TCM to Sponsor Great Movie Ride: Why This Matters
Turner Classic Movies is entering into a sponsorship/strategic partnership with Disney, one that will include a sponsorship of the Great Movie Ride in Disney’s Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World, as well Walt Disney Studios providing TCM with vintage movies and episodes of TV series like “Disneyland” and “Walt Disney’s Wonderful World of Color” for a periodic programming block on the channel called “Treasures From the Disney Vault.”
The first change under the sponsorship will debut in early 2015, with the films in the pre-show theater queue and finale of the Great Movie Ride receiving a refresh thanks to Turner Classic Movies. Additional changes have not yet been announced, beyond some new branding (see poster below) and TCM to “inject brand authority” into the attraction, whatever that means (also see below). TCM will also attempt to encouraging guests to explore the world of classic film once they leave Walt Disney World.
There are a ton more details about the partnership in this New York Times article, but since I don’t see value in regurgitating info press release style here, I’ve covered only the salient details above. You can read that article for more specifics. Instead, I want to offer commentary focusing on why I think this is a big deal.
Actually, at first blush, it may not seem important at all. Perhaps even bad, if you love the pre-show film and its infinite quotability, as I do. No changes to the substance of the attraction have been announced, so this really might end up being a non-story.
I think that’s a fairly cynical view, although I can understand why Disney fans might be cynical about anything good happening at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. I am not quite this cynical…
Besides my excitement about seldom-seen Disney content finally being broadcast on Turner Classic Movies (you have failed us, Disney Channel), I’m really enthusiastic for the future of Great Movie Ride. Yes, the changes coming in early 2015 are only stated to be to the films that bookend the attraction. To me, this seems more an issue of getting the fruits of the sponsorship off the ground as quickly as possible rather than doing the bare minimum with it.
Switching out movies in the show scenes would be very difficult on such a tight schedule, especially since it would require closing yet another attraction in Disney’s Hollywood Studios for the busy Christmas season at Walt Disney World. So, although there has been no announcement of a substantial change to Great Movie Ride as a result of the sponsorship, I’m cautiously optimistic that one will come in the not-too-distant future.
With that said, I’m just as excited about this means should not change about Great Movie Ride. For years, I have heard people call for a change in Great Movie Ride to make it more relevant. Movies I have heard people propose for addition include but are not limited to the following: National Treasure, Pirates of the Caribbean, Saw, Spiderman, Transformers, 300, Titanic, and The Avengers.
These suggestions make me cringe. Nothing against (some of) these movies, but they are not classics. They are films that are currently (or at one time in the last few years were) popular. Most of them are popcorn flicks. I have nothing against popcorn films–I enjoy watching them, but I think they don’t really have a place in an attraction focused on great movies.
That has long been my stance, and if you surveyed the general public on this, I am almost positive I would be in the minority. There’s a reason the Transformers sequels keep being made despite each one being worse than the one that preceded it, and that’s because the general public loves this garbage for some reason.
Heck, the latest Transformers movie made nearly $250 million at the box office despite scoring 18% on Rotten Tomatoes. By contrast, the most ambitious film of the year, Boyhood, scored 99% on Rotten Tomatoes and only made $.6 million (quick aside: if you have good taste in films, make sure to see Boyhood). The general public isn’t concerned with concepts like “greatness” or “quality” so much as with “things exploding” and “lots of action.”
It’s sort of like the Big Sorcerer’s Hat (BAH) that obscures Grauman’s Chinese Theater that showcases the Great Movie Ride. I have explained at great length why the BAH is not thematically appropriate for the intersection of Sunset and Hollywood Boulevard, which is an area representing the Golden Age of Hollywood. Yet, despite this, in response to the news that the Sorcerer’s Hat was being removed, many people simply declared: “ZOMG, HOW DARE THEY TAKE SORCOR HAT FROM DISNEY PARK. MICKEY=DISNEY=MOVIES!!!1!!!1!” People don’t care about ambition or thematic integrity in a theme park. They simply want more of what they know that they like.
People have always been like this to a degree, but lately, it seems like Disney has been pandering to this type of thinking, going for the low hanging fruit rather than giving people what they never knew they always wanted. (I’m pretty sure a famous visionary once said something along those lines with regard to his theme parks, but I can’t locate a quote to link. This quote is way too poignant for someone like me to have thought it up…) The best Disney theme parks were not originally designed by appeals to the consensus or prevailing public opinion, but people loved them anyway, even if they could not articulate why the thematic elements and ambition contained allure. Whether they know it or not, people do like to be challenged and intellectually stimulated.
With rumors of Disney’s Hollywood Studios on the cusp of a billion dollar plus “DHS 2.0” style overhaul, I have had considerable concern about the future of the Great Movie Ride. My concerns ranged from it being removed completely due to “relevance” or going for the low hanging fruit and adding presently-popular films like those referenced above. Since it’s not called “The Currently Relevant Movie Ride,” I would rather see it removed completely before featuring movies that are popular today, but have a good chance of not standing the test of time.
This sponsorship should mean at least two things. First, that the Great Movie Ride is not going anywhere as a part of any potential Disney’s Hollywood Studios 2.0 wholesale park makeover. Second, that any changes made to the Great Movie Ride will be respectful to the original aim of the attraction, and not just go for the low hanging fruit of what’s popular now. Although the “inject brand authority” bit above sounds like marketing fluff, it’s absolutely true. TCM has a reputation as delivering quality, classic content, and I can’t imagine this brand having input (as will be the case) in Great Movie Ride and suddenly the attraction becoming a mess of new Michael Bay films.
For me, that alone was a major “phew” moment when I learned of the sponsorship. I became more giddy when TCM stated that an explicit goal of the sponsorship was to “pique the curiosity of visitors, encouraging them to explore the world of classic film once they are home.” This sounds like the type of lofty goal originally present in EPCOT Center (that park was at one time to include a “Great Moments at the Movies” pavilion until the concept was expanded to an entire park of its own) and it is refreshing to hear of this ambition for an attraction.
Those are the two main reasons I’m excited by this seemingly insignificant announcement, but there are plenty of other potentialities. A big one that could also debut with the 2015 changes and would go a long way into breathing new life into the Great Movie Ride would be a script change. There are far too many cringe-worthy moments in the current script, which talks down to guests and includes a number of corny lines that would feel more at home in the Jungle Cruise than in the Great Movie Ride. There’s absolutely no reason this has to be a dry, matter-of-fact “learning” attraction, but there’s also no reason the attempts at humor have to be awful. Also, is horror really the favorite genre of every tour guide? Talk about one heck of a coincidence.
Another possibility this opens up is the inclusion of films that are not currently represented in the Great Movie Ride. Conspicuously absent from the attraction is Citizen Kane, a Warner Bros film. Warner Bros and TCM are both owned by Time Warner, so this should open up all Warner Bros films for the Great Movie Ride. In addition to those films, TCM has solid licensing agreements with other major studios. Although I doubt these licensing agreements extend to theme park usage at present, the existing relationships and the gravitas of TCM’s name when it comes to classic films might open some doors that otherwise might have been closed.
As for the substance of the scenes themselves, I think it’s far too early to speculate on what (if anything) will change as a result of this sponsorship. However, since I’m sure the rumor mill will start to go crazy with other fans conflating their own desires for what will happen, I’d like to go on record and say that I would be game for the removal of Footlight Parade, Tarzan, and the ‘horror’ genre scene, replacing those scenes with Citizen Kane, The Godfather, and a ‘Hitchcock’ mash-up scene. If it meant something truly ambitious (think the crop duster from North by Northwest swooping over the ride vehicles), I would also be fine with the longer Wizard of Oz scene being removed in favor of the Hitchcock mash-up. Maybe if enough of you repeat my wish list as a bona fide rumor, it will come true! 😉
In not-so-much a nutshell, that’s why I’m excited about TCM sponsoring the Great Movie Ride. Not only is this a rare sponsorship that makes complete sense and should be mutually beneficial for both sides, but it should also guarantee the future integrity of an attraction that has seemed ‘lost’ on today’s guests. Here’s hoping TCM can give Great Movie Ride the shot in the arm that it needs, and fulfill its mission of getting guests excited about classic cinema.
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Your Thoughts…
What do you think? Do you agree that this is a promising sponsorship for Walt Disney World? Do you disagree with my take on the Great Movie Ride needing to stick to classics, or is my opinion an archaic idea of an ‘old fart Disney fan’? Please share any questions or thoughts you have in the comments!
Thank goodness that hack Jason Surrell was canned by Disney. He was responsible for that abomination of a script when it was last re-written in the early 2000s. Those cheesy lines like, “ohhh mummy’s, the original rap-stars!” will hopefully be written out completely!
While I am definitely not a fan of the current script, I think it’s difficult to pin responsibility for it on any one person. Knowing how Disney operates, most things are done by committee, and if there was a mandate that it be more accessible to the general public or contain more cheesy humor, that type of thing would have been out of the show writer’s control.
I know a lot of people who point to various attractions or refurbishments that haven’t turned out well and say “Imagineering has lost its way,” but for every Superstar Limo there’s a Journey to the Center of the Earth, and for every DCA 1.0 there’s a Tokyo DisneySea. When given the budget and the freedom, there’s clearly a ton of talent in WDI. That talent is just too often constricted.
That’s why with this type of thing, I’m reluctant to point fingers at anyone specific beyond “The Walt Disney Company” as a whole. It’s just too big of a company with too much bureaucracy to know the “who” or “why” certain things turned out as they did.
As for Mr. Surrell, my understanding is that he left WDI of his own volition to take a job at Universal Creative, but I’m not entirely certain of that.
Yes, I ride it every visit…just seems like one of those things you “have to do!” However, every time I think what this ride could be with some changes!
First off a new script is needed!!! I don’t think even think James Earl Jones could breath life into the flat script! I’m sure some won’t agree with me, but can the gangster/cowboy concept. To keep the “live the movies” idea, add some real actors into some of the scenes. I love the scene on universal Hollywood’s Studio Tour where Norman Bates comes out of the motel. Different characters could actually react to guest. And would keep you guessing as to what is real.
There’s really a lot of dead space in the ride. They may not really need to cut anything, but add more to it. I would love more montage rooms. I love the Alien scene, but you could pay tribute to at least five other science fiction classics in the space.
The ride should really be a journey through the movies and Hollywood!
(And a Hitchcock room would be so cool.)
I’m not sure…I think with a good script, the cowboy/gangster bit could work. Mind you, I’m not sure *how* it could work, but I think it could. Maybe ‘pull back the curtain’ on it a bit, and stop pretending they are a real cowboy or gangster?
With that said, I wouldn’t shed any tears if it were removed…
I agree! Please no trendy movies. But i wouldn’t mind a refresh. For example, Star Wars is a fun and relevant classic. I’d gladly trade out (classic) King Kong for the Sigourney Weaver scene that manages to creep me out every time. But overall I think this is a beloved ride, which is different from all other WDW ride offerings.
Isn’t the fact that it creeps you out (and so many others) a testament to the fact that the scene works? It is the one scene in the entire attraction I remember from when I was a kid, and I know many others feel the same way. For me, that scene is just so powerful that it shouldn’t be tinkered with.
Nothing against Star Wars but one “rule” should be no movies already well represented elsewhere in the park.
Well Tom… it’s like you read my mind. I was trying to think of how I felt when I saw the announcement and ‘phew moment’ was exactly it.
For various reasons this ride is so dear to my heart and we never miss it each visit. And as I always say, its called GREAT for a reason!
With this announcement pointing to the fact that the ride should be going nowhere – congrats Disney, you’ve made this cynic very happy. What a great decision.
Funny because as my wife and I sat in the car for this ride yesterday she said brought up this very topic. Neither of us had seen this announcement yet. You bring up some great points. I’m with you that people seen to throw the word great around too often. I love this ride and would be fine with just a few tweaks or a complete refurb if it was done well. It’s one of the few attractions that actually focuses on movies in this supposedly movie themed park, now that backlot tour is gone. All in all, I think you have it right. This is good news for fans of the great movie ride and great movies.
You raise some great points…and you’ve made this GMR fanatic a bit calmer. I was getting worried, with the Walt Disney Company’s recent track record, that this was step one into making it the Frozen ride.
I think one of the issues though with changing movies will be genre. A Godfather room wouldn’t really make sense…we’ve already been to the gangster film (which Godfather is a deconstruction of). So Don Corleone would either have to be hanging out with Cagney or there’d be a repeated genre.
I agree that Tarzan and the horror movie sections should go. Particularly because they’re right next to each other and that would free up ample space. I think a Hitchcock scene would be cool, but am not sure about Universal’s rights issues.
As for genre though, there seems to be a lack of actual comedy. I like the Chaplin idea, but would also like Marx Bros (crowded state room perhaps) or some screwball comedy maybe (maybe a room of Philadelphia Story, Bringing Up Baby, etc?).
Or noir? It’s CLOSE to gangster and Casablanca (which I always see as DRAMA) but distinct. Sam Spade at his desk or Double Indemnity.
As for Wizard of Oz…if they did get rid of it (which I don’t thinkt hey would), I argue they then need to change the Fantasia room. I’ve always hated that room – it’s boring and nowhere near as immersive as the rest of the ride. But then I realized: that may be the point. It’s Kansas before Oz. It allows for that splash of color. Of course…maybe I’m reading too much into it. But either way, it’d stick out as the weakest link without that justification to me.
Also, I kinda love the Busby Berkeley room. I love the movies, I like how it’s the most random choice on the ride, and I’ve had some good boozy singalongs to “By a Waterfall” on that ride.
P.S. Boyhood was indeed phenomenal.
Actually, know what? DITCH Fantasia (or move it somewhere else to make it better). Make that area a Black and White Noir room. Better room AND still allows for the color splash.
Totally agreed–good idea!
You make a really good point about The Godfather, but I still think it should be included. Here’s why…
While I have my ideal picks for Great Movie Ride, I realize that I live in the real world, and that I’m probably a film snob, or at least like a lot of movies that 99%+ of the population hasn’t seen. I argue against appealing to the masses, but at the same time, I know the attraction needs to have some sort of mass appeal.
Enter The Godfather. It is one of the few classic films that is relevant with younger generations, and is actually hip. It’s referenced throughout pop culture, and kids view it as cool. Honestly, if Disney wanted to put together a Godfather–Goodfellas–Scarface mashup for ultimate hipness appeal, I wouldn’t mind that either. In fact, I’d view it as a great compromise. Maybe throw all of this in the Cagney scene (sadly, I don’t think this scene currently has the hipness appeal) to avoid the redundancy issue.
As for the rights issues with Hitchcock, I don’t think the relationship with Disney and Universal is as adversarial as fans would like to think, and Universal isn’t currently doing anything theme parks-wise with Hitchcock, so I could see it happening. If not, North by Northwest is a Warner Bros film, and I know several of Hitchcock’s earlier films have non-Universal ownership. I’m pretty sure Notorious, Rebecca, and 39 Steps would all be fair game.
I wish if they were intent on keeping the horror part then make it CLASSIC horror. Frankenstein, Dracula ect. Not too scary for kids but still recognizable to adults.
I’m wondering if Universal having the rights to so many of these classic horror films is the roadblock to this happening.
Tom, I’m right with you on all your main points. I was thrilled to hear about this partnership, and it isn’t even about any improvements to the ride. Instead, I feel like having a sponsor that so closely aligns to the original aim of the attraction is a perfect fit. It gives me hope that Disney could do something similar with EPCOT in Future World and look for sponsors with strong reputations that would connect to the message of the attraction. I’m a huge fan of TCM and am thrilled to see what happens. Combining this with the hat removal, and I have new faith in what Disney has planned for all of DHS.
What?! Get rid of Wizard of Oz?! This Kansas girl takes offense 🙂 Other than that you are spot-on, as always!
Wizard of Oz has 2 scenes, so it would still be represented. 🙂
Thank you for your very thoughtful analysis. I, too, am excited about where TCM’s new sponsorship might lead this classic attraction. I also look forward to TCM’s quarterly programming block from classic Disney. Your comment ‘you have failed us, Disney Channel’ mirrors my thoughts exactly. Some years (decades?) ago when the Disney Channel first became avaialble to our family, I was exceedingly disappointed in the content. Frankly I don’t watch it.
“Louie, I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship.” This is news worth celebrating, a marriage of one of my favorite rides and favorite channel. The tie ends seem endless. I can imagine the exit gift shop with it’s paraphernalia, memorabilia and DVD’s, all overpriced but ever enticing.
I for one, love the ride or more accurately the spirit of the ride. I am not so much bothered by the movies represented but would not mind seeing the effects updated with new technology. The themes are great in theory if not execution. If Citizen Kane is too esoteric, perhaps “The Third Man.” I would love to see more of the monsters from the 30’s and 40’s. Hitchcock would be a great addition. Attacking birds might be too much. To give the ride a bit more of thrill add a drop with some “Vertigo” element or the plane crashing into the ocean from I believe “Foreign Correspondent.” I am sure we can all agree a rewrite is definitely in order.
There is a ton of potential here. I am a longtime lurker of this site. This is the news that finally drove me to leave a note. Anyway, appreciate all your work and updates.
I am a huge fan of Foreign Correspondent, but I wouldn’t put it among Hitchcock’s best/most recognizable films. If I could have 4 of his films represented, my list would be Vertigo, Notorious, North by Northwest, and Psycho. The Birds could have some awesome effects, so maybe I’d go for that instead of Notorious.
“Titanic” unlike the others on your list is not a recent movie. I believe it’s still the highest grossing movie adjusted for inflation. So I don’t think it’s some flash in the pan that will be forgotten in a few years (unlike ephemera like “Transformers”), since more than a few years have passed already (it even made a bunch more money with the 2012 re-release). If any movie after 1981 “deserves” to be added to TGMR, Titanic is it. (BTW I personally don’t like the movie–that genre and James “let me hit you over the head with the emotions you’re supposed to be feeling” Cameron don’t really appeal to me.)
Put another way–if we’re using a 30+ year criterion before a movie can become “eligible” for TGMR, then Mary Poppins shouldn’t have been included when the ride opened because it wasn’t a “classic” (not to mention Alien, Indiana Jones, and Clint Eastwood).
Agree with adding Godfather and Hitchcock, but wonder if Kane might be too “esoteric” for the general audience. I don’t think that movie was ever really popular (thanks to Hearst!). Same goes with my personal votes for Blade Runner and Sunset Boulevard. A more popular choice might be Sound of Music or Marilyn Monroe’s musical scene from Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (since she’s still popular today).
You’re right, I shouldn’t have included ‘Titanic’ on the list to illustrate that particular point about flavors of the month. Rather, it’s a movie I often hear listed as one that should be represented in Great Movie Ride, despite (in my opinion) it not being great. It has remained popular, but popularity does not equal greatness. If a popular movie of that type is really “necessary” in GMR, I’d rather it be Forrest Gump, even though I’m not a huge fan of that, either.
I don’t necessarily think there needs to be any set number of years before a film can be considered a time-tested classic. If there were, 25-30 seems about right, although I’d say you can probably safely tell after about 10 years have passed.
You make a good point about Citizen Kane, although its inclusion in the top 5 slots of numerous ‘top 100’ lists in recent years might make it recognizable enough to warrant a short scene somewhere.
I do agree with your general idea of avoiding titles that will be overly obscure or inaccessible to the general public, despite some of my remarks in the article. I would avoid foreign films and most independent cinema for this reason. Perhaps Seven Samurai, Metropolis, Seventh Seal, 8 1/2, etc. could all make brief appearances in the montage film at the end, though.
Dear Disney and TCM,
Please let Scott and Tom redesign TGMR.
Thanks,
Laura
That said, I wouldn’t mind one or two small references to the obscure. Plan 9, anyone? (Kidding…maybe)
Seriously, though, I would love to see some nods to Chaplin, Keystone Cops, Al Jolson…what about laying out films in some semblance of release order, as a way to show how film has changed and grown and improved, with a small spot at the end to highlight a current blockbuster? I also feel most current films don’t belong, but if there is any chance of one being included, I’d rather it be on a rotating basis.
In fairness to Titanic, it does score high in critical metrics (Oscar nominations/wins, AFI’s top 100 movies, 88% Rotten Tomatoes rating) as well as popularity which is why I wouldn’t be surprised if they added the bow scene out of anything new. (It also has the advantage of being easily reproduced in Animatronics, unlike the Rosebud sequence which is brilliant but impossible to duplicate in a ride.)
I just hope they don’t attempt to generate “synergy” with recent Disney properties (e.g. anything Marvel or Pixar, Pirates, or haha John Carter). And if they add Frozen, I will personally fly to Orlando and burn the ride to the ground. (Note to any NSA folks reading this–I’m joking.)
Avatar also has most of the things you name, but that doesn’t make it good, either. 😉
I’ll relent on Titanic. It certainly wouldn’t be the end of the world if it were included, and that bow scene is definitely one of the greatest film moments. So, fine, I will “allow” it to be added if we can compromise and indulge a Citizen Kane scene. 😉
I just hope this means the cue can have a longer show that doesn’t repeat while I am still in there.
I agree with all of your thoughts on movie inclusion – but I really, really agree with Rusty. I’m most excited about a show in line that would not repeat. I’ve never understood why the clips are not long enough to avoid repeating even for a short wait time.
The TCM sponsorship is the perfect fit for the attraction.
If they can provide the money so that the pre and post show get significant tech and content upgrades AND a top-to-bottom refresh of the exsisting scenes, then I’ll be more than happy.
I wouldn’t miss the Footlights and Tarzan scenes if they were replaced, but Alien is amazing!
Plus, does the injection of cash mean that the more costly “Cowboy” version will run more often?
and dang, Criterion lost out on the release of Boyhood even though Linklater himself had announced it,..
still obtainable, though.
the magnificent scene when the Director, who wants to make serious pictures, sits among prisoners and realizes the value of laughter while, interestingly enough, watching a Disney cartoon. I just now realized the connection with this blog after recommending the film to you. Odd,..
so, all this got me to seek out TCM hoping they permit some on-demand access to their library and they do, as long as you meet certain requirements. I believe I am not getting enough Black & White films in my diet. The Criterion collection on Hulu features a great number of foreign oldies and Netflix is anemic so I had hopes for TCM to supply some good old American fare.
Now, Tom, I’ve learned that Boyhood will be released in January in some arrangement with Criterion and I will order it on your recommendation. If you have not seen Sullivan’s Travels, it’s coming up on TCM and if you and yours don’t love it, I will treat you to a dinner at Victoria and Albert’s!!
(offer void in Florida)
I highly recommend ‘Boyhood’. I am a huge fan of Linklater’s ‘Before’ trilogy (series?) and this feels a lot like those films to me, except even more ambitious. I didn’t realize it was going to be a Criterion release, but I can only imagine how awesome that will be. Thanks for the heads up.
I would say I hated Sullivan’s Travels, but I see your offer is void in Florida, so I “guess” I actually loved it. 😉
I agree with you on everything EXCEPT the Wizard of Oz scene. That is way too classic and it feels like you are really immersed in the movie. Tarzan and Alien need to go, and I would love to see Indiana Jones replaced with a Goonies scene (just kidding…maybe.)
The ONLY reason I mention the Wizard of Oz scene is because it is huge, and I think that’s the only space that could really do justice to multiple Hitchcock films. I love the Wizard of Oz, but it’s represented twice in the attraction, and if it means getting a killer Hitchcock scene, I’ll take it.
A lot of people mention replacing Alien. Am I the only one who thinks that film is classic…and that scene is great?
First, you made my day with this post. I love TGMR and I was so scared that they were going to ditch it when Star Wars invaded HS. I LOVE Alien and that scene definitely needs to stay (although it could use some TLC). The one comment I will make about the Wizard of Oz scene is how much money do you think Disney would lose from wedding parties if they got rid of it? I’ve never gotten an actual number but I’ve heard it costs a pretty penny to hold your reception there 🙂
I’m with you on Alien(s) – I think it’s a classic. And I like that scene on the ride now that my daughter is old enough to not be terrified of it.
I wouldn’t be terribly to Titanic, although the rest on your list would make me cringe.
read the announcement in the news and zipped over here hoping you would present some coherent thoughts and am glad you were on top of it with keen and humorous insight!! Let the show begin!!
I agree 100% with you. The idea of adding current movies that will be irreverent in a few years makes me angry. DHS has had enough of those types of attractions in the last few years (Doug, American Idol, Millionaire to name a few). Hopefully TCM can add a few suggestions to the mix!
Also- a different change that could liven it up would be an update to the Audio-animatronics. I know many of these are classics, but it could be a good medium to keeping the movies but still getting a face lift!
I hope that management has finally realized that trying to stay relevant in the current landscape of film and television isn’t the right move. American Idol Experience is a perfect example, and it was dated by the time it opened. Skewing towards classics is the much smarter option, I think, with new stuff peppered in through short-term exhibits or video-based things that can be quickly updated.
To me, Twilight Zone Tower of Terror is the perfect example of using older IP for the attractions. If you don’t know anything about the Twilight Zone, you’re still likely to love it because it’s awesome. If you are a fan of the Twilight Zone, you get a lot more out of it thanks to the references. It works on multiple levels and is not dependent upon an understanding of the IP that it’s loosely tied to.
Imagine if it were the ‘Saw’ Tower of Terror…I suspect it would feel dated in 10 years, if not less.