Whither Oswald?
Disneyland: A question about the viability of using Oswald the Lucky Rabbit in the Disney theme parks.
Now that Disney owns the rights to Oswald the Lucky Rabbit, and the Epic Mickey video games have introduced him to current Disney fans, I think it is time to give him a major push. Since the Epic Mickey games establish him as being Mickey's older 'brother,' it seems that he could (and should) be included as part of the Mickey continuity, possibly even given a modern makeover, rather than leaving him as an old-time black and white character.
Or maybe, just maybe, we use Oswald to anchor an old-fashioned continuity of his own, a completely retro rubber-hose animation version of Disney...
At any rate, how should Oswald be used at the theme parks? Personally I think that he could become the flagship character of DCA, just as Mickey is the flagship character of the various Magic Kingdoms. With the opening of Buena Vista Street setting the tone of DCA as early Hollywood, it seems like a good match to me.
While DCA already has 'It's Tough To Be A Bug' and 'Muppet*Vision 3-D' I think it would be interesting to see a 4-D show using Oswald, where the show is in black and white and begins as regular, old-fashioned animation but quickly becomes heavily 3-d with Oswald and company exploring the world beyond the movie screen. I could see this easily taking the place of the now-dated M*P show.
Any other thoughts?
Too soon. He might go the way of Duffy. Not enough people knowing who he is yet, caring about him or not caring enough to learn. It would take a few years of regular media appearances to make a viable investment in the parks.
From Jay R.
Posted June 28, 2012 at 9:24 AM
I agree, I think it's going to take some time, but he's starting to make small steps into the park.
At the animation academy in dca, he's one of the characters thats on the roster now to be drawn, & a cm said they'd be getting more merchandise in, not a lot but some.
Duffy exists merely to be merchandised, while I think many Disney fans appreciate Oswald for his history and what he represents to the company. Put a small theater in some corner of Buena Vista Street, and let it run the old Oswald cartoons just as Steamboat Willie runs at the Main Street Cinema. Maybe a black and white themed dark ride that explores Oswald's world. I think that within a few years, and some exposure on the Disney Channel, this is very do-able.
Wait until he's popular enough. We don't need another Duffy...
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