This week’s episode is all about Disney’s Animal Kingdom Park! Chris tells us what’s coming in the next few years based on announcements at D23 in 2022, and Kelli shares 25 facts about 25 years of Animal Kingdom for their 25th anniversary.
For show notes and a transcript of this episode, visit: https://scfadp.com/season-7/disney-news-4-23-whats-coming-to-animal-kingdom-park-and-25-facts-about-25-years-at-animal-kingdom/
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All music for this episode is available through a creative commons license. The background music for the News segment was created by Kevin Macleod: Fuzzball Parade by Kevin MacLeodLink: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/5044-fuzzball-parade
License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Show Notes:
Chris and Kelli discuss updates and announcements from Disney, including the company’s status as the largest taxpayer in Florida, plans for affordable housing, changes to the annual pass reservation policy, and new Halloween-themed snacks and merchandise. They also share their thoughts on Disney’s Animal Kingdom, focusing on its potential for nighttime spectaculars, food options, aesthetic beauty, and conservation efforts. Chris expresses disappointment in the potential reskinning of existing rides and the lack of new, IP-free content, while Kelli shares interesting facts about the park’s opening day and conservation efforts.
Outline
Disney podcast includes callouts to various cities and news updates.
- Chris and Kelli discuss Disney-related topics and share listener downloads from various locations around the world.
- Chris and Kelli discuss various cities and their attractions, including Valencia, Spain and Leicester, UK.
- DeSantis seeks to void Disney contract, implement new inspection requirements.
Disney’s taxes, governance, and Halloween events.
- Chris and Kelli discuss Ron DeSantis’s statements about Disney, including his claim that they have no power in their private lives.
- Disney responds to DeSantis’s attacks by highlighting the benefits of the Reedy Creek district and its history of providing municipal services for Walt Disney World Resort.
- Chris and Kelli discuss Disney’s tax contributions and new policies, including affordable housing and reservation-free park visits.
- Kelli loves the “halfway to Halloween” celebration at Walt Disney World, with new characters and snacks available.
Disney’s Animal Kingdom updates, including new attractions, food, and merchandise.
- Chris and Kelli discuss updates at Disney World, including a permanent meet and greet for Pumbaa and new merchandise for Animal Kingdom’s 25th anniversary.
- Kelli and Chris discuss Fort Wilderness cabins, pet-friendly options, and limited-time releases at Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto.
- Chris and Kelli discuss Animal Kingdom’s beauty, food, and underrated status.
- They name seven lands in Animal Kingdom, including Pandora and Africa.
Disney’s potential replacement of Dinosaur and Zootopia themed lands.
- Kelli and Chris discuss the outdated and poorly executed dinosaur-themed area in the park, which they believe will soon be replaced.
- They speculate about what the new replacement might be, with possibilities including a moat at D23.
- Chris and Kelli discuss the possibility of a Zootopia-themed land at Disneyland, with potential attractions including a train ride and a ride vehicle similar to the one found on the Dinosaur ride.
- Kelli expresses enthusiasm for the potential Zootopia rebrand and the possibility of a more “boob-friendly” ride experience.
- Kelli suggests using water to fill a “Mallanna” area, while Chris is more interested in a new ride vehicle system.
- Speaker 2 expresses disappointment at the lack of a new, IP-free ride, while others want to see the expansion of Donald Land.
25th anniversary of Disney’s Animal Kingdom, including park history and attractions.
- Imagineers traveled 500,000 miles researching animal habitats for Disney’s Animal Kingdom.
- Kelli and Chris discuss the intricate details of the Tree of Life in Disney’s Animal Kingdom, including its massive size, diverse plant life, and intricate carvings.
- Kelli and Chris discuss Animal Kingdom’s history, including early attractions and land expansions.
Disney’s Animal Kingdom, including its history, attractions, and conservation efforts.
- Chris and Kelli discuss Disney World attractions and updates.
- Kelli and Chris discuss Disney’s Animal Kingdom, including its veterinary hospital and conservation efforts.
- They mention possible expansions for the park, including a possible marijuana and Zootopia-themed area.
- Main Street
- General
- Don’t forget, New Merch!!
- Disney General
- https://blogmickey.com/2023/04/report-desantis-to-announce-plans-to-void-reedy-creek-contract-introduce-monorail-ride-inspections-in-disney-world-fight/
- https://blogmickey.com/2023/04/desantis-oversight-board-lawyers-say-reedy-creek-agreement-with-disney-world-null-and-void/
- https://blogmickey.com/2023/04/amendment-officially-filed-to-nullify-reedy-creek-development-agreement/
- https://blogmickey.com/2023/04/what-to-expect-from-todays-central-florida-tourism-oversight-district-board-meeting/
- https://blogmickey.com/2023/04/tourism-oversight-district-board-will-declare-reedy-creek-development-agreement-void-next-week/
- https://blogmickey.com/2023/04/disney-world-publishes-the-value-of-disney-reedy-creek-to-florida-paying-fair-share-of-taxes-benefits-to-floridians-history-and-more/
- https://blogmickey.com/2023/04/disney-world-paid-1146-billion-in-state-and-local-taxes-last-year/
- https://blogmickey.com/2023/04/disney-world-announces-expansion-of-affordable-housing-project-opening-in-2026/
- Magic Kingdom
- https://blogmickey.com/2023/04/new-disney-park-pass-theme-park-reservation-policy-takes-effect-for-disney-world-annual-passholders/
- https://blogmickey.com/2023/04/disney-world-announces-2023-mickeys-not-so-scary-halloween-party-dates/
- https://blogmickey.com/2023/04/new-characters-coming-to-mickeys-boo-to-you-halloween-parade/
- Epcot
- https://blogmickey.com/2023/04/harmonious-centerpiece-ring-removed-from-world-showcase-lagoon-at-epcot/
- The Centerpiece ring for Harmonious has been removed. In fact, I think we are down to just 2 barges remaining.
- Hollywood Studios
- Animal Kingdom
- DVC:
- Disneyland
- Disneyland Paris
- Tomorrowland ©
- Deep Dive Into the Future at Animal Kingdom
- https://www.disneydining.com/disney-animal-kingdom-expansion-dinoland-usa-replacement-js1/
- 25 Facts about 25 years of Animal Kingdom: https://blogmickey.com/2023/04/25-facts-for-25-years-of-disneys-animal-kingdom/
- Deep Dive Into the Future at Animal Kingdom
Episode Transcript:
NOTE: This transcript was produced by AI and may have many inaccuracies. Please excuse any transcription issues.
Welcome aboard Disney fam. Hello out there Disney fam. My name is Chris. And
Kelli 0:36
I’m Kelly.
Chris 0:36
Welcome to this week’s podcast. We are so happy your year. You are wearing new yours today.
Kelli 0:43
Brand new ears. These are Bambi ears which you found for me on our last trip. And I gotta say they’re really comfy. There is a large bow which I am forgiving. Because there’s no sequence and everything else is felt and foresty and it’s very on topic for me tonight. May not be me but the forest.
Chris 1:04
Sure, sure. Yeah. It’s very light and friendly.
Kelli 1:08
Um, forum. Yeah.
Chris 1:10
Hey, guess where we got downloads from this week where you couldn’t get some Poplar Bluff, Missouri, known as the gateway to the Ozarks. So they’re in Southeast Missouri. Okay. Olympia, Washington. That’s the capital of Washington State. Honestly, I looked into this place. It looks beautiful. It’s right on the very, very southern tip of the Puget Sound. Got some some river walks or something? It’s pretty. Yeah, man. It really is. A girl. I think it’s actually agora Hills California. Set in the Santa Monica Mountains just northwest of LA. Wow.
Kelli 1:44
Beautiful place. Yeah.
Chris 1:46
Get this. Valencia Spain.
Kelli 1:49
Is that where the orange has come from? Man?
Chris 1:53
I don’t think so.
Kelli 1:58
Is that not what you immediately thought? Oh,
Chris 2:00
no, it’s not but I but I absolutely know. Shocked. And that’s what she thought.
Kelli 2:07
What did you think of what did what is Spain? What are they known for?
Chris 2:12
It’s a beautiful coastal town on the Mediterranean.
Kelli 2:14
They grow tons of oranges. Maybe they do.
Chris 2:18
I don’t know. That wasn’t in the little wiki that I saw. But like
Kelli 2:22
those tomatoes that only grow under that. Italy. San Marzano tomatoes and we have them all over here, but they’re not really San Marzano tomatoes unless they grow out of that little overpass and that tiny town in Italy. Yeah.
Chris 2:36
Yeah. Not where I thought the Valencia Spain call out was gonna go like a beautiful City Arts and Sciences and they got historic architecture and some really futuristic looking like, they’ve got an oceanarium which I guess it’s like a aquarium. They call it
Kelli 2:52
narration Areum. So maybe they don’t have like, freshwater fish.
Chris 2:56
Maybe I don’t know, or I don’t know. And then I got
Kelli 3:00
it actually in the ocean.
Chris 3:03
It’s a good question. We should we should go there. Also, I just wanted to call out to that Leicester, UK. Let all download cities all cities, Lester.
Kelli 3:16
Lester Holt.
Chris 3:18
But it’s not spelled that way because, right. Okay. Yeah. It’s spelled like, Li SR or something like that. Okay.
Kelli 3:24
Well, now look, welcome. Well, they’ve
Chris 3:27
been we’ve we’ve called them out before. Is
Kelli 3:29
it close to London?
Chris 3:30
Not really.
Kelli 3:32
Do you think they had some kind of listening party?
Chris 3:33
I think so. Because their football club is about to get relegated. And like they won the whole thing like just few years ago.
Kelli 3:43
So they’ve just took up Disney?
Chris 3:45
I think so. Not just Disney. I think they have specifically taken us up. So welcome. We’ve called them out before but I think they heard that and they’re like, this is our new replacement for our sagging Football Club.
Kelli 4:01
Well, look, no now if they’ve got some kind of reputation as making things get relegated. I don’t want them to pull for us.
Chris 4:07
Could we really get yes, we could.
Kelli 4:09
We absolutely could.
Chris 4:11
Maybe you want to hear some news? Yeah, I don’t know if he
Kelli 4:15
did. I’m not sure I do. Now that you’re gonna be all Debbie Downer.
Chris 4:19
The speaking of Debbie Downer. The petty fight between Ron DeSantis and Disney continues to love
Kelli 4:30
so much that he got married there.
Chris 4:32
I know he got married. They’re perfect. Can
Kelli 4:35
they take his license away? Can
Chris 4:36
they take away? I don’t know if he’s got that authority, although within the district. He and his hand picked little lackeys on the new board plan to avoid the development contract that Disney and the previous board agreed to. Right before DeSantis passed his new law, getting rid of the old board. State legislators have officially filed a bill They’ll that will make will make that official which will basically void that poll deal between Disney and the previous board. He also would like to implement new state led inspection requirements for Walt Disney World. Now, here’s the thing state law says, All right, that if you have your theme park and you have 1000 or more employees and an internal in, you know, ride inspection team that you do not have to submit to state inspections. And right now that applies to Walt Disney World. Universe universal SeaWorld maybe Busch Gardens, I don’t know. But they’re, they’re saying, Okay, we’re gonna pass a law that says, Only theme parks of this size, that are that reside inside of a special district will be subject to the What did you say Disney? Well, because that would be Oh, that
Kelli 6:00
would be how worse that would be worse,
Chris 6:02
I guess. Oh, my God. So yeah, that’s and the legislation is they’re all lackeys. So though, they’ll push it right on through. But you could you can imagine a time when, you know, he gets their rides shut down for whatever reason? Oh, absolutely. Of course, the board will vote this week to avoid that agreement. Still some questions whether or not they actually had the power to do that, but they’re going to try of course course, in a truly shocking lack of self awareness, possibly just straight up gaslighting. Two days ago. We’re recording on Sunday, two days ago, Ron DeSantis stated we’ve been able to operate an administration that does not get consumed by petty controversy or drama.
Kelli 6:49
Right. What administration do you think he was talking about? I mean it because it wasn’t the government’s
Chris 6:54
house.
Kelli 6:57
Really, really are very serious doubts about that. If you’re married, I don’t buy it one bit. Dude has zero power at home. He is nothing. She tells him how long to brush his teeth, and when to wake up when to go to bed. So without power in his private life that he is exercising all.
Chris 7:19
Disney has remained mostly silent recent weeks have all these additional attacks from DeSantis. But late last week, they did publish on their Disney Connect website, highlighting the history and benefits of the Reedy Creek district. In short, it stated in 1967, Florida State legislature established a special taxing district in orange and Osceola County’s known as the central Florida tourism oversight district previously known as the Reedy Creek Improvement District. 25,000 acres taxing district provide the special taxing district provides and manages municipal services for the 47 square miles of Walt Disney World Resort. More than five decades later, the special taxing district continues fulfilling its legislative intent, as outlined in the charter, the advancement, excuse me, the advancement of economic progress. And well being of the people of Florida by facilitating the development of a world class tourist destination. I think they have absolutely done that. Look at the other things that have come there as a result. All right.
Kelli 8:17
So who’s arguing them?
Chris 8:18
Nobody? That’s just what they’re putting out? They’ve put out there. That’s the only response they have they have provided so far. Okay. One claim they’re the Ron has made recently is that Disney has not paid its fair share of taxes. Maybe maybe not. I don’t know, what is not in dispute is that Disney highlighted that they are the single largest taxpayer in the state of Florida, including 1.1 billion last year in state and local taxes on the largest
Kelli 8:42
employer and the large, you know, draw of tourism money and all of that. So like, really? Yes. Really?
Chris 8:52
I mean, there’s, if you’ve ever been, hey,
Kelli 8:54
let’s look at Ron’s taxes. What are the chances that he’s paying all of his he’s he’s in that crowd of people that don’t like to pay taxes? You know, objection?
Chris 9:03
You know, if you’ve, you know, if you’ve ever been to Walt Disney World, or even the Disneyland out in California, there’s an obvious difference when you cross over Yes. You know, into their property. Yes, everything’s nicer. Everything’s cleaner. Everything’s prettier. Everything’s more Well, can
Kelli 9:24
I do an amazing job? I
Chris 9:25
do a really good job. Yes. It’s slightly in so slightly in incredibly more encouraging news, actually, though, Disney amounts. Remember a year ago, Disney announced plans for this affordable housing project in in their property. They have just they just announced plans to expand on the original idea there. They’re going to add an up to 1400 units. That’s more than 100 more affordable housing units that will go into this project, and they expect the first units to be available in 20. 26 That’s awesome. Yep, that’s really really cool. Um,
Kelli 10:03
for that 100%
Chris 10:04
Let’s not slow that down. Um, the new their new reservation policy for annual pass holders has taken place at Walt Disney World. So if you have an annual pass, you’re not required to get a park reservation for any park and still attend any park after 2pm Except on weekends. They also announced they’re halfway to Halloween sort of season here. So for the last few days, we’ve had a number of announcements the not so scary Halloween party will resume this year on August the 11th. On select nights through November the first new characters may be seen in the boo to you parade with no real details on who they might be. And for the last few days, much of them in need today Walt Disney World has had some very cool snacks to celebrate Halloween
Kelli 10:52
Yuri I love that I love the halfway to Halloween. I think it’s fantastic.
Chris 10:57
The centerpiece ring at Epcot for harmonious some people were calling the Stargate
Unknown Speaker 11:02
hilarious. Love that. So
Chris 11:06
it’s gone. It’s out and I think we’re down to just two barges remaining to Taco barge. I
Kelli 11:10
think they’re really getting rid of it.
Chris 11:12
I don’t think they’re gonna show harmonious anymore. I
Kelli 11:14
don’t think they’re gonna bring it back. I feel like they’re actually going to get rid of it.
Chris 11:19
The rock and roller coaster has been down for refurb here recently and there’s rumors that it is the way the rumor was stated was will reopen in early July. I think it should be restated will still be down until early July but if that thing goes down all the time
Kelli 11:37
is it reopening as rock’n’roll That’s
Chris 11:40
my understanding, though this is yeah, this is a rumor but now they don’t appear to be reclaiming it. Over the animal kingdom Mallanna is received a permanent Meet and Greet location there. Which is about marginalized
Kelli 11:54
you know, and not anymore. Well no, I mean, hello her movie came out years ago just now getting a permanent thing. I mean, we went like right after him every come out. We had a hard time finding her.
Chris 12:08
Yeah, it was only on a special night. Yes. Was that it was like an after hours type special ticket.
Kelli 12:12
Yeah. And like she’s got that whole world now over in Epcot.
Chris 12:17
Well, water trash. Attraction. She’s got an attraction.
Kelli 12:23
very marginalized.
Chris 12:24
Animal Kingdom has released a Pumbaa popcorn bucket. It’s adorable.
Kelli 12:28
All that Dorbz it is.
Chris 12:32
And they have they have lots of amazing touches to celebrate Animal Kingdom is 25th anniversary this weekend, including commemorative Park maps special stage shows rare meet and greets like Turk and Jane from Tarzan. And of course newmarch
Kelli 12:45
horribly racist movie. Tarzan, I don’t believe very sexist.
Chris 12:50
Maybe maybe that DVC had you see this? DVC has announced the creation of the cabins at Fort wilderness resort. And you did that too? Yes, yes. 17. This is the the 17 DVC resort 350 cabins opening in 2024.
Kelli 13:07
They look nice outdoor plumbing and everything and they’re pet friendly.
Chris 13:13
Some of them some of them will be pet friendly.
Kelli 13:15
They does better be the ones with indoor plumbing.
Chris 13:18
Don’t like dogs use indoor plumbing. They’re really smart.
Kelli 13:22
I’m just saying if I’m gonna go and stay at Fort wilderness, which is highly unlikely, then I’m gonna need indoor plumbing, air conditioning, blah, blah, blah. I want to be able to take the babies I’m not
Chris 13:32
entirely sure the cabins didn’t already have that. I know that the campground not so much. But these don’t look like cabins. These look nice. These are nice. These are environmentally sensitive structures. They sleep up to six people with all the comforts of home. Yeah, and they are revamping the existing cabins and they are pet friendly. Pet Friendly. Hey, did you see that the Maleficent dragon and Fantasmic out of Disneyland was like a just a huge pyre of flame last night. Incredible
Kelli 14:02
fire hazard when no one was seriously
Chris 14:05
seriously. And there was there’s some really great video of it out there. I mean great in quotes. Like somebody took a video coming out of Splash Mountain and seeing it from the top of the last hill would have been like, I don’t know that I want to enter the regular world again.
Kelli 14:21
I thought Splash Mountain was closed down for reefer Disneyland there’s still Disney Land, right?
Chris 14:26
It’s going down. Okay, yeah. One last little thing over at Trader Sam’s grog grotto. They have a limited time release on 100 mentioned gargoyle Tiki. OMG this they’re gonna get it for me. Awesome. Well, I don’t it’s limited time. And it looked like the lines outside of treasure Sam’s last night of people just going to try to get their hands on the honey
Kelli 14:48
it’ll be on eBay.
Chris 14:51
Yeah, then definitely not. Because I know how people are going to charge us for that stuff out there. Maybe for Christmas. All right, ready for Tomorrowland already? I think we’ve I think we’ve got a very old themed episode today.
Kelli 15:09
Oh, you don’t Earth Day to not really Earth Day,
Chris 15:12
but I’m doing animal kingdom. So
Kelli 15:18
I’m sorry. Sorry, I was singing along with our music.
Chris 15:20
So yesterday was our day and it also marked the 25th anniversary of the animal kingdom. I thought, let’s talk about what the future might hold a little bit for the animal kingdom.
Kelli 15:31
Oh, fine. Okay.
Chris 15:32
It’s hard for me to decide which is my favorite Walt Disney World park. Magic Kingdom is just so nostalgic for me and given me one day to do one park. That’s probably the one I’m going to do. Yes.
Kelli 15:45
100%.
Chris 15:45
But Epcot might actually be my favorite part to visit. The whole concept continues to be just unique in the world to my knowledge. But I want to be clear Animal Kingdom is definitely the most underrated Park.
Kelli 16:00
It is the
Chris 16:02
I think it’s considered underrated for food and rides. That’s my point is, is I think it’s still considered that a half day park for a lot of people. It’s a very least a leave early part because of the lack of nighttime spectaculars. And that’s you know, understandable fireworks are not really something you want to do there.
Kelli 16:21
You can’t do that, though.
Chris 16:24
I mean, even laser activity and loud music might, you know, who knows, but well, they
Kelli 16:29
kept killing all the kite people that those kites
Chris 16:32
did not do. Well, that’s for sure. I
Kelli 16:34
got beheaded and
Chris 16:35
their arms got ripped off.
Kelli 16:39
It’s not a good situation for the cape. It’s
Chris 16:40
definitely, in my opinion, the most beautiful aesthetically beautiful park. I mean, it’s so yeah, natural and green and they got the spectacular mountain entry of live views and photo points. I agree with that for sure. And maybe as you pointed out the maybe the best food in of all
Kelli 16:58
the parks Yes, I mean, other than Epcot Animal Kingdom I think has the best year round snacks. It’s like Epcot really brings it you know with their
Chris 17:07
their festivals. They bring it with their festivals for sure. But but a year round snacks. Yeah, Animal Kingdom was really strong and there and frankly their liquor game was pretty strong to you. You don’t expect the liquor game that strong pours
Kelli 17:21
and then we’ll kiss Yes for sure. You really do.
Chris 17:23
So Animal Kingdom incorporate seven lands Did you know that seven lands
Kelli 17:29
I did not I don’t think I mean I think I could probably name for them for Asia. Pandora?
Chris 17:37
Yeah, okay,
Kelli 17:38
is that a second one yet? Yeah. Okay, that’s
Chris 17:40
one that’s another one Africa Yes.
Kelli 17:45
The place with this you’re done you’re done now. Dyno land
Chris 17:50
Yes. Dinah land USA.
Kelli 17:51
Okay. All right.
Chris 17:53
I’m done. Discovery Island, the Oasis which is where we come in and we’re fakies planet watch
Kelli 17:58
we never would have gotten any of those Yes, I
Chris 18:00
know never. Soon however, Dinah Lane USA we believe will be going the way of the dinosaur and it needs to it really does. It has never ever fit. It does not match the richness and depth of the rest of the park the
Kelli 18:16
whole very kitschy and Bubba
Chris 18:18
Yeah the whole carnival games and rides area just felt completely out of place not I mean midway carnival games and stuff I don’t understand a
Kelli 18:28
source and then you can also dig for fossils. Yeah, so
Chris 18:31
weird situation had basically three attractions the Triceratops spin, the primeval whirl and dinosaur primeval world has been gone for a little while now. It was large, very conspicuous. So it’s left a big gaudy gap there. Yep. The Triceratops spin was effectively a smaller version of the Dumbo ride or the Astra orbiter or whatever say
Kelli 18:54
the Aladdin ride, lads and they have one of those in every park obviously.
Chris 18:57
Yep. And dinosaur as far as I’m concerned, I know this is might be a hot take for some people but dinosaur can feel free to end up in the same trash bin of history that Matterhorn Bobsleds will eventually end up in. I think dinosaur and primeval whirl had one major goal and that was to put guests in traction. I do love the dinosaur story. I just did not like the right execution makes
Kelli 19:23
you boobs hurt, does it? Oh my goodness, if you’ve got a decent set of boobs. Times source not. Not the
Chris 19:34
ride. You want to go okay. All right. Good to know. Good to know. I think it just it where’s my backout it? I’m
Kelli 19:41
telling you a decent set of a set. It’s not where you want to be. It’s like riding a golf cart with driving with
Chris 19:46
with with this. Check with me.
Kelli 19:51
You drive a golf cart like I don’t have boobs. And I ended up having to hold my chest just so that I don’t hurt at the
Chris 19:59
seams Do you problem we don’t really know what the disposition of dinosaur is going to be, but we feel pretty. I mean, obviously the world has gone and Triceratops spends probably going away along with all those carnivore eyes. What’s it going to be replaced with? So
Kelli 20:14
I feel like that’s a good place for mo
Chris 20:16
at D 23. Expo last year we sort of got some hints into this we believe there’s concept art out there now that it will be replaced by both a Zootopia and a Molana. Many lands
Kelli 20:38
I mean Zootopia out Zootopia is is pretty obvious.
Chris 20:41
That seems like an obvious fit to me that seems
Kelli 20:45
fairly obvious and honestly they could still do the carnival games and stuff in the Zootopia situation Yeah, but
Chris 20:50
let’s just not even try to
Kelli 20:53
not try to know on it needs a solid beach and everything. I really want her to have a beach and a ride where we get on a canoe.
Chris 20:59
Okay, well, let’s talk about Zootopia first so the concept are does utopia is definitely in the bag or you almost have to look at the concept or to see what feels like it might be as Utopia you know, Central City type picture back there, okay, but one rumoured attraction there, excuse me, would be something akin to a train ride. So, Disney sort of described a possible option like this. Join Judy Hopps as she bought a train bound for the other areas of Zootopia Tundra Town, little Rodin, Tia bunny burrow, the rain forest, and possibly other areas that we have not even been introduced to yet. If you remember early in the movie, we saw God giddy with excitement boarding the train for the big city. Right. So something along those lines maybe also sort of makes sense considering the back in February Bob Iger mentioned that some movie sequels have been greenlit a concluding one for Zootopia. So as Utopia two and then they had the Zootopia series recently on Disney plus. Something else to consider is that Disneyland Shanghai is building a Zootopia themed land and entire thing Zootopia land complete with an attraction that includes a ride vehicle that looks pretty similar, not exact, but pretty similar to the ride vehicles found on dinosaur. So potentially, we get a Zootopia re rebrand re theme and the dinosaur ride that’s maybe
Kelli 22:33
more boob friendly.
Chris 22:34
Maybe I mean, the Indiana Jones ride out at Disneyland in California has the same sort of ROG vehicle. My boobs
Kelli 22:39
didn’t hurt at the end. I mean, I was I felt fine. I also felt
Chris 22:44
fine after that. So it’s possible to have that sort of ride mechanism without killing you.
Kelli 22:51
But you can also do that for mo Juana right like you could fill that with water and make it well
Chris 22:56
so the concept art most of the concept art for this new expanded area focuses on marijuana. Okay, good. Yeah, so a Mallanna expansion here. She we a we know that Mallanna is getting a live action version. That’s gonna still involve a lot of the same folks. Yep. Disney dining.com describe one possible attraction for the Mallanna area. This way guests may one day adventure beyond the reef with marijuana to connect with nature. The thrilling experience would allow guests to help Mallanna save her people fight off fight off kaka Maura and guess what journey to meet mysterious animals and creatures of the deep. Now you remember not that long ago we talked about Disney filing a patent for a new ride vehicle that used cables and structures that would simulate ocean travel without actually involving water.
Speaker 1 23:52
Yes. So I think oh well done ha.
Chris 23:57
I hope we get something like that. Yeah, now the concept art doesn’t really show that what the concept art shows is possibly a basically a reskin Triceratops spin but but with a much cooler central pivot and new vehicles that are much more marijuana s so I’m a little bit bummed by that. I mean, that’s the most prominent thing in the concept art is clearly another ride like that, but it would be Mulana themed and then they also it also sort of shows a a flume ride with a with a big drop at the end similar to Splash Mountain, but it would be now this area, this Mallanna area looked amazing. It looks truly beautiful with a pier out into a water area with sailboats, and everything that assembles on all this. We don’t know the timeline yet for the dismantling of the diamond land or for the expansion. But it seems pretty clear that that is the direction we’re going Good. I’d love to hear what people had to say. But do you love Donald land and don’t want it to go anywhere? If so, psychopath if you would rather see Disney Imagineers developed something completely brand new that has divorced from IP altogether. Love to hear that. Or is this right in your wheelhouse? And this is what you want to see. Um, see. Yeah. I think a new ride with that new patented system. Yeah, absolutely.
Kelli 25:29
Okay, so I’ve got World Showcase. Yeah. And I’m also an animal kingdom. So yesterday was Animal Kingdom is 25th anniversary they open on Earth Day in 1998. Which I cannot believe that was 25 years I can’t sleep that alone. So 25 years of animal kingdom. So this was posted on blog Nikki, but it was actually released by Disney. So this is a Disney information, but we found it on blog monkey. So we love Yes, who we love. Okay, so it says on April the 22nd 1998 Disney World opened its gates and welcomed guests to the magic of nature. I like that they should use that more magic of nature. Yes. Since then, the park has continued to embrace the fascination of guests of every age with our natural world, all while delivering thrilling experiences and magical storytelling moments centered around our environment. Follow us on a trip through time as we look back at 25 facts from 25 years of Disney’s Animal Kingdom. So we sort of start that even before the park was open on these 25 facts. We’re gonna start in 1995. Okay, so June 20 1995. This is fact number one, it was announced that they will be opening up this type of park, and it was referred to as wild animal kingdom. Sure, the groundbreaking for the new project followed just a few months later. So if you imagine then that means I built this thing in like two years. Five years. Okay, number two, in preparation for creating the park, a core group of Imagineers criss crossed the globe, in search of the essential Book of Life in the wild, they traveled more than 500,000 miles, which is a distance equal to circling the planet 20 times unbelievable. So you think about the level of research, putting putting into just developing this part. And we need to like this, it needs to look like this. And I have as we’ve traveled, you know, in the last 25 years or so, I’m always amazed by things that we see. Like oh, that’s so and so from such and such. Oh, that’s what you know. Yeah. Right. And so you can see them like that how spot on they really are with some absolutely.
Chris 27:50
That’s the thing that’s like when I walk to the Africa or Asia areas is the way it’s intentionally distressed in some places. Clearly these people
Kelli 28:00
like the water features of birds meat, it’s all just really amazing homework. Okay, so number three, they planted more than 4 million trees, plants, shrubs, vines, epiphytes, whatever that is grasses and ground coverings from around the world. They have plants from every continent, except Antarctica. Unbeliev. In that part is that’s cool. That’s doing the work. Man. That is cool skin. Because you got to think they looked amazing when the park opened. Right? Right. So I’ve been 25 years and they look great now but they looked mature then right from day one. Number 410 artist and three Imagineers worked full time, full time for 18 months to create the 337 Animal carvings on the Tree of Life crazy. So you’ve got 10 artists and three Imagineers 13 people full time for a year and a half to carve 337 Animal carvings in the tree of life. Sometimes the sculptors had as little as six hours to create and finish the image before the plaster heart.
Chris 29:15
Unbelievable. That seems that seems impossible. But really that tree
Kelli 29:19
is an amazing weenie. Like as you are in the park, you don’t think you’re anywhere near the tree. And suddenly you’ll just come across a clearing and you’re like, well, that’s a beautiful picture of the tree. Like you could take a million pictures of that tree from all over the Hallmark park and see a different part of it. Yes,
Chris 29:35
like you don’t every time now every time you look at that thing you see a different
Kelli 29:39
detail is very underappreciated on that tree. The first number five the first family member the first new family member actually arrived several months before the park had even opened. A baby kudu Oh, a large African antelope was the first animal to be born and oh About a park even up in. Number six, though much has changed in 25 years, lots of attractions from opening day can still be found in the park festival, The Lion King, which is still amazing Kilimanjaro safaris, dinosaur, which is probably going to go away. It’s tough to be a bug and gorilla floors, Gorilla falls exploration Trail, which I don’t think we’ve ever done, said. But yeah, so a lot of that still there. Number seven Bug’s Life, debuted in 1998 when the park opened nearly six months before the movie was in theaters, what it actually helped introduce audience to the newest cast of Disney Pixar.
Chris 30:41
Kidding, cool. I didn’t realize that on March
Kelli 30:45
1 1999. So about a year later, Asia made its debut as the first ever land expansion in Animal Kingdom. It originally opened with a duo of marquee attractions Kali river rapids and the Maharajah nickel track, which neither of which we ever do. Number nine, inspired by legendary by legendary dinosaur discovery, I didn’t know this dinos Sue. Her name is Sue. I didn’t know that about her. She joined the park in early 2000 and introduced many guests to an incredible replica of the largest and most complete T Rex fossil ever found. Okay. Yeah, I didn’t know her name was Sue. I
Chris 31:26
didn’t know her name was Sue either. That’s very poignant for you.
Kelli 31:30
Plans and return were announced for Expedition Everest on April 22 2003. engineers went to great lengths to create an attraction that’s rich in storytelling, authenticity and detail, even traveling to Nepal to research its architecture and culture. And I remember the first time I read Everest, I was sort of blown away by the queue.
Chris 31:49
Yeah, for sure. There’s a whole story there. Do a really good job did a really great job. There’s a great documentary out there on like YouTube, that explains Joe Rogan’s effort to get that right yeah.
Kelli 31:59
Number 12. The legend joins the park I missed the 11 diner land got lucky. So that is the lucky the dinosaur 2005 The first audio animatronics figure capable of walking and moving independently launched at the park. In April 8 of 2006 Expedition Everest made its legendary debut, taking guests on a race through the Himalayan Mountains on a speeding train. It’s one of more than 15 Mountain attractions at Disney Parks worldwide. I love it. I do love about Finding Nemo. Opened up next, the musical opened at theater in the wild. And since then, it’s been reimagined as the big blue and beyond highly recommend getting a margarita before 14 Walking on the wild side. Offering a more intimate animal experience the wild Africa trick again providing privately guided VIP expeditions in 2011. Giving you close encounters with giraffes, rhinos, hippos and crocodiles.
Chris 33:02
That’s something we’ve talked about doing before.
Kelli 33:05
The Wilderness explorers inspired by the Disney Pixar film up, debuted in 2013. Today this program empowers guests. Yes, dozens of nature thrilling challenges and earn more than 25 adventurer badges across the park and some people really get into it really get into that haraam Bay market opened in 2015. Yep, awakening the nighttime after more than 15 years of opening, the park underwent a magical transformation to begin offering evening activities. That’s why it’s still seen as a half day partially because for the first 15 years of its life, there were no nighttime things to do in the evenings yet, the Discover river amphitheater launched welcome Jungle Book to its stage in 2016. But since then, it has played a lot of hosts to things like rivers of light and kite tails and nobody knows what to do with that. Yep, Avatar opened next set in the valley of Mo Ara, the land features 22 iconic floating mountains with a peak about 130 feet above the valley incredible, incredible feat. Yes, all told more than 60 artisans from Peru, France, Portugal, Japan, Ireland and the US continue contributed to the art scape of Pandora right 60 artisans. In 2018 Donald Duck learned that his ancestors were dinosaurs, and in turn he kicked off a party like no other that’s still going on years later complete with dyno inspired costumes for pals like Daisy, Goofy, Pluto and Chippendale Sure. The Kingdom went streaming after the launch of Disney plus and a new Docu series gave us an all access pass. Since then, the magic of Disney’s Animal Kingdom He’s gone on to release a second season. Yeah, that’s good. It’s good to string it’s really good. Yeah. 23 Animal Kingdom is currently home to one of the leading veterinary hospitals in North America with an emphasis on advanced imaging, digital radiology, ultrasound and endoscopy as it should. 2024 the conservation continues since 1995, the Disney Conservation Fund has directed more than $120 million to support nonprofit organizations working with communities to reverse the decline of wildlife and more than half of the countries in the world. Awesome. 25 is basically everything you just said. During the day two, three Expo 2022 They heavily implied a possible expansions like marijuana and Zootopia
Chris 35:51
to get it. So that’s
Kelli 35:53
a fun little 25 fact
Chris 35:55
when he fought factions for five years, I hope that we have 25 More facts 25 years from now when that thing’s 50 years old. It’s truly an astounding park of a feat of coordination and engineering and I
Kelli 36:09
don’t know how they did the Pandora stuff. Oh, really?
Chris 36:14
Folks, that’s it for this week’s show. We hope you’ve enjoyed it. We hope you had a happy Earth Day yesterday. You know what to do now folks go out and wherever you find us on your podcasting service, leave us a five star rating and a review that will help bring more people to the show.
Kelli 36:30
Absolutely. And if you’re looking for more things Disney please visit SCF adp.com. That’s s for Super C for Cali and refresh wholistic a for awesome D for Disney peak podcast. Don’t forget we’ve got that cool new merch store out there. Looking for some SCF ADP merch, get it?
Chris 36:46
It’s beautiful. Watch out for us on the socials and mainly Instagram at SCF ADP. And with that, folks, we hope to see you real soon.
