When people think of Disney Parks iconic attractions — Haunted Mansion, Big Thunder Mountain, Space Mountain, and Pirates of the Caribbean often come to mind. These are original, non-IP attractions, meaning they are not tied to any pre-existing Disney movie or television show (at least at the time they were created). Rather, they represent the creative freedom of Disney Imagineering to craft entirely new worlds and experiences from scratch.
For years, Disney has pivoted away from developing new non-IP attractions, focusing instead on rides tied to established intellectual properties, or IPs, which are based on popular films or TV shows. This strategy of leveraging beloved characters and stories has often left fans, myself included, frustrated. I questioned why Disney couldn’t simply let its Imagineers unleash their creative talents on new, non-IP attractions.
However, my perspective has shifted. I understand the frustration many of you feel—I used to share it. But everything changed when I became a parent. When my children see characters like Elsa or Buzz Lightyear, they light up in a way that is undeniable. For a toddler, the excitement of seeing Olaf is far more captivating than encountering a lesser-known character from a classic ride like Maelstrom. The joy I see in my children’s faces surpasses any attachment I have to an older, non-IP ride. Disney has expertly tapped into this universal joy by replacing older attractions with new IP-based experiences.
Now, is there a limit to how far Disney should go in this direction? Perhaps. I once thought there should be. But then, I showed my toddler a clip of the Marvel characters visiting “it’s a small world” in Tokyo Disney, and his reaction was immediate excitement followed by disappointment when he realized it wasn’t coming to Walt Disney World. In that moment, I realized I, too, felt a twinge of disappointment—and that feeling forced me to reassess my perspective. I asked myself: if I can let go of a classic like “it’s a small world” in favor of seeing Groot in that same space, is my previous stance still valid? Maybe not. But these parks are designed for families, children, and adults alike. If something as simple as seeing a beloved character can make my child’s day, then who am I to argue for holding on to the past?
That’s not to say those who are upset by the shift toward IP-driven attractions aren’t valid in their feelings. I once stood where they do. But we must also recognize that the opinions of the younger generation—those whose faces light up when they see their favorite characters—are just as valid. Not more, not less, but equal. If there’s anywhere in the world where their happiness should be taken as seriously as an adult, it’s at a Disney theme park.
I will argue that if using IP theming is what it takes to get new projects approved, I’d choose that any day over allowing spaces in the parks to sit abandoned or deteriorate far from their original glory. Take EPCOT’s Morocco pavilion, for example—it’s a shadow of its former self, left in a state reminiscent of an old, nearly vacant shopping mall with just a few random stores holding on. If an Aladdin-themed restaurant or ride can breathe new life into that area, I’d much prefer that to the current neglect.
