King Kong Speculation Thread

[Andy]

If you want a good laugh and need to listen to a sarcasm filled bashing of me tune into Parkscopes latest podcast. Trust me you will enjoy it, I did and will :thumbs:

 

[ReelJustice]

If you want a good laugh and need to listen to a sarcasm filled bashing of me tune into Parkscopes latest podcast. Trust me you will enjoy it, I did and will :thumbs:

:look:

 

[UNIrd]

If you want a good laugh and need to listen to a sarcasm filled bashing of me tune into Parkscopes latest podcast. Trust me you will enjoy it, I did and will :thumbs:

I heard it. Eh, they seem to pretty much echo what a lot of people are saying around the interwebz. The biggest being the too-good-to-be-true sentiment. I just don't think anyone is used to that much money being thrown at a park when Disney World down the street is this close to being on an episode of "Hoarders" with their money.

 

[JungleSkip]

If you want a good laugh and need to listen to a sarcasm filled bashing of me tune into Parkscopes latest podcast. Trust me you will enjoy it, I did and will :thumbs:

Hey now. We're not bashing you.

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I heard it. Eh, they seem to pretty much echo what a lot of people are saying around the interwebz. The biggest being the too-good-to-be-true sentiment. I just don't think anyone is used to that much money being thrown at a park when Disney World down the street is this close to being on an episode of "Hoarders" with their money.

Basically we'd be amazed if that much money was thrown at King Kong, a property that doesn't have all that much revenue generating potential.

 

[jtsalien]

Maybe they saw Disney using Avatar and said, "Here's how you really use a profitless IP!"

 

[Shucker]

I dont know, I think it could be a revenue generator. I mean who doesn't know who King Kong is? It has appeal for adults and children. What kid (boy or girl) isnt going to want a plush king kong after riding it. Plus I would assume there are going to be Dinosaurs as well so you get more of a dino bump from the ride to go along with JP. Dont get me wrong, I dont see it as profitable as other IPs, but think it could be a driver. Alot would depend on the draw of the ride itself.

I have to admit though, of all the rumors, this one has me more skeptical. But its hard to bet against HTF track record.

 

[UNIrd]

Basically we'd be amazed if that much money was thrown at King Kong, a property that doesn't have all that much revenue generating potential.

Did you happen to see Hollywood's numbers after Kong 360? I think that surprised everyone and might have a lot to do with the decision to bring Kong to Orlando. He's a bigger draw than anyone was expecting and that was already 5 years after the movie opened.

 

[JungleSkip]

Did you happen to see Hollywood's numbers after Kong 360? I think that surprised everyone and might have a lot to do with the decision to bring Kong to Orlando. He's a bigger draw than anyone was expecting and that was already 5 years after the movie opened.

It increased attendance by a decent amount, but the question is did it increase spending at all? That's the real key.

Plus, Kong in Hollywood was a local favorite and was being called for a return by the USH fanbase. I don't see it having the same impact in tourist heavy Orlando.

 

[UNIrd]

It increased attendance by a decent amount, but the question is did it increase spending at all? That's the real key.

Plus, Kong in Hollywood was a local favorite and was being called for a return by the USH fanbase. I don't see it having the same impact in tourist heavy Orlando.

I don't think they're looking at this as the next big revenue generator in that sense, the same way they haven't bothered with Transformers food & beverage options. They just wanted to add another great ride to USF and increase attendance. Like Transformers, I'd expect the typical gift shop you'd find for any ride but if they wanted to throw in banana daiquris like someone else said then by all means. Otherwise, the revenue will be generated elsewhere.

 

[JungleSkip]

I don't think they're looking at this as the next big revenue generator in that sense, the same way they haven't bothered with Transformers food & beverage options. They just wanted to add another great ride to USF and increase attendance. Like Transformers, I'd expect the typical gift shop you'd find for any ride but if they wanted to throw in banana daiquris like someone else said then by all means. Otherwise, the revenue will be generated elsewhere.

Transformers was relatively inexpensive to build. This Kong ride would require large dumptrucks filled with money.

Again, not saying it's not gonna happen. I find it odd they'd build a ride of this size, complexity, and cost for King Kong and not a more profitable IP.

 

[Felipe]

Basically we'd be amazed if that much money was thrown at King Kong, a property that doesn't have all that much revenue generating potential.

It would be interesting to see what the merch sales were back when the ride was still in place. Plus, some things like animals and "period" memorabilia have mass appeal regardless of IP, so I think they should sell a fair amount of merch.

I also think the parks benefits from big and memorable E-tickets that, regardless of how much merch they move, become must-see attractions that will keep people coming through the gates and spending in the park, even if it's not specifically in that area. Having more and more spectacular E-tickets also improves the image, reputation and status of the resort. This brings more buzz, attracts new people who previously might not have considered visiting, and/or encourages return visits.

It increased attendance by a decent amount, but the question is did it increase spending at all? That's the real key.

Plus, Kong in Hollywood was a local favorite and was being called for a return by the USH fanbase. I don't see it having the same impact in tourist heavy Orlando.

Although certain IPs will definitely generate more revenue because of merch sales, I would say it's common sense that any increased attendance brings on at least some increase in spending. People spending a day at the parks will eat, drink, and be persuaded to buy souvenirs even if they're not from that particular new area.

King Kong is known and recognizable world-wide. And I've noticed too how the rest of the world is more aware and attached to older IPs, in addition to the new IPs, whereas in America many times it's ALL about the next shiny new IP and forget or pay less attention the older stuff.

 

[shiekra38]

Basically we'd be amazed if that much money was thrown at King Kong, a property that doesn't have all that much revenue generating potential.

You're telling me that Kong plushies would not sell?
I think there is plenty of marketing potential with the ride..heck everyone knows who King Kong is, the movie is a classic and has been remade twice so it is also "refreshed" in the public's eye. It was also a past attraction so it has a tie to Universal's history and you'de be surprised how many times I've heard "The Kong ride was really cool"..So in other words it could be a big win..

I could see anything from vintage Kong posters, to models of him on the Empire State Building..the potential is there just need some creativity..luckily we are talking about Universal and that is in plenty of supply..

By the way..Banana specialty drink...calling it now

 

[HalfGlass]

Hey Guys,

So let me get this straight. The slate for the upcoming tentative ride releases will be:

Wizarding World Phase 2: 2014
JP Enhancements: 2015
King Kong: 2016

Will they still be updating the River Adventure?

 

[jtsalien]

If Kong match was such a golden opportunity, it'd be at USH right now. But it's not. Popularity/appeal doesn't equal aadditiona revenue. That's not the issue here. Look at how much people love ET, but are those plushes flying off the shelves?

 

[shiekra38]

If Kong match was such a golden opportunity, it'd be at USH right now. But it's not. Popularity/appeal doesn't equal additional revenue. That's not the issue here. Look at how much people love ET, but are those plushies flying off the shelves?

ET is not as popular Kong. But I see your point, an attraction should be an attractor and there are plenty of things to spend money on when you get here (Wizarding World)

 

[UNIrd]

If Kong match was such a golden opportunity, it'd be at USH right now. But it's not. Popularity/appeal doesn't equal aadditiona revenue. That's not the issue here. Look at how much people love ET, but are those plushes flying off the shelves?

Universal's always been a different beast. The creative comes first. They've just been lucky enough to hit it big recently with the merchandising opportunities of Wizarding World and the Minions, and now the additional revenue via expanding Springfield.

But they're not suddenly Disney. Their line-up of projects isn't dictated by the sales of your local Disney Store or Toys 'R Us. They can still create experiences based on what's good for the park and it's guests. And Kong is not an obvious cash cow but they can't all be. If they figure out more ways to capitalize on it, more power to them.

 

[JungleSkip]

Universal's always been a different beast. The creative comes first. They've just been lucky enough to hit it big recently with the merchandising opportunities of Wizarding World and the Minions, and now the additional revenue via expanding Springfield.

But they're not suddenly Disney. Their line-up of projects isn't dictated by the sales of your local Disney Store or Toys 'R Us. They can still create experiences based on what's good for the park and it's guests. And Kong is not an obvious cash cow but they can't all be. If they figure out more ways to capitalize on it, more power to them.

Dude...you're kidding yourself if you believe this.

Transformers, Springfield, Minion Mayhem, Potter. All HUGE revenue generators. I'm not saying Kong isn't coming, but it doesn't fit in with the recent mold.

 

[TylerDurden]

You're telling me that Kong plushies would not sell?

I personally dont think they would. For one, plushes are a kid-centric item, yet Kong is not a kid-centric property...hes actually scary, even little kids who like monkeys may not want a monster King Kong stuffed animal.

As far as other merchandise its been said that appeal doesnt equal sales. If Kong sold youd see more presence in Hollywood, or even in Florida (HP isnt in the Studios but that doesnt stop them from selling wands there...yet absolutely no Kong can be found anywhere).

Not to mention the 2005 film, while succesful, under-performed and failed to meet expectations. Its also only one film (most rides at Uni are based off of multi-film franchises), and doesnt lend itself well to merchandise besides the aforementioned Kong plushes.

It made more sense to overlay Disaster with Kong...it wouldve been cheap(er) while being a service to the fans of old-school Universal (a small population considering not too many people went to Universal pre-Potter thus pre-Kong). But dumping hundreds of millions into an unused land plot that could be used for, I dont know, a certain proven franchise that sells merch, has increased relevancy with an upcoming new film, and that has a theme to an easy-to-swallow and well-loved appeal in dinosaurs doesnt make sense to me. I guess we will see but this seems like blue sky at best.

 

[JungleSkip]

Not to mention the 2005 film, while succesful, under-performed and failed to meet expectations.

That's actually not really true. It's opening weekend underperformed, but overall it ended up doing about what was expected of it, and had huge returns in the home market and syndication.

 

[Felipe]

Transformers, Springfield, Minion Mayhem, Potter. All HUGE revenue generators. I'm not saying Kong isn't coming, but it doesn't fit in with the recent mold.

That's a fair argument. I will mention, though, that they have also invested in entertainment and attractions that give them no merch opportunities, like the parade and CineSpec. Sure, they're not rides like Kong would be, but they are attractions, so to speak, which add to the overall enjoyment of the guests, to keep them coming back or staying longer in the parks, which leads to more spending in general.