Space Mountain and Pirates of the Caribbean are arguably some of the most recognizable and iconic Disney attractions ever created. Despite being classics these attractions continue to evolve.
At Tokyo Disneyland, a new sleeker version of Space Mountain will debut in 2028. Back in 2016, Pirates of the Caribbean: The Battle for Sunken Treasure debuted at Shanghai Disneyland.
Shanghai Disneyland’s Pirates of the Caribbean attraction totally pushed the boundaries for a Pirates attraction. Large screens, incredible set pieces, and stunning audio-animatronics all blended to create a new modern reimagining. Now it’s Space Mountain’s turn for that at Tokyo Disneyland.
Yet both of these modern reimaginings got me thinking. What if other Disney attractions received modern reimaginings? What could these reimaginings possibly look like? To be clear I’m not advocating for the changes to the classics, I’m just doing some armchair Imagineering to see the potential in the modern reimaginings of these Disney classic attractions.
Haunted Mansion
I think a brand-new, modern reimagining of Haunted Mansion would be insane. Just think about the ability to have a trackless ride system and the Haunted Mansion updated with today’s special effects. Just imagine Haunted Mansion with the updated pepper ghost effects for its audio-animatronics? With advancements in audio-animatronics and screens, a new Haunted Mansion would terrify and delight.
This also may just be me but I always felt like the Haunted Mansion could use a minor “drop” just to add to the spookiness of it all.
it’s a small world
A reimagining of it’s a small world could also lead to some nightmare fuel.
More advanced versions of Mary Blair’s iconic small world children may scare some guests. But it would be fascinating to see Walt Disney Imagineering tackle such a beloved classic and reimagine it. Out of all the attractions I selected today it’s a small world feels like the one that may be the hardest to reimagine, and I think that’s what intrigues me the most.
Jungle Cruise
You’d keep the skipper and the trademark humor but you turn the drama and intensity up 100 percent in this modern reimagining. This attraction could go farther into the adventurous roots and maybe connect this version heavier to S.E.A. (Society of Explorers and Adventurers).
A new version of Jungle Cruise could mix in state-of-the-art screens, realistic audio-animatronics, and unique boat movements to heighten the experience. Maybe we take a couple of scenes from the 2021 film Jungle Cruise as well?
DINOSAUR
You can debate if it’s a classic or not but a reimagined DINOSAUR attraction would be bonkers with the capabilities Imagineers have today. The queue could be a more fleshed-out version of The Dino Institute. Maybe we build a greater backstory there and make the queue a bit more exciting.
Maybe we make this version have a few more drops, a more elaborate time travel sequence, and we give the attraction the trackless ability to roam and that extra layer of unpredictability. Big screens and updated audio-animatronics would immerse guests into this reimagining. Also, who doesn’t love a good ride filled with dinos?
The Great Movie Ride
Ah, what I would give to see a modern take on this wonderful and inspiring attraction. I would start this modern reimagining with guests sitting in their vehicle and you fly through the movie screen. Let’s give the attraction a fresh sense of energy right from the start.
From there you experience an updated version of the attraction with different films. Obviously, it would have to be all Disney-owned films now besides the montage section. Here’s how I would do this updated take. Obviously, my plan is more of a guideline/work in progress than anything.
After flying through the screen, guests would see scenes from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, the first-ever full-length animated film. We then would see brief glimpses — not full scenes — of other animated Disney films that followed like Pinocchio, Fantasia, Bambi, Cinderella, and Peter Pan. The next prominent scene would be 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea, due to the fact it’s an iconic film produced by Walt Disney. Plus it helps with the 10 years later segue way when we get to the Mary Poppins scenewhich would be a nod to the original version of this attraction.
Now the attraction would make a jump to hyperspace, literally. As we would see a scene from the original Star Wars.
Then let’s throw in a scene from The Muppet Movie because that’s a classic.
We would see a scene from Raiders of the Lost Ark, as a narrator ties together that these are both films of George Lucas.
Then we can transition into some films that Disney got the rights to from the 21st Century Fox acquisition. Scenes that feature Alien, The Princess Bride, and Die Hard.
The next section of the attraction would tackle the Disney Renaissance and how films like Beauty and the Beast, Little Mermaid, The Lion King, and Aladdin completely revitalized and transformed Disney.
But how do you follow the Disney Renaissance? You have to follow it with Toy Story and the beginning of the Pixar era. The transition to 3D computer-animated films.
After Toy Story, I would skip to Titanic because it’s a classic film and it deserves representation in this attraction. After that, this attraction goes into franchise overdrive.
A section dedicated to the Phantom Menace and maybe the entire Star Wars prequel trilogy. Following that section, we could have scenes from X-Men (2000) and Spider-Man (2002) as these successful and beloved films would pave the way for a connected universe of heroes.
Before going into more franchises I think a section about some of the Searchlight films throughout the years could be a good way to pace the attraction and honor different styles of cinema.
Then we would get to Avatar because it’s one of the biggest films of all time, and we can mention that the director of Titanic also did this film (look we are tying things together). The following scene has to be The Avengers specifically the scene where they all team up during The Battle of New York. (Look we tied things together from the X-Men and Spider-Man scene).
The next scene will make some of you laugh but because Disney doesn’t have the rights to the original version of The Wizard of Oz, I thought that the film and scene still deserve something in The Great Movie Ride but instead Disney would use their version Oz The Great and Powerful, which so happens to be directed by Spider-Man (2002) director Sam Raimi.
The final three scenes would be the culmination of the attraction and the significance of Disney as we would have Frozen, The Force Awakens, and the greater Star Wars sequel trilogy, and for the grand finale the portals scene from Avengers: Endgame, representing probably one of the biggest movie moments and shared audience experiences of all time.
The very end could end with a celebration of Disney films and highlights of various films throughout the years.
Do you have any ideas about which classic Disney attractions could receive a modern reimagining?
Zach Perilstein is the Editor-in-Chief of the Boardwalk Times
