Disney Parks: from Attractions To Screen Adapations

The Matternhorn Bobsleds

Matterhorn Bobsleds was originally the subject of a novel before becoming a Disney Parks attraction. James Ramsey Ullman wrote the novel, Banner in the Sky, published in 1954. Walt Disney himself adapted the book into a film, Third Man On The Mountain. Based on the box office results, Disneyland opened up the classic attraction before the film’s November release, on June 14th, 1959.

This was the first ever tubular roller coaster in the world. While there is no release date yet, a new film adaptation for the Matterhorn Bobsleds is in development. A placeholder title called “The Hill” tells us Disney still has the matter in development. It will be a feature film for Disney+. The DisInsider was the first to report on this story. It’s mission statement, from the Disney Wiki page:

The Society of Explorers and Adventurers

Disney has Marvel and Star Wars for their larger, cinematic universes. So too does it have original universe within Disney Parks. The Society of Explorers and Adventurers (S.E.A.) is a fictional organization within different Disney Parks and also Disney Cruise Lines.

“The mission of the Society of Explorers and Adventurers is to collect, conserve, and curate valuable cultural and artistic artifacts from around the world and make them available to the public in an artistically pleasing and sensitive manner. It is furthermore the mission of the organization to equip and mount socio-cultural expeditions to discover, explore, chronicle and protect the artistic achievements of human society, past and present, exalted and forgotten.”

SEA Mission Statement found at Oceaneer Lab and Mystic Manor

Now if your big into the SEAS lore, we have some good news for you. The society is making its way to Disney+ from Fall All Mankind creator, Ron Moore. He will write and executive produce for Disney+ and 20th Century Television.

This will be a boarder project that Moore is working on as this will trace back towards origin stories. Even for so Pleasure Island and the Adventures Club, as a reference towards with the present Tokyo DisneySea and Disney Cruise Line ships. Details are also TBA, and no word of when it will be greenlight for this project. The Hollywood Reporter was the first to share the story.

Disney Parks Classic: Space Mountain

Space Mountain opened as an indoor roller coaster at Walt Disney World in 1975. The Disneyland and Walt Disney World versions are both dual track roller coasters. As any Disney Park attraction, Space Mountain has evolved drastically. Other versions are also located at Disneyland Paris and Tokyo Disneyland.

Just over a year ago, out of no where, we learned the attraction is making its leap to big screen. Writer Joby Harold (also working on the Kenobi series) will write Space Mountain movie. It’s a very unique move as the attraction does not have any characters or memorable scenes, unlike the Pirates of the Caribbean or the Haunted Mansion at Disney Parks.

The project is still in the very early stages for it’s theatrical release. The film is being described as a “family adventure” take on the attraction. As may of guessed it, plot details are being tightly sealed. Harold’s other works include; John Wick: Chapter 3– Parabellum as executive producer credited, Zack Snyder’s Army of the Dead and King Arthur: Legend of the Sword. The Hollywood Reporter was the first to report the news.

Conclusion

Whether any of these projects will make it or not, time will only tell. The industry has suffered heavily throughout the pandemic and now things are looking optimistic going forward. Disney knows their audience for both the parks and movie/digital media…. Overall it is a very good time to be a fan of the company.

What project has you most interested that is being worked on at Disney? Leave it down in the commments section below!

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