Top 10 Disney Attractions That Would Make Great Movies
Top 10 Disney Attractions That Would Make Great Movies
Top 10 Movies That Would Make Great Theme Park Attractions
Welcome to MsMojo, and today we’re counting down our picks for the Top 10 Disney Attractions That Would Make Great Movies. For this list, we’ll be looking at rides, shows, and other attractions at Disney parks that seem tailor-made for cinema. Which Disney attraction would you like to see get the big-screen treatment? Let us know in the comments.
#10: Walt Disney’s The Carousel of Progress
Debuting at the 1964 New York World’s Fair, the Carousel of Progress still operates at the Magic Kingdom’s Tomorrowland. This rotating theater attraction follows a family from the early 20th century to the 21st century, exploring how technology has evolved their lives. As a feature film, Disney can take two directions. Carousel of Progress is well-suited for a quirky time travel movie, centering on a father named John as he’s given a glimpse of his family’s future. Think “Back to the Future” meets “A Christmas Carol.” The idea could also work as a more straightforward drama, simply depicting a family’s growth throughout the decades. Either way, we foresee a great big beautiful tomorrow. It could even leave the door open for a sequel called “Horizons.”
#9: The Great Movie Ride
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Running from 1989 to 2017, the Great Movie Ride has since been replaced by Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway. The dark ride could live on, however, as on the silver screen. Taking a page from “Last Action Hero,” the story would see the main character travel across a series of classic films. Since Disney has quite the catalog, including the 20th Century Fox library, there’s a long list of iconic movies to pay homage to. Due to copyright issues, Disney might not be able to depict every movie from the ride. The filmmakers could always lean into parody for some movies, though. Given Disney’s recent obsession with crossovers, the idea should be right up their alley. Now, who should play Gene Kelly and Humphrey Bogart?
#8: Fantasmic!
Speaking of crossovers, this nighttime show ventures inside Mickey’s imagination, culminating with a battle against several Disney villains. Like “Kingdom Hearts,” a Fantasmic! feature could follow Mickey through a variety of Disney movies. Since Fantasmic! derives its name from “Fantasia,” though, a film version could also work as a series of musical vignettes, each embracing the Disney brand and the imagination that comes with it. We can see a visionary director like Julie Taymor helming a project like this, utilizing a mix of live-action, animation, puppets, and other special effects to produce an unique cinematic experience. Like the show, the film can keep its plot fairly loose, emphasizing on emotion and boundless creativity rather than logic. Just make sure to include Maleficent as a dragon.
#7: Spaceship Earth
Just as Sleeping Beauty’s Castle is the center of Disneyland, Spaceship Earth has symbolized Epcot for almost four decades. While everyone recognizes the geodesic sphere’s exterior, it’s what’s on the inside that has cinematic potential. The ride sees guests board a time machine vehicle, portraying chapters in the history of human communication. A film could follow a young protagonist working on a history project or struggling to communicate with others. Traveling across different eras, the hero expands their mind and social skills while confronting difficult ethical decisions. Imagine trying to stop the Library of Alexandria burning, but realizing it HAS to happen for other advancements to occur. The hero can also receive guidance from Michelangelo, Neil Armstrong, and a 70s computer nerd resembling Steve Jobs.
#6: Journey into Imagination with Figment
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Another Epcot staple, the current version of Journey into Imagination stars Eric Idle as Dr. Nigel Channing and, of course, Figment the purple dragon. Naturally, Figment would play a key role in the film adaptation. Instead of Dr. Channing, though, we think the movie should return to the ride’s roots and shine the spotlight on The Dreamfinder. For years, this jolly, bearded guide and his Dream Mobile were synonymous with the ride. A film could see the Dreamfinder and Figment trying to reignite the spark of imagination within a young protagonist. Venturing across the realms of imagination, the protagonist leaves with their idea bag full. Think something along the lines of “The Polar Express,” and on that note, let’s cast Tom Hanks as the Dreamfinder.
#5: Maelstrom
You won’t find Maelstrom at Disney World’s Norway Pavilion anymore, as the log flume ride was replaced by “Frozen Ever After.” While it’s hard to compete with a pop culture giant like “Frozen,” Maelstrom left a strong impression with its worldbuilding and atmosphere. Drawing inspiration from Vikings and Germanic mythology, all the pieces are in place to produce an epic film set on the high seas. In another lifetime, we could picture an innovator like Jim Henson tackling a project like this. Maelstrom could still function as a love letter to 80s fantasy adventures or, if Disney wants to take a more modern approach, Gore Verbinski already struck gold with “Pirates of the Caribbean.” Perhaps he can do Maelstrom justice next.
#4: Space Mountain
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While a “Mission: Space” movie has potential, Space Mountain remains Disney’s definitive sci-fi ride and the gold standard for indoor roller coasters. Disney has made multiple attempts to get a Space Mountain movie off the ground. Max Landis wrote an abandoned script set in a “50s retro future” where people lose their souls in hyperspace, returning to Earth as horrible monsters. In October 2020, it was announced that “Obi-Wan Kenobi” writer Joby Harold was working on a family-friendly adaptation, although little has been said about the project since. There was also a graphic novel set in 2125 about a race against the clock to save Space Mountain. There’s plenty of room to experiment as long as the film captures the ride’s atmosphere and thrilling nature.
#3: Expedition Everest
While Matterhorn Bobsleds has been around longer, Expedition Everest took the excitement to even greater heights. More importantly, Expedition Everest has a narrative that the filmmakers can build upon. The ride’s queue cleverly provides background information about a yeti that guards the Forbidden Mountain and the sacred realm of the Himalayas. Even before we make it to the train, we’re immersed in the Himalayan Escapes travel agency and an ancient temple. The ride itself tells a compelling story as we venture through the mountain where the dreaded yeti resides. Since Christ Pratt will probably never play Indiana Jones, this sounds like the adventure vehicle for him. The real star, however, would be the film’s yeti, whether he’s a terrifying villain or a misunderstood beast.
#2: Phantom Manor
Ever since that Eddie Murphy movie, Haunted Mansion fans have been hoping for a reimagining that’s closer to the beloved ride. Several big names have been attached to a possible reboot, from Guillermo del Toro to Justin Simien. If Disney wants to take a whole new direction, though, Disneyland Paris’ Phantom Manor already has a gripping backstory. After striking gold, Western settler Henry Ravenswood built this Victorian manor where he resided with wife Martha and daughter Melanie. After dying in an earthquake, Henry returned as a phantom on Melanie’s wedding day. Disapproving of her fiance Jake, Henry hung him from the rafters. As Melanie hopelessly waited for her love to return, Henry and his demonic buddies started an everlasting party. Who wouldn’t want to see this movie? Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions. Typhoon Lagoon “Waterworld,” But Fun! Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room José, Michael, Fritz, & Pierre NEED a Star Vehicle ExtraTERRORestrial Alien Encounter One of Disney’s Scariest Rides Could Be Their Scariest Movie The Timekeeper We Just Wish Robin Williams Could Still Voice the Title Character Sinbad’s Storybook Voyage So, Should They Adapt the Newer, Lighthearted Version or the Horrifying Original Ride?
#1: Big Thunder Mountain
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Going back to Henry Ravenswood, guess where he found the gold to build Phantom Manor. That’s right, Big Thunder Mountain! The connections don’t end there, as the treasure of Big Thunder Mountain was supposedly possessed by a spirit known as Thunder Bird. It was rumored that Thunder Bird could inflict vengeance through earthquakes, which presumably resulted in Henry’s death. So, between these two rides, Disney can make a cinematic universe. In the North American version, the Big Thunder Mining Company is owned by mining magnet Barnabas T. Bullion. Big Thunder Mountain is protective of the gold Bullion wishes to claim for himself, however. If a Big Thunder Mountain movie combined elements of these various backstories, it could indeed be the wildest ride in the wildness.