It's been a very long time since the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles last graced a theme park with their totally tubular presence. The early '90s was the height of "Turtle Mania", the period in which Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles became a global pop culture phenomenon, owing thanks to the 1987 cartoon series of the same name, the 1990 live-action film, and, of course, the waves of toy lines that dominated stores all around the world.

As such, it came as no surprise that the Turtles found their way into Walt Disney World in Florida (perhaps they'd snuck in using a sewer system). Disney's Hollywood Studios, then known as Disney's MGM Studios, hosted Leonardo, Raphael, Michelangelo, and Donatello as they took to the streets of the park's "New York City", putting on a show for guests by cruising in their Turtle Party Van (now more commonly known as the "Shellraiser", and then hitting the stage).

There, they'd team up with their news reporter-friend April O'Neil, who'd belt out the iconic '80s cartoon intro (you know how it goes). The song "Turtle Power" by Partners in Kryme, which was used in the 1990 live-action movie Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1990), was also given tribute. The Turtles - actors in costumes, of course - were also inspired by the insanely-popular cartoon design, and they would end each show with their well-known high-five and "Cowabunga".

As we know, their tenure at Disney's Hollywood Studios wasn't a permanent one, and not only that, but Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles was never even owned by Disney. At the time, the House of Mouse hosted many properties that weren't theirs (although we're sure that, in time, they'll probably make some kind of move on the pizza-munching reptiles, seeing as they own almost everything else, from Star Wars to Marvel).

But is there a place for the Ninja Turtles in a modern-day theme park setting? Whether it's a Disney theme park resort or a Universal Studios one, are they just as relevant as they once were? Well, the short answer is yes - they are most definitely still relevant. There are, after all, two theatrical movies on the horizon; one an animated film from producer Seth Rogen, and the other a live-action reboot from SNL writers/brothers Casey and Colin Jost.

Earlier this year, Paramount also confirmed that a number of additional Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movies, each of them focused on a villain from the franchise, will arrive on their streaming service Paramount+ some time during 2023. And then there are the video games - recently, arcade-inspired beat 'em up game Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder's Revenge (2022) hit shelves, followed shortly by Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Cowabunga Collection (2022).

So, let's imagine that the Ninja Turtles return to a theme park near you. But rather than just thinking of what an attraction might look like, let's think a little bigger. Not many franchises have enjoyed their own "mania" like Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles did, so as such, it's only fair that they're given their very own themed land! And here's exactly how we think Disney or Universal Studios should do it...

5. Themed Land Environment

First of all, it goes without saying that the Ninja Turtles are at their most comfortable in New York City, so a recreation of the Big Apple, whether it's Times Square or another district would be perfect. Sky-high rises (okay, not quite as big as they are in Manhattan) and faux views of iconic locations such as Central Park and the Statue of Liberty would add to the immersivity. 

This themed wouldn't occupy the land in its entirely, though. Sure, the themed land will all be New York-based, so to speak, but there will also be other areas, such as '80s-inspired, graffiti-sprayed alleyways where The Shredder's Foot Soldiers might be lurking (actors, of course), where, if you're lucky, you might see the heroes-in-a-half-shell appear to save the day!

And they would either emerge "out of the shadows", or from one of many manholes that would be dotted about the themed land - some fake, some that actually lead to tunnels beneath the land not unlike Disney World's "Utili-doors" that help characters move about the park unseen by guests. These ones, however, would come with a bit of a twist...