Zootopia: Better Zoogether (DAK)

[GA-MBIT]

Yeah thats fair about Alien Encounter, but ITTBAB felt sort of tone deaf in its own right due to the IP they chose (I know the show came out before the film). The show also has a false sense of security, as the it does the rug pull at the last act. I don't think you can compare that to Dinosaur or Everest, but I sort of see what youre saying with park selection.

My perception is also a bit different because ITTBAB at DCA was eventually apart of a bug's land, which was overtly aimed at children.

I do agree, and it's why I believe TTBaB just isn't as strong of a show. Like you say, IP choice is a factor here too, and TTBaB is scarier than most any Pixar scene has ever been, especially any scene in A Bug's Life.

If a family goes into a DHS "Alien"-themed show expecting something wholesome for your kids, I think that's on the parent; but I would not expect a Pixar show within the park's weenie to be quite this frightening. I think it's pretty fun myself, but it's an undeniable mismatch between tone and audience. It's also one of many reasons why Stitch did so poorly. Very lighthearted Children's character put into a show that is purpose built to induce nightmares into guests.

 

[Clive]

Warm take: Attractions benefit from conflict, and that includes elements that are intentionally frightening. It's Tough To Be a Bug was notorious for scaring young children, but it also had warning signage that parents ignored at their peril. I'm not looking forward to losing another attraction that dared to push some boundaries a bit in exploring its paradoxical thesis (bugs, while essential for biodiversity, are inherently upsetting to humans!) in exchange for what will likely be an aggressively safe and bland IP plug.

 

[Jake S]

It's Tough To Be a Bug was notorious for scaring young children, but it also had warning signage that parents ignored at their peril.

my perhaps hotter take is that it can be Good for children to be exposed to things that are frightening while in a safe environment and I don't think we're doing anyone any favors by shielding them from all conflict or peril — especially in an entertainment setting.