IP-themed rides that have outgrown their IP?

[Matt N]

Hi guys. When parks are building an attraction, they may often employ an IP to increase the marketability of the attraction and add appeal for those who may already be attached to the IP being used. This is particularly prevalent in Disney and Universal theme parks. But my question to you today is; do you think that there’s ever been a case where the attraction has been so well-designed and loved that its legacy has outgrown that of the IP it’s based on?


I can think of a couple of examples for sure; interestingly, all of them are in Disney and Universal parks.

• One of the best examples I can think of is the Tower of Terror attractions at various Disney parks. These are iconic attractions, and arguably key cornerstones of the parks they reside in. However, in spite of the rides having the Twilight Zone as an IP, I’d guess that 90% of people who ride Tower of Terror and love it have never even heard of the Twilight Zone, and most probably don’t even associate the ride with the Twilight Zone. Tower of Terror is a perfect example of an IP-themed ride that isn’t defined by its IP, in my opinion.
• I’d also suggest Revenge of the Mummy as another candidate. Despite being based off of the Mummy franchise from the late 90s, I never actually even knew that the ride was based off of a film when I first rode the Florida version; I thought it was just a cool, Egyptian themed coaster! I’d argue that for many, the ride itself has become an icon on its own, with its unique effects and thrilling coaster experience making it loved among many, while I’d personally argue that the Mummy film franchise it was based off of is not quite as iconic.
• Another arguable candidate for me is Splash Mountain. Yet again, I never even knew this was based off of an IP when I first rode; I just thought it was a cute little ride with lots of singing animals! Of course, the links to Song of the South do still linger, because that’s why the rides are being rethemed soon, but the IP certainly doesn’t define Splash Mountain, in my opinion. Despite the film it has links to being buried in history, the ride has arguably become quite the icon in its own right with its fun-filled drops and catchy songs.

But can you think of any IP-themed rides that have outgrown their IP in this manner?

 

[D4n]

Great topic idea.

Rock n Rollercoaster is / was a great example of this. I didn't enjoy either version of the ride that I have ridden (Paris and Florida) because of the rough layout, but I had no understanding of the ride "IP" when I rode, and i double many children are familiar with the band these days to be honest, yet it still worked as a solid theme for a coaster.

The Marvel refurb will be a different proposition altogether and will no doubt increase queue times 5 fold.

Dinosaur at Animal Kingdom was also supposedly introduced (alongside the whole of Dinoland USA, ahead of Beastly Kingdom) as a tie in to the film 'Dinosaur' released in the same year. Although in that case I'd argue that the ride didn't exactly outgrow its IP as much as being born to a separate mother.

Side note: if you haven't seen the first Brendan Fraser 'The Mummy' film it is decent and worth a watch. The sequels were trash.

 

[Thameslink Rail]

I'm going to say Parc Asterix because the comics themselves are now quite old, the last true Asterix comics were written in the mid 00s (most of them were written in the 60s/70s though) and their author/illustrator Albert Uderzo died last year whereas Parc Asterix is still very successful being the second most visited park in France and is still getting frequent new attractions.

 

[Plastic Person]

Dinosaur at Animal Kingdom was also supposedly introduced (alongside the whole of Dinoland USA, ahead of Beastly Kingdom) as a tie in to the film 'Dinosaur' released in the same year. Although in that case I'd argue that the ride didn't exactly outgrow its IP as much as being born to a separate mother.

Not quite. It opened as 'Countdown To Extinction', but was renamed to tie-in with the film's release in 2000. Although nothing much changed in the plot, the ride was toned down accordingly, but still proved too scary for a lot of guests at WDW.

 

[AstroDan]

I'm going to say Parc Asterix because the comics themselves are now quite old, the last true Asterix comics were written in the mid 00s (most of them were written in the 60s/70s though) and their author/illustrator Albert Uderzo died last year whereas Parc Asterix is still very successful being the second most visited park in France and is still getting frequent new attractions.

Whilst you are right, Astérix is such a massive cultural institution in France. Indeed, Bande Dessiné (comic strips) are incredibly popular over the channel and the Astérix brand is strong. So the park remains fully relevant.

 

[AT86]

Absolutely. You would struggle to find anyone in France that doesn’t know what Asterix is. It’s pretty much ingrained in the culture.

 

[Tim]

Star Wars: Galaxy Edge

Controversial I'm sure. As you are probably aware Galaxy's Edge has a timeline that's permanently locked between episode 8 and 9. It's essential for the story behind Rise of the Resistance and the characters you can find and meet in the land. Its a great idea for immersion and would work in a non-IP based land.
The trouble is episodes 8 & 9 didn't get the reception Disney wanted and there attention has turned to other points in the Star Wars timeline (such as the Mandalorian). This is a problem as anything that takes place in a different part of the timeline doesn't fit in Galaxy's Edge.

So although the lands are only a year old Disney are already considering removing the story of Galaxy's Edge so it can be a catch all Star Wars land.

Also the reverse of this applies to Frozen. If you've seen Frozen 2 you'll know Arendelle is almost destroyed at the end, only to be saved Deus Ex Machina style at the end. Why was it saved? I can only assume because they'd already commissioned 3 Arendelle themed attractions.

 

[Benjsh]

Star Wars: Galaxy Edge

Controversial I'm sure. As you are probably aware Galaxy's Edge has a timeline that's permanently locked between episode 8 and 9. It's essential for the story behind Rise of the Resistance and the characters you can find and meet in the land. Its a great idea for immersion and would work in a non-IP based land.
The trouble is episodes 8 & 9 didn't get the reception Disney wanted and there attention has turned to other points in the Star Wars timeline (such as the Mandalorian). This is a problem as anything that takes place in a different part of the timeline doesn't fit in Galaxy's Edge.

So although the lands are only a year old Disney are already considering removing the story of Galaxy's Edge so it can be a catch all Star Wars land.

Lot of rumours about them already changing the film in the smugglers run attraction to a more generic Star Wars theme in the not too distant future. Also they seem to be planning on adding some Mandalorian attractions, either rides or most likely experiences, as that franchise has proved incredibly popular.

I don't think it really matters though. Only theme park nerds like us get hung up on themes etc. Vast majority of people who visit Disney World won't care a jot if a certain ride is stuck in a certain timeline

 

[Pleasure Beach Valhalla]

I agree with Rock 'N' Roller Coaster and i think we'll eventually see the one at Hollywood Studios rethemed maybe! In terms of twilight zone Tower of Terror, just keep it as it is without the Twilight Zone as the one at Disney's California's Adventure was refurbed into GOTG:MB and most enthusiasts have said it isn't as good as the former experience. I am sad to see Splash Mountain leave America as i'm going to miss the Laughing Place and the whole theme but i think Princess and the Frog will work well!

 

[Maelstrom]

I agree with Rock 'N' Roller Coaster and i think we'll eventually see the one at Hollywood Studios rethemed maybe! In terms of twilight zone Tower of Terror, just keep it as it is without the Twilight Zone as the one at Disney's California's Adventure was refurbed into GOTG:MB and most enthusiasts have said it isn't as good as the former experience. I am sad to see Splash Mountain leave America as i'm going to miss the Laughing Place and the whole theme but i think Princess and the Frog will work well!

While I wouldn't want Tower of terror changed at Disney world. However I have been on both versions in California and I prefer GOTG mission break out it was such a surprise of the trip and is a really fun ride, especially the halloween overlay- Monsters after dark (switches to this version in the evening in sept and Oct).

 

[Tim]

I hear they are both very different ride experiences. ToT is suspenseful while Guardians is action packed.

However there's no denying that ToT feels more at place in Hollywood Studios, with the Sunset Boulavard perfectly setting up the experience. The ToT at California and Paris never had the same lead in.
Likewise while Guardians is good it could have been better if it was not a re-theme. From the outside the building is a mess and still has the distinctive shape of ToT with a few metal pipes and panels stuck on top. To do the same in Florida would be a mistake as the area simply works as it is and would need a proper area wide re-theme to create something as good as what is already there.

 

[Benjsh]

The Twilight Zone is a rubbish IP in the sense that hardly anyone at parks these days has watched it.

However it's an amazing ride it can't be denied. It's not the theme that makes it amazing though. Its the fact it's drops you in the dark. I wager you could re theme it to another dark theme and it would still be as effective.

 

[Plastic Person]

However it's an amazing ride it can't be denied. It's not the theme that makes it amazing though. Its the fact it's drops you in the dark. I wager you could re theme it to another dark theme and it would still be as effective.

Nah, I really disagree with this. The drop is fun, but it's the suspenseful build-up beforehand that really makes it, one of the few dark ride experiences that never gets old. Admittedly, it could just have a broad, haunted hotel theme without the Twilight Zone IP, and it wouldn't lose much. But I do think the Floridian original is about as close as a ride gets to perfect.

 

[Benjsh]

Nah, I really disagree with this. The drop is fun, but it's the suspenseful build-up beforehand that really makes it, one of the few dark ride experiences that never gets old. Admittedly, it could just have a broad, haunted hotel theme without the Twilight Zone IP, and it wouldn't lose much. But I do think the Floridian original is about as close as a ride gets to perfect.

Then you don't disagree with me at all then as I wouldn't change the dark scenes. It would just not be Twighlight Zone but something else which is 'scary'.

That's the point I was making. It's not the IP which makes but the creepy nature of it.

 

[Tim]

I do agree that the Twilight Zone as an IP is outdated, and odly it already was when they decided to use it. On top of that it's a very American IP that never really gained popularity elsewhere. Hence why it's not used at Tokyo, despite the Japanese normally loving American inspired themes.

However I wouldn't remove the IP just for the sake of it. Having it does add to the experience more than just a generic haunted hotel theme would. It can be removed if Disney really doesn't want to keep paying the licensing fee, but I hope they don't.

 

[QTXAdsy]

A wee bit off topic but what about the 20k Sub ride at WDW when it closed in 1994? Granted I know there are many reasons for it closing but I think perhaps it's own IP of the film was making it look a little bit tired by some even at that time and if it had somehow been working until recently, this would have likely been more so.