Will we ever see a new unique story in an attraction?

[MarknStitch]

Once Upon a Time Imagineers created new stories and experiences for us all but in recent years every new attraction has been IP driven. Do you think we will ever see a unique attraction rather than an IP tie-in again?

Don't get me wrong I love getting to ride the stories of my favourite characters but the majority of my favourite attractions are actually the non Disney IP driven attractions... Tower of Terror, Space Mountain, Big Thunder, Mission Space...

Just wondered what your thoughts were...

 

[vandy]

Once Upon a Time Imagineers created new stories and experiences for us all but in recent years every new attraction has been IP driven. Do you think we will ever see a unique attraction rather than an IP tie-in again?

Don't get me wrong I love getting to ride the stories of my favourite characters but the majority of my favourite attractions are actually the non Disney IP driven attractions... Tower of Terror, Space Mountain, Big Thunder, Mission Space...

Just wondered what your thoughts were...

I think Disney has become complacent and are content with tying in to movies and characters instead of taking the risk of building on something new. Movies and characters have already created a fan base upon which they can exploit and attract visitors. They can put something out there that is mediocre to okay at best and get people to go ga-ga over it. Creating something new means they need to really be creative and come up with something great, both in theming and the experience one receives from it. Creating based upon a movie, show or character is much, much easier for them and produces enough money to keep them happy and a product that most people who visit are at least happy with.

 

[OKW Lover]

I think Disney has been doing the IP thing for quite a while and very effectively. It just makes good financial sense to capitalize on movie IP in the parks. In fact, people expect it. No sooner was (fill in the blank) hit movie out than there were people wanting to see (fill in the character) in the park and asking about a future attraction.

I don't see this as any indication that Imagineering has lost its edge.

 

[rteetz]

Disney is still creating these attractions its just not for the US parks at the moment. The foreign parks have seen these such attractions. For example two years ago I believe Mystic manor opened in Hong Kong and it is their version of Haunted Mansion but no where near the same different story line all together with state of the art trackless ride system. We will also see some new attractions in the Shanghai Disneyland once that opens. In the future I think we will see them again in the US parks but not for a five to ten years maybe.

 

[KYMickey]

I don't believe unless some major corporation comes forward and wants to finance a major new attraction we won't ever have another attraction without a tie in. Things cost too much to risk spending hundreds of millions of dollars on an unknown! The only possible exception would be some kind of thrill ride such as RnR roller coaster in the studios.

 

[luisov]

That type of rides are not profitable anymore. Sure, we have Everest or RnRC (both thrill rides that could catch a lot of attention regardless of their themes, anyways), but in a brand-driven society like ours, it has become more important to sell a product that can actually make profit than creating an original experience that won't necessarily create as much buzz. Take Epcot as an example. Disney characters were probably introduced to Epcot because visitors wanted to see more Disney characters in that park. Simple as that.

Therefore, no, I don't think we'll ever have a PotC type of ride, but somethinge ala Mystic Manor can still be done. Although perhaps not in the U.S.

 

[tjkraz]

I think Disney has become complacent and are content with tying in to movies and characters instead of taking the risk of building on something new. Movies and characters have already created a fan base upon which they can exploit and attract visitors. They can put something out there that is mediocre to okay at best and get people to go ga-ga over it. Creating something new means they need to really be creative and come up with something great, both in theming and the experience one receives from it. Creating based upon a movie, show or character is much, much easier for them and produces enough money to keep them happy and a product that most people who visit are at least happy with.

A good attraction is a good attraction; a bad attraction is a bad attraction, regardless of the theme. I don't recall anyone going "ga-ga" over Stitch's Great Escape just because it's character based.

Most people who visit the parks want the Disney character stuff. Personally I wouldn't mind more non-character experiences but a good ride is a good ride regardless of character integration. Removing the Seven Dwarfs from the Mine Train or Ariel from Undersea Adventures doesn't make either a better ride.

 

[MarknStitch]

Disney is still creating these attractions its just not for the US parks at the moment. The foreign parks have seen these such attractions. For example two years ago I believe Mystic manor opened in Hong Kong and it is their version of Haunted Mansion but no where near the same different story line all together with state of the art trackless ride system. We will also see some new attractions in the Shanghai Disneyland once that opens. In the future I think we will see them again in the US parks but not for a five to ten years maybe.

That is a very good point actually. I hadn't considered those parks and attractions.

I definitely agree with OKW Lover that it is no indication of imagineering losing it's edge.

It's funny that PotC was mentioned because that was so good a story they turned it into a film, although other attraction turned film attempts have been far less fruitful.

I go "ga-ga" over Stitch's Great Escape but he is my favourite character. I'm not entirely sure why the attraction gets so much hate tbh. I appreciate that it replaced an exceptional original story but I always felt that Alien Encounter was a terrible fit for MK. I was genuinely terrified. It would have been a better attraction in the studios. Beyond that, SGE makes me smile, the animatronics are incredible and I just enjoy it. Each to their own I guess.

Back on topic. I hope they do continue to create the unique stories at some point, for me that was part of the excitement and uniqueness of the parks.

 

[rteetz]

That is a very good point actually. I hadn't considered those parks and attractions. I definitely agree with OKW Lover that it is no indication of imagineering losing it's edge. It's funny that PotC was mentioned because that was so good a story they turned it into a film, although other attraction turned film attempts have been far less fruitful. I go "ga-ga" over Stitch's Great Escape but he is my favourite character. I'm not entirely sure why the attraction gets so much hate tbh. I appreciate that it replaced an exceptional original story but I always felt that Alien Encounter was a terrible fit for MK. I was genuinely terrified. It would have been a better attraction in the studios. Beyond that, SGE makes me smile, the animatronics are incredible and I just enjoy it. Each to their own I guess. Back on topic. I hope they do continue to create the unique stories at some point, for me that was part of the excitement and uniqueness of the parks.

So your telling me you like stitch? What is the point of the attraction I really don't get it I sit in a chair the lights go out and there are some noises and it's over it really doesn't seem like a good attraction.

 

[MarknStitch]

So your telling me you like stitch? What is the point of the attraction I really don't get it I sit in a chair the lights go out and there are some noises and it's over it really doesn't seem like a good attraction.

Yup. I enjoy it. I love Stitch as a character. I enjoy watching the animatronics and the story of it all. It's a bit of fun. I went at it with no expectations and just enjoyed it for what it was. The irony here is that the story is almost identical to that of its predecessor, Alien Encounter. You have an encounter with a bad alien, they just changed the definition of bad. Alien Encounter was genuinely terrifying to the point that my mum came out of it crying her eyes out. I've never seen her so distressed and is that really right for the Magic Kingdom? I still get glared at if I even mention it.

I know Alien Encounter has a lot of fans who still wish it was around but I think it has meant that Stitch's Great Escape gets a hard time. We all do that from time to time. I dare say people were the same about Enchanted Tiki Room: Under New Management. Sometimes our own nostalgia can be counter productive. (Just to be clear I adore both versions )

Essentially, all they did was make Alien Encounter more palatable to family audiences and I love it all the more for it.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

. . . I don't see this as any indication that Imagineering has lost its edge.

1) Of course, Imagineering was decimated by having staff levels greatly reduced.
2) Hurt a lot, especially with all the outsourcing.

 

[jamarmiller]

I honestly hope not, I like movie tie ins more than ones with no movie tie in

 

[MarknStitch]

I honestly hope not, I like movie tie ins more than ones with no movie tie in

Really? I think their best rides are actually the ones without an IP tie-in....

But then, I also like Stitch's Great Escape so whadoikno

 

[tjkraz]

Really? I think their best rides are actually the ones without an IP tie-in....

For the most part, it's probably a coincidence.

Would you like Space Mountain or BTMR any less characters had been part of the experience from day one?

Do you think 7DMT would be any better if the Dwarfs were removed?

 

[lfishe3]

1) Of course, Imagineering was decimated by having staff levels greatly reduced.
2) Hurt a lot, especially with all the outsourcing.

Imagineers are now able to make more money with other companies. Universal stole some of the best for the new Harry Potter expansion.

That being said, no one themes like Disney. Fingers crossed they bring more people in house and quit with the outsourcing.

I think they have more freedom with the international parks. Catering to a different audience.

 

[rteetz]

For the most part, it's probably a coincidence.

Would you like Space Mountain or BTMR any less characters had been part of the experience from day one?

Do you think 7DMT would be any better if the Dwarfs were removed?

I agree I can't see Big thunder or Space mountain being better with movie tie ins I think it would make it worse actually. each attraction is designed for specific reasons and ones with movie tie ins are supposed to have them. HM or the people mover just wouldn't be good with movie tie ins. Like you said also take the dwarfs away from the mine train and it seems boring, same with Peter Pan or Winnie the Pooh.

Test Track, Soarin, maelstrom, Its a small world, Space mountain, BTMR, Jungle Cruise, Tiki room, People Mover, Everest, SSE, Living with the land, etc are all great attractions without movie tie ins and wouldn't be that great with them.

Now here is an interesting point Splash Mountain has a movie tie in but do most people actually know the movie that well, no especially the kids and teens riding it.

 

[rteetz]

Imagineers are now able to make more money with other companies. Universal stole some of the best for the new Harry Potter expansion.

That being said, no one themes like Disney. Fingers crossed they bring more people in house and quit with the outsourcing.

I think they have more freedom with the international parks. Catering to a different audience.

The foreign parks also have companies giving them money which we don't have in the US.

 

[OldsDr]

It is no longer about the ride, it is the gift shop at the end of the ride. They will sell a loot more merchandise tied to a popular movie than they will with just good ride. (no matter how good the ride is)

 

[rteetz]

It is no longer about the ride, it is the gift shop at the end of the ride. They will sell a loot more merchandise tied to a popular movie than they will with just good ride. (no matter how good the ride is)

Mine train doesn't have a gift shop...

 

[MarknStitch]

It is no longer about the ride, it is the gift shop at the end of the ride. They will sell a loot more merchandise tied to a popular movie than they will with just good ride. (no matter how good the ride is)

ToT has some of the best merchandise available!! At least it did, it seems like they are reducing it somewhat, they certainly are in DLP :-(

It does make me sad that people feel that is what Disney have become.