The Old KidZone Thread

[Shucker]

I am surprised that Scooby Doo is not more used in the parks. Whenever SD and Shaggy are out, there always seems to be huge lines for pictures. Plus the series keeps putting out new movies or cartoon series every few years.

 

[mahnamahna]

I am surprised that Scooby Doo is not more used in the parks. Whenever SD and Shaggy are out, there always seems to be huge lines for pictures. Plus the series keeps putting out new movies or cartoon series every few years.

And Comcast didn't put Scoob or the Simpsons in the Superstar Parade... I wonder if they'll add both of them or maybe even Transformers over the next year of so?

Either way, Scooby-Doo is a proven commodity and it would be a safe, timeless addition to the future KidZone ditto for SpongeBob since he's become an icon for Nickelodeon and is basically their mascot :thumbs:

 

[martymcflyy85]

Scooby Doo never gets old. There is a new version of the cartoon every 5 years or so and its been around since the 70's. I'd love to have a Scooby Doo dark ride.

 

[AK-Jake]

What are the licensing abilities for Scooby though? I know Cedar Fair (who purchased the Paramount parks) gave up all their Hanna-Barbera rights a few years back, but does Six Flags own them now? I know they were looking into building some Scooby dark rides themselves a few years back when they were gobbling up IPs to fill their parks up with.

Is Scooby currently a "free agent," so to speak? I know if Uni did him right, a Scooby ride in UOR would be a KILLER concept. Huge Scooby fan here.

 

[Milla4Prez66]

What are the licensing abilities for Scooby though? I know Cedar Fair (who purchased the Paramount parks) gave up all their Hanna-Barbera rights a few years back, but does Six Flags own them now? I know they were looking into building some Scooby dark rides themselves a few years back when they were gobbling up IPs to fill their parks up with.

Is Scooby currently a "free agent," so to speak? I know if Uni did him right, a Scooby ride in UOR would be a KILLER concept. Huge Scooby fan here.

I'm assuming that Universal's rights to Scooby Doo are pretty limited. They would totally do something with the character except costumes for people to take pictures with if they could, IMO. Do any shops at the park even sell Scooby merchandise? I've never really looked, but I can't recall seeing anything in my last few trips.

 

[Cupcakes]

Do any shops at the park even sell Scooby merchandise? I've never really looked, but I can't recall seeing anything in my last few trips.

They do. There's a large Scooby-Doo plushie being sold as well as a couple of other things.

 

[Accio Butterbeer]

I always hoped we would have gotten something like the Scooby Doo Spooky Coaster from Australia.

Me too!! :thumbs: Scooby Doo has always been one of my favorite cartoons growing up. Also TMNT. If Universal brought TMNT and Scooby Doo dark rides to the Kids Zone I would bow down to them! lol

 

[graspthesun]

Looks like we finally have some consensus on this. lol

 

[TomTheRiddle]

For girls: MLP, Strawberry Shortcake, Care Bears maybe?
For boys: SpongeBob, TMNT, Scooby-Doo
For everyone: Unknown property that probably isn't out yet

A boys and girls approach is the wrong way to head. Right now the IPs there are at least gender neutral.

I always hoped we would have gotten something like the Scooby Doo Spooky Coaster from Australia.

Can we just have the theme park from the first live action movie? It was a dream for me.

And Comcast didn't put Scoob or the Simpsons in the Superstar Parade... I wonder if they'll add both of them or maybe even Transformers over the next year of so?

Either way, Scooby-Doo is a proven commodity and it would be a safe, timeless addition to the future KidZone ditto for SpongeBob since he's become an icon for Nickelodeon and is basically their mascot :thumbs:

What are the licensing abilities for Scooby though? I know Cedar Fair (who purchased the Paramount parks) gave up all their Hanna-Barbera rights a few years back, but does Six Flags own them now? I know they were looking into building some Scooby dark rides themselves a few years back when they were gobbling up IPs to fill their parks up with.

Is Scooby currently a "free agent," so to speak? I know if Uni did him right, a Scooby ride in UOR would be a KILLER concept. Huge Scooby fan here.

Scooby is an amazing story actually. Our rights to him are retained, so to speak, actually a lot like Marvel. His rights ONLY are UO's to use for now, but only him. Fun fact: You see Shaggy out with him....except its not Shaggy. UO doesn't have rights to Shaggy so he's known as "Scooby's friend."

Conversation usually goes like this with him:
"Hey look its Scooby and Sh-" "Scooby's friend!"
"Huh?"
"Well, you know I'm just Scooby's friend!"
"You mean Shaggy?"
"Sure, you can call me that if you want.."

Its really awkward, but absolutely hilarious.

 

[Clive]

Scooby is an amazing story actually. Our rights to him are retained, so to speak, actually a lot like Marvel. His rights ONLY are UO's to use for now, but only him. Fun fact: You see Shaggy out with him....except its not Shaggy. UO doesn't have rights to Shaggy so he's known as "Scooby's friend."

Conversation usually goes like this with him:
"Hey look its Scooby and Sh-" "Scooby's friend!"
"Huh?"
"Well, you know I'm just Scooby's friend!"
"You mean Shaggy?"
"Sure, you can call me that if you want.."

Its really awkward, but absolutely hilarious.

I never knew that - that's absolutely hilarious. Doesn't he sign autographs, though? I could've sworn a few years back when I went character hunting he signed "Shaggy." I'd have to go find my old autograph book.

 

[mahnamahna]

A boys and girls approach is the wrong way to head. Right now the IPs there are at least gender neutral.

Well the majority of UOR is targeted at guys so I don't see how My Little Pony, Dora, and Hello Kitty couldn't have a girly mini-land in the back-end of KidZone... Scooby, SpongeBob, and Woody Woodpecker could all be the gender-neutral ones with TMNT or G.I. Joe thrown in for the boys.

They could even buy the rights to Sesame Street from Busch since all they've done is build some off-the-shelf rides while Universal would build a full-scale Sesame Street - the epitome of gender neutral if you ask me.


But I gotta say Comcast is really gunning for families these next couple years

2014: Potter 2.0 (with an all-ages E-ticket)
2015: Kong and JP family coaster
2016: KidZone revamp and Seuss expansion?
2017: Willy Wonka replaces Lost Continent?
2018: Something in Toon Lagoon - most likely a total revamp?

It sounds great to me! :smiley:

 

[Mike]

I don't understand how a lot of folks on here who are suggesting IPs that are both unrealistic for Universal and will be absolutely forgettable in a few years, don't see the value in a completely updated E.T.?

Maybe its a generational issue on my part, but to me an E.T. v2.0 seems to be a far better investment for Universal than a Spaghetti adventure install using some second rate afternoon-tv IP. One is a movie created by Spielberg, scored by John Williams, and continues to be watched by many families, the others (even Dreamworks IP) is something that will have the shelf-life of Fievel.

Fievel was a horrible choice in the first place, but Universal didn't have a lot of available choices at the time and it was at least relatively contemporary, as most of these fan suggestions currently are. I am all for a complete re-do/demo of Animal Actors all the way back to Curious George, I don't even think Uni v. non-Uni IP is a big deal. I just can't imagine them thinking they will get more longevity out of a Smurf level IP for the E.T. showbuilding, then preserving and updating it. I understood Kong and BTTF, I don't understand a theoretical net gain on the removal of E.T.

 

[mahnamahna]

I don't understand how a lot of folks on here who are suggesting IPs that are both unrealistic for Universal and will be absolutely forgettable in a few years, don't see the value in a completely updated E.T.?

Maybe its a generational issue on my part, but to me an E.T. v2.0 seems to be a far better investment for Universal than a Spaghetti adventure install using some second rate afternoon-tv IP. One is a movie created by Spielberg, scored by John Williams, and continues to be watched by many families, the others (even Dreamworks IP) is something that will have the shelf-life of Fievel.

Fievel was a horrible choice in the first place, but Universal didn't have a lot of available choices at the time and it was at least relatively contemporary, as most of these fan suggestions currently are. I am all for a complete re-do/demo of Animal Actors all the way back to Curious George, I don't even think Uni v. non-Uni IP is a big deal. I just can't imagine them thinking they will get more longevity out of a Smurf level IP for the E.T. showbuilding, then preserving and updating it. I understood Kong and BTTF, I don't understand a theoretical net gain on the removal of E.T.

I'm for the protection of ET myself and would prefer they just leave room for 2 dark rides farther into KidZone, but there's a 40% chance ET will get replaced since the plans for the redo are extremely fluid according to Disneyhead

 

[Cupcakes]

I'm completely in support of E.T. being saved! I think most people here are, but just don't bring it up that much.

If Universal could update the effects in the ride and whatnot, as well as build a more grander and noticeable entrance, I think they would be surprised at how much more people would flock to this attraction.

Well the majority of UOR is targeted at guys so I don't see how My Little Pony, Dora, and Hello Kitty couldn't have a girly mini-land in the back-end of KidZone... Scooby, SpongeBob, and Woody Woodpecker could all be the gender-neutral ones with TMNT or G.I. Joe thrown in for the boys.

As far as girl properties go, they should just keep it down to Dora and MLP, since those are both high merchandise sellers and have a wider range of appeal.

As for G.I. Joe, I don't really think that would work for the Kidzone. Too violent.

 

[Milla4Prez66]

I 100% support ET staying, but it needs a makeover.

 

[IzzyB]

I agree, I am all for E.T. 2.0 I just haven't mentioned it in awhile and any IPs I do mention are for other dark rides, not a replacement for E.T.

 

[Mad Dog]

BGW has a full scale Sesame Street land. They have a kids coaster, a number of themed rides, a wet area, and a stage & show, plus a Meet & Greet area & meal in Ireland. They just put it in four years ago, so its just about brand new, so I don't think they'd part with the IP. I cast a resounding vote to keep ET or do a refurbishment. The attraction is a family ride & it gets to the emotions which is a big plus for any attraction

 

[Nitro_230]

They could even buy the rights to Sesame Street from Busch since all they've done is build some off-the-shelf rides while Universal would build a full-scale Sesame Street - the epitome of gender neutral if you ask me.

BGW has a full scale Sesame Street land. They have a kids coaster, a number of themed rides, a wet area, and a stage & show, plus a Meet & Greet area & meal in Ireland. They just put it in four years ago, so its just about brand new, so I don't think they'd part with the IP.

The Sesame Street suggestions seem to ignore that Sea World Parks has held the Sesame Place IP for around 30 years now and it has been in use at Sesame Place in Langhorne, PA. So if they part with the IP they shut down one of their parks.

 

[KRAKENvsMANTA]

Some of the ideas being thrown around are a little out there. My Little Pony? Hello Kitty? I'm surprised no one's suggested Barbie or Monster High. Whatever is coming to KidsZone is going to be unisex. As popular and as much as I'd kill to see TMNT, I think it's too boyish; especially after TF. As a parent I can tell you Scooby Doo is still pretty popular with girls and boys. How and why that franchise has been underutilized is mind-boggling! A Scooby dark ride makes so much sense.

 

[Accio Butterbeer]

As much as I love Springfield how it is I would still love to see Animal Actors get replaced by something Simpsons. Even though we have been told that Universal is probably done with The Simpsons you never know and I think it could be good opportunity to maybe put The Simpsons' house. Possibly as the meet and greet? Or a power plant type attraction. Now I know this will never happen I just think it would be a really great idea. The Kids Zone needs another family dark ride along with E.T. and a couple more kiddie rides for the little ones. My preferred IP's are and will continue to be TMNT, Scooby Doo, SpongeBob, and Dora to take Barneys place. These IP's have always been popular and will continue to be popular for a long time.