Jhoyer5150
Earning My Ears
- Joined
- Aug 14, 2018
- Messages
- 35
With Disney now - perhaps belatedly - investing heavily in building out/updating its existing park attractions, it is interesting to see the combination of both new rides (Mickey & Minnie Train, SW:GE rides, etc) as well as foreign Disney park imports. Namely, the TRON coaster from Shanghai getting lifted to MK, and Ratatouille reprising its WDS Paris ride to Epcot. I think this is smart and both of these imports make a lot of sense and are natural/logical fits (even with reservations about IP-creep into Epcot, which might be a ship that has already sailed; at least Ratatouille is a good fit as an homage to a country/culture).
However, notable by its absence is any talk of importing Tokyo exclusives to either WDW or Disneyland. Obviously the ownership structure is unique insofar as Disney does not own or operate Tokyo. Originally Tokyo was comprised of a "greatest hits" of both Disneyland and Magic Kingdom. But the past 20 years expansion has focused predominantly on exclusive Japan attractions. Yet for all the success and praise for Pooh's Honey Hunt, Monsters Hide & Go Seek, Sindbad's Voyage, Journey to the Center of the Earth, 20,000 Leagues, etc...none of these rides have gotten a look at a US park (or even, for that matter, new build parks in Hong Kong and Shanghai). With Beauty and the Beast set to get what looks like a major dark ride there next year, it would seem that property would have a natural audience in the US as well.
Does anyone know if the Oriental Land Company (OLC) maintains exclusivity for its new rides at this point? The net result is that the Tokyo resort has morphed from a meticulous carbon copy of its US cousins to truly the most unique Disney park in the world. If there isn't an exclusivity lock up on the Tokyo rides...let's hope this year's Expo includes some Japanese imports to US shores!
However, notable by its absence is any talk of importing Tokyo exclusives to either WDW or Disneyland. Obviously the ownership structure is unique insofar as Disney does not own or operate Tokyo. Originally Tokyo was comprised of a "greatest hits" of both Disneyland and Magic Kingdom. But the past 20 years expansion has focused predominantly on exclusive Japan attractions. Yet for all the success and praise for Pooh's Honey Hunt, Monsters Hide & Go Seek, Sindbad's Voyage, Journey to the Center of the Earth, 20,000 Leagues, etc...none of these rides have gotten a look at a US park (or even, for that matter, new build parks in Hong Kong and Shanghai). With Beauty and the Beast set to get what looks like a major dark ride there next year, it would seem that property would have a natural audience in the US as well.
Does anyone know if the Oriental Land Company (OLC) maintains exclusivity for its new rides at this point? The net result is that the Tokyo resort has morphed from a meticulous carbon copy of its US cousins to truly the most unique Disney park in the world. If there isn't an exclusivity lock up on the Tokyo rides...let's hope this year's Expo includes some Japanese imports to US shores!
