It’s happening—after 25 years, 2000’s The Emperor’s New Groove is finally stepping into the spotlight at Walt Disney World Resort.
The Emperor’s New Groove Is 25-Years-Old
Released in 2000, The Emperor’s New Groove carved out its own place in the Disney Animation legacy thanks to its sharp comedic style, zany pace, and irreverent tone. Straying from the typical fairy tale musical, the film focused instead on a contemporary, laugh-heavy story about a self-centered emperor who’s turned into a llama.
Directed by Mark Dindal, the film follows Kuzco (voiced by David Spade) as he’s forced to team up with kindhearted villager Pacha (John Goodman) on a wild, unexpected journey. Their odd-couple dynamic—Spade’s dry delivery set against Goodman’s steady warmth—made them one of the most memorable duos in Disney animation.
Of course, the film’s cast wouldn’t be complete without the unforgettable Yzma, voiced by Eartha Kitt, and her lovable sidekick Kronk, played by Patrick Warburton. While the movie faced a rocky theatrical run—earning just under $170 million on a $100 million budget—it found massive success at home. It became the top-selling home video title of 2001 and slowly built a cult following that’s stronger than ever today.
To mark its 25th anniversary, Walt Disney World is honoring the film in a big way. Kuzco and Pacha are heading to one of the Resort’s water parks later this year for a celebration that fans won’t want to miss.
Kuzcotopia Comes to Typhoon Lagoon
The announcement comes ahead of this year’s Destination D23, happening August 29 through August 31 at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort. The weekend-long event, titled Destination D23: A Journey Around the Worlds of Disney, is exclusive to D23 Gold Members. According to Disney, it will be “the biggest one yet.”
The lineup includes a retro-themed concert, curated shopping experiences, and a dive into the Disney archives. But the biggest splash? A themed event taking over Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon Water Park—Kuzcotopia officially debuts Saturday, August 30, 2025.
“Boom, baby! All Destination D23 2025 ticket holders are invited to celebrate 25 years of Disney Animation’s The Emperor’s New Groove with a splash at Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon water park!” the official D23 announcement reads. “Following the day’s presentations, be sure to lever-age this after-hours exclusive celebration of the cult classic, including special tributes to Disney’s water parks.”
The post continues: “Look out for complimentary snacks, photo opportunities, special activities, and exclusive entertainment at this ultra neat, squeak squeakin’ member-only party!”
Fans have long floated the idea of bringing Kuzco’s world into the theme parks. Some have even imagined reimagining an entire water park as Kuzcotopia or transforming other attractions—like the former Splash Mountain—into experiences inspired by The Emperor’s New Groove.
While there’s no indication a permanent attraction is in the works, Disney has its sights set on expanding other franchises at Walt Disney World, including Encanto, Zootopia, Indiana Jones, and Monsters, Inc.
Typhoon Lagoon itself has been closed for refurbishment but will reopen on May 1, following Blizzard Beach’s seasonal closure. By May 21, all six Disney World parks will be open at the same time—something that hasn’t happened in six years.
Still, even a limited-time event is a huge moment for longtime fans—and the movie’s backstory makes this celebration feel even more special.
The Troubled History of The Emperor’s New Groove
What started as a more traditional Disney story ended up becoming something completely unexpected. The film was originally developed under the title Kingdom of the Sun, but creative hurdles forced a significant shift. Out went the musical numbers, and in came the comedy.
That creative pivot is explored in The Sweatbox, a behind-the-scenes documentary by Trudie Styler, musician Sting’s wife. Sting had been tapped to write songs for the film before its direction changed drastically. Although Disney owns the documentary, it remains unreleased on platforms like Disney+.
Following the film’s release, Disney expanded the story with the sequel Kronk’s New Groove in 2005 and the animated series The Emperor’s New School, which ran for two seasons on Disney Channel.
Now, with the movie stepping into the theme park world—if only for a short while—fans finally have a chance to experience a taste of Kuzcotopia in real life.
How do you feel about this upcoming event at Walt Disney World? Let us know in the comments down below!
