I’m not surprised that a Pokemon headliner would want to retain the most iconic mechanics the series has become known for, catching and battling pokemon, over the gameplay from a spin-off like snap.
It certainly makes some sense. I'm honestly not opposed to the battling and team mechanics that have been rumored. I think if done right it could be a one-of-a-kind attraction.
I only worry about implementation. About how a system with that many choices and options could lead to some people being confused or not interested in the ride, and how the AR could negatively effect the overall design and scope of the practical effects and scenic design.
Pokemon Snap was the idea for decades, right alongside Mario Kart and Mine Kart Madness, because it's very simple and overall just pretty cool. It's effectively Kilimanjaro Safari or Jungle Cruise starring creatures with crazy elemental powers, with many elemental types and biomes to add variety outside of the pure Jungle or Savannah that the Disney ones have. I think a lot of kids that loved the Pokemon games, anime, etc dreamed of the idea that Pokemon could be real. And a ride where you get to see a real Skarmory or flock of Pidgey's flying above you, a Sharpedo or Staryu swimming through the oceans, a life-sized giant Snorlax blocking the ride path forcing you to go around it, or a regal Dragonite sitting atop a high mountain peak,, that would be
incredibly cool, and in my mind, enough of a hook to justify a full dark ride on it's own.
AR
could be neat, but not if it detracts from the amount of actual Pokemon I get to see in the world around me. I've seen Pokemon on screens before, and for the past decade, they've all been rendered in 3D as well. Pokemon have also all been in AR since Pokemon Go in 2016, which was 8 years ago now. I want to see the Pikachu in front of me whether I have my AR glasses on or off. That's my personal worry.
If anything, I'd rather the mechanics be split up across the land. Like there being various Potter Wand-style vignettes around Pokepark where you can catch various Pokemon with your Uni Pokeball, then you can trade Pokemon and use your Pokedex through the USF app, maybe you can battle other guests in a Pokemon Gym AR experience, and finally the actual big budget Snap-style dark ride. As opposed to cramming all of those systems on a singular ride track. Villain-Con doesn't really have that many mechanics and people are already confused on that. This is the most popular IP in the world, I just hope everyone can enjoy it.