DHS Disney Animation-Inspired Experience Coming to Disney’s Hollywood Studios

[Robbiem]

Functionally, regardless of how well done the arch was, the arch and gateway to either side effectively cut off that area from the rest of the park. I'm glad it's going to open up that area. This could be the precursor anyway to one day connecting it with Sunset Blvd.

I will really miss the arch. It was a key part of the original design separating the ‘Hollywood that never was’ from the ‘studio’. Having 1930s Hollywood just opening into a set of jarring post modern studio buildings won’t be the same. It will take away the conceit of entering the studio from the ‘town’ and just make the park even more of a thematic mess

 

[James Alucobond]

… opening into a set of jarring post modern studio buildings won’t be the same.

I would not call them postmodern.

 

[flyerjab]

Personally, if I had my druthers, I would keep this here and have my next land redo over at the Indy show. That has been here FOREVER. I would keep this new animation courtyard here for a bit. It is indoors, unaffected by weather, loads of character M&Gs, apparently will be having some additional areas plussed by the Imagineers, return of the drawing classes, an indoor playground themed to Alice in Wonderland (!) and probably other things I am not thinking of. Also, the outside area will look a lot better with more trees, as well as benches. And the one drawing I saw looked like there were lights in the trees. And a new Disney Jr. show. This is an overall positive for the time being. So many people complain on these boards about a lack of stuff for kids to enjoy; well, this now helps solve some of that. This is a win across the board.

 

[Gusey]

One thing that will be interesting when construction begins, both Walt Disney Presents and the Little Mermaid exit into the courtyard. It's going to be interesting to see how both shows exits are rerouted during construction?

 

[JohnD]

I’ve been told many times this doesn’t matter and that’s why it’s ok to tear out much, much more significant things like Muppets or the entire Rivers of America. Nostalgia matters now, huh?

New families won't have a clue whether its nostalgia or not. It's new to them. Speaking of nostalgia, maybe Disney got a clue after hearing the complaints of ROA's removal. Now, we're seeing the Animation Experience come back (for those that remember, not necessarily new families) and the diver experience in Seas. Not everything has to be seen through your personal lens.

 

[Timothy_Q]

I will really miss the arch. It was a key part of the original design separating the ‘Hollywood that never was’ from the ‘studio’. Having 1930s Hollywood just opening into a set of jarring post modern studio buildings won’t be the same. It will take away the conceit of entering the studio from the ‘town’ and just make the park even more of a thematic mess

You can see so many unthemed buildings pretty much anywhere you look when standing in front of the Chinese Theater

That arch wasn't really doing anything for the park's theming or cohesion

If anything, it made zero sense having an arch with the park logo leading nowhere

 

[Stupido]

One thing that will be interesting when construction begins, both Walt Disney Presents and the Little Mermaid exit into the courtyard. It's going to be interesting to see how both shows exits are rerouted during construction?

Well, with how quickly they tore up Muppets courtyard, I'd imagine they'd focus their efforts at the front of this project to get these exits back up as quickly as possible. Especially given how popular Little Mermaid has been.

 

[castlecake2.0]

So next question; what happens to all the characters and movie that are here right now?

 

[JohnD]

So next question; what happens to all the characters and movie that are here right now?View attachment 872396

What about them? Nothing right now. I guess it would make sense to move Sorcerer Mickey into a building that has the Sorcerer hat on it. The movie is tied directly to Mickey and Minnie's Runaway Railway so it's not going anywhere.

 

[lentesta]

or why they think this is temporary.

I think it's temporary because it's not going to drive Lightning Lane sales or their "intent to visit" metric.

They've got no brand-new attractions until 2027, and inshallah even to that.

Relatively quick (~6-15 months) and budget-friendly things like shows, live entertainment, and rethemes/refurbs have been the short-term plan since 2024 to give people enough of a reason to visit for the next 3-4 years:

• Country Bear Musical Jamboree
• Villains: Unfairly Ever After
• The Little Mermaid - A Musical Adventure
• Disney Starlight parade
• Test Track
• (Upcoming) Buzz Lightyear upgrades
• (Upcoming) Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
• (Upcoming) Rock 'n' Roller Coaster re-theme

None of those, by themselves, is enough to justify paying for Lightning Lane*. And nobody's taking new vacation time to haul their kids to Florida for the third version of Test Track or Little Mermaid.

"Shareholder returns" is the only way to look at how capital-intensive decisions are made for the parks. It's the only thing that matters. That land is more valuable than a set of walk-through exhibits.

 

[Robbiem]

I would not call them postmodern.

#90: THOSE WERE THE DAYS: POST MODERNISM AND ROBERT A.M. STERN ARCHITECTS

At the simple age of 24, I was employed by the world-famous Post Modern architect Robert A.M. Stern in New York City. Post Modernism, the architectural movement of the 1960s to the 1980s, may not be the most beloved style of design today and even many despise it. But Post Modernism does at times...

www.anthonypoon.com

The Roy E Disney building designed by Robert Stern they are trying to replicate is definitely post modern and in part based on the Euro Disney preview centre which has since been demolished

Lost Treasures - Euro Disney Preview Center 1990 - 1992

Take a look inside the legendary Euro Disney Preview Center.

www.designingdisney.com

If they are going this route I would rather see the Michael Eisner building facade with the seven dwarfs and the courtyard turned into a Disney legends plaza

 

[James Alucobond]

#90: THOSE WERE THE DAYS: POST MODERNISM AND ROBERT A.M. STERN ARCHITECTS

At the simple age of 24, I was employed by the world-famous Post Modern architect Robert A.M. Stern in New York City. Post Modernism, the architectural movement of the 1960s to the 1980s, may not be the most beloved style of design today and even many despise it. But Post Modernism does at times...

www.anthonypoon.com

The Roy E Disney building designed by Robert Stern they are trying to replicate is definitely post modern and in part based on the Euro Disney preview centre which has since been demolished

Lost Treasures - Euro Disney Preview Center 1990 - 1992

Take a look inside the legendary Euro Disney Preview Center.

www.designingdisney.com

If they are going this route I would rather see the Michael Eisner building facade with the seven dwarfs and the courtyard turned into a Disney legends plaza

They’re not fundamentally changing the architecture of the buildings. The sorcerer’s hat won’t magically turn it into a Stern building.

 

[Ice Gator]

I think it's temporary because it's not going to drive Lightning Lane sales or their "intent to visit" metric.

Okay but define temporary- because i guess any attraction could be temporary. Because Launch Bay was rotting there for 10 years, and this seems much more like a complete area overhaul and not a simple overlay while they wait for something else.

I think the only reason they’re doing this is because they decided on Monsters Inc going to Muppets- I wouldn’t hold my breath for any big new land there in the next 10-15 years, which exceeds temporary in my book.

I agree that it won’t drive LL sales or align with corporate Disney’s metrics, but looking at it optimistically, this is just Disney making a new guest experience and refreshing an aging area like they used to be known for.

 

[Ice Gator]

we all know Disneys definition of temporary though. It’s not arguing with insiders… it is “temporary” in scope and budget. But it’s probably gonna be there for 1 or 2 decades.

I’m with you here. I don’t see this being temporary. it’s a great design and is what the area used to be known for- Animation. I don’t know why everyone is suddenly being so negative towards this/acting like they want a World of Frozen here instead because that was probably the only option. We ain’t getting Muppetland. Like isn’t it good that Disney announced something original and a callback to old MGM that doesn’t align with their corporate strategy?

 

[KDM31091]

I think it's temporary because it's not going to drive Lightning Lane sales or their "intent to visit" metric.

They've got no brand-new attractions until 2027, and inshallah even to that.

Relatively quick (~6-15 months) and budget-friendly things like shows, live entertainment, and rethemes/refurbs have been the short-term plan since 2024 to give people enough of a reason to visit for the next 3-4 years:

• Country Bear Musical Jamboree
• Villains: Unfairly Ever After
• The Little Mermaid - A Musical Adventure
• Disney Starlight parade
• Test Track
• (Upcoming) Buzz Lightyear upgrades
• (Upcoming) Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
• (Upcoming) Rock 'n' Roller Coaster re-theme

None of those, by themselves, is enough to justify paying for Lightning Lane*. And nobody's taking new vacation time to haul their kids to Florida for the third version of Test Track or Little Mermaid.

"Shareholder returns" is the only way to look at how capital-intensive decisions are made for the parks. It's the only thing that matters. That land is more valuable than a set of walk-through exhibits.

This exactly. They needed to throw some small things in to at least have something to offer in the short term.

 

[KDM31091]

I’m with you here. I don’t see this being temporary. it’s a great design and is what the area used to be known for- Animation. I don’t know why everyone is suddenly being so negative towards this/acting like they want a World of Frozen here instead because that was probably the only option. We ain’t getting Muppetland. Like isn’t it good that Disney announced something original and a callback to old MGM that doesn’t align with their corporate strategy?

I think it’s actually a nice return to form for the park, nostalgic, and a net positive. Nothing to complain about. Hollywood needs a lot more filler attractions to buffer the thrills and long waits.

 

[mickEblu]

You might hear more about it at D23.

I don't think this is a permanent thing at AC. My guess is it's a placeholder while they figure out Phase 2 of DHS expansion.

It feels kind of permanent though. Or maybe permanent for as long as they don’t have those Marvel rights East of the Mississippi.

 

[Brer Penguin]

Am I reading too much into this concept art or is this a gateway to something in the back of the courtyard. That just leads to backstage areas, right? It has been a long time since I stepped foot in that part of the park.

 

[EagleScout610]

Don't you just love to see it?

 

[Jedi14]

I’m guessing this is going to stick around until the first batch of construction, Monsters, TA, Cars-Villains, are finished.