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

[Disgruntled Walt]

I think either could work. A North American land could, as you said, explore Native American culture and its relationship with nature, as well potentially include attractions based on prehistoric megafauna like woolly mammoths and sabertooth cats, something that would really help round out DAK as a park.

As for Beastly Kingdomme, I would really like to see creatures of myth and legend represented at DAK... they have played an important role in our cultures and a land with dragons and unicorns would explore ideas that Pandora doesn't really touch on, and would still work perfectly in DAK imo.

I like all of these ideas. I want to believe there is hope for Beastly Kingdom. I've wanted to believe it since I first joined this forum. But I have so little faith in Disney adding anything other than IP, especially with Rohde gone. I hope I'm wrong.

 

[James Alucobond]

Yeah, there is no way a Moana land would increase attendance more than a land based on dragons and unicorns, or one set in the time of the dinosaurs. But, "IP synergy!" :/

I mean, that depends on the execution. If well executed, both would be popular, no doubt. But Moana would be popular whether well received or not, which is absolutely part of their modern calculus.

 

[SpectreJordan]

I think either could work. A North American land could, as you said, explore Native American culture and its relationship with nature, as well potentially include attractions based on prehistoric megafauna like woolly mammoths and sabertooth cats, something that would really help round out DAK as a park.

As for Beastly Kingdomme, I would really like to see creatures of myth and legend represented at DAK... they have played an important role in our cultures and a land with dragons and unicorns would explore ideas that Pandora doesn't really touch on, and would still work perfectly in DAK imo.

A Beastly Kingdom set in Japan or China could work, now that I think about it. You can expose western audiences to some more obscure mythological creatures from those cultures too.

 

[BlakeW39]

I mean, that depends on the execution. If well executed, both would be popular, no doubt. But Moana would be popular whether well received or not, which is absolutely part of their modern calculus.

Yeah see, I kind of disagree with ya here man. I do not under any circumstances think a Moana land (if done well) would have anywhere close to the appeal that a land based on dragons or dinosaurs (if done well) would. I do agree TWDC favors the idea of a Moana land but I don't think that's rooted in thw actual reality that it has more or even as much potential in terms of popularity.

 

[BlakeW39]

I like all of these ideas. I want to believe there is hope for Beastly Kingdom. I've wanted to believe it since I first joined this forum. But I have so little faith in Disney adding anything other than IP, especially with Rohde gone. I hope I'm wrong.

Sadly, with Rohde gone I think it is exceedingly unlikely that TWDC will honor his legacy, or that of Disney's Animal Kingdom.

A Beastly Kingdom set in Japan or China could work, now that I think about it. You can expose western audiences to some more obscure mythological creatures from those cultures too.

I think having Asia expanded past Anandapur to include another village rooted more in Chinese culture, rather than Indian/Nepalese, would make for an interesting setting to explore. If Disney could get their hands on some pandas...maybe include some Chinese dragons...that would be very cool.

On the other hand, I really enjoy the original concept for Beastly Kingdomme, so exploring Arthurian/medieval legends and creatures from European myth could be very interesting in my opinion. But, there are tons of great ideas for new lands at DAK. So I am not tied to only this OG Beastly Kingdomme concept as some others on this forum are.

 

[Epcot82Guy]

While they would never do it, having a land that is sort of ruins with a dragon attraction at the center could be very cool. Showing how dragons are depicted in various cultures - then you see "real" ones could be very fun. Sort of a pan-mythology land.

 

[aladdin2007]

That seems like a HUGE amount of space for that IP... I like the idea of the Animation Courtyard area being the portal into the worlds of Disney Animation "lands"... or Toontown... but not Zootopia alone...I feel like Fantasyland is the home of the Disney Fairy Tales... This area could be an amalgam of everything else (not pixar)..

I'd like to see that as a version of the original plans for Mickey's Movieland. Would fit perfectly. But anything that isn't big in your face IP now they poopoo.

 

[James Alucobond]

Yeah see, I kind of disagree with ya here man. I do not under any circumstances think a Moana land (if done well) would have anywhere close to the appeal that a land based on dragons or dinosaurs (if done well) would. I do agree TWDC favors the idea of a Moana land but I don't think that's rooted in thw actual reality that it has more or even as much potential in terms of popularity.

I think you underestimate the popularity of Moana. I know this is purely anecdotal, but when I hear chatter on the monorail looping around World Celebration, people are always excited about Journey of Water, even though it is very clearly not even a ride.

 

[Brer Panther]

I think either could work. A North American land could, as you said, explore Native American culture and its relationship with nature, as well potentially include attractions based on prehistoric megafauna like woolly mammoths and sabertooth cats, something that would really help round out DAK as a park.

I think it would be cool too, but didn't somebody say the problem with a North America land is that the animals wouldn't do well in Florida's climate?

Doing something with prehistoric animals would be fun. To heck with Moana, stick THAT in Dinoland.

 

[BlakeW39]

I think you underestimate the popularity of Moana. I know this is purely anecdotal, but when I hear chatter on the monorail looping around World Celebration, people are always excited about Journey of Water, even though it is very clearly not even a ride.

Moana is one of the more popular animated films out there, but it's still just one movie. It doesn't have the broad appeal Disney fans likely think it does. Especially across different age groups and genders. I'd love to be proven wrong but much like Encanto, I think Moana has a more niche appeal than these big, time honored concepts like lands from mythology or dinosaurs.

There is also the fact that Moana already exists at EPCOT now, so the hype would be lower for DAK given it won't be the first time we see the IP represented at WDW.

 

[James Alucobond]

I'd love to be proven wrong but much like Encanto, I think Moana has a more niche appeal than these big, time honored concepts like lands from mythology or dinosaurs.

Haha, I hope you aren’t proven wrong as I also prefer lands of the type you describe, but I have to assume there’s a reason (likely financial) that we’ve seen a proliferation of more focused areas that tap into existing IP worldbuilding rather than thematic placemaking.

 

[BlakeW39]

I think it would be cool too, but didn't somebody say the problem with a North America land is that the animals wouldn't do well in Florida's climate?

Doing something with prehistoric animals would be fun. To heck with Moana, stick THAT in Dinoland.

You're right I do remember someone saying that, but a quick look at the species collections of neighboring Florida zoos will show us that various cool-climate species are capable of dwelling in Florida. Historically species like brown bears, wolves, and a number deer species have ranged into warmer climates like the Middle East, Mexicio, and even northern Africa. I think a land set either in NA or in Europe is feasible under those considerations

Haha, I hope you aren’t proven wrong as I also prefer lands of the type you describe, but I have to assume there’s a reason (likely financial) that we’ve seen a proliferation of more focused areas that tap into existing IP worldbuilding rather than thematic placemaking.

haha well you're right, I don't hope I'm proven wrong as I do prefer original lands like Beastly Kingdomme over ones that are just replicas of locations from popular IPs. But I think this is a pretty easy thing to measure, we could poll people on this website and in everyday life, to sort of guage which concept is more appealing to a broader audience. I have to say, I'd be pretty shocked if Moana had more appeal than dinosaurs or mythological creatures.

 

[Brer Panther]

I wish Disney would do another animated movie set in Australia. Maybe that would get us an Australia in Animal Kingdom.

 

[Advisable Joseph]

I still hold out forlorn hope for Beastly Kingdom

So, Beastly Kingdom featured evil gold-hoarding dragons in ancient towers.

How about another land with towers based on natural forms: termite mounds, antelope horns, elephant tusks, and the like?

Maybe even a gigantic tree?

 

[Advisable Joseph]

I wish Disney would do another animated movie set in Australia. Maybe that would get us an Australia in Animal Kingdom.

The funny thing is Zootopia has an Outback Island for Australian animals that didn't make into the first movie.

Would that be a cute "excuse" for Australia in the park, or "Monkey's Paw" irony?

 

[BlakeW39]

So, Beastly Kingdom featured evil gold-hoarding dragons in ancient towers.

How about another land with towers based on natural forms: termite mounds, antelope horns, elephant tusks, and the like?

Maybe even a gigantic tree?

Long as it's not zootopia

 

[doctornick]

A Beastly Kingdom set in Japan or China could work, now that I think about it. You can expose western audiences to some more obscure mythological creatures from those cultures too.

You could also do a Beastly Kingdom based on Ancient Greece - Minotaur, centaurs, hydra, Pegasus, cyclops, etc. would be a different vibe than a medieval concept

 

[solidyne]

You could also do a Beastly Kingdom based on Ancient Greece - Minotaur, centaurs, hydra, Pegasus, cyclops, etc. would be a different vibe than a medieval concept

 

[Advisable Joseph]

So, Beastly Kingdom featured evil gold-hoarding dragons in ancient towers.

How about another land with towers based on natural forms: termite mounds, antelope horns, elephant tusks, and the like?

Maybe even a gigantic tree?

Long as it's not zootopia

A fox rushes in, whispers to Joseph

Uh-huh, you couldn't get the license to that anyway. Plaza Bestia sounds good. Animal-themed carnival games and rides, including a roar-a-coaster.

Whisper, whisper oh-la-la

And I see you got your pants off; we can tell Rohde.

Pat, pat, SLAP!

Oh, I made Figment cry.

...

But seriously, have you guys, including @RSoxNo1 , heard about Wild Times, the little predator-themed amusement park Nick Wilde ran in an early version of Zootopia?

You could also do a Beastly Kingdom based on Ancient Greece - Minotaur, centaurs, hydra, Pegasus, cyclops, etc. would be a different vibe than a medieval concept

Would you call cyclops an animal? And Minotaur should have a man-made labyrinth, which could be a problem for the all-wilderness folks.

 

[BlakeW39]

A fox rushes in, whispers to Joseph

Uh-huh, you couldn't get the license to that anyway. Plaza Bestia sounds good. Animal-themed carnival games and rides, including a roar-a-coaster.

Whisper, whisper oh-la-la

And I see you got your pants off; we can tell Rohde.

Pat, pat, SLAP!

Oh, I made Figment cry.

...

But seriously, have you guys, including @RSoxNo1 , heard about Wild Times, the little predator-themed amusement park Nick Wilde ran in an early version of Zootopia?

Huh? Figment? Rohde..? Not sure I get where you're coming from.

But no I haven't heard of that. To be clear, I do like Zootopia as a film, I just don't want to see it in DAK.

Would you call cyclops an animal? And Minotaur should have a man-made labyrinth, which could be a problem for the all-wilderness folks.

I personally wouldn't, I'd consider it a humanoid.