Originally Posted By leemac <<Leemac mentioned a third park about Marvel and honestly I'm fearing that it will be another mess. ED SCA ist still repaying the debt and they will continue that way over the next years. So there will not be a big amount for a third park. History repeats itself.>> It will all depend on the target demographic. The government believes that there is a lack of theme parks that skew younger towards tweens through to millennials - and that would end up more of a thrill ride park. Thrill rides are typically cheaper to execute than the family experiences. I've always been trained in the school of thought that Disney parks shouldn't have a target demo and just be great themed experiences for all ages. I still believe that would be the best course of action for any third gate at Marne-la-Vallee.
Originally Posted By dagobert >>>I've always been trained in the school of thought that Disney parks shouldn't have a target demo and just be great themed experiences for all ages. I still believe that would be the best course of action for any third gate at Marne-la-Vallee.<<< I really hope that DLP will not get a thrill ride park. That just doesn't fit to the Disney brand. Does the French Government have such a huge influence?
Originally Posted By u k fan I've never paid much attention to the back of TOT!!! I don't mind a thrill ride park as long as it's done right. Busch Gardens is full of scary coasters, but has the animals to offset it and give those that aren't riding something to do. In fact an Animal Kingdom style park with added thrills would be good for DLRP and give them something that isn't really offered much in Europe. I'd rather not have a park just based on Marvel, but a Heroes Park could be cool and we could have a Villains land too!!!
Originally Posted By FerretAfros The backside of TOT isn't especially ugly, it's just not very interesting for such a large focal point. Similar to the DCA version (which can be seen along Harbor Blvd) there are windows and balconies to make it look like a real tower, but there's relatively little of interest for such a huge monolith. It's not bad, but it's just not especially memorable I agree that a Marvel themed park would be a misstep. I'm still not entirely convinced that the Marvel brand will be as long-lasting as the classic stories (especially if Europeans are only familiar with the current movies), and I agree that a park should have a broad theme that can accommodate a variety of future additions. Although there's little room for expansion, the general nautical theme of TDS allows for a bunch of different things to be tied in and has lots of possibilities, yet still has an over-arching theme that's easily understood
Originally Posted By dagobert >>>there are windows and balconies to make it look like a real tower, but there's relatively little of interest for such a huge monolith. It's not bad, but it's just not especially memorable<<< They should have put the Hollywood Hotel sign on the back too. That would have helped and it wouldn't be out of place, since many buildings have their logo on each side. >>>I agree that a Marvel themed park would be a misstep. I'm still not entirely convinced that the Marvel brand will be as long-lasting as the classic stories (especially if Europeans are only familiar with the current movies), and I agree that a park should have a broad theme that can accommodate a variety of future additions. Although there's little room for expansion, the general nautical theme of TDS allows for a bunch of different things to be tied in and has lots of possibilities, yet still has an over-arching theme that's easily understood<<< That's why I think that Marvel fits best into WDSP. For Europeans Marvel is about the movies. A third park should have a broader theme. I love EPCOT, but that's not a good idea for Europe, except the countries used are exotic ones. A park like DAK wouldn't be a good addition either. The animals would need a lot of attention, that attention would cost a lot of money which ED SCA doesn't have. And I'm not a big fan of animals in captivity. >>>I'd rather not have a park just based on Marvel, but a Heroes Park could be cool and we could have a Villains land too!!!<<< I could live with this idea. That allows to add Disney heroes. Even Lucasfilm could be added. For me Indy and Luke Skywalker or Han Solo qualify as heroes too.
Originally Posted By leemac <<I agree that a Marvel themed park would be a misstep. I'm still not entirely convinced that the Marvel brand will be as long-lasting as the classic stories (especially if Europeans are only familiar with the current movies), and I agree that a park should have a broad theme that can accommodate a variety of future additions. >> You can't argue with the economics though - 9 movies have grossed $6.4bn at the global box office. That may only be in a 6 year window but it shows that there is an appeal now. You also only need to look at the toys and apparel that kids are wearing - Marvel is the defacto choice of most boys and even a few girls. So I think at the very least the characters that have been introduced so far in the Cinematic Universe will resonate for a while yet.
Originally Posted By dagobert >>>You can't argue with the economics though - 9 movies have grossed $6.4bn at the global box office. That may only be in a 6 year window but it shows that there is an appeal now. You also only need to look at the toys and apparel that kids are wearing - Marvel is the defacto choice of most boys and even a few girls. So I think at the very least the characters that have been introduced so far in the Cinematic Universe will resonate for a while yet.<<< That definitely justifies Marvel in the parks, but a whole park based on Marvel. The MCU would be a perfect fit for WDSP. A third park will not come to Paris before 2020 or even 2015 and Disney should try to use Marvel now to bring more people to DLP.
Originally Posted By leemac <<That definitely justifies Marvel in the parks, but a whole park based on Marvel. >> Why not? The MCU is big enough for an entire park. I'm not saying I necessarily agree (I'm a casual fan of the MARVEL movies - the best of their genre right now) but it makes a lot of sense. <<A third park will not come to Paris before 2020 or even 2015 and Disney should try to use Marvel now to bring more people to DLP.>> Rat has taken over 7 years from concept to opening. That isn't very different to a complete park. The lifecycle of these projects is getting longer and longer.
Originally Posted By dagobert My concern is, that there will be an oversaturation of superhero movies in the next years and that people will lose interest in the genre. But I guess you can say that about everything. Before Disney starts thinking about a third park in Paris, they should fix the first two. Nevertheless it's good to read that Disney is still thinking about DLP's future. By the way is TWDC having more interest in DLP again. I mean CEO Iger and WDP&R CEO Staggs attended the opening of Ratatouille. Since you have some insights in Disney, is this Forbes article right about DL? <a target="blank" rel="nofollow" href="http://www.forbes.com/sites/csylt/2014/07/14/the-secrets-behind-disneys-2-2-billion-theme-park-profits/">http://www.forbes.com/sites/cs...profits/</a>
Originally Posted By dagobert What about Lucasfilm? Is Disney thinking about adding more SW and Indy attractions to their international resorts, especially Paris? I can imagine that SDL will have something based on SW.
Originally Posted By Malin Difference is you are not seeing DCA Tower of Terror from inside the Park. You are at the Studios. It lacks any real theming and is poor placement. The attraction was not designed to be viewed from the back. https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=119958954848840&l=68fda29627
Originally Posted By Malin *** A third park will not come to Paris before 2020 or even 2015 and Disney should try to use Marvel now to bring more people to DLP. *** Disneyland Paris extended the existing contract to 2030. So any third park would not have to even begin development until 2023 going by the 7 years time-scale. By this point it will be a completely new executive team in charge at both Disney and Euro Disney S.C.A. Can we say for certain that the Marvel bubble by this point won't have burst and the public will be demanding something new for the third park. Besides no new Park will be developed until the mess at the Studios is fixed. Marvel is part of the answer to this is it not? Lee perhaps you might like to comment on the strong rumour that Animagique is closing soon. It would seem if true that this side of the Park is yet to be completely finished.
Originally Posted By dagobert >>>Disneyland Paris extended the existing contract to 2030. So any third park would not have to even begin development until 2023 going by the 7 years time-scale. By this point it will be a completely new executive team in charge at both Disney and Euro Disney S.C.A. Can we say for certain that the Marvel bubble by this point won't have burst and the public will be demanding something new for the third park. Besides no new Park will be developed until the mess at the Studios is fixed. Marvel is part of the answer to this is it not?<<< I know that, but since TWDC bought the ED SCA debts from the banks, I thought that TWDC has more interest now in Europe's Disneyland and maybe that might speed up the development of DLP. >>>Lee perhaps you might like to comment on the strong rumour that Animagique is closing soon. It would seem if true that this side of the Park is yet to be completely finished. <<< WDI should transform that area into a Pixarland. Only Animagique and Flying Carpets aren't based on Pixar. That could easily being changed and the whole are would have a cohesive theme.
Originally Posted By FerretAfros >>Why not? The MCU is big enough for an entire park. I'm not saying I necessarily agree (I'm a casual fan of the MARVEL movies - the best of their genre right now) but it makes a lot of sense.<< I agree that MCU is big enough for a lot of different concepts, and that Marvel is very popular and deserves a place in the parks right now, but I still think that it would be a mistake to have one park entirely themed to Marvel. I'm a not-quite-casual fan of the movies (I've seen a couple of them and enjoyed them, but haven't felt compelled enough to seek the others out) and I personally wouldn't have any interest in the park; the theme is just too narrow. Since it can only logically include Marvel-related attractions, I would feel pretty lost there, without much of an idea of what's going on Lee often talks about "menu planning" for a park, and creating enough different experiences to fill up a day with. To me, nearly all of the Marvel characters feel the same. Yes, I know that Captain America and Iron Man are very different, but they always seem to end in a big-budget battle to save the world. There are only so many times you can see an attraction/show/land based on that concept in one day before it starts getting old. It would be similar to building a Disney Princess themed park; yes they're popular, and yes they all have unique characteristics, but the theme alone would turn people away from the gates regardless of how good the content of the park is In a way, it's similar to the toonification of the existing parks. When each and every land begins to have similar elements and tie-ins, it begins to devalue the diversity of the entire park. Rather than making it worthwhile to walk across the park for a unique attraction, we end up with the same basic premise with a different cast of characters (Epcot's Finding Nemo ride and Grand Fiesta Tour are a great example of this)
Originally Posted By Jim in Merced CA I'll probably get flamed for this, but if a Marvel theme park were opening this Summer, maybe then would it be capitalizing on the peak of the Superhero movies. Seven years from now? All bets are off. I'm not as bullish on the comic book universe being the long-lasting, iconic character stuff that is right for the permanence of a theme park. Then again, I think Harry Potter is a weird franchise for theme parks so what do I know?
Originally Posted By TDLFAN Hardly. Anything that makes this much money and has such huge following would hardly be weird. Even here in Japan, there is advertisement for the wizarding world of potter at universal studios Japan. They know they have a winning and proven franchise. Even TDR didn't match such a massive addition in Tokyo this summer.
Originally Posted By TDLFAN And so far this week TDR has not seen the huge crowds they always get during August. I wonder if people are flocking to USJ instead. And with reason.
Originally Posted By FerretAfros >>Even TDR didn't match such a massive addition in Tokyo this summer.<< I don't know the politics of the Japanese parks, but do they typically try to match/one-up new things at USJ? It seems like Osaka is far enough away from Tokyo that most people wouldn't be choosing which one to go to based simply on new attractions/entertainment, like in Orlando or LA
Originally Posted By leemac <<I don't know the politics of the Japanese parks, but do they typically try to match/one-up new things at USJ? It seems like Osaka is far enough away from Tokyo that most people wouldn't be choosing which one to go to based simply on new attractions/entertainment, like in Orlando or LA>> USJ struggled out the blocks - it opened 5 months before TDS and got swamped under the deluge of positive press for the second gate. Goldman Sachs stepped in and effectively saved the resort in 2005. It really stagnated at around 8m guests which isn't enough for a theme park with the high operating costs and royalty payments of USJ. It is now around the 10m mark and on the way up. They have spent close to $500m on the WWP to try and wrestle back guests from TDR. TDR may be over 500 kms away but they do compete for short break guests. The Japanese are still a nation that vacation at home and their leisure time is limited (much like the US). TDR has been able to corner that market for a long time but USJ is seen as a viable competitor now. 23m people live in Kansai where Osaka and Kyoto are based and USJ struggled to get to 8m guests. 35m people are in the Greater Tokyo Metropolitan Area and TDR attracts 31m people annually - c.15m at both. It is a huge gulf to bridge for USJ but they are adding attractions that are garnering more attention. Ultimately USJ was built in the wrong place. Konohana is a very densely built part of Osaka and there is almost no room for USJ to expand beyond the existing confines. It was a mistake not taking a site that would have also given them land for a second park like IoA.
Originally Posted By u k fan Thanks for the interesting post Lee. Someday I'll get to Japan. It boggles my mind that the US and Japan get a WWoHP, but the UK probably never will!!!
