Disney films are at the heart of the endless wonder that the Disney parks create, as they take these enchanting tales of adventure and magic and adapt them into unique experiences for guests all across the globe. For decades now, theme park fans around the world have seen the Walt Disney Company take these beloved stories and reimagine them into anything from attractions and stage shows to night-time displays. However, not every story makes this exciting leap over and establishes its place among the theme parks lineup.
While one could argue that these lesser-appreciated properties come with the caveat that they are simply not as memorable as perhaps the likes of Cinderella or Tangled, the new age of streaming means that Disney+ has opened up a whole new world of possibilities when it comes to discovering long-forgotten classics or reigniting that nostalgic love of an old favorite. So with this in mind, here are five Disney films that deserve more recognition within the parks, as well as some ideas as to how they could be incorporated…
1. Emperor’s New Groove
Emperor’s New Groove is arguably one of Disney’s most underrated films to date, which is a huge shame considering that it boasts a ridiculous amount of theme park potential. While Yzma, Kronk and Kuzco have featured in a handful of random events across the Disney parks and Cruise Line over the years, their presence in the parks today is practically non-existent!
While an obvious choice for establishing Emperor’s New Groove’s in-park presence would be a real life adaptation of the film’s hilarious roller-coaster sequence – Emperor’s New Groove also features a variety of scenes that make it more than eligible for a colorful dark ride adaptation. Alternatively, give Yzma the spot she deserves in the Boo To You parade!
2. Turning Red
As one of Disney & Pixar’s newer properties, there is still plenty of time for Turning Red to have more of a presence within the Disney Parks. Following its release back in March, a few limited time offerings began to pop up that were inspired by Turning Red, however, it goes without saying that Panda Mei would make the perfect permanent meet and greet character given how cute and fluffy she is! Equally, 4*Town, the fictional boy band from within the film, would make perfect hosts for one of Disney’s much-loved dance parties, not only featuring their own music but offering well-choreographed performances backed by a variety of 00s hits!
3. Zootopia
Having smashed numerous records with its 2016 release, many assumed that it would only be a matter of time before Zootopia became a fully fledged addition to the Disney Parks, but so far guests only have the chance to meet Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde. Shanghai are currently in the process of building their own Zootopia themed land meaning that parks fans across the pond will soon be in for a treat and it would certainly be exciting to see the US parks follow suit!
Zootopia has an insane number of potential theme-park elements, given that Zootopia itself is a city – but a fun way to incorporate it could be with a Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway style attraction, one that pulls out all the stops and showcases a crazy day in the life of Judy and Nick as they report for duty in Zootopia.
4. Hercules
Hades is frequently spotted throughout the Disney parks whenever the spotlight is shone on the villains, however, the film’s two other biggest stars, Hercules and Megara, are both totally underused. While the film’s characters have a history of occasional meet & greets, there are plenty of ways that Disney could take it one step further and give Hercules a more expanded presence.
Hercules has a fantastic story that would make the perfect basis for a stage-show, packed full of humor as audiences revisit some of the film’s most memorable moments, accompanied by its much-loved soundtrack and, of course, it would all be narrated by the Muses (with perhaps even some help from Phil).
5. Atlantis: The Lost Empire
Perhaps the least likely to ever be revived by Disney (but, hey, we can dream), Atlantis has achieved somewhat of a cult-status over the years but has, unfortunately, always struggled to grasp the attention of the wider audience, therefore, its lack of mention within the Disney Parks is certainly unsurprising. As one of Disney’s more unique stories, however, Atlantis and its fantastic ensemble cast could make a stunning addition to a future Disney parade.
Milo and Kida could wave to guests aboard a float that resembles the film’s Ulysses ship, which could also feature various elements of the Crystal chamber mixed into its design. Milo and Kida have made some incredibly rare appearances in the parks across the years, but a formal introduction could reintroduce Atlantis: The Lost Empire to a whole new audience.
Which of these properties would you most like to see incorporated into the parks? Let us know by leaving us a comment below or on our Facebook page.
