News Zootopia and Moana Blue Sky concepts for Disney's Animal Kingdom

[Magenta Panther]

@ToTBellHop has suggested that this was the plan with Moana replacing Dinorama.

But what's Moana's attachment to Animal Kingdom? She has an attachment to the sea, that's true, but I still don't think that ties in very well to AK. IMO, Zootopia would make more sense for AK than Moana.

 

[MagicHappens1971]

But what's Moana's attachment to Animal Kingdom? She has an attachment to the sea, that's true, but I still don't think that ties in very well to AK. IMO, Zootopia would make more sense for AK than Moana.

Neither of them have a strong connection to DAK. Zootopia is much worse, in my opinion. DAK was never intended to feature anthropomorphic animals (aside from Mickey & Co). Moana you could argue ties into the “intrinsic value of nature” foundational principle of DAK.

 

[esskay]

Neither of them have a strong connection to DAK. Zootopia is much worse, in my opinion. DAK was never intended to feature anthropomorphic animals (aside from Mickey & Co). Moana you could argue ties into the “intrinsic value of nature” foundational principle of DAK.

Thas my take too, Zootopia might be a film about Animals but they are repesented very differently to how AK represents them.

Moana could be used as a general oceanic theme. Throw in a shark reef, a few tropical ponds etc and you've got a theme. Obviously some of the sea side of animals is covered over at Epcot but it makes sense for AK to have something in this area.

 

[Phicinfan]

But what's Moana's attachment to Animal Kingdom? She has an attachment to the sea, that's true, but I still don't think that ties in very well to AK. IMO, Zootopia would make more sense for AK than Moana.

I have to question how so many here are upset with Moana at Epcot - even though it is about Water and the living life cycle and how water participates and is in Nature area of Epcot.
Now we will argue for at least months or continue to about how a water south pacific area doesn't fit in AK which is all about conservation and protecting the worlds resources.

Nope no fit at all in either...

 

[Bocabear]

Aesthetically Moana easily fits into the feel of the Animal Kingdom. No one is arguing about the village of Serka Zong just across the pond and how a Himalayan village fits into the Animal Kingdom... It doesn't need to exactly...it just has to feel right. While Moana is a story about a girl that loved the sea, it is also a conservation story... Which is the fit for Animal Kingdom. There are many things they could add to this area with animals and sea life from the region that would make it feel even more connected to the Animal Kingdom...and let's face it, Chester And Hester was a placeholder when the park had less to do. An Oceana or Pacific Islands section could be beautiful, exotic and aesthetically a perfect fit for Animal Kingdom.
Zootopia is animals living in a human world with human problems... It does not fit the look or style of the park...it just has anthropomorphic animals in it.

 

[999th Happy Haunt]

There’s been no evidence that they will tie it to a “Oceania” land. Also Dinorama can go. I have no problem with Moana replacing it.

My larger issue is that I feel that Zootopia will feel shoehorned unless they expand the boundaries of the park over there.

I don’t expect a Oceania land either, that’s just how I think it would fit best. And I agree Dinorama should go, but it should be replaced by more Dinoland stuff. I don’t know how they would create enough separation between existing Dinoland and Moana.

They could give Zootopia the biggest or smallest footprint in AK, it will never fit the park.

 

[ToTBellHop]

I don’t expect a Oceania land either, that’s just how I think it would fit best. And I agree Dinorama should go, but it should be replaced by more Dinoland stuff. I don’t know how they would create enough separation between existing Dinoland and Moana.

They could give Zootopia the biggest or smallest footprint in AK, it will never fit the park.

Given that everything at DAK has a tropical feel, the transition shouldn’t be too difficult. It will easily outdo Fantasyland to Tomorrowland’s transition of “the music changed.”

 

[SpectreJordan]

Changing Dinosaur and the rest of Dinoland USA to Zootopia does indeed seem like a tremendous waste of money and stupid. If they really want to add Zootopia to DAK (they shouldn’t), build it as an actual expansion.

And really expanding Pandora with at least another ride seems like the best course available.

OTOH, I don’t really have a problem with the Moana addition since PW is long gone now and it would probably make the park overall better/more sensible if they break off Dinorama along with Nemo to become Oceania.

If they're really adamant on adding Zootopia, it should be at DHS or maybe MK, not sure where it'd fit there though. I feel they should wait until after the sequel is out tbh. This way they'll know if the IP has lasting appeal & it could give more material for the ride itself.

I'm a big fan of Zootopia, so I'd be excited about it coming to the parks. But AK isn't the place for it.

Since Rohde has “retired”, I have many doubts that anything in this park will be done with the same ideals that he was able to sustain as the Creative Lead. For a park like this, you need a visionary that can pull theme, content, conservation and education all together. That was even managed in some degree with the addition of Pandora- keystone species, affects of mining on an ecosystem, etc. With Rohde out of the picture, I doubt the concepts he defended for this park will ever be achieved as rigorously as they used to be.

What are the chances he'd come back for a new AK project though? He's doing that Antarctica cruise thing with Disney this year. So the relationship wasn't completely nuked.

 

[cjkeating]

What are the chances he'd come back for a new AK project though? He's doing that Antarctica cruise thing with Disney this year. So the relationship wasn't completely nuked.

Pretty sure he saw the proposed IP for DAK and thought it was better spending his life doing something better. He already worked a miracle with Avatar. I’m sure he’d come as a Senior Advisor for an non-IP land though.

 

[Brer Panther]

I just don't think a story focusing on humans on a tropical island fits Animal Kingdom.

 

[TrainsOfDisney]

My biggest problem with Moana in DAK is they just built a big Moana attraction in Epcot. I wish they would place things with a bit more intent and long range planning.

 

[No Name]

If they're really adamant on adding Zootopia, it should be at DHS or maybe MK

I think it should be at Epcot.

 

[BlakeW39]

I think it should be at Epcot.

^^ I definitely agree.

 

[BlakeW39]

I just don't think a story focusing on humans on a tropical island fits Animal Kingdom.

Oh the story of Moana has nothing to do with Animal Kingdom. But can imagineering contort Moana into something that does fit Animal Kingdom?

I'd say it's possible.... but it is obviously not the best case scenario. An actual Oceania land not based on an IP, but perhaps with a Moana attraction if necessary, would be greatly preferable.

 

[No Name]

^^ I definitely agree.

We must bring more people to our side!

 

[Timothy_Q]

I just don't think a story focusing on humans on a tropical island fits Animal Kingdom.

Animal Kingdom is about the relationship between humans and nature

A story about a human on a tropical island traveling across the sea to restore the heart of mother nature can very easily fit into that

 

[BlakeW39]

We must bring more people to our side!

heheh, well... Zootopia has very clear messages about human's relationships to their environments and to one another, so there's no question in my mind it could go somewhere in Future World.

 

[Disgruntled Walt]

heheh, well... Zootopia has very clear messages about human's relationships to their environments and to one another, so there's no question on my mind it could go somewhere in Future World.

If Epcot were still Epcot, I'd disagree with this. But since it's IPcot, and I kind of don't care anymore, sure! Bring it on!

 

[BlakeW39]

If Epcot were still Epcot, I'd disagree with this. But since it's IPcot, and I kind of don't care anymore, sure! Bring it on!

Oh well I mean I'd still prefer original attractions for EPCOT, but as far as IPs go I don't think zootopia is a terrible fit. Again though, not my preference, but it'd fit better at EPCOT than it would at DAK.

 

[Brer Panther]

But can imagineering contort Moana into something that does fit Animal Kingdom?

Whether or not it could be, I doubt they'd actually do that.