Indy's Temple Takes Shape

Thanks to Bioreconstruct, we can see that Countdown to Extinction aka DINOSAUR at Disney's Animal Kingdom is quickly becoming the temple entrance to the new Indiana Jones Adventure. This will be the next in a series of temples in Walt Disney World. First, there are those in the Jungle Cruise at the Magic Kingdom. Next we have the pyramid and interior temples at the Mexico pavilion at Epcot. Now, this. We can debate whether or not Encanto and Indy fit, but the look and feel of Tropical Americas aligns perfectly with the park. Is it just my vivid imagination or is Disney's Animal Kingdom becoming the new World Showcase one step at a time?
 

Goodbye to Countdown to Extinction / Dinosaur at Disney's Animal Kingdom

It's over and now in the past. The original Countdown to Extinction at Disney's Animal Kingdom was ambitious in some ways and lazy in others. Stealing the exact same track layout as the great Indiana Jones Adventure at Disneyland was the lazy part but helped contain expenses in a park that was built way over budget. But from there on out, it was a pretty clever and unique take on the dinosaur world. 

Imagineer Joe Rhode and his team brought a great respectful vibe by housing the attraction in a museum, only to counterbalance it with adding much humor to the preshow. OK, sometimes it was cheesy. Very cheesy. I mean, Dr. Grant Seeker? 

In the early years of the new park, it was a thrill ride in a whole new vein from Universal's Jurassic Park. The difference was necessary if Disney was going to stand out from its main dinosaur competitor. It was dark, scary, and exhilarating! When they renamed the attraction to match a new movie, it was a bad move and the beginning of the end. Letting effects go missing, toning down the scare factor, and seeing maintenance become less and less, it was clear Disney suits were planning a change.

I'm very sad to see Disney give up on dinosaurs, but I'm excited for the transition of the land to Tropical Americas. The new Indiana Jones Adventure will surely be a great one, and an Encanto attraction - does it really fit either?- should be charming. It's a kid friendly dark ride this park needs so badly. The land should be beautiful and fit in well with what's in Africa and Asia and Discovery Island- something Chester and Hester's Dinorama never did accomplish.

(Concept art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

Dine or Ditch: Animal Kingdom's Nomad Lounge

What words come to mind when you first think of Disney's Animal Kingdom? What feelings hit you as you approach this beautiful park from the dry parking lot? As a huge fan of Imagineering and Disney theme park design, its design is stunning. As a them park guest, as I walk to the entrance, there's this sense of relaxation and adventure at the same time. Quite the accomplishment, I'd say. That's only the  beginning.

The unique mix of high octane thrill rides in beautifully calm and peaceful environments give the fourth Disney park in Florida its unique feel. Shops are now filled with plush and merchandise available in other parks, but there are still plenty of unique items in theme to each land. (Watch for an upcoming series of articles on the creation and evolution of this incredible park. The stories behind it and the concept art are really worth your time.)

Unexpectedly, from Day One, the quality and variety of food options here is only rivaled by those high end places found in Disney Springs. (Used to be that EPCOT Center's World Showcase held that distinction years ago, but there's been a notable downgrade in dining while the festival food booths risen to prominence.) That said, of all the places in Animal Kingdom with great food, Nomad Lounge is the best of them all, unless the ultra fine (and very expensive) dining of Tiffins is more your style. 

But Nomad Lounge may not be for everyone.

Look at the menu outside in front to make sure this is your style.

Check out the Society of Explorers and Adventurers reference.

The current star attraction of Disney's Animal Kingdom is Flight of Passage in The World of Avatar / Pandora themed land. If your follow the very early morning crowds to get there, you'll walk right by the Nomad Lounge, so pay attention. You'll need to be intentional to return here and not forget it in the midst of some great attractions that are waiting for you: Kilimanjaro Safaris and Expedition Everest will soon be joined in the forthcoming Tropical Americas land with an Encanto dark ride and a new version of the Indiana Jones Adventure. 

An almost hidden view of this adult hideaway.

First come, first served walk up style seating is not my favorite, but I had a hunch this place would be worth waiting for. It took about 40 minutes to get seated, so we patiently waited nearly and enjoyed the surroundings and grabbed some photographs of what is quickly becoming my favorite Disney park in Florida.

The drinks or the appetizers- which ones are better?

Definitely the Bangkok Chicken Wings!

Sequestering inside out of the sometimes harsh Florida sun may be a treat for many people, but I cannot resist the allure of a patio. I was not disappointed! In some ways, it reminded me of favorite places in Hawaii. Not a bad comparison at all. There were no island breezes however. It was a quite hot afternoon, and the covering was a welcome one. The waterside seating was extremely comfortable, and the vibe felt a million miles away from Walt Disney World as well as the real world. Just perfect!

Leaving us just the right amount of time to settle in and look around, our server returned to take our drink order. 

Lamu Libation (left and front) and Tempting Tigress (right and rear).

The adult drinks of choice varied in flavors and success, but they did not vary in price. Each one was enough guarantee that we had one drink each. As expected, there was a rum based drink (my choice), one with vodka, one with gin (normally my choice), and another with tequila. Concurrent with the rest of our trip, we all took turns trying each other's choices. 

My wife chose the Lamu Libation, African Rum, Cruzan Banana Rum, and Guava Purée with Orange, Lime, and Pineapple Juices topped with more rum. My son's choice was obvious as he likes something much stronger and far less sweet: The Tempting Tigress- Bourbon, Allspice Dram Liqueur, Tamarind, and Lime Juice.

This is a drinks and small plates establishment. Most all of the adult beverages were priced as if they were meals! It's a trend I still can't get used to, so plan on spending in the neighborhood of $40 per person plus tax and tip for one small plate and one alcoholic drink.

The Night Monkey- dark rum, guava puree, 

coffee simple syrup, lime juice and a touch of cilantro.

Time to place an order for something to nibble on. We certainly were not rushed to do so, but I always like having something in my system when I have a drink. It's pretty rare actually that I do drink, maybe one drink every 6 to 8 weeks when we're meeting friends, and that's about it at best. I will admit, it's different on vacation, though. I still will only have one drink an evening. Your mileage may vary.

What a difference traveling without small children!

An entirely more relaxed experience.

Featuring true to life flavors of Asia, Africa, and the Americas, the menu was surprising in its variety and depth. But it was definitely not an extensive menu. Nor were the portions meal sized even if they cost the same as a full meal. 

 

The Grilled Chicken Satay skewers were very good, but they paled in comparison to the incredible Bangkok Chicken Wings. I could eat these all day long! Crunchy, sweet, and even a bit tart, these were addictive. I'd say these are every bit as good as the ribs at Morimoto Asia or the very tasty ones at the now demolished Luau Cove. (Both recipes here.) In fact, they may be the best thing I ate on the trip whether we were at Disney or at Universal Orlando. 

The Cuban Frida Sliders hit the spot, but I'd rank them below the Chicken Satay skewers, holding steady at last place of our three small plates. The meat was very good, and the Yuka fries did have a nice and very different flavor than the expected regular or sweet potatoes.

Cuban Frita Sliders

I should mention that the bread service was a solid choice. So were the vanilla dessert churros we finished with, which also came with a small container of melted chocolate. The starters and ending were secondary to the main small plates both in size and flavor. Anywhere else, these would both be considered excellent, so that is saying quite a bit.

 

Sharing the facilities.

This is a very strange thing to admit: an unexpected highlight was my restroom stop. Why? Diners have to pass through Tiffins to get there.  This gave me a chance to peek into each of the dining rooms, even if it was rather quickly.

This room is truly beautiful!

There was barely anyone in this very expensive establishment, so the wait staff was fine to let me wander a bit. Some rooms were more elaborate than others, but each was special in their own way. Filled with Imagineering art and exotic artifacts, it was quite elegant and certainly a new high bar in Disney dining. And yes, even the bathrooms were beautiful. 

Nomad Lounge is a unique entry in Walt Disney World dining and holds an interesting place in the choices, but is it a Dine or Ditch?

It's a very "Dine" if you're willing to spend a good amount of your hard earned cash for what amounts to a lengthy pit stop versus a full meal. If you hate theme parks or desire a break in touring and running from attraction to attractions this is the place for you.  I'd also say this is a go if you like the idea of Tiffins but don't want to pay the over the top prices. 

It's a definite "Ditch" this option if you have young children in your party. They will not appreciate the exotic flavors found here. Nor does the menu cater to the littlest park visitors. It's also a "Ditch" if you're wanting a hearty meal to sustain you. You will not find it here on Nomad Lounge's very limited menu.

Want more Dine or Ditch?

Check out these other reviews:

Raglan Road at Disney Springs

Sci-Fi Dine In at Disney's Hollywood Studios

Be Our Guest at Magic Kingdom

Garden Grill at Epcot

San Angel Inn Restaurante at Epcot

 

Toothsome Chocolate Emporium at Universal Orlando City Walk

Mythos at Islands of Adventure

Cafe Orleans at Disneyland

 

(Photographs copyright Mark Taft.)

Memories of Chester and Hester's Dino-Rama

Early next year, Dinoland U.S.A. is fully set to close. Dinosaur aka Countdown to Extinction bites the bullet as the suits at the Walt Disney Company concede that the world of dinosaurs belongs to Universal's Jurassic Park franchise. This includes the earlier closure of  Chester & Hester’s Dino-Rama.

 

While I consider this area a total failure solidly on the same level as California Adventure 1.0 to the Walt Disney Studios Paris at opening,  I do have some happy memories. The top photo on TriceraTop Spin is a family favorite. 

The photo directly above is a funny one. Our wonderful friends took a ride on Primeval Whirl, a cheap carnival ride that made us laugh while we slammed into each other at every curve. 

No, I won't defend this as the art of Imagineering, but the land had some clever elements to make up for the unimaginative rides. Still, glad to see it go in favor of Tropical Americas. The beautiful Disney's Animal Kingdom may just remain the best Imagineered and most consistent park in Disney's Florida kingdom. 

(Photographs by Mark Taft.)

Bored With Disney But This Excites Me

At D23, when it comes to the theme parks, the Disney suits promise one incredible experience after another. Sometimes they deliver. Many times, projects are cancelled, and even sometimes, projects are a bust. Imagineering may come up with incredible ideas but they are often budgeted to death. California Adventure 1.0, Hong Kong Disneyland at opening, or Walt Disney Studios Paris come to mind? Maybe you're still stinging a bit like I am over the "new" Epcot. 

Now, they're ready to take on Disney's Animal Kingdom with new attractions. Sure, it's sad they gave up on dinosaurs and Countdown to Extinction aka Dinosaur. But who came blame them? Universal owns Jurassic Park / Jurassic World and they own dinosaurs just like Disney owns mermaids.  

Which all brings us to Tropical Americas. I'm not too trusting that the suits will do Encanto justice. This isn't Tokyo Disney Resort and the Oriental Land Company. What should certainly be a ride on the scale of Haunted Mansion may end up being another Ariel's Undersea Adventure. Yet, with Epic Universe on the way- the one everyone is excited about and for good reason- it is an encouraging sign that Imagineer Joe Rhode has been brought back into the fold to map this expansion out. And then there's Indiana Jones.

Now, this is something I am excited about! A brand new story that isn't Disneyland's original or Tokyo Disneysea's next chapter. Perhaps this new adventure will feature new effects previously unforeseen in the States. Thinking specifically here of Jack Sparrow's first appearance in Shanghai Disneyland's incredible Pirates of the Caribbean: Battle for the Sunken Treasure or Mystic Manor's artifact transformation when that magical little music box is opened. 

They'd better get it right this time. Most of Epcot's revisioning fell flat, and Disney's Hollywood Studios needs more help than what's planned. if they want to counteract the Universal problem. Indiana could be just what the doctor or should I say professor ordered. I'm hoping it is!

The Connection Between Epic Universe and The Indiana Jones Adventure

Stop the press! Be it the original at Disneyland, the newer one at Tokyo Disneysea, or the one coming to the Tropical Americas section of Disney's Animal Kingdom, the Indiana Jones Adventure is one show stopping, high energy, thrill ride of a different kind! I've posted seemingly endless pieces of concept art for this attraction, but only recently did I discover this beautiful piece. Where did it come from? 

An artist named Christopher Bradley, who has worked for Disney- among others- and who is now also responsible for those intriguing "portal" views for each of the lands at Epic Universe. (I can't wait to do an "When Reality is Better Than (Imagineering) Universal Creative Art" once that park opens.) 

Really lovely!

Mr. Bradley is also responsible for a great piece of art for Hong Kong Disneyland's iconic Mystic Manor, shown above. 

Looking forward to seeing what's next from this great artist!

Jurassic World: Dinosaurs are Never Extinct

If you've ever really wondered why the suits at Disney have given up on the Dinoland U.S. A. portion of Disney's Animal Kingdom and have plans to turn it into Tropical Americas, Jurassic Work Rebirth might be the answer you're looking for.

 

It's not beyond Disney to create compelling stories that demand sequels and raise subsequent generations knowing the characters and music. But they just can't do it when it comes to prehistoric creatures of any kind. The market is just cornered by Universal's Jurassic Park  / World. They own dinosaurs just like Disney owns mermaids and now snowmen. 

I'd venture to say their dinosaur franchise is every bit as powerful as anything in Marvel, maybe moreso. It's definitely a countdown to extinction for Dinoland U.S.A. another's nothing anyone can do about it. Dinosaurs rule- and they belong to Universal.