Wilderness Explorers @ DAK

[juniorthomas]

Nope, I don't have any children, but do take by 9-year nephew to the parks once in awhile. I can only speak from my experience with him - in which case he would probably say "Uncle Chris, we are at Disney, why would I want to do a scavenger hunt?" I get that some kids love these activities - and parents as well - but as a guest and frequent visitor, I view it as a lack of truly appropriate options for families. "We have done everything else already, and we don't have a parkhopper, so let's do this scavenger hunt to fill up our day..." Again, some kids and families may and will love it - but I personally feel a bit more should be expected from Disney. Admittedly, a personal opinon.

Truth - it's all particularly subjective. My 3 year old would really enjoy the scavenger hunt. Over a certain age, perhaps not so much.

 

[juniorthomas]

Not when it ruins the design and feel of the parks it is not welcome...

P.S. Since when is a meal an entertainment option? I thought a meal is when you socialize with others in your party...

How does that ruin the design of the parks, incidentally?

And I would argue that any character meal is an entertainment option. Even if you don't do a character meal, sitting down to a large family dinner in a themed restaurant counts as entertainment to me. In my family, dinners are events.

 

[George]

I could enjoy a scavenger hunt if it's well done. Personally, I think this kind of thing is mostly de-coupled from whether or not they are going ahead with Avatar Land or any other big expansion. I enjoy these small things....I think where they are messing up is the big things.

 

[sshindel]

Test Track 2.0 as an addition? If anything, I think it will appeal more to kids now, to be honest. Tons of kids will be into designing their own car as part of the pre-show. I think Test Track is definetly "prettier" now - but I don't think you can say it is a more adult experience.

Yeah, I realized that as I hit Post Reply and almost went back for the edit and instead just let it ride.
My thought there was that since Alien Encounter was brought up, and it was taken down and replaced by something VASTLY more child-targeted, that they didnt go that route with TT2.0. It's a shaky ground I know, and I realized that after I sent.
On to the topic of the thread. I know that personally, I quite enjoyed doing Agent P at Epcot with my kid, had a lot of fun myself. I am guessing, based on the little-to-no info on the new Wilderness Explorer experience, I'll likely enjoy doing that one with my kid as well. If I were at the MK by myself (or when my kids are older), I would have played Sorcerer's as well, and probably would have enjoyed that too.

 

[JEANYLASER]

awesome!

 

[Yankeesfan5]

I don't have a problem with the addition. I think that the little ones who can't experience many of the rides or don't recognize the beauty of the park will be very happy that there is something for them to do.

 

[Can we go yet?]

From what I've seen from the one they were trialing a few months ago, I kinda like it. *hides* I would want to get a real badge from that thing lol. Reminds me sorta of the TSI paintbrush hunt.

 

[GeorgiaPinesRJB]

Urgh...I understand why Iger said to Cameron about Avatar for Animal Kingdom with the emphasis on flora and fauna ... then we had social media rumors of Naboo I kinda see why someone would say that but it doesn't make sense of their is no focus on flora and fauna in Star Wars and now Paradise falls ... some words come to mind, some that would be auto-censored here...

Paradise Falls just seems like a better fit than shoehorning Naboo (which as big as a SW Geek I am, I am completely and totally against) or trying to make Pandora work (and, granted, the only part of that movie that "worked" as well). At least Paradise Falls can be the much needed South American addition to DAK and maybe have one, just one UP ride in it and the rest animal attractions for South America. Add Australia too and I think DAK will be rounded out nicely.

 

[GeorgiaPinesRJB]

Not when it ruins the design and feel of the parks it is not welcome...

P.S. Since when is a meal an entertainment option? I thought a meal is when you socialize with others in your party...

I think that's a little over-reactive, Link... I doubt seriously this scavenger hunt will "ruin" anything in DAK and just be a nice optional addition.

 

[GeorgiaPinesRJB]

i would like it if they added a dark ride of the film, animatronic show based off of Kevin, Russell, and Dug , trails thru Paradise Falls which is where this game would be, restaurant of Epsilon's (chef Dog inside munt'z blimp). This could replace the expansion plot of Australia.

Then they add North America replacing Camp Minnie Mickey with Grizzly Bear Mountain Coaster (Tip Top Club's idea).

Then add Jungle Book dark ride to Asia, and Festival of The Lion King to Africa.

Fix Yeti

Replace Chester and Hester with an ice age ride (not the franchise)

Put Dinosaur to it's full glory and fix the AA's and change the name back to "Countdown to Extinction"

ANIMAL KINGDOM IS BEST PARK IN WDW

Turtle, as always I appreciate your enthusiasm. I am just going to disagree with you on ONE thing. If I had my way, I'd choose Australia over North America (personally). Also, I don't know about Jungle Book ride to Asia, but that would be neat. And I believe they are already moving Festival of the Lion King to Africa.

And I like that idea for a replacement for Chester and Hester

 

[SirLink]

Paradise Falls just seems like a better fit than shoehorning Naboo (which as big as a SW Geek I am, I am completely and totally against) or trying to make Pandora work (and, granted, the only part of that movie that "worked" as well). At least Paradise Falls can be the much needed South American addition to DAK and maybe have one, just one UP ride in it and the rest animal attractions for South America. Add Australia too and I think DAK will be rounded out nicely.

Actually I agree with you Naboo is 100% the wrong fit, the problem is with animal exhibits is the animals have to go to sleep, so they'll never be able to extend the operating hours. I would hope the next serious consideration for the park is anything mythological - I don't care if they want to recreate Albion or Ancient Thebes the park is crying out for more mythological creatures...

 

[Turtle]

Turtle, as always I appreciate your enthusiasm. I am just going to disagree with you on ONE thing. If I had my way, I'd choose Australia over North America (personally). Also, I don't know about Jungle Book ride to Asia, but that would be neat. And I believe they are already moving Festival of the Lion King to Africa.

And I like that idea for a replacement for Chester and Hester

I'm fine with australia over north america! as long as we get a new area haha

 

[GeorgiaPinesRJB]

Actually I agree with you Naboo is 100% the wrong fit, the problem is with animal exhibits is the animals have to go to sleep, so they'll never be able to extend the operating hours. I would hope the next serious consideration for the park is anything mythological - I don't care if they want to recreate Albion or Ancient Thebes the park is crying out for more mythological creatures...

This is true. Granted Amazonian animals, the interesting ones anyway, are nocturnal but I digress. I think they are ways they can add nighttime experiences to DAK without having to be directly animal related, but I do understand the PETA/conservation needs of having animals go to bed. And mythological would be a welcomed addition to DAK. Another interesting idea, if they went South America/North America/Australia route, is do experiences that draw on the myths and religions of the native and indigeneous peoples of these areas... imagine a dark ride based on Mayan or Hoppi or Aborigoni myths? I'd be all for Ancient Thebes too... maybe do something with the Colossus of Rhodes? Or even the Minotaur....

 

[GeorgiaPinesRJB]

I'm fine with australia over north america! as long as we get a new area haha

Agreed. A new area or bust! haha and seriously, as a supporter of Pandora as I was (only because if they could pull off the aesthetic, then it'd be interesting and I'd like to see it) I am at the point now where there is nothing going forward with it, I want something different. They haven't built the damn thing and I'm already bored with it.

 

[juniorthomas]

Paradise Falls just seems like a better fit than shoehorning Naboo (which as big as a SW Geek I am, I am completely and totally against) or trying to make Pandora work (and, granted, the only part of that movie that "worked" as well). At least Paradise Falls can be the much needed South American addition to DAK and maybe have one, just one UP ride in it and the rest animal attractions for South America. Add Australia too and I think DAK will be rounded out nicely.

It's all very subjective. Paradise Falls for kids may not have as deep of a connection as it would for adults. But then again, if it's themed properly, you could hit both demographics at once. All depends on what is designed. (Of course, with Naboo, there's more opportunity to merchandise.)

 

[Tigger1988]

God forbid Disney adds something. And no, no on any planet is this being touted as a "major addition" by Disney or anyone else.

 

[dopeylover]

Sounds like a great way to get kids to interact and learn about their surroundings! I personally learned best as a child by 'doing', so this seems great to me.

 

[Patricia Melton]

I really like when there are things to do like this Wilderness Explorer scavenger hunt because you can either do it or not do it. Your choice.

Personally, this is the sort of thing my family loves doing because it adds a new dimension to the parks for us. We make a big family trip to Orlando once a year, so we like having new things to see and do...and new ways to experience the things we've done already. This scavenger hunt will add a new level of fun for us. I intend for every family member to become an official "Wilderness Explorer".

But I can see how this would not appeal to people who are first-timers or who only go to DAK once in a great many years. There is too much to see for people who don't get to experience DAK often.

For those who go a lot or who are maybe at WDW for many days, this is a nice bonus thing to do.

Not every attraction or activity is for everyone, so I like how there are lots of things to do. Like ordering off a menu, there is something to try for every taste!

 

[GeorgiaPinesRJB]

It's all very subjective. Paradise Falls for kids may not have as deep of a connection as it would for adults. But then again, if it's themed properly, you could hit both demographics at once. All depends on what is designed. (Of course, with Naboo, there's more opportunity to merchandise.)

If they want to do a Naboo, do it DHS, not DAK. I'm all for more Star Wars in the parks, just not shoehorned into DAK.

 

[juniorthomas]

If they want to do a Naboo, do it DHS, not DAK. I'm all for more Star Wars in the parks, just not shoehorned into DAK.

Yeah, I think if anything, one park (and it's definitely DHS) should just have a Star Wars wing. Aside from the space (location, not spaaaaaaaaaace) issues, I dont get why Avatar isn't at DHS either.