Toy Story Land expansion announced for Disney's Hollywood Studios

[Jones14]

Which is why I continue to feel a dark ride would have been a better choice. Imagine an alternate universe where for this money, they put in the Monsters, Inc. doors coaster instead of TSMM third track, and both the flat they are currently building and an additional dark ride themed to whichever PIXAR movie you like for a full-on PIXAR land. I think the coaster will be fun enough as coasters go, but the wrong choice for a thrill-heavy park. At least the Mickey E ticket will be for all ages. If only it was being built in addition to an updated GMR.

See, I'd go ahead with the third track (capacity was baaaaad on this ride), an upgraded Mike and Sulley to the Rescue, and an Incredibles version of Mater's Junkyard Jamboree with an expansion plot next to it for an eventual Incredibles E-ticket. The capacity would be better (I think), and they'd have the space to expand on a property (Incredibles) that fills their need for superheroes on the east coast.

 

[lazyboy97o]

I think a lot of people will be disappointed by TSL, because they don't appreciate it wasn't aimed at pleasing them. Its about pleasing young children who can't go on the big rollercoasters. The mountains of sugary snacks and heaps of plush sold every day will more than justify the area.

Manta at SeaWorld San Diego is the only Mack Rides Launch Coaster with a height limit other than 130 cm (51"). At 48", the height limit for Manta is the same as Rock 'n' Rollercoaster and higher than Expedition Everest. While that does not stop Slinky Dog Dash from having a lower restriction, it certainly is interesting.

 

[doctornick]

And a flat ride that will have a 32" height requirement. Big coasters they aren't, but they're certainly not for the Disney Jr. crowd, who will still have little to do come 2019.

To be fair, a 32" restriction eliminates only the very youngest (pretty much just non-walking infants). My son went on Mater's in DCA when he was only a few months over 2 years old and I don't think he was even that close to the cut off.

 

[S 2]

I have rarely met a person that runs the Disney marathon for time. And I am very active in the running community (coach, webmaster for a running website, certified xc/t&f official, and I guess I try to run). Most do this race for everything else...and many of those things involve a picture. Like rteetz said, running with a phone in hand at this race is very common.

So just curious, this is new to me and I think I may have found the first marathon I could actually run... If I'm running in the marathon and I decided I wanted to ride Splash Mountain before continuing the race... could I?

 

[Rich T]

The Paris park is much smaller, and so is the land. It is a nice area, clearly built to a limited budget, aimed at a young audience. It was a pragmatic solution to the Paris park needing more things for that age range to do, but not having much cash.

I think a lot of people will be disappointed by TSL, because they don't appreciate it wasn't aimed at pleasing them. Its about pleasing young children who can't go on the big rollercoasters. The mountains of sugary snacks and heaps of plush sold every day will more than justify the area.

The TS Lands in both locations aren't "kiddie" lands; all the rides have height requirements and the Paris RC Racer is a pretty good thrill ride. Now, I personally don't have a big issue with Paris's TSL; I think, as you say, it was a quick fix with its own charms...and it's far better than AK's Dinoland parking lot carnival. But let's not give 'em too much credit; any major addition to a Disney park should be for the entire family, not just small children. And, even if it *was* just for small children, kids--of all age groups--deserve top notch park theming the most. Any Disney exec who justifies cheapness with a "Meh, they're just kids--They won't notice" attitude should be fired on the spot. Tom Sawyer Island is a kids' land done right.

That bit about "Mountains of sugary snacks...sold every day will more than justify the area." Sadly, I'm afraid that's exactly the mindset of a lot of Disney's decision makers these days. This is the company that once, long ago, created EPCOT Center.

 

[Goofyernmost]

That bit about "Mountains of sugary snacks...sold every day will more than justify the area." Sadly, I'm afraid that's exactly the mindset of a lot of Disney's decision makers these days. This is the company that once, long ago, created EPCOT Center.

I'm not totally sure that I understand that last statement. Name one time, in the history of Disneyland's, that they didn't sell sugary snacks? And since most of the kids either don't have money on them or they fight like the devil to get someone else to spend money for them, I would have to believe it is the parents that buy the sugary snacks, but, it's Disney's fault and some kind of change in attitude by management?

 

[Slowjack]

I'm not totally sure that I understand that last statement. Name one time, in the history of Disneyland's, that they didn't sell sugary snacks? And since most of the kids either don't have money on them or they fight like the devil to get someone else to spend money for them, I would have to believe it is the parents that buy the sugary snacks, but, it's Disney's fault and some kind of change in attitude by management?

Oh, come on, you know what he meant, and it's not that he has a problem with Disney selling candy. The original poster (Thebolt) was saying that TSL, even if it was as cheap-looking as some fear it will be, would be justified if Disney made a lot of money selling candy there. Rich T was complaining about that attitude, and his fear that Disney management itself shares this attitude, not the selling of candy per se. You can agree or disagree with Rich T's point, of course, but I really find it hard to believe you actually think he means he's upset that Disney sells candy.

 

[Goofyernmost]

Oh, come on, you know what he meant, and it's not that he has a problem with Disney selling candy. The original poster (Thebolt) was saying that TSL, even if it was as cheap-looking as some fear it will be, would be justified if Disney made a lot of money selling candy there. Rich T was complaining about that attitude, and his fear that Disney management itself shares this attitude, not the selling of candy per se. You can agree or disagree with Rich T's point, of course, but I really find it hard to believe you actually think he means he's upset that Disney sells candy.

Yea, I know what was said, but, it just get tiring to constantly here that stuff. It's one thing if it makes sense, but, much of it doesn't. A joke is funny when it actually means something, not when it is attached to a false misleading statement. I might have overreacted, which I am having a tendency to do lately, but, can we tone down the unwarranted attacks on Disney? Not because it's Disney, but, because we should only be making true statements about things not one that on the immediate surface sounds legit when it really isn't. We've had enough of that this year.

 

[Next Big Thing]

And a flat ride that will have a 32" height requirement. Big coasters they aren't, but they're certainly not for the Disney Jr. crowd, who will still have little to do come 2019.

Typically by 2.5 year old you're 32", so yes, the Disney Jr. audience will be met.

 

[gorillaball]

So just curious, this is new to me and I think I may have found the first marathon I could actually run... If I'm running in the marathon and I decided I wanted to ride Splash Mountain before continuing the race... could I?

No, the parks aren't open when you go through them, you run really really early.

 

[Rich T]

I'm not totally sure that I understand that last statement. Name one time, in the history of Disneyland's, that they didn't sell sugary snacks? And since most of the kids either don't have money on them or they fight like the devil to get someone else to spend money for them, I would have to believe it is the parents that buy the sugary snacks, but, it's Disney's fault and some kind of change in attitude by management?

I'm just saying if any exec uses selling sugary snacks (as opposed to the goal of providing an amazing experience) as the only justification for building a theme park land, they're in the wrong business. They might as well be building a Walmart.

 

[Texas84]

So just curious, this is new to me and I think I may have found the first marathon I could actually run... If I'm running in the marathon and I decided I wanted to ride Splash Mountain before continuing the race... could I?

The Marathon goes MK, AK, DHS and finishes at Epcot. Splash won't be open but you might be able to ride Everest in AK. Usually they let runners into the FastPass line. At Epcot near the finish many runners will grab a beer for the last few miles.

 

[S 2]

The Marathon goes MK, AK, DHS and finishes at Epcot. Splash won't be open but you might be able to ride Everest in AK. Usually they let runners into the FastPass line. At Epcot near the finish many runners will grab a beer for the last few miles.

That sounds awesome!! Also, to stay on topic.... I wonder if we'll get any new pics of TSL soon!

 

[Goofyernmost]

I'm just saying if any exec uses selling sugary snacks (as opposed to the goal of providing an amazing experience) as the only justification for building a theme park land, they're in the wrong business. They might as well be building a Walmart.

They're not really... that's just a happy perk for them. They are relying on the reputation of Walt Disney and the desire of people to experience it. Those of us that have been going for years have a base of reference. Those new folks, do not have that and even as awful as we like to think it is, it is still quite impressive to the newbee's eye.

 

[Daveeeeed]

Although this land is where Star Wars Land is going I feel that I need to post it in this thread as well because it is at the Toy Story Midway Mania! construction wall.

 

[DinoInstitute]

Although this land is where Star Wars Land is going I feel that I need to post it in this thread as well because it is at the Toy Story Midway Mania! construction wall.
View attachment 184548

The trees appear to be in good hands! Woo!
#treewatch2017

 

[GoofGoof]

And a flat ride that will have a 32" height requirement. Big coasters they aren't, but they're certainly not for the Disney Jr. crowd, who will still have little to do come 2019.

Barnstormer = 35 inches
7D Mine Train = 38 inches
Do they not appeal to Pre-school kids? Isn't Mine Train supposed to be a "kiddie coaster"? I believe the average 2 year old is going to be plenty big enough for the flat ride, maybe have to wait until they are 3 years old for the coaster. Pre-school is 2-6 so the majority of kids in that demographic will be able to ride. Plus adults and bigger kids too.

 

[Ismael Flores]

I really am surprised that they went with a pure toy story land instead of making it a Pixar land. They could have developed the land slowly without the need to build it all at once.
Designing a fully developed plan for a multi year Pixar land expansion with sections of it opening yearly to keep interest going.

To me it Seems like Midway Manias capacity problem was more about the lack of attractions in the park. I'm sure that they could have offered out a way of returning the honey I shrunk the audience area into a bugsland theme and maybe expanding it with two of the attractions in DCA that take small footprints, Flicks flyers and lady bug boogie.
Then the toy story coaster and alien ride developed closer to Midway manias new entrance and a continuation of other small themed areas within a Pixar world in that large section of the park instead of spreading out one huge toy story land that uses huge piece of real estate.
WDI really need to start designing areas that can overlap each other and make better use of the land.

This is one thing that I think could have also been possible with Carsland. The huge mountain range structure I think could have been built with the idea of using its structure as backstage storage in areas and the huge butte in the eastern side of RSR could have probably been built to serve as an indoor showroom or small attraction space with underground entrance queues.

I'm actually even surprised at the huge Berm that was filled in on the eastern side of starwarsland at disneyland. Just looking at that area it looks like they could have built a huge structure topped off by soil at top for landscaping. The structure could have been the new home for a frontierland themed eatery
Or a future showroom for the mandatory meet and greets

 

[MisterPenguin]

I really am surprised that they went with a pure toy story land instead of making it a Pixar land

While a Pixar Land could be made that is wonderful, the problem is that the Pixar Movies do not exist in the same world (fan theories notwithstanding).

A land with rides for A Bug's Life, Toy Story, and Inside Out will leave you wondering if you're the size of a bug, toy, or human. A land with rides for WALL*E, Brave, and Up will leave you wondering if you're in the past, present, or future. Sure, you can cherry pick a few that 'go together', but you'll wind up with someone crying that their favorite isn't included because of some artificial commitment to a thematic land.

And so, a Pixar Land will have to forego a unified theme except for a big Pixar Animation sign. Now, can a really nice 'land' be made from that? Yes. Will it be Magic Kingdom 2? Oh, most definitely. Even worse. MK divides their rides into thematic lands: fantasy here, adventure here, sci-fi here. A Pixar Land will either have to re-create that approach and be exactly like MK, or, just a jumble of movie facades as you pass each IP-based ride.

Now, is there something wrong with a MK2? I don't know. There's a whole bunch of people decrying that that might be the fate of Epcot 2.0 and it makes them mad. Are they OK with a MK2 established in DHS under the banner of "Pixar Land"? We'll see...

But to answer your question, the reason why WDW probably didn't go with a Pixar Land is because they're catching up with the Harry Potter and Cars Lands. And those lands get huge praises and crowds. And so, they are committing themselves into creating areas of parks (i.e. "Lands") with full immersion dedicated to one IP, not a bunch of disparate IPs that come from one studio. Toy Story, Star Wars, and Avatar are part of that craze.

 

[marni1971]

While a Pixar Land could be made that is wonderful, the problem is that the Pixar Movies do not exist in the same world (fan theories notwithstanding).

A land with rides for A Bug's Life, Toy Story, and Inside Out will leave you wondering if you're the size of a bug, toy, or human. A land with rides for WALL*E, Brave, and Up will leave you wondering if you're in the past, present, or future. Sure, you can cherry pick a few that 'go together', but you'll wind up with someone crying that their favorite isn't included because of some artificial commitment to a thematic land.

And so, a Pixar Land will have to forego a unified theme except for a big Pixar Animation sign. Now, can a really nice 'land' be made from that? Yes. Will it be Magic Kingdom 2? Oh, most definitely. Even worse. MK divides their rides into thematic lands: fantasy here, adventure here, sci-fi here. A Pixar Land will either have to re-create that approach and be exactly like MK, or, just a jumble of movie facades as you pass each IP-based ride.

Now, is there something wrong with a MK2? I don't know. There's a whole bunch of people decrying that that might be the fate of Epcot 2.0 and it makes them mad. Are they OK with a MK2 established in DHS under the banner of "Pixar Land"? We'll see...

But to answer your question, the reason why WDW probably didn't go with a Pixar Land is because they're catching up with the Harry Potter and Cars Lands. And those lands get huge praises and crowds. And so, they are committing themselves into creating areas of parks (i.e. "Lands") with full immersion dedicated to one IP, not a bunch of disparate IPs that come from one studio. Toy Story, Star Wars, and Avatar are part of that craze.

You assume a land as an open space. Attractions inside and outside wouldn't be an issue (otherwise how'd you go from Star Tours to Muppets)