One of the more elusive species in Pixar's menagerie has migrated to the Walt Disney World Resort. Kevin from Up has begun greeting guests in Discovery Island at Disney's Animal Kingdom.
Kevin is the 13-foot "Monster of Paradise Falls" that famed explorer Charles Muntz devoted years trying to find, driving the second-act plot of the Up. Of course, Kevin is anything but a monster, though she has remained elusive, not appearing in the parks nearly as much as the movie's other protagonists, Russell and Carl. She's not yet listed under the Character appearances in the Disney app, so you might have to channel your own inner explorer to find her. Here is Disney's promo video for Kevin's appearance in the park.
Kevin also recently appeared at Disneyland, in last year's Pixar Play Parade. You can see her, with Russell on her back, starting at the 14:00 mark.
TweetWhich is a shame, since it was one of just three animated films to be nominated for Best Picture at the Oscars. It's a classic that deserves to be considered among Disney's all-time great movies.
Walt Disney World's parks are so immersive with so many visually exciting details in every corner. Kevin's arrival just adds to that excitement. Well played Disney.
"Kevin's arrival just adds to that excitement."
It would have been far more exciting and relevant had they brought in a 13-foot Na'Vi walk around meet and greet character.
I always thought UP was a great IP for an attraction. The ballon sequence / trip to Paradise Falls has a very "Soarin" vibe (not that it would have to be a screen based attraction).
And while I understand the notion that Disney may be late to the party in introducing this.....I'm always happy to see them use characters & properties that aren't necessarily only from recent releases.
UP is a (popular) part of the Pixar legacy, so its always nice to see them go back & find something from a past classic whenever they need it.
For many guest who may have forgotten, this might be a pleasant surprise / memory.
RM: "It would have been far more exciting and relevant had they brought in a 13-foot Na'Vi walk around meet and greet character."
I Respond: Why?
"Thumbs Up" for Kevin. Natural addition. Looking forward to meeting her.
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I love UP, but I wonder if Disney is a bit too late to the party. The movie is almost 10 years old, and Pixar has no plans to create a sequel. I personally haven't sat down and watched the film from beginning to end for at least a couple of years even though I own a copy. Will people even know who Kevin is? I get the feeling that a lot of guests don't immediately associate Russell and the Wilderness Explorers activities at DAK with Up. It makes sense to increase the movie's presence in the park because of the re-themed bird show, but the movie itself is really falling from public consciousness quickly - you rarely see it being shown on TV, even on Freeform or Disney Channel.