Studios Backlot Tour Refurb

[miles1]

I'm just speculating here, but if they were preparing to put something "big" in soundstage one, it would probably require some major utility and infrastructure changes. Since the Backlot Tour, Catering Company, and Playground are in close proximity, there may be some digging or power supply changes that would disrupt those areas during the upgrades. They may just shut them down for the relatively light attendence weeks rather than open and close them sporadicaly. Maybe they'll get a little TLC while they're down, but no big changes.

 

[Studios Fan]

This sounds interesting. I would say at the very least we are eventually getting "A Bug's Life" overlay for the playset area.

 

[Figment1986]

I don't think so. Remember that they posted that Midway Mania had a "Bonus scoring, alternate ending track" the day before it opened.
:lol:

:lookaroun im still looking for the way to get there to this day :ROFLOL:

 

[_Scar]

Must have been you or _Scar...

:veryconfu

What?

 

[DisneyParksFan1]

Isn't there a press conference at around the expected opening date for the Wizarding World of Harry Potter?

Potter is slated to open in the Spring, and the end of this refurbishment is set to be the end of March. The timing could be perfect for an announcement.

The Disney Shareholders' Meeting 2010 will be in March.

 

[wm49rs]

The Disney Shareholders' Meeting 2010 will be in March.

I'll be curious to see how much new information is released at the shareholders' meeting, and how much Disney will hold onto for the D23 convention later in the year....

 

[Goofybynature]

I really don't see this as much more then a routine clean up while the parks hit low attendance. It makes sense just to give it all a brush over while its quiet and the area's being refurbished won't impact things that much, if at all, regarding to guest flow since BT, studio catering or the play area are hardly must see things in the first place.

Disney are pretty much stumped for spare cash at the moment as they've thrown all they have into the FL expansion. Honestly don't expect any 'major' new additions to any other park then MK. Just refurbs and slights alterations are all that is install for WDW in the next year or so.

P.S. Lap bars are 100% being installed on splash mountain as I've actually been on tests with logs that have been fitted with them after park hours. It actually makes it more enjoyable for some reason :lookaroun

 

[rct247]

While we may not see much of a difference after they reopen, my guess is that it is prep work for something bigger: working with utilities in the area, etc. If it is for something big whether that is immediate or the long run, then I think that when the attractions go down, that whole area will be blocked off from end of Toy Story to Streets of America. If Honey, SCC, and Backlot Tour go down, my guess is so will the restrooms, the Prop Shop, the AFI Showcase & giftshop, the DVC location, the Coke bottle cart, and the merchandise cart across from Sound Stage 1.

If that whole area isn't walled off, then I imagine it is a much smaller refurb for general clean up. Backlot Tour might get some new props. SSC may get kitchen updates and Honey may just get a deep cleaning.

 

[marni1971]

Disney are pretty much stumped for spare cash at the moment as they've thrown all they have into the FL expansion.

That a guess?

my guess is that it is prep work for something bigger: working with utilities in the area, etc.

That`s been happening for a while.

 

[WDW Vacationer]

That a guess?
That`s been happening for a while.

Wait! They've been prepping for something for a while?

I wonder if this will turn out to be something...?

 

[jt04]

Wait! They've been prepping for something for a while?

I wonder if this will turn out to be something...?

Disney is probably seeing the Potterland pics too. I wouldn't be suprised if another announcement is on the way. Spring 2010 maybe :veryconfu:lookaroun

 

[WDW Vacationer]

Disney is probably seeing the Potterland pics too. I wouldn't be suprised if another announcement is on the way. Spring 2010 maybe :veryconfu:lookaroun

*coughshareholdersmeetingcough*

 

[_Scar]

*coughshareholdersmeetingcough*

I am quite the Disney noob compared to most of you, but is this where they decide the expansions and how the money will be divided? Was FLand set in stone last shareholders meeting? Sorry, for the stupid question.

 

[WDW Vacationer]

I am quite the Disney noob compared to most of you, but is this where they decide the expansions and how the money will be divided? Was FLand set in stone last shareholders meeting? Sorry, for the stupid question.

The shareholders meeting is a meeting for shareholders held in different cities around the country in the early part of the year. They disscuss mostly financial and business things. Why things happen and so on. Occasionaly things are announced. D23 was announced by Bob Iger at last year's meeting.

 

[marni1971]

I am quite the Disney noob compared to most of you, but is this where they decide the expansions and how the money will be divided?

Not really; the money has already been allocated beforehand. The meetings just tell shareholders what the company is going to do with their money.

 

[RSoxNo1]

Is it the shareholders meeting that is scheduled around the opening of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios, or is there a separate press conference scheduled for that time?

 

[Tom]

I'm just speculating here, but if they were preparing to put something "big" in soundstage one, it would probably require some major utility and infrastructure changes. Since the Backlot Tour, Catering Company, and Playground are in close proximity, there may be some digging or power supply changes that would disrupt those areas during the upgrades. They may just shut them down for the relatively light attendence weeks rather than open and close them sporadicaly. Maybe they'll get a little TLC while they're down, but no big changes.

The last building permits file for Soundstage 1 were back on October 16, for "Electrical Work" and "New Truss and Curtain". Nothing major. In fact, whatever these permits were for could be open by now. Here are the two links:

Soundstage 1: Electrical work
Soundstage 1: New truss and curtain

 

[Studios Fan]

I wouldn't think it would cost that much to re-do the restaurant and turn the playset into "A Bug's Life."

 

[EPCOTPluto]

The last building permits file for Soundstage 1 were back on October 16, for "Electrical Work" and "New Truss and Curtain". Nothing major. In fact, whatever these permits were for could be open by now. Here are the two links:

Soundstage 1: Electrical work
Soundstage 1: New truss and curtain

Perhaps they are working on the building itself to see whether it could be reused for something more... :lookaroun

 

[GizmoDuck]

Anybody hear anything else on this?

Also, has there been any "official" announcement on the playset refurb?