Spain coming to Epcot; Monsters Inc. Coaster coming to Hollywood Studios

[crazy4wdw]

I know the topic of a new country being added to Epcot's World Showcase has been debated here for quite some time. The Orlando Business Journal is saying that Spain may be coming to Epcot and that the Monsters Inc. coaster has been greenlighted for Disney's Hollywood Studios.

Link: http://orlando.bizjournals.com/orlando/blog/2010/08/a_new_country_at_epcot.html

 

[Peter Pirate 2]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but wasn't their an almost identical rumor and story last year just before F&W and it turned out to be that Country just participating in F&W for the first time?

 

[jlewisinsyr]

Their fan websites that the mention must be Jim Hill.

 

[skiingfast]

Oh no, it's true, Spain is being built. See now Disboards is a source for the story too.

 

[Disneyman_10]

I can not wait for the new ride. i am glad to see disney incorporating more Pixar related attractions

 

[crazy4wdw]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but wasn't their an almost identical rumor and story last year just before F&W and it turned out to be that Country just participating in F&W for the first time?

Yes, I believe you are correct.

 

[doconeill]

Even the DIS stated that BOTH are just rumors at this point.

Ironically, I've said in the past that Disney should have countered HP with another property that has staying power, and Middle-earth could be big if done well...it has had its fans for a long time. I don't know IF it could be done well though. The "Mines of Moria" coaster with a balrog at the end? If Disney did it it would only be lit on fire for the first month, and then they'd use strobe lights

If the rights are up for grabs I don't think Disney wants Universal to walk off with it. The movie rights for The Hobbit are locked up between MGM (which is why it is in development heck) and WB.

 

[Figment632]

Spain is not coming to EC but the MI coaster is still moving along at a snails pace.

 

[Faldred]

Ironically, I've said in the past that Disney should have countered HP with another property that has staying power, and Middle-earth could be big if done well...it has had its fans for a long time. I don't know IF it could be done well though. The "Mines of Moria" coaster with a balrog at the end? If Disney did it it would only be lit on fire for the first month, and then they'd use strobe lights

The Tolkein estate has little love for Disney, although that may have been limited to just the movie-making part. I imagine securing the rights would rather difficult.

That said, a Middle-Earth theme park (or sub-park) sounds like a lot of fun. The Hobbit would be as much of a mine for ideas as The Lord of the Rings -- carried off by eagles, barrel-riding in the river, messing with a bunch of spiders in the tree-tops, and sneaking into a dragon's den all have some possibilities..

 

[lockedoutlogic]

Even the DIS stated that BOTH are just rumors at this point.

Ironically, I've said in the past that Disney should have countered HP with another property that has staying power, and Middle-earth could be big if done well...it has had its fans for a long time. I don't know IF it could be done well though. The "Mines of Moria" coaster with a balrog at the end? If Disney did it it would only be lit on fire for the first month, and then they'd use strobe lights

If the rights are up for grabs I don't think Disney wants Universal to walk off with it. The movie rights for The Hobbit are locked up between MGM (which is why it is in development heck) and WB.

Disney would never pump money into a tolkien enterprise (though i would personally enjoy it)
The movie franchise has been over for 7 years (hobbit aside...but even if they manage to get the thing made...it isn't nearly as promising as the LOTR turned out to be)...and while it was great and hugely profitable...the memories of it are gone with the casual consumer/ fan. Only the diehard geeker fans think that it is "alive and well" (this is usually where i get jumped on and shouted at because i dare to doubt the staying power...but in the real world, the average attention span has diminished to the point where nothing can last as long as we have seen with the star wars...and yes...the mickey mouse phenomena. but again...i'll get griped at about this one )

Second...there is no longterm merchandise appeal to this idea...and that is a deal breaker for WDW. The money is made on merchandise...it is the #1 priority for any new development....just wait and see fantasy-giftshop-land when they roll that out...oh brother.

But it doesn't even matter...because (and here's another "oh no" take): the harry potter thing is going to fizzle out. It's been big due to books and movies...when - or if - i should say...that ends, it will be on the back of the burner of the mind before you know it. that doesn't mean nobody will be riding the two rehashed rollercoasters that they threw some decorations on over at IOA...i'm sure the land will continue to be successful...but come on - it's not going to pose any longterm threat.

The reality in Orlando is that it (nor anything else "big") doesn't pose a threat anyway...more attendance/ cash for any of the three entertainment complexes in orlando always lead to more attendance/ money for the others...it always has and it always will. That is documented...synergy. just like how you find walmarts, targets, home depots, and lowes practically on top of each other...the consumers mind plays tricks on its wallet.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

Spain is not coming to EC but the MI coaster is still moving along at a snails pace.

I would tend to agree...

Spain is in deep economic doodie as much as any country (sans greece) in europe at this point...and i just don't see any company or agency coming up with the amount of cash that Disney undoubtedly wants to build this sucker. it's not the right economic climate for this type of thing...nor will it be anytime in the foreseeable future (you heard it here first...we are in for a fundamental period of economic revision/ reorganization...but that's my theory )

Obvioulsy...there some kinda big hurdles with the agreements on country pavilions at EPCOT....whether it be up front money, operations costs, staffing from disney's perspective...etc.
If it was simply a matter of finding somebody willing to say yes and shell out a little cash...we would have had at least a few pavilions built in the last 20 years. Not that the world hasn't changed since the roaring 80's...but extended (partially faux) economic goodtimes in the mid to late 90's and the (completely faux) ones in the first decade of the 21th century would have gotten at least a couple more up and running.

So i don't see spain...though that and perhaps Brazil would be my frontrunners if i had to guess on something actually underway (which i don't think they're anywhere close too)

But I tell you one thing: Don't expect Israel, Saudi Arabia, or Russia anytime soon

 

[Jen0504]

But I tell you one thing: Don't expect Israel, Saudi Arabia, or Russia anytime soon [/QUOTE]

Too Funny!!!

 

[Figment632]

I would tend to agree...

Spain is in deep economic doodie as much as any country (sans greece) in europe at this point...and i just don't see any company or agency coming up with the amount of cash that Disney undoubtedly wants to build this sucker. it's not the right economic climate for this type of thing...nor will it be anytime in the foreseeable future (you heard it here first...we are in for a fundamental period of economic revision/ reorganization...but that's my theory )

Obvioulsy...there some kinda big hurdles with the agreements on country pavilions at EPCOT....whether it be up front money, operations costs, staffing from disney's perspective...etc.
If it was simply a matter of finding somebody willing to say yes and shell out a little cash...we would have had at least a few pavilions built in the last 20 years. Not that the world hasn't changed since the roaring 80's...but extended (partially faux) economic goodtimes in the mid to late 90's and the (completely faux) ones in the first decade of the 21th century would have gotten at least a couple more up and running.

So i don't see spain...though that and perhaps Brazil would be my frontrunners if i had to guess on something actually underway (which i don't think they're anywhere close too)

But I tell you one thing: Don't expect Israel, Saudi Arabia, or Russia anytime soon

I have heard rumblings about a country but not Spain.

 

[doconeill]

The Tolkein estate has little love for Disney, although that may have been limited to just the movie-making part. I imagine securing the rights would rather difficult.

I know Tolkien himself intensely disliked Walt Disney for what he did to the Snow White story (he disliked in general the changes to the old dark fairy tales), and supposedly greatly detested the portrayal of the dwarves (he even hated that spelling of the word I understand, preferring "dwarfs").

I don't know how much of that dislike and distrust extends through the estate via Christopher to the current corporation. I don't know if Disney was ever in the running for the production rights - they were not involved in th Rankin Bass or Bakshi animated versions (and they might very well be upset at those if they disliked Snow White).

 

[lockedoutlogic]

I have heard rumblings about a country but not Spain.

Do tell, my sweet...

 

[Figment632]

Do tell, my sweet...

Portugul from what I hear maybe Brazil.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

Portugul from what I hear maybe Brazil.

yeah...portugal would fall into that "economy's about to collapse and would have without the EU" type category as well....and i would think that would most definitely be a deal breaker at some point in the negotiating process.

Brazil would be my leading candidate...not only due to it position as the de facto "leader" of south america...but also because such a huge number of Brazilians travel to WDW each year.
And i know...its stupid...but i always see the japanese shopping in mitsukoshi...i always hear people speaking french at Les Chefs de France...and Biergarten is the only place i've ever heard Deutsch at WDW (though i did "check in" a couple of parties at CBR in 01 in many very rudimentary collegiate dialect)

...and americans are the only ones dumb enough to eat the burgers at the Liberty Inn

crazy world

 

[ChrisFL]

I know Tolkien himself intensely disliked Walt Disney for what he did to the Snow White story (he disliked in general the changes to the old dark fairy tales), and supposedly greatly detested the portrayal of the dwarves (he even hated that spelling of the word I understand, preferring "dwarfs").

It IS Dwarfs in the Disney version

 

[doconeill]

It IS Dwarfs in the Disney version

Whoops, yes...my brain has it right, but my fingers got it backwards when I typed it. "Dwarves" is Tolkien's preferred plural, based on the Middle English I believe (he was a linguist), although modern English eventually favored "dwarfs" for most contemporary usage except for mythical uses, where "dwarves" is typically used.

 

[nytimez]

Portugul from what I hear maybe Brazil.

They could staff Brazil with elderly Germans!