Australia coming to AK?

[valjane]

I have always thought this would be an awesome addition to AK; hope it turns out to be true!


---
New Continent At Disney Animal Kingdom?
Park Goers Could Soon Go 'Down Under'

WESH 2 News
November 29, 2010

WINTER PARK, Fla. -- More expansion could be on the horizon at Walt Disney World, according to plans unearthed by a blog that covers the resort.

One of the biggest blogs that covers all of the theme park's happenings ... reports that a new continent is planned for the Animal Kingdom.

The blog said workers have already started clearing land on an area that will eventually represent Australia.

Attractions in the new area could include a whale or dolphin show and a marsupial exhibit, according to the blog.

Disney is also in the process of expanding the Magic Kingdom. The company also recently unveiled images of the planned "Hyperion Wharf," which will replace its downtown "Pleasure Island" attraction.

[Strmchsr]

I saw that blog and all the reasons they gave, but right now it's just a rumor. There are plans for this, and have been for a few years, but whether it will actually get the green light remains to be see. I'll stay skeptical until the official announcement is made (and even then a little skeptical).

[JPL]

Australia has been rumoured for a while as the next addition to AK. I would imagine if they are going to green lighting it, it won't be before the Fantasyland Expansion is complete.

[Mousemates]

Perhaps it will be located near the also oft rumored beastly kingdom. (not saying i don't want it to happen, but when it comes AK rumors seeing is believing).

[WDWdriver]

There's no doubt that there will be an expansion at AK some time in the future. But I'm skeptical that this is it. There is NO backstage chatter about this among the CMs.

[GrumpyFan]

Wow! That's some quality reporting there. Their source is from a fanboy's blog who doesn't cite any sources, then adds his own ideas for what he thinks the new land should look like. Classy!

[GothMickey]

One word: no. Not on the front burner, not on the back burner. Not greenlit, not standing idle at a red light. Nothing. Not happening. Nothing to see here. Australia would be boring anyway.

[valjane]

One word: no. Not on the front burner, not on the back burner. Not greenlit, not standing idle at a red light. Nothing. Not happening. Nothing to see here. Australia would be boring anyway.

Oh I so disagree on the boring part!

[GothMickey]

Oh I so disagree on the boring part!

A whale or dolphin show? Another savannah safari in the outback? How will Austraila be exciting? And believe me, if you read some of the details that have been proposed for a possible Austraila expansion, you'll agree. One giant snoozefest.

Bring on Mysterious Island/Beastly Kingdom hybrid!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[mommad]

As much as I'd like to see a new area added to AK I'd like to see Beastly Kingdom added vs Australia. To me if they want to put Australia in WDW put it in Epcot with a nice big area and ride and breathe some new life into World Showcase.

[JabberJaws]

I could see this. Knowing how WDI likes to tie in things w/ characters, it would be an easy tie-in to Nemo. That being said, I don't see any marine-life exhibits at DAK. Firstly, Epcot already has The Seas w/ NAF. Secondly, Sea World has a lock on the marine life type exhibits. It really wouldn't make sense to me to add marine life exhibits given that they would be competing not only w/ SW but also w/ Epcot.

I always thought Australia made a more logical choice for WS at Epcot, though I think Spain is the most likely country to be next in line there.

I, like most, would prefer a Beastily Kingdom addition, but I just don't see that happening, at least not in its original form. I think EE shows that they don't mind incorporating some mythical creatures into DAK, but that they won't have their own "land."

I think it would be neat to go somewhere a bit more exotic than Australia. Perhaps South America. Their could be all kinds of tie-ins there with the Amazon, Incan civilization, etc. Some great potential there for new attractions, new theming, etc.

[GrumpyFan]

I, like most, would prefer a Beastily Kingdom addition, but I just don't see that happening, at least not in its original form. I think EE shows that they don't mind incorporating some mythical creatures into DAK, but that they won't have their own "land."

I think it would be neat to go somewhere a bit more exotic than Australia. Perhaps South America. Their could be all kinds of tie-ins there with the Amazon, Incan civilization, etc. Some great potential there for new attractions, new theming, etc.

I couldn't agree more, South America would be a much better fit in DAK for numerous reasons including the many cultures, animals and the largest natural feature, the Amazon river.

[valjane]

I think Australia is interesting because of its animals; zoos here in the US all have tigers and gorillas, but rarely wombats, koalas, tasmanian devils, platypuses, etc. I never saw most of those things until I actually traveled there!

In my opinion, it wouldn't make much sense to put Australia in the WS because culturally it is pretty similar to UK and USA.

[seanyred]

I like the idea but will only believe it when I see it.

I do think its funny that WESH is using a blog as their source...journalism is dead.

[GothMickey]

I think Australia is interesting because of its animals; zoos here in the US all have tigers and gorillas, but rarely wombats, koalas, tasmanian devils, platypuses, etc. I never saw most of those things until I actually traveled there!

In my opinion, it wouldn't make much sense to put Australia in the WS because culturally it is pretty similar to UK and USA.

How would you showcase those animals in a land dedicated to Austraila? A walk through? Can't do a safari. Those animals are too small. And we already have a safari in DAK. Nemo only makes sense for Austraila. Problem is, Theatre in the Wild was reconfigured and enclosed for Nemo the Musical. And that show is located in Asia/Dinoland. Would be no where near Austraila. And how would you fill an entire area up? What kind of ride, and yes there would have to be a ride, would you make for Austraila? Again, if you heard what I read about the kind of ride that someone proposed for Austraila in DAK, you'd be glad there is no Austraila being developed.

The best and most obvious area for expansion is Camp Minnie-Mickey. There are plans for that area and those plans DO NOT include Austraila. Pocahontas did not close to save money. It closed because that area was about to get a face lift. But these plans were once again put on hold.

I cannot see Austraila being a must do addition to DAK.

[GothMickey]

I like the idea but will only believe it when I see it.

I do think its funny that WESH is using a blog as their source...journalism is dead.

The thing that is even sadder is, this blog is only a fanboy's dream. Not even something that is coming for a real source. This blogger only posted what he could envision for an Austrailian area, not something Disney actually has in the plans. That is top notch journalism.

[valjane]

How would you showcase those animals in a land dedicated to Austraila? A walk through? Can't do a safari. Those animals are too small. And we already have a safari in DAK. Nemo only makes sense for Austraila. Problem is, Theatre in the Wild was reconfigured and enclosed for Nemo the Musical. And that show is located in Asia/Dinoland. Would be no where near Austraila. And how would you fill an entire area up? What kind of ride, and yes there would have to be a ride, would you make for Austraila? Again, if you heard what I read about the kind of ride that someone proposed for Austraila in DAK, you'd be glad there is no Austraila being developed.

The best and most obvious area for expansion is Camp Minnie-Mickey. There are plans for that area and those plans DO NOT include Austraila. Pocahontas did not close to save money. It closed because that area was about to get a face lift. But these plans were once again put on hold.

I cannot see Austraila being a must do addition to DAK.

A walk-through. I actually did a tree-top (canopy, I guess) walk through of a koala habitat in Australia and it was really cool. AK has walk-throughs in Africa and Asia already, and if I'm not mistaken, they are pretty popular.

The theme absolutely doesn't have to be Nemo. It could be a mining town, or an outback town, or maybe a surfing village. I am not an imagineer but I am sure they could think up some kind of ride.

However, I am someone who enjoys animals and walk-throughs. Beastly Kingdom has always sounded ridiculous and dumb to me. Not a fan of fantasy, at all.

[Joannelet]

I hope that Disney would have the sense to NOT use whales and dolphins.

[BrerGnat]

I hope that Disney would have the sense to NOT use whales and dolphins.

Yes, this! I can't stand Sea World because of that. If Disney stoops to that level...honestly, I'll boycott DAK...

[Buttercup]

I agree that I would hope they don't use whales or dolphins because of all the trouble that happened at Sea World, but how is that any different than keeping crocodiles, elephants or hippos on display? Sure, the crocs and hippos (and all the other animals in the AK habitats) aren't doing tricks, but they're still confined.
I don't want to start a debate on whether animals should be kept in zoos or exhibits because I actually LIKE what AK does for education and conservation... I just mean, why say no to one type of animal, and yes to others?

But back to the original topic, Australia might be a neat addition to Animal Kingdom but I would imagine it would be a smaller area and not necessarily something with an E-ticket ride included.