Changes
Asia
,==History==
===Conception===
Although not read for opening day, an Asia land for 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 of Wonder]], the [[Maharajah Jungle Trek]] walking trail, and the [[Kali River Rapids]]<ref name= "map"/>. Also present on opening day 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, before being permanently used as a character meet and greet location <ref> 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 enter 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>.
==Backstory==
[[Image:Anandapur.jpg|400px|thumb|A map of Anandapur. Photo by Jeremy Thompson]]
According to the land's backstory, Anandapur was founded ages ago by Anata, a wise ruler who knew the importance of living in harmony with animals <ref name= "Jack"> http://land.allears.net/blogs/jackspence/2010/10/does_this_couple_look_familiar_1.html </ref>. In 1544 however, King Bhima Disampati decreed that the forest near Anandapur was to be home to a royal hunting preserve <ref name= "Jack"/> . In order to make hunting easier, King Disampati built a hunting lodge, and enclosed much of the area , in an attempt to trap his prey. Ironically, King Disampati was killed by a tiger, and his successors (remembering Anata's teachings) transformed the enclosure into a nature preserve <ref name= "Jack"/>.
For many years, Anandapur (and much of Southeast Asia) was under British colonial rule. In 1948 however , Anandapur was granted their independence, and the forest preserve was given to the people <ref> http://land.allears.net/blogs/jackspence/2009/10/maharajah_jungle_trek_1.html </ref>.
With the addition of Expedition Everest in 2006, Disney expanded Asia to include the village of Serka Zong. According to the attraction's backstory, Serka Zong was originally a thriving tea plantation, equipped with steam trains used to transport the crops to Anandapur <ref name= "everst"> http://land.allears.net/blogs/jackspence/2010/04/expedition_everest_legend_of_t.html </ref>. For unknown reasons however, the plantation was shut down and the trains ceased to run <ref name= "everst"/>. Due to rumors that the mythical yeti was responsible for the plantation's demise, a number of yeti shrines were constructed in order to appease the creature<ref name= "everst"/>.
==Attractions==
'''Flight of Wonders'''- In this show, guests can see various tricks performed by all kinds of exotic birds.
'''[[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!.
'''[[Kali River Rapids]]'''- This raft ride takes guests down the Chakranadi River in true whitewater fashion. The Kali River Rapids also shows guests the danger of illegal logging and habitat destruction.
