Disney/MGM Studios Expansion

[DarkMeasures]

Yeah... the Imagineers seemed more worried about Universal than Park placement and design when it was built. But, Disney/MGM will need to expand in the future due to its small size. Lets look at the possibilities if there are any. The Park is surrounded by a highway, other roads and canals.

1.Backlot area. Besides CM parking and costuming, could the rest of the Backlot be used for expansion?
2.Fantasmic Area. It is an awfully long walk to the theatre. But a lake, backstage and ToT seem to take up the most space.
3. Parking Lot. Everyone's Favorite idea it seems. Though then the park would need a system to get guests to and from the new parking.
4. Extending entrance road out. I wonder if the canal can be moved or become part of the park. Maybe an area themed to modern LA?

I would really like to hear from "Jon" about this. But I really wonder how this park will expand. The Park has lost a lot of its fun since Backstage Pass was removed and the tram tour was shortened.

 

[DisneyFan 2000]

I believe if Disney *really wanted* to they'd move around and adjust some roads for further expansion. They don't own all that land for nothing.

 

[ToTBellHop]

Indy is going to be next to the new stunt show in some land that Residential Street helped free up. There's still room in this park

 

[corran horn]

Expand? They've got to get cracking on replacing/refurbing the stuff that was already there!

 

[stitch131313]

First thing they need to do is get rid of that HAT!

 

[Buzzforprez]

What about redoing the tv and radio place. Both of these were closed the last time I was there and have been for some time now. Bring back Superstar Television if they cant figure out what to do with the space. If licenseing is the problem, use all Disney movies for the scenes.

 

[SpectroMan]

Yeah... the Imagineers seemed more worried about Universal than Park placement and design when it was built.QUOTE]

I think the Studios was in the making BEFORE Universal. So, the place for the Studios was probably picked out before the Universal thing.

As for park placement. It is where they put it of a reason: to be near Epcot. It was not inteded to be so much of a theme park as much as a working studio. That is what they didn't think about! What would happen if no one wanted to use the soundstages and what if the animationd department closed?

 

[mkt]

I would really like to hear from "Jon" about this

we need to extract him from the imaginaion of Bills Ghost...

we MAY have to blast :kiss:

 

[TravisMT81]

we need to extract him from the imaginaion of Bills Ghost...

we MAY have to blast :kiss:

rotflmao!!

 

[marni1971]

I think the Studios was in the making BEFORE Universal. So, the place for the Studios was probably picked out before the Universal thing.

Universal were looking at a Floridian tour as early as 1982. In a nutshell, Disney planned an EPCOT Pavillion called `Great Momments at the Movies`. Eisner came along, from Paramount, and supposedly new about these plans, so turned the Great Moments idea into the third gate, making this ride the centerpiece `Great Movie Ride`. Universal/MCA attempted to sue, then fast-tracked their park in Orlando. Disney counter fast-tracked, and opened a half day park as quick as possible, beating Universal by a year. Thats why MGM was initialy so small, and has suffered to this day with lack of easy expansion. In a nutshell.

 

[DisneyFan 2000]

^ Yep!

 

[wdwmagic]

Indy is going to be next to the new stunt show in some land that Residential Street helped free up. There's still room in this park

How did you work that one out? All the land from Residential Street has been used for the new show. Take a look about half way down at the overhead shot.
http://www.wdwmagic.com/motor_stunt_show.htm

 

[AndyP]

Disney have lots of land, if they really want to expand, they could do it, just move a road or two, etc.

 

[ToTBellHop]

How did you work that one out? All the land from Residential Street has been used for the new show. Take a look about half way down at the overhead shot.
http://www.wdwmagic.com/motor_stunt_show.htm

Hmmm...I dunno then. I know the next big ride is set to go in near the new stunt show...perhaps with removing the indy stunt show and perhaps the backlot express it magically works out...if they could fit it into DL's Adventureland, they can fit it into MGM

 

[SIR90210]

Well, I believe someone at WDI has talked about expanding MGM across World Drive. While this may be difficult, (on the other hand, think footbridge) I think it would be very interesting to see what they could do with an extra 60 or so acres of studio.

 

[ToTBellHop]

Well, I believe someone at WDI has talked about expanding MGM across World Drive. While this may be difficult, (on the other hand, think footbridge) I think it would be very interesting to see what they could do with an extra 60 or so acres of studio.

The only problem with this would be that the "footbridge" would end up being quite a bit longer than Sunset Boulevard...it's a pretty hefty distance. Not to mention, it's not really necessary yet...there is still room at MGM.

 

[KevinPage]

Hmmm...I dunno then. I know the next big ride is set to go in near the new stunt show...perhaps with removing the indy stunt show and perhaps the backlot express it magically works out...if they could fit it into DL's Adventureland, they can fit it into MGM

That's an aweful long distance between the Indy Stunt Show and Residential Street. Wouldn't they even need that much room?

 

[ToTBellHop]

That's an aweful long distance between the Indy Stunt Show and Residential Street. Wouldn't they even need that much room?

The Indiana Jones Adventure at Disneyland is absolutely gigantic...

 

[ogryn]

Is it the furthest building to the right?
http://members.tripod.com/~GLBsCAZone/w0336-22.html

or it will be the same size as Dinosour, correct?

 

[marni1971]

I believe the actual show buildings are identical in size, its the queue and pre/post show areas that are different.

BTW - there was talk of expanding MGM by moving the guest parking lot to west of World Drive, and building a bridge from this to the Studios entrance (just North of Fantasmic! / ToT ) to take trams.