DHS Observations 8/31/08

[goodolgm]

I posted this incorrectly in General Discussion before. Mods, if you wish to delete it, please feel free, thanks!

Hey folks, just got back from my first visit to the Studios since my CP ended in January. Park seemed quite busy, but here's a couple quick tidbits:

-Rode TSMM for the first time ever (yeah, it was pretty cool.) Posted wait time was 50min, which ended up being about an hour really...it's OK, I wasn't in any rush. When I got there around 11am, FP return time was 7:30-8:00.

-Mr. Potato Head teased pulling out his ear, or malfunctioned and couldn't complete the task.

-The limo above the RNRC archway has returned.

-The Osborne Lights have begun setting up. If you were walking into the NYC street by the Writer's Stop, the block along the right is completed, or close to it. I can't wait!

-By Al's Toy Barn, or what used to be Al's Toy Barn, it appears some Cars scenery is going up behind a wall...maybe for a meet-and-greet? Don't know/remember if that's been discussed on here.

-As posted before, the busts have mostly disappeared, but Walt Disney remains, along with Bill Cosby, Oprah Winfrey, and a couple others...really bad show in this area, with drill holes, posts, etc. with no attempt at covering up.

 

[TheDisneyMagic]

Thanks for the report, did you happen to get any photos of the lights going up?

Also glad to know the limo is now back, is there still construction walls around the ice cream parlor / smoking area near Rock 'n' Roller Coaster?

 

[DisneyEverest]

Thanks for the information...

 

[primetime52]

Thanks for the report! I had a quick trip to DHS a couple weeks ago and never got a chance to ride TSMM because wait times were minimum 90 minutes (posted). We kept checking back and hoping for the wait times to decrease, but they never did, and foolishly we ran out of time. Dumbest move I ever made. Next time I'll just tough it out and wait in the eternal line.

 

[disnyfan89]

The former Al's Toy barn is indeed going to be a new meet and greet location for Lightning McQueen and Mater. If my memory serves me right I was told by entertainment staff that it will be theme to Luigi's store front including the "Leaning Tower of Tires."

 

[goodolgm]

The aforementioned construction wall just outside of RNRC by the Smoking area is indeed still up.

I was stupid NOT to take pictures...I have a Blackberry Pearl, with a camera and upload to Flickr software, just never crossed my mind. I promise I will next time

And yes, the painted backdrop rising above the sightline of the construction wall has a sign for Luigi's Leaning Tower of Tires store (or whatever it was called, too lazy to go look)

Any more questions, feel free to ask away

 

[rbrower]

Thanks for the update!

 

[NewfieFan]

The former Al's Toy barn is indeed going to be a new meet and greet location for Lightning McQueen and Mater. If my memory serves me right I was told by entertainment staff that it will be theme to Luigi's store front including the "Leaning Tower of Tires."

Does anybody know the expected date of completion for this? And where are they meeting now?

 

[CLandrum]

I am not sure when it will be done. When we were there in December they were at The Streets of America. Here is a pic of my daughter with them. I really like them being there it looks neat and makes for a great pic.

 

[disnyfan89]

I unfortunatly do not know a date of completion. I do know that Matter and McQueen are doing meet and greets across the street from the empty sounstage one, next to the Backlot Tour entrance.

 

[NewfieFan]

Thanks for the replies!:wave:

They were on the Streets on America when I was there June '07 but I was under the impression they already had a new spot with a Radiator Springs sign for a backdrop!?! Is that what you were talking about disnyfan89?

 

[nanna]

the current location with the radiator springs backdrop is opposit the entrance to the backlot tour.

at the new location, the cars will be stationary and will no longer move.

 

[disnyfan89]

Thanks for the replies!:wave:

They were on the Streets on America when I was there June '07 but I was under the impression they already had a new spot with a Radiator Springs sign for a backdrop!?! Is that what you were talking about disnyfan89?

Correct

the current location with the radiator springs backdrop is opposit the entrance to the backlot tour.

at the new location, the cars will be stationary and will no longer move.

Really? I had not heard that. It's not really a loss tho when you look at the big picture. They really don't move much as it is. :shrug:

 

[RedFoxRunner]

Yeah last week Mr Potato Head attempted to do his ear stunt and instead dropped it. After that he was frozen for a few minutes until an employee came out and it put the ear back into his head. Shortly after he was reset and started up his spiel again.

Maybe this wasn't worked out too well?

 

[NewfieFan]

the current location with the radiator springs backdrop is opposit the entrance to the backlot tour.

at the new location, the cars will be stationary and will no longer move.

Ahhhh, interesting! Thanks