News Zootopia and Moana Blue Sky concepts for Disney's Animal Kingdom

[neo999955]

Which is a shame, because nearly every misplaced project of the last decade could arguably fit better in DHS than where it actually ended up.

Personally I think DHS' concept has more potential (and deserves better) than to just become the dumping ground for the properties for which they couldn't find a better thematic fit elsewhere, but since they've nearly turned it into that already they could at least do the other parks the favor of taking advantage.

DHS could really use another new land (actual expansion this time, please), a few real C Tickets, some D Tickets, and one new high capacity E Ticket. If they can still make such a thing. Considering that Disney owns more IP than ever now there should be no excuse as to why they can't come up with things to flesh out this park to a more suitable size. Other than money, of course, which . . . ugh.

HS definitely deserves better, but since it 'recently' received Star Wars, Mickey and Toy Story Land - correct or not - they're at the bottom of the bucket. I do think, towards the end of the decade when these other AK and MK projects are launching, they will announce a massive Simpsons land coming to Hollywood Studios. I hope they do it real justice because there is endless possibility there. And they should try to launch that before the show comes to an end and gets relaunched (or maybe they'll tie it to its relaunch with a new cast).

 

[UNCgolf]

HS definitely deserves better, but since it 'recently' received Star Wars, Mickey and Toy Story Land - correct or not - they're at the bottom of the bucket. I do think, towards the end of the decade when these other AK and MK projects are launching, they will announce a massive Simpsons land coming to Hollywood Studios. I hope they do it real justice because there is endless possibility there. And they should try to launch that before the show comes to an end and gets relaunched (or maybe they'll tie it to its relaunch with a new cast).

I think it's incredibly unlikely they build a Simpsons land.

First, are they even allowed to as long as Universal has one (they may be; I don't know the details of that rights agreement)? If the property is still a draw, Universal would prefer to keep it. If it's not a draw and Universal gives it up, why would Disney then want to invest in it?

The current viewership is pretty low, even (or maybe especially) among the coveted 18-49 demographic; it's not even close to being one of the highest rated shows on a network. In fact, if it wasn't such a long-running institution, it would likely be cancelled due to low ratings.

It also wouldn't be new, because Universal has already let you visit a slice of Springfield for years. Of course Disney could do even more with it, but why would they want to? Not only for the reasons I've already mentioned, but because they have numerous other properties that would probably have a stronger ROI.

 

[Kev1982]

I think it's incredibly unlikely they build a Simpsons land.

First, are they even allowed to as long as Universal has one (they may be; I don't know the details of that rights agreement)? If the property is still a draw, Universal would prefer to keep it. If it's not a draw and Universal gives it up, why would Disney then want to invest in it?

The current viewership is pretty low, even (or maybe especially) among the coveted 18-49 demographic; it's not even close to being one of the highest rated shows on a network. In fact, if it wasn't such a long-running institution, it would likely be cancelled due to low ratings.

It also wouldn't be new, because Universal has already let you visit a slice of Springfield for years. Of course Disney could do even more with it, but why would they want to? Not only for the reasons I've already mentioned, but because they have numerous other properties that would probably have a stronger ROI.

To be fair. That would be typically Disney. Build something after popularity is faded. Frozen 2013, Moana 2016. We are now half way through 2023. Can someone explain me as to why this is? I know they need to see if things stay popular for a while but i think it was clear way back Frozen was gonna stay. On the other hand big films like Aladdin, The Lion King dont even have proper rides. I dont really get it. This is in no way a hate message. Disney rules my life. I like The Little Mermaid ride and the Moana water thing they are doing. Excited for Tiana although i really liked Splash. I pretty much agree with the whole IP integration. I just really dont get as to why some great big movies dont get the attention they diserve

 

[neo999955]

Ratings are down, of course, but streaming numbers are massive. It's been a huge boon to D+ and tons of younger people are discovering it. According to casual googling, the quality of the show has been on a massive upswing in recent years as well, with this most reason season being seen as a comeback - one they hopefully can maintain for a while.

I think The Simpsons will likely be one of the best parts of Disney's Fox purchase (if not the best in the long run) and I hope they're able to see it and better it. Universal's theme park rights are set to expire in 2028 according to rumors and I think Disney could make something really special. The current Universal Simpsons has a super old ride and simply feels dated.

Obviously, I have no idea what will happen, but I am sure a lot of people at Disney are trying to decide if Simpsons should come to Disney Parks and how to keep the franchise alive after the original cast/creative team finally calls it quits.

“The Simpsons” is one family-friendly series on Disney+ that stands above the rest as consistently popular with audiences. It had the highest demand last month (52.75 times the average series demand) and has been one of the most popular shows on Disney+ since it first launched.

https://www.thewrap.com/disney-plus-top-tv-shows-movies/

Parrot Analytics, a firm that uses a range of metrics to determine the popularity of shows in the streaming era, estimates that The Simpsons is the eighth-most in-demand show on television in the U.S., at its peak having seen a 24 percent increase in demand between seasons 32 and 34.

I don’t know if you’ve ever spoken to little kids about The Simpsons. I have, and I highly recommend it. Most of them recounted some version of finding the show during the pandemic. Ten-year-old Noemi told me over Zoom that she loved getting COVID because she and her father could watch The Simpsons all day. Noemi’s parents introduced her to the show, but others, like 8-year-old Zane, were led to it by Disney+, where the algorithm recommended this funny-looking yellow-faced family.

https://www.vulture.com/article/the...lytics, a firm that,between seasons 32 and 34.

The Simpsons season 34 was singled out for praise throughout late 2022 and early 2023. Numerous commentators online noted that season 34 was the show’s strongest outing in years, and there are various reasons this season of The Simpsons deserved these accolades.

https://screenrant.com/the-simpsons-season-34-show-comeback-reasons/

Rumors have indicated it could be a 20 year deal, which would put the end of it in 2028, just six years from now. The general assumption is that Disney will let the deal end because in addition to allowing Universal to use The Simpsons in their parks, the deal prevents Disney from doing the same.

https://www.cinemablend.com/theme-p...end-up-getting-replaced-and-disney-factors-in

 

[neo999955]

To be fair. That would be typically Disney. Build something after popularity is faded. Frozen 2013, Moana 2016. We are now half way through 2023. Can someone explain me as to why this is? I know they need to see if things stay popular for a but but i think it was clear way back Frozen was gonna stay. On the other hand big films like Aladdin, The Lion King dont even have proper rides. I dont really get it. This is in no way a hate message. Disney rules my life. I like The Little Mermaid ride and the Moana water thing they are doing. Excited for Tiana although i really liked Splash. I pretty much agree with the whole IP integration. I just really dont get as to why some great big movies dont get the attention they diserve

Moana and Frozen are still immensely popular. Moana is still topping the movie charts on Disney+ and Frozen is a franchise on its own.

It is super sad that amazing classic films don't have rides like TLK and Aladdin - but that doesn't mean that Moana and Frozen won't be as impactful and respected by the next generations as those two have been for ours. At the end of the day, Disney keeps making new films and properties - some good, some bad. Only a handful will hit that classic status as the films you're thinking of - but when it seems clear they have a really good chance to do so - I see no reason not to invest in them now.

 

[UNCgolf]

If the streaming numbers are that good, then there's definitely a chance Disney will do something to get the Simpsons into the parks -- I still don't see them building a whole land, though. They have too many other IPs that are also big draws that don't have representation, plus it seems like they generally want to promote their own newer content rather than things that have been around for a while (this is admittedly a bit different with the Simpsons, since it's still on the air, but I'd imagine the streaming numbers are more focused on older seasons).

 

[Kev1982]

Moana and Frozen are still immensely popular. Moana is still topping the movie charts on Disney+ and Frozen is a franchise on its own.

It is super sad that amazing classic films don't have rides like TLK and Aladdin - but that doesn't mean that Moana and Frozen won't be as impactful and respected by the next generations as those two have been for ours. At the end of the day, Disney keeps making new films and properties - some good, some bad. Only a handful will hit that classic status as the films you're thinking of - but when it seems clear they have a really good chance to do so - I see no reason not to invest in them now.

That is my point. I cant believe (even before announced and cancelled) there is no mary poppins ride. Something with 101 Dalmatians, Bambi, cinderella, sleeping beauty, the jungle book,… I would love an expansion of any Fantasyland with plain old, low tech darkrides. The one next to the other. A true way of keeping them classics alive with new generations and giving the true Disney fan an unbelievable experience. I am sure that if my 4-year old would go on thel rides, he would watch the movies after and probabely love them. Not even talking about added capacity with all omnimover ride systems or boat rides. It doesnt all have to be Pandora (like that one as well). The only franchise i dont care about is Star Wars (but I have to admit I like ROTR too). I m really not hard to please when it comes to Disney.

 

[rd805]

Ratings are down, of course, but streaming numbers are massive. It's been a huge boon to D+ and tons of younger people are discovering it. According to casual googling, the quality of the show has been on a massive upswing in recent years as well, with this most reason season being seen as a comeback - one they hopefully can maintain for a while.

I think The Simpsons will likely be one of the best parts of Disney's Fox purchase (if not the best in the long run) and I hope they're able to see it and better it. Universal's theme park rights are set to expire in 2028 according to rumors and I think Disney could make something really special. The current Universal Simpsons has a super old ride and simply feels dated.

Obviously, I have no idea what will happen, but I am sure a lot of people at Disney are trying to decide if Simpsons should come to Disney Parks and how to keep the franchise alive after the original cast/creative team finally calls it quits.

Disney is not making a Simpson's ride.

 

[Disney Maddux]

I don't understand why they bothered to close it in the first place if they weren't going to do anything with it. As of last year (and I'm sure present day) the space has barley been altered.

AFAIK (and I know this will probably never be used, but I feel it's still worth mentioning), one of the two theaters could still theoretically run the show.

 

[UNCgolf]

I don't understand why they bothered to close it in the first place if they weren't going to do anything with it. As of last year (and I'm sure present day) the space has barley been altered.

Disney's made a bad habit of this -- the same could be said about the entire Wonders of Life pavilion (as well as smaller stuff like the Tomorrowland Terrace and the upstairs shop at Canada). Yes, they lost the sponsor for Wonders of Life... so what? It's not like they needed sponsorship to keep it going. They still opened it seasonally years after the sponsorship was lost before finally shutting it down entirely.

 

[Kev1982]

Disney's made a bad habit of this -- the same could be said about the entire Wonders of Life pavilion (as well as smaller stuff like the Tomorrowland Terrace and the upstairs shop at Canada). Yes, they lost the sponsor for Wonders of Life... so what? It's not like they needed sponsorship to keep it going. They still opened it seasonally years after the sponsorship was lost before finally shutting it down entirely.

What about the whole theater in Animal Kingdom in Asia? Look at TDS. They do day and night time stuff on their lake. (Not talk About the weird kite thing, what even was that???)

 

[JustInTime]

If Disney destroys Dinosaur, they'll have effectively turned over and admitted defeat to Universal regarding the prehistoric realm of animals.

Which is sad because Dinosaur is better at doing Dinos than anything Universal has.

 

[JustInTime]

Just seen Chris Beatty and a gaggle of Imagineer type people leaving Chester and Hester. Unfortunately they were just walking out under the cementosaurus towards the ex Rivers of Light arena (which Chris did a general hand wave towards) before heading towards Asia.

View attachment 738216

On a separate note for those who don’t visit the Dinosaur thread all of the animatronics are now working/have been fixed in the last week or so even the ones that haven’t worked for months. So make of that what you will.

Oh, man. I hope dinosaur stays. Also really hope they put something in the old rivers of light location. A light parade on the water would be perfect.

 

[MR.Dis]

Moana and Frozen are still immensely popular. Moana is still topping the movie charts on Disney+ and Frozen is a franchise on its own.

It is super sad that amazing classic films don't have rides like TLK and Aladdin - but that doesn't mean that Moana and Frozen won't be as impactful and respected by the next generations as those two have been for ours. At the end of the day, Disney keeps making new films and properties - some good, some bad. Only a handful will hit that classic status as the films you're thinking of - but when it seems clear they have a really good chance to do so - I see no reason not to invest in them now.

WDW has one ride that the track is in the ceiling, Peter Pan. This is also one of the consistantly longest lines/wait of any ride in WDW. I have felt since Aladdin came out that a Magic Carpet ride would be a terrific addition, using a track system similar to Peter Pan. Why is it a no body like me can think this stuff up, but the high priced creatives at Disney do not seem capable?

 

[Rich Brownn]

WDW has one ride that the track is in the ceiling, Peter Pan. This is also one of the consistantly longest lines/wait of any ride in WDW. I have felt since Aladdin came out that a Magic Carpet ride would be a terrific addition, using a track system similar to Peter Pan. Why is it a no body like me can think this stuff up, but the high priced creatives at Disney do not seem capable?

The long wait at Pan isn't just based on popularity. It's a low capacity attraction of around 800 pph which is insanely low.

 

[gorillaball]

The long wait at Pan isn't just based on popularity. It's a low capacity attraction of around 800 pph which is insanely low.

Yes, capacity AND popularity. It's also not only about capacity as Buzz, Pooh, Mad Tea Party, Barnstormer and Indy Speedway all with similar or lower capacity don't get the same wait times.

 

[drnilescrane]

Disney's made a bad habit of this -- the same could be said about the entire Wonders of Life pavilion (as well as smaller stuff like the Tomorrowland Terrace and the upstairs shop at Canada). Yes, they lost the sponsor for Wonders of Life... so what? It's not like they needed sponsorship to keep it going. They still opened it seasonally years after the sponsorship was lost before finally shutting it down entirely.

If it's unpopular or only marginally popular - which is a legitimate accusation that can be leveled at Stitch's Great Escape and Body Wars - why bother operating it then the cost to benefit ratio (guest satisfaction) doesn't make sense?

 

[UNCgolf]

If it's unpopular or only marginally popular - which is a legitimate accusation that can be leveled at Stitch's Great Escape and Body Wars - why bother operating it then the cost to benefit ratio (guest satisfaction) doesn't make sense?

Because the parks don't have enough capacity. It's essentially impossible that those attractions were unpopular enough that merely existing as options didn't increase overall guest satisfaction (not to mention Wonders of Life offered far more than just Body Wars), if only due to downstream effects.

And, while I'm sure they try, there's really no way to effectively measure a cost to benefit ratio on an individual attraction unless it was so unpopular as to be essentially unused. There are far too many variables involved. It's also not like they've stopped operating anything else in the parks that doesn't draw a crowd.

None of that really matters to the topic, though. The problem is that they shuttered those spaces and then left them sitting empty for years rather than replace them, which just exacerbates the capacity issues. They're abandoned.

 

[drnilescrane]

Because the parks don't have enough capacity.

Reservations. Fixed.

Because the parks don't have enough capacity. It's essentially impossible that those attractions were unpopular enough that merely existing as options didn't increase overall guest satisfaction (not to mention Wonders of Life offered far more than just Body Wars), if only due to downstream effects.

It's also not like they've stopped operating anything else in the parks that doesn't draw a crowd.

It's not necessarily not drawing a crowd, but certain attractions have been so... disliked... that they're better being closed. Superstar Limo is an infamous example and Stitch was pretty unliked by the end.

And, while I'm sure they try, there's really no way to effectively measure a cost to benefit ratio on an individual attraction unless it was so unpopular as to be essentially unused. There are far too many variables involved.

Essentially in the surveys they send out, they ask you to rate an experience on a scale from 1 to 10. Let's say > 7 is "excellent". An attraction gets "revenue" from the main gate based on its contribution to overall park capacity divided by the amount of guests who rate the experience as "excellent". You need > 80% of guests to rate an attraction as excellent to get the full reimbursement. You also get credit for the sponsorship money. So take Wonders of Life - if few people are rating it excellent, and it looses a sponsor, then suddenly it's in the red.

You then compare the overall park sentiment of people who did ride the attraction and compare it to those who didn't. If it's lower, then clearly there is a problem.

You've got to think like an MBA - if you can't measure it you can't manage it.

 

[UNCgolf]

It's not necessarily not drawing a crowd, but certain attractions have been so... disliked... that they're better being closed. Superstar Limo is an infamous example and Stitch was pretty unliked by the end.

Sure, but I mentioned that. That's an incredibly rare occurrence and certainly doesn't apply to the Wonders of Life pavilion.

Essentially in the surveys they send out, they ask you to rate an experience on a scale from 1 to 10. Let's say > 7 is "excellent". An attraction gets "revenue" from the main gate based on its contribution to overall park capacity divided by the amount of guests who rate the experience as "excellent". You need > 80% of guests to rate an attraction as excellent to get the full reimbursement. You also get credit for the sponsorship money. So take Wonders of Life - if few people are rating it excellent, and it looses a sponsor, then suddenly it's in the red.

You then compare the overall park sentiment of people who did ride the attraction and compare it to those who didn't. If it's lower, then clearly there is a problem.

This is my point, though. That's not especially useful information because of all the variables it doesn't capture -- it doesn't surprise me that Disney uses it that way, but that's bordering on being junk data from a statistical standpoint.

Anyways, I edited my post while you were responding to point out that none of this is really pertinent. The problem is the lack of a replacement -- even if Wonders of Life, Tomorrowland Terrace, Stitch, and other closed spaces around the parks were so despised that they were actually making the parks worse, that's no excuse to just abandon them without a replacement when the parks lack capacity.