Disney-MGM Studios...sorry, Disney-Pixar Studios.

[Wonderlicious]

http://jimhillmedia.com/blogs/jim_hill/ ... /5563.aspx

Although this is the sometimes unreliable Jim Hill speaking, what if the name of Disney-MGM Studios does actually change to Disney-Pixar Studios? Are you for or against it? Personally, I am. I lobster love Pixar as much as I do Disney, but...

1. Like even John Lasseter has supposedly made aware, Disney may be going into Pixar overkill in their theme parks. There may soon be more attractions based on Disney and Pixar coproductions than attractions based on Disney films (both animated and live action, though Who Framed Roger Rabbit, Swiss Family Robinson and Honey, I Shrunk the Kids are pretty much the only Disney live action films with rides, and Roger Rabbit is half animated anyway).

2. Adding the name "Pixar" to the mix is restrictive and will clash with the classic Hollywood feel. They haven't been around for that long compared to Disney (or MGM, for that matter), and they haven't made any films outside of the animated ones to give them a true Hollywood feel. Plus, when people hear the name "Disney-Pixar", I don't think that they think of The Little Mermaid and A Bug's Life at the same time; they'll think of all the Pixar coproductions instead (or at least I would).

3. I think Disney-MGM is a cool combination for a theme park title, and if I had my way, it would always be called that.

[surfpark]

Well before you cry foul, let me explain why there will be the change. When the park opened in 1989, Disney had a contract with MGM to use their name and films (for The Great Movie Ride) under a contract. In 2007 that contract expires. No word yet as to if this will change the Movie Ride in any way, but I assume it probably will.

Disney-MGM Studio's sister park, Walt Disney Studios in Paris, already is adding some Pixar themed attractions to their Animation Courtyard called Toon Studios. This will act as a "cartoon backlot" and include several Pixar movie rides including a Finding Nemo-themed coaster, a Cars-themed racing ride, and the Alladdin flying carpet ride (currently in Magic Kingdom). There are also rumors about adding themed rides for The Incredibles and Monster's Inc.. Now if the Florida Disney-Pixar Studios will get any of these new rides remains to be seen, but one can assume they will, in time, as the Disney parks tend to borrow successful attractions from each other.

I think there will be some major changes to the park and I'm kind of excited to see what happens. I think its agreed that Disney-MGM is the weakest park of the 4 at Disney World. It has the least amount of attractions and suffers from very un-unified themes. I'm sure it was an intention to mimic Universal Studios, but look at how hodge-podge that park is! Disney is all about tying things together. I think the transition will be smooth and might even bring about a Pixar behind-the-scenes animation attraction.

[Lucylover1986]

Disney owns Pixar so surely they'll want to add their name in a big way to the park and this would be the most ideal way in my mind. I'm for it also!

[surfpark]

Keep in mind that Disney could also combine its ABC, Miramax, or Touchstone brand into the theme park's new name. While Pixar seems most likely, imagine the alternatives.

[Disney-Fan]

I hate this Pixar overload... I love, love, love Pixar, but this is taking things a bit too far. What happened to Disney being proud of it's own animation cannon? Where's that planned Beauty and the Beast ride, or The Little Mermaid one. Atlantis and Treasure Planet have lots of potential for a ride, as does Tarzan. I just don't see where all the excitement of the execs is coming from (in adding Pixar everywhere).

[darth_deetoo]

I really think Pixar and CG animation is overrated. I've enjoyed the Pixar films, but they don't hold a candle to classics like Beauty and the Beast, The Little Mermaid, The Lion King, Snow White, Cinderella, The Jungle Book, Peter Pan, Sleeping Beauty, Pinocchio etc.

I would much prefer that Disney go back to it's roots and celebrate those roots more. Let's have more traditional animated movies.

Movies like Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin and The Lion King showed how CG should be used in animation - to enhance particular scenes, but I think many of these CG animated films come across as soulless. The original Toy Story was a novelty, and yes, some of the other Pixar films have been entertaining, but they are a far cry from the Disney greats.

Why don't they just take a cue from Disneyland Paris and call it Walt Disney Studio's Park. Surely that encompasses all things Disney, including Pixar.

[slave2moonlight]

Okay, I'm all over the place with this one.

Not everyone feels the park is the weakest of the three. For some, it's a fave. For me, they're all pretty tied, or at least, they were in their heyday. Disney MGM Studios (though the MGM has already been dropped, hasn't it?) is special to me because it's like a park of all my favorite things. I'm a movie fanatic, naturally, and a Disney fanatic, but, in addition to that, I'm obsessed with Star Wars, Indiana Jones, and the Muppets, and I LOVE the '30s and '40s. The old Hollywood theme the park has is pure magic to me, though, ironically, that big Sorceror's hat blocking the Chinese theater has taken A LOT of the magic away. To me, the park is like one of those old drawing collages I used to do about my favorite things. It's all of them together. Of course, that's not much of a theme for anyone else. But, back when Dick Tracy came out, which to me was probably the best time at Disney-MGM, the whole park seemed to have that Old Hollywood vibe unifying it. Over the years though, changes and additions HAVE given it more of a hodge-podge feel, and I think PIXAR only added to that. GREATLY, in fact.

However, I LOVE PIXAR. I used to be anti-computer animation. I always wanted to be a Disney animator, but I do most of my work by hand. By the time I got out of college, well, it was right around when Disney was turning against 2D. So, all those folks saying CG wasn't going to replace traditional animation were proved wrong, and a lot of great artists got fired from Disney. Anyways, you all know the story. But, despite our worst fears about computer generated animation coming true, I can't deny that they can make some great stuff with it, and to me, as funny as Shrek was, PIXAR is and always has been the best (should have gotten the Oscar that year over Shrek). I LOVE the PIXAR films, all of them, and, while I lean towards the lovingly handmade look of 2D, I can't deny that PIXAR's stuff is often as great as the Disney classics. In fact, the only time I might be unsure of such a comparison would be in "Cars," which was good, but my least favorite of PIXAR's films.

Anyway, having said all that, in truth, I don't mind PIXAR being added to the parks where appropriate. This is the problem though. They do seem to be starting to get kinda nutty with it. Buzz Lightyear in Tomorrowland was fine. Monsters, Inc. does not belong there. They make no sense there. They DO make sense in Disney MGM Studios. Nemo at the Living Seas, that's a great idea. A Bug's Life is perfect at Animal Kingdom. I'd love to see the Incredibles somewhere too, preferably in an awesome ride (that doesn't go upside down or drop you from a great height, ha, but I'm sure it would), but the only place I would think them appropriate is, again, Disney-MGM Studios. However, this does NOT mean I want to see PIXAR in the title. To me, it puts PIXAR on equal grounds with Disney, and how does that work if Disney OWNS them? Plus, yes, as said before, it wouldn't add to the old Hollywood feel of the park. I'm worried they aren't going to hang on to that theme, and I really think they need to to keep the place, well, something beautiful to look at in addition to a fun theme park. As it is, again, that dang Sorceror's hat ruins the look.

Bottom line, I really wish they'd just call it Disney Studios if they MUST drop the MGM, but it will be a crying shame if they have to remove some of the classics from the Great Movie Ride! What would that ride be without "The Wizard of Oz?" As I've said, I'd love to see PIXAR there, but they should have their own area. It's been a few years since I've been out there, but they should rebuild Pizza Planet to look more like the one from Toy Story, and designate that area beyond the Muppet building as PIXARLAND or something. Add an Incredibles ride, a Monsters Inc. Show (get them out of Tomorrowland, as I hear they are the plan for replacing TimeKeeper), and a Cars something or other. As I said, Bug's Life and Star Command are fine where they are, but they should be more appropriate with where they locate these other attractions, and they really should try to reinvigorate the old Hollywood feel of Disney MGM (and put that big hat somewhere else, even if they DO want it to be the new symbol of the park; by the way, is the Earful Tower still around at least?).

[Timon/Pumbaa fan]

For the love of God, please, no, no, no, no! NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

As others here know, I never considered Pixar Gods like some people do. As almost everyone here knows by now, I hate Finding Nemo! I don't think it's well done, and I fully support Eisner when it comes to Nemo. Had it been hand drawn it most likely would've flopped horribly. Plus, all you need to do it see Chicken Little to watch a MUCH MUCH MUCH better father/son relationship.

I also find A Bug's Life and Cars to be bland. Okay, I'll stop now as I could go on about what I think about Pixar's movies and could explain latter on another thread.

However, like Jim Hill and (maybe) John Lasseter, I don't think this Pixar overload is a good idea as like Disney fans all over the net complain about the overload of Stitch, I can't help but think Pixar's will be as bad.

I mean, where do you draw the line? For one, we got the Finding Nemo submarines, which doesn't make sense at all. I still think Disney should put the Nemo ride at Paradise Peir, as most people agree DCA needs fixing, and some people are already calling it, "Disney's Pixar Adventure",or why not replace Storybook Land Canal Boats, or do something with the Motor Boat Cruise. So then they could put something SCI-FI related in that area instead.

Then there's that Finding Nemo musical at AK replacing Tarzan Rocks which has got to be one of the worst ideas Disney's EVER had. I don't see how anyone can say with a straight face they don't like Disney's direct to video sequels, yet can be excited for this show. I mean there are SO many other movies they couldn't made an attraction instead. It doesn't even FIT in Animal Kingdom. Why not replace Voyage of The Little Mermaid so it'd at least FIT into the theme of the park! I would let that slip though, if it'd weren't for Nemo and his Friends invading Epcot's The Livings Seas. UGH! And what with all the stuppid Nemo merchandise EVERYWHERE! Nemo just gets worse and worse the more you think about it.

But it's not just FN! At DCA, there's a whole land dedicated to "A Bug's Life", not to mention that Pixar bash thing, there's the new MI attraction which is rumored to get cloned at WDW, it'll also go along with the new MI comedy show, then there's that incredibly lame sounding Pixar Mania thing, and there's also...

Okay, I think we get the point. So what do I specifically think about the Pixar invasion at MGM Studios? Well the thing that makes MGM special is that it's not just about Disney movies! It's about movies in general! That's why there's things like Star Wars, Indiana Jones, various segments at TGMR etc. That's why I've said in other threads I would like more non-Disney stuff at that park. So if you made it all Disney, and it's franchise from Pixar, Touchstone, Mirmax etc. you'd be killing the magic of Disney MGM Studios. I really hope officials realize this before it's to late. Of course, the divine people at Pixar probably want to advertise themselves more.

What I think Disney should do is try to get some not-very popular movies and franchise at their park. Look at Splash Mountain! It's one of the most popular and beloved attractions on the property no matter where you go. Yet, it's based on a movie a lot of families have never even heard of! Look at Mr. Toad's Wild Ride, it's an absolute classic, and it's based on a movie most families haven't seen. Heck, even outside of Disney, look at Universal, Water World was a gigantic flop, but it didn't stop it from being one of the most entertaining things to do at Universal. So why can't Disney try more of this at Disney MGM Studios, or even places like the submarines. It'd be more entertaining than constantly seeing Mickey, Pooh, Stitch and Pixar and nothing else.

[Wonderlicious]

However, like Jim Hill and (maybe) John Lasseter, I don't think this Pixar overload is a good idea as like Disney fans all over the net complain about the overload of Stitch, I can't help but think Pixar's will be as bad.

You know, it's funny...I thought of Stitch for a moment when I was thinking about how it could be overkill.

I mean, where do you draw the line? For one, we got the Finding Nemo submarines, which doesn't make sense at all. I still think Disney should put the Nemo ride at Paradise Peir, as most people agree DCA needs fixing, and some people are already calling it, "Disney's Pixar Adventure",or why not replace Storybook Land Canal Boats, or do something with the Motor Boat Cruise. So then they could put something SCI-FI related in that area instead.

When I heard that they were reopening the submarines and theming them to Finding Nemo, I thought that it seemed a bit weird. I'd recently returned from Disneyland Paris, and thought that a Nemo ride in the parks would be cool, but the submarines, whilst fitting for the characters, is placed in the wrong area (and for the record, I don't think it could fit in the Storybook Land area). Originally, they were going to reopen the subs with more apt theming to Atlantis, but after that flopped, this idea was scribbled out. I think that the Nemo subs would have been a better choice for the Paradise Pier area at California Adventure. That needs more themed/novelty rides (if I were to change PP, I would enhance the theming of the area by making all the rides relate to sea tales such as The Little Mermaid and Finding Nemo, so as to help make California Adventure seem like the Disney Characters' homage to the golden state), and being a mock seaside, Finding Nemo fits.

Then there's that Finding Nemo musical at AK replacing Tarzan Rocks which has got to be one of the worst ideas Disney's EVER had.

Again, I think that's a case of mistheming. Perhaps a stage version of The Jungle Book (despite popular walk around characters and being a platinum title, this movie hasn't got a theme park attraction at all and never has had) or a sit-down indoor ride based on a land animal movie (again, The Jungle Book could be covered, or maybe Tarzan, Bambi or The Lion King would have been a better replacement.

...then there's that incredibly lame sounding Pixar Mania thing...

What's this? Is this Midway Mania that you're talking about (yet with a mixed up title)?

Of course, the divine people at Pixar probably want to advertise themselves more.

Well, even John Lasseter is supposedly having doubts about the name change to Disney-Pixar Studios, so don't go viewing them as arrogant like that, when the main man is against the idea. It seems as though you actually want them to be evil.

What I think Disney should do is try to get some not-very popular movies and franchise at their park. Look at Splash Mountain! It's one of the most popular and beloved attractions on the property no matter where you go. Yet, it's based on a movie a lot of families have never even heard of! Look at Mr. Toad's Wild Ride, it's an absolute classic, and it's based on a movie most families haven't seen. Heck, even outside of Disney, look at Universal, Water World was a gigantic flop, but it didn't stop it from being one of the most entertaining things to do at Universal. So why can't Disney try more of this at Disney MGM Studios, or even places like the submarines. It'd be more entertaining than constantly seeing Mickey, Pooh, Stitch and Pixar and nothing else.

You know, I'd like to see more of the less covered. As I'm nerdy and get bored easily, I come up with ideas for Disney movies and Disney theme parks and their attractions. I often come up with ideas for rides incorporating some of the less popular films into them. And I'd also like to see some of Disney's more popular films covered. Bambi, The Jungle Book, Lady and the Tramp and Mulan, as popular as they are, pretty much don't have even a bit of an attraction covering them in detail in any of the theme parks. Even some of the renaissance films don't get the justice they deserve in the parks. Aladdin hasn't suffered too much (it's got a rather large show in California Adventure, a carnival ride in the Magic Kingdom, a walkthrough in Disneyland Paris and a replica of the Florida ride in the Walt Disney Studios and a whole land kinda themed to the film at Tokyo Disney Sea), but what about Beauty and the Beast? Aside from the walk around characters, a stage show at MGM and the odd restaurant, there is no coverage of this film at all in any of the parks! An Animatronic show was planned for Disneyland Paris, but that never surfaced, sadly. And the Little Mermaid dark ride needs to get out of development hell and start getting built, especially in Paris, where aside from a walk around Ariel and a scene in the Storybook Land boat ride, there is no coverage. Sorry for my little rant, everyone, but I really want to see Beauty and the Beast and The Little Mermaid get proper attractions (aka animatronic stage shows or dark rides) in Paris and California at least.

[slave2moonlight]

I would definitely like to see the less covered stuff get some coverage in the parks. There really should be something noticeable in the parks to represent every Disney animated film, and at least a handful of the classic live-action, not to mention some of the very best post-classic live-action. Unfortunately, live-action seems to be considered more "dated" by the studio suits (unless it's Pirates of the Caribbean). I would definitely agree that what makes Disney (MGM) Studios special is that it's not just Disney movies and TV shows, and that taking that out would really hurt the park (well, for those of us who currently love it).

I didn't know that they had actually done the Nemo submarine ride; how is it? That doesn't bother me much, but I would prefer an Atlantis sub ride (even though that's the one Disney traditionally animated movie I didn't like very much). What I really would have preferred though, would be if they had souped up the ride keeping the 20,000 Leagues them. However, sadly, I usually go to Florida, and I hear they just filled that area in and made it the hundred acre wood. Haven't seen it yet. Anyone know if they took out or moved Ariel's Grotto? Maybe they should just move the Grotto to Norway in Epcot, since it doesn't make sense next to the Hundred Acre Wood... Well, I do love PIXAR, but I'm definitely one for variety. A PIXAR stage show sounds really lame. Frankly, I wish they had kept Tarzan rocks. But, yes, a Jungle Book stage show would be a good idea too. But, please don't take out Voyage of the Little Mermaid.

Someone should create a thread for ride ideas. That'd be really interesting. I'd do it, but I don't know if it has been done already...

[Wonderlicious]

I didn't know that they had actually done the Nemo submarine ride; how is it? That doesn't bother me much, but I would prefer an Atlantis sub ride (even though that's the one Disney traditionally animated movie I didn't like very much). What I really would have preferred though, would be if they had souped up the ride keeping the 20,000 Leagues them. However, sadly, I usually go to Florida, and I hear they just filled that area in and made it the hundred acre wood. Haven't seen it yet.

Well, the Nemo submarines haven't actually opened just yet; I believe that they'll pop open next year some time. As for the submarine area being filled in at the Magic Kingdom, I hope that the Hundred Acre Wood playarea thing is only there for a little while. I'm fine with kids having somewhere to play, but that space is rather big (from a slightly outdated Google Map) and needs something other than a few swings and slides in there. Perhaps they could finally build that abandonned Ariel dark ride (c'mon! she's a Disney princess and therefore a money maker), as that would fit in perfectly with Ariel's Grotto. Or expand the Toon Town area, possibly adding Roger Rabbit's Cartoon Spin. Things like the Hundred Acre playground, the Socerer's Hat and Stitch's Great Escape are scaring me from ever wanting to go to Disney World again (I last went in 1997); I'm scared that I'd find it a tacky-fest.

[slave2moonlight]

Your being scared is making me scared. The Stitch thing doesn't bother me. I haven't seen it yet, but I imagine it to be similar to Alien Encounter, only, obviously, less cool. I love Stitch, but to replace Alien Encounter with him... However, the Sorceror's hat really drives me nuts, and the Hundred Acre Wood sounds awful! Why would kids want to play in a playground when there's so much great stuff to do and see and ride in the parks! That WOULD be a great place for an Ariel ride. I can't imagine how sad Fantasyland looks without the lagoon. It was so creepy/cool! I also would love it if they did more with ToonTown. Roger Rabbit is my favorite film, so anything about Roger would be awesome. I haven't been to Disneyland in California since I was like 5 or 6, so I've never been able to ride the Toontown Spin (or the Indiana Jones ride!!!). We're very attached to Florida because we love the 4 parks there, even though California and Florida are about equal distance from us. Anyways, I'll always remember one trip to Florida (well, it's the only one we videotaped) where they had a Disney Afternoon themed stage show. I wish they'd do more with the Disney Afternoon shows in Toontown, but I guess those are all but forgotten, except for longtime fans getting the DVD releases. For a while, they considered the Toontown area Duckburg (I think that was when it was Mickey's Birthdayland), and it even had a statue of Duckburg founder Cornelius Coot. Now, since they seem to want to make the Florida park and the California park a little different (only one has Toad now, only one has subs now, only one has Country Bears...), they should redo Toontown in Florida to make it Duckburg again. Even add Scrooge's moneybin! That could be huge, and they could make a heck of a ride out of it with the Beagle Boys, Magica, and a bunch of other characters trying to break in or sneaking around inside as you pass them.

[JEANYLASER]

i love this idea and i hope disney/pixar studios is a great name. i wish that incredibles ride will be in disneyworld.

[Chrissy31886]

I agree with what some of the others said....I hope they don't drown the entire park with pixar attractions if the name change does go that way. I honestly can't imagine them going with this name unless they change the park drastically (which obviously isnt going to happen)...pixar just doesn't fit the theme of MGM at all. (ie - 50's, old hollywood, etc.) When I think of MGM, Finding nemo and the incredibles arent the first things that come to mind.

[The Merman]

Disney-Pxar Studios? OMg stop messing around. Disney has enough brains to not go through with that name. First of al it would not make sense that Monster Inc ride, Finding Nemo ride, Buzz Lightyear and A Bugs life ride or not placed in the Disney-Pixar studio! AND not ONE of them is in MGM-studios, meaning that they could not change the park name for there are no Pixar rides... and they are not going to move the existing rides over. They got a good start with the Toon studios in Walt Disney Studios Paris, for it would be an intire section just devoted to Pixar.. And not spread out through the park. That is really in my opinion what destroyes the Hollywood 50s feelling. If you have Pixar just on random place through the park, then it would def be pixar overload.

A change in the name to Disney-Touchstone studios park would not be too bad. They could remove some of the Great Movie Ride stuff to replace it with GREAT touchstone and real life Disney movies. They could Add in a piece on The Cronicles of Narnia, or make a complete new ride on this movie! Or on the new Movie Bridge to
Then there is "Who framed Roger Rabbit" "Pearl Harbour" "Pretty Woman" "A nightmare Before Christmass" and "Signs" that they could make something from. It would not be the same as it is now, but sometimes something needs a change if it cant be avoided.

Anyway I would love to see a Beaty and the Beast ride Or TLM. I always thought they should have changed the Castle in Paris to be the castle of Beaty and the Beast. Seeing as this fairytale is based in France, But I love the current desighn aswell.

Ta Ta

[/b]

[slave2moonlight]

Well, Disney hasn't proven to have very much brains in its recent changes to the Florida parks, so "Disney-Pixar Studios does not surprise me. In fact, while it would break my heart, I wouldn't be surprised if they threw out the old Hollywood theme of the park, except that that would be too expensive, so it should be safe. However.... they are clearly no longer Disney "MGM" Studios, and that's what could ruin the park. It could especially ruin the great movie ride. If Disney focuses on Disney flicks, it will no longer be "THe Great Movie Ride," because they couldn't go back in time far enough and have very much material. Disney's first live-action flick was Treasure Island. All the great "classic" Hollywood stuff in that ride is non-Disney! It would be a shame to see that stuff go. Frankly, I doubt they'd take it out, but posts here have gotten me somewhat worried.

It would not be at all unusual for Disney to copy the PIXAR rides of other parks in Florida. Frankly, I'm not against this, I just think it should be in the right area of the park. They have one area where it could work, which, last time I went, was sort of the PIXAR section, where Pizza Planet is. However, there's a good chance they will theme the animation section to PIXAR very strongly, and that might be the area we start seeing a PIXARland in. Who knows. The whole park is already a hodge podge that doesn't have strongly running 30's-50's theme. That's mainly just noticeable in the front area of the park. I really hope they never lose it though. It's a big part of why I love that park as much as the others, so I hope it doesn't change much. But, placing that big Sorceror's Hat in front of the CHinese Theater proved to me that they are capable of any idiotic move...

[JEANYLASER]

i wish that indy stunt show needs a change put the incredibles show instead of the indy stunt show.