BIG changes coming to Hollywood Studios. Fact or Fiction?

[RoccoP72]

Here's an article that WDW News Today today regarding major changes coming to Hollywood Studios.

http://t.co/rSC5hHqq

Obviously most of these have been rumors for a long time now, but they are saying they have sources that are verifying most of these will happen. Regardless if they come true or not, what do you like and what don't you like? What do you believe and what seems like a stretch? I personally love the idea of adding more Muppets-themed areas into the park, a Swedish Chef restaurant would be amazing! I think Disney wouldn't add an East Coast Cars Land and find it hard to believe they would remove the Scorcer'a hat as well. What do you guys think?

[wdrl]

I know some people think Disney's Hollywood Studios is a half-day park. Although I don't agree with that sentiment, I'm all in favor of new attractions added to DHS. Actually, I'm in favor of any changes at DHS that helps takes some of the crowd pressure off of Toy Story Mania. Of all the attractions at WDW, TSM is the attraction with the longest stand-by times and the first to dispense its daily quota of Fastpasses.

Since I'm a big fan of Star Wars/Star Tours, I look forward to Disney making some additions in the Star Tours area. Another restaurant and another Star Wars themed attraction would be a nice addition.

The Lights, Motor, Action show is fun, but its not on my list of "must see" attractions. If they replaced LMA with Cars Land, I would say that is a step in the right direction.

Our first visit to DHS was in 1989. Back then, the Great Movie Ride was THE big attraction at the Park. Even though it feels a little dated, I'd hate to see it go. Whatever replaces it had better be darn good.

Anytime you talk about change, you also talk about things you might lose. Whatever happens in the rest of DHS, I hope they don't mess with the Tower of Terror. TOT is, in my opinion, the best themed attraction in all of WDW.

I should bookmark this article and tuck it safely away in an archive folder. Then, in 2017 or 2020, bring the article back and see what really occurs at DHS. Knowing my luck, the Sounds Dangerously attraction will still be sitting there waiting to be refurbished.

[denlo]

I personally hope not all of these changes go into effect. I think Radiator Springs would be a nice addition, it would help with the long lines at TSM. But I'm a little concerned that they will be closing three rides, Backlot Tour, LMA and the Great Movie Ride. How does removing rides and adding the same number back will place DHS in the big league of parks? The more I think about it the Backlot Tour should be saved because it's an original and it represents what studios are all about. I'm also concerned with the Red Car Trolley. Hollywood Blvd. is sort of narrow and often wall to wall people coming and going, adding trolly cars going down it would make it even more crowded. Lets be real, how can this sort of ride really work? Unless they have lots of cars it wouldn't really hold that many people.

I think the part that upsets me the most is removing the Chinese Theater facade. Why can't DHS have it's own identity it doesn't need to look just like CA. DHS could have a Chinese Theater instead of the Carthay Circle Theater.

Just a question, how often are the Streets of New York used? The only time I can think of is during the holidays for the Osborne lights. Wouldn't make more sense to do something there? Even the restaurant across from BLT (Backlot Tour) is usually closed and the children's play area at Honey I shrunk the kids could be made into a Muppet theme. And the building for TSM looks to be twice the size of the actual queue and ride area. Why can't they add a second line to TSM?

[idratherbeinwdw]

Wil unless I misunderstood it, the article doesn't say the Great Movie Ride will go away, only that it will get an upgrade--which I think is definitely needed, even though I do enjoy the attraction the way it is.

I would be beyond thrilled to add more muppet stuff to the park. Prior to Jim Henson's untimely demise there were a number of muppet attractions planned for the park, but the details could not be worked out with his estate. DD27 and I are huge Muppet fans, so of all the rumors in the linked article that's the one I hope comes true the most. Seeing Beaker and Honeydew characters would be awesome, as would be Electric Mayhem!!

I won't miss the hat, Cathay Circle sounds like a great idea but I will miss the facade of Graumans. I wonder if they will remove the footprints in the cement? I assume so, and that I am sad about. Won't miss Lights Motor Action or the currently (IMO) lame backlot tour, I'd be very happy to see Carsland there instead. The Pixar Parade at DCA is way better than the one at DHS, so that's a postive to me as well. I will miss Beauty and the Beast, that's about the only change I wish wasn't happening. But if Tangled the Musical is well done I am sure I'll enjoy it.

I hope this is more than a rumor! Thanks for posting the link Rocco!

[denlo]

You're right Mar', I reread the article and it doesn't say the Great Movie ride is going. That's good news. So that means DHS only loses two attractions and gains three.

[idratherbeinwdw]

So that means DHS only loses two attractions and gains three.

Let's also hope they find a better use for the building that houses Sounds Dangerous. That shouldn't be too hard, as most anything would be better than what's there now.

[jrohdy]

I think an expansion of any type would be welcome. I don't get why people say they shouldn't make another CARS LAND at WDW. A lot of people can't afford to make it to the west coast. Disney would make even more $ with CARS at WDW. Especially with all the moves Universal has made with Harry Potter lands, Disney definitely needs to make a splash with something new and fresh to draw even more fans back to the parks. There are a lot of areas/rides at DHS that aren't very popular so they might as well make the major overhaul. And as much as I love star wars, sitting in The Cantina restaurant and hearing that music over an over would drive me crazy (but I would still eat there EVERY time i'm at WDW!!)

[simbasmom]

Let's also hope they find a better use for the building that houses Sounds Dangerous. That shouldn't be too hard, as most anything would be better than what's there now.

For some reason, Sounds Dangerous reminded me of my young days listening to Firesign Theater (anyone else remember them?) so I don't mind it.

What I'd like to see is something related to Boo, from Monsters Inc. I think she's just the cutest little thing from almost any Pixar movie.

A resturaunt related to the Swedish Chef would be such a super idea. My ex loved him-just the mention of the Swedish Chef's name would send him into fits of laughter. So he did have his positive points.

[RoccoP72]

I don't get why people say they shouldn't make another CARS LAND at WDW. A lot of people can't afford to make it to the west coast. Disney would make even more $ with CARS at WDW. Especially with all the moves Universal has made with Harry Potter lands, Disney definitely needs to make a splash with something new and fresh to draw even more fans back to the parks.

I don't think Disney shouldn't make another Cars Land @ WDW, I don't think they would. With the amount of money & marketing that went into Cars Land @ DCA, I think if they replicated that at DHS, that it would dramatically take away from attendance at DCA. By making Cars Land exclusive to DCA, it gives families a reason to plan a west coast trip. Would I love to see Cars Land @ DHS? Absolutely since we visit WDW a lot more than DL & DCA, I just think they are aiming for making each U.S. based park unique so that families want to go to all of them for difference experiences. I believe some of these other updates will happen at DHS, but instead of adding a 2nd Cars Land, they will put that money & effort towards Avatar Land at AK. Just my 2 cents.

[bakerworld]

I don't think they should take stuff away - I'd miss all those altho I do thing the GMR needs an update. Frankly, as I don't have young children, I've not the faintest idea what carsland is, so it would probably be a nice edition. I think there's plenty of empty area to add Cars land without sacrificing LMA, GMR or BST.