Toy Story Land expansion announced for Disney's Hollywood Studios

[Mike S]

To be fair, DHS never had a lot of rides. They were mostly shows. There was Star Tours, GMR, and the riding part of the backlot tour. ToT and RnRC came later on, so really they still have more now then there were when DHS opened.

And now with the park going in a new direction that should really change. After all this there needs to be big plans for Echo Lake and Animation Courtyard.

 

[Goofyernmost]

And now with the park going in a new direction that should really change. After all this there needs to be big plans for Echo Lake and Animation Courtyard.

Oh, I agree and it will be adding at least four more from what I remember reading. Do they all appeal to every age group, probably not, but, that wasn't the purpose of the Disney parks to begin with. So as of now what we are looking at is, at least for the moment, GMR (with a new show), Star Tours (for now) ToT, RcRC, Toy Story mania, Two new ones in Toy Story Land and, at least two in Star Wars Land. That's 9 (maybe more) plus, for now, 6 or 7 shows including Fantasmic. Not to mention a number of themed Restaurants and plenty of stores. That should keep everyone busy at least for awhile.

 

[Pam Hates Penguins]

Oh, I agree and it will be adding at least four more from what I remember reading. Do they all appeal to every age group, probably not, but, that wasn't the purpose of the Disney parks to begin with. So as of now what we are looking at is, at least for the moment, GMR (with a new show), Star Tours (for now) ToT, RcRC, Toy Story mania, Two new ones in Toy Story Land and, at least two in Star Wars Land. That's 9 (maybe more) plus, for now, 6 or 7 shows including Fantasmic. Not to mention a number of themed Restaurants and plenty of stores. That should keep everyone busy at least for awhile.

A one day park?

 

[Goofyernmost]

A one day park?

I would certainly think so which is pretty much twice the park time that it was when it opened. Those are some of the "old days" that people tend to forget in the rush to put everything on a demand list. It's also why they have been able to close so many things without really disturbing the numbers of people that go there to a huge degree.

 

[yensidtlaw1969]

To be fair, DHS never had a lot of rides. They were mostly shows. There was Star Tours, GMR, and the riding part of the backlot tour. ToT and RnRC came later on, so really they still have more now then there were when DHS opened.

That was always part of the problem. And the more attractions that were added to the park, the better it did. Many of the shows over the years were great and deserving of guest attention, but the park's lineup has always been too light on rides. Weird how management can't get that people paying lots of money to get into a Theme Park want them.

Even now, it seems.

 

[Pam Hates Penguins]

Please tell me the parachute isn't coming to DHS.

Don't give them ideas!!!

 

[Goofyernmost]

That was always part of the problem. And the more attractions that were added to the park, the better it did. Many of the shows over the years were great and deserving of guest attention, but the park's lineup has always been too light on rides. Weird how management can't get that people paying lots of money to get into a Theme Park want them.

Even now, it seems.

That's not a mistake. Disney/MGM was supposed to be a working studio. The entertainment consisted of touring the studio's, lots, sets, sound effect shows, green screen TV production, etc. Lots of things and the ride idea was not really important, it was, like EPCOT, something different, but also copied after what Universal already had in Hollywood and were building in Orlando. It's todays guest that feels that it need rides, rides and more rides and it does, but, that is because once they closed the studio part, there wasn't much left to do. It's about that time that ToT and RcRC showed up. Previous to that the whole theme of the park was how entertainment was created. Everything from Indiana Jones, to TV, to back stage and shows. The backlot tour with the walking tour of sound stages took hours all by itself. Rides were not necessary or needed.

The studio theme didn't go bad because people didn't go to it, it went because it was a flop as a working studio as far as Disney was concerned. It was highly infused with CM's and the money from movie making had dried up and it could no longer support the staff needed to keep the studio facade going. So Disney shut it down and all of a sudden there wasn't much to do. It still had some shows, like Indy and the Muppets and Sounds Dangerous, for what it was worth. Then along came "Do you want to be a Millionaire" and that was popular for a brief time period, but, it ran it's course. ToT, RcRC and TSM took up some of the slack, but not enough. But, DHS was never designed or planned to be a ride heavy thing, and if the studio thing had worked it still wouldn't need it.

 

[gmajew]

I think it finally needs to break the barrier of having less than 10 rides. 15 could be good with shows thrown in as well.

I agree why I used the word experiences. Lol

 

[Mike S]

Oh, I agree and it will be adding at least four more from what I remember reading. Do they all appeal to every age group, probably not, but, that wasn't the purpose of the Disney parks to begin with. So as of now what we are looking at is, at least for the moment, GMR (with a new show), Star Tours (for now) ToT, RcRC, Toy Story mania, Two new ones in Toy Story Land and, at least two in Star Wars Land. That's 9 (maybe more) plus, for now, 6 or 7 shows including Fantasmic. Not to mention a number of themed Restaurants and plenty of stores. That should keep everyone busy at least for awhile.

As long as it doesn't sit that way for another decade awaiting its "Phase 2" like DCA will. That park at least has plenty to do.

That's not a mistake. Disney/MGM was supposed to be a working studio. The entertainment consisted of touring the studio's, lots, sets, sound effect shows, green screen TV production, etc. Lots of things and the ride idea was not really important, it was, like EPCOT, something different, but also copied after what Universal already had in Hollywood and were building in Orlando. It's todays guest that feels that it need rides, rides and more rides and it does, but, that is because once they closed the studio part, there wasn't much left to do. It's about that time that ToT and RcRC showed up. Previous to that the whole theme of the park was how entertainment was created. Everything from Indiana Jones, to TV, to back stage and shows. The backlot tour with the walking tour of sound stages took hours all by itself. Rides were not necessary or needed.

The studio theme didn't go bad because people didn't go to it, it went because it was a flop as a working studio as far as Disney was concerned. It was highly infused with CM's and the money from movie making had dried up and it could no longer support the staff needed to keep the studio facade going. So Disney shut it down and all of a sudden there wasn't much to do. It still had some shows, like Indy and the Muppets and Sounds Dangerous, for what it was worth. Then along came "Do you want to be a Millionaire" and that was popular for a brief time period, but, it ran it's course. ToT, RcRC and TSM took up some of the slack, but not enough. But, DHS was never designed or planned to be a ride heavy thing, and if the studio thing had worked it still wouldn't need it.

The thing with that is that what Universal built in Florida was still a pretty ride heavy park even with the backstage stuff. The tour they had didn't survive nearly as long as it did in DHS but when it went there was still a good amount to do and new additions as well in its earlier years. They actually still do filming there for various things on occasion so it wasn't a total bust. DHS was modeled more on Hollywood which in hindsight was a mistake.

I agree why I used the word experiences. Lol

Touché.

 

[Thanks phoenicians]

And now with the park going in a new direction that should really change. After all this there needs to be big plans for Echo Lake and Animation Courtyard.

This! The park is still going to feel really disjointed. People are going to avoid Animation like its the plague once launch bay closes and SWL opens. That area should be priority then Animation. Once you really fix up those two areas the park will feel pretty wholesome if I had to guess.

 

[doctornick]

To be fair, DHS never had a lot of rides. They were mostly shows. There was Star Tours, GMR, and the riding part of the backlot tour. ToT and RnRC came later on, so really they still have more now then there were when DHS opened.

Yes, which is a major reason that DHS has always sucked. Even in its "glory days", it was an inferior park.

It's cool to have parks with different feels and DHS can remain more show heavy, but you need a certain baseline amount of rides in a theme park. And 5 ain't it (nor is the 9 total that seems to be planned). It's not unreasonable to expect DHS to get up to, say, 12 rides with this current "massive" investment.

 

[doctornick]

This! The park is still going to feel really disjointed. People are going to avoid Animation like its the plague once launch bay closes and SWL opens. That area should be priority then Animation. Once you really fix up those two areas the park will feel pretty wholesome if I had to guess.

Well, the Animation bldg (where Launch Bay is now) should really be torn down to open up a very large area for future expansion as well as potentially a connection to the RNR area. @marni1971 has also mentioned that the master plan for the park also considers Fairfax Fare to be a candidate to be torn down and replaced -- that area could also be park of some RNR to Animation Courtyard build. Launch Bay is certainly going to go away when SW opens, so it would make sense to focus on that area of the park next after the stuff we know about opens.

Personally, I'd love to see the Animation theme retained (including a new space for Animation Academy, perhaps more similar to what they have in DCA) but will using that as an area to showcase the various animated properties that don't otherwise have a good location.

 

[FigmentForver96]

It's such a shame because Hollywood and Sunset Blvd are some of the best themed areas in Disney parks. Daytime and nighttime offer two totally different experinces and create an atmosphere that truly does transport you. It's like a little golden nugget in a large pile of mud and dirt

 

[Pam Hates Penguins]

Yes, which is a major reason that DHS has always sucked. Even in its "glory days", it was an inferior park.

It's cool to have parks with different feels and DHS can remain more show heavy, but you need a certain baseline amount of rides in a theme park. And 5 ain't it (nor is the 9 total that seems to be planned). It's not unreasonable to expect DHS to get up to, say, 12 rides with this current "massive" investment.

I wouldn't say DHS has always been a bad park. I mean....compared to most parks like Six Flags which hardly have any dark rides and terrible theming, DHS has always been great with it's theming, shows, and rides. Sure it's not Epcot or The Magic Kingdom, and can lack many rides, it doesn't mean it is a bad park.

 

[Daveeeeed]

It's such a shame because Hollywood and Sunset Blvd are some of the best themed areas in Disney parks. Daytime and nighttime offer two totally different experiences and create an atmosphere that truly does transport you. It's like a little golden nugget in a large pile of mud and dirt

Yeah, something inside me feels like if Disney Springs' theme would've gone into HWS for Echo Lake in this park wide overhaul that it could have been really cool. Essentially Echo Lake, and Sunset Boulevard would serve as Hws's Golden State and Paradise Pier. Not to mention a Pixar Land that has the brick theme in the center area, but has maybe two mini lands ex. Monsters Inc. and The Incredibles. Ugh, really makes me frustrated the more I think about it, like seriously imagine a Nightmare Before Christmas land. Wonder if Indy will ever happen. Well... at least we have animal kingdom.

I wouldn't say DHS has always been a bad park. I mean....compared to most parks like Six Flags which hardly have any dark rides and terrible theming, DHS has always been great with it's theming, shows, and rides. Sure it's not Epcot or The Magic Kingdom, and can lack many rides, it doesn't mean it is a bad park.

Yeah definitely, let's not forget it was originally supposed to be a pavilion for Epcot, and on top of that it was never supposed to get this much crowds unlike the other parks. So those two couples together made this park good for what it's worth, but never stunning. And now especially that the working studio is gone the park must transition into something new.

 

[Thanks phoenicians]

Well, the Animation bldg (where Launch Bay is now) should really be torn down to open up a very large area for future expansion as well as potentially a connection to the RNR area. @marni1971 has also mentioned that the master plan for the park also considers Fairfax Fare to be a candidate to be torn down and replaced -- that area could also be park of some RNR to Animation Courtyard build. Launch Bay is certainly going to go away when SW opens, so it would make sense to focus on that area of the park next after the stuff we know about opens.

Personally, I'd love to see the Animation theme retained (including a new space for Animation Academy, perhaps more similar to what they have in DCA) but will using that as an area to showcase the various animated properties that don't otherwise have a good location.

Agreed I'd love to see the animation theme retained but the building needs to go. It would be great if future expansion would connect sunset to what is now animation courtyard and Mickey avenue area. Again ideally they would've torn down the building and put Mickey in a brand new expansion in the courtyard. I just really hope they don't wait so long to focus on this part of the park.

 

[lazyboy97o]

Quick way to get 8 rides up and running

Paris and Hong Kong have the same three rides.

 

[roj2323]

It's such a shame because Hollywood and Sunset Blvd are some of the best themed areas in Disney parks. Daytime and nighttime offer two totally different experinces and create an atmosphere that truly does transport you. It's like a little golden nugget in a large pile of mud and dirt

You should see it 3 hours after park close when you are the only person on the street. It's beautiful and very peaceful. Those nights are some of my fondest memories of working at DHS.

 

[marni1971]

I would certainly think so which is pretty much twice the park time that it was when it opened.

Comparing it with 1989 is foolish.

Compare to 1999. That's how much has been lost.

There was an ideal opportunity to expand the park and really boost its capacity. It's been missed.

 

[FigmentForver96]

You should see it 3 hours after park close when you are the only person on the street. It's beautiful and very peaceful. Those nights are some of my fondest memories of working at DHS.

Oh I have on multiple occasions. (Not quite three hours but close). A cool light breeze and the pavement still a little glossy from rain earlier in the evening. Literally perfect