Should DLP unleash the ANIMAL!!!

[nathan detroit]

I was encouraged on a visit to the Disney Store in Covent Garden a few weeks ago to see some Kermit merchandise on the shelves. As you may know, when Disney eventually snagged the rights to the Muppets, the Disney store immediately made available a lot of Muppet merchandise just to sell it all off cheap about three months later. This suggested to me that the items were not selling but then again, do the Muppets appeal to your average Disney Store consumer? These recent Kermit additions are the first I have seen of the characters in the store since then.

So does this mean that Disney are beginning to see the possibilities and potential in the characters? With talk of a 'reboot' to the movie franchise coming in the next few years, should DLP start thinking green? The Stars and Motor Cars Parade (or show or whatever it will end up being) originally featured a Muppet 'float'. Will that survive the Atlantic crossing to DLP?

And with talk of Muppetvision 3D coming out of the US parks, is this a sign that the characters have lost their appeal? Or is it just showing the age of the attraction (over 20 years by my reckoning)? Surely the new Muppet Labs 'walkaround' shows that the Muppets still appeal, even to a demographic of 'a certain age' (ie anyone who was a kid in the late '70s or early '80s).

So, as I asked about Scrooge and co, should DLP get the Muppets? In what format? Although I feel that the UK generally loves the Muppets because of their British ties (the original shows were shot here and were quite British in some of their aspects) do the characters appeal to the rest of us Europeans? And with much of their humour being verbal, can they fit into a multi-lingual park?

(Yes, I know we have discussed this before but it remains a subject ripe for discussion!)

[Zarniwoop]

Muppet Show restaurant at WDS. Works like Lucky Nugget Saloon, but with AA's doing the show while you sip your drink or eat your dinner. Only way to see this show is to eat here = more € for the company.

[Hathaway Browne]

^I like the restaurant idea.

I say you can't do any worse with "The Great Muppet Movie Ride" at WDS.....

[nathan detroit]

I've read many concepts for 'The Great Muppet Movie Ride' and think it a wonderful idea. The Great Movie ride but with spoof scenes of real movies featuring AA Muppets? What's not to love?!
I remember seeing a 'Muppet Show' of sorts at WDW in the early '90s. Instead of puppets it featured costume characters and although it was written in Muppet-style, it was rather poor. Could today's technology not extend to an AA Muppet Show? Like Zarni's restaurant but extending the idea to a whole Muppet Theatre? My favourite part of Muppetvision was the fact that there was a 'real' Waldorf and Statler in the royal box ("I think we should leave" "We can't" "Why not?" "We're bolted to our seats!")

[Sir_Cliff]

Hmm, DLP doesn't seem like the place to start experimenting on a large scale with The Muppets. No-one seems to have figured out yet quite how to reinvigorate this franchise and new attractions and new merchandise on a big scale can't really by justified by the nostalgic appeal the characters still have. First they've got to come up with some kind of TV series, movie or something to get kids and the wider public interested in these characters again then start thinking about spending their precious few Euros on theme park attractions.

[nathan detroit]

Great news for all Muppet fans - they seem to be starting their comeback!

http://www.muppetcentral.com/news/2008/072508.shtml

[Zarniwoop]

Haha, great stuff! Thanks.

[geoffa]

Mmmmm! I've been a fan of the Muppets for years and I love the 3D show at WDW (which I gather is to close) but I have to comment - they haven't been on TV (in the U K ) for ages. Would they have much relevance to today's European kids? They'd need to be introduced to them. Why has the Muppet Mobile lab not hit DLRP? However, I'd love to see Animal leading Halloween events rather than that ghastly blue alien!
(I now await the falling firebolts from Stitch fans!)

[pussnboots]

Originally Posted by geoffa

(I now await the falling firebolts from Stitch fans!)

What Stitch fans?

[geoffa]

Originally Posted by pussnboots

What Stitch fans?

Hee! Hee!

[TDLFAN]

I wish Disney sold off the Muppets. They have never made much sense to me in the Disney parks at DHS or DCA. Keep the Disney parks "pure" to the brand.

[Indiana_James]

Originally Posted by TDLFAN

I wish Disney sold off the Muppets. They have never made much sense to me in the Disney parks at DHS or DCA. Keep the Disney parks "pure" to the brand.

I agree, but then again, i'm against most outside influences in the parks.

[pussnboots]

Originally Posted by Indiana_James

I agree, but then again, i'm against most outside influences in the parks.

Except for Indy, I'm guessing.

[nathan detroit]

Originally Posted by geoffa

Would they have much relevance to today's European kids? They'd need to be introduced to them.

Last week Disney Channel USA premiered 'Studio DC: Almost Live'. This was an obvious attempt to introduce the Muppets to the Disney Channel demographic (8-14??). This show took the form of the Muppets meeting the 'stars' of the Disney Channel most of which I had never heard of. Zac and Cody were present as was a girl from HSM who looked alarmingly like Paris Hilton. I assume that it will eventually reach Disney Channel UK. You can see more info and trailers for it at the following link: -

http://www.muppetcentral.com/news/2008/072208.shtml

I am unaware of how successful it was but another is planned and along with the 'webisodes' that have appeared lately (see above for link), merchandise and rumoured up-coming film, it would seem that Disney may at last be making an effort with Kermit and co.

[nathan detroit]

Originally Posted by pussnboots

Except for Indy, I'm guessing.

And Star Wars is probably ok too.

(love the new avatar Puss!)