Is Walt Disney Imagineering dead?

[SuddenStorm]

Only the Rose figures haven't been selling from what I've personally seen. Cassian, Jyn, and other Rogue One merch is stocked on the shelves over a year later, though. Nobody's bought it because the characters are so boring.

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/h...-shipments-down-sharply-force-awakens-1069479
https://www.cinemablend.com/news/17...-are-comparing-to-those-for-the-force-awakens

It looks like there's been a decline every year since The Force Awakens.

 

[SuddenStorm]

They are forgetting who the core Star Wars audience is and trying to be something to everyone thereby watering it down and becoming not much to anyone.

All while building a land that is focused on their Sequel Trilogy- the same trilogy that has fans divided, weak merchandise sales, and neutered the classic characters we know and love.

 

[Curious Constance]

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/h...-shipments-down-sharply-force-awakens-1069479
https://www.cinemablend.com/news/17...-are-comparing-to-those-for-the-force-awakens

It looks like there's been a decline every year since The Force Awakens.

That's because little boys (and sometimes big boys @phruby burn) are the main audience to be attracted to Star Wars toys. They aren't giving the little boys what they need to be inspired to pick up the light saber and play.

 

[Phroobar]

That's because little boys (and sometimes big boys @phruby burn) are the main audience to be attracted to Star Wars toys. They aren't giving the little boys what they need to be inspired to pick up the light saber and play.

I've been in this hobby for forty years. The problem in recent years has been Hasbro's rotten distribution patterns. They put in the worst figures in wave 1&2 and send out way too many of them. Then the stores can never get rid of them because they over estimate the demand. They never order wave 3 and 4 which usually has better stuff in them but they've also been putting in repacks from the first wave There is no logic to repacks since those are the figures that are glutting the market in the first place. Also thanks to Disney's new licensing terms, Hasbro reduced the quality and actuation of the figures back to 5 points from upwards of 10-12. This makes for a cheaper figure but they still increase the price. The ships look nice but the quality in the plastic used is much like a dog's chew toy. The only toy company that isn't on life support is Lego.

TRU had different problems being tied down with huge amounts of debt by investment firms. The firms basically were corporate pirates and killed the company just like they did to KB Toys with dumping unrelated debt on them. You can thank Mitt Romey's investment firm for that. If it wasn't for them, TRU would still be with us.

 

[Curious Constance]

I've been in this hobby for forty years. The problem in recent years has been Hasbro's rotten distribution patterns. They put in the worst figures in wave 1&2 and send out way too many of them. Then the stores can never get rid of them because they over estimate the demand. They never order wave 3 and 4 which usually has better stuff in them but they've also been putting in repacks from the first wave There is no logic to repacks since those are the figures that are glutting the market in the first place. Also thanks to Disney's new licensing terms, Hasbro reduced the quality and actuation of the figures back to 5 points from upwards of 10-12. This makes for a cheaper figure but they still increase the price. The ships look nice but the quality in the plastic used is much like a dog's chew toy. The only toy company that isn't on life support is Lego.

TRU had different problems being tied down with huge amounts of debt by investment firms. The firms basically were corporate pirates and killed the company just like they did to KB Toys with dumping unrelated debt on them. You can thank Mitt Romey's investment firm for that. If it wasn't for them, TRU would still be with us.

I realize there are middle age Star Wars toy collectors out there. My only point is, Star Wars toys are on average going to appeal mostly to younger boys. I think they've moved on from trying to cater to this audience, and that's most likely playing a part in the merch decline.

But I'm not really interested in getting into another debate about the state of today's culture, so I'll leave it at that.

 

[Phroobar]

I realize there are middle age Star Wars toy collectors out there. My only point is, Star Wars toys are on average going to appeal mostly to younger boys. I think they've moved on from trying to cater to this audience, and that's most likely playing a part in the merch decline.

But I'm not really interested in getting into another debate about the state of today's culture, so I'll leave it at that.

Toys in general are that way. It's not just Star Wars but every toy line. Kids are too set on their tablets to play with physical toys anymore.

Besides Constance you don't have to be rude to me. I'm really starting to take offense.

 

[Curious Constance]

Toys in general are that way. It's not just Star Wars but every toy line. Kids are too set on their tablets to play with physical toys anymore.

Besides Constance you don't have to be rude to me. I'm really starting to take offense.

I was rude to you?

 

[TROR]

Even LEGO's been taking a hit lately with a drop in sales for the first time in 13 years. Nothing significant, but really no one's immune from this. LEGO could easily fix this problem imo by focusing less on Ninajo, Star Wars, "Brickheadz," and sets for collectors ($800 for a Millennium Falcon???), and focus more on new themes that are aimed at kids.

 

[Model3 McQueen]

As a wise man once said, you're not thinking 4th dimensionally! You don't think a long-forgotten Route 66 town with a beautiful massive, realistic looking mountain backdrop has a chance of lasting 60 years? I understand the town of "Radiator Springs," as it exists today, was pulled from the movie 'Cars' -- but that doesn't mean it has to always remain connected to it and feature characters and stories from that film.

And let's be serious here... 90% of Carsland is that incredible mountain rock work and show building. The rest is set dressing that could easily be changed out (or flattened) to suit whatever it is they want to do with the land years from now. The heart of the land would still beat without any of it. 60 years from now Chapek will be dead and the company will have morphed just as much as it has in the past 60 years, so who really knows what the direction will be then.

Listen... I love Adventureland, I really do. But it you dissect its parts, it's comprised mostly of trees with some architecture rooted in 50s/60s tiki culture, some generic jungle-y looking shops, and then some really out of place arabic stuff that was forced in there after Aladdin came out. To your point it is general, not sure if I'd necessarily say timeless or realistic. It mainly works because it's always been there in some form or another.

While I'm certainly not a huge fan of IP-based lands (despite what some may think), I'm less of a proponent for keeping things general and basic because of some fear that it won't age well.

I'm not going to argue with your logic here you bring up some great points.

Ultimately what you're saying, is what I meant. There's a incredibly good chance the IP of Cars might be pulled and some things will be changed in over 60 years. Cars movies can only go so far, and with the way management has been it's always the latest and greatest thing gets the re-skin / land, that's the whole premise of Cheapie-$hapek.

And I don't think it matters how it's put, I was in complete denial when the rumors came out in regards to M:B.

 

[Model3 McQueen]

I'm intrigued by the business talk here. Disney management knows what they're doing, and they don't care who or what gets in its way. Tomorrowland is an official billboard for Star Wars until SWL opens up.

 

[Phroobar]

I was rude to you?

Jamie, please tone it down.

 

[DanielBB8]

I'm not going to argue with your logic here you bring up some great points.

Ultimately what you're saying, is what I meant. There's a incredibly good chance the IP of Cars might be pulled and some things will be changed in over 60 years. Cars movies can only go so far, and with the way management has been it's always the latest and greatest thing gets the re-skin / land, that's the whole premise of Cheapie-$hapek.

And I don't think it matters how it's put, I was in complete denial when the rumors came out in regards to M:B.

I would question the logic since the logic of why MB replaced TZ was never discussed. (1) TZ wasn’t popular IP. (2) TZ wasn’t a Disney IP. (3) Guardians was the start of a new Disney Marvel franchise. (4) MB was the start of a new Marvel Superheroes Land in DCA.

Carsland continues to serve in all four categories. (1) Cars continues to be popular with huge merchandise sales. (2) Cars is owned by Disney thru Pixar purchase. (3) Cars has 3 movies in its franchise. (4) Cars fits well as a permanent land in DCA.

Why would Disney ever remove Cars Land? 120 minutes daily wait for RSR is no lie.

The handwringing over TZ given over to despair. Now, let’s replace everything as if that’s true too.

 

[DanielBB8]

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/h...-shipments-down-sharply-force-awakens-1069479
https://www.cinemablend.com/news/17...-are-comparing-to-those-for-the-force-awakens

It looks like there's been a decline every year since The Force Awakens.

I thought that Rey was a loser of a character and every other feminist character in the new SJW Wars. Seems like Disney is has killed the golden goose and Luke Skywalker too.

 

[Curious Constance]

Jamie, please tone it down.

Wasn't intending on being rude, but message received.

 

[TROR]

Carsland continues to serve in all four categories. (1) Cars continues to be popular with huge merchandise sales. (2) Cars is owned by Disney thru Pixar purchase. (3) Cars has 3 movies in its franchise. (4) Cars fits well as a permanent land in DCA.

Why would Disney ever remove Cars Land? 120 minutes daily wait for RSR is no lie.

Please read more carefully if you want to join the discussion. We're talking about if Cars has the abilities to last for 60 years, not if it can last until the end of the week.

 

[DanielBB8]

Please read more carefully if you want to join the discussion. We're talking about if Cars has the abilities to last for 60 years, not if it can last until the end of the week.

Every point I mentioned is part of the discussion. I’m sure TZ would still remain if it was owned by Disney. IP popularity hasn’t waned. Disney owns classic franchises.

 

[TROR]

Every point I mentioned is part of the discussion. I’m sure TZ would still remain if it was owned by Disney. IP popularity hasn’t waned. Disney owns classic franchises.

 

[DanielBB8]

—

Gordon is a classic j-erk.

Every post here actually makes Chapek’s case. Funny how that works out.

 

[DanielBB8]

Cars movies can only go so far, and with the way management has been it's always the latest and greatest thing gets the re-skin / land, that's the whole premise of Cheapie-$hapek.

Let’s talk about the latest and greatest thing. Does Mickey Mouse count? Still around since 1928 (90 years old) and will be the featured attraction in DHS.

Toy Story Land is not the latest and it based on the 1995 movie. 23 years old.

Cars appeared in 2006. It’s already 12 years old.

Star Wars Land is based on a 41 year old franchise.

What are the chances any old franchise will continue to remain popular? Why not look at the release schedule of Disney’s live action remake of their classic animated movies.

 

[Model3 McQueen]

I would question the logic since the logic of why MB replaced TZ was never discussed. (1) TZ wasn’t popular IP. (2) TZ wasn’t a Disney IP. (3) Guardians was the start of a new Disney Marvel franchise. (4) MB was the start of a new Marvel Superheroes Land in DCA.

Carsland continues to serve in all four categories. (1) Cars continues to be popular with huge merchandise sales. (2) Cars is owned by Disney thru Pixar purchase. (3) Cars has 3 movies in its franchise. (4) Cars fits well as a permanent land in DCA.

Why would Disney ever remove Cars Land? 120 minutes daily wait for RSR is no lie.

The handwringing over TZ given over to despair. Now, let’s replace everything as if that’s true too.

TZ to M:B
(1) it doesn't matter, the attraction was popular itself
(2) A multi-billion dollar company can't afford a single IP?
(3) Yes, "coincidentally" coinciding with the new movie release and many more to come
(4) Exactly what Cheapie-$hapek wants, because Cheapie-$hapek needs to advertise at the expense of the parks

Cars Land
(1) For now yeah
(2) Again it's what Cheapie-$hapek wants
(3) Correct, and the second movie was awful, 3rd wasn't fantastic either.
(4) I agree

We're talking about 60 years down the line, when the next greatest Disney-Pixar thing could be any year now (Like Frozen)

Let’s talk about the latest and greatest thing. Does Mickey Mouse count? Still around since 1928 (90 years old) and will be the featured attraction in DHS.

Toy Story Land is not the latest and it based on the 1995 movie. 23 years old.

Cars appeared in 2006. It’s already 12 years old.

Star Wars Land is based on a 41 year old franchise.

What are the chances any old franchise will continue to remain popular? Why not look at the release schedule of Disney’s live action remake of their classic animated movies.

Completely missed the mark here.

-Mickey Mouse is the face of Disney
-Toy Story Land is latest and greatest, TS4 is coming and so are even more merchandising opportunities. And let's be real, it's essentially a Bug's Life Land 2.0
-Cars is completely irrelevant, that's pre-$hapek
-SWL; Tomorrowland is its billboard, there's a movie EVERY YEAR since Disney bought it, and $hapek wants to cash in on all of it.