The Park Formerly Known as Disney's Hollywood Studios? Yep ...

[toasty]

Except at DCA most things do have a unified theme - California. From the wharves and bakeries of SanFran, the redwoods and Rapids of the mountains, streets of "Hollywood", the wines and the Victorian seafront pier. The recent refresh might have Disneyfied it a little but it can be seen what the basic inspiration of the park is.

Unfortunately at DHS it is a lot harder to see what the theme is. Ever since it stopped being a working studio and the tour not actually showing any real sets the theme had been lost. The best option would be to have a series of themed areas such as Pixar, Star Wars, Animation, Golden Hollywood, TV (Inc Muppets).

Yeah, I guess that's technically accurate, but I just made my first trip out there myself a few months ago, and I have to say, I wasn't really feeling that as a cohesive theme. It felt more like a catch-all for things that wouldn't fit neatly into the park on the other side of the esplanade. Perhaps its because California itself is such a varied and diverse place, but I completely forgot that that was the theme until you just mentioned it.

I think if DHS had remained a working studio, the current "theme" would make a lot more sense -- you have the making of movies and TV shows, so having some attractions that celebrate particular franchises at least kinda fits. Totally agree, though, that without that binding it together, it's just a bit of a mess. Different themed areas celebrating particular franchises/studios or genres is probably as good an idea as any, because they certainly aren't going to jettison ToT, TSM, or RnRC.

 

[PirateFrank]

I think if DHS had remained a working studio, the current "theme" would make a lot more sense -- you have the making of movies and TV shows, so having some attractions that celebrate particular franchises at least kinda fits. Totally agree, though, that without that binding it together, it's just a bit of a mess. Different themed areas celebrating particular franchises/studios or genres is probably as good an idea as any, because they certainly aren't going to jettison ToT, TSM, or RnRC.

Strange...I've never had a problem with the DHS. But it seems that some folk really fixate on the name and expect it to be a working studio, simply because "Studios" is in the name. If they used that name for Typhoon Lagoon or Animal Kingdom, I can get the antipathy. But it's really lose enough as it currently stands. Once you're close, all the name becomes is a verbal representation of your destination. The theme still stands relatively well - as @Goofyernmost so aptly added before, ""The Hollywood that never was, and always will be". The studios moniker has the same indifferent connotation that Epcot Center has tacked to the end of Epcot. To me, it's an afterthought.

The interpretation of the title shouldn't be so literal. Do people really believe they're in an Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow when they go to Epcot? That ship sailed 15 years before Epcot was ever build. Do people really believe they will experience actual Magic, when they go to the MK? The theming in these two parks are so loose and non-literal, that I find it hard to believe that people are holding Disney to such task, when considering DHS as the name for the third gate.

 

[Jon81uk]

Exactly how would the canyon/desert roads of Route 66 (carsland) have anything to do with california? While I can see loose references to Barstow, CA in the movies -- I can also see Amarillo, TX, Flagstaff, AZ and other non-california states there. Seems like quite a stretch to say cars land is part of the unified California theme. Same exact question with A Bugs Land. Seems to not fit the narrative there either. Those two lands together equal roughly 1/3 the sq footage of the whole park. Unless one is saying that Pixar is what ties it all to california...and that is no more a stretch than anything going on at DHS.

And Jon, I'm not trying to be a 'Richard here'....So forgive the apparent brashness of what I said above. I'm just trying to make the point that the theming might not be as cohesive at DCA as you suggest....and thats ok. In my opinion, neither does DHS need to be that tightly themed. To me, its OK if it branches off of the main idea a little. People keep harping on DHS as not having a direction or a theme -- and I still feel it does. Eisner's original concept was born out of an Epcot pavilion dedicated to the movie experience. DHS *is* about the movie experience. Is it no longer an active studio? You betcha! So drop the 'studios' from the name and move on. But once you look at DHS (or TpfkaDMGMS, as '74 likes to say) from the original concept of a park driven by our love of movies -- almost everything in the park fits. Yes, AIE was a head scratcher. Even RnRC is a little off. But AIE is gone (thank Gawd!) and RnRC (if one's intention was to bring it in line with the theme) can be easily fixed with new stewards. Ditch Aerosmith, overlay the attraction with a bunch of swag, theming and characters from a movie featuring a car chase or some other high speed excitement -- and you're back in line. I can see Fast and Furious fitting the bill, if it weren't a Universal property.

I really scratch my head at the insistence of some that say it's a park without a theme -- lost in the woods, waiting for a sympathetic hunter with a shotgun to put it out of its misery. I don't think it needs a new entrance (unless the entrance is going to improve flow/capacity). I *do* think it needs more attractions -- especially more kid friendly attractions. It needs much more capacity. A snooze of an attraction like TSMM should not be carrying 90min standby wait times....and it needs a draw to counter the huge sucking sound emanating from just east of Turkey Lake Road.

Yes I agree Bugs Land is the one bit that doesn't fit the California theme, Carsland can at least fit into a stretch desert/route66 theme.

RnR is set in a recording Studio, so in some ways in keeping with a Studio theme at least. To me it is things like TSMM that don't really fit at the moment, what has a game in a childs bedroom (you are shrunk down to the size of a toy to play the game) got to do with a studio? At least at DCA TSMM is fitted into the boardwalk/pier games theming a little better.

I don't think there is no theme at all at DHS, just that it needs some fleshing out, if they added more attractions to Pixar Place then that would help as it stops it being one ride and a M&G and makes it a proper area.

 

[toasty]

Strange...I've never had a problem with the DHS. But it seems that some folk really fixate on the name and expect it to be a working studio, simply because "Studios" is in the name. If they used that name for Typhoon Lagoon or Animal Kingdom, I can get the antipathy. But it's really lose enough as it currently stands. Once you're close, all the name becomes is a verbal representation of your destination. The theme still stands relatively well - as @Goofyernmost so aptly added before, ""The Hollywood that never was, and always will be". The studios moniker has the same indifferent connotation that Epcot Center has tacked to the end of Epcot. To me, it's an afterthought.

The interpretation of the title shouldn't be so literal. Do people really believe they're in an Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow when they go to Epcot? That ship sailed 15 years before Epcot was ever build. Do people really believe they will experience actual Magic, when they go to the MK? The theming in these two parks are so loose and non-literal, that I find it hard to believe that people are holding Disney to such task, when considering DHS as the name for the third gate.

It's not so much that DHS has "Studios" in the name, it's that it was indeed in its early days an actual studio. Perhaps it's just that since it no longer is a studio, continuing to refer to it as such seems like a bit of a farce. If it had never been a studio but just themed as one, I probably wouldn't care.

I don't want to overstate my opinion on this because at the end of the day, it's not something I really have a problem with or care that deeply about. With that said, however, I think the significant refurb and likely change of focus provides a good opportunity for a name change, and I for one am looking forward to it.

 

[Travel Junkie]

I take it you didn't read the rest of what I said. Cars/Cars 2/Cars land all evokes imagery of *more* than just California. The imagery invoked in the movies and the land are not exclusive to California nor are they descriptive of the state. In fact, most folks knee jerk reaction when they see something like this:

Is that visually, the landscape surrounding Radiator Springs was themed *specifically* after Monument Valley, in Utah/Arizona.

So not only is radiator springs not immediately and exclusively identifiable with California. Its *far* more identifiable with a region in two other states, of which the region does not directly border California.

DCA certainly is not as cohesive as it could be, but everything in the park does have some relationship to the state, whether it is obvious or more subtle.

While the mountain range in Cars land maybe more identifiable with Arizona, New Mexico, or Utah, they do exist in California and route 66 and the car culture in general is big in the state. The shops and restaurants that line the main drag are very reminiscent of California in the 50’s and 60’s.

Soarin and Condor flats honor the accomplishments of aviation in the state. Accomplishments that many don’t associate with the state but a lot of tremendous feats have taken place over the skies of California. Bugsland is a stretch but you could argue that agriculture is a huge industry in the state and bugs are a part of that. In my view Mermaid is the biggest stretch, but hey there is an ocean so its possible mermaids could exist.

The theme of a park about California in California is tough, but they have managed to not veer too far off course and even though some of the elements are a stretch, more than anything it has an identity. This is in contrast to DHS where the only unifying theme is that they were all movies or are about the movie making process, leaving it all over the place and lacking direction. DHS needs an identity.

 

[Californian Elitist]

Exactly how would the canyon/desert roads of Route 66 (carsland) have anything to do with california? While I can see loose references to Barstow, CA in the movies -- I can also see Amarillo, TX, Flagstaff, AZ and other non-california states there. Seems like quite a stretch to say cars land is part of the unified California theme. Same exact question with A Bugs Land. Seems to not fit the narrative there either. Those two lands together equal roughly 1/3 the sq footage of the whole park. Unless one is saying that Pixar is what ties it all to california...and that is no more a stretch than anything going on at DHS.

You speak as if California has no canyons or deserts.

Red Rock Canyon:

Kings Canyon:

There are far more canyons in California, but I'll get to the deserts.

Mojave Desert:

Death Valley:

Great Basin Desert:

What does it matter if these can be found in other states? As long as they're found in California, which is the theme, it doesn't matter. Seaside piers didn't just appear in California either, but Paradise Pier still fits. In regards to Route 66, California is part of it, specifically the last stop.

Cars Land fits. a bug's land on the other hand... Yes, I agree, it's a stretch and it doesn't fit well.

 

[doctornick]

I really scratch my head at the insistence of some that say it's a park without a theme -- lost in the woods, waiting for a sympathetic hunter with a shotgun to put it out of its misery. I don't think it needs a new entrance (unless the entrance is going to improve flow/capacity). I *do* think it needs more attractions -- especially more kid friendly attractions. It needs much more capacity. A snooze of an attraction like TSMM should not be carrying 90min standby wait times....and it needs a draw to counter the huge sucking sound emanating from just east of Turkey Lake Road.

I'd also say that the park, in addition to needing more attractions, could use some improvements to its layout. It's the toughest park to negotiate with a more haphazard layout resulting in dead ends and narrow paths. In particular, I think creating a connection from Animation Courtyard to the RNR part of Sunset would be very useful and open up some space for another land (maybe a version of Toontown).

 

[toasty]

I'd also say that the park, in addition to needing more attractions, could use some improvements to it's layout. It's the toughest park to negotiate with a more haphhazard layout resulting in dead ends and narrow paths.

Very true. I, like most people on here, I assume, can basically see the other 3 parks in my head and can navigate them like I'm walking around my own house. DHS, though, is puzzling, and I always find myself disoriented.

 

[Goofyernmost]

It's not so much that DHS has "Studios" in the name, it's that it was indeed in its early days an actual studio. Perhaps it's just that since it no longer is a studio, continuing to refer to it as such seems like a bit of a farce. If it had never been a studio but just themed as one, I probably wouldn't care.

I don't want to overstate my opinion on this because at the end of the day, it's not something I really have a problem with or care that deeply about. With that said, however, I think the significant refurb and likely change of focus provides a good opportunity for a name change, and I for one am looking forward to it.

That is yet another misinterpretation of a single word. I've heard everything from "if it's Disney's studios, how come everything in it isn't a Disney product".

If that were the meaning it would read "Disney's Hollywood Studio". Singular not plural. Studio's describe exactly what it is. A conglomeration of many Hollywood or Hollywood identified studios. However, that is a bit broad so the misunderstanding is understandable. My guess is that when it is all done, the word Hollywood and Studios will no longer be there.

To avoid that they only need to find a more vague name. That way the BAH would no longer be covering the Theater, but just be one other aspect to whatever the park becomes and just happens to be in front of the GMR attraction. We will see what happens, but, no matter what happens the idea that everything needs to be a "perfect" match with the park title is something that everyone should just forget about. As @PirateFrank stated, if we forced them to make sure that the name of every park completely identifies what is inside, what would we name Epcot (which BTW, by making it Epcot, instead of EPCOT it automatically became the name of the park and had nothing to do with any Experimental prototype community of tomorrow)? It went from being an acronym to being just a word. What would we name the Magic Kingdom? DAK could stay the same, but it would no longer mean Disney's Animal Kingdom because due to the Yeti it would have to mean Dead Animal Kingdom.

Everyone would be a whole lot happier if they just stopped being so literal and spent some time thinking out of the box.

 

[GiveMeTheMusic]

Cars Land fits. a bug's land on the other hand... Yes, I agree, it's a stretch and it doesn't fit well.

There's bugs in California, duh

 

[PirateFrank]

LOL. There's bugs in cali (though bigger and more of them in Florida). There's desert. There's cliffs and rocky canyons.

But California can't claim these things as it's own....and that's my point. You don't look at these things and go "Woah, thats California"

Lets revisit Cars. The valley, in carburetor county, that neighbors Radiator Springs is called 'Ornament Valley'. How is that not a pretty overt reference to Monument Valley....which as I've already stated, is not in California.

So, while we can all say that you can walk through Cars land at DCA or Bugs land and go "yeah, I can see it making sense here at DCA" it is without a doubt a leap/stretch that your mind must make. Is it a big stretch? IMHO, not any bigger than anything going on in DHS.

 

[Marc Gil]

Well, with the backlot tour closing, this marks the official end of The Disney Studios in Florirda.

1988-2014

 

[Californian Elitist]

But California can't claim these things as it's own....and that's my point.

So, what? They're still part of California. Did you know that movie and music studios exist out of California? Hollywood can't claim that either, so I guess DHS is like DCA, with no cohesive theme.

 

[Phil12]

Everyone would be a whole lot happier if they just stopped being so literal and spent some time thinking out of the box.

OK.

 

[SirLink]

Exactly how would the canyon/desert roads of Route 66 (carsland) have anything to do with california? While I can see loose references to Barstow, CA in the movies -- I can also see Amarillo, TX, Flagstaff, AZ and other non-california states there. Seems like quite a stretch to say cars land is part of the unified California theme. Same exact question with A Bugs Land. Seems to not fit the narrative there either. Those two lands together equal roughly 1/3 the sq footage of the whole park. Unless one is saying that Pixar is what ties it all to california...and that is no more a stretch than anything going on at DHS.

Having been to California ... car culture is pretty big there. They a grow a lot of fruit and veg in Cali and with produce you get bugs.

I agree with you bugs shouldn't be in CA, but still Cars does.

 

[GiveMeTheMusic]

The original concept was a Goofy outdoor/dark ride celebrating car culture in CA. Lasseter saw the opportunity to make it Cars Land instead and expand the concept while exclusively celebrating his favorite IP. He pushed for Cars Land, and it's what we got. Lasseter doesn't give a flying damn that the movie, if it was in a real state, would have taken place in AZ/UT/NM. He wanted to build Radiator Springs, so he spent all his political capital on getting that done.

The CA theme isn't taken seriously by Disney and hasn't been for years. It's too limiting (WHO'S FAULT IS THAT), so they'll continue to ignore it as the park expands.

 

[Adam N]

My biggest hope is that the lands become more defined. Kind of like how in DAK you walk under th signs for Asia and Africa and Dinoland. Same for MK. The areas of the park right now don't really seem to be their own thing, save for Pixar Place, Sunset Blvd, Animation Courtyard, and Muppet area. I hope the rest of the lands become more defined and the transitions work better. You could also help this by making the front entrance something different. Right? Like you enter under the Hollywood sign and... Idk. I feel like the front of the park should be different thematically to set apart sunset blvd. But idk. I'm totally just spitballing.

 

[RayTheFirefly]

My biggest hope is that the lands become more defined. Kind of like how in DAK you walk under th signs for Asia and Africa and Dinoland. Same for MK. The areas of the park right now don't really seem to be their own thing, save for Pixar Place, Sunset Blvd, Animation Courtyard, and Muppet area. I hope the rest of the lands become more defined and the transitions work better. You could also help this by making the front entrance something different. Right? Like you enter under the Hollywood sign and... Idk. I feel like the front of the park should be different thematically to set apart sunset blvd. But idk. I'm totally just spitballing.

Agreed except for the end. The front of the park looks like an entrance to a studio, and it blends perfectly in the same art deco style as Hollywood Blvd. and Sunset Blvd. (In my opinion).

 

[flynnibus]

If that were the meaning it would read "Disney's Hollywood Studio". Singular not plural. Studio's describe exactly what it is. A conglomeration of many Hollywood or Hollywood identified studios. However, that is a bit broad so the misunderstanding is understandable. My guess is that when it is all done, the word Hollywood and Studios will no longer be there.

Th locations were called 'studios' because they had more than one studio stage. Like Warner Bros Studios, Universal Studios, MGM Studios, etc. Not because they were a mashup.

 

[Travel Junkie]

But California can't claim these things as it's own....and that's my point. You don't look at these things and go "Woah, thats California"

Lets revisit Cars. The valley, in carburetor county, that neighbors Radiator Springs is called 'Ornament Valley'. How is that not a pretty overt reference to Monument Valley....which as I've already stated, is not in California.

So, while we can all say that you can walk through Cars land at DCA or Bugs land and go "yeah, I can see it making sense here at DCA" it is without a doubt a leap/stretch that your mind must make. Is it a big stretch? IMHO, not any bigger than anything going on in DHS.

So basically your definition is that only things that can only be associated with California belong in DCA? What is that, the Golden Gate Bridge and guys that walk around saying dude all day?

Stereotypes aside California is a very diverse state that has just about anything you would want to find anywhere in the country. California is a transient state. Many of its inhabitants come from other parts of the country or the world and bring their culture with them. Part of the appeal for the state being home to movies is how it can replicate any part of the world with its diverse landscape. If America has it, chances are California has it represented in some fashion.

Ornament Valley is a reference but unless they called it Monument Valley, it remains an homage that could exist anywhere. To those of us that live here Cars land is very indicative of California culture.