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

[TrainsOfDisney]

I also think the new area makes Hollywood Studios more like Hollywood Studios. It would be neat if it's a tied into something bigger on the other side.

This is interesting- and I agree. But that’s telling isn’t it - we aren’t excited about the actual experience. We are more excited that it doesn’t contradict our views of the park the way Simpsons would.

Since they have the space…. It’s a shame they aren’t at least adding an indoor flat ride like a “Carousel of Animation” or something.

 

[lazyboy97o]

I also think the new area makes Hollywood Studios more like Hollywood Studios.

This is interesting- and I agree. But that’s telling isn’t it - we aren’t excited about the actual experience. We are more excited that it doesn’t contradict our views of the park the way Simpsons would.

What is Hollywood Studios other than this park?

 

[Bocabear]

Makes it feel more like the Disney MGM Studios of the past... you remember when thay actually had an animation exhibit in the Animation Courtyard....

 

[Purduevian]

I believe Big Band has ended. I’d also be very surprised if Lucky Nugget was the same show.

So it seems the three oldest Disney theme park live shows in the world are in Studios. What’s more, 80-100 percent of the pre-turn-of-the-century shows are WDW, with the nearest comparable being almost 20 years newer. That’s really unforgivable.

I’d also add AK’s tired bird show to the above list of ancient WDW shows even though it went through a period of being even worse.

Voices and the Dans are performers, not shows, by the way.

I mean... a lot of the shows have changes... I guess everyone's line of new show vs just some changes varries. IMHO Mermaid and Bird show are different shows... Also Big Band beat is running for the next 2 months

 

[DisneyHead123]

I think we have a pretty good idea what will be in Animation Courtyard because it was there ten years ago. We also have decades of experience at EPCOT with the big empty carpeted spaces with interactive exhibits that quickly become underpopulated wastelands.

I definitely understand that perspective, and Communicore Hall made me a little nervous on that front. That said, Disney does seem to be in something of a new era recently. Also, some of what is proposed would be almost hard to mess up, like the flower playground area. Assuming it’s some sort of soft play area, any supplier for mall play areas could put something visually appealing and functional in there. This is not something that would be difficult to figure out in 2025. And if they go above and beyond that, even better!

I do remember many of the kid “exhibits” being somewhat lackluster in the past. Especially those incorporating technology - like I think one of the Figment exhibits is still this very large computer area where you “design” a Figment by selecting a few basic features and then viewing a simple picture of your Figment. Yeah, I get that is not cutting it with the Minecraft set. But again, I think technology has come so far recently that the idea of putting in displays like that now would be seen as absurd by pretty much anyone. I think they’ll lean in more to fun, hands on displays.

 

[BrianLo]

I think the only shows that have basically remained untouched for over 10 years are...

1. Indy (DHS, 1989)
2. Batb (DHS, 1991)
3. Lucky Nugget Saloon (DLP, 1992)
4. FotLK (AK, 1998)
5. Mickey's Big Band Beat (TDL, 2006)
6. Let’s Celebrate with Mickey and Friends (TDL, 2011)
7. Royal Theatre (DL, 2013)
8. Frozen (DHS, 2014)
9. Mickey and the Wondrous Book (2015)

The broader entertainment trifecta these days is really MV3D, Indy and B&TB. Then Main Street electrical parade is the grand daddy when that is dragged out of storage.

Fantasmic and Mermaid have been too modernized to qualify as original runs.

Philharmagic is more much more the added scene than mermaid is being accused of. Mermaid was fully restaged, new costumes, props, puppets, new effects, elements and the theatre redressed. It’s not the original run show.

Frankly, B&TB is by far the most embarrassing thing of the lot by a mile. All the worse done by running a much better show for their paid after hours event a handful of times a year.


Edit - Ooph and since I’m dragging screening into it, China (then Reflections) is embarrassing. WDW still has too much crust.

 

[mattpeto]

What is Hollywood Studios other than this park?

I'd say the shows, Star Tours are decent representation.

What do you suggest? They just demo it in 5 years when Phase 2 occurs?

 

[lazyboy97o]

I'd say the shows, Star Tours are decent representation.

What do you suggest? They just demo it in 5 years when Phase 2 occurs?

You said this project “makes Hollywood Studios more like Hollywood Studios.” What does that mean? How is something more like itself? Or is Hollywood Studios (the park) being made more like something else known as Hollywood Studios?

 

[BrianLo]

When these updates are done, you will have quite a bit new for the park that also helps round it out and has more for younger kids but also everyone:
- New Villains Show
- Updated Mermaid Show
- Magic of Disney Animation - including an indoor playground for kids
- Updated Disney Jr show, likely including Bluey
- New Monsters Show
- New dining and merch (and maybe M&Gs) in Monstropolis
- New Door Coaster
- Muppet update to RnRC

Plus Millennium Falcon and possibly an outdoor playground.

I constantly say DHS is not next in line as they sneak announce more and more for it. But they really need to do something with B&TB, the Epcot films and the night venue at DAK.

 

[WorldExplorer]

I definitely understand that perspective, and Communicore Hall made me a little nervous on that front. That said, Disney does seem to be in something of a new era recently. Also, some of what is proposed would be almost hard to mess up, like the flower playground area. Assuming it’s some sort of soft play area, any supplier for mall play areas could put something visually appealing and functional in there. This is not something that would be difficult to figure out in 2025. And if they go above and beyond that, even better!

I do remember many of the kid “exhibits” being somewhat lackluster in the past. Especially those incorporating technology - like I think one of the Figment exhibits is still this very large computer area where you “design” a Figment by selecting a few basic features and then viewing a simple picture of your Figment. Yeah, I get that is not cutting it with the Minecraft set. But again, I think technology has come so far recently that the idea of putting in displays like that now would be seen as absurd by pretty much anyone. I think they’ll lean in more to fun, hands on displays.

Boo; the Make Your Own Figment station is great. The trick is to send it to an unsuspecting family member at the end to confuse them and hopefully get a funny phone call out of it.

 

[Purduevian]

The broader entertainment trifecta these days is really MV3D, Indy and B&TB. Then Main Street electrical parade is the grand daddy when that is dragged out of storage.

Fantasmic and Mermaid have been too modernized to qualify as original runs.

Philharmagic is more much more the added scene than mermaid is being accused of. Mermaid was fully restaged, new costumes, props, puppets, new effects, elements and the theatre redressed. It’s not the original run show.

Frankly, B&TB is by far the most embarrassing thing of the lot by a mile. All the worse done by running a much better show for their paid after hours event a handful of times a year.


Edit - Ooph and since I’m dragging screening into it, China (then Reflections) is embarrassing. WDW still has too much crust.

I was only counting live stage shows where live actors are the main focus... if we open it up to all shows.

Longest running with minimal changes:

1. Enchanted Tiki Room (DL, 1963)
2. Carousel of Progress (MK, 1964 at world fair or 1975 at MK)
3. Hall of Presidents (MK, 1971) obviously has updates... but basically the same show
4. Tiki room/tropical serenade (MK, 1971) [had a brief time under new management]
5. The American adventure (EPCOT, 1982)
6. Impressions de France (EPCOT, 1982)
7. Indy (DHS, 1989)
8. BATB (DHS, 1991)
9. Lucky Nugget (DLP, 1992)

 

[mattpeto]

You said this project “makes Hollywood Studios more like Hollywood Studios.” What does that mean? How is something more like itself? Or is Hollywood Studios (the park) being made more like something else known as Hollywood Studios?

It's simulating entering an animation studio.

 

[BrianLo]

I misspoke earlier in the thread when I said it was unclear where the theme park Bluey rights actually were. Timing wise it would support this being a shortlist show candidate.

'Bluey' to Join Disney Experiences at its U.S. Theme Parks and Cruise Line Beginning in 2025 - The Walt Disney Company

Disney Experiences announced that Bluey will join Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World Resort on land and Disney Cruise Line at sea.

thewaltdisneycompany.com

 

[DisneyHead123]

Boo; the Make Your Own Figment station is great. The trick is to send it to an unsuspecting family member at the end to confuse them and hopefully get a funny phone call out of it.

To be fair, I only picked on that one because we’ve actually used it, which probably says something. If I’m remembering correctly, about a decade ago I tried taking my nephew to some interactive technology exhibits in Epcot and they were either so boring or so hard to figure out that we wandered off. I couldn’t tell you anything about them because that’s the extent of my memory. Figment I remember because we did at least make a couple of Figments.

 

[Fox&Hound]

BatB desperately needs to be replaced. Why not a Tangled show or something like Mickey and the Magical Map?

But this animation refresh is exactly what the park needs- an area for little kids to play and bringing back a classic experience with the drawing classes that has been sorely missed.

This park has a ton of E-tickets that I prefer this to an E-ticket in this space, actually. Do I hope they can expand beyond it one day? Sure. But if we get this space plus a Bluey show I call that a win.

 

[TrainsOfDisney]

BatB desperately needs to be replaced.

Why? It gets good ratings and i think it’s well attended.

Now it DOES need to be air conditioned! And some comfortable seats would be nice too.

 

[WorldExplorer]

The regular side of me is like "At least put in a Bluey meet and greet".

Then the internet-trainwreck-watching side of me says "Don't put in a Bluey meet and greet".

 

[Casper Gutman]

One of the oddest ideas that always gets trotted out is, “Disney has run into major problems by turning away from family attractions so it’s good that they are building small playgrounds rather then turning back to family attractions.”

 

[Brer Oswald]

Honestly a solution I would quite like, maybe even a Toontown back there?

That’s exactly what I had been hoping for years before this recent announcement. A small recreation of the Disney Studios that leads into Toontown. Sort of creating a world where the toons live and can go to work.

Though just because I hope for something, doesn’t mean it will happen. Usually it doesn’t…

 

[HMF]

I also think the new area makes Hollywood Studios more like Hollywood Studios.

That's also what is confusing about it. Disney has literally spent the last 10 years trying to destroy the studio theme by removing GMR, the backlot, Pixar Studios etc. and replacing them with generic IP Attractions and lands trying to change the park into a generic Universal-style hodgepodge and now all of a sudden with this they are actually embracing the studio concept again? It really tells me that in terms of Master Planning. WDI seems to be lacking in the department of coherent park concepts and has sadly adopted the Universal "Dumping Ground" approach.