You’re Welcome. Which Five Disney Films Deserve A Dark Ride inside Disney Parks? Let’s take a look!
“That Tangled restroom area is really nice.. but a ride would be way better”
The uncredited film that surged Disney Animation into its second renaissance. Tangled is an underrated film. Yet the franchise is very popular. Currently the only reference to Tangled in the parks is Magic Kingdom bathrooms. A dark ride based upon this film would be a nice addition to Fantasyland at WDW. A second large expansion of Fantasyland will happen in the future. Most likely in the far future but I’m still counting on another Fantasyland expansion. Tangled would be a franchise to explore. A Tangled attraction could generate a solid 20 minute wait and help out crowd control.
Zootopia
“Adored by critics and the second biggest box office for a Disney Animated film”
The film did tremendous at the box office. So if Walt Disney Imagineering brainstorms an idea for Zootopia it would most likely get the greenlight. Out of all the films this one probably has the best chance at becoming a realization in some way or capacity. Zootopia would of been a nice expansion for Disney Hollywood Studios or Disney’s Animal Kingdom. The movie literally gives Imagineering a world to create.
Zootopia at least deserves a dark ride. Maybe Disney can dust off the old concepts for the Dick Tracy Crime Fighters at Hollywood Studios? Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde taking you on a ride along would be a fun attraction.
The Lion King
“Most successful Disney Animation film until the phenomenon known as Frozen”
Another film during the Disney Animation renaissance. Yet its under-appreciated in the Disney Parks. Yes, we have The Festival of The Lion King at Animal Kingdom and that is a great show… but still The Lion King deserves an attraction. A dark ride could do it justice. I love dark rides if you can’t tell. I just think it would be awesome being in a savanna setting passing animatronic lions. Also encountering famous scenes from the actual film like “Hakuna Matata.”
I think everyone would enjoy a Timon and Pumbaa animatronic. Also any attraction that could be backed up with Elton John music becomes stellar.
Aladdin
“Aladdin deserves better then Flying Carpets”
You better believe Aladdin deserves better then a Magic Carpet spinner ride. Having a spinner ride themed to Aladdin is smart. Although you can use Aladdin in better ways. My thought process of an Aladdin dark ride wouldn’t be a traditional dark ride. I want a ride where you actually fly on a flying carpet yet you experience the same scenery. The “A Whole New World” sequence would be awesome to experience. Witnessing a Jafar and Genie animatronic would also be extremely exciting.
Aladdin is a underutilized intellectual property. I feel like many great films for the Disney Animation renaissance haven’t gotten the “Park Love” they deserve. Aladdin is one of them.
I know that back in the nineties during Michael Eisner’s Disney Decade. Disney was planning on building an indoor theme park in the Dubai themed to Aladdin.
The company did have big plans for Aladdin at one point in time. It’s just such a shame that Aladdin hasn’t gotten a true dark ride yet. I’m sure there are plenty of never built Aladdin concepts somewhere on the Internet.
Moana
“The ocean setting, phenomenal music, and likable characters make this a no brainer for an attraction!”
Yes number one on this list is Disney Animation’s latest release. Moana is an exciting tale about adventure and becoming who you are. The whole film felt like a wonderful attraction. A dark ride or boat ride would be appropriate for Moana. You have so many memorable characters Moana, Maui, HeiHei, and Pua. Plus you got the evil coconut dudes.
Moana similar to Frozen both have fantastic music and wonderful backgrounds. The film is extremely popular and would make for a great attraction.
After listing the top five films that deserve a dark ride. I made a startling revelation. The Magic Kingdom would most likely be the front runner to have these franchises. Yet there is no more space inside the Magic Kingdom for expansion right now.
It’s time to discuss the possibilities for a fifth park but that will be another article for another time.
Zach Perilstein is the Editor-in-Chief at the Boardwalk Times
