Possible Imagination Overhaul

[Ryan]

OK forum, I have a few questions. 1. Is it a FACT that WDW is currently talking about building an attraction for this movie? (and when I say attraction, I'm not talking about a M&G, show, or a store) 2. Was it really that sucessful? I know it did great, but many movies do great, that's does not make them Iconical. I mean, I'm seeing plenty of Dinos lately but not IO "excluding your typical comercials on TV to promote the movie". Look how long it took them to build a ride for Nemo and that's a true Iconic little clown fish, so why this rush for IO all of a sudden?... even Frozen had to wait. And 3. How hard is it to understand that the structure once called WoL is just a structure that can be re-themed or ball wrecked at anytime? You can turn that building into "My Little Pony Adventure" if you really want to, but it still just a structure that is quickly turning into an eye sore.

1. No. It's completely a rumor. A semi-strong one, but a rumor nonetheless. There have been some sources that Pixar recently toured the grounds of Imagination, but remember that Disney always likes to keep their eyes on stuff just in case.

2. 98% fresh critical reviews, A on CinemaScore and it's doing very well currently at the box office right now. So far it's very much on the track for success. I follow a ton of people in the theme park community on twitter, and there's reports of Inside Out merch selling very well. Nobody is saying that tomorrow or even this D23 that Disney is just going to up and announce an Inside Out attraction, that's insane. We're just talking about possibilities.

3. WoL is absolutely, 100% possible for demolition, rethemeing and well, just about anything. I do not agree that just because it was once a health pavilion (which all references to such have been completely removed), it needs to stay that way. If Food and Wine may move into Innoventions West, then I'll be more prone to believe that something may be happening. Yet, for right now, if a strong source told me Imagination was getting a redo but wouldn't tell me what, I would personally believe it to be Inside Out. I may be wrong, but I just have a very strong feeling about that. Of course, strong feelings mean nothing, I realize that. There's just something there.

 

[rhino4evr]

With SW land , TS land, and Cars land? coming to DHS, I'd say that park has got enough coming to it. Journey to Imagination is in dire shape, and the building is in serious need of a complete rehaul. Inside Out ride seems like a very smart replacement. It could really make this area popular again. it's currently a ghost town.

 

[Brian G.]

I didn't think I was going to have to talk box office in this thread, but: the movie really has little competition until Minions, and is already doing some fantastic numbers, and has the family market on the lucrative July 4th weekend all to itself. I think it will hit $300 million domestically compared to what Pixar films have done in the past. It hasn't, however, opened in the bigger markets overseas, that's the one of the main questions as WDW does like to cater to international visitors. I'm remaining optimistic.

Although if Ratatouille can get a hugely expensive trackless ride made (even if they were attempting to cater to the local market), then anything is possible in relation to IP attractions, I guess. Heck, Cars Land was made strictly on merchandise sales alone. Cars 2, when adjusting for inflation, is the Pixar film with the lowest gross ever. There's a ton that goes into these decisions, and I'm not demanding for this to happen, I would just really like it to. And this is coming from someone who loved the original Journey Into Imagination.

If Disney decides to put IO in WoL in some sort of capacity, well I'll be hesistant, but I'll also be disappointed if they left Imagination in that state. That's my main concern at this point, as is the thread title.

...can we all agree it would be better than a Phineas and Ferb attraction?

Ratatouille and Cars different situations. Those parks were hurting, especially with attendance, and needed something. I'm on the side of any IP can be a good IP for a ride as long as it makes sense (like Splash), I was just saying let's hold off on calling it a special situation until more numbers come in.

Inside Out had the highest opening weekend of any original movie beating Avatar. This will be one of Pixar's highest grossing movies.

Bold statement...

 

[Ryan]

Well, hopefully it does well enough so that at the very least we get Inside Out-themed restrooms somewhere.

 

[Brian G.]

Well, hopefully it does well enough so that at the very least we get Inside Out-themed restrooms somewhere.

Fair..

I guess my biggest issue with it as a replacement for Imagination is that it's continuing to replace instead of add. Epcot has the room for more. Epcot needs more to do.

 

[Andalasia]

That's a cop out argument. What it is now does not impact what it could be in the future.

It's not a "cop out" when Disney has absolutely no interest in making WOL an attractions pavilion again. Universe of Energy, Journey into Imagination, Mission: SPACE, parts of The Land, and Innoventions could use some major updates first. Wonders of Life is not Epcot's most dire case when you look at how embarrassing a majority of Future World is at this point (Energy, and Circle of Life have not been updated in 2 decades and it shows). Inside Out works the best in Imagination because the pavilion in it's original design was built to handle large crowds (Cranium Command was not) and the movie fits perfectly with the pavilion's original message and theme. Wonders of Life is now Disney's big festival hall, they want to keep it that way because World Showplace and Odyssey are used for special events and parties throughout the year. Cranium Command would not be able to handle the demand for the film and I seriously doubt TDO would want to invest that much into a pavilion they don't really need (in their opinion). Wonders of Life is not coming back anytime soon not matter how much anyone wants it to so please just let it go. Without the influence of Inside Out, Journey Into Imagination will either continue to be an embarrassment or just be shut down all together (like they were planning to last year). I seriously doubt anyone wants 3 pavilions shut down indefinetly in Future World.

 

[Brian G.]

It's not a "cop out" when Disney has absolutely no interest in making WOL an attractions pavilion again. Universe of Energy, Journey into Imagination, Mission: SPACE, parts of The Land, and Innoventions could use some major updates first. Wonders of Life is not Epcot's most dire case when you look at how embarrassing a majority of Future World is at this point (Energy, and Circle of Life have not been updated in 2 decades and it shows). Inside Out works the best in Imagination because the pavilion in it's original design was built to handle large crowds (Cranium Command was not) and the movie fits perfectly with the pavilion's original message and theme. Wonders of Life is now Disney's big festival hall, they want to keep it that way because World Showplace and Odyssey are used for special events and parties throughout the year. Cranium Command would not be able to handle the demand for the film and I seriously doubt TDO would want to invest that much into a pavilion they don't really need (in their opinion). Wonders of Life is not coming back anytime soon not matter how much anyone wants it to so please just let it go. Without the influence of Inside Out, Journey Into Imagination will either continue to be an embarrassment or just be shut down all together (like they were planning to last year). I seriously doubt anyone wants 3 pavilions shut down indefinetly in Future World.

Well since you said no, I guess you're right.

 

[rhino4evr]

Disney would never take a big new hot franchise and create an attraction out of an old and low capacity attraction! ....

 

[Brian G.]

FWIW, all of Future World could some major updates. That's where the problem lies.

 

[rhino4evr]

just close the whole park except WS, but rename it "Disney Springs: International". They can demolish and repurpose FW as Vacation Club Villas with a designer golf course, with the giant golf ball with Mickey ears (FKA Spacechip Earth) as the Clubhouse/Bar.

 

[MrRoamer]

Thank you I forgot about Odyssey when I listed empty buildings, and for what it is worth WoL pavilion is close to the same footprint as Ellen, Nemo, and Figment.

 

[Ultranel]

Inside Out had the highest opening weekend of any original movie beating Avatar. This will be one of Pixar's highest grossing movies.

And I totally respect that, but what about question number 1? When it comes to numbers... I'm not sure how to feel about them, after all Frozen was a huge success and I feel Tangled was waaaaaaaay better. Also "The Phantom Menace" was the highest gross on the box office out of the whole SW Saga and all I have to say about that is "Esqueeze me, misa no understand". Even Tobey's Spiderman 3 made more than the 1st and 2nd...... huh? :shrug:

 

[Ultranel]

1. No. It's completely a rumor. A semi-strong one, but a rumor nonetheless. There have been some sources that Pixar recently toured the grounds of Imagination, but remember that Disney always likes to keep their eyes on stuff just in case.

2. 98% fresh critical reviews, A on CinemaScore and it's doing very well currently at the box office right now. So far it's very much on the track for success. I follow a ton of people in the theme park community on twitter, and there's reports of Inside Out merch selling very well. Nobody is saying that tomorrow or even this D23 that Disney is just going to up and announce an Inside Out attraction, that's insane. We're just talking about possibilities.

3. WoL is absolutely, 100% possible for demolition, rethemeing and well, just about anything. I do not agree that just because it was once a health pavilion (which all references to such have been completely removed), it needs to stay that way. If Food and Wine may move into Innoventions West, then I'll be more prone to believe that something may be happening. Yet, for right now, if a strong source told me Imagination was getting a redo but wouldn't tell me what, I would personally believe it to be Inside Out. I may be wrong, but I just have a very strong feeling about that. Of course, strong feelings mean nothing, I realize that. There's just something there.

Thanks for reply... I will predict another Meet and Greet and maybe some show. I'll check out the movie though. Unfortunately if they are planning to build something big the fact is WDW now like to divide the invested amount in mutiple fiscal years, just like Avatar, therefore we won't see anything major on this for many years to come.

 

[Ultranel]

FWIW, all of Future World could some major updates. That's where the problem lies.

Yeah not so Futuristic anymore... The area should be called Present World.

 

[ChrisFL]

But "Inside Out" is different: unlike Maelstrom, it's a perfect fit for Imagination.

you mean it has Figment in it?

 

[Clive]

Are we really comparing Inside Out to The Phantom Menace?

His point was that in addition to being an IP that fits in quite well with the Imagination pavilion, it demonstrated franchise potential with its massive opening despite being an original property... meaning it's actually plausible Disney would consider inserting it into the area.

 

[Vyrus]

As you guys can see my avatar I used to LOVE the original idea and reasoning behind Epcot, however the moment Horizons was closed down, and we started to get away from the World of Motion and Universe of Energy type of attractions, Epcot has lost its magic.

Nemo and the Seas to me is the only perfect fit in the park at the moment when it comes to IP / ride combos, and its done beautiful and minimally on the ride. But I haven't seen IO yet, I have it downloaded, but haven't watched it yet and to me it doesn't look worthy of a full ride and pavilion, MAAAAYBE something in Innovations, but a whole dedicated pavilion and ride, I don't think so.

It could take over for Captain EO / HISTA theater, or something along those lines, but Figment is really one of the last breaths of the ORIGINAL Epcot, I'd hate to lose it.

 

[TheGentTrent]

Even though Pixar Place needs expansion at DHS, that should not be the spot for Inside Out. If done right, it could be a nice edutainment ride at Imagination that would keep some thematic continuity. Pixar Place is more of a spot for properties that wouldn't fit in the other 3 parks. A Bug's Life and Finding Nemo both made sense at Animal Kingdom and Space Ranger Spin worked for Tomorrowland by focusing on the space in-verse for Buzz Lightyear. Movies like Monsters Inc (excluding that horrid placement in Tomorrowland), Incredibles, and Cars wouldn't thematically fit anywhere but DHS.

 

[rhino4evr]

As you guys can see my avatar I used to LOVE the original idea and reasoning behind Epcot, however the moment Horizons was closed down, and we started to get away from the World of Motion and Universe of Energy type of attractions, Epcot has lost its magic.

Nemo and the Seas to me is the only perfect fit in the park at the moment when it comes to IP / ride combos, and its done beautiful and minimally on the ride. But I haven't seen IO yet, I have it downloaded, but haven't watched it yet and to me it doesn't look worthy of a full ride and pavilion, MAAAAYBE something in Innovations, but a whole dedicated pavilion and ride, I don't think so.

It could take over for Captain EO / HISTA theater, or something along those lines, but Figment is really one of the last breaths of the ORIGINAL Epcot, I'd hate to lose it.

Figment died years ago...the sad replacement of a ride has never sat well with me. I'd rather they start over with a fresh IP, and maybe feature a Figment Cameo. They don't have to completely remove him from the ride, or area.
I think gutting Captain EO/Honey I shrunk the audience and making that a Meet and Greet of some sort makes sesne too.

 

[Ryan]

Nemo and the Seas to me is the only perfect fit in the park at the moment when it comes to IP / ride combos, and its done beautiful and minimally on the ride. But I haven't seen IO yet, I have it downloaded, but haven't watched it yet and to me it doesn't look worthy of a full ride and pavilion, MAAAAYBE something in Innovations, but a whole dedicated pavilion and ride, I don't think so.

Do watch the film. Much of the second act has a surprising resemblance to the spirit of the original JII to the point of actually having a (non-speaking) Figment cameo.

Also it's a great film. And I know what's happening to "Imaginationland" in the film, but that's part of the plot. It still exists as a concept that can be used as an attraction. I wouldn't want a "book report" ride anyways.