4 Key Components of the NEWEST Expansion at Disney’s Animal Kingdom

[Networth]

I always have felt AK could be a great park at night. Been hoping they did something like this since 98'. Very much looking forward to it, not as much as for what's in store for DHS but still. I don't view this as just stores this is an attempt to broaden the park, the rides are coming, gotta look at the big picture.

 

[Skywise]

Maybe they'll make new bathrooms too. Exciting!!!!

Oh p'shaw... they've never done anything like that...

 

[minnie mum]

But... isn't that happening right now with Avatarland??

Right now?? Have you heard something I haven't? I thought it wasn't going to open until sometime in 2017. Hence my comment about no new attractions any time soon. Maybe we just have different definitions of the word "soon".

 

[LBIJim]

Ho hum...another pathway is fine, but none of the other crap is necessary. AK is fine the way it is. A few added attractions would be big news, not this.

 

[hsmamato2]

this sounds amazing... I love AK, as I love the landscaping and animals.... the tropical foliage is a treat! I think they would benefit from more attractions,as my teen sons don't agree with me...

 

[dbriggsq]

I love AK - the theming, the walkways, the atmosphere etc. However I don't pay to go into disney parks to shop or even necessarily to have an infinite choice of dining experiences. I go/pay to have specific disney experiences that I can't have outside the parks. I don't want to end up paying a substantial entrance fee to basically shop and eat. IMO Disney would be better to spend money on developing rides and experiences rather than expanding shopping and dining.

 

[Dug720]

I love AK - the theming, the walkways, the atmosphere etc. However I don't pay to go into disney parks to shop or even necessarily to have an infinite choice of dining experiences. I go/pay to have specific disney experiences that I can't have outside the parks. I don't want to end up paying a substantial entrance fee to basically shop and eat. IMO Disney would be better to spend money on developing rides and experiences rather than expanding shopping and dining.

I assume you go to Africa often then? Because that is what they are doing - creating an experience to allow you to experience even more of Africa. For many, that IS something they cannot get outside the park because the expense and time involved in traveling to Africa make it something where the experience Disney provides may well be their only chance to experience it.

 

[Dug720]

Right now?? Have you heard something I haven't? I thought it wasn't going to open until sometime in 2017. Hence my comment about no new attractions any time soon. Maybe we just have different definitions of the word "soon".

And if they rushed it, it would look rushed and things would not be right and people would complain about that.

Either way they lose - build it fast and people complain it LOOKS rushed; take the time to make it right and people fuss that nothing new is opening yet.

 

[LBIJim]

I assume you go to Africa often then? Because that is what they are doing - creating an experience to allow you to experience even more of Africa. For many, that IS something they cannot get outside the park because the expense and time involved in traveling to Africa make it something where the experience Disney provides may well be their only chance to experience it.

There's plenty of places to buy African goods or eat African food without a cover charge. No need to pay Disney for a fake African experience.

 

[GaSleepingBeautyFan]

I'm looking forward to the walkway expansion. It's pretty tight in that area.

 

[JanaDee]

No new attractions, but we're building three, count 'em, THREE new places for money to fly out of your wallet!!

 

[agavegirl1]

This is essential infrastructure for expected increased crowds for Pandora and Rivers of Light. The extra pathway and QS restaurants are particularly needed. I currently don't shop and AK and a new Marketplace will not change that. If the excellent theming of Africa is continued into the new area, it will change the feeling of the area. Right now it feels very congested and kind of claustrophobic.

 

[BelleBriarRose]

Yeah, I see this more as preparation for the opening of Avatarland than anything else. I seriously have my doubts about Avatar in Animal Kingdom, but I do think the park needs more to make the distinction between a theme park and a zoo. That's just my opinion, though! I think the park has a lot of cool details and stuff to look at and explore, but to expand its appeal there should be more rides to keep people in the park longer to enjoy these things.

 

[Networth]

There's plenty of places to buy African goods or eat African food without a cover charge. No need to pay Disney for a fake African experience.

That's like saying the whole World Showcase is pointless because the real version of them exists, along with restaurants in the States that serve the foreign countries cuisine. I have been to every country in WS multiple times but I still enjoy walking from the "UK" to "France". Just saying.

 

[LBIJim]

There's plenty of places to buy African goods or eat African food without a cover charge. No need to pay Disney for a fake African experience.

That's like saying the whole World Showcase is pointless because the real version of them exists, along with restaurants in the States that serve the foreign countries cuisine. I have been to every country in WS multiple times but I still enjoy walking from the "UK" to "France". Just saying.

I enjoy WS too, but in the grand scheme of things, it IS pretty pointless.

There nothing wrong, per se, with AK adding more shops and restaurants, but it's not the BIG DEAL the author makes it out to be. And it's certainly not the ultimate "experience" (x4) that the poster I quoted suggests it will be.

 

[dbriggsq]

I assume you go to Africa often then? Because that is what they are doing - creating an experience to allow you to experience even more of Africa. For many, that IS something they cannot get outside the park because the expense and time involved in traveling to Africa make it something where the experience Disney provides may well be their only chance to experience it.

I have been to Africa - but only a small part of Africa which is a huge continent with different counties, diverse cultures, economies, health issues, wars, disputes, religions etc. I'm afraid if you think you can get any experience of the reality of Africa from Disney you may be sadly mistaken - not sure if unlimited shopping experiences would give anyone a true impression of the true Africa.