DHS What should they do with Animation Courtyard?

[Casper Gutman]

Seems like we’re kind of losing sight of the news that Disney has absolutely no long term plans for AC and just intends to leave it a mess of “short term” stopgaps. Since the supposed big plans the company had for the area was perhaps the most prominent argument put forward by posters more positive regarding the loss of Muppets, this seems pretty significant.

 

[Dranth]

But the potter lands are locations that people actually want to visit...unlike Andy's Back Yard, or some planet no one ever heard of... The Potter integration is pretty amazing... I think I have seen way more than enough Toy Story, Frozen, and Cars... We are saturated for BATB and Mermaid as well...

I wouldn't call the newest Potter land a place people were clamoring to visit. Maybe the Ministry, but that is the ride, not the land.

Also, I am sure everyone has certain franchises they are sick of, but if something is done well, I don't think many would be upset. For example, just because BatB has a bad play, an okay M&G, and a part time sing-along doesn't mean a well done dark ride wouldn't be welcome. If anything it would be a great reason to retool some or all of those other attractions.

 

[Dranth]

Seems like we’re kind of losing sight of the news that Disney has absolutely no long term plans for AC and just intends to leave it a mess of “short term” stopgaps. Since the supposed big plans the company had for the area was perhaps the most prominent argument put forward by posters more positive regarding the loss of Muppets, this seems pretty significant.

This is the biggest thing for me.

Knowing they have no real plans for this area actually p-ssed me off. There was ZERO reason to close Muppets if this is going to continue to exist as a giant waste of time and space for another 10-15 years with only minor refreshes. Monsters should have gone here.

 

[JackCH]

But the potter lands are locations that people actually want to visit...unlike Andy's Back Yard, or some planet no one ever heard of... The Potter integration is pretty amazing... I think I have seen way more than enough Toy Story, Frozen, and Cars... We are saturated for BATB and Mermaid as well...

Oh yeah you'll find no disagreement with me on the quality of the lands/integration. I have no prolbem with Potter being used a lot if it is done well. But that seems to me to be a different argument than what you were making about using the same IP over and over.

I actually want them to do more Star Wars, for example. Just do a land we know and with characters who are more timeless.

 

[JackCH]

Seems like we’re kind of losing sight of the news that Disney has absolutely no long term plans for AC and just intends to leave it a mess of “short term” stopgaps. Since the supposed big plans the company had for the area was perhaps the most prominent argument put forward by posters more positive regarding the loss of Muppets, this seems pretty significant.

I agree with this. If nothing is done with AC within the next decade, that makes the Monsters decision more baffling.

 

[Fox&Hound]

I agree with this. If nothing is done with AC within the next decade, that makes the Monsters decision more baffling.

Disney could save money by putting Monsters there and it can open faster. I wouldn’t overthink it…

 

[JackCH]

Disney could save money by putting Monsters there and it can open faster. I wouldn’t overthink it…

Baffling was the wrong word. Dissapointing is the better term. I would have rather them done nothing this cycle to then do something bigger in AC next cycle, than do Monsters in place of Muppets and something temporary in AC next time.

 

[Casper Gutman]

Oh yeah you'll find no disagreement with me on the quality of the lands/integration. I have no prolbem with Potter being used a lot if it is done well. But that seems to me to be a different argument than what you were making about using the same IP over and over.

I actually want them to do more Star Wars, for example. Just do a land we know and with characters who are more timeless.

Yeah, I’m baffled by the arbitrary “one land/ attraction per IP” thing. Both Diagon and Potter Paris are masterpieces and I’d love to have more (better) Star Wars lands. Marvel in California shows the kind of bland mess you can get if a huge, diverse IP is forcefully reduced to one “theme.”

Now, not every IP can support multiple lands like Potter, SW, and Marvel, but a lot of strong Disney franchises are currently underserved in Orlando - Lion King, Aladdin, Moana, Beauty, etc. all have some presence but could support much more.

 

[easyrowrdw]

Disney could save money by putting Monsters there and it can open faster. I wouldn’t overthink it…

Part of my frustration is with that they could’ve just added the ride. They could put the Monster coaster right where it’s going and without doing anything to Muppets. Design a giant doorway or something that takes you to the Monster factory.

 

[Fox&Hound]

Part of my frustration is with that they could’ve just added the ride. They could put the Monster coaster right where it’s going and without doing anything to Muppets. Design a giant doorway or something that takes you to the Monster factory.

I agree! Or keep the show where it is and say it is a show on tour. But of course everything has to be a full land now. Muppets should have stayed.

 

[Rockishcoco]

IF (and that's the biggest if on the planet) Disney ever gets some deal for the Marvel rights, the most I could see is maybe freeing up the Black Panther characters for a Wakanda land. Seems the most feasible piecemeal deal they could get. Fulfills the criteria of an IP that's 1. Not being used extensively at IOA, 2. Popular enough to be worth the hassle, 3. Easily Theme Park-able and mostly standalone. The real loss for Disney on a lot of the newer Marvel stuff not hitting (i.e Eternals, The Marvels, Shang-Chi, etc) is that they can't use them for a B-team-esque juryrigged Marvel Land like I'm sure they wished.

Wakanda at Animation Courtyard might be the most Iger-core timeline when I think about it.

(I just want some 20th Century Fox love)

 

[wdwfan4ver]

I agree with this. If nothing is done with AC within the next decade, that makes the Monsters decision more baffling.

Don't expect anything done with AC within the next decade. I am saying this for a couple reason starting with there are rumors about Disney doing something the DHS version of Tower of Terror.

Also right now there is a rumor on Disney wanting to do a Indiana Jones complete reboot. If Disney does a Indiana jones reboot, its safe to say Disney would do something with the stunt show.

 

[Tha Realest]

Seems like we’re kind of losing sight of the news that Disney has absolutely no long term plans for AC and just intends to leave it a mess of “short term” stopgaps. Since the supposed big plans the company had for the area was perhaps the most prominent argument put forward by posters more positive regarding the loss of Muppets, this seems pretty significant.

Has the lack of plans for AC been confirmed? Yes, I recall two arguments for Muppetland not going to AC:
1) They have “bigger plans” in store for AC, and
2) Won’t anyone think of the poor displaced workers?

to that second point, Disney recently and very randomly posted a hagiographic video for a random backstage building in/near AC, which felt very odd and a way to subtly underscore how historic and important this building is (which is not open to the public):

Rare Look Inside Feature Animation Building at Disney's Hollywood Studios

Walt Disney World has provided a sneak peek inside the Feature Animation building, located backstage at Disney's Hollywood Studios

blogmickey.com

 

[ToTBellHop]

Oh yeah you'll find no disagreement with me on the quality of the lands/integration. I have no prolbem with Potter being used a lot if it is done well. But that seems to me to be a different argument than what you were making about using the same IP over and over.

I actually want them to do more Star Wars, for example. Just do a land we know and with characters who are more timeless.

Rest assured: you’ll get your Jar-Jar Binks roller coaster one day.

 

[CoastalElite64]

Many have said Incredibles, Big Hero 6, and Doctor Strange (who I believe they can use) would make a decent land.

And while I do not think Universal will ever fully "give the rights" to Disney, I do wonder if it is not outside the realm of possibility they could reach a smaller agreement to allow Disney to use some heroes in exchange for something from Disney (whether money or IP). Like maybe Disney could get permission just to use Iron Man or something.

There's a solid lineup of Marvel B heroes that will be overlooked by the other castle parks. These options plus Big Hero 6 could work.

A-
Dr. Strange and mystical heroes

B
Ghost Rider ?
Moon Knight
Shang-Chi ?
Blade

C
Young Avengers

 

[HMF]

I wouldn't call the newest Potter land a place people were clamoring to visit. Maybe the Ministry, but that is the ride, not the land.

I think Potter as a franchise may be on it's way out of public favor.

 

[easyrowrdw]

I think Potter as a franchise may be on it's way out of public favor.

I don’t see it. The video game was/is a best-seller and they’re currently making a new TV show. Anecdotally, Potter seems to be very popular among school-age children.

 

[CoastalElite64]

I don’t see it. The video game was/is a best-seller and they’re currently making a new TV show. Anecdotally, Potter seems to be very popular among school-age children.

Its mixed.. the prequel series was cancelled after the movies flopped.

 

[easyrowrdw]

Its mixed.. the prequel series was cancelled after the movies flopped.

I always forget about those lol. I guess the last one flopped, which was the death knell, but the first two seemed to be pretty successful.

 

[JackCH]

Rest assured: you’ll get your Jar-Jar Binks roller coaster one day.

Meesa think that'd be baaaaaad bombin'.