DHS Monster Inc Land Coming to Disney's Hollywood Studios

[CJR]

From what I've heard between both plans...

•AC means a show is in the cards, along with the playground. MC is just the coaster and playground, I don't know about the show being apart of MC plans.
•MC plans have Star Tours still standing.
•Monsters is likely going to the far back of AC (Launch Bay+feature animation) Mermaid will still be there, so will Brown Derby reportedly. Bit less clear on BD. Mermaid could possibly have a rerouted entrance that hides the building from Monsters using a facade.
•Leaning yes on Sunset connection.

I think of the Launch Bay replacement similar to Tom Sawyer Island going away. Does anyone in mass really visit Launch Bay?

It's going to be a big capacity gain there. I'd bet more people will spend time just roaming Monstropolis than, not counting the ride, there are currently in Launch Bay on an average day.

I think MC would also be a small capacity gain, but the demand it's bringing to the park would do more harm than good, in that spot.

Better put (IMHO), if it's in MC, people are still unlikely to visit Launch Bay on an average day; if it's in AC, people are more likely to still visit Muppets.

One big reason I could see them wanting MC regardless, is that less demolition time likely equals a faster opening turnaround and they are likely trying to catch up with marketable attractions, after dragging their feet for years.

 

[doctornick]

From what I've heard between both plans...

•AC means a show is in the cards, along with the playground. MC is just the coaster and playground, I don't know about the show being apart of MC plans.
•MC plans have Star Tours still standing.
•Monsters is likely going to the far back of AC (Launch Bay+feature animation) Mermaid will still be there, so will Brown Derby reportedly. Bit less clear on BD. Mermaid could possibly have a rerouted entrance that hides the building from Monsters using a facade.
•Leaning yes on Sunset connection.

If there’s an extra attraction in the AC location in addition to keeping Muppets, it is ridiculous how much better an option that is for guests.

 

[CalebS]

I’m not even a muppets fan but MV3D is a good show. The decision to replace it with a coaster would not provide a capacity increase that hollywood studios so desperately needs. On top of that, being able to connect sunset boulevard and not have it be a dead end anymore would be great for crowd flow

 

[UNCgolf]

Well eventually universal is gonna have to either retheme the rides or replace them. Would they really spend all that money promoting something they don't own?

Why wouldn't they? Having the attractions is a lot better than letting Disney have them and use them as a draw for their parks.

 

[akileese]

Well eventually universal is gonna have to either retheme the rides or replace them. Would they really spend all that money promoting something they don't own?

As long as they can move merch yes. The only thing I could see breaking this would be them acquiring WB and buying out DCs rights from Six Flags. This would be ironic since that was the original plan for SHI.

That said, I imagine they'll keep retracking and refurbing as long as they can since there's more important things to worry about.

 

[lazyboy97o]

There is a mandatory fire access lane between muppets and star tours - so that in itself would make it difficult.

Access has to buildings has to be provided but access to the interior of the park does not have to be at specific points. They can be moved and other access points utilized.

Well eventually universal is gonna have to either retheme the rides or replace them. Would they really spend all that money promoting something they don't own?

Yes. Half of their new park is stuff they don’t own.

 

[TrainsOfDisney]

I think of the Launch Bay replacement similar to Tom Sawyer Island going away.

Launch Bay does nothing to enhance the atmosphere of the park. Similar to Tom Sawyer there is lots of history that will be lost that makes me a little sad -

If it was my park that would be a “Magic of Disney Animation” building like at DCA with special exhibits for the movies that were made there.

But….. that won’t happen anyways so I have no real care I guess.

 

[TrainsOfDisney]

Access has to buildings has to be provided but access to the interior of the park does not have to be at specific points. They can be moved and other access points utilized.

Yes, anything is possible but it would be some extra layers. Not sure who all has to approve and sign off on that kind of thing.

 

[lazyboy97o]

Yes, anything is possible but it would be some extra layers. Not sure who all has to approve and sign off on that kind of thing.

It’s not actually any extra layers. Providing fire access is just part of designing a building. Regardless of what project they do the civil engineer and architect are going to design and document access. It gets submitted for approval just like everything else as part of getting the building permits.

The bigger issue with the access roads is that they sometimes have utilities buried underneath them that service the park. Moving those is a bigger undertaking than sending firetrucks a different way.

 

[Stripes]

Yes. Half of their new park is stuff they don’t own.

How to Train Your Dragon is the only property going into that park where Universal owns the characters.

Obviously Universal has a history of making movies about the classic monsters but those characters are in the public domain and never owned by Universal.

 

[lazyboy97o]

How to Train Your Dragon is the only property going into that park where Universal owns the characters.

Obviously Universal has a history of making movies about the classic monsters but those characters are in the public domain and never owned by Universal.

Universal owns their interpretation of the characters, with the park featuring new interpretations.

 

[djlaosc]

From what I've heard between both plans...

•AC means a show is in the cards, along with the playground. MC is just the coaster and playground, I don't know about the show being apart of MC plans.
•MC plans have Star Tours still standing.
•Monsters is likely going to the far back of AC (Launch Bay+feature animation) Mermaid will still be there, so will Brown Derby reportedly. Bit less clear on BD. Mermaid could possibly have a rerouted entrance that hides the building from Monsters using a facade.
•Leaning yes on Sunset connection.

So, based on the map that I put in here yesterday (now with added orange area showing what you have said above), do you think that this orange area is where they would look to be building Monstropolis?

If so, that looks as though it would divide any remaining potential expansion space in half (obviously I would imagine that they would need to keep/relocate some of the buildings currently backstage.

Is there anything in the yellow area that you know that they would not remove? If not, then it looks like there could potentially be enough space for Zootropolis, and/or Springfield, and/or Metroville to be built, depending on what they were planning for the land, especially if they included RnRC at some point in the future.

Looking at the above, it would look as though the closest connection to Sunset Boulevard would be beside Anaheim Produce - do you think that this would be where it would connect for now (until a later expansion may join beside RnRC)?

 

[Stripes]

Universal owns their interpretation of the characters, with the park featuring new interpretations.

Correct. Just like Disney owns their depiction of Snow White but others are free to depict Snow White in a slightly different way. That company would then own the IP for their depiction.

Similarly, if they wanted to, Disney could make a Dracula movie as long as the depiction of the character was different from Universal’s and Disney would own the IP of their version of Dracula, but they still wouldn’t own the Dracula character.

 

[jeanericuser001]

Let's take a break from debating muppets for a moment.
1. Is there an actual difference in content inside the land between the two sites. For example does AC mean an additional ride, or MC mean extended Montropolis, etc? These are just examples, but do the two proposals differ in what will be included.
2. What are the actual confines of the land. Does MC also include tearing down Star Tours finally? What does AC mean for Brown Derby and Little Mermaid, and would it connect to the back of Sunset.

I think these questions are more important, because I think if we are gaining more by losing one thing, or losing more by gaining little makes me question where to put it.

1. Removing the muppets area would mean making some mistakes that are a lot less cost effective. For starters, they redid the bathroom by Rizzo's' so eliminating that is a pretty big waste of money. They have also done a lot of repair work in the vicinity lately which now has to be torn out. They have also done work on refurbishing the muppets attraction as well as adding new effects. All that is money down the drain. There have also been changes made to the restaurant in the back which is also a bit of a mistake. With all these things suggested I think its likely safe to say the muppets is safe.

2. The animation courtyard is to some extent a vacant area. The little mermaid is getting fixed for a new show soon. As for the kids area across the way, it was never a major draw either so its removal is not a serious issue. As for launch bay, much of that can be moved to other areas. Hollywood studios offers numerous spots where photo op spots can be set up. Removing this area in favor of a new spot is not out of the realm of possibility. As for the brown derby, that will not be affected that much as likely it will just be in the vicinity of construction instead of on top of it. The only attraction that is in serious danger of closure is the launch bay but even that has been a temporary measure compared to what it once was. As for star tours, that attraction is going no where as its iconic status and ability to absorb large amounts of crowds with minimal waits is a bonus for hollywood studios.

 

[Dranth]

Thanks Jim Cantore.

Summer is hot. Everywhere. Hotter in places than others. People are flocking to the beaches and cruises to guess where…Florida and the Caribbean where it’s even more humid and hotter at times.

Steady sea breeze vs. stagnant park air feels the same to you? Sure, if you somehow ignore human physiology and physics in general than I guess those are the same.

 

[James Alucobond]

So, based on the map that I put in here yesterday (now with added orange area showing what you have said above), do you think that this orange area is where they would look to be building Monstropolis?
View attachment 810358

If so, that looks as though it would divide any remaining potential expansion space in half (obviously I would imagine that they would need to keep/relocate some of the buildings currently backstage.

Is there anything in the yellow area that you know that they would not remove? If not, then it looks like there could potentially be enough space for Zootropolis, and/or Springfield, and/or Metroville to be built, depending on what they were planning for the land, especially if they included RnRC at some point in the future.

I don’t think they’ll ever claim that entire space. I’d imagine they might move custodial/materials to the opposite side of the animation building’s current footprint, where the surface lot currently resides. That area is kind of boxed out by Roundup Rodeo anyway. Then, they can expand straight back to one more area directly south of RNRC that ultimately cross-connects that land, Monsters, RNRC, and Sunset.

 

[GhostHost1000]

Steady sea breeze vs. stagnant park air feels the same to you? Sure, if you somehow ignore human physiology and physics in general than I guess those are the same.

That stagnant park air is countered by indoor attractions

Regardless I know it’s hot. It’s really hot in August. It drains a lot of people. I get it. I’ve been there. It has drained me too. Several times during that heat over the last few years. People that normally come in July and August each year aren’t going to stop going all of a sudden just because it’s been a few degrees warmer at times imo. If they could stand it then, they can stand it now.

The main question is are those guests coming another time during the year now, or not at all…and why do we assume it’s the heat keeping them from coming

 

[the_rich]

Universal has the Marvel rights in perpetuity (if they want them). They have no reason to ever have to replace those rides and the land.

At most we might see Disney paying to share the Marvel rights or being able to use some additional characters that Uni isn’t using but even that is a big long shot.

I'm not saying they can't keep them or build more marvel rides..I mean when the rides need to be redone. Eventually they'll lose popularity and have to build something new.

 

[the_rich]

Access has to buildings has to be provided but access to the interior of the park does not have to be at specific points. They can be moved and other access points utilized.


Yes. Half of their new park is stuff they don’t own.

Yea but only one of those properties is promoting a direct theme park rival.

 

[Surferboy567]

From what I've heard between both plans...

•AC means a show is in the cards, along with the playground. MC is just the coaster and playground, I don't know about the show being apart of MC plans.
•MC plans have Star Tours still standing.
•Monsters is likely going to the far back of AC (Launch Bay+feature animation) Mermaid will still be there, so will Brown Derby reportedly. Bit less clear on BD. Mermaid could possibly have a rerouted entrance that hides the building from Monsters using a facade.
•Leaning yes on Sunset connection.

If the scope is bigger, add another reason I prefer AC over the obvious one.

Really hope it’s a large land. Monsters Inc deserves it.