DAK “Zootopia” is being created for the Tree of Life theater

[HauntedPirate]

If this is a hit, maybe they'll need to consider adding a Zootopia land just north of Kali.

 

[Dranth]

Found the problem. The average age of this project looks to be less than 25.

I noticed that too, but I would like to know who was on the design team. I don't blame the folks implementing the plan (unless they changed it). I do blame the design team for this mess.

 

[Basil of Baker Street]

I noticed that too, but I would like to know who was on the design team. I don't blame the folks implementing the plan (unless they changed it). I do blame the design team for this mess.

Excellent point.

 

[Tom Morrow]

Found the problem. The average age of this project looks to be less than 25.

Not to be ageist but yeah, people under 25 largely shouldn't be making any important decisions. Your brain hasn't even fully developed before 25, and most people are still lacking life experience and perspective at 25.

This is also a problem throughout the Orlando parks in general - promoting younger and younger people into important positions.

 

[TrainsOfDisney]

I asked ChatGPT wha the attraction would be like if Joe Rohde led the design….

“Rohde would treat the Tree of Life itself as a sacred biome, not a cartoon veneer. Rather than Zootopia branding slapped on, guests might discover small, organic hints that something new thrives within the roots”

“
Rohde would insist on grounding it in ecological metaphor and emotional authenticity, not slapstick gags.

Narrative Concept:
A new energy imbalance is spreading through Zootopia’s biomes — an allegory for environmental disharmony. Judy and Nick lead guests on an investigation across ecosystems, discovering how each “district” depends on the others.

• Savanna Central: A stunning wide 3D vista showing interconnected microclimates — a Joe Rohde visual dream of biodiversity meets urban harmony.
• Rainforest District: Mist effects, scents, and 3D vine projections create an almost tactile environment.
• Tundratown: A cold air blast and snowflake projection effect mirror the chill of imbalance.
• 
  
• Core Message: “Harmony isn’t balance between nature and civilization — it’s realizing they were never separate.”

 

[Bill Cipher]

I asked ChatGPT wha the attraction would be like if Joe Rohde led the design….

“Rohde would treat the Tree of Life itself as a sacred biome, not a cartoon veneer. Rather than Zootopia branding slapped on, guests might discover small, organic hints that something new thrives within the roots”

“
Rohde would insist on grounding it in ecological metaphor and emotional authenticity, not slapstick gags.

Narrative Concept:
A new energy imbalance is spreading through Zootopia’s biomes — an allegory for environmental disharmony. Judy and Nick lead guests on an investigation across ecosystems, discovering how each “district” depends on the others.

• Savanna Central: A stunning wide 3D vista showing interconnected microclimates — a Joe Rohde visual dream of biodiversity meets urban harmony.
• Rainforest District: Mist effects, scents, and 3D vine projections create an almost tactile environment.
• Tundratown: A cold air blast and snowflake projection effect mirror the chill of imbalance.
• 
  
• Core Message: “Harmony isn’t balance between nature and civilization — it’s realizing they were never separate.”

...Rohde (a conservationist) would also not support the use of generative AI lol

 

[TrainsOfDisney]

...Rohde (a conservationist) would also not support the use of generative AI lol

That would be very hypocritical of him - he regularly flys around the world.

 

[Bill Cipher]

Got to see this a few nights ago, no preview reservation or anything, just showed up and was let in.

I'm generally pretty positive about newer projects. I'm critical of the new Country Bear show, Test Track, and Tiana's but ultimately find a lot to like about all three. This new Zootopia show is not redeemable to me. Genuinely my least favorite thing to open in the Orlando parks in the last decade, maybe longer. I need this nuked from orbit immediately.

 

[lazyboy97o]

Not to be ageist but yeah, people under 25 largely shouldn't be making any important decisions. Your brain hasn't even fully developed before 25, and most people are still lacking life experience and perspective at 25.

This is also a problem throughout the Orlando parks in general - promoting younger and younger people into important positions.

A lot of the most notable names in the industry were in important positions at a very young age. If anything, the industry stagnated on bringing in new talent for too long.

But also, the group doesn’t look that young.

 

[WorldExplorer]

I asked ChatGPT wha the attraction would be like if Joe Rohde led the design….

“Rohde would treat the Tree of Life itself as a sacred biome, not a cartoon veneer. Rather than Zootopia branding slapped on, guests might discover small, organic hints that something new thrives within the roots”

“
Rohde would insist on grounding it in ecological metaphor and emotional authenticity, not slapstick gags.

Narrative Concept:
A new energy imbalance is spreading through Zootopia’s biomes — an allegory for environmental disharmony. Judy and Nick lead guests on an investigation across ecosystems, discovering how each “district” depends on the others.

• Savanna Central: A stunning wide 3D vista showing interconnected microclimates — a Joe Rohde visual dream of biodiversity meets urban harmony.
• Rainforest District: Mist effects, scents, and 3D vine projections create an almost tactile environment.
• Tundratown: A cold air blast and snowflake projection effect mirror the chill of imbalance.
• 
  
• Core Message: “Harmony isn’t balance between nature and civilization — it’s realizing they were never separate.”

Do we need the computer to tell us this? It's literally just spitting back what people have already said.

"It'll probably be about the biomes" was a common cope when this was announced.

 

[TrainsOfDisney]

Do we need the computer to tell us this? It's literally just spitting back what people have already said.

Probably not. I thought it was fun.

 

[Basil of Baker Street]

Not to be ageist but yeah, people under 25 largely shouldn't be making any important decisions. Your brain hasn't even fully developed before 25, and most people are still lacking life experience and perspective at 25.

This is also a problem throughout the Orlando parks in general - promoting younger and younger people into important positions.

Yes. Same. I'm sure they are talented young people, but there is no replacement for experience.

 

[Disney Analyst]

I need this nuked from orbit immediately.

Goodbye Tree of Life, hello Crater of Death?

 

[DrStarlander]

Yes. Same. I'm sure they are talented young people, but there is no replacement for experience.

Going to a Disney theme park is starting to feel like going to portfolio showcase night at ArtCenter, SCAD, or Otis. It's great to see young creatives getting to work on real projects and live their dreams. But if Disney wants to position itself as the premium brand in the theme park space and charge the highest ticket prices, they need to consider that quality matters. It's not enough to just build things. They need to build things that are great.

 

[WorldExplorer]

Goodbye Tree of Life, hello Crater of Death?

The correct term is "Pit of Shame".

 

[dmc493]

blame team leadership not the team members. Sorry I’ll always defend young employees. They need to learn and it’s only a problem when there’s no leaders (or bad leaders) there to course correct

 

[Basil of Baker Street]

Going to a Disney theme park is starting to feel like going to portfolio showcase night at ArtCenter, SCAD, or Otis. It's great to see young creatives getting to work on real projects and live their dreams. But if Disney wants to position itself as the premium brand in the theme park space and charge the highest ticket prices, they need to consider that quality matters. It's not enough to just build things. They need to build things that are great.

Yes, and my concern is are the young creatives receiving proper mentorship?

 

[HMF]

You know, I've had time to think about this and the fact that Imagineering had to SHOEHORN this into the park says it all. Like rewriting the park's lore just to fit this IP? What were they thinking?

They have to do these kind of mental gymnastics to keep their job because their boss (Iger) doesn't care about theme.

 

[HMF]

The Walt Disney Imagineering project team for Zootopia: Better Zoogether!:

View attachment 891871

As I said, why is Disney potentially throwing their employees under the bus like this?

 

[HMF]

This is also a problem throughout the Orlando parks in general - promoting younger and younger people into important positions.

I have heard that most nights, the entirety of the Magic Kingdom is singlehandedly being managed by college students being led by Managers in their 20s.