Panda's At The Animal Kingdom?

[grumpymickey]

I read in the Unofficial Guide to Disney World that China and Disney are working on a deal to bring Pandas to Disney. Anyone else have any info?

 

[Yellowstonetim]

I read in the Unofficial Guide to Disney World that China and Disney are working on a deal to bring Pandas to Disney. Anyone else have any info?

Yes, this has been reported in several articles. Disney worked a deal with China that gave them some control over the content of the new Disneyland Shanghi in return Disney will get a pair of Pandas. Quite an accomplishment, as Pandas are very popular! I'm excited.

 

[grumpymickey]

For Shanghai Disney or elsewhere?

 

[Yellowstonetim]

For Shanghai Disney or elsewhere?

For Animal Kingdom in Orlando, is what I read.

 

[Suger Mag]

Any links? If true that would be awesome news and a big draw, specially if they produce a cub

 

[jamarmiller]

id definitely like to see this happen ! Any timetable set ?

 

[Yellowstonetim]

Any links? If true that would be awesome news and a big draw, specially if they produce a cub

I loiked around and found a few blog and forum entries, but no hard reports or news stories

 

[Yellowstonetim]

Any links? If true that would be awesome news and a big draw, specially if they produce a cub

I looked around and found a few blog and forum entries, but no hard reports or news stories. The only thing we know is that it was being pursued and discussed but nothing else. If it is going to happen, we should here sometime prior to Shanghi opening, I think.

 

[grumpymickey]

I looked around and found a few blog and forum entries, but no hard reports or news stories. The only thing we know is that it was being pursued and discussed but nothing else. If it is going to happen, we should here sometime prior to Shanghi opening, I think.

Thanks for the info Yellowstonetim

 

[LockShockBarrel]

IIRC, to display a panda outside of China costs $1 million a year and the animals still belong to China. If this is true, perhaps they'd just be lowering that cost a bit?

 

[Lisa71]

We have pandas at the San Diego Zoo and every part of their display is controlled..sound, environment, how they are cared for...

 

[Yellowstonetim]

IIRC, to display a panda outside of China costs $1 million a year and the animals still belong to China. If this is true, perhaps they'd just be lowering that cost a bit?

When you think of what a ride costs - $100 to $500 million, $1 million a year isn't bad.

The biggest limitation is that China has never given Panda's to a company. However, Disney isn't just any company, already has a relationship with China, and China really wants Shanghi Disney to work.

 

[ErinTwinmom]

I'd go see them. The line could not possibly be as bad as the San Diego zoo exhibit.

 

[GSUJillybean]

We have pandas here at the Atlanta Zoo, and they don't really seem to be a huge draw.

I'd love to see what Disney would do with the exhibit, though.

 

[LockShockBarrel]

When you think of what a ride costs - $100 to $500 million, $1 million a year isn't bad.

The biggest limitation is that China has never given Panda's to a company. However, Disney isn't just any company, already has a relationship with China, and China really wants Shanghi Disney to work.

But that's just for the animal. You also have to figure in habitat, care (which I'm sure China would require special training), medical issues, and food. That's just for the animal. Then any PR and advertising, themed merchandise, theming around the habitat, extra staff etc etc. So not quite the bargain you think. It would be easily just as much as a ride.

 

[Yellowstonetim]

But that's just for the animal. You also have to figure in habitat, care (which I'm sure China would require special training), medical issues, and food. That's just for the animal. Then any PR and advertising, themed merchandise, theming around the habitat, extra staff etc etc. So not quite the bargain you think. It would be easily just as much as a ride.

You are correct. I have heard estimares of $2 million a year total costs. But that is still a great deal for Disney since they will be a big draw.

 

[beer dave]

I'm with the above who says I don't think the pandas would be that big of a draw-- unless you could pet one. then people would come. I like animals and all, but couldn't see making a special trip. My dd worked at sea world over the summer-- she said the penguin line when it first opened was 8 hours at one point. Maybe others think differently.

 

[Legendteri]

:: shrugs ::

I have never seen a Panda and I personally would go out of my way to see one. Not a special trip to Orlando, but if we were in Orlando anyways, sure I'd make a special trip to AK to see one.

 

[Yellowstonetim]

I am a zoo fan, and Panda's seem to be the biggest draw in zoos. Everywhere they are located, Pandas are the headliner for that zoo. For years we went to DC to the National Zoo and Ling Ling and Sing Sing were the big draws everyone wanted to see. They made the news regularly and when one died it made the national news. Big, adorable, and very rare. Now, of course, they won't be everybody's cup of tea, nothing is. But as far as animals in a zoo, they are the holy grail.

Best exhibit for Panda's I've seen is at Memphis where you could sit a few inches away from one while he munched bamboo on the other side of the glass in a natural setting.

I would love to see what Disney would do with a Panda encounter! I love their tiger encounter. Best I've ever visited.

But then again, I'm a zoo person and Animal Kingdom is my favorite park.

However, it is all just conjecture. I would love to hear something definitive about this.

 

[jcnewton]

I'd love to see some pandas at AK. It seems that is the park I spend the least amount of time in, and it would be nice to have some more animal exhibits!