Another DAK Rumor

[MJMcBride]

Jim Hill has written that Disney is planning on bringing back the boat tours that travel around Discovery Island at DAK. The rub is the boats will be providing character meals (presumably) breakfast and lunch.

 

[2Xited4Disney]

When did he report that?

 

[*NikkiBell*]

Wow! That sounds like a very cool meal and idea! YAY for Disney!

 

[tmt martins]

I've noticed the last few trips the characters on them . That would be something different.

 

[mitros]

We rode those boats when Animal Kingdom first opened, and I do not recall enough space on them to have any kind of food service.

PS: I just searched the Jim Hill site. Exactly where was this article?

 

[MJMcBride]

We rode those boats when Animal Kingdom first opened, and I do not recall enough space on them to have any kind of food service.

PS: I just searched the Jim Hill site. Exactly where was this article?

It comes from one his sidebars in the just released Unofficial Guide 2007.

 

[The Outer Rim]

Jim Hill has written that Disney is planning on bringing back the boat tours that travel around Discovery Island at DAK. The rub is the boats will be providing character meals (presumably) breakfast and lunch.

I never went on the boat ride, it wasn't open very long, but I remember seeing pictures of a dinosaur that could be seen from the boat. Is the dinosaur still there?

 

[mitros]

I never went on the boat ride, it wasn't open very long, but I remember seeing pictures of a dinosaur that could be seen from the boat. Is the dinosaur still there?

Do you remember the "cave" that let out a roar and some steam {smoke?} every so often? That was supposed to be part of the "Bastley Kingdom" theme. There was to be an animatronic, fire breathing dragon that would rear it's head when a boat went by, but was never completed because they dropped {Ei$ner} the whole Beastly Kingdom" idea.

 

[Euphscott]

And leave it to Disney (if this rumor is true) to only plus a park if it means they can charge way too much for having done so.

 

[dbm20th]

The river is there. The docks are there. It only makes sense to use it for something good. Considering how limited the dinig options are, this may be a really good idea. Having said that, I could care less about character meals, so I hope it is used for something I like more. The original boats, however, were ridiculously stupid

 

[rocketriter]

I took the boat ride shortly after AK opened but before the animal population had settled in. Nobody was out grazing or swimming. The poor guide was reduced to "Look, there's a duck! There's another duck!" I'm glad there's enough to see now to make the ride worthwhile, with or without a meal.

 

[Euphscott]

My point is that the boat ride could exist as a means of transportation without having to fleece guests. If this is the wave of the future will they begin offering breakfasts on the railroad in MK, thus preventing the non-paying guests from boarding the train?

I'd be all for more dining options in the park and I realize it was a pointless ride when it opened. But this rumor fits the new Disney way of not doing anything that simply makes the experience richer. They only add features that can empty my wallet a little faster.

 

[dbm20th]

My point is that the boat ride could exist as a means of transportation without having to fleece guests. If this is the wave of the future will they begin offering breakfasts on the railroad in MK, thus preventing the non-paying guests from boarding the train?

I'd be all for more dining options in the park and I realize it was a pointless ride when it opened. But this rumor fits the new Disney way of not doing anything that simply makes the experience richer. They only add features that can empty my wallet a little faster.

I'm simply not following you here. The place is horribly devoid of any interesting dining. Putting boats on there that can do that, and remember that does not mean that we are using the same vessels here, has the potential of creating a dining experience unique to WDW. To me, this is no different then all the restaurants in all the parks. You need admission to be able to eat there. Just like Crystal Palace or Le Cellier. I guess what I mean is, this type of thing has been happening since Disneyland opened.

 

[MJMcBride]

It seems to me that this just adds another dining experience. Its not like they are replacing an attraction. That boat ride has been dead a long time.

 

[raidermatt]

The place is also devoid of interesting attractions.

Yes, a bit of hyperbole, but the point stands that it needs more attractions, both in quantity and quality.

True, it is also short of sit-down dining experiences, but isn't that because of the deal struck with Rainforest? If that deal is now indeed expired or otherwise no longer in force, then I'm all for bringing in a few sit-down eateries. But the river is a natural for an attraction/transportation method. The fact that it was poorly excuted initially doesn't mean the concept is a poor one.

Expanding the dining options is not a bad thing, its just that this doesn't sound like the best way to do it, all things considered.

 

[MATTinNH]

I also dont get the idea that this is a problem or a way to fleece you of your money or screw-up an attraction. You have to keep in mind that this IS NOT AN ATTRACTION ANY LONGER. It hasnt been used in years , no one ever used it . Why should disney waste the money they put into it? I dont see how anyone would have a problem with disney finally finding a use for this thing? I mean if we really want to get petty about it---we as customers have been paying for this attraction since day one. I'm sure it was part for the original cost of the ticket. So if anything we should feel that we are no longer being screwed out of an already existing already payed for ( by us and disney) experiance , weather it is a ride or dining.

 

[mitros]

Another thought comes to mind. Didn't they say somewhere that those original boats were no longer available for use? I believe it was stated that some were moved to other parks, and some were simply scrapped. Where I read this escapes me at the moment, does anyone else recall reading this on one of the Disney related web sites?

 

[peter11435]

Another thought comes to mind. Didn't they say somewhere that those original boats were no longer available for use? I believe it was stated that some were moved to other parks, and some were simply scrapped. Where I read this escapes me at the moment, does anyone else recall reading this on one of the Disney related web sites?

All of the original boats are still intact. One was moved over to MK for special events but could easily be moved back to AK. The others are all still docked at AK and if you are in the park before opening you can see them running them around the river.

 

[Buzz2001]

Do you remember the "cave" that let out a roar and some steam {smoke?} every so often? That was supposed to be part of the "Bastley Kingdom" theme. There was to be an animatronic, fire breathing dragon that would rear it's head when a boat went by, but was never completed because they dropped {Ei$ner} the whole Beastly Kingdom" idea.

We were there the first day it opened. The dragon did breathe fire then. You could feel the heat on your face.

 

[dpic]

I wonder if those boat have restrooms....