Studios Makeover

[disneydude91]

Considering the fact that Disney Studios is changing their name, the park should probably get some big updates and some new things. People On this board have been talking about some newer Star Wars additions to the park to compete with the new "Harry Potter Land" (I forgot what it was called) at Universal Studios.

But, what if Disney partnered up with George Lucas and made a whole Lucas Films section of the park. Think of attractions based on Indiana Jones, Star Wars, The Labyrinth, and they could even remake Captain EO (with a new Captain). What would you all think of this?

 

[cinderella73]

Personally I would love that! I am a huge Lucas fan and all the films you mentioned are amazing. With the new Indy coming out it would make sense. And Star Wars has a huge cult following anyway. I think it would be a smart move. And totally go along with the basic theme they have going there.

 

[Brer_roadrunner]

A new Captain?! You sayin' there's something wrong with Michael Jackson?! Sure he's creepy, likes share his bed with small children, hangs out with chimpanzee's, was known to sport a single glove, wears eppelets--who outside of dictator's wear them anymore, wore pajamas to court, appeared to have lost the tip of his nose, came thisclose to dropping his kid from a balcony, makes his children wear masks in public, had a theme park built on his property, and has a Peter Pan complex... Wow... Guess I'd have to agree with ya there!

Your idea about a Disney/Lucas partnership is brilliant... It would give MGM (I don't care what they changed the name to!) the shot in the arm it needs... It's got to become more than just a half day park... You walk in do a few rides and walk out... Do something else to keep us there! I'd like to see some themed restaurant's there... It's funny they just mentioned on this past pod cast about no real character meals for boy's... Well here's your chance! A restaurant themed like the cantina in Episode IV where you can have a meal with Jedi's would be awsome... Let' hope the powers that be are listening...

 

[tinkerbellblondie19]

Honestly, I was just saying the other day that I thought the Studios were going to get a huuuuuuuuuge overhaul, between the name change, the new Toy Story Mania, and the fact that they are going to have to respond to the HP thing over at Universal. I wouldn't be surprised if they updated Star Tours and added the Star Wars section behind it (Anyone else google earthed MGM? There is a ton of space behind Star Tours to add stuff) But I also think that they may do something else. Thinking about the Toy Story Mania, depending on it's location, I think they may be doing a Pixar section, or possibly just a Toy Story section, though I don't think that there is quite enough to do that. (The location matters because if it isn't near Pizza Planet, I have even more trouble believing that they are making a section out of Toy Story). I also think that they will do more with the Great Movie Ride, including expanding to include full scenes from more recent hits. (Though not just hits, it would have to be something with staying power) I think it would be brilliant if Disney started offering rentals of the movies on the GMR in their resorts, most likely just deluxe/dvc, and made a deal with the owners of the rights on each of the movies so that each gets 50% of the profit on the rentals. They could make a low profile sign at the exit door 'All the movies you experienced today are available for rental at the deluxe resorts. See your concierge (Or whomever would handle it) for more details.' I think that a back entrance to MGM could be possible, over by Star Tours, and they could build a couple resorts over there. Of course, they will continue to beat the High School Musical franchise into the ground, getting every last penny out of it, and I believe that they will offer a true HSM stage show somewhere in the Studios. Fantasmic! will be updated, the hat will be replaced (I hope!) And 'Lights! Motors! Action!' will be changed slightly as to keep bringing people in, and maybe even making it more interactive. ABC primetime shows will get slightly more push than a couple of posters.

I just got an idea for the hat. If they have to keep it, then they should get rid of the pin station underneath. I think that they could make more money if they put a bunch of TV's up on the wall, each showing different Disney movies, and then they could sell the DVD's for the movies underneath. I'd rather they just got rid of it.

There are so many updates they could do at MGM that I can't even list them all. MGM has always been at the top of my list, second only to EPCOT. And I never realized how much they could do to make it cooler. This is typically something I can only do for the kingdoms. Next I'll have to try EPCOT, though the only ones I've ever been able to think of are taking all the junk out of Mexico and putting a coaster in there, and building a China pavillion.

 

[tinkerbellblondie19]

It's impossible not to slip up and call it MGM. I'll end up just calling it the Studios the rest of my life; it's the best I can do!

 

[raidermatt]

The name is really just catching up with what the park has become. The spokesperson said the new name would encompass the best of today's Hollywood, and that's most of what Disney has been doing with MGM in recent years anyway.

 

[SamIAm21]

Here's a recent comment from Jim Hill Media regarding Disney's possible response to Harry Potter-land at US-F.

I'll say this much : One of the more intriguing ideas that's currently on the table is a total revamp of the theming of the Magic Kingdom's Adventureland section. Where this part of that theme park would basically become Pirate Land. And the Swiss Family Treehouse would be ripped out & replaced by a full-sized version of the Black Pearl that you could explore. And the long-empty Adventureland Veranda would then be changed into this Pirates-themed tavern that featured interactive entertainment. Where even the "Enchanted Tiki Room" would be reworked so that this Audio-Animatronic show would star pirate parrots.

Of course, the really big draw for this side of the Magic Kingdom would be an "E" Ticket. A brand-new thrill ride that (Keying off the proposed storyline of "Pirates of the Caribbean 4." I.E. Captain Jack Sparrow & Barbossa's search for the Fountain of Youth) would then take WDW guests through this long-abandoned, over-grown temple that is just loaded with ****y traps.

You know ? Something similar to Tokyo DisneySea's new "Raging Spirits" coaster ? Only with a more piratical twist?

Now I'm not totally sure I like this idea, but it sounds intriguing...

 

[disneydude91]

Here's a recent comment from Jim Hill Media regarding Disney's possible response to Harry Potter-land at US-F.



Now I'm not totally sure I like this idea, but it sounds intriguing...

I don't think that this would ever happen because of one key attration. The Jungle Cruise. Remember that Walt brought it over from the World's Fair. This ride has been there since Disney World originally opened. It was one of Walt's babies. Unless they can find a way to tie this in to the Pirate's theming, I just don't see how it could happen.

 

[Cool-Beans]

I'm getting sick of pirates. Kind of had it up to here with all the pirate stuff.

I don't think Star Wars can match Harry Potter. People read those books - they are very invested in it. Star Wars is old and dated...more of a cult thing. I just don't see 10 year old kids wanting to do that...especially a few years down the road.

Honestly, though, I don't know that Harry Potter will match Harry Potter. We'll see when it opens.

I don't think Disney can compete with that and shouldn't try to copy or match it. They should do something different and unique. Something new. Something that doesn't involve characters on screens, getting spritzed with water or Nemo/Stitch/Pirates. Wahtever it is, it should be exciting. Even if it would scare a three year old.

The old idea of the Beastly (Beastlie?) Kingdom in AK would be excellent. Something with villains, too. And that would give the boys something to get excited about other than DisneyQuest.

That's MHO.

 

[tinkerbellblondie19]

^^I completely disagree. Have you ever seen how many 10-year-olds walk around in full costumes and their custom made lightsabers during Star Wars weekends? Star Wars has proved that it has MAJOR staying power. Harry Potter hasn't proved it yet, and I'm not positive it's got it.

 

[Cruz Family]

Okay this sounds like a normal week to me.......lets disect it

A new Captain?! You sayin' there's something wrong with Michael Jackson?! Sure he's creepy, likes share his bed with small children (do you have a choice as a parent), hangs out with chimpanzee's (have you seen my husband in the morning?), was known to sport a single glove (what, you have never missplace one?? ), wears eppelets--who outside of dictator's wear them anymore (Its a fashion statement), wore pajamas to court (Some days you are lucky I am dressed at all) , appeared to have lost the tip of his nose (Thats what happens when I keep putting it in everyone business), came thisclose to dropping his kid from a balcony (I have come even closer to trowing mine off a balcony), makes his children wear masks in public (halloween, dah!), had a theme park built on his property (I spend hours talking about a theme park, of course I wish I owned one!), and has a Peter Pan complex (House of Mouse, Peter Pan complex, both are places to live named after a Disney character. I don't see the difference)... Wow... Guess I'd have to agree with ya there!

 

[happy2go2wdwmom]

I don't think Star Wars can match Harry Potter. People read those books - they are very invested in it. Star Wars is old and dated...more of a cult thing. I just don't see 10 year old kids wanting to do that...especially a few years down the road.

This is so funny! Okay, parents of little boys, help us out here---care to reply to this one?!!! Star Wars...old? Star Wars...dated?! Star Wars a cult? LMAO--maybe my son is in a cult now (just like his WDW Cult) CoolBeans, but every, and I mean every lil' boy we know is way, way, way, way, WAY into Star Wars these days, thanks to Legos/Star Wars Legos! THE ONLY TIME MY DS 8 ACTED OUT DURING OUR LAST TRIP WAS WHEN WE WENT TO DTD LATE AND LORD FORBID, THAT LEGOS STORE WAS CLOSED!!!?!! We all just stared sorrowfully and respectfully with our noses pressed into the windows of the Legos store and vowed to return one day...if WDW seized the Legos Star Wars phenom, they will would truly, TRULY find a connection they have not had w/ the "Big Kids" 5-12 set.

 

[happy2go2wdwmom]

 

[willis37862]

^^I completely disagree. Have you ever seen how many 10-year-olds walk around in full costumes and their custom made lightsabers during Star Wars weekends? Star Wars has proved that it has MAJOR staying power. Harry Potter hasn't proved it yet, and I'm not positive it's got it.

Thats exactly what DH said when we were talking about this the other day. I think Star Wars has a much more broad appeal then Harry Potter. Because you have people my parents age ( in their early 50's) who watched them at the theaters and loved them when they first came out and then people in their 20's-30's like me and DH who grew up watching them on videos and kids now that got hooked on the newer Star Wars trilogy. Thats a lot more people that have been exposed to Star Wars and have a love for the movies than what Harry Potter has right now....and it is yet to be seen if it will be appreciated by future generations. I would love to see more Star Wars themed areas/attractions/shows in the parks , I don't think they would disappoint as people attractors.