The downfall of Hollywood studios

[docandsix]

Fantasmic holds no interest for me at all... LMA is a once and done for me, its a bad show, in a hot theater... that stage and the hat need to go ASAP, unfortunately I don't see TDO spending the couple billion dollars to fix the park , put in a parking garage and really make that park something special and worth doing.

Agree. Fantasmic hasn't been changed appreciably in forever and no longer interests me in the least. (The Pocahontas segment seems like a promotional for a VHS release from 1996. Would anybody put up with, let alone celebrate a parade that devotes substantial attention and time to a forgettable song from a mediocre movie almost 20 years old?)

Agree. One time viewing LMA was too many times for me and my family.

Agree. The BAH symbolizes perfectly TDO's lack of vision for and commitment to this park. Any efforts to improve DHS will likely amount to bandages slapped over an oozing, festering wound that instead needs to be thoroughly scrubbed and cleaned. Frozen is a perfect example of this philosophy.

...I can't help but feel like the whole frozen thing will spoil it for me this year. Bringing in the extra crowds and making it much busier. Frozen also has no appeal to me.

Thank goodness the Frozen invasion had not yet occurred when we visited in late June. That cultural phenomenon has been so overplayed as to destroy even the little goodwill I may ever have had for that film in the first place.

I'm hoping the whole Frozen junk is pretty well over by the time we get there next year... I don't want it puked all over my Disney trip. I don;t mind a little here and there, but it sounds like DHS has become Disney's Frozen Studios.

Remember a few years back when certain bloggers announced "on good authority" that TDO was seriously considering changing all of Adventureland into Pirateland? Now, three bad Pirate films later, the shine is off Johnny Depp's star, further sequels are looking less and less likely, and the entire fad has largely and thankfully faded, demonstrating how foolish such a decision would have been. But here we go again, potentially sacrificing significant elements of the parks to an abrupt cultural obsession in a fit of short-term profiteering over long-term vision for quality.

 

[MrNonacho]

I'm a DHS lover as previously posted, but do have a bone to pick. ^^^ Speaking of ride repetition, what is up with Star Tours? When it reopened after the rehab, they bragged about there being a multitude of movie possibilities and combinations. We've ridden it about 25 times and have experienced 3 different movies. Did we just get that unlucky?

There are 54 combinations, but only 11 unique scenes to see. It's still extremely unlikely that you've only gotten 3 particular combinations in all your rides. People would complain to me all the time when I worked there that they "saw the same movie" twice in a row, yet when I would ask about their flights they would almost always admit that there actually WERE differences after all.

 

[CheshireCat12]

California Adventure is what DHS should be. If you've been there, you'll understand. The theming is so great and you just can't beat CarsLand for sheer design.
I only go to DHS for RnRC and ToT, and some in my party like Star Tours. That's pretty much it. A few hours and done.

 

[Matt_Black]

Now, three bad Pirate films later, the shine is off Johnny Depp's star, further sequels are looking less and less likely

So unlikely, in fact, that a fifth film is in the early pre-production phases.

 

[TP2000]

California Adventure is what DHS should be. If you've been there, you'll understand. The theming is so great and you just can't beat CarsLand for sheer design.
I only go to DHS for RnRC and ToT, and some in my party like Star Tours. That's pretty much it. A few hours and done.

What's ironic about that is that is how DCA was for its first 8 or 9 years. It had a short list of very good rides, plopped in a park that was mostly unloved by everyone who visited. Then Disney was forced to spend over a Billion dollars in four fast years to fix it, they added a half dozen new rides on top of an already strong ride roster, and the park became something entirely different.

Now people talk about how strong DCA is as a second gate, and it has so many rides it rivals the roster of attractions at Magic Kingdom Park. And thematically and aesthetically it's a really great place to spend time in.

But it wasn't always that way, and DCA proves that all it takes is just over a Billion dollars and complete dedication from Burbank and the local executives. It also helps if you can get a good blogger like Al Lutz to mercilessly make fun of the place for almost a decade and spill the beans on just how much of a failure financially and popularly the park was, and then get quoted about it in national media like the Wall Street Journal and USA Today. If Disney had more control of the DCA message online and then in traditional media circa 2000-2007, I'm not sure that Billion+ would have ever got approved.

So now the question is... can DHS repeat that DCA extreme makeover of 2009-2012?

 

[marni1971]

^ I hope so.

 

[IAmFloridaBorn]

Had my Grad Night here. Was extremely disappointed.

 

[unkadug]

What's ironic about that is that is how DCA was for its first 8 or 9 years. It had a short list of very good rides, plopped in a park that was mostly unloved by everyone who visited. Then Disney was forced to spend over a Billion dollars in four fast years to fix it, they added a half dozen new rides on top of an already strong ride roster, and the park became something entirely different.

Now people talk about how strong DCA is as a second gate, and it has so many rides it rivals the roster of attractions at Magic Kingdom Park. And thematically and aesthetically it's a really great place to spend time in.

But it wasn't always that way, and DCA proves that all it takes is just over a Billion dollars and complete dedication from Burbank and the local executives. It also helps if you can get a good blogger like Al Lutz to mercilessly make fun of the place for almost a decade and spill the beans on just how much of a failure financially and popularly the park was, and then get quoted about it in national media like the Wall Street Journal and USA Today. If Disney had more control of the DCA message online and then in traditional media circa 2000-2007, I'm not sure that Billion+ would have ever got approved.

So now the question is... can DHS repeat that DCA extreme makeover of 2009-2012?

Absolutely not because TDO would NEVER approve of that kind of money being spent.

TDO: Why spend the money in the parks when it could go to my yearly bonus?

 

[RMichael21]

DHS has some of the most high intensity rides in WDW and that is what needs to be expanded upon. Lose that back lot tour and car extravaganza thing and put another coaster or two there. DHS could be the "it" park for teenagers who want the thrill rides.

Why would DHS need more thrill rides? The park is packed with those already with Star Tours, TOT, Rockin Roller Coaster, etc... The only ride there that the entire family can do is TSMM, which is the reason why it gets ridiculous waits. At DCA, the longest wait I ever say TSMM was 40 minutes! What DHS needs is more attractions for the entire family to enjoy together and a cohesive theme.

 

[unkadug]

Why would DHS need more thrill rides? The park is packed with those already with Star Tours, TOT, Rockin Roller Coaster, etc... The only ride there that the entire family can do is TSMM, which is the reason why it gets ridiculous waits. At DCA, the longest wait I ever say TSMM was 40 minutes! What DHS needs is more attractions for the entire family to enjoy together and a cohesive theme.

Just curious what attractions you are referring to with the "etc."

 

[Chip off the Dale]

DHS has points that do need updating but they can not do it with the limited number of things to do. Get family rides in by putting in Monsters next to Toy and sure add Frozen to the animation courtyard. this will begin the family transition.
I love the earlier post, Consider the 'universal' appeal and make it about the making of movies/IMagineers like when it started and the Heroes in Disney verse especially with the acquisition of Marvel. Make it a power park with what exists! clone some animation rides from aother parks and then above all Star Wars for the demand of the Force! OR even make it about Heroes AND Villains to bring a new life to their demographic as the Villain greets show and Maleficent proves we want our alternative stories...
Just more food for thought!

 

[KaneMarko]

As long as ToT, RnR and Fantasmic are there, I'll spend time at DHS.

However, I also agree that DHS needs some serious renovations. I wish the layout were different. The layout just seems random to me. And I feel that 2 thirds of the park could be better used for other things.

I like the idea of making DHS the thrill ride park. Maybe more thrill rides and go back to its "studios" era.

Regardless, DHS is still worth a visit. But still, with Universal doing what its doing with the WWoHP, Disney better get busy or one day they may look up and NOT be the big dog on the block in the theme park world. Still probably a ways away for that. But they better not rest on their laurels or it may happen.

 

[Magenta Panther]

I'll continue to visit the Studios for the Art of Animation area, for Fantasmic, for The Brown Derby, and for the Tower of Terror. But yeah, the place needs, not a refurb, but a major DCA-style redo STAT!

Here's what I would do:

*Remove the damned Hat already. AND the stage.

* Since the Mermaid has her own dark ride, remove her show in DHS and replace it with Frozen. The grotto-like interior could be easily remade into an ice cave. Imagine sparkling icicles everywhere, and a falling snow effect. Plus make it seriously cold in there. And put in an Olaf AA, and what the heck - re-skin one of the Max the Deer AAs from Country Bear and turn it into Sven the Reindeer (although the head would be sticking out of a hole in the cave, not from a trophy plaque on the wall. Wouldn't want to traumatize the kiddies.

*Keep the Beauty and the Beast show, but give it a MAJOR upgrade.

* Use the Muppet area and part of Streets of America for a Cherry Tree Lane/Mary Poppins area, which would include an Admiral Boom's shop/snack place/dark ride . For Christ's sake, Mary Poppins was Walt's crown jewel, his most-awarded film. It deserves a place in a Disney park! Way overdue! (And I'm not going to argue with you Muppet fans over this. Make your own suggestions. Movie flopped. The end. Send the puppets to the Playhouse Disney area. Use them as adults or as the horrible versions where they were wearing diapers. Whatever.)

* Upgrade the Great Movie Ride, but do it sensibly. No R-rated movies should be included in the new scenes. No Scorcese. No Godfather. Change the Alien scene (which is lame) to either Star Wars or Ghostbusters. Lose the weak Fantasia "tribute" and change it to the Oz tornado scene, as was originally planned. Lose Tarzan. I've suggested putting a tribute to silent comedians in its place. Other posters here might have better ideas.

*Expand Pixar Place. At least add Monsters to it somehow.

*I'd love to see something built around Wreck-It Ralph.

And that's all for now.

 

[docandsix]

So unlikely, in fact, that a fifth film is in the early pre-production phases.

Or there is this, which does not scream, "Optimism!" http://screenrant.com/pirates-of-the-caribbean-5-start-date/?_r=true and this, http://www.cinemablend.com/new/Froz...n-5-Aren-t-Happening-Any-Time-Soon-42698.html

Regardless of whether one wants to see more of Johnny Depp in this role or not (I've had enough, personally), it seems a bit early to be counting those chickens. In any event, I think my main point stands, namely that the cultural wave of pirate-obsession is over and that we are all better off that TDO never committed to converting all of Adventureland to a pirate-themed homage to a passing fad.

 

[G00fyDad]

Remember a few years back when certain bloggers announced "on good authority" that TDO was seriously considering changing all of Adventureland into Pirateland? Now, three bad Pirate films later, the shine is off Johnny Depp's star, further sequels are looking less and less likely, and the entire fad has largely and thankfully faded, demonstrating how foolish such a decision would have been. But here we go again, potentially sacrificing significant elements of the parks to an abrupt cultural obsession in a fit of short-term profiteering over long-term vision for quality.

But its Disney. Surely that won't do anything wrong.

---

 

[G00fyDad]

I'm a DHS lover as previously posted, but do have a bone to pick. ^^^ Speaking of ride repetition, what is up with Star Tours? When it reopened after the rehab, they bragged about there being a multitude of movie possibilities and combinations. We've ridden it about 25 times and have experienced 3 different movies. Did we just get that unlucky?

I've ridden it many times as well and it is almost always Hoth.

 

[Matt_Black]

In any event, I think my main point stands, namely that the cultural wave of pirate-obsession is over

If it's over, no one has told the Disney networks yet.

If it's a big focus of DJr's summer ad campaign, they at least think there's still a market for it.

 

[seahawk7]

I agree. Anyone who disagrees with the current direction of this or any other park needs to stop paying for diminished experiences with higher prices. The ONLY way management is going to take notice is when their pockets get hit. Write all the angry or disgruntled letters you like but as long as their purse is full they really have no reason whatsoever to change a darned thing or even care a whole lot what your personal feelings are about nostalgia or wishes for the parks. Our vacation dollars have gone elsewhere until at least 2017 in an effort to be part of the solution instead of the problem.

You know I am so close to doing the same thing not so much because of the state of the parks, but because I read in another thread the possibility of a club like club 33 being built in MK. If this comes to fruition then, to me, it means TDO can build something fast and make improvements when if will benefit an elite minority rather than us peons.
I know I sound naive but I've always been a little idealistic and bought into the magic at a very young age with Disney.
I went to DL all the time as a child, and have brought my kids to WDW every year since 2007. But I have noticed the decline of customer service and the parks in general. So if TDO renovates a building (one I had also envisioned as a Tiana's Place) for an exclusive club. I might have to stop going to the parks.
It really makes me sad to say that.

 

[seahawk7]

I'm a DHS lover as previously posted, but do have a bone to pick. ^^^ Speaking of ride repetition, what is up with Star Tours? When it reopened after the rehab, they bragged about there being a multitude of movie possibilities and combinations. We've ridden it about 25 times and have experienced 3 different movies. Did we just get that unlucky?

the same thing has happened to us. I was wondering the same thing.

 

[copcarguyp71]

You know I am so close to doing the same thing not so much because of the state of the parks, but because I read in another thread the possibility of a club like club 33 being built in MK. If this comes to fruition then, to me, it means TDO can build something fast and make improvements when if will benefit an elite minority rather than us peons.
I know I sound naive but I've always been a little idealistic and bought into the magic at a very young age with Disney.
I went to DL all the time as a child, and have brought my kids to WDW every year since 2007. But I have noticed the decline of customer service and the parks in general. So if TDO renovates a building (one I had also envisioned as a Tiana's Place) for an exclusive club. I might have to stop going to the parks.
It really makes me sad to say that.

We were poised to go for a bounceback on our last trip in Sept '13 but after the experience we decided to go with an Aruba vacation instead. Just got back and I can say without a doubt it was the better option for us. Too many closed off areas, shut down water features, poor dining experiences and I am less than thrilled with MM+...it was a very pivotal year for us as I was really looking forward to a return trip and due to a convention this October (2014) I could have written the whole thing off on taxes. I am a hard headed Irishman and even in light of the write off we felt we needed to take a stand and send our money elsewhere. Anyone who feels the same should follow suit otherwise nothing will ever change.