The park will be a much better place when all is said and finished (years from now). But don't get too crazy with expectations or you'll be disappointed.
Ultimately, this will be a good thing. Isn't that what you should care about?
Very true... they're taking the first step for Hollywood Studios to stand on its own. Unfortunately, similar to Universal Orlando pre-Potter, DHS will need quite a lot of investment and fleshing out before it becomes a full-day destination of its own.
Without re-riding ToT/RnRC/Star Tours all day
Just hope the Pixar portion of the expansion has some real substance. TSPL and a HITSK reskin ought to cost $100-110 million total. Pixar Place could use a dark ride or two to help TSMM out.
Gates have finally completely rebounded from the recession, and WDW is literally busting at the seems..
Epcot will see a portion of the investment as well
So something like..
DHS - $1.75 billion
Epcot - $750 million
$2.5 billion for WDW (not including Pandora, RoL, nighttime safari, Sunset flex theater, Frozenstrom, Soarin' 3rd theater, TSMM 3rd track or Disney Springs)... plus I see MK getting $300-500 million for enhancements to the classics, a new parade, new fireworks, as well as replacements for Stitch/Laugh Floor.
I believe that some of this project will move quite quickly.
Honestly, other than non-TSPL Pixar expansion and Star Wars Land, there's a lot that could be fasttracked for DHS to be done reasonably quick (2.5 yrs or less).
Toy Story Playland
HITSK reskin
X-Wing spinner
Muppets mini-land
Great Movie Ride upgrade/refurb
B&TB replacement
Little Mermaid replacement
Animation Academy revamp
Relocation of Pizza Planet (if too costly, cut it... Gusteau's or Flo's would be better for Pixar Place anyways)
Even with TDO prices, all of that should be relatively cheap! Make minor improvements/placemaking first, then give us the meal (Pixar Place expansion) with dessert on top (Star Wars Land)
Well DAK is getting plenty of love, MK just got NFL, so with the exception of Epcot they all already have. Although they did give it Frozenstrom
Epcot's got to be next on TDO/TDA's list. Frozen Ever After isn't going to be enough to hold it over decades past the 50th.
I know this is just armchair imagineering fodder, but the HKDL expansion most assuredly did not cost 1.25 billion... 2 E's and TSPL.
Hong Kong and Tokyo have different ways of budgeting than Orlando/Anaheim.