Ride Concept Competition
Admin 
We are excited to announce our first-ever ride concept competition. We are calling it Ride Concept Expo '11. Get your pencils out and start polishing those original ideas. Entries will be accepeted between now and August 20, 2011. Winners will see their concepts posted on ImagineeringDisney.com. No visual art talent required. See details below.
Rules & Guidelines
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Submit a one-paragraph summary of your concept to
Imagineering.Disney@gmail.com between now and August 20, 2011.
Also include:
Title of attraction
Intended location
Ride type (dark ride, boat ride, coaster, etc.)
Description of guest experience within your proposed attraction.
• Summary paragraph should be no more than 200 words.
• Longer descriptions accepted in addition to one-paragraph summary but are not required.
• Artwork is accepted but not required.
• Concepts may not be based on any existing film, TV show, video game, or other existing media.* (Too easy!)
• No (existing) animated characters.
• Concepts may not be “relocation” concepts. You may not suggest an existing ride be simply duplicated in another park unless you share original reasons as to why and how it can be different.
*Some exceptions apply. Literary classics and other appropriate non-Disney works my be approved.
A small panel of judges will select a few entries to be featured on the blog. No limit to number of entries submitted. No age requirements. Private feedback from judges panel will be offered upon request. This contest is not in any way affiliated with The Walt Disney Company or Walt Disney Imagineering. The contest is intended to take place for entertainment purposes only. Concepts will not be considered for further theme park development in any way.
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For thoughts on how to develop original ideas we suggest you refer to one of our first posts called, Originality in Theme Park Design.
The blog staff will be posting a small number of concepts including [*SPOILER ALERT*] a journey through World Showcase boat ride, and a raccoon invasion farm dark ride (attraction names yet to be determined).
Let the concepts begin!
UPDATE: See the winners here!
Reader Comments (32)
yes! I'm in!
I just submitted my idea! This contest is such a cool idea! love it!
Excellent! I'd like to submit an idea or two and I think this "Expo '11" is just the arena to get my brain working.
Fritz is a hero of mine and I miss working with him (at Disney) so it'll be great to hear some more of his concepts come to life.
For anyone who wants to participate:
A good point when coming up with your concept might be a lesson we learned together. Follow the idea that YOU would like to see become real. Explore what YOU dork out about. Don't try to come up with something that will appeal to the general public. Chase the ideas that appeal to YOU. The general public just wants to be entertained and if you're passionate about your idea they'll feel it too and enjoy it just as much as you do.
"Blue Sky" doesn't mean shit so get that term out of your head. "Blue Sky" is the place Imagineers look up at every day and thank GOD they haven't been fired.
Let's do this, Imagineering Disney Fans!
yippee! i'm exctited! i shall start plotting during the 10 hour car ride i have coming up this weekend.
are we allowed to submit more than one entry?
Dave is spot on. Everyone, follow this advise. I'm convinced that when rides are created with the idea that "other people will like this" they fall short. Picture yourself riding your ride and ask yourself "what can make this more enjoyable for me?' And don't worry. We can't fire you from anything. Ha.
Nicky- I read your concept and freaking love it. Great work. It's perfect for the location you chose.
Tammy- Yes. You may submit multiple ideas. Enjoy that 10 hour car ride!
As far as "no existing film, tv,..." - what about a character or story, that happens to have maybe had a film or 2 or a tv show about that character or story made at some time...? Most attractions are based on some known story, film, show... so that people can relate to what they know about that story in the time that is available in an attraction to re-tell that story. (Not to just take an easy way out, but it is difficult to tell a story in such a short time - even more if it is an unknown story.)
Also, is this contest including attractions that are: parade, hotel, exhibit... or just rides? (just clarifying)
Mostly - thanx. This will be fun, and good to see the different ideas that are presented.
WOKcreative- The reason we've decided not to include rides based on "existing film, tv,..." is that it's too easy and unoriginal. Email us your idea and we'll reply with a more clear answer. As for parade, hotel, exhibit, etc.. for this particular contest we are looking for attractions. Thanks for the questions!
I gotta bet my brain (and butt) in gear for this! It's an awesome idea!
Can I simply respond to the contest with the word "Peoplemover"?
Haha! Um yeah, we do love PeopleMovers.
Love this little contest! Just submitted an idea.
I was really excited to send in my attraction concept as well as some artwork, that was, until I read a fortune cookie that told me to keep my ideas to myself. :(
Probably won't be submitting an idea, but the contest poster rocks. Someone has some mad design skills!
Thanks Tavnir!
I think this is a great idea and I'll be entering my idea soon. :)
I like the restriction of not allowing the ride to be based on existing Disney characters. In my opinion, too many rides have already been taken over by characters. :)
My favorites rides have always been the ones NOT taken over by characters: Thunder Mountain Railroad, Space Mountain, Mission: Space, Soarin, and of course, the Haunted Mansion.
I am definitely joining! Now to start dreaming and imagining new attractions!
Here are some other notes that may help get the juices flowing! =]
Entertaining for both the young and young at heart.
The ride tells a story -- start to finish. And in a manner that doesn't require the guest to know/understand English. And remember... a valid story is one that contains an introduction, conflict with an interesting villain, and a happy ending.
Split the queue into standard (faster) and interactive (slower). The interactive queue introduces the ride's characters and story. It also contains interactive stations -- complete with automated photo stops powered by Photopass card swipes.
The ride and queue contains some indoor and outdoor elements, so that the experience looks and feels different during the day, at dusk, and at night.
The ride itself contains a variety of random elements -- so that returning guests are always on the lookout for something different.
Exits into a ride-specific gift shop that allows guests to view and purchase Photopass and ride photos, as well as order personalized souvenirs.
ROBERT-
HA! You are onto something.
How do you enter the contest?
JUST discovered this, a day before it's over, and I must admit; I'm on the fence. I'd love to participate, I have pages of attractions Ideas, but I'm not one to share them, usually. What to do...
When will the winners be posted??
As of tonight we are still sorting the many entries. Judges will begin judging as early as tomorrow. With results within two weeks?
So excited! Wasn't going to even enter, finally gave up and tried. I really hope for feedback, as I enjoyed writing it out... just wish I could draw it out!
Just wondering when the winners will be posted, I've been sitting at the edge of my seat!
I am so excited for the annoucement!
I know! I check everyday! They should post them TODAY!!!!! Right?
We are putting together the results now. It was way way harder to pick winners than we thought it would be. And that's a good thing. I think we'll post everything on Saturday (Sept 17).
Mitch recorded a podcast about the contest with the Walt Disney World Fanboys Podcast last night. We want to post winners before that episode airs on Sunday.
Stay tuned!
Awesome! So Excited! Win or Not, I had a lot of fun competing in this contest:)
Agreed, I can't wait to see everyone's great ideas :D
First winners now posted!
I would love to turn this into a blog on its own. It would be great for people to showcase their great ideas (since WDI has fallen down on the job lately). Would you be opposed to this?