Animal Weenies?

[ZooNerd1]

We have all heard of Disney using weenies in their theme parks to draw guests further into each area of the park. When planning Animal Kingdom, one of the largest draws of the park was the presence of living animals in the park (not just animatronics). While we see weenies used through large structures at Animal Kingdom (Tree of Life, Everest, the floating mountains, etc), what about the living weenies?

In most zoological facilities, large charismatic megafauna are used to draw in guests. Obviously, it's expected to see the same in Disney's Animal Kingdom. Africa has the Pangani Forest, featuring gorillas, and Asia has the Maharajah Jungle Trek, featuring the tigers. Even DinoLand has a living weenie!

So, what animals must you see to make your day at Animal Kingdom special? What "animal weenies" draw you into the park? The gorillas? The tigers?

For me, I love elephants and that always has me heading straight to the Kilimanjaro Safari. As a zoology major and aspiring zookeeper, I love the safari because it gives me the opportunity to see animals in enclosures that are magically Disney and creatively realistic.

 

[FCDub]

Oh, this thread title...



To answer the question: I live a half-mile from a world-class zoo, so none of the animals at AK are a draw.

 

[DizneyMommy]

I have no idea what any of this means but I’m dying

 

[supersnoop]

“Visual Magnets”

I’ve never heard weenie used in this context.

 

[HopperFan]

I went to the zoo today, we have animal weenies here too ......

I think this title may be a winner and we should take bets on how many views it gets.

But really, is this an OP original term?

I asked Alexa but can't type here what she said

 

[ZooNerd1]

I went to the zoo today, we have animal weenies here too ......

I think this title may be a winner and we should take bets on how many views it gets.

But really, is this an OP original term?

I asked Alexa but can't type here what she said

Oh my goodness. I didn't even realize the title could be viewed that certain way! I was just attempting a discussion on "must-see animals" that many guests are drawn to! I was just using the term "weenie" because it's a Walt Disney word! A "weenie" is a term coined by Walt Disney that is used to describe structures that direct the traffic of guests, such as the castle in Magic Kingdom or the Tree of Life in Animal Kingdom!

 

[HopperFan]

Oh my goodness. I didn't even realize the title could be viewed that certain way! I was just attempting a discussion on "must-see animals" that many guests are drawn to! I was just using the term "weenie" because it's a Walt Disney word! A "weenie" is a term coined by Walt Disney that is used to describe structures that direct the traffic of guests, such as the castle in Magic Kingdom or the Tree of Life in Animal Kingdom!

Well you got me to google it but I have to say I've never heard that story or usage. Am guessing because it was a long time ago and the word has evolved to other meanings -- folks don't use it ... that I've heard until now. AND combining it with animals ....

 

[hiroMYhero]

But really, is this an OP original term?

I’ve seen “weenie” used as a descriptor for the park icons. Sorcerer’s Hat is now an extinct weenie. Running a search of this forum, it’s used in the Pandora thread.

But I agree with @FCDub, because we’ve been regular visitors of San Diego Zoo, I’m not drawn to anything specific at AK...except for perhaps having to trek to RPW to visit Doc McS.

 

[HopperFan]

I’ve seen “weenie” used as a descriptor for the park icons. Sorcerer’s Hat is now an extinct weenie. Running a search of this forum, it’s used in the Pandora thread.

But I agree with @FCDub, because we’ve been regular visitors of San Diego Zoo, I’m not drawn to anything specific at AK...except for perhaps having to trek to RPW to visit Doc McS.

Learned something new today. Still think combining it with "animals" makes it awkward.

Certainly understand the concept, all businesses do placement to draw you in as far as they can. Interesting to think of things in Disney Parks as specifically for that since I think there are so many "must sees" in each park.

 

[Robo]

“Visual Magnets”

I’ve never heard weenie used in this context.

All a part of Walt Disney theme park theory.
Click HERE.

 

[smcabee]

Man I cant wait to work this into conversations. We are doing an EPCOT tour in April and im so gonna ask about EPCOT weenies. I half expect to be told to come back during the weekends of Food and Wine. LOL

 

[mdelano4]

I love the direction this thread has taken!!! From the title I was torn between what everyone else thought and hot dogs shaped like animals. I've never heard of them, but anything is possible with Disney, right?? Oh well, thanks everyone for the laughs and the education. Great read!

 

[Spork24]

For the record OP, I knew exactly what you meant when I first read the post. Having experience with the word “weenie” in theme park context made it not seem awkward to me.

Don’t let these other posters “weenie” shame you!

For us though the only animal “Weenie” is the safari. I didn’t even know there were gorillas at first and we only go see the gorillas and tigers on occasion.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

For the record OP, I knew exactly what you meant when I first read the post. Having experience with the word “weenie” in theme park context made it not seem awkward to me.

Don’t let these other posters “weenie” shame you!

For us though the only animal “Weenie” is the safari. I didn’t even know there were gorillas at first and we only go see the gorillas and tigers on occasion.

Yes, I knew what you were referring to as well!

OP, I believe the biggest animal "weenie" right now is a banshee!

 

[rpb718]

First off - love love love the thread title. I was expecting more a "yes Virginia, Simba has one" type of thread but it drew me in to learn the other usage.

Like many places, I think any baby animals are a big draw. Seems I read recently of some new baby animals at WDW - a baby hippo maybe? The lions and elephants seem to be very popular stops along the safari.

 

[tobikaye]

I really do not go to AK for the animals, except for the ones on the Safari. I do enjoy going through and seeing the animals on the trails, but I only do those every other trip or so. When I was there in January, the only animal I really wanted to see was the baby hippo, since identified as a boy and named Augustus. I did get to see him, but with how young he was at the time, he was sleeping and half hidden.

Since his half sister and niece are the current queen and princess for my local zoo, it was very exciting to see him.

 

[hiroMYhero]

a baby hippo maybe?

Correct, baby hippo was born a few weeks ago.

And, keeping it awkward for @HopperFan, due to its size, they didn’t know ‘how’ to name the baby until a week ago...Augustus.

 

[ironz]

Yes, I knew what you were referring to as well!

OP, I believe the biggest animal "weenie" right now is a banshee!

Or the bull elephant on the Safari. (other kind of weenie)

 

[HopperFan]

Correct, baby hippo was born a few weeks ago.

And, keeping it awkward for @HopperFan, due to its size, they didn’t know ‘how’ to name the baby until a week ago...Augustus.

1) - you can't raise boys and have lots of boys around the house and in the carpool and not go to the darkside of weenies ... if that word is used, it's never about hot dogs or Disney icons ....

2) - okay, they weenied me with the hippo. I had closely followed Fiona and my number one priority for my last trip was to see the baby hippo, which I did when he was 1 week old ........ as an unknown gender. Curious enough I have a hippo family tree on my desk that I would like to fill in the blanks ... Augustus is now filled in.

3) - but the question is .... in my now current reading up on Disney Weenies (still a bad visual) they are architectural or permanent in nature ... so would a baby hippo or any specific animal at AK even count? I could see the Tree, Pandora or Everest (which I think is stunning) would fit the bill more than an animal.

 

[ZooNerd1]

but the question is .... in my now current reading up on Disney Weenies (still a bad visual) they are architectural or permanent in nature ... so would a baby hippo or any specific animal at AK even count? I could see the Tree, Pandora or Everest (which I think is stunning) would fit the bill more than an animal.

I guess this is a question we can pose to the Disney community! Traditionally, large structures with visual appeal are typically referred to as "weenies" - but could the popularity of a single attraction, in this example an animal, be considered a weenie (maybe a sub-category) as well? Taking this beyond Animal Kingdom, we could look at popular attractions, such as Sorin' or Haunted Mansion, that have a large fan base and are generally well known among those going to Disney, would they be considered "weenies" - as they are magnets that draw guests further into the park.