Heppenheimer
Well-Known Member
Maybe Marni1971 can correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe the "working studios" idea died a quick death because productions didn't much like working under fishbowl conditions.Ask Disney that question as to why they don’t actually use it as a studio anymore.. but the fact remains.. the rides there have always been focused strictly on the film IPs developed, collaborated & owned (via by either contractual rights or outright ownership) by said studios (Disney in this case) thus, they’re easily more fit for a studios themed park than a real world concept & culture focused park…. It’s that simple
Another factor may have been cost, since the infrastructure to fully support a viable film and television industry in central FL simply wasn't there. Building a couple of sound stages isn't a replacement for having to pay per diem rates and relocation costs to all the specialists who would be needed to make full use of the facility.
Finally, I think we're overstating how much of a "studio" this park ever really was. When the park opened, it was mostly just shows, one dark ride, and the "backlot tour", which despite the name, was more like a glorified static of props and effects display via drive-by and walk-through than an actual working studio backlot. The only "studio" parts were the brief walk-by of the sound stages, which seemed to be almost permanently devoid of activity.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but it seems the animation studio seemed to last much longer. Up until at least the mid 1990s, I remember seeing evidence of actual film work being done.
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