Camp Minnie Mickey is know for two things. Maybe three. This is the best area of the Animal Kingdom to meet characters. The standard crew is available on the Greeting Trails (Mickey, Minnie, Goofy and Donald). I did not visit them because I have met them all before and the wait was generally pretty long. I did meet Thumper!
Aren't we cute?
Hanging around the area is Guitar Dan. He sings songs around the flag pole about the people he sees. Some of the songs were pretty creative, some were obviously reused.
Another big reason people venture across the bridge into the Camp is Festival of the Lion King. I like this show, mostly because it reminds me of Cirque du Soleil. It's not nearly as art-sy, but I still like it.
What is the third thing people know about Camp Minnie Mickey? It may be a part of a lost land in Disney lore.
There's a popular rumor that Animal Kingdom was suppose to pay tribute to animals of the present, creatures of the past, and beasts of mythology. The present is obvious. The past is too with Dinoland U.S.A. The fictional? Not there, but there are some clues they were suppose to be.
A few signs point to this being true, including a part of Camp Minnie Mickey.
First of all, the logo for Disney's Animal Kingdom.
This features a lion, an elephant, and a gazelle. Also featured is a tricerotops dinosaur. But it's the center that's surprising. A dragon. There is no dragon inside the park.
Sorta.
You can see above the ticket booths three heads, including a dinosaur, an elephant, and a dragon.
One of the parking lots is named Unicorn. Another mythological creature not actually referenced inside the park.
The last bit of hints that still exists is a waterfall just outside Camp Minnie Mickey. It looks like a dragon. See for yourself...
Now, I didn't really research to see what Disney's official position is on whether or not Beastly Kingdom was to happen or not, but I am absolutely positive it was. And not just because of these dragon sightings. I have other information that I will share with you in a later secret segment.
Other rumors I've heard included three rides. A unicorn attraction, a dark ride featuring Fantasia characters, and finally a roller coaster to feature a dragon theme. I've heard other rumors that Universal Studios' Dueling Dragons ride was planned for Disney, but after Disney bailed on the project, they took the fully designed coaster up the street.
Again, I don't know what the official word is about Beastly Kingdom, but those are the rumors along with some factual sightings strongly hinted towards its truth.
That's just me and Thumper again because we look adorable.
TTFN
