Originally Posted By vbdad55 would you still be at Wizarding World IF Disney built a land that size dedicated to Star Wars ? Or at least is it a draw at that point ? The ONLY chance Disney has of competing directly with the boy wizard is to kneel at the altar of George Lucas and beg to create such a place....
Originally Posted By RoadTrip I would be at Disney if they built an exquisitely detailed and themed land with unique attractions and merchandise based on just about ANYTHING. The problem is, how do you get the masses to want to see it. For that you need a "franchise" that is well known to your target audience, and Avatar just isn't it. Avatar has at best a niche/cult audience and is relatively unknown to the younger children that Disney appeals to most. Sorry, but a land themed to either the Lion King or Monstropolis would probably work far better.
Originally Posted By dshyates From a merchandising standpoint, I think The Noble Collection sums up the difference between the Avatar fan base and Potter's. Potter has 188 collectbles and Avatar has 7. 'nuff said. <a href="http://www.noblecollection.com/" target="_blank">http://www.noblecollection.com/</a>
Originally Posted By Dr Hans Reinhardt I don't fully understand why it matters to people and businesses that the franchise be strong in order to green light a great ride. Avatar may not be everyone's cup of tea, but if the area's signature ride is groundbreaking and entertaining I think it would be a huge hit regardless of the characters and story tie-in. Like I've said before, I couldn't give a rat's patooty about Harry Potter films, but the ride looks so fantastic that I to want to experience it. Theme park companies and fans need to get back to the business of focusing on great attractions and stop worrying so much about what the hottest movie franchise is.
Originally Posted By RoadTrip Good Doctor... most people aren't theme-park junkies like we are. They don't follow all the details about what is happening in the parks and the quality of the new attractions. All they do is look for something they recognize (like Harry Potter or Carsland) and then attend in droves.
Originally Posted By RoadTrip And yes, they don't make repeat visits unless the quality is there. But it takes something they recognize to get them to try it in the first place.
Originally Posted By DDMAN26 With Avatar I've taken the very controversial stance of I'll not judge until I see what is presented.
Originally Posted By RoadTrip <<That's some niche/cult.>> Doesn't include many pre-teens though, does it?
Originally Posted By RoadTrip <<That's some niche/cult.>> And yes, I will admit that my calling it a niche/cult audience was way off. It was by far the top grossing film of 2009, kicking the crap out of both HP and the Half Blood Prince and Twilight - New Moon. Just from my memory I (and I'm an old guy who doesn't have much left) it had very little appeal to the pre-teen market. I guess that was really my point and I should have said so.
Originally Posted By Dr Hans Reinhardt "All they do is look for something they recognize (like Harry Potter or Carsland) and then attend in droves." Yes they do, but that doesn't mean that they won't show up in equal droves if a good ride is built around Avatar, which of course was my point. If the Wizarding World of Harry Potter had sucked not even the success of the franchise and the foaming Potter fans would have been able to save it from being a bust. Building attractions should be the mandate, not trying to score the biggest and baddest franchise. "With Avatar I've taken the very controversial stance of I'll not judge until I see what is presented." How rational of you.
Originally Posted By HokieSkipper <<would you still be at Wizarding World IF Disney built a land that size dedicated to Star Wars ?>> Yup. Of course I'd still go to the Star Wars land, but WWoHP is terrific.
Originally Posted By HokieSkipper <<If the Wizarding World of Harry Potter had sucked not even the success of the franchise and the foaming Potter fans would have been able to save it from being a bust.>> But having raving fans sure helps.
Originally Posted By Dr Hans Reinhardt But even raving fans know the difference between bad, good, and incredible. Just take a look at some of the fan comments here on LP in regards to Disney.
Originally Posted By HokieSkipper I agree, but having a frothing fanbase chomping at the bit to experience something helps to bleed the excitement over to the regular joes.
Originally Posted By Dr Hans Reinhardt Not if the ride sucks. In the end it doesn't matter how weak a franchise is IF you build a good ride. How many millions of people are rabid fans of the Twilight Zone. I'm guessing there aren't too many, yet the Tower of Terror is one of Disney's most successful attractions. Assuming that Disney pulls out all the stops with Avatar and designs an unforgettable experience it won't matter if the franchise isn't on the same level of rabid popularity as Star Wars or HP.
Originally Posted By danyoung >How many millions of people are rabid fans of the Twilight Zone. I'm guessing there aren't too many...< Really? I was with you right up to this point. I think you're incorrect in your estimate, Doctor.
Originally Posted By dshyates I, too am a TZ fan. But I wouldn't plan. Trip based on the property alone if ToT wasn't such a great attraction.
Originally Posted By dshyates Then again there are few intellectual properties that the property alone would get me to book a vacation. Potter is one, Lord of the Rings is another. Star Wars wouldn't do it for me personally, but there are millions that would. That said, one property that Disney owns, has a 5 tony award winning play running on broadway of, and just green lit the film for would. If they built an entire land for. Check out the link below for my idea: <a href="http://www.orlandounited.com/forums/showthread.php?7216-Neverland" target="_blank">http://www.orlandounited.com/f...everland</a>
