'Frozen' Summer Fun - Live at Disney's Hollywood Studios - the reasons why?

[ptaylor]

Brand new 'Frozen' experiences coming to Disney's Hollywood Studios this summer

I thought this would be better as a new thread, so as not to disrupt the discussion about the actual event taking place in the original @PhotoDave219 thread at http://forums.wdwmagic.com/threads/frozen-at-disneys-hollywood-studios-for-the-summer.885799/.

What are you theories on why this event was rushed into production? A couple that spring to mind:

1. A sudden realization that Universal is a runaway train stealing the thunder in the Orlando theme park market this summer. The mine train has become somewhat forgotten now, leaving Disney with nothing for the summer. This new event gives them something to actual market that is relevant and that people will actually go to the park for.

2. Is the Studios really struggling to hold onto guests. Now that Star Wars Weekends are over, could the park not maintain attendance without something similar.

3. An expectation of selling huge amounts of Frozen merchandise at a summer long event?

4. An attempt at just meeting guest demand for Frozen, and perhaps taking the strain off the Magic Kingdom meet and greet location.

5. Or maybe a combination of some or all of the above?

What do you think?

 

[LithiumBill]

Dance Party, 'nuf said.

 

[wdisney9000]

or...

6. Why do anything other than the bare minimum since that passes as acceptable nowadays. They have no budget to create anything great thanks to the drag on the bottom line from NGE anyway

 

[WDWDad13]

it's a combination of the above... with the success of that movie and the popularity of the characters and merchandise, it sounds like a no brainer...plus it'll help with moving some mass crowds in the evening/night away from the MK during the peak summer season which is good

 

[MonorailMan]

I feel that it is mostly a combination of the fact that Universal is stealing the show and that the Studios is struggling to keep guests and that the Studios lacks nightlife events. In particular, the Frozen fireworks could be the tip of the iceberg (no pun intended) for HS to keep people around in the evening hours. MK has Wishes, Epcot has IllumiNations, and AK has Harambe Nights and future River of Light. Fantasmic is okay but since it is in a seated theater type of setting, it has limited capacity and I wouldn't consider it a true evening event/show.

 

[WondersOfLife]

I never go with the feeling that Disney is scared of Universal. Even with it's harry potter competition going on bringing in a lot more people, Disney World still gets a butt ton more of park guests than just about any other theme park out there. If Disney wants to compete with Universal, all they really need to do is down their extremely high park prices. Which, even with that said, is still unnecessary for Disney.


I do think Disney is trying to make a bunch of extra money while the Frozen fans are going to be incredibly huge for the next few years. I think of these little features the same was I thought of when the lion king came out and they had that "Legend of the Lion King" show or whatever in the theater in fantasyland and the circle of life movie in the land pavilion. Not to mention that Frozen is ALSO in early broadway show development.. But as far as theme park entertainment, I kinda see a resemblance here. Whether it'll suck or not.

Soooo... Yea. That's just my opinion. I just see Frozen going almost the exact same way Lion King did when it came out and it had all of its fans.

 

[drew81]

Can't wait to see the Guest Relations line of people complaining about no meet n greet.

 

[MichWolv]

The first three, I think, but a little broader on Number 2. I think Disney is focusing on using the existing assets as much as possible. DHS has capacity that isn't being used in several ways:

1. Empty venues (premiere theater, stupid stage, no parade when it was built for one).
2. Little appeal to young kids, particularly girls. Thrill seekers are good at DHS, but other kids not so much.
3. Early closings, primarily driven by not enough to keep people there at night, creating strain at MK.

This helps address each of those points without a major capital investment.

Add to that that it is something with a lot of buzz to it, and should have merchandise potential out the wazoo, and you have a new plan.

 

[seascape]

Is the next $29.95 magic band Frozen?

 

[Rinx]

Or another reason:
It's becoming a sickening obsession.

 

[mgpan]

"Full of sound and fury signifying nothing." Not exactly, but other than an ice rink that has to be constructed, and a nightly fireworks show (about time they brought that back and a great way to keep you in the park later, spending money as there are only so many actual attractions in DHS) sounds like these are all ways to look like adding lots of Frozen content but doing it on the cheap. I'm sure the soundstage one Trading Post will be quite exquisite though. I will give them credit for coming up with this in a relatively short timeframe by Disney standards, seeing as how the popularity that is Frozen Mania took them somewhat by surprise.

 

[MDactor1980]

I think it's a smart rapid response to a high demand property. It's not like they can bust out a new ride in this time, so it's a placeholder to coincide with demand. I think it will give something to the Frozen fans looking for more for now, and the people that don't care still have plenty of other things to do!

 

[mgpan]

I also think that it's interesting that apparently there won't be a meet and great here, but you'll have to go to MK for that and to get your photo with Anna and Elsa. So, in reality you'll need a two park ticket, either two day or a hopper to enjoy Frozen:The Experience at one park and the M&G at another. So no more complaining about having to do that up the road to get the complete Potter experience especially considering there's and actual attraction that requires it. I agree though, smart fairly rapid move to add content for the masses without a large investment.

 

[mm52200]

I wonder how early people will camp out for the cavalcade? Sounds like it'll be limited to just Hollywood Boulevard so space will be limited. Also do we know if the cavalcade will consist of more than just the sled? I'm sure there'll be no major floats obviously but any chance that we might see a repainted traffic cone or two

 

[seascape]

I also think that it's interesting that apparently there won't be a meet and great here, but you'll have to go to MK for that and to get your photo with Anna and Elsa. So, in reality you'll need a two park ticket, either two day or a hopper to enjoy Frozen:The Experience at one park and the M&G at another. So no more complaining about having to do that up the road to get the complete Potter experience especially considering there's and actual attraction that requires it. I agree though, smart fairly rapid move to add content for the masses without a large investment.

It's not quite the same because you don't need a park hopper to enjoy the entire show. You still need park to park to ride HE. But you are right you need to have either a one day park hopper or a 2 day ticket. Plus when do the overlay in Norway you will need a 3 park ticket. Disney is going to do everything they can to keep people on property for as long as possible. They have said that for years. Just think of when they add frozen to blizzard beach. AK is the only park that frozen doesn't work in.

 

[xstech25]

This has nothing to do with Universal and "why?" is a silly question to ask in this situation (in my opinion). The real questions is why not? Frozen is one of the biggest movies ever and just having one meet & greet and the characters in the parade, at this point in time, is clearly not enough.

Also firework shows are definitely not cheap!!! They could have easily done this without the firework show and still made it a promotion.

 

[toasty]

I had heard there was a show in the works, but I was pleasantly surprised to see that they are doing something more than that. I think it's basically an attempt to capitalize upon the crazy success this movie has had while people still care about it, and sort of bridge the gap until they can come up with something more permanent (Maelstrom?). Putting it in the Studios, which is in dire need of more stuff to do for the little ones, is a total no brainer.

I really don't think it has anything to do with Potter. Yes, Disney is obviously interested in doing whatever it can to steal back whatever spotlight possible and this might have that effect, but I honestly feel like they would have done this even if Diagon Alley weren't opening right now, just to keep the momentum going on its newest franchise. I mean, none of this is going to cost a ton, relatively speaking, and it's an opportunity to sell merch. Easy decision, no matter what Universal is doing...

 

[disney4life2008]

Or another reason:
It's becoming a sickening obsession.

I am glad I am not the only one to think that. I am not knocking Frozen or Elsa and Anna - but whatever happened to good ole Mickey and Minnie and the gang? I have been struggling to correlate Mickey to disneyworld the last few years because there has been so much emphasis on other characters - especially during the Toy Story and Monsters generation. I just miss the days where Mickey was the ringleader - not to say he still isnt but things are just different now.

 

[Quinnmac000]

This has nothing to do with Universal as this wouldn't steal any spotlight as Frozen as popular as the film was still a predominately female fanbase (males can enjoy it and its no big deal or problem but honestly its most females). More so Disney didn't get the super duper interest with the SDMT so now they are trying a different approach to get moms and dads to let their little girl come to Disney. Especially since this show is limited time only!

 

[Bolt]

Because printing money isn't legal so this is that alternative