DHS: Working studio fiction vs. movie-themed fun

[mharrington]

A few months ago, there was an article on Orlando Passholder called "Disney's Backlot Blunder": http://micechat.com/forums/walt-disney-world-resort/163781-dhs-working-studio-fiction-vs-movie-themed-fun.html. Within the article, there was a message that I found:

[T]hough Universal Studios Florida was originally billed as an authentic production facility with full-sized replicas of New York streets, they have long since abandoned the conceit of selling the park as anything but movie-themed fun. It is with this adjustment of intent, for example, that the 2008 update of "Earthquake" to "Disaster!" at Universal Orlando created some cheesy good fun out of an otherwise outdated attraction. So why hasn’t Disney also dropped the "working studio" fiction from the Backlot Tour and readjusted its intent to be that of movie-themed fun?

My question based on this is this, how could Universal go from "working studio" to "movie-themed fun"? And how can that be applied to Disney's Hollywood Studios?

 

[redshoesrock]

Simple. Plow under the Backlot Tour, and use the footprint for new attractions. The end. Everything else in DHS already doesn't operate under the idea that it's a "working studio".

 

[Tip Top Club]

^That's not entirely accurate, and I'm a firm believe that backlot tour should stay as long as possible, though it obviously needs to be redone at some point.

Anyway, It really does need to happen eventually, but this is something they can take their time with.

The Working studio theme works very well at the Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular, for Example, and The American Idol Experience, but the list starts to wind down after that. I haven't been on Backlot Tour, or seen Lights, Motors, Action! in ages so I can't really comment on either of those.

The working studio theme however falls apart in many places. That's not to say that it shouldn't still be themed to a working studio, but they really should make the switch to simply celebrating movies rather than pretending to make them. The thrill of things like backstage at the movies is now commonplace on DVD and blu-ray behind the scenes footage, so it simply makes sense to evolve the parks as the times evolve.

 

[menamechris]

There is another thread going on about "dumbing down Disney", and I think the current state of Hollywood Studios does just that. The working studio theme no longer works now that it is not one. So each of these shows (Indiana Jones, Lights Motor, and the Backlot Tour, etc) insults the intelligence of its audience by asking them to believe that they are actually watching something being produced and filmed. And it makes no sense to show how Disney no longer does something at the facility...

 

[wolf359]

I think Disney has been undermining the working studio theme for years, and most if not all of the attractions added or changed since the late 90s have reflected that.

Attractions like Rock N Rollercoaster and American Idol have even gone outside of the "movie-themed fun" concept entirely. Granted, one gets a pass because it's fun and the other gets ignored because it isn't as current as it once was but neither really belong at the park at all.

So how could it be fixed?

I think Hollywood Studios needs a makeover. Nothing quite as extreme as California Adventure, but more than just adding a couple new attractions.

So much of faux movie set theming, wharehouses, and half-completed buildings that fit in with the original "working studio" theme now just look like cheap cop-outs. Finish them up, fill in the missing areas, and make them look like a real structure.

The Backlot Tour needs to go. There no longer IS a backlot to tour anyway, and both the pre-shows and the "tour" itself are so rough around the edges that razing the entire plot and filling that giant area with something(s) new and more in line with the post working studio theme makes more sense.

The Magic of Animation also needs a ground-up rehab. There needs to be an animation presentation in the park, but the current show has so much unused space and is so light on substance I'd love to see a new "tour" that used the entire building and really gave guests a more in-depth understanding of animation. This also seems like a perfect opportunity to include interactive, next-gen technology. I'm thinking something along the lines of the old Imageworks, but focused on animation, and using current technology.

And finally, the park needs more attractions. Not just more thrill rides, but a wider range of things to do. A C and/or D Ticket family attraction would be nice, and would help take a lot of burden off of Toy Story. Another immersive, E-Ticket-level dark ride would be great. So would an upgrade to the Great Movie Ride. While the Wicked Witch animatronic was cutting edge in 1989, almost every other animatronic in the entire ride is virtually a statue.

So much more could be done, but we're still seeing the cost-cutting "get it open on time" decisions made 23 years ago all over the park. The fact that change and new attractions have only eroded the theme of the park, and not strengthened it means it is going to take a single vision and lots of money to bring that cohesive theme back to the Studios.

 

[mharrington]

The Magic of Animation also needs a ground-up rehab. There needs to be an animation presentation in the park, but the current show has so much unused space and is so light on substance I'd love to see a new "tour" that used the entire building and really gave guests a more in-depth understanding of animation. This also seems like a perfect opportunity to include interactive, next-gen technology. I'm thinking something along the lines of the old Imageworks, but focused on animation, and using current technology.

Well, in the case of Animation, here's some information on why it's become the way it's become (from information from "Realityland"):

By 2004, Disney would stop making tradition 2D animated films completely. For years, animation was the most visible sign of true movie-making at the Studios. The park had already sold off much of its production equipment and post-production division. As of early 2004, Disney completely shuttered its Florida animation studio.

And the Imagineering Field Guide for the Studios also backs this up:

As the business evolved and the company's priorities shifted, the decision was made to consolidate all of the animation production back at the studios in Burbank. At Imagineering, this meant that we had to evolve the way in which we told the story of animation. We no longer had access to the great artists, so we had to make up for that in new ways. This led to the inclusion of the Drawn To Animation show, so that our Guests would still have access to an animator who could invite them into the studio and personalize the story of how Disney's beloved films are created.

So you see, they would have to move beyond merely a new tour.

 

[wm49rs]

There is another thread going on about "dumbing down Disney", and I think the current state of Hollywood Studios does just that. The working studio theme no longer works now that it is not one. So each of these shows (Indiana Jones, Lights Motor, and the Backlot Tour, etc) insults the intelligence of its audience by asking them to believe that they are actually watching something being produced and filmed. And it makes no sense to show how Disney no longer does something at the facility...

I'm relatively certain that people going into those shows understand they're about how the shows reflect the industry, but are not part of actual filming for a new Indiana Jones picture, or one involving a tidal wave coming over an enflamed oil truck.

 

[mharrington]

At the end of the article, there's this little piece:

[T]he difference between the white lies about a Studio Backlot Tour and the narrative of the cursed mine train of Big Thunder Mountain is that Disney doesn’t operate a mine. But they do make Hollywood films. And people are more apt to buy snake oil from a snake charmer.

My question is, why are they comparing Big Thunder and the Studio Tour?

 

[wm49rs]

At the end of the article, there's this little piece:

[T]he difference between the white lies about a Studio Backlot Tour and the narrative of the cursed mine train of Big Thunder Mountain is that Disney doesn’t operate a mine. But they do make Hollywood films. And people are more apt to buy snake oil from a snake charmer.

My question is, why are they comparing Big Thunder and the Studio Tour?

Wouldn't you be better served asking the person who wrote it?

 

[menamechris]

I'm relatively certain that people going into those shows understand they're about how the shows reflect the industry, but are not part of actual filming for a new Indiana Jones picture, or one involving a tidal wave coming over an enflamed oil truck.

Obviously. It doesn't make the concept any less stupid... Write a different script. Don't try to make it some imaginary shoot... For me, it makes the entire show LESS authentic and entertaining to watch when it is wrapped up in a fake "live shoot" storyline.. Not to mention, I end up feeling terribly embarassed for the performers..

 

[wm49rs]

Obviously. It doesn't make the concept any less stupid... Write a different script. Don't try to make it some imaginary shoot... For me, it makes the entire show LESS authentic and entertaining to watch when it is wrapped up in a fake "live shoot" storyline.. Not to mention, I end up feeling terribly embarassed for the performers..

Well, ok. I just don't see how they're dumbing down for anyone when these shows are merely trying to illustrate how special effects production and movie-making can occur. They're not pretending it's real, just providing an illustration.

 

[Bob Saget]

DHS is no more of a working studio than the WB Movieworld/Moviepark chains are. It is simply a park themed around the movies. Disney needs to drop the "Hollywood Studios" bit (as it's becoming more of an insider's joke than anything, and quite frankly it's embarrassing considering what the park actually is).
Why not call it Disney/Pixar Movieland...or something? Just not DHS. And yes, the Backlot Tour needs a facelift and fast. That would be an ideal spot for a Radiator Springs clone from DCA, or (heaven forbid), something that is traditional Disney..not Pixar/George Lucas related.

 

[celluloid]

The issue is not which one to side with more as much as they are not doing very well at either in recent years.

 

[mharrington]

Why not call it Disney/Pixar Movieland...or something? Just not DHS.

The only one I could think of is Disney's Hollywood Adventure or maybe even Magic Kingdom II, since they both involve the usage of Yesterday, Tomorrow and Fantasy.

 

[wolf359]

Well, in the case of Animation, here's some information on why it's become the way it's become (from information from "Realityland"):

So you see, they would have to move beyond merely a new tour.

That's my point; I'm hoping they DO move beyond a simple tour, and really create an immersive attraction/show/tour that goes more in-depth into Disney animation. Considering animation is what the company was founded on, and will always be most known for, it seems a shame there isn't something better than the current offering giving the history and the how-to of what made Disney great.

I know why the "Magic of Disney Animation" is just a shadow of the former Animation Studio Tour, and whenever I go through and see all of those covered windows that used to reveal a working animation studio it makes me sad. But I know feature animation isn't going to ever return, so I'm not holding out hope for that, but it raises the question of what could go into all of that unused space. The current attraction looks and feels like a stop-gap usage of the former space with very little modification. Consequently it isn't very entertaining or informative, but if they really gutted the building and put some thought into really showing guests the "Magic of Disney Animation" and getting them involved in the process it could be such more than what it is now.

To me it seems like a perfect place to offer interactive displays and next gen technology in a way that fits in with the attraction, not simply tacked on or forced into something already existing.

 

[yensid67]

There is another thread going on about "dumbing down Disney", and I think the current state of Hollywood Studios does just that. The working studio theme no longer works now that it is not one. So each of these shows (Indiana Jones, Lights Motor, and the Backlot Tour, etc) insults the intelligence of its audience by asking them to believe that they are actually watching something being produced and filmed. And it makes no sense to show how Disney no longer does something at the facility...

With all the Disney Technology, you would think DISNEY would be able to CREATE a working studio to go with their story of DHS! Why not build a ficticious studio around whats already there and expand that way but as a WORKING STUDIO!? I remember the Sutdios from 1998-1999. That was the good ol days! I think it had more appeal as a working studio. But I agree that with DVD behind the scenes extras, PARKS need to evolve as time goes by!
Maybe they could make it into an attraction that shows you HOW the movie is put together, editing, sound, etc. They need to get back to the good ol days andshow the guests HOW things are done, even MOVIE MAGIC has evolved that could be a new push for DHS!

 

[mikeymouse]

A few weeks ago when we did the backlot tour, they didn't even have the stunt people for the special effects water tank bit. They just had 2 CM's demonstrate the effects. Boo!

 

[jensenrick]

A few weeks ago when we did the backlot tour, they didn't even have the stunt people for the special effects water tank bit. They just had 2 CM's demonstrate the effects. Boo!

Ugh, how awful, and what a waste of space. That water tank used to be part of so much more- the special FX next door, with the bee ride and the Bette Midler short where she wins the lottery, and seeing the sets of shows being produced. Now the tank is like a big wet valium. I remember they used to have spiel about all the mechanics you were looking at after Catastrophe Canyon, now they just drive away. And it seems like you're driving for a while to get there and back- What a waste of space. It's sad really. It used to be so fun and interesting- but it's being stripped bit by bit, like something lying on the side of the road.

I agree with whoever said it earlier- bulldoze the whole "backstage tour" and get some attractions in there. Other attractions can keep their "behind the scene" schtick, but it doesn't need to be there, and the "tour" is just an embarrassment now.

Seriously, when you talk to be people who haven't been to Disney- does anyone every say "don't miss that hollywood backstage tram tour"? :shrug: I always say time is better spent elsewhere. *Anywhere*.

 

[imagineer boy]

I know they won't do this, but I would actually love to see them make DHS a real working production studio again. It just adds a whole new level to the experience.

 

[Choodles]

Simple. Plow under the Backlot Tour, and use the footprint for new attractions. The end. Everything else in DHS already doesn't operate under the idea that it's a "working studio".

Agreed!

Plow BLT and expand Pixar Studios.

1. MI Coaster
2. Move MILF to DHS
3. HISTK Playground changed to Bugs Life
4. Only part of BLT that is kept is CC it will be part of The Cars attraction.
5. LMA transformed to Incredibles Stunt Show

Indy show closed and replaced with INdy ride.