Two Attractions Are Better Than Zootopia: Hot Pursuit | Indiana Jones Ride's Tokyo Inspiration?
Hats (or fedoras?) off for Animal Kingdom, you have chosen wisely...
Earlier this week, ride footage of Shanghai Disneyland’s newest attraction, Zootopia: Hot Pursuit, hit the interwebs, offering park fans a glimpse of what could’ve been.
As Animal Kingdom’s DinoLand U.S.A. began counting down to its own extinction in recent years, rumors ran rampant of a Zootopia takeover.
Not only was Shanghai’s Zootopia land already in the works, but “Blue Sky” concept art from the 2022 D23 Expo concept art implied as much along with two Moana attractions.
In the end, fans were able to scratch a Zootopia experience off their Animal Kingdom bingo card, but not where they expected or what this art suggested.
At September’s Destination D23, Josh D’Amaro announced the “sometimes referred to as ‘tropical Americas’” would serve as DinoLand U.S.A.’s replacement while a Zootopia show was bound for the Tree of Life theater, replacing the long-running (and perpetually terrifying) “It’s Tough to Be a Bug!”
According to Disney, Indiana Jones and Encanto were the properties being “considered” for DinoLand’s tropical takeover with new concept art showing an Indy ride in place of Dinosaur instead of a version of Zootopia: Hot Pursuit.
Here’s a look at DinoLand U.S.A.’s current map - but flipped - to show how it lines up with Disney’s new plans:
Not only has D’Amaro since doubled down on Professor Jones replacing Doctor Seeker, but Indiana Jones has long made the most sense technically, financially, and strategically.
Disneyland Park’s Indiana Jones Adventure famously shares the same ride system and layout as Dinosaur with Indy long being hailed as the far superior of the two.
Plus, in the spirit of synergy, Disney can further make good on its purchase of Lucasfilm while further capitalizing on this year’s Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny.
Now. Does this mean Animal Kingdom (which is the next park on the docket for investment btw) is technically getting two reskins while Shanghai gained a brand spanking new ride?
Yes. Yes, it does.
But it also means Animal Kingdom is getting TWO new experiences, not one, and an oldie but a goodie.
“It Belongs in a Museum!”
Usually, an old or pre-existing ride system would be considered a downgrade. But let’s be real, nostalgia - for both movies and old Disney Parks - is what truly keeps stateside guests pushing the turnstiles (just ask the parks merchandise department).
It’s also worth noting that the response to Zootopia: Hot Pursuit has been mixed.
Granted, video never fully captures a ride experience; and yes, this attraction utilizes impressive audio-animatronics, multiple ride systems, and physical sets. But I think that’s its problem…
Familiar ride systems and screen usage shouldn’t generate more attention than the ride experience itself. And, when they do, perhaps new generation tech took away from the story than added to it?
Therefore, in the case of U.S. guests who are all too in tune with such details anyway, an Indy takeover is more likely to win the day.
Check out the full-ride POV below for yourself:
The big question moving forward is whether Animal Kingdom’s Indiana Jones ride will be an exact clone of Disneyland’s.
My prediction? Yes and no.
The track is there. The ride vehicles are already there. And, Disney probably wants an Indy in his prime with the Spielberg trimmings over Dial of Destiny.
What will surely be different is the exterior which, I believe, won’t be original either but akin to Tokyo DisneySea’s Indiana Jones: Temple of the Crystal Skull attraction.
Take a look at the similarities between Disney’s Animal Kingdom Indy art…
…and that of DisneySea’s pre-existing Indy attraction.
Yes, there are differences in terms of color and the second level of the pyramid. But much like Tokyo’s, I think Disney is aiming for size and spectacle (or in Walt Disneyspeak - a weenie) to draw guests in.
Plus, Temple of the Crystal Skull is located in Tokyo DisneySea’s Lost River Delta which is themed after a Central America rainforest, the same region Disney is looking to retheme DinoLand U.S.A.
Tree of Life’s Zootopia Takeover
As for the Zootopia attraction Animal Kingdom will be getting, Disney revealed that the show’s current concept “has guests visiting the different biomes…” and “traveling along with Judy Hopps, Nick Wilde and other characters.”
“Traveling along” with Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde through “different biomes” sounds a lot like Zootopia: Hot Pursuit.
The concept art may also be suggesting a clone of Shanghai’s Officer Clawhauser’s audio-animatronic??
But since this show is limited to a stationary theater equipped for sensory effects, my prediction is a different narrative than Zootopia: Hot Pursuit and a different message given Animal Kingdom’s throughline narrative of conservation (and I’m confident it will be as entertaining as it is compelling due to the team assigned to this one!)
What I’m Working On…
Over at The Direct, I’m continuing my coverage of Netflix’s The Crown while eagerly awaiting What If…? Season 2’s Disney+ debut later this month (and which looks incredibly good!).
Also, I’m diving into that pesky Marvel Universal contract for an upcoming piece covering which MCU characters could come to Walt Disney World in the future.