Rumor: DinoLand, USA to become Indiana Jones Land?

[lockedoutlogic]

I just can't see an Indy area here. When they (Rohde, etc all.) were talking about how Pandora "fit" with AK, it was all about sustainability, responsibility, respect for the environment, etc. How does IJ fit into all of that?

Except now they abandon park themes and have press releases where the means justify the ends

 

[lockedoutlogic]

If I'm reading the rumor correctly, it seems that IJ Land would be a "midlevel" upgrade - it'd be more than just an overlay but less than building it from scratch. How that fits in with long term park planning is anyone's guess - particularly with AK being the most "complete" park at the moment while the other three get substantial attention. Even as described, it just feels like it would be a land destined from Day 1 to be bulldozed for something better down the road.

I'd much prefer to see another continent at the park. Although I really like IJ, I don't see how an IJ Land contributes to the overall theme and purpose of AK - IJ is about the character, unlike Pandora which is about the world (which is good, since I can't remember a single character's name from Avatar). Whatever happens, however, I agree with the posts above that DinoLand seems to be on the way out.

We all have shot past the real point this rumor...

Why does dinoland specifically fit?

 

[Whatsthegoodword]

I haven't made it to Pandora yet - I'm going in December - but other than Everest, AK is just a boring park. Whatever they can do to make that place a little more exciting is fine by me.

 

[jknezek]

We all have shot past the real point this rumor...

Why does dinoland specifically fit?

The concept of Dinoland fits just fine. Dinosaurs were very much a part of the Animal Kingdom. However, the execution of Dinoland in AK does not fit very well. The bone digging area and the ride are fine, the rest of it absolutely does not fit thematically into the park. I wouldn't cry if it was replaced, but I'd rather have it than have Disney perform WoL2 because it is a weak point in the park.

AS for the rumors, I don't care for IJ land here. For crying out loud, put it where Star Tours is and spiffy up the stunt show.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

The concept of Dinoland fits just fine. Dinosaurs were very much a part of the Animal Kingdom. However, the execution of Dinoland in AK does not fit very well. The bone digging area and the ride are fine, the rest of it absolutely does not fit thematically into the park. I wouldn't cry if it was replaced, but I'd rather have it than have Disney perform WoL2 because it is a weak point in the park.

AS for the rumors, I don't care for IJ land here. For crying out loud, put it where Star Tours is and spiffy up the stunt show.

But why would Indiana jones "fit" easily and relatively cheaply?

 

[lockedoutlogic]

I haven't made it to Pandora yet - I'm going in December - but other than Everest, AK is just a boring park. Whatever they can do to make that place a little more exciting is fine by me.

I'm a fan of animal kingdom...but they Never completely it and still haven't.

Same complaint as MGM. I can't really recommend parks that are overpriced and they haven't fulfilled their commitment to the consumer

 

[hakepb]

But why would Indiana jones "fit" easily and relatively cheaply?

Because the (much more highly rated) Indiana Jones ride in DL uses the same vehicles and track as Dinosaur.
(But it sounds like the Indy show building is larger)
And I guess there was an Indy coaster in Paris that might be able to replace Primeval Whirl.

 

[tlmadden73]

Not sure why this rumor is floating around as AK just added Pandora and River of Lights. The park really doesn't need any work right now it seems (compared to DHS and Epcot).

While I love Indiana Jones, making a themed area doesn't fit into Animal Kingdom. Just because Dinosaur is the same ride vehicle as Indiana Jones in Disneyland, doesn't mean they will redo an entire area.

What they need to do is double down on the Dinosaur theme. Make it immersive like Pandora like you stepping into the Jurassic era.

Kids love dinosaurs .. having the ability to see and walk among them would be amazing rather than the county-fair rides they have there now. THAT little section needs to be thrown out and redone to be more "Dinosaury".

 

[lockedoutlogic]

Because the (much more highly rated) Indiana Jones ride in DL uses the same vehicles and track as Dinosaur.
(But it sounds like the Indy show building is larger)
And I guess there was an Indy coaster in Paris that might be able to replace Primeval Whirl.

Bingo...and the dinosaur conversion being the big carrot.

A "draw" that would involve mostly new scenery

 

[lockedoutlogic]

Not sure why this rumor is floating around as AK just added Pandora and River of Lights. The park really doesn't need any work right now it seems (compared to DHS and Epcot).
.

Where did you get a crazy idea like that?

Dak absolutely needs more work because it needs more attendance. It is such a high overhead that the accountants need more people in there for the ledgers.

And the recent Epcot announcements have made it pretty clear that they could give two craps about themes. That's News though...since iger only started putting "whatever" in about 8 years ago.

A really cheesy marvel franchise absolutely fits both a hotel and an educational pavilion, right?

 

[ShadeDK]

A really cheesy marvel franchise absolutely fits both a hotel and an educational pavilion, right?

Careful - we don't want to give Disney ideas about inserting Antman and Wasp into "It's Tough to be a Bug!"

I know it may be a losing proposition to bet against the introduction of even more character IPs into the parks, but I do like that AK is (mostly) about the worlds and environment. That again is why I'd prefer to see a new continent (or even a re-vamped DinoLand) over an IJ Land or any other character property.

 

[tlmadden73]

Where did you get a crazy idea like that?

Dak absolutely needs more work because it needs more attendance. It is such a high overhead that the accountants need more people in there for the ledgers.

And the recent Epcot announcements have made it pretty clear that they could give two craps about themes. That's News though...since iger only started putting "whatever" in about 8 years ago.

A really cheesy marvel franchise absolutely fits both a hotel and an educational pavilion, right?

I guess my point is they just spent a ton of money in AK with adding a whole new land and a light show (that was delayed for a year) plus the light show on the tree.
I think they may wait and see how Pandora pulls people in before announcing they are scrapping a whole land.

Dinoland, USA is suffering because they went on the cheap in that part. I don't think any Disney fan is excited to go to that area and experience cheesy rides you can hop on at your local County Fair. So it needs to be scrapped, but like everything, will Disney prioritize that or consider it "good enough" just like they felt Ellen's Energy Adventure was "good enough" for all these years despite it not being super popular.

Epcot's Future World theme was unsustainable anyway I feel. While the Guardians of the Galaxy is an odd fit next to Test Track and Mission Space, at least they are doing something with the space rather than continue to hold onto a tired, old attraction that was too long and not very exciting and probably not attracting many people. We still don't know the big picture vision of either DHS or Epcot ..so who knows .. they may be simply getting a new "theme" over time rather than a mish-mash of IPs cobbled together.

For me .. an entire park doesn't need a theme (I mean does MK have a "theme?") .. as long as there are themed areas you walk in and out of (no matter how big they are). While the FutureWorld/WOrld Showcase themes worked for a while at Epcot, the DHS one didn't really last very long and they were simply forced to move away from attractions about the making of movies and just add attractions people would be entertained by in droves.

 

[Simba's Mom]

I guess I'm one of the very few who likes Dinoland. It reminds me of where Sparky Griswold would take his family in "Vacation". I'll stand alone being sad if it's gone (and it's probably a "when", not "if")

 

[ShadeDK]

Dinoland, USA is suffering because they went on the cheap in that part. I don't think any Disney fan is excited to go to that area and experience cheesy rides you can hop on at your local County Fair.

I agree with you there. DinoLand would feel odd and out-of-place almost anywhere in MK (or DL, or any Disney park). I get what they were trying to do - what I don't understand is the execution. So it's a send-up of all those parking lot carnivals you see in the summer that have terrible or boring rides as well as midway games where you can win cheap prizes? So Disney's spin on this concept is to give the guests .... terrible or boring rides as well midway games where you can win cheap prizes (no offense to anyone who likes Primeval Whirl - I'm not one of them). They seem to have run right past metacommentary and into copying the thing that they were "improving" upon. Last time I was there I spent a minute looking at the fake painted parking lines on the fake asphalt - appreciating the detail but wondering "why bother?". I did win a blue stuffed dinosaur on one of the games though, so I had that going for me. Which was nice.

 

[prink022]

Mola Ram's Ropebridge Crocodile Challenge? Cavern 'O Bugs? Young Indy's Circus Train Safari? I'd suggest Shia LaBouef's Flying Monkey Coaster, but that movie never happened.

If I'm being honest, what we'd probably get is a single rider, enclosed drop-tower ride called "Nuclear Fridge Escape".

is that last bit a reference to the most recent movie? I've been told I'm supposed to pretend it doesn't exist by my boyfriend... lol

 

[prink022]

I haven't made it to Pandora yet - I'm going in December - but other than Everest, AK is just a boring park. Whatever they can do to make that place a little more exciting is fine by me.

See I totally disagree. Animal Kingdom is an ever changing park and no visit is truly ever the same. That's what makes it quality to me!

 

[cavepig]

But it's pretty obvious the writing is on the wall

It is? where? I guess I just don't see why all of Dinoland has to change. Plenty of people are in that area, so I'm confused why the hate for Dinoland all of a sudden. Dinorama I can see being overhauled into a new dinoride but why remove all dinos?

Yeah, definitely seems like it would be easier to retheme Star Tours to Indy and make that a bit of a mini-land with the stunt show

This I could totally see!

We all have shot past the real point this rumor...

Why does dinoland specifically fit?

Dinosaurs are animals...It's Animal Kingdom, not rocket science there. People love dinosaurs so why not have them.

I haven't made it to Pandora yet - I'm going in December - but other than Everest, AK is just a boring park. Whatever they can do to make that place a little more exciting is fine by me.

Lots of people love Animal Kingdom though and don't find it boring.

I guess I'm one of the very few who likes Dinoland. It reminds me of where Sparky Griswold would take his family in "Vacation". I'll stand alone being sad if it's gone (and it's probably a "when", not "if")

I like dinoland too so you aren't alone. Other people do too. I feel like this rumor came up and bloggers just grabbed a hold and it spread like wildfires these last 2 days. Maybe there's grounds to it, but it just feels forced.

 

[TheMaxRebo]

I haven't made it to Pandora yet - I'm going in December - but other than Everest, AK is just a boring park. Whatever they can do to make that place a little more exciting is fine by me.

It's funny how divisive AK is - I know a lot of people like you but then also a lot like me who absolutely love the park and could spend hours just wandering around

I also love the party vibe be they have developed at night there

 

[ShadeDK]

is that last bit a reference to the most recent movie? I've been told I'm supposed to pretend it doesn't exist by my boyfriend... lol

I don't know what you mean - the most recent movie was "Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade" that was released in 1989.

But yes - both the monkeys and fridge are from Indiana Jones and the Crystal Skull. Many people will argue that the fridge scene in that movie is the single most unbelievable thing in any of the series (which is saying something for movies that feature a Knight Templar living in a cave for centuries, a golden ark that can melt faces, and a guy who can rip people's hearts out while they still live).

 

[Princess_Kirky]

Because the (much more highly rated) Indiana Jones ride in DL uses the same vehicles and track as Dinosaur.
(But it sounds like the Indy show building is larger)
And I guess there was an Indy coaster in Paris that might be able to replace Primeval Whirl.

The Indy coaster in Paris is nothing like Primeval Whirl but I guess it could be shoehorned in (majorly shoehorned)... The ride technology is the exact same so that would be an easy go. Just replace the dino's for huge snakes. I'm in the minority but I like Dinosaur better than Indy.