Austraila at AK?

[tink20]

Is WDW going to add a new land to AK. Austraila?

 

[fannatic]

There have been rumors at The Disney Blog and Screamscape about it being added. They said the new land is to feature a Great Barrier Reef exhibit, a killer whale/dolphin show, and a Marsupial exhibit. Right now these are just rumors. I haven't seen any validation for them.

 

[tink20]

Thanks, I would love this if it happens.

 

[talullahbelle]

i am hoping for dingo races and kangaroo boxing.....lol

just think, a whole area of the park to incorporate nemo.....

 

[lockedoutlogic]

i am hoping for dingo races and kangaroo boxing.....lol

just think, a whole area of the park to incorporate nemo.....

and that...would be the only reason it might be considered

 

[tlotgg]

I promise you that AK is NOT adding Austrailia! I have been told by the person who would know that it is not happening. This person acknowledged that sometimes the internet is right on the money with rumors and other times they are amazed at how far off the rumors can be. In this case it is the latter. This person even asked me to ask about rumors I've heard. Knowing Disney policy on employees and rumors I only asked this one question. I was assured that this rumor is invalid and the response had nothing to do with confidentiality. Sorry.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

I promise you that AK is NOT adding Austrailia! I have been told by the person who would know that it is not happening. This person acknowledged that sometimes the internet is right on the money with rumors and other times they are amazed at how far off the rumors can be. In this case it is the latter. This person even asked me to ask about rumors I've heard. Knowing Disney policy on employees and rumors I only asked this one question. I was assured that this rumor is invalid and the response had nothing to do with confidentiality. Sorry.

i fully believe that there will be no austrailia

...i also firmly believe that you're person "in the know"...probably doesn't know anything. those that would be "in the know"...don't spread rumors to random acquaintances. And hourly employees at WDW often misrepresent themselves as having information to make themselves feel like more than they are...which is...just cogs in the machine

 

[MJMcBride]

while I dont believe a rumor, as 99.9% are hogwash, there is one thing that is certain. Disney will add a land sometime in the near future to make DAK more of a full day park

 

[fannatic]

Disney has registered the Domain names for Finding Nemo 2 & 3. I suspect part 2 should be out around 2013.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

while I dont believe a rumor, as 99.9% are hogwash, there is one thing that is certain. Disney will add a land sometime in the near future to make DAK more of a full day park

I used to think this...but there's alot of ways where that wouldn't make good sense for disney.

as others have stated...they have reached a point where more gates and attractions spread out the existing crowds over what they already have. they get about 50 million through the gates everyyear...i don't see 65 coming anytime soon. in some ways their numbers represent saturation

second, mgm has now been 20 years as a 1/2 day type park...with only something semi-significant added about every 5 years. why wouldn't they add to pack the thing all day?

well...magic kingdom and epcot are still the largest, most well developed, and can generate the highest amount of revenue. as time goes on... it appears clear that the wdw management is ok with both mgm and ak clearing out into the other 2 parks and downtown by design. there is more revenue (aka crappy gift shops) to be made at the older parks and the marketplace.

and in the case of animal kingdom...the animal concept is not nearly as popular as eisner was convinced. some kids love animals...many adults hate them and don't want any park of them. nobody tends to beat down the doors at your local zoo. few still would be inclined to do so in a place where the temperature is above 85 for 10 months a year.

And finally, disney's problem is labor...they can't keep enough of it and they don't want to compensate to get higher quality. so they know they will simply have to pay for more people on diminishing returns to keep the operation going. This is what stands in the way of major additions and new parks more than anything....money and reduced dividends being the next big thing.

to add another land to AK, you are not only talking probably about 500 million in construction cost...you are talking about huge animal upkeep costs (and the accountants can't cut corners here...though i'm sure they've tried) and and extra probably 1000 staffed positions...which equals 2000-2500 new paid employees all said and done...

there isn't enough decent labor in orlando to do this...even with rampant 13% unemployment. just because somebody is unemployed...doesn't mean they'll bust their hump to keep a 7.50 an hour job. the last 2 years have proven this unfortunate fact about the american work force.
besides...disney wants no part of paying that pittance or the benefits associated with it anyway.

i just don't see how investment in animal kingdom leads to more profit...and that is a deal killer for TWDC. Nobody will plan extra trips or buy more tshirts because of austrailia at AK. just not realistic

 

[MJMcBride]

Keeping folks at DAK for a full day means two things. #1 they stay longer, spend more money, eat another meal etc etc etc

#2, draws more single day tickets as people who dont think the $75+ single day pass is worth DAK

I agree that DHS needs the same thing and we likely will get an expansion of Pixar Place and the removal of the backlot tour as the years pass

 

[lockedoutlogic]

Keeping folks at DAK for a full day means two things. #1 they stay longer, spend more money, eat another meal etc etc etc

#2, draws more single day tickets as people who dont think the $75+ single day pass is worth DAK

I agree that DHS needs the same thing and we likely will get an expansion of Pixar Place and the removal of the backlot tour as the years pass

as i said...the people still spend their money in the PM at WDW...they just don't do it at AK. Really...it doesn't matter there. Nobody goes to AK for half the day and then goes to Seaworld...that makes no economic sense. at most you lose people to a chain restaurant on i drive or 192...but based on the cost disparity between current WDW food prices and outside...that might still happen if you let people ride kangaroos with a saddle around a track in AK all day for free.

As far as single day tickets...you know that single day tickets are the smaller concern for WDW. while still significant, the vast majority of travelers are on multiday packages with inclusive ticket media. because WDW has spent 30 years marketing and incorporating it to keep all your cash on property while you're there. it was over 50% when i worked in GSO ten years ago...it's probably near the 70 % mark now. so those emptying out of AK or "choosing not to spend on it" are in a vast majority still visiting other gates or keeping their discretionary income in the complex somewhere else on a given day.

AK's size and offerings seem like a problem to all of us that follow the nuts and bolts at WDW with more than passing interest...
but it's now 12 years old and DHS is 21....it's not really that big of an issue with Anaheim...or things would be built.

 

[tlotgg]

The person who confirmed that Australia is NOT coming to AK is not a bus driver, boat captain or an hourly employee. The person can't get any higher in the AK hierarchy. Like I stated before, she asked ME to query a rumor.

 

[MJMcBride]

unfortunately, its difficult to believe people when the source remains unnamed

 

[lockedoutlogic]

unfortunately, its difficult to believe people when the source remains unnamed

that and when they would give absolutely no basis for being told such an executive decision in the first place...

 

[DizCaptain]

The person who confirmed that Australia is NOT coming to AK is not a bus driver, boat captain or an hourly employee. The person can't get any higher in the AK hierarchy. Like I stated before, she asked ME to query a rumor.

Sure, they may be high in THAT hierarchy but I'll be honest here, that doesn't matter. Its not up to anyone in the "park" realm to make those decisions/designs/etc. The decisions all lie with the shadowy underground Disney government. Oops I shouldn't of mentioned that, I learned about that from a fine man cleaning a rest room in the Magic Kingdom, he knew all sorts of secrets! Unfortunately I may have just blown his cover......

 

[jimmytammy]

AK needs more...thats the bottom line. Its a huge park, and tough to navigate. When we go for 2 weeks, we only visit for one day. HS finds us visiting for at least 3 days, thats sad that HS still draws us away from AK that much, but this is a personal choice.

EE, KS and Dino are all big draws for us, but those 3 kill a day just walking to get to them. Honestly, Bug and a few shows are all thats left!

HS and AK could go beyond being so so parks to being 2 more big draws like MK and Epcot. Universal would take a backseat again, and the dedicated WDW fans would be happier for it, thus the Disney Co. should be happier for it.

Win win for us all!! IMO

 

[MJMcBride]

EE, KS and Dino are all big draws for us, but those 3 kill a day just walking to get to them. Honestly, Bug and a few shows are all thats left!

the problem with DAK is many people dont care about the zoo aspect of the park. You could easily spend half a day meandering the jungle treks, the conservation station and the trails around the Tree. I love that about DAK

 

[jimmytammy]

the problem with DAK is many people dont care about the zoo aspect of the park. You could easily spend half a day meandering the jungle treks, the conservation station and the trails around the Tree. I love that about DAK

I like that part of it too, but not enough to draw me there every trip.

 

[Figment632]

Meh I'd rather have BK or MI or a combo if both!