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Asia
,/* Fun Facts and Trivia */
Although not read for opening day, an Asia section of Disney’s Animal Kingdom had been on the drawing board since the genesis of the project <ref name= "book"> Malmberg, Melody. The Making of Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park. New York: Hyperion, 1998. Print. </ref>. To research the region, Imagineers visited: India, Singapore, Bhutan, Bali, Java and Nepal <ref name= "book"/>. By the summer of 1997, Imagineers were already hard at work constructing Asia’s safari ride<ref name= "book"/>.. Although initially viewed as a water based alternative to the [[Kilimanjaro Safaris]], the attraction eventually evolved into a white-water rafting thrill ride called "Tiger River Run". The attraction continued to be tinkered with, eventually opening as Kali River Rapids <ref> http://www.parkeology.com/2010/04/run-tiger-run.html </ref>.
===History Since Opening Day===
The Asia section of the park finally opened to guests in 1999 <ref name= "map"> http://www.florida-project.com/images/guidemaps/dak/disneys-animal-kingdom-guidemap-1999-march-05.jpg </ref>. On the land’s opening day it featured three attractions: the bird show [[Flight Flights of WonderWonders]], the [[Maharajah Jungle Trek]] walking trail, and the [[Kali River Rapids]]<ref name= "map"/>. Also present was the short-lived [[Discovery River Boats]] dock <ref> http://waltdatedworld.com/id55.htm </ref>. Following the closure of the boats on August 21, 1999, the dock was briefly turned into the Upcountry Landing Bar <ref> http://www.florida-project.com/images/guidemaps/dak/disneys-animal-kingdom-guidemap-1999-november-04.jpg </ref>, before being permanently used as a character meet and greet location <ref name= "wayback"> https://web.archive.org/web/20040603180109/http://www.wdwblues.com/ak/no.boats.html </ref>.
The first major expansion to Asia came on April 7, 2006, when Expedition Everest opened <ref> http://www.wdwmagic.com/attractions/expedition-everest/news/07apr2006-expedition-everest-opening-day-press-release.htm </ref>. The new attraction takes guests on a high speed adventure through the Forbidden Mountain, where they come face to face with the mythical yeti. Besides adding a new attraction to Asia, the Expedition Everest expansion also allowed guests to visit the mountainside village of Serka Zong (which translates to "fortress of the chasm") <ref> http://land.allears.net/blogs/jackspence/2010/04/expedition_everest_legend_of_t_2.html </ref>. Opening with Expedition Everest on April 7, 2006 was Serka Zong Bazaar, a gift shop <ref> https://d23.com/a-to-z/serka-zong-bazaar/ </ref>.
On December 14, 2015, Thirsty River Bar and Snacks opened in the former location of [[Expedition Everest]]'s FastPass distribution location <ref> http://www.wdwmagic.com/dining/thirsty-river-bar-and-trek-snacks/news/14dec2015-photos---thirsty-river-bar-and-trek-snacks-now-open-near-expedition-everest-at-disneys-animal-kingdom.htm </ref>. The new quick service stand sells a variety of food, and also contains a bar <ref>http://www.wdwmagic.com/dining/thirsty-river-bar-and-trek-snacks/news/14dec2015-photos---thirsty-river-bar-and-trek-snacks-now-open-near-expedition-everest-at-disneys-animal-kingdom.htm </ref>. In 2016, two of Asia's quick service stands underwent renovations <ref name= "wdw"> http://www.wdwmagic.com/attractions/animal-kingdom/news/21jan2016-photos---new-names-and-looks-for-snack-kiosks-at-disneys-animal-kingdom.htm M </ref>. At this time, "Bradley Falls" was renamed "Caravan Road", and "Maharajah Pretzel" was renamed "Chakranadi" <ref name= "wdw"/>.
On December 31, 2017, Flights of Wonder closed to guests. The attraction will be replaced by a new titled [[UP! A Great Bird Adventure]] based on the Disne-Pixar film UP <ref> https://www.wdwmagic.com/attractions/adventurers-meet-up!-a-great-bird-adventure/news/02feb2018-new-bird-show-at-disneys-animal-kingdom-to-be-called-adventurers-meet-up!-a-great-bird-adventure.htm </ref>.
UP! A Great Bird Adveneture opened to guests on April 22, 2018 <ref> https://www.google.com/search?q=up+a+great+bird+adventure&oq=UP!+A+Gr&aqs=chrome.1.69i57j0j69i60j0l3.3980j0j4&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8 </ref>
==Backstory==
==Attractions==
'''[[Maharajah Jungle Trek]]'''- This walking trail takes guests through the ruins of an ancient palace. Here, guests encounter giant fruit bats, Komodo dragons and even tigers.
'''[[Expedition Everest]]'''- This high speed roller coaster takes guests on a frantic journey through the Forbidden Mountain as they search for the mythical Yeti.
'''UP! A Great Bird Adventure'''- This outdoor show features various exotic birds performing tricks. Besides the wildlife, A UP! A Great Bird Adventure features Senior Wilderness Explorer Russell and his friend Dug the dog from the Disney-Pixar movie UP!. UP! A Great Bird Adventure replaced [[Flights of Wonder]] which had operated since Disney's Animal Kingdom opened.
===Former Attractions===
'''[[Flights of Wonder]]'''- In this show, guests could see various tricks performed by exotic birds. Flights of Wonder operated from April 22, 1998 until December 31, 2017.
[[Discovery River Boats]]- This slow moving boat attraction allowed guests to preview other parts of Disney's Animal Kingdom. The Discovery River Boats were known as the Discovery River Taxi from November through December 1998 and the Radio Disney River Cruise from March through August 1999, when the attraction permanently closed.
==Restaurants==
[[Image:yakandyeti.jpg|400px|thumb|The Yak and Yeti can be found in Asia. Photo by HarshLight]]
'''[[Yak and Yeti]]-''' This table service restaurant features a Pan-Asian menu.
'''[[Yak and Yeti Local Foods Café]]-''' This counter service restaurant offers guests a variety of Pan-Asian entrees.
'''[[Mr. Kamals]]-''' This quick service stand originally sold burgers; however it now features an entirely vegetarian menu. Located on the pathway between Asia and Africa.
'''[[Caravan Road]]-''' Located across from Mr. Kamals, Caravan Road is a quick service stand. The dining location was previously known as Bradley Falls.
'''[[Royal Anandapur Tea Company]]-''' This Joffery's stand specializes in pastries, coffee and (obviously) tea.
'''The Anandapur Ice Cream Truck-''' This quick service stand offers gusts guests frozen drinks and ice cream.
'''Thirsty River Bar and Trek Snacks'''- Located near Expedition EverstEverest, this dining location serves as a quick service stand and a full bar.
===Former Restaurants===
'''Upcountry Landing Bar'''- This short-lived bar sold various spirits while giving guests a great view of the Tree of Life <ref> http://www.florida-project.com/images/guidemaps/dak/disneys-animal-kingdom-guidemap-1999-november-04.jpg </ref> <ref name= "wayback"/>
* The sarcophagus of Ananta (Anandapur's founder) can be found on the [[Maharajah Jungle Trek]] <ref name= "Jack"/>
* Just across the bridge to into Asia, guests can see the giant ruins of a tiger shrine. This was inspired by shrines and ruins found in multiple locations including Sigirya in SriLanka, Mahabalipuram in India and Anglor Wat in Cambodia <ref> Joe Rohde shared this infomration his Instagram https://www.instagram.com/p/B-bUedcn4EU/ </ref>.
==References==
