Studio Backlot Tour Closing on September 27, 2014

[dstrawn9889]

I don't know why everyone is now assuming that Toy Story Playland is the definite replacement. I've read every post of this thread, and the person who brought it up was saying something like "I hope it's not this." Once people started discussing it, someone just assumed that's what was happening and now everyone is talking about how horrible it is that that's the replacement.

It's like a thread version of the game "telephone." Guys, there are ZERO legit rumors that suggest it's replacing this area. Calm down.

the current rumors around the grapevine is that SWL will be around Star tours and the Indy theatre, and the proposed location for Pixar Place expansion was behind SS! and all down the BLT trail.

 

[WeLComeHomE OKW]

the current rumors around the grapevine is that SWL will be around Star tours and the Indy theatre, and the proposed location for Pixar Place expansion was behind SS! and all down the BLT trail.

I'm not disagreeing with rumors that suggest there is a future star wars land and a future pixar place expansion LOCATION.

I'm saying that people are now assuming Toy Story Playland is going to be the Pixar expansion. And, I'm saying that the rumor started because of someone not wanting it. No one has posted any kind of legit rumor about it, and people are complaining for no real reason.

 

[dstrawn9889]

hold on there is a valid rumor running around, let me see if i can get a URL....

 

[dstrawn9889]

http://goo.gl/eEzp4a and here is that rumor

 

[WeLComeHomE OKW]

http://goo.gl/eEzp4a and here is that rumor

They're grasping at straws. But, okay.

I just can't buy into ANY rumor that suggests Pixar Place's expansion is like 5 attractions deep.

Has Disney done ANYTHING to promote the idea that they'd be willing to throw in that kind of money? 3 Toy Story Playland attractions, a Cars ride, and Monsters Inc?

And then Star Wars? Come on now. I'll believe it when they show us their plans for a billion dollar re-do of DHS. Otherwise, there's no chance.

Just throwing *you know what* at the fan and seeing what sticks. Just like Jim Hill.

It's more likely that we get a more budget friendly Carsland copy and then Star Wars land (which will still be insanely expensive)

 

[doctornick]

More then anything I'm worried about Walt's plane. This was the most historic item when it comes to how Walt Disney World was started. What will happen to it?

I'd love to see them incorporate it into Disney Springs somehow.

 

[RayTheFirefly]

http://goo.gl/eEzp4a and here is that rumor

Even that article says that the Toy Story thing would take up a small amount of that real estate.

 

[misterID]

I'm not disagreeing with rumors that suggest there is a future star wars land and a future pixar place expansion LOCATION.

I'm saying that people are now assuming Toy Story Playland is going to be the Pixar expansion. And, I'm saying that the rumor started because of someone not wanting it. No one has posted any kind of legit rumor about it, and people are complaining for no real reason.

The insiders who I trust have stated the Playland wasn't part of any official plans, but some fan assumptions. But now that they've given them ideas...

 

[doctornick]

That area of the park is closer to a "Pixar Land" expansion that it is to anything Star Wars. SW is on the other side of Streets of America. They could easily leave LMA open while they work on that section of the park as well.

Haven't read through the threat yet, but my off hand thoughts...

Yes, I don't see why LMA would need to be closed to result in a substantial addition. The Backlot Tour space by itself could fit quite a bit and if they are also closing HISTK and the restaurants there, that would add more potential space for additions. I would think some actual Pixar attractions to (finally) expand Pixar Place would make sense and be welcome.

Meanwhile, they can keep LMA open to maintain some capacity for the park. If they shut down too much, capacity to handle the guests that come would become a serious issue. Already I'm wondering if something will go into the AIE sooner rather than later -- or if the singalong goes there whether the Premiere Theater will be backfilled. Also, with Oaken's going in that general vicinity near LMA, it would make sense to not put everything behind construction walls.

 

[Mike S]

The insiders who I trust have stated the Playland wasn't part of any official plans, but some fan assumptions. But now that they've given them ideas...

Oh no. We should've kept our traps shut

 

[doctornick]

I could take a well done Pixar Land, but don't clone Radiator Springs. I'll go to CA if I want to see that. How about a full blown Monstropolis with a Monsters Inc door ride?

I've suggested this before: Convert the Streets of America into Monstropolis. It could be done easily, keep the same layout and just replace the cardboard flats with similar "urban" images but with Monsters pocking out of windows and monstrous puns on signs. Use the Premiere Theater to house a relocated Laugh Floor show from MK (which doesn't fit in TL anyway). Change Mama Melrose to "Harryhausen's", being an Asian/Sushi theme. Replace HISTK with a Monster's, Inc dark ride -- the door coaster or something like the one at DCA or Hide and go Seek from Tokyo.

This Monstropolis area could then easily still be used to host the Osborne Lights.

 

[ABQ]

I don't know why everyone is now assuming that Toy Story Playland is the definite replacement. I've read every post of this thread, and the person who brought it up was saying something like "I hope it's not this." Once people started discussing it, someone just assumed that's what was happening and now everyone is talking about how horrible it is that that's the replacement.

It's like a thread version of the game "telephone." Guys, there are ZERO legit rumors that suggest it's replacing this area. Calm down.

Same here, scoured the entire thread, no one on the inside that I'm aware of nor anyone familiar with those on the inside has done anything to corroborate any rumor of Toy Story Playland. I think @PhotoDave219 was pretty quick to state he's heard nothing of this, and though I'm not placing him on the inside of the Hollywood Studios operation team, he's proven to have decent knowledge of things.
However, if it comes to pass that the Playland is built, and that it stinks like a skunk, I'm going to blame @PhotoDave219 .

 

[doctornick]

Close down that crappy Pizza Planet and make a proper one accurate to the movie and I'll be a happy camper. Oh and have some good pizza this time

I think that putting in a proper Pizza Planet in the Studio Catering Company area would make sense (allows them to reuse existing food infrastructure). Then when it opens, change the current Pizza Planet to something Muppets themed (like a Swedish chef place or the previous plan for a Gonzo restaurant).

 

[Mike S]

I think that putting in a proper Pizza Planet in the Studio Catering Company area would make sense (allows them to reuse existing food infrastructure). Then when it opens, change the current Pizza Planet to something Muppets themed (like a Swedish chef place or the previous plan for a Gonzo restaurant).

Gusteau's could be a nice restaurant choice too but I can't deny a real Pizza Planet like in the movie would be awesome.

 

[BrerJon]

I've suggested this before: Convert the Streets of America into Monstropolis. It could be done easily, keep the same layout and just replace the cardboard flats with similar "urban" images but with Monsters pocking out of windows and monstrous puns on signs. Use the Premiere Theater to house a relocated Laugh Floor show from MK (which doesn't fit in TL anyway). Change Mama Melrose to "Harryhausen's", being an Asian/Sushi theme. Replace HISTK with a Monster's, Inc dark ride -- the door coaster or something like the one at DCA or Hide and go Seek from Tokyo.

This Monstropolis area could then easily still be used to host the Osborne Lights.

I like this idea a lot. I"m surprised more people haven't suggested Go Seek as a possibility. The infamous door coaster would no doubt be great fun, but very expensive, and doesn't help solve DHS's big little kid problem. Ride and Go Seek, however, is cheaper than a coaster, would be insanely popular (as it's a great ride - assumming it was built to the same standard as in Tokyo) and all ages can go on it.

 

[doctornick]

Would Disney want to put Star Wars all the way into that part of the park? No doubt Star Wars is going to take up a large amount of land, but I don't see it being this land. I'm thinking Pixar if they do anything with it.

Off the cuff thought. Let's say they use most of the current BLT space (including the land east of TSMM, but not Catastrophe Canyon) and leave LMA to continue to operate for capacity. Then once Pixar Playland (or whatever replaces BLT) and Star Wars (space around ST) open, then can shut down LMA and use that area for... Star Wars Phase 2. My thought being that you could do a Phase 1 based on Tatooine and then do a Phase 2 based on some other world (Endor Hoth, Coruscant, some Ep VII world, etc.) and connect the two sections of the park with a "ride" that flies between them sort of like the Hogwarts Express. Such a new ride could basically run along the current parking access road assuming then get rid of that as seems strongly rumored.

 

[doctornick]

Was there not less rides when it first opened? Although one was the backlot tour which was about 100 hours in length at that time. So probably no good to compare.

DHS kinda sucked when it opened. I know people -- understandably -- wax poetic about the loss of EPCOT Center, but I'll never understand the fascination with old Disney-MGM. Yeah, the backlot tour was longer and better, but overall the park offered very little for a long time. I'd rather take DHS in its current state over the park in it's opening (or near opening, I'll say when Echo Lake was added) state. YMMV.

 

[raymusiccity]

Couldn't you just see them instead making the official announcement that the Tour was going into "seasonal status" to try to avoid some of the backlash, and then they'd just hope that no one would ever notice that its "season" never returned?

You're probably right about that. Here's hoping it doesn't languish as long as 20K Beneath the Seas Lagoon, Wonders of Life, River Country, Discovery Island, Camp Minnie Mickey, et al.

 

[DVCPluto]

From the perspective from my DH, who is not on the boards: That ride [BLT] wasn't that great. Why doesn't Disney do an entire Pixar Land? Didn't they make boatloads of money from those movies?? How hard could it be?

Oh honey...

 

[Ariel1986]

I don't know why everyone is now assuming that Toy Story Playland is the definite replacement. I've read every post of this thread, and the person who brought it up was saying something like "I hope it's not this." Once people started discussing it, someone just assumed that's what was happening and now everyone is talking about how horrible it is that that's the replacement.

It's like a thread version of the game "telephone." Guys, there are ZERO legit rumors that suggest it's replacing this area. Calm down.

I'm not disagreeing with rumors that suggest there is a future star wars land and a future pixar place expansion LOCATION.

I'm saying that people are now assuming Toy Story Playland is going to be the Pixar expansion. And, I'm saying that the rumor started because of someone not wanting it. No one has posted any kind of legit rumor about it, and people are complaining for no real reason.

Welcome to 90% of how these boards work these days...