Jump to content
  TPR Home | Parks | Twitter | Facebook | YouTube | Instagram 

Walt Disney World Disney's Animal Kingdom Discussion Thread


Recommended Posts

  • 1 month later...

I think that this is a fantastic idea. I love the movie and now I get to experience the great planet of Pandora in real life. I am very anxious to see what they plan on doing. I can definately see some sort of roller coaster or motion simulator that involves flying the dragons.

 

Anyone know when Disney might release more information about what might come to AVATAR land?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

On one hand this could have been the perfect opportunity for a South American themed section, but being this is pretty much a sci-fi version of Beastly Kingdom I'm all for it.

 

Also interesting considering say TDR decides to build a third park based on the sky (DisneyLAND, DisneySEA, DisneySKY, see what I did here?), it would be a perfect fit over there too. It's too obvious for someone on the inside not to be thinking this.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Does anyone know if this Avatar expansion is going on the site of where beastly Kingdom was originally intended to go (Camp Minnie Mickey) or are they building it on a different piece of land elsewhere in the park? I guess replacing Beastly Kingdom makes sense but then again if they built Avatar elsewhere then Beastly kingdom could conceivably come to life sometime again in the future after Avatar is completed.

 

(I guess part of me still wants to see Beastly Kingdom)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 4 weeks later...

Yesterday I had the chance to stop by Disney's Animal Kingdom for the first time in quite a while. While there isn't much new going on here just yet, it is always nice to take in the details that the park already has, and as always, take some photos!

 

One notable piece from yesterday: Primeval Whirl has completely reopened! Both sides are in operation and look great after their lengthy refurbishment/down time.

DSC01246.JPG.4f866239053405b2e391f9f1cfd8994d.JPG

I probably hadn't been on Everest in over six months, so it was nice to walk through the regular line and take in all of the extra details Joe Rohde and his team left for guests to enjoy.

DSC01247.JPG.db3fa7df8f08eff29f883a4881570f61.JPG

Yak meat = fiber. Noted!

DSC01249.JPG.de74a2ccc07bd46e7eca121f0b16982b.JPG

The fact that these are authentic artifacts collected from the Himalayas still impresses me. As thorough as the Imagineers are, I always find it humbling that they went to these lengths for authenticity sake.

DSC01250.JPG.9151f457ca1054b67e63603db1c721c9.JPG

I mean, you couldn't make some of this stuff up!

DSC01252.JPG.8e43917adb33f8c0d169a9ac7269efef.JPG

In case you were wondering...

DSC01253.JPG.0f65d099c4cad0e5059a50cf0c58b5c2.JPG

A pretty realistic plaster cast...

DSC01254.JPG.fd955c42ca03fbf7a888bef2f54e78d7.JPG

Norbu-Bob eh? Sounds like someone you'd find getting a drink at Trader Sam's... Or dare I say it, the Adventurer's Club!

DSC01257.JPG.f136ce6048ee24ddc9b60297a80631ea.JPG

It had been a while since I saw the steam working on at the station. Glad to see this awesome effect on once again!

DSC01262.JPG.7a3c2de0c0cf7b21ab2c296d6a38b0a6.JPG

From what I'm hearing, Grizzly Gulch is set to be the Everest-killer... Definitely looking forward to seeing it when I make my way out to Hong Kong Disneyland!

DSC01263.JPG.fc78367f33276f718fb2abc68499c04d.JPG

It truly is an impressive mountain!

DSC01264.JPG.63bed277a4244b367f9413abb20ae787.JPG

Hard to believe this ride has been around for over five years!

DSC01266.JPG.d88bda7fc7d4ed8d94b142f61f51daf1.JPG

If there's one thing (of many) Animal Kingdom does right, it is its masking of attractions in a lush environment. Tell me how many attractions you can spot from the highest viewpoint in the park?

DSC01267.JPG.44b58b79f7c6e78375f52fd9ec1dacfa.JPG

Something else I find very impressive, is how well the rock work and paint on Everest has held up over the last five years.

DSC01269.JPG.303be2df43e3ed6060e3272216065e9d.JPG

No bird on a stick today...

DSC01270.JPG.f9af230f3d20ed4d9c11472bf3196764.JPG

Back! Back! Over the falls!

DSC01284.JPG.612c93a413d29b934f31a8575a31b454.JPG

Despite the strobes, you can still get a glimpse of the Yeti in passing.

DSC01285.JPG.76ce79d8de6d95c420c4257f52fc8443.JPG

That being said, you may only see him in the blink of an eye.

DSC01303.JPG.fbc6ef466a74bd24198306f3c0fb8ba4.JPG

Primeval Whirl is finally re-opened and running both sides. During its down time, the ride underwent a physical refurbishment with visible results.

DSC01304.JPG.8f3bd3ef6d42609243a3f624bcca4ed9.JPG

Everything looks like it is brand new.

DSC01306.JPG.2dd7dc570952fe8849f5bb95e7d100bd.JPG

It really does look a lot better!

DSC01311.JPG.d574268bda322455f2f59130372c7ee1.JPG

Looks pretty good right?

DSC01312.JPG.8f81fc6c405e9e8e93571297fdb2181e.JPG

Not all effects have been turned on, but I'm guessing they probably do all work now.

DSC01316.JPG.b1db37ebcb6feb1765a59acba82410dd.JPG

POV!

DSC01318.JPG.edc40a829fc47097305b1e658536673d.JPG

I always forget how close the track is to the station, and to guests' heads.

DSC01326.JPG.b34ad7d8c95afd6a940a99c6f4e025bc.JPG

The park had some holiday decorations up in Dinoland USA, which I had never seen before.

DSC01328.JPG.00c9333726936d9bbb812e01d26f9795.JPG

They don't add too much to the area and blend in a bit with the kitschy theming, so it works.

DSC01329.JPG.ab5da53312c930b71e4d3909a2e90b6b.JPG

Another example of the holiday decor.

DSC01335.JPG.441c6069af99a6929c556caa5e71ab32.JPG

Never realized this, but there is a Yak & Yeti store, which sells some great merchandise. I got three "toothpick holders" for six dollars in the clearance rack!

Edited by jedimaster1227
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Just a few quick photos from our recent trip to Animal Kingdom earlier this month.

photo.JPG.fb8ec8b9d19aea8e744b23d817173469.JPG

Pretty warm inside these rhinos

1839139605_photo223.JPG.3ec7a4baec3c2c7b613ccd0938105761.JPG

Queen of the jungle

17552562_photo63.JPG.016a8b22693996c9f12ca66756b85d83.JPG

Pretty waterfall

1418005573_photo65.JPG.b2979cdac759d5aa638f8ca48e63beae.JPG

Us on Kilimanjaro Safari, someone wasnt to happy to be on this!

825866142_photo4444.JPG.5a319a2fd9f38bd1cb1e0fa642400314.JPG

Giraffe

961137074_photo222.JPG.9b03e215ccdcc7871492c9262dc4290e.JPG

17761546_photo62.JPG.7386679ad75a2e52d6b7f33bca1d30d2.JPG

Another pretty waterfall

1678248952_photo74.JPG.2b39efedfff7a81f1668c2d68c3bd72a.JPG

We conquered the broken Yeti! Disco time!

538564262_photo2224.JPG.5129e5dd4dafaec8d296b6482f887924.JPG

Link to comment
Share on other sites

It just bugs me to no end that that entire Dinosaur Carnival-whatever area even exists in a Disney park...they've spent a billion reinventing California Adventure, and I really wish they'd throw some cash at redoing that area before they spend what, $500 million on Avatar? That area is such a blemish on an otherwise amazing resort.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

One of their giraffes came from my local zoo, so it's nice to possibly have just seen her in your pictures!

 

When I first rode Yeti last year, I was really surprised with how awesome it was. It kind of brings hope that Vekoma can still make some pretty kick ass coasters. Hopefully the new Avatar section will be awesome, I'd definitely be interested to see it when it opens

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 3 weeks later...

Enjoy my Mini-Trip Report!

No Dinoland.. Sorry

1003937192_Ryann022.thumb.JPG.08cb4bcdb45a982183bad6cb96859871.JPG

Let's start our Disney Trip at Animal Kingdom!

461711815_Ryann021.thumb.JPG.1648eda87824bfae091af5f7bf2d0e80.JPG

I will see you later for lunch :)

1342351601_Ryann020.thumb.JPG.dff104610f0b89793f9740db35d08dfc.JPG

The Tree of Life greets us as we enter the park.

535951102_Ryann015.thumb.JPG.b9a002a3859b9e77e68bed149b8a3dd5.JPG

Sorry for the sucky quality :( ... But here's the Everest sign.

281460250_Ryann017.thumb.JPG.3e3d3907b658e94ccdc4c2e042dd9f0e.JPG

The looks of this ride are FABULOUS!

1708538336_Ryann018.thumb.JPG.601a7014b3ecef07851df9c51378c00b.JPG

The ride is a lot bigger in person.

1706139464_Ryann014.thumb.JPG.9a013650778f08d7acf0f72ef9b6f26d.JPG

I must say, I was VERY impressed with this ride. It is amazing! It was extremely well themed too.

1687119284_Ryann012.thumb.JPG.b3f5f795af11fee49158cd0516f4773e.JPG

I can't stop taking pictures of this ride.

1395572909_Ryann016.thumb.JPG.8242898a110dfbe1294a1eff4f5f1d4c.JPG

Pretty lake across from Everest.

1201613843_Ryann019.thumb.JPG.ba97c3feb93a1ae24386418e324c5255.JPG

This is my favorite picture I took of the trip.

63767863_Ryann010.thumb.JPG.abea96c670aa8daf24fc7a078743d284.JPG

Let's start the safari :)

1641445923_Ryann009.thumb.JPG.a59f311139fd4111ddb36569604d0cc6.JPG

There is a Lion.

895164831_Ryann008.thumb.JPG.fca09361679930cec78f7e0cf992e0bd.JPG

... And some white and pink Birds!

1211562479_Ryann007.thumb.JPG.efb8d77bb4af0fcc3ce3337a775d042f.JPG

Upside Down Tree

913256188_Ryann006.thumb.JPG.299d5601caab9bc699340642e80affbe.JPG

Mr. Elephant and random little girl

1629031191_Ryann005.thumb.JPG.a23c8cd19736dc2a016b539724d5df33.JPG

Mr. Elephant AGAIN

1155318243_Ryann011.thumb.JPG.7199a99fc0bf08321afc63049987ed23.JPG

Now I will end the report with yet another picture of Everest. Thanks for viewing :)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...

During my Walt Disney World stop of the week, we visited Animal Kingdom to go visit Everest, see Finding Nemo: The Musical and ride Dinosaur... Just a few things of note during this visit.

DSC03016.JPG.4651398c8d1dbefa4f0bf3ae57f09aef.JPG

One side of the Oasis entrance is currently closed off.

DSC03017.JPG.cfc7ecc802cf0e93f3d323476ddb97ae.JPG

Rock work is being rebuilt currently in this area.

DSC03018.JPG.caf9a865198dfde421c51c017b8137f1.JPG

Should be nice when the walls come down.

DSC03019.JPG.d77b7e3408a5102ef1d4116366ae4e3f.JPG

A look at the work from the other side of the entrance.

DSC03021.JPG.18857594fe2d9510070da41db094c7f3.JPG

Natural...

DSC03027.JPG.54fda7e212fc0fd690bdf966f0bf3c1a.JPG

Everest was looking particularly nice today.

DSC03028.JPG.8b296c808b7b4bb39a3554064f83598a.JPG

Everest is still quite smooth...For a Vekoma!

DSC03030.JPG.567fb3bad399baeeff2d406772ed8992.JPG

I've always liked this view.

DSC03031.JPG.a01baec25026a77b95601c877d0c9df0.JPG

And the ice/rock work has held up quite well over the last five/six years.

DSC03032.JPG.381dc9383edf93deb389199bb3391c87.JPG

Still no bird on a stick.

DSC03034.JPG.35269052d6d5cf52e84343c4371e21c8.JPG

"You're takin' a dive!"

DSC03036.JPG.d21c1aeb072d75e5cbf78353404e4f5e.JPG

This foliage has taken a little while to grow in, but it looks pretty nice now.

DSC03048.JPG.98bdfacd670a51b41549d27e1aac6fe1.JPG

Down we go again!

DSC03058.JPG.247b5f960eb017cc311b06a5780ee679.JPG

Y is for Yeti.

DSC03064.JPG.9f2e3fefabf014176d595b42b657a27d.JPG

Hiya Larry!

DSC03066.JPG.94213f80e7aa863dc63e682ba3e30cb4.JPG

The new Disney Vacation Club logo has begun to show up throughout the parks.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

So glad I got six rides on this thing to celebrate my birthday! My favorite coaster on the property by far, and probably just behind Tower for the best ride there! I would love to see the mist return to the top of the mountain, though. It really made that first little bit so much more mysterious!

 

Interesting that they have one side of the Oasis walled off, because that must've just happened recently - both sides were open to traffic on Tuesday.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 3 weeks later...

Cast members were informed of the following yesterday. WDW Parks will be enforcing the one hour window on all Fast Passes

 

Disney's FASTPASS service return time reminder

02/08/2012

 

In order to provide the best experience possible for everyone at our theme parks, all Walt Disney World Guests will be expected to return within their Disney's FASTPASS return time window, effective March 7.

 

Disney's FASTPASS service plays an important role in our Guests' ability to enjoy their visit to one of our Walt Disney World theme parks, and our ability to provide this great service is dependent upon Guests returning during the designated window. The vast majority of our Guests are aware of their return times and arrive in the window printed on the Disney's FASTPASS ticket.

 

As more Guests choose to take advantage of this feature, we want to provide the same opportunity to everyone. By asking all Guests to return within the window printed on their pass, more Guests will have the opportunity to enjoy this great service.

 

This is not a change, but simply a reminder of our existing policy. All Cast Members are expected to adhere to this policy when visiting the parks as Guests.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2012/02/kilimanjaro-safaris-to-boost-zebra-presence-add-savannah-space-at-disneys-animal-kingdom/

 

Today I’m happy to give you an update on one of my favorite attractions – Kilimanjaro Safaris at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.

 

I’ve always loved Kilimanjaro Safaris because you see so many amazing animals, but even more so, I love hearing the reactions of the first-timers around me; guests who can’t believe they’re seeing so many beautiful animals together in one place!

 

Beginning this spring, the Kilimanjaro Safaris attraction will undergo some changes to give guests an additional opportunity to see more of their favorite animals, specifically zebra. To do so, Walt Disney Imagineering will make some creative changes to the last scene in the attraction by removing the Audio-Animatronics “Little Red” elephant and related set pieces. This area will then be reconstructed as savannah space and feature a new watering hole for live animals.

 

This enhancement is scheduled to begin this spring, and be completed by fall 2012. And don’t worry, the attraction will remain operational during the adjustment.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

^ It was neat, but you never "felt" the hand moving past your head. The yeti was cool to watch though, wish that section was a little slower so you could see him more.

 

I always thought that if they just had the lights in that room a little brighter where you could actually see the Yeti before your underneath him and gone would greatly enhance that section without having to slow it down.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

It seems like every time they update this attraction it involves more animals and less story. Not that there's anything wrong with that (It is a safari after all!), but I kind of liked the ending in it's current form. You spend so much time cruising around big open spaces with live animals, the forest area with the tight turns and the geysers gave the ride an exciting finish. Hopefully Disney will find a way to integrate that sort of excitement into the new Zebra section.

 

RIP Little Red... I guess she's finally getting poached, just like her mother...

Link to comment
Share on other sites

It seems like every time they update this attraction it involves more animals and less story. Not that there's anything wrong with that (It is a safari after all!), but I kind of liked the ending in it's current form. You spend so much time cruising around big open spaces with live animals, the forest area with the tight turns and the geysers gave the ride an exciting finish. Hopefully Disney will find a way to integrate that sort of excitement into the new Zebra section.

 

RIP Little Red... I guess she's finally getting poached, just like her mother...

I despised the forced ending. Some of the greatest attractions don't have a clear cut story (see Haunted Mansion, Pirates, etc.). Absolutely love the fact that they are cutting out the cheese from this otherwise fantastic ride.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

Terms of Use https://themeparkreview.com/forum/topic/116-terms-of-service-please-read/