In 1998, McDonald's Happy Meals featured the newest Walt Disney World theme park in Florida, Disney's Animal Kingdom. The "New Species of Theme Park" was imagined as a celebration of all animals living, extinct and imaginary. Disney's Animal Kingdom is the largest Disney park in the world. The park's biggest attraction is the Kilimanjaro Safaris, which covers about 100 acres (the size of The Magic Kingdom Park).
When the park opened, the DinoLand U.S.A. section was sponsored by McDonald's. One of the eateries, Restaurantosaurus, featured a McDonald's menu. There were even special Happy Meal toys created exclusively for this establishment (T-Rex and Triceratops squirt guns, which I was unable to get). The big attraction in DinoLand was an attraction called "Countdown to Extinction." This featured dinosaurs from the 2000 Disney film "Dinosaur," and when the movie debuted, the name of the ride changed to "Dinosaur" (none of the characters ever spoke).
Disney's Animal Kindom Happy Meal featured 12 animal toys. There was a Triceratops, Toucan, Gorilla (with her baby), Elephant, Lemur, Dragon, Iguanodon, Zebra, Lion, Cheetah, Crocodile and Rhino. They all had different functions. The Elephant, for example, was a squirt gun, and the Zebra was a wind-up toy.
Wait a minute! There was one animal you could only get at McDonald's restaurants found inside Walmart stores. I only knew to look for the Tortoise because I had read about it online (this was way back in 1998, when the Internet was fairly new to me). So I made sure to visit a Walmart McDonalds to get one!
Disney's Animal Kingdom is famous for its ferocious fire-breathing dragon!
Well, it is famous because it does not exist at the park, yet it is featured in the Animal Kingdom logo. The park's Discovery River had a boat ride that floated past the park's "lands." Beastly Kingdomme was to be the home of mythical animals like dragons and unicorns. The land was supposed to feature a dragon-themed roller coaster, a unicorn-themed labyrinth, and a Fantasia-themed boat ride. As part of a hint of the future, Disney Imagineers positioned a cave along the river, with fire shooting out at guests in the boats. The dragon itself was never actually seen. The boat ride closed many years ago. Here's a closer view of the Dragon toy.
It's 2010 and the park still doesn't have a dragon. Instead of the dragon roller coaster, the park got "Expedition Everest," a wonderful coaster featuring the Yeti, in 2006. This great attraction can be found in the Asia section of Disney's Animal Kingdom (Asia opened in 1999).
The dragon is still featured on Animal Kingdom's logo and front gate, and Disney character-based Animal Kingdom merchandise sold in the park features dragons Elliott and Madam Mim.
The McDonald's Animal Kingdom toys are fairly easy to find on eBay these days.
UPDATE 9/24/11: The future of the park will be out of this world!
Check out Disney's Animal Kingdom Thinks Outside Pandora's Box: James Cameron's AVATAR Land.For more Animal Kingdom McDonald's Happy Meal fun, check out
Disney's Animal Kingdom Pandora AVATAR McDonald's Happy Meal.
Happy meals have gone downhill. I would've loved one of these, just for the box alone.
ReplyDeletexoRobyn
Hey Robyn! I think they dropped the boxes a while back. I rarely kept the boxes, but I thought there was something special about these. Thanks for writing! :-)
ReplyDeleteGreat info on Animal Kingdom! I did not know that the Safari area was as large as the Magic Kingdom!
ReplyDeleteI think the name change of the Dinosaur ride attraction was unecessary (except for the fact that they obviously wanted to plug the new movie and it's merchandise.) I think Countdown to Extinction is a much better name, but that's just me.
I wish they had built the Beastly Kingdom area...maybe they still will someday. I also wish they hadn't closed the boat ride!
TokyoMagic!: Yes, the Safari area is crazy huge! On the train to Rafiki's Planet Watch/Conservation Station, you can see where the animals sleep at night (saw some animals there during the day, too--including a cute baby elephant!).
ReplyDeleteYes, Countdown to Extinction is a much better name. They should bring the old name back.
I think people were expecting the boat ride to be like the Jungle Cruise, but it was really only a water taxi. The artwork on the Happy Meal box makes it look much better than it was, I think. There was an animatronic dinosaur representing Dinoland along the shore (I never got to ride the boat, but I did remember seeing it on TV).
Beastly Kingdom should be built ASAP, in my opinion. It would solve quite a few of the park's problems. The concept art is just spectacular. I saw a picture of the model for the Dragon coaster, and it would have been incredible. Maybe they'll revive it--here's hoping!
Nice post! It always amazes me at how many detailed facts, and novel history that you include in your writing. Such great pieces as well!!
ReplyDeleteWow, thank you Darrin! I appreciate getting such a compliment from a talented, prolific writer like you!
ReplyDeleteI knew I knew I knew that alligator was something Disney! I have it, and when I was little, I would feed it! Someday I have to open it and see what's inside. ;) Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteThanks, THE Disney Freak! If I'm remembering correctly, these toys may not have any Disney markings at all on them, so it's no wonder it was a mystery to you!
ReplyDeleteHey, Dan! I'm hoping to do a post on that same alligator, and was wondering if I could use the picture with all the animals. If not, that's okay. I have my own pictures of my alligator. ;)
ReplyDeleteAgain, thanks for sharing.
That's a pretty awesome dragons. I'm a big fan for dragons, aside from Disney. I'll have to check it out on ebay.
Hey THE Disney Freak! Yes, that is okay!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Dan! Here's the post: http://thedisneyfreakblog.blogspot.com/2012/03/i-knew-it.html
ReplyDelete