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

[Andrew C]

No, I agree, I don't see any actual demo. I do see what appears to be some utility work.

In the third picture, looks like some beginning stages of demo on the outside of canyon?

 

[danlb_2000]

In the third picture, looks like some beginning stages of demo on the outside of canyon?

I see some concrete ripped up in the third picture, but that looks like utility work.

 

[danlb_2000]

I guess they could be disconnecting utilities prior to demolition.

 

[EPCOTCenterLover]

I would also add the giant guitar for RNRC is so out of theme with the rest of the area.

 

[DarthMileZ]

im sad this whole backlot has gone, only rode it once in 2008.. am i right in saying its where they had the Darth Vader suit? frightened me to discover how tall it actually is.

 

[Bolt]

I guess they could be disconnecting utilities prior to demolition.

Yeah - I assume it's a delicate dance removing all the pieces in that before they go in and knock it down.

 

[Phil12]

View attachment 130081 Nope. No problem here.

That's a great close up shot! It's also an example of the problem with the Chinese Theater. It is not imposing enough to show up well in long shots unless you use a telephoto lens to compress the image. The other three park icons do not require such photo manipulation due to their inherent large size.

Eisner was in such a rush to build Disney/MGM that the planning was not really up to par. Hopefully they'll cure some of those mistakes with the addition of Star Wars Land.

 

[Wikkler]

I don't know why every park needs an icon just to have an icon. It makes sense when you have a hub-and-spoke model like the castle parks or DAK, but that's not DHS. I'd also suggest that a giant tree isn't especially iconic.

One, I think they should work towards a hub-and-spoke model at DHS. Two, a giant tree to me is extremely iconic, especially because of the symbolism, but I understand that it's your opinion.

 

[doctornick]

The hubs not the problem. The parks biggest flaw - if you can call it that- is Sunset dead ending.

Agreed. I'd really like to see that addressed by connecting the RNR area with the Animation Courtyard area. Would help guest flow quite a bit.

 

[captainmoch]

Agreed. I'd really like to see that addressed by connecting the RNR area with the Animation Courtyard area. Would help guest flow quite a bit.

That would make sense, as both areas have a studio/soundstage theme too. If they could group them into one area separate from Sunset, it would help with both guest flow and thematic consistency. As is, Animation Courtyard is sort of a mess (Launch Bay isn't even animation-related), and the RNRC area really doesn't fit with Sunset.

 

[Mike S]

That's a great close up shot! It's also an example of the problem with the Chinese Theater. It is not imposing enough to show up well in long shots unless you use a telephoto lens to compress the image. The other three park icons do not require such photo manipulation due to their inherent large size.

Eisner was in such a rush to build Disney/MGM that the planning was not really up to par. Hopefully they'll cure some of those mistakes with the addition of Star Wars Land.

Here's two comparison pictures I've taken.

Is Sleeping Beauty Castle not imposing enough as well?

Let's also not forget that pictures make both of these objects look much smaller than seeing them in person.

 

[ToTBellHop]

Agreed. I'd really like to see that addressed by connecting the RNR area with the Animation Courtyard area. Would help guest flow quite a bit.

Phase 4.

 

[ToTBellHop]

Here's two comparison pictures I've taken.
View attachment 130208 View attachment 130209
Is Sleeping Beauty Castle not imposing enough as well?

Let's also not forget that pictures make both of these objects look much smaller than seeing them in person.

I don't actually think Sleeping Beauty Castle is big enough lol. But it's the original so I give it a free pass. A bit bizarre that they duplicated it in Hong Kong though.

 

[lazyboy97o]

Here's two comparison pictures I've taken.
View attachment 130208 View attachment 130209
Is Sleeping Beauty Castle not imposing enough as well?

Let's also not forget that pictures make both of these objects look much smaller than seeing them in person.

He's been shown many photos of both and continues to repeat the lie that it is just trickery.

 

[Cesar R M]

Am I the only one who doesn't see where the demo is taking place? I see a fence up but I don't see a difference in the before and after photos.

top outer ring of catastrophe canyon, looks different. take a peek.
the top boxes and rockword are now open and broken.

 

[Rteetz]

top outer ring of catastrophe canyon, looks different. take a peek.
the top boxes and rockword are now open and broken.

That's exactly what I thought.

 

[RSoxNo1]

Taking down the BAH was a big mistake imo. I just had to see it with my own eyes, and what I saw confirmed my suspicions of how bad this would look. You can barely see anything, just poor show all around.

The Chinese Theater while gorgeous is not an icon, the picture above demonstrates this. Something else needs to go right in the middle to make a statement like Cinderella's Castle or the Tree of Life or *Spaceship Earth*.

Also, I just have to give a shout out to the DHS DJ the night I was there, he mixed 'Turn Down For What 'with the 'Star Wars Theme' song, and everybody around me went nuts and started twerking on their hands and on the ground. LOL. But seriously, it sounded so good -- if Disney put that mix on iTunes it would make so much money.

Please be sarcasm, please be sarcasm, please be sarcasm.

 

[Siren]

The reason you can't see the Chinese Theater in this photo is because it was taken before the Sorcerer Hat was demolished. The Hat then was "Photoshopped" out of the picture.

Thank you for clarifying that!

In order to take amazing shots, you would need a camera...not a cell phone.

OMG! Did you see @Phil12 post? I am so thrilled that I don't have to answer you this time. LOL. His response to you was so perfect. And like, I tried to find your rebuttal, but alas *nothing*.

You know, I was just secretly hoping that just this once, you had some new tricks in that old bag of yours. It's not a bad thing I guess, it just demonstrates that you are just one of those rugged *dependable* type of guys. Right?

The Chinese Theater looks great walking down Hollywood Blvd. which I think is the same length as Main Street, right? Now also consider the Theater is about the same height as Sleeping Beauty Castle in Disneyland. Does Disneyland need a better icon, @Siren? Didn't think so. Either way this doesn't matter because according to Disney Tower of Terror is the icon.

PS: The new stage doesn't really bother me. It doesn't really get in the way of anything, unlike the old one

I don't think the Tower of Terror should be the icon either. I just want Disney to place another dazzling focal point in front of the theater.

What the actual... Oh... Nevermind. Trolls gonna troll.

I feel like this is a revenge post and you are trying to recreate the argument from the Frozen thread, just leave it over there and don't bring it here. Look at all of the other guys here, they all have an opinion but once again you are the only one bringing this tired troll this and troll that -- GROW UP! TODAY!

You will never enjoy a full and abundant life by holding silly grudges, especially online and double especially over Frozen. Please stop this for your own good.

Wrong mythology. She's clearly a modern take on the Greek sirens of old. Luring wayward posters to their doom.

LOL. You are too funny. But seriously, I am totally giving you *life*.

The theater is beautiful and was recently cleaned and painted. Anyone can use a bad photo to make their case but it would be disingenuous.

I am not being disingenuous. I even refrained from commenting further on the BAH removal for almost a year until I was able to see the new view with my own eyes.

 

[Siren]

For a start,the example picture used of Cinderella castle is taken from a very different vantage point...

And one could argue that the scale of Sleeping beauty castle at Disneyland isn't "Disney" if you based that call on the scale of it versus the other gargantuan icons of Disney World...

I was happy to see the hat die! To me, the whole park has become an example of what happens when different factions of leadership ignore the "Disney" standard of theme park design and scale. There is something very wrong with shoehorning icons on top of each other...or thinking that elaborately themed design doesn't matter.

And for that matter, this park has become a hot mess of a theme park. It's like a closet where a concoction of outdated,misfit,cheap,classic,and gaudy theme park ideas are sent to die.

I'm none too concerned about the icon argument...from the way it sounds, this park is about to undergo more plastic surgery than Cher...hopefully towards a unified vibe and character.

LOL, this post is so funny. I totally disagree with you about the hat, but it's still hilarious. I hope this park can reach a level of "unified vibe and character," too. But, what you are describing seems almost impossible with Toy Story Land and Star Wars Land, but at least everything will be cute.

The icon also needs to be lit. Which it isn't during Frozen Fireworks. That could also somewhat hinder you taking an amazing shot.

Good riddance to the hat. Okay building, poor use, awful location.

When it is lit it does indeed look every part an amazing icon

Hi Marni! I guess that lighting could help, thanks for pointing that out. It's strange that Disney hasn't done this yet. I totally miss the Hat.

In reality with three of the four park icons it's easy to take "amazing shots" with a simple camera such the original Kodak Instamatic 100. That camera had a fixed focal length lens of 43mm at f11. All the parks had "Kodak Photo Spots" so that a novice could capture "amazing shots".

As pointed out by Siren, the Chinese Theater is the exception. That was corrected with the advent of the BAH but since it was removed we're temporarily back to square one. With the new Star Wars addition I think the Chinese Theater problem will be corrected.

Wow, you must be a photographer. Thank you for graciously enlightening @unkadug with this very well written and insightful post.

@unkadug -- I hope you at least thank @Phil12 for teaching you a little bit about photography. I also found it to be quite helpful.

And, I also hope that this will be corrected with Star Wars, too.

View attachment 130081 Nope. No problem here.

This proves my point, @marni1971. Thanks!

It is beautifully lit. However, should icons be iconically Disney? That, to me, has always been where it comes up short. Earffel Tower arguably is better but it has/had awful placement. Even still, Earffel was never jaw-dropping like the other three park icons.

I agree. The Chinese Theater is not a Disney icon, it's a famous Hollywood icon. The Earffel Tower while cute, is not Disney icon material, imo.

Not by itself. But a giant tree with a bunch of animals carved on it definitely is iconic

OMG! The Tree of Life is so breathtakingly gorgeous -- definitely a worthy Disney icon!

 

[Siren]

That's a great close up shot! It's also an example of the problem with the Chinese Theater. It is not imposing enough to show up well in long shots unless you use a telephoto lens to compress the image. The other three park icons do not require such photo manipulation due to their inherent large size.

Eisner was in such a rush to build Disney/MGM that the planning was not really up to par. Hopefully they'll cure some of those mistakes with the addition of Star Wars Land.

Wow, your writing is very eloquent. I'm sitting here just swooning! Thank you for helping to further convey my point of view on this. You really hit the nail on the head.

For me, Animal Kingdom's Tree of Life is akin to Fendi - unorthodox style with a bit of edge.

When Disney adds the lights it's really going to look more gorgeous than ever!

Epcot's Spaceship Earth captures the essence of Chanel - classic, yet understated.

Sleeping Beauty's Castle exudes Hermes - a traditional, timeless staple.

Cinderella's Castle channels Louis Vuitton - the quintessential juggernaut of elegance.

So, where is Prada?

This is *not* Prada. Maybe high quality knock off Marc Jacob or Michael Kors. But, Disney we need Prada.

Please be sarcasm, please be sarcasm, please be sarcasm.

Awww, I wish it were. LOL.