News Primeval Whirl, Stitch's Great Escape and Rivers of Light permanently closed

[doctornick]

No matter how you shake it, any Dinosaur IP they come up with is competing with Jurassic Park. Dig site theme is potentially doable though.

the counterbalance to JP is simply to be a dinosaur area where you get to meet and learn about dinosaurs... rather than be potentially scared and eaten by them. Dinosaur (the ride) doesn't do this, but stuff the boneyard works. They simple need a slow moving ride to allow you to see dinosaurs the Dino Institute has brought back from the past and nursed to health, etc. (i.e. a dinosaur zoo).

 

[UNCgolf]

the counterbalance to JP is simply to be a dinosaur area where you get to meet and learn about dinosaurs... rather than be potentially scared and eaten by them. Dinosaur (the ride) doesn't do this, but stuff the boneyard works. They simple need a slow moving ride to allow you to see dinosaurs the Dino Institute has brought back from the past and nursed to health, etc. (i.e. a dinosaur zoo).

A 10 minute dark/boat ride where you see a bunch of animatronic dinosaurs would be a massive hit.

 

[ImperfectPixie]

A 10 minute dark/boat ride where you see a bunch of animatronic dinosaurs would be a massive hit.

They wouldn't even need to move a whole lot if they made good use of fog machines.

 

[RSoxNo1]

A 10 minute dark/boat ride where you see a bunch of animatronic dinosaurs would be a massive hit.

How about Captain Dinosaur's Pirates Rip Off?

 

[yensidtlaw1969]

4 or 5 years ago, maybe. Now this long after the movie has been out...I don't think so

This is part of the risk with building IP based attractions - at the level of investment it takes to build in a theme park, you're looking at a 20-50 year intended lifespan. Rush too quickly on a property that ends up being a flash in the pan and you're still stuck with it for a good while yet. The main reason Stitch's Great Escape lasted as long as it did was that they spent a pretty penny on the AE to SGE conversion and didn't want to spend more money redoing it so quickly. Lilo & Stitch wasn't a flash in the pan movie, but the attraction was poorly recieved and far outstayed its welcome.

Now, the flip side of this is that a sufficiently excellent attraction has the ability to succeed despite its IP or lackthereof - Splash Mountain is generally the most famous (if also notorious) example of this, where most people riding have never seen the movie it's based on and that hasn't lessened its popularity one bit. And of course Pirates, Big Thunder, Haunted Mansion, Small World, Space Mountain . . . plenty of enduring attractions succeed for decades without any IP basis.

Generally speaking, the "cheat code" here is to base your attraction or anything you want or nothing at all, and just put the pedal to the metal and commit to making it an amazing attraction and chances are statistically good that it will carry its weight.

 

[Disney4Lyfe]

Don't let one's personal meh-ness to the movie blind oneself to just how immensely popular the IP is.

Is? Or Was?

There is a big difference.

 

[kalel8145]

This is part of the risk with building IP based attractions - at the level of investment it takes to build in a theme park, you're looking at a 20-50 year intended lifespan. Rush too quickly on a property that ends up being a flash in the pan and you're still stuck with it for a good while yet. The main reason Stitch's Great Escape lasted as long as it did was that they spent a pretty penny on the AE to SGE conversion and didn't want to spend more money redoing it so quickly. Lilo & Stitch wasn't a flash in the pan movie, but the attraction was poorly recieved and far outstayed its welcome.

Now, the flip side of this is that a sufficiently excellent attraction has the ability to succeed despite its IP or lackthereof - Splash Mountain is generally the most famous (if also notorious) example of this, where most people riding have never seen the movie it's based on and that hasn't lessened its popularity one bit. And of course Pirates, Big Thunder, Haunted Mansion, Small World, Space Mountain . . . plenty of enduring attractions succeed for decades without any IP basis.

Generally speaking, the "cheat code" here is to base your attraction or anything you want or nothing at all, and just put the pedal to the metal and commit to making it an amazing attraction and chances are statistically good that it will carry its weight.

This is a very good point. Admittedly I am one that goes OHHHH new Marvel ride or OHHHH new attraction with the new thing. But what are the favorites? Pirates, Big Thunder, Haunted Mansion, Small World, Space Mountain. While Marvel has staying power, will it 10-15 years from now? If not what happens? Why you gotta make me think?

 

[UNCgolf]

This is part of the risk with building IP based attractions - at the level of investment it takes to build in a theme park, you're looking at a 20-50 year intended lifespan. Rush too quickly on a property that ends up being a flash in the pan and you're still stuck with it for a good while yet. The main reason Stitch's Great Escape lasted as long as it did was that they spent a pretty penny on the AE to SGE conversion and didn't want to spend more money redoing it so quickly. Lilo & Stitch wasn't a flash in the pan movie, but the attraction was poorly recieved and far outstayed its welcome.

Now, the flip side of this is that a sufficiently excellent attraction has the ability to succeed despite its IP or lackthereof - Splash Mountain is generally the most famous (if also notorious) example of this, where most people riding have never seen the movie it's based on and that hasn't lessened its popularity one bit. And of course Pirates, Big Thunder, Haunted Mansion, Small World, Space Mountain . . . plenty of enduring attractions succeed for decades without any IP basis.

Generally speaking, the "cheat code" here is to base your attraction or anything you want or nothing at all, and just put the pedal to the metal and commit to making it an amazing attraction and chances are statistically good that it will carry its weight.

Exactly. The IP's lifespan is irrelevant if the attraction itself is great. If the attraction is average (or even bad -- see FEA), the IP can prop it up for as long as it remains relevant, but the safest thing is to just, you know, build actual quality attractions.

 

[MisterPenguin]

Is? Or Was?

There is a big difference.

Do you have any data that people's regard for the movie has waned?

 

[Disney4Lyfe]

Do you have any data that people's regard for the movie has waned?

You seem to be the data guy. I was just asking a question.

I wonder, where does it rank on views on D+

Or on merch sales.

Anyone out there know how to look such things up?

 

[Disney4Lyfe]

Do you have any data that people's regard for the movie has waned?

I did a little sleuthing. ShopDisney has 2 Zootopia plush for sale and that’s it on toys.

Amazon has basically nothing. Looks like about 10 toys. A couple plush. I clicked on the top result and it’s a weird off brand Plush Combo and it’s ranked 29,022 in sales.

I can’t find any Disney+ view ratings.

 

[ToTBellHop]

Is? Or Was?

There is a big difference.

Agreed. I’m not convinced it is all that culturally relevant, although a Disney+ series would fix that. They don’t seem interested in that, though, do they? Haven’t heard anything beyond internet fanboy rumors. Encanto seems bigger in FL and CA at the moment.

In any event, I’d welcome a Zootopia area replacing Launch Bay. It would work with the DHS aesthetic.

 

[dmw]

4 or 5 years ago, maybe. Now this long after the movie has been out...I don't think so

Pandora opened 8 years after Avatar was released...

 

[MKeeler]

A 10 minute dark/boat ride where you see a bunch of animatronic dinosaurs would be a massive hit.

So much this. Kids are a key demographic that always seem to have a dinosaur-loving phase and it’s so surprising Disney doesn’t have an all ages dinosaur dark ride that isn’t scary to cast the widest net possible.

Add that and then add more flat rides to Chester and Hester, like a dino carousel, swirling meteorite tea cups, a fun house, etc, and you could have round out the park with a lot of the attractions it needs.

 

[MisterPenguin]

You seem to be the data guy. I was just asking a question.

I wonder, where does it rank on views on D+

Or on merch sales.

Anyone out there know how to look such things up?

I did a little sleuthing. ShopDisney has 2 Zootopia plush for sale and that’s it on toys.

Amazon has basically nothing. Looks like about 10 toys. A couple plush. I clicked on the top result and it’s a weird off brand Plush Combo and it’s ranked 29,022 in sales.

I can’t find any Disney+ view ratings.

Agreed. I’m not convinced it is all that culturally relevant, although a Disney+ series would fix that. They don’t seem interested in that, though, do they? Haven’t heard anything beyond internet fanboy rumors. Encanto seems bigger in FL and CA at the moment.

In any event, I’d welcome a Zootopia area replacing Launch Bay. It would work with the DHS aesthetic.

Unlike Moana which keeps showing up on Neilsen's top ten streaming movies every week (even tho D+ has half the subs as Netflix!), there is no public data on Zooptopia's (the movie) afterlife... except for what Disney is doing with it.

Disney is the one that has the result of surveys regarding Zootopia, and the streaming and DVD sales data to know how popular Zootopia is.

And if Disney is doubling down on Zootopia in a ride and mini-land in one park (so far), then that says that Disney thinks Zootopia has worth as a franchise that can be exploited. Certainly Disney wouldn't be building a mini-land for a franchise that their internal surveys show the public doesn't care about. E.g., there's no references in any of the parks to The Nutcracker and the Four Realms, even at Christmas time.

Not to mention that Zootopia also keeps showing up in the parks with M&Gs and places in parades and cameos in various projected shows.

And there is indeed an announced Zootopia animated series in the works for Disney+. That's another sign that Disney thinks it still is marketable with consumers.

Zootopia+ First Look Revealed By Disney+

Disney+ has released a first look at Zootopia+, a new, short-form series returning to the world of the hit animated movie. Originally announced during the Disney Investor’s Day 2020, and many of these projects built off of beloved characters and franchises that fans haven’t had a chance to see...

comicbook.com

 

[UNCgolf]

How about Captain Dinosaur's Pirates Rip Off?

Maybe if the dinosaurs were pillaging a colonial era port?

 

[UNCgolf]

And if Disney is doubling down on Zootopia in a ride and mini-land in one park (so far), then that says that Disney thinks Zootopia has worth as a franchise that can be exploited. Certainly Disney wouldn't be building a mini-land for a franchise that their internal surveys show the public doesn't care about. E.g., there's no references in any of the parks to The Nutcracker and the Four Realms, even at Christmas time.

I'm not sure that tells us much about its ongoing popularity in the US. Believing it can be exploited in China doesn't necessarily mean they also believe it's worth exploiting in the United States.

It obviously doesn't preclude that either, but I don't think it's good evidence either way.

 

[Comped]

I'm not sure that tells us much about its ongoing popularity in the US. Believing it can be exploited in China doesn't necessarily mean they also believe it's worth exploiting in the United States.

It obviously doesn't preclude that either, but I don't think it's good evidence either way.

Zootopia has always been very popular in China - Disney switched a segment to Mickey's Storybook Adventure (when they ported Mickey And The Wonderous Book from HKDL), from a tepid (compared to Robin Williams or even some of the Genies Disney's had at DCA/on Broadway) Friend Like Me, to some song from Zootopia with Judy appearing about halfway through. That Zootopia segment, in my opinion, was worse than the Friend Like Me segment, but it does show Zootopia's popularity in China.

Side note - for some reason, the Shanghai show has most songs in English, other than the opening/closing songs, Mulan's bit in the princess medley and the Zootopia segment. All of which are in Mandarin. They are the only songs in Mandarin -which the dialogue for the show is also in. The HKDL version keeps all the songs in English, but the dialogue is in Cantonese. (Merida also shows up instead of Mulan, and I don't particularly know why - was the film big in HK?)

 

[SplashJacket]

And if Disney is doubling down on Zootopia in a ride and mini-land in one park (so far), then that says that Disney thinks Zootopia has worth as a franchise that can be exploited.

Zootopia is a bit of an obsession in and around Shanghai, which is not representative of the other parks internationally.

Zootopia Merchandise and attention seemed to rival Mickey — very surprising.

 

[PizzaPlanet]

At one point didn’t they announce like 3 sequels or something ridiculous like that? It’s the James Cameron model.