Call me crazy. but the repertoire of IP (Intellectual Property) that Disney has accumulated since the original opening of Epcot is probably pushing the idea that Future World should now starting looking like some of it. Perhaps the greatest example right now is Xandar, home of the Nova Corps from Guardians of the Galaxy. Perhaps we'll even see Glenn Close at the opening. Perhaps the next Guardians movie will have a great big sphere in some city that looks eerily like, well, you know. There's a synergy.
I think Xandar might be considered as close to a Future Utopia as exists in Disney's IPs, and IPs seem to be driving development. Universal, prior to Harry Potter, was a mishmash. But Harry Potter, probably the biggest IP out there right now, took Universal to a whole 'nuther level. Face it: "Come to Epcot to see our vision of the future" is not as exciting for 80% of the population as "Come to Epcot to see the Guardians of the Galaxy and ___________." Don't be surprised if Tomorrowland also starts looking more like its movie, with George Clooney and Hugh Laurie lookalikes wandering around.
I'm assuming Disney sees this as the future. Without IPs, guests don't flood as much, especially new guests. With IPs, lots more people are willing to come to your park. That whole idea harkens back to the original Disneyland. All parks before were a hodgepodge, and had no real themes. Come in, ride the rides, and adults sit on dirty benches while strung out carnies chomp on cigars and ogle your daughters. Walt not only brought safety, cleanliness and impeccable service to Disneyland, he brought the characters. And I would argue that it was the characters (and places from the movies like Sleeping Beauty's Castle and Davy Crocket's outpost) that brought the majority of new visitors. The safety, cleanliness and service kept bringing them back, but the IPs also kept them coming back AND brought in all those new people. It also sold tons of merch that vague themes could not.
Originally, Epcot was to have no characters or connections to any movies or TV shows. Nice idea, but the guest surveys immediately pushed for the characters. Theme dilution started very early. Eventually the character bus started to show up, and Mickey and the gang wore space suits at Mission Space while each country had there own March Hare, Bell, Alladin, Mulan or the rest. Then the Cabelleros and Nemo opened the flood gates even further with their own retreaded attractions. Face it, the original theme for Future World and World showcase has been compromised for a long time. Maybe Big Hero 6 could revitalize Wonders of Life. Maybe some character in some future movie will ride a hang glider and then stand outside Soarin'.
Bottom Line: Many new guests to Orlando would rather see Harry Potter than some vague notion of the Future, so how is Disney to respond? Obviously with its own huge repertoire of IPs. Whether you like it or not, it's coming, just like a Clinton or Trump Presidency. Bemoan it, grumble, and grind your teeth, but face the future with calm strength rather than angry nostalgic hopes.
I think Xandar might be considered as close to a Future Utopia as exists in Disney's IPs, and IPs seem to be driving development. Universal, prior to Harry Potter, was a mishmash. But Harry Potter, probably the biggest IP out there right now, took Universal to a whole 'nuther level. Face it: "Come to Epcot to see our vision of the future" is not as exciting for 80% of the population as "Come to Epcot to see the Guardians of the Galaxy and ___________." Don't be surprised if Tomorrowland also starts looking more like its movie, with George Clooney and Hugh Laurie lookalikes wandering around.
I'm assuming Disney sees this as the future. Without IPs, guests don't flood as much, especially new guests. With IPs, lots more people are willing to come to your park. That whole idea harkens back to the original Disneyland. All parks before were a hodgepodge, and had no real themes. Come in, ride the rides, and adults sit on dirty benches while strung out carnies chomp on cigars and ogle your daughters. Walt not only brought safety, cleanliness and impeccable service to Disneyland, he brought the characters. And I would argue that it was the characters (and places from the movies like Sleeping Beauty's Castle and Davy Crocket's outpost) that brought the majority of new visitors. The safety, cleanliness and service kept bringing them back, but the IPs also kept them coming back AND brought in all those new people. It also sold tons of merch that vague themes could not.
Originally, Epcot was to have no characters or connections to any movies or TV shows. Nice idea, but the guest surveys immediately pushed for the characters. Theme dilution started very early. Eventually the character bus started to show up, and Mickey and the gang wore space suits at Mission Space while each country had there own March Hare, Bell, Alladin, Mulan or the rest. Then the Cabelleros and Nemo opened the flood gates even further with their own retreaded attractions. Face it, the original theme for Future World and World showcase has been compromised for a long time. Maybe Big Hero 6 could revitalize Wonders of Life. Maybe some character in some future movie will ride a hang glider and then stand outside Soarin'.
Bottom Line: Many new guests to Orlando would rather see Harry Potter than some vague notion of the Future, so how is Disney to respond? Obviously with its own huge repertoire of IPs. Whether you like it or not, it's coming, just like a Clinton or Trump Presidency. Bemoan it, grumble, and grind your teeth, but face the future with calm strength rather than angry nostalgic hopes.
