New Continent Australia At Disney Animal Kingdom?

[PortMickey]

This looks interesting:

http://www.wesh.com/themeparks/25945064/detail.html
WESH-NBC ORLANDO
New Continent At Disney Animal Kingdom?
Park Goers Could Soon Go 'Down Under'
POSTED: 6:47 am EST November 29, 2010
UPDATED: 7:39 am EST November 29, 2010
-- More expansion could be on the horizon at Walt Disney World, according to plans unearthed by a blog that covers the resort.

One of the biggest blogs that covers all of the theme park's happenings, The Disney Blog, reports that a new continent is planned for the Animal Kingdom.

The blog said workers have already started clearing land on an area that will eventually represent Australia.

Attractions in the new area could include a whale or dolphin show and a marsupial exhibit, according to the blog.

Disney is also in the process of expanding the Magic Kingdom. The company also recently unveiled images of the planned "Hyperion Wharf," which will replace its downtown "Pleasure Island" attraction.

To read more about the planned Australian expansion of the Magic Kingdom, visit The Disney Blog.
http://thedisneyblog.com/2010/11/28/gday-mate-australia-coming-to-disneys-animal-kingdom/

 

[DC7800]

That particular blog strikes me as rather over-optimistic concerning Walt Disney World development. Animal Kingdom does beg attention, so some manner of new attraction/expansion plans are surely in development, but there is just too much here to be believable. Australia and a redone Camp Minnie Mickey, multiple projects for Epcot and the Studios, an unlikely DVC at River Country, and the current Animation Resort, Hyperion Wharf, and the Magic Kingdom additions? There's no way Disney is going to spend that kind of money, unless perhaps these projects represent some sort of "blue sky" 10+ year plan (and there would be little point of even mentioning something slated for construction in 2020), with elements that may or may not ever happen (and mostly won't).

However, just for the sake of argument, why would it be desirable to "permit removal of the Wildlife Express"? The park has few enough actual rides (here defined as something you get on that moves) within its attraction mix as it is.

 

[Faldred]

If true, it addresses the #1 problem with DAK -- the fact that the place simply needs more. I agree with the blog writer that there will likely have to be some form of transportation ride if they're going to expand away from the current hub.

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

The "news" at The Disney Blog about Australia coming to DAK strikes me as speculation and "armchair Imagineering."

The distant location beyond Conservation Station would be a very odd place to expand DAK. There are several other expansion sites at DAK that would allow access from a bridge from Discovery Island or from the path that leads from Africa to Dinoland (vis Expedition Everest).

The idea that removing the Wildlife Express train would "free up important land in Africa which will finally allow The Festival of the Lion King to move to its rightful place in the park" suggests that Joe Rohde would want to destroy the carefully honed, immersive theming of Harambe by invading it with a glitzy show based on an animated musical -- and that Disney executives would want to pay many millions to rebuild a theater that already exists in another part of the park.

Finally, Disney would make an official announcement before any major theme park expansion project actually begins. That wasn't always the case, but now, in the age of Internet, Disney announces even minor projects on their official Disney Parks Blog. They know that the news gets out anyway, especially once RCID building permits are published and construction begins.

 

[skier_pete]

OK, reading the original article @ "The Disney Blog", I have to say, that most of what is being said by the author is speculation. The ONLY thing that he is claiming to have inside knowledge on is that some people are being hired to work on an Australia section and that an area of land is being cleared. These two pieces of information are completely possible to be true - though one may be unrelated to the other. Certainly the fact that people within the organization are being assigned to look at expanding DAK, if it were true, would be good, if minor news. It's truly early in development, and they are constantly looking at improvements.

The rest (moving the Lion King show, removing the Wildlife Express) are ALL conjecture on the author's part, and should be ignored.

 

[Disflyer]

The "news" at The Disney Blog about Australia coming to DAK strikes me as speculation and "armchair Imagineering."

Completely agree. This reads more like a wish list and complete guessing on the part of the author.
There may be some truth in a new land coming but purely guessing on the plans completely puts this into the "throw something on the wall and see what sticks" category and immediately discredits any real news in this story for me.
Shamu in AK? Sounds very un-disney to me. I have been to Australia a few times and don't ever recall whale watching or dolphins as a selling point to tourists. I can see the need for an aquarium of some sort but I can't see dolphins and whales jumping through hoops.

 

[pulphero]

It's pure speculation based on unnamed 'sources' and 'minions', to quote the author of the Disney Blog post. The story was also picked up here with much more skepticism:

http://www.disneydispatch.com/tidings/animal-kingdom-becoming-aussie-kingdom

 

[Peter Pirate 2]

I agree that it's hope more than fact BUT it is a good one, isn't it? I've been saying for years that AK needs a big addition that includes primarily ANIMALS. A good ride, a nice show and another animal walk would be HUGE, IMO.

So speculation or not, this has me personally way more enthused than the "thrill park" rumor that keeps popping up.

 

[Disco]

Hmmmm,
I don't hate the Australia idea but I'm not sure how I'd feel about a SeaWorld clone at AK. Not terribly original but I guess I wouldn't hate it.
It would kinda take away from the Sea exhibit at Epcot though. Not that that would be a bad thing as the Seas kind of lacked anyway.
I never got the point of that stupid train at AK or why Conservation Station was the way the f#!k out there. Frankly, I'd rather see both of them bulldozed (C’mon Disney, a train taking you all the way out to a petting Zoo. Really Disney, a petting Zoo?!).
However, I've always assumed that the train was there more for a future land or expansion so that it could transport people to the back of the park.
All that being said it doesn't really make sense to put a new land hidden behind Asia (figured they'd just expand Asia some day). Instead I always believed that Camp Mickey was a temporary thing until a real "Land" was put in its place. That area is about the same size as Asia and Dino Land.
Looking at it though it might not be big enough for a Sea World but maybe a Discovery Cove though....

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

I don't hate the Australia idea but I'm not sure how I'd feel about a SeaWorld clone at AK. Not terribly original but I guess I wouldn't hate it.

I'm sure that the whole "Great Barrier Reef exhibit and a Killer Whale and/or Dolphin show" thing is just speculation (and wishful thinking) by John Frost at the Disney Blog (which, despite its name, is not run by Disney).

How in the world could some sort of pond at a theme park capture the vastness of the Great Barrier Reef?

Where does John Frost think Disney can obtain killer whales? it's no longer possible to capture orcas in the wild. Sea World has them, and as long as Sea World successfully breeds new generations of captive orcas, they'll probably have them at their parks. However, that doesn't mean Disney could get into the captive orca business. Nor would Disney want the accompanying controversy.

Yes, Australia would make a great addition to Disney's Animal Kingdom. So would South America and even North America. Of these, Australia seems to be the most likely -- if Disney ever decides to go ahead with a new continent there.

But, right now, any construction at the park is likely to be in support of the new "guided treks along some unexplored areas of the Harambe Reserve," not for a massive, new, "secret" Australia addition.

 

[Peter Pirate 2]

How is the world could some sort of pond at a theme park capture the vastness of the Great Barrier Reef?

Not sure either, but at one time I would have truly believed the Disney Imagineers could pull it off if anyone could.

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

WDW already has a huge coral reef aquarium: the Caribbean Coral Reef Aquarium at Epcot's Living Seas with Nemo & Friends. Sure, the Caribbean and the Great Barrier Reef are almost on opposite sides of the globe, but it's not as if WDW really needs another coral reef aquarium.

When and if Australia is eventually added to DAK, it's much more likely to showcase land animals that evolved on the Australian continent, and are found nowhere else on Earth. If they take the same approach that they did with Africa and Asia, the results could be wonderful.

But I'm not holding my breath.

 

[Oglet]

WDW already has a huge coral reef aquarium: the Caribbean Coral Reef Aquarium at Epcot's Living Seas with Nemo & Friends. Sure, the Caribbean and the Great Barrier Reef are almost on opposite sides of the globe, but it's not as if WDW really needs another coral reef aquarium.

When and if Australia is eventually added to DAK, it's much more likely to showcase land animals that evolved on the Australian continent, and are found nowhere else on earth. If they take the same approach that they did with Africa and Asia, the results could be wonderful.

But I'm not holding my breath.

I tend to agree and I also think the Aboriginal culture would play a huge part in it as well... It would drive me nuts to hear people walking around all day saying "A Dingo ate my baby"

 

[Peter Pirate 2]

A dingo ate my baby.

 

[KLEONARD]

Disney has at least two kangaroos on Discovery Island in the middle of AK.
I took this photo in May, 2010.

Not that this has anything to do with the discussed rumor, but Disney has a start on the "land animals".

Kevin

 

[ChrisFL]

Now I remember why I never watched WESH news when I lived in Orlando.

Taking a completely unofficial blog from unnamed sources, and turning it into a news story...I guess these days I shouldn't be surprised, but I'd hope for better judgement

 

[doconeill]

There is already a significant cleared area between the train to the Conservation Station and the back of Asia. The problem is that it is also a significant backstage access route. But if the eliminated the train they could expand into that area with some creative work over the access road, as well as possibly increase traffic to the Conservation Station, which I think should be retained.

The old Beastly Kingdom area is mostly cleared as well.

The only other significant area that I can think of would be to expand behind Expedition Everest and reroute some of the backstage access there.

But personally I think a priority for expansion money needs to be directed to DHS, at least enough for a new E-ticket to take pressure off TSM which has gotten ridiculous since they slowed down the load rate and then cut FPs to match.

 

[mrsR123]

WDW already has a huge coral reef aquarium: the Caribbean Coral Reef Aquarium at Epcot's Living Seas with Nemo & Friends. Sure, the Caribbean and the Great Barrier Reef are almost on opposite sides of the globe, but it's not as if WDW really needs another coral reef aquarium.

It's not like they are distinguishing between the two now since there is a whole storyline about the EAC underneath their "Caribbean" coral reef, no?

 

[Oglet]

The only other significant area that I can think of would be to expand behind Expedition Everest and reroute some of the backstage access there.

The problem with that would be it would require a lot of work to EE since it's not what I would call "show ready" from behind.

Thing with DAK is there is so much land they could expand in any number of locations with ease.

 

[yitbos96bb]

That particular blog strikes me as rather over-optimistic concerning Walt Disney World development. Animal Kingdom does beg attention, so some manner of new attraction/expansion plans are surely in development, but there is just too much here to be believable. Australia and a redone Camp Minnie Mickey, multiple projects for Epcot and the Studios, an unlikely DVC at River Country, and the current Animation Resort, Hyperion Wharf, and the Magic Kingdom additions? There's no way Disney is going to spend that kind of money, unless perhaps these projects represent some sort of "blue sky" 10+ year plan (and there would be little point of even mentioning something slated for construction in 2020), with elements that may or may not ever happen (and mostly won't).

However, just for the sake of argument, why would it be desirable to "permit removal of the Wildlife Express"? The park has few enough actual rides (here defined as something you get on that moves) within its attraction mix as it is.

Maybe... it could also be potentially a panic reaction to WWOHP at Universal... from what I see of the Fantasyland expansion and what I've heard from people who went to WWOHP... I have my doubts that the fantasyland expansion is going to compete with it.