One of the things I love about “Happily Ever After,” the new fireworks and projection show at the Magic Kingdom, is that it features one of the rare appearances of Wall-E and Eve in a Disney attraction. The 2008 Pixar film is one of my favorites and it’s been practically forgotten by Disney since it left theaters.
Vox, an online magazine, believes we all should take another look at Wall-E. If you don’t recall, the film was a parable for what happens when rampant consumerism destroys the Earth. Humankind departs for the stars, leaving robots behind with the hopeless task of cleaning everything up.
“Wall-E’s vision of the future is a cautionary dystopia wrapped up in a children’s tale, and a very funny and skillfully made one, too; the film’s first 40 minutes are virtually wordless, a masterpiece of modern silent filmmaking. Yet while we’re squealing over the cute robots, we can’t forget to imagine the world that gave rise to Wall-E’s trash-strewn wasteland and its more well-off humans’ disintegration into helpless, shapeless flesh globules who’ve lost the ability to create, think, or have real relationships. Futuristic science fiction is at its best when it makes us take a hard look at our own world.”
With a major upgrade to EPCOT at-hand, perhaps Disney should take another look at Wall-E and consider including its story into a new pavilion. Frankly I’m surprised we never even had a meet and greet opportunity with Wall-E. Now that Disney has a BB-8 encounter at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. We know it’s possible. With a larger presence at EPCOT, Wall-E’s message of conservation could help teach future generations about the importance of caring for our planet. It’s the only one we’ve got.
What do you think of Pixar’s Wall-E? Was it a message to us all or just a fun film?
I agree that Wall-E should be a meet and greet character roaming around Tomorrowland. Please give him more presence.
I love this article! You would be hard pressed to identify a film (especially a recent film) that has less of a presence in the parks than Wall-E. About the only place it has surfaced since being released is in World of Color in Disneyland. The film received critical praise and did an amazing job of creating emotion with a character that didn’t speak…just think of the scene in which he rocks himself to sleep. The message of conservation and respecting the planet is a critical one and fitting it within Epcot is ideal! Let’s hope the focus of Future World isn’t Marvel, but rather creative ways to educate and work characters like Wall-E into attractions becomes a reality. Thanks for giving Wall-E some much needed respect!
Wall-E in the parks! What a great idea. Even the notion that one’s message can be communicated without words makes me smile.
Could they replace Stich in tomorrowland???
Absolutely, Wall-E should have a larger presence in the parks! Wall-E is in my top 5 favorite Disney films of all time! It is one of the greatest masterpieces of visual storytelling ever created.
I do feel Wall-E would fit best into Future World at Epcot, rather than in the Magic Kingdom, since his message is one of the environment and saving the planet for future generations. He’d be a perfect fit for The Land, in a new movie to go into the space currently showing the Circle of Life film. I like the Circle of Life film, but it’s probably time for something new there.
Why not something about robotics with Wall-E in Innoventions? It could teach, be entertaining and future proof by showing the newest and best in robotics.
I was so happy to see your article this evening!! We have been HUGE fans of Wall-e since the movie first came out and love listening to the soundtrack when we are in our family car. I was so disappointed to see the PIXAR live concert that was streamed this evening didn’t include Wall-e. He is like a forgotten PIXAR star! I don’t understand how a movie with such an important message of responsibility would not be included somehow in Disney’s parks. I too agree that Epcot is the perfect location. Although I can completely see how Tomorrowland, if they ever improve it would be a great spot too. I would love a ride but would also like an educational experience too. It would be so interesting to have something updated that shows all the neat things that are created from recycling, and the products made from re-purposing waste. I hope this article gets some attention from the imagineers!!
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