Festival of the Lion King to close in January

Woh! Alright, let's back up for a moment.

All Disney has officially said about Avatar-land (if that's what it even will be called?) is that it will come to DAK sometime soon with construction beginning in early 2013. That is all that has been said. Nothing more, nothing less.

The idea that Disney will use Camp Minnie-Mickey for this new land is all speculation. Although it seems that it is the only real logical place to put it, Disney has yet to comment on the exact location.

With that being considered, now we jump from speculating it's exact location to speculating (yes, everything is speculation at this point) what will close in that assumed location.

As stated by PPs, FOTLK is a huge draw to DAK and an unbelievably popular attraction. IF (big letters!) Disney chooses to use Camp Minnie-Mickey and relocate the show to Africa (that's the third rumor in all of this), they probably would construct the new theater and then close the existing one. This would allow for little or no downtime. This is just like Dumbo.

Unfortunately, I don't think we'll be able to rely on Disney for information and updates on this topic. Should be interesting, though!
 
I hope they keep the FOTLK show. It is very well done. We still miss the Tarzan Rocks show. The only problem with that show is that the theatre was way too hot. We do not like the Nemo show---it is really boring.

When they first opened Animal Kingdom, they discussed having a Mythological land besides the one that currently exist. They were going to focus on animals like Unicorns, dragons, etc... Maybe Avatar Land is part of this approach. I don't know, but it could be interesting.
 
I'm guessing that if anyone could do an Avatar area, it would be Disney! The movie was "OK", but I was really impressed by some of the beautiful landscape settings that they had: like that glittery night forest. That being said, I'd hate to see FOTLK go away (even though I'd love to see something "new" within it).
 
I'm going to chalk it up to rumor for now, make sure we see it at least once in October and hope they don't do away with a favorite of ours. So sad if they do.


Posted from DISboards.com App for Android
 


I highly doubt that FOTLK is closing for good . I think TS safe to guess that the show will move toAfrica and then they will build. There isn't a need to close anything. Disney has soo much land that we don't see.
 
oh no, we're not going til June next year and it was my favourite show right from 1998 when we first saw it.
 
I definitely think they are just relocating FOTLK to Africa (hopefully not to Nemo's spot!) to make room to incorporate Camp Minnie Mickey into the construction for Pandora. I personally am really excited to see what the Imagineering crew can do with the beautiful landscapes and creatures of Avatar. I liked the movie (didn't love it), but like pp said, they are not recreating the MOVIE, just the landscape. Yes, there will probably be a couple of attractions that align with the movie, but I think it will be more about the conservation and "love your planet" message than the actual storyline of Avatar. JMO.
 


My first trip is this month and this isdefinitly on our to do list!! It looks sooo good. seems like a shame to close this disney show, for a non disney movie to make its way in....
 
Just looking at What Disney is capable of, when they put their minds to it, I can quite easily picture an area of AK that blends perfectly with the park's existing look/feel.... as we transition seemlessly from the jungle growth around the Tree of Life and Discover Island, into the jungles of Pandora. At night, the fiber optic and other lighting effects within this new Pandora section of the park would come to life creating an entirely new, different, and exciting atmosphere all around you..... And for the park as a whole, the addition would create an opportunity to provide more experiences which could make the park's later operation viable after the animal based attractions close.... as well as a perfect location for them to fill one of the expectations that many guests feel is lacking at AK... The 'Grand Finale' show to end the night which the other 3 parks have. The Animals living at the park mean that pyrotechnics cannot be used for a nightly fireworks show, But Pandora's existing look at night with the glowing lights thru everything, Would make the new Pandora section of AK the PERFECT location to finally bring us an East Coast version of the Worlds of Color show.


There is a TON of potential here if things are done right, and since it's unlikely that FoTLK will be closed permanently instead of relocated, I'm willing to deal with a bit of disappointment in it's potentially being down while relocated due to what I know could be coming in it's current location.

:cool1: pixiedust::thumbsup2
 
Now I understand what that giraffe, during our Safari in June, meant when he whispered in my ear and I quote......."The Lion King cometh, The Lion King cometh!"
 
We are not big fans of AK but the one thing we do here every trip is see FOTLK hope it's just a rumour :sad2:
 
I really hope this is just a rumour, this is my absolute favourite show!! Fingers crossed that it just gets moved
 
That stinks. AK is our least favorite park and FOTLK is really the only reason we go there.
 
This would be the easiest show to relocate. All the set pieces are already mobile, the seats are 4 sets of bleachers and the building is very basic. Heck, they could dismantle the building and move it if they wanted.

If this is closed for any length of time, it has nothing to do with the inability to relocate in time for groundbreaking of Pandora.

4 sets of bleachers and a slab of concrete, and it could be an outdoor show.
 
It doesn't make any sense for an attraction to go down for an extended period of time. AK doesn't have very many attractions in the first place. I find it hard to believe screamscape lately.
 
It doesn't make any sense for an attraction to go down for an extended period of time. AK doesn't have very many attractions in the first place. I find it hard to believe screamscape lately.

Belle's Storytime went down for an extended period when the Fantasyland Expansion began. I still am unclear on why that one had to go down since though since that construction did not involve Fairytale Garden.

Maybe now would be the time to fix the Yeti too???? :rolleyes:
 
I love this show as well, so I hope it's a quick move. So do people think they are going to put camp minnie/mickey into a building? I thought one of the poster said something about moving them as well. I would not like that to be like the princesses at MK.
 
I definitely think they are just relocating FOTLK to Africa (hopefully not to Nemo's spot!) to make room to incorporate Camp Minnie Mickey into the construction for Pandora. I personally am really excited to see what the Imagineering crew can do with the beautiful landscapes and creatures of Avatar. I liked the movie (didn't love it), but like pp said, they are not recreating the MOVIE, just the landscape. Yes, there will probably be a couple of attractions that align with the movie, but I think it will be more about the conservation and "love your planet" message than the actual storyline of Avatar. JMO.
I'm just going to throw this out there. If people don't like it, they can feel free to throw it right back. Is the "conservation" and "love your planet" thing not already the theme of Rafiki's Planet Watch? I mean, my goodness, that is where Conservation Station is. Why not put this Avatar thing there? It has been my experience that that is the least crowded area of the park when I am there, anyway, so you would be less likely to upset people. Plus, with having to take the train to get there, you would be able to work with the how it blends in to the surrounding area a bit easier and it wouldn't be like you are walking along and BAM you are in Pandora. I'm sure I'm not the first person to think of this and that there is a reason they aren't putting it out there, but does anyone know why?
 
Man, that's strike 2 for Avatarland in my book.

Mom,
Avatar had already struck out when I saw it when it came out.

I think Disney formed an alliance with James Cameron on this one. I think a ride would be just fine, but taking over the space of something popular is not cool with me. Is this going to include the character trails? That will put me over the edge for sure.
 

GET A DISNEY VACATION QUOTE

Dreams Unlimited Travel is committed to providing you with the very best vacation planning experience possible. Our Vacation Planners are experts and will share their honest advice to help you have a magical vacation.

Let us help you with your next Disney Vacation!





Top