Quinnmac000
Well-Known Member
Are you referring to that guy who did a couple Fantasyland dark rides based on Ghibli films? Those weren’t official attempts and never went anywhere within Disney.
While Ramirez sees his Totoro Ride largely as a fun idea, much like the Ghibliland concept developed by Japanese artist Takumi, he does have a serious proposal for the crowd at Studio Ghibli. "I designed and pitched a concept for a parade, but so far Miyazaki-san has said no," he explains. "I haven't given up yet. Maybe this news with my Totoro ride will put me in the spotlight with the studio and they might reconsider."
https://creators.vice.com/en_us/article/mgpnev/my-neighbor-totoro-ride-imagineer
OLC’s licensing contract with Disney requires they use WDI for design work.
FWIW, there’s a pretty good chance Nintendo, one of the few companies that can exert JK level oversight and demands, will regret signing with UNI. Nintendo’s a very demanding and specific company and they’re better off doing themed entertainment projects where they have complete ownership.
UNI may have challenged Disney with its IP multiplex model, but companies like Ghibli or Nintendo could successfully anchor more coherent parks by themselves. An operator with no IP like OLC is best suited to succeed in this coming environment in helping these companies build and operate these parks.
Does Ghilbi or Nintendo ever created theme park rides or have people who work for them who create, design, engineer ride technology? No. Does OLC actually design, create, or engineer any theme park attractions? No. They simply buy IP licenses from owners who develop the scope and ideas for projects and then have them build it and they pay for it and manage the park.
For Ghibli and Nintendo, that sounds like a surefire way to run into issues in the event things are not up to par. So they would still have to hire an outside agency like Thinkwell or Goddard Group to work on concepts etc for the parks which would cause them to spend even more revenue leading a smaller return of investment.