WALL-E Attraction???

[DisneyparkFreak]

I found this article... Any truth to it?

Fans of the Super Bowl not only saw the NY Giants win in amazing fashion in what was the greatest Super Bowl ever coupled with the most amazing play in sports history (forgive the editorial comments here) - but you also saw two notable Disney-related commercials. The first was MVP Eli Manning's "I'm going to Walt Disney World" commercial, but you may have also caught a glimpse of the new WALL-E commercial by Disney promoting the upcoming movie. The film, which has a robot as its title character, will be released on June 27, 2008, and is being directed by Andrew Stanton, whose previous film, Finding Nemo, won the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature. According to one of my sources, Disney Parks is eager to promote Wall-E upon release, in keeping with their synergistic ties between films and the theme parks. My little bluebird told me that Disney is planning some sort of attraction to launch on day one of the movie's release, much the way Beauty and the Beast: Live on Stage opened the same day as the theatrical release. The only details I have now are that it's film-based, and that filming was taking place at either Lake Havasu or Lake Mead right after the new year. So while I wouldn't look for something on the same scale as an attraction like Soarin', it will likely be something more than a simple parade or character greeting area.

 

[hack2112]

I found this article... Any truth to it?

Fans of the Super Bowl not only saw the NY Giants win in amazing fashion in what was the greatest Super Bowl ever coupled with the most amazing play in sports history (forgive the editorial comments here) - but you also saw two notable Disney-related commercials. The first was MVP Eli Manning's "I'm going to Walt Disney World" commercial, but you may have also caught a glimpse of the new WALL-E commercial by Disney promoting the upcoming movie. The film, which has a robot as its title character, will be released on June 27, 2008, and is being directed by Andrew Stanton, whose previous film, Finding Nemo, won the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature. According to one of my sources, Disney Parks is eager to promote Wall-E upon release, in keeping with their synergistic ties between films and the theme parks. My little bluebird told me that Disney is planning some sort of attraction to launch on day one of the movie's release, much the way Beauty and the Beast: Live on Stage opened the same day as the theatrical release. The only details I have now are that it's film-based, and that filming was taking place at either Lake Havasu or Lake Mead right after the new year. So while I wouldn't look for something on the same scale as an attraction like Soarin', it will likely be something more than a simple parade or character greeting area.

Could you post a link from where it came from? That may help in the validity process.

 

[wbboy29]

Just a thought, but "if" this is true, maybe Narnia won't be coming back. Maybe they'll put some kind of promotional attraction for Wall-E in that space instead. :shrug:

 

[Captain Hank]

Just a thought, but "if" this is true, maybe Narnia won't be coming back. Maybe they'll put some kind of promotional attraction for Wall-E in that space instead. :shrug:

If true, that would make quite a bit of sense, since that theater is immediately adjacent to Pixar Place.

 

[Brian_WDW74]

Could you post a link from where it came from? That may help in the validity process.

It came from Lou Mongello. Here's the link:
http://www.disneyworldtrivia.com/Walt-Disney-World-Rumor-Mill/Rumor-Mill-2/10/08.html

 

[JLW11Hi]

If true, that would make quite a bit of sense, since that theater is immediately adjacent to Pixar Place.

That would be a great idea. It would tie into Pixar place, promote the new film, open with TSM, and give Pixar its own "how we do it" showcase to seperate it from the animation tour nearby.

 

[TheDisneyMagic]

If this does come about, then I agree with sticking it where Narnia (is/was?:shrug. The location is perfect around it and would be great marketing for the film.

 

[JML42691]

I would say that we should at least wait until it comes out, it might not even get that much attention (although basically every pixar movie does). Once it is out we will have an idea on whether or not there might be a ride.

 

[marni1971]

I would say that we should at least wait until it comes out, it might not even get that much attention (although basically every pixar movie does). Once it is out we will have an idea on whether or not there might be a ride.

That`s the $20,000 question.... rides could be built long after the film they are based on is forgotten and win or bomb... and think of the great attractions we never had since the film wasn`t as successful as hoped - Atlantis, The Black Hole - or just got lost after opening - The Little Mermaid original attraction for example. Do you wait and see, and have an attraction open 3 years after the movie, or do you have a great attraction open no matter what the movie does?

 

[The MaD Hatter]

That`s the $20,000 question.... rides could be built long after the film they are based on is forgotten and win or bomb... and think of the great attractions we never had since the film wasn`t as successful as hoped - Atlantis, The Black Hole - or just got lost after opening - The Little Mermaid original attraction for example. Do you wait and see, and have an attraction open 3 years after the movie, or do you have a great attraction open no matter what the movie does?

I think a good attraction is a good attraction no matter if it ties into a successful movie or not. A lot of the best attractions at WDW aren't (or weren't, in the case of POTC & HM) tied into any movie. People will ride a good ride no matter what, even it happens to be based on a movie they might not like.

I can understand Disney's strategy of wanting to tie-in attractions with well-known properties (e.g., American Idol) because they think there will already be a large audience for the attraction if the movie/show is already popular. However, look at EE; it was not tied to any pre-existing property and it is wildly successful and one of the best attractions in all of WDW. I'd like to see Disney getting back to creating more highly themed, exciting attractions that tell a new and unique story rather than trying to figure out how to force a Pixar theme onto everything (and this is coming from someone who absolutely loves everything Pixar has ever done).

 

[Laura]

I'd like to see Disney getting back to creating more highly themed, exciting attractions that tell a new and unique story rather than trying to figure out how to force a Pixar theme onto everything (and this is coming from someone who absolutely loves everything Pixar has ever done).

I'm with you. I'm really disappointed with every ride being based on a movie these days.

Magic Kingdom use to be all original attractions, none based on movies (except for Fantasyland and Swiss Family Treehouse of course). Now it's slowly being overtaken by movie-based attractions, or turning the original attractions into movies (like HM). Creativity seems to be lacking with with imagineers these days (Joe Rohde an exception though - EE is brilliant and original).

If you're gonna base an attraction on a movie at least make it an obscure, old movie that will be result in something timeless (like Splash Mountain or Tower of Terror) instead of basing it on the latest fad. I mean look at the yawn factor of HISTA and Stitch because they were themed to fads instead of something that will endure.

 

[Master Yoda]

Correct me if I am wrong but didn't Bob Iger talk about this very thing ( simultaneous movie and attraction release) when he got promoted to his current position? Could this be the first real attempt at that?

If it is true I doubt that they would go with something on such a grand scale as Soarin but I would think that Disney would shoot a little higher that Narnia which was really nothing more that a plussed trailer.

But in the flip side the Soarin concept does have advantages. It is without a doubt one of the most well liked and versatile ride systems that WDI has ever come up with. It is a semi-thrill ride that a 3 year old or 93 year old can experience plus switching themes would be fairly easy. If they designed the look of the show building in a similar manor to the theater in the wild at AK then they could switch out the movie pretty much whenever they need to. If WALL-E goes in and bombs it is no big deal as it could be replaced rather quickly. The could also drastically increase rerideability by changing the movie out every 12 to 18 months. In essence they would create a facility that could be retrofitted for every latest and greatest movie almost overnight.

In closing great idea.....Now where can this sucker be built at DHS? To do it near Pixar Place the back lot the back lot tour would need to go bye-bye as well as the practice course for LMA. Of course there is always the parking lot behind Star Tours.

 

[jt04]

"Disneyparkfreak" is sounding very much like ReDis. Seriously if they were to build anything it could not be very elaborate in the short span of time before the film opens. Maybe a Narnia-esque walk through at most. Wall-E will deserve an E ticket attraction in my opinion.

 

[Delta Topco]

I'm sure I rememeber hearing that WDI has nearly completed a 'life-size' WALL-E character which would roam around Tomorrowland and actually pick up trash. I believe it is the next stage in the Living Characters program following the Muppets Mobile Lab. Perhaps this is what the rumour is referring to?

 

[Laura]

"Disneyparkfreak" is sounding very much like ReDis.

Disneyparkfreak merely quoted another website. ReDis wrote his own stuff.

 

[JEANYLASER]

I love you're idea for a ride from Wall-E attraction I hope Wall-E will be instead of Mission:Space!

 

[PaisleyMF]

I'm sure I rememeber hearing that WDI has nearly completed a 'life-size' WALL-E character which would roam around Tomorrowland and actually pick up trash. I believe it is the next stage in the Living Characters program following the Muppets Mobile Lab. Perhaps this is what the rumour is referring to?

it will be a great replacement for the talking trash can. Plus if they are using some amazing technology with Mr Potato Hear for TSM, and the amazing job WDI did with Lucky and Muppets Mobile Lab. I can imagine this pretty easily.

I love you're idea for a ride from Wall-E attraction I hope Wall-E will be instead of Mission:Space!

Actually i can see him more attached to Energy (for some weird reason than M:S)

 

[Figment82]

While I would dearly miss Push, a walk-around Wall-E character would be amazing. With the technology that they been able to develop through Lucky and the Muppet Mobile Lab, the possibilities are endless. He could easily fold back up into a box, pick up guests' trash in his little dustbin, talk to guests in that adorable little voice, etc. They could even somehow work his cockroach friend or even Eve, possibly.

 

[Laura]

While I would dearly miss Push, a walk-around Wall-E character would be amazing. With the technology that they been able to develop through Lucky and the Muppet Mobile Lab, the possibilities are endless. He could easily fold back up into a box, pick up guests' trash in his little dustbin, talk to guests in that adorable little voice, etc. They could even somehow work his cockroach friend or even Eve, possibly.

Hey, speaking of Push I had an idea the last time I saw him out. Actually, it was Wes Palm I saw. You know how there's always the discreet touristy guy holding his hand up to his mouth pretending not to be talking? Well you can almost always find the guy if you look for him. What I think they should do is put the microphone inside a cell phone. No one would ever be able to find him because EVERYONE is always talking on cell phones.

 

[Figment82]

Hey, speaking of Push I had an idea the last time I saw him out. Actually, it was Wes Palm I saw. You know how there's always the discreet touristy guy holding his hand up to his mouth pretending not to be talking? Well you can almost always find the guy if you look for him. What I think they should do is put the microphone inside a cell phone. No one would ever be able to find him because EVERYONE is always talking on cell phones.

You're not the first person who has mentioned that idea - I've always wondered why they did not advance the tecnhology to make it a little more discreet.

It kills me that there's always some jerk who feels the need to announce *loudly* how it works. They are so proud of themselves for figuring it out and need to run around behind the guy and point him out to everyone. Yes, we all know how it works, but can we preserve the magic just this once?