PizzeRizzo announced for Disney's Hollywood Studios - Was: Rumor: Pizza Planet/Mama Melrose closing?

[Mike S]

It would make sense if it was a quick-built filler land with more to come later like it should be.

And not taking up 11 acres.

 

[Princess Leia]

Well, it needs replaced, and I would hope that it's replacement would have a higher demand, but in the long run will help very little with their capacity issue.

Replaced, no. Updated? Yes.

 

[Disneyhead'71]

Replaced, no. Updated? Yes.

I'm OK with replaced. Slow drags through wax museums isn't what I'm looking for in my expensive theme park experience.

 

[Goofyernmost]

I'm OK with replaced. Slow drags through wax museums isn't what I'm looking for in my expensive theme park experience.

That just drives home the point that I have been fairly unsuccessfully trying to get across. That is how the times and demands have changed. It wasn't that many years ago when that show was the personification of what Disney was all about and we went in droves to experience it. Now, it just hoo-hum, such a bore, not what I want out of my theme park experience. That is what has changed and what so many are unable to come to grips with. Times and attitudes have changed and even Walt, himself, would have had to bend to it to continue to stay current. The trend setter of the 50's and 60's would have to operate completely differently now that we are in the 21st century. Whether that is good or bad, remains to be seen in a historical sense.

 

[DinoInstitute]

I'm OK with replaced. Slow drags through wax museums isn't what I'm looking for in my expensive theme park experience.

There's really no good reason for it being completely replaced. GMR is a fantastic ride concept, and with modern effects it could be one of the best rides in the resort.

Even as it is now, it has a few amazing sets, lots of fun animatronics, and is incredibly unique, all of which are things which I am very much looking for on my expensive theme park experience.

 

[doctornick]

The main problem with that is the fact that DHS is woefully short on dining capacity now. Yes, TSL is getting a CS and SWL a TS, but we lost Backlot Catering Co.

When SWL opens, they will need a lot more dining capacity than DHS has now.

I'm not advocating rid of Mama Melrose, but I'm not sure I agree that it will be an issue. When Star Wars opens, there will be the following table service: Brown Derby, Hollywood & Vine (buffet), 50's Prime Time, Sci-Fi, Mama Melrose and the Star Wars "upscale" dining club. That's six table serve places, which isn't really that far from MK which has IIRC 7 table service places and a much higher number of guests. And while you could say that MK has the monorail resorts supplementing the offerings, DHS also has the Boardwalk and the Crescent Lake resorts as well as Epcot (if you have hoppers) not that far away.

Sure, it couldn't hurt to add some more dining options in preparation for increased crowds, but I don't think dining availability is really that big an issue.

 

[Disneyhead'71]

I'm not advocating rid of Mama Melrose, but I'm not sure I agree that it will be an issue. When Star Wars opens, there will be the following table service: Brown Derby, Hollywood & Vine (buffet), 50's Prime Time, Sci-Fi, Mama Melrose and the Star Wars "upscale" dining club. That's six table serve places, which isn't really that far from MK which has IIRC 7 table service places and a much higher number of guests. And while you could say that MK has the monorail resorts supplementing the offerings, DHS also has the Boardwalk and the Crescent Lake resorts as well as Epcot (if you have hoppers) not that far away.

Sure, it couldn't hurt to add some more dining options in preparation for increased crowds, but I don't think dining availability is really that big an issue.

On more than one occasion I have resorted to standing and eating a turkey leg with my coke sitting on top of a trash can because of the lack of available dining at DHS. The last time we just left to go eat and didn't return.

 

[Slowjack]

That just drives home the point that I have been fairly unsuccessfully trying to get across. That is how the times and demands have changed. It wasn't that many years ago when that show was the personification of what Disney was all about and we went in droves to experience it. Now, it just hoo-hum, such a bore, not what I want out of my theme park experience. That is what has changed and what so many are unable to come to grips with. Times and attitudes have changed and even Walt, himself, would have had to bend to it to continue to stay current. The trend setter of the 50's and 60's would have to operate completely differently now that we are in the 21st century. Whether that is good or bad, remains to be seen in a historical sense.

I understand your point, but I think you may be inadvertently doing something you have cautioned the rest of us against: taking a few opinions as representative of the whole.

Undoubtedly, there are many people who find a ride like GMR stale in its very conception, whether or not it was updated and its show quality maintained to what was once known as the "Disney standard." There are also people who love this kind of ride and wished it would be updated and polished back into the jewel it once was. The existence of the first group doesn't disprove the existence of the latter.

The great thing about WDW, when it is clicking on all cylinders, it that it offers so much to do that everyone can find things to enjoy. My daughter, who is ten now and first saw WDW at age three, has never liked meet & greets and many of the other activities geared for the smallest children. And what she does like is all over the map: she loves the PeopleMover and that old wax museum called the Carousel of Progress, but now also loves Space Mountain and can't wait to ride the Rock & Rollercoaster again. WDW is visited by millions of people with myriad tastes in theme parks.

My point is, yes, of course Disney World must continue to evolve as time goes by, but that doesn't have to mean rejecting concepts that have stood the test of time. New ideas can add to, rather than replace, the experiences that were there before.

 

[Goofyernmost]

I understand your point, but I think you may be inadvertently doing something you have cautioned the rest of us against: taking a few opinions as representative of the whole.

Undoubtedly, there are many people who find a ride like GMR stale in its very conception, whether or not it was updated and its show quality maintained to what was once known as the "Disney standard." There are also people who love this kind of ride and wished it would be updated and polished back into the jewel it once was. The existence of the first group doesn't disprove the existence of the latter.

The great thing about WDW, when it is clicking on all cylinders, it that it offers so much to do that everyone can find things to enjoy. My daughter, who is ten now and first saw WDW at age three, has never liked meet & greets and many of the other activities geared for the smallest children. And what she does like is all over the map: she loves the PeopleMover and that old wax museum called the Carousel of Progress, but now also loves Space Mountain and can't wait to ride the Rock & Rollercoaster again. WDW is visited by millions of people with myriad tastes in theme parks.

My point is, yes, of course Disney World must continue to evolve as time goes by, but that doesn't have to mean rejecting concepts that have stood the test of time. New ideas can add to, rather than replace, the experiences that were there before.

And I'm sure you are correct and I support the idea that it doesn't mean that the classics that are still "drawing them in" should ever be touched other then light improvements of equipment and scenery. However, no matter how much I try I cannot escape the feeling that Disney has a pretty solid handle on each and every attraction and the amount of draw that each has. Unlike something like CoP that is still there mostly because of its connection with Walt personally, GMR does not share that same distinction. If the numbers are down then saving it for a few would be unwise and prevent the majority from having something that they enjoy.

What I'm doing here is arguing against myself. I love GMR and I am going to hate to see it go, but, I also remember a time when I stood in that massive switchback room for ages, slowly working my way to the actual ride. (even before FP made it worse) It has been a lot of years since that has happened and it also has been a lot of years since they had the full contingency of ride vehicles operating due to the fact that the ridership has dropped drastically over the last 10 or more years. It no longer has the draw (maybe partially because the damn hat was always blocking the view of the theater and it didn't really get to connect with many of the newer visitors) or have the Walt connection to keep it free from the wrecking ball. I'm not happy about the change, but, I can rationally see why it's happening and I am going to remain optimistic that whatever replaces it will be as fun as GMR was.

 

[Princess Leia]

It just hit me that this restaurant is (schedule and construction permitting) opening in a month.

 

[Marlins1]

I'm OK with replaced. Slow drags through wax museums isn't what I'm looking for in my expensive theme park experience.

I think the poor narrators and the lack of quality dialogue take away a lot from this ride. Imagine Jungle Cruise without entertaining skippers and IMO you have a ride like this one. I also do not like the long rows of seating - feels more like a show than a ride in a park that is loaded with shows and lacking rides.

 

[wdwgreek]

Recently with the movement of the hat, the queue has been using all those switchbacks and the outdoor queue. I am 22 and I cannot remember when the ride had the outdoor queue open. The crowd flow draws peoples to the GMR, and I argue it makes more sense in the park then every before. A parkm that celebrates entertainment has in its center a ride where the concept of riding into the middle of the movies isdn introduced. If the theme song was changed from Horror for Hollywood to That's entertainment it would still work for the park ie look at how wonderful and varied the movies are. You don't have to know the movies, the ride needs to be updated, the AA's updated, the lighting fixed in certain scenes, but the moments in that ride are timeless. Every child and adult sings along with follow the yellow brink rode, people sigh and laugh as movies they haven't seen in forever but love flicker up in the finale. The ride is a wonderful concept, with AA updates, script cleanup around a central theme, and lighting fixes, this can be the headliner it deserves to be.

 

[Disneyhead'71]

Recently with the movement of the hat, the queue has been using all those switchbacks and the outdoor queue. I am 22 and I cannot remember when the ride had the outdoor queue open. The crowd flow draws peoples to the GMR, and I argue it makes more sense in the park then every before. A parkm that celebrates entertainment has in its center a ride where the concept of riding into the middle of the movies isdn introduced. If the theme song was changed from Horror for Hollywood to That's entertainment it would still work for the park ie look at how wonderful and varied the movies are. You don't have to know the movies, the ride needs to be updated, the AA's updated, the lighting fixed in certain scenes, but the moments in that ride are timeless. Every child and adult sings along with follow the yellow brink rode, people sigh and laugh as movies they haven't seen in forever but love flicker up in the finale. The ride is a wonderful concept, with AA updates, script cleanup around a central theme, and lighting fixes, this can be the headliner it deserves to be.

We have better more immersive ways to be inserted into a movie these days. We are a living breathing part of Carsland, Potter, and soon Pandora, not just passive observers of single static scene.

 

[wdwgreek]

We have better more immersive ways to be inserted into a movie these days. We are a living breathing part of Carsland, Potter, and soon Pandora, not just passive observers of single static scene.

I think the rides old tag line was an adventure through the movies or something along that line. But let's take your point, Hollywood Boulevard is the Hollywood that never was but always will be. The GMR takes you through snippets of the most classic movies that populated the actors and actresses, producers, techies, and directors that make Hollywood Boulevard the center of the cinema world. If Carsland Payoff attraction after being fully immersed is Radiator Springs Racers, GMR holds that same focal point and same goal, it puts you in the center of what the area is trying to immerse you in. True the rides are radically different, but the level of immersion is relatively similar, different means to the same end. Instead of exploring one world the GMR explores the world of all movies through genre hopping. And the GMR is not one static scene it is nearly a dozen scenes.

 

[Disneyhead'71]

I think the rides old tag line was an adventure through the movies or something along that line. But let's take your point, Hollywood Boulevard is the Hollywood that never was but always will be. The GMR takes you through snippets of the most classic movies that populated the actors and actresses, producers, techies, and directors that make Hollywood Boulevard the center of the cinema world. If Carsland Payoff attraction after being fully immersed is Radiator Springs Racers, GMR holds that same focal point and same goal, it puts you in the center of what the area is trying to immerse you in. True the rides are radically different, but the level of immersion is relatively similar, different means to the same end. Instead of exploring one world the GMR explores the world of all movies through genre hopping. And the GMR is not one static scene it is nearly a dozen scenes.

True. That doesn't make the ride less painfully boring. Maybe launching the RVs through the building would help?

The awesome thing about that particular building is just about anything movie related would fit. They could have thrown Frozen in there, change the marquee, done. GotG, sure. Mickey Mouse? Even better.

I am almost positive the new ride will be more entertaining AND popular than the GMR.

 

[wdwgreek]

Oh s

True. That doesn't make the ride less painfully boring. Maybe launching the RVs through the building would help?

The awesome thing about that particular building is just about anything movie related would fit. They could have thrown Frozen in there, change the marquee, done. GotG, sure. Mickey Mouse? Even better.

I am almost positive the new ride will be more entertaining AND popular than the GMR.

I think whether its boring is subjective. I go to DHS for three attractions Star Tours, Muppets and the GMR. I will go on the GMR three times per visit. Also Frozen and those other rides wouldn't work for the theme, I wouldn't throw Radiator Springs Racers in thunder mountain. The GMR show building requires a grand celebration of film and cinema, not a single IP.

True. That doesn't make the ride less painfully boring. Maybe launching the RVs through the building would help?

The awesome thing about that particular building is just about anything movie related would fit. They could have thrown Frozen in there, change the marquee, done. GotG, sure. Mickey Mouse? Even better.

I am almost positive the new ride will be more entertaining AND popular than the GMR.

Now that is a subjective opinion. I personally rank the GMR as my third favorite Disney Attraction. I go to DHS to ride star tours, Muppets and the GMR. I love it, I watch TCM every night before bed so there can be that factor, but if you can appreciate the art of classic cinema and appreciate the cultural relevance of all the troupes and genres the ride and the ride sets explore I think it can be incredibly engaging. Take the Busby Berkley section. Busby Berkley dance routines are so popularly lampooned most recently in the last Cohen Brothers film, it classic Americana that permeates in modern culture, its neat to be able to see a snippet of where it comes from. To each to their own, but minus some of the canned dialogue and a few tasteful updates the GMR has the potential to be as engaging and immersive as Jungle Cruise for example.

 

[Disneyhead'71]

Oh s


I think whether its boring is subjective. I go to DHS for three attractions Star Tours, Muppets and the GMR. I will go on the GMR three times per visit. Also Frozen and those other rides wouldn't work for the theme, I wouldn't throw Radiator Springs Racers in thunder mountain. The GMR show building requires a grand celebration of film and cinema, not a single IP.

Now that is a subjective opinion. I personally rank the GMR as my third favorite Disney Attraction. I go to DHS to ride star tours, Muppets and the GMR. I love it, I watch TCM every night before bed so there can be that factor, but if you can appreciate the art of classic cinema and appreciate the cultural relevance of all the troupes and genres the ride and the ride sets explore I think it can be incredibly engaging. Take the Busby Berkley section. Busby Berkley dance routines are so popularly lampooned most recently in the last Cohen Brothers film, it classic Americana that permeates in modern culture, its neat to be able to see a snippet of where it comes from. To each to their own, but minus some of the canned dialogue and a few tasteful updates the GMR has the potential to be as engaging and immersive as Jungle Cruise for example.

How would Frozen and those other movies not fit the theme? It's a movie theater! This is the one building that a non IP based attraction would be out of theme. Shove Mystic Manor in there. Out of theme, it's not a movie. A ride based on any movie would fit the theme. Of the building and the land. I do like the idea of basing it off of the old school Mickey shorts though. Still film history, and more specifically, Disney film history.

 

[wdwgreek]

I would agree that if done well a History of Disney animation/ Mickey Mouse would fit in an old theater, but Frozen and other IP's having a standard FL dark ride shoe horned into Hollywood Boulevard would be a thematic dissonance of the same level of Frozen in Norway. I guess it works but it doesn't belong there nor does it fit theme of the area or what the area is intended to present. THE GMR is supposed to highlight the greatest products of the golden age of Hollywood and bring us back to what made the Hollywood that never was but always is, what we imagine it. Frozen inside the Grahams Chinese Theater would be jarring.

 

[Disneyhead'71]

I would agree that if done well a History of Disney animation/ Mickey Mouse would fit in an old theater, but Frozen and other IP's having a standard FL dark ride shoe horned into Hollywood Boulevard would be a thematic dissonance of the same level of Frozen in Norway. I guess it works but it doesn't belong there nor does it fit theme of the area or what the area is intended to present. THE GMR is supposed to highlight the greatest products of the golden age of Hollywood and bring us back to what made the Hollywood that never was but always is, what we imagine it. Frozen inside the Grahams Chinese Theater would be jarring.

Frozen literally played across the street at the El Capitain. Secret life of Pets was at the Chinese theater recently.

I don't think you get what I'm saying. IT'S A MOVIE THEATER!

 

[wdwgreek]

Frozen literally played across the street at the El Capitain. Secret life of Pets was at the Chinese theater recently.

I don't think you get what I'm saying. IT'S A MOVIE THEATER!

Marry Popping and Jungle Book both Premièred there, but given the setting of the GMR in Hollywood Boulevard set in the pre war Golden age Hollywood having Freon after in a theater would be as inapprioate as frozen in Norway in my opinion. Why is a modern movie the center of anchor of a land themed around golden age Hollywood in a classic American theater?