Originally Posted By gurgitoy2 Ok, I read Al's latest update over on Miceage, and he mentions that Disney MGM Studios will undergo a branding change in the years to come and re-emerge as Disney-Pixar Studios. Is this really what's planned? Truthfully, I don't have a problem with this, in theory. If there were no other Pixar attractions at WDW, it would make perfect sense. My problem comes from the fact that there are already quite a few Pixar attractions spread throughout WDW. There's Buzz, and Monsters Inc. at the MK. It's Tough to be a Bug, and Finding Nemo the Musical at DAK. Turtle Talk and the Nemo attraction at EPCOT. So, wouldn't that sort of detract from the Disney-Pixar Studios theme? Anybody have any more info about this big change?
Originally Posted By FerretAfros This is also the first that I've heard of it, so I don't know too much about it, but it really doesn't make much sense. There is so much stuff already in the park that is classic Hollywood (the entire front half of the park) that really doesn't make much sense with that name. A lot of the stuff in the back is more like a film studio, and really has almost nothing to do with the traditional thought of a Disney-Pixar park. The Great Movie Ride would really seem out of place, since the only thing they have that fits the theme is the brief Fantasia segment, and it's a really amazing ride that I would hate to see leave. The concept of D/P studios really does nothing for me, since I just get this image of watching people draw and use computers, which really isn't very exciting at all. Perhaps there's a reason that they closed down the animation building, since it wasn't very exciting to look at?
Originally Posted By wahooskipper I'm all for the Great Movie Ride getting an overhaul. I'm not sure I want to see it go completely Pixar, but I think there is room for some of the better live-action Disney/Touchstone/Hollywood Pictures films (Armageddon comes to mind) to be represented there. It seems like the Good Movie Ride to me right now. But, if it gets the animation building open again I would be ALL for that.
Originally Posted By brotherdave I've heard this rumor for a while now, and, if it happens, it doesn't surprise me. I think Toy Story Mania is a start in that direction. It's been speculation for years that Disney will be dropping the "MGM" name eventually, due to licensing agreements. For the most part, aside from some obvious logo changes needed throughout the park, the changeover will be one that will mostly in name only. I'm not positive, but I would suspect that the non-Disney properties in the Great Movie Ride may have separate licensing agreements from the MGM name and logo. Besides, only a few movies represented are MGM films (Singing in the Rain, Wizard of Oz) or owned by Turner/Time Warner (who owns a great deal of the MGM library). I think a makeover of the Movie Ride is inevitable, I'm just hoping that it isn't removed entirely for another thrill ride attraction! As for some 'quick' Pixar fixes, I can see "Honey, I Shrunk the Kids" playground easily transformed into "A Bugs Life" theme, "Voyage of the Little Mermaid" possibly being replaced with something else (possibly Pixar), and the animation studios getting revamped once again. Perhaps we'll see other new rides and attractions added in the near future as well.
Originally Posted By CTXRover I believe dropping the MGM name is inevitable. The strength that association gave the young park in the late 80's/early 90's is no longer needed, especially since MGM hasn't had a hit in years and Disney and the film companies it owns have developed a pretty solid array of great films since that time. Beyond a logo change and a much needed update to the GMR, the biggest obstacle facing Disney would be getting people to stop calling the park simply "MGM", which it will likely be, at least in my mind, for a very long time. A Disney-Pixar studios theme park works imo. I'd rather a simple Walt Disney Studios name though with either a mini land called "Disney-Pixar Studios" or "Toon Studios", ala what WDS in Paris is getting, over by where the Animation Tour is and where Toy Story Mania is going. I understand the notion that since there are Pixar attractions elsewhere that it would lessen the strength of rebranding the park with that name. In fact, I agree 100% with that argument. However, in that logic, a simple Walt Disney Studios themed park would not make sense either since Walt Disney Pictures have rides or attractions at the other parks as well, including prominently throughout the MK (all of Fantasyland, Toon Town, Pirates, Aladdin, Splash Mountain, Stitch, etc), as well as AK (Dinosaur and Lion King).
Originally Posted By brotherdave Personally, I like to see them use the name "Walt Disney Studios Florida", as they've been using on their promotional videos for years. Another name that I could see them using is "Disney/ABC Studios", which could help bolster their television division. But, because of name recognition (and the fact that they paid huge money to acquire it!), it most likely will be renamed "Disney/Pixar Studios" which I think is actually the weakest of the three names.
Originally Posted By utahjosh I just call it "The Studios" although MGM is what usually comes out. It's a shame there is no longer an actual studio of any kind there anymore - why even call it "sutdios"?
Originally Posted By gurgitoy2 "However, in that logic, a simple Walt Disney Studios themed park would not make sense either since Walt Disney Pictures have rides or attractions at the other parks as well, including prominently throughout the MK (all of Fantasyland, Toon Town, Pirates, Aladdin, Splash Mountain, Stitch, etc), as well as AK (Dinosaur and Lion King)." Yeah, you do have a point. The only thing is that there really aren't that many Pixar films compared to Disney's. Most of Pixar's films have already gotten representations at the parks too. Disney still has lots of material that it has not exploited yet. I think that's why I'm not sure the theme will work, because Pixar has so few properties to work with.
Originally Posted By Jim in Merced CA [whispers quietly] That's why the 'movie studio' theme is so lame. [ducks and runs]
Originally Posted By mstaft I like Disney/Pixar- its a great marketing tool. If it leads to some more great attractions like Toy Story Mania seems to be shaping up to be,I'm all for it. I just hope they'll keep a balance of Pixar and Traditional Animation and live action along with attractions based on other types of entertainment. BTW- Can you picture whatPizza Planet Restaurant would have ended up being like if Lasseter was around then???
Originally Posted By Skellington88 Im all for it if it leads to a revamping of the park (especially GMR and the Animation section) and hopefully brings more of the pixar staff to visit florida and see how bad things are down here. I want John Lasseter and Pete Docter to see how badly things have fallen into dispair here at Walt's second magic kingdom.
Originally Posted By plpeters70 "That's why the 'movie studio' theme is so lame." I totally agree. Of course, it's not like anything that's been added to MGM in the last 10 years really has anything to do with a movie studio - and neither did most of the original stuff. Just because the rides are themed to some movie or television property doesn't mean that they have anything to do with a "Studios" theme. All of the parks have rides and shows that are themed to movies now -- even poor Epcot. They might as well just drop the Studios name all-together and just come up with another name -- the place basically has nothing to do with a real movie studio these days.
Originally Posted By brotherdave But it still has a wonderfully visualized aura of a Hollywood that actually never existed, EXCEPT in the movies! The theming to Hollywood Blvd (minus the hat) and Sunset Blvd is exquisite to that idealized 1940s Hollywood that we could only imagine! And the 'studio' portion of the park, in some of the attractions, at least gives a glimpse to the art of filmmaking. The park is by no means perfect, but, it does sparkle in some of what it does (the two main 'streets', Great Movie Ride, Tower of Terror, etc.) The park just needs a little more balance and TLC, not to mention a few more attractions to bring it up to the other WDW parks. It also needs to upgrade the tram tour PRONTO! It has truly become an embarrasment and waste of time.
Originally Posted By trekkeruss <<Ok, we get rid of "MGM" and "Studios" and what do we call it?>> "Disney's Movie Dreams Park, featuring the Big A** Hat" <<-- Tongue planted firmly in cheek
Originally Posted By ssWEDguy >> They might as well just drop the Studios name all-together and just come up with another name << How about "Park 3 of 4"? >> at least gives a glimpse to the art of filmmaking. The park is by no means perfect, but, it does sparkle in some of what it does << I agree with this.
Originally Posted By bobbelee9 Say those initials fast, and you get something that could rhyme with EMPTY, not a good thought
Originally Posted By avromark They could fiddle with the current campaign and rename it "Year of a Million and One Dreams". Some lucky family will be selected by the Dream Patrol and the first thing that comes out of their mouth will be the basis of the new name. They should select the family that has the most touristly look, with at least one camera and camcorder, half a dozen shopping bags, at least one "key" to a suite at the Grand Californian, one or more guidebooks, and no clue what "Fast Pass" is. For added measure they could ensure the family is trilingual to come up with a name that is more "global" in scope. (Tongue embedded firmly through the cheek.)
