Monsters Inc. Land

[belloq87]

Disney needs to ditch their bizarre Villains show idea (which will already become redundant when the land at Magic Kingdom opens) and put Muppet*Vision into the theater next to RNRC. That's the only acceptable outcome here, and it makes organic sense.

Then you effectively turn Monstropolis into a pure expansion of the park's attractions.

 

[PerceptiveCoot]

Disney needs to ditch their bizarre Villains show idea

But it sounds cool.

 

[belloq87]

But it sounds cool.

Those characters are getting a billion-dollar-plus land just for them in another theme park.

 

[PerceptiveCoot]

Those characters are getting a billion-dollar-plus land just for them in another theme park.

Yeah, like five years from now.

 

[Freak]

Even if Tower of Terror stays the same next year, it’ll be rethemed eventually. Once this switch happens, it’ll be the only Disney ride standing that uses third-party IP. That means it’s days are numbered.

So, just get rid of any references to Twilight Zone and make it its own thing. It shouldn’t be that hard, but we all know how greedy Iger is. Gotta shove IP everywhere.

 

[belloq87]

Yeah, like five years from now.

You can wait. People keep telling me I need to keep patiently waiting for a new (non-screen) dark ride to come to USF, and it's been 24 years since the last one! Five years is nothing, relatively-speaking.

And none of us would know what we've missed if the show never opens! I'll definitely take the known quantity: Muppet*Vision, the finest 3D show ever mounted and a key piece of Jim Henson's legacy.

 

[Crypt Keeper]

So, just get rid of any references to Twilight Zone and make it its own thing. It shouldn’t be that hard, but we all know how greedy Iger is. Gotta shove IP everywhere.

Yeah, I think Disney would be willing to replace ToT if it meant they could put a giant IP there and it'll probably start with dropping the Twilight Zone branding.

 

[ragerunner]

I think this announcement was a good compromise. It increases capacity in the park with the new Monsters coaster, while keeping a show in the MuppetVision space. I also think a Muppet update to Rock n Roller will be a huge hit.

 

[TheUniC6]

The Jim Henson Company has put out a statement:



Sounds like they will be involved to ensure MuppetVision is properly preserved for years to come.

 

[belloq87]

I do think it's notable that this announcement has yet to be made on any of Disney's social media (despite them apparently sending a press release with the concept art to a variety of media outlets). They know the reaction would be bad. It's cowardly (just like not announcing where the Cars project at Magic Kingdom was going at D23, and waiting until the Monday after instead).

If you believe this is the right decision, stand behind it and take the criticism.

The Jim Henson Company has put out a statement:



Sounds like they will be involved to ensure MuppetVision is properly preserved for years to come.

If they have any influence at all over what might happen with a show relocation, I hope they use it.

 

[GA-MBIT]

Very, very mixed on this outcome.

Pro: A Muppet's coaster? That honestly sounds incredibly fun and high-energy. A rollercoaster is a huge, headlining attraction within a park and is nothing to scoff at. If it weren't for Muppet-Vision's quality and legacy, this is an absolute upgrade when it comes to representation. Muppet's aren't going anywhere, they're moving into one of the largest and most prominent attractions in the park.

Con: Trading Muppet-Vision 3-D, a show for all ages and demographics that anyone can enjoy, for a high-thrill indoor launch coaster is a huge demographic shift. I can absolutely see there being people who love the Muppets, but won't be able or willing to ride the only Muppet's attraction in the park. That's an honest shame, and it's why MV 3D works so well for DHS as it stands.

Pro: We're only upgrading the park here. Aerosmith has been on the chopping block for decades and I honestly think Muppets is way more fun and evergreen than Disney Channel or Goofy Movie (as much as I would love both), we're getting a brand new show in the Muppet-Vision plot, and the Door Coaster is finally being built using an expansion plot?? At DHS? Unheard of!

Con: Losing Muppet-Vision as we know it is a huge loss as I've mentioned before. The theming, practical effects, live performers, it all just comes together to make a really incredible show with an even more incredible story behind it. I don't know if whatever Muppet's retheme they give Rock'n, or whatever way they chose to preserve MV will end up being anywhere as good as what we already have. I also don't really wanna see Muppet's take over Sunset Blvd entirely or anything like that, that area is already wonderful.

Pro: Disney's track record with new additions has been honestly stellar. As much as I rag on them for pricing, build schedules, or short-sighted business decisions, whenever a ride actually does get built, I end up loving it. A Muppet's coaster, with a newly refreshed and smooth RNRC, and modern Disney budget behind it has the capacity to be just as fun, zany, well-themed as Muppet-Vision and then some. There is also the McQueen / Villains soundstage plot if they ever want to expand into a new Muppet's Courtyard or something like that with Meet n Greets, food trucks like Sesame Street has, or a new show.

Con: They're getting rid of more scary again!!

Between Splash Mountain, Dinosaur, Tough to be a Bug, Great Movie Ride, even Test Track; Disney had a streak in the 90s where they weren't afraid to build attractions that would genuinely scare their guests with dark, foreboding atmospheres and danger that felt real! Every replacement turns that actual feeling of danger and adrenaline into a much more whimsical and approachable danger, or just pure fun. I think it's a shame and only serves to make a lot of rides feel a bit more same-y.

The queue for RNRC, especially when you exit the studio and enter the Hollywood parking lot is dimly lit, dirty and dingy, and eerily silent after that constant classic / hair rock that was playing in the studio. The only sounds you can hear are the heavy whirring of the limos launching away at 60mph, telling the guests "Oh yeah, you're gonna have to do that soon. Get ready." The ride leaves you to think about that idea for a long time, and actively has you in a literal claustrophobic cage the first time you see the launch happen.

It's really incredibly done. It's definitely 90s-y, but in the best of ways that only makes the rush and fun of the actual ride only more satisfying for little one's to overcome.

I believe fear has always been part of Disney's brand since Snow White, Pinocchio, and Fantasia, and it's weird to see it all get painted over in the course of a decade. Oh well. I can only hope ToT, Kali, Everest, Mission: Space, and the others hold down the fort on true and proper scare-factor at Disney World.

Lots of thoughts, lots of thoughts.

 

[belloq87]

Very, very mixed on this outcome.

Pro: A Muppet's coaster? That honestly sounds incredibly fun and high-energy. A rollercoaster is a huge, headlining attraction within a park and is nothing to scoff at. If it weren't for Muppet-Vision's quality and legacy, this is an absolute upgrade when it comes to representation. Muppet's aren't going anywhere, they're moving into one of the largest and most prominent attractions in the park.

Con: Trading Muppet-Vision 3-D, a show for all ages and demographics that anyone can enjoy, for a high-thrill indoor launch coaster is a huge demographic shift. I can absolutely see there being people who love the Muppets, but won't be able or willing to ride the only Muppet's attraction in the park. That's an honest shame, and it's why MV 3D works so well for DHS as it stands.

Pro: We're only upgrading the park here. Aerosmith has been on the chopping block for decades and I honestly think Muppets is way more fun and evergreen than Disney Channel or Goofy Movie (as much as I would love both), we're getting a brand new show in the Muppet-Vision plot, and the Door Coaster is finally being built using an expansion plot?? At DHS? Unheard of!

Con: Losing Muppet-Vision as we know it is a huge loss as I've mentioned before. The theming, practical effects, live performers, it all just comes together to make a really incredible show with an even more incredible story behind it. I don't know if whatever Muppet's retheme they give Rock'n, or whatever way they chose to preserve MV will end up being anywhere as good as what we already have. I also don't really wanna see Muppet's take over Sunset Blvd entirely or anything like that, that area is already wonderful.

Pro: Disney's track record with new additions has been honestly stellar. As much as I rag on them for pricing, build schedules, or short-sighted business decisions, whenever a ride actually does get built, I end up loving it. A Muppet's coaster, with a newly refreshed and smooth RNRC, and modern Disney budget behind it has the capacity to be just as fun, zany, well-themed as Muppet-Vision and then some. There is also the McQueen / Villains soundstage plot if they ever want to expand into a new Muppet's Courtyard or something like that with Meet n Greets, food trucks like Sesame Street has, or a new show.

Con: They're getting rid of more scary again!!

Between Splash Mountain, Dinosaur, Tough to be a Bug, Great Movie Ride, even Test Track; Disney had a streak in the 90s where they weren't afraid to build attractions that would genuinely scare their guests with dark, foreboding atmospheres and danger that felt real! Every replacement turns that actual feeling of danger and adrenaline into a much more whimsical and approachable danger, or just pure fun. I think it's a shame and only serves to make a lot of rides feel a bit more same-y.

The queue for RNRC, especially when you exit the studio and enter the Hollywood parking lot is dimly lit, dirty and dingy, and eerily silent after that constant classic / hair rock that was playing in the studio. The only sounds you can hear are the heavy whirring of the limos launching away at 60mph, telling the guests "Oh yeah, you're gonna have to do that soon. Get ready." The ride leaves you to think about that idea for a long time, and actively has you in a literal claustrophobic cage the first time you see the launch happen.

It's really incredibly done. It's definitely 90s-y, but in the best of ways that only makes the rush and fun of the actual ride only more satisfying for little one's to overcome.

I believe fear has always been part of Disney's brand since Snow White, Pinocchio, and Fantasia, and it's weird to see it all get painted over in the course of a decade. Oh well. I can only hope ToT, Kali, Everest, Mission: Space, and the others hold down the fort on true and proper scare-factor at Disney World.

Lots of thoughts, lots of thoughts.

This is a great post, and expresses a lot of the personal conflict I feel about the whole thing.

Yes, I'm thrilled Monstropolis is coming to the park with the door coaster. Yes, it's also a relief that there's also going to be a "new" Monsters Inc. show alongside it, so we're not losing a show from the park roster to get the coaster. We're just gaining the coaster.

Yes, it's cool that the Muppets will now be headlining one of the park's signature rides. More guests will see the Muppets in Hollywood Studios than ever before, probably. Yet not all Muppet fans can or will want to ride RNRC.

And... Muppet*Vision is a masterwork. It's a triumph of its attraction type. And there was room to do the things Disney wants to do for Monsters in Animation Courtyard. Even short of that, there's room for Muppet*Vision right next to the attraction they're overlaying with the Muppets.

It often feels like Disney intentionally takes the "harder" path, or the path with more resistance... when there's an obvious path of least resistance than can still deliver them what they want without poking fans in the eyes (see also what's going on with Cars at Magic Kingdom).