Winnie the Pooh

[jjharvpro]

Yesterday I got the chance to see Winnie the Pooh, and I loved it! It really did bring new life to the classic characters, opening up doors to this generation. Much of the humor was classic Disney humor, and the music was great too! I hope this brings back a lot of Winnie the Pooh popularity(not that it ever really lost too much popularity).

The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh in WDW is very popular, and recently was updated with an interactive queue(which most, if not all, of you know). So I write this thread to pose this question(s) and strike up discussion -- Could/would TMAoWtP be updated with scenes from the new film? Could/would he music be incorporated into the ride? Do you all even think that would be needed? Do you want it to happen? Many, many other questions could be posted, so I'd love to hear your full take on this topic! Thanks!

 

[stlbobby]

I'd rather they keep it the way it is. If they want o use the new film I'd prefer they create something new in a different park. Maybe a DHS ride that cues through Christopher Robin's room and then goes into the animated three acre woods when you actually get on the ride.

 

[cowanfamily]

Leave it the way it is. No need to change it around.

 

[Zummi Gummi]

I doubt they will, especially given what a massive flop the film was. Of course, much of that might be due to the fact that some bozo in the film division decided to release it the same weekend as Harry Potter.

 

[stlbobby]

I doubt they will, especially given what a massive flop the film was. Of course, much of that might be due to the fact that some bozo in the film division decided to release it the same weekend as Harry Potter.

Wow, it only took 4 post to go here.

 

[Zummi Gummi]

Wow, it only took 4 post to go here.

I though the film was fantastic, but did they really think they were going to make any money opening that weekend? I'm sorry if you're upset that I "went there," wherever that happens to be, but it's a fact. The film was a huge flop. And it's unfortunate because it wasn't a piece of nonsense like Mars Needs Moms. It was a really great film.

 

[stlbobby]

I though the film was fantastic, but did they really think they were going to make any money opening that weekend? I'm sorry if you're upset that I "went there," wherever that happens to be, but it's a fact. The film was a huge flop. And it's unfortunate because it wasn't a piece of nonsense like Mars Needs Moms. It was a really great film.

The film has already made it's money back. It will continue to do a solid run in the theaters, be huge on video, and spike one of the strongest merchandise lines in Disney. It wasn't a flop.

There were threads calling both PATF and Cars 2 flops. The haters hold every Disney film to ridiculous standards and then call them flops when they don't achieve some arbitrary figure.

All three films made money in the theaters and brought people to the parks. None of them are flops. I'm not saying they were blockbusters or they even hit the Disney's expectations, but they were not "flops."

I actually don't think Pooh was even a disappointment for Disney. I'm not privy to their projections, but I know they didn't see it as a big tent-pole movie. It was a small film with a modest budget that would have a nostalgic affect and a long life on video. I think that's why they weren't worried about opening against HP. They knew Pooh was going to do what it was going to do and they'd have a nice property to exploit down the road in the parks, on video, and on TV.

Definitely not a massive flop.

 

[Zummi Gummi]

The film has already made it's money back. It will continue to do a solid run in the theaters, be huge on video, and spike one of the strongest merchandise lines in Disney. It wasn't a flop.

All three films made money in the theaters and brought people to the parks. None of them are flops. I'm not saying they were blockbusters or they even hit the Disney's expectations, but they were not "flops."

I actually don't think Pooh was even a disappointment for Disney.

Definitely not a massive flop.

The production budget was $30 million. If you know anything about the film industry, you know that in order to be profitable a film needs to earn 3 times it's production budget. The film's total worldwide take is around $31 million, nowhere near what it needs to earn to be considered profitable.

With all of the love for Pooh people have, a $25 million domestic total is a huge disappointment, no matter which way you slice it.

But, keep living in fantasyland if you like.

And for the record, I'm not a "hater." I'm just being realistic.

Winnie the Pooh at the box office

 

[jjharvpro]

The surprising thing was was that even a month after its release, the theater was still FULL of families with children! Very pleased to see that, and very pleased with the movie.

I personally don't think its necessary to change the ride, but thought it'd be an interesting discussion.

 

[stlbobby]

The production budget was $30 million. If you know anything about the film industry, you know that in order to be profitable a film needs to earn 3 times it's production budget. The film's total worldwide take is around $31 million, nowhere near what it needs to earn to be considered profitable.

With all of the love for Pooh people have, a $25 million domestic total is a huge disappointment, no matter which way you slice it.

But, keep living in fantasyland if you like.

And for the record, I'm not a "hater." I'm just being realistic.

Winnie the Pooh at the box office

I do know a bit about the film business. I have a degree in film production, worked in film and video production for over 15 years, I was the film editor for a regional media magazine, and now I work at a university film school.

This three times figure is just as bogus as all of the other figures that were bandied about on the other forums. I explained this on several other threads and I will explain it here. Films are judged in the industry by how they cover their production budget. If they can cover it with just domestic sales that is the best case, if they cover it by including the international sales that is second tier, if the video sales have to be included it is not a rousing success but a success. There are also the established levels of $30 million, $50 million, $100 Million etc.

Posters that want to call a film a flop use all kinds of formulas to justify their opinions. I know there are advertising budgets to consider, but in the industry if a movie makes it's money back at the box office it is considered a success no matter the advertising budget. Another general rule of thumb is a movie will double it's box office in secondary markets.

Pooh did not have an extravagant advertising budget. I'm not saying they didn't put money into it, but it wasn't anything compared to a blockbuster like Captain America or Planet of the Apes. And family films, especially ones with nostalgia ties like Pooh will do well above average in the secondary market.

The theatrical release here is essentially just an advertising campaign for Blu-Ray, the remastered originals that will be repackaged for Blu-Ray, a new TV show, and possible video game. All in time for Christmas.

But even before any of that the film has made it's money back. It might make it back domestically when all is said and done. The film is not a flop, by any stretch of the imagination.

 

[David S.]

Yesterday I got the chance to see Winnie the Pooh, and I loved it! It really did bring new life to the classic characters, opening up doors to this generation. Much of the humor was classic Disney humor, and the music was great too! I hope this brings back a lot of Winnie the Pooh popularity(not that it ever really lost too much popularity).

The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh in WDW is very popular, and recently was updated with an interactive queue(which most, if not all, of you know). So I write this thread to pose this question(s) and strike up discussion -- Could/would TMAoWtP be updated with scenes from the new film? Could/would he music be incorporated into the ride? Do you all even think that would be needed? Do you want it to happen? Many, many other questions could be posted, so I'd love to hear your full take on this topic! Thanks!

Interesting topic!

I will begin by saying I absolutely LOVED the new Winnie the Pooh movie! My favorite movie in 2011 (animated or otherwise), by far! In fact, I've already seen it three times in theatres! It really captured the vibe and spirit of the original while being, and feeling, new. It was very funny, charming, heartwarming, and I loved the new set of songs by the Lopez/Lopez songwriting team, which felt "fresh and new" while still conjuring the spirit and vibe of the Sherman Brothers originals.

Like Stlbobby said, I would prefer them to make a completely new Pooh attraction for the new film at the Studios than to add elements into the current ride. To incorporate elements of the new film in the current ride, they would basically have to redo the entire thing. Because the Pooh ride as it is now PERFECTLY captures the story and songs from "Winnie the Pooh and the Blustery Day", the 1968 Pooh theatrical short, which was also the second segment in the 1977 "Many Adventures Of Winnie the Pooh" feature film.

Each scene in the current ride uses a different song from that original film that corresponds to the appropriate scene in the film that the ride is representing - "A Rather Blustery Day", "The Wonderful Thing About Tiggers", "Heffalumps and Woozles", and "The Rain Rain Rain Came Down Down Down".

So I'm not really sure how they could add musical elements or scenes from the new film into the current ride without compromising the authentic "Blustery Day" storytelling that currently takes place in the ride.

But I do agree that the new Pooh film is EXCELLENT and would love to see it represented in the parks some other way. Maybe for now they could record instrumental versions of the new songs to add to the Pooh area music loop, which I think is pretty short.

 

[Magenta Panther]

The WDW Pooh ride should be replaced with the Hunny Hunt ride that's in TDL. But of course that'll never happen.

 

[ob1thx1138]

What about a whinne the Pooh mine train ride???

for the record that was a joke.

 

[BigRedDad]

My DD and I watched the movie. The "baksun" was fun. However, the movie was not that enjoyable. It was cute and Pooh-ish. It is not something anyone should have to pay for. It should have been launched as a Sunday night special on Disney Channel.

 

[forevermickey]

My husband and I took our daughter to the movie.. we all loved it... I actually think my husband enjoyed it the most I wish Disney would start releasing some classics in the theaters.. that would be awesome... I would go see them... family night

I like honey pot adventure the way it is.. but would not be opposed to another Pooh attraction somewhere within the parks....except Epcot

 

[David S.]

My DD and I watched the movie. The "baksun" was fun. However, the movie was not that enjoyable. It was cute and Pooh-ish. It is not something anyone should have to pay for. It should have been launched as a Sunday night special on Disney Channel.

Well, I didn't mind paying for it.... THREE times! . All money well spent. I respectfully disagree that it wasn't worthy of theatrical release. This wasn't a poorly made sequel made by the "direct to video" division, this was done by Walt Disney Feature Animation's top-line traditional animators, including Andres Deja, Eric Goldberg, Marc Henn, etc. Disney Animated Classic #51, the follow-up to #49 Princess and the Frog and #50 Tangled.

I found it to be very funny and heartwarming, and the songs were FANTASTIC!

If MORE movies playing in theatres were this enjoyable for me, I would actually go to the movies more often!

 

[stlbobby]

Well, I didn't mind paying for it.... THREE times! . All money well spent. I respectfully disagree that it wasn't worthy of theatrical release. This wasn't a poorly made sequel made by the "direct to video" division, this was done by Walt Disney Feature Animation's top-line traditional animators, including Andres Deja, Eric Goldberg, Marc Henn, etc. Disney Animated Classic #51, the follow-up to #49 Princess and the Frog and #50 Tangled.

I found it to be very funny and heartwarming, and the songs were FANTASTIC!

If MORE movies playing in theatres were this enjoyable for me, I would actually go to the movies more often!

I agree completely with this statement and your previous one.

 

[stlbobby]

My husband and I took our daughter to the movie.. we all loved it... I actually think my husband enjoyed it the most I wish Disney would start releasing some classics in the theaters.. that would be awesome... I would go see them... family night

It would be great to have actual full fledged releases of Disney Classics and not have to catch them on college campuses and in art houses, but it just isn't feasible in the current state of the movie business.

There are too many first run films competing for screens and the Disney films are so readily available in home formats the market just isn't there.

I personally have amazing memories of seeing Fantasia and Jungle Book, at the drive-in no less, years after they had their first theatrical runs, but we traded those experiences for the ability to pop in the DVD or Blu-Ray any time we want.

I can see the value in both.

 

[David S.]

Yes, I miss the days where the Animated Classics got reissued to theatres. Heck, that was how I saw most of the first 21 (Snow White-Robin Hood) for the first time - theatrical reissues during my 70's and 80's childhood. Even though I own them all now, there is something magical and special about seeing them on the Big Screen*

I do understand though, that with them all out on home video, the "market" isn't there for them to get theatrical wide re-releases, unless there is some special angle like the upcoming Lion King 3-D reissue.

So, that's something to look forward to - Lion King in theatres for just 2 weeks, beginning September 16!

* I've seen each Disney Animated Classic from #22, 1977's Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, to #51, 2011's Winnie the Pooh, in theatres on it's INITIAL release! So with this new Pooh film, I've come full circle

 

[jjharvpro]

But I do agree that the new Pooh film is EXCELLENT and would love to see it represented in the parks some other way. Maybe for now they could record instrumental versions of the new songs to add to the Pooh area music loop, which I think is pretty short.

That's what I thought they could maybe do. BGM is one of my favorite things about WDW, because it adds so much to the atmosphere. So at the least, they could add some of the new Winnie the Pooh music to the attraction area.