As a former Cast Member who’s spent countless hours exploring Walt Disney World, there’s one thing that keeps me up at night: all the amazing Disney movies that don’t have their own attractions! Let me take you through my dream list of what could be (and honestly, what should be) in the parks.
You know that feeling when you’re watching a Disney movie and think, “This would make an incredible ride!”? Well, as someone who worked in the Canadian Pavilion and has spent way too much time playing “armchair Imagineer,” I’ve got quite the list to share. Trust me, there’s so much untapped potential here that we could fill an entire new park!
Brother Bear
Fun fact about me: Brother Bear is my absolute favorite Disney movie. And let me tell you, I still miss the Kenai & Koda meet and greet at the Canadian Pavilion!
Dream Attraction: A water flume ride in Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Just imagine soaring through the Pacific Northwest and experiencing that iconic transformation sequence!
Jungle Book
Currently, all we’ve got is a Baloo and King Louie meet & greet. That’s it. For one of Disney’s most beloved classics!
Dream Attraction: A dark ride through the jungle in Animal Kingdom. Picture floating past those hypnotic snakes and swinging with the monkeys!
Bambi
Outside of the Easter meet and greet with Thumper and Ms. Bunny, there’s really nothing to speak of (and let’s be honest, that’s barely counting).
Dream Attraction: A Soarin’ style experience in Animal Kingdom. Imagine gliding through the forest with Bambi and friends!
Article Continues Below
Aristocats
They even took away the Marie meet & greet (I’m still not over it).
Dream Attraction: Picture this – a Philharmagic-style experience in EPCOT where you’re completely immersed in the jazz and romance of Paris. Everybody wants to be a cat, right?
Robin Hood
Random meet & greets with Robin Hood, Sheriff of Nottingham, and King John are all we’ve got. That’s not enough for this classic!
Dream Attraction: How about a VR experience in Animal Kingdom where they teach you to shoot bow & arrows? Now that would be something!
Meet the Robinsons
Remember when the Bowler Hat Guy made that brief appearance at the Villains Tonight after-hours event at Disney’s Hollywood Studios? That’s literally the last we saw of this franchise.
Dream Attraction: Let’s just bring these characters into EPCOT – it was a popular movie, and the future theme fits perfectly!
Hercules
Okay, can we talk about how Hades is one of the most popular villains, yet we don’t even have the “Villains Tonight” stage show from Disney Cruise Line? No Herc, Meg, Phil, or Pain & Panic in sight!
Dream Attraction: A Broadway-style stage show at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. It’s practically begging to be made!
Treasure Planet
Here’s a challenge for you: try to find ANY Treasure Planet merchandise in Walt Disney World. Go ahead, I’ll wait!
Dream Attraction: An Avatar-style experience in Magic Kingdom where you hop on a solar surfer. How amazing would that be?
Fox and the Hound
I know what you’re thinking – “But it’s all animals, how would that work?” Hello? Mickey is a mouse! We can make this work, folks.
Dream Attraction: A heartwarming dark ride in Frontierland at Magic Kingdom where you learn about friendship. (Pass the tissues, please!)
Bolt
Remember when Bolt was a meet & greet character? Now he only shows up for special occasions (if we’re lucky).
Dream Attraction: Since Bolt was all about movies, a Muppet*Vision 3D-style show at Hollywood Studios would be perfect!
Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad
Disneyland gets Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride, and what do we get? A statue in the Haunted Mansion pet cemetery. Come on!
Dream Attraction: Give us the Mr. Toad Dark Ride from Disneyland! Magic Kingdom needs this classic back.
101 Dalmatians
Sure, we get Cruella at Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, but this classic deserves so much more.
Dream Attraction: Picture a Radiator Springs Racers-style ride where you’re racing through the snowy English countryside to save those puppies from Cruella. Now that would be legendary!
Article Continues Below
The Rescuers
Let me be honest here – this is arguably the most underrated Disney film in the entire catalogue. No meet & greets, no merchandise, nothing! Animal Kingdom is practically begging for a Rescuers adventure.
Pocahontas
Remember when Pocahontas was everywhere in Animal Kingdom? Now she’s been relegated to a basic meet & greet. (Seriously, what happened?)
Dream Attraction: Magic Kingdom needs to step up and give this story the attraction it deserves!
The Hunchback of Notre Dame
crickets… That’s literally all we hear when looking for this movie in the parks. Such a waste of an amazing story!
Dream Attraction: Magic Kingdom could create something spectacular with this one.
Mulan
Let’s talk about missed opportunities. Mulan, one of Disney’s most powerful warriors, is usually just meeting guests in her formal dress at the China Pavilion. Don’t get me wrong, she looks amazing, but where’s the warrior outfit? Where’s the epic training course ride?
Dream Attraction: This needs to be either in Magic Kingdom or EPCOT, and it needs to celebrate both sides of Mulan’s story.
The Emperor’s New Groove
Want to know the only connection to this movie in the parks? Patrick Warburton, the voice of Kronk, is also the voice in the Soarin’ pre-show at EPCOT. That’s it. That’s the only connection to one of Disney’s funniest movies!
Dream Attraction: EPCOT is screaming for a thrilling adventure through Kuzco’s empire.
This is just scratching the surface, friends. As someone who lives and breathes Disney parks, I firmly believe we should have as many Disney franchises represented as possible. #KeepTheMagicAlive
What movie would you love to see turned into an attraction? Drop a comment below – I’d love to hear your ideas!