Disney theme parks take tourists around the world and beyond, but sometimes, all it takes is a screen to experience their many attractions. Disney has adapted a myriad of different media for the movies, but among the most interesting are their theme parks. When tasked with reimagining these iconic experiences, Disney had a legacy to uphold and close to seven decades of magic to draw from.
While Disney was initially known for its movies, television shows, and animated shorts, in 1955, the company ventured into the world of theme parks. Developing attractions based on their most beloved characters and original concepts, names such as "It's a Small World," "The Enchanted Tiki Room," and "Space Mountain" have become synonymous with the Disney brand. Inspiring merchandise, spinoffs, and happy memories, Disney's Imagineers have made their mark and set the pace for some of the most beloved vacation destinations in the world.
(1997)
Inviting guests to drop in and rise to new heights of horror, The Tower of Terror is a worldwide phenomenon that found its home in multiple Disney theme parks. Initially debuting as an attraction themed to The Twilight Zone in 1997, it became the first Disney ride to produce a stand-alone movie.
Starring Steve Guttenberg and Kirsten Dunst, 1997's Tower of Terror debuted on The Wonderful World of Disney. Following the adventures of a tabloid journalist investigating the haunted Hollywood Tower Hotel, he becomes entangled in a spellbinding mystery surrounding its cursed elevator. While the original movie is generally well-received by audiences, Tower of Terror became slated for a reboot with Scarlett Johansson.
Mr. Toad's Wild Ride Has Its Own Wild Story
(1998)
Based on The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad, Mr. Toad's Wild Ride was a surreal journey into the depths of Hell. While the ride took inspiration from Disney's animated adaptation of The Wind in the Willows, in 1997, a film hit the U.S. before embarking on a tumultuous ride of its own.
Initially a direct adaptation of The Wind and the Willows, the 1996 British comedy encountered distribution dilemmas, putting the breaks on wider releases. In 1998, Disney rebranded the film as Mr. Toad's Wild Ride to reflect the iconic attraction. A bizarre tale of a movie that dramatically swerved to avoid box office disaster, this story couldn't have been wilder unless Mr. Toad was driving it himself.
Mission to Mars Twisted Its Inspiration in Creative Ways
(2000)
Debuting as Rocket to the Moon in 1955, Tomorrowland's simulator attraction became Mission to Mars as technology progressed and humankind took its first steps on the Moon in 1969. Despite being closed in 1993, almost a decade later, Disney bizarrely adapted the ride as a feature-length film, Mission to Mars.
Mission to Mars, headlined by Gary Sinise and future MCU star Don Cheadle, was a sci-fi survival film similar to 2015's The Martian. Focusing on a group of astronauts facing the hazards of the Red Planet, the film ends with a strange revelation about Earth, alien life, and the cosmos. While Disney's Tomorrowland attraction aimed to envision the future, it couldn't have anticipated Mission to Mars' negative critical responses.
The Country Bears Has a Rather Unique Reputation
(2002)
When the Country Bear Jamboree first welcomed guests in 1971, the technology utilized set a new standard in entertainment that'd inspire the likes of Chuck E. Cheese and countless other attractions. Featuring a colorful cast of animatronics, in 2002, they'd get a feature-length musical comedy that certainly made people laugh, but not in the way Disney hoped.
While the plot and soundtrack were forgettable, The Country Bears' casting of performer Christopher Walken as the villain was the thing memes were made of. Despite receiving a 31% Rotten Tomatoes score and a nomination for a Golden Raspberry, lines like "Oh no, Country Bear Hall has been crushed!" and "This is not over!...BEARS!" have made The Country Bears a cult classic in so-bad-it's-good cinema.
Pirates of the Caribbean Kickstarted a Massive Franchise
(2003-2017)
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An iconic staple of any Disney theme park, guests embarked on Pirates of the Caribbean bountiful boat ride to get a taste of the pirate's life. However, in 2003, a new movie franchise based on the attraction set sail and introduced the world to the now-legendary Captain Jack Sparrow.
Portrayed by the incomparable Johnny Depp, Jack Sparrow became a pop culture icon and the leading role in five Pirates of the Caribbean movies. Set in a world of swashbuckling action, mysterious mythology, and romance, Pirates of the Caribbean still stands as one of Disney's best franchises. With talks of new projects in development, many fans are eager to see where Pirates of the Caribbean will embark next.
The Haunted Mansion Embraced Comedy Over Horror
(2003)
One of the triumphs of Disney Imagineering and a world-class ride, The Haunted Mansion invites guests to board a "Doom Buggy" to attend a "swingin' wake" with 999 grim, grinning ghosts. Among multiple adaptations of The Haunted Mansion, this ambitious film hoped to brighten spirits and create a delightfully frightful cinematic experience.
Featuring comedian Eddie Murphy, this movie focuses on family as real estate agent Jim Evers combats the paranormal perils of the eponymous haunted house to rescue his family and put its residents to rest. While 2003's The Haunted Mansion may have seemed dead on arrival thanks to its unfavorable critical reception, the film has found new life post-mortem as an underappreciated Halloween classic.
Tomorrowland Tackled a Whole Land Rather Than One Ride
(2015)
Tomorrowland, the futuristic section of Disney theme parks, embodied Walt Disney's vision of a bright future fueled by human progress and technological advancements. Six decades after Disneyland opened its gates, that "great big beautiful tomorrow" Walt envisioned took flight on the big screen, bringing his futuristic dreams to life like never before.
2015's Tomorrowland offered audiences a glimpse into an alternate reality filled with secret societies, bright minds, and places where science thrived unhindered. While it shared similarities with the Bioshock video game series, it failed to garner the same praise. The movie quickly became a box office disappointment, making the adage "tomorrow never comes" an oddly fitting reflection as it dashed hopes of a Tomorrowland sequel.
Jungle Cruise Captured the Best Moments of the Ride
(2021)
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Taking guests on a jungle safari while cracking a few bad puns along the way, Jungle Cruise remains one of Disney's classic theme park rides. Inspired by the success of Pirates of the Caribbean and perhaps seeking a worthy spiritual successor, Jungle Cruise set course for cinemas in 2021.
The action-adventure film, starring Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson and Emily Blunt, led audiences on a pulse-pounding expedition into the Amazon. As a film, Jungle Cruise delivered a fun adaptation of its source material. With reports of a sequel on the table and more adventures to come, many hope it's just a matter of time before a Jungle Cruise 2 disembarks for Hollywood.
Muppets Haunted Mansion Offered a Scary Good Time
(2021)
In the early 90s, Jim Henson's Muppets made their home at Disney theme parks and greeted guests regularly. However, in 2021, the Muppets had their own adaptation of The Haunted Mansion as part of a straight-to-stream Halloween treat.
Centered on Gonzo and Pepe the King Prawn, the duo embarks on a seemingly straightforward challenge: survive a night in The Haunted Mansion. As things unfold, the Muppets must interact with an array of guest stars and an eerie ensemble as impending doom lurks within the walls of the cursed chateau. However, after learning to face their fears and the valuable lesson of never marrying an axe-wielding widow, this spooky tale concludes with laughter as Gonzo and Pepe ride off into the dawn.
Lego Star Wars: Summer Vacation Tied to a Now-Closed Hotel
(2022)
Whether it was the sequel trilogy theming, lackluster experiences, or the hefty price tag for it all, few will forget the Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser's failures, making it one of Star Wars' biggest mistakes. However, the hotel experience became assembled into a special as part of 2022's Lego Star Wars: Summer Vacation.
The self-aware animated comedy follows Lego Finn aboard the Halcyon luxury starcruiser as Force ghosts regale him with amusing stories of summers past. Despite recruiting the talents of "Weird Al" Yankovic and numerous Star Wars alumni, the Lego special did little to salvage the Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser from falling to pieces, closing within a year of its opening.
Haunted Mansion Injected a New Level of Laughs and Horror
(2023)
The Haunted Mansion lives on as Disneyland gears up for a new expansion to carry on the legacy of this timeless attraction. Yet, casting a shadow over it all is the 2023 reboot of The Haunted Mansion, which materialized on the big screen with the ambition of kicking off Halloween celebrations early and emerging as a summer blockbuster.
2023's Haunted Mansion debuted as a horror comedy revolving around Disneyland's legendary Hatbox Ghost and an effort to exorcise the sinister spirit back to the afterlife. Stuck in development Hell for over a decade and starting life as a Guillermo del Toro project, the final product proved underwhelming despite its all-star cast. Whether Haunted Mansion's performance haunts future Disney projects remains to be seen.
Disney
From movies to television and beyond, the Disney franchise incorporates most of the company's original works.
- Created by
- Walt Disney
- First Film
- Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
- Character(s)
- Mickey Mouse
