Stitch's Great Escape Tencennial Celebration

[righttrack]

It's another example of a movie that did better than expected and hastily got a WDW attraction. It's really no different than Frozen except Frozen is going into World Showcase, and Stitch found a more appropriate location. Doesn't change the fact that it's awful and that it lures kids with a false sense of security into a ride that may be scary for them. At least Alien Encounter was a bit more honest that it was scary.

 

[DistractedGenius]

I am amongst the many that believe that this ride/show/attraction/thing is pretty much the worst, but I will tell you who doesn't: The 5-12 year old boy demographic. Theoretically. I'm really interested in studying marketing in college and absolutely agree that the only reason this thing has stayed in Magic Kingdom is because Disney can say that they theoretically have a ride for this sticky situation of a demographic.
But anyway, totally surprised it lasted ten years. I remember people coming out crying in 2006.

 

[The Empress Lilly]

I am amongst the many that believe that this ride/show/attraction/thing is pretty much the worst, but I will tell you who doesn't: The 5-12 year old boy demographic. Theoretically. I'm really interested in studying marketing in college and absolutely agree that the only reason this thing has stayed in Magic Kingdom is because Disney can say that they theoretically have a ride for this sticky situation of a demographic.

Pirates, treehouses, wild animals, jungle exploration, cowboys & indians, forts, toy guns, rafts, racecars, rocket ships. steam trains. The MK was made by and for big boys living out their boyhood fantasies. Just exactly how a park made for the fifty year old male came to be associated with the five year old girl, then transformed to her liking, is another story. But surely there still is no shortage of things to do for the 5-12 year old boy demographic?

 

[chemicalart]

I'll speak for that "hidden demographic" of young boys.

Stitch WAS the thing for young boys. But guess what? Something came along better. It was about a war that took place around stars.

I would prefer that, but the whole ride needs to be gutted. As someone linked earlier, the original ride at least tried to appeal to an original audience (teens) but the current ride is shows the tragedy of decision by committee in that it bores teens but scares young children.

 

[Bairstow]

but I will tell you who doesn't: The 5-12 year old boy demographic.

I'm not doubting that an 8-year-old boy probably stands a better chance of, er, appreciating Stitch more than most of us, but do you have any numbers to show that they actually like the thing?

Also, I'd wager that the reason Stitch stuck around is that it would have cost money to remove it, and even more money to put something back in its place.
For most of the last decade, Disney hasn't been keen on spending money they don't have to.
Also, as much as a lot of people are sick of him, Stitch still manages to move his share of merch.

 

[Bairstow]

I'll speak for that "hidden demographic" of young boys.

Stitch WAS the thing for young boys. But guess what? Something came along better. It was about a war that took place around stars.

That and Jack Sparrow.
It was the next big thing Disney stumbled into.

 

[EOD K9]

I'll speak for that "hidden demographic" of young boys.

Stitch WAS the thing for young boys. But guess what? Something came along better. It was about a war that took place around stars.

Other than The Borg, I know of no such war. I thought the United Federation of Planets was at peace with most known life forms.

 

[chemicalart]

Stitch has a unique place among cast hearts? Know why?

No other character can get away with dumping ice onto a lazy river with guests on it. Guests will get flustered for a minute then realize "It was stich? Ha!"

In other words: Stitch is the one time cast members get away with mischief and everyone laughs. For that reason I think he is great.

 

[chemicalart]

That and Jack Sparrow.
It was the next big thing Disney stumbled into.

Pirates was...complicated. When I grew up in the 90's pirates were cool in the sense that they did bad things but for good reasons. Jack Sparrow gave a face...but in my experience the pirate love was always there.

THAT said, Jack Sparrow was the next love after Stitch. But now I think Star Wars is the current love for Disney...as if they were not already.

 

[Bairstow]

Pirates was...complicated. When I grew up in the 90's pirates were cool in the sense that they did bad things but for good reasons. Jack Sparrow gave a face...but in my experience the pirate love was always there.

THAT said, Jack Sparrow was the next love after Stitch. But now I think Star Wars is the current love for Disney...as if they were not already.

I would hazard to say that the Avengers and Guardians of the Galaxy are a much hotter property for kids than is Star Wars, at least with the 12-and-under set.

 

[Bairstow]

Stitch has a unique place among cast hearts? Know why?

No other character can get away with dumping ice onto a lazy river with guests on it.

lol
Do they do this?

 

[chemicalart]

I would hazard to say that the Avengers and Guardians of the Galaxy are a much hotter property for kids than is Star Wars, at least with the 12-and-under set.

Right now I would say yes, but the latest AAA movie from star wars is approaching 10 years old, while the avengers and GotG are both far younger. It really is comparing apples to oranges. It would be more fair to compare them after the next SW movie comes out.

A different angle:

Would either an Avengers movie or GotG weekends (month) sell out?....

OK, bad example...all three probably would.

 

[chemicalart]

lol
Do they do this?

Not anymore...but the legacy still serves as a laugh. Cast members love the idea of Stitch.

 

[George Lucas on a Bench]

Just think, Stitch is going to last longer than Horizons!

 

[FoozieBear]

Just think, Stitch is going to last longer than Horizons!

Haven't you done enough scaring for today yet?

 

[DistractedGenius]

I suppose I should mention that the operating word is theoretically. I'm also super aware that Disney is definitely not spending as much money and the thought of putting in something new that would cost *gasp* money is terrifying to TDO. So theoretically, Stitch's Great Escape looks great on a flyer or a trip planner as a thing for 5-12 males, but is not so great in reality. It's kind of like throwing a bone amidst attractions they are too young to appreciate and princesses.
And in concerns to MK having other stuff for this demographic, it's totally there, I agree, but Stitch at one point in his life was new and exciting and hot stuff. Also things like age and thrill capacity and height restrictions is another thing to think about. Either way you slice it, I know most of the 5-12 year old boys in my sister's elementary school would rather see Stitch than do the Swiss Family Robinson Treehouse.
But yeah, I totally agree, there are other "Boy" oriented things in MK, this is just one of the "newer" ones. (The fact that it's ten years old and considered newer is a problem).
Sorry if none of this makes sense, and I'm not trying to invalidate your points, I just think Disney believes they actually might still get some mileage out of this thing even though it should have died a long time ago.

 

[FettFan]

Well hopefully, with Star Wars 7 coming out, they can re-theme it to "Sith's Great Escape" in which Darth Andy Serkis beams himself into the chamber and runs amok.

Also, lens flare effects all over the place.





EDIT -- I also maintain that Stitch's Great Escape wouldn't be so bad if they would have continued the XS Tech storyline. New XS Chairman decides to reinvigorate the teleportation program, but things go screwy (as usual) and *poof* Stitch is in the building.
Bring back the T.O.M. 2000 preshow with Phil Hartman to set a lighter mood, and you have a winner. Not AS good as the original AE, but nowhere near as insulting to the audience as the current SGE.

 

[Little Green Men]

Just think, Stitch is going to last longer than Horizons!

About five years ahead of yourself, aren't you?

 

[Fox&Hound]

Take it out. Replace it with a Star Wars meet and greet. Take out Monster's and ship it to HS. Add in WallE. Add in Star Wars and Guardians of the Galaxy. Theme the restaurant to a planetarium with a view of the cosmos: shooting stars, view of planets, etc all spread across the ceiling of the restaurant. FutureWorld really needs more cohesive theming and focusing on all things outerspace could do it if they remove Monster's.....

I really hope TL will get some love once things wrap up at AK and maybe HS......

 

[Cmdr_Crimson]

Abomination.