Elements of action are different than action movies...could you see Transformers being a successful family dark ride? There's no story it has to tell, the point is the action, and considering the plausible ride vehicle is EVAC, a transforming vehicle helping you fight the battle, it has to be a thrill ride.
Look at The Avengers--would that really work as a family ride? Especially when it's target audience was teens and young males? No, but that was one of the year's highest grossing films. You can't honestly compare Peter Pan and The Little Mermaid's 'elements of action' to today's blockbusters lol