Mouse Extra

Today’s Building My Imagineering Resume is the third and final part to Mike’s sweeping plan to revolutionize Disney’s Animal Kingdom in the minds of theme park fanatics.  

Now lets get back to the Beastly Kingdomme. Many believe that ship has sailed and I don’t really disagree. Frankly, many of the imagineers who developed it high tailed it over to Universal and helped create the Islands of Adventure park. Still, I would love to see a land dedicated to mythical animals and Disney currently has a franchise chock full of them- Narnia. So, I propose a land called “Narnia” at the Animal Kingdom, between the Camp Minnie Mickey and Africa areas. The land would be centered around the White Witch’s Castle which would be home to a flume ride. The premise: you are fleeing the castle chased by scary minotaurs, knife wielding dwarves and talking wolves, among more of the witch’s minions. It all culminates in a big drop.

We can integrate other ideas left over from the Beastly Kingdomme, as well. The Unicorn Maze would fit nicely. There was also a heavily imagineered Mother Goose shop that can be easily tweaked to fit the area. I would also add attractions for the younger crowd. Perhaps a ride in the air on griffons. A play area with audio-animatronic animals like beavers and foxes would be well received. Their real-life counterparts could be exhibited nearby, as well.

The big loss from the defunct Beastly Kingdomme was the loss of Dragon Tower. The idea was a fascinating one wherein the guests are a group of knights recruited by talking bats into stealing an evil dragon’s treasure horde. The set up was pure old-school Disney. However, it does not exactly fit into Narnia although the talking bats seem right out of the series, don’t they? And I know a dragon pops up in the series. Perhaps, the best course would be to make the ride only accessible from a boat trip off of Discovery Island, thereby making it part of that “land.” I don’t know, but it sure sounds fun.

Now, I’m not saying Disney has to build all of this, but one of my proposed lands would go a long way. Two and we’re no longer talking about Disney’s Animal Kingdom being a half day park. Three of them and this park may be one of the best there is. It can certainly lead to a big night ending event, like the rumored lantern light parade, and will keep those turnstiles going all day.