What happened to the imagination at Imagineering?

[IvanovaTC]

As an infrequent visitor to Disney theme parks it easy to see the difference that the changes make to the parks between visits. As an Aussie, I face a 30 hour commute to get from my home to Walt Disney World, so I really like to extract every ounce of enjoyment out of my rare trips. I remember riding Space Mountain at DL with my parents in 1977, I have seen New Fantasyland at the MK with my children in 2012, and I plan to spend some time at Cars Land at DL, once I can get back over there. My problem with all of the new content in recent years is that it all seems to be based on the merchandising potential of either a Disney or Pixar film. When Walt built DL, he and his team created Pirates of the Caribbean, the Haunted Mansion, the Jungle Cruise, and many other entertainments. These were all original ideas, no movie connection, just amazing concepts spun out of the imaginations of some really creative people, purely for the enjoyment of their guests. Yes, merchandising from rides is good business, but when did that balance tip the other way, with attractions only existing as a spin off from a movie? Lilo and Stitch, The Little Mermaid, Cars, Beauty and the Beast, Monsters Inc, Toy Story. All these movies have spawned attractions at the theme parks, some of them very enjoyable, some not so much, but is this all we are going to get from Imagineering from now on? Where are the new ideas? Why are some of the most creative people on the planet being constrained by old stories? Disney seems to be content to trade on old ideas, not continuing to inspire it's team to new heights of fantasy. None of this is enough to keep me from dreaming of my next Disney fix, but it is taking some of the gloss off the magic for me. And now, there seems to be a general acceptance that some lucky attraction will be 'made over' with a Frozen theme, to take advantage of the newest box office smash. Enough is enough! Please Disney, stop recycling every good movie idea, over and over again. Movies are great, and the stores will sell lots of associated toys and other goodies, but give us attractions that will continue to inspire our imaginations, and give us a reason to keep coming back to the parks. Movies I can see at home.
Any thoughts?

 

[lugnut33]

Well, the golden parachute that Iger will have when he retires in 2014 needs to be increased to Super-Size because he has a family to feed.

 

[BrianL]

Well, I think what it is is that they need to draw the people, and the popular, established films and franchises do just that. People want a Star Wars land, they love anything Pixar (lines at Buzz, TSMM, and Cars are usually quite large). How about Harry Potter over at Universal? It is sad to say, but it wouldn't have been such a draw if it were an original concept.

Your problem should be more with the audience than the Imagineers, as tastes dictate what they do, and I'm sure they have the research to back it up. Of course, historically speaking, MOST Disney rides have been based on their own cartoons, movies, and shorts, but I agreee, seeing some original ideas is nice too.

 

[flutterby3744]

Well, I think what it is is that they need to draw the people, and the popular, established films and franchises do just that. People want a Star Wars land, they love anything Pixar (lines at Buzz, TSMM, and Cars are usually quite large). How about Harry Potter over at Universal? It is sad to say, but it wouldn't have been such a draw if it were an original concept. Your problem should be more with the audience than the Imagineers, as tastes dictate what they do, and I'm sure they have the research to back it up. Of course, historically speaking, MOST Disney rides have been based on their own cartoons, movies, and shorts, but I agreee, seeing some original ideas is nice too.

Agreed. People will enjoy an original idea I'm sure...but they will wait for HOURS and make special trips just to see it if it's a familiar and beloved movie/story. This really doesn't bother me. I think it's fun to see the movie "come to life" right in front of me. Different strokes...

 

[jon18uk]

Well, I think what it is is that they need to draw the people, and the popular, established films and franchises do just that. People want a Star Wars land, they love anything Pixar (lines at Buzz, TSMM, and Cars are usually quite large). How about Harry Potter over at Universal? It is sad to say, but it wouldn't have been such a draw if it were an original concept.

Your problem should be more with the audience than the Imagineers, as tastes dictate what they do, and I'm sure they have the research to back it up. Of course, historically speaking, MOST Disney rides have been based on their own cartoons, movies, and shorts, but I agreee, seeing some original ideas is nice too.

I was making the same point to someone on a UK theme park forum to someone who was wondering why everything has to have a character tie-in (this park is adding an Angry Birds area) and as you say that is what the guests want. As much as everyone else wants original, it is ideas based on exisiting films and characters that are easy to market to people.

 

[shelemm]

There are a lot of attractions in WDW that draw very few people. At least if they have a connection with a beloved story, they will enjoy some success. Without that, their track record has not been very keen in a long, long time.

 

[cigar95]

Imagineering has lots of great original ideas. It's just that the suits in the executive suite aren't interested in them.

 

[DisneyFive]

That's pretty insightful OP. I never thought about it that way. Many of the originaly attractions weren't based on Disney films, but imagined and designed to be fun based on their own merit.

There are still many "newer" (extremely popular) attractions that aren't tied to films though. Expedition Everest, Soarin, Test Track, Rockin Roller Coaster, Tower of Terror, Kali River Rapids...

Dan

 

[W.E.D.]

Bravo OP. Bravo.

Not much to add except I'm tired of the movie overlays as well.

 

[TDC Nala]

I'm good with it. As long as they are Disney properties. (Hint: Avatar is NOT a Disney property...hey, American Idol isn't either)

Still, sticking a couple of cardboard Frozen characters up in Maelstrom would be a blatant attempt to milk the popularity of the movie...if they're going to do it I would hope they'd do it right.

 

[larryz]

Frankly, OP, if I were based in Australia, I'd be hitting Tokyo and Hong Kong DLs before coming back to the US...

Better rides with newer technology, friendlier people who seem to appreciate guests being there, and no forced experimentation with MB/MDX/FP+...

 

[surferdave]

They also went the other way and made movies out of some of their attractions. Worked great for Pirates of the Caribbean, not so much for The Haunted Mansion.