Does "National Treasure" = Theme Park Ride??

[Empress Room]

I remember reading several reviews of the new Disney movie "National Treasure" and how it was created with a theme park ride/attraction in mind (same director as POTC:TCOTBP). With the unexpected popularity of this movie (number one for four separate weeks) and being called a "surprise holiday hit for Disney," I'm wondering if anyone has heard any rumors tying in the movie with an imagineering idea?

Having seen the movie, we could certainly speculate for days, but it did seem conducive to a theme park ride of some sort.

 

[imagineer99]

I don't see this happening...the movie's a winter popcorn movie, not a classic. I doubt it will be remembered after a couple of years.

On a sidenote, Gore Verbanski directed POTC: TCOTBP, however, he DID NOT direct National Treasure. Jon Turteltaub did.

They both had the same producer: Bruckheimer. Verbanski is much more talented than John Turteltaub.

 

[bhg469]

to me its too close to an indiana jones idea and i would much rather see somthing along those lines become an attraction.

 

[grandmath]

I honestly don't see how it could be turned into a ride, as it is not an action film in any ways. And it is maybe not a classic, but it will rake in more than the Mummy, and sequels are on the way. National Treasure can be a great franchise, but I don't see a ride based on the first movie.

 

[Empress Room]

I don't see this happening...the movie's a winter popcorn movie, not a classic. I doubt it will be remembered after a couple of years.

On a sidenote, Gore Verbanski directed POTC: TCOTBP, however, he DID NOT direct National Treasure. Jon Turteltaub did.

They both had the same producer: Bruckheimer. Verbanski is much more talented than John Turteltaub.

Ah, yes, Bruckheimer as producer. That's right. I stand corrected.

Although I agree in principle that NT will not be a "classic," don't forget Roger Rabbit and D*ck Tracy. Clearly not classics either, but it did not stop the imagineers from creating/planning attractions using them as a vehicle.

Heck, if Universal can do it with the forgettable "Twister," it can be done with anything!

 

[matt&helen]

For the promotion, a real copy of the Declaration of Independence was sent to Disney World. I didn't go, but if it was anything like the Haunted Mansion promotion, they probably had a lot of American History included. Like a small museum with a Disney twist. I could see something like that in the future.

 

[BeachClubVillas]

I agree that it seems to be along the lines as Indiana Jones. I would much rather see that ride come to WDW than a National Treasure ride. I just don't think National Treasure has holding power or the power to attract a large variety of an audience.

 

[DCL]

When I saw National Treasure, I thought it was one of the most entertaining movies I had ever seen in the theater. With that being said, I still don't think it will be considered a classic... or worthy of it's own ride. I'd rather see a new version of the Indy ride from Disneyland to replace the Stunt Show.

 

[netenyahoo]

I loved the movie and think it will be remembered if there are sequals and they do well too. I don't know how a ride could be made that would be different from Indy, but the Imagineers are pretty smart. If Disney had built Disney America then this would have fit perfectly.

 

[crazydaveh]

I agree with just about everyone else. I have not seen the movie yet, but it's one of the movies calling out to see it... meaning (in my opinion) not going to be a ride.

If it is, it would probably be something like Mummy.

 

[nmj91385]

The movie was fantastic. I would love to see it be a ride, but I don't know how they could do it. It is a lot like Indiana Jones.

 

[imagineer99]

The movie simply can't have a sequal. There is NOTHING unresolved. It was brainless movie that provided simple entertainment. I doubt we'll see a sequal or a ride.

Then again, Hollywood made "Son of the Mask" and "Superbabies," so there is no telling how low company executives will stoop.

 

[DisneyMemories]

Having seen the movie,and very much enjoying it. Like most I don't see how they can turn it into a theme attraction. Not sure if this movie would have a sequel or not,but not having that much national artifacts from centurys past scattered across america,it would be interesting what they would come up with,they would have to make the main charather a modern type indiana jones and have him go hunting a series like "Europen National Treasure". But thats why we have indiana jones,but it would bevery interesting to see where this goes. Till then i'll see the movie again and will buy it when its out on dvd,its the kinda of movies I enjoy seeing over and over again that's exciting but without the violence and gore of to many movies made today.

 

[NemoRocks78]

Haven't seen the movie yet, but the whole story doesn't seem to fit in with a theme park attraction....Indy would be a better choice, IMO.

 

[Legacy]

Movie has the look and feel of a ride, but the story isn't conducive for a ride. Also, despite it being a highly enjoyable movie (as stated before) it's a popcorn flick. Pouring money into an attraction based on it would be incredibly narrow-minded, seeing as it's a flash in the pan film.

(But, narrow-minds seem to run Disney now... so anything is possible)

 

[imagineer boy]

As much as I loved the movie, I don't see a theme park ride out of it. I would much rather have an Indiana Jones adventure ride.

 

[PhilosophyMagic]

to me its too close to an indiana jones idea and i would much rather see somthing along those lines become an attraction.

The only thing I'd be afraid of is if a version of Indiana Jones Adventure came to WDW that they would try to theme it to National Treasure instead. They wouldn't go that far, though... would they? (Probably not, since no one would remember the movie by the time the ride was built, unlike Dinosaur, which was already built and just rethemed for the movie.)

HOWEVER,
what I really wonder about is whether a version of Indy will ever eventually appear at WDW? Do you think the Dinosaur ride is too similar? Indy might take even MORE appeal away from AK, since Dinosaur is one of the few draws into the park. Perhaps an improved Indy, then?!? Something like that at MK would be absolutely awesome!!

 

[stitchfan]

The only thing I'd be afraid of is if a version of Indiana Jones Adventure came to WDW that they would try to theme it to National Treasure instead. They wouldn't go that far, though... would they? (Probably not, since no one would remember the movie by the time the ride was built, unlike Dinosaur, which was already built and just rethemed for the movie.)

HOWEVER,
what I really wonder about is whether a version of Indy will ever eventually appear at WDW? Do you think the Dinosaur ride is too similar? Indy might take even MORE appeal away from AK, since Dinosaur is one of the few draws into the park. Perhaps an improved Indy, then?!? Something like that at MK would be absolutely awesome!!

If Disney had to go in and re-negotiate to do something new with Indy, like a ride rather than the Stunt show, I'm sure whoever holds Dr. Jones' rights would be more than intelligent enough to have something in the contract keeping anything "National Treasure"-related well away from Indy. They compete with each other for potential audience, so I don't think they could merge terribly well...especially not when you consider that Indiana Jones' main antagonists were the Nazis of the 1940's, and National Treasure is rather more modern.

As to whether or not Indy will ever have his own ride...I'd like to hope he would eventually. Though if it were me, I wouldn't move anything Indy-related out of MGM. He might, very loosely, fit in Adventureland, but those Caribbean Pirates might not much appreciate a globetrotting archaeologist stealling their thunder...and their booty. :animwink:

 

[NTI2002]

ugh I hope that never happens. they shoudl just let that movie die out and all will be right with the world...well, except for stitch hanging around that is

 

[FamilyMan]

I loved the movie. I don't see a big ride for it... However, Liberty Square needs something more than Hall of Presidents, the Riverboat and the Haunted Mansion. It would fit into Liberty Square. The question would be where to put it though.

Perhaps a replacement for the Diamond Horseshoe? The Diamond Horseshoe never fit into Liberty Square anyway.