DHS Monster Inc Land Coming to Disney's Hollywood Studios

[SamusAranX]

Is it? Corporate synergy isn't one of the primary things I look for in a theme park experience.

I’d argue Disney is quickly becoming (or already basically is) Universal Studios. Just IP wherever and that’s every park now except AK.

 

[Disstevefan1]

I’d argue Disney is quickly becoming (or already basically is) Universal Studios. Just IP wherever and that’s every park now except AK.

Disney did forfeit dinosaurs and dragons in AK to Universal.

 

[Tony the Tigger]

Not in the way suggested, no. Just because the same studio made two things doesn't mean that they "make sense" next to each other. What does Monstropolis have to do with Andy's backyard? Nothing. Putting them next to each other only means something if you have external knowledge of who made Monsters Inc. and who made Toy Story. Should Cars Road Rally and Space Ranger Spin go directly next to each other in Magic Kingdom for the same reason despite their wildly different theming?

Neither do the various princess, heroes, or villains groupings have anything to do with each other.

 

[Tony the Tigger]

Is it? Corporate synergy isn't one of the primary things I look for in a theme park experience.

But it should realistically be expected. Businesses gotta business.

 

[James Alucobond]

Neither do the various princess, heroes, or villains groupings have anything to do with each other.

I don't understand your point as it relates to the original statement that was made. Another poster suggested that two discrete lands (Monstropolis and Toy Story Land) "would make more sense" if situated next to each other because both were created by Pixar. But themed lands are not arranged by studio; that is entirely inconsequential to the experience of the parks. Yes, things that are vaguely superficially similar get grouped together within lands (as in your example of pseudo-European princesses congregating in medieval-styled Fantasyland), but the lands themselves, even when 100% IP-based, have never been physically arranged such that they fit into some weird corporate notion of who owns what property. If there is a logic to their positioning, it tends to focus more on which lands can transition into one another most easily when adjacent, but no such visual similarity exists between Monstropolis and Andy's backyard.

 

[Timothy_Q]

I think everyone is just arguing over semantics at this point

Is there any thematic link between Monstropolis and Andy's backyward? No

Would the transitions feel more organic if colorful lands based on animated properties were on one side of the park, and Galaxy's Edge, Star Tours and Indiana Jones were on the other? Yes

 

[MisterPenguin]

Disney did forfeit dinosaurs and dragons in AK to Universal.

We call them "Ikrans."

 

[Disstevefan1]

We call them "Ikrans."

Well yes. FoP is my favorite attraction in WDW.

 

[disneylandtour]

IMO the Disney parks are heading that way with a hodgepodge of random IP

The Heyday for this was a couple of decades ago with the Barbie show in EPCOT, and Power Rangers and Goosebumps in Disney MGM. On this front, at least, things are presently better.

 

[James Alucobond]

Would the transitions feel more organic if colorful lands based on animated properties were on one side of the park, and Galaxy's Edge, Star Tours and Indiana Jones were on the other? Yes

Monstropolis is, by design, a fairly standard cityscape that is not especially colorful, both in the film and the proposed land. The featured central building will be a factory. If you actually want visual cohesion between Toy Story Land and whatever goes next to it, there are better properties (and non-Pixar ones at that) to put in Animation Courtyard. Also, I am unconvinced that a park split in two between cartoons and not-cartoons is an especially good idea.

 

[TrainsOfDisney]

I am unconvinced that a park split in two between cartoons and not-cartoons is an especially good idea.

Traditionally - all cartoons were part of Fantasyland - one land of the park.

 

[UNCgolf]

Traditionally - all cartoons were part of Fantasyland - one land of the park.

Sort of -- Pecos Bill is a cartoon and has been in Frontierland since opening day of the Magic Kingdom, although that's admittedly just the name and not something themed directly to the cartoon.

There have also been cartoons in Tomorrowland for almost thirty years now.

 

[James Alucobond]

Traditionally - all cartoons were part of Fantasyland - one land of the park.

Again, one land containing the majority of the cartoon characters who happen to be present in a larger park is not the same as suggesting that half of a park be three contiguous fully cartoon-themed (though otherwise unrelated) lands and the other half of the park be three contiguous live action-themed (though otherwise unrelated) lands.

 

[UNCgolf]

Monstropolis is, by design, a fairly standard cityscape that is not especially colorful, both in the film and the proposed land. The featured central building will be a factory. If you actually want visual cohesion between Toy Story Land and whatever goes next to it, there are better properties (and non-Pixar ones at that) to put in Animation Courtyard. Also, I am unconvinced that a park split in two between cartoons and not-cartoons is an especially good idea.

I don't think it's really a bad idea; it would just be arbitrary. Not sure how it would improve the park (not suggesting it would hurt the park either) to put all Pixar properties together vs. having them spread out.

It's not like Ratatouille and Wall-E would make any sense grouped together beyond being Pixar; they have nothing else in common.

 

[James Alucobond]

I don't think it's really a bad idea; it would just be arbitrary. Not sure how it would improve the park (not suggesting it would hurt the park either) to put all Pixar properties together vs. having them spread out.

Based on the planned attractions, I do think it'd be bad in terms of ride distribution. You'd have Slinky Dog, the Monsters Coaster, and the Muppets Coaster all in a row. It makes more sense to add some level of thrill to three staggered lands rather than to insert the new one between the other two as a connector.

 

[UNCgolf]

Based on the planned attractions, I do think it'd be bad in terms of ride distribution. You'd have Slinky Dog, the Monsters Coaster, and the Muppets Coaster all in a row. It makes more sense to add some level of thrill to three staggered lands rather than to insert the new one between the other two as a connector.

I meant in general without any specific context -- I agree that having the three coasters together wouldn't be great.

 

[Animaniac93-98]

I’d argue Disney is quickly becoming (or already basically is) Universal Studios. Just IP wherever and that’s every park now except AK.

I've been saying this too. "Ride the movies" is their design philosophy today as well.

 

[Animaniac93-98]

To be fair, 'external knowledge of who made" a particular film is the organizing principle of every single Disney theme park. Pooh and Snow White, Cars and Guardians of the Galaxy, Toy Story and Star Wars - the only link is that 'external knowledge.'

Disney's Hollywood Studios in the 2020s is the modern template for all Disney Parks going forward.

A collection of IP lands and rides with just enough capacity to draw interest, but not so much that you can't avoid paying for additional services like LL and feel obligated to book everything in advance.

They haven't really learned much from the failed launch of WDSP.

 

[TrainsOfDisney]

They haven't really learned much from the failed launch of WDSP.

Since they are actually adding attractions and entertainment to that park they apparently aren’t following that design.

 

[phillip9698]

Interesting take. I guess it's like the runway looks on a fashion show. Impressive in some ways. But, who (besides Disney) would actually want or buy these things. They just aren't needed for most other installations and add time and complexity to the attraction. (Not saying that's a bad thing - especially for Disney. Rather, "unnecessary" for most of the industry.)

There are theme parks across the world other than Disney who also look to feature world class attractions.