New "Continent" at Animal Kingdom? About This Page:

[vin816]

<font color="blue"> Anyone hear the rumours about a new "continent" being built in Animal Kingdom? I've heard that they might add Australia????? </font>

[chezp]

I know it was always in the plans that an extra land would eventually be added and a number of suggestions have been made as to what it could be, but I haven't heard anymore than that recently. I like the idea of Australia, that would be cool.

[DopeyGirl]

Australia was on the "idea" list back when AK was being built and it seems to still be one of those "Will they or won't they? Rumors". I think, though, if they are going to unveil plans for a new land, they will wait until Everest opens.

[mattjs]

Yeah, seems like Australia's been the hottest rumor for new continents. This overhead of the whole property at Disneypix (here - dowload larger version) shows a huge cleared area to the left, and sorta behind Kali. Been rumored to be the spot but who knows. Definitely plenty big enough though.

[RobinKay6573]

It does look like there is quite a clearing interesting. I know it isn't for EE because I think that ride is going to be a bit South of where that clearing is and I really doubt they need THAT much land for the ride. I would be interesting to see that same shot in a year to see how it is developed. I would think if they were actually building something on that land they would have announced something.

[mattjs]

Exactly. EE is going in the space on the edge of the water, and to the right of Kali. And that "Australia" cleared area looks about 5 or 6 times the size of the EE space. It actually looks a lot closer to the size of all of "Asia" (including the EE space), so it seems about right for a new continent.



That pic gives you a good look at the supposed "Beastly Kingdom" area too (cleared spot to the left of the entrance - right in front of the parking area).

[Pris]

According to Paul, our Backstage Safari guide last week, there is no new land currently planned, but expansion is definitely in the plans for the future. He also mentioned that he was pulling for Australia, but indicated no decisions had been made.

[Lynne O.]

I also remember some type of land to be dedicated strictly to "mythical" or "fairy-tale" creatures. This was mentioned in all the write-ups, diagrams and promo materials for AK and it would depict unicorns, dragons and other mythical animals. I wonder what happened to this concept.

[mattjs]

In the rumors it was called "Beastly Kingdom". A year maybe two years ago, there were a lot of rumors predicting it was close to getting a greenlight, but then Disney announced Expedition Everest.

From the rumors since then, it seems like it's on the back burner again now. But the rumored area (behind rainforest cafe) is supposedly still sitting there all cleared, and ready to go.

[millie]

I for one will be a little disappointed if they put a new continent in before they put in the Beastly Kingdom. It's not that I don't think that Australia would be interesting, it's just that from the rumors and original information, I see sooo much more potential to the Beastly Kingdom. Just think of all the cool Disney Magic that can be put to work there.