Whats Wrong with Disney?

[DOOM1001]

For the "Disney takes too long on new attractions" crowd, this was 7DMT less than 9 months ago, a mound of dirt and a crane:

http://instagram.com/p/eRMvGhCYvC/

The picture doesn't really show much,and sorry to tell you the ride did take a very long time to go up.Screamscape posts news and rumors almost daily and you can go back and see when it was announced,the progress of the construction all the way to opening.The announcement of the revised plans for the new Fantasyland were on January 19,2011 and the first mention of framework going up was on November 7,2012,making it a 19 month construction and almost two years of waiting for construction to start!!!

 

[sonofanarchy]

For the "Disney takes too long on new attractions" crowd, this was 7DMT less than 9 months ago, a mound of dirt and a crane:

http://instagram.com/p/eRMvGhCYvC/

Sorry, but that is not a mound of dirt. We were there in July as and they were laying the track down.

 

[Suvadoo]

Of those things you mentioned at Universal , only Harry Potter appeals to me. No interest in the Simpsons, Despicable Me, Rip Ride Rockit or Transformers as themes.

To me you can't compare what Universal has opened to what Disney has opened- Disney has so much more on the ground right now.

You say that the new attractions at Universal don't appeal to you, but nevertheless they are new attractions.

 

[btk2333]

You say that the new attractions at Universal don't appeal to you, but nevertheless they are new attractions.

Fact- I don't begrudge universal for building them. Simply staying that they don't appeal to me. I would much rather get new dining experiences and hard ticket events then go the new attractions at universal (except Harry potter).

 

[luvsJack]

Well, keep in mind that the only thing "new" coming in the HP universe is a spin off prequel for Fantastic Beasts. It is not going to be about HP himself and is based off of a novel written in 2001. So, not exactly new material. It will need to have to stand on its own much like the Star Wars prequel had to stand on its own. The new Star Wars movies carries the story forward and involves most of the main characters from the original trilogy. In other words, there is always more excitement and anticipation for a trilogy when you do not know what is going to happen vs. knowing the final outcome.

There is also risk with releasing either of these. If they prove to be unpopular or poorly made, they can have a negative affect on the existing legacy of the current franchise. I think US has more risk here as they have put all of their eggs (and a lot of capital) in the Harry Potter basket.

Why do you not think that HP has the popularity and staying power of Star Wars?

JK could write anything to do with the world of HP, include any of the characters or make new ones and it would be wildly popular. People would love for her to write a series of prequels about Harry's father and friends or sequels about Harry's kid and friends. Either one would be just as popular as the first books.

Harry Potter has been a world wide phenomenon. The books alone would have made this addition to the Universal theme parks amazing and the books are what is going to keep HP popular for many years to come.

Do you not see the risk that WDW is talking with Avatar? Who is to say that the 2nd and 3rd Avatar movies won't flop? Its been quite a while since the first movie. Maybe it will pay off for them. I hope it does. But as others have said, its not something that will spur me toward Orlando. I will see it when I go but not make a special trip.

Regardless of what Universal is doing or not doing, WDW needs to step up from the new Fantasy Land. They have enough for little girls and the princesses. Its time for some thrilling changes. The technology used in the Gringotts ride at Universal could probably make for some great rides with a Star Wars theme.

 

[Mad Hattered]

For the "Disney takes too long on new attractions" crowd, this was 7DMT less than 9 months ago, a mound of dirt and a crane:

http://instagram.com/p/eRMvGhCYvC/

Wrong!

Here is an aerial pic from 11 months ago that shows where they were at in construction. Disney is sloooooooooooow.

http://www.wdwfacts.com/2013/07/09/aerial-view-of-seven-dwarfs-mine-train-construction-site/

Universal rocks!!!

 

[mickeyluv'r]

This is an interesting comment because Disney's not even doing a great job with that! Let's see how many attractions we can find in desperate need of repairs or changes:

MK:
Carousel of Progress
Stitch's atrocity
Splash Mountain (AAs frequently aren't operating)
Country Bear Jamboree (last time I went, the sound quality made it incomprehensible)

Epcot:
Wonders of Life
Soarin' (needs improved video)
The entire Imagination Pavilion

DHS:
The Great Movie Ride (no movies after 1990 here!)
Backlot Tour!
Sounds Dangerous (at least bring back the Monster Sound Show!)

AK:
Dinosaur (broken AAs)
Primeval Whirl (hasn't been open the last two times I was there)

What about:
MK
Swiss Family Robinson
IaSW - needs repairs
Princess Character Greet - could be doubled in size
motor cars
Buzz - love it, but the technology is getting so very dated
Peter Pan - really? a tin foil volcano?
Dining- could add significantly more dining

Epcot-
Living with Land- love the concept, but it desperately needs updating. Except for taking out CM's not much has been done to it since it opened. How is this a representation of the latest technology? At least update the video!
Soarin - SO agree
Energy- need I say more
France film - snooze.....
More countries in WS!!!
Mission: SPaCE - Ugh! the attraction so desperately needs multiple versions

HS:
What doesn't need updating? I think that list is shorter.
The animation lab and backlot area are a joke. The whole studio set area is a waste of space, the food options in the park need desperate help.
what about the commercial thingy in the back? I have no idea what it is now, last time I went it was Narnia, before that it was themed around the live action Haunted Mansion movie.
Muppets are seriously dated! Muppets desperately needs multiple episodes!
the whole park desperately needs more attractions!

AK:
Also desperately needs more attractions.
Think about this park form the pov of small kids. The only rides they can ride are the train, dino-Dumbo, and the safari! AK has LONG been in need of a PotC.

 

[BrianL]

My 2 cents...

MK is still BY FAR the most attended theme park in the world. They do not need to "keep up" with anybody.

New does not equal better. All the tehcnology in the world doesn't matter if none of the attractions are better than the decades old Haunted Mansion.

Avatar is a much better film than any of the Harry Potter movies (I honestly do not see the appeal).

The Harry Potter world was mostly very well done, but I'm not sure I understand the need to add a second area.

Avatarland is not the last thing Disney will ever build for WDW.

I think both parks are doing great things and are both very worth visiting.

 

[kbelle8995]

What most people who talk about Harry Potter is that they are referring to the movies and only the movies. Let's not forget HP is a series of very imaginative books. I don't see them going anywhere. I see children coming in and picking up the books and reading them not just seeing the movies.

I would rather see Harry Potter than Avatar. Also Why Disney doesnt' have a stronger presence of Star Wars in the parks is beyond me. It's the one thing that could really stand up to Harry Potter.

I would love more Star Wars in the parks. Whereas I find it harder to give a hoot about Avatar.

 

[nancipants]

Epcot-
France film - snooze.....

Noooo, Impressions de France is the best. Nothing beats 20 or so minutes of fresh air conditioning and beautiful classical music.

 

[MakiraMarlena]

HP was a huge GET. Too bad Disney missed the opportunity to create that world.

No way would Disney have allowed JK Rowling to have total creative control.

Does Cameron have total creative control over Pandora? He's got some but I don't think it's total.

Yeah, I see another "How come Disney isn't doing anything as cool as Universal is doing right now - and I mean RIGHT NOW because we want new attractions and we want them NOW" thread.

They don't want to build any right now and they don't need to build any right now. They don't need an immediate answer to Harry Potter in Orlando. They're concentrating on adding capacity to certain areas, and infrastructure right now, while building up the overseas parks. The time was right for that.

Also Why Disney doesnt' have a stronger presence of Star Wars in the parks is beyond me. It's the one thing that could really stand up to Harry Potter.

Because they just acquired Lucasfilm and it takes time to get this stuff on the road with Disney.

 

[luvsJack]

No way would Disney have allowed JK Rowling to have total creative control.

Does Cameron have total creative control over Pandora? He's got some but I don't think it's total.

Yeah, I see another "How come Disney isn't doing anything as cool as Universal is doing right now - and I mean RIGHT NOW because we want new attractions and we want them NOW" thread.

They don't want to build any right now and they don't need to build any right now. They don't need an immediate answer to Harry Potter in Orlando. They're concentrating on adding capacity to certain areas, and infrastructure right now, while building up the overseas parks. The time was right for that.



Because they just acquired Lucasfilm and it takes time to get this stuff on the road with Disney.

to the bolded: probably not and that would have been a huge mistake. For that reason I am happy that Universal got HP instead.

 

[sonofanarchy]

MK is still BY FAR the most attended theme park in the world. They do not need to "keep up" with anybody.

It's "by far" the most attended in Florida. Tokyo DisneySea and Disneyland are right behind it.

New does not equal better. All the tehcnology in the world doesn't matter if none of the attractions are better than the decades old Haunted Mansion.

I agree. This is something that Disney still does better than anyone. Unfortunately, they keep getting rid of dark rides at the Magic Kingdom.

Avatar is a much better film than any of the Harry Potter movies (I honestly do not see the appeal).

Obviously, an opinion, and one that most people wouldn't agree about.

The Harry Potter world was mostly very well done, but I'm not sure I understand the need to add a second area.

Where to begin? The first area was a HUGE success. On a busy day, you can barely walk through there. The one part built was just Hogsmeade Village. Diagon Alley is a completely different part of the movies and tells a totally different story.

Avatarland is not the last thing Disney will ever build for WDW.

I doubt it it either, but they're clearly in no rush. While they sit on thousands of acres of unused land, Universal is buying more land to open new resorts and in the near future, a 3rd park.

 

[DisUniversal]

to the bolded: probably not and that would have been a huge mistake. For that reason I am happy that Universal got HP instead.

Yes...can you imagine if Disney got creative control? Forbidden Journey would have likely been another Omnimover attraction like Nemo or Little Mermaid and they would have found a way to put another Dumbo/Magic Carpets ride in there too. You'd probably see Harry Potter costumes for Duffy and maybe a Harry Potter parade float too.

 

[MakiraMarlena]

I think at the least Disney would have wanted meet and greets with the characters, which is one thing Rowling nixed.

 

[luvsJack]

Yes...can you imagine if Disney got creative control? Forbidden Journey would have likely been another Omnimover attraction like Nemo or Little Mermaid and they would have found a way to put another Dumbo/Magic Carpets ride in there too. You'd probably see Harry Potter costumes for Duffy and maybe a Harry Potter parade float too.

You are probably right.

Harry Potter needed to be done in a special way and I think Universal, with JK's control, did it perfect. It seems to hold very true to the books and the movies.

Disney certainly has the technology and know-how to do something amazing with Star Wars and could have with HP; I just hope they will.

 

[BrianL]

It's "by far" the most attended in Florida. Tokyo DisneySea and Disneyland are right behind it.

Well, "by far" over Universal...and the others are Disney parks. My point is they are doing fine

I agree. This is something that Disney still does better than anyone. Unfortunately, they keep getting rid of dark rides at the Magic Kingdom.

On this we can agree. Save the dark rides!

Obviously, an opinion, and one that most people wouldn't agree about.

Maybe so, but people seem to downplay the popularity of the most successful movie of all time. How can SO MANY people hate it?

Where to begin? The first area was a HUGE success. On a busy day, you can barely walk through there. The one part built was just Hogsmeade Village. Diagon Alley is a completely different part of the movies and tells a totally different story.

THey should have planned that space better. I can't believe how small the shops are in an area that they knew would be packed with people! I still don't think HP warrants so much space dedicated to it. Plus, I miss Jaws!

I doubt it it either, but they're clearly in no rush. While they sit on thousands of acres of unused land, Universal is buying more land to open new resorts and in the near future, a 3rd park.

They don't need to use more land, but use some of the land better than they do now, particularly at Epcot and DHS. Universal isn't really that mush faster either unless they're putting up a cookie-cutter attraction like Transformers...they just hold their announcements longer.

 

[DisUniversal]

Maybe so, but people seem to downplay the popularity of the most successful movie of all time. How can SO MANY people hate it?

I don't know many who say they hate the movie, however...it does seem to be overrated by many and at this point is an unproven franchise and a huge risk for Disney. As a franchise with wide appeal to all ages, it's not even in the same league as Harry Potter...not even remotely close. I think Disney would be far better off investing in Frozen over Avatar. It's not exactly a slouch at the box office.

 

[fairyprincess88]

Maybe so, but people seem to downplay the popularity of the most successful movie of all time. How can SO MANY people hate it?



THey should have planned that space better. I can't believe how small the shops are in an area that they knew would be packed with people! I still don't think HP warrants so much space dedicated to it. Plus, I miss Jaws!

A couple things on these.

1. You can not compare Avatar's box office take with the success of Harry Potter. Avatar was one movie that mostly built it's hype due to 3-D special effects that afterward most people wondered why they spent the money. Potter on the other hand is the most popular and successful book series ever written along with it's very successful film series.

When Avatar has millions of fans lined up around the world at midnight to get their hands on a book about it, then lets compare. When Avatar has a college sport created from it or heck, college courses taught about it, then lets compare. When Avatar creates an entire new language, music movement, and has exhibitions all around the world then lets compare. Right now, trying to hold Avatars inflated box office against anything Potter in terms of love and respect is laughable and yes people are scratching their heads over it.

2. Universal could not make Hogsmeade any bigger, especially not the stores. Not unless they completely wanted to break the immersion of theme. Hogsmeade is a tiny village with tiny shops. There is no mega mall of wizarding goods. They planned the space perfectly for what the fans wanted. If they would have made it bigger then most Potter fans would have written it off as garbage period.

3. Diagon Alley is a completely separate place from Hogsmeade and something Universal would have been stupid not to create. There are two places in the Wizarding World that children grow up wanting to walk through and those are Hogwarts and Diagon Alley. Universal had to do those two places to capture the Potter crowd. And they had to do them separately as you can not ever have Hogwarts anywhere near Diagon. To do it this way was not only proper but genius, especially having the Express connect the two. Absolute genius.

 

[Redcon1]

I think that the strength and longevity of the Avatar franchise is only a part of the issue. Also under scrutiny is the fact that the most recent new attractions that W.E.D. has given us are a 1970s style ride-through (Little Mermaid) and a Barnstormer level coaster while Universal's creative team is pumping out highly themed areas and jaw-dropping rides. There does seem to be a bit of "Hey! We're Disney! We don't have to be innovative to stay on top" hubris being exhibited. I don't mind the Avatar tie-in at all. But they had better up the attraction game with more than just 3D screens. Building another Little Mermaid ride-through or Star Tours motion simulator isn't going to cut it.

And herein lies the problem with Disney. The Imagineers just don't use their imagination anymore. Nowaday, they just take a hot property, either one Disney owns or bought from an outside source, construct a building or track, throw some theming around it and think everyone will love it.

Where's the Pirates or Haunted Mansion-type attractions the original Imagineers developed? Why don't they develop some new ideas that aren't based on existing properties?

I grew up going to Disneyland in the 60's and along with Pirates and Mansion, there were unique experiences like Adventures Thru Inner Space and Mine Train Thru Nature's Wonderland. Heck even attractions like the Jungle Cruise and the Tiki Room that are still around, were unique at the time, thus proving their originality stand the test of time.

I don't see Disney creating these type of experiences anymore, just stuff like 7DMT, while pleasant, is not innovative which is really where Disney used to shine.