Will DAK Ever Get Pandas?

[lazyboy97o]

Going forward, I think it could hinge a lot on whether or not the Shanghai Shendhi Group feels like they got screwed at all the way the Government of Hong Kong did after Hong Kong Disneyland opened.

 

[Cosmic Commando]

Going forward, I think it could hinge a lot on whether or not the Shanghai Shendhi Group feels like they got screwed at all the way the Government of Hong Kong did after Hong Kong Disneyland opened.

If there were ever a time to close the deal, it probably would have been during that euphoric/honeymoon period immediately after the deal for Shanghai was struck. That way, everybody "knows" they're all going to get filthy rich, no feelings have been hurt yet, no budget cuts, etc.

Honesty, I love pandas, but I think we're at panda saturation right now. I don't know what the situation is like in the UK, but I think most US residents already have pandas closer to them than they would be at WDW.

 

[drew81]

Right now there isn't anything in the works. I spoke with the Chinese delegation(they work with animal conservation efforts including pandas) last fall and they said nothing was in the works with Disney. A group of them were here in Indianapolis for the Indianapolis Prize. I totally believe what they said.

I would love to see them added to DAK. I would also love to see orangutans, snow leopards and hyenas.

 

[alissafalco]

It has been discussed for years, but has there been any recent rumors of pandas finally coming to DAK?

I know it is a very expensive and complicated procedure to be granted a panda from China, as they "own" the species. However, I remember reading somewhere that because Disney has such a strong relationship with the country lately, a pair of pandas were discussed in negotiations over the new Shanghai park.

Was this just a baseless internet rumor? Something that fell through? Something still being discussed?

I would love to see Giant Pandas in DAK. I had the opportunity to see them at the San Diego zoo and they are magnificent animals. While families likely won't plan a trip simply over this, I would see it being a major draw for curious locals.

I saw them in San Diego also, and I highly doubt WDW will ever get them. They won't because the Pandas have to be in a very very controlled environment. When we went to see them, before we were allowed to go in front of the exhibit, while waiting in line, everyone was warned by the staff to make absolutely no noise, no talking at all when you were in front of them. They also would only let a certain amount of people to view them at a time. It had to be completely quiet as not to disturb them. I really don't think WDW would be able to control that type of environment for them, unfortunately.

 

[disneypearl]

Right now there isn't anything in the works. I spoke with the Chinese delegation(they work with animal conservation efforts including pandas) last fall and they said nothing was in the works with Disney. A group of them were here in Indianapolis for the Indianapolis Prize. I totally believe what they said.

I would love to see them added to DAK. I would also love to see orangutans, snow leopards and hyenas.

Panda's would be great but my hopes are not very high. I have always wished that Disney would add hyenas and would be so excited if they ever would. That would be an amazing animal to see. Snow leopards are another one of my favorites. They have a couple at my local zoo and I can watch them forever.

 

[MightyMouse]

Meh... Even if DAK were to have pandas, that dang Bob Barker would have something to say about it!!! (a little Canadian inside humour for I-heart-tigger there)

 

[I_heart_Tigger]

Meh... Even if DAK were to have pandas, that dang Bob Barker would have something to say about it!!! (a little Canadian inside humour for I-heart-tigger there)

Hahahhahahahaha! Darn that Bob Barker, elephant stealing, stampede bashing, son of a...

 

[bsiev1977]

I didn't know we had zoos with pandas! I will look into visiting one! Thanks for the info!,

I live about an hour drive and a 20 minute train ride from the DC zoo. The pandas are a huge draw. Major bummer about a year ago when one of the pandas gave birth, but the baby died before very long.

 

[ScorpionX]

Disney will get pandas when China's communist government is overthrown.

 

[lazyboy97o]

Disney will get pandas when China's communist government is overthrown.

Um, what? Disney already does business with them, including building a brand new Disneyland.

 

[ScorpionX]

Um, what? Disney already does business with them, including building a brand new Disneyland.

Disney built parks on the mainland through the Taiwanese (Republic of China) government.

 

[bsiev1977]

Disney built parks on the mainland through the Taiwanese (Republic of China) government.

What?
Maybe I don't know as much as I think I so about China, but I was under the impression that the Taiwanese government doesn't have much say in what goes on the mainland. They're two completely separate countries.

 

[ScorpionX]

What?
Maybe I don't know as much as I think I so about China, but I was under the impression that the Taiwanese government doesn't have much say in what goes on the mainland. They're two completely separate countries.

Believe it or not, both governments claim the same land.

 

[bsiev1977]

Believe it or not, both governments claim the same land.

You mean the island right?
Anyway, what I sorta mean is I don't think anything is built in mainland China without some kind of approval from the communist government. Taiwan might think they have influence, but not really.

 

[StarWarsGirl]

I think it would be cool, but I don't know legally what would go into it. I've only seen Pandas once, sadly, at San Diego Zoo. I assume Disney looked into it when opening AK, but it has to be a major headache to get them. As long as there are elephants, I am happy.

 

[Polydweller]

Hahahhahahahaha! Darn that Bob Barker, elephant stealing, stampede bashing, son of a...

With you on that one.

There are pandas now at the Toronto Zoo that will be there for five years. It took high level government action to get that done. Nice for Disney but the Chinese are rigid about the rules for getting them so I wouldn't expect Disney to get them any time soon.

 

[lazyboy97o]

Disney built parks on the mainland through the Taiwanese (Republic of China) government.

That, along with your understand of who controls what,is completely wrong. Hong Kong Disneyland is a joint venture with the Government of Hong Kong. Shanghai Disneyland is a joint venture with the Shanghai Shendhi Group, a state-owned company. If you had been following the early dealings of Shanghai Disneyland you would have seen that it also needed approval from the Central Government of the People's Republic.

 

[openendedsky]

I understand the complication of getting Pandas, but I really think it would be a real draw. Right now, the only US Zoos with Giant Pandas are in DC, Memphis, San Diego, and Atlanta. I realize that DAK is pushing the NaHtAzU stuff or whatever but I think bringing in Pandas would be as big as bringing in a new ride (which DAK needs more of, obviously).

They don't really fit in DAK's Asia, but maybe move the train station and put them back by Rafiki's Planet Watch? Build a habitat as thematically immersive as Maharajah or Pangani, close to the backstage veterinary areas...maybe start a breeding program...

I went to Zoo Atlanta when I was in tenth grade, and while I thought it was rad, I don't think I truly understood how awesome it was at the time.

 

[RSoxNo1]

ATTENTION THREAD BUMP ALERT

OK, it's only a few years old, but figured I'd bump an old thread rather than start a new one. It probably won't change the Chinese government's handling of Giant Pandas, but they are now officially off the endangered species list.

 

[Gelatoni]

It would be neat but extremely expensive. Disney dose love things they can up in an advertisement and pandas sell. If they can get the deal done i think they would. Id think they'd have to treat them more like a zoo setting thou theyd need their own aera of the park.