What would be a "Ponies on Earth" story be like when done well?

[eddeams 66]

You've heard of this plot before: characters from a fantastical land are magically transported into real life Earth (usually New York City) and must find a way to get back home. All while dealing with a foe from either their world or ours.

Very rarely has it been done well. The live action/CGI Smurfs movie is a prime example of why: bland story, uncanny designs of the title characters, and more focus on the human characters.

If you were to write something like this involving Twilight Sparkle and her friends, how would you make it not suck? On a side note, are there any fanfics with a story like this done right?

[Gale Wind 82]

I will say I’m kinda glad they didn’t use that for the human world they did. Probably would’ve been hated.