Elena is in Disney World, but Moana isn't -- why?

[ShellieMimi]

You're not the only one just seeing her. My daughter just saw the movie about a month ago for the first time. She loves Moana as much as Frozen, perhaps even a little more since Moana is newer. I really don't believe she's lost her appeal. I think Disney is miscalculating the size of Moana's fan base.

I don't think so. When Frozen came out, Disney could not keep ANY merchandise in stock for more than 15 minutes. Elsa dresses kept eBay resellers in business for almost a year. Moana merchandise, including costumes, went on 60% off clearance within three months of release and they still couldn't move it.

Most kids are obsessed with a particular movie for a few months, watch it repeatedly, and then move on. Frozen has endured. I do not believe Moana will.

 

[MickeyWaffles]

I personally think there are more than enough people that would still go to Epcot even if Elsa was available elsewhere too. Soarin, Test Track, and Frozen Ever After are still 3 of the most popular rides in all of Disney World and The World Showcase is a huge attraction as well. I really doubt having an extra-fee event with Elsa outside the parks would have a noticeable impact on Epcot admissions... And if she were available at PP tea party or a character meal or some other paid for event, Disney would also be able to rake in the profits from that as well.

I don't think anyone will see Anna or Elsa outside Epcot for a very long time. A&E are the still the hottest character meet in town I think they will protect their exclusivity in Epcot for as long as possible after investing in the ride and dedicated meeting space which have not been there that long. At least until Frozen fever dies down and the sequel has come and gone.

They don't need to drive people to the GF for a tea or a meal, but they do need to drive park attendance. Especially to one that everyone knows needs a little TLC, including Disney (they called out Epcot's needs last year).

The Frozen experience (FEA plus M&G) is still a new, a huge draw for families and bringing an opportunity to meet them outside the park would decrease the exclusivity of the new stuff in Epcot. Protect the experience to drive little ones to Epcot.

I work in marketing and love theorizing on this stuff and seeing what happens.

But ... we can agree to disagree I totally get what you're saying I just think they know what they're doing. I guess time will tell!

 

[MinMou]

My son ADORES Elena. If anyone finds a Gabe costume, please let me know! I think it will be the perfect outfit for him for when we go to meet her.
He likes Moana too (and sings her song!), but Elena has his heart. I am almost afraid of the time when he realizes she is fictional.

 

[sunshine1]

Never mind Moana - we need a PUA meet and greet!

 

[AngiTN]

Never mind Moana - we need a PUA meet and greet!

And can't forget Hei Hei! Poor thing
Could have it just walking around pecking random things

 

[sunshine1]

And can't forget Hei Hei! Poor thing
Could have it just walking around pecking random things

YES. COME ON!!!

 

[Veronique]

My daughter love Moana so much! She doesn't speak yet, but sing the songs both in french and English! We need this M&G!

 

[MinMou]

Never mind Moana - we need a PUA meet and greet!

The meet and greet I really need is with the Lion Guard. They had a Lion Guard scavenger hunt in Animal kingdom for about 6 weeks this past spring, and now it's gone

 

[sunshine1]

The meet and greet I really need is with the Lion Guard. They had a Lion Guard scavenger hunt in Animal kingdom for about 6 weeks this past spring, and now it's gone

Oh no!

I have still yet to meet Timon.

 

[terri33inne]

If anyone finds a Gabe costume, please let me know! I think it will be the perfect outfit for him for when we go to meet her.

I found one on etsy for about $150.

As for the true ethnicity of the characters... the casting of the Elena's we've seen in the parks has been far more caucasian than latina.

 

[danielocha30]

is not only Moana, what about Maui!? do Disney knows there is boys also interested in meeting him?
while I'm ok with meeting princesses right and left sometimes I feel my boy is left out, he would be trilled to meet Maui he is just a Demi-Guy!

 

[danielocha30]

“If you wear a dress and have an animal sidekick, then you’re a princess.”

and here is the funny thing she is a princess

This is one of my kids' favorite lines in the movie. My kids are Moana fanatics and either the movie or soundtrack are on constantly in my house. Not just my 3 year old, but my 10 year old daughter and 8 year old son are super fans too. I think the movie appeals to both boys and girls as well. I would love to see a dual meet and greet with both Moana and Maui (I know that's wishful thinking, especially Maui - " I know it's a lot, the hair, the bod!")
Even having Moana added in at the 'Ohana character breakfast at the Poly would be nice.

Oh please Disney make this happens! I like Lilo and Stich but Moana and Maui at Ohana it is perfect!

 

[krsb09]

Moana isn't missing from the parks due to lack of popularity. Disney is like any other large corporation: they do not have agility. Departments are budgeted individually rather than as a whole, and any changes need to go through several levels of approval, likely over quarterly periods as well. They're constantly playing catch up with consumer appeal and are usually behind the curve.

 

[AngiTN]

Moana isn't missing from the parks due to lack of popularity. Disney is like any other large corporation: they do not have agility. Departments are budgeted individually rather than as a whole, and any changes need to go through several levels of approval, likely over quarterly periods as well. They're constantly playing catch up with consumer appeal and are usually behind the curve.

No matter how many times this is pointed out folks just won't get it
I wish they could move faster but they just don't. It's one of the many reasons I never managed to work in the big corporate world. I don't have the patience for it. I function much better in a small privately held business environment so much better, things happen faster overall

 

[MinMou]

I found one on etsy for about $150.

As for the true ethnicity of the characters... the casting of the Elena's we've seen in the parks has been far more caucasian than latina.

Thank you for finding that - just a bit too expensive for a growing pre-schooler, imo, but who knows?

And just fyi, not all Latinos are brown, and some consider themselves white anyway. Think about the people who live in Spain; many of them are caucasian looking.

 

[hiroMYhero]

And just fyi, not all Latinos are brown, and some consider themselves white anyway. Think about the people who live in Spain; many of them are caucasian looking.

@terri33inne is correct, though. Many of the Elenas are Caucasian-not Hispanic/Latina.

When a contingent of characters were flown over for DLP's recent 25th Anniversary celebration, a Caucasian-not Hispanic/Latina befriended Elena. The one time WDW could have shown their true diversity in CMs and they chose a non-Hispanic CM.

Oh, well. Most guests who meet Moana don't realize they are meeting Filipino CMs who are befriending Moana. Most of the Polynesian CMs choose to perform in the Spirit of Aloha rather than in the parks as a character.

 

[karly05]

The meet and greet I really need is with the Lion Guard. They had a Lion Guard scavenger hunt in Animal kingdom for about 6 weeks this past spring, and now it's gone

I love the Lion Guard. Most of them would be difficult for a m&g, but Bunga would be perfect! I would totally stand in line for Bunga. Zuka Zama!

 

[terri33inne]

Thank you for finding that - just a bit too expensive for a growing pre-schooler, imo, but who knows?

And just fyi, not all Latinos are brown, and some consider themselves white anyway. Think about the people who live in Spain; many of them are caucasian looking.

I agree about the cost...

As the mother of a latina daughter it is disappointing to me that Elena is closer to my skin tone vs my daughters. Disney has a great opportunity here, and I just feel they're missing the mark. She was still super excited to meet her.

 

[anneboleyn]

And can't forget Hei Hei! Poor thing
Could have it just walking around pecking random things

OMG they need to put Hei Hei, Kevin, and Becky in the Tiki Room or something for a meet and greet. I would stand in line ALL DAY for that lol

 

[elphaba91]

I haven't read through the whole thread, so apologies if this has already been said, but my sister is a Fantasyland merchandise CM and Elena's dress is officially the best selling princess dress (well it certainly was back in April; I haven't got an update on dress sales lately!). So yes, while she does have a pretty dress and Disney does sell it, the little girls also apparently go nuts for it, so why wouldn't Elena be in the park?