“Black Box” Ride for DCA

[Freak]

“Black Box” Interchangeable "Flex Ride" in Development for 2022 Opening at Disney California Adventure, Disney's Hollywood Studios - WDW News Today

WDW Magic is saying a “black box” Ride could be happening at DCA in 2022. It would basically be a ride with a clean slate. Blank screens and canvass for the entire ride. The point of this is so it can be a projected ride (ala MMRR) but it can be switched to a different theme/IP almost overnight. I think this sounds cool! Thoughts?

 

[Scott W.]

I like the idea and it has huge potential to stay relevant instead of the several years it needs for an IP to prove itself before heading into the parks.

My two concerns are that, we've been told for decades about rides that can easily be updated and they never are and the experience will never be as good as a dedicated ride system.

 

[Freak]

I like the idea and it has huge potential to stay relevant instead of the several years it needs for an IP to prove itself before heading into the parks.

My two concerns are that, we've been told for decades about rides that can easily be updated and they never are and the experience will never be as good as a dedicated ride system.

True. I could see DLR using this as an opportunity to make seasonal overlays for rides. I don’t see WDW doing that though, unless they already at their disposal.

 

[frank_1991_]

I can see the appeal but do we really think Disney is gonna invest in switching the rides theme around when they have had this tech all along? Midway mania was supposed to have Halloween and Xmas overlays. We’ve heard this before. it’s just not effective to go back and swap out themes.

 

[Scott W.]

True. I could see DLR using this as an opportunity to make seasonal overlays for rides. I don’t see WDW doing that though, unless they already at their disposal.

I think seasonal overlays is something that WDW is missing and makes DLR so special. If this allows for a quick turnaround, similar to what Guardians does for Halloween, it adds a lot more possibilities. Having a different ride daily, could be a huge pull if done right.


I’m going a bit later than normal to DLR this year and I’ll get to experience The Haunted Mansion overlay for the first time and I can’t wait.

 

[Nick]

What if the plan is that the Parks division isn't paying for each individual switched ride... but Walt Disney Pictures is paying for some of them as a way to advertise their upcoming films? The ride would for sure get changed every so often if the Pictures Division wants to advertise and then the parks can say they have a "new" attraction.

 

[Parkscope Joe]

The idea holds water but it actually sound sounds atrocious. This is everything Disney obsessive claim they hate.

 

[Scott W.]

What if the plan is that the Parks division isn't paying for each individual switched ride... but Walt Disney Pictures is paying for some of them as a way to advertise their upcoming films? The ride would for sure get changed every so often if the Pictures Division wants to advertise and then the parks can say they have a "new" attraction.

With the way Universal made a lot of their rides and sharing a similar system, I would love for them to create something similar to this.

Call it the Universal Studios Florida Time Machine:

Use the Despicable Me system while also featuring BTTF, Shrek 3D, Nicktoon Blast, The Funtastic World of Hanna-Barbera. 5 rides for the price of one.

 

[frank_1991_]

What if the plan is that the Parks division isn't paying for each individual switched ride... but Walt Disney Pictures is paying for some of them as a way to advertise their upcoming films? The ride would for sure get changed every so often if the Pictures Division wants to advertise and then the parks can say they have a "new" attraction.

Isn’t this what the film division did in the 90s. The side effect is when the films promotional budget is expanded then the show or attraction gets canned. Like the hunchback show in MGM.

 

[OrlLover]

I don’t why people are so fascinated with idea as it seems very cheap.

 

[Nick]

I don’t why people are so fascinated with idea as it seems very cheap.

It gives the opportunity for IPs that would never normally get rides to get some form of attraction/ride experience in the parks as this will be a quick/cheap way to give exposure to said IP.

That in and of itself is worth it to me.

 

[HORRORable Commenter]

I'm actually totally for the inclusion of black box rides, as it could allow for something new every visit (think VOID). While the concept seems more in line and applicable at a Universal Park, this coming to DLR, probably California Adventure, makes a lot of sense.

EDIT: Also, what's Tom's source on this? If anyone has a link, please send it my way

 

[k_peek_2000]

I don’t why people are so fascinated with idea as it seems very cheap.

That really depends on the execution. The Void can SEEM cheap because when described it's just a VR thing but because it's executed so well I'd argue those experiences are better than some of the rides in the parks.

 

[Scott W.]

That really depends on the execution. The Void can SEEM cheap because when described it's just a VR thing but because it's executed so well I'd argue those experiences are better than some of the rides in the parks.

It’s small scale so it doesn’t have the same investment as the big rides will have which will always result in lesser quality but because it’s smaller, it feels more intimate which goes a long way in making the experience feel special.

 

[k_peek_2000]

It’s small scale so it doesn’t have the same investment as the big rides will have which will always result in lesser quality but because it’s smaller, it feels more intimate which goes a long way in making the experience feel special.

That can't also apply to black box? Why does everything have to be massive scale and grand? That's the opposite of Disneyland lol

 

[Scott W.]

That can't also apply to black box? Why does everything have to be massive scale and grand? That's the opposite of Disneyland lol

Capacity.

 

[Viator]

From the OC register, it seems like the Backlot will be the next area post-Marvel for them, with the allusion to a certain 'thing'.

What’s next for Disney California Adventure as the park enters its 20th year

Disney California Adventure celebrates its 19th year in operation on Feb. 8 as the Anaheim theme park looks ahead to its upcoming 20th anniversary in 2021.

www.ocregister.com

 

[PerceptiveCoot]

Any chance this still happens one day?

 

[Nick]

Any chance this still happens one day?

I mean, MMRR is virtually a more permanent version of this as it's done all through projection mapping pretty much. That ride could theoretically be changed to something else fairly easily if Disney wanted.

 

[Jerroddragon]

I think it would be kinda cool to have a attraction that can just become something new every year or two.....Heck I think more rides should be ready to allow for updates and Easter Eggs.

The Falcon ride I think would get double the line if they added Mando and Baby Yoda to it...I would not have been again last year having a Frozen 2 themed ride and this next year it would become a Rava the last dragon attraction