Looking at the possible name change to Disney-Pixar Studios
Because the Disney Company has an agreement to use the MGM name for their Studios Park, there are periodically recurring rumors that the name will change. Recently, the name Disney-Pixar Studios has been the popular speculation. When the two companies merged this speculation ran rampant through the internet, only to die down a bit. Well it is back, and in full force, so let’s examine the possibility, shall we?
As a name, Disney-Pixar Studios doesn’t suck. It flows well and fits the Disney mold just fine. From a business perspective, it signals a growth in the marriage between the two entities, something that was clearly in doubt not so long ago when Michael Eisner and Steve Jobs were at each others throats. If this also means that Imagineering will use the Studios as their focal point for future Pixar themed attractions, that makes good sense and I welcome it.
But the problems are two fold. First, they already have major Pixar attractions in each of the other parks, many of which are brand new. If they add Cars to the Indy Speedway at the Magic Kingdom’s Tomorrowland, they will practically have a Pixar park already in operation. Currently the Studios do not have a Pixar attraction, only a bad pizza joint and some decorations. Even after the new Toy Story attraction opens, the Studios would look pretty silly with the Pixar name but less Pixar than the Magic Kingdom. They could expand by adding more, but that would be a very long-term project and we know how those can often end up.
Second, and probably more obvious, is that it doesn’t fit the classic Hollywood theme that covers most of the park, while MGM does. In fact, just about any other studio name would work better in this regard. But Pixar has absolutely no relationship to everything from the décor, to the “streetmosphere” characters. This name change could actually further erode the order confused Studios theme, if that’s even possible.
From very early on in its history, the Disney-MGM Studios has suffered a major identity crisis. The park about films and Hollywood quickly disjointed its own image. It’s now just a shadow of that idea. Think of all the things that are NOT movie related. The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, Aerosmith’s Rock n’ Roller Coaster, and Playhouse Disney all come to mind. I would hope that any drastic change, like the park’s name, would somehow address this issue. “Disney-Pixar Studios” does not. In fact, it only further confuses the situation.
But in the long run, it is what it is…a name. If this is the best they can come up with, whether for branding reason or contractual obligations, then that’s fine. The current name is already confused at best, so would this change really shatter the fabric that was thrown in the trash long ago? The theme is so far gone, we are really only left with hoping for good attractions, whether they belong there or not.
MJMcBride said,
February 28, 2007 @ 5:43 pm
all they would have to do is chnage the animation attraction into a Pixar, animatation attraction and voila, you have a Pixar studio
Matt said,
February 28, 2007 @ 5:52 pm
I tend to think it’s a bad idea for the name change because I don’t see it as necessary to change it. Toy Story Mania will be coming in 2008, however, that makes one Pixar attraction (as Dave pointed out) in the park. Sure, you have a few meet -n-greet areas throughout the park dedicated to Pixar movies (Al’s Toy Barn, the Monster’s Inc Area and the end of Magic of Disney Animation), but it’s by no means a huge Pixar park. That being said, the connection to MGM currently ls limited to the Great Movie Ride and the archway into the Animation Courtyard.
If they simply want to rename the park as part of a branding effort and/or to stop paying MGM royalty fees, then fine. What I don’t want is them to rename it and make it some larger, glorified version of Mickey’s ToonTown. I love the theme of Hollywood & Sunset Blvds and the Muppets area. I think parks work best with distinct lands, like you have in the Magic Kingdom. You don’t need a unified theme for the entire park. I’d love for them to expand the Muppets area into a Muppets land of sorts and give a little more theming to the area surrounding Star Tours.
So I’m not as concerned about the name as I am about the name’s ramification to the parks.
David said,
February 28, 2007 @ 9:16 pm
Considering how few ramifications the current name has had upon the park, I wouldn’t be too worried about that.
The popular name that people suggest is Disney Studios, partly because it already exists and partly because of the purist’s Pixar envy issues. To me, that doesn’t work any better. It’s not a studio, so why call it that?
My suggestion is Disney’s Hollywood.
MJMcBride said,
March 2, 2007 @ 3:03 pm
I don’t like Disney’s Hollywood. I think they should add districts for all the entertainment meccas. Maybe a Broadway instead of just New York Street.
Mouse Extra said,
August 13, 2007 @ 1:58 pm
[...] Disney’s Hollywood was the name I proposed back in February. (Hit this link and check out the comments.) Just for the want to pat myself on the back every time I attend [...]