D23 Revealed: Imagineering Concedes the World of Dinosaurs to Universal's Jurassic Park at Islands of Adventure

Reflecting on this year’s D23, it is a clear sign of the times. Disney's Josh D'Amaro makes the startling "Blue Sky" comment that fans may not be all that excited about Disney Imagineering's newest ideas for Animal Kingdom. Replacing Dinoland U.S.A. with a Moana and possibly Zootopia mini themed lands. This "Boundless Future" shows Disney is now going to play catch up with its competitor Universal Orlando Resort. Bob Chapek and Mr. D'Amaro now seem in lockstep, allowing the success of the soon coming Epic Universe to chart the course at Disney.

Conceding the realm of dinosaurs to Universal Islands of Adventure and its mega popular Jurassic Park franchise, the transition of letting the Dinosaur aka Countdown to Extinction attraction disappear means Disney has given up on one of the key - and most interesting- concepts for Joe Rohde and team's original lands. 

Sadly, this move will actually decrease guest interest in visiting the fourth Walt Disney World park. A park about animals but without dinosaurs? What kid wants that? Better to revamp the land and make the prehistoric attractions better. But Disney seemingly has lost its mojo unless a project is IP related. When they can play off someone else's creativity, the results can be stellar. Coming up with something compelling and new is more difficult and seemingly not on the horizon. At least not under this leadership.

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

Animal Kingdom's Extinct Dino

When Disney's Animal Kingdom opened in 1998, the Discovery River Boats sent guests on a journey passing by the different themed areas of the new park. Departing from Safari Village, these were similar to the Plaza Swan Boats at the Magic Kingdom. There really wasn't that much to see as it was more for transportation than a real attraction, but it made for a pleasant break on the water in a park that seemed hotter than usual. 

When cruising by an area for the unbuilt and aborted Beastly Kingdom area, there were some cavernous rocks giving the impression of a fire breathing dragon inside. When the boats rounded another bend at Dinoland U.S.A., they encountered this Iguanodon. In its original form, the cruise was unpopular and didn't last much more than 15 months or so. Unfortunately, the dinosaur also became extinct around the same time. 

Walt Disney World's Animal Kingdom is a unique and beautiful park with one of the most fascinating stories in Imagineering lore! If you'd like to read more, take a look at this eight part series that tells its story. There's tons of art, vintage photos, trip reports and more. Enjoy!

Perhaps the Most Beautiful Animal Kingdom Art Ever

I am not going to comment and let this beautiful piece of concept art for Disney's Animal Kingdom speak for itself...

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

Nothing Generic About This Dinosaur

From the small preview edition book, giving a first glance at Animal Kingdom. The Disney executives were not lying when they told us Countdown to Extinction would be a thrill ride of epic proportions.

The track layout may be the same as the Indiana Jones Adventure in Disneyland, but its landscape couldn't be more different. But there is nothing subtle about this attraction. The start-of-the-art vehicles pound familiar terrain: dark ride spookhouses done Disney style and filled with terrifying creatures of prehistoric worlds. Every ride through convinces me I'll never do it again- yet I continue to get in line. Quite an accomplishment.

(Tomorrow, I take a look at Space Mountains all over the world with photos and concept art!)

Dinosaur Excavation

Here's a great piece of concept art from the amazing "Tales from the Laughing Place". It's a pretty off the shelf looking coaster, but the imaginative twist would have been fun.

(You really need to subscribe to this!) The infamous Animal Kingdom coaster that was originally planned for Dinoland U.S.A.? Well, that is what you are looking at. Looks like a fun angle about a dinosaur dig. This rockin' coaster didn't make the opening day line-up. Will it ever? There's still space for it as far as I can tell...

(Concept art copyright The Walt Disney Company)