Is the clock ticking on the Sorcerer Mickey Hat icon at the Studios? YES!

[Calvin Coolidge]

Sorry to be that guy but I feel like I'm ready conflicting info on what Star Wars stuff would be expected to entail at this point...
1. Are the Streets of America expected to stay or go?
2. Are Muppets expected to stay or go?
3. Is Indiana Jones expected to stay or go?

 

[unkadug]

There will be more rides/attractions added.

At the expense of some that are already open.

 

[aladdin2007]

that is not entirely true ...makeover is still hAppening and SW is coming and hat is going ...but Cars, indeed, looks like it has been pushed aside

oh good, cant wait to see that horrendous stage go with the hat! that almost bothers me more than the dang hat lol.

 

[doctornick]

Sorry to be that guy but I feel like I'm ready conflicting info on what Star Wars stuff would be expected to entail at this point...
1. Are the Streets of America expected to stay or go?
2. Are Muppets expected to stay or go?
3. Is Indiana Jones expected to stay or go?

All good questions. From the recent tidbits, it seems certain that AIE -- and presumably Sounds Dangerous as well -- will be used for Star Wars.

It seemed to be a consensus previously among insiders here that IJ was going away for Star Wars -- my guess is that is still the case as it would be easy to integrate spatially with Sounds Dangerous/American Idol.

Just today, we got another mention of the Osborne lights going away, which would imply that SoA are not long for this world. However, we also have heard that Cars is off the table at this point. That implies to me that the SoA area would also become part of Star Wars. Which further would mean that the Muppets space would become part of Star Wars -- because how would the streets of SoA be used with Muppets stuck in between that and Star Tours (and the rest of the current Echo Lake).

So, my guess right now is: a large Star Wars expansion taking over AIE/IJ stunt show/the former Sounds Dangerous/all of the Muppets area and the current SoA (which would probably include new food service at Backlot Express, Mama Melrose and Pizza Planet). The HISTK playground could be spared and left untouched or rethemed (e.g. Bug's Life). LMA and Backlot Tour remain as is.

Am I close? @Tim_4 @WDW1974 @articos @tirian @Lee @pheneix

 

[aladdin2007]

All good questions. From the recent tidbits, it seems certain that AIE -- and presumably Sounds Dangerous as well -- will be used for Star Wars.

It seemed to be a consensus previously among insiders here that IJ was going away for Star Wars -- my guess is that is still the case as it would be easy to integrate spatially with Sounds Dangerous/American Idol.

Just today, we got another mention of the Osborne lights going away, which would imply that SoA are not long for this world. However, we also have heard that Cars is off the table at this point. That implies to me that the SoA area would also become part of Star Wars. Which further would mean that the Muppets space would become part of Star Wars -- because how would the streets of SoA be used with Muppets stuck in between that and Star Tours (and the rest of the current Echo Lake).

So, my guess right now is: a large Star Wars expansion taking over AIE/IJ stunt show/the former Sounds Dangerous/all of the Muppets area and the current SoA (which would probably include new food service at Backlot Express, Mama Melrose and Pizza Planet). The HISTK playground could be spared and left untouched or rethemed (e.g. Bug's Life). LMA and Backlot Tour remain as is.

Am I close? @Tim_4 @WDW1974 @articos @tirian @Lee @pheneix

That poor backlot tour needs to go already, but sounds like focus is going to be on the left side of the park.

 

[jt04]

that is not entirely true ...makeover is still hAppening and SW is coming and hat is going ...but Cars, indeed, looks like it has been pushed aside

Put down the pixie dust and stop with all this Pollyanna fanboi tripe. Since nothing was announced I guess I will return "in a few months". Meantime I off to my desert hunting grounds here in NM.

Anagodziih doleel

 

[tirian]

Yes, but will they value engineer the AA Yoda out or simply open it with a B-mode already planned?

Remember how Alien Encounter had the AA preshow and state-of-the-art SFX within the theater? Goodbye to those days.

But I'm gonna' go out on a limb and say they'll keep it just because it's Star Wars.

 

[the.dreamfinder]

Yes, but will they value engineer the AA Yoda out or simply open it with a B-mode already planned?

Which will subsequently be put in Tokyo.

 

[gonnichi]

There will be more rides/attractions added.

I hope that this is true, but it will totally upset my routine I only go to DHS for 5 rides and then I'm back to MK. If they build more rides I will have to spend so much more time in DHS and actually buy food there and then probably go shopping and buy souvenirs. If they do this it will cost me so much more money. lol.

 

[doctornick]

I hope that this is true, but it will totally upset my routine I only go to DHS for 5 rides and then I'm back to MK. If they build more rides I will have to spend so much more time in DHS and actually buy food there and then probably go shopping and buy souvenirs. If they do this it will cost me so much more money. lol.

I know this is half kidding, but that's exactly the reaction that Disney would want by adding in a number of rides to DHS. I'm hoping the expansion is more ride heavy and less theater shows but having a bunch of new attractions, stuff that will keep people occupied in the park for longer would be the understandable goal of an expansion/makeover. They want people to stay in the park and buy food/merch instead of leaving to eat outside the resort of going over to the already crowded MK for the night.

 

[tirian]

All good questions. From the recent tidbits, it seems certain that AIE -- and presumably Sounds Dangerous as well -- will be used for Star Wars.

It seemed to be a consensus previously among insiders here that IJ was going away for Star Wars -- my guess is that is still the case as it would be easy to integrate spatially with Sounds Dangerous/American Idol.

Just today, we got another mention of the Osborne lights going away, which would imply that SoA are not long for this world. However, we also have heard that Cars is off the table at this point. That implies to me that the SoA area would also become part of Star Wars. Which further would mean that the Muppets space would become part of Star Wars -- because how would the streets of SoA be used with Muppets stuck in between that and Star Tours (and the rest of the current Echo Lake).

So, my guess right now is: a large Star Wars expansion taking over AIE/IJ stunt show/the former Sounds Dangerous/all of the Muppets area and the current SoA (which would probably include new food service at Backlot Express, Mama Melrose and Pizza Planet). The HISTK playground could be spared and left untouched or rethemed (e.g. Bug's Life). LMA and Backlot Tour remain as is.

Am I close? @Tim_4 @WDW1974 @articos @tirian @Lee @pheneix

Here's the deal.

Legitimate rumors often contradict because WDI does a horrible job at keeping most Blue Sky plans quiet within the company. When Imagineers walk through the parks to study future possibilities, many of them happily describe their grandiose ideas for a new Frontierland, Imagination pavilion, or Star Wars to managers and other CMs. It's similar to a new grandpa presenting his grandchild. Sometimes those plans are 85% certain; other times they're 100% determined. But Disney is an enormous company with bloated budgets and egos, and offices full of red tape. Even when a project is officially announced (e.g. Hyperion Wharf or Avatar), plenty of executives and analysts can jump in to force changes. And that 100%-true plan the Imagineer bragged about a few months beforehand becomes a false rumor.

Two months ago, Carsland was a sure thing. CMs in affected attractions had been informed they were going to be cross-trained in other areas. Offices were moved around to make room for WDI. But today, Cars has been pushed to the back burner and the Star Wars universe will assume control of the left half of the park, beginning with American Idol and stretching to *some* location. Some reports say it will extend to the Muppets; others say it will end with the current gift shop.

The Indiana Jones stunt show contracts have been renewed, meaning the show will most likely be around a while longer. But it's definitely going away.

What will the finalized plan be? I'd rather not speculate publicly, because a rumor that's 100% true today could be wrong within a week. That's why many proven insiders here (like @Lee or @WDW1974) speak cautiously. It also protects sources.

And frankly, I don't think Disney knows what its finalized plans are yet.

 

[aladdin2007]

Here's the deal.

Legitimate rumors often contradict because WDI does a horrible job at keeping most Blue Sky plans quiet within the company. When Imagineers walk through the parks to study future possibilities, many of them happily describe their grandiose ideas for a new Frontierland, Imagination pavilion, or Star Wars to managers and other CMs. It's similar to a new grandpa presenting his grandchild. Sometimes those plans are 85% certain; other times they're 100% determined. But Disney is an enormous company with bloated budgets and egos, and offices full of red tape. Even when a project is officially announced (e.g. Hyperion Wharf or Avatar), plenty of executives and analysts can jump in to force changes. And that 100%-true plan the Imagineer bragged about a few months beforehand becomes a false rumor.

Two months ago, Carsland was a sure thing. CMs in affected attractions had been informed they were going to be cross-trained in other areas. Offices were moved around to make room for WDI. But today, Cars has been pushed to the back burner and the Star Wars universe will assume control of the left half of the park, beginning with American Idol and stretching to *some* location. Some reports say it will extend to the Muppets; others say it will end with the current gift shop.

The Indiana Jones stunt show contracts have been renewed, meaning the show will most likely be around a while longer.

What will the finalized plan be? I'd rather not speculate publicly until Disney announces something, because a rumor that's 100% true today could be wrong within a week.

And frankly, I don't think they even know yet.

I think thats the key sentence right there,,,, I don't think they even know yet

 

[Calvin Coolidge]

Thanks @doctornick and @tirian.

I still have my fingers crossed that Streets of America and the Muppet area will be salvaged (or even better, improved!).

 

[doctornick]

I still have my fingers crossed that Streets of America and the Muppet area will be salvaged (or even better, improved!).

I hope that is the case as well. But IMHO to do a proper Star Wars expansion without going into the Muppets/SoA space means that they would need to put stuff backstage -- where the parade buildings currently area and possible onto the parking access road if the entrance is truly changed or taking up some of the edge of the current parking lot You could actually have a decent sized "land" with plenty of attractions if you put a show building in the current backstage area on the far side of IJ stunt show and Backlot Express (as well as using most of Echo Lake like IJ/Sounds Dangerous/AIE)

None of the insiders have hinted that this is being considered though.

I still think a Monstropolis makeover for SoA (put MILF in the vacant Premiere Theater!) makes a ton of sense.

 

[Calvin Coolidge]

I hope that is the case as well. But IMHO to do a proper Star Wars expansion without going into the Muppets/SoA space means that they would need to put stuff backstage -- where the parade buildings currently area and possible onto the parking access road if the entrance is truly changed or taking up some of the edge of the current parking lot You could actually have a decent sized "land" with plenty of attractions if you put a show building in the current backstage area on the far side of IJ stunt show and Backlot Express (as well as using most of Echo Lake like IJ/Sounds Dangerous/AIE)

None of the insiders have hinted that this is being considered though.

I still think a Monstropolis makeover for SoA (put MILF in the vacant Premiere Theater!) makes a ton of sense.

It's not like there's much going on in terms of parades right now anyway...I really like the idea of building out into the backstage areas. DHS has a crazy amount of backstage space for a park of its size.

 

[doctornick]

The Indiana Jones stunt show contracts have been renewed, meaning the show will most likely be around a while longer.

Could you give a rough idea as to how long the contracts have been renewed for?

I find it tough to imagine that they will build a significant Star Wars presence in DHS including the AIE space without the IJ plot being a part of it.

 

[cslafferty]

Since SW has been fast tracked, is Osbourne Lights still on as usual this year, or will that area be under construction already? Earlier reports about OL were that this year would probably be the last for at least a little while.

 

[doctornick]

It's not like there's much going on in terms of parades right now anyway...I really like the idea of building out into the backstage areas. DHS has a crazy amount of backstage space for a park of its size.

When the Star Wars rumors first came out -- and seemed to coincide with rumors about the parking access road being changed as well as plans for the parades to stop -- I pretty much assumed that significant current backstage areas would be part of the expansion. Especially since I did not expect the Muppets to be cast aside, with the recent movie and another one in the works.

Here's my thinking: with the parking toll plaza and road redirected, you can move the park limit out to the current parking access road. That allows TDO to redirect the current backstage road further out, so that it runs along the current parking access road route. With that out of the way, you can make a guest walkway between Star Tours and Backlot Express to reach the current backstage areas (or you could put a path between Backlot Express and whatever ends up on the IJ plot). They you have the current backstage area -- parade storage, cast services, whatever those buildings area-- repurposed into attractions/guest use. If you look at all the land composed of AIE/Sounds Dangerous, IJ stunt show and the backstage buildings in that section, it is a massive amount of space that could easily fit a large number of attractions. And the best part about such a plan is that it only loses two currently used attractions (IJ/AIE) to expansion which I don't think would kill capacity that much. They could even open the Premiere Theater to help compensate for losing those shows.

Unfortunately, none of the insiders have indicated that using such backstage space is in the works. In fact, I believe @WDW1974 has specifically said that no backstage areas are planned to be used in this DHS expansion and it's possible that guest areas would actually end up being smaller than currently.

 

[Disneyfan_76]

Is there room in front of the gates of the park somewhere for this? I don't like the hat, nor its location, but it does seem silly to not make use of it somehow. Perhaps just outside of the park could be an option.

 

[rudyjr13]

They can't possibly be serious about doing a makeover without touching the joke that is the backlot tour right? Star Wars AND Carsland. Come on Disney. No back burner.