I posit that it's Millennials realizing the great pop culture freeze they grew up in -- which started in the mid-90s, lasted until probably 2020ish -- is finally fading. People in their 30s and 40s realizing that top 40 radio won't always be Taylor, JT and I-V-VI-IV songs, that the biggest movie of the year might not always feature Marvel superheroes, fashion might finally evolve from Starbucks barista chic, and that the theme park rides they can spiel by heart won't always be there. They've been in-tune with what's "cool" they're whole lives, and suddenly the kids are shouting "Chicken Jockey!" and for the first time they don't get it and it's so dumb and for the first time they feel their age. "I was hip and with it ... but they changed what 'it' is!"
I don't know that any psychoanalysis is really necessary. To me, it comes down to two things:
1. Some IP (not necessarily as-utilized in theme parks, but the parent property itself) is clearly evergreen.
2. I want to see as many things that
I personally enjoy in theme parks as possible. That doesn't meant you can't create an attraction that I enjoy based on an IP that I don't (I don't like the SLOP movies at all, but I love the ride in Hollywood), but I think anyone who would say they don't want to see more of their favorite things in theme parks isn't really being honest. (Not saying you're saying that.)
Obviously the online fan community uproar over the closing of a dated "screenz" attraction and the worst QSR pizza in Orlando was about more than the Muppets.
So they cling to the IPs they spent their whole lives with, most of which they inherited from Gen X anyway. The Muppets. BTTF. Ghostbusters. Jaws. But these are only nostalgia plays right now. In 10 to 15 years, they'll be even more dated -- and its likely that era's teens and 20-somethings will be clamoring for something not even on our radar at the moment.
I disagree with the usage of "dated" as a pejorative in this context.
Would anybody really try to argue that Muppet*Vision isn't one of the very best (if not the best) 3D shows ever designed?
BTTF, GHOSTBUSTERS, and JAWS are beloved films. GB had a new movie just last year. JAWS is coming back to theaters in August in a wide release. BTTF recently spawned a musical. They all move merchandise.
My affection for those films may be subjective, but I think it's pretty
objective that they're classics for a reason.
Universal Studios of 2025 has exactly 1 ride in common with 2003
And I don't think this has been a good thing for the park in any way.
A park should achieve a balance between "we will keep nothing" and "we will keep everything."