Australia as part of Animal Kingdom?

I think it's a great idea. I'm surprised there is no Oz in either AK or World Showcase. It's about time they got some Australia. New Zealand would be good too, although I doubt they'll be adding that if Oz is only just about to make an appearance.

I think most Americans don't know the difference anyway, so they might do both together.

I can think od a few Brits who don't know the difference either. lol. I can't see that Australia would need a huge area though, the obvious animals to have would be kangaroo's, wallaby's, koala's, but what else could they have? I'm guessing Disney wouldn't want some of Australia's more venomous and unloved creatures (isn't it the most venomous place on the planet?)

I am for this simply because the Shrimp on the Barbie from the Australia booth at the F & W fest was amazing...and I heart Koala bears!

I think this is very possible especially since labor costs have dropped with people working for whatever they can get.
Why wouldn't Disney take advantage of that situation? I think it's good for them and good for those who need to work.

I'd love to see an Oz/NZ section. There is alot they could do with that theme. I can see new Kangaroo or Koala characters being developed and released in a movie before the area is built.

It's about time to see some building over there, but I'll admit I was hoping for an entirely new park. I read somewhere that this has been the longest span since WDW opened that there hasn't been a new park

I can't even fathom a new park..I think about it sometimes and speculate what it might be but then I make my head hurt from going around and around.

Do you really think that they could support another park? Adding AK always seemed shaky to me...maybe because I've just never quite cultivated the love for it and DHS that I have for MK and Epcot...

Hmmm...what would a good theme be, ya think? I still wish Disney would have had the rights to HP...

I think there will be another park some day it's just a matter of when. Disney still has tons of unused land..there is probably room for at least two new parks and lots of hotels. The rumors I have heard are some sort of thrill ride park. I'm not convinced that a Disney thrill ride park is the way to go.

Disney would have done a MUCH better job with HP than Universal..that's for sure!

There has been rumours for a while of a park similar to Discovery Cove offering a more upmarket (read expensive), close up experience with animals and limited guest numbers each day. I could see Disney doing this eventually as it wouldn't clash with the other parks, the rumours have been around for so long there must be some demand for it too.

That theory always made a lot of sense to me. Discovery Cove seems to be pretty successful and Disney doesn't seem to like to let someone else be successful in Orlando without "appropriating" the idea too.

That would be interesting..I was wondering if Disney will ever get into the water mammal business or if they will always leave that to Sea World.

They actually work with Seaworld on the manatee protection programme in Florida. iirc, Disney have all of the rescued males while Seaworld keep the females (or it might be the other way around). The rumours I've heard always suggested a land based mammal interaction without actually saying what it would be.

No kidding! I had no idea that was the case. I wonder if Disney and Universal work on anything together...

Y'all do know that there are a few dolphins and manatees at the tank where Nemo is at Epcot, right? Last time we visited the attraction - maybe last spring? - there were at least a couple of manatee rescues, chompin' away on romaine lettuce, while a CM did some Q&A and education. There were also at least a couple of dolphins in the large tank as well. I mean, it's obviously not on the same level as Sea World, but still, there's a little marine life there.

lol..I actually came here to type..what happened to Gepetto..but..then I used my brain for 5 seconds.