smw
Active Member
are you serious? so should they change the name to Make-believe Kingdom since magic isn't real? Should Peter Pan's Flight be called Peter Pan's Ride in a Fake Ship on a Track?
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DHS: Working studio fiction vs. movie-themed fun
- Thread starter mharrington
- Start date
are you serious? so should they change the name to Make-believe Kingdom since magic isn't real? Should Peter Pan's Flight be called Peter Pan's Ride in a Fake Ship on a Track?
I was only trying to make sense of what someone else had posted when they said:
[Big Thunder Mountain is] a random example used to make a point. If someone said, "why do you care that dhs isn't a real studio or that the backlot tour isn't quite honest? Big Thunder is neither a real mountain nor a railroad. Isn't that also a lie?"
The difference is Big Thunder mountain is *obviously* not real. There's no implication that Orlando was a gold mining town, nor are there real mountains in the area, etc. The Magic Kingdom is full of fantasy and make-believe. DHS, on the other hand, opened as a working studio and the whole theme revolves around movie-making, thereby making it completely reasonable to believe the backlot tour is accurate and honest.
That's what I'm trying to figure out. They said it was "full of fantasy and make-believe", so that led me to believe that it would be easier to accept something like this in the Magic Kingdom than it would at the Studios. I'm just trying to interpret what they said.
MagicMike
Well-Known Member
Just curious, does anyone actually believe they are creating their future during the finale of Spaceship Earth? Does that need to be accompanied by a disclaimer stating this is only a video and actual futures may vary?
I can't imagine anyone sitting in the audience of the Indiana Jones Stunt Spectacular and actually believing the show unfolding before them is begin filmed for use, seeing as how it's a rehash of various scenes from a movie trilogy that debuted thirty years ago.
DHS is a THEME park after all, and the ruse of "filming" is part of that theme. I don't feel like this is an attempt to deceive guests into believing they are watching the actual filming of a movie or show, but to create a fun Hollywood feel to rides and shows. WDW also no longer promotes or markets DHS as a "working studio" to bring guests to the park on that basis.
Then ask the author. I have no doubt there's a comments section. But asking us what someone else wrote on another site probably won't help you very much.
Unfortunately, the comments section has been closed.
riverscu0m0
Active Member
I feel like DHS as a whole, needs an update. I really enjoy DHS, but that's because I'm me and I just love anything disney/movie related. The update on Star Tours, the additions of the Playhouse Disney characters were all good steps in the direction. Honestly though, Indy is getting a little old. Indy isn't in anymore and I understand there's a contract with Lucasfilms or something like that but perhaps make a Star Wars show or something? I don't know many people who (aside from younger kids) would go into any of this thinking it's real. DHS, MGM whatever you wanna call it isn't a working studio and hasn't been for quite some time now. There are certain things that are of course, irreplaceable such as RNR or ToT but besides those I feel like it's time to ditch the old and bring in some new. I'm not talking about the HSM or Camp Rock shows, not stuff like that. I'm talking about like, Tangled, Princess and The Frog, Wall-E, Up, etc... Just throw in a little flare of the modern movies.
I don't know, though. I love it the way it is, but I know that when we bring my cousins who are 10 & 12, they don't know about much of the stuff that's at DHS.
I don't know, though. I love it the way it is, but I know that when we bring my cousins who are 10 & 12, they don't know about much of the stuff that's at DHS.
smw
Active Member
that was me who said it originally. my point, still, is that the magic kingdom is based on fantasy. in no way is anyone expected to believe, nor is it implied, that space mountain is actually a ride through space in a rocket.
dhs, on the other hand, was originally an actual working studio with a "behind the scenes" sort of theme. therefore, when you were on the backlot tour and they claimed the golden girls house was the actual house, there was reason to believe it actually was.
menamechris
Well-Known Member
Suspending belief on a purely fantasy attraction (like in the Magic Kingdom) is very fun. It isn't quite the same as being told you are watching an actual filing of a movie (and pretty much insulting your intelligence in the process). It brings nothing to show itself other than coming off as dumbed down and embarrassing to the cast to have to keep the charade up.... I think at this point - especially since it IS no longer an actual studio - there is no reason to try to pretend to be. It actually just serves as a sad reminder of how this park has lost itself, in my opinion.
smw
Active Member
uh, sure... but have you ever left and told your friends you really flew through space in a rocket? no.
but have people left the backlot tour and told their friends they really saw the golden girls house? yes.
Well, here's another comparison between the Studios and the castle parks, one that might be a little more complicated: Star Tours. In Florida, it is located at the Studios, whereas in all other resorts worldwide, it is located in a castle park. Of course, in those days, only Florida had multiple parks to choose from, whereas California, Japan and France each had only one park. But anyway, what of Star Tours?
There was this one response to an article on the state of the Studios today at a website called Studios Central: http://www.studioscentral.com/column/studios-weekly/defending-studios. This response brings up Star Tours. It says:
[In regards of the working studio fiction, s]etting Star Tours on a soundstage, for instance, is an enormous cop-out. [...] I didn't know what they were going for, with C-3PO's coffee break area and bulletin board off to the side. Are we going to Endor, or are we watching people make a movie about people going to Endor? Introducing the "working set" idea creates a whole extra layer of stuff to get between the guest and the experience.
So again, it seems easier to accept a ride like this in Disneyland, which, being a castle park, is primarily based on fantasy. Any thoughts on that?
Goofyernmost
Well-Known Member
Why? It's a show. They do a terrific job and I'm sure are proud of their performances. If the folks in the foam heads aren't embarrassed, why should any of face actors be concerned. They are entertaining us and that's the story line. Even when DHS was a working studio those things weren't authentic. At least, no more authentic then the Golden Girls house was the one used in the TV show. That would have been some kind of Disney Magic since Golden Girls was on the air and using that footage long before Disney/MGM was even built.
Initially they did make movies there, but primarily they produced TV shows. That was real. They also had the animation area that produced some feature movies, but the numbers were pretty small. The Hollywood theme is alive and well. It's just a story line as is MK and AK and to a larger extent Epcot that is not now nor ever has been the Experimental Prototype Community Of Tomorrow.
menamechris
Well-Known Member
Really...no, I mean...REALLY? Hollywood Studios has probably one of the biggest identity problems of any theme park anywhere. How does a 1920's Hollywood theme (that seems to fly by most guests..) relate to anything else going on in the park (with the exception of Tower of Terror)? It may be a storyline, but that doesn't mean it (and all areas of HS) haven't been forced and wedged into that park with pretty much no running theme....
Goofyernmost
Well-Known Member
RrCr is probably the only thing that doesn't fit in with Hollywood. Granted some of the things seem disjointed but...let's look around. City Streets...modeled to look like old time Hollywood complete with the Chinese Theater. Let's go to the left...First Indian Jones, a stunt show displaying how some of the things happen in an actual movie filming. Star Tours, copied after one of the most popular movie series, perhaps ever. Even American Idol, though in my mind not worth the paper the idea was written on, is a product of Hollywood. The Great Movie Ride...well that is sort of self explanatory. Pixar/Toy Story...another obvious Hollywood production scenario along with the Muppets...they had a number of movies. One Man's Dream..another obvious Hollywood connection. The little Mermaid...Movie? The art of Animation...Cartooning! Even Lights/Action is a stunt show designed to describe how auto stunts are done. Back Lot Tour...again...obvious connection with Hollywood. Tower of Terror was already conceded to be connected. That leaves RrCr which is, well, a roller coaster and the only near connection would be that it has a stretch limo that drives though a cardboard Hollywood. Not even close. The restaurants are all themed to reflect Hollywood/Movie/Entertainment.
Unfortunately, DHS cannot be set up in what might be referred to as "Hollywoodlands". It is one theme and that is movies and entertainment. The need to segregate attractions into lands would be difficult since it would be difficult to break it down based on likeness and in my opinion totally unnecessary.
The one glaring error is the name. Disney Hollywood Studios! Very little is original Disney and it can no longer be thought of as a studio no matter how good one's imagination is.
menamechris
Well-Known Member
I acknowledge the points you are making - but all example, are in fact, a stretch to the average guest. In fact, it is a stretch for most anyone. The umbrella theme of "Enertainment and Movies" is so broad that most anything can fit under it. You can't say something is cohesive and works just because it is based on a movie or entertainment property. But everyone has their own opinion, I guess...
Goofyernmost
Well-Known Member
I'm open to thoughts...what do you think could be done to make it cohesive. What would you move, eliminate or add to it. My opinion is based on the thought that unlike MK, Epcot or AK that have world and social distinctions that make it possible to segregate things into different connected areas...Hollywood is Hollywood. I doubt that Hollywood itself is very cohesive.
menamechris
Well-Known Member
I'm open to thoughts...what do you think could be done to make it cohesive. What would you move, eliminate or add to it. My opinion is based on the thought that unlike MK, Epcot or AK that have world and social distinctions that make it possible to segregate things into different connected areas...Hollywood is Hollywood. I doubt that Hollywood itself is very cohesive.
There tons and tons of threads on this site from individuals who are far more creative than I am - who have come up with amazing ideas and thoughts. The problem is that to get DHS to what it needs to actually be - it would take a DCA-like overhaul.
Magenta Panther
Well-Known Member
Perhaps the park could be renamed to..."Disney's Old Hollywood Studios"? And everything could be themed to the so-called Golden Age of Hollywood? It could be WDW's version of Buena Vista Street, except more elaborate and with themed rides. The Great Movie Ride and the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror (aka The Hollywood Tower Hotel) certainly fit that criteria...
stevehousse
Well-Known Member
I think it would be very easy to make the park into different themed areas! They change the name to Disney's Movie Studios. The lands are themed to different movie studios.
Lucas Studios
Muppet Studios
Pixar Studios
Mickeys Animation Studios
Hollywood Land Studios
An add Roger Rabbits Toon Studios( bring back the original plans)
Obviously various changes and added attractions would be needed parkwide. But if you think about it they could absolutely get away with having 1 land closed down at a time while still being able to keep the park open! The front of the park would not be changed and kept as is except for the damn Mickey hat!
Lucas Studios
Muppet Studios
Pixar Studios
Mickeys Animation Studios
Hollywood Land Studios
An add Roger Rabbits Toon Studios( bring back the original plans)
Obviously various changes and added attractions would be needed parkwide. But if you think about it they could absolutely get away with having 1 land closed down at a time while still being able to keep the park open! The front of the park would not be changed and kept as is except for the damn Mickey hat!
Cosmic Commando
Well-Known Member
And yet, they still say it. It's an easy fix: instead of saying "We're shooting some pick-up scenes for Raiders of the Lost Ark", you could say "We're going to show you how they shot some of those famous scenes from Raiders of the Lost Ark."