More IP's in the parks...not the worst idea?

[wdisney9000]

While Disney has been making questionable decisions for the Parks and Resorts as of late (in O-Town), I must admit that they are kicking butt in the movies department and its renewed some of my faith that not everybody in the company with a pay grade above minimum wage is a total moron.

Wife and I saw Guardians of the Galaxy and Maleficent within the last week and for the first time in what feels like forever (yes, lame Frozen reference) Disney has given me that feeling of excitement, wonder and magic all rolled into one and I just wanna give em a big ol' hug. Ya, I know theyre just movies but I think they knocked it out of the park and ripped the seems off the ball with these two and I havent felt that way about something Disney related in quite some time. I think most agree that GoG was just AWESOME and I feel James Gunn did a better job of making a Star Wars style movie than George Lucas has done since Empire. Maleficent was nothing short of being absolutely amazing visually, and story wise, IMO.

A lot of talk has been going on lately in regards to IP's being used in the parks more instead of non-IP themed attractions. I fall into the category of wanting to see more non-IP related attractions but after seeing these two movies I must admit that I would be drooling if they announce something BIG for either of these two films coming to the parks. I guess this is how Frozen fans feel about the new offerings so I will try and keep my snide remarks to a minimum in regards to that now that I understand the feeling. But my hopes are quickly dashed when I think how even Frozen, which killed it at the box office and is still raking in the dough is only getting half-assed style shows and a "still to be announced" layover of a small attraction. I will never change my mind that Avatar was a bad decision and even more so now that they have extremely better content that would fit into DAK. The Moors (from Maleficent) would be waaaaaaaay cooler I think.

My point is that maybe,... just maybe, if Disney continues to churn out quality movies and they let the Imagineers do what they do best without limiting their funds, the parks could get really interesting in the next decade or two with quality themed IP lands/attractions, and that may not be a bad thing at all. I mean, if theyre gonna go heavy on the IP's in the parks, which they seem very intent on doing, at least they have some awesome choices to work with. The question is, will they choose wisely? Maybe new management will make better decisions than the current regime, maybe they wont. Maybe Im crazy for thinking this way and maybe some people would absolutely hate to see a GoG E ticket or a land based on the Moors and they have every right to feel that way, but Im hoping we do see something. Im hoping the company will start realizing they have amazing opportunities before them with Frozen, GoG, Maleficent, and others. How do you guys feel about seeing more IP related shows/attractions in the parks based off new and future content? Is it the wrong way to go? Should they stick to the current plan? Should they just build a new gate that is strictly themed to movies? Thanks for reading my long post and I look forward to reading your opinions and feel free to tell me Im an idiot for thinking this way if thats how you feel. Hit me with both barrels!

 

[wm49rs]

http://forums.wdwmagic.com/threads/...l-lands-or-combine-w-movie-properties.888940/

 

[spacemt354]

I don't mind IPs as long as the attractions are done right.

For instance, I'd prefer if Epcot strayed away from characters. I'd much prefer the old Living Seas to the character filled Seas with Nemo and Friends. On the trip we just came back from, we watched the Dolphin show presented on the observation deck and also watched a scuba presentation. My 7 year old cousin was amazed just learning about the animal research and scuba diving. The fact that the pavilion was littered with Nemo references was completely tangential to her enjoyment of the pavilion. She didn't like it because Nemo was there. She liked it because, shockingly... learning can be fun!

But furthermore, movies that I enjoy, like Star Wars or Harry Potter, I love seeing those recreated into immersive lands. I don't mind their inclusion in theme parks. I don't mind Pixar in the parks. Just look at Cars Land. But there's also another side to all of this when they are cheaply added to the parks, such as Toy Story Playland in DLP.

I will say that although it seemed rushed and inexpensive, the Frozen Summer at DHS was kinda nice for what it was. The fireworks were well done and while I thought the film was okay, I too could see why kids would drool over seeing Olaf in the parks. But now what? Is that it? Is it going to end in September and be reserved just for a meet and greet? Who knows but if you're going to do something permanent, you have to do it right. Not an overlay of World Showcase pavilion. Frozen works in DHS. Please keep it there.

I too enjoyed GotG. Didn't see Maleficent but heard good things. I'm a huge fan of the entire Marvel Cinematic Universe. I understand they can't include it in Disney World, but if they were going to build a WWoHP-esque MCU land in another Disney park (and it was done right) I would be very excited.

Marvel has these films planned out in house until 2028. And they've announced 6 new release dates into 2019. With 2017 and beyond bringing 3 MCU movies per year. If these films are on par with GoTG and Captain America 2, wow...they have to do something in the parks at that point.

 

[WDWVolFan]

IPs?
Internet Protocols?
Intellect Property?

 

[wdisney9000]

http://forums.wdwmagic.com/threads/...l-lands-or-combine-w-movie-properties.888940/

I was talking about more than IP lands. I was also speaking about better quality coming from the movies than what we've seen in the past few years and how that dept is ran better than P&R. Yes, it's comparing apples to oranges but I recently have posted comments about not wanting to see more IP's in the parks but that was mostly related to Frozen being utilized poorly so far (IMO). Now that I have seen GoG and Maleficent I wouldnt mind seeing IP themed attractions or shows and not only for these two movies bu others as well. Yes, even Frozen. Do you think we will see better quality than just a simple show or refurb for these outstanding movies or will we get more of the same cheap offerings?

 

[wm49rs]

I was talking about more than IP lands. I was also speaking about better quality coming from the movies than what we've seen in the past few years and how that dept is ran better than P&R. Yes, it's comparing apples to oranges but I recently have posted comments about not wanting to see more IP's in the parks but that was mostly related to Frozen being utilized poorly so far (IMO). Now that I have seen GoG and Maleficent I wouldnt mind seeing IP themed attractions or shows and not only for these two movies bu others as well. Yes, even Frozen. Do you think we will see better quality than just a simple show or refurb for these outstanding movies or will we get more of the same cheap offerings?

Same discussion, different phrasing....

 

[rob0519]

"Without limiting their funds"?? You're talking about WDW right?

 

[Pumbas Nakasak]

IPs? what is it will all this bollocks, more attractions, period, the roots of which are the least significant factor.

 

[spacemt354]

Same discussion, different phrasing....

The other one seems to be focus on which do you prefer? Original or IP?

This thread seems to make the assumption already that the IPs would make for decent attractions if done right. The question now is, will they be cheap attractions or not?

Different projections but I can see how the topics overlap.

 

[lazyboy97o]

The problem is Disney's decision making methodology that has nothing to do with evaluating the potential for experience, just box office and merchandise revenue. Even then, focusing only on franchises also means pretty much only focusing on entertainment. Disneyland was not just a silly amusement, but intended as a source of inspiration and did just that. Work on Disneyland lead directly to EPCOT which was even less about just being an amusement. Disney once considered themed entertainment as impactful, but today sees it as inferior.

 

[LAKid53]

Don't want to see parks full of nothing but rides based solely on IPs, but the right movie, done well, would be fantastic. Like a completely immersive Star Wars in DHS, utilizing the soon to be empty buildings from AFI and American Idol. Peter Pan's Flight is old and shows it. My suggestion (waiting for the daggers) is to tear it down, along with IASW and take that part of stroller alley and make a completely immersible London to Never Land that includes the ship flyover. Come on, Uni made a train go from IOA to Universal.

However, don't think we will see anything Marvel anytime soon given that Uni has the rights for attractions but Disney owns Marvel. Will be interesting to watch the negotiations between Comcast and Disney when Uni's contract expires.

Just don't make decisions solely on merchandising and box office, but quality of experience.

 

[wdisney9000]

Same discussion, different phrasing....

To an extent, yes. As @spacemt354 said, Im going on the basis that Disney IS going to put IP's in the parks and what should we expect. Also, aside from IP's as attractions, the movies dept is being ran great and the decisions as far as what to produce are excellent. I wish we would see better decisions in the parks whether its about attractions, upkeep, DVC, etc. Perhaps they should bring some of those folks from Disney films over into P&R, as crazy as that sounds and those folks possibly dont have a clue about parks or resorts they may offer good insight or maybe fresh blood will shake things up. Im not only trying to discuss attractions related to movies but decision making as a whole for the company. Maybe they should build a resort based on the movies instead of a park, maybe they should leave it all alone and focus strictly on creativity.

Please dont mistake my posts as a rebuttal in an effort to say your wrong. I always enjoy your posts and I highly respect your opinion on any of the issues discussed on this site.

 

[wdisney9000]

The problem is Disney's decision making methodology that has nothing to do with evaluating the potential for experience, just box office and merchandise revenue. Even then, focusing only on franchises also means pretty much only focusing on entertainment. Disneyland was not just a silly amusement, but intended as a source of inspiration and did just that. Work on Disneyland lead directly to EPCOT which was even less about just being an amusement. Disney once considered themed entertainment as impactful, but today sees it as inferior.

100% agree and as much as I truly wish the company would have stayed on a path of using its creations as a source of inspiration to excel and achieve new levels of experiences through which we learn AND have fun, it just seems like they have strayed so far from that method that we may never see a return to it. Perhaps Ive thrown in the towel and Im just hoping for the best while expecting the worst. I dont know if Disney will ever be that company that changes the landscape of entertainment/experiences again, but I hope, for the sake of future generations that they do, or at least another visionary comes along and creates something on the level of what this once great company stood for.

 

[wdisney9000]

IPs? what is it will all this bollocks, more attractions, period, the roots of which are the least significant factor.

Yes, I dont care if they make attractions based on Maleficent, GoG, or how the human bowels function. If its done correctly, Ill enjoy it. As of late though, seems that IP's are all they give a rats about.

 

[Mike S]

I'm really torn on this. I would love to see another amazing original creation like the Haunted Mansion, but at the same time I want to step into the worlds of the movies. I'm at war with myself and can't win!!!! I guess a good balance of both would be the best course of action.

 

[lazyboy97o]

100% agree and as much as I truly wish the company would have stayed on a path of using its creations as a source of inspiration to excel and achieve new levels of experiences through which we learn AND have fun, it just seems like they have strayed so far from that method that we may never see a return to it. Perhaps Ive thrown in the towel and Im just hoping for the best while expecting the worst. I dont know if Disney will ever be that company that changes the landscape of entertainment/experiences again, but I hope, for the sake of future generations that they do, or at least another visionary comes along and creates something on the level of what this once great company stood for.

Move away from the fan obsession with whole new lands for every single attraction addition, and you now have room for there to also, even accidentally, be something that can inspire. Would the big Avatar attraction not work in a land about the possibilities of extraterrestrial life? Couldn't Radiator Springs Racers work in Car Land?

 

[copcarguyp71]

IPs?
Internet Protocols?
Intellect Property?

I'm with this guy...I feel lost.

 

[Mike S]

Move away from the fan obsession with whole new lands for every single attraction addition, and you now have room for there to also, even accidentally, be something that can inspire. Would the big Avatar attraction not work in a land about the possibilities of extraterrestrial life? Couldn't Radiator Springs Racers work in Car Land?

I think Harry Potter and Cars Land opened the flood gates on that one. People saw how well done they were and they want more.

 

[lazyboy97o]

I think Harry Potter and Cars Land opened the flood gates on that one. People saw how well done they were and they want more.

People are also not creative and are limited to only using what they already like as an example.

 

[copcarguyp71]

People are also not creative and are limited to only using what they already like as an example.

That plus it is CHEAPER for them to regurgitate something that has already been produced and accepted. It is a marketing extension and not exactly a bold move to plus anyones experience. Due to the fact that new things are few and far between we embrace whatever they throw at us. I truly in my heart believe imagineering has tons of plans in their closet but truth of the matter is the corporation just is not comfortable with risk taking anymore.