According to a Deadline report, showrunners Michele Fazekas and Tara Butters have sold ABC on a project "based on the Disney theme park mythology." That's all we know about the content of the show at this point. It's one of two projects that Fazekas & Butters has sold to ABC.
Don't expect to see episodes on the network this season. This is just the start of what can be a long production process. Few production deals ultimately make it to the network schedule, and some don't even end up getting filmed. But it's certainly exciting for theme park fans to imagine what an hourlong weekly drama based on the Disney theme parks could become.
"Disney theme park mythology" is a huge space to work in. But the project needs to connect with a network television audience, and between the conventions of the hourlong drama format and Disney's PR needs for a show about its parks, the showrunners are facing some limits to what they can do with the concept.
Given how much Disney loves to send characters from its various sitcoms to Walt Disney World and Disneyland for episodes set in those parks, the cynic in me wants to see Disney just go all in on that concept and develop a "Fantasy Island" reboot where a different collection of guest stars check into a Walt Disney World Deluxe resort each week. But who would play the new Mr. Roarke? Hey, I hear Michael Eisner is available.
I doubt that image-obsessive Disney would approve a gritty crime drama that follows the WDW security team as they chase counterfeiters and underage drinkers, but if they did, TH and I would be happy to accept consultant contracts for that one.
What would you like to see this show become? Share your ideas — from the practical to the absurd — in the comments.
Tweet
But, yeah... Don't hold your breath.
Felix
It would allow them to film the parks more easily, since most of the action would take place at night.
The big bad from each season could be various corporate types that they're trying to save the park from.
With the control of rights that Disney has, there's nothing stopping our heroes from travelling to a Galaxy Far Far away to hitch a ride with Star Tours Captain RX-24, or get some help from Iron Man.
Hey, that's actually not a bad pitch for 7:00 AM. If you're interested in my idea, Disney, give me a call. My writing career stalled years ago, and I'm willing to give up my current job for any amount of millions you want to offer.
Topics could include: How Disney Inc. jacked up prices for its American fans while systematically under-investing in the USA parks, throwing money away overseas, and lobbying Congress to grant Disney Inc. a perpetual monopoly on characters like Mickey Mouse that should now be in the public domain.
Disney Inc. is the poster child for modern day Robber Barons. Let's all celebrate how profitably Eisner and Iger threw Walt's legacy under the bus :)
First, do a short mini-series. 6 episodes per season. Perhaps 2 to 3 seasons max.
Second, do an anthology series with lessons learned, similar in structure to Twilight Zone. Absolutely don't make it an action show like Disney's Tower of Terror made for television movie starring Steve Guttenberg.
Third, don't feature much of the actual attractions. They have camera ready sets, but not suitable to develop an actual show around. Recreate the ride on full sized sets.
Four, create new backstories and characters that can later be added to the ride or attraction.
Five, what attractions? For haunted mansion, Part 1: the mystery of the bride. Part 2, the woman in the globe. Part 3, the grave digger.
Splash Mountain: an opportunity to refocus the movie on the animated characters instead of the controversial Uncle Remus. Call it the Songbook of the Splash Mountain.
Space Mountain: what happened in space to cause them to abandon their space station?
This is my suggestion. Enjoy.
Big Thunder: The mining town went bust. The millionaire left a mysterious legacy that's hidden in a cavern that concealed his secrets.
Small World: The Tomorrowland movie presented a chance to tell the story of Small World, but of course, went on to Tomorrowland oddly. The ride interior should not be featured at all. The concept should be explored. A world where kids are appreciated for the hope and potential for the future.
Come to think of it, there isn't much left since Disney already did other attractions on the big screen like Tomorrowland and Pirates in a much bigger and complete production. Main Street was covered in Savings Mr Banks. Maybe doing the minor Disney Parks like California Adventure with Grizzly Rapids could help a bit, but the newer attractions are heavy with existing Disney IP like Cars, Frozen, and Toy Story.
This article has been archived and is no longer accepting comments.
