News Disney Not Renewing Great Movie Ride Sponsorship Deal with TCM ; Attraction to Close

[Cesar R M]

Great dialogue trumps overblown effects every time.

This has proven true so many times it isnt funny.
Anyone remember Gods of Egypt, or how the new BEN-HUR sucked ?
Those were special effect plastics (almost as bad as the latest transformers)

 

[Cesar R M]

The modern city setting is what would clash with the rest of the park. Avatar is also an IP but imo is a great fit with the parks message.

Agree with you, the only way it would somehow fit is.. build the Zootopia town center in DHS and link via train to Rainforest district in AK.

 

[AEfx]

I hope this is true. Great Movie Ride, just like Backlot Tour, Universe of Energy, Maelstrom, etc had their time but now they are just not relevant. The parks badly need this shot in the arm they have been getting.

I just can't see putting GMR in those categories, since it has such a clear upgrade path.

The Backlot Tour should have been gone by the turn of the century - that one I'll grant, no question. Not to mention the fact that public interest in "how movies are made" has been thoroughly sated over the years (along with how those films are made - mostly by people sitting at computer cubicles).

UoE is a political problem with Disney, and part of the larger "Epcot situation" - where you have an entire park facing an identity crisis. WS has it's own ball of cultural sensitivity issues when it comes to update, but "Future World" was in fact doomed from the outset unfortunately, as science and knowledge and the "future" has become so politicized. There is no way Disney can simply update UoE with new film footage, etc. and not royally alienate some segment of the population or another as energy is one of the most controversial aspects of modern times. But...Disney cannot afford to close it without something radically new that takes years to build because it sucks guests into an air-conditioned building for nearly an hour of their day.

Maelstrom - I've gotten into that enough previously before, but yeah - I understood very much why it went, as much as I did like that creepy little dark ride.

But GMR? It's a big warehouse with standing sets that could be easily updated and replaced, with virtually unlimited choices for what could be added within. The ride system is fine as is, it just needs about half of the sets removed/replaced/redressed with new AA's. One could list many dozens of possibilities to replace some of the lagging scenes that need to be replaced.

Unlike the others, nothing is inherently outdated either conceptually or otherwise about GRM. It's the most no-brainer update imaginable, and it really is the cornerstone of that park, the one truly unique thing about it - and really one of the most classically "Disney" attractions left.

 

[Buried20KLeague]

I guess I can't comment on Sinbad because i've never actually stayed awake through the whole ride ...but I don't see how it's better than any similar ride at WDW?

Aaaaaaaaaaand... Right there you lose all credibility with me.

Coming from someone else with multiple Asia park trips under their belt.

 

[RSoxNo1]

It's amazing they waited so long to give Ariel a dark ride and then it wasn't even well executed

People salivating over the "what could have been" Mermaid ride need to put that in perspective. To me that looked like a step above Peter Pan's Flight. There very well could have been grander scenes than what was received, but the animatronics also could have been more primitive.

We like to sensationalize what could have been. Until it's actually built it's harder to criticize it.

 

[Bocabear]

People salivating over the "what could have been" Mermaid ride need to put that in perspective. To me that looked like a step above Peter Pan's Flight. There very well could have been grander scenes than what was received, but the animatronics also could have been more primitive.

We like to sensationalize what could have been. Until it's actually built it's harder to criticize it.

It's true...Mermaid is not bad at all, actually quite nice, there was just too much buildup to the point they decided to do something...and as a cornerstone to the new Fantasyland, I think expectation was a lot higher... but it is not a bad ride at all...

 

[RSoxNo1]

It's true...Mermaid is not bad at all, actually quite nice, there was just too much buildup to the point they decided to do something...and as a cornerstone to the new Fantasyland, I think expectation was a lot higher... but it is not a bad ride at all...

I don't think that's true at all. We knew exactly what Mermaid was going to be, it opened in DCA first. New Fantasyland's original sales pitch was Princess central but we were told by numerous people on here that it was never intended to be a capacity boost.

Having said that, I believe Rasulo referred to Mermaid as an E-ticket.

 

[Horizons '83]

It's true...Mermaid is not bad at all, actually quite nice, there was just too much buildup to the point they decided to do something...and as a cornerstone to the new Fantasyland, I think expectation was a lot higher... but it is not a bad ride at all...

I agree, there is actually quite a lot to look at and its a great escape from the hoards of crowds at 7DMT. I don't think I have ever waited more than 10 minutes for this one, but still its something I still try to hit every time I return to the World.

 

[brb1006]

IMHO the main issue with Zootopia at DAK is that Zootopia is very fictional -- it's animals acting in very non-animal ways. I think any of the anthropomorphic animals (like Robin Hood or Chicken Little) aren't good fits for DAK.* I'd rather see stuff like Bambi, Jungle Book, Fox & the Hound, Lady and the Tramp, etc where the animals are animals, but we just understand them. Zootopia is somewhat incongruous with how nature is celebrated in the park and the urban environment would be an odd contrast to the rest of the park.

Pandora thematically fits the conservation message and is still a depiction of nature, albeit a made up natural environment.

That all said, DAK will need additional expansion for the longer hours and I'd welcome Zootopia if the alternative is nothing. Though live action Jungle Book definitely deserves a ride in Asia as well.

*Yes, Mickey and company also fit this bill. I'm okay with them appearing in minor things like M&G's just because they at the center of the company, but would have the same complain if (say) the Mickey ride talked about in this thread was planned for DAK.

I always thought about AK gaining it's own land that is more themed to an actual forest (North American Forest) and not the type seen in fairy tales. I'm thinking more of the area to be based on the design for the forest seen in Bambi. Except much bigger then Camp Minnie Mickey and gaining it's own attractions.

 

[Seabasealpha1]

I always thought about AK gaining it's own land that is more themed to an actual forest and not the type seen in fairy tales. I'm thinking more of the area to be based on the design for the forest seen in Bambi. Except much bigger then Camp Minnie Mickey and gaining it's own attractions.

So...like...a North America section?

 

[Bocabear]

Yeah and I also think that area could be dedicated more to Woodland animals found in forests such as raccoons,bunnies, bears etc. Plus that area can be a new location for meet and greet animal characters like Thumper and Miss Bunny who were easy to find during the last few years of Camp Minnie Mickey's existence. The Tree Of Life does have a carving of a deer and a very well hidden bunny after all.

Dear God no! No more new sections based on Meet & Greets!...because that's all TWDC will hear...not a new section full of attractions, but another ridiculous meet and greet featuring more characters no one cares about ....except it is something to do because there are so few actual attractions! ...How about something of substance...

 

[Mike S]

People salivating over the "what could have been" Mermaid ride need to put that in perspective. To me that looked like a step above Peter Pan's Flight. There very well could have been grander scenes than what was received, but the animatronics also could have been more primitive.

We like to sensationalize what could have been. Until it's actually built it's harder to criticize it.

Even with primitive animatronics it could've been a better ride. Imo, Alice in Wonderland at Disneyland is a much better ride than Mermaid and it's from the 50's with some updates over the years. I may be alone with this one, but WDW's SWSA was a better and more complete experience than SDMT too. All SDMT has going for it is the coaster bit. I'll take all the old show scenes any day over the one mine scene.

I don't think that's true at all. We knew exactly what Mermaid was going to be, it opened in DCA first. New Fantasyland's original sales pitch was Princess central but we were told by numerous people on here that it was never intended to be a capacity boost.

Having said that, I believe Rasulo referred to Mermaid as an E-ticket.

A flat out lie.

So...like...a North America section?

I'd take either South America or Australia before NA.

 

[marni1971]

Having said that, I believe Rasulo referred to Mermaid as an E-ticket.

He did and said a lot of things.

Where is he now?

 

[aladdin2007]

He did and said a lot of things.

Where is he now?

maybe in walmart, where a couple others belong.

 

[doctornick]

I'd take either South America or Australia before NA.

I'd like to see a "critter country" (perhaps North American forest themed) as a home to cartoon toons in the short term to increase attraction capacity at DAK for longer hours. It would surely appeal to IP obsessed execs as well. I've envisioned something like that being build off the path between Africa and Pandora to round out that side of the park. If they really must, an area themed to Zootopia could also be used, though I'd prefer something more generic.

Long term, I'd love to see a large expansion themed to Australia or South America north of Asia in the huge undeveloped plot. Perhaps with a redevelopment of the train to actually be used as transport between multiple lands.

 

[brb1006]

I'd like to see a "critter country" (perhaps North American forest themed) as a home to cartoon toons in the short term to increase attraction capacity at DAK for longer hours. It would surely appeal to IP obsessed execs as well. I've envisioned something like that being build off the path between Africa and Pandora to round out that side of the park. If they really must, an area themed to Zootopia could also be used, though I'd prefer something more generic.

Long term, I'd love to see a large expansion themed to Australia or South America north of Asia in the huge undeveloped plot. Perhaps with a redevelopment of the train to actually be used as transport between multiple lands.

That area could be sponsored by NPS (National Park Service) if Disney still does sponsorship for certain attractions and areas.

 

[RSoxNo1]

He did and said a lot of things.

Where is he now?

 

[Cesar R M]

I just can't see putting GMR in those categories, since it has such a clear upgrade path.

The Backlot Tour should have been gone by the turn of the century - that one I'll grant, no question. Not to mention the fact that public interest in "how movies are made" has been thoroughly sated over the years (along with how those films are made - mostly by people sitting at computer cubicles).

UoE is a political problem with Disney, and part of the larger "Epcot situation" - where you have an entire park facing an identity crisis. WS has it's own ball of cultural sensitivity issues when it comes to update, but "Future World" was in fact doomed from the outset unfortunately, as science and knowledge and the "future" has become so politicized. There is no way Disney can simply update UoE with new film footage, etc. and not royally alienate some segment of the population or another as energy is one of the most controversial aspects of modern times. But...Disney cannot afford to close it without something radically new that takes years to build because it sucks guests into an air-conditioned building for nearly an hour of their day.

Maelstrom - I've gotten into that enough previously before, but yeah - I understood very much why it went, as much as I did like that creepy little dark ride.

But GMR? It's a big warehouse with standing sets that could be easily updated and replaced, with virtually unlimited choices for what could be added within. The ride system is fine as is, it just needs about half of the sets removed/replaced/redressed with new AA's. One could list many dozens of possibilities to replace some of the lagging scenes that need to be replaced.

Unlike the others, nothing is inherently outdated either conceptually or otherwise about GRM. It's the most no-brainer update imaginable, and it really is the cornerstone of that park, the one truly unique thing about it - and really one of the most classically "Disney" attractions left.

speaking of warehouses. How many soundstages and warehouses DHS has free with nothing inside?

 

[Cesar R M]

maybe in walmart, where a couple others belong.

Probably working at costco. "welcome to costo, we love you"

 

[Siren]

For many people, your assessment is probably spot on. I would like to suggest a little nuance that may apply to another group.

It's not actually about authenticity. It's about spirit and ease. This is difficult for me to describe, so if it doesn't register, I apologize in advance, but here it goes:

The idea of Old Hollywood at DHS (or MGM) was something that couldn't actually be visited. Not only because it was themed to a past many decades ago, but also because it never actually existed as depicted. In that way, guests got to enjoy the spirit of Hollywood, not an authentic recreation. Authenticity requires all sorts of things that most of us would rather not worry about on vacation. For example, no trip to a major city is complete without panhandlers, a slightly greater possibility of pick-pocketing or petty crime, pollution, traffic, etc.

Specifically when it comes to World Showcase, the goal is not to replace a trip to the actual country. It is about getting a taste without the travel, language barrier, currency exchange, visas and all the other minor annoyances that would add up quickly if you were to try to take a trip that visited that many countries. In some ways it's like a travel brochure, you get to see some architecture, cuisine, etc. without getting the full experience. So it is authentic, but only in so far as it is acknowledged to be a "sanitized" experience with limited scope.

I suppose what it boils down to for this group is that they enjoy the "Disney" version of real places. In some ways I guess it could be viewed as similar to a zoo. You get to see animals, but it's nothing like animals would be in the "real world". They aren't eating each other, threatening you for approaching them, separated by thousands of miles and different climates or any of the other real world "problems" with visiting wildlife.

It's not necessarily that people prefer World Showcase over the real thing (although some definitely do), it's more that it is a practical taste of the real thing that focuses solely on the positives.

If we apply the zoo analogy to theme parks, I would imagine it would be something like this:

Pure Fantasy (ex: Fantasyland) -> Awesome movie about animals that can talk
Highly Themed (ex: EPCOT Center) -> Visit to a well-done zoo
Real Thing (ex: I suppose Adventures by Disney?) -> African Safari

Each of those categories would apply to different people for different reasons.

I don't know if that made any sense at all, but I tried, haha.

Hi @RobidaFlats! OMG! This is such an insightful and thoughtful post! I totally appreciate your attempts to explain this extreme Disney fan psyche to me. I totally agree with you. Disney has successfully captured an amazing era of Hollywood and brought it to Florida. And, the same goes for World Showcase, Animal Kingdom and really the whole resort.

You're so right that international travel can be a pain, domestic too! Going to Disney World is just delightful and it's so nice to not have to worry about crime and stuff like that. Obviously, crime is everywhere, even at Disney but I feel safer at Disney World than anywhere else in the world.

I guess I will always be baffled by some of the bizarre reactions from the Disney fan community. But, I will try not to be so dismissive -- like, it's just a theme park, get over it. LOL.

Sure, I have lots of wonderful memories at WDW, too -- but that's almost everywhere. But to Disney fans, it's not just a theme park, it's their life and everything pertaining to Disney is deeply ingrained in them to where any kind of change, negative or positive, impacts them greatly. Their experiences and feelings are real and valid and totally deserve to be respected.

So, I will just be happy for them that the Chinese theater is staying and look forward to the new Mickey Mouse ride!