Many of Disney’s most famous theme park attractions are based on movies produced by the company’s animation studio – from opening day Disneyland attractions such as Peter Pan’s Flight to recent additions such as the Magic Kingdom’s Under The Sea – Journey of the Little Mermaid.
On other occasions, Disney has partnered with other studios, striking licensing agreements that enable it to base attractions on their movies. The most famous example is probably Star Tours, developed in partnership with Lucasfilm during the 1980s (Disney, of course, went on to acquire Lucasfilm for $4 billion in 2012).
It’s a safe bet that at any one time Disney’s Imagineers are working on at least a dozen attraction concepts based on well-known movies. Right now, we’re aware of at least five that have either been greenlighted or are close to being so. Let’s take a look at what they are!
5. Tron: Legacy
It’s long been rumored that a Tron-themed ride could be on its way to Disneyland’s Tomorrowland, but those plans currently seem to be parked or forgotten altogether. Instead, Shanghai Disneyalnd will be the first park to host an attraction based on the franchise, which was rebooted in 2010 with Tron: Legacy.
The ride itself, dubbed Tron Lightcycle Power Run, is expected to be a motorbike-style roller coaster with several launch sections. We’re expecting it to include more than one circuit, enabling two lightcycles to “duel” with each other just as they do in the movies. Look for it to open alongside the rest of the Chinese park in late 2015 or 2016.
4. Star Wars / Return of the Jedi
Disneyland’s Tomorrowland has long been rumored to be in line for a major overhaul – one that would see see a host of Star Wars-themed attractions introduced. However, according to rumors propagated by Micechat, the park could now be in line for something more ambitious: a whole land dedicated to Star Wars, repacing the Big Thunder Ranch and Mickey’s Toontown. Take this rumor with a hefty pinch of salt, for now, as it seems that the plans are far from set in stone.
More ambitious is a rumored speeder bike ride through the forests of Endor, based on scenes in Return of the Jedi. This could find its way into Disneyland (somewhere), as well as into the long-rumored Star Wars Land at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. It would be an expensive proposition, though, so we’ll have to wait and see whether Disney’s money men give it the go-ahead.
3. Avatar
Construction work is already underway on Pandora – The World of Avatar at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, which will draw inspiration from James Cameron’s Avatar and its upcoming sequels. The headline ride will be a flight simulator that places guests on the back of a banshee, the graceful creatures that feature prominently in the first movie.
The second ride in the area will be a boat ride through the forests of Pandora, complete with bioluminescent plantlife and animatronic creatures.
The land itself is set to be dynamic and interactive. It’s clear from Disney’s concept art that lighting will play a very important role in Pandora’s theming. This could go as far as “ripple effects” built into the sidewalk, as well as glow-in-the-dark plants (Disney plans to open Animal Kingdom late into the evening once Pandora opens).
2. Iron Man
Several years after acquiring the firm, Disney is finally set to introduce its first major theme park attraction based on a Marvel character. Few details have been released of the Iron Man Experience attraction at Hong Kong Disneyland, but it will feature a display of lead character Tony Stark’s inventions. The ride itself will see guests take to the street and skies above Hong Kong to join in a battle with Iron Man himself, and is due to open in 2016.
1. Frozen
There are numerous rumors circulating about attractions based on Frozen, and given the film’s huge success at the box office it was inevitable that one of them would become a reality.
Now confirmed is a boat ride for Epcot’s Norway Pavilion, replacing the existing Maelstrom ride. This has proven to be spectacularly controversial, given that the film was not, after all, set in Norway (although it was “inspired” by it).
Also rumored are a Frozen dark ride for Disneyland, and a musical show to replace Disney’s Aladdin – A Musical Spectacular at Disney California Adventure.
You can keep up to date with the latest confirmed and rumored opening dates for new attractions through Theme Park Tourist’s “New Attraction Watch” section, and by signing up for our weekly newsletter.
