DHS Toy Story Land expansion announced for Disney's Hollywood Studios

[UNCgolf]

One thing I will say somewhat in defense of TSL at DHS is that roller coasters often take up a ton of space. Slinky Dog Dash is basically the same size as Rise of the Resistance (one of the reasons I don't love Disney's pivot towards building more coasters!), and I don't think anyone thinks Slinky is a more impressive ride than Rise.

TSL is going to feel worse in comparison almost by default when you're using so much of the available land on a relatively fun but not special attraction, and the land next door is using that same amount of land for something on the scale of Rise.

Obviously that was Disney's choice, but it's a reality of building coasters. That's far from the only problem from a design perspective with TSL (and not even close to the biggest one IMO), but it definitely makes a difference.

As another example, Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley at Universal are essentially the same size, which would make you feel crazy on the ground since Diagon Alley has far more to see and explore than Hogsmeade. The only reason they have basically the same footprint overall is because Hagrid's is a sprawling coaster, though -- I think it's on a larger plot than the entire explorable area of Hogsmeade.

 

[LittleBuford]

I engage in “WDW exceptionalism,” in my own way on many topics, so it’s not meant to be a particularly cutting insult.

Yes, but that isn't what's going on, at least not with me. If I thought DLP's version was of comparable quality, I would say so. What on earth would I have to gain by pretending otherwise? By all means question my judgement or discernment, but please know that I'm being absolutely sincere in what I say.

 

[TrainsOfDisney]

As the one in Hollywood Studios? I can't agree with you at all.

What’s the difference? In vibe and feel. Maybe I just liked it better cause I wasn’t being baked alive?

It’s small in ambition but not physical size (or cost!),

Sorry - I was saying Paris is - meaning I judge it different than Florida that is the size of an actual land.

 

[UNCgolf]

Perhaps it boils down to the fact that I’ve always thought Midway was a garbage attraction and others don’t.

I thought I was the only one who hates Midway!

I wasn't even a fan when it opened, but now it's wildly outdated.

 

[LittleBuford]

What’s the difference? In vibe and feel.

It lacks the texture and detail that (in my eyes at least) distinguish the Hollywood Studios version. The attractions are (or feel like) cheap, off-the-shelf generic rides of the kind I used to ride as a child in my local funfair ("carnival" in your English). The vibes are closer to what I would associate with a lightly themed regional amusement park than with a Disney resort.

 

[TrainsOfDisney]

The attractions are (or feel like) cheap, off-the-shelf generic rides of the kind I used to ride as a child in my local funfair ("carnival" in your English).

Honestly alien saucers looks more cheap and off the shelf then the 3 attractions - but not as cheap as the Pixar pal around at DCA. That’s the worst thing I’ve seen Disney build. Period! Haha.

 

[LittleBuford]

Honestly alien saucers looks more cheap and off the shelf then the 3 attractions

To be fair, it’s the one attraction I don’t ride (I don’t do well with spinning things), though I still think it looks higher in quality than what they have over in Paris.

 

[LittleBuford]

The green army men are really fun - they add a lot of kinetic energy to the park - I wish they could have added them in Florida.

Unless I’m misunderstanding you, they are in Florida.

 

[UNCgolf]

Unless I’m misunderstanding you, they are in Florida.

I think he means the parachute drop.

Another attraction in Florida's TSL would be good, but I'm not sure that particular one is a good option, especially depending on how tall it is.

 

[Centauri Space Station]

Unless I’m misunderstanding you, they are in Florida.

He means the parachute drop ride which is a kiddy version of a drop tower

 

[LittleBuford]

I think he means the parachute drop.

Another attraction in Florida's TSL would be good, but I'm not sure that particular one is a good option, especially depending on how tall it is.

Oh, I thought he meant the men playing them.

The parachute-drop ride is an eyesore in my opinion.

 

[TrainsOfDisney]

I think he means the parachute drop.

Another attraction in Florida's TSL would be good, but I'm not sure that particular one is a good option, especially depending on how tall it is.

Yes I did.

In Paris it’s 82’ - slinky dog is 50’ at it its highest.

It should be easy to hide from galaxies edge

 

[Casper Gutman]

Yes, but that isn't what's going on, at least not with me. If I thought DLP's version was of comparable quality, I would say so. What on earth would I have to gain by pretending otherwise? By all means question my judgement or discernment, but please know that I'm being absolutely sincere in what I say.

The last thing I am accusing you (or myself) of is insincerity. I know you’re a sincere, good faith poster.

 

[TrainsOfDisney]

The parachute-drop ride is an eyesore in my opinion.

I thought the drop tower at DCA was an eyesore so I can understand- but i thought the army tower parachutes added a lot of kinetic energy. Kinda like jumping jellyfish at DCA.

 

[Animaniac93-98]

I engage in “WDW exceptionalism,” in my own way on many topics, so it’s not meant to be a particularly cutting insult.

On many issues on which we disagree I can see your perspective, but I look at TSL in Paris and I simply can’t. It’s the exact same aesthetic with many of the exact same decorative elements. It’s laid out in a significantly more efficient manner. I simply don’t see the appeal of WDW’s, which strikes me as little more than a long concrete walkway. Perhaps it boils down to the fact that I’ve always thought Midway was a garbage attraction and others don’t.

TSL in Paris may not have Midway Mania, but there's an equivalent attraction elsewhere in the park with Webslingers

And Slinky Dog may not be a coaster, but another one based on a Pixar movie is also not exactly far away either

Is it fair to say the HKDL version is better because I can skip it on the way to Mystic Manor?

That's the problem with comparing these land's in a vacuum, vs what do they bring to their respective parks.

TSL at WDSP was cheap filler, and it shows, but is neither a major selling point or defining feature of the park in the same way it has become for the attraction starved DHS.

And DHS already had Midway Mania before hand, which makes the amount of space taken up for the 2 new rides and dining options even more shocking. It wasn't a huge net gain for a park that really needed something more substantial.

 

[HMF]

Definitely, functionally I understand some of that really was never going to come together well fiscally or even work at all.

The Chapek-ism that I never quite understood was the retribution to cut the revenue sources. Particularly the table service restaraunt in Galaxies Edge and the retail location in TSPL.

To be fair now with the idiotic concept of paid fastpass literally everything is a revenue generator now. It's amazing they removed Leave A Legacy just around the time the thinking behind it reached its obvious conclusion.

 

[Disgruntled Walt]

I can end this debate. All of the Toy Story Lands stink. They reuse the same statues, have off-the-shelf filler rides, and do not display any significant amount of ingenuity. Before visiting WDW's this year for the first time, I was prepared to believe it was superior to the others because of its size. After having spent hours in the heat with my niece and nephews (including a sub-Purgatorial 30 minute wait to see Woody and Jesse), I can say that is just as bad (if not worse) than the overseas ones. At least the roller coaster at this one actually goes somewhere. But it's just a terrible place to spend any time.

 

[Marc Davis Fan]

I'm glad we're discussing this, because I've always had the following feeling, which I rarely hear others express:

DHS's TSL feels less "complete" than even WDSP's, despite its larger size and the inclusion of a true roller coaster.

In fact, DHS's was the one I visited first, and when I went to WDSP's, I was surprised by how much more compelling it felt!

My best guess is that WDSP's has a greater density of props, which results in both more visual interest and more coziness/charm. DHS's feels like the props are spread out over too much empty space.

That said, FWIW, DHS's nighttime lighting makes it worth visiting after dark.

 

[HMF]

I thought the drop tower at DCA was an eyesore so I can understand- but i thought the army tower parachutes added a lot of kinetic energy. Kinda like jumping jellyfish at DCA.

Maliboomer was probably the most obvious off the shelf feature of Paradise Pier to such an extent that for many years it was literally replaced with nothing and that was preferable.

 

[HMF]

I'm glad we're discussing this, because I've always had the following feeling, which I rarely hear others express:

DHS's TSL feels less "complete" than even WDSP's, despite its larger size and the inclusion of a true roller coaster.

In fact, DHS's was the one I visited first, and when I went to WDSP's, I was surprised by how much more compelling it felt!

My best guess is that WDSP's has a greater density of props, which results in both more visual interest and more coziness/charm. DHS's feels like the props are spread out over too much empty space.

That said, FWIW, DHS's nighttime lighting makes it worth visiting after dark.

I applaud you for actually bothering to actually visit anything in WDSP other than Tower of Terror.