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Walt Disney World Disney's Animal Kingdom Discussion Thread

p. 74: Tropical Americas land announced!

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  • 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?

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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.

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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)

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  • 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.

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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.

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Yak meat = fiber. Noted!

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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.

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

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In case you were wondering...

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A pretty realistic plaster cast...

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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!

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

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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!

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It truly is an impressive mountain!

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

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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?

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

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No bird on a stick today...

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Back! Back! Over the falls!

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

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

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

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Everything looks like it is brand new.

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It really does look a lot better!

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Looks pretty good right?

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

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POV!

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

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

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

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Another example of the holiday decor.

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

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Pretty warm inside these rhinos

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Queen of the jungle

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Pretty waterfall

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

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Giraffe

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Another pretty waterfall

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We conquered the broken Yeti! Disco time!

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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.

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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

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  • 3 weeks later...

Enjoy my Mini-Trip Report!

No Dinoland.. Sorry

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Let's start our Disney Trip at Animal Kingdom!

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I will see you later for lunch :)

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

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

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The looks of this ride are FABULOUS!

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The ride is a lot bigger in person.

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

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I can't stop taking pictures of this ride.

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Pretty lake across from Everest.

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This is my favorite picture I took of the trip.

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Let's start the safari :)

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There is a Lion.

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... And some white and pink Birds!

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Upside Down Tree

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Mr. Elephant and random little girl

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Mr. Elephant AGAIN

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

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  • 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.

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One side of the Oasis entrance is currently closed off.

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Rock work is being rebuilt currently in this area.

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Should be nice when the walls come down.

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

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Natural...

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Everest was looking particularly nice today.

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

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I've always liked this view.

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

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Still no bird on a stick.

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"You're takin' a dive!"

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

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Down we go again!

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Y is for Yeti.

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Hiya Larry!

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

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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.

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  • 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.

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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.

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^ 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.

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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...

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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.

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