DHS What should they do with Animation Courtyard?

[Coaster Lover]

A thought occurs. Wasn't the justification for moving away from the "behind the scenes" aspect of the park that DVD bonus features already do the same "behind the scenes" thing?

Personal opinion, but I think it's also because "how movies are made" just isn't as interesting as it was >20 years ago. As we have transitioned from practical to digital effects minimizing the use of in camera effects, miniatures, robotics, models, etc, I just don't think you can build an attraction around blue screens, mocap, and AI. I mean, don't get me wrong, visual effects can be fascinating as a subject (I love YouTube channels like Corridor Crew or Captain Disillusion which break down visual effects), I just don't think it translates well into theme park attractions.

I feel like Test Track suffered a similar fate. When Test Track first opened and car safety was tested very much practically (as was shown on the ride itself), that was much more interesting to experience as a concept than now when so much of the car testing is (at least initially) done simulated in a computer.

 

[SteveAZee]

I’ve heard that one short-term concept here is to replace Launch Bay with …

Stop me if you’ve heard this before


… a series of walk-thru exhibits about Disney animation.

Which, okay, is relatively straightforward and inexpensive. They could use it to promote tons of upcoming projects. Meets the synergy goal.

If that’s the case, I think they should play it like a “buddy movie”. Cast a comedian who doesn’t understand animation and someone really strait-laced to explain it. I’m pretty sure I could have a script ready in a couple hours.

Thanks for the memories.

 

[Marc Davis Fan]

I’ve heard that one short-term concept here is to replace Launch Bay with …

Stop me if you’ve heard this before


… a series of walk-thru exhibits about Disney animation.

Which, okay, is relatively straightforward and inexpensive. They could use it to promote tons of upcoming projects. Meets the synergy goal.

…and it would result in “Animation Courtyard” making sense again.

Especially if it’s combined with some cosmetic touch-ups to the land’s buildings (even if just some animation-related paint schemes and banners), this sounds like a really solid stopgap.

 

[Agent H]

I’ve heard that one short-term concept here is to replace Launch Bay with …

Stop me if you’ve heard this before


… a series of walk-thru exhibits about Disney animation.

Which, okay, is relatively straightforward and inexpensive. They could use it to promote tons of upcoming projects. Meets the synergy goal.

If that’s the case, I think they should play it like a “buddy movie”. Cast a comedian who doesn’t understand animation and someone really strait-laced to explain it. I’m pretty sure I could have a script ready in a couple hours.

As long as It stays short term it sounds better than launch bay.

 

[ᗩLᘿᑕ ֊ᗩζᗩᗰ]

I’ve heard that one short-term concept here is to replace Launch Bay with …

Stop me if you’ve heard this before


… a series of walk-thru exhibits about Disney animation.

Which, okay, is relatively straightforward and inexpensive. They could use it to promote tons of upcoming projects. Meets the synergy goal.

If that’s the case, I think they should play it like a “buddy movie”. Cast a comedian who doesn’t understand animation and someone really strait-laced to explain it. I’m pretty sure I could have a script ready in a couple hours.

Putting synergy incentives aside, the main concern—whether it's a stopgap or short-term solution—is whether it will actually drive foot traffic. I'm leaning toward... nope.

 

[Bocabear]

Didn't they have this exact thing at DCA? It was actually pretty cool... When I was there they had lots of Tim Burton stuff celebrating the upcoming Frakenweenie.. But they also had similar stuff in the Animation building years ago... I think for today's crowds this would be a real snore. They need to stop doing temporary fixes that last for decades past their expiration date and just keep adding things... There have been lots of interesting ideas on what to do with this area of the park... I think a best version of Toontown would be amazing and a perfect fit....and they could feature multiple animation IPs and even do promotion on upcoming animated films... a coule great attractions and some smaller C-D attractions, Dining, Toontown specific shopping ( like HP worlds) It could be pretty amazing, and at the far end of the park, Jim Henson Studios and a Muppets area with RNRC, and new show, a spinner etc....

 

[Brer Panther]

the IP they want for the space is currently holed up with another park

Please tell me you're referring to Marvel and not The Simpsons. Please, pleeeeeeeeeeeeeease tell me they're not actually going forward with the Simpsons thing...

As we have transitioned from practical to digital effects minimizing the use of in camera effects, miniatures, robotics, models, etc, I just don't think you can build an attraction around blue screens, mocap, and AI.

Yeah, movie studios are definitely now too reliant on CGI. I know, I know, it's cheaper, and there are some things you kind of HAVE to do in CGI, but still...

 

[Agent H]

Please tell me you're referring to Marvel and not The Simpsons. Please, pleeeeeeeeeeeeeease tell me they're not actually going forward with the Simpsons thing...

Agreed.

 

[infloencer]

Please tell me you're referring to Marvel and not The Simpsons. Please, pleeeeeeeeeeeeeease tell me they're not actually going forward with the Simpsons thing...

What’s the huge issue with the Simpsons? I’d really like to understand

 

[James Alucobond]

What’s the huge issue with the Simpsons? I’d really like to understand

It could be tolerable as an isolated attraction, but HS is currently in the business of converting everything into themed IP-based lands. The Simpsons does not take place in an interesting setting. It is intended to be mundane; it’s a cartoon sitcom. The series’ most prominent locales are a shabby residential home, a dive bar, a public school, a nuclear power plant, and a convenience store. Universal barely made it workable by copping out and theming a carnival to Krusty. The question is, why pick The Simpsons when you have access to hundreds of fanciful settings that are interesting even without the veneer of a rapidly waning IP attached to them?

 

[TrainsOfDisney]

What’s the huge issue with the Simpsons? I’d really like to understand

to me, the Simpsons are the opposite of Disney. Irreverent, crude, etc. same issue with Deadpool and even Guardians.

Simpsons are less relevant these days but still a very recognizable IP (similar category as the Muppets) so I can see the appeal of using them in the parks and DHS would be the place for them.

For me personally- i wouldn’t want to have them in a park down the road from a park that was known for having them.

 

[HMF]

I am a fan of Disney and The Simpsons. I am not a fan of Disney and The Simpsons together. Same with Marvel and I seemed to be the only one expecting the Star Wars Sequels to be bad a decade ago.

 

[Emamba]

Didn't they have this exact thing at DCA? It was actually pretty cool... When I was there they had lots of Tim Burton stuff celebrating the upcoming Frakenweenie.. But they also had similar stuff in the Animation building years ago... I think for today's crowds this would be a real snore. They need to stop doing temporary fixes that last for decades past their expiration date and just keep adding things... There have been lots of interesting ideas on what to do with this area of the park... I think a best version of Toontown would be amazing and a perfect fit....and they could feature multiple animation IPs and even do promotion on upcoming animated films... a coule great attractions and some smaller C-D attractions, Dining, Toontown specific shopping ( like HP worlds) It could be pretty amazing, and at the far end of the park, Jim Henson Studios and a Muppets area with RNRC, and new show, a spinner etc....

If they brought Animation Academy from DCA to that area as a short term fix then I think something like that could be really popular. Especially adding it with exhibits.

 

[Disgruntled Walt]

I assume it'd be short term because the IP they want for the space is currently holed up with another park til its contract expires...

 

[Brer Panther]

@TrainsOfDisney put it best. The Simpsons just doesn't feel like a good fit for a Disney park. Even at its funniest it's crude, edgy, and snide. It's the same reason why I'd be horrified at the thought of them putting a Family Guy attraction in the parks.

And I just know what they're gonna do for the Simpsons attraction. It's gonna be a ride version of those awful shorts on Disney Plus - you know, the painfully unfunny ones where the Simpsons interact with poorly-drawn, wrong-sounding versions of Disney characters? The ones that think they are so smart and clever and are wrong? Those shorts?

 

[Bocabear]

to me, the Simpsons are the opposite of Disney. Irreverent, crude, etc. same issue with Deadpool and even Guardians.

Simpsons are less relevant these days but still a very recognizable IP (similar category as the Muppets) so I can see the appeal of using them in the parks and DHS would be the place for them.

For me personally- i wouldn’t want to have them in a park down the road from a park that was known for having them.

But does recognizable mean it is a good fit for anything more than what it currently is? I sure don't want to visit the Kardashian mini-land in a theme park....or frankly anywhere.
Simpsons have had a run at a competing theme park... They never felt like a fit for a Disney Park.
Disney literally owns hundreds of creative and fitting IP that they are currently not using anywhere... I would rather see Disney theme parks celebrate their own classic IP... not recognizable things they purchased from another company.

 

[TrainsOfDisney]

I would rather see Disney theme parks celebrate their own classic IP... not recognizable things they purchased from another company.

i mean… I can’t say that and also say they should have kept and expanded muppets without being a total hypocrite.

I wish Disney wouldn’t purchase IP’s that are not in line with the Disney brand though. Lucas and Muppets are. Deadpool and Simpsons aren’t. But that’s just my opinion.

 

[HMF]

. It's the same reason why I'd be horrified at the thought of them putting a Family Guy attraction in the parks.

Especially when WDI has to replace it's Show Writers with Manatees to keep the writing style accurate.

 

[HMF]

i mean… I can’t say that and also say they should have kept and expanded muppets without being a total hypocrite.

I wish Disney wouldn’t purchase IP’s that are not in line with the Disney brand though. Lucas and Muppets are. Deadpool and Simpsons aren’t. But that’s just my opinion.

The problem is Iger needed to buy other IP to cover up the fact that the actual Disney Studios have been creatively bankrupt for years.

 

[Brer Panther]

Disney literally owns hundreds of creative and fitting IP that they are currently not using anywhere... I would rather see Disney theme parks celebrate their own classic IP... not recognizable things they purchased from another company.

Yeah, it'd be really insulting if The Simpsons got an attraction before, say, The Jungle Book.