The World of David Walliams: General Discussion

[evilcod]

At least it IS a better childrens IP than CBeebies Land. But what ever happened to building the park's own brand instead of Merlin parks heading ever more towards just a strange amalgamation of other brands?

IPs are more popular and bring in more money. That's pretty much it.

Disney are pretty much now only building rides based on films/characters for this reason, also the reason that Europa built Arthur, Drayton built Thomas Land, Paultons built Peppa etc. It's not just a Merlin thing

Sent from my SM-G950F using Tapatalk

 

[ChristmasPud]

IPs are more popular and bring in more money. That's pretty much it.

Disney are pretty much now only building rides based on films/characters for this reason, also the reason that Europa built Arthur, Drayton built Thomas Land, Paultons built Peppa etc. It's not just a Merlin thing

None of those parks are sacrificing their own identity to latch on to whatever fad IPs they can get. Disney are using their own IP (helps that they own half the big brands in the world) but still maintain most the rest their parks' offering. Europa has one self contained IP area (absolutely fine), same for Drayton and Paultons Park.

Paultons has been building its own park identity in massive leaps after Peppa Pig world. Is this Merlin's plan?

Also, the park would make more money and be more popular longer term if they established themselves better, as Europa Park, Efteling, Phantasialand etc have done.

So it's a short term thing to please shareholders with no long term interest. This has proven to undo itself with most other Merlin IPs, a lot of which were flops or lazy rides with logos slapped on top, hardly Arthur! While Wicker man somehow managed to be popular against their IP mantra.

 

[Matt N]

But it is also worth noting that CBeebies Land is very popular, and that's an IP.

 

[evilcod]

None of those parks are sacrificing their own identity to latch on to whatever fad IPs they can get. Disney are using their own IP (helps that they own half the big brands in the world) but still maintain most the rest their parks' offering. Europa has one self contained IP area (absolutely fine), same for Drayton and Paultons Park.

Paultons has been building its own park identity in massive leaps after Peppa Pig world. Is this Merlin's plan?

Also, the park would make more money and be more popular longer term if they established themselves better, as Europa Park, Efteling, Phantasialand etc have done.

So it's a short term thing to please shareholders with no long term interest. This has proven to undo itself with most other Merlin IPs, a lot of which were flops or lazy rides with logos slapped on top, hardly Arthur! While Wicker man somehow managed to be popular against their IP mantra.

I hope you don't need me to point out the difference between Wicker Man and all the super popular IPs mentioned (Cbeebies, Peppa Pig, Thomas The Tank Engine, Arthur, David Walliams books)

 

[ChristmasPud]

I hope you don't need me to point out the difference between Wicker Man and all the super popular IPs mentioned (Cbeebies, Peppa Pig, Thomas The Tank Engine, Arthur, David Walliams books)

Do Merlin not use Saw, Walking Dead, Derren Brown etc on adult rides for the very same purpose as their kids IPs? As well as ignoring everything else in my post?

Their policy is that all ideas must be IPs or if not then a 'repeatable' concept around the world, ie making their own IP to serve the same purpose. A complete shift away from building up an individual park's identity for long term success.

I appreciate that the corporate mantra is correct at all times and must not be questioned

 

[RicketyCricket]

Lots of 30+ blokes in here moaning about this. We are not the target audience

I don't know much about his books, but one thing Merlin actually do put a lot of effort into is market research. Sometimes they rely on it too much and make bad decisions of the back of it, but in this instance they've probably got it right.

 

[Leigh]

I think the idea seems "fine". Not bad but also not great either; he's a cheap yet popular IP I suppose. Then again, they could literally do anything and it would be better than the current state of CCL.

Will reserve full judgement until I see exactly what new is going in.

Sent from my SM-G965F using Tapatalk

 

[Jb85]

That books have absolutely nothing to do with Little Britain!

if only it did .... what a land it would be

it’s seems very short term to me - will be a great addition but where will we be in 10 wars time? Much better build an in house IP

 

[Spark]

if only it did .... what a land it would be

it’s seems very short term to me - will be a great addition but where will we be in 10 wars time? Much better build an in house IP

Agreed, I reckon it would go down a treat with the people who actually watched it when it was on our screens

Worlds to PC at the moment

 

[Matt N]

On a side note; I presume this is a complete CCL retheme, yes? Only asking because I'm getting very mixed messages from around the internet; some are implying a complete CCL retheme (which I personally see as the more likely option), whereas others are implying that it will be one attraction within the present CCL theme.

 

[Jb85]

if only it did .... what a land it would be

On a side note; I presume this is a complete CCL retheme, yes? Only asking because I'm getting very mixed messages from around the internet; some are implying a complete CCL retheme (which I personally see as the more likely option), whereas others are implying that it will be one attraction within the present CCL theme.

not sure for definite but I would imagine it’s a total retheme

 

[Matt N]

not sure for definite but I would imagine it’s a total retheme

Ah right. Thanks for the clarification @Jb85!

 

[ChristmasPud]

one thing Merlin actually do put a lot of effort into is market research.

Not trying to take over the discussion, I do think parks having one self contained IP area can be a good step when it doesnt compromise the rest the park.

Can be a godsend for kickstarting new development, newcomers visit first for the IP but discover the rest of the park while theyre at it.

But Merlin use IP as a lazy replacement for developing their parks properly, so it's everyone's loss, look at the state most are in despite the "popularity" of Cbeebies Land (with Cbeebies being one of the shoddiest areas).

This obviously isn't about whether I personally find a kids ride entertaining or not, it's just guest value for money.

If Merlin were so interested in strong IP portfolio of their own, why is it just a bunch of pretty logos with dreary parks attached, they usually dont even bother with IP basics like memorable characters (mascots), unique identity, staple line up..

I was a kid once too and remember visiting parks with IP areas. The style of DW's books suit the park alright, though not as iconic as CATCF and look how that turned out.

How will this turn out in reality? Constantly buying your way to inflated appeal doesn't work long term.

 

[AT86]

It was always realistically going to be an IP, and as far as they go I think this is a good one.

I echo comments from other members that this could be a two year approach with the Wobble World replacement and 4D show in 2020 with a retheme of Driving School and Carousel. Frog Hopper will probably go now that Peter Rabbit is open in CBeebied Land.

Then in 2021 a replacement for the Dungeons restoring the building to a proper family ride it needs to be.

Fingers crossed anyway.

 

[Dave]

At least it IS a better childrens IP than CBeebies Land. But what ever happened to building the park's own brand instead of Merlin parks heading ever more towards just a strange amalgamation of other brands?

CBeebies is a pretty solid IP, if you think back to the original plans for that area which was an American dated movie character, we instead got a British children’s institution. You can argue the product produced was ultimately weak if you want (I think it’s middle of the road) but the IP is pretty sound.

Do Merlin not use Saw, Walking Dead, Derren Brown etc on adult rides for the very same purpose as their kids IPs? As well as ignoring everything else in my post?

Their policy is that all ideas must be IPs or if not then a 'repeatable' concept around the world, ie making their own IP to serve the same purpose. A complete shift away from building up an individual park's identity for long term success.

I appreciate that the corporate mantra is correct at all times and must not be questioned

Most parks these days have an obsession with IP’s, of the list you produced only Phantasialand hasn’t really dabbled (Efteling is a strange beast as it’s pretty much it’s own IP for the people of the Netherlands). I was amazed that Merlin allowed Towers to create their own ideas with Wickerman if I’m honest. Yes this has been spread to other parks but geographically so far apart that the number of guests who ever experience both will be incredibly limited.

I don’t think the corporate mantra mustn’t be questioned I just think you are attacking the wrong bit, where this project is likely to fall on its arse is the budget.

 

[AstroDan]

Most of the negative comments I have read are from people who don't really know about the relevance of David Walliams as an author in modern Britain.

I am a primary school teacher and I can say, with absolute certainty, that in the last 10 years the #1 author I have seen on desks in Key Stage 2 classrooms is David Walliams.

We can dig and debate till the cows come home about the fact ATR would be more escapist without such IPs, about how the budget is probably going to be inadequate - but this is a very relevant, very British and very strong proposition for children aged 7-13.

I have several of his books on my shelves and they are superb.

My hope longer term is that the 4D theatre and all other buildings get re-used into this IP and, by 2022, the (stupid, short-term) Dungeons relocates and is rethemed into a proper, higher budget attraction.

Cloud Cuckoo Land is ghastly at the moment - so anything will be an improvement!

 

[Log Flume's Dennis]

Guys I'm gonna hold my hands up and admit I was wrong about both Space Jam Land and Les Dennis Land. I hope that over time you can forgive your old friend Log Flume's Dennis

 

[cactuselves]

Most of the negative comments I have read are from people who don't really know about the relevance of David Walliams as an author in modern Britain.

I am a primary school teacher and I can say, with absolute certainty, that in the last 10 years the #1 author I have seen on desks in Key Stage 2 classrooms is David Walliams.

We can dig and debate till the cows come home about the fact ATR would be more escapist without such IPs, about how the budget is probably going to be inadequate - but this is a very relevant, very British and very strong proposition for children aged 7-13.

Bang on Dan, this may not be popular with enthusiasts, but the idea will be a massive hit with the GP. They'll come flocking in, most kids in the 7-13 age bracket love his books. Let's hope it's done well so it isn't a disappointment that puts people off coming back again....

....my money is on another set of CATCF cardboard cut outs in fluorescent colours though to be honest.

 

[ChristmasPud]

Efteling is a strange beast as it’s pretty much it’s own IP for the people of the Netherlands

This is exactly what a great theme park should be! It's the opposite of how Merlin use intellectual property.

Most of the negative comments I have read are from people who don't really know about the relevance of David Walliams as an author in modern Britain.

Bang on Dan, this may not be popular with enthusiasts, but the idea will be a massive hit with the GP.

No doubt it will be popular, but the merits of the IP is pretty irrelevant to Merlin's IP strategy. Im criticising IPs looking at the bigger picture of Merlin parks and IP, not this specific one — fair enough this could be a good choice, given that it was inevitably going to be an IP.

The same discussion is had whenever there's a new IP, a sort of 'it's good enough' inkling for 3 years, then realise most the park is still so dreary

The bad budget.. it seems that this, plus over reliance on IPs and clamping down new ideas are all part & parcel of Merlin's strategy, I just dont think it will turn out well for visitors long term

 

[Dave]

This is exactly what a great theme park should be! It's the opposite of how Merlin use intellectual property.

I’m no Efteling fan though I see it’s quality, however where your argument falls down for me is that Efteling became a national institution despite of the quality of its “theme park” credentials rather than because of it.