Why Hollywood Studios is being rebuilt

[CDavid]

...the attraction and restaurant EOL list...

EOL ?

 

[pheneix]

EOL ?

End of Life. It just sounded nicer in my head than "kill list." Also applies to attractions and facilities that close when they operate to the the end of their life expectancy, like Big Bad Wolf at Busch Gardens Williamsburg. Or the monorails at Walt Disn- oh wait, nevermind....

 

[Mister Boo]

But HP is not popular right now. Or at least, not as popular as it once was. I am a big HP fan and I even hear the "meh" when I talk about HP to people anymore. When I mention Star Wars then I get a mix of "meh", "Cool!", and "Oh, I heard Disney is doing something with that. That ought to be really neat." In the long run, HP will be as stale as the Vampire Chronicles. Sure, it will have a small following, but nothing that could even stand in the same light as SW with the number of fans each will have.

No way. Harry Potter will have every bit as much staying power as, say, gee, I don't know, Star Wars, except arguably even more because its in book form and will thus age better than any film.

 

[ScoutN]

Not really. WDW has about 1% attendance growth annually, that maybe 5 million guests added in a decade . . . they have to go somewhere. If you are budgeting for a fifth gate, then pack the four parks with guests (maybe make them pay just to skip long lines to ride their favorite attractions), make tons of $$, and then when you open the fifth gate (or maybe two new lands), the pressure valve is released. Seems like some people have forgotten their basic algebra and what 1% growth a year means, though I hear that last year growth was closer to 2%.

Can you possibly stretch anymore for this conclusion? Unique visitors and overall visitor-ship are two entirely different things. Quit ignoring the faux numbers brought about by Hoppers.

 

[GoofGoof]

I hope you're right... but I think this is the "fast tracking a build out ASAP to stop the bleeding". Whether it's "fast" or "enough to stop the bleeding", well, that's another discussion.

I never once was in the camp that the sky was falling and DHS and/or AK would have tumbleweeds blowing through the place. But Disney is about making more, not less. I think the hit has been enough for them to take notice. Disney wants it all and good for them, they need to strive to do that and be that in Orlando. But it's going to take more than a FL expansion...

FLE was...misunderstood. Never intended to be a direct response to Potter. The MK was closing its doors on a semi-regular basis due to capacity during peak times. They needed to add capacity. BOG was necessary too. Where I think they missed the mark was not putting in one additional ride. Mine Train will be a nice add and LM is a people eater with huge capacity. Lines at Dumbo were brutal and sooo hot. Even one additional ride would have probably made a lot of people less cranky about things. The quality of what was done is what gives me hope for both Avatar and Star Wars.

 

[NewfieFan]

The bottom line is that attendance at WDW is up. I don't agree with how New Fantasyland was designed, think Mermaid should have been an original anchor attraction, but I give Disney credit where credit is due and clearly attendance is up, and continues to creep upwards.

Yes, WDW was once the only game in town, but then Sea World, Uni came to Orlando. Guess what? Other theme park builders are looking at Shanghai *because* Disney is coming there and they want to smooch off guests. In the end, guests win: I can visit Potterland one day, and Epcot the next.



Disney is building Shanghai Disneyland, both creatively a different castle park, and expanding into China. Who cares if attendance at WDW drops 1 million ten years from now if Shanghai is getting 16 million guests a year? From the shareholder perspective, Disney is going where the growth is.

Sure, fans want their favorite Disney parks to receive continuous upgrades . . . but this discussion of unprecedented removal and replacement of attractions at DHS is kinda a pipe dream. Decades past fans just looked at what would be added, i.e. Matterhorn in Epcot, Indy in MK? People got confused thinking that DCA had stuff removed for Carsland . . . didn't happen.

I don't see your point here, please help me out. I was having a discussion with GoofGoof about the reasons for this potential expansion (who knows what the heck is coming... if anything). I think it's as a result of some lost revenue in an area that Disney could count on. GoofGoof thinks not. We're all entitled to our opinions and I think that was the point of this new thread. I respect his.

I'm not saying this is bad for guests,... more fun stuff in Orlando, yay for us! But we (the thread and I) are looking at reasons why this DHS expansion, overhaul, (whatever it is) would happen. Disney is not suffering per se but it is suffering in area that it once had "secured'. Disney doesn't want you to visit Potterland one day and Epcot the next. Disney wants you to spend two days at Epcot.

 

[Pixiedustmaker]

Can you possibly stretch anymore for this conclusion? Unique visitors and overall visitor-ship are two entirely different things. Quit ignoring the faux numbers brought about by Hoppers.

Attendance at all the four theme parks is up at WDW:

"If this continues, some of these parks will exceed all-time attendance levels this year," says Tuna Amobi of S&P Capital IQ. During the company's conference call announcing first-quarter results, Disney CEO Bob Iger said: "Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resort both set new attendance records for the quarter."

http://www.usatoday.com/story/money/business/2013/06/01/disney-theme-park-stocks/2343753/

 

[ScoutN]

Attendance at all the four theme parks is up at WDW:

"If this continues, some of these parks will exceed all-time attendance levels this year," says Tuna Amobi of S&P Capital IQ. During the company's conference call announcing first-quarter results, Disney CEO Bob Iger said: "Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resort both set new attendance records for the quarter."

http://www.usatoday.com/story/money/business/2013/06/01/disney-theme-park-stocks/2343753/

Good job quoting King Bean Counter himself.

 

[GLaDOS]

Attendance at all the four theme parks is up at WDW:

"If this continues, some of these parks will exceed all-time attendance levels this year," says Tuna Amobi of S&P Capital IQ. During the company's conference call announcing first-quarter results, Disney CEO Bob Iger said: "Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resort both set new attendance records for the quarter."

http://www.usatoday.com/story/money/business/2013/06/01/disney-theme-park-stocks/2343753/

I can see the emperor's clothes too!

 

[Pixiedustmaker]

I don't see your point here, please help me out. I was having a discussion with GoofGoof about the reasons for this potential expansion (who knows what the heck is coming... if anything). I think it's as a result of some lost revenue in an area that Disney could count on. GoofGoof thinks not. We're all entitled to our opinions and I think that was the point of this new thread. I respect his.

I'm not saying this is bad for guests,... more fun stuff in Orlando, yay for us! But we (the thread and I) are looking at reasons why this DHS expansion, overhaul, (whatever it is) would happen. Disney is not suffering per se but it is suffering in area that it once had "secured'. Disney doesn't want you to visit Potterland one day and Epcot the next. Disney wants you to spend two days at Epcot.

I respect the fact that many fans (myself included!) want to see new stuff at WDW. Fans will always want to see new attractions and major improvements in older parks.

But the reality is that WDW is setting attendance records, Burbank (same pot of money for the whole company) is heavily invested in Shanghai, and recently added major new attractions to Hong Kong and spent billions on DCA 2.0 which opened last summer and $400 million on NFL. They're pushing ahead with Avatarland, and yet fans expect that DHS, despite having attendance increases, will have a third of it demolished.

Ain't gonna happen. These rumors are all false, IMO.

Fans should be happy that WDW's attendance is up as it means more new lands, or a fifth gate, in the future.

Fans also don't get that DHS has logistical issues and wasn't meant to be expanded very much beyond its borders, the official expansion plan would involve a rerouting of World Drive . . . expensive. They could also expand into DHS's small and crowded parking lot . . .

Disney spent $$$ during the recession, to keep down construction costs, and is now seeing a return. I doubt DHS will see any sort of major reconstructive surgery in the future.

 

[NewfieFan]

FLE was...misunderstood. Never intended to be a direct response to Potter. The MK was closing its doors on a semi-regular basis due to capacity during peak times. They needed to add capacity. BOG was necessary too. Where I think they missed the mark was not putting in one additional ride. Mine Train will be a nice add and LM is a people eater with huge capacity. Lines at Dumbo were brutal and sooo hot. Even one additional ride would have probably made a lot of people less cranky about things. The quality of what was done is what gives me hope for both Avatar and Star Wars.

No, I never thought FL was in response to anything and believed the line that it was a capacity build. I didn't expect it to rival HP (which by the way I've never laid eyes on in person) or even compare the two. Mine Train should have opened with the expansion, that was a mistake on their part. And in my humble opinion they could open a restaurant like BOG in every land and they would be booked at the 180 day mark.

The quality of FL gives me hope, the substance worries me. New FL is pretty, pretty eye candy. The ride is "meh" and this is coming from someone who wanted to be the Little Mermaid when she grew up (and now has a 7 year old daughter). The restaurant did impress me but it's one of the best parts of the new FL and unless you're lucky enough to score an ADR or stand in line for lunch you don't get to see the inside of the place.

 

[GoofGoof]

They're pushing ahead with Avatarland, and yet fans expect that DHS, despite having attendance increases, will have a third of it demolished.

Ain't gonna happen. These rumors are all false, IMO.

This isn't going to happen overnight. They wouldn't close 1/3 of the current park all at once. That would be a train wreck. If its spread out they can close a few attractions to be repurposed and or demolished and when the new parts are done and open begin demo on the next phase. The rumor seems to be Star Wars first then Cars. If that's the case they close down Indy and a few shops/restaurants which isn't a major hit. When new SW Land opens nobody will miss LMA or BLT.

 

[Next Big Thing]

Any chance Sci Fi turns into the cars drive in concept?

Being so close to Star Tours, I highly doubt it. It'd make more sense to do an American Graffiti themed restaurant, although I know that pretty much has no chance of happening.

 

[Clyde Birdbrain]

If the argument is that DHS is not a full-day park then I can't believe that they would get rid of four major attractions (Indiana Jones, Muppetvision, LMA and Backlot Tour) and replacing them with three. Especially the two shows, which I thought were still pretty popular, have a huge capacity, and keep people occupied for a long time. Are all these people going to be standing in line at the new attractions?

I don't mind Streets of America to go, as it takes up a lot of space, but it's a shame for the Osbourne Lights. I wonder if they could be located somewhere else. My vote would go to the Boardwalk. You could walk around the lake to look at all the lights, it's a great location between two parks, it will attract locals to eat and drink at the restaurants and bars, and it's a relavitely quiet area for the crews to put up the lights.

 

[GoofGoof]

No, I never thought FL was in response to anything and believed the line that it was a capacity build. I didn't expect it to rival HP (which by the way I've never laid eyes on in person) or even compare the two. Mine Train should have opened with the expansion, that was a mistake on their part. And in my humble opinion they could open a restaurant like BOG in every land and they would be booked at the 180 day mark.

The quality of FL gives me hope, the substance worries me. New FL is pretty, pretty eye candy. The ride is "meh" and this is coming from someone who wanted to be the Little Mermaid when she grew up (and now has a 7 year old daughter). The restaurant did impress me but it's one of the best parts of the new FL and unless you're lucky enough to score an ADR or stand in line for lunch you don't get to see the inside of the place.

This seems to be the plan for Star Wars and Cars too at DHS. I've only really heard a new e-ticket (maybe?) for Star Wars and 2 rides for Cars. 3 new rides total. The rest will be restaurants, shops and theming. They are following the Universal model starting with Wizarding World. Potter only had 1 new e-ticket (plus a repurposed ride) with great theming of restaurants and shops. Carsland has an E ticket with 2 additional C ticket rides. I am going to assume that Avatar and Star Wars will probably both follow the BOG blueprint of a highly themed restaurant that's CS by day and TS at night. It seems to be a successful business model.

 

[Pixiedustmaker]

This isn't going to happen overnight. They wouldn't close 1/3 of the current park all at once. That would be a train wreck. If its spread out they can close a few attractions to be repurposed and or demolished and when the new parts are done and open begin demo on the next phase. The rumor seems to be Star Wars first then Cars. If that's the case they close down Indy and a few shops/restaurants which isn't a major hit. When new SW Land opens nobody will miss LMA or BLT.

I agree that they will probably in the future upgrade Backlot. I could see some of the "sound stages" being partial converted into showbuildings, LPS vehicles, and a sort of semi-thrill ride in an LPS taxi through a 1930's Hollywood, or something like that.

But I doubt they are going to take out Streets of America, which hosts the popular Osbourne lights, to put in Carsland. A StarWars land could expand back into the parking lot (if we're talking a real land), but I think it will be a while before that happens at DHS.

 

[GoofGoof]

If the argument is that DHS is not a full-day park then I can't believe that they would get rid of four major attractions (Indiana Jones, Muppetvision, LMA and Backlot Tour) and replacing them with three. Especially the two shows, which I thought were still pretty popular, have a huge capacity, and keep people occupied for a long time. Are all these people going to be standing in line at the new attractions?

I don't mind Streets of America to go, as it takes up a lot of space, but it's a shame for the Osbourne Lights. I wonder if they could be located somewhere else. My vote would go to the Boardwalk. You could walk around the lake to look at all the lights, it's a great location between two parks, it will attract locals to eat and drink at the restaurants and bars, and it's a relavitely quiet area for the crews to put up the lights.

BW could work too. They would need those room darkening curtains they have at the casinos in Vegas. Otherwise the poor guests staying in the rooms facing the lake would need to be given sun glasses to wear

 

[GoofGoof]

I agree that they will probably in the future upgrade Backlot. I could see some of the "sound stages" being partial converted into showbuildings, LPS vehicles, and a sort of semi-thrill ride in an LPS taxi through a 1930's Hollywood, or something like that.

But I doubt they are going to take out Streets of America, which hosts the popular Osbourne lights, to put in Carsland. A StarWars land could expand back into the parking lot (if we're talking a real land), but I think it will be a while before that happens at DHS.

Yep. 2018 is a while

 

[Bparso87]

Star Wars is huge look at this list of merchandise. My son loves Star Wars before watching the movies because of Lego games, clone wars and other stuff now a days. Look what Disney has on this list I must say Harry potter not on there. None of my kids friends like Harry potter. My 21 old sister does though it is mainly late teens that like HP.
http://www.epmcom.com/public/The_100_Million_EntertainmentCharacter_Licensed_Properties_Revealed.cfm

 

[Pixiedustmaker]

If the argument is that DHS is not a full-day park then I can't believe that they would get rid of four major attractions (Indiana Jones, Muppetvision, LMA and Backlot Tour) and replacing them with three. Especially the two shows, which I thought were still pretty popular, have a huge capacity, and keep people occupied for a long time. Are all these people going to be standing in line at the new attractions?

I don't mind Streets of America to go, as it takes up a lot of space, but it's a shame for the Osbourne Lights. I wonder if they could be located somewhere else. My vote would go to the Boardwalk. You could walk around the lake to look at all the lights, it's a great location between two parks, it will attract locals to eat and drink at the restaurants and bars, and it's a relavitely quiet area for the crews to put up the lights.

I think they'd want to keep Osbourne lights inside a theme park because then they get ticket prices. Osbourne is more profitable now that they are using LED lights. Can't see them angering all of the fans that make a pilgrimage to see this extravaganza each year.

Last time I checked, Disneyland was running Capain EO . . . Disney parks are loathed to completely remove attractions, or even update them much. Mostly because what Imagineers build often stands the test of time. Sure, fans may want a Carsland, but I don't think they are going to shoot a cash cow in the leg to build it, DHS and WDW desperately needs all of the attractions it has, with record attendance. Why pay to demolish when can build de novo attractions on undeveloped land?

Carsland in DCA was built on a parking lot that wasn't generating revenue. Fans need to look at maps of empty lots and parking lots to figure out where Carsland will go as Disney make rational financial decisions more often than not.