Zootopia characters confirmed

[goldenstate5]

...you are aware that WDI can do advance planning, correct?

 

[Donaldfan1934]

Not to derail the thread, but I feel the need to point out that this story often gets repeated, but I have the sense that it's not quite true. From concept art that is floating around out there, and descriptions of how Dragon Tower at AK would've played out, it beared only a superficial resemblance to Dueling Dragons. DD was a coaster that involved dragons and a castle, but it was missing the story about the bats trying to rob the dragon's gold, it had no AA dragon showstopper, it was a different coaster type (Suspended for Dragon Tower vs Inverted for DD), it had two coasters not one, and it lacked the theming that would've hidden the coaster structure. Perhaps Uni simply heard Disney was making a dragon coaster, and they ran with the idea but no specifics.

Its true that the concepts are wildly different, but my point remains that there's a long history of suspicious similarities in attracttions made either around the same time of or years after Disney built their attractions.

 

[Sped2424]

I have something I want to talk about but don't think it requires a thread. I'm also afraid this will be met with ridicule, which I have already experienced when I first brought it up in the main Zootopia thread, and while I admit that some of the things I said are ridiculous and take them back, I still think I have a fair reason to be somewhat bothered.

First and foremost, I am obsessed with Splash Mountain and for years have wished the Br'ers were more popular. A few months ago, I expressed an honest fear that Zootopia would make Br'er Rabbit and Br'er Fox even more irrelevant than they already are because Disney decided to make the lead characters of this film a fox and a rabbit. And I stated an even more ridiculous fear that Disney might just be stupid enough to retheme Splash Mountain to it (which, if that were to actually happen, I would find it unforgivable on Disney's behalf). Of course, I find that just crazy now as the logical place for the film would obviously be somewhere in Animal Kingdom and that the film bears no resemblance outside of having the same lead animals (I don't know for sure, I haven't seen it yet). However, clearly I am not the only one who has been thinking about this. I've seen Tweets in the Splash Mountain tag talking about how "the characters in Zootopia look like Splash Mountain characters" or how "I think Zootopia was just made to get rid of the racial stigma behind Splash Mountain" (yes, that is an actual tweet I came across...). There's been more than that and trust me, you wouldn't believe some of the things I've read. I realize a lot of people on Twitter are idiots who don't even know what they are talking about, but they are still pretty interesting (and cringe-worthy) observations nonetheless. For instance, I just came across a recent tweet that said "I keep thinking WDW should revamp Splash Mountain to Zootopia rather than creepy Briar Rabbit..." That just made me plain angry. I'll just state for the record that when I first saw an image of Judy in a pink shirt, I thought "No Disney, you did NOT!" I really am happy this film is such a success for Disney and perhaps after I see the movie, I can put all of this nonsense behind me, but right now I have a small pit in my stomach almost every time I think about it and I just can't seem to completely get over it. However, what bugs me the most is that no one on these forums could seem to understand why I was bothered.

Splash mountain is safe no need to worry there. People tweet stuff all the time. Also I have a nagging suspicion Iger and co after hollywood is done are not going to add any new rides. Even though animal kingdom could HIGHLY benefit from having a zootopia land I just know it's not happening under the current regime of people.

 

[tl77]

The site South of Conservation station is a pretty big site to make a city.....Don't you think??

A Zootopia Ride & Go Seek would be perfect for this...Similar to the Monsters Inc version in TDL..

Given how well Zootopia is doing at the box office, and with there already being talk of a sequel, I think it's pretty likely this spot will end up becoming some kind of Zootopia-land, hopefully WDW's answer to Cars-land

It's a shame The Good Dinosaur didn't do better though, I was hoping that would be the a huge hit so they'd have a reason to replace Chester and Hester

 

[cjkeating]

Is it just me who thinks Zootopia has very little place in Animal Kingdom? Yes it has animals in it but it is probably a worse fit than how they are using the Avatar IP in the park. Zootopia belongs in MK or HS.

 

[Phicinfan]

Is it just me who thinks Zootopia has very little place in Animal Kingdom? Yes it has animals in it but it is probably a worse fit than how they are using the Avatar IP in the park. Zootopia belongs in MK or HS.

Kind of agree, heck why not make Zootopia phase 3 in DHS?

 

[tl77]

Is it just me who thinks Zootopia has very little place in Animal Kingdom? Yes it has animals in it but it is probably a worse fit than how they are using the Avatar IP in the park. Zootopia belongs in MK or HS.

Kind of agree, heck why not make Zootopia phase 3 in DHS?

I think Zootopia is desperately needed in Animal Kingdom like the Bug's Life bugs in the Tree of Life, the place is so serious and stiff and bordering on pretentious, they could really use some more fun light hearted family stuff there

It wouldn't have to be a literal recreation of the film, though, maybe have one big dark ride like @Cmdr_Crimson suggested through the down town/Time Square area from the film, but the world of the movie is also divided up into different sections like Tundra Town, and that would be a great way to introduce a live animal exhibit for arctic animals like Polar bears, and just tell people they're "naturalists" since they don't wear clothes. I also think the existing Affection Section petting zoo could easily become Zootopia's Bunny Burrow

A Zootopia section could be Animal Kingdom's version of Fantasyland and also be a way to add new live animal exhibits, both of which I think the park needs

 

[doctornick]

Is it just me who thinks Zootopia has very little place in Animal Kingdom? Yes it has animals in it but it is probably a worse fit than how they are using the Avatar IP in the park. Zootopia belongs in MK or HS.

I tend to agree. Zootopia to me doesn't really belong in DAK -- if they wanted to use toons there, I would think "real" animals like Bambi, 101 Dalmatians,The Rescuers, the animals from Tarzan, Jungle Book and Pocahontas, etc. are more appropriate than anthropomorphic ones like Zootopia (or Robin Hood, Chicken Little, etc.). DHS seems like a more appropriate place than DAK.

That said, I do think DAK needs additional attractions and I wouldn't be that bothered if Zootopia's success was the motivation to do so.

 

[FigmentForver96]

I have not seen Zootopia yet so I do not have the ability to give much voice but it seems like the entire movie takes place in a city with animals. An animated city with walking animals just does not seem to fit into the ideals and themes of Animal Kingdom. The idea is for real, prehistoric and imaginary and Zootopia just seems like it would be overstepping the boundaries of the theme.

 

[Christian Fronckowiak]

I have not seen Zootopia yet so I do not have the ability to give much voice but it seems like the entire movie takes place in a city with animals. An animated city with walking animals just does not seem to fit into the ideals and themes of Animal Kingdom. The idea is for real, prehistoric and imaginary and Zootopia just seems like it would be overstepping the boundaries of the theme.

I think it would work for both the imaginary animals aspect but also due to the film's theme of animals all living in harmony with each other which certainly works with Animal Kingdom's message.

 

[captainmoch]

For one, there's no way that we'll get a Zootopia land at WDW and it NOT be at DAK. Get that out of your mind. Also, I think people need to give Zootopia more credit. The way they have different ecosystems in the town such as Tundratown and the Rainforest District is very creative and there's the potential for it to be even more educational once in the park. DAK really needs a land that's lighthearted and family-oriented, too.

 

[jensenrick]

I've mentioned this in another thread, but if Disney wanted to bring more Zootopia characters other than Nick and Judy to the parks, I think Officer Clawhauser would be a great choice.

Double hands up for that! Clawhauser is teh best!! He's my favorite character, aside from Judy and Nick.

 

[jensenrick]

Given how well Zootopia is doing at the box office, and with there already being talk of a sequel, I think it's pretty likely this spot will end up becoming some kind of Zootopia-land, hopefully WDW's answer to Cars-land

That would be awesome, although since I'm still begging for just a M&G, I won't get my hopes up.

But what's this about a sequel? Pray tell, where did you hear such wonderful news?

 

[FigmentJedi]

I have not seen Zootopia yet so I do not have the ability to give much voice but it seems like the entire movie takes place in a city with animals. An animated city with walking animals just does not seem to fit into the ideals and themes of Animal Kingdom. The idea is for real, prehistoric and imaginary and Zootopia just seems like it would be overstepping the boundaries of the theme.

Still more in theme than the space aliens.

 

[lazyboy97o]

How does a world without humans help relate to a better understanding of man's connection with nature? It's okay to not turn every film into an attraction just because.

 

[FigmentForver96]

How does a world without humans help relate to a better understanding of man's connection with nature? It's okay to not turn every film into an attraction just because.

This times 100. A movie does not need a ride, or even a land for that matter, just because it is popular.

 

[captainmoch]

This times 100. A movie does not need a ride, or even a land for that matter, just because it is popular.

But if it's a really good movie and would make for a really good ride/land, why not?
Also, Zootopia in a park about animals/conservation is no more of a stretch than Avatar in a park about animals/conservation. If anything, they compliment each other. Zootopia is much more themed to animals and Avatar is much more themed to conservation.

 

[lazyboy97o]

But if it's a really good movie and would make for a really good ride/land, why not?
Also, Zootopia in a park about animals/conservation is no more of a stretch than Avatar in a park about animals/conservation. If anything, they compliment each other. Zootopia is much more themed to animals and Avatar is much more themed to conservation.

Involving animals doesn't make something of the same theme, which is of more depth than just having animals present.

 

[Matt_Black]

While I agree that it doesn't fit in with the themes of conservation, it can be used an example of animal traits and behaviors. Animals are social creatures, just like humans, and a Zootopia exhibit showcasing the various group dynamics among various species could be very interesting and entertaining.

 

[FigmentForver96]

But if it's a really good movie and would make for a really good ride/land, why not?
Also, Zootopia in a park about animals/conservation is no more of a stretch than Avatar in a park about animals/conservation. If anything, they compliment each other. Zootopia is much more themed to animals and Avatar is much more themed to conservation.

I didn't say anything about Avatar being right. One mistake does not justify another