Bambi Mousecellaneous

One of the oddest things about Bambi's legacy is the film's lack of presence in the Disney theme parks.  Everything you read about Bambi cites it as one of Walt Disney's greatest achievements; the unseen Man is one of the greatest Disney villains; Bambi is one of Disney's most iconic figures and yet Bambi, and his forest friends, are practically invisible as far as the theme parks are concerned.

Looking around I've found that Bambi appears in some of the fireworks shows in various montages; World of Color and it's Winter Dream iteration.

In terms of attractions, though, Bambi as an inspiration in conspicuous by its absence.  The one time of year that Bambi seems to appear is during spring time, particularly in Epcot and Disneyland Paris.

Around 2011, for example, Epcot treated guests to the Flower and Garden Festival to Bambi's Butterfly House.  Inside the butterfly-filled walkthrough were colourful topiaries of Thumper, Flower and Bambi (with butterfly alighted on his tail).  As well as a variety of flowers, the walkthrough was also planted with small evergreen trees bringing to mind the forest setting of the film.  The topiaries have reappeared at other Flower and Garden festivals over the years. 

Disneyland Paris also seems a little more accommodating to the characters of Bambi than other theme parks.  Their springtime festival features a meet and greet with Thumper and Miss Bunny who also appear in Minnie's Little Spring Train - a mini-parade held at this time of year.

Flower topiaries of Bambi, Thumper and Flower also appear at Disneyland Paris in the area in front of Sleeping Beauty's castle.

Thumper and Miss Bunny feature on a rabbit-filled float in Tokyo Disneyland's Easter Wonderland parade, alongside the likes of Oswald and the White Rabbit. 

Shanghai Disneyland has also included Thumper in it's Garden of Twelve Friends walkthrough attraction, which is a series of mosaics based around the twelve signs of the Chinese Zodiac - with Thumper representing the Rabbit.

It's a Small World in Hong Kong Disneyland features Bambi and Thumper skidding around on the icy lake.

For one of Disney's apparently most iconic films, it is surprising that there is no permanent attraction, restaurant or even show based around the film.  If you a fan of Bambi, catching a glimpse of its characters at a Disney theme park is going to be difficult.

Beyond the parks, Bambi has continued to endure however.  Many books featuring characters from the film have been published, including a release in a Choose Your Own Adventure spin off series - which also features adventures featuring Snow White, Pinocchio and Dumbo.

Bambi II, one of the many straight to video films produced by Disney was a 'mid-quel' to Bambi.  Set between events in the original film it featured a part of Bambi's childhood skimmed over in the film.  A live action version of Bambi has very recently been announced.