Why Disney's Chance at Pandas for Animal Kingdom Are Over

The days of Animal Kingdom seeing Pandas come into the park are over. And, no, no amount of persuasion from Shanghai Shendi Group (who partners with Disney on Shanghai Disneyland) will make that change. Why? As the Japan Times eloquently explains in this article, China is exercising "dumb power" by demanding the return of these beautiful creatures. They have long inhabited the Washington DC's National Zoo since the days of President Nixon. And they are quite the draw for tourists of all ages! Like most things done under the current Chinese regime, it's a power play.

So, for now at least, the natural choice for the next animal exhibit in Walt Disney World is in the trash bin. The drawing power of these beautiful animals will go to waste. I'd say they'd be equal to a big E Ticket expansion long term. But, as we all know, in the bigger scheme of our shaky world situation, an addition of nay kind to any theme park is just not that important.

(Photograph copyright The New York Times.)

What Animal Kingdom Needs

Walt Disney World's incredible Animal Kingdom may be one of two perfect theme parks in the States, Disneyland being the other. 

Filled with incredible scenery, stunning, creative but authentic architecture, and thrilling attractions to go with all the wildlife, the park is currently the go-to place for guests ready for something different after the Magic Kingdom. With Africa's Kilimanjaro Safaris, Asia's amazing Expedition: Everest and even Dinoland U.S.A.'s Dinosaur (aka Countdown to Extinction) anchoring the park along with Pandora's new Flight of Passage, the park can only get better. But it is missing something: China's pandas.

The whole concept art.

You'd think the Disney executives would be able to pull off getting a panda to two on loan. After all, China now holds two Disney Parks- Hong Kong Disneyland and Shanghai Disneyland. Probably at least one more to come. Why would they hold out?

According to Business Insider, the city of Chengdu will build a brand new park built around pandas. Should be quite a beautiful and exciting area to view and interact with these beautiful and rare creatures. No doubt this will pull in big, big crowds!

Here's the full rendering for "Panda Capital". To read the whole article, look here.