Australia coming to AK?

[GothMickey]

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.

Anything that comes to Animal Kingdom has to include an E-ticket, or nothing less than a solid D. Austraila would be built near Everest. which is a solid E ticket. Disney will not be able to put an E ticket near Everest. This will throw the balance of the park off.

Camp Minnie-Mickey is the next area to be ripped down and repurposed. I don't see them putting Austraila there instead. I think we are going to see some sort of Mysterious Island/JTTCOTE steam punk style hybrid before we see Austraila. But that is just my opinion.

[BrerGnat]

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?

Without getting into it too much, it's the "performance" aspect of the whale/dolphin shows, along with the enclosures vs. the animal's natural habitat, that bothers me about Sea World (and other "performance based" animal entertainment).

While I generally dislike zoos, I feel DAK is different in that the needs of the animals has been addressed in a way that most zoos ignore. The enclosures are large, offer privacy for the animals when they want it, and strive to be as similar as possible to a natural habitat.

You can't recreate an ocean...and sea mammals need WAY too much open sea to really thrive. You can't recreate their environment in a satisfactory way in a theme park.

For the record, I DO have an issue with the dolphins at Epcot...I take my kids to the Seas pavilion to see the fish, and I am bothered by the small area the dolphins get to swim around in.

[Gator]

Oh, man, that would be cool. My kids would love the kangaroos and koala bears. Ayers Rock would be a nice center piece.

[Joannelet]

Without getting into it too much, it's the "performance" aspect of the whale/dolphin shows, along with the enclosures vs. the animal's natural habitat, that bothers me about Sea World (and other "performance based" animal entertainment).

While I generally dislike zoos, I feel DAK is different in that the needs of the animals has been addressed in a way that most zoos ignore. The enclosures are large, offer privacy for the animals when they want it, and strive to be as similar as possible to a natural habitat.

You can't recreate an ocean...and sea mammals need WAY too much open sea to really thrive. You can't recreate their environment in a satisfactory way in a theme park.

For the record, I DO have an issue with the dolphins at Epcot...I take my kids to the Seas pavilion to see the fish, and I am bothered by the small area the dolphins get to swim around in.

[valjane]

Anything that comes to Animal Kingdom has to include an E-ticket, or nothing less than a solid D. Austraila would be built near Everest. which is a solid E ticket. Disney will not be able to put an E ticket near Everest. This will throw the balance of the park off.

Camp Minnie-Mickey is the next area to be ripped down and repurposed. I don't see them putting Austraila there instead. I think we are going to see some sort of Mysterious Island/JTTCOTE steam punk style hybrid before we see Austraila. But that is just my opinion.

Why do you say that, I wonder? In MK, Splash is right next to Big Thunder. In the Studios, RnRC is next to ToT. At Epcot you have Test Track and Mission Space right next door.

I'm not sure Disney really cares about park balance, to be honest.

I do not see a steampunk land in AK. That's just crazy talk!

[Stickey]

I would expand on the Asia theme and add the Forbidden City of China and a panda exhibit area. Disney's development plans in China should help to secure a resident panda at AK.

[shadowden]

What about a new themed area around Atlantis? It's a mythical continent, so it makes both sides happy...

[BrerGnat]

What about a new themed area around Atlantis? It's a mythical continent, so it makes both sides happy...

Um...where's the animals in that idea?

[shadowden]

Um...where's the animals in that idea?

Are you implying that they didn't have animals on Atlantis? Use your imagination...

[JabberJaws]

What about a new themed area around Atlantis? It's a mythical continent, so it makes both sides happy...

Eh Sea World already has the Atlantis market covered with JTA, which is a really great ride by the way. Besides, a whole area themed after a mythical land would be out of place w/ the rest of DAK. Like EE for example revolves around a mythical creature, but is a real location (Everest) in Asia and is in the Asia section, so it fits.

I stick by what I said earlier that a South America section would be perfect. Unique animal set. Interesting history (Incans for example). Also have the Amazon river. Lots of great opportunities and fits perfectly into the theming of the rest of DAK.

[BrerGnat]

Are you implying that they didn't have animals on Atlantis? Use your imagination...

Well, okay, but there are no WELL KNOWN and RECOGNIZED "Atlantis" animals, mythically speaking. I can't think of any...

I wonder why they don't even have NORTH AMERICA covered yet? I mean, really...there is plenty of wildlife diversity to choose from. They even have those stupid bears from Brother Bear they could use as mascots. But seriously, what about our own continent?

[shadowden]

I wonder why they don't even have NORTH AMERICA covered yet? I mean, really...there is plenty of wildlife diversity to choose from. They even have those stupid bears from Brother Bear they could use as mascots. But seriously, what about our own continent?

I would definately agree with you on this... however the arguement could be made that the Park is designed to bring the wildlife of other parts of the globe back to us. If you wanted to see the wilds of NA, just get in your car and drive...