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

[TheMaxRebo]

Agree. I feel like that space could be a lot more.

I think I said upstream that neither of the two re-do ideas I'd heard for AC did anything to get me excited.

Mermaid is getting 4.5 stars out of 5 in our surveys. I'm sure a Bluey show would do boffo business. And the Magic of Disney Animation 2: The Second One, might be fun for a few years.

If you're Disney and you can get three highly-rated, high-capacity attractions in there for relatively cheap, I can see how you'd look at other areas in other parks as a higher priority. Not saying I love the idea. Just that I understand the thinking, if that's the case.

When these updates are done, you will have quite a bit new for the park that also helps round it out and has more for younger kids but also everyone:
- New Villains Show
- Updated Mermaid Show
- Magic of Disney Animation - including an indoor playground for kids
- Updated Disney Jr show, likely including Bluey
- New Monsters Show
- New dining and merch (and maybe M&Gs) in Monstropolis
- New Door Coaster
- Muppet update to RnRC

Is this the "final form" or the park we all want? Probably not but for the majority of guests (especially those not emotionally attached to MV3D) that is a pretty big glow up for the park and should keep interest up for at least 5-7 years before needing anything big (upgrade BatB, etc ? sure) and can focus elsewhere

 

[wdwmagic]

Early Work Begins on Animation Courtyard Overhaul with Two New Disney World Permits​

Early Work Begins on Animation Courtyard Overhaul with Two New Disney World Permits

Early Work Begins on Animation Courtyard Overhaul with Two New Disney World Permits

www.wdwmagic.com

 

[lentesta]

I'm getting mixed up...are these connected to the ideas you heard for the Sunset Showcase area that also didn't get you excited? Or is that something separate?

Same ideas. Just recapping it.

 

[mysto]

Shows do fit the entertainment business theme for a park named Studios.

Like many of you I like rides better than shows usually, but this isn't terribly crazy.

 

[TrainsOfDisney]

Is this the "final form" or the park we all want? Probably not but for the majority of guests (especially those not emotionally attached to MV3D) that is a pretty big glow up for the park

Ehh…. Literally the only thing we’ve gained is the monsters coaster. Everything else is a simple change or retheme.

Yes. Animation will be better than Launch Bay. But that’s such a low bar.

 

[Casper Gutman]

To be fair, you’ve based much of your annoyance with Monsters around the replacement of a show that debuted when H. W. Bush was president. If it’s a quality issue, make it about that rather than the year something debuted.

I’d argue live-action shows (especially ones without improv or other “spontaneous” elements) do and should have a much, much shorter lifespan than more traditional, “mechanical” theme park attractions. One of the major points of a live-action show is that it is relatively cheap and easy to switch out. The fact that Studios has three ancient live-action show that are positively ancient is an indictment of the park’s directionlessness and management’s bad decisions. It is also incredibly silly that Disney is “revitalizing” an area by bringing back a show that was shuttered five years ago.

An honest question - does any other Disney theme park in the entire world have a live show that is as old as any one of the Studios ancient trifecta?

 

[Casper Gutman]

I think it’s a little premature to judge the space without knowing what it will look like (the plans so far are pretty vague), although I will say I don’t love the idea that this is supposed to be for 10 years only. If something is high quality there shouldn’t be any foreseeable time limit on it, to say it’s semi-temporary kinda indicates it might be “mid”, as the kids say.

That said… there are so many indoor playgrounds and children’s museums now, run by small business owners who don’t have millions to invest. Honestly it’s pretty amazing what they have for kids now in fairly average settings. If Joe Schmoe business owner can put together some really cool stuff in a local mall, I would hope Disney, undertaking the same project with a few million, can put together something really stellar, relatively speaking. If the area is done well, it could redirect tons of families and help with crowds. What parent with little kids doesn’t want an air conditioned space to let their children entertain themselves for a bit? Disney has a lot of experience building spaces for play on their cruise ships, maybe they bring some of that to this project and make something really cool (although so help me Disney, if this ends up being the never-used instrument wall you see at every local playground and one of those boards where you push buttons to make lights change color, I will judge you so hard. )

I think we have a pretty good idea what will be in Animation Courtyard because it was there ten years ago. We also have decades of experience at EPCOT with the big empty carpeted spaces with interactive exhibits that quickly become underpopulated wastelands.

 

[lazyboy97o]

If you're Disney and you can get three highly-rated, high-capacity attractions in there for relatively cheap, I can see how you'd look at other areas in other parks as a higher priority. Not saying I love the idea. Just that I understand the thinking, if that's the case.

It’s more like just one, not three. The Animation Building is what is blocking access. The two theaters could be part of a redevelopment but would not be necessary.

 

[Purduevian]

I’d argue live-action shows (especially ones without improv or other “spontaneous” elements) do and should have a much, much shorter lifespan than more traditional, “mechanical” theme park attractions. One of the major points of a live-action show is that it is relatively cheap and easy to switch out. The fact that Studios has three ancient live-action show that are positively ancient is an indictment of the park’s directionlessness and management’s bad decisions. It is also incredibly silly that Disney is “revitalizing” an area by bringing back a show that was shuttered five years ago.

An honest question - does any other Disney theme park in the entire world have a live show that is as old as any one of the Studios ancient trifecta?

I think the only shows that have basically remained untouched for over 10 years are...

1. Indy (DHS, 1989)
2. Batb (DHS, 1991)
3. Lucky Nugget Saloon (DLP, 1992)
4. FotLK (AK, 1998)
5. Mickey's Big Band Beat (TDL, 2006)
6. Let’s Celebrate with Mickey and Friends (TDL, 2011)
7. Royal Theatre (DL, 2013)
8. Frozen (DHS, 2014)
9. Mickey and the Wondrous Book (2015)

 

[AidenRodriguez731]

I’d argue live-action shows (especially ones without improv or other “spontaneous” elements) do and should have a much, much shorter lifespan than more traditional, “mechanical” theme park attractions. One of the major points of a live-action show is that it is relatively cheap and easy to switch out. The fact that Studios has three ancient live-action show that are positively ancient is an indictment of the park’s directionlessness and management’s bad decisions. It is also incredibly silly that Disney is “revitalizing” an area by bringing back a show that was shuttered five years ago.

An honest question - does any other Disney theme park in the entire world have a live show that is as old as any one of the Studios ancient trifecta?

Depending of course on what you qualify as a live show, Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue, Dapper Dans, Voices of Liberty,

 

[lazyboy97o]

Depending of course on what you qualify as a live show, Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue, Dapper Dans, Voices of Liberty,

Do you think the Dapper Dans have been singing the same set list all these years?

 

[AidenRodriguez731]

Do you think the Dapper Dans have been singing the same set list all these years?

I mean if we're going to be comparing it to a show with new visuals and a new song, eh? They still sing a lot of their older songs as a changing set afaik

 

[mattpeto]

I wonder if the updated AC building could also serve as the entrance to a new animation attraction whenever they start on a Phase 2 here (aka - knocking down buildings behind it).

So all the updated courtyard and facade will live on...

Think Land Pavilion of sorts with the a connection to Sunset.

 

[AidenRodriguez731]

I wonder if the updated AC building could also serve as the entrance to a new animation attraction whenever they start on a Phase 2 here (aka - knocking down buildings behind it).

So all the updated courtyard and facade will live on...

Think Land Pavilion of sorts with the a connection to Sunset.

Honestly a solution I would quite like, maybe even a Toontown back there?

 

[Bocabear]

Dapper Dans and Voices Of Liberty are not set production shows... They are atmospheric additions... a little extra...not an actual "Attraction" so to speak. Hoop Dee Doo is a dinner theater dining attraction and I believe they have made many changes over the years...

 

[AidenRodriguez731]

Dapper Dans and Voices Of Liberty are not set production shows... They are atmospheric additions... a little extra...not an actual "Attraction" so to speak. Hoop Dee Doo is a dinner theater dining attraction and I believe they have made many changes over the years...

Then yes, I would say these are the oldest. I've been wanting them to leave anyway for quite a while (except Mermaid, it's refreshed and was great last time I was there) but definitely BatB and Indiana

 

[TrainsOfDisney]

I've been wanting them to leave anyway for quite a while

Why? If they fill the theaters and guests enjoy them, why change them?

The mermaid update was very well done except for the embarrassing CGI that should have never been approved.

 

[ChewbaccaYourMum]

When these updates are done, you will have quite a bit new for the park that also helps round it out and has more for younger kids but also everyone:
- New Villains Show
- Updated Mermaid Show
- Magic of Disney Animation - including an indoor playground for kids
- Updated Disney Jr show, likely including Bluey
- New Monsters Show
- New dining and merch (and maybe M&Gs) in Monstropolis
- New Door Coaster
- Muppet update to RnRC

Is this the "final form" or the park we all want? Probably not but for the majority of guests (especially those not emotionally attached to MV3D) that is a pretty big glow up for the park and should keep interest up for at least 5-7 years before needing anything big (upgrade BatB, etc ? sure) and can focus elsewhere

Don't forget the Mandolorian and Grogu mission added to Falcon. That might get even me excited to go on it over and over, because right now it's not something I ever feel the need to do lol.

 

[lazyboy97o]

I wonder if the updated AC building could also serve as the entrance to a new animation attraction whenever they start on a Phase 2 here (aka - knocking down buildings behind it).

So all the updated courtyard and facade will live on...

Think Land Pavilion of sorts with the a connection to Sunset.

What happened to it being best to wait to use this area for more than just a single attraction?

And what is gained by going through the cost of reusing an office building as part of a dedicated attraction complex? What is so important about this specific elevation?

 

[mattpeto]

What happened to it being best to wait to use this area for more than just a single attraction?

And what is gained by going through the cost of reusing an office building as part of a dedicated attraction complex? What is so important about this specific elevation?

Yeah I don't know exactly. Maybe the new space and courtyard will be pleasant and having it destroyed in 5-10 years again won't be necessary?

I also think the new area makes Hollywood Studios more like Hollywood Studios. It would be neat if it's a tied into something bigger on the other side.