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Are TV tie-ins themed areas the future?

Ian

Ian

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So we've got Looney Tunes Movie Town and Thomas Lands at various Six Flags parks, Thomas Land at Drayton Manor, Planet Snoopy at King's Island, Peppa Pig World at Paultons Park, Sesame Street at PortAventura, Nickelodeon worlds at Mall of America and Blackpool Pleasure Beach...they're the only ones that spring to mind but there are bound to be more!

I appreciate that tv tie-in commercialism has been in the USA for a while now, but it's relatively new to the UK. Is the model so successful in the USA, that the UK is only starting to catch up?

Do you think that these tie-in worlds will be a passing phase (when I say phase, I'm talking 10 years) or are they here to stay? Do you think more parks will invest a similar way? As a "grown up" enthusiast, do they excite you?

Yes, that's a lot of questions. I'm interested to read your thoughts on the success, future and longevity of these worlds.
 
I think they are a good idea and they are a cheap way for parks to get new lands.

Thomas Land no matter what parks has the same people do the theming and make the theming, so this saves the parks doing this park of the work.

I just wonder how much the park makes compared to what they have to pay out, it must be worth while though or they simply would not do it.

I like Thomas Land as well I grow up with it :) But the land did not interest me, just the chance to go on Thomas lol.

The rest so far have very little interest to me tbh. I do like to look at the new lands though and see whats been done as they tend to look good.

In a way though it is a bit of a cop out, gone are the days when parks have their own mascots etc.

The park I was looking forward to was the F1 park but that went bust :(
 
I think it's not only easier than creating a whole new land (or Brand) from scratch, but probably gives more guarantee of success. The world trusts in brands now (just see that thread asking about a Maccy Ds near Louden.) and this is true for toys and entertainment. Kids and adults both want to see something familiar rather than learning a new brand.
 
I hope not. I like it when parks use creativity to create new experiences.
 
marc said:
But the land did not interest me, just the chance to go on Thomas lol.
Click to expand...

Lol, Marc wants to be on Thomas...

In my opinion TV themed areas are great for kiddie sections since kids like the familiar, but, less so for us big people.
 
I await Thorpe's announcement to have a 'Fallout' area or Camelot to have Robin Hood area any day soon, to service the big people...
 
^Isn't that what the Saw attractions were all about?

Just to throw another example into the ring: Plopsaland. Pretty much the entire park is based on various TV series. However, I went there having never heard of any of them, and it didn't really detract from the experience. There's still a lot of good, well themed rides, no matter what the hell it's all about. On the other hand, if you were a fan of the characters and programmes involved, then I'm sure it'd be even more exciting.
 
For the short-term it's really good as its almost free publicity for the TV company. But in the long term it may go sour, like once the contract is over what will the park do to the 'themed' buildings.

This is where Alton Towers and other parks create their own zones free of sponsorship so when they do start decaying (Ug Land for example) it can be demolished and rebuilt as something as (Dark Forest)
 
I'm sure they consider that when setting it all up. Presumably these are on fairly long term contracts (pure speculation, but min 10 years maybe?) for that very reason. Therefore, by the time the contract runs out, it'll probably be in need of major refurbishment/complete overhaul anyway. Just look at Beanoland.
 
Yes, but sometimes no, Cedar Fair being the prime example. These TV Tie-ins want royalties and contracts for using their material. If you're not willing to pay the money, you're forced to completely retheme the entire area/rides.

Unless you're somehow able to use the TV theming at a low cost to the copyright owner, I'd say go for something that doesn't require royalties.
 
TV themes get dated so quickly. It's a quick fix. Businesses like those since they require so very little effort and money comparatively.
 
I think it's great for parks like BPB and Drayton Manor because they're not owned by big companies and need as much publicity as they can get. I'm sure much more people would go to Drayton Manor to see "Thomas Land" than to see "Generic Blue Train Themed Land".

However, I do think it's a fairly cheeky way of getting attention, but considering Merlins awful PR stunts all is fair in love and war... and theme park marketing.
 
There are two types of IP's. Established ones, and fad ones. the likes of Saw are fads, and, wouldn't be surprised to see that rethemed in 6-7 years, whereas Thomas the Tank Engine and Nickelodeon are established, and to a degree time impervious. Peppa, I sadly expect to be the former. Blackpool have chosen a ip that they can evolve, and that is no bad thing.
 
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