Zootopia at Animal Kingdom?

[Biff215]

Plus they could also use a replacement for that great afternoon parade they used to have, and Zootopia would fit into that pretty well with that song Shakira did for the movie

While it was a good parade, its effect on the park was a huge issue as it made it nearly impossible to move around the park. With Pandora open and attendance rising, I don't see any way they would bring it back. This is one cut that probably made sense and made the park more enjoyable.

 

[NeedMoreMickey]

But you would be upset if it replaced Rafiki's Planet Watch?

I can't remember the last time I was there, think it was closed during my last trip. I'd rather see something real in that area like penguins from Africa. They have them at the zoo in Baltimore and the weather in Baltimore is very similar to WDW very hot and humid with the chance of afternoon shower in the summer

 

[Bocabear]

The way Disney was cross promoting Zootopia with Animal Kingdom it seems like it's just a matter of time before this happens... The cast all did press interviews from the Animal Kingdom lodge, there is a "thank you" to Animal Kingdom in the credits of the film because in the "making of" feature on the Blu-Ray they explain that their first step toward doing research for the movie was going to visit the Animal Kingdom park, and Rafiki's Planet Watch also had a small tie in exhibit with the film when it was first released in theaters, and Zootopia is basically just a "buddy cop" detective story, which they could easily do endless sequels to, so like Star Wars, Toy Story, and Cars, it's something that will hang around for a while

I think Animal Kingdom could use a "Fantasyland" type of area anyway, and then they could finally build a proper Dinoland. Plus they could also use a replacement for that great afternoon parade they used to have, and Zootopia would fit into that pretty well with that song Shakira did for the movie

I agree some more fantasy parts of the park would be nice, but an animal-centric mock up of a human city with the animals playing humans is completely antithetical to the design, feel, and mission of Animal Kingdom. I do not want to see animals dressed as bankers and policemen... The whole point of Disney's Animal Kingdom is to see live real animals in the most beautiful zoo habitats that have ever been built....not copies of urban environments with animals pretending to be humans... It's a wrong note.
I am still baffled that Zootopia even won an academy award over Moana and Kubo.. two features that were both miles better that Zootopia..which was amusing and fun, but not academy worthy.

 

[andysol]

So, I'm a couple of glasses of wine in, so I have to ask: do you really think Animal Kingdom will see a 5-10% bump in 2017 - particularly considering that Avatar didn't open until the year was half over?
If so, I'd also like to wager for a Disney dinner.
I've always loved Flying Fish! <3

There is no doubt in my mind there will be a 5% jump- if nothing else, because Disney has forced it.

When MK is closing at 10pm the entire 4th of July week, Epcot and DHS closing at 9pm, and Animal Kingdom open until 1am- of course DAK is going to get a massive spike in attendence.

We can argue if it was because of Pandora (which is partly responsible) or if it's the significant reduction of hours elsewhere while increasing the number of hours at DAK (which is the other part responsible).
But the fact of the matter is you will see a significant attendance spike- simply because Disney counts gate clicks and park hops in addition to the new offerings.

lAnd Martin has mentioned before the train going bye bye but yet if they put Zootopia there, eliminating the train would be dumb, so I don't know what they'll do.

I would have to agree with Martin, if for no other reason than capacity. With the amount of guests that park gets- could you imagine queuing for an hour+ just to get onto the train to take you to the new land? Regardless of what eventually goes in that spot, They'll have to find a completely new way to get there. Whether it be a larger transportation system or simple pathways- the current train won't be able to handle the load.

I always thought that area would have been ideal for Pandora. Make several "transports" with screens a la Hogwarts express. And "Travel" to Pandora while having some fog/smoke fill the cabin for a brief spurt and the person on the TV telling you that they just gave you something to let you breathe on Pandora, etc. But alas- I'm not a decision maker at Disney.

I am still baffled that Zootopia even won an academy award over Moana and Kubo.. two features that were both miles better that Zootopia..which was amusing and fun, but not academy worthy.

While I believe Zootopia should have been nominated over the crop that was there- the fact Kubo didn't win was a travesty and typical Oscar-Disney bias. Based on technical merits alone, Kubo was groundbreaking. But the fact it was a completely original and very mature story that kids enjoyed also is a massive feat. It is quite possibly the best animated film in the past decade+, not just that year. But alas... tiny little Laika Studios gets the snub again.

 

[Bocabear]

There is no doubt in my mind there will be a 5% jump- if nothing else, because Disney has forced it.

When MK is closing at 10pm the entire 4th of July week, Epcot and DHS closing at 9pm, and Animal Kingdom open until 1am- of course DAK is going to get a massive spike in attendence.

We can argue if it was because of Pandora (which is partly responsible) or if it's the significant reduction of hours elsewhere while increasing the number of hours at DAK (which is the other part responsible).
But the fact of the matter is you will see a significant attendance spike- simply because Disney counts gate clicks and park hops in addition to the new offerings.


I would have to agree with Martin, if for no other reason than capacity. With the amount of guests that park gets- could you imagine queuing for an hour+ just to get onto the train to take you to the new land? Regardless of what eventually goes in that spot, They'll have to find a completely new way to get there. Whether it be a larger transportation system or simple pathways- the current train won't be able to handle the load.

I always thought that area would have been ideal for Pandora. Make several "transports" with screens a la Hogwarts express. And "Travel" to Pandora while having some fog/smoke fill the cabin for a brief spurt and the person on the TV telling you that they just gave you something to let you breathe on Pandora, etc. But alas- I'm not a decision maker at Disney.


While I believe Zootopia should have been nominated over the crop that was there- the fact Kubo didn't win was a travesty and typical Oscar-Disney bias. Based on technical merits alone, Kubo was groundbreaking. But the fact it was a completely original and very mature story that kids enjoyed also is a massive feat. It is quite possibly the best animated film in the past decade+, not just that year. But alas... tiny little Laika Studios gets the snub again.

That is one of the things about Pandora that doesn't work.. there is no transition to the area...you walk across a bridge and you are in Pandora...it would have been amazing to have had some sort of an attraction that took you to Pandora and exited into the land...it would have added another attraction, and would have made it feel more epic.

 

[ford91exploder]

While it was a good parade, its effect on the park was a huge issue as it made it nearly impossible to move around the park. With Pandora open and attendance rising, I don't see any way they would bring it back. This is one cut that probably made sense and made the park more enjoyable.

It was a FANTASITC parade that I loved and hated at the same time, I loved it for its minimalist 'real Africa' feel, I hated it because if you were not on the route to watch it it trapped you in whatever section of the park you were in.

I'd like to see it return but perhaps start on Harambe's road to Asia and head towards Asia and the Nemo theater and Dinoland. That way people can watch yet that area has alternate paths to the Tree of Life so one would not be stuck as they were before

 

[Dinoman96]

Please no. I like Zootopia a lot but it just doesn't really gel with Animal Kingdom's morals outside of "Well it has animals ahuh".

After seeing what's happened to Epcot, the very last thing Animal Kingdom needs to be dumbed down to appeal to the lowest common denominator. You might say "but didn't they already do that with Pandora???"...but not really. Avatar and Animal Kingdom just so happen to have a lot of overlap in their themes, of conservation and being one with nature. Zootopia is about general society issues, like discrimination. It just uses animals as allegory.

That being said, I wouldn't mind for Rafiki's Planet Watch to be remodeled into something else. I literally never go there when heading to AK.

 

[ford91exploder]

That is one of the things about Pandora that doesn't work.. there is no transition to the area...you walk across a bridge and you are in Pandora...it would have been amazing to have had some sort of an attraction that took you to Pandora and exited into the land...it would have added another attraction, and would have made it feel more epic.

That's what you get when you hire MfA grads with no sense of design just heads full of the latest trendy mush who cannot paint, draw or sculpt but who can 'deconstruct' VanGogh or El Greco, Hey but they are cheap you just need to pay them a little more than their usual job as a Barista at the local Starbucks.

It's pathetic in a way most of the better artists in the local arts community are professionals of some sort Engineers, Physicians, Architects, Teachers and Nurses.

Where the MfA's slap some paint on the canvas without applying gesso, Or they take out of focus pictures with a Holga they conflate their poor technical skills with 'creativity'

The point of having technical skills is knowing how and when to 'break the rules'.

 

[MotherOfBirds]

Theyre trying to squeeze some money out of RPW in the meantime. The weddings division has been hawking it as a reception venue

 

[jensenrick]

The site which we can't link to has reported this rumor. It doesn't site any sources but
The basic summary is that a zootopia land may be built where Rafiki Planet Watch is right now.

I did not see a thread on it but wanted to gauge the accuracy or validity to the rumour. Is this somthing they are considering so close on the heels of the Pandora expansion at DAK?

YES!!!! I love this idea!!

 

[Biff215]

Theyre trying to squeeze some money out of RPW in the meantime. The weddings division has been hawking it as a reception venue

What??? Guess losing GMR is causing some panic!

 

[No Name]

That is one of the things about Pandora that doesn't work.. there is no transition to the area...you walk across a bridge and you are in Pandora...it would have been amazing to have had some sort of an attraction that took you to Pandora and exited into the land...it would have added another attraction, and would have made it feel more epic.

Is the transition to Pandora any different than any other land in WDW? No other land is accessed through an attraction except for Rafiki's Planet Watch. You just walk from one land to the next.

 

[Brer Oswald]

The site which we can't link to has reported this rumor. It doesn't site any sources but
The basic summary is that a zootopia land may be built where Rafiki Planet Watch is right now.

I did not see a thread on it but wanted to gauge the accuracy or validity to the rumour. Is this somthing they are considering so close on the heels of the Pandora expansion at DAK?

I proposed this idea, keyword IDEA, 6-7 months ago. It appears to be a common one that many of people have thought of, so I doubt that these "rumours" are more than fan suggestions.

 

[Kman101]

While I liked AK's parade I don't think the park is really suited for one. I'd much rather see a parade returned to DHS

 

[jensenrick]

If we gave all Disney movies that won for "Best Animated Feature" a major ride/attraction/themed land, than Inside Out, Big Hero 6, Brave, Up, Wall-E, Ratatouille, and The Incredibles are all due some love in the parks...

Yes, you are right, they are all due some "love"

 

[No Name]

Apples and oranges. They are creating an entire land. So nothing at MK, Epcot, or DHS would qualify. Pandora is their first dedicated land.

Okay, so I'd consider Asia and Africa and Fronteirland and Sunset Blvd. just as "dedicated" as Pandora. I'm not quite sure why being based on a single IP somehow puts in a different league. They're all pretty equally integral parts of the parks to which they belong. But whatever, onward...

Pandora is the only one where you go to another planet via a bridge.

So? Why is going to another planet via a bridge not okay, but walking from a land of fantasy to a land of the future is okay? Walking from Muppet Courtyard (New York) to Hollywood Blvd. (Hollywood) in minutes instead of days is okay? Walking from Asia to an American dinosaur carnival without crossing an ocean is okay? As for Universal, walking into England without crossing an ocean is okay?

The "another planet" thing is no different. People largely expect that, in a theme park, they'll be able to walk from one land to the next.

 

[Spike-in-Berlin]

I really hope this is just another fanboy rumor, I don't want to see anything of this shameless PC-propaganda flick in the parks. The last Disney cartoons made with such obvious political undertones were made during WWII.

 

[Notes from Neverland]

It'd be very interesting to see what it would look like if they did the different biomes as shown in the movie. Rain forest, snow, etc.

 

[tl77]

While it was a good parade, its effect on the park was a huge issue as it made it nearly impossible to move around the park. With Pandora open and attendance rising, I don't see any way they would bring it back. This is one cut that probably made sense and made the park more enjoyable.

Having Pandora finally open though creates kind of "outer ring" around the park were you can walk around avoiding that inner area of Discovery Island, although getting those boats up and running around Discovery River again wouldn't hurt either

 

[tl77]

I agree some more fantasy parts of the park would be nice, but an animal-centric mock up of a human city with the animals playing humans is completely antithetical to the design, feel, and mission of Animal Kingdom. I do not want to see animals dressed as bankers and policemen... The whole point of Disney's Animal Kingdom is to see live real animals in the most beautiful zoo habitats that have ever been built....not copies of urban environments with animals pretending to be humans... It's a wrong note.
I am still baffled that Zootopia even won an academy award over Moana and Kubo.. two features that were both miles better that Zootopia..which was amusing and fun, but not academy worthy.

Yeah it doesn't quite fit with what's already there, but I think that's kind of "why" they would do it. Avatar doesn't really fit either, Chester and Hester never fit, but I think the thing that makes the Magic Kingdom "magical" for people is the variety of experiences... going from The Old West, to the Jungle, to the Future ect... and they seem to be trying to replicate that type of variety in all their other parks, on both coasts and overseas. If they announce at D23 this year, or in 2 years, that a Zootopia-land is coming to Animal Kingdom... I won't be surprised is all I'm saying, I think writing is on the wall already