2010 Best Theme Park Attraction nominee: Epcot's Circle of Life By Robert Niles
Circle of Life: An Environmental Fable enters the 2010 Best Theme Park Attraction tournament as the 16th seed in the Best Movie or Animated Show bracket.Published: December 16, 2009 at 3:25 PM  Image courtesy Disney Playing in Epcot's Land pavilion at Walt Disney World in Lake Buena Vista, Florida, Circle of Life opened in the Harvest Theater on January 21, 1995, as the Walt Disney Co. looked to capitalize on the recent overwhelming success of its animated movie musical, The Lion King. The film replaced Symbiosis, a film about human damage to the environment that provided some footage that was recycled in Circle of Life. Recycling - how environmentally friendly! ;-) Circle of Life follows The Lion King's Timon and Pumbaa, as the two dam local rivers to create a lake for their planned Hakuna Matata Lakeside Village. Simba points out that their actions are robbing other animals downstream of the water they need to survive. Then he really rubs it in by telling Timon and Pumbaa that they're acting like a bunch of human beings. Timon and Pumbaa learn the lesson and remove the dam, restoring the environment for all the downstream animals. And the audience learns a lesson. You know who also learned a lesson from Circle of Life? The writers of "Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa," who used the same device (a dam in Africa threatening downstream life) as a major plot point in that Dreamworks animated film. As a 16-seed, Circle of Life faces the toughest road to the title in this bracket. We will find out how this film performs when voting begins in March.
Readers' OpinionsFrom James Rao on December 16, 2009 at 5:24 PM
Not a bad pastime but this show is pretty much just first round fodder for some #1 ranked team...err...attraction. From 70.31.7.162 on December 16, 2009 at 7:56 PM
I find this movie to be dated. After almost 15 years i think we could get rid of Circle Of Life rather than nominate it as a "best of" anything.. From Dan M on December 16, 2009 at 8:53 PM
I believe there was a rumor at one point that a Wall-E video would replace the Circle of Life. Haven't heard anything about it lately though. Personally I'd rather leave the video and see to it that Wall-E and EVE go onto bigger and better things. From Joshua Counsil on December 17, 2009 at 12:28 AM
...Huh. Really all I gotta say. From David Kirby on December 17, 2009 at 7:20 AM
This is already shaping up to me a, um, "interesting" tournaent. From Manny Barron on December 22, 2009 at 2:42 PM
Obviously this attraction has no chance but the Lion King is one of my favorite movies so I always try to catch this show everytime I'm at Epcot. This article has been archived and is no longer accepting comments. More Theme Park NewsPrevious article: Roy Disney's death, today at 79, silences passionate advocate for animation arts
|
Search Theme Park InsiderReader Reviews, by Theme ParkUnited States Top 10 *
International parks
Readers' Top Themed Rides
Top Roller CoastersTop Live ShowsTop Movies/Animated Shows
Theme Park Insider on Twitter
Which would you prefer when staying on-site at a theme park: Early entry, front-of-lines access or free dining? Vote: http://bit.ly/b6Ng0s RT @DisneyParks: BREAKING: We’re extending “Disney’s Main Street Electrical Parade” at Walt Disney World http://bit.ly/9TO6Mu RT @FLallday: If you're looking to buy Disney tix, try doing so before Aug 1st (this Sunday) as tickets might increase that day! RT @goddard_group: Here's an exclusive first look at SIX FLAGS DUBAILAND. Designed to be the first Six Flags branded park to be built... ... Theme Park Reviews, Features, Advice
Theme Park News Archive2010Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr. May Jun. Jul.
2009Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr. May Jun. Jul. Aug. Sep. Oct. Nov. Dec.
2008Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr. May Jun. Jul. Aug. Sep. Oct. Nov. Dec.
2007Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr. May Jun. Jul. Aug. Sep. Oct. Nov. Dec.
2006Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr. May Jun. Jul. Aug. Sep. Oct. Nov. Dec.
2005Dec.
2004-2005Staff column archive
|
I gotta disagree with this one. Not a bit fan of this show even though I love its message. I am excited to see the other nominees.