News Paradise Pier Becoming Pixar Pier

[Disney Irish]

I just want to sit down and have a 15 minute conversation with Bob Chapek about why he decided it was a good idea to break what was not broken by throwing in IPs that nobody will care about in 10-15 years into places that don't make sense.

In all seriousness, I believe it was either him or Iger that said that they want to start making sure that areas in the parks don't remain stagnant, like the WDW way. So they are designing things to be refurb'd every 10-15 years.

 

[Rich T]

In all seriousness, I believe it was either him or Iger that said that they want to start making sure that areas in the parks don't remain stagnant, like the WDW way. So they are designing things to be refurb'd every 10-15 years.

That sounds like their attempt to justify aiming lower in the first place. Not every big project can be guaranteed to be as evergreen as Pirates or HM, but Disney could at least try (as they're doing with SWGE). I do think there's a happy compromise; I'd love to see a few smaller "black box" venues that could be easily transformed to quickly cash in on a current hot property (like a c-ticket dark ride that could morph into a fun little jaunt through whatever animated film has just opened). But these should supplement more substantial projects designed to thrill and inspire guests for decades.

 

[mickEblu]

I'd love to see a few smaller "black box" venues that could be easily transformed to quickly cash in on a current hot property (like a c-ticket dark ride that could morph into a fun little jaunt through whatever animated film has just opened).

So basically FL dark rides with more screens? I like the idea but not at the cost of the current dark rides. It would be a good idea for a new park though or one that has a lot of extra space. The only problem is how much love would they put into these projects when they know they re “temporary?” It doesn’t sound like a good starting point for a project but it could be done.

 

[lazyboy97o]

I just want to sit down and have a 15 minute conversation with Bob Chapek about why he decided it was a good idea to break what was not broken by throwing in IPs that nobody will care about in 10-15 years into places that don't make sense.

He likely genuinely believes that this will make the area better. A theme park is t viewed as a distinct storytelling medium, but a movie branded amusement park. Walt Disney Imagineering needs to cut the crap with the elaborate (expensive) stories and get to the real purpose of a theme park, movie experiences. It’s not so nefarious (although there is a streak of disdain for the whole thing) and is a view very often expressed even in Disney park fan communities. Pixar Pier gives the pier identity by tying it to a hugely successful series of movies.

 

[Rich T]

So basically FL dark rides with more screens? I like the idea but not at the cost of the current dark rides. It would be a good idea for a new park though or one that has a lot of extra space. The only problem is how much love would they put into these projects when they know they re “temporary?” It doesn’t sound like a good starting point for a project but it could be done.

*Never* as a replacement for current FL dark rides. Monsters Inc would be a perfect place to do this: theme the ride's exterior as movie theater. I'm picturing these "temp" rides as a combination of screens, cutouts, limited motion figures and creative use of digital projection. It could be a training camp for younger Imagineers to get some experience and try out new ideas.

 

[TragicMike]

I just want to sit down and have a 15 minute conversation with Bob Chapek about why he decided it was a good idea to break what was not broken by throwing in IPs that nobody will care about in 10-15 years into places that don't make sense.

A lot of those Pixar IP's (Incredibles, Toy Story, Finding Nemo, Wall-E) debuted 10 or more years ago and everybody still loves them.

 

[TragicMike]

You can see Dash in one of the scene tubes.

 

[Curious Constance]

He likely genuinely believes that this will make the area better. A theme park is t viewed as a distinct storytelling medium, but a movie branded amusement park. Walt Disney Imagineering needs to cut the crap with the elaborate (expensive) stories and get to the real purpose of a theme park, movie experiences. It’s not so nefarious (although there is a streak of disdain for the whole thing) and is a view very often expressed even in Disney park fan communities. Pixar Pier gives the pier identity by tying it to a hugely successful series of movies.

I think you might give them too much credit. They know that elaborate, expensive storytelling has been successful time and time again, and these attractions tend to last decades, rather than needing switched every few years. They just don't care. They found a much cheaper way to keep things profitable while boosting merchandise and movie sales.

 

[Disney Irish]

Pixar Pier gives the pier identity by tying it to a hugely successful series of movies.

This is the way the project should be looked at. No more no less.

 

[Curious Constance]

You can see Dash in one of the scene tubes.

I wonder if that was the lady who thought cars would be parking in the old hotel rooms at the Carousel Inn?

These are the types of videos that let Disney know it can get away with cheap, horrible storytelling. They likely think most people that come to the parks won't know the difference.

 

[Rich T]

He likely genuinely believes that this will make the area better. A theme park is t viewed as a distinct storytelling medium, but a movie branded amusement park. Walt Disney Imagineering needs to cut the crap with the elaborate (expensive) stories and get to the real purpose of a theme park, movie experiences. It’s not so nefarious (although there is a streak of disdain for the whole thing) and is a view very often expressed even in Disney park fan communities. Pixar Pier gives the pier identity by tying it to a hugely successful series of movies.

Theme parks can be much more than movie themed experiences, and DL, at least, has always thrived on letting the guests soak up a combination of history, fantasy, real life, film characters and park-original characters. Knott's has never relied on movies (until CF brought in Peanuts), and before CF it was one of the best, most immersive and memorable history themed parks in the world. Movies-only shmovies-only. There's room at Disney for Mystic Manors AND Ratatouilles. Quality and effective storytelling are what lasts, whatever the source. Big Thunder and RSR are both brilliant; Mermaid and SS Limo are/were garbage.

The problem with Pixar Pier is this: Not a single element of the overlay conveys any sense of quality or understanding of the films they're referencing. Everything looks like a cheap, cynical cash grab, and in a couple of instances the use of the material is so clueless it makes you wonder if anyone on the project actually saw the film. Pixar Pier hurts both DCA and the great Pixar movies, which deserve SO much better treatment than being turned into carny hawkers.

 

[Disneylover152]

A lot of those Pixar IP's (Incredibles, Toy Story, Finding Nemo, Wall-E) debuted 10 or more years ago and everybody still loves them.

The only IP that I can see lasting into 2030 is Toy Story. The Incredibles are already forgotten to anyone younger than 10. I take a preschool internship at my school and nobody their knows who The Incredibles or Wall-E is. My 11 year old sister had an Incredibles Birthday Party this year and none of her friends knew who they were. They know Toy Story, Cars, and Finding Nemo. They don't even know what Inside Out is.

 

[TragicMike]

The only IP that I can see lasting into 2030 is Toy Story. The Incredibles are already forgotten to anyone younger than 10. I take a preschool internship at my school and nobody their knows who The Incredibles or Wall-E is. My 11 year old sister had an Incredibles Birthday Party this year and none of her friends knew who they were. They know Toy Story, Cars, and Finding Nemo. They don't even know what Inside Out is.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anecdotal_evidence

Meanwhile the Incredibles 2 trailer amassed 24 million views in 3 weeks

 

[Stevek]

You can see Dash in one of the scene tubes.

Ugh, everyone wants to be a Disney Parks vlogger. Turrible

 

[Rich T]

This is the way the project should be looked at. No more no less.

Oh, no, this is less. This is so much less. Pixar Pier is redefining "less." Forget for a moment the effect on the Pier Itself-- This is a loud, cheap, tacky, cynical trashing of the Pixar films. We're talking about some of the most beloved, emotional, wonderful films in Disney's possession. And this is what the management went with. Step right up folks; ride the Pixar Pal-Around, buy urine-colored sno cones and eat poor dead Bing Bong's candy tears.

 

[mickEblu]

*Never* as a replacement for current FL dark rides. Monsters Inc would be a perfect place to do this: theme the ride's exterior as movie theater. I'm picturing these "temp" rides as a combination of screens, cutouts, limited motion figures and creative use of digital projection. It could be a training camp for younger Imagineers to get some experience and try out new ideas.

Good idea. Monsters inc has a good mount of space and is expendable.

 

[lazyboy97o]

I think you might give them too much credit. They know that elaborate, expensive storytelling has been successful time and time again, and these attractions tend to last decades, rather than needing switched every few years. They just don't care. They found a much cheaper way to keep things profitable while boosting merchandise and movie sales.

They don’t care because to them themed entertainment as an actual storytelling medium is not a thing. You can’t care about something that does not and never did exist. A sentiment repeated over and over again even by self-described fans.

This is the way the project should be looked at. No more no less.

Only if we accept that Six Flags’ philosophy is correct, that character branding is what creates uniqueness and identity.

 

[Curious Constance]

Look at some of the amazing offerings over at Paradise Gardens. (Pixar Gardens?)

Awesome photo backdrop with everyone's favorite ball:

And an area with a bunch of Pixar movie posters! Where else can you get this kind of thing!?

 

[Curious Constance]

They don’t care because to them themed entertainment as an actual storytelling medium is not a thing. You can’t care about something that does not and never did exist. A sentiment repeated over and over again even by self-described fans.

Then how do they explain Pirate of the Caribbean, Haunted Mansion, BTMRR, etc?

 

[Disneylover152]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anecdotal_evidence

Meanwhile the Incredibles 2 trailer amassed 24 million views in 3 weeks

Yes, but anyone under the age of 10 doesn't know who The Incredibles are or has an interest in seeing the Sequel. And in 2030s, they are going to be having kids and they won't show their kids that movie because they never watched it.

The Incredibles is only popular with anyone born in the early-2000s or earlier. It's just not as popular as other Pixar movies.