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Even Disney isn’t immune to nostalgia fatigue. The company’s theme parks are in the middle of a massive transformation — reworking attractions, updating storylines, and quietly phasing out some long-loved characters in favor of fresher, more profitable intellectual properties. The latest example comes from Disney’s Animal Kingdom in Orlando, where Dug and Russell — the endearing Wilderness Explorers from Pixar’s 2009 movie “Up” — have officially been evicted from their long-time meet-and-greet home to make room for characters from “Zootopia.” The move may sound minor, but it reflects a broader shift across Disney Parks: retiring nature-themed experiences in favor of IP that drives merchandise and repeat visits. Disney parks are in transition Disney Parks capital expenditures totaled $1.3 billion for fiscal 2024, a 15% increase over the prior year, driven by new IP-based attractions. Source: Disney FY2024 SEC filing Six of the 10 most recent major rides/attractions at Disney World have IP integration, including “TRON Lightcycle/Run,” “Journey of Water” (inspired by “Moana”), “Tiana’s Bayou Adventure,” “Zootopia: Better Zoogether!,” “Journey of The Little Mermaid,” and “Disney Villains: Unfairly Ever After.” Source: WDW Magic and Disney Parks Blog Losing beloved characters leaves a gap The “Up” duo’s Wilderness Explorers Clubhouse, tucked near Discovery Island, is now hidden behind construction walls. That space will soon reopen as the Zoogether Day Gathering Spot, a themed area designed to support the “Zootopia: Better Zoogether!” stage show that opened November 7, 2025. The new meet-and-greet brings in Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde, two of the most recognizable faces from Disney’s 2016 animated hit. Fans who still want to meet Dug and Russell can reportedly find them on the west side of the Tree of Life — near Creature Comforts — though the company hasn’t confirmed whether this will remain permanent. Disney moves from wilderness to city The transition from the wilderness motif of “Up” to the urban flair of “Zootopia” underscores how Disney’s parks are evolving away from their original Animal Kingdom identity — conservation and nature — toward story-driven, IP-integrated environments. While “Up” characters reinforced the park’s explorer theme, “Zootopia” fits a newer mold: animal characters who mirror modern social dynamics, humor, and big-city spectacle. That broader narrative offers more crossover potential — and higher merchandising upside. “With such a deep well of untapped IP and buildable land, there are so many experiences that have yet to be brought to our Parks around the world, and we plan to turbo-charge growth in this sector with a robust amount of strategic investment,” Walt Disney Company CEO Bob Iger said in a recent earnings call. As with past changes (such as the transformation of “Splash Mountain” into “Tiana’s Bayou Adventure”), Disney appears to be carefully managing fan expectations. But social media reactions suggest a mix of excitement and loss, especially from parents who say the “Up” meet-and-greet offered a slower, gentler family moment amid the park’s high-energy attractions. Why Disney is betting on “Zootopia” Disney’s interest in expanding on the Zootopia theme is not new. The brand has an international presence — from a massive Zootopia-themed land at Shanghai Disneyland to new character appearances at Disneyland Paris. Analysts say the Orlando expansion continues that strategy. Financially, the bet makes sense. Disney’s parks division delivered $8.8 billion in operating income in FY2024 — the company’s most profitable segment. As growth slows in streaming and media, the company is relying on parks to carry its recovery story, meaning more focus on attractions that drive both attendance and merchandise sales. More on travel: U.S. government issues serious warning for cruise passengers Delta Air Lines makes a baggage change that travelers will like United Airlines passenger incident triggers quick response With the new “Zootopia: Better Zoogether!” show, Disney is expected to fully unveil the new meet-and-greet area by early December — just in time for holiday crowds. Meanwhile, fans of Dug and Russell can still collect Wilderness Explorer badges and themed merchandise elsewhere in the park, but insiders expect the duo’s visibility to fade as Disney cycles more resources toward the Zootopia rollout. For long-time parkgoers, it’s another reminder of how quickly nostalgia gives way to new branding. Disney’s choice to replace “Up” characters with “Zootopia” icons mirrors the company’s post-pandemic priorities: Focus on IP synergy, guest engagement, and revenue per square foot.
