Movie theme parks have the power to turn beloved on-screen stories into tangible creations. Whether it be a ride, location, or restaurant, these attractions give life to fictional characters and their worlds. Disney has proved to be the pioneer of the film-based theme park concept. In 1955, Disneyland was first opened in Anaheim, California, which was the first public attraction of its kind. This effectively kicked off a chain reaction of park releases that have grown into the massive industry that exists in 2024.
Disney is undoubtedly one of the heaviest hitters in the realm of modern cinema. Given the size and popularity of their franchises, it’s no surprise that Disney has upcoming movies planned from 2024 to 2029. The company has similarly big goals in the world of tourist attractions, considering the recent reveal of Disneyland’s new Avatar California adventure plans. It would seem reasonable to expect a popular Disney release to feature a corresponding theme park presence, but this isn’t always the case.
10
Meet The Robinsons (2007)
Todayland
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8.3/10
Meet the Robinsons
G
AnimationAdventureComedyFamilySci-Fi
Meet The Robinsons follows Lewis, a young inventor determined to find his birth mother. His journey takes a turn when a mysterious boy named Wilbur Robinson whisks him away to the future. Together, they face adventures and challenges that ultimately lead Lewis to uncover the significance of family and his place in the world. This animated film explores themes of innovation, belonging, and the importance of moving forward.
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Director
Stephen J. Anderson
Release Date
March 30, 2007
Cast
Angela Bassett
, Daniel Hansen
, Jordan Fry
, Matthew Josten
, John H. H. Ford
, Dara McGarry
Runtime
95 Minutes
Main Genre
Animation
Given the masterful story, eccentric characters, and creative setting, it’s frankly a shame that Meet the Robinsons doesn’t have any substantial presentation in Disney’s theme parks. Even though it’s a fan favorite today, the movie’s initial reception might have limited its potential for tourist attractions. After the film’s release in 2007, it didn’t witness a strong performance in theaters. With a significant budget of $150 million, it only brought in $170 million worldwide.
From bubble transportation to futuristic buildings, there are virtually endless possibilities for rides and fun activities.
Meet the Robinsons is a mostly forgotten Disney movie, but it’s one of the best to date. There is so much potential for distinctive portrayals of the story in a theme park setting. The utopia of Todayland could be a standing location by itself. From bubble transportation to futuristic buildings, there are virtually endless possibilities for rides and fun activities. The Robinson house, filled with intriguing contraptions and rooms, could be similarly exciting. The time machine car would additionally make the perfect roller coaster cart.
9
The Sign Of Zorro (1958)
Spanish Pueblo
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While most might be familiar with the modern Antonio Banderas franchise that kicked off in 1998 with The Mask of Zorro, Diego de La Vega’s journey didn’t begin there. The first movie to feature the character arrived in 1920, in an epic silent picture dubbed The Mark of Zorro. Disney’s affiliation with the beloved masked hero came in the famous 1957 TV series, which was ultimately compiled into the film The Sign of Zorro a year later.
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Although Guy William’s Zorro briefly appeared in Disneyland from 1958 to 1960, there aren’t any modern inclusions. The franchise’s Spanish pueblo setting of Los Angeles could provide a unique ambiance that wouldn’t be too difficult to create. Attractions could imagine Zorro’s epic fight scenes as he daringly moves throughout the town, taking down enemies in his way. Given the recent release of the 2024 Zorro television series, there is still enough love for the character to merit a representation in Disney’s parks.
8
Up (2009)
Paradise Falls
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8.7/10
Up
pg
AdventureFamily
Pixar’s Up follows widower Carl (Ed Asner) who travels to South America with young wilderness explorer Russell (Jordan Nagai) by attaching thousands of balloons to his home after the bank threatens to foreclose on it. Discovering the legendary Paradise Falls, Carl meets his childhood hero, explorer Charles Muntz. However, Muntz isn’t the kind-hearted man Carl hoped he would be, and the grieving widower finds himself pitted against his former idol.
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Director
Pete Docter
Release Date
June 11, 2009
Cast
Ed Asner
, Bob Peterson
Runtime
96minutes
Studio(s)
Disney
Distributor(s)
Disney
Writers
Pete Docter
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Up is truly a staple of Disney’s animation catalog. Although the film was released over 15 years ago, it remains one of the all-time greats, and for good reason. Given the movie’s massive popularity and widespread presence, it’s surprising that Up doesn’t have more physical portrayals in theme parks. While there have been a few attractions over the years, Disney could explore more possibilities. Carl (Edward Asner) and Russel (Jordan Nagai) are just far too lovable.
Carl and Russel’s character shapes are meant to model a circle and a square, representing their personality’s nature.
The main appearance of Up was found in Disney’s Animal Kingdom park. The stage show “Up! A Great Bird Adventure,” included a 30-minute performance in the Caravan Theater that followed wilderness explorer Russell as he uncovered new species of birds. Although it’s a cool concept, Up‘s story could be utilized in many new ways. From the jungles of Paradise Falls to the spectacle of Carl’s house with floating balloons, several avenues would make great attractions.
7
Hercules (1997)
Hades Underworld
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10/10
Hercules
G
AnimationFantasyAdventureComedyRomance
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Director
John Musker
, Ron Clements
Release Date
June 13, 1997
Cast
Tate Donovan
, Josh Keaton
, Roger Bart
, Danny DeVito
, James Woods
, Susan Egan
, Bobcat Goldthwait
, Matt Frewer
, Rip Torn
, Samantha Eggar
, Barbara Barrie
, Hal Holbrook
, Paul Shaffer
, Amanda Plummer
, Carole Shelley
, Paddi Edwards
, Charlton Heston
, Lillias White
, Cheryl Freeman
, LaChanze
, Roz Ryan
Runtime
93 Minutes
Writers
John Musker
, Ron Clements
, Irene Mecchi
, Don McEnery
, Bob Shaw
Main Genre
Animation
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Disney’s 1997 musical adaptation of Hercules’ tale has never gotten the attention that it deserves. The film presented Greek mythology in a lovable, lighthearted way that included outstanding character designs and memorable song sequences. Although Hercules has made appearances within the Disney Parks, mainly in the form of character meet-and-greets, it doesn’t have a dedicated attraction to match the quality of the story.
The setting of Greece would offer unlimited possibilities. This would particularly play well into Disney’s Epcot, considering the presentation of food and culture. There are additionally several characters that could have stylized worlds based on the nature of the specific God. Hades (James Woods), for example, would make a great attraction with an Underworld setting. Disney’s live-action version of Hercules is expected to hit screens in the next few years, which will undoubtedly reignite interest in the animated classic.
6
The Emperor’s New Groove (2000)
Palace Themed Ride
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10/10
The Emperor’s New Groove
G
AnimationAdventureComedy
The Emperor’s New Groove is an animated comedy film released by Walt Disney Pictures. Directed by Mark Dindal, it follows the story of Emperor Kuzco, who is transformed into a llama by his power-hungry advisor Yzma. Journeying with a humble villager named Pacha, Kuzco must reclaim his throne while navigating humorous and unexpected challenges. The film features voice work by David Spade, John Goodman, Eartha Kitt, and Patrick Warburton.
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Director
Mark Dindal
Release Date
December 15, 2000
Cast
David Spade
, John Goodman
, eartha kitt
, Patrick Warburton
, Wendie Malick
, Kellyann Kelso
Runtime
78 Minutes
Writers
Chris Williams
, Mark Dindal
, David Reynolds
, Stephen J. Anderson
, Don Hall
, John Norton
Main Genre
Animation
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Although it’s a short movie, the 2000 animated comedy The Emperor’s New Groove is one of the best projects that Disney has ever created. The film has so much heart, an original story, and hilarious characters. Patrick Warburton’s Kronk was so popular that it inspired a spin-off, Kronk’s New Groove, which followed the henchman’s journey into the culinary arts.
Given the iconic nature of the Emperor’s New Groove, its presence in the parks is surprisingly rare. Over the years, there have been small-scale inclusions in things like character appearances and merchandise, but the film has yet to receive a dedicated attraction. The setting of the Peruvian highlands could be carried out in several interesting ways. A coaster or ride that covered the mountainous royal palace would be sure to amaze, especially if Kuzco (David Spade) or Kronk is involved.
5
WALL-E (2008)
On Theme Attraction
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8/10
WALL-E
G
AnimationAdventureFamily
Pixar’s WALL-E tells the story of the titular lone robot left alone on an uninhabitable Earth in the distant future. Tasked with cleaning away the endless mountains of the varied waste discarded by humanity before they left the planet, WALL-E spends his days collecting salvageable parts and items of interest. When he finds a plant, another robot arrives to collect the sample, taking WALL-E to the remnants of humanity, who have all grown morbidly obese through consistent inactivity while living in luxury on a space cruiser.
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Director
Andrew Stanton
Release Date
June 27, 2008
Cast
Ben Burtt
, Elissa Knight
, Jeff Garlin
, Fred Willard
, John Ratzenberger
, Kathy Najimy
, Sigourney Weaver
Runtime
98 Minutes
Studio(s)
Walt Disney Pictures
, Pixar Animation Studios
Distributor(s)
Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
Franchise(s)
Disney
Main Genre
Animation
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Disney’s beloved science-fiction robot tale WALL-E did so much with the space it was provided. The film gave an impressive amount of character depth to a robot with minimal communication, and managed to present an even more touching story. In consideration of why WALL-E has never had a substantial appearance within theme parks, it might be related to the overarching message of the plot.
While the film has many metaphors, the main idea surrounds humanity’s over-consumption of material things, and how this tendency ultimately hurts the Earth. Consequently, a traditional attraction might not work as well considering the given themes. With that being said, it would be nice for Disney to show some love to the story in a way that aligns with the movie’s environmentally conscious message. Given the fact that WALL-E 2 never happened, it’s been too long since the beloved robot had time in the spotlight.
4
Tarzan (1999)
Jungle Coaster
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9.7/10
Tarzan
G
Tarzan is an animated film by Walt Disney Pictures that tells the story of a man raised by gorillas in the African jungle. Starring the voices of Tony Goldwyn, Minnie Driver, and Glenn Close, the film follows Tarzan’s journey of self-discovery as he encounters humans for the first time and grapples with his identity. The film features a soundtrack by Phil Collins and was directed by Kevin Lima and Chris Buck.
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Director
Kevin Lima
, Chris Buck
Release Date
June 18, 1999
Cast
Tony Goldwyn
, Minnie Driver
, Glenn Close
, Alex D. Linz
, Rosie O’Donnell
, Brian Blessed
, Nigel Hawthorne
, Lance Henriksen
, Wayne Knight
Runtime
88 Minutes
Tarzan presents an interesting example in the realm of theme park representation. The film already had a small amount of content at different locations, but it slowly got removed over time. For example, Disneyland featured a Tarzan’s Treehouse attraction that unfortunately closed in 2021. Although the film witnessed a live-action rendition in 2016 with David Yates’ The Legend of Tarzan, the beloved character hasn’t gotten much attention since then.
Tarzan’s Treehouse re-opened in 2023 as the Adventureland Treehouse.
The setting and sequences of the film offer numerous creative outlets in a theme park setting. The most obvious choice would be a rollercoaster or ride that makes use of the jungle scenery and Tarzan’s (Tony Goldwyn) movements. It would be amazing to mimic the experience of swinging through vines or sliding down tree branches at amazing speeds. Disney’s Animal Kingdom could also be the perfect spot to include some references to the inhabitants of the story’s environment.
3
The Fox And The Hound (1981)
Forest Friendships
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7.5/10
The Fox and the Hound
G
AnimationAdventureDocumentaryDramaFamily
Dodo is an orphaned fox who was adopted by a lady after her mother was killed by a hunter. She grows up alongside Toby, a hound puppy, and the two become great friends. The problem is their different natures: one is a hunter and the other is supposed to be the prey.
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Director
Ted Berman
, Richard Rich
, Art Stevens
Release Date
July 10, 1981
Cast
Mickey Rooney
, Kurt Russell
, Pearl Bailey
, Jack Albertson
, Sandy Duncan
, Jeanette Nolan
Runtime
83 Minutes
Writers
Daniel P. Mannix
, Larry Clemmons
, Ted Berman
, David Michener
, Peter Young
, Burny Mattinson
Main Genre
Animation
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In a truly moving story about friendship in uncommon spaces, The Fox and the Hound features a tale of natural enemies defying all odds. Although the film doesn’t get as much recognition as it deserves, it’s a fan favorite and is considered to be one of Disney’s deepest and most touching works. Despite the beauty of the classic animation, it’s had virtually no presence in any theme parks since its 1981 release.
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However, this certainly needs to change, and Disney could benefit in their portrayal of the movie by focusing on the meaning of the plot. Since there isn’t necessarily a spectacle or wacky characters to depict, it makes the most sense to embody the movie using a performance or more subtle attraction while making use of the enchanted forest. That way, the addition would show love to the heartfelt tale without straying too far outside the film’s message.
2
Treasure Planet (2002)
Space Adventures
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8/10
Treasure Planet
pg
Adventure
Treasure Planet is a 2002 animated adventure and Fantasy film from Walt Disney studios. Directed by John Musker and Ron Clements, the story follows a young boy named Jim Hawkins as he attempts to find a fabled treasure and mend ways with his father who abandoned him.
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Director
John Musker
Release Date
November 27, 2002
Cast
Joseph Gordon-Levitt
, Martin Short
, Emma Thompson
Runtime
95minutes
Studio(s)
Disney
Distributor(s)
Disney
Writers
John Musker
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From a box office perspective, Treasure Planet is one of Disney’s most expensive failures, but it doesn’t take away from the magic of the story by any means. The adventure movie loosely imagines Robert Louis Stevenson’s book Treasure Island, only in an outer space environment. The sci-fi animation didn’t receive much notoriety during its time, but it still holds up as a Disney classic.
Given the epic story, galactic setting, and space pirate action, it seems unbelievable that it’s never had any form of theme park presence. However, considering the film witnessed a $109 million worldwide profit against its $140 million budget, it makes sense that firm attraction plans were never put in place. With that being said, there are numerous routes that Disney could take to bring the world of Treasure Planet to life, which would give some much-needed love to the forgotten gem.
1
Oliver And Company (1988)
New York City Streets
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9/10
Oliver and Company
G
AnimationAdventureComedyFamilyMusical
Oliver and Company is an animated musical comedy film produced by Walt Disney Feature Animation. Inspired by Charles Dickens’s novel “Oliver Twist,” the film follows Oliver, a homeless kitten who is adoptiedinto a gang of dogs to survive on the streets of New York.
Director
George Scribner
Release Date
November 18, 1988
Cast
Joey Lawrence
, Billy Joel
, Cheech Marin
, Richard Mulligan
Runtime
74 minutes
Studio(s)
Walt Disney Feature Animation
Distributor(s)
Buena Vista Pictures Distribution
Writers
Jim Cox
, Tim Disney
, James Mangold
Main Genre
Animation
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Oliver and Company is a largely forgotten animated Disney movie, which is unfortunate given how special the story is. The film is a rendition of Charles Dicken’s classic Oliver Twist novel but imagined through the life of an orphaned kitten. Oliver and Company has an aesthetic very similar to Lady and the Tramp, a Disney classic that also lacks substantial theme park representation.
Even though the movie is pretty dark in its big picture concept, it would be nice to see a stronger presence of Oliver’s (Joey Lawrence) story within the many parks around the world. An attraction focused on Oliver and Company would benefit from a thoughtful depiction of the nighttime streets of New York City and the animated animals that appear on-screen. Even though the musical numbers are regrettably underappreciated, the Disney film includes several great songs that would additionally add significant substance to any potential theme park presence.