Expedition: Everest (ExE) News

[airlarry!]

I'm sure many of you saw this in your DISboard newsletter, but here is a write-up on the attraction and a photo of the model:

http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/guides/animalkingdom/ak-asia-expedition.htm

And here is a shot of the map of AK on Pete's site:

http://www.wdwinfo.com/maps/WDW_Animal_Kingdom.jpg

The note on the attraction says:

Expedition Everest is slated to be placed in the Animal Kingdom between Conservation Station and the River boat ride, which closed in the very early days when the park first opened.

Looking at the map, this puts it where? If I remember correctly, the riverboat station was just to the upper right of the Tree of Life leaves. I'm thinking the note means in the southern loop of the train, maybe? Or to the north of the Kali River Ride?

If either is true, then we have an addition to Asia, not the beginning of Beastly Kingdom. Insert pro forma "M. AV was correct" comment.

Even this map still shows that BK was supposed to be built on the far right of the map, at least as far as I can recalll (correct me if I'm wrong, please). The river ride was supposed to head over toward the right side of the map, where once stood the remains of a knight who apparently battled the fiery dragon in the area.

 

[rangebob]

If you walk out of chester and hesters and go towards Tarzan Rocks look to your left though the opening in the trees. You will see where it will be installed.

 

[Cricket2]

Those "artist" maps are way out of scale. Anyone got a recent sat image of that area?

 

[OnWithTheShow]

Beastly Kingdom was originally planned to occupy the space where Camp Minnie Mickey is today. Up until about two years ago there was a cave on the right of the bridge leading to Camp Minnie Mickey. The cave was the lair of a dragon and would occasionally a fireball would shoot out of it. After it became clear Beastly Kingdom would not occur any time soon they turned off the effect. The cave still remains, check it out. Camp Minnie Mickey was built as a filler until the land would be built. There is another giant cleared area behind Lion King which is not where Everest is being built. Unfortunately the concept for Beastly Kingdom is so similiar to the Land of Myth at Islands of Adventure that will will likely never see it in Animal Kingdom. At least they are finally making an effort to include mythological animals. I vote for Camp Minnie Mickey to be turned into Australia. You could include a nice attraction featuring the Crocidile Hunter Steve Irwin and a mythological attraction quest for the Jackaroo.

Check out this link:

http://rotocat.tripod.com/ak.htm

and then the picture titled "Whole Park Looking West"

The cleared area to the right is where Everest will go. The cleared area in the top left was going to be where a Beastly Kingdom attraction would have gone.

 

[DisneyKidds]

Camp Minnie Mickey was built as a filler until the land would be built.

I'm curious - was Festival of the Lion Ling part of this filler or was it always intended to be part of the AK?

 

[hopemax]

It was filler. Entertainment (not WDI) needed to come up with something to put in the land, so they imported 4 of the floats from DL's successful Lion King Celebration Parade (those 4 floats that sit in the corners) and off they went. If you had access to the backstage you could have seen how temporary the facilities were, but I think in itss major rehab a year or so ago they finally built some more permanent facilities like changing areas for the cast.

 

[DisneyKidds]

It was filler.

Not to shabby when a show that was "filler" is regarded by many as the best show on Disney property. I guess it was a monkey throwing darts kind of result .

 

[hopemax]

True, especially when you consider the non-filler, planned show "Journey into Jungle Book" closed only after 1 year, it was so poorly received. Sometimes monkeys hit their targets, sometimes they don't.

 

[Cricket2]

Originally posted by DisneyKidds
I guess it was a monkey throwing darts kind of result .

Now there's a AK attraction I'd wait in line to see!

Monkeys whipping darts all around Ya gotta love that sort of stuff

JC

 

[Planogirl]

That's an interesting picture and it makes Animal Kingdom look rather filled up. Except for that cleared area originally meant for Beastly Kingdom. I hope that they still plan to come up with an attraction that includes mythical animals like the unicorn shown on their logo.

 

[DisneyKidds]

Monkeys whipping darts all around

Yeah, maybe in an enclosed area with inflatable Eisners all over the place...............................pop! pop! pop!

 

[rangebob]

I was looking at the picture that you referenced. It is strange that they were clearing the land in March 1999. You are close to the area. If you look at the picture the clearing is close to the area but on the very bottom there is a white housed building. Everest is suppose to go in that area adn they are clearing the trees in that area. The area that it is going on you could see it from the Tarzan area it had african cows on that piece of land. They are going to be putting in a bridge in from the Tarzan area over to the new area with everest.

 

[Walt's Frozen Head]

A quick note on primate behavior where I believe someone has gotten a wire crossed: monkeys throw _dung_, not darts.

Not saying it's a bad idea for an attraction, mind you... should really drive the poncho concessions, at any rate.

 

[Cricket2]

Originally posted by Walt's Frozen Head
should really drive the poncho concessions, at any rate.

Sounds like a "*******" cousin to the "Maid of the Mist" at Niagara Falls. Could even charge extra to get right in there and do some "Chuckin' with the Primates" or whatever.

Hey, they let you swim with the dolphins right?

JC