Epcot82Guy
Well-Known Member
My main question is whether the Hyenas will be allowed to participate in Simba and Nala's animal-owned venture or if they will be relegated to contractors given their past behavior.
I think It's Tough to Be a Bug is the one that stands out to me as not terribly rooted in the realism you describe. But I do generally agree that unless it's treated somewhat atypically, a Lion King ride will feel kind of strange juxtaposed against its neighboring safari and FotLK.In all seriousness, the Lion King IP is a problem at DAK. Animal Kingdom and (previously) EPCOT were rooted in the real world. While they draw from the animated/true fantasy world of Disney, it's still rooted in realism. FotLK blurs the lines decently as do Discovery Island and Pandora. Donald in DinoRama less so, much like Up in Flights v2.0. I totally get why Lion King feels like it SHOULD work. But, in Africa as it stands, it would be tough.
Man if Lion King can’t get into your version of Animal Kingdom, that’s a tough bar.In all seriousness, the Lion King IP is a problem at DAK. Animal Kingdom and (previously) EPCOT were rooted in the real world. While they draw from the animated/true fantasy world of Disney, it's still rooted in realism. FotLK blurs the lines decently as do Discovery Island and Pandora. Donald in DinoRama less so, much like Up in Flights v2.0. I totally get why Lion King feels like it SHOULD work. But, in Africa as it stands, it would be tough.
It would be like putting a live action Ariel meet and greet next to UtS at MK. They are inhabiting different versions of a world... admittedly a similar world.
At a different time, these bridges could be done with really creative solutions. I just don't think modern Disney cares. The animated characters + Marvel + Star Wars rule the roost. So, they win, even over having the theme in the parks actually work. "Eh it's fine, and most people don't think that deeply." is the current guiding principle. As long as the attraction itself is well themed and kinda feels like what's around it in some way, that's good enough (with some recent exceptions).
Except the original design for AK was a fantasy section with Dragons and unicorns. And now has blue people.In all seriousness, the Lion King IP is a problem at DAK. Animal Kingdom and (previously) EPCOT were rooted in the real world. While they draw from the animated/true fantasy world of Disney, it's still rooted in realism. FotLK blurs the lines decently as do Discovery Island and Pandora. Donald in DinoRama less so, much like Up in Flights v2.0. I totally get why Lion King feels like it SHOULD work. But, in Africa as it stands, it would be tough.
It would be like putting a live action Ariel meet and greet next to UtS at MK. They are inhabiting different versions of a world... admittedly a similar world.
At a different time, these bridges could be done with really creative solutions. I just don't think modern Disney cares. The animated characters + Marvel + Star Wars rule the roost. So, they win, even over having the theme in the parks actually work. "Eh it's fine, and most people don't think that deeply." is the current guiding principle. As long as the attraction itself is well themed and kinda feels like what's around it in some way, that's good enough (with some recent exceptions).
I think It's Tough to Be a Bug is the one that stands out to me as not terribly rooted in the realism you describe. But I do generally agree that unless it's treated somewhat atypically, a Lion King ride will feel kind of strange juxtaposed against its neighboring safari and FotLK.
Man if Lion King can’t get into your version of Animal Kingdom, that’s a tough bar.
Except the original design for AK was a fantasy section with Dragons and unicorns. And now has blue people.
Pretty sure it will survive
It can obviously get in. It already is in. But a Lion King book report styled like the original film would stand in stark contrast to almost every other ride in the park.Man if Lion King can’t get into your version of Animal Kingdom, that’s a tough bar.
The yeti, the dinosaurs, and the fauna of Pandora are presented as “real” within the fantasy of AK. The denizens of Beastly Kingdomme would have been treated similarly. Such would not be the case with the stylized talking and singing animals of something potentially following the Lion King’s plot. As I mentioned previously, It’s Tough to Be a Bug is the nearest existing analogue.Except the original design for AK was a fantasy section with Dragons and unicorns. And now has blue people.
Pretty sure it will survive
Could not agree more. I posted something similar to this idea earlier in this thread. Make it a legend of the lion king story, but have the characters look like they were fabricated with African materials by the people from Harambe. I like your idea of using real African instruments.While they would likely never go for this, one version I could 100% get behind would be to use some type of doll or effigy of the characters in the various scenes done in a traditional African style. Or, use rockwork or something (ala JoW). Arguably, they should probably restyle the music using African instruments as well. But, that could be a really interesting way to thread the needle. Plus, it would be great representation of art forms lesser known here in the States (or even other parts of the world).
Again, that's 100% armchair Imagineering. I just raise it to say there are ways to do it, if they cared.
This only works if you think theme amounts to a loose framework for a generally cohesive outward appearance of a park. Most think attraction content kind of matters a bit beyond "fun new ride".The environment around the ride could look realistic. Then go inside and enjoy a fun new ride based on a true Disney classic.
This only works if you think theme amounts to a loose framework for a generally cohesive outward appearance of a park. Most think attraction content kind of matters a bit beyond "fun new ride".
I generally agree with the critiques of a Lion King ride here, but I think Encanto at least has the potential to be different.Lion King, if based on the character and scenic designs of the 1994 movie, would be an noticeable outlier. The park has never had an MK or DHS kind of movie ride before. The same is true for Encanto.
EPCOT and Hollywood Studios have both rewritten their original charters. They made a conscious, publicized decision to move away from certain elements of the original vision. Effectiveness is another story, but the point is that we’ve not yet seen that be the case with Animal Kingdom.To argue against myself, the ship has probably said. The Epcot additions are probably proving the "fun new ride" model is all enough of the audience cares about. I think it significantly erodes the quality that used to be the Disney hallmark. But, there is evidence that enough of the audience doesn't care that much. And, they still buy food and merch (which is the true main goal of the parks for current senior leadership).
The other poster was hoping for “a bridge”, and discussed how Pandora was presented as a real place. Hence the realistic environment around the new LK attraction.This only works if you think theme amounts to a loose framework for a generally cohesive outward appearance of a park. Most think attraction content kind of matters a bit beyond "fun new ride".
I would take either. Both are well loved stories and IPDo yall think The Jungle Book would be easier to fit?
EPCOT and Hollywood Studios have both rewritten their original charters. They made a conscious, publicized decision to move away from certain elements of the original vision. Effectiveness is another story, but the point is that we’ve not yet seen that be the case with Animal Kingdom.
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