sky, but I've always felt that resort deserved a very unique mode of transportation to AK.