How Relevant Is This Concept Today?

Originally Posted By crapshoot

"Your dead if you aim only for kids. Adults are only kids grown up, anyway." - WaltDisney

 

Originally Posted By Dr Hans Reinhardt

I think it's very relevant. Look at the success of Pixar, which has been incredibly successful using this strategy.

 

Originally Posted By cheesybaby

Worked for WWoHP.

 

Originally Posted By BPSJP

Worked with me,still does!

 

Originally Posted By SpokkerJones

You're dead if you aim only for the kids.

Because their parents have the money.

 

Originally Posted By Dr Hans Reinhardt

Bingo.

 

Originally Posted By Goofyernmost

Yes, the parents have the money but the kids have the ability to pester the parents, wearing them down bit by bit, until they will do anything to get them to shut up. It made a lot of money for McDonalds too!

 

Originally Posted By SpokkerJones

Yeah, that's the point I was making. Carsland goes into DCA because the Cars merchandise is the best-selling merchandise among boys.

Pixar films may appeal to adults as well as children, but I don't see that appeal in the Pixar rides haphazardly placed in the parks. It's a cash grab with little artistic merit.

 

Originally Posted By davewasbaloo

agreed, and as we found out at DLP last month, the kids start to really outgrow these things (unlike PotC, HM or Star Tours).

Toystory Playland was of little interest to my 7 and 5 year old. Needless to say I hate it too. and my wife can take or leave it.

 

Originally Posted By Bellella

I'll say it is. And if it isn't, it should be.

 

Originally Posted By crapshoot

Attracton Breakdown by:

(HR) = Height Restriction
(F) = Family
(K) = Kids
(A) = Adults (Includes teens too)

*Kids means that they require adult supervision, but can be on their own without "handholding" supervision.

*A few attractions liste have Kids by themselves, but the parent would be off to the side supervising visually.



Main Street -

Great Moments With Mr. Lincoln F-A
Main St. Cinema F-A
Horse Drawn Trolley Car F-A
Dbl Decker Onmibus F-A
Fire Engine F-A
Horseless Carriage F-A

Fantasyland -

Sleeping Beauty's Castle Walkthrough F-A
Snow White's Scary Adventure F-A
Pinocchio's Daring Adventure F-A
King Arthur Carousel F-A
Dumbo the Flying Elephant F-K-A
Casey Jr's Circus Train F-K-A
Storybook Land Canal Boats F-A
Mad Tea Party F-K-A
Alice In Wonderland F-A
Peter Pan's Flight F-A
Matterhorn Bobsleds (HR) F-A
Small World F-A

New Orleans Square -

Haunted Mansion F-A
Pirates of the Caribbean F-A

Tomorrowland -

Astro Orbitor F-K-A
Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters F-A
Star Tours (HR) F-A
Space Mountain (HR) F-A
Capatain EO F-A
Monorail F-A
Autopia (HR) F-A
Innoventions F-A
Finding Nemo Submarines Voyage F-A

Frontierland -

Mark Twain Steamboat F-A
Columbia Sailing Ship F-A
Pirates Lair F-A
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad (HR) F-A

Critter Country -

Splash Mountain (HR) F-A
Davey Crockets Canoes F-A
Winnie the Pooh F-A

Mickey's Toon Town -

Gadgets Go Coaster (HR) F-A
Chip and Dale's Treehouse K
Donald's Boat K
Gadgets Go Coaster F-A
Goofy's Playhouse F-K
Minnie's House F
Mickey's House F
Roger Rabbit's Cartoon Spin F-A

Adventureland -

Walt Disney's Enchanted Tiki Room F-A
Jungle Cruise F-A
Tarzan's Treehouse F-A
Indiana Jones Adventures (HR) F-A

Parades, Shows & Fireworks F-A

Some attractions may be referred to as "Kiddie Rides" by some people, but most of the dark rides in Fantasyland really require a responsible person watching over the really young ones.

I think that this list shows that, for the most part, Disneyland attractions maintain a balance for both families and adults without playing down to the kid level but only on a few rare occasions.

 

Originally Posted By DlandDug

The issue is what constitutes a "child only" attraction. Too many people assume that children have lower standards, and so produce low standard entertainments for them. But while kids may have simpler tastes, they do have the ability to recognize when they are being patronized. Poor quality is poor quality.

Years ago, Patrick Dennis wrote a book called "The Joyous Season." In one chapter, he describes, in merciless detail, a trip to a typical "children's theater" play, from the point of view of a kid. It is a clear-eyed, and brilliantly drawn, description of how much kids really dislike this sort of thing.

At the end of the chapter, the same kid is taken to see a "really terrific" show on Broadway, and it is described with great enthusiasm, despite the fact that it would not be considered a "children's" show.

Quality will out.

 

Originally Posted By Bellella

Yes it will. The D-land rides, especially the "E-ticket" attractions, will continue to be popular with all ages as long as they continue to be well-taken care of. Pirates, the Mansion, Indiana Jones, the Tiki Room and IASW will surely continue to dazzle everyone with their imaginative technology. All the time I was growing up, my parents were happy to take us to D-land, and on every trip, they had good things to say about all the rides. Their admiration hasn't changed with the years, and neither has mine. Although I don't approve of everything the people in charge have done to a couple of classics, I'll always love the park and be amazed by all the magic and special effects.

 

Originally Posted By mele

<<The issue is what constitutes a "child only" attraction. Too many people assume that children have lower standards, and so produce low standard entertainments for them. But while kids may have simpler tastes, they do have the ability to recognize when they are being patronized. Poor quality is poor quality.>>

I dunno, Dug. The entire Disney Channel line up makes me wonder if that is true or not.

 

Originally Posted By Yookeroo

I can't imagine Small World or Tiki Room dazzling anyone over 5 years old.

 

Originally Posted By CuriousConstance

^^^ You haven't met my husband.

 

Originally Posted By skinnerbox

LOL, Constance!!

 

Originally Posted By Goofyernmost

I am a real believer in not underestimating the child, but there are certain differences between adult and child perceptions.

Do they recognize quality...only to the extent that it entertains them. They wouldn't care what it is made of, if it was dirty, if it made sense, if it was upside down...but they would reject it if it was boring or was something that they didn't recognize as entertaining. That is the reason Disney is quick to adapt popular characters from cartoons or movies. If they are familiar they will be happy.

It may be true that if you only appeal to children you will parish, but see how quick it slides downhill if you only appeal to adults.

 

Originally Posted By DlandDug

>>I can't imagine Small World or Tiki Room dazzling anyone over 5 years old.<<

Have you tried? Or is this a visceral reaction? If so, it's a sad testament to your imagination.

Picasso said, "It took me four years to paint like Raphael, but a lifetime to paint like a child." The point isn't to celebrate that which is childish (ie: most of what passes for "entertainment" these days on the Disney Channel), but rather that which is childlike. Sophistication knows no age limit. (And that works both ways!)

 

Originally Posted By SpokkerJones

"I can't imagine Small World or Tiki Room dazzling anyone over 5 years old."

You do understand that the people who got most excited about this stuff were the 40 to 50-year-old men who designed them, right?