Animal Kingdom ® is an equal opportunist when it comes to the animals they house. From the world’s most exotic animals to creatures found in legends and myths, the park certainly doesn’t discriminate between real and imaginary animals. This is evident in the one-time plans for a dragon-themed area in the park called Beastly Kingdom.

The project was planned for the area of the park where Camp Minnie Mickey currently resides and was expected to be a land themed around the animals of myth and legend, including dragons, sea monsters, and unicorns. The park had even dreamed up a major thrill ride known as Dragon Tower that would have been the draw for the area.  Guests would have crossed the bridge from Discovery Island where they would have seen charred armour of knights who had attempted to cross the bridge. The dragon-head that still lies at the riverbank near the entrance to Camp Minnie-Mickey would have mimicked a real looking, fire breathing dragon and the boat ride that originally sailed the river would have offered glimpses at a kraken from beneath the water and a unicorn drinking on the riverbank.

Unfortunately the dragon themed area was scratched and the only animal of legend in the park is the Yeti on Expedition Everest.

There are still remnants of dragons throughout the park including a giant dragonhead that can be found above one of the ticket booths at the entrance to the park and the original dragon rock sculpture on the banks of the river. There’s a parking zone named “Unicorn,” and Animal Kingdom’s ® logo even tells the story of a dragon area with a flying dragon situated right in the middle.

While Beastly Kingdom may never come to fruition, there is still a chance dragons may make a return to the theme park, somewhat, with the new “Avatar Land.” In July Best of Orlando reported that James Cameron revealed that in addition to the thriving green landscape of Pandora, there would be a ride that “simulates flight.” That alone doesn’t necessarily suggest guests will be flying around in one of Pandora’s dragon-like creatures but it doesn’t rule it out either.

“Avatar Land” is currently in the design phase with construction not expected to begin until sometime next year. When they do begin, James Cameron’s Lightstorm Entertainment will work with Walt Disney Imagineers to bring the world of Pandora, Avatars, and hopefully the creatures of Avatar to life at Animal Kingdom ®.

Orlando, FL 09/12/12