Toy Story Land expansion announced for Disney's Hollywood Studios

[Casper Gutman]

To some of you. For others it's not a problem. Such a big deal is being made out of this land.

For me, it's because it's A) emblematic of very deep, very persistent problems with the way WDW is run B) a flat out awful, inferior idea and C) almost HALF of the massive, earth-shaking, problem-solving makeover of MGM we've been anticipating for more than a decade.

Seriously, opinions are, as always, subjective, but this seems like a pretty big deal. We are getting this instead of an Indy land, a Monsters Inc. Coaster, a Cars ride, etc. If it was a quick add in a complete park, something on the level of Mickey's Birthdayland, it would still be a bad idea but not a big deal. But WDW actually thinks this will go a long way to fix a profoundly broken park - or, more to the point, they don't care the park is and will remain broken. As someone mentioned above, when this opens it will contain HALF of MGM's rides. That's profoundly pathetic.

I'd much rather they had left the original back stage tour.

 

[Kman101]

Half of the rides? No. We're getting about the same amount. Maybe a net gain of one. We've lost Lights Motors Action and the Backlot Tour. Original MGM arguably had less actual rides. The problem is we need more than what we're getting. Alien Swirling Saucers and Slinky Dog are fine but the park needs some more dark rides.

I've said before I'd prefer Cars Land, Monsters Inc, Indy but I still don't see TSL as a problem. I get people don't like the idea and as you said it's subjective.

 

[Casper Gutman]

Half of the rides? No. We're getting about the same amount. Maybe a net gain of one. We've lost Lights Motors Action and the Backlot Tour. Original MGM arguably had less actual rides. The problem is we need more than what we're getting. Alien Swirling Saucers and Slinky Dog are fine but the park needs some more dark rides.

I've said before I'd prefer Cars Land, Monsters Inc, Indy but I still don't see TSL as a problem. I get people don't like the idea and as you said it's subjective.

When TSL opens, its three rides will be matched by ToT, RnRC, Star Tours, and Muppets. So not quite half, but 43%.

And again... this is their fix. The thing that has been needed since MGM opened. WDW feels TSL plus SWL makes MGM a complete park. And you won't GET more than we're getting for quite a while because, hey!, MGM is fixed. And when, in the future, you DO get more, it will come from the same mindset that built TSL.

Had Disney simply stuck SWL onto MGM as it existed five years ago, the result would be better than what we are getting.

 

[Kman101]

When TSL opens, its three rides will be matched by ToT, RnRC, Star Tours, and Muppets. So not quite half, but 43%.

And again... this is their fix. The thing that has been needed since MGM opened. WDW feels TSL plus SWL makes MGM a complete park. And you won't GET more than we're getting for quite a while because, hey!, MGM is fixed. And when, in the future, you DO get more, it will come from the same mindset that built TSL.

Had Disney simply stuck SWL onto MGM as it existed five years ago, the result would be better than what we are getting.

The park is more or less the same as it was five years ago, minus two things, and the gutting of GMR. Not sure just getting SWL would 'fix' the park. You just prefer the other things and not TSL and again, that's fine.

 

[Casper Gutman]

The park is more or less the same as it was five years ago, minus two things, and the gutting of GMR. Not sure just getting SWL would 'fix' the park. You just prefer the other things and not TSL and again, that's fine.

Gutting GMR is a pretty big deal. Loss of the Osborne lights is a pretty big deal. And no, SWL alone wouldn't fix the park, but it's pretty clear WDW never had any intention of fixing the park. I was simply opining that TSL and the conversion of GMR to Mickey is a net loss.

And again, I'd argue my problems with TSL go deeper then "preferring" other things. I would have preferred something other than Mickey's Birthday Land. This is a substantial manifestation of the parks' decline and the destructive mindset of WDW decision makers.

Jump back five years. If you had stated, with absolute certainty, that the MGM makeover would consist of SWL, TSL, and the conversion of GMR into a screenz ride - no phase three, no new shows, nothing in Animation Courtyard, etc., etc. - I think almost everyone on these boards, even the most dedicated Disney defenders, would have been apoplectic.

 

[Boek68]

Am I stil in the minority in call muppets an "attraction" or at best a "show" and not a ride?

 

[Kman101]

Gutting GMR is a pretty big deal. Loss of the Osborne lights is a pretty big deal. And no, SWL alone wouldn't fix the park, but it's pretty clear WDW never had any intention of fixing the park. I was simply opining that TSL and the conversion of GMR to Mickey is a net loss.

And again, I'd argue my problems with TSL go deeper then "preferring" other things. I would have preferred something other than Mickey's Birthday Land. This is a substantial manifestation of the parks' decline and the destructive mindset of WDW decision makers.

Jump back five years. If you had stated, with absolute certainty, that the MGM makeover would consist of SWL, TSL, and the conversion of GMR into a screenz ride - no phase three, no new shows, nothing in Animation Courtyard, etc., etc. - I think almost everyone on these boards, even the most dedicated Disney defenders, would have been apoplectic.

Yeah the losses suck. And I've said gutting GMR is a problem. I've said I'm disappointed in this so called makeover of DHS but it doesn't make me dislike TSL.

 

[No Name]

Am I stil in the minority in call muppets an "attraction" or at best a "show" and not a ride?

I havent seen anyone call it a ride. It isn't one.
edit: I see Mr. Gutman called it one.

But since it runs continuously as opposed to having specific listed showtimes, it's not in the same group as something like the Indiana Jones Stunt Spectacular.

 

[Phicinfan]

Gutting GMR is a pretty big deal. Loss of the Osborne lights is a pretty big deal. And no, SWL alone wouldn't fix the park, but it's pretty clear WDW never had any intention of fixing the park. I was simply opining that TSL and the conversion of GMR to Mickey is a net loss.

And again, I'd argue my problems with TSL go deeper then "preferring" other things. I would have preferred something other than Mickey's Birthday Land. This is a substantial manifestation of the parks' decline and the destructive mindset of WDW decision makers.

Jump back five years. If you had stated, with absolute certainty, that the MGM makeover would consist of SWL, TSL, and the conversion of GMR into a screenz ride - no phase three, no new shows, nothing in Animation Courtyard, etc., etc. - I think almost everyone on these boards, even the most dedicated Disney defenders, would have been apoplectic.

With due respect you are making a whole lot of assumptions.
MGM cannot exist as is, since it is no longer an acting studio, so some change had to be made.

While I am one of the biggest fans of GMR, and will miss it dearly, I in no way shape or form feel these moves are lessening the park. What is missed is folks like you are assuming all they are doing is plopping SW:GE and TSL in with nothing else.

Look at the new area near Muppets for "que" for SW:GE, the work being done to update it. Make if fit.
Add to that the refurbishing of the courtyard for Muppets.
Now, who knows what adjustments may be made when Mickey train is in, we don't know, don't assume no news means nothing.

As for shows, there has been rumors of show updates, just not in same timings as SW:GE, even one rumored fix for fantasmic!

So until it is said to be complete, and we see how it will all mesh, I refuse to be in the doom and gloom club.

 

[Casper Gutman]

With due respect you are making a whole lot of assumptions.
MGM cannot exist as is, since it is no longer an acting studio, so some change had to be made.

While I am one of the biggest fans of GMR, and will miss it dearly, I in no way shape or form feel these moves are lessening the park. What is missed is folks like you are assuming all they are doing is plopping SW:GE and TSL in with nothing else.

Look at the new area near Muppets for "que" for SW:GE, the work being done to update it. Make if fit.
Add to that the refurbishing of the courtyard for Muppets.
Now, who knows what adjustments may be made when Mickey train is in, we don't know, don't assume no news means nothing.

As for shows, there has been rumors of show updates, just not in same timings as SW:GE, even one rumored fix for fantasmic!

So until it is said to be complete, and we see how it will all mesh, I refuse to be in the doom and gloom club.

People keep holding out hope for some mysterious, unknown expansion. Our insiders have been pretty clear - this is it. No phase three. Yes, if they announced tomorrow, "Hey, new Indy land with two big rides by 2020!" I'd say, "Hey, this rehab is really something!" But that's not happening. MGM will be changed in the future, but it won't be part of this rehab.

Everything I've seen of the Muppets courtyard redo has been the removal of unique, muppet-y items to make the area more generic. The pizzeria update was a big nothing. And the whole thing seems to leading up to the removal of the Muppets entirely.

There is absolutely no reason that there should be RUMORS of show updates. All of MGM's shows are very old and outdated. They should be on their second or third update at least, not waiting for their first.

People are going to be contending the update isn't "complete" for years, holding out for some fix that won't come.

 

[marni1971]

To some of you. For others it's not a problem. Such a big deal is being made out of this land.

And rightly so. For the price tag it should and could have been so much more.

 

[Rich T]

This whole project is the equivalent of opening up that Christmas gift only to find out it's just new socks.

Um, no, it's like opening up a Christmas gift and finding a family roller coaster and a very good flat ride. That's way better than socks.

 

[Kman101]

And rightly so. For the price tag it should and could have been so much more.

Sure. But it isn't. I've expressed what I would have liked. But it's coming so what does worrying about what could have or should have been do?

 

[marni1971]

Sure. But it isn't. I've expressed what I would have liked. But it's coming so what does worrying about what could have or should have been do?

Show we're not happy with mediocrity?

I wouldn't call it worrying. More expressing displeasure.

Not that I'm assuming I speak for everyone of course.

 

[lazyboy97o]

And rightly so. For the price tag it should and could have been so much more.

Silver Dollar City is spending $26 million on their new, two launch Mack coaster that will be set amongst wooded hills. Even accounting for different audiences, it’s hard to believe that custom cars and a few toy props will make Slinky Dog Dash more than twice as good.

 

[Kman101]

Show we're not happy with mediocrity?

I wouldn't call it worrying. More expressing displeasure.

I don't find it mediocre and I don't necessarily think, not saying you, posters should feel like they're "settling" or that they don't care. I've expressed displeasure over the direction of the DHA "makeover", I've said what I'd prefer but that's not what they're giving me.

TSL just doesn't bother me. I'm sorry they're not spending that money elsewhere.

They don't care what we think.

 

[marni1971]

I don't find it mediocre and I don't necessarily think, not saying you, posters should feel like they're "settling" or that they don't care. I've expressed displeasure over the direction of the DHA "makeover", I've said what I'd prefer but that's not what they're giving me.

TSL just doesn't bother me. I'm sorry they're not spending that money elsewhere.

They don't care what we think.

Conversely, it may not bother you but it may bother others. Neither is wrong.

 

[Kman101]

Conversely, it may not bother you but it may bother others. Neither is wrong.

I'm aware it bothers others. Not saying anyone is wrong for feeling how they feel. And if I have, I apologize and that wasn't the intention. I ask why it does so I can understand a viewpoint that differs from mine.

 

[marni1971]

Silver Dollar City is spending $26 million on their new, two launch Mack coaster that will be set amongst wooded hills. Even accounting for different audiences, it’s hard to believe that custom cars and a few toy props will make Slinky Dog Dash more than twice as good.

Very loose ballpark figure, but TSL should have a Tower of Terror, a Horizons and a Forbidden Journey for what it's costing.

 

[Kman101]

Very loose ballpark figure, but TSL should have a Tower of Terror, a Horizons and a Forbidden Journey for what it's costing.

Well ... that's definitely a shame.