In my Orange County Register column this week, I raise this issue as I answer the question why Star Wars Land is being added to Disneyland. We have written much here on Theme Park Insider about the difference between non-fiction and fictional themes in parks. My take has been that the non-fictional themes that were popular during the modernist era have fallen out of favor in today's post-modern era, when people have lost their optimism about the future thanks to the dreary economic outlook many families face today.
Consumers today want escapism in their entertainment: superheroes, wizards, and rebels fighting dystopian regimes. So Disney and Universal have reacted, forcing non-fiction-driven attractions from their parks in favor of ones that appeal to our desire to fantasize and escape our reality. That's why we are getting Frozen's Arendelle in World Showcase at Epcot, and why Disneyland is trimming its Rivers of America to make way for Star Wars Land.
Among the major theme park companies, SeaWorld has been caught flat-footed, spending its time and resources defending its record against animal "rights" activists who probably won't be satisfied until private ownership of animals is banned, instead of developing the fantasy IP the public actually now wants instead.
You can read more in my OC Register column, or follow our stories from the Theme Park Insider archive, below.
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It is definitely in the best interests of entertainment companies to give people what they want - and for Disney to remain stagnant would be suicide.
BTW, I got my opening night Force Awakens tickets tonight...anyone else? Rumor has it that opening weekend capacity is already nearing "sold out" status. Analysts are now saying the film could make over $600M domestic by Jan 1. Crazy numbers for a December release - just crazy. I think we may have underestimated the Star Wars franchise just a bit.
Disneyland is not going to be able to handle the crowds that come calling if WDI builds Star Wars right.
This contradicts people's willingness to pay more for fantasy. Disney is charging ever more while SeaWorld lost customers while changing less.
It seems like the market for fantasy is the driver. The underlying economic depression will not discourage a sufficient number to avoid Disney. Many are willing to part with their money for quality entertainment.
On the subject of Harry Potter; all you people on the West Coast are gonna love it. I've been to our version on the East Coast countless times and it still astonishes me. You guys have much to look forward to. :)
On the subject of Star Wars, I really hope that Force Awakens does well both critically and financially, because that's what the new Star Wars Land is gonna be mostly based around and to finally silence all the annoying people who think that the prequels ruined the franchise forever and that Disney will only make it worse.
On the subject of SeaWorld, I advise to anyone reading not to listen to those hippies at PETA, who have fooled themselves into thinking they're the saviors of the Animal World when they probably can't even tell the difference between a chimpanzee and a bonobo.
Old topic, but instead of trying to fantasy-ize (couldn't use "fantasize", as it has the wrong connotations) the lands and rides of Epcot, Disney should be doubling-down on human optimism and strive to better become "THE BEST WORLD'S FAIR EVER", to offer something different to the onslaught of fantasy coming at us.
Which is completely in theme for parks like Universal, Magic Kingdoms, and Disney Studios. Nobody's looking forward to the new Star Wars land more than me.
But I think there is still a market for a theme park based on nothing more than human optimism - on our possibilities, diversity, and humanity. And that's what Epcot should be.
Again, old topic, but I thought relevant to the subject matter being discussed.
I Reply: I'll take "People who embrace an opinion shared by a teeny, tiny minority of theme park fans" for $1000, Alex.
When movies become billion dollar blockbusters or when Disney pays billions to buy Pixar, Marvel & Lucafilm, it's not a question of if but when those properties become theme park attractions whether some people like it or not.
The corporate jackals who run Disney today are glorified accountants. These goons perverted and destroyed Walt's vision long ago.
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