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

[mysto]

Zootopia coming to DAK is far from guaranteed and it's not a fool's errand to hope it doesn't happen.

I'll sue if it doesn't happen. I hear Juliani is available.

 

[Advisable Joseph]

Here is the D23 presentation about DinoLand.

Notice

As I wrote before, Jennifer Lee, who was a writer for Zootopia, thinks it represents a connection to animals and nature for the audience. No use trying to convince me that the characters are fundamentally human: even if you convinced me, you can't convince her. She helped make them.

Also, the fans were actually a bit more excited for Zootopia than Moana! Since there is gong to be a sequel to Zootopia coming up, you can see why the Zootppia attraction may be more than just "blue sky."

I don't really care if it comes or not, but I don't like seeing fans disappointed, or forum members setting themselves up for disappointment. A lot of folks really want this, far more than the forum wants to believe. You might be able to keep downtown out of the park and such, but trying to say the animals shouldn't be there because they are human will get you nowhere.

You can believe they're furry humans if you like, but that's just not how Disney sees them.

 

[cjkeating]

Does anyone in TWDC or WDI care about National Geographic? As they have an entire content brand suitable for synergising at DAK.

 

[doctornick]

Does anyone in TWDC of WDI care about National Geographic? As they have an entire content brand suitable for synergising at DAK.

Disneynature too

 

[Brer Panther]

They could however invent a new story with the characters of Moana that did fit in DAK a little better, though

I doubt Disney's gonna do that.

 

[JustInTime]

Don't think about the plot. Think about the theme, characters and setting.

Jennifer Lee mentioned encounters with mysterious animals and creatures of the deep.

Thank you!!

 

[JustInTime]

Nope. The core concept within Moana is restoring balance and living in harmony with nature.

The value of nature and conservation is a key part of AK, not just animals.

I really like the way you worded this.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

It's really all the same topic. But as I mentioned, the CEO is not the problem. I don't love Iger, but let's stop pretending the IP mandate is solely Iger's fault.

Theres definitely a larger misunderstanding of what the parks are throughout the company considering the person that lead the discussion about Moana and Zootopia in DAK was from WDAS

It’s an oligarchy…at a minimum.

Where does the “Buck stop” on corporate culture and therefore decisions?

 

[bmr1591]

Does anyone actually ‘in the know’ know if Zootopia is really still being considered for AK? Certainly they’ve read the backlash online. And if it’s a carbon copy of China (no doubt it would be with their vision of the parks nowadays), how would that even fit into AK?

 

[ToTBellHop]

Does anyone actually ‘in the know’ know if Zootopia is really still being considered for AK? Certainly they’ve read the backlash online. And if it’s a carbon copy of China (no doubt it would be with their vision of the parks nowadays), how would that even fit into AK?

It’s obviously being considered.

 

[bmr1591]

It’s obviously being considered.

Well of course, it was mentioned at D23. I just was curious if plans had changed after seeing the overall response.

 

[ᗩLᘿᑕ ✨ ᗩζᗩᗰ]

...so long as it isn't the carbon copy urban car chase attraction from Shanghai.

 

[BlakeW39]

I doubt Disney's gonna do that.

Well, maybe not. I was just making the point that with the IP mandate, Moana is about as good as you're gonna get. Even though, in the grand scheme of things, Moana doesn't fit the tone, artistic style or subject matter of Animal Kingdom particularly well.

Does anyone actually ‘in the know’ know if Zootopia is really still being considered for AK? Certainly they’ve read the backlash online. And if it’s a carbon copy of China (no doubt it would be with their vision of the parks nowadays), how would that even fit into AK?

There was plenty of backlash about Zootopia in DAK before the blue sky was shown at D23. So in all likelihood, Disney probably knew parks fans would dislike the idea but were prepared to potentially go forward with it anyways.

 

[BlakeW39]

...so long as it isn't the carbon copy urban car chase attraction from Shanghai.

hahahahah, you're funny.

 

[pdude81]

Does anyone in TWDC of WDI care about National Geographic? As they have an entire content brand suitable for synergising at DAK.

There is a NG yellow box frame you can take your picture in near the entrance. So it's at least on someone's mind

 

[Basil of Baker Street]

Theme a Polynesian land with a message of rāhui for protecting the natural resources. Drop some Moana characters in as ambassadors. Done.

 

[ToTBellHop]

Well of course, it was mentioned at D23. I just was curious if plans had changed after seeing the overall response.

I don’t think the “overall response” is what you imagine it to be.

 

[neo999955]

I don’t think the “overall response” is what you imagine it to be.

I'll voice my take as someone who generally likes more IP in the parks. I personally love Disney properties and love good implementations. I've loved Avatar, Star Wars land, Rise, Mickie and Minnie and Guardians.

I know I am pretty distanced from most on this forum because I only have come to Disney as an adult and don't have a connection to how the parks were before these past ten years - but I love Moana and feel it can easily make sense in DAK. Really hope it happens.

As for Zootopia, I think it's a great movie and can be a great franchise and would love to see it in the parks. I do agree it's a mismatch for AK, but not nearly as strongly as many do. I realize the animals are heavily anthropomorphized, but I agree there is a connection to nature and I think it could be done in a non-offensive way. If they built a city in AK, I would be mad, but I also think the Dino area is trash. I'm more annoyed they are thinking of just reskinning Dinosaur, I think it deserves more than that in a park severely lacking in rides.

 

[Bocabear]

Here is the D23 presentation about DinoLand.

Notice

As I wrote before, Jennifer Lee, who was a writer for Zootopia, thinks it represents a connection to animals and nature for the audience. No use trying to convince me that the characters are fundamentally human: even if you convinced me, you can't convince her. She helped make them.

Also, the fans were actually a bit more excited for Zootopia than Moana! Since there is gong to be a sequel to Zootopia coming up, you can see why the Zootppia attraction may be more than just "blue sky."

I don't really care if it comes or not, but I don't like seeing fans disappointed, or forum members setting themselves up for disappointment. A lot of folks really want this, far more than the forum wants to believe. You might be able to keep downtown out of the park and such, but trying to say the animals shouldn't be there because they are human will get you nowhere.

You can believe they're furry humans if you like, but that's just not how Disney sees them.

You can't please all the fans because there are as many fans of Disney Parks that thought Zootopia was episodic and not worthy of consideration...and honestly if the woman that wrote the characters says the characters represent a connection to animals and nature.... (but they have jobs, wear clothes, and work in a city?) She is fooling herself... It is a human story with animals playing the parts... It certainly does not feel like a connection to nature when the animals take public transportation....

 

[BlakeW39]

You can't please all the fans because there are as many fans of Disney Parks that thought Zootopia was episodic and not worthy of consideration...and honestly if the woman that wrote the characters says the characters represent a connection to animals and nature.... (but they have jobs, wear clothes, and work in a city?) She is fooling herself... It is a human story with animals playing the parts... It certainly does not feel like a connection to nature when the animals take public transportation....

Zootopia thinks a world where animals act like humans is more interesting than a world where animals act like animals. Personally I feel the exact opposite