Fans Devastated as Disney Ignores Beloved Film in Animal Kingdom Expansion

Changes are coming to Animal Kingdom, and fans aren’t entirely thrilled about the direction the theme park is going in…

From September 9-11, 2023, Disney hosted Destination D23 at the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida.

The event is a mini-D23 Expo where guests get secret sneak peeks at upcoming movies and television shows. They are also the first to hear about exciting park updates, cruise ship news, and so much more.

Just like the D23 Expo, held right outside Disneyland Resort in California, Destination D23 takes place every other year. It alternates with the D23 Expo.

At last year’s Destination D23 Parks Panel, Disney Parks Chairman Josh D’Amaro revealed some big changes that were coming to DinoLand U.S.A. in Walt Disney World’s Animal Kingdom Park.

The area will be transformed into a place that focuses on the “tropical Americas” experience. That will include the Northern area of South America, as well as Central America.

Of course, it’s Disney, so there has to be some Disney IP in there. The new area will feature not one, but two, popular Disney franchises — Indiana Jones and Encanto (2021).

While the announcement made a lot of people happy, there were some who felt Disney squandered the chance to focus on another beloved, but highly underrated movie — The Emperor’s New Groove (2000). The film takes place in the Peruvian Highlands, which happen to be located in Northern South America.

X (formerly Twitter) user Sam Carter was one of those left disappointed about the announcement.

So what you’re telling me is there will be a South American themed land in a Disney park based on man’s relationship with animals. Got it.

So what you’re telling me is there will be a South American themed land in a Disney park based on man’s relationship with animals. Got it. pic.twitter.com/piWm5NQHSw

— Sam Carter (@Cartarsauce) September 11, 2023

Many agreed, saying that Disney was set up perfectly to create its own Kuzcotopia.

Kuzocotpia…I mean come on…. pic.twitter.com/mxntOB42w0

— Lowell A. Doringo (@LoloDoringo) September 11, 2023

Others built on the Kuzcotopia idea and said it would have been great if Disney decided to build a roller coaster.

As some may remember, in The Emperor’s New Groove, Yzma and Kronk took an exciting ride down to Yzma’s lair. “Pull the lever Kronk!…….. Wrong lever!”

They could’ve built Kuzcotopia, or the ride from Yzma’s lair! The movie has rides IN IT!!!!

— Jacob 🔴🎬 (@jakeformers) September 11, 2023

Some commenters were disappointed that Disney Imagineers didn’t lean heavily into an animal theme for a place named Animal Kingdom.

Hey you get bonus points for knowing what DAK is actually about! Seems not even the imagineers know that anymore

— Steve (@stevehofhine) September 11, 2023

When the retheme is complete, Disney’s Animal Kingdom will be the first Disney theme park to have a large Encanto presence. And it does make some sense, since the Madrigal family from the movie lives in the mountains of Colombia. Plus, there is Antonio, whose special gift is his ability to speak to animals.

However, there are already multiple Indiana Jones-themed areas around the resort. Guests can head over to Disney’s Hollywood Studios and watch the Indiana Jones Stunt Show Spectacular.

Then, over at Disney Springs, guests can enjoy the mouthwatering food offered at Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar. Jock Lindsey was a freelance pilot that often took Indy to exciting locations. Add to that, the only real animals that make a difference in the franchise are snakes, then it makes even less sense.

The new area is expected to be completed by 2027 or 2028. Disney has not said when DinoLand, U.S.A., will permanently close, and D’Amaro has said that crews are already hard at work on transforming the area.

Are you looking forward to Animal Kingdom’s upcoming expansion? Tell us about it in the comments below!