Disney no longer coming up with original ideas for rides

[davish562]

I've wondered this recently. Most of the new Disney rides are based off of their movies. There has been very few new attractions that aren't based off of movies that are creative. Why does Disney not make rides with a solid backstory like the Haunted Mansion anymore? Why do all the rides have to be based off of Disney movies? Don't get me wrong, Radiator Springs Racers was phenomenal. But I would like to see more rides thought up by imagineers that have a backstory. Please share your opinion!

 

[rteetz]

I've wondered this recently. Most of the new Disney rides are based off of their movies. There has been very few new attractions that aren't based off of movies that are creative. Why does Disney not make rides with a solid backstory like the Haunted Mansion anymore? Why do all the rides have to be based off of Disney movies? Don't get me wrong, Radiator Springs Racers was phenomenal. But I would like to see more rides thought up by imagineers that have a backstory. Please share your opinion!

Because the current management is afraid non IP attractions will fail. The company is quite focuses on pushing their IP.

 

[101disneyfan]

Two opinions that I have on this are:
1.) WDW is seen by The Walt Disney Company as a mature business that has plateaued, and by using their preexisting IPs, they will get hopefully a bigger return on investment. Proven franchises are the safer bet.
2.) The good ol' "Use it or Lose it"-- the more they use their intellectual property, the more likely an eight year old will visit Hollywood Studios for the first time, be impressed by the HISTK Movie Set Adventure, go home and ask their parents to go on Amazon and buy Honey I Shrunk the Kids because they enjoyed it during their Disney vacation. This is obviously only one example of the concept.
Same would apply for Swiss Family Robinson, perhaps.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

I just think that this part of the evolutionary process. As great as the original rides are - the worm has turned and they'll rely heavily on branded properties and partnerships wherever possible from here on out.

It also should be noted that WDI doesn't seem to have much of a voice at the table anymore. They are more now treated like an independent contractor than walt disney's "go to" guys. They do their best work when they are farmed out to OLC or partly paid by a corrupt quasi-governmental chinese company (cause they all are)…where disney isn't responsible for the meter…or a share of it.

So when it was more "mom and pop"…and they built the haunted mansion, pirates, tiki room, space mountain from scratch or with limited partnerships…they are much more open to outside engineering and outside control or demands.

for better or worse

 

[wallrock]

Because if they build they’re going with things that will help keep toys and t-shirts flying off of the shelf. New attractions that have no back story won't make that happen.

Attractions by themselves don’t generate profit per se, meaning that regardless of the attraction’s impact or cost the guest is still paying a hundred bucks to come into the park. Naturally Disney can simply raise the price of admission to offset the cost, but they'd rather do that each year anyway and not add anything. The key is having you leave with lots of shiny blue shopping bags.

Keep in mind that it's not always Disney movies that work is based on. Avatar is on the horizon. If successful this will have a far more reaching impact, especially if the financial angle of Fox/Cameron helping out turns out to be true. At that point all bets are off. Any IP that wants to rent out a space in one of the four theme parks to take advantage of Disney's influence and built in customer base will be lining up. It's like the Superbowl commercials...you want your product to be seen by the biggest number of people.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

Attractions by themselves don’t generate profit per se, meaning that regardless of the attraction’s impact or cost the guest is still paying a hundred bucks to come into the park. Naturally Disney can simply raise the price of admission to offset the cost, but they'd rather do that each year anyway and not add anything. The key is having you leave with lots of shiny blue shopping bags.

This is perhaps the core comment of not just this...but any wdw discussion...

Frankly, it can't be stated/stressed enough

 

[ParrotBill]

I think there is an irresistible money trail to follow. A new "Seven Dwarves Mine Train" is going to have a lot more people wanting to visit the park than a generic "Haunted Mine Train." Use the popular classics; use the new ones (especially the wildly popular ones Like Frozen, Frozen, and Frozen.) I, for one, would love to see a permanent ride based on The Lion King.

 

[Astridia]

I don't think an attraction needs to be attached to a movie to be successfull. Expedition Everest wasn't attached to a ride and it's a headliner. I think the merchandising associated with a new ride its critical in the current environment. But I think theme park guests are always eager to visit a park that has something new to offer, regardless of the back story.

 

[dbramer]

I don't think an attraction needs to be attached to a movie to be successfull. Expedition Everest wasn't attached to a ride and it's a headliner. I think the merchandising associated with a new ride its critical in the current environment. But I think theme park guests are always eager to visit a park that has something new to offer, regardless of the back story.

Thrill rides will always be popular. I think the OP was talking more about dark rides.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

I think there is an irresistible money trail to follow. A new "Seven Dwarves Mine Train" is going to have a lot more people wanting to visit the park than a generic "Haunted Mine Train." Use the popular classics; use the new ones (especially the wildly popular ones Like Frozen, Frozen, and Frozen.) I, for one, would love to see a permanent ride based on The Lion King.

Right park, wrong section...

Snow White is BIG to disneyphiles due to historical context...

But the mass appeal thing has to be questioned on that one.

What makes mine train such a long wait is that people have been going to wdw for so long and with frequency...that they are starved for something... Anything new.

See: Guest, be our

Or... If you're talking about first timers...you have to question what kinda hold the low tech small world, Peter pans flight, pirates...even big thunder and space mountain are going to have on a world where the "local" places can offer something that surpasses in key way?...notably thrills or computer ride systems.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

I don't think an attraction needs to be attached to a movie to be successfull. Expedition Everest wasn't attached to a ride and it's a headliner. I think the merchandising associated with a new ride its critical in the current environment. But I think theme park guests are always eager to visit a park that has something new to offer, regardless of the back story.

Everest doesn't work...

I think it's "such a thrill" because of where it is...

And that Disney basically threw the breaks on anything that appeals to anyone who can appreciate and amusement ride after 1999

 

[Astridia]

Everest doesn't work...

I think it's "such a thrill" because of where it is...

And that Disney basically threw the breaks on anything that appeals to anyone who can appreciate and amusement ride after 1999

I have no idea what you mean by "Everest doesn't work" please explain

 

[I M Fearless]

To me all of the best rides are not the ones based on existing IP.

Soarin, Test Track, Pirates, Mansion, Big Thunder, Space, EE,

For a ride or concept to be successful the imagineers need to be given a blank canvas to start from scratch. Blizzard Beach is a neat example of this. For me this is when you get their best work.

I too wish they weren't so anxious to base all the rides on the films, the purpose of the rides should be to entertain guests not sell merchandise.

If the merchandise was still cool, individual, better quality and more exciting it would sell itself.

Sorry rant over!

 

[lockedoutlogic]

I have no idea what you mean by "Everest doesn't work" please explain

The yeti has been broken beyond repair for about 8 years...

That as at lest 33% of the story/ concept of the ride.

Without it...it's basically a six flags esque lightly themed medium roller coaster

 

[rteetz]

The yeti has been broken beyond repair for about 8 years...

That as at lest 33% of the story/ concept of the ride.

Without it...it's basically a six flags esque lightly themed medium roller coaster

I agree except I still think it's better than six flags.

 

[I M Fearless]

Yes, I would argue the theming is far better than six flags or anywhere of that nature, it's a shame that the yeti is broken, but I still think the theming is very good overall.

 

[Astridia]

Yes, I would argue the theming is far better than six flags or anywhere of that nature, it's a shame that the yeti is broken, but I still think the theming is very good overall.

Agree with this. I think the queue theming is great. IMO it's not just about the ride, it's about the queues. Everything goes by so quickly on the ride, I tend to miss a lot. So the Yeti is not a huge loss, to me. But I =know it is to others.

 

[rteetz]

Agree with this. I think the queue theming is great. IMO it's not just about the ride, it's about the queues. Everything goes by so quickly on the ride, I tend to miss a lot. So the Yeti is not a huge loss, to me. But I =know it is to others.

I agree to a point because the yeti would definitely add more excitement or scare to the ride. The fact TDO won't take it doesn't to fix it is the bigger problem.

 

[mom2rtk]

I've wondered this recently. Most of the new Disney rides are based off of their movies. There has been very few new attractions that aren't based off of movies that are creative. Why does Disney not make rides with a solid backstory like the Haunted Mansion anymore? Why do all the rides have to be based off of Disney movies? Don't get me wrong, Radiator Springs Racers was phenomenal. But I would like to see more rides thought up by imagineers that have a backstory. Please share your opinion!

You mean the sort of ride they could base the movie on?

 

[I M Fearless]

Agree with this. I think the queue theming is great. IMO it's not just about the ride, it's about the queues. Everything goes by so quickly on the ride, I tend to miss a lot. So the Yeti is not a huge loss, to me. But I =know it is to others.

I agree the ride should be viewed as an overall experience meaning a rich immersive queue which sets up the story, the placement of the ride and surrounding theming, the cast member costumes and vocabulary.

I do feel as if Disney is slightly diluted compared to years gone by. Even interaction with cast members at rides like HM and ToT seems to be taken less seriously these days. It's as if good enough will do. I feel as if the wow factor is missing, and if something is not perfect they hope people won't notice.

Such a small example but in the time to be moving along scene on splash some white cable conduit is visible on the blue wall, in years gone by that would have been painted or disguised in some way, but I guess these days they just think, the ride is popular, no one's day will be ruined by this, let it go.

My feeling is that the brand has been built on meticulous attention to detail, and while a few bits not perfect are not a huge problem, the overall trend is worrying. It is because it is so well done that makes the overall experience what it is. Cutting corners here and there will eventually wreck it.