Disney Hollywood Studios Expansion Rumored

[cy1229]

I'm almost completely excited about this announcement. The only thing I'm really depressed about is the possible loss of Muppet Theater.

[Wizzard419]

It's about time they cleaned out DHS, lets hope that they get rid of all the really stale attractions (I'm looking at you GMR and Indy Stunt Show) and put something from at least the last 20 years in.

[Len90]

First off this is not official. These are just the rumors resurfacing so I will be changing the title to rumored.

As for changes, I personally think GMR stays but may finally get a refurb if the park does get an expansion. Secondly, I do think it is a given that Backlot and Lights Motor Action will be the first on the chopping block for any expansion as it will open up the back end of the park and allow for a more effective use of space. The stunt show is very weather dependent and Backlot is just way too outdated. In addition you'd have the vacant building between Backlot and Pixar Place.

My opinion, let's wait until the D23 expo and see what it brings.

[Wizzard419]

That is the deep flaw with DHS though, everything from the original park is so heavily dated that it misses the mark now. If I recall, they haven't even tried to refresh the script for the stunt show so that it doesn't sound like the first movie is still in production. Even then, the movie had two sequels released. GMR has the same dated content issues but also suffers from a stale format where it isn't immersive and the delivery falls flat.

They started moving in the right direction once they started making attractions that utilized a franchise but didn't attempt to re-tell an established story, though I have a feeling most people go "Who is that weird man in the suit talking about elevators?".

[Len90]

That is the deep flaw with DHS though, everything from the original park is so heavily dated that it misses the mark now. If I recall, they haven't even tried to refresh the script for the stunt show so that it doesn't sound like the first movie is still in production. Even then, the movie had two sequels released. GMR has the same dated content issues but also suffers from a stale format where it isn't immersive and the delivery falls flat.

They started moving in the right direction once they started making attractions that utilized a franchise but didn't attempt to re-tell an established story, though I have a feeling most people go "Who is that weird man in the suit talking about elevators?".

Don't expect anything to happen to ToT. I agree that GMR needs to be refreshed and I do think if there is a refurb you will see something like that happen. The only changes made to it over the years are the ending film and those are small. Would really like to see some different movie scenes in that attraction. After all it is (if kept up to date with some new and some classics) the perfect type of attraction for a park themed to hollywood.

[Wizzard419]

A refurbishment won't cut it though, it needs to be gutted, new ride system, an actual plot, etc. If they are like DLR they probably have surveys taken of guests as they come off the rides (this is done randomly) and it probably tops out at a "meh" review level.

[Cardinals314]

This is going to be Star Wars Land at HS. With the addition to Star Wars under Disney's belt, Disney plans to capitalize every ounce of the name of Star Wars

[Cardinals314]

http://www.themeparkinsider.com/flume/201306/3524/

This article says that it will be Cars Land and Star Wars Land. That would be a great improvement to DHS

[horizons1]

This will be a welcome change. And maybe another transplanted idea from DCA will be to get rid of THE HAT and restore Hollywood Blvd to it's original classic style.

[cy1229]

My biggest beef, though is that they still aren't addressing the dead end on Sunset. There needs to be another way to get down and back from that end of the park! I'm getting anxious jitters remembering when we were caught between two crowds of Fantasmic! viewers. Yikes.

[horizons1]

My biggest beef, though is that they still aren't addressing the dead end on Sunset. There needs to be another way to get down and back from that end of the park! I'm getting anxious jitters remembering when we were caught between two crowds of Fantasmic! viewers. Yikes.

That is a good point, CY. What would you propose? Perhaps a cut-through behind the Farmer's Market that comes out by the Animation building?

[Len90]

This will be a welcome change. And maybe another transplanted idea from DCA will be to get rid of THE HAT and restore Hollywood Blvd to it's original classic style.

That would be a nice surprise. A lot of the talk is that the hat would move to outside the gate and possibly be for the parking lot entrance.

[cy1229]

My biggest beef, though is that they still aren't addressing the dead end on Sunset. There needs to be another way to get down and back from that end of the park! I'm getting anxious jitters remembering when we were caught between two crowds of Fantasmic! viewers. Yikes.

That is a good point, CY. What would you propose? Perhaps a cut-through behind the Farmer's Market that comes out by the Animation building?

That would work.

I was looking at Google maps in earnest today, wondering exactly what would happen. I don't know what the buildings between Sunset Blvd and the World Drive are for, but if they could be somewhat repurposed so that the crowd could move behind everything, with attractions... although there's not a lot of space back there.

I just really hate the way that part of the park deadends like that, and creates such a horrible bottleneck.

[wewantsdaredhead]

That would work.

I was looking at Google maps in earnest today, wondering exactly what would happen. I don't know what the buildings between Sunset Blvd and the World Drive are for, but if they could be somewhat repurposed so that the crowd could move behind everything, with attractions... although there's not a lot of space back there.

I just really hate the way that part of the park deadends like that, and creates such a horrible bottleneck.

Could not agree more! I always hated how that part of the park has no 'flow'. It's very dead end-ish.
This is exciting. DHS is my 2nd favorite park these days and I just know any major refurb will be a plus.

PS. I agree with a major re-do on GMR.

[Wizzard419]

Which buildings? I am surprised they have such bad flow out of there and don't use the perimeter road. DLR sometimes utilizes the backstage areas to help get people out faster.