Backlot theatre to be demolished

Hoop Raeb

Formerly known as...
Still confused about this. The San Fran backdrop is basically one wall of the theater. And part of the Golden Gate bridge is mounted to the roof. So if they demo the theater, San Fran is history.

So should we start the "Save the San Fran backdrop" thread?
 

BeanSz

Member
Im with you Lee. I second the Blast idea. That show is incredible.

I also like the idea of a BLAST show. It is a great show. At one time, they announced they had a deal with Disney to put a permenant show and theater at WDW similar to La Noumba, but never happened. I would love to see something along these lines. I would be ok if it was a show in the parks.
 

BeanSz

Member
Like Pooh's Peacefull Area II:lookaroun

Be nice -- let's not turn this in a bashing of Pooh's Playspot. WDW is for all ages and has something for everyone. Not everyone likes everything at the WDW and I am ok with that. My kids absolutely love "Pooh's Peacefull Area" as you call it.
 

hauntdmansion79

Active Member
Poor MGM (Hollywood Studios). They've taken a lot of heat on these boards lately. But understandably so. I went to MGM the first year it opened and there was not much to do. The park did well for itself and was turned into a full day park. I've always liked MGM, but I agree it needs a lot of help. But I'm hopeful that it will receive what Epcot has received over the last 5-10 years and will be reinvented. But I've always thought less shows and more rides would help a lot. Shows are hard because you can only see them certain times, which makes scheduling your day a little stretegic. But Indiana Jones, Beauty and the Beast, Little Mermaid, Lights Motors Actions, Fantasmic...they've got enough shows.
 

Rwall10279

New Member
Actually I think BatB opened with the whole Sunset Blvd area in 1994. The stage show couldn't have been there since the park opened in 1989 since the movie itself didn't come out until 1991! Still, 13 years for a stage show is a good amount of time, I'm also surprised it's still there.

As I recall, BatB opened before Sunset Blvd was built. There was a thearter where the beginning of sunset is that BatB began showing in. I can't remember the year, but I know I saw it preformed there.

Look on this map for "Thearter of the Stars"
http://www.themeparkbrochures.net/maps/1991/mgm1991.html

I can't find any of my older maps that state the show was there. Does anyone elese remember this?
 

Foolish1

New Member
As I recall, BatB opened before Sunset Blvd was built. There was a thearter where the beginning of sunset is that BatB began showing in. I can't remember the year, but I know I saw it preformed there.

Look on this map for "Thearter of the Stars"
http://www.themeparkbrochures.net/maps/1991/mgm1991.html

I can't find any of my older maps that state the show was there. Does anyone elese remember this?


Yes, the theater was literally next to "Starring Rolls". I have pictures of
the theater somewhere. If I can find them I will post them.
 

marni1971

Park History nut
Premium Member

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steve2wdw

WDW Fan Since 1973
Later there were bleachers set up along Hollywood Blvd facing the half shell for more capacity. I remember seeing BatB at night on this stage. The costume colors and lighting were incredible at night.
 

steve2wdw

WDW Fan Since 1973
I didn't realize that BatB was originally presented in the Backlot Theatre. I thought it took the place of the D Tracy Diamond Doublecross show on Hollywood Blvd. Interesting. Were both shows presented at the same time for awhile?
 

marni1971

Park History nut
Premium Member
I stand corrected; B&TB did indeed begin at TotS on Hollywood before moving to the Backlot sometime before summer 1993 :wave:
 

CSUFSteve

Active Member
I checked back over years worth of Disney-MGM Studios park maps on this. I had forgotten how much MGM sucked when it first opened. Wow, they included elements of other attractions as attractions. Weird. And oh how I miss Sorcerey in the Sky with Vincent Price's voiceover. I remember an interview with him in Disney News where he stated how satisfying it was to know that his voice would live on forever in Disney attractions (since he was also in Paris when it opened). Poor Mr. Price...

Anyway... I only scanned a snippet of this Park map from Summer 1991. According to the maps, BatB was NEVER at the theatre off Hollywood Blvd. ________ Tracy was and so was the original show, "Hooray for Disney Stars" or something like that. But BatB was always at this location prior to Sunset Blvd opening. Even when ToT opened but Sunset Blvd was not yet open, BatB remained at this backlot location.

WDW1991_DMGM_Guidemap_Cover.jpg


WDW1991_DMGM_Guidemap_UL.jpg
 

Rwall10279

New Member
Here`s a bit of history of the theatres and a pic of the original: http://forums.wdwmagic.com/showpost.php?p=1959081&postcount=12

Thats the thearter I remember seeing BatB at.

Later there were bleachers set up along Hollywood Blvd facing the half shell for more capacity. I remember seeing BatB at night on this stage. The costume colors and lighting were incredible at night.

Yup, there where quite a few bleachers set up there. I remember looking off to the side and being able to see people walk down Hollywood Blvd.
 

Rwall10279

New Member
I checked back over years worth of Disney-MGM Studios park maps on this. I had forgotten how much MGM sucked when it first opened. Wow, they included elements of other attractions as attractions. Weird. And oh how I miss Sorcerey in the Sky with Vincent Price's voiceover. I remember an interview with him in Disney News where he stated how satisfying it was to know that his voice would live on forever in Disney attractions (since he was also in Paris when it opened). Poor Mr. Price...

Anyway... I only scanned a snippet of this Park map from Summer 1991. According to the maps, BatB was NEVER at the theatre off Hollywood Blvd. ________ Tracy was and so was the original show, "Hooray for Disney Stars" or something like that. But BatB was always at this location prior to Sunset Blvd opening. Even when ToT opened but Sunset Blvd was not yet open, BatB remained at this backlot location.

WDW1991_DMGM_Guidemap_Cover.jpg


WDW1991_DMGM_Guidemap_UL.jpg

Hmm, I have this map, it shows Sunset Blvd being built. But the copyright on the Kodak add is for '93 on it, with most of the rides having '91 copyrights. Is it possible BatB showed at the original Theater of the Stars for a short while and moved when it was torn down to complete Sunset? I have a really good memory of seeing BatB at the original Theater of the stars.
 

CSUFSteve

Active Member
Hmm, I have this map, it shows Sunset Blvd being built. But the copyright on the Kodak add is for '93 on it, with most of the rides having '91 copyrights. Is it possible BatB showed at the original Theater of the Stars for a short while and moved when it was torn down to complete Sunset? I have a really good memory of seeing BatB at the original Theater of the stars.

Yeah, I found two maps that look VERY similar except that one has ToT on it and one has Star Tours. The one with ToT shows BatB at its present location. You'll notice this map has Star Tours on it. This is the 1st map (from 1991) I have that shows BatB.

This could be fun and an excuse to organize my WDW park maps :)
 

jt04

Well-Known Member
Did some snooping and the rumor about it being rehabilitated to provide a venue for DCI, WGI was one of those false rumors that was planted by unknown parties. Thats all I have for now:zipit:
 

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