New Land at AK for 2012

[Mr. & Mrs. Smith]

On another message board, someone reported receiving an e-mail reply to a query confirming the development of a new land at AK. I thought it was interesting and that I might post it here to see if any of you think it is valid.

The poster's original e-mail read:

I have heard that at Animal Kingdom they are supposed to build another land. What will this land be? And when will it be opening?

And this was the response:

Thank you for contacting the Walt Disney World Resort.

The Walt Disney World Resort is constantly working with our "Imagineers" and evaluating new ideas for further enhancing our attractions and entertainment offerings in the parks. At this time, we can confirm that they are currently in the process of developing a new "land" at Walt Disney's Animal Kingdom. We are sorry we can't provide more details other then to say this new area is scheduled to open in 2012.

We appreciate your understanding.

If you have questions or need further assistance, feel free to contact us.

Please include your full name, E-Mail address, and reservation number if applicable on all correspondence.

Thank you!

Sincerely,

Ronda Kendall

WDW Online Communications

 

[fan of the TTA]

sounds valid enough.. but i wonder what the new land could be?. at this moment in time, i can't figure out anything that animal kingdom really need, although maybe some more stuff relating to creatures of the sea

 

[jheigl]

The original question I'm sure was asked and I'm sure the person received that response, however, I think that person may have edited it to say that they are developing a new land. From what I have seen with Disney, they are usually very secretive about future developments, and for this person to just come out and respond that they are going to develop something but not have any furthur comment, seems a little fishy. The entire email response is something that I could have made up myself, so perhaps it was. I'm not saying that it is not true, however I am a bit skeptical that someone within the company would divulge that they are developing but not give any furthur details, judging by how close Disney seems to keep things like this to the vest. If it is true, cool! If not, I'm not surprised.

 

[Mr. & Mrs. Smith]

Well, one way to know if the response is made up or not is to write your own letter to Disney asking the same question. Anyone want to give it a try?

 

[fan of the TTA]

i'm up for that if someone gave me an address, then post my response

 

[Mr. & Mrs. Smith]

Does someone have the e-mail addy close by?

 

[selina4disney]

There have been rumors of Night Kingdom at AK for months. That's probably what the letter is referring too. At a separate admission rumored of approximately $300 per person, it is intended to compete with Discovery Cove. The latest rumor IIRC was it was scaled back. Just do a google for Night Kingdom Disney and you will get lots of results.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Several years before AK opened Judy and I were shown a film and then surveyed while we were at Epcot (it was done in a room above Norway). The film and survey took over an hour. It appears that the film was based on the plans for AK.

One of the section was to be the "Beastly Kingdom" filled with mythical beasts. These would include dragons, multi-headed creatures, etc., from mythology around the world. Note that many of the benches at AK have cutouts on the back of various animals; one of those is a dragon.

 

[Mr. & Mrs. Smith]

I don't think that this is Night Kingdom. At least, it doesn't seem like a seperate admission would be charged. Sounds more like an expansion to the existing AK that would be included in the price of admission.

 

[ChrisFL]

and there were replies on that other message board that this email has a few inaccuracies (like calling it "Walt Disney's Animal Kingdom" which is incorrect) and the name "Ronda Kendall" does not show up as an actual employee if TWDC

 

[dexim54]

and there were replies on that other message board that this email has a few inaccuracies (like calling it "Walt Disney's Animal Kingdom" which is incorrect) and the name "Ronda Kendall" does not show up as an actual employee if TWDC

Poster is right, there is no such person with that email.

 

[Mr. & Mrs. Smith]

Well, that is all interesting. Howeve, like I said, it's not that hard to test for accuracy. Disney usually sends form replies to questions. So if someone writes and asks basically the same question and gets a different reply, we'll know it's a hoax. If someone were to give me the e-mail address, I would write to them and others could do the same. Then we could post the responses here.

 

[marsrunner]

I believe the consensus on that "other" message board was that the reply was authentic in that it came from Disney and the person who posted it was not making it up. However, many of the resident "experts" (I don't put quotes to be derogatory, I just don't know how much of an expert any of them are) thought that it might be a hoax internally, i.e. some CM sent the reply as a joke.
I find it hard to believe that Disney would not make an official public announcement stating they are working on a new land for a major park, and yet respond to some average Joe with an e-mail detailing it. Sounds fishy to me. Of course, I'm no expert either, so what do I know.

 

[Mr. & Mrs. Smith]

Again, while I see where you are coming from, there's a really easy way to settle this. We just have to write WDW and see what they say. If we consistently get the same answer as that guy did, then we can place more credibility on the expansion rumour. So, does somebody (anybody?) have the address to write to?

 

[yitbos96bb]

On another message board, someone reported receiving an e-mail reply to a query confirming the development of a new land at AK. I thought it was interesting and that I might post it here to see if any of you think it is valid.

The poster's original e-mail read:



And this was the response:

I call fake email

Disney is mum on ALL DETAILS and CMs are threatened with termination if they reveal anything or even speculate... ask anyone who talked with DVC cast members when that "imaginary" North tower first started going up.

Disney would have stuck with the comment that they don't speculate or answer rumors and NEVER would add the ending part.

Nice idea, but 99% sure this is false (but would LOVE to be wrong)... especially given the projected weak business in 2009.

 

[minnie61650]

I doubt if the email is valid but there are a few rumors from pretty reliable sources that dirt will start moving in the AK by spring of 2009 and a new "area"/ land? is the planning for 2011/2012.

Some rumors are that they will be adding a Journey to the center of the Earth ride like the one at Tokyo DisneySea. (The exclusive rights at the Tokyo DisneySea JTTCoE ride are due to expire around that time.)

Other rumors are a Beastlie Kingdome Land.

Take it for what it is worth.

As with all things Disney .....Time will tell.

 

[fan of the TTA]

beastly kingdom?. now that would be cool! but journey to the centre of the earth is not really to do with animals, is it.

 

[ChrisFL]

beastly kingdom?. now that would be cool! but journey to the centre of the earth is not really to do with animals, is it.

It is as much as Everest is....basically there is an encounter with one really big creature near the end of the ride, like Everest. I haven't been on Journey to know if there are other animals...ask me again in about 2 months!

 

[fan of the TTA]

at least everist has a place in the park. all i'm saying

 

[CanadianGuy]

Disney is very smart to undertake construction projects during an economic downturn.

HOWEVER.. this email doesn't 'ring true' ... if someone wants to spin the CSR roulette wheel...

wdw.guest.communications@disney.com