Flynn Rider Archive

When Disney fans get together, the conversation often turns to “wouldn’t it be cool if they could…” or “why don’t they…”.  We all have dreams and ideas of what we’d like to see in the parks.  Some of those dreams are grand impossibilities (yes, I still want my Beastly Kingdom), and others are just fun ideas to toy with.  Here are a few of my favorite “wouldn’t it be cool…” ideas. What are yours?

1. An Interactive Incredibles experience – Although Disney is beginning to integrate Pixar into its parks on both coasts, many great films are still only minimally represented, and I think that the Incredibles is one of the most under-used properties.  In an era where Disney is always looking to appeal to little boys as well as little girls, superheroes can be presented as gender neutral and appealing to a broad swath of ages.  So, what if…
   …Disney created an attraction where groups of guests went into an interactive area where they answered a series of questions about themselves and then fine-tuned a virtual a superhero with abilities based on their personality/characteristics.  They would then move to another area and play that “superhero” to succeed in a virtual adventure with the other “superheroes” in their group.
2. Prince training – There is a serious lack of prince-ness on property.  I always cheer when I see the brave little boy wearing a prince costume.  Yes, little girls want to be princesses, but shouldn’t little boys get a chance too?  There’s a lot of adventure to be had if you present it right. So what if…
   …Disney created a special adventure at Tri-Circle D, with horseback riding, nerf fencing (perhaps against an inflatable dragon?), and other activities for princes-in-training.  Heck, if they wanted to make it gender-neutral, call it “hero training.”  
3. Disney On Screen – Although it has become a company with hundreds of outlets, Disney started in the film business, and its movies are still magnets to guests of all ages.  The screen in the Art of Disney store on Walt Disney World’s Main Street still draws groups of children, sitting on the floor, still fascinated by the classic animated shorts on the screen.  Disney movies on the big screen are a part of most guests’ good memories.  So, what if…
   …Disney created a special in-park theater showing classic Disney animated films throughout the day.  It would be an amazing chance for guests to see their favorite films on the big screen again, it would be a minimal cost for the company, and it would provide a welcome respite from the Florida sun and heat.
4. Character dining with princesses & princes – Over time, the male leads of Disney movies have become increasingly important characters. The originally planned Rapunzel was re-titled Tangled to reflect that fact – Flynn, like Aladdin or Naveen, was a vital part of the story of the film. It wasn’t a princess movie; it was a fairy tale.  You can dine with Disney princesses and heroines like Alice and Mary Poppins…but you rarely find a prince available for more than a photo.  You might have Jasmine stop by your table at Akershus, but you won’t find Aladdin. So what if…
   …Disney  chose a restaurant for Princess and Prince dining.  There, guests would get to meet and interact with couples like Aladdin and Jasmine, Ariel and Eric, Tiana and Naveen, or Rapunzel and Flynn.  Not only would it enrich the interaction with guests, it would sell meals for the special opportunity to spend time with rarely seen characters, and help to cement new heroes for little princes and princesses alike.
5. Maximus meet and greet; Dug meet and greet – Okay, okay.  I put this last because I know all the reasons that Disney cannot do this.  But Dug is a dog. No. Rephrase that….Dug is a dawg.  Yes, he’s a cartoon, but he’s a cartoon of a dog that is funny because he reflects a real dog…with a talking collar.  A cast member in a suit seems silly as a replacement. And, of course, Maximus is so much a part of Tangled; he provides much of the comic relief, and many little girls love him just as much as Rapunzel. So what if…
   …Disney set up meet and greets with a real horse and a real golden retriever (with a talking collar).  Kids love animals, and the thrill of meeting the “real” Maximus or the “real” Dug would be a delight and make for amazing memories and pictures.

 So what are your ideas?  What would you love to see Disney Do?