Originally Posted By MPierce >> Although not part of DCA 1.0 Kevin Rafferty came up with an incredible Route 66 concept for DCA - it was probably the best pitch I've ever seen - and Lasseter killed it as he wanted Radiator Springs intact - he wasn't prepared to compromise on bringing the movie to life in DCA. It could have worked as a hybrid between the two worlds but Lasseter just wasn't interested. A terrible shame but it is typical John - he can't see beyond his own product. << Call me short sighted, but I agree with Mr. Lasseter on this one.
Originally Posted By MPierce >> Big difference between those examples (that are appropriately credited) and Cars. I'm sure Neil Shulman would love some royalties for the story to Cars. << Hasn't he done several things with the Mouse? Why doesn't he use the Judicial system?
Originally Posted By MPierce >> In which case, one could argue that something as immersive, ambitious and faithfully re-created as Cars Land is the correct way to toonify the parks. << Absolutely!
Originally Posted By MPierce >> Seeing a movie brought to life is more interesting to me (and to my kids) than seeing a recreation of 'real' route 66. << I so agree. Why should we bring reality into the picture. If you want reality in the park set up a seperate exhibition
Originally Posted By HokieSkipper << I love when Disney does history well (You can't beat American Adventure) but in general, I'm going to Disneyland to escape from reality.>> I fail to see how you can't do both. Just look at Big Thunder Mountain, Haunted Mansion, the original Pirates, Jungle Cruise, etc.
Originally Posted By MPierce >> ^^^Yet people flocked to Disneyland and the MK when they first opened, and not nearly every ride was character based, nor are the enduring classics from that age. << The Disney characters had yet to achieve iconic stature by then. Mr. Disney was working on it though. It's a totally different game now. Disney plays off of it's characters more so than ever now. As Manfried pointed out, the guest demand the toons, and the meet 'n greets. Disney is just giving the folks what they want.
Originally Posted By MPierce >> What makes mainstream Americans come to Disney today are the branded attractions. What makes mainstream Americans have a long-term affinity for Disney is a high-quality experience. They've dropped the ball on the latter during the past 20 years, but they are savvy to stick to the former. << Once again I so agree.
Originally Posted By MPierce >> Right, which is why Expedition Everest, Test Track, and Soarin' gave their parks so much of a boost. << Come on Skipper, people come to WDW to see the classic Disney. Which the characters are the mainstay of. You remove the Mouse, and Disney just becomes another well themed park without the sould that defines Disney.
Originally Posted By MPierce >> No need to educate the fragmented public about something new. Give them something they already love, only now, made real. << Just like....say a Carsland.
Originally Posted By MPierce >> Right, so the easy route they've been taking the past 10 years. Good idea. << Brand recognition is everything in a competitive market. Folks go to Disney to see things Disney.
Originally Posted By HokieSkipper <<The Disney characters had yet to achieve iconic stature by then. Mr. Disney was working on it though.>> Including in the 70s. when MK opened? Sorry, Mpierce, that's just not true. <<Come on Skipper, people come to WDW to see the classic Disney. Which the characters are the mainstay of. You remove the Mouse, and Disney just becomes another well themed park without the sould that defines Disney. >> Not saying they shouldn't be there, Mpierce. But every attraction shouldn't be about a cartoon character, or you start perpetuating into the stereotype that Disney is really just for kids. I'm still befuddled how popular the attractions I listed are, yet they don't have a character in them...Because that's obviously the only reason people come. And I can add Tower of Terror to the list as well.
Originally Posted By MPierce >> And don't get me started on the new PotC... << Bring back the Parrot, and the Skull, and Crossbones warning! Live Free Or Die!
Originally Posted By MPierce >> Including in the 70s. when MK opened? Sorry, Mpierce, that's just not true. << And exactly how big was the Disney Empire when Disneyland opened? The Disney family was just getting started. They had nowhere near the world wide brand rwecognition that Disney carries now.
Originally Posted By Britain Twilight Zone brand. Again, it's not necessarily toons, it's popular brands. Right now the best cards in Iger's hands are the Pixar cards, so that's what he's playing. He's also playing the Lucas cards since there's still life in them. But he's also got Capt. Jack, and soon, Marvel. It may be unfortunate that Disney has essentially sucked when it came to generating new+popular intellectual property for the last 10 years (Dick Tracy, Rocketeer...). But that's the state Eisner left things in. And it looks like Iger prefers to buy IP, rather than try to create it.
Originally Posted By HokieSkipper <<Twilight Zone brand. Again, it's not necessarily toons, it's popular brands.>> I'd hardly call Twilight Zone a popular brand when ToT opened in '94.
Originally Posted By Britain But I will agree MPierce is way off on this "Disney was an unknown when DL or WDW opened" tack. What are you smoking? You are aware that Walt & his characters were global superstars in the 1930's, aren't you?
Originally Posted By Britain Zone has cachet, people know the theme. People think it's cool even if they actually don't know much about the Twilight Zone. (The Pinball Game was huge in the 90's!)
Originally Posted By MPierce If they commanded so much fame then where did this quote from Walt come from. >> "Biggest problem? Well, I'd say it's been my biggest problem all my life. MONEY. It takes a lot of money to make these dreams come true. From the very start it was a problem. Getting the money to open Disneyland. About seventeen million it took. And we had everything mortgaged including my personal insurance." << World wide fame, and no money. So what are you smokin' Britain?
Originally Posted By MPierce Exactlu how much money was generated from Disney merchandising these world wide icons in the 30's?
Originally Posted By Britain Uh, talk to Mr. Steven Spielburg who just last year reluctantly had to enter into a partnership with Disney because he couldn't raise money for the movies he's developing. Fame doesn't equal fortune.
