Disney's Hollywood Studios: What's Next

[imagineer boy]

True, but keep in mind, those ideas are for if I had everything my way. lol

 

[Beholder]

I've often wondered what DHS would be like if it had been laid out in areas represented by movie genre's. Action/adventure, sci-fi, horror, animation, westerns, and so on. Each film category could have it's own street, starting with the early films of a particular genre. An example, Gunga Din starts off as an early example of the "Adventure" genre, while movies like Hidalgo, Indiana Jones, National Treasure could fill in the rest with attractions, displays, eateries, shops, and each of these within that area would be themed to that particular genre. It seems possible that a design like this would at least add some coherence and an easy layout to follow.

Disney could use some sort of small, temporary display/attraction to showcase some of their older properties (Black Hole, Black Cauldrun) and promote upcoming films (Marvel Studios, Lone Ranger), somethin that can easily be rotated on a monthly (or whatever) basis. Just thoughts. The current layout and direction of the park leads to a lot of "what if" thinking.

 

[lebeau]

Tron didn't live up to expectations, but it didn't quite fail...between all of the profit outlets (including making the launch of the new cartoon possible) the new Tron storyline will continue to make Disney money. Enough so to green light a sequel.

John Carter on the other hand...
That has become the definition of failure, it must really suck to be Taylor Kitsch right about now. After tanking in both JC and Battleship.

I'd trade places with Taylor Kitsch. But yeah, bad year at the box office,

Did they really greenlight Tron 3? There were so many fake rumors indicating that they had, I don't remember whether or not it ever actually happened. The fanbois kept insisting it had been long before it was (assuming it ever happened). I did a quick Google search and couldn't find a reputable source to prove it had been greenlit for real.

 

[DocMcHulk]

Maybe the insiders know, but has there ever been talk about rethemeing the exterior of The Great Movie ride? Since the licensing agreement has run out, wouldnt it make sense to retheme it and make it the focal point again? (removing the hat)

 

[Beholder]

John Carter could've been a great launching point for a franchise, merchandise and possibly theme park oriented things such as attractions had the movie been marketed better. The source material inspired so many genre related things, that properly cultivated, the movie should've had a much better showing (box office wise). It's really a shame that such a good, imaginative piece of work was handled so poorly. The title, the trailers, lack of a general synopsis, led to little interest. This is the kind of movie that when I was 5-15 years old, I would have loved. Especially had it been called "Warlord of Mars".

 

[Beholder]

Maybe the insiders know, but has there ever been talk about rethemeing the exterior of The Great Movie ride? Since the licensing agreement has run out, wouldnt it make sense to retheme it and make it the focal point again? (removing the hat)

Agree 100%, the hat must go. I like the original exterior of GMR, and I think that by removing the hat, it'll look like a refurb has taken place considering it's been so long since the original sight line has been seen.

 

[Jedeye80]

I've often wondered what DHS would be like if it had been laid out in areas represented by movie genre's. Action/adventure, sci-fi, horror, animation, westerns, and so on. Each film category could have it's own street, starting with the early films of a particular genre. An example, Gunga Din starts off as an early example of the "Adventure" genre, while movies like Hidalgo, Indiana Jones, National Treasure could fill in the rest with attractions, displays, eateries, shops, and each of these within that area would be themed to that particular genre. It seems possible that a design like this would at least add some coherence and an easy layout to follow.

Disney could use some sort of small, temporary display/attraction to showcase some of their older properties (Black Hole, Black Cauldrun) and promote upcoming films (Marvel Studios, Lone Ranger), somethin that can easily be rotated on a monthly (or whatever) basis. Just thoughts. The current layout and direction of the park leads to a lot of "what if" thinking.

I like the thinking of this, especially the idea of incorporating national treasure into the park, with good theming it could be something special. The idea of horror movies coming into the park intrigues me, just wander what movies could be used.

 

[Beholder]

@ Jedeye80

I was thinking maybe suspense type horror, obviously torture, gore, mutilation and buckets of blood wouldn't do at Disney. Maybe start off with "Nosferatu" as the start of the horror genre, then perhaps Hitchcock stuff, The Haunting (the original), The Innocents, then later things perhaps like The Shinning (The Overlook Hotel would awesome!), The Others, Let the Right One In, and of course ToT. I think of a themed land (hate the term "land", it belongs in MK. Maybe "Theatres". Theatre of Adventure, Horror, etc?) having alleys with shadow/mist effects, buildings old and decrepit, specialty shops selling Disney Villians stuff, Hannibal Lecter's all you can eat.

 

[Jedeye80]

@ Jedeye80

I was thinking maybe suspense type horror, obviously torture, gore, mutilation and buckets of blood wouldn't do at Disney. Maybe start off with "Nosferatu" as the start of the horror genre, then perhaps Hitchcock stuff, The Haunting (the original), The Innocents, then later things perhaps like The Shinning (The Overlook Hotel would awesome!), The Others, Let the Right One In, and of course ToT. I think of a themed land (hate the term "land", it belongs in MK. Maybe "Theatres". Theatre of Adventure, Horror, etc?) having alleys with shadow/mist effects, buildings old and decrepit, specialty shops selling Disney Villians stuff, Hannibal Lecter's all you can eat.

Sounds good, maybe with Guillermo del torro working on a new haunted mansion movie Disney could let him loose on a few attractions, think a pans labyrinth scene would be amazing. DHS could do with something like this to make it stand out abit from the crowd, don't need to turn it into a thrill park just give it it's own individuality.

 

[Beholder]

Sounds good, maybe with Guillermo del torro working on a new haunted mansion movie Disney could let him loose on a few attractions, think a pans labyrinth scene would be amazing. DHS could do with something like this to make it stand out abit from the crowd, don't need to
turn it into a thrill park just give it it's own
individuality.

I love Pans Labyrinth and The Orphanage. His "vision" is great and would look great in a theme park setting. I love the overall tone and texture of his films.

 

[MarkTwain]

I'd trade places with Taylor Kitsch. But yeah, bad year at the box office,

Did they really greenlight Tron 3? There were so many fake rumors indicating that they had, I don't remember whether or not it ever actually happened. The fanbois kept insisting it had been long before it was (assuming it ever happened). I did a quick Google search and couldn't find a reputable source to prove it had been greenlit for real.

They haven't greenlit a third Tron yet. But Alan Horn, the new studio head, is big on tentpole franchises so the possibility of his greenlighting another sequel seems likely. Blue Sky Disney reported on this here.

 

[lebeau]

They haven't greenlit a third Tron yet. But Alan Horn, the new studio head, is big on tentpole franchises so the possibility of his greenlighting another sequel seems likely. Blue Sky Disney reported on this here.

That is what I thought. Although, the bit about Alan Horn greenlighting Tron 3 sounds like wishful thinking to me. The cartoon has convinced me Tron works best in animation with no human characters. I really can't imagine a third live action film would do any better than the lst one.

 

[doctornick]

My comments in blue. Lots of interesting ideas but obviously not realistic (as you note). But I think some of these details would make sense.

Here's a whole list on stuff I want to see done to DHS. I know its not likely Disney would do a lot of it, but its simply stuff I wanna see done:

-First of all the name goes! The park will be renamed to “Disney Studios Florida” and will become a real working movie studio once again.
-The giant Mickey hat will be demolished and never seen again!!!!! Sounds good to me!
-The Great Movie ride: Ride is extended with new movie scenes (possibly backwards into the HISTK playground) while existing scenes are upgraded including the removal of Tarzan scene. New movies possibly include Goodfellas, Pulp Fiction, Godfather, Star Wars, Lord of the Rings, and possibly more. End montage is updated as well.
Echo Lake: I'd like to change this to be themed to "Adventure/Action films"
-Indy Stunt show is removed to make way for Indy attraction similar to the ones in DL and TDS. Ride will mostly be the same except with an Aztec theme and a few new encounters. Exterior will be a huge Aztec pyramid with minimal studio themeing. Love the sound of that. Definitely would like to see an Indy ride over the show, which gets boring with repeat watching IMHO. It's sad that most of the other Disney parks have a cool Indy ride, while WDW just has an old stunt show.
-Right next to Indy an “Excavator” coaster similar to Raging Spirits (but with somewhat different track design to be less painful) is added. I'd rather see a copy of "Journey to the Center of the Earth" myself, but I wouldn't complain either way.
-The current new version of Star Tours works fine. POSSIBILITY: Area in front of attraction redone to expand star wars theme. Possibility of converting Drew Cary show into Mos Eisley cantina. Seems more logical to have the Baklot Express become Mos Eisley if they were inclined to do that. Certainly wouldn't mind seeing Sounds Dangerous space turned into something Star Wars though, even a walk through
-When American Idol eventually dies, the AI show theater could get an entirely new show possibly a comedy stunt show. I'd like to see this space used for something like CinéMagique and have it become part of Hollywood Boulevard
Muppets Courtyard:
-Muppets gets their own sort of mini-land.
-Muppets 3-D stays mostly the same except with some possible enhancements such as digital projection, smell effects during pie scene, and other various things here and there.
-Pizza Planet is relocated to Pixar Place and building rethemed to the Swedish Chef’s restaurant. Like this idea. Especially since having a Pizza place so close to an Italian restaurant seems like overkill.
-Christmas street theme is relocated and current street is rethemed to Muppets.
-Muppet mobile labs added to the area.
-Muppet Movie Ride also added finally! There should be some sort of additional Muppets attraction.

Streets of America: Area is expanded a little bit to have more street sets and even a town square sort of area.
-Some shops are added to the area.
-Area expands over into the currently un-occupied area to the south of the park where the station for the new back lot tour will be built.
-New Backlot Tour will be added which will tour a brand newly built real production studio area built in the unoccupied area south of the park. It’ll go through real soundstages and outdoor sets and façade laden streets. A special in depth small group tour can be offered at a special price. Tour has special encounters including updated new Catastrophe Canyon.
-LMAX will be re-shifted to fit the expansion of the land. The show will be greatly improved to be less boring, have more exciting stunts, better special effects, etc. More human stunts will be added to the vehicle ones. Herbie and Lightning McQueen are permanently removed from show.
Animation Courtyard: Little mermaid, animation tour queue, one man’s dream, and old Narnia exhibit are all torn down to make way for a bigger area. I rather like One Man's Dream and hope it stays. In general, I'd like to see Animation Courtyard and Mickey Ave combined into a "Disney Studios" theme, honoring the history of Disney films. So, stuff like the Pirates walkthrough and Animation Building is fine, though updates would be cool.
-The animation building is brought back to be a regular animation production facility for Disney animated features. Yay! The building will get a lobby similar to DL’s version with several different experiences. These include a how to draw a character demonstration, art from the films exhibits, and the main animation tour complete with movie (similar to Back to Neverland), trip through the animation work areas, and interactive areas similar to the ones in DCA (Ursula’s Grotto, Beast’s Library, etc. ).
-Nightmare Before Christmas Dark Ride is added to the land, potentially in former Playhouse Disney theater. I think that Disney Junior is too big for them to give it up. It's a big draw for the younger set, especially now with a full time TV channel (in addition to the morning block on the main Disney network).
That said, I'd like to see part of the Animation Building torn down to accommodate a ride. I'd settling for something simple like bringing back Mr. Toad's to WDW.
VOTLM should be changed as well once the FLE finishes. Could be another show, but could be a ride.
-Magic Carpets of Aladdin is moved here
-Kiddy Coaster based off of Mickey’s Plane Crazy cartoon is added.
-Water play area based off of Steamboat Willy is added.
-POSSIBILITY: Dark ride based off of old Mickey cartoons or silly symphonies.
Pixar Place: Area is relocated to the western side of the TSMM building with entrance to the ride relocated as well. Old costuming building is torn down to make way for expansion. Area retains its identity with the same brick look.
-Toy Story Midway Mania: Keep mostly the same, but maybe perhaps the midway theme could be removed. Not sure. Add more real props and maybe a few animatronics throughout the ride. Perhaps recycled from the old buzz lightyear ride. Finale must be changed to a battle with Zerg.
-Luxo Jr. Animatronic is ADDED BACK INTO THE LAND!!!!!
-Monsters Inc could get its treatment with a relocation of the laugh floor from MK or perhaps the doors coaster. Either one would work.
-Pizza Planet direct from the Toy Story movies is added.
-Ratatouille restaurant direct from the movie is added. I'd rather see the upcoming Paris ride than a restaurant. DHS isn't really hurting for dining, though I wouldn't complain about a nice French restaurant either.
-Buy n’ Large from Wall-E is made a store in the land.
-Finding Nemo could get its treatment here with either:
A: Crush’s Coaster like in DLP This is what I'd like to see the most if they bring Nemo here.
B: Ride in Epcot relocated here
C: Musical show from AK moved here
I’m leaning towards C.
-Incredibles could possibly get their own attraction based on Kuka technology. TBD.
-A dark ride themed to the various other movies could be a possibility as well. All land expansion is strictly blue sky at this point in time. This also includes possibility of a Radiator Springs mini land. I wouldn't replicate Carsland, but they should/could bring over one of the attractions, either RSR or Mater's jamboree.
-I'd like to see them do an Up attraction, I think there are great possibilities to simulate your own flying house
Sunset Blvd: Area stays mostly the same.
-RnRC: Exterior could get a face life to express the surrounding architecture in the area.
-Beauty and the Beast theater will be enclosed to simulate watching a show at the Hollywood Bowl theater under a night sky. B&B show is replaced with something new. Current show is very outdated. Nothing wrong with BatB IMHO, but I expect them to change it when the castle opens in the FLE. Putting Tangled here makes a lot of sense.
-Fantasmic: Theater could possibly be relocated for better traffic solutions and theater upgrades, but could be too costly and pointless. Just a thought for now. The actual show will be vastly upgraded and be similar to the show currently playing in TDS. Better effects, less use of stock footage, removal of Pocahontas sequence, better Dragon finale added, cheesier elements removed, possible music remixing, just an overall improved show.
Entertainment:
-Add a new parade that mixes floats with a motor cars parade thing that evokes a Hollywood premier. Floats are themed to Disney films with a Hollywood twist, as well as Star Wars, Indiana Jones, and Muppets.
-Bring back the fireworks with a new show called “Blockbusters in the Sky.”This show is set to famous movie music such as Star Wars, Indiana Jones, Last of the Mohicans, Wizard of Oz. Lord of the Rings, Chariots of Fire, Gone with the Wind, Close Encounters, Pirates of the Caribbean, etc.
-Seasonal Things-
-Keep Star Wars weekends the same. Have the special Star Wars themed fireworks and parade be a permanent staple of the event.
-Give the fireworks seasonal overlays for Halloween and Christmas. These shows play famous themes from various classic horror and Christmas movies. These could be simple tags to the ends the regular fireworks show rather than totally new shows on their own.
-Keep Osborne Lights, add more decorations for Halloween.
-Add E-ride nights to the park.

 

[PRNCSAurora]

I've often wondered what DHS would be like if it had been laid out in areas represented by movie genre's. Action/adventure, sci-fi, horror, animation, westerns, and so on. Each film category could have it's own street, starting with the early films of a particular genre. An example, Gunga Din starts off as an early example of the "Adventure" genre, while movies like Hidalgo, Indiana Jones, National Treasure could fill in the rest with attractions, displays, eateries, shops, and each of these within that area would be themed to that particular genre. It seems possible that a design like this would at least add some coherence and an easy layout to follow.

Disney could use some sort of small, temporary display/attraction to showcase some of their older properties (Black Hole, Black Cauldrun) and promote upcoming films (Marvel Studios, Lone Ranger), somethin that can easily be rotated on a monthly (or whatever) basis. Just thoughts. The current layout and direction of the park leads to a lot of "what if" thinking.

I really like this idea. I think it would be a great to incorporate the movie theme throughout the park and keep some order.

 

[Beholder]

I really like this idea. I think it would be a great to incorporate the movie theme throughout the park and keep some order.

That's what I'd really like to see, more Hollywood in the Hollywood studios. Play up the mythology of the golden age studios, promote the Disney properties. And have it all form a logical layout that's easy to navigate.

 

[WondersOfLife]

Wouldn't mind a Pixar Place expansion. I think Laugh Floor should be moved here, it would fit better in that park than tomorrowland in Magic Kingdom. Honestly if you just want it to be themed to the park, then re-name it to "Laugh Floor Comedy Studio" instead of "Club"? haha That's my idea. Also wouldn't mind adding a Wall-E themed 4D movie? That'd be nice.

 

[RightTurnClyde]

I've often wondered what DHS would be like if it had been laid out in areas represented by movie genre's. Action/adventure, sci-fi, horror, animation, westerns, and so on. Each film category could have it's own street, starting with the early films of a particular genre. An example, Gunga Din starts off as an early example of the "Adventure" genre, while movies like Hidalgo, Indiana Jones, National Treasure could fill in the rest with attractions, displays, eateries, shops, and each of these within that area would be themed to that particular genre. It seems possible that a design like this would at least add some coherence and an easy layout to follow.

Disney could use some sort of small, temporary display/attraction to showcase some of their older properties (Black Hole, Black Cauldrun) and promote upcoming films (Marvel Studios, Lone Ranger), somethin that can easily be rotated on a monthly (or whatever) basis. Just thoughts. The current layout and direction of the park leads to a lot of "what if" thinking.

But wouldn't this just duplicate what's at the MK? It has adventure, western, Americana, fantasy and sci-fi/futurism. The only thing missing from your list is horror and that's something I don't ever see Disney doing after the complaints they got over Alien Encounter.

It would make more sense to divide DHS by studios than genre. There could be Hollywoodland (to cover old Hollywood), Pixar Place, Lucas Place, Muppet Studios, Cameron Place (put Pandora here instead of at AK), and Disney Studios.

My ideal version of this would be that each studio area would be set up like World Showcase at Epcot. But instead of traveling from country to country the guest would travel from movie to movie.

 

[Beholder]

But wouldn't this just duplicate what's at the MK? It has adventure, western, Americana, fantasy and sci-fi/futurism. The only thing missing from your list is horror and that's something I don't ever see Disney doing after the complaints they got over Alien Encounter.

It would make more sense to divide DHS by studios than genre. There could
be Hollywoodland (to cover old Hollywood), Pixar Place, Lucas Place,
Muppet Studios, Cameron Place (put Pandora here instead of at AK), and
Disney Studios.


My ideal version of this would be that each studio area would be set up like
World Showcase at Epcot. But instead of traveling from country to country
the guest would travel from movie to movie.

MK, AK, and EPCOT all sort of follow the same general format, it's easy to navigate and generally allows for outward expansion ( if designed with this in mind). I understand what you're saying about the obvious similarities between what I've suggested and MK (Adventure, sci-fi), but I lean towards this type of genre devision because it allows a bit more freedom of inclusion. A "Lucasland" can only have movies produced/directed by GL. I'd rather have the variety and possibilities that a dedicated area (the term "land" belongs in MK. I like "theatre" for this. Theatre of Horror, Adventure etc) bring. A "War of the Worlds" attraction down the street from the latest "Star Trek" film. Of course in order of release date to show an evolution of movie styles/effects and to pay homage to the classics of a genre.

This is all of course my own personal fantasy wishlist and I'm sure there are 100 reasons this wouldn't/couldn't work, but it's fun to imagine. And because I'll never actually be the one calling the shots at WDW, I try not to get bogged down in the ultra technical side of it.

 

[spacemt354]

What I am confused about is why DHS was built so small. Sure, they can always re-route their utility roads around the park, but I just find it strange that in order to add new attractions in DHS, you basically have to tear down old ones.

Either way, something needs to be done and I would focus the update on: TLC, Themes, and Thrills

1.) TLC - What bothers me probably the most is when attractions are clearly dated. I'm glad the update happened at Star Tours and the Jedi Training Academy, because that is a great franchise to build around. But there is a lot at DHS that has just been left alone. Also, the other thing that I can't stand is duplicates of the same story in two different parks. With the new FLE, there will be no need to re-tell the stories of the Little Mermaid and Beauty and the Beast in show format in DHS. The stories are being told at the MK, so once the FLE is complete, I wouldn't want to keep either of those shows, as they are basically telling the same story. So this is what I would do:

a) Great Movie Ride refurb (like Spaceship Earth, you travel through time in the movies, from past to present)
b) Backlot Tour (just remove it, it takes up too much space and has been undercut from its original format)
c) Honey I Shunk the Kids (change to A Bug's Life Playground and make it part of Pixar Place)
d) Removal of The Little Mermaid and Beauty and the Beast shows (more on that later)
e) Removal of Lights Motors Action (for Pixar Place expansion)

2.) Themes - I would like to see each specific land stay with their own themes. Right now, American Idol is across from the 50s cafe and Indy. Muppets is next to Pizza Planet. One Man's Dream is just shoe-horned in between Pixar Place and Little Mermaid. This has to change, because it throws me off in comparison to the other parks in which each land has attractions relevant to that specific land's themes. So what I would do is:

a) Remove the Hat (I'm sorry, I like it, but it has to go)
b) Pizza Planet to Pixar Place (Makes no sense why it is by the Muppets, build where Studio Catering Co is now)
c) Move One Man's Dream to Sunset Blvd where BatB used to be, leaving room for an addition to Pixar Place
d) Remove the Pirates exhibit as well. (We already have a Pirates ride and like I said before, duplication.)
e) Pirates/One Man's Dream replaced with Pixar Walk-Through Exhibit showing off their films and technology
f) Removal of American Idol for a Tron interactive attraction, where you are in the video game.
g) Return of Alien Encounter to replace Sounds Dangerous
h) Sci-Fi land (Star Wars, Indy, Tron, Alien and include the Sci-Fi dine in theater in the land as well)

3.) Thrills - Now, I do not want DHS to turn into just a thrill park, that only offers coasters, because that is not what Disney is about. But, DHS already has a reputation for thrill junkies with Tower of Terror and RnRC. When my family and I go to DHS, those are the only two rides that are "must-sees" for us. Every other Disney park has at least 4-5 must-sees for us. So, why not add attractions that offer people thrills, since they are coming to the park anyway for that. And thrills can come in all shapes and sizes. So here is what I would do:

a) Indy Stunt Show replaces by Indiana Jones and the Temple of the Forbidden Eye (right from DL)
b) Monsters Inc Doors Coaster (next to Toy Story Mania, and then remove the Laugh Floor in MK)
c) Wall-E 4D show replaces the Little Mermaid in Pixar Place
d) Up dark ride (like Peter Pan's Flight, ellie's chair could be the vehicle) replaces the Pearl Harbor pre-show.
e) Radiator Springs Racers replaces Lights Motors Action and Backlot Tour.
f) Edit: Daytime Show on the Fantasmic Stage (to make up for Indy and LMA show removal)

Even if only half of these things become reality I would be so excited. DHS needs something new, and I look forward to seeing what comes next.

 

[MKeeler]

With everyone talking about the layout and lands, I would like to see DHS simply strengthen the identifiable lands they have now. Less about genre and more about medium.

To me it has increasingly seemed that you could identify the following themed areas in DHS, moving through the various forms of animation to live action. So you have:
Hollywood - (Hollywood and Sunset Boulevards)
Live Action - Echo Lake, Indiana Jones, Star Wars etc.
Puppetry - Muppets
Computer Animation - Pixar Place
Classic Hand Drawn Animation - Animation Courtyard

I wouldn't want these to be referred to as such; I still prefer the collection of studios idea (Lucas Film, Muppet Studios, Burton Block, Pixar Place, Walt Disney Feature Animation), but additions and modifcations should be made to enhance those already present.

I'd mainly love to see a stop motion section added between Pixar Place and Muppet Studios, focusing on the works of Burton and Selick. Finally put in the Nightmare Before Christmas dark ride or a Nightmare Before Christmas stage show back at the Hunchback theater. A new Frankenweenie experience.