I guess they don't. That has been the most disappointing thing about all the WDS developments: the Studio theme seems an afterthought if it is considered at all.
Apparently. I find it hard to believe, but it seems to be gaining currency and no insiders have suggested it is just a fan theory so far.
If you look at the other park expansions around the world in the last 10 years you’ll see a majority of the expansions have been “dump an IP we want to focus on in a park, thematic integrity doesn’t matter.”
We need to train our brain to think of “studio” in a different way. Not a studio where films are made but the different branches of the Walt Disney Company.
Perhaps the new theme of the Studios is "Hollywood through Disney's Eyes." To be fair, the major Hollywood genres (fantasy, action, animation, adventure if the TLK rumor is true) will be well-represented in the park once it's completed.
I was visiting DLR & Universal in California in September and been thinking the same thing about Toontown. They could upgrade the land for WDS by adding a family-friendly coaster, a bigger playground as well as adding even more interactive elements. Universal is doing a great job with the magic wands at Harry Potter and the Power-Up bands at Super Nintendo World. Maybe they could come up with something similar for Toontown in WDS. Next to rides, additional space & infrastructure, the park also needs more places to just explore.
I hope there will be also more elements to have "Hollywood though Walt Disney's eyes". It the only park name that contains his first name. Would be great to see more many more references than the partner statue once the renovation of Studio One and Front Lot is completed. I personally would also not mind them adding One Man's Dream and an extended exhibit to the Animation building.
There is lots of discussion on the French fan forums right now. I am not reading much about the (mini?) land itself but mainly about its (main?) attraction. Here is one comment by the member disneylandmagic:
This just sounds so much like a fan's idea for a new Disney ride that I have really struggled to believe it is a genuine proposal from WDI. Must also say that currently living through a wet and cold autumn nearby in the Netherlands, the last thing I would want to go on right now is a Splash-style flume ride!
I agree that it sounds a lot like a paint by number idea. The fact that there are so many fan concepts already out there does not help either - some examples below. I just hope that they will create an immersive, surprising and unique adventure as WDI used to build. Even with an expensive and technically advanced attraction, it would be a disappointment to me if we are getting a standard book report ride shifting from one movie scene to another.
It's so strange that WDS is the only park that has Walt's name, but at the same time has almost nothing to do with him:
Yes but many all year round European parks have water rides. And don’t forget Tokyo which had a similar climate to Paris had Splash.
I agree that it sounds a lot like a paint by number idea. The fact that there are so many fan concepts already out there does not help either - some examples below. I just hope that they will create an immersive, surprising and unique adventure as WDI used to build. Even with an expensive and technically advanced attraction, it would be a disappointment to me if we are getting a standard book report ride shifting from one movie scene to another.
From a climate perspective I am also surprised that they did not choose HKDL for this attraction. This park's climate could handle and would benefit from a water attraction. WDS needs more year-round attractions first. But let's see how they plan to handle the attraction during the colder season if this gets build.
Rumor Lion King Ride and Land
About the climate thing
splash or not