The Future of Disney Studios

[2Xited4Disney]

Hi everyone. I was just browsing Screamscape when I found this... Just thought I'd post

Park News - (4/4/06) It was confirmed to Cast Members that Lightning McQueen and one other vehicle (possibly Bob Cutlass) would be added to the Disney Stars and Motor Cars parade later this month. The animated cars would also be pulling double duty for the rest of the day in a meet and greet area, most likely near the Lights, Motors, Action stunt show. We’ve also heard that the rumored return of the character Breakfast/Lunch has been delayed as they work on some new ideas for the theme.

Block Party Bash - Semi-Confirmed - (4/4/06) We’ve heard that the VP of the park confirmed to Cast Members that a “new entertainment offering” was confirmed for the park in 2007, most likely referring to the rumored Block Party Bash

2008 - Star Tours 2 - Rumor - (4/4/06) The park VP reported to Cast Members that a new “family oriented attraction” would be added to the park in 2008. Could this be the long awaited Star Tours 2 project or something entirely new?

 

[MJMcBride]

The studios could use a more family oriented project. My understanding is that they have the theme park rights to Harry Potter and certainly the rights to Narnia, both of which would lend themselves to family attractions.

 

[2Xited4Disney]

I forgot to add in a disclaimer Screamscape is usually right about 50% of the time so these don't really have any REAL merit... just thought I would share

 

[dbm20th]

The studios could use a more family oriented project. My understanding is that they have the theme park rights to Harry Potter and certainly the rights to Narnia, both of which would lend themselves to family attractions.

My memory is failing me, but I don't think the Harry Potter thing was actually confirmed. But you can bet your mouse ears that Narnia will make an appearence in a big way. AK, Fantasyland, MGM can all find a place for it

 

[MJMcBride]

But I think the Studios is the most logical choice, no?

 

[YoHo]

Depends on whether Animal Kingdom still wants a beastly kingdom. In that case, it would most logically go there.

I don't see how it fits into the theme of the studios unless you're willing to admit that the theme of the studios has become

SYNERGYLAND! Stuff we can't fit anywhere else.

 

[dbm20th]

Well, I think the theme of the studios may be...ummmm...movies? Considering that Star Tours put an end to the idea of making attractions about the nuts and bolts of film making, the idea of using films to base an attraction has precedent at MGM already.

Having said that, YoHo is on to something. Narnia as the basis of the Beastly Kingdom? That is a terrific idea!

 

[DannyDisneyFreak]

Forget the Beastly Kingdom name just call that section Narnia! That would be great. I don't think Narnia would fit in MGM that well.

 

[MJMcBride]

Beastly Kingdom would be a fine place for Narnia. I assume that idea was dead, considering the "Yeti" attraction is in Asia.
The Studios is an obviousl choice since it is a movie.

 

[dbm20th]

As YoHo said, MGM is Synergyland. They can put anything there. It is where they put stuff they can't fit anywhere else and can tie in to merchandising. Like filling the demand for great TWilight Zone stuff and Aerosmith stuff.

MGM is a park that uses Movies, TV, and Music to launch ideas. Narnia fits that bill just as well as a journey through the Star Wars Galaxy, a drop down a Twilight Zone elevator, a Muppet movie, or a screaming fast limo ride. That's why I love MGM.

Again, to me this depends on the content of the ride you want. A slower ride through the land can fit in Fantasyland or MGM. Something more intense can fit in MGM or AK. Basically, the right idea fits everywhere but EPCOT, because they can't fit Narnia in the UK

 

[pedro2112]

Basically, the right idea fits everywhere but EPCOT, because they can't fit Narnia in the UK

Sure they can! If they can fit it in a small wardrobe, then they can certainly fit it in the UK!

 

[DrTomorrow]

[...] Rumor - (4/4/06) The park VP reported to Cast Members that a new “family oriented attraction” would be added to the park in 2008. [...]

I think you misunderstood. The new "family oriented attraction" will be "Sopranos - The Ride"....

 

[dbm20th]

Sure they can! If they can fit it in a small wardrobe, then they can certainly fit it in the UK!

Excellent point

 

[MJMcBride]

I think you misunderstood. The new "family oriented attraction" will be "Sopranos - The Ride"....

How cool would a Sopranos ride be. Or better yet, a Sopranos themed character breakfast (at Mama Melorse's of course). I would love "Paulie Walnuts" shaped waffles.

 

[2Xited4Disney]

Ticket / Narnia - Rumor - (4/7/06) While talking to the press this week about how Disney ties in their media properties to the theme parks, Bob Iger heavily hinted that The Chronicles of Narnia could become the next film project to become a theme park attraction.



This is from today's screamscape update

 

[YoHo]

Well, I think the theme of the studios may be...ummmm...movies? Considering that Star Tours put an end to the idea of making attractions about the nuts and bolts of film making, the idea of using films to base an attraction has precedent at MGM already.

Having said that, YoHo is on to something. Narnia as the basis of the Beastly Kingdom? That is a terrific idea!

Well, the original theme, even with Star Tours was the hollywood that never was and always will be. Hollywood tower of terror fits the theme. Star Wars is definatly a stretch, but then, the best laid plans of Artists and imagineers can be utterly destroyed by a fool in a dark suit.
Even Indy (being a stunt show) fits the theme of Hollywood. Heck, Rock n' rollercoaster could with a little more work fit that theme. All the old attractions took the theme a bit more seriously. As they got replaced with synergy or bust things like Playhouse Disney and Drew Carey, the theme became irrelevent.


I don't think we really have an argument here, I agree that MGM is the dumping ground for Disney tie-ins that they can't make fit elsewhere. Which is pretty sad if you ask me.

 

[dbm20th]

Well, the original theme, even with Star Tours was the hollywood that never was and always will be. Hollywood tower of terror fits the theme. Star Wars is definatly a stretch, but then, the best laid plans of Artists and imagineers can be utterly destroyed by a fool in a dark suit.
Even Indy (being a stunt show) fits the theme of Hollywood. Heck, Rock n' rollercoaster could with a little more work fit that theme. All the old attractions took the theme a bit more seriously. As they got replaced with synergy or bust things like Playhouse Disney and Drew Carey, the theme became irrelevent.


I don't think we really have an argument here, I agree that MGM is the dumping ground for Disney tie-ins that they can't make fit elsewhere. Which is pretty sad if you ask me.

I always thought that centering the entire park around that one theme was a bit silly to begin with. I mean look at EPCOT, 2 sperate themes, MK has how many? Even AK has "lands", but MGM was supposed to be that whole theme. That never seemed like it would be broad enough to appeal to enough people and would stifle creativity just a bit. It works all the way down to the hat and up to the ToT. Aerosmith is out of place, only because the band is modern, but the idea certainly fits the Hollywood idea, just too modern. Therefore, it is now this jumbled up mess, but the rides are so good it is hard to not like it.

A little re-themeing of the left side of the park is all it needs. Call that area what it is, a place where movies come alive, with Muppets, Star Wars and now Narnia and Narnia fits. I would think that would make a good section to begin with. Any film themed attraction would fit.

 

[YoHo]

I always thought that centering the entire park around that one theme was a bit silly to begin with. I mean look at EPCOT, 2 sperate themes, MK has how many?

Ooo, You've just taken your first step out of the Dis (Disney 101)
To advanced Disney theory (Disney 405)

Epcot and DL/MK have exactly 1 theme/Story.

For DL/MK it is the following:

To all who come to this happy place – welcome. Disneyland is your land. Here age relives fond memories of the past and here youth may savor the challenge and promise of the future. Disneyland is dedicated to the ideals, dreams and the hard facts that have created America… with the hope that it will be a source of joy and inspiration to all the world." Walter E. Disney, July 17, 1955

The theme/Story of Disneyland is very specifc, but the chapters/acts of the story are all very broad.

For EPCOT Center, the Theme is as follows:

Opening Day Dedication

'"To all who come to this place of joy, hope and friendship, welcome."

"Epcot Center is inspired by Walt Disney's creative genius. Here, human achievements are celebrated through imagination, the wonders of enterprise, and concepts of a future that promises new and exciting benefits for all."

"May Epcot Center entertain, inform and inspire. And, above all, may it instill a new sense of belief and pride in man's ability to shape a world that offers hope to people everywhere."'

E. Cardon Walker
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
Walt Disney Productions
Oct. 24, 1982

One theme/Story for both.

I expect that for most of the people here, we've just gotten a bit more in depth then they've ever thought about before.

 

[MJMcBride]

They are very broad themes. The Studios theme should just be the entertainment industry, which would cover it all.

 

[YoHo]

the advantage of those other themes is also that they tie into a sense of imagination. Of things that don't exist. Things we can't do.

going to a park that's based on entertainment industry is mondane. That's not a theme or Story. That's decoration.

The theme of the Hollywood that never was and always will be on the other hand is a theme. It's the hollywood and entertainment industry that exists only in the roseycolored imagination.
Which is not to say there's no room for attractions based on specifc movies, but you really need to create attractions that speak to the theme. Encounters with famous movie stars, the glitz and glamor.