Why so much hostility towards pixar?

[EPCOT Explorer]

A couple of the movies and all of the attractions. Rampant commercialism focussing on merchandise sales

I agree...They treat the Pixars more like fads than a movie that will become a classic.

Hey EE, does The Yeti count in your opinion?

Not at all.It's just part of the trill.

Maybe the fact that it's been 25 years tells us something about where their heads are at on this issue.

Is it not much simpler to create an attraction around an existing brand? Audiences are already familiar with the characters and as such they have a built in desire to come and visit them.

I would think that from a business perspective it's much easier to sell a spin off of an already wildly popular product than it is to create something new altogether. Your costs are much lower and the turn around would be loads faster and WDW is after all a business.

It seems to me they're leaving the character development to the people that are doing it best right now, and that would be Pixar as far as the Disney brand is concerned.

Plus there have been loads of attractions over the past 25 years that have nothing to do with movies... i.e. Test Track, Mission Space and Soarin just to name a few.

I think the proposition of creating an entire character that exists solely at WDW might be something they've deemed ineffective. I'm not the expert here, just my 2 cents.

1st Bold-Glass half empty or half full.-Neither of us knows.

2nd Bold-Is easy always the best way?Yes,I can see that it would make guests want to see some of there fave characters but Disney has created(and can create again!) Characters unique to their attractions that people fall for and come back for.(Figment-again)

3rd Bold-Yeah,but I was talking about characters...Like Sage of Time,Master Gracey,Figment...

 

[krankenstein]

I guess I'll just agree to disagree with the general consensus. I don't think Pixar "lacks soul," and I certainly do not think the movies lack originality ... all of Pixar's story lines and characters are completely original, whereas all of the classic Disney movies are mainly based on previous fairy tales and characters ...

So anyway, the parks should always have the classics, and should always have the newest and greatest original attractions, but it is also important that they continue to reflect the most popular products in the Disney portfolio ...

I agree with both of your statements above. I am just saying that right now Disney seems to be ignoring the originals and the classic Disney characters in favor of the Pixar characters. All I am advocating is for Disney to spread the wealth between all 3 groups instead of focusing on the Pixar characters.

I love the Pixar movies, especially Ratatouille and Cars, but let's diversify the attractions Disney!

EE - I didn't think you would, but he is the only one I could think of that. I guess Figment was the last one...kinda of hard to believe honestly.

 

[EpcotServo]

3rd Bold-Yeah,but I was talking about characters...Like Sage of Time,Master Gracey,Figment...

While I agree that there should be more WDI Orginal Characters, I do think that there has been quite a few in recent memory that get ignored...


-The Monsters at Monster's Inc. Laugh Floor, Designed by WDI and Pixar

-Prof. Pema Dorje, Expedition Everest

-Norbu & Bob, Expedition Everest

-Submarine Captain, Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage

-Sarge, Stitch's Great Escape

-Constance, Haunted Mansion

 

[thevader1376]

I would agree with you that the easy way is not always the best way, but it's almost always the most common way, and unfortunately when the goal is to make money the easy way wins just about every time.

Pixar itself is a great example of this. Dreamworks spends WAY less time and money on it's movies, but they make crank out way more a year than does Pixar. Consequently, the duds are more frequent with Dreamworks, but their strategy by their own admission is to make movies quickly and cheaply enough to turn a profit. Pixar on the other hand spends loads more time and money creating their movies, and they create them for themselves, not to see how much money they can make, and they have an unbroken string of hits that is unheard of in Hollywood.

It's two different schools of thought and both make loads of money, but I much prefer Pixar. I'm personally glad Pixar and Disney play together because otherwise we'd be stuck with the attractions based on the sub par movies Disney itself has cranked out over the past several years.

 

[EPCOT Explorer]

While I agree that there should be more WDI Orginal Characters, I do think that there has been quite a few in recent memory that get ignored...


-The Monsters at Monster's Inc. Laugh Floor, Designed by WDI and Pixar

-Prof. Pema Dorje, Expedition Everest

-Norbu & Bob, Expedition Everest

-Submarine Captain, Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage

-Sarge, Stitch's Great Escape

-Constance, Haunted Mansion

That's more of back story to me...I'm talkin' real stuff here.

 

[Tinkerbella16]

I think that the big beef about all of the Pixar attractions in the parks isn't necessarily because they're *Pixar* but because they're based on movie characters, and they're expanding into places where Disney-character-based rides weren't before.
Another point is that Disney seems to have (for the most part) abandoned any project that might develop its own backstory and original storyline that is unique to the parks. Everything new HAS to tie in to a pre-existing franchise.

Haunted Mansion, Pirates, Big Thunder, Space Mountain, RnRC, Tower of Terror, Everest, Kilamanjaro Safaris, Kali, Soarin, Test Track, Mission Space. These are all great, classic attractions, none of which are based on a Disney cartoon franchise.

With the exception of Everest and Soarin, look at all of the recent attractions from the past couple of years that are based on a Pixar or Disney cartoon franchise: Laugh Floor, Stitch, Seas with Nemo & Friends, Toy Story Midway Mania, Gran Fiesta Tour, Cars Land on its way to DCA, the rumored additions to Pixar Place in DHS...
One final point is that some of these attractions (Stitch and Laugh Floor, for example) replaced *original concept* Disney attractions... Timekeeper and Alien Encounter were great, original attractions.

-Rob

I agree! Very well said.

 

[scarpiapiano]

I would be angry if the Pixar was crowding out classic WDW rides. But I feel that Pixar has come to the rescue of attractions that were in need of some serious overhauling. Nemo really improved the Living Seas and resurrected the Submarine Voyage at Disneyland. Toy Story Mania replaced "Who Wants to be a Millionaire?" not Peter Pans or Snow Whites Adventures. I think the time to add an attraction is soon after the release of the movie. On the Little Mermaid DVD there is a simultation of a ride that was never realized. Sadly Disney missed the opportunity.

In my opinion Disney animation had three dark ages. The first came in 1942 after the release of Snow White, Fantasia, Pinocchio, Dumbo and Bambi. Because of World War II many animators were called into the Army and Disney's resources were used in the war effort. Don't get me wrong; I love some of the compilations such as Make Mine Music and Melody Time but I've never been able to sit through Saludos Amigos, or Three Caballeros. It wasn't until 1949 when Cinderella was released that Disney started on a role. Movies like Peter Pan, Lady and the Tramp, Sleeping Beauty, 101 Dalmations all came from this time. Then after Jungle Book and Walts death, there was another terrible period that gave us Robin Hood, The Black Cauldron, The Great Mouse Detective and Oliver and Co. Enter Michael Eisner and another wonderful period with Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin and Lion King. But then we got Treasure Planet, Atlantis, Brother Bear and Home on the Range. I think Pixar has been responsible for Disney's third renaissance in animation. I am grateful for the rebirth.

 

[thevader1376]

I would be angry if the Pixar was crowding out classic WDW rides. But I feel that Pixar has come to the rescue of attractions that were in need of some serious overhauling. Nemo really improved the Living Seas and resurrected the Submarine Voyage at Disneyland. Toy Story Mania replaced "Who Wants to be a Millionaire?" not Peter Pans or Snow Whites Adventures. I think the time to add an attraction is soon after the release of the movie. On the Little Mermaid DVD there is a simultation of a ride that was never realized. Sadly Disney missed the opportunity.

In my opinion Disney animation had three dark ages. The first came in 1942 after the release of Snow White, Fantasia, Pinocchio, Dumbo and Bambi. Because of World War II many animators were called into the Army and Disney's resources were used in the war effort. Don't get me wrong; I love some of the compilations such as Make Mine Music and Melody Time but I've never been able to sit through Saludos Amigos, or Three Caballeros. It wasn't until 1949 when Cinderella was released that Disney started on a role. Movies like Peter Pan, Lady and the Tramp, Sleeping Beauty, 101 Dalmations all came from this time. Then after Jungle Book and Walts death, there was another terrible period that gave us Robin Hood, The Black Cauldron, The Great Mouse Detective and Oliver and Co. Enter Michael Eisner and another wonderful period with Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin and Lion King. But then we got Treasure Planet, Atlantis, Brother Bear and Home on the Range. I think Pixar has been responsible for Disney's third renaissance in animation. I am grateful for the rebirth.

Excellent post. I feel exactly the same.

 

[darthjohnny]

That's more of back story to me...I'm talkin' real stuff here.

The Monster's created for the attraction are more than just a back story.

Not at all.It's just part of the trill.

And I would definately say Yeti is more than just "part of the trill." The whole ride is based on the encounter with the Yeti.

Also, let's not forget Captain Rex from Star Tours, or the characters in the line, like G2-9T. Or even Doctor Nigel Channing from the Imagination Institute.

 

[nibblesandbits]

My problem is they continue to add Pixar based ride (I don't have a problem with that), but they completely ignore classic movies that deserve a ride or attraction. Think about it, 2 Toy Story based rides, 2 Nemo attractions but no The Little Mermaid ride, no The Lion King ride, Aladdin deserves more than those stupid carpets, no Beauty and the Beast ride, nothing for so many classic Disney movies. If Disney would spread the wealth, I wouldn't have a problem. Right now though, they only seem to be only focused on Pixar. Just my opinion. :shrug:

Well, on this I disagree partially...there are some things, as has been sorta pointed out...but I wanted to point them out specifically.

True there is no TLM ride at the MK, but there is the meet and greet area. And of course the rumors that a ride might be coming...however, we don't know. And Ariel is featured in Philharmagic. And over at DHS, there is Voyage of the Little Mermaid.

There is a Lion King show at AK, Festival of the Lion King and also, there's th Circle of Life at Epcot. And there used to be another one at MK before they put in Philharmagic. So, at one time, there were 3 attractions for LK, and now, there are still 2. Also featured in Philharmagic.

Aladdin does only have the carpets and once again, a show scene in Philharmagic. It might be nice to have another attraction, but I don't see it happening. Of course, there is also The Tiki Room--Under New Management. Not the best ride, but features both characters from Aladdin and TLK.

Beauty and the Beast has the stage show at DHS. Also it's featured in Philharmagic.

So, while there aren't all "rides" per se, there are things that are on property featuring these characters. And these are just the things I can think of now off the top of my head.

And the focus is on Pixar b/c Disney in in the market to make money. Pixar movies are the one that have generated the most revenue, therefore, Pixar products are what are being placed in the parks. Kids get excited when they see Nemo, or Mike Wazowski, or Woody and Buzz. That's what they are growing up with. Therefore, that's what Disney is going to cater to b/c if it makes the kids happy, it makes the adults happy.

Matter fact, I was watching I Love the New Millenium on VH1 yesterday...you know what movie was featured on there? Finding Nemo...and how it was like the most popular movie.

When I was a kid, it was all TLM, Aladdin, Lion King, stuff that you all want attractions based off of. But the problem is, most of those are pushing 20 years...not necessarily the best choice, since they aren't as current.

However, when you look at the spectrum, right now, Pixar is what's hot, so it's Pixar that's going to be featured. Plain and simple.

 

[krankenstein]

^Once again all I'm advocating is a spreading of the wealth. I don't care if they add attractions based off Pixar, I enjoy them. My problem comes from the lack of additions featuring original concepts and the Disney classics. Pixar is Disney, but Disney is more diverse than just Pixar.

 

[imagineer boy]

The Monster's created for the attraction are more than just a back story.

And I would definately say Yeti is more than just "part of the trill." The whole ride is based on the encounter with the Yeti.

Also, let's not forget Captain Rex from Star Tours, or the characters in the line, like G2-9T. Or even Doctor Nigel Channing from the Imagination Institute.

Don't forget Chairman Clench, Spinlok, Dr. Feemus, SIR, and Skippy from Alien Encounter! Probably some of the best characters WDI has ever created.

I pretty much agree with what's been said here, I love Pixar's movies, they're some of the best movies ever made, no question. But I'm so tired of Disney over-marketing the heck out of it and neglecting originality and classic Disney. A ride doesn't need Nemo characters to be popular, just make it a great ride and it will be popular.

Take the nemo subs at DL for example, just think what else WDI could've done without Nemo: They could've had characters of the sub's pilots and crew in a prerecorded spiel shown on monitors, they could've had encounter with Animatronic dolphins and sharks ( using new dry-for wet technology ), and an attack by a large and ferocious animatronic sea serpent.
But instead, there's just "screen technology" used to show Nemo getting lost and singing the terrible "big blue world" song at the end.:hurl:

 

[EPCOT Explorer]

The Monster's created for the attraction are more than just a back story.




And I would definately say Yeti is more than just "part of the trill." The whole ride is based on the encounter with the Yeti.

Also, let's not forget Captain Rex from Star Tours, or the characters in the line, like G2-9T. Or even Doctor Nigel Channing from the Imagination Institute.

Ah,forgot those!Thanks...Figgy was getting lonely.

^Once again all I'm advocating is a spreading of the wealth. I don't care if they add attractions based off Pixar, I enjoy them. My problem comes from the lack of additions featuring original concepts and the Disney classics. Pixar is Disney, but Disney is more diverse than just Pixar.

Same.I actually don't ming Pixar in DHS...remeber "Disney Pixar Studios"?I wouldn't have minded that at all...It seems to me that there is to much of it in each park.Keep MK for the classics and the nostalga,EPCOT for the future and the world culture,AK for conservation and the world of animals,and DHS for ALL movies...Perfect for Pixar.Sure you can *some* Pixar in the others but let's not have every park turn into Pixar Place.Or Fantasyland(*coughNemoinTheLivingSeasCough*

Don't forget Chairman Clench, Spinlok, Dr. Feemus, SIR, and Skippy from Alien Encounter! Probably some of the best characters WDI has ever created.

I pretty much agree with what's been said here, I love Pixar's movies, they're some of the best movies ever made, no question. But I'm so tired of Disney over-marketing the heck out of it and neglecting originality and classic Disney. A ride doesn't need Nemo characters to be popular, just make it a great ride and it will be popular.

Take the nemo subs at DL for example, just think what else WDI could've done without Nemo: They could've had characters of the sub's pilots and crew in a prerecorded spiel shown on monitors, they could've had encounter with Animatronic dolphins and sharks ( using new dry-for wet technology ), and an attack by a large and ferocious animatronic sea serpent.
But instead, there's just "screen technology" used to show Nemo getting lost and singing the terrible "big blue world" song at the end.:hurl:

Agreed...Shame AE has been thrown to Stitch huh?

 

[nibblesandbits]

^Once again all I'm advocating is a spreading of the wealth. I don't care if they add attractions based off Pixar, I enjoy them. My problem comes from the lack of additions featuring original concepts and the Disney classics. Pixar is Disney, but Disney is more diverse than just Pixar.

But Disney did the same thing back in the late 80s/early 90s with movies like TLM, B&TB and especially TLK. Those movies were showcased all over the parks back then...there was no internet back then, so you didn't get to hear about all the outcry of "Oh, they're focusing too much on this new stuff." But I wonder if the same feelings were felt back then.

All, I'm saying is promoting their newer movies heavily is not something new. It's a practice that has been used at the parks for years and will most likely continue to be used.

I'm not saying it wouldn't be great to spread the wealth, but Disney is in this to make money and newer attractions based on newer movies are what get people's booties down to Florida. As excited as I would be to see a Little Mermaid attraction, I don't know how many people in the general public would be excited about it. Guess we'll find out when a version of an attraction opens at DCA, won't we? And I hope, it really is popular.

 

[DisneyDellsDude]

I have to say that I love Pixar's current movies, but I'll take an original (ala Haunted Mansion or Expedition Everest) any day compaired to any popular movie based attraction!

 

[EPCOT Explorer]

But Disney did the same thing back in the late 80s/early 90s with movies like TLM, B&TB and especially TLK. Those movies were showcased all over the parks back then...there was no internet back then, so you didn't get to hear about all the outcry of "Oh, they're focusing too much on this new stuff." But I wonder if the same feelings were felt back then.

All, I'm saying is promoting their newer movies heavily is not something new. It's a practice that has been used at the parks for years and will most likely continue to be used.

I'm not saying it wouldn't be great to spread the wealth, but Disney is in this to make money nd newer attractions based on newer movies are what get people's booties down to Florida. As excited as I would be to see a Little Mermaid attraction, I don't know how many people in the general public would be excited about it. Guess we'll find out when a version of an attraction opens at DCA, won't we? And I hope, it really is popular.

Hey Nibbs!


Not gonna comment on what you said(because it is true for the most part but just on the bolded statement.)

We all know that Disney is in this to make money.It's a buisness,if you want to go to WDW in 10 years,things can't stay all fan-boyish foreverlookaroun who,me?)and the like...But doesn't it seem that Disney's trying a bit too hard lately?Sure,they have the synergy and the hard ticket events and all the gimicks but for some strange reason,it really does not seem like the Disney of yesteryear *tried* really hard to do this.The little bit of extra magic was just part of the experience and that made it all the better.The parks just seemed so much more inviting without every thing plastered all over the place to have try and bring in revenue.

I dunno...Perhaps if Disney stopped trying like mad to draw in a specific target market or a certain demographic...We would have a much more evened out Walt Disney World.

Make sense?:veryconfu

I hope I didn't hijack the thread too much...this still is very much to do with the Pixar angst...:lol:

 

[landauh]

I believe the issue with WDI and original ideas is still part of the Eisner/Bean counters devastation of WDI (budget cuts, downsizing, outsourcing). Pixar is current and familiar with guests and makes it easier to get guests (new and old) into the parks.

As for merchandising, this has been part of the parks since DL opened in 1955.

I don't see where Pixar attractions will continue to dominate as long as Iger and Lassiter continue their desire to bring the parks back to their old glory and then some.

As for WDI's ability to create magic and original ideas .. The first thing I said to the person I was with when I saw thw queue was that "WDI is back."

 

[krankenstein]

But Disney did the same thing back in the late 80s/early 90s with movies like TLM, B&TB and especially TLK. Those movies were showcased all over the parks back then...there was no internet back then, so you didn't get to hear about all the outcry of "Oh, they're focusing too much on this new stuff." But I wonder if the same feelings were felt back then.

All, I'm saying is promoting their newer movies heavily is not something new. It's a practice that has been used at the parks for years and will most likely continue to be used.

I'm not saying it wouldn't be great to spread the wealth, but Disney is in this to make money and newer attractions based on newer movies are what get people's booties down to Florida. As excited as I would be to see a Little Mermaid attraction, I don't know how many people in the general public would be excited about it. Guess we'll find out when a version of an attraction opens at DCA, won't we? And I hope, it really is popular.

I'm not saying it is something new at all. Obviously it isn't, Walt even named DL's castle Sleeping Beauty's Castle to promote the upcoming movie. What I'm saying is you get to a point where you are basing too much off certain franchises. Spreading the wealth insures diversification. Diversification ensures that you will appeal to a larger audience, thus increasing your business. It doesn't make sense to make multiple rides based off the same thing. A show (ie Beauty and the Beast) can be changed easily, a ride...not so much.

 

[EPCOT Explorer]

I'm not saying it is something new at all. Obviously it isn't, Walt even named DL's castle Sleeping Beauty's Castle to promote the upcoming movie. What I'm saying is you get to a point where you are basing too much off certain franchises. Spreading the wealth insures diversification. Diversification ensures that you will appeal to a larger audience, thus increasing your business. It doesn't make sense to make multiple rides based off the same thing. A show (ie Beauty and the Beast) can be changed easily, a ride...not so much.

Agreed...

I believe the issue with WDI and original ideas is still part of the Eisner/Bean counters devastation of WDI (budget cuts, downsizing, outsourcing). Pixar is current and familiar with guests and makes it easier to get guests (new and old) into the parks.

As for merchandising, this has been part of the parks since DL opened in 1955.

I don't see where Pixar attractions will continue to dominate as long as Iger and Lassiter continue their desire to bring the parks back to their old glory and then some.

As for WDI's ability to create magic and original ideas .. The first thing I said to the person I was with when I saw thw queue was that "WDI is back."

If you were reffering to the marketing comment made in my post,that's something very different...Almost like product placement.

What I was rambling lol about was the over done Pixar on the maps,YOAMD on the Monorails...

a huge wand on sse...

 

[landauh]

If you were reffering to the marketing comment made in my post,that's something very different...Almost like product placement.

What I was rambling lol about was the over done Pixar on the maps,YOAMD on the Monorails...

Sorry, thought you were talking about marketing.