Disney's Hollywood Studios to host an opening night event to celebrate the Force Awakens

wdisney9000

wdisney9000

Truindenashendubapreser
Premium Member
Captain Chaos said:
Wait, did you just call DHS a world class theme park? Ooooooohhhhhhh lol
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I guess I deserve that, lol.

I will say that even though its in rough shape right now, Id still rather spend an entire day there with the few attractions it has up over any other (non-Disney) theme park. Heck, I could spend a few hours just in Writers Stop and the bar at Tune In Lounge alone.
 
rucifee

rucifee

Well-Known Member
wdisney9000 said:
I guess I deserve that, lol.

I will say that even though its in rough shape right now, Id still rather spend an entire day there with the few attractions it has up over any other (non-Disney) theme park. Heck, I could spend a few hours just in Writers Stop and the bar at Tune In Lounge alone.
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Not me, I would rather go to any other non Disney park than HS or EP. MK and AK though, yeah I'm there.
 
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Captain Chaos

Captain Chaos

Well-Known Member
wdisney9000 said:
I guess I deserve that, lol.

I will say that even though its in rough shape right now, Id still rather spend an entire day there with the few attractions it has up over any other (non-Disney) theme park. Heck, I could spend a few hours just in Writers Stop and the bar at Tune In Lounge alone.
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I'd rather spend time in Six Flags than DHS at the moment. And really, DHS over IOA or Uni? If you said MK, I'd understand but DHS? No way.... lol
 
hpyhnt 1000

hpyhnt 1000

Well-Known Member
Captain Chaos said:
I'd rather spend time in Six Flags than DHS at the moment. And really, DHS over IOA or Uni? If you said MK, I'd understand but DHS? No way.... lol
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I can sort of get what @wdisney9000 is saying. DHS does have some nice spots to just sit and absorb atmosphere and people watch. I think all the Disney parks excell at this, actually, and it's one of those intangible things that make them better than other parks.

IoA is a great park (and my favorite non-Disney park, though I really like BG Williamsburg too) but in terms of good places to sit and have a drink and/or snack, it does lack. Most eating spots aren't great to just sit and take in the surroundings, and a lot of quiet spots are often completely out of the way or hidden. Basically you end up with a choice between crowded with lousy atmosphere, or a quiet spot that's so quiet it also lacks atmosphere. I do think Uni has more spots that are enjoyable to just sit and absorb atmosphere, but then you're stuck in Uni, which isn't as nice a park as IoA IMO.

We're going to have to disagree on Six Flags, though! DHS is still nicer than my local SF.
 
rucifee

rucifee

Well-Known Member
hpyhnt 1000 said:
I can sort of get what @wdisney9000 is saying. DHS does have some nice spots to just sit and absorb atmosphere and people watch. I think all the Disney parks excell at this, actually, and it's one of those intangible things that make them better than other parks.

IoA is a great park (and my favorite non-Disney park, though I really like BG Williamsburg too) but in terms of good places to sit and have a drink and/or snack, it does lack. Most eating spots aren't great to just sit and take in the surroundings, and a lot of quiet spots are often completely out of the way or hidden. Basically you end up with a choice between crowded with lousy atmosphere, or a quiet spot that's so quiet it also lacks atmosphere. I do think Uni has more spots that are enjoyable to just sit and absorb atmosphere, but then you're stuck in Uni, which isn't as nice a park as IoA IMO.

We're going to have to disagree on Six Flags, though! DHS is still nicer than my local SF.
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Backwater Bar is arguably one of the best places to sit and have a drink at any theme park in Central Florida. They also have Mythos which is one of the most interesting restaurants in Central Florida for taking in the surroundings. IoA does sadly lack in snack options though. There are snacks at HS that I would/do literally just go there for. HS lacks significantly in QS dining however.

They all have their pros and cons I suppose.
 
Cesar R M

Cesar R M

Well-Known Member
wdisney9000 said:
True, any theater could have a great crowd. But after the BTTF show in your theater, did you;

1. Leave the theater and go to a world class theme park?

2. Ride a great attraction that also just added a brand new feature involving said movie?

3. Exit the attraction and still be in the theme park with passionate, like minded individuals which created a great atmosphere?

4. Visit a brand new, extremely well themed store with new merchandise also based on the movie you just watched?

5. Exit that gift shop and have the ability to go back to the attraction to ride it again because the energy of everything around you just had you on a complete nerdgasm high?

Or......did you just go home?

I get your point, I honestly do, and Im not trying to be smart a**. Do I think that Disney cares about the overall guest experience as much as they do about the profits they will make? Absolutely not. But I can make lemonade out of those lemons. If the 3D ticket price is $17 at your average theater, I feel the additional $83 for the event is a fair value for a Star Wars nerd like myself considering the above numbered features. Would my wife agree? No way. Would she want to be there to be watch me nerd out and act like a kid in a candy store? Abso-friggin-lutely!
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3,4,5 can be done easily if the cinema is in a big mall or something like that.
 
wdisney9000

wdisney9000

Truindenashendubapreser
Premium Member
Cesar R M said:
3,4,5 can be done easily if the cinema is in a big mall or something like that.
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I dont know of any shopping malls that have...

1. A theme park anywhere near the level of DHS theme

2. A Star Wars Store anywhere near the level of quality that Launch Bay will be

3. An attraction like Star Tours

I was only trying to explain reasons that I personally felt were of value to me and why I would pay the $100. Last week my wife and I spent $115 at Biergarten for lunch with drinks. We spent about another $60 afterwards around world showcase on more drinks. We would normaly not spend that much for lunch and drinks after, but we budgeted it out and saved for it. I would do the same with this event. Charge it to my card ($200 for 2 tickets) and pay $30 a week on it leading up to the event
 
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rucifee

rucifee

Well-Known Member
wdisney9000 said:
I dont know of any shopping malls that have...

1. A theme park anywhere near the level of DHS theme
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Considering the current state of disarray at DHS at the moment, it's hard to read that without laughing. DHS is very broken right now, and it's really not very fun at all. If it'll be on the level of Watto's Grotto which I visited last weekend, the local premium outlet is better.

wdisney9000 said:
2. A Star Wars Store anywhere near the level of quality that Launch Bay will be
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Speculation really, we don't know what it's going to be like. It might and probably will be similar to Darth's Mall which isn't that spectacular.

wdisney9000 said:
3. An attraction like Star Tours
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Star Tours is still my favorite ride at HS, but it's really not all that awesome anymore.

I am looking forward to the StarWars area of HS opening, but I'm hesitant to believe it will be spectacular based on the history of how TWDC cares for the parks.
 
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wdisney9000

wdisney9000

Truindenashendubapreser
Premium Member
rucifee said:
Considering the current state of disarray at DHS at the moment, it's hard to read that without laughing. DHS is very broken right now, and it's really not very fun at all. If it'll be on the level of Watto's Grotto which I visited last weekend, the local premium outlet is better.
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In terms of attractions, ya the park is on life support. But I said, "level of theme", not "attraction capacity". I think everybody enjoys the parks in their own unique way and for my wife and I, its not about "how many rides can we squeeze in". We were at DHS last week from about 10 am-4pm and had a great time. We left at 4pm because we always enjoy a mid afternoon break and we were staying at BC. We didnt leave because its a "half day" park. We can sit with coffee or a beer and people watch, listen to the sounds of the park, try new snacks or drinks and just enjoy the atmosphere. We spent about 2 hours at Tune In Lounge chatting with people at the bar and the bartender who remembered us from our last trip. Soetimes its just about enjoying your life, and not trying to maximize your ratio of money spent/how many rides can i do.

rucifee said:
Speculation really, we don't know what it's going to be like. It might and probably will be similar to Darth's Mall which isn't that spectacular.
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Agreed that its pure speculation. But the artwork looks good and the footprint of the store looks large as well. I have a feeling that Disney will not cheap out on this one.

rucifee said:
Star Tours is still my favorite ride at HS, but it's really not all that awesome anymore.
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If you have ridden many times, of course some of its appeal will diminish over time, but that oesnt mean you cant find new ways to enjoy it. I LOVE interacting with the CM's to see how they will respond to a Star Wars comment. We look for things that may have changed in the queue or try and hear all the jokes that robots make. Again, its not always about "the ride"
 
rucifee

rucifee

Well-Known Member
wdisney9000 said:
In terms of attractions, ya the park is on life support. But I said, "level of theme", not "attraction capacity". I think everybody enjoys the parks in their own unique way and for my wife and I, its not about "how many rides can we squeeze in". We were at DHS last week from about 10 am-4pm and had a great time. We left at 4pm because we always enjoy a mid afternoon break and we were staying at BC. We didnt leave because its a "half day" park. We can sit with coffee or a beer and people watch, listen to the sounds of the park, try new snacks or drinks and just enjoy the atmosphere. We spent about 2 hours at Tune In Lounge chatting with people at the bar and the bartender who remembered us from our last trip. Soetimes its just about enjoying your life ad trying to maximize your ratio of money spent/how many rides can i do.
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I'm not sure it's up to par in terms of theming anymore either to be honest. The three other Disney parks in my opinion beat it hands down on theming. Don't get me wrong, it's still a nice park for a visit, but it's very stale. It's been a while since I've been to the Tune In lounge, you're right that sometimes it's just about enjoying life.

I think the only areas of the park where the theming is still proper are the areas in front of TSMM, ST, TT, and RoR. If you walk out to the backlot area, over to the old Art of Animation area, down by Fairfax Fare, or even out in front of 50's Prime Time you'll see it desperately needs a refresh. I'm not bashing it here, just saying that it's not as great in those areas as it has the potential to be. :)

wdisney9000 said:
Agreed that its pure speculation. But the artwork looks good and the footprint of the store looks large as well. I have a feeling that Disney will not cheap out on this one.
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I hope not, but I fear it will be. Iger and crew seem to be more interested in cutting corners than doing the job right, unless it's a movie. I really hope I'm wrong about that.

wdisney9000 said:
If you have ridden many times, of course some of its appeal will diminish over time, but that oesnt mean you cant find new ways to enjoy it. I LOVE interacting with the CM's to see how they will respond to a Star Wars comment. We look for things that may have changed in the queue or try and hear all the jokes that robots make. Again, its not always about "the ride"
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I ride it often, and I do enjoy it but even though it was refreshed a few years ago the simulators desperately need to be updated. I really do enjoy the randomness of the ride still. The only cast member interaction I've seen / heard is cattle herding, but maybe I'm just missing something. :D
 
wdisney9000

wdisney9000

Truindenashendubapreser
Premium Member
rucifee said:
I think the only areas of the park where the theming is still proper are the areas in front of TSMM, ST, TT, and RoR. If you walk out to the backlot area, over to the old Art of Animation area, down by Fairfax Fare, or even out in front of 50's Prime Time you'll see it desperately needs a refresh. I'm not bashing it here, just saying that it's not as great in those areas as it has the potential to be.
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Completely agree. Many areas in DHS could use a refresh. And dont get me wrong, Im not defending current management, Im defending the quality/theme that was put in place by the former caretakers who truly seemed to care more about the guest experience and also understood that creating immersive environments is NOT something that can be achieved by slapping a Frozen sign on the door and adding fake snow with some blue lighting. I think I just enjoyed the park much more this recent trip without all the Frozen stuff everywhere and the BAH out of the way. It just felt better.
 
rucifee

rucifee

Well-Known Member
wdisney9000 said:
Completely agree. Many areas in DHS could use a refresh. And dont get me wrong, Im not defending current management, Im defending the quality/theme that was put in place by the former caretakers who truly seemed to care more about the guest experience and also understood that creating immersive environments is NOT something that can be achieved by slapping a Frozen sign on the door and adding fake snow with some blue lighting. I think I just enjoyed the park much more this recent trip without all the Frozen stuff everywhere and the BAH out of the way. It just felt better.
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They were so in your face with the Frozen stuff earlier in the year that it actually caused my kids to hate Frozen which is really sad because before all that, they loved it.
 

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