DHS Disney Animation-Inspired Experience Coming to Disney’s Hollywood Studios

[UNCgolf]

On those terms, I’d counter that Play was going to reopen a space that had been closed to guests and essentially wasted for many, many years while this is simply changing the theme of a space that has long held a similar attraction. It remains very unclear to me why this is more of a win then Play.

It's definitely better than Play! IMO.

Play! would have been a disaster. This is mediocre but inoffensive and not remotely as bad a decision as Play! would have been for EPCOT -- while this will probably stick around for a decade at DHS, it at least makes sense in the park and will add some things for people to do. I also think this concept actually sounds significantly better than Play! (not that that's a high bar to clear).

Admittedly part of my feeling may be because what would have been Play! used to offer significantly more than Play! would have, and this area of DHS has never offered nearly as much (although the animation studio tour was great), but still. This lasting for 10 years in this location at DHS is better than Play! going in and lasting 15-20 years in that location at EPCOT.

Also, no Simpsons is a win.

 

[NiarrNDisney]

Finally, something is coming. Launch bay was misplaced and should have closed years ago.

 

[DisneyHead123]

Unless I am mis reading this, they are basically bringing back the animation attraction they had there a long time ago including the part where you learn how to draw characters!

Wait what was that place? I have a vague memory of what I think you’re talking about, around 30 years ago. Wasn’t there a short ride narrated by Robin Williams?

 

[Casper Gutman]

It's definitely better than Play! IMO.

Play! would have been a disaster. This is mediocre but inoffensive and not remotely as bad a decision as Play! would have been for EPCOT -- while this will probably stick around for a decade at DHS, it at least makes sense in the park and will add some things for people to do. I also think this concept actually sounds significantly better than Play! (not that that's a high bar to clear).

Admittedly part of my feeling may be because what would have been Play! used to offer significantly more than Play! would have, and this area of DHS has never offered nearly as much (although the animation studio tour was great), but still. This lasting for 10 years in this location at DHS is better than Play! going in and lasting 15-20 years in that location at EPCOT.

Do you think Disney will do anything with WoL in the next decade? As is, it’s just… nothing.

 

[UNCgolf]

Do you think Disney will do anything with WoL in the next decade? As is, it’s just… nothing.

I've said before that I think nothing is better than Play!.

Nothing means it's still sitting there as something they need to deal with eventually, and people can at least pitch ideas for it. Play! was intended as a permanent addition, so if it had opened, it wasn't going to change for a very long time.

It's essentially opportunity cost. Not spending the money on Play! means they could spend it elsewhere (not that EPCOT shows that), and it also means that space is still available for a better idea, rather than now being permanently committed to such a waste of space.

I don't think they intend this as a permanent addition at DHS the way Play! was intended to be at EPCOT. That doesn't mean it won't stick around for a long time (and it probably will), but it's still a different mindset.

 

[TrainsOfDisney]

For wonders of life…. maybe they could do some sort of “Epcot” pavilion that had a dinosaur scene, inside out themed cranium command, and some innoventions like displays?

 

[CJR]

I think this is all we'll see here for over a decade, but at least it's getting some love, finally! I'll miss the arch, but the trees and flowers should make it a lot more beautiful to spend time in. It also has something to offer for almost anyone, which is refreshing, and gives the building reason to exist.

I'd place my bets on Star Tours being "next" in terms of overhaul, outside of what we already know about. Those "10 minute" waits are definitely something being looked at.

 

[TrainsOfDisney]

That courtyard isn’t as big as the concept art makes it seem. Those trees are going to need to be really small or they will be creating a traffic mess when mermaid gets out.

 

[flynnibus]

.. or why they think this is temporary

Because a very well connected respected member has had direct conversations saying it is

 

[Casper Gutman]

I've said before that I think nothing is better than Play!.

Nothing means it's still sitting there as something they need to deal with eventually, and people can at least pitch ideas for it. Play! was intended as a permanent addition, so if it had opened, it wasn't going to change for a very long time.

It's essentially opportunity cost. Not spending the money on Play! means they could spend it elsewhere (not that EPCOT shows that), and it also means that space is still available for a better idea, rather than now being permanently committed to such a waste of space.

I don't think they intend this as a permanent addition at DHS the way Play! was intended to be at EPCOT. That doesn't mean it won't stick around for a long time (and it probably will), but it's still a different mindset.

Play was an awful idea, you’ll get no debate from me there. However, a lot of your arguments here would seem to apply even more to Animation Courtyard - it’s a huge dead spot at the Studios and, unlike WoL, it can’t simply be walled off - it’s left to fester for all to see. As you properly point out with Play!, this is just cutting off a massive expansion pad in a park that has fewer then EPCOT - a space that could have held Monsters very easily and saved Muppets. I’m also not sure why you feel this will have a shorter lifespan then Play - I trust Len but I sure don’t trust Disney.

 

[flynnibus]

Play! would have been a disaster.

Play was also a massive insult to put in place of a major pavilion.

Launch Pad wasn't WoL. Nothing before Launch Pad was WoL until you go back to the tour days.

Launch Pad has been filler and side attraction... to put more filler and side attraction stuff in there is not a big stretch.

Play! as a pavilion was an insult from the beginning.

 

[TrainsOfDisney]

Because a very well connected respected member has had direct conversations saying it is

we all know Disneys definition of temporary though. It’s not arguing with insiders… it is “temporary” in scope and budget. But it’s probably gonna be there for 1 or 2 decades.

 

[lazyboy97o]

mean, the reality is that people don't realize just how much infrastructure really is in that area. It's not even just the animation building and the parking garage for it.

In terms of just the building that has brown derby, it also is the dance party and club 33 and the parks main cast cafeteria(which has a subway and stuff). It’s all 1 building. so you can only change the show space if you dont want to also move 3 other things.

Those are two separate buildings.

 

[Ragerunner]

Like this update a lot. Have play areas for kids is a huge bonus.

 

[J4546]

this sounds like a great use of space, finally getting rid of that star wars launch bay...ugh that place was not good.
Im most curious about the alice in wonderland playground haha, that sounds cool and DHS has no play areas for little kids.

 

[flynnibus]

we all know Disneys definition of temporary though. It’s not arguing with insiders… it is “temporary” in scope and budget. But it’s probably gonna be there for 1 or 2 decades.

I think its dumb to focus the conversation on dates and debate that.. The whole point is you know this is intended to be a bridge, a filler, a hold over... not the end game.

 

[jeanericuser001]

Wait what was that place? I have a vague memory of what I think you’re talking about, around 30 years ago. Wasn’t there a short ride narrated by Robin Williams?

Not exactly a ride. More like a series of films. This is just the first part of it. There were many others including a montage at the end of many scenes from various disney films.

 

[Disstevefan1]

Wait what was that place? I have a vague memory of what I think you’re talking about, around 30 years ago. Wasn’t there a short ride narrated by Robin Williams?

The_Magic_of_Disney_Animation

I am glad its back.

 

[Disstevefan1]

Sounds like a lot of nothing

We liked the drawing classes, seated, air conditioned, and fun.

I am glad its back.

You want to see a lot of nothing - see the EPCOT planter.

 

[Robbiem]

Functionally, regardless of how well done the arch was, the arch and gateway to either side effectively cut off that area from the rest of the park. I'm glad it's going to open up that area. This could be the precursor anyway to one day connecting it with Sunset Blvd.

I will really miss the arch. It was a key part of the original design separating the ‘Hollywood that never was’ from the ‘studio’. Having 1930s Hollywood just opening into a set of jarring post modern studio buildings won’t be the same. It will take away the conceit of entering the studio from the ‘town’ and just make the park even more of a thematic mess