Disney Animated Movies Deserving Dark Rides
As I’ve said before, my love for Disney stems almost entirely from the theme parks, and my annual visits to Walt Disney World as a kid. Growing up during the heart of the Disney Renaissance, I also had a ton of exposure to animated films, which certainly didn’t hurt my love for all things Disney.
With that in mind, I posted my List of Disney Movies That Should Have Rides. Since then, new attractions have been announced for a surprising number of films on that list, including Zootopia and Tangled. Additionally, Inside Out and Beauty and the Beast rides have now opened. Now you know who to thank for all of that. (I’m obviously joking–even the newly-announced attractions have likely been in development for years. Also, I wouldn’t claim credit for that Inside Out spinner even if I were actually to blame for it.)
Also since then, a ton of new attractions have been announced for Walt Disney World and beyond. It’s truly a golden age for growth in the theme parks, and I find myself really excited for a lot of these projects. Others…not so much. Don’t get me wrong, I’m sure most of these additions will be nicely done. However, if there are going to be IP attractions, I’d love to see more memorable animated films receive attractions. This is especially true at Walt Disney World, which doesn’t really have any iconic dark rides all to itself. Hence this wish list…
As with that previous post, this is entirely about my personal preferences/whims. It’s not meant to be a serious assessment of which animated films would serve as the most marketable or popular amongst the general public. My wish list is entirely for fun, and based upon Walt Disney Animation Studios films (and scenes from them) that I think would make for a satisfying and unique dark ride.
In most cases, I also only have a kernel of an idea for why a particular film would be a good candidate for a theme park attraction–but that’s it. What I dislike most about many Fantasyland-style dark rides is that they just retell the movie in a condensed fashion, rather than latching onto a premise/setting/character/something else that would translate well to a ride, and going from there. This list pretty much just latches onto something from the chosen films that would translate well, with the “going from there” still up in the air…
101 Dalmatians – Imagine the iconic Stormtroopers publicity photo from Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance (I don’t want to spoil anything, but there’s almost a 100% chance you’ve seen this)…but with over one-hundred puppies. If you think your mind was blown seeing so many Stormtroopers lined up, just imagine a scene with Audio Animatronics of 101 Dalmatians bouncing around a single room!
As for the attraction itself, maybe have ride vehicles “race” alongside Panther De Villes…or maybe even have that be the ride vehicles, in which case the guest would be the villain. To be honest, I mostly just want to see a ton of dog Audio Animatronics. I’ll trust in the Imagineers to flesh out the rest of the idea into something engaging and fun.
Lady and the Tramp – Even though this debuted decades prior to the Disney Renaissance, this is an easy pick for me because the film contains several things I like: Christmas, dogs, a chase scene, and food.
The template for a successful Lady and the Tramp attraction already exists with Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure. A trackless dark ride that culminates with an exhilarating “run” through town trying to dodge dog-catchers sounds like a good time. End with a heartwarming scene on Christmas morning and perhaps even have Tony’s Italian Restaurant (a good version!) at the exit.
Emperor’s New Groove – This one is actually not super high on my list, but I’d be remiss to not include Emperor’s New Groove since it essentially includes an amusement park ride via the “pull the lever, Kronk” scene.
To be sure, that’s an iconic scene and quote. However, I think I’d prefer the unknown of the ‘wrong lever’ path than going down the known path of the correct lever, which doesn’t have a ton of visuals, anyway. Plus, Imagineering loves the “something has gone terribly wrong” conceit. Hopefully they could find a way to flesh that out into a full attraction (perhaps with a dark ride culminating in that, followed by a thrilling component, a la Seven Dwarfs Mine Train). Even though Emperor’s New Groove is not exactly one of Disney’s most iconic or memorable animated films, the ride could certainly be a winner.
Aladdin – How cool would it be to board a flying carpet and escape from the Cave of Wonders?
Obviously, with safety and capacity requirements, the ride vehicle couldn’t literally be a flying carpet. However, it seems like Disney could do something “close enough” to achieve suspension of disbelief–maybe via a trackless dark ride system with carpet vehicles and a mix of projection mapping and practical effects. That’d be pretty awesome. (It’s also the rare entry on this list that isn’t present because of “animated animal Audio Animatronics.”)
Jungle Book or Pocahontas – What I’d like to see from an attraction based upon either of these films is essentially the same: a leisurely boat ride offering vignettes with fun music, natural scenery, and animal Audio Animatronics. Something like Splash Mountain meets a lazy river.
From a musical perspective, Jungle Book is the obvious choice. It’s not that the songs in Pocahontas aren’t good (to the contrary), it’s that they don’t exactly lend themselves to an upbeat attraction. I still like the idea of an impressionistic Pocahontas canoe ride and a deeper message, but a lighthearted Jungle Book attraction could be a blast.
The Aristocats — This made the list last time, but I’m reiterating my strong desire for an Aristocats attraction here because it’s criminally underrated, I think it’d lend itself well to a ride, and (if I’m being honest) I really want attractions with cat and dog Audio Animatronics.
This is another animated film that would lend itself well to a trackless dark ride with meandering ride vehicles mimicking the behavior of cats. A large room with the Alley Cats performing a jammin’ finale would be the perfect crescendo…before tiring everyone out and the cats falling asleep at the end, as cats do.
Also making the list last time and still deserving of attractions are the Lion King and Princess and the Frog. The former is one of Disney’s all-time greatest hits, but still has no ride. The latter is a cult favorite that seems to be growing in popularity, and is about to receive a restaurant at Walt Disney World. Both feature an excellent cast of memorable characters, great music, cool environments, and some interesting options for a dark ride. Since this list is already doggo-heavy, I’ll spare you my idea for Fox and the Hound. (Spoiler: it’s basically just predicated upon my desire to see the wrinkly face and saggy jowls of a hound in AA form.)
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Your Thoughts
Which Walt Disney Animation Studios films would you like to see receive rides of their own? Anything you think is underrepresented in the parks? Or, are you happy with the animated films already there and/or hopeful Walt Disney World gets another 6 rides based on Toy Story before anything else? Do you agree or disagree with our picks? Any questions we can help you answer? Hearing your feedback–even when you disagree with us–is both interesting to us and helpful to other readers, so please share your thoughts below in the comments!
I love the Artistocats pic. I have a memory of this exact “concert” in the mid 70’s- I think we used to have a picture. I would love a ride based on kitties! I love the music from Princess and the Frog- and Ray the firefly is too adorable for words. Yes- more classic Disney rides, please!
The Rivers of America could easily be transformed into a Pocahontas ride really easily. Very odd it’s never happened. A no brained.
I keep daydreaming about an Aristocats overlay at Tower of Terror… There’s a specific scene during Everybody wants to be a cat where they fall down the floors of a building that reminds me of tower of Terror.
WOW! While I don’t want anyone to touch Tower of Terror thematically I love this idea! But instead, maybe build a “Chateau Le” something or other… in Epcot? or anywhere really, I love this idea. One of my favorite scenes from the movie.
Inside Out.
The Princess and the Frog.
I need more Louis at Disney World.
Meet the Robinsons would make a great ride in EPCOT. Visitors can ride the time machine after going through the queue which can be set up like the Robinsons’ house where they are greeted at the door by the twin cousins, something with the dinner scene and the PB&J shooter, and see Franny’s singing frogs.
I remember the first time I watched Aladdin and thought – wow the cave of wonders would be a great coaster… Transforming the carousel into a Mary Poppins theme would be pretty easy…
I love the idea of using Dalmatians. That was the movie that saved Disney studios so there should be something with Dalmatians somewhere.
I would like to see a ride about Sorcerer’s Apprentice. The live action version with Nicholas Cage when they were in the car and it kept switching to different cars and they ended up in a reverse world and then came back out of it when they were chasing the bad guys to get the grimhold.
My 10 in no particular order:
1. Fantasia (I don’t count the mini golf)
2. Bambi
3. Ichabod Crane
4. Lady & Tramp
5. Aristocats
6. Robin Hood
7. Mary Poppins Jolly Holliday/Horse Race scenes
8. Bedknobs and Broomsticks Naboombu scenes
9. Jungle Book
10. Princess and the Frog
Honorable mention: 101 Dalmatians, Sword in the Stone
Ooh, good idea with princess and the frog. The songs are great and the fireflies in the down the bayou song would be so pretty in a dark ride.
It’s not a full-fledged animated film, but I’ve had an idea for a Mary Poppins ride for a while. I know they are building one for Epcot, & I’m not sure how fancy that will be. Mine would be based on the carousel/fox hunt scene from the original movie. You start off like you’re riding a typical carousel that just goes round and round, when suddenly the horses break from the circle and start going down a new path, past scenes from the farm and cafe where “Jolly Holiday” is sung, to rescuing a fox during a hunt.
2 words: Monster’s Inc.
Disneyland has a cute dark ride for Monsters Inc.
And Tokyo has a spectacular one as well.
I would love a rollar coaster where guests get ride a door from Monsters, Inc.
I love this!! Way way better than a shopping mall.
I still think that they need to do a Quick Tunnels ride from The Adventures of the Gummi Bears. The entire series has been resurrected on Disney+ and my kids love it. The ride would be “easy” to do as a roller coaster version of something like splash mountain with quick movements from scene to scene as the story takes place. Also, just imagine the merchandising opportunities!
Totally agree … loved the Gummi Bears.
I was just going to say this! I just watched the whole series on Disney+ and was severely ticked off when I saw that there was absolutely no ending. Make a ride and a reboot! The DuckTales reboot is way better for people my age (because they have GizmoDuck, Darkwing Duck, and that elusive Gummi Bears episode).
Either way, the quick tunnels would make a great ride!
It’s certainly not a classic but the new Wreck It Ralph (Ralph breaks the internet) has a scene in it that is a ready made Disney World ride. It’s the scene where they are traveling to the different parts of the web.
Aladdin and Dumbo are 2 movies with great flight paths from iconic scenes. Both would be a great way to incorporate the rides into a roller coaster, rather than the spinny ride, even though they are classic rides.
I do like the Emporer’s New Groove thought. the “wrong lever” always gets pulled taking you on a magical journey.
Another Toy Story ride I thought about after visiting TSL last year was an RC Racer track where your goal is to get buzz and woody to the moving van a la TS1 ending. If only Hollywood Studios had some extra space to build this one…
Moana!!! If not a dark ride at least they should add her and somehow revamp poly dinner show! It would sell out daily!
You know Moana will be part of the Epcot overhaul, right?
“Epcot’s Nature neighborhood will include an attraction based on the animated Disney movie “Moana.” Called Journey of Water, the attraction will feature a tropical village with “magical, living water” installations that guests will be able to interact and play with in person, Disney said.” – https://www.cnbc.com/2019/08/27/pictures-inside-disneys-epcot-overhaul-with-new-rides-attractions.html
Personally I’d love to see a “Journey into the Disney Afterlife” attraction where riders get to discover the re-embodied spirits of all the characters (mainly parents) whose untimely deaths spurred on the plots and character development of so many films. “Look kids, there’s Mufasa! Bambi’s Mom! Coral! Raksha! Tarzan’s parents! Elsa and Anna’s parents! Queen Athena! Belle’s mom! Cinderella’s mom! Snow White’s mom….”
Wait, on second thought, never mind — the duration would need to be about five times longer than Rise of the Resistance.
Well, if no one else is going to applaud Pete’s hilarious idea then I will have to!
lol
I read this and was thinking why we didn’t have more Pixar stuff in the parks or on your list — Incredicoaster wasn’t cutting it for me. But then I recalled that we have the amazingness that is Cars Land, and Searider in Tokyo, and Monsters Inc. Hide and Go Seek in Tokyo, and even Scare Floor is pretty good. I do think we need a Coco ride through the Land of the Dead – we could all ride alebrijes (even a carousel version of all alebrijes would be fun!) but otherwise I like your list!
I think Disney should retheme Splash Mountain to a Jungle Book theme. They can’t market the movie it comes from and should stop using it in my opinion. Jungle Book would be a fun theme
They could market it; they just don’t. Too many pansies these days. Burying history doesn’t make it go away…
It needs to stay buried. They should completely move on and retheme it.
Nyet. Once again you are incorrect. But thank you for playing.
Song of the South is a gentle film about the friendship between an old black man and a white kid. It’s not about “happy slaves”. It seems to me to take place post-emancipation, because Uncle Remus is free to come & go as he pleases. I theorize that the plantation owners were actually ones who were kind to their help, so most of them stayed on as paid employees when emancipation came. The actor who played Uncle Remus helped bridge a gap between African-Americans and white audience members. He won a special goodwill Oscar. Political correctness has gone too far, and it’s time Song of the South was released for new generations.
Gina, I’m glad to see that not everyone is a brainwashed zombie.
Well said Gina. My interpretations of the film also.
Splash Mountain is my favorite ride overall and my quintessential theme park attraction. This ride is an great example of how to integrate IP into a ride. I love the story, use of critter animatronics, the details, and most of all: the music. With all due respect Bre, I hope Disney never changes this ride.
My high school economics teacher asked us to work in pairs to propose a development project for land that was then vacant, about 25 miles from our high school in Long Island, NY. Most teams presented shopping centers, hotels or housing developments. My friend and I presented a proposal for a Northeastern Disney park. We designed the park with some WDW classics, but our new, e-ticket attraction, (bear in mind this was 1993), was to be Aladdin’s Magic Carpet ride. We decided the Imagineers would build on the Body War’s technology to convince guests that they were racing on the magic carpet, escaping the Cave of Wonders after Abu touched the treasure. I still think that would be an amazing attraction, especially with technology that doesn’t expressly cause Body Wars-level motion sickness, and I still wish our park had been built, instead of the Long Island Aquarium. 🙂