DHS Monster Inc Land Coming to Disney's Hollywood Studios

[Casper Gutman]

If only Hollywood studios had a gigantic underutilized parking lot to permit expansion.

Oh well, I’ll just wait for WDI to tell me how wonderful they are telling stories and other slop on TikTok

Doesn’t this project cut off a key point of access to a massive pad that was cleared for SWL before that project was moved?

 

[JackCH]

It would pair well enough with Little Mermaid and it is animated.

I wouldn't hate that. Would certainly prefer it to Zootopia.

 

[Casper Gutman]

Building off the exciting announcements from last summer’s D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event, the new land will include the coaster we’ve all dreamed of – a suspended ride recreating the door vault scene – plus dining and shopping and a whole new theater show.

Monsters and Muppet Updates for Hollywood Studios

Enter the world of Monsters, Inc. when it is added to the south side of Hollywood Studios, while The Muppets move to Sunset Boulevard.

disneyparksblog.com

Any other speculation that it's going to turn into something else is just fear mongering at this point.

Yeah, it’s crazy! Based on nothing but Disney’s multi-decade track record, the nature of the PR release, and the concept art.

Look, maybe there will be a show. And maybe it will be their first decent show since the original Nemo. But the art reinforces that the point of this project is to change (and spend) as little as possible, so either it’s a 3D movie - and I’m not sure Disney is enamored by those - a meet n greet, or they have to do some major work to reconfigure the space.

 

[ctrlaltdel]

Cars 2 was the peak, with the highest grossing world wide box office in 2011. Cars 3 and Planes failed to maintain that popularity and stumbled significantly, not capturing the audience that the first to movies in the franchise attracted.

The last film was released in 2017 and was the low point of the franchise. If there were a desire to capitalize on the popularity of franchise, a company like Disney which has been hellbent on pumping out sequels would have already had Cars 4 in the works. 8 years later and still nothing.

The same can be said about Monsters with nothing theatrically being developed since Monsters U in 2013.

I'm sure they all have their fans, but they are some of the weaker IP to headline entire lands in two separate parks that are presumably going to be around for the next couple of decades.

The movies themselves were definitely on the lower end of financial success for the golden age of Pixar, but it is probably the greatest merchandising juggernaut Pixar ever produced. That is why it has and will continue to find a place in the parks. Also Cars Land has been a massive success so it's proven from a theme park perspective. It is personally my favorite single IP land in any park.

 

[Casper Gutman]

The door coaster is one of the easiest, slam dunk ideas ever for a theme park attraction. Pixar essentially gift-wrapped the ride to WDI. Still wild it took over 20 years to get approved.

It’s a weak idea for an attraction, particularly as it is being implemented, and is spectacular evidence for the fact that fans will look at any kinetic scene in a movie and feel clever saying “that should be a ride,” with no understanding of what makes an IP special or what makes an attraction work.

 

[monothingie]

Struggling in what way? Merch or food sales?

I can only speak anecdotally, but it seemed to be quite the draw when we visited last summer.

Struggling to get people there in the later half of the day.

 

[Casper Gutman]

IMHO this new design looks so much better than the cramped nook it will be expanded from.

It’s the exact same thing with a building Disney abandoned removed.

 

[mattpeto]

Yeah, it’s crazy! Based on nothing but Disney’s multi-decade track record, the nature of the PR release, and the concept art.

Look, maybe there will be a show. And maybe it will be their first decent show since the original Nemo. But the art reinforces that the point of this project is to change (and spend) as little as possible, so either it’s a 3D movie - and I’m not sure Disney is enamored by those - a meet n greet, or they have to do some major work to reconfigure the space.

I honestly don't see how we can make this assumption based on the art, but I guess we'll see.

 

[Casper Gutman]

Let’s not pretend they don’t have future plans for that space down the road.

Come on.

 

[happybear025]

I’m still just confused about anchoring all this on a movie that is 24 years old and honestly doesn’t age as well as the hand drawn classics. The kids look downright scary/other worldly at this point.

 

[Casper Gutman]

I honestly don't see how we can make this assumption based on the art, but I guess we'll see.

The word “Meet” in the art isn’t a great sign, especially when considered with other evidence. Nothing definitive, but when considering things like this it’s always wise to consider modern Disneys attitudes and way of thinking.

 

[happybear025]

If we're being so for real.... I know they *mentioned* stage show. And that could mean anything, I guess. But this should stay a 3D show VERY similar to how Muppet*Vision 3D was..

It seems so simple.. Have Pete Doctor work with his team to come up with a great 3D show with Mike and Sulley. He is great with story treatments-adding humor and heart.
Have Roz be an AA that is in the balcony where Waldorf and Statler sat, interacting with the characters on screen throughout. On the other balcony (where Bean is) have a Boo AA.

And have maybe George as a costumed character coming out during the show, with hilarious gags of shouting "2319!" because he's around all us humans.

My daughter wants to watch Monster’s Laugh Floor multiple times each trip, and it just really hammers home how dated and one note the Roz joke is.

I mean, come on. It was a clever parody and a cheeky inclusion 25 freakin years ago. Pretending it is some iconic peak of comedy is making it lose all endearment at this point.

How terrified is the Disney corp that they have to cling to a mildly clever joke from that long ago?

 

[EagleScout610]

Call me when someone says "Ladder on site" Perferrably one with googly eyes to fit the Monster theme

 

[mattpeto]

The word “Meet” in the art isn’t a great sign, especially when considered with other evidence. Nothing definitive, but when considering things like this it’s always wise to consider modern Disneys attitudes and way of thinking.

It would be really bad optics if they decide to change course. They know people are gonna want a proper replacement for MuppetVision.

I am still going with what they said: “whole new theater show.”.

 

[happybear025]

I get that a lot of you guys are older but it still sometimes shocks me how inaccurate your pulse is of what’s popular with the general public. Some bold takes in here.

I have a 7 year old daughter and I would say the 5-10 year old awareness level of Monsters INC is VERY low and not rising to any emotional connection. The movies are extremely outdated animation that looks distinctly odd at this point: I mean specifically the children.

CARS are still popular but they skew much younger. No 8 or 9 year old boys are proudly wearing or indulging in CARS merch.

 

[happybear025]

Fully agree. Monsters, Inc is easily a top shelf, A+, tried and true property that deserves this treatment.

Seriously? I’m so confused by this. It was one good movie from 25 years ago.

 

[doctornick]

Doesn’t this project cut off a key point of access to a massive pad that was cleared for SWL before that project was moved?

Not really. The Echo Lake Star wars plans was basically replacing the IJ stunt show and Backlot Express (plus some backstage buildings like the parade storage) and constructing onto the parking lot next to them. If those buildings are removed, that can still easily be used and the Monsters plans not interfere at all.

 

[doctornick]

Seriously? I’m so confused by this. It was one good movie from 25 years ago.

One great move, a decent sequel and a good TV series. Also moved a decent amount of merch in its day. Not sure how much better an IP can be really outside of a large scale franchise in the Marvel or Star Wars vein.

 

[ctrlaltdel]

It’s a weak idea for an attraction, particularly as it is being implemented, and is spectacular evidence for the fact that fans will look at any kinetic scene in a movie and feel clever saying “that should be a ride,” with no understanding of what makes an IP special or what makes an attraction work.

Personally, I disagree. To each their own though.

I am also legitimately excited for the ride, not merely trying to be clever. Little insulting to infer otherwise.

 

[Casper Gutman]

It would be really bad optics if they decide to change course. They know people are gonna want a proper replacement for MuppetVision.

They absolutely don’t care. A few fans online would complain while the great majority would remain brand loyal. In a year or two Disney will start selling Muppets 3D merch to profit off the removal.

A lot of folks believe Disney thinks like park fans. It doesn’t.