1. Middle Earth (Lord of the Rings)

© New Line Cinema

Folks aren’t usually too jazzed about the idea of Disney bringing outside intellectual properties into its parks. There are exceptions (especially in retrospect, where we can see that Indiana Jones, Star Wars, and The Twilight Zone fit just fine) but for the most part, fans prefer attractions with original stories and characters, will accept attractions based on Disney stories, and absolutely disapprove of attractions based on outside influences. Peter Jackson’s take on J.R. Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings series seems to be one of the exceptions.

The three Lord of the Rings films (and to a lesser extent, the follow-up Hobbit films) inspired a new generation to crack open Tolkien’s stories and make the literary pilgrimage from the quiet and docile Shire, through the glittering mythical forest of Lothlorien to the fiery slopes of Mount Doom. Practically set up to be a theme park land, the stories are of exploration, bravery, and adventure. If there's any book-turned-film series that stands a chance of rivaling Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings would be it, and it's definitely suited for Disney's storytelling abilities.

© New Line Cinema

Throughout the stories, the characters encounter some of Middle Earth’s creatures (dragons, Elven-birds, Great Spiders, Giant Eagles, and the dragon Smaug) that would give Animal Kingdom the “fantasy” animals it promised and so much more. Honestly, it might've been just perfect. Replace Avatar's boat ride with a similar trip through the Elven forest of Lothlorien (top) and replace the Banshee simulator with a trip over Middle Earth on the wings of a Giant Eagle. Done!

By the way, Middle Earth is not entirely unlikely to show up at Walt Disney World one day. Allegedly, when Avatar's James Cameron started to get a little too bossy and threw what insiders called "child-like tantrums" with Disney executives, Disney flew in the rights-holders to Lord of the Rings and gave them a personalized tour of Cars Land at Disney California Adventure  – a veritable height of modern Imagineering... Insiders say it was all a power play to send a message to Cameron that if he didn't cooperate, Disney could and would take their business elsewhere. Still, it's an interesting thought...

2. Star Wars: Rebel Outpost

Image: 20th Century Fox / Lucasfilm

Disney's acquisition of LucasFilm and its iconic Star Wars series seemed like something of a rebirth for Disney. Since that 2012 takeover, Disney has rebooted Star Wars with a new triology of films, an army of merchandise, and ceaseless spin-offs and side stories (so many that Bob Iger admitted he might've made a mistake in releasing "a little too much, too fast," promising "some slowdown"). 

But the undisputed pinnacle of the new era of Star Wars must be Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge – the new 14-acre lands coming to Disneyland and Disney's Hollywood Studios in Summer and Fall of 2019, respectively. No doubt, these "Star Wars lands" are the next evolution of the Wizarding World concept, and Disney's next attempts to create lands with that formula. Moreso than either Pandora, Cars Land, or any of the other "Wizarding World"-style lands Disney's done since, Galaxy's Edge will present opportunities to eat, drink, and shop like characters from the films well beyond mere rides.

Image: Disney / Lucasfilm

Imagine... What if Disney's Hollywood Studios had "Galaxy's Edge" in the form of the remote outpost planet Batuu, and Disney's Animal Kingdom hosted the forested Endor or Kashyyyk? The two could even be connected together a la Universal's Hogswarts Express connecting the two Wizarding Worlds. Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge and Star Wars: Endor!

The Star Wars film series has an exhausting cast of animals and alien creatures that make up its ranks, and plenty that specifically live on the forested Endor. First and foremost is the beloved Ewok - Teddy bear style creatures who live in massive connected treehouse cities. Built at Animal Kingdom, just imagine the awe that those treehouse cities would inspire.The forest moon Endor is also home to Bordoks (horse-like alien creatures used as transportation for the Ewoks) and Maramou (ram-kangaroo hybrids) that would be perfect for an animatronic “petting zoo.” 

Image: 20th Century Fox / Lucasfilm

Like with Middle Earth, the switch from Pandora to Endor doesn't take much work. While Pandora has its Flight of Passage on the back of banshees soaring through the planet's mountains, the Star Wars mythos says that massive Condor Dragons live on Endor. Each, with its 10-foot wingspan, glides through the planet’s forests and caves each night, eating massive spiders. In other words, Pandora was never the only cinematic, forested alien planet with zany extraterrestrial creatures Disney could've chosen...

3. Lost Coast (South America)

Image: tdrfan.com

Despite its coded slogan – Nãtazū – Disney’s Animal Kingdom does share one element commonly found in zoos: it’s divided by continent. The park already has the tremendously detailed lands of Africa and Asia. What's missing? Well, for one, Central and South America. With stories of the Aztec, Inca, and Maya civilizations, a South America land at Animal Kingdom could be filled with ancient temple adventures and even be a land dedicated to (can you hear the fanfare?) Indiana Jones.

The original Disneyland in California originally planned for a massive Indiana Jones land that remains one of the most incredible lands that were planned but never built at a Disney Park. It never materialized, but a stunning E-ticket and a 1930s, jazzy overlay to the park's Adventureland did, and it's been the resort's headlining attraction ever since.

Think about it: with Mayan temples, cities of gold, Peru’s Machu Picchu, and the ornate European towns constructed by the arriving Spanish, South America is practically begging for a spot on Animal Kingdom’s roster... a perfect blend of fantasy and the park's signature hyper-realism, especially if Indy is the thematic basis for the land (Temple of the Golden Python, anyone?). Obviously the list of animals native to South America is practically endless, with many missing from the park’s current Eastern Hemisphere-centered collection.

Image: tdrfan.com

In terms of rides, Disney’s already done the heavy lifting. We don’t always encourage cloning and certainly original ideas are much preferred, but if Disney wanted to save a buck, it’s easy… 

Tokyo DisneySea’s Raging Spirits roller coaster is likewise set among South American ruins and begging for an Indiana Jones overlay, while an EMV ride next door is a version of Disneyland's off-roading Modern Marvel: Indiana Jones Adventure, but set in South America and in search of the mystical fountain of youth. Another great headlining ride would be a rusted South American seaplane hangar leading to a Soarin’-style simulator over the Wonders of the Ancient World.

4. Narnia

Image: Walden Media / Fox

Disney abandoned the Chronicles of Narnia film series after the second movie, handing 20th Century Fox the distribution rights for any thereafter (and then, ironically, winning them back with Disney's 2018 purchase of Fox). Still, there's no denying that the epic fantasy series written by philosopher C. S. Lewis is massively popular (as children's novels first, and films second). Lewis crafted a very full, visceral world on par with George Lucas' Star Wars universe. His realm of satyrs, witches, sea serpants, and minotaurs is explained in exhaustive detail and feels like a real, physical place, even when presented only in words.

Image: Walden Media / Fox

Of course, the magical land is presided over by the immortal lion Aslan (who is just perfect for a "Turtle Talk" style interactive encounter, if you think an audience with the embodiment of God is appropriate for a theme park attraction). The world is also populated by talking bears, badgers, deer, cats, and centaurs who could realistically guide a dark ride through Narnia as it freezes over in an attempt to reach to the icy fortress of the White Witch from The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.

Altogether, Disney probably wouldn't buy into Narnia land since it lost interest in the film series. Almost certainly, Disney hoped Narnia would gather Potter-style appeal (and box office receipts), and when it didn't reach that frenzied level, they bailed. Still, Narnia would make for an incredible park land. Just imagine the magic Disney could muster in having guests enter it through a wardrobe...