Disney News, Discussion & an Element of Fun - 2023 Edition

[mitsukoshi samurai]

It's sad because Lightyear was actually pretty good. Sox is one of my new favorites. And Lightyear wasn't even that original a story!

UO changed everything with the Wizarding World. Everything has to come form a franchise now. It's what people want... Sigh

Uo was built on franchise in the first place

 

[Brian Noble]

Disneyland may not have been franchises in the current sense, but it was absolutely designed based on the films being produced by the company.

 

[kylenne]

Disneyland may not have been franchises in the current sense, but it was absolutely designed based on the films being produced by the company.

Its castle was built to promote a movie in development purgatory, even.

 

[Duckbug.Ducktales]

Uo was built on franchise in the first place

Yeah, but it wasn't really competing until Wizarding World.

Disneyland may not have been franchises in the current sense, but it was absolutely designed based on the films being produced by the company.

Agreed, I come back to this often as well. But there was original storytelling in the parks from the start as well.

 

[KayMichigan]

I hope Frozen III finally gives Kristoff an important part in the plot. They have Jonathan Groff but haven't really used him much.

I figured they'd do a Toy Story 5 to get Woody and Bo back with the gang. I'm going to guess it has something to do with Andy getting married, having kids, and going back to Bonnie to see if he can get Woody back.

 

[BrianL]

It's sad because Lightyear was actually pretty good. Sox is one of my new favorites. And Lightyear wasn't even that original a story!

UO changed everything with the Wizarding World. Everything has to come form a franchise now. It's what people want... Sigh

i thought Lightywar was just okay. It wasn't the knowc out of the park I was hoping for. That said, Strange World I loved, and it just mega-bombed!

 

[Duckbug.Ducktales]

i thought Lightywar was just okay. It wasn't the knowc out of the park I was hoping for. That said, Strange World I loved, and it just mega-bombed!

I liked both, but think Strange World was particularly good and salient. Those colors and soundtrack were amazing as well. I think they both didn't do great because of the inclusivity efforts in the stories.

 

[Jrb1979]

Yeah, but it wasn't really competing until Wizarding World.

Agreed, I come back to this often as well. But there was original storytelling in the parks from the start as well.

That's my issue with adding all this IP into the parks. Half the time it doesn't make sense in where they put it. Frozen in Norway, Guardians in Epcot, Tron in Tomorrowland.

 

[BrianL]

I liked both, but think Strange World was particularly good and salient. Those colors and soundtrack were amazing as well. I think they both didn't do great because of the inclusivity efforts in the stories.

I doubt that's really what hurt it though - I think it was more the absolute lack of advertising...

...well, that and the lack of a known IP!

 

[kylenne]

I doubt that's really what hurt it though - I think it was more the absolutel lack of advertising...

...well, that and the lack of a known IP!

Disney never really seems to know what to do with its more sci-fi oriented animated films. That could be the sad Atlantis and Treasure Planet fan in me talking though, admittedly.

 

[BrianL]

Disney never really seems to know what to do with its more sci-fi oriented animated films. That could be the sad Atlantis and Treasure Planet fan in me talking though, admittedly.

Yup, in 20 years it'll be a cult classic, but for now it's a dud.

 

[BrianL]

That's my issue with adding all this IP into the parks. Half the time it doesn't make sense in where they put it. Frozen in Norway, Guardians in Epcot, Tron in Tomorrowland.

Don't...don't ALL of those kinda make sense though?

 

[Smugpugmug]

Don't...don't ALL of those kinda make sense though?

The only one that doesn't (at least IMO) is Guardians but honestly as much as I loved my old favorite nap spot Ellen's Energy Adventure, I'm very happy having Guardians now. I still miss taking a 40 minute nap to the sound of Ellen being attacked by dinosaurs though LOL

 

[Jrb1979]

Don't...don't ALL of those kinda make sense though?

Not really. Remy fits France a lot better then Frozen in Norway. IMO Tron should have went to Epcot and Guardians in MK.

 

[Duckbug.Ducktales]

I doubt that's really what hurt it though - I think it was more the absolutel lack of advertising...

...well, that and the lack of a known IP!

I don't know... They were expecting Strange World to not meet return on investment before it even opened and cut advertising as a result. I figured that projection was based on the fact that Lightyear didn't do well and that was the one connecting element. But we may never know... unless they mention it on a bonus feature in the 9K resolution blu-ray edition 20 years from now, by which point both films will absolutely and rightfully be considered cult classics. lol

 

[kylenne]

Yup, in 20 years it'll be a cult classic, but for now it's a dud.

Very true. I was hoping it would pick up some word of mouth on streaming. FWIW I saw it in theaters and loved it, but the only reason I even knew it was coming out was I’m at the movies a lot as an Alamo Drafthouse passholder and they showed trailers for it. Even in our local very important ad market for movies (NYC) we saw very few commercials until just before the release. The marketing was Terrible.

 

[HokieRaven5]

Capacity Reduced by 20% at Disney Parks During Peak Periods

As part of the Q1 2023 earnings call today, Disney CFO Christine McCarthy announced that capacity in peak periods at the Disney Parks has been cut by 20% compared to pre-pandemic, even with attendance up at the Disney Parks.

 

[flipflopmom]

The only one that doesn't (at least IMO) is Guardians but honestly as much as I loved my old favorite nap spot Ellen's Energy Adventure, I'm very happy having Guardians now. I still miss taking a 40 minute nap to the sound of Ellen being attacked by dinosaurs though LOL

I think Guardians fits DHS better- but I’ve never watched it or ridden it-superheroes are my kids’ jam, not mine. So I don’t really know that my opinion counts lol

 

[BrianL]

Not really. Remy fits France a lot better then Frozen in Norway. IMO Tron should have went to Epcot and Guardians in MK.

But, you gotta admit they're not totally out of place or anything.

 

[jade1]

Iger also said during the call he asked D'Amaro to "carefully look at all the great franchises in the company" and "see where we can invest in them in the parks to increase capacity, while preserving guest satisfaction."

Scott Gustin Twitter

Why would guests be disatissfied with increased attraction capacity?

Didn't Josh just list a bunch of possibilities last fall? Sounds like Iger wants credit for those.