The Case for DINOSAUR
The latest rumor has Animal Kingdom’s DINOSAUR turning into Indiana Jones Adventure.
Well this came out of nowhere. DinoLand U.S.A may be replaced by a South American themed Indiana Jones land at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. I never thought that I wouldn’t be in favor for a Indiana Jones themed land. Yet this rumor seems so strange! I mean Indiana Jones invading Disney’s Animal Kingdom? Although fans have criticized DinoLand U.S.A at least it still fits in with the theme of Animal Kingdom. Indiana Jones would fit way better in at let’s say Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Like if they ever get rid of Fantasmic they could have tons of room to expand. Some of you may not understand what a Indiana Jones land could include. I’m here to tell you.
The DINOSAUR attraction would be changed into the Indiana Jones Adventure. Both attractions use the same ride vehicle. What would happen to TriceraTop Spin, Primeval Whirl, Midway games, and the Chester and Hester’s gift shop would be replaced by another E-Ticket attraction. Even if this happens. It would happen far into the future. Animal Kingdom is still trying to navigate crowds in Pandora: World of Avatar. Closing a whole section of the park could be detrimental to the crowds.
So now I have to make the case for DINOSAUR. I’m not the one to hate intellectual properties being infused into the parks. This to me just doesn’t make logical sense. What does Indiana Jones have to do with animals? I get he has great adventures but is that enough to put him in Animal Kingdom? Is Animal Kingdom going to be adventure themed now? Also don’t say “Well Avatar doesn’t fit in with Animal Kingdom.” Pandora is a land that is based around nature and unique creatures. It’s basically Beastly Kingdom with a extraterrestrial theme. Yet Pandora embraces nature and the conservation. With a Indiana Jones land it embraces the adventurer not the nature or the animals. Even if it tried to embrace the animals or nature it would be odd. That’s why DinoLand U.S.A makes sense because it’s a kid friendly land and it is based off of an animal. Even if you get rid of Chester and Hester’s, DinoLand serves a better purpose.
Also DINOSAUR has a timeless story. You are going back in time to get a Dinosaur and your mission gets messed up. It’s a original concept that doesn’t need to be touched. Unless they need to update it. It’s a thrill ride yet it’s not too intense. When I went on DINOSAUR in July it had some updated special effects. If they continued to update the attraction it would only better the experience.
Like Zootopia I could understand coming into Animal Kingdom. This is harder to believe. Indiana Jones fits way better into Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Disney needs to keep some of it’s non-IP related attractions. DINOSAUR is one of them. It’s a attraction that usually takes up a good wait too.
Although the idea of a Indiana Jones land sounds exciting for most. The area is key to the attraction. If it’s going to take away a great attraction like DINOSAUR. Then no thank you. I’ve heard great things about Indiana Jones Adventure but the DINOSAUR building is smaller so the new attraction would essentially be Indiana Jones Adventure Lite. That’s not even worth it if they make a smaller version.
Another point for DINOSAUR is that it only exists at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. It doesn’t have a clone anywhere else. Also as a Walt Disney World visitor. Having Indiana Jones Adventure in Disneyland gives me the desire to go there. If they started making clones of Disneyland exclusive attractions at Walt Disney World that desire to go would diminish.
For some of you reading this you may say “Well DINOSAUR was based off of the Disney animated film of the same name?” The name Countdown to Extinction was only changed due to promoting purposes. The film doesn’t even affect the storyline. Except showing the footage for the Igaunodon. Also how many people would call it Countdown to Extinction? Most people now just call it the Dinosaur ride.
DINOSAUR doesn’t need that much defending. The attraction speaks for itself. Most people pre-Pandora said DINOSAUR is their favorite attraction at Animal Kingdom. There was a obvious reason for that.
So in my final thoughts about DINOSAUR. Disney needs to keep some of these original storyline based attractions. I don’t care how good Indiana Jones may be nothing can replace a good story. Although “new” lands and overlays are fun. It’s sometimes better to cherish and update the things you already have.
Zach Perilstein is the Editor-in-Chief at the Boardwalk Times.
