Never-Built Animal Kingdom Rides - UnBuilt Disney

/ themeparkstop Plans for rides that were cancelled before Animal Kingdom even opened in 1998, including the infamous Beastly Kingdom. We dive into the original DinoLand plans, Tiger Rapids Run and more in this deep dive into the history of Walt Disney World's fourth theme park.
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Information Sources
"The Making of Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park" by Melody Malmberg
"Disney's Animal Kindgom: An Unofficial History" by Chuck Schmidt
Carousel Icon: disneyparkhistory.wordpress.c...
The Excavator: jimhillmedia.com/editor_in_ch...
Fantasia Swan Boats: progresscityusa.com/2009/06/19...
Kali River Rapids: www.jamboeveryone.com/2014/10/...
Beastly Kingdom Quote: www.bizjournals.com/orlando/s...
Additional Quotes: disneyatwork.com/looking-back-...
Photograph Sources
Animal Kingdom Concept Art Part 1: disneyandmore.blogspot.com/20...
Animal Kingdom Concept Art Part 2: disneyandmore.blogspot.com/20...
Magic Kingdom Swan Boats: waltdatedworld.com/id42.htm
Dragon Coaster Art: disneyandmore.blogspot.com/20...
DinoLand Coaster: marieswitzermiller.com/showDes...
Additional Concept Art: forums.wdwmagic.com/threads/t...
New York Times Story: www.nytimes.com/1995/06/21/us...
Dinosaur Jubilee Photos: disney.fandom.com/wiki/Dinosa...
Discovery River Boats Layout: alchetron.com/Discovery-River...
Discovery River Boats Photos: disney.fandom.com/wiki/Discov...
Discovery River Boats Happy Meal: waltdatedworld.com/id55.htm
Unicorn Statue Photos: disneyandmore.blogspot.com/20...
Additional Photos: www.jamboeveryone.com/
Additional Photos: allears.net/2018/02/25/disney...
Video Sources
The Making of Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park: • The Making of Disney's...
10th Anniversary Joe Rohde Presentation: • Disney's Animal Kingdo...
The Making of the Disney-MGM Studios Theme Park: • The Making of the Disn...
Nahtazu Commercial: • Animal Kingdom Nahtazu...
Indiana Jones Adventure: • 20 Years of Indiana Jo...
Cretaceous Trail: • Cretaceous Trail Walkt...
Kali River Rapids 1999: • Video
Kali River Rapids 2011: • KALI RIVER RAPIDS AT A...
Kali River Rapids 2020: • *NEW* Kali River Rapid...
Camp Minnie-Mickey Footage: • Camp Minnie-Mickey are...
Camp Minnie-Mickey Photos: orlandoparkstop.com/news/feat...
Animal Kingdom 1998 Commercial: • Disney's Animal Kingdo...
Animal Kingdom McDonald's Commercial: • McDonalds Happy Meal -...
Discovery Boats Part 1: • Discovery River Boats ...
Discovery Boats Part 2: • Discovery River Boats ...
Discovery River Boats with Fire: • Disney Animal Kingdom ...
Discovery River Boats Iguanodon 1: • Discovery River Boats ...
Discovery River Boats Iguanodon 2: • Discovery River Boats ...
Taxi River Boats: • WDW: Disney's Animal K...
Original Concept Art by Disney / Walt Disney Imagineering

[@ThemeParkStop]

Beastly Kingdom was the most requested topic for a new UnBuilt video, but since it's already well-covered by other channels, I decided to go even deeper and talk about ALL the cancelled plans. Hope you like the video!

[@KevinGamingChannelYT]

@Theme Park Stop 👍

[@heatherfigueroa5144]

Yay new video Right before my birthday.

[@ThemeParkStop]

Happy birthday!

[@KevinGamingChannelYT]

@@heatherfigueroa5144 Happy Birthday

[@carminecdinoproductions]

I want Disney’s Animal Kingdom to have more additions added in! I think Disney’s Animal Kingdom should have so much more new additions we could get including a fully-realized Beastly Kingdom, a carnival area that celebrates all animals, some carousels with lots of rideable animals like a carousel themed to The Lion King, more roller coasters like a new coaster for DinoLand USA, a Raya inspired Oriental Water Dragon coaster for Asia, and a Tarzan jungle coaster for Africa, a dark ride for The Jungle Book in Asia and a dark ride for The Lion King in Africa, a remastered Kali River Rapids with life-sized animal replicas renamed “Kali Tiger River Rapids Run”, a Camp Critter area with kid friendly rides and shows, a revived Jammin’ Jungle Parade, a revived Rivers of Light show, a revived and reimagined Discovery River Boats ride with life-size animal replicas added in like prehistoric ones and mythical ones that’ll be closed off for the night for Rivers of Light, new dinosaur themed additions to DinoLand USA like a Dino Institute dinosaur themed 3D movie theater attraction and aforementioned fully-realized coaster for DinoLand, etc.!

[@LandPirate62]

Nothing is funnier to me than “a realistically themed parking lot”

[@Viking_Luchador]

no-one thinks it's at all unusual that Rohde just happened to have a full-grown tiger on stand-by?

[@alyssavermette9585]

@@Viking_Luchador I mean hey its Rohde would you expect anything less at this point?!😂😂😂😂

[@Viking_Luchador]

Anybody know who Doc Gallows is? I think we should retroactively bestow the nickname "Daddy Dangly" on Rohde

[@chubbs2067]

I’m glad the Unicorn from Beastly Kingdom found new work at Hagrid’s... and look she’s a mum.

[@rodakscreens]

Gotta say, I appreciate the restraint in not immediately talking about Beastly Kingdom

[@ThemeParkStop]

Thanks! Thought it might be fun to build to it, but it also ties into the end of the story so fit better there.

[@AverytheCubanAmerican]

So if you want a project you’re working on to get greenlit, bring a tiger? Good to know. But seriously, I’m glad the park exists. It’s the beautiful park at WDW

[@wavelength3856]

Yup - bring a tiger, and be sure to say: "I am no longer ASKING for the approval on this project."

[@AgentLema]

It never ceases to amaze me at how hard Beastly Kingdom got shafted.

[@vianjelos]

In favor of Dinoland USA🤦‍♀️ the worse themed area in all of disney.

[@ultilinium8]

Or one of the best lore wise when you pay attention

[@eddieg6436]

All of the budget cuts developing the park were very interesting! It’s like as if a family was planning an incredible trip to Italy visiting all the sights and cities, only to have it cancelled, and instead just getting a horrible “Italian” meal at Olive Garden!!!

[@19kilo241]

Looks like the land they didn’t use for Kali Rapids could easily fit beastly kingdom. Hope they build it now that Universal has pretty much gutted all of lost continent for Harry Potter.

[@raphaelmarquez9650]

Or that long-rumored Zootopia land.

[@Viking_Luchador]

there's so much literal dead space at KRR. Such a waste. Unless DinoLand gets a truly MASSIVE overhaul, it should just be bulldozed in order to give Beastly Kingdom new life.

[@chileanyways196]

That would be amazing, especially since universal is building epic universe Disney needs to make something new

[@chelseasmerdon204]

I hope so too

[@AMagicProduction]

Animal Kingdom needs one more coaster, I know it would never happen but a B&M Wing coaster would be insane with world class theming

[@reddragon8488]

A rmc hybrid coaster would be perfect for dinoland also

[@Viking_Luchador]

Now that Primeval Whirl is in the trash where it belongs, I think the Excavator has a second chance at life

[@Precariousplatypus23]

No unmade plans bum me out more than beastly kingdom. It looked amazing and I’m so sad it never was made.

[@epicfiredragon0819]

If Dragons are real you want to see one. Now that beastly kingdom was never made compared to if it was made we have a higher chance now.

[@cottonkandy5239]

Considering the success of WWHP at Universal, I bet Disney is really regretting pulling the plug on Beastly Kingdom.

[@ottot3221]

The Imagineers weren't fond of the wooden rollercoaster idea, so they build a parking lot with a kitsch run of the mill carnival on it. Oh Disney.

[@ThemeParkStop]

@David Vitrano Yea it really does feel like a real roadside attraction... but unfortunately that authentic-feeling might be why people hate it so much. They did TOO good a job lol!

[@themeparknostalgia4480]

Like movie spoofs of soap operas. Hard to make fun of something that already makes fun of itself

[@AnimatronicWorld]

Great episode, as always ! ;) For me, it still hurts that Beastly Kingdom didn't became reality..

[@peanutismint]

I've seen a million Animal Kingdom videos but as always you seem to find some new fact or angle that I hadn't previously thought about, like the fact that not walking directly into a 'Main Street' is their way of having guests explore/discover the amazing Tree Of Life/rest of the park on their own, not to mention the now obvious Biblical allegories with the 'tree' and garden of Eden etc.... Good job Alicia!! 👍

[@ThemeParkStop]

Thanks! Glad you liked it, this was a tough one to put together.

[@AnnaBear971]

I know everyone focuses on the Beastly Kingdom and really wish it was built... but dAAAANG I wish that Excavator coaster was built! I love the areas of Dinoland that *aren't* the parking lot, and now I wish they were able to expand the dig site area. That would have been so gnarly.

[@santiagotombesi3653]

This is by far the best unreleased park. It's a shame we will never get to see this....

[@atribecalledjudah5436]

In a different world, Beastly Kingdom would have opened and the WW Of Harry Potter would have been a new land within BK.

[@TheAlanWilcox]

better yet Warner Bros had its own theme park chain and The Wizarding World of Harry Potter is built into its own section

[@vincelamb4063]

@@TheAlanWilcox Warner Brothers owned a majority stake in Six Flags from 1991 to 1995, but they sold it off. To this day, Six Flags still has the theme park rights to Loony Toons and DC characters.

[@wavelength3856]

This was the "Unbuilt" video I was most looking forward to!! And I was not disappointed. The history and imagery you put together were great. What a cool exercise to think about what DAK might have looked like on Opening Day if everything worked out perfectly! - I feel like the designers of DAK were pretty much batting 1000 with their blue-sky ideas.

[@thedevilgoose2482]

I don't care if Pandora is fantastic (which it is, btw) I want Beastly Kingdom! Such a great idea, quite sure it would be possible nowadays, and at least just to have all the dragon imagery make sense.

[@michaelparker4096]

Love the video and love this sort of content. Keep it up! If I may interject, would love to see the following changes/additions to DAK in next decade. 1) Bug's Life retheme (maybe Winnie & the Pooh) or at minimum refurbished 2) Festival of Lion King changed to Raya and Last Dragon, 3) Replace Nemo with a Jungle Book Show 4) Dino Land upgraded with the Excavator coaster/attraction finally added, 5) Add a Tarzan Hanging Coaster, 6) new sit down restaurant experience with animals surrounding you and a live show while you dine, 7) a new trackless dark ride for the largest animal focused IP, the Lion Kings with all the hits from the soundtrack and finally 8:) new land - Beastly Kingdom but even more ambitious. FWIT I am not sold on Indy or Zootopia at DAK but could see Ice age and or water friendly area. Also, expect an addition to Pandora in next decade too.

[@carminecdinoproductions]

A Beastly Kingdom adjacent to Pandora would be interesting and I don’t like the other changes! Maybe spots of land adjacent to Rafiki’s Planet Watch could be used for a Camp Critter area next door and even a creature carnival area!

[@yourentertainment945]

I wish Beastly Kingdom was built, or I hope they build it in the future

[@RhythmGrizz]

For real Would've been way more appealing and timeless than space pocahontas

[@yourentertainment945]

@@RhythmGrizz better than Camp Minnie and Mickey

[@lolomundo5226]

Agreed! If they're deadset against doing zootopia in animal kingdom then they should revisit beastly kingdom

[@yourentertainment945]

@@lolomundo5226 Even in 2021, Beastly Kingdom is still a pretty good land to build in Animal Kingdom

[@lolomundo5226]

@@yourentertainment945 For sure! An immersive land full of mystical and magical creatures would really be a great contender against harry potter

[@epicfiredragon0819]

I am an avid dragon researcher and I can’t believe how many people believe that dragons are always bad, it’s not true they’re just like humans and there are good and bad ones. I was kind of ashamed that Disney was unable to make the Beastly kingdom but now after watching this video I’m actually starting to be glad that it wasn’t built because that ride would’ve just disgraced all dragons and if they are real they would probably lock themselves where they’re hiding forever to never be seen by humans. If Disney had actually built one where it shows dragon and humans being friends it could have had them come out of where they’re hiding if they are real.

[@parteiipark8221]

keep these sort of videos up!

[@KevinGamingChannelYT]

@Theme Park Stop Keep It The Fantastic Work On The Videos

[@shearprzeslica87]

I just went to Animal Kingdom two days ago. I totally loved it and the themed lands are incredible (except for dinoland just because it's kinda a lame setting to start with). It's my favorite Disney park now but to make it a full day park they really need another land with (real) animals. South America or Australia or something like that which can have nice heavy themed buildings like Asia and Africa. If they did that it would be perfect. I wouldn't even mind the rumored Zootopia land if they also added some other real animal walking trail

[@nickthetrex]

Meanwhile in an alternate universe, Michael was still CEO of Disney. George Lucas continued to work on Star Wars. Beastly Kingdom opened in late 2000.

[@whistling]

Keep up the fantastic work on the videos!

[@ThemeParkStop]

Thanks!

[@KevinGamingChannelYT]

@@ThemeParkStop 👋

[@KevinGamingChannelYT]

@@ThemeParkStop 👍

[@KevinGamingChannelYT]

@@ThemeParkStop ✌️

[@jonoclarke0808]

Always love your videos and content! I've seen many videos about this but as always you delve deeper and find new information. I would love to see Animal Kingdom expand but to what direction Disney is going to go will be interesting. There is always a push to have more IP into all the parks, and now with joe rohde retired who knows if that hesitation against will be a road block. In terms of additions, an Amazon addition would be a plus for the conservation side of things. The only IP that really makes sense with the old Animal Kingdom ideals is the Jungle Book, which would be an addition to Asia. A far fetched idea would be an indoor Arctic/North area (not a plug for Frozen because wouldn't fit with original ideals but it would be a way to bring Fox into the picture with a meet and greet for Ice Age characters and a small kids play area). Pandora has an expansion pad which will probably be used in the future. A new take to Beastley Kingdom next to Animal Kingdom would be awesome. Personally, other than Jungle Book or Phantasia for Beastly Kingdom, I would love Disney to keep away from heavy IP content in Animal kingdom. The focus on world we live in, past and present (other than mythical nods), creates its own awe and wonder. Make us appreciation our role in the survival of all creatures.

[@ThemeParkStop]

Some really great ideas, and I agree that focusing on the natural world would be best for the park, especially long-term! I think Australia or South America could be great additions to the park, and get it back to exploring continents and different biomes.

[@livedits6022]

they should have a lion king ride, a rollar coaster where basically simba is running through the whole island or something more creative but it needs more rollarcoasters and better rides cuz right now its the least exciting park

[@solcarlosofficial]

I will say this forever. Kali river rapids needs an IP retheme. That ride doesn’t not feel Disney. Everyone skips that ride. And with a simple Ip retheme it could become a most. Like what they did with the frozen ride. I’m thinking they could theme it to Jungle book or RAYA

[@yetifromexpeditioneverest7400]

Raya deserves it's own land, same with Jungle Book.

[@jimbodeek]

Or maybe they could expand Asia with a section based on Kumandra. In this section, they could feature attractions based around the story of Raya and the Last Dragon, including a meet-and-greet with Raya and Sisu and a ride featuring an encounter with Sisu in audio-animatronic form. This way, Animal Kingdom can finally live up its vision of a kingdom of "lions, dinosaurs, and DRAGONS".

[@yetifromexpeditioneverest7400]

@@jimbodeek YES i am designing that right now

[@TheBeefTrain]

@@yetifromexpeditioneverest7400 Raya wasn't popular enough to get its own land.

[@jimbodeek]

@@TheBeefTrain Doesn't mean we shouldn't dreaming...

[@floran620]

00:58 I thought it was Carole Baskin! LOL

[@bobcheapek4334]

If the Tree of Life had carvings of my face, it would be so much better Only Disney can really make you think you’re on a safari on a continent you’re not actually on

[@freeZe1989]

Hey Mr Chapek can u give us Horizons back plzzz thnx!!

[@carminecdinoproductions]

I want Disney’s Animal Kingdom to have more additions added in! I think Disney’s Animal Kingdom should have so much more new additions we could get including a fully-realized Beastly Kingdom, a carnival area that celebrates all animals, some carousels with lots of rideable animals like a carousel themed to The Lion King, more roller coasters like a new coaster for DinoLand USA, a Raya inspired Oriental Water Dragon coaster for Asia, and a Tarzan jungle coaster for Africa, a dark ride for The Jungle Book in Asia and a dark ride for The Lion King in Africa, a remastered Kali River Rapids with life-sized animal replicas renamed “Kali Tiger River Rapids Run”, a Camp Critter area with kid friendly rides and shows, a revived Jammin’ Jungle Parade, a revived Rivers of Light show, a revived and reimagined Discovery River Boats ride with life-size animal replicas added in like prehistoric ones and mythical ones that’ll be closed off for the night for Rivers of Light, new dinosaur themed additions to DinoLand USA like a Dino Institute dinosaur themed 3D movie theater attraction and aforementioned fully-realized coaster for DinoLand, etc.!

[@prentisroberson2305]

The part of the never built Asia boat ride could be a perfect spot for either Zootopia Land or Ice Age Land.

[@Brandenonline]

I’ve heard about beastly kingdom so many times but it was really interesting to hear about the river rapids because I’ve never gotten the them is supposed to be loggers burning down the Forrest, it’s definitely lacking in theming but when I ride it again I no know the full storyline 👍🏽

[@weirsgarage]

this was one of the best vids I have seen you guys do. Loved it.

[@ThemeParkStop]

Thank you so much!

[@dragonfire810]

Is there going to be The Lion King Ride at Disneyland and Disney World in honour of the 30th anniversary?

[@xBloodxFangx]

Its sad to think the only Beastly Kingdom we are gonna ever get is Expedition Everest.

[@atribecalledjudah5436]

Looks like they were gifted Mile High Stadium’s Bronco for the unicorn 🦄

[@tnwhiskey68]

I think AK is an amazing park that would take multiple trips to fully appreciate!

[@Person-wz6iy]

Why not a Night on Bald Mountain Rollercoaster which could go around a mountain with a giant statue of Cherabog on top!

[@nessa0492]

the concept of an Asian themed safari with tigers and Asian elephants would be pretty cool, the reason it was abandoned in development was that it would have been difficult to see from the lower vantage point. and it seems that their where plans to not just have african elephants in disney's animal kingdom but also add asian elephants in the asian portion of the park

[@AmusementLabs]

I guess most of the Beastly Kingdom coaster characteristics became Everest. Fast coaster, outdoors, go indoors to see a big animatronic...

[@AnimatronicWorld]

So the dragon would now be in B-Mode as well ? ;D

[@AmusementLabs]

@@AnimatronicWorld disco dragon

[@tjmartinez1505]

I never knew this before.🙂

[@christopherthedisneydude6621]

Love this channel!

[@mand9922]

Muito interessante!

[@ethansissyshouseofgames5914]

Change isn’t always good....a shame

[@omarnoble4788]

If they figure out something better to do with Dinorama and Zootopia shows up eventually (though I am slightly conflicted about this since Zootopia is so heavily based on real life. Pandora feels like a better fit because of the focus on natural beauty even if it's an alien planet) then I think Animal Kingdom will truly feel complete.

[@kingofdelfinusdelphus1743]

Animal Kingdom shouldve had a Panda exhibit .. it shouldve happen. they have a great animal care program

[@carminecdinoproductions]

Definitely, bits of China should be added in with a Chinese Dragon roller coaster adjacent to Expedition Everest!

[@eeehhh982]

I think the cost to be lent a panda from china is like $1mil/year, also china is VERY selective with their candidates to get pandas. Hell, the san diego zoo had to send theirs back to china in 2019 and are still discussing continuing the zoo's panda program.

[@mocha_.]

@@eeehhh982 Wait- really?! I went to San Diego Zoo during my Cali trip (since I live on the east coast) in 2018 and we loved to take pics with the pandas, one sleeping and the others awake. That's too bad!

[@adventuresbyalex6511]

They should re visit the Excavator plan now that Primeval Whirl is no longer open

[@UnityBringer]

Ooh can't wait for this!

[@MsDisneylandlover]

Praying to go wdw especially so I can get on the dinosaur ride

[@MichaelSar12IsBack]

Hopefully the proposed Indiana Jones/Encanto/Coco retheme of Dinoland winds up joining these projects...

[@platypusgaming1971]

pog vid

[@chelseasmerdon204]

I think Beastly kingdom should have been built long ago and I would have loved it, the Imagineers could always buy more land for Disney’s Animal Kingdom so that Beastly Kingdom can be built with just a few changes

[@dennissmith5807]

I’m glad they didn’t go with the Noah biblical garbage.

[@itsariii9078]

So did it get cancelled Bec it was too much money?

[@Emike-nc9ew]

Like pandora or not,im at least happy that joe rohde had his fanstical animal land,and they at least turned an ok movie into a really good ride.

[@RhythmGrizz]

We could've got Beastly Kingdom. They gave us... avatar world.

[@lolomundo5226]

To be fair...Pandora is pretty amazing but it'd be nice to have both!

[@ojll3917]

and zootopia will probably be next at dak

[@freeZe1989]

No I’m good would rather have something else. Bob Chapek will figure something out.

[@estefy1005]

I think that animal kingdom needs more, Dino Land it’s cute but boring, it would be awesome if they did something else with that land, Pandora is awesome but is the only new thing on the park, they could do a lion king attraction of a jungle book or something with Zootopia idk

[@Maniac536]

Hoping to see the Aliens 3D show on this series soon

[@cmike.skywalker]

This all makes me so sad. Animal Kingdom had the potential to become the best park at Disney. I love AK, but it still lacks in so many areas. I personally despise DinoLand USA (though I do enjoy the DINOSAUR ride). The theming is just cringey, and I don’t feel like it fits in with the rest of the park. And though I know many will disagree with me, I also feel the same about Pandora. It’s beautiful and fun, but it doesn’t fit as a proper replacement for Beastly Kingdom. I hope Animal Kingdom gets more love in the future, because it certainly deserves it.

[@roycem4945]

twice you speak / show -- Kraken - time 10:21 and 14:22 --- but --- that is the loch ness monster -- "nelly" --- NOTE: the Kraken image is at 14:35 -

[@velociwyatt9080]

No that's the dragon.

[@roycem4945]

@@velociwyatt9080 see the tentacle above the dragon at 14:35 - the kraken is mixed in with the dragon

[@MsDisneylandlover]

Mine car ride look kool

[@MsDisneylandlover]

They should had stuck with the 1st drawing.

[@JoeyBlueJ]

I still want Beastly Kingdom

[@ojll3917]

not going to happen unfournately. what will happen is zootopia within the next 5 to 10 years at dak

[@thekingdomgazette2017]

Beastly Kingdom is literally the one attraction I wish with all my might would have come to fruition - every time I see that dragon silohette at Animal Kingdom I feel a little disappointed, lol!

[@conversemontana1768]

I remember those McDonalds toys

[@TheBeefTrain]

Disney's done some dumb things, but not building Beastly Kingdom is near the top of the list. Pandora is whack and doesn't fit in with Disney at all. That entire park is garbage and needs a new land that isn't full of budget cuts.

[@PeterBenedetto]

I still want my dragons and unicorns... I hate pandora.

[@k001daddy]

Biblical references would have been incredibly controversial. Surprised that Disney even considered it.

[@allenelijah7063]

Times were definitely different back then

[@ethansissyshouseofgames5914]

Disney is headed down the wrong path...you can see where we’ve gotten away from God

[@janmartenlocher]

Hmm..interesting..Lookin back it's a tragedy Disney didn't manifest their original plans.. Somehow I'm happy to go to UNIVERSAL now!