Future of Toon Lagoon

[Clive]

Popeye, conceptually/in name, is now public domain. The most popular/established version of Popeye, and all his distinguishing features, is still under copyright, and that's the version that's represented in the park. So, yes, Universal still has to pay.

 

[Jerroddragon]

Wont happen but would be funny if Universal just made it own version in a cartoon an re themed it and didn't have to any more

 

[WebHead1138]

Wont happen but would be funny if Universal just made it own version in a cartoon an re themed it and didn't have to any more

Maybe DreamWorks can make a Popeye movie now

 

[SeventyOne]

Maybe DreamWorks can make a Popeye movie now

Hire the guy behind Samurai Jack. He did a test reel that was pretty amazing.

Tho, to stress @Clive's point, the public domain version bares little resemblance to what we think of as Popeye. It's like doing Dorothy without ruby slippers or a blue gingham dress. And I assume the name "Popeye" is still trademarked.

 

[HHN Maddux]

Weekends only probably isn't a good sign.

 

[Brian G.]

Weekends only probably isn't a good sign.

It was already seasonal. Just not sure if we’re about to see those hours change as we enter Spring Break.

 

[GA-MBIT]

I just recently learned about the 1999 Universal "Dudley Do-Right" film, with Brendan Fraser. Alongside that was the 2000 Rocky and Bullwinkle film, also by Universal. This land feels incredible random and outdated from a modern perspective, but within the context of this larger push right around the Millennium of Universal Studios trying to restablish their cartoon brands with big budget films, it's all a lot more comprehensible as a theme for opening day IoA.

 

[HHN Maddux]

Popeye is looking much better than it has in quite a long time now!

 

[themeparkpalooza]

Are there any current rumors for this area?

Nickelodeon has some good options for a possible retheme (SpongeBob, TMNT, Avatar, Paw Patrol and Dora for attractions, Rugrats/Blue's Clues/90s Nick for M&Gs/merch), and I can't really see Wicked, Zelda or even LOTR fitting the space.

You could even have Dora/Diego as a transition to Kong/JP, and use Paw Patrol or TMNT as a transition from Marvel.

 

[Mad Dog]

Are there any current rumors for this area?

Nickelodeon has some good options for a possible retheme (SpongeBob, TMNT, Avatar, Paw Patrol and Dora for attractions, Rugrats/Blue's Clues/90s Nick for M&Gs/merch), and I can't really see Wicked, Zelda or even LOTR fitting the space.

You could even have Dora/Diego as a transition to Kong/JP, and use Paw Patrol or TMNT as a transition from Marvel.

Universal's priority is surely redoing the Lost Continent area. I'd guess this area is far back on the backburner, if at all.

 

[TheUniC6]

Are there any current rumors for this area?

Nickelodeon has some good options for a possible retheme (SpongeBob, TMNT, Avatar, Paw Patrol and Dora for attractions, Rugrats/Blue's Clues/90s Nick for M&Gs/merch), and I can't really see Wicked, Zelda or even LOTR fitting the space.

You could even have Dora/Diego as a transition to Kong/JP, and use Paw Patrol or TMNT as a transition from Marvel.

Some have even theorized that if the Spongebob land in the Universal Kids park in Texas is a hit, that could lead to Universal considering a Spongebob reskin for TL.

 

[Mad Dog]

Here's the thing about water rides. Their execution is way more important than the IP. And Dudley and Popeye are both wildly popular, mostly because they're lots of fun and get you really really wet. And that's what water attraction riders/guests want foremost. Why spend tons of money retheming when those two rides are popular. Parks replace attractions that guests no longer ride, not rides that are filled as long as the weather co operates. There's other areas of IOA that need the investment first. Universal already sells Sponge Bob merchandise.

 

[Viator]

I'd argue Toon Lagoon could honestly stay as it is in the core element of a celebration of multiple IP's, but that it needs to be modernized in a way that makes it appealing for younger audiences.

I do agree though; LC should be the priority for IOA. More than any other land, LC needs the investment and effort put into it (even if it's doing a Hogsmeade [retheming, not more Potter] to that of the remaining area.

 

[Clive]

Here's the thing about water rides. Their execution is way more important than the IP. And Dudley and Popeye are both wildly popular, mostly because they're lots of fun and get you really really wet. And that's what water attraction riders/guests want foremost. Why spend tons of money retheming when those two rides are popular. Parks replace attractions that guests no longer ride, not rides that are filled as long as the weather co operates. There's other areas of IOA that need the investment first. Universal already sells Sponge Bob merchandise.

This also tracks given that Splash Mountain may as well have been themed to an original idea. Grand majority of guests had no idea what Song of the South was when they experienced Splash Mountain. More probably know who Popeye is, but he's not the draw, just a bonus. I guarantee an minuscule number of people are super familiar with Dudley Do-Right, despite Universal's best efforts with the awful Brendan Fraser live action film timed to release with the park's opening.

 

[Skold]

Popeye has been doing the extended queue for a couple of years now. It is so awesome. Seriously, read all the stuffs and let people pass you as you soak it all in.

*Dad pun was unintentional, I swear

 

[Wesker69]

despite Universal's best efforts with the awful Brendan Fraser live action film

He was perfectly cast though. To be fair, the ride is based on the cartoon rather than live-action..

That movie could've & should've been so much better... but it was a product of the bad 90s adaptations. *sigh*

 

[belloq87]

I'd argue Toon Lagoon could honestly stay as it is in the core element of a celebration of multiple IP's, but that it needs to be modernized in a way that makes it appealing for younger audiences.

I think an easy way to "update" Toon Lagoon would be to finally annex the theater space for a new ride based on some more relevant animated IP.

You get a new ride, which adds an infusion of excitement, and I believe anything animated could be made to fit into the broader Toon Lagoon theme.

But Lost Continent should be a much higher priority.

 

[Mad Dog]

He was perfectly cast though. To be fair, the ride is based on the cartoon rather than live-action..

That movie could've & should've been so much better... but it was a product of the bad 90s adaptations. *sigh*

Dudley was part of the George of the Jungle half hour cartoons. Some of the funniest stuff ever written. I was in college at that time, and every dorm had a TV room. Only two times were the rooms packed #1Rowan & Martins Laugh In #2 Saturday mornings when George/Dudley/Tom Slick half hour was on. That was a college cult classic at the time...Both George of the Jungle & Dudley Do Right were wronged by very inept film productions.