AK Question

[umbluegray]

Check out this satellite photo of Animal Kingdom.

On the right about 2/3 of the way down you can see where they were building Expedition Everest.

But look just above and slightly to the left of EE. (see enlarged pic below)

What are they doing in this construction area? Anybody know what this is going to be? It's actually about twice as large as the EE construction area.

 

[Seahunt]

Could it be for the new DVC Animal Kingdom Villas they just announced tonight? (450 rooms, to open in fall 2007)

 

[umbluegray]

I guess it could be.

If so, it's been under construction for a while given that the sat pic shows an early phase of Everest's construction.

Would they build a DVC site inside a park?

 

[Seahunt]

Nah, guess not now that I look closer, but maybe this is part of it?

27 February 2006: New restaurant opening in Asia

HOUSTON, Feb. 27 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Landry's Restaurants, Inc. (NYSE: LNY - News), one of the nation's largest casual dining, entertainment and hospitality companies, announced that it has acquired 80% of the restaurant concept T-Rex: A Prehistoric Family Adventure, A Place to Eat, Shop, Explore and Discover® from Schussler Creative, Inc. for approximately $7.6 million, including reimbursements for research and development costs, accounts payable, construction draws and preopening expenses. In addition, under the agreement, based on the ultimate success of the venture (combined profits of all stores exceeding $20 million), Landry's can acquire Schussler Creative's 20% interest for an amount up to an additional $35 million.

T-Rex is a unique concept that features dining and retail in an interactive prehistoric environment. The concept is built around water, fire and ice -- guests visiting T-Rex will be greeted with life size animatronic dinosaurs that live among cascading waterfalls, bubbling geysers, a fossil dig site and much more. Locations are planned domestically and internationally, the first of which is slated to open this spring in The Legends mall in Kansas City, Kansas; with another opening in Downtown Disney® (near Orlando) in early 2008.

In addition to the T-Rex concept, Landry's has acquired the majority interest in Schussler Creative's new Asian themed eatery (which is expected to open by summer 2007) inside Disney's Animal Kingdom® Theme Park. This Asian-themed restaurant with retail is reminiscent of the western Himalayan foothills in India and Nepal, featuring a rural village called Anandapur in a jungle with a tiny town-like mass at its center. Asia will offer full service table dining, as well as quick service food. This Asian-Fusion concept will feature Asian decor, complete with Asian antiques, as well as a retail component that will offer Asian goods ranging from Sushi plates to chopsticks and fine teapots.
"One of the major factors that drew us to this transaction was the chance to expand our operations with Disney," said Landry's President, Chairman and CEO Tilman J. Fertitta. "Our existing three Rainforest Cafes located at Downtown-Disney®, Disney's Animal Kingdom® Theme Park and Disneyland Resort in California generate approximately $80.0 million in revenue. We feel that the T-Rex and Asian theme concepts are a perfect fit with Disney's unmatched entertainment offerings." Schussler Creative Chairman Steve Schussler was the founder and creator of the popular Rainforest Cafe restaurant concept, which Landry's purchased in 2000, and has since grown to be one of Landry's most successful concepts. "Landry's is the perfect strategic partner to turn our dream into an ongoing reality," said Steve Schussler. "Landry's has done an excellent job of maintaining the Rainforest Cafe brand as the premier themed eatery in the world. T-Rex uses elements familiar to Rainforest Cafe fans such as animatronics and special effects to create a whole new type of dining experience that takes visitors back in time in an educational and entertaining way," added Schussler.