Re-imagineering Dinoland

[TinaMouse]

Someone on the Primeval (Hurl) Whirl thread mentioned that Disney might want to re-theme parts of Dinoland. It is, indeed, a much-contested section of the theme parks....

So, what would you put in place of that "carnival-like" section of Dinoland?

[petesimac]

I want a new dark ride based on Jungle Book, another dark ride based on the Lion King, and perhaps a skyway from there to other parts of the park, what a view that would be. Islands of Adventure has (had) this great pterodactyl ride that would be perfect for this area as well, but rethemed for some kind of exotic African bird. I'm not sure what you could call this "land", but AK needs some whimsy.

[GusMan]

Personally, I cannot stand how they cheapened the area with carnival games that cost extra, but I sure love PW. Sure, there is something funny about the "roadside attractions" of the past, but it really does seem somewhat out of place. A dark kid-friendly Jungle Book ride would be fitting.

But one thing is for sure - give it some shade! That area can get super hot during the Summer months.

[disnut8]

I like the idea of a Jungle Book area. That would fit so nicely with the whole theme of Animal Kingdom. And there is plenty that could be done although it's been years since I've seen the movie. But please, not yet another stage show.

[mickeymom5]

How about a land themed around Australia?

New animals, new rides, and I agree no new shows! :eyeroll:

[jennibell]

I think a ride or two is what they need. I think one that it a little more adventurous based on Tarzan. A coaster or a simulator taking us through the Jungle canopy. A Jungle Book dark ride would be a welcome addition...grand opening for the 50th anniversary in 2017?

We did not visit Dinoland when we went to Animal Kingdom. First of all Dinosaurs seem out of place in AK. Also, I knew the kids would want to play on the play area and it would take forever to get them out. The other thing was the rides. My DS (6), the ride junkie, would have been disappointed with the one and upset that he was too short for the other. The other two attractions were not enough pull for me to deal with the rest.

I have a question for those who know...Is Dinosaur similar to the Energy ride of the past, or today?

[tappenfeat]

I like the idea of a Jungle Book area. That would fit so nicely with the whole theme of Animal Kingdom. And there is plenty that could be done although it's been years since I've seen the movie. But please, not yet another stage show.

I agree! Not another Stage Show. Tarzan (back a few years) was awful!!! And I don't care for the Nemo show either. The idea of the effects is cute, but the story line is lacking.

A dark ride is so agreed upon. Something that is kid friendly. I haven't seen anything that is Jungle Book related, that would be so nice. How about something about Bambi? Some of these older films are forgotten. Of course the Lion King would be wonderful!

There's so many things that could be done. And yes, SHADE! More trees that provide shade would be nice back there.

[GusMan]

Personally, I loved Tarzan Rocks, but agreed that another stage show might be overkill since there would be another theater just a couple hundred feet away.

Being that the area is so hot due to lack of shade, maybe some other kind of flume water ride if they dont do a dark, enclosed ride. Theme it after the Jungle Book - and make it seem like you are going through the jungle. Though, you dont want to compete with Kali and you dont want to make it a Splash Mountain rip-off.

[danyoung]

Another vote for the Tarzan Rocks show - LOVED IT!!! But Nemo and Lion King are totally enough of the live stage shows for this one park.

[TinaMouse]

I also like the idea of a dark ride. There's not too many opportunities for a/c in AK!

[dawz1026]

When I was a kid we used to go to this place in upstate NY called Storytown. They had a Jungle themed walkthrough with animatronic animals and swinging bridges.I thought it was awesome. Doing something like that with the Jungle Book theme or even a Dinosaur theme would be insane. I understand the have the Jungle Treks but this would be more animated with characters and well ride like..if you get my drift?

[disnut8]

When I was a kid we used to go to this place in upstate NY called Storytown. They had a Jungle themed walkthrough with animatronic animals and swinging bridges.I thought it was awesome. Doing something like that with the Jungle Book theme or even a Dinosaur theme would be insane. I understand the have the Jungle Treks but this would be more animated with characters and well ride like..if you get my drift?

The problem with that is Animal Kingdom already has live animals so doing a walk through with animatronics would seem to be a rip-off in my opinion. Why mess with fake stuff when you have the live things all around? There are very few animatronic animals at Animal Kingdom and I'd like to see that continue. We can have humans pretending to be animals but I would vote to keep live stuff going on (except for stage shows). I still think these distract from the overall theme of Animal Kingdom which, I think, is - animals will do what animals do and it doesn't matter what time of day or what the weather is, animals just live. They don't have a sense of "time" - humans created that. Animals have instincts. And every time I'm in Animal Kingdom, I wish I didn't have to depend on time. We could eat when we are hungry, go to bed when we are tired, wake up when we want, work when we want. Yeah, I'd rather be an "animal" and not a "human" (and even then, we are labeling ourselves).

[petesimac]

The problem with that is Animal Kingdom already has live animals so doing a walk through with animatronics would seem to be a rip-off in my opinion. Why mess with fake stuff when you have the live things all around? There are very few animatronic animals at Animal Kingdom and I'd like to see that continue. We can have humans pretending to be animals but I would vote to keep live stuff going on (except for stage shows). I still think these distract from the overall theme of Animal Kingdom which, I think, is - animals will do what animals do and it doesn't matter what time of day or what the weather is, animals just live. They don't have a sense of "time" - humans created that. Animals have instincts. And every time I'm in Animal Kingdom, I wish I didn't have to depend on time. We could eat when we are hungry, go to bed when we are tired, wake up when we want, work when we want. Yeah, I'd rather be an "animal" and not a "human" (and even then, we are labeling ourselves).

Well, then, it becomes a zoo, and that's definitely NOT what they intended the park to be. While I don't think they should turn AK into a MK, a few dark rides would be a positive change in many ways. Animatronic animals would not detract from the real ones, especially if based on a movie that so many people love. But, I take your point; it's an interesting way of looking at it.

[Greg in TN]

Having animatronics for the sake of having animals is what you want to avoid in AK. But having an animatronic bear in a Jungle Book ride that's recognizable as Baloo, or an animatronic orangutan that's recognizable as King Louie, etc (you get the picture), that would be fine, and fun!

(Maybe even half-hiding an animatronic "Simba" on the safari ride ?? Hmmmm...)

[Drince88]

(Maybe even half-hiding an animatronic "Simba" on the safari ride ?? Hmmmm...)
Or maybe one named Little Red?

[TinaMouse]

Touche!

[tappenfeat]

Or maybe one named Little Red?

Simba One, come in Simba One...:D

[scoobydooby]

How about a family friendly dark ride (why not use some of the great Toy Story technology in another park) followed by an interactive and educational 'hub' dedicated to expanding knowledge about conservation, kind of like the Innovations concept?

[carolinakid]

Don't they kind of have that now at Conservation Station? (minus the dark ride). Dullsville if you ask me. Maybe that's why there's hardly anyone there. Or they take the train there and are back for the return trip in 10 minutes.

[GusMan]

While I have to agree that the Conservation Station is not really a "draw" of the park, it seems like it has plenty of visitors throughout the day and fits into the overall theme of the park. At the same time, I dont think a second interactive attraction that would somewhat compete with what is currently offered would happen without it having a totally different theme and with no overlap. I think if they were able to theme Dinoland into another geographical representation of the world, and had something interactive that represents that geographical area, that might work. But the key would be that there needs to be no overlap between the new area and what is already in place.

[SwopeMouse18]

While I have to agree that the Conservation Station is not really a "draw" of the park, it seems like it has plenty of visitors throughout the day and fits into the overall theme of the park. At the same time, I dont think a second interactive attraction that would somewhat compete with what is currently offered would happen without it having a totally different theme and with no overlap. I think if they were able to theme Dinoland into another geographical representation of the world, and had something interactive that represents that geographical area, that might work. But the key would be that there needs to be no overlap between the new area and what is already in place.

There can be so much done to Conservation Station to make it a better experience. I finally went there and I expected more animal interaction. I got to look into the offices where people work and saw some animals in tanks but aside from that, I got to meet Pocohontas and Jiminy Cricket (makes no sense other than he's an insect) and look at a CM holding a snake.

The petting zoo was pretty neat because they let the sheep roam free but they could very easily do more with animal interaction or behind the scenes work. The only thing is they would have to be careful with is not to stick animals in a cage and make it just like a zoo.

[animal24]

I have a question for those who know...Is Dinosaur similar to the Energy ride of the past, or today?

Not that it would help any, but its more like Indiana Jones than any other ride. You get on a ride vehicle that can supposedly time travel and you are looking for a specific dinosaur. You see several dinosaurs, one of them eating a smaller one whole... Then one tries to attack you before you go back to the future. 8)

To put it bluntly, energy adventure is very tame compared to this.

[SwopeMouse18]

To put it bluntly, energy adventure is very tame compared to this.



It's also 45 minutes long! :eek: