The triumphant return of the Beastly Kingdom?
Jim Hill Media is continuing to report rumors about changes coming to Disney’s Animal Kingdom. One topic often discussed is how to make this park popular after the sun goes down and the animals head to their backstage areas.
Many have been expecting to see a nighttime parade called the “Rivers of Light” but it appears those plans are no longer in the pipeline. Instead, Mr. Hill thinks Imagineers may turn their attention back to an idea that has been a sore subject for Disney fanatics for years, the famed Beastly Kingdom.
But the good news is … Because WDW execs are still looking for ways to extend DAK’s operating hours, guess which concept for a brand-new “land” at that theme park has just been dusted off? Would you believe Beastly Kingdomme?
Mind you, you can just forget about “Dragon’s Tower,” “Quest for the Unicorn” or any other ride concepts that were previously proposed for this Animal Kingdom addition. My understanding is that WDI is now looking to get a fresh start with this part of the park. More importantly, that any shows or attractions that are being proposed for this revamped version of Beastly Kingdomme will have to have strong ties to already well established Disney brands.
If I had to choose between a parade and this, the choice is easy. Beastly Kingdom in any form is a better choice. But what seems so peculiar about this rumor is the difference between budgets of these two projects. Wouldn’t you think the cost of designing, building, and operating an entire land of rides and shows would be much higher than putting a parade into motion?
And I have a little word of advice for WDI. If you are going to build a land based on mythic creatures, but tie it almost completely into those that fit the “already well established Disney brands”, don’t call it Beastly Kingdom. That will only disappoint those who have read so much about those original plans and may be hoping to see them finally become a reality.
Oh, and one more thing. What “well established Disney brands” do you think would create a Beastly Kingdom? Is the Narnia franchise enough? Your thoughts and suggestions please…
Anonymous said,
March 24, 2008 @ 3:32 pm
The Dragons Tower is still a great idea. Maybe the execs read my article on making the Beastly Kingdomme a Narnia land
Anonymouse said,
March 25, 2008 @ 3:45 pm
FANTASIA could provide some mythical creatures from the Pastoral segment, Nutcracker Suite, and Dance of the Hours. Also, HERCULES would provide additional Greek creatures. It wouldn’t have to hinge entirely on Narnia.
Kate said,
March 28, 2008 @ 3:27 am
I’d be first in line for Narnia and it would be a great counter to IOA’s Harry Potterland. I am a bit torn, though - HPland has the benefit of covering just 7 years while the Chronicles of Narnia cover that world from it’s start to finish. Which part would you decorate the place as? Always winter? Prince Caspian’s Narnia?
With that said, I’d still love to see what they could do. They could resurrect Dragon Tower and Prince Caspianize it, making it the night raid scene from the movie and having passengers carried below griffins. Any of the books could be a dark ride and there’s plenty more to mine from the series. However remember the Jim Hill was also the one talking about Disney ending their production of the Narnian stories with Dawn Treader. So we’ll see if they even decide to keep this franchise … personally I think it’s a gold mine if they want it but then I’m not a bean counter.