Sunday, January 23, 2011

Cross Pollination

One more reason it's difficult to quantify the worth and profitability of Disney animated features like Tangled (or Cars, Toy Story 1, 2, 3 etc.) ...

Walt Disney World has announced big plans to make over and expand its popular Fantasyland area in the Magic Kingdom park. In the 38 year old park history, the park is calling this the biggest overhaul yet. ... The announcement is said to be a huge response to Universal's "Wizarding World of Harry Potter" attraction that opened last year and was a big hit to its visitors. ... Being interactive with a lot of the characters and attractions is seems to be one of Disney's primary goals with this expansion. ... Construction has already been started as part of this massive expansion to Fantasyland. Expect the first attractions of the project to be open by late 2012 and everything to be completed by 2013.

See? The features feed the parks with new characters and rides, which in turn attract new Disney World guests. Who are then separated from their money.

It's that "synergy" thing, and you can't really put a price tag on it. Let me just say that without fresh content, you don't get fresh crowds, and that ends up being a bad thing, profits-wise.

So on that level, Tangled will be a dandy little profit center for years to come, regardless of whether the picture's film revenues officially go into the black in the next three months. I'm sure Disney wishes that they hadn't poured so much money into the feature's development over all those years. I'm also sure that the company is delighted with the way the Long-Haired Girl has been raking in cash around the globe.

14 comments:

Anonymous said...

None of these new attractions feature anything from Tangled.

They're all related to older characters, nothing that has been done in the past 15-18 years will be featured. Now, in the future they may put in something related to this, but nothing new being built has anything new being built.

I'm just saying..

Anonymous said...

I agree. I'm no big Harry Potter fan (the films are pretty bad and extremely juvenile). But there is no denying their success. After seeing the Disneyworld rollout, I had to roll my eyes on disgust and frustration. It reminded me of Disney in the late '70's and early '80's--releasing the boring Black Hole in response to Star Wars, and the truly wretched Black Cauldron in response to the popularity of Dungeons and Dragons gaming. And Tron in response to the popularity of video games. Always behind the curve and sprinkled with a thick veneer of lameness and lack of imagination.

Anonymous said...

@#2

Somebody never watched past the second Harry Potter Film, did they?

Steve Hulett said...

They're all related to older characters, nothing that has been done in the past 15-18 years will be featured. Now, in the future they may put in something related to this, but nothing new being built has anything new being built.

Larger point:

Pixar product is sprinkled across different Disney parks. Tangled, despite it's high cost because of ten years of production charges, has taken in a lot of money around the world and is deemed a "hit" in the normal usage of the term.

Tangled will find its way into the parks over the next year, five years, ten years. It's a high-profile property and Diz Co. will exploit it.

Just saying.

Anonymous said...

Tangled is already being featured in a new show on Disney's brand new cruise ship the Disney Dream. Rapunzel will be appearing with her own tower float in the new parade in Disneyland this year. Rapunzel is the number one character requested for girls at the Disneyland and Disney World Bibbity-Bobbity Boutique.

There's currently a meet and greet for Rapunzel and Flynn in a new themed space at Disneyland. The current wait for meeting them is over an hour most days.

Tangled will have a long life in places other than just the movie theater.

Anonymous said...

Plus the fact that, while it hasn't been officially announced or anything, there is talk that Rapunzel's tower is in the works for "Phase 2" of this expansion. Although with them backing out of some of the earlier plans for princess attractions, who knows if that idea will stick around or not.

Anonymous said...

Took the kids to D-land over the weekend - right there in Fantasy Land there sits Rapunzel's tower big as life with her long blonde locks weaving their way around the architecture. No, its not a full blown ride but its a start.

Anonymous said...

Actually Rapunzel will be featured in the new Princess meet and greet in the Magic Kingdom once it takes the place of the current Snow White attraction.

Anonymous said...

Rapunzel already has a show and a meet and greet in Magic Kingdom.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e3NtDqV5i8I

Anonymous said...

Here they are in Paris:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UIA9qNlHFKA

Anonymous said...

Rapunzel will also, assumingly, be added to the Disney Princess line of dolls, will be represented in the pin trading that's been doing well for years, those nifty statues and snowglobes they offer at the Disney Store, Christmas ornaments, cameos in Kingdom Hearts, Princess video games, accessories, etc. If Disney has a success, they milk it for all it's worth, and for long as people like it. Disney movies tend to be evergreen for decades.
I'd bet serious money they've made more off of Stitch outside his movie then with it. Same for everyone in Toy Story. Hell... you can still get Brother Bear plushes (And Pegasus from Hercules)at Disney World. Rapunzel, and lets not forget Tiana, are going to be around for awhile.

Anonymous said...

Tangled merchandise has already made millions, and will see billions soon enough.

Take this in-the-know Anonymous word for it.

Anonymous said...

New films are priceless to the parks and the Disney brand. Like Roy Disney said- without creating new characters you are running a museum.

Anonymous said...

WAIT A MINUTE!!!

I thought we were currently in a depression/ recession??

Where the hell is all this money coming from?????

Especially from the public!!

Inquiring minds want to know.

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