DAK “Zootopia” is being created for the Tree of Life theater

[Tom Morrow]

Opening day Disneyland was mostly a mishmash of IP "crap".

This was already discussed many pages ago in the thread. While this is true, Disneyland change course through the 60's and in the 1970's, DL and MK had a nice mix of IP and non IP. Also to reiterate what was said above, Epcot, DHS, and DAK did not open as IP fests.

Using 1950's Disneyland is also a bad example because nobody is clamming for a return of 1950's Disneyland. The aspects of the parks that made people theme park enthusiasts came later.

 

[Tom Morrow]

Someone here said recently that there is a difference between "Disney Adults" and "Theme Park Enthusiasts" and I 100% agree.

It was me. I made a thread about it a few years back that I might bump because Better Zoogether is a prime example.

https://forums.wdwmagic.com/threads...heme-park-enthusiast-and-disney-adult.980031/

 

[Cmdr_Crimson]

I'm sure after the release of the sequel. Those wait times for this are going to drop to 5 mins...

 

[Brer Panther]

The claims that IP is needed for attractions to be successful is making me wonder... does Disney even have to try?

Like, why bother using fancy trackless technology and A1000 animatronics if the IP tie-in is the only thing people care about? They could just build an amusement park full of flat rides and outdoor roller coasters, unthemed, and scatter cardboard cutouts of Disney characters and give the rides names like "Moana's Teacups" and "Zootopia Coaster" and they'd still get money from these people.

And if the people of the world are really that uncultured and stupid that they'll clap like a trained seal at anything crappy just because it has a movie tie-in... is it really a smart idea for Disney to cater to them? WHILE making the parks too expensive for anyone to afford going to them?

It’s not enough for an attraction to just be based on an IP, it more specifically has to be tied to a franchise. That means a property has to have the right box office and merchandising metrics to even be considered. Disneyland didn’t just open with rides based on its highest box officer performers. Alice in Wonderland got not only an opening day ride but also was one of the early additions.

Yeah, there's no way modern Disney would build something like Mr. Toad. I think the one movie made since Iger took over that was considered a flop that still got an attraction was The Princess and the Frog (maybe Encanto too, but the streaming numbers and popularity are likely why) - and we all know why THAT was the exception.

It's cheaper to turn Epoct, Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom into extensions of the Magic Kingdom than to develop unique park-specific attractions for them that can't potentially be reused in every other location around the world and spread out the costs.

My question is, where exactly in Disneyland would this fit if they wanted to clone it there?

Eh, who am I kidding? The way things are going, they'll probably turn Grizzly Peak into a Zootopia Land and stick it THERE.

 

[TrainsOfDisney]

My question is, where exactly in Disneyland would this fit if they wanted to clone it there?

They’ve got an empty 3d theatre in Tomorrowland.

 

[AidenRodriguez731]

The claims that IP is needed for attractions to be successful is making me wonder... does Disney even have to try?

Like, why bother using fancy trackless technology and A1000 animatronics if the IP tie-in is the only thing people care about? They could just build an amusement park full of flat rides and outdoor roller coasters, unthemed, and scatter cardboard cutouts of Disney characters and give the rides names like "Moana's Teacups" and "Zootopia Coaster" and they'd still get money from these people.

And if the people of the world are really that uncultured and stupid that they'll clap like a trained seal at anything crappy just because it has a movie tie-in... is it really a smart idea for Disney to cater to them? WHILE making the parks too expensive for anyone to afford going to them?

Yeah, there's no way modern Disney would build something like Mr. Toad. I think the one movie made since Iger took over that was considered a flop that still got an attraction was The Princess and the Frog (maybe Encanto too, but the streaming numbers and popularity are likely why) - and we all know why THAT was the exception.

My question is, where exactly in Disneyland would this fit if they wanted to clone it there?

Eh, who am I kidding? The way things are going, they'll probably turn Grizzly Peak into a Zootopia Land and stick it THERE.

I see the problem is you're not listening to the point being articulated.

The IP is needed to get people who wouldn't be overly excited in the doors. It's to get families to maybe push up that vacation because "I have to go see the Moana/Marvel/Encanto thing that Disney just made little Sally/Timmy would LOVE that"

From there, the merchandising and advertisements are very easy. They have the models and basic art. They have voices and contracts already easily obtainable. The merchandise they made for the movie is likely fine for the ride too. The character design is already done. It's a lot harder to try to direct a fully cohesive merchandise line of let's say "intergalactic space astronaut that's gonna be in this ride" when EVERYONE knows how Groot looks from all sides. And everyone loves Groot! It saves a ton of time and money and overall makes the general population far happier. Sure you MIGHT get lightning in a bottle and get something that becomes a touchstone in pop culture like Haunted Mansion is... or you can get an expensive flop that's gonna stick around for the next 20 years. Disney realized over time that their movies is where its easier to play the risky game, they're expected to have quite a few flops. The parks are MUCH harder to justify the flops in their eyes/stockholders eyes as they are more concrete and you an't really push them down. Who knows you make a movie thats a cultural icon out of nowhere like Encanto and can feed a character meet and greet, parade float, ride, merchandise location, food, drinks, etc. You make something like Wish and you can mostly bury it, no real problem (even though Disney is still trying to make it work with a parade float + meet and greet.

You make Superstar Limo/Journey into YOUR Imagination/etc and you're REALLY fighting an uphill battle. A bad IP based attraction will still atleast often appeal to kids. They can sing along, see their favorite characters, and have a good time even if its not a Grade A attraction. This is not to say that Disney shouldn't try. They should be doing the absolutely best they can and they sometimes do not hit that mark.


The IP will attract people in the door, the quality keeps them wanting it again and again. Prevents it from being a one and done. There are plenty of rides without IPs that are successful and rides with them that are not. It's no guarantee at all. It's just a lot safer of a bet and leads to a lot more possibility for a company.

 

[flynnibus]

The claims that IP is needed for attractions to be successful

Said no one ever

 

[HonorableMention]

I think this is a poor fit for the Tree of Life Theater. The talk show aesthetic of the “in-person” parts totally clashes with the natural feeling of the space. And the Nick and Judy portions of the show are reminiscent of the Disney movie previews that were shown in DCA’s theater toward the end of its life. It feels weird.

Why is the audience feeling in-theater effects if they’re supposed to be watching a live feed? This is the most early 2000’s Universal a Disney 3D show has ever felt.

I do find it hilarious that the “VIP” seat Clawhauser gets is next to the stage where you…wouldn’t be able to see anything.

 

[MisterPenguin]

Why is the audience feeling in-theater effects if they’re supposed to be watching a live feed?

The Carrot-Vision glasses make you 'feel' what is happening at the remote place.

You're not drenched in water. You think you feel like you're drenched in water.

Shoulda had us hook up to an animal avatar, and, thanks to science, it really feels like we're there!!! Sivak'ho!!

 

[HMF]

Thats a much simpler way of putting everything I said together. I like that one.

That is an actual Futurama quote.

 

[HMF]

I've been hoping that Disney "learned" from that cluster that they are wrong to just count on the ultra-wealthy to survive.

I think a lot of people are learning that lesson now.

 

[HMF]

Using 1950's Disneyland is also a bad example because nobody is clamming for a return of 1950's Disneyland. The aspects of the parks that made people theme park enthusiasts came later.

Also keep in mind that 1950s Disneyland was still in the process of discovering what it was because the concept of a "Theme" park had never been tried before and most business people (Like The kind of business people running Disney today) expected it to be a gigantic failure. Disneyland would not be built today if the theme park formula didn't already exist, Never mind EPCOT or any other themed park. We would have never evolved past midway fairgrounds if Walt had listened to the "Experts".

 

[HMF]

They’ve got an empty 3d theatre in Tomorrowland.

I think TDA has forgotten Tomorrowland exists at this point.

 

[WondersOfLife]

That is an actual Futurama quote.

Is it?

 

[Brer Panther]

Said no one ever

Isn't that what some people on here are arguing?

Why is the audience feeling in-theater effects if they’re supposed to be watching a live feed?

And how are Judy and Nick able to talk to Clawhauser if it's a live feed? It's like they forgot about that halfway through...

 

[AidenRodriguez731]

Isn't that what some people on here are arguing?

And how are Judy and Nick able to talk to Clawhauser if it's a live feed? It's like they forgot about that halfway through...

The same way the weather channel does?

 

[𝐌𝖆𝖓 𝖎𝖓 𝐖𝖊𝖇]

The same way the weather channel does?

???

 

[AidenRodriguez731]

???

News/weather channels are able to see each other and often talk between each other because they have a screen/ or “call in to a live feed

 

[jah4955]

I think TDA has forgotten Tomorrowland exists at this point.

Although I'm really hoped/thought/expected something announced by Expo 2024, I'd still (foolishly) like to think (but highly unlikely) plans will be unveiled 2026. But for even more optimism...In recent days Brickey echoed his belief that they won't do anything until they have the "perfect" plan that will justify "starting over" & completely redoing most/all of the entire eastern third of Disneyland (TL buildings, Autopia, lagoon)...akin to the logic behind re-doing Magic Kingdom's northwestern quadrant in one fell swoop. Only time will tell if they indeed had the "perfect" plan for MK.

 

[jah4955]

Using 1950's Disneyland is also a bad example because nobody is clamming for a return of 1950's Disneyland. The aspects of the parks that made people theme park enthusiasts came later.

No one's clamming for it because the best parts of 1950's Disneyland survive. One part of the 50's I was never, ever envious of was the overwhelming glut of Westerns on TV and in cinema (I love how Tex Avery had the foresight to parody it during its peak (His MGM cartoon: T.V. of Tomorrow)). It even annoyed Walt at times, but he gave the public what they clamored for at that time. Imo, overall, 2025 DL Frontierland is better than 1955 Frontierland (though it'd be great to bring back saloon show).