Hollywood Studios Lacking Theme

[Pseudonym]

Hollywood Studios........A mess.....A disaster.....There's so many words I have for this park. I thought to myself why has the Wizarding World of Harry Potter been so successful? What does it have that Disney does not? Then I thought of all the successful movies that Universal Studios makes and expresses these movies in attractions throughout its parks. These attractions of popular movies are ATTRACTING fans to the Universal parks. Harry Potter has captivated the world not only through books but also through movies. Disney is lacking the modern hits that will attract people today. Tron was successful....but it could have definitely been better, it lacked an interesting story. Creating a Tron ride would definatley attract more quests but it would NOT do wonders like the Wizarding World has done. The only modern Disney film that I feel has exceeded expectations was Pirates of the Caribbean. For good reason. But what does Disney own that captivated fans around the country? LOST. What is Disney waiting for? When I heard that Universal was creating a Harry Potter world I booked a trip to Orlando....and I would do the same if Disney announced a LOST world. Now when I say LOST "world" i definitely don't think it should be on such a major scale as the wizarding world is. But I feel that investing in such a set in Hollywood Studios where it belongs would do really well. I think that Disney should move the south entrance (to the parking lot) to Hollywood Studios and put this LOST themed area where the Cars meet and greet area is (could possibly no longer be there). South of the muppets building. Google Maps shows a boat-load of expansion room on that side of the park and I think it is time to start digging in that area. Thoughts and comments please.

 

[_Scar]

Really? I thought it was the most well crafted theme of any park so far besides Animal Kingdom. The Citizens of Hollywood, the detail in the architecture, the amazing headline attractions.... theme is oozing out of Hollywood Studios imo

 

[muse1983]

Hollywood Studios........A mess.....A disaster.....There's so many words I have for this park. I thought to myself why has the Wizarding World of Harry Potter been so successful? What does it have that Disney does not? Then I thought of all the successful movies that Universal Studios makes and expresses these movies in attractions throughout its parks. These attractions of popular movies are ATTRACTING fans to the Universal parks. Harry Potter has captivated the world not only through books but also through movies. Disney is lacking the modern hits that will attract people today. Tron was successful....but it could have definitely been better, it lacked an interesting story. Creating a Tron ride would definatley attract more quests but it would NOT do wonders like the Wizarding World has done. The only modern Disney film that I feel has exceeded expectations was Pirates of the Caribbean. For good reason. But what does Disney own that captivated fans around the country? LOST. What is Disney waiting for? When I heard that Universal was creating a Harry Potter world I booked a trip to Orlando....and I would do the same if Disney announced a LOST world. Now when I say LOST "world" i definitely don't think it should be on such a major scale as the wizarding world is. But I feel that investing in such a set in Hollywood Studios where it belongs would do really well. I think that Disney should move the south entrance (to the parking lot) to Hollywood Studios and put this LOST themed area where the Cars meet and greet area is (could possibly no longer be there). South of the muppets building. Google Maps shows a boat-load of expansion room on that side of the park and I think it is time to start digging in that area. Thoughts and comments please.

1. I highly disagree with you here. DHS is still an extremely enjoyable experience and The Citizens of Hollywood and TOT make it worth the trip alone.

2. I was a massive LOST fan since the very first episode. But even I realize that the show will never translate well into an attraction. It had it's moment on tv but it's far from being a property that will live on for years to come.

3. "Disney is lacking the modern hits that will attract people today." Do you think that's why people go to Disney World, because they are seeking out modern attractions from "modern hits"? If that's the case then I have a feeling you have completely missed out on the untouchable magic and wonder of WDW...

 

[_Scar]

I forgot to say, I must agree WDW (specifically DHS) needs a LOST attraction. I have the perfect concept in my head.... think IJA but 10x more bada$$.....

Anyways....

That doesn't make up for the other half of your post =/

 

[Testtrack321]

I refuse to read that post until you use some paragraph breaks. My eyes bleed from large amounts of block text... :lol:

 

[CaptJapan]

Still waiting for my Kingdom Hearts' rides and attractions.

But I guess video games still aren't considered entertainment like television and movies. Despite surpassing both in revenue.

 

[Enchantâmes]

Still waiting for my Kingdom Hearts' rides and attractions.

But I guess video games still aren't considered entertainment like television and movies. Despite surpassing both in revenue.

Kingdom Hearts? lol
1. The games never came close to out grossing Disney's Movies.
2. They're good games but a majority of the people who go to the parks know nothing about them or even heard of them.
3. The premise of the games is already all over the parks.
Now go back to school kid. :wave:

 

[H2Opolo15]

Still waiting for my Kingdom Hearts' rides and attractions.

But I guess video games still aren't considered entertainment like television and movies. Despite surpassing both in revenue.

I believe a lot of the games ideas were thought of/incorporated in the games. So think of the game as a "child" of the parks. Not the other way around... Video games will never be well known enough to really spur their own park... IMHO

 

[cookiee_munster]

Thematically the park is pretty strong really. its just a bit dated. its nice to look back at old hollywood from time to time what with all the classics that were released back then, but it also needs a good mix of movies from today. not just movies either though, but all kinds of media etc.

i always think, any kind of movie tie-ins should be put into this park. because its movie themed etc. but a little like epoct, id like to see more of a learning/teaching element to the park also. its interesting how advanced the film industry has now become, it would be awesome for folk who aren't really that upto date with todays technology to actually learn how its all created. like motion capture / green screen / 3D animation etc etc.

im one of those folk that always seem more interested in the special features "how its done" on a dvd than the actual end result ie the film.

a lost ride? i started a thread about this a while ago, and even though i was shot down (politely) i kind of had to agree to an extent anyway. i dont think the show is really big enough to earn itself a one off big bad ride, but id still like to see it acknowledged in the park somehow. maybe more of a lost experience/walk through. something that doesn't totally give the whole plot of Lost away, so for people that do go away from the attraction that are total novices to the show, they can go and watch it and not have it all spoilt from what they saw at the park...

 

[jakeman]

Well this was a more creative attempt to drag HP into a discussion.

The thing about the Lost ride is that the Lost franchise seems to be one of those things that you are either adamantly for or you are apathetic to the point of possibly avoiding it.

Me personally, the few times I watched it, it seemed to be a show where they made stuff up as they went along and hoped they could tie it together at the end.

Now, some might say that is an apt metaphor for TDO today, but still, I don't think you can compare Lost to some of the greater TV franchises.

Lost had about the third of the viewers that Everybody Loves Raymond did for their finale.

For a comparison to Lost and Kingdoms Hearts (as best you can make it) the Lost finale brought in about 13 million viewers; Kingdom Hearts has sold about 12 million units as of 2008.

Take from that what you will, but to me it shows that either Kingdom Hearts is more popular than people give it credit for or Lost is less popular than people want to believe.

 

[MUTZIE77]

TSMM is the one and only thematic problem at DHS, everything else is themed exactly to a Hollywood theme, which is music, movies and television. Where does the midway theme come from?:shrug:

 

[DDAY]

I am confused by this, the Studios are very well done to give the feel of a movie studio.

 

[Krack]

DHS has a fine theme ... a working movie/television production studio. The problem is, it is no longer one. It used to be. It was intended to be. It makes all kinds of sense if it's a working studio like Universal Studios California. It could be again (all it would take is a commandment by the Iger that every Disney Channel show would tape in Florida). But as for now, they barely even pretend anymore (by crippling the Backlot Tour).

It a lot of ways, it's the DHS companion-piece to what EPCOT Center did to original Future World.

 

[zooey]

TSMM is the one and only thematic problem at DHS, everything else is themed exactly to a Hollywood theme, which is music, movies and television. Where does the midway theme come from?:shrug:

Because it's in Pixar Place, which means a "studio" and Toy Story is one of their creations. Don't be surprised (someday) if DHS gets divided into studio lands. They already have Lucasfilm, Pixar, and Muppets. It's my understanding the "studio lands" idea has been discussed before as a real possibility.

 

[E P C O T]

Void.

 

[rsoxguy]

I must disagree with the OP on this, particularly with the choice of wording ("a mess, a disaster"). Hollywood Studios remains a thematic wonder, with the late 1930's as a central theme within the main streets. It breaks off into sections throughout the park, and works well in its flow. I believe that it has been lost in the attention payed to the maintenance of certain attractions (Sounds Dangerous, Backlot Tour, etc.), and could use some replacement/upkeep. Thematically, however, the park remains a visual treat.

​

 

[cookiee_munster]

Don't be surprised (someday) if DHS gets divided into studio lands. They already have Lucasfilm, Pixar, and Muppets. It's my understanding the "studio lands" idea has been discussed before as a real possibility.

i kinda hope this will happen. each area getting its own themed area. hopefully pixar will stay within this area and not branch out anymore into any other area's of the other three parks. i love pixar, but i really think it should be more condensed. leaving imagineering to create more unique attraction's that aren't related to actual films.

Indiana Jones i feel the stunt spectacualr has become somewhat stale. but i also hope that it doesn't get replaced with what disney have at california and tokyo... the ride looks amazing, but i rather hope it would stay in the "this is how we do it" experience instead.

The hat... That damned hat! lol. it needs to be moved, not nessesarily obliterated. As rumour suggested once, its there to cover up the Chinese Theatre and being the centre of the park instead? The Great Movie ride imo really needs a total upgrade to the 21st century yeah sure, involve films from then, but it really needs some films from now too. anyway, with an update on this attraction, maybe it should receive an update in terms of facade? bye bye Chinese Theatre?

 

[menamechris]

I think I understand and agree to an extent what the original poster is says. HS certainly has an underlying theme, but you really do have to seek it out. It is a mish-mash of several different ideas and concepts that were just oddly melted into one. Is it a movie studio? Or is it Hollywood cira-1930? Is it the home of Pixar? Or Aerosmith? When we think of Disney, we think of extremely well planned "lands" as in Magic Kingdom, which is where Hollywood Studios falls off. How do Tower of Terror and Aerosmith connect in any way - other than they are both the 2 thrill rides in the park? Why would you put them right next to each other? And for that matter - how do either of those relate to Beauty and the Beast?

I am not up in arms about HS, but do I think it was a well executed concept and plan? No... I see it for what it was - an extremely quick response to the announcement and construction of Universal Studios.

 

[loveofamouse]

while I can agree that there are a few things with HS that got messed up, I wouldn't call the park a disaster. The park is about movies. I see that everywhere. The only problem I have with HS is the FLOW. IMO it doesn't flow well. You have Sunset BLVD that is themed 1930s Hollywood that ends at ToT....Ok but then BatB and RnR are next to it....um doesn't match. TSMM is pixar place but pizza planet by Muppets. The only thing IJ and SW has in common is George Lucas lol. With both being right next to AI. I do think the Indiana Jones Stunt Show needs a make over. Either completely update the "stunts" or bring us a version of the IJ ride everyone else gets. Honestly, I'd rather have the ride. How many times can you watch a stunt being done? Once you've seen the explanation once, you've seen it.

When comparing HS to US, I'd hate to say it but US is tied, if not surpassing, HS. US has very clear areas for each attraction. They also seem to be doing more updating than Disney.

 

[blueboxdoctor]

while i agree a new themed section would be nice, i pray it isn't LOST. they shouldn't celebrate a show that they didn't know how to end so instead came up with an ending that i can't find anyone who actually liked it. I watched a few episodes and was bored beyond belief. If anything they should try to remember that they own the rights to national treasure (who i don't know anyone that didn't like it) and prince of persia. though, they managed to ruin whatever they were trying to do with Narnia.

and for everyone who says they already have a theme, well yeah they sort of do, but it's also kind of spaced out a lot; leaving quite some room filled with walkways and not much else.

plus, upgrade the backlot tour. all they've done to it in the past few years is actually get rid of stuff, making it smaller.

oh, also, get rid of the drew carry soundstage, that's just bad.

however, i am a fan of the park, and will continue to go there since there are a few good rides (especially the new toy story one) and the shows are usually entertaining. however, i do think that universal (which i am not a fan of) has them beat with their take on the movie park, especially their version of the backlot tour.

oh yeah, no LOST!