Putting 'Tomorrow' back in Tomorrowland
With the announcement of a possible Star Wars Land in development at Disneyland, it is probably too much to hope that Tomorrowland will go back to its origins and become a place of the future rather than one of the past and present. While this could be the first step toward two great lands, there is a very good chance that Disneyland will let the bean counters rule and not develop the necessary talent and attractions to bring Tomorrowland back into the future, back into education and back into tomorrow.
Unless Tomorrowland is going to be turned into Star Wars Land, which at the moment it de facto is, there will be plenty of space to develop into the future, and Disney has the resources to do it. While working shows rarely have staying power in the Disney empire – think Hollywood Studios, which was supposed to be a working studio lot for television and movies but devolved into a backlot tour and recently lost that as well – employing a group that is involved in thinking about the future and coming up with ideas that the company can implement could be amazing.
Disney funds an incubator – Disney Accelerator. The startups in that incubator could be given space in the future attraction to test their products, get feedback and not pay rent at an office. However, this isn’t Disney’s only point of entry to the future.
Thousands of college students apply to be a part of the Disney College program every year. Adding a future studies, also called “foresight,” component to the possible intern possibilities would ensure that Disney always had fresh perspectives to build the future with. Imagineers could come in and give special talks to the students and other guests.
During working hours, the work would be on display with the more visual components near the beginning of the tour. To keep the building more than just a work space, a clever show could be made with one of the employees acting in the Mission to Mars Tom Morrow role. However, rather than an audio-animatronic, this could be a real person equipped to handle questions, willing to play to the crowd. It would take someone versed in giving entertain presentations and what was going on that day in the workplace. That person would also have to be able to engage others on a personal level that would put them at ease, in the crowd and in the workplace.
With Star Tours and The Jedi Academy most likely being moved to Star Wars Land, Tomorrowland will be closer to reclaiming its rightful place in the future, and it will have the space to do so. The only question is whether or not Disney will have the talent and the courage to keep moving forward again.
Unless Tomorrowland is going to be turned into Star Wars Land, which at the moment it de facto is, there will be plenty of space to develop into the future, and Disney has the resources to do it. While working shows rarely have staying power in the Disney empire – think Hollywood Studios, which was supposed to be a working studio lot for television and movies but devolved into a backlot tour and recently lost that as well – employing a group that is involved in thinking about the future and coming up with ideas that the company can implement could be amazing.
Disney funds an incubator – Disney Accelerator. The startups in that incubator could be given space in the future attraction to test their products, get feedback and not pay rent at an office. However, this isn’t Disney’s only point of entry to the future.
Thousands of college students apply to be a part of the Disney College program every year. Adding a future studies, also called “foresight,” component to the possible intern possibilities would ensure that Disney always had fresh perspectives to build the future with. Imagineers could come in and give special talks to the students and other guests.
During working hours, the work would be on display with the more visual components near the beginning of the tour. To keep the building more than just a work space, a clever show could be made with one of the employees acting in the Mission to Mars Tom Morrow role. However, rather than an audio-animatronic, this could be a real person equipped to handle questions, willing to play to the crowd. It would take someone versed in giving entertain presentations and what was going on that day in the workplace. That person would also have to be able to engage others on a personal level that would put them at ease, in the crowd and in the workplace.
With Star Tours and The Jedi Academy most likely being moved to Star Wars Land, Tomorrowland will be closer to reclaiming its rightful place in the future, and it will have the space to do so. The only question is whether or not Disney will have the talent and the courage to keep moving forward again.
