Disney’s theme parks are packed with attractions based on the stories and characters from the company’s most famous animated movies. The Fantasyland areas at its Magic Kingdom-style parks, in particular, are dominated by rides dedicated to classics such as Pinocchio, Peter Pan and Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.
Although almost every animated movie produced by the firm has been represented in any a Disney park in some way over the years, not all of them have formed the basis for a permanent, full-scale ride or show. That includes some movies commonly regarded as classics that raked in hundreds of millions at the box office.
Let’s take a look at 10 Disney animated movies that are yet to undergo the theme park treatment.
10. WALL-E
Released: 2008
Box office: $521 million
One of the most artistically-ambitious movies produced by Disney-Pixar, WALL-E tells the story of a lonely, litter-collecting robot who wanders a devastated earth.
The unusual, largely dialog-free movie would be a tricky one to convert into a theme park ride, but WALL-E himself is an enduringly cute character. We wonder whether he could find an appropriate home at Epcot, where an “edutainment” attraction with a conservation message wouldn’t look too out of place.
9. Brave
Released: 2012
Box office: $539 million
Brave was yet another critical hit for Pixar, bagging an Academy Award for Best Animated Film. It tells the story of Merida, a princess in the Scottish Highlands who causes chaos by refusing to consent to an arranged marriage. It’s a classic Disney tale, although told in a very modern way.
There are dozens of potential uses for the Brave characters, from an attraction in Epcot’s United Kingdom pavilion (assuming Scotland doesn’t vote in favor for independence, that is), to a traditional Fantasyland dark ride, to Buzz Lightyear-style shooting rides incorporating a bow and arrow.
8. The Nightmare Before Christmas
Released: 1993
Box office: $75 million
Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas (which, of course, was actually directed by Henry Selick), was released under Disney’s Touchstone label, with the company believing it was a little too edgy for its core audience. That didn’t stop it developing into a cult classic after its release on home video.
The movie is used as the basis for the annual holiday makeover of Disneyland’s Haunted Mansion, but has not yet been given its own, dedicated attraction. That’s despite Disney’s Imagineers producing a design for a Peter Pan’s Flight-style dark ride themed around the movie, which is said to have been rejected by Burton.
7. Wreck-It Ralph
Released: 2012
Box office: $471 million
The revival of Disney’s in-house animation studio following the acquisition of Pixar was epitomized by 2012’s Wreck-It Ralph, which tells the story of a video game character who must save his arcade from closure. It cleverly appeals to both kids and adults alike through a combination of humor, great characters and a healthy dose of nostalgia.
Wreck-It Ralph, featuring as it does dozens of fictional video games, would make a great basis for a Toy Story Midway Mania-style interactive ride.
6. The Jungle Book
Released: 1967
Box office: $205 million
The tale of feral child Mowgli has never been turned into a full-blown Disney ride. That’s despite it being an obvious fit with both the Adventureland areas of Magic Kingdom-style parks and the exotic Disney’s Animal Kingdom.
What sort of ride could it be? Perhaps a makeover for the Jungle Cruise – although Disney purists would be aghast.
5. Robin Hood
Released: 1973
Box office: $32 million
Disney’s version of Robin Hood isn’t perhaps one of its most highly-regarded animation productions, and indeed its box office performance pales in comparison to the other movies on this list. Despite that, the story of the outlaw who “robs the rich to feed the poor” is timeless – and another candidate for a ride in the attraction-less United Kingdom pavilion at Epcot.
4. Bambi
Released: 1942
Box office: $267 million
While it’s widely regarded as one of Walt Disney’s greatest ever movies, Bambi – with its tale of a bereaved young deer – is not the most obvious source material for a ride.
Remember, though, the days when Kilimanjaro Safaris at Disney’s Animal Kingdom featured a strong, anti-poaching conservation message? It’s not too big a stretch to imagine a similar story being weaved around a Bambi ride or show.
3. Tangled
Released: 2010
Box office: $592 million
Disney’s clever modern take on Rapunzel was an enormous hit in 2010, and deservedly so. Elements from the movie have made their way into its theme parks, most notably a Tangled-themed rest area in the Magic Kingdom’s Fantasyland.
Tangled would seem to be perfect source material for a classic Disney dark ride – but we doubt it’ll ever displace the existing Fantasyland classics.
2. The Incredibles
Released: 2004
Box office: $631 million
The Incredibles was one of Pixar’s biggest hits, and rumors of a sequel have circulated ever since its release. With its tale of superheroes forced to live normal lives, it successfully appealed to kids and parents alike.
There have been rumors of an Incredibles-themed ride for Disney’s Hollywood Studios, but nothing has come of them as yet.
1. Frozen
Released: 2013
Box office: $956 million
Frozen was an enormous success at the box office in 2013, reaffirming Disney’s position at the top of the animation tree. Inevitably, this has led to speculation about rides based on the movie coming to Disney’s parks – and this time, there could be something to them.
A boat ride for Epcot’s Norway pavilion, a high-tech dark ride for Disneyland and a musical show for Disney California Adventure have all been rumored. Watch this space!
Share your thoughts!
Which classic Disney animated movie would you most like to see become a ride or show at one of the company’s theme parks?
