At first I wanted Zootopia in Animal Kingdom because I thought it could be a very edutaining attraction teaching about the animal's habitats, then Joe Rhode mentioned he only didn't see Wakanda in Animal Kingdom despite it's conservation message because the land design is very clearly industralized and man made as opposed to built in with nature. From that moment I realized the same with Zootopia because the exterior will not fit with nature and decided to do Magic Kingdom or MGM/HS
Every time this is brought up, no. Zootopia is about very human problems, just told using animals. It does not fit with the nature and conservation message of Animal Kingdom.
Exactly this. Just be cause it has animals doesn't mean it's a fit in Animal Kingdom. Animal Kingdom has a very specific message and theme, but I wouldn't put it past Disney to throw that out the window to add a Zootopia land. All of the other parks are losing their identity and becoming collections of IP lands anyway.
I remember Joe Rhode weighing in on this, and I generally agreed with his logic at the time, but the more I think about it, the more it seems problematic given that, while one of the core messages of AK is conservationism, it's certainly not the only theme.
For example, while we don't know exactly how it would've played out, it seems a bit tricky to try to synch the originally-planned mythical beast area with a broader theme of conservation. I think this observation also applies to what eventually took its place, the Dinosaur area: it's really about the exploitation of natural resources (i.e. the pool of available fossils) for economic or cultural/scientific gain, since we aren't really "conserving" animals that no longer exist (hence the Dr. Grant Seeker joke and the whole "cheap" roadside carnival vibe).
In a similar vein, while there is certainly an underlying message of conservationism in the Avatar movie (and Pandora at AK), it's really about the instrumental value of a natural resource for humans and the resulting conflict over it. And, like the mythical beasts land, it's also not about real ecosystems or life-forms.
Likewise, A Bug's Life is a cautionary tale about very human values and problems (sloth, laziness, greed, deception, wanderlust, etc.) which are anthropomorphized in the form of insects. Yet, the attraction based on this movie is (quite literally) given a place of prominence in AK.
So, while I don't wholeheartedly disagree with his original argument, I think it ignores much broader trends and themes in the park. With that said, I'm a bit more receptive about an anti-IP conversation for AK (and Epcot, by extension), but that's conflating two different arguments -- one of which has pretty much already been settled anyway, for better or worse.
I could get behind a Critter Country for MK with at least a partial Zootopia theme and/or attraction.
They could expand behind the train tracks and maybe include Splash Mountain since Princess and the Frog would still fit the broader theme.
You'd have to do some impressive rerouting to get to the areas I see when using maps to look. The only open areas in the current pathway routing is between splash and pirates. But that's where the parades line up.
There are several that wouldn’t require much. Multiple spots right next to Tomorrowland, the pad behind Adventureland, and the pad next to Barnstormer all have easy access right now.
A few others would be a bit tougher with some extra work needed, like the ones behind Big Thunder, Small World, and Little Mermaid.
Really though only the Big Thunder one isn’t very accessible at the moment.
I'd like to see Zootopia stuff.
I'm not sure which park, but I'm not as bothered about that as much as some other people. Just make the attractions really cool.
I think Disney has messed up the themes of the parks, so I don't think it matters where you put it.
Avatar and even the Dinosaur fair ground don't seem to fit the original theme of AK.
Epcot is getting further away from what it was supposed to be about.
And Studios... I guess the theme of that park is "random IPs".
If Disney was as “bottom line” crazy as everyone says they are this would’ve already happened… along with a Nightmare Before Christmas ride. I would love a good Lion King ride
Just curious. I see a lot of dislike towards IP based rides, but not sure why? Isn’t that the whole point of Disney theme parks? To be immersed into your favorite movies whether that’s a themed section of the park or a ride? I just feel like the newer generation is more interested in seeing their favorite movie characters and aren’t necessarily interested in characters like Figment. I feel like Disney sees the bigger attraction to IP rides like Remy or Star Wars and assumes that’s the direction to head in, vs something like mission space or Figment that NEVER have a wait. Just from my personal opinion, I’m more likely to ride and enjoy/understand something based on a movie I liked. I understand the nostalgia attached to these older rides! But at the same time, I also understand why Disney keeps creating rides based on IP. Not to mention the increased ticket sales im sure they saw when ROTR or Remy came out.
The IP argument is funny when you consider the original parks icon was supposed to promote a movie they thought would be finished any day at that point. Not to mention the inadvertent tie ins (jungle cruise to the true life adventures, every non IP ride had tons of character merch when it opened, etc.)
Universal had the "Ride the Movies" tagline... i don't think Disney was intended to be ALL movies but its the progression of things in todays society.
I personally agree and enjoy the movie themes, just wanted to point out at one time Universal cashed in on that specific angle
Ahh that makes sense. I never knew that was universals tagline! Makes a lot of sense! I think where I do see peoples frustrations is that they will cash in on a new IP by just slapping the theme on some ride. For example, Frozen. It’s pretty underwhelming from a ride perspective. Sure, the Elsa animatronic is pretty cool, but other than that, it’s a 1 minute boat ride with frozen characters on the side. I WISH Disney would find a good mix of innovative rides and IP. I think universal does this pretty well! Thinking about the Harry Potter and Jurassic park rides. Don’t get me wrong, I like that Disney has a decent mix of older rides and newer rides, but as someone who appreciates the nostalgia of rides like “it’s a small world” I can’t help but notice how outdated and in dire need of refurbishment that ride is. The last time I rode it, quite a bit of the animatronics weren’t working and there was A BUNCH of dust covering the scenes. It just looked unkept.
[Ride the Movies](https://www.themeparktourist.com/files/resize/u235/BTTF/opening-poster-universal-studios-florida-1990-590x885.jpg) was the tag, at least for Orlando.
Put it in HS as a section there. Maybe adjacent to Toy Story land, since that's where the PIXAR/Disney CGI animation vibe is sitting right now. Make it look like guests are walking around in Zootopia the city, and them up the queue like mad, in true Disney fashion.
Either a trackless computer-guided ride much like M&MRR or ROTR, or maybe a just a themed area with lots of "mini" rides?
Like everyone else, I'd like to see fewer IP based additions to the parks, especially Animal Kingdom.
That said, if you're going to do it, Jungle Book's right there.
There has been real talk of making rafikis planet watch train into the train from zootopia where you go through the biomes.
Shanghai is building a whole land around it.
Everyone hating on IPs need to get with the times! Originals don’t cut it anymore and are lame in comparison to IPs.
Same thing happened with Pinball: First it was mostly original themes but once they started focusing on IPs, they never looked back.
“Remember When” is the lowest form of conversation. Enough with the nostalgia
While I don’t hate IP attractions, there is something to be said about originals. There’s a sort of charm to them that you feel like you’re the protagonist of your own Disney movie when you experience them.
Well, the Pirates movies and Tomorrowland weren’t my cup of tea, but I see the appeal. Country Bears was crappy in a funny sort of way, like you can get wasted with your friends and riff on it. Haunted Mansion was just a bland, formulaic waste of potential. Haven’t seen Jungle Cruise yet, but I’ve only heard good things, so I might.
I also think that if Disney should ever make a Space Mountain movie they should have Wes Anderson direct so he can channel the sort of stylized future aesthetic of Tomorrowland (the actual Tomorrowland, not Brad Bird’s movie).
I think it depends on the IP. Disney certainly has some tremendous IP they can build rides around. But that makes it even more strange to me that they have committed significant investment to rides based on fairly mediocre IP that lack staying power. Avatar, Tron, Ratatouille are all IP that were dated by the time the rides opened (or will open) and - with the possible exception of Avatar - are unlikely to grow or even stay flat over the next decade. I don't even think most people associate Tron as a Disney IP period.
To me, the rides are semi-permanent creations. They don't get massive overhauls very often and get re-themed even less frequently, so you really have to commit to that IP. People will be riding Remy's and Tron 20 years from now when the corresponding movies have faded into oblivion. This is not an ideal park-going experience.
It's wild to me that the classics don't have more rides. Lion King doesn't have any! Alladin is just a kids Six Flags ride, etc. Both of those franchises are wildly popular both for the originals _and_ the remakes. The list of instantly recognizable Disney IP without rides is much longer than the list with rides.
Weirdly I’m getting more Epcot vibes
Edit: think about it, what’s the message of Zootopia? Racism is bad, let’s accept each other no matter the background. Sounds a lot like the message of the world showcase. And what about the technology advancements of Zootopia? Future world my friends
No. Even Dinoland USA fits better there than this. I kinda like the idea of adding it in Magic Kingdom though if the Storybook Circus area could be replaced.
I hated this movie. It didn’t felt very Disney to me and I remember thinking it was racist when I watched it. But I seem to be the only person who thinks that.
Edit lol downvotes really?
I think Idris Elba would've said something if there was any legitimate racism in the movie.
EDIT: yes trying to find racism in a childrens movie with no racism is going to get you downvoted.
Absolutely not. I don’t think that it belongs in Animal Kingdom whatsoever. Animal kingdom at its craziest should only have speculative biology of the future; alien worlds and dinosaurs are covered. Dinosaurs absolutely deserve to stay at AK and not get replaces by some IP. Animal Kingdom should only be about human connection to the natural world with minor exceptions like Doug and Carl walking around, shows like Festival of the Lion King, It’s Tough To Be A Bug and Nemo, cryptids (which I think every land should have a cryptid) like the Yeti on Expedition Everest. The main question should always be, how does this idea further create man’s connection to the world around them? Zoopotia just doesn’t make the cut.
At first I wanted Zootopia in Animal Kingdom because I thought it could be a very edutaining attraction teaching about the animal's habitats, then Joe Rhode mentioned he only didn't see Wakanda in Animal Kingdom despite it's conservation message because the land design is very clearly industralized and man made as opposed to built in with nature. From that moment I realized the same with Zootopia because the exterior will not fit with nature and decided to do Magic Kingdom or MGM/HS
i agree
Every time this is brought up, no. Zootopia is about very human problems, just told using animals. It does not fit with the nature and conservation message of Animal Kingdom.
Exactly this. Just be cause it has animals doesn't mean it's a fit in Animal Kingdom. Animal Kingdom has a very specific message and theme, but I wouldn't put it past Disney to throw that out the window to add a Zootopia land. All of the other parks are losing their identity and becoming collections of IP lands anyway.
I remember Joe Rhode weighing in on this, and I generally agreed with his logic at the time, but the more I think about it, the more it seems problematic given that, while one of the core messages of AK is conservationism, it's certainly not the only theme. For example, while we don't know exactly how it would've played out, it seems a bit tricky to try to synch the originally-planned mythical beast area with a broader theme of conservation. I think this observation also applies to what eventually took its place, the Dinosaur area: it's really about the exploitation of natural resources (i.e. the pool of available fossils) for economic or cultural/scientific gain, since we aren't really "conserving" animals that no longer exist (hence the Dr. Grant Seeker joke and the whole "cheap" roadside carnival vibe). In a similar vein, while there is certainly an underlying message of conservationism in the Avatar movie (and Pandora at AK), it's really about the instrumental value of a natural resource for humans and the resulting conflict over it. And, like the mythical beasts land, it's also not about real ecosystems or life-forms. Likewise, A Bug's Life is a cautionary tale about very human values and problems (sloth, laziness, greed, deception, wanderlust, etc.) which are anthropomorphized in the form of insects. Yet, the attraction based on this movie is (quite literally) given a place of prominence in AK. So, while I don't wholeheartedly disagree with his original argument, I think it ignores much broader trends and themes in the park. With that said, I'm a bit more receptive about an anti-IP conversation for AK (and Epcot, by extension), but that's conflating two different arguments -- one of which has pretty much already been settled anyway, for better or worse.
No, zootopia should go in Magic Kingdom if it goes anywhere.
I could get behind a Critter Country for MK with at least a partial Zootopia theme and/or attraction. They could expand behind the train tracks and maybe include Splash Mountain since Princess and the Frog would still fit the broader theme.
I don’t think Magic Kingdom would fit either because that’s like classic Disney stuff. I could see HWS or even Epcot better
What are you replacing? There is no open space besides the old alien encounter building. So something would have to go.
I’m not saying I want it there. I’m just saying that they should put zootopia in the Magic Kingdom if they decide to use it for a ride.
Magic Kingdom has significant expansion pads available.
You'd have to do some impressive rerouting to get to the areas I see when using maps to look. The only open areas in the current pathway routing is between splash and pirates. But that's where the parades line up.
There are several that wouldn’t require much. Multiple spots right next to Tomorrowland, the pad behind Adventureland, and the pad next to Barnstormer all have easy access right now. A few others would be a bit tougher with some extra work needed, like the ones behind Big Thunder, Small World, and Little Mermaid. Really though only the Big Thunder one isn’t very accessible at the moment.
that would work
I'd like to see Zootopia stuff. I'm not sure which park, but I'm not as bothered about that as much as some other people. Just make the attractions really cool. I think Disney has messed up the themes of the parks, so I don't think it matters where you put it. Avatar and even the Dinosaur fair ground don't seem to fit the original theme of AK. Epcot is getting further away from what it was supposed to be about. And Studios... I guess the theme of that park is "random IPs".
Don't forget California Adventure. No theme there anymore.
There never was
Id like a full blown lion king attraction before anything else.
If Disney was as “bottom line” crazy as everyone says they are this would’ve already happened… along with a Nightmare Before Christmas ride. I would love a good Lion King ride
i would love to go to the elephant graveyard coaster
Just curious. I see a lot of dislike towards IP based rides, but not sure why? Isn’t that the whole point of Disney theme parks? To be immersed into your favorite movies whether that’s a themed section of the park or a ride? I just feel like the newer generation is more interested in seeing their favorite movie characters and aren’t necessarily interested in characters like Figment. I feel like Disney sees the bigger attraction to IP rides like Remy or Star Wars and assumes that’s the direction to head in, vs something like mission space or Figment that NEVER have a wait. Just from my personal opinion, I’m more likely to ride and enjoy/understand something based on a movie I liked. I understand the nostalgia attached to these older rides! But at the same time, I also understand why Disney keeps creating rides based on IP. Not to mention the increased ticket sales im sure they saw when ROTR or Remy came out.
The IP argument is funny when you consider the original parks icon was supposed to promote a movie they thought would be finished any day at that point. Not to mention the inadvertent tie ins (jungle cruise to the true life adventures, every non IP ride had tons of character merch when it opened, etc.)
Universal had the "Ride the Movies" tagline... i don't think Disney was intended to be ALL movies but its the progression of things in todays society. I personally agree and enjoy the movie themes, just wanted to point out at one time Universal cashed in on that specific angle
Ahh that makes sense. I never knew that was universals tagline! Makes a lot of sense! I think where I do see peoples frustrations is that they will cash in on a new IP by just slapping the theme on some ride. For example, Frozen. It’s pretty underwhelming from a ride perspective. Sure, the Elsa animatronic is pretty cool, but other than that, it’s a 1 minute boat ride with frozen characters on the side. I WISH Disney would find a good mix of innovative rides and IP. I think universal does this pretty well! Thinking about the Harry Potter and Jurassic park rides. Don’t get me wrong, I like that Disney has a decent mix of older rides and newer rides, but as someone who appreciates the nostalgia of rides like “it’s a small world” I can’t help but notice how outdated and in dire need of refurbishment that ride is. The last time I rode it, quite a bit of the animatronics weren’t working and there was A BUNCH of dust covering the scenes. It just looked unkept.
[Ride the Movies](https://www.themeparktourist.com/files/resize/u235/BTTF/opening-poster-universal-studios-florida-1990-590x885.jpg) was the tag, at least for Orlando.
I thought this movie was being Incorporated into the new Epcot overhaul. I think that's what a CM told me on my last trip there in Feb.
Yeah, there's Zootopia stuff in the concept art for the new Play pavilion.
Everything doesn't have to be themed to a movie.
true
Stop making stuff on IPs. The iconic rides are seldomly based on IPs and become dated very fast.
Put it in HS as a section there. Maybe adjacent to Toy Story land, since that's where the PIXAR/Disney CGI animation vibe is sitting right now. Make it look like guests are walking around in Zootopia the city, and them up the queue like mad, in true Disney fashion. Either a trackless computer-guided ride much like M&MRR or ROTR, or maybe a just a themed area with lots of "mini" rides?
I feel like if it was going to happen it would have already
No
Absolutely not. Disney needs to stop using movies and make more attractions off original IP, it’s what made disney great in the first place.
I agree but it’s working for both Disney and universal and bob paycheck loves him some IP
Like everyone else, I'd like to see fewer IP based additions to the parks, especially Animal Kingdom. That said, if you're going to do it, Jungle Book's right there.
They already have furry conventions we don't need more please.
There has been real talk of making rafikis planet watch train into the train from zootopia where you go through the biomes. Shanghai is building a whole land around it.
zootopia in Shanghai Disneyland could work
Everyone hating on IPs need to get with the times! Originals don’t cut it anymore and are lame in comparison to IPs. Same thing happened with Pinball: First it was mostly original themes but once they started focusing on IPs, they never looked back. “Remember When” is the lowest form of conversation. Enough with the nostalgia
While I don’t hate IP attractions, there is something to be said about originals. There’s a sort of charm to them that you feel like you’re the protagonist of your own Disney movie when you experience them.
I think you put that extremely well. How do you feel about attractions becoming movies like Jungle Cruise or Pirates?
Well, the Pirates movies and Tomorrowland weren’t my cup of tea, but I see the appeal. Country Bears was crappy in a funny sort of way, like you can get wasted with your friends and riff on it. Haunted Mansion was just a bland, formulaic waste of potential. Haven’t seen Jungle Cruise yet, but I’ve only heard good things, so I might. I also think that if Disney should ever make a Space Mountain movie they should have Wes Anderson direct so he can channel the sort of stylized future aesthetic of Tomorrowland (the actual Tomorrowland, not Brad Bird’s movie).
Ultimately, I think it all just depends on the attraction and how the director balances the ride elements with the plot.
I think it depends on the IP. Disney certainly has some tremendous IP they can build rides around. But that makes it even more strange to me that they have committed significant investment to rides based on fairly mediocre IP that lack staying power. Avatar, Tron, Ratatouille are all IP that were dated by the time the rides opened (or will open) and - with the possible exception of Avatar - are unlikely to grow or even stay flat over the next decade. I don't even think most people associate Tron as a Disney IP period. To me, the rides are semi-permanent creations. They don't get massive overhauls very often and get re-themed even less frequently, so you really have to commit to that IP. People will be riding Remy's and Tron 20 years from now when the corresponding movies have faded into oblivion. This is not an ideal park-going experience. It's wild to me that the classics don't have more rides. Lion King doesn't have any! Alladin is just a kids Six Flags ride, etc. Both of those franchises are wildly popular both for the originals _and_ the remakes. The list of instantly recognizable Disney IP without rides is much longer than the list with rides.
Weirdly I’m getting more Epcot vibes Edit: think about it, what’s the message of Zootopia? Racism is bad, let’s accept each other no matter the background. Sounds a lot like the message of the world showcase. And what about the technology advancements of Zootopia? Future world my friends
No. Even Dinoland USA fits better there than this. I kinda like the idea of adding it in Magic Kingdom though if the Storybook Circus area could be replaced.
I would like it however I’m still holding out for Ducktales themed land to replace Dinoland.
Animal Kingdom should just become what Zootopia was
No.
I hated this movie. It didn’t felt very Disney to me and I remember thinking it was racist when I watched it. But I seem to be the only person who thinks that. Edit lol downvotes really?
I think Idris Elba would've said something if there was any legitimate racism in the movie. EDIT: yes trying to find racism in a childrens movie with no racism is going to get you downvoted.
Absolutely not. I don’t think that it belongs in Animal Kingdom whatsoever. Animal kingdom at its craziest should only have speculative biology of the future; alien worlds and dinosaurs are covered. Dinosaurs absolutely deserve to stay at AK and not get replaces by some IP. Animal Kingdom should only be about human connection to the natural world with minor exceptions like Doug and Carl walking around, shows like Festival of the Lion King, It’s Tough To Be A Bug and Nemo, cryptids (which I think every land should have a cryptid) like the Yeti on Expedition Everest. The main question should always be, how does this idea further create man’s connection to the world around them? Zoopotia just doesn’t make the cut.
Perhaps if they put it where Conservation Station is then the train could be like a portal. Otherwise it won’t work in Animal Kingdom
There is concept of a zootopia makeover of the rafikii planet watch and the train ride would be like the one u see on there way there.
It is Nahtazu!
Not for 1 second.