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

[UNCgolf]

Probably not worth worrying about Zootopia too much. They’ll need to actually build the Moana land before even starting. Plans could change 15 times before then.

Zootopia may be old enough at that point that they no longer consider it a viable option, unless they can easily reuse assets from the Shanghai ride and save significant money or the potential Disney+ show is a massive hit.

 

[doctornick]

Probably not worth worrying about Zootopia too much. They’ll need to actually build the Moana land before even starting. Plans could change 15 times before then.

Sure. I’d just be happier if a blue sky thing was a Pandora addition as opposed to a Dinosaur replacement. They could work on that at the same time as Moana for a big splashy combined opening without hurting capacity as much in the interim

 

[_caleb]

Zootopia may be old enough at that point that they no longer consider it a viable option, unless they can easily reuse the Shanghai ride and save significant money or the potential Disney+ show is a massive hit.

Have we seen them really try to leverage D+ series in support of a parks ride/land yet? I can see them giving it a go with Zootopia.

 

[RSoxNo1]

Want to put this here to avoid confusion. I’ve been told this is being planned to open in 2025. The MK project is more blue sky.

So basically they could break ground on the Moana stuff soon but can’t take DINOSAUR offline as well. They also probably want to see if the Zootopia ride in Shanghai is a success. Is this supposed to be a clone?

Fwiw, on the way out I saw Chris Beatty talking to someone. I leaned in, got within a foot of his ear and said “Zootopia doesn’t belong in the Animal Kingdom”. I didn’t break stride, he turned and looked and I kept walking.

 

[UNCgolf]

Have we seen them really try to leverage D+ series in support of a parks ride/land yet? I can see them giving it a go with Zootopia.

I could see them trying it at some point with some IP, but I think a Zootopia ride at AK is too far off to be useful. I don't think they'd hold off on the Disney+ show for several years for potential synergy.

 

[Tom P.]

I'm in favor of adding Zootopia to Animal Kingdom. I know that's not the popular viewpoint around here, but I'm sticking with it.

I'm not thrilled about Moana, though. I think having it be a major part of Epcot and Animal Kingdom both is too much.

 

[WorldExplorer]

Fwiw, on the way out I saw Chris Beatty talking to someone. I leaned in, got within a foot of his ear and said “Zootopia doesn’t belong in the Animal Kingdom”. I didn’t break stride, he turned and looked and I kept walking.

"...holy crap, was that my conscience?"

 

[doctornick]

Have we seen them really try to leverage D+ series in support of a parks ride/land yet? I can see them giving it a go with Zootopia.

Well there’s a Tiana show coming too so there’s that. Some have suggested it might have been developed to keep that IP more prominent

 

[ToTBellHop]

So basically they could break ground on the Moana stuff soon but can’t take DINOSAUR offline as well. They also probably want to see if the Zootopia ride in Shanghai is a success. Is this supposed to be a clone?

Fwiw, on the way out I saw Chris Beatty talking to someone. I leaned in, got within a foot of his ear and said “Zootopia doesn’t belong in the Animal Kingdom”. I didn’t break stride, he turned and looked and I kept walking.

They would not build both parts concurrently.

Not exact clones since the ride systems aren’t identical but what they slapped in there as a placeholder would have similar sets.

I’m sure they’d also love to build the Coco, Encanto, and villain attractions elsewhere.

 

[SNS]

So basically they could break ground on the Moana stuff soon but can’t take DINOSAUR offline as well.

I can see how that would be the case. They would wait until they have the Moana ride to close the Dinosaur ride for the changeover.

 

[Jrb1979]

Simply untrue. They will not let 2025 and 2026 pass without a major addition. This is literally the most eligible spot in all of WDW since it is in a currently-used guest area, it’s cleared, it’s ready to go, and it is in the park that is next in line for an addition.

2027, we’d be talking about Zootopia if it is built and the MK expansion being well under way. Those ideas are aspirational but I’d expect something in MK this decade.

With the rate they build things they needed to announce today. I realize a lot of you still have some faith in Disney.

 

[UNCgolf]

Not exact clones since the ride systems aren’t identical but what they slapped in there as a placeholder would have similar sets.

I thought they were different ride systems but wasn't sure. That alone could be enough to make them decide it's not worth the expense -- even if they could reuse most of the sets, there would have to be changes to what actually happens to accommodate the different systems.

 

[doctornick]

I’m sure they’d also love to build the Coco, Encanto, and villain attractions elsewhere.

Then why wouldn’t they do that? They could work in DHS just fine and it wouldn’t be tough to get Coco or Encanto to work in Epcot.

I mean I like the idea of expanding MK in that area but it’s not the most pressing WDW need.

 

[UNCgolf]

Then why wouldn’t they do that? They could work in DHS just fine and it wouldn’t be tough to get Coco or Encanto to work in Epcot.

I mean I like the idea of expanding MK in that area but it’s not the most pressing WDW need.

I think he meant at other Disney parks around the world (or Disneyland).

 

[ToTBellHop]

Then why wouldn’t they do that? They could work in DHS just fine and it wouldn’t be tough to get Coco or Encanto to work in Epcot.

I mean I like the idea of expanding MK in that area but it’s not the most pressing WDW need.

I meant they’d like to build clones in the Asian parks or Paris. Spread the cost.

 

[doctornick]

I can see how that would be the case. They would wait until they have the Moana ride to close the Dinosaur ride for the changeover.

Yeah that’s the thing. I don’t really see how they could get by closing Triceratops Spin and Dinosaur down for an extended period to be replaced. The park simply doesn’t have enough to make that work.

 

[doctornick]

I meant they’d like to build clones in the Asian parks or Paris. Spread the cost.

Ok I see. They are gonna put something else in the Paris Studios, right? I think Villains land there makes a lot of sense.

 

[ToTBellHop]

Yeah that’s the thing. I don’t really see how they could get by closing Triceratops Spin and Dinosaur down for an extended period to be replaced. The park simply doesn’t have enough to make that work.

It also simply doesn’t make fiscal sense. These projects cost a fortune. Get return for Moana and then phase 2, if it happens, a few years later.

 

[UNCgolf]

It also simply doesn’t make fiscal sense. These projects cost a fortune. Get return for Moana and then phase 2, if it happens, a few years later.

And it never does.

Seriously, has it ever happened? At least in the last 20+ years? The restaurant in TSL is the only thing I can think of and I wouldn't consider that a phase 2.

 

[ToTBellHop]

Ok I see. They are gonna put something else in the Paris Studios, right? I think Villains land there makes a lot of sense.

No idea what they’ll do there. Something watered down, I’m sure. If we get a villains E-ticket and a Horned King spinner, Paris will just get the spinner with an elaborate Black Cauldron garden walk-through.