Boardwalk Times: Stories from the Seashore — Pixar to Disney+ Again, Galactic Starcruiser’s Biggest Challenges, Chapek’s Three Pillars
Originally posted on January 27, 2022.
Welcome back to Boardwalk Times: Stories from the Seashore! In this month’s newsletter, we will be discussing Turning Red going to Disney+, Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser’s biggest challenges, and Bob Chapek’s three pillars. All that plus a big announcement and LINKS OF THE MONTH.
Pixar to Disney+ Again
One of the biggest stories from the world of Disney this month was that Pixar’s latest film Turning Red would be going directly to Disney+ on March 11 instead of going to theaters as it was previously intended.
There were various reactions from this move ranging from people being excited that the film was premiering on Disney+ to people declaring Pixar was dead. Inside Pixar, it seems a lot of the animators and team members are disappointed.
“Everyone is really bummed, but most of us get it. Families just aren’t going to the movies.” — Pixar staffer via The Hollywood Reporter
Now let’s not overreact here. Pixar is fine. Does the sending of all its films to Disney+ hurt the storied studios’ morale? Absolutely.
Some may point out that Spider-Man: No Way Home is tearing it up at the box office so Disney shouldn’t use COVID as a reason for moving the film to Disney+. I totally agree but I don’t think their reasoning is COVID. This was purely a decision to help Disney+ and to avoid a potential lackluster opening.
I think here are some key things to consider:
Does Disney want to send Turning Red into theaters just to have it — potentially — get wrecked by The Batman?
The biggest reason outside of avoiding The Batman and helping Disney+ is just the pure fact Encanto went from zero buzz in theaters to being one of the most popular Walt Disney Animation films overnight — because of Disney+.
Let’s dive deeper into each of these points…
That February slate was so barren that I’m assuming March may be similar. In a weird way maybe Disney+ needed Turning Red more than Disney needed Turning Red in theaters? Unless something changes Turning Red and the premiere of Moon Knight on the second to last day of March will be the highlights for Disney+ for all of March.
Disney+ simply needed Turning Red more. When you constantly give out high-quality originals like Soul and Luca. It’s hard to stop.
Another point that wasn’t brought up as much in Disney’s decision to move Turning Red to Disney+ was that The Batman was literally coming out the week before. One of the most popular superheroes of all time taking on a new story from Pixar? Yeah, I can see why Disney shifted Turning Red to streaming just because of this.
The Batman won’t get to Spidey levels, as it will be on streaming soon after. Although it is seen as an event film. The Matt Reeves directed film stars Robert Pattinson and the film is likely the start of a brand-new trilogy. Warner Bros. and DC fans are banking on a massive hit both critically and commercially.
Disney is also in the superhero business. They know how successful those films can be and how they completely dominate the box office weekends. I think it makes sense that Disney would want to avoid any potential of a clash with The Batman.
But now it’s time… Let’s Talk About Bruno…
It’s the Encanto effect and it’s probably the biggest reason why Turning Red went to Disney+. Encanto’s domestic opening weekend was $40.5 million. A smaller total than normal for a massive Disney animated film. At the time, the total was just thought of as lower than usual because families have yet to return to theaters in full force (a month later Spider-Man: No Way Home would totally destroy this reasoning).
Encanto’s current box office stands at $228 million worldwide. Animated films, these days usually cost from $150 million to $200 million, no wonder Disney is hesitant to put Turning Red in theaters. Instead, they can just use it as an original to boost Disney+ during a light period.
After Encanto dropped on Disney+, the conversations around the film skyrocketed, the merchandise was being sold, and the soundtrack is reaching new highs on the Billboard charts.
So, Turning Red heading to Disney+ isn’t a bad thing. Does it suck that it’s not going to be in theaters? Absolutely. I love watching animated films on the big screen. But at the end of the day, the film is going to be watched and enjoyed.
Some argue that Turning Red and Pixar films on Disney+ should have Premier Access attached to give the release more value. I actually think the Premier Access strategy doesn’t always work.
Look at how people responded to Soul and Luca which came directly to Disney+ verse how people responded to films like Raya and the Last Dragon and Cruella when they came out with Premier Access.
You make Turning Red a Premier Access title and even fewer people watch it until it’s free of charge on Disney+. (On a sidenote after the Black Widow debacle I think Disney should avoid Premier Access. Netflix and HBO Max don’t charge for certain new films on their platform so why should Dissney+?)
Pixar has proven to be a streaming success with Disney+ originals like Soul and Luca. Look at those Nielsen ratings for them. Pixar is also a theatrical powerhouse. It can be both. I don’t foresee Pixar becoming the direct-to-Disney+ studio. If Disney wanted a direct-to-Disney+ studio they would’ve kept Blue Sky open.
Animation is just doing incredibly well on streaming right now, and that trend is likely to continue. Pixar will be back in theaters eventually. I have to assume the meta Toy Story spinoff Lightyear will receive a theatrical release. And hopefully whatever Pixar films that are announced at D23 this September get theatrical dates.
Galactic Starcruiser’s Biggest Challenges
Maybe we shouldn’t always make things so “immersive.”
For example, Galaxy’s Edge being in the same timeline as the sequel trilogy has stopped it from exploring other things. The prime example is the picture below.
Now Disney is essentially doing the same thing with Galactic Starcruiser. Locking itself in a timeline all for the sake of Star Wars canon. Not to mention none of the marketing so far has presented what fans associate with Star Wars. Whether it’s out of place singing to completely unknown aliens.
But the Galactic Starcruiser is faced with multiple challenges. What should’ve been an easy home run for Disney is now looking like a tough task to even pull off. The biggest challenges the Galactic Starcruiser is facing are the price of the experience, the value of the overall experience, the over-immersive factor, and the lack of the Star Wars wow factor.
I know a ton of people who would’ve stayed at a Star Wars hotel that was just themed to Star Wars and had the normal amenities of an average Disney hotel. Heck, most Star Wars fans I know just want a resort where you can meet droids, see the Cantina band play, use lightsabers, and do all the other Star Wars things.
And sure Galactic Starcruiser is aiming for that but how good will it be? Especially with the costly pricepoint. I’m on the optimistic side that they are holding back on what they are revealing for the Galactic Starcruiser. But I’m also nervous that my instincts may not be right.
But will the Starcruiser have droids roaming around? Will we see Mon Calamari animatronics? What about holograms? If any of that is part of this experience I would be using that in the marketing. Maybe they are saving all of the “WOW OMG” moments for when it opens? Just odd that there isn’t more hype for it.
The Galactic Starcruiser may have growing pains.
Yes, weird for a home run level concept to even have growing pains. I hope the case is that they were holding back on the marketing and they just made some blunders. Because if not they need to pivot and pivot fast. Spend the money, and make this project a home run like it always should’ve been.
Chapek’s Three Pillars
Chapek has finally given a clear strategy for his regime and it’s defined by three pillars.
Storytelling excellence
Innovation
Relentless focus on our audience
We could simplify Chapek’s three pillars even more into S.I.A. (Storytelling, Innovation, Audience). Those are three good pillars to have when running Disney. The pillars make sense but how will the execution be? I think that’s on everyone’s mind.
I’m not worried about number one. Disney will always be Disney. Unless they mess with their creative engines they will be fine. The next two pillars are where things can possibly get twisted.
Will Disney under the Chapek administration follow the Innovation pillar? Will we see Walt Disney Imagineering work on groundbreaking theme park attractions and create new innovations? Will we see the next generation of Disney+? What about Disney’s own Metaverse efforts? Or will the Chapek administration’s version of Innovation simply be things like the Disney Genie?
Also, will the “relentless focus on our audience” pillar get twisted into the “we are sending everything to Disney+ because of our audience (and our stock price)” pillar? Or the “guests want to pay extra for things at the parks” pillar?
We also have to see how Chapek and Co. utilize this pillar. Will they actually listen to the concerns of Disney Parks fans? Meaning not just the hardcore Disney Parks fans but even the casual guests who visit every couple of years? Those guests are now confused at how the entire reservation system works and are baffled at all the new costs like paid FastPass (Disney Genie strikes again).
There is some potential here with the pillars that Chapek laid out. But now it just comes down to the execution. If Disney listens to its audience, continues to innovate, and continues to create storytelling excellence — they will continue to be successful.
An Announcement…
Boardwalk Times: Stories from the Seashore newsletter is making the move to Substack.
The Why:
So why is Boardwalk Times: Stories from the Seashore moving from Medium to Substack?
First of all, it will be easier for people to subscribe too. Since starting this newsletter one of the biggest feedback suggestions I received was the fact it wasn’t easy to subscribe to my newsletter on Medium and that Medium forced people to create Medium accounts. Substack is way easier, you just put in your email and our newsletter will be in your inbox whenever it releases.
Another point of the move is that it will be a better viewing experience for email readers. Not to mention, Substack is a more traditional newsletter platform, and it's on the rise.
The newsletter move to Substack also opens up an entirely new audience to Boardwalk Times along with the potential to do more Boardwalk Times newsletters on Substack on different topics. So stay tuned!
The Changes:
Besides just moving to a new platform. There are very few changes. The design will obviously look different. But I will continue with the same format of the main topic, secondary topics, and Links of the Month. I will continue to deliver the very best newsletter I can that covers Disney, its parks, and its businesses.
The When:
Boardwalk Times: Stories from the Seashore will have its first newsletter on Substack next month.
I just ask for patience as I make the jump to a new platform for this newsletter. It may take a bit to get everything just right but it will pay off in the long run.
And if you’re already subscribed. Don’t worry you will receive my emails going forward and you won’t have to re-subscribe.
What about the Boardwalk Times main site?
Boardwalk Times' main site will stay the same. It will continue to be on Medium, and we will continue to strive to have the very best coverage of Disney and the greater themed entertainment industry.
LINKS OF THE MONTH
Things you should read to keep up with the latest from the Mouse House and the themed entertainment industry from Boardwalk Times and beyond.
— No Way Home screenwriters had post-credit ideas for Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield's versions of Spider-Man. (Variety)
— Should the success of the Figment popcorn bucket lead to a new Journey into Imagination attraction? (CNN)
— Michael Eisner on Bob Chapek: I hired him. (Deadline)
— Amazing piece on Walt Disney Animation CCO Jennifer Lee. (The Hollywood Reporter)
— Walt Disney Imagineering President Barbara Bouza leads Imagineering into new frontiers. (InPark Magazine)
— Disney reorganized its streaming business again but with a focus on international content. (Boardwalk Times)
— Park Lore’s Who’s Who is a good primer on who’s shaping the Disney Parks in 2022. (Park Lore)
— A great article exploring the Universal/Harry Potter theme park contract. (Orlando ParkStop)
— Friend of the site Josh Shepherd gives 10 films and TV series that Disney+ needs to license immediately. (What’s On Disney Plus)
— I’m late to the party but Defunctland’s FastPass documentary is an amazing and informative watch. (Defunctland)
— I had 55 questions about Spider-Man: No Way Home after watching it, and man do I hope Marvel Studios answers some of these questions one day! (Boardwalk Times)
We got an exciting 2022 ahead. Thank you all for reading and supporting Boardwalk Times.
We will see you next month on Substack! Please follow us on social media @BoardwalkTimes so you know the exact moment we publish on Substack next month!