With all of the excitement around Star Wars and Toy Story this D23, I have been wanting to write this post a while considering we very rarely see so much news centred around Disney’s Animal Kingdom Park.
This past weekend Disney detailed a lot of new changes (many we expected thanks to the rumours) that are coming to the park beginning Spring of 2016.
Pandora – The World of AVATAR
It’s official, Pandora – The World of AVATAR is the name of the new land previously known as AVATAR Land that is due to open in Animal Kingdom in 2017. With this official name revealed over the weekend came a string of details about the attractions that are set to open within it.
AVATAR Flight of Passage
This attraction will be the centre of the new land and confirms all of the rumours as the attraction will be focused around learning how to fly a mountain Banshee, one of the films most loved moments. While not a lot of details have been revealed outside of this, it would appear that the ride is going to be housed in the large warehouse that is currently under construction so expect something along the lines of an advanced Soarin.
Boat ride
While no name was given, a boat ride that takes guests through the world of Pandora was confirmed to also be under construction. This will also be ready in time for opening in 2017.
Sunset Kilimanjaro Safaris
On top of the news on AVATAR, Disney also gave more detail on what to expect when Kilimanjaro continues as the sun starts to go down next year.
Disney have simply stated that the tours begin as the sun starts to set and that they are introducing two new animals to the attraction, african wild dogs and hyenas. I personally am really looking forward to this and cannot wait to give the attraction a go during sunset to see the new animals, particularly the hyenas.
Sunset Kilimanjaro Safaris is expected to begin in spring 2016.
Rivers of Light
The final piece of news on Animal Kingdom is centred on the new nighttime show, Rivers of Light that has been under construction for quite some time in the park. According to Disney the show will be unlike anything that has ever been seen in the Disney Parks and will contain live performers, floating lanterns, water screens and animal imagery that swirls.
For me, on a day where the park is reasonable quiet, Animal Kingdom can be completed in half a day, it is fantastic to see Disney bringing so much to the park in the next two years and I am sure it will transform the park into a full day affair even on the quietest of days.
Let us know what you think of all of these announcements in the comments below!
Ryan has been attending theme parks since as long as he can remember and his first proper memory comes from when he was just three years old sitting in Main Street USA drinking a Nesquik milkshake from a carton while the piano was being played outside Casey’s Corner.
