Has the time of Non-IP rides & attractions come and gone?

[ToliBera]

I was watching a video on the new expansions to HS, and it struck me, that most of the park additions have been strongly tied to the movies, instead of rides like Pirates, Haunted Mansion, Big Thunder, and the more educational fare such as EEA and Soarin' being Ride before film. Do you think Disney would risk taking on newer rides & attractions that weren't based on existing properties any more?

 

[AngiTN]

No, I really don't think we'll see them take on a ride not based on an IP ever again. Just my guess though

 

[CAS239]

I think they very well still might. Definitely if another park is added onto the 4 wdw parks right now.

But with somewhat limited space left within the WDW parks, why make a ride from scratch and it's own idea when you can put a hit movie or series behind it? Avatar, Star Wars, Toy Story, Harry Potter (Universal but same concept), these are all some serious names that will bring in crowds just on name alone. So really IMO it makes all the sense to go with IP rides.

Look at Frozen now from what Maelstrom was. Give it a princess overlay and bam, now you have families running to go ride it and people waking up at 7am to get a FP for it. When before you could go wait 15 min in standby for Maelstrom.

And when Toy Storyland opens..I doubt I'll see the slinky coaster and think it's amazing. But just because it's tied to Toy Story, I'll ride it.

 

[rteetz]

No, I really don't think we'll see them take on a ride not based on an IP ever again. Just my guess though

I have to agree.

 

[ToliBera]

I think they very well still might. Definitely if another park is added onto the 4 wdw parks right now.

But with somewhat limited space left within the WDW parks, why make a ride from scratch and it's own idea when you can put a hit movie or series behind it? Avatar, Star Wars, Toy Story, Harry Potter (Universal but same concept), these are all some serious names that will bring in crowds just on name alone. So really IMO it makes all the sense to go with IP rides.

[Trim]

This is for sure true, especially with the other examples you gave, but there were also the rides that became movies after, like Tower of Terror, Pirates, Haunted Mansion, Carousel Of Progress (meet the Robinsons sort of) new attractions could also inspire new films and go the other way. surprised they didn't do a Thunder Mesa movie yet. though I suppose Home On The Range flopped hard enough that they don't want to take the risk on a western theme again.

 

[mom2rtk]

Yes, that time is gone.

I believe the fate was sealed when they put the president of Consumer Products in charge of the parks.

 

[Future_WorldPhonencian]

Well. HS is a movie park so its a natural fit for movie tie-ins, maybe they will introduce a non ip to Epcot soon

 

[TheMaxRebo]

I tend to think things go in cycles and we are in an IP heavy pattern ... but it wasn't that long ago that there were a bunch of non IP: Everest in AK, Mystic Manor and Grizzly Gulch in Hong Kong, etc ...

So it will likely be another decade or so but I am sure we will have some non-IP attractions at some point

 

[dreiwhit]

I tend to think things go in cycles and we are in an IP heavy pattern ... but it wasn't that long ago that there were a bunch of non IP: Everest in AK, Mystic Manor and Grizzly Gulch in Hong Kong, etc ...

I think they will go IP rides until consumers get sick of it. Then they will look for something non IP. But, with Universal chomping at their heels, I don't think they can afford to do that for too long.

Just my opinion, but I think Disney has gotten like TV and movies: no one wants to take a chance on something original. Every one wants to do remakes or sequels. At the parks, they are looking to build rides based on popular movies to make the rides popular.

 

[AngiTN]

I think they will go IP rides until consumers get sick of it. Then they will look for something non IP. But, with Universal chomping at their heels, I don't think they can afford to do that for too long.

Just my opinion, but I think Disney has gotten like TV and movies: no one wants to take a chance on something original. Every one wants to do remakes or sequels. At the parks, they are looking to build rides based on popular movies to make the rides popular.

This is sort of how I looked at it.
Plus, they are getting more and more IP and people want more and more from their IP products. I know a portion here (I would be in that group) appreciate original materials but if you were to poll a few thousand of the avg park goer I think they'll tell you they'd rather see the Toy Story rides at HS over something based on a concept they've never heard of. Because they are bringing their kids to Disney and their kids want Disney products/themes. At least a big enough majority do.

 

[bladiator]

This is sort of how I looked at it.
Plus, they are getting more and more IP and people want more and more from their IP products. I know a portion here (I would be in that group) appreciate original materials but if you were to poll a few thousand of the avg park goer I think they'll tell you they'd rather see the Toy Story rides at HS over something based on a concept they've never heard of. Because they are bringing their kids to Disney and their kids want Disney products/themes. At least a big enough majority do.

Here's the rub. Now people pick the destination due to the place that has a ride that their kids recognize. Back in the day, you didn't have a lot of choices, so it was DL or bust. Now, if you're trying to talk people into bringing their families, if it is a ride of ... who knows what, vs. Harry Potter? Unfortunately, kids make the decisions a lot of times these days and originality isn't king anymore.

 

[cavepig]

But isn't a lot of Magic Kingdom based on Movies & TV shows. Frontierland was based a lot on Davy Crockett, Mink Fink, Tom Sawyer and Disney True Life Adventures, same with Adventureland being inspired by "African Queen" (which I know isn't Disney, but it's a movie) for Jungle Cruise and True Life Adventures & "Swiss Family Treehouse". Fantasyland is all movies, "20,000 Leagues Under the Sea" was a movie even. Liberty Square brings to mind "Johnny Tremain". Disneyland's Matterhorn and "Third Man on The Mountain" go together. So, Disney has always tied stuff to Movies & TV shows, it's not just now. Even Tomorrowland can be tied to all his Wonderful World of Disney space shows.

 

[jade1]

The Iger years have created so many successful IP's to draw from, it wouldn't surprise me if they stay with them. People want them, esp the guests visiting less. US is doing the same thing.

Add in Avatar and Star Wars, still leaving a lot on deck.

Moana
Zootopia
Inside Out
Big Hero 6
Frozen
Wreck it Ralph
Brave
Tangled
Princess & Frog
Up
Incredibles
Wall-E
Finding Nemo
Enchanted
Ratatouille
Cars

 

[Dfan79]

The Non IP days are over, at least 99% of future attractions will be based on a movie. Those that are currently Non IP's will eventually all become IP based (ala Pirates, Haunted, Country, etc, etc) as well.

At least most have been and probably in the future will be based on successful animated movies though. Which is a good thing because those stand the test of time. "7 Dwarves" has a popular ride and that's based on a movie from 1937, which makes it 80 years old.

 

[OSUPhantom]

I think this is more cyclical than we see now. It's hard to say that the time of non-IP attractions isn't over because it seems that way now. But I imagine the same question could have been asked at many times throughout the history of the parks. I don't think this is the case as much as it feels it.

 

[ToliBera]

Well. HS is a movie park so its a natural fit for movie tie-ins, maybe they will introduce a non ip to Epcot soon

HS is changing in it's intent though, it's less about the production now, and more about celebrating films that have already come out. they're losing the "Studio" part. if they changed to "Disney's Movieland" it would encapsulate more of what the park is becoming. I'm not saying it's a bad thing, but what made Disney's MGM Studios unique was it's play on showing people how tv movies and music were made while still celebrating their IPs with stage shows, production work, and the occasional parade/ride addition. to me now it's becoming "Magic Kingdom Lite".

 

[AngiTN]

Which does being up something that was mentioned what, at least a year ago, that HS would get a new name. Is that still happening? Anyone know? Seems nothing more had been said that I've seen

 

[ToliBera]

I remember it being mentioned on Reddit. but even that was mostly speculation on what the new name could be, nothing nailed down.

 

[Redcon1]

But isn't a lot of Magic Kingdom based on Movies & TV shows. Frontierland was based a lot on Davy Crockett, Mink Fink, Tom Sawyer and Disney True Life Adventures, same with Adventureland being inspired by "African Queen" (which I know isn't Disney, but it's a movie) for Jungle Cruise and True Life Adventures & "Swiss Family Treehouse". Fantasyland is all movies, "20,000 Leagues Under the Sea" was a movie even. Liberty Square brings to mind "Johnny Tremain". Disneyland's Matterhorn and "Third Man on The Mountain" go together. So, Disney has always tied stuff to Movies & TV shows, it's not just now. Even Tomorrowland can be tied to all his Wonderful World of Disney space shows.

Outside of Fantasyland, most of what you mentioned though were more influenced by the various properties as opposed to being a direct lift of that IP's plot and characters. Pirates and HM, arguably the two most successful and loved non-IP attractions, were guided and shaped by stories, history and other previous takes on their subjects, but with no direct ties to a specific novel or film.

I always hope the current imagineers would live up to their name and try to develop original concepts based on new ideas, themes and historical/scientific facts to create the next generation of non-IP original attractions that would become future icons of the parks like Pirates and HM. Alas, whether it's from lack of funds, imagination or both, the latest offerings lend little hope to that notion.

 

[cavepig]

Outside of Fantasyland, most of what you mentioned though were more influenced by the various properties as opposed to being a direct lift of that IP's plot and characters. Pirates and HM, arguably the two most successful and loved non-IP attractions, were guided and shaped by stories, history and other previous takes on their subjects, but with no direct ties to a specific novel or film.

I always hope the current imagineers would live up to their name and try to develop original concepts based on new ideas, themes and historical/scientific facts to create the next generation of non-IP original attractions that would become future icons of the parks like Pirates and HM. Alas, whether it's from lack of funds, imagination or both, the latest offerings lend little hope to that notion.

Yeah I'm just confused on the whole IP thing, So it's just a if it's an original Disney created trademarked character/movie? I feel like IP is being thrown around in many forms in many places so I am lost. But will google it more But why not just say rides based on a movie versus original ride instead of the IP stuff since wouldn't anything in the park be an IP.