Every Disney Renaissance Film Without Characters in Disney Dreamlight Valley

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As a long-time Disney enthusiast who has watched every animated feature film multiple times, I must say that it’s fascinating to see how Disney Dreamlight Valley is evolving with each update. While the focus seems to be on more recent films, I can’t help but feel a pang of nostalgia for some of the classics that are missing from the game.

The game Disney Dreamlight Valley, which draws from the entire collection of Pixar and Walt Disney Animation Studios, primarily features characters from movies and series originating from the Disney Renaissance era and beyond. While most Disney Renaissance titles are included in the game’s character lineup, a handful have somehow been overlooked.

The history of Walt Disney Animation Studios is broken down into different eras, and one significant period is known as the Disney Renaissance. This phase saw a resurgence in both critical acclaim and box office success for the studio’s animated films following a decline in the company’s popularity. The Disney Renaissance started with the release of The Little Mermaid in 1989, and ended with the debut of Tarzan in 1999.

The Rescuers Down Under

As a gamer, I’d rephrase that like this: “Back in the day, I watched ‘The Rescuers’, which dropped in 1977 during Disney’s Bronze Age. It was one of the few Disney films that both audiences and critics loved back then. ‘The Rescuers Down Under’ came next, marking the start of Disney’s Renaissance era. Interestingly, it stands out among this series as it’s the only sequel and non-musical film in the bunch.

In this new movie, Bernard and Bianca’s thrilling escapades take place in Australia. As part of the Rescue Aid Society, these two are committed to saving kidnapped individuals across the globe. However, despite receiving good reviews for The Rescuers Down Under, it unfortunately flopped at the box office due to stiff competition from other films released simultaneously, such as Home Alone and Rocky V.

In simpler terms, many Disney movies from the Bronze and Dark Ages didn’t retain the same level of dedicated fanbase as earlier or more recent Disney films, including those from the Renaissance period onward. Consequently, although The Rescuers Down Under is considered part of the Disney Renaissance, it does not enjoy as strong a fan base as other movies during that era.

This explains the lack of characters from The Rescuers in Disney Dreamlight Valley and why furniture, clothing, and motifs from the franchise are absent from the game as well. Nevertheless, Bernard and Bianca could be fun characters further down the line after additions with higher priority are added. At the very least, a few references to the franchise, like Bianca’s iconic purple outfit, could be a small fun addition for players.

Pocahontas

As a passionate gamer, I can’t help but notice the absence of Pocahontas in Disney Dreamlight Valley, one of the few Disney princesses from the Renaissance era yet to make an appearance. While Jasmine is rumored to be joining soon, it looks like we might have to wait years before Pocahontas graces our screens. Her movie, despite its stunning visuals and memorable tunes, has been criticized for historical inaccuracies, a point that’s often raised due to the perceived offensiveness of some aspects. Given these concerns, it seems unlikely that she’ll be added as an individual update, even though she is indeed a Disney princess. However, considering her status and the way expansions usually introduce multiple characters at once, it feels like Pocahontas would fit perfectly in one of those expansion packs.

In Disney Dreamlight Valley, though Pocahontas herself isn’t physically there, you can still find a nod to her presence through a piece of decorative furniture – a Scenic Painting that depicts a weeping willow tree, perhaps symbolizing her mentor, Grandmother Willow. Additionally, the game features a design motif inspired by Pocahontas; two orange leaves in the distinctive style of “Colors of the Wind,” a song from the Pocahontas soundtrack. These elements hint at future inclusions of Pocahontas, offering solace to fans who were concerned that her appearance might never materialize in the game.

The Hunchback of Notre Dame

The Hunchback of Notre Dame,” produced by Walt Disney Animation Studios, stands out for its stunning visuals, but it’s known for being quite dark compared to other studio productions. Despite this somber tone, the film attempted to be suitable for children by introducing characters like Laverne, Victor, Hugo (the gargoyles), and Djali, Esmerelda’s goat.

In simpler terms, the somewhat grim themes in “The Hunchback of Notre Dame” likely contribute to its absence in Disney’s “Dreamlight Valley”. However, many people have raised concerns about how the Romani people were depicted in this film. Although it may not be as problematic as Disney’s portrayal of Pocahontas, the criticism from Disney fans seems valid and reasonable.

Despite having a dedicated fan base, it’s quite unexpected that there isn’t more Hunchback-themed content available in Disney Dreamlight Valley. Notably, there are no furniture items, clothing designs, or motifs related to the film. At the very least, introducing Djali as an animal companion could be a delightful touch that fans would appreciate greatly.

Tarzan

The movie “Tarzan” represents the final production during Disney’s Renaissance period. While it doesn’t boast a large fanbase, its memorable soundtrack by Phil Collins and widespread availability in various editions of Animal Kingdom have solidified its status as a legendary component of Disney’s historical repertoire.

Among the remaining Disney Renaissance films, it appears that introducing Tarzan and his partner Jane is the most plausible choice for future characters in the game. Given the jungle-themed updates in Disney Dreamlight Valley, such as the Jungle Getaway update that brought Timon and Pumbaa, it seems probable that Tarzan and Jane will be added to the game at a later time. However, considering the recent Jungle Getaway update and the free content plan already announced for Disney Dreamlight Valley up until Summer 2025, it’s likely we won’t see these characters until the fall season.

Similar to The Hunchback of Notre Dame, it’s astonishing that Tarzan hasn’t led to any pieces of furniture, clothing, or motifs being designed. The Night Show Star Path, launched in the Jungle Getaway update, was criticized by players for lacking a spooky atmosphere despite its Halloween launch. However, the Jungle Getaway update should have been themed around Halloween due to its release date. This Star Path would’ve been an ideal chance to incorporate Tarzan-inspired items.

Disney Dreamlight Valley’s 2025 Plans

In the game Disney Dreamlight Valley, many of the characters are from Disney films starting with the Renaissance period and beyond. It would be exciting to incorporate characters from movies like The Rescuers, Pocahontas, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, and Tarzan into the game, but it seems these additions won’t occur in the near future. However, developers Gameloft have acknowledged the lack of earlier films in the game and plan to address this by introducing Maleficent during the second half of the Storybook Vale expansion, adding characters from Alice in Wonderland in spring 2025, and characters from Peter Pan in summer 2025.

Despite the potential dominance of Gameloft in 2025 overshadowing the Disney Renaissance, it’s plausible that Disney Dreamlight Valley will round off this era by incorporating characters from these movies. Whether or not this transpires is yet to be determined.

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2024-12-09 02:07