12 Hollywood Studios Rumors (A Disney Rumors video is on pg. 1) and (an update is on pg. 16)

[ChipnDale79]

For the purposes of theming and cohesion, I'd like to see the DHS makeover done like this:

Hollywood Blvd and Sunset stay the same. You, the guest, are walking the streets of Hollywood when you enter the park. From there, each land is represented by a different studio -- LucasFilm, Pixar, Muppets, Disney Animation Studios. As you first enter each land it's themed to look like you're stepping onto a studio lot where production is taking place. The farther you go into the land, the more immersive it becomes until you are a character within that world. The movies have "come alive", if you will. This would allow a smooth transition between the front of the park and the different lands and makes for a sensible storyline for how you get from Hollywood Blvd to Tatooine, for example. It also gives Disney a very broad and flexible framework with which to work, now, and down the road. Indiana Jones and Star Wars "go together" within the same land because Lucasfilm is the theme for the area. It's not Star Wars land with Indy stuck to the side (or needing to be demolished). If they created a Disney Animation Studios land they could throw together any of their films and there would still be cohesion because that land's theme is all things Disney Animation. (And they could fill it up with as much Frozen as their little hearts desire.) Lastly, if they went this route, I don't think a name change would even be necessary. (Not that I care one way or the other.) DHS still works because that's what the park would be -- a collection of studios.

I love this idea.

 

[Yellowstonetim]

For the purposes of theming and cohesion, I'd like to see the DHS makeover done like this:

Hollywood Blvd and Sunset stay the same. You, the guest, are walking the streets of Hollywood when you enter the park. From there, each land is represented by a different studio -- LucasFilm, Pixar, Muppets, Disney Animation Studios. As you first enter each land it's themed to look like you're stepping onto a studio lot where production is taking place. The farther you go into the land, the more immersive it becomes until you are a character within that world. The movies have "come alive", if you will. This would allow a smooth transition between the front of the park and the different lands and makes for a sensible storyline for how you get from Hollywood Blvd to Tatooine, for example. It also gives Disney a very broad and flexible framework with which to work, now, and down the road. Indiana Jones and Star Wars "go together" within the same land because Lucasfilm is the theme for the area. It's not Star Wars land with Indy stuck to the side (or needing to be demolished). If they created a Disney Animation Studios land they could throw together any of their films and there would still be cohesion because that land's theme is all things Disney Animation. (And they could fill it up with as much Frozen as their little hearts desire.) Lastly, if they went this route, I don't think a name change would even be necessary. (Not that I care one way or the other.) DHS still works because that's what the park would be -- a collection of studios.

Great ideas! I think this would work very well. The name is an interesting dilemma. The park is no longer a studio so it has to change. But to what?

Hollywood is still the theme so Hollywoodland would have an appropriate historical connection, but is somewhat cheesy. Disney 's Hollywood Park?Hollywood Kingdom? Hollywood Park?

 

[lockedoutlogic]

There's no reason to be rude to a child. I don't care if they lived on the streets.

I'm not conceding that they were even "rude"...
Europeans are far more direct... Which means they spend less time wasting words...

Perhaps someone saying "what do you want?" With accented English comes off as rude when in fact it's just a normal learned behavior?

Americans can think it's "wrong"...but we are not qualified to make that judgement. Maybe "different" is more correct.

Just a different take.

or she was rude... In which case is not a good thing. But people (falsely) expect that anyone working in a Disney park is happy all the time...and that isn't realistic. It's still a job and people take that different ways.

Many of the CP/IPs I worked with years ago felt that Disney bait and switched them on the programs for cheap labor. And in alot of ways they're right.

I can't condone nasty behavior...but I also have a hard time judging until I'm on the other side of the nametag.

Grain if salt...different perspective.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

For the purposes of theming and cohesion, I'd like to see the DHS makeover done like this:

Hollywood Blvd and Sunset stay the same. You, the guest, are walking the streets of Hollywood when you enter the park. From there, each land is represented by a different studio -- LucasFilm, Pixar, Muppets, Disney Animation Studios. As you first enter each land it's themed to look like you're stepping onto a studio lot where production is taking place. The farther you go into the land, the more immersive it becomes until you are a character within that world. The movies have "come alive", if you will. This would allow a smooth transition between the front of the park and the different lands and makes for a sensible storyline for how you get from Hollywood Blvd to Tatooine, for example. It also gives Disney a very broad and flexible framework with which to work, now, and down the road. Indiana Jones and Star Wars "go together" within the same land because Lucasfilm is the theme for the area. It's not Star Wars land with Indy stuck to the side (or needing to be demolished). If they created a Disney Animation Studios land they could throw together any of their films and there would still be cohesion because that land's theme is all things Disney Animation. (And they could fill it up with as much Frozen as their little hearts desire.) Lastly, if they went this route, I don't think a name change would even be necessary. (Not that I care one way or the other.) DHS still works because that's what the park would be -- a collection of studios.

That is an excellent idea...

The issue for Disney ( and by default all of us) is that the pricetag for what you're proposing is gonna be 10 figures...
And they have shown alot of resistance over the years to that kinda investment in studios...for one reason or another we'll never fully know (the "feeder park" concept is probably the most accurate)

I'm also not expecting huge renovations/additions to studios for a completely capitalist reason: downtown. They want you there...it's not being built so people can spend an hour there a week and then spend the rest of their time on rides. There's no money in rides.

I expect all additions to be "measured"... Very much like fantasyland and I'm expecting avatar to be...to augment the park and get morning gate but not necessarily retain it. So you can go to where the REAL money is made.

Your idea is basically a level one redo of MGM. It certainly can use it/needs it.
But in the end, it would only be for the paying customer...like the mea culpa redo of California adventure...
Disney's management has shown a lack of will to do that for along time in wdw... They don't have the financial incentive to build "freebies".

 

[Yellowstonetim]

I can't condone nasty behavior...but I also have a hard time judging until I'm on the other side of the nametag.

Hear, hear! Well said.

I also don't condone rudeness and think CM's should follow their training on how to behave, but it is a tough job and they are human beings. What happened before this child arrived? What was their day like? Did some thing bad happen in their life?

While the behavior was incorrect, don't judge a person, let alone an entire country, by one encounter.

 

[skier_pete]

lockedoutlogic and I rarely agree (though we do enjoy sparring - at least I do) but I'm with him about 25% of the time, and I am with his comments here. I think even though it has been part of the rumors, I would be blown away if Disney truly does a complete overall of the park at the level of DCA. That park had some SERIOUS problems, yet even there they didn't restructure the entire theme. (It's still mostly a theme park in California about California, which is in itself pretty stupid.)

I expect the best we can hope for is a Star Wars land and another ride in the PIXAR place and a few cosmetic changes. Even that would be huge, and I would be satisfied with it. (As well as a major overhaul of the GMR would be on my wish list.)

What TipsyTraveler proposes, though a great idea, ain't ever gonna happen. Even the major overhaul that some rumors seem to state sound far-fetched to me. In the end, whatever they do is a business decision, it's not just there to make the fans happy. They have to justify the spending. What level of benefit would they get out of a $1 billion facelift. I can maybe see them saying "$500 Million and we're in the Star Wars business, this'll knock Harry Potter off his broom in 5 years."

 

[wallrock]

I'm also wondering just how much they can do without changing the overall landscape. If they scrape out the Backlot area there's only one way back into that area and it's a long walk to the employee parking area just north of Catastrophe Canyon (providing they put something there) and back to the front. They could always cut a path from Sunset Blvd back into that area to give guests a 'loop to walk'. Again that won't be cheap.

 

[TipsyTraveler]

Oh, don't get me wrong, I don't expect Disney to do a makeover to the extent I proposed. That's just what I'd like to see them do... In one of those scenarios where I'm queen for a day and money is no object. As much as I'd like them to blow out the back half of that park and start over, realistically, I expect they're going to go in with a scalpel and I'm fully prepared to be underwhelmed with the results.

I do think they could move towards remaking the park into a "celebration of studios" concept like I described above by doing it in phases, though. They're already part way there with the presence of Muppets, LucasFilm, and Pixar -- the last two of which seem likely to get an expansion in the near future. Further down the line they could add a Disney Animation Studios section. And WAY down the line, if they ever get the ability to use Marvel, well, that would fit seamlessly with the concept, as well. I think by making the focus of the park the studios behind the movies, they give themselves a lot of wiggle room to base attractions on just about any movie they want (while still giving a nod to the park's original theme of behind-the-scenes production.)

 

[newdeal]

Well I had already suggested Hollywoodland, because it fits Disney and their "lands" and it fits hollywood. However here is my prediction (well, more like my hope)

1. TGMR gets closed in its current form for refurb
2. The big hat gets moved
3. They make an enormous hill facade around the TGMR building and put a hollywoodland sign on it which resembles the hollywood hills, fits with the old hollywood park entrance, and provides a focal centre point to the park which can be easily used in disney marketing for the park. As in other places in DHS they will use forced perspective to make it appear larger than it really is
4. TGMR (in an updated form) remains as a ride inside the park icon ala spaceship earth as it related perfectly to the old hollywood theme that the icon stands for

 

[lockedoutlogic]

People need to temper their expectations when it comes to new additions...

They bought Star Wars and marvel and Pixar - we know...but that largely IS the Investment.

Not the case in their other markets... But definitely Orlando.

The key statistic in Orlando is average length of stay...and unfortunately that hit the wall when DAK opened.

In the 80's and 90's, there was more travel to be gleaned from the average visitor... Which means rides = more money.

That changed in 98 and hasn't and hasn't changed since.
That's why they could get away with taking river country, discovery island, and pleasure island offline and suffer no Ill will... And why they can constantly add timeshares with guaranteed occupancy.

Like craps..."7" is the magic number... Once they got to it, large scale investment doesn't make financial sense. Your just moving the pieces around the board at that point...not adding players into the game.

America has defeated the plans of the TWDC... Because we still...stupidly... Just don't put enough value/emphasis on recreation or vacations. That's why we're all "skinny" and " happy".

In many ways... It's the real story of eisners late years... The formula that had worked great for him 84-95 didnt work after... The downward spiral. Building wdw was a big part of that.

So what we've seen is normal "inflation" of crowds...not jumps that indicate new travel patterns.

That means that big improvements to studios, animal kingdom, EPCOT aren't going to yield large "new" crowds.

While a redo of a largely third party downtown...and to those of us that believe that Cameron is paying at least part of the avatar construction...makes more sense. Limited risk/investment.

All this talk of a near complete redo of studios is setting yourself up for disappointment. I don't think they need to and they don't view universals as much of a threat....still.

An expansion of midway mania - a glorified, low tech C ticket, and some type of Pixar addins/ clones still seem about right.

Radiator springs doesn't fit Florida...weather and ride capacity make it impractical.

 

[skier_pete]

Ah back to disagreeing with you lockedoutlogic! Though I do agree that the situation they find themselves in is that of hitting a wall in terms of length of stay, there are three points of suction:

1) Longer stays on property
2) More guests
3) And the holy grail - More guest spend per person

The hit the wall on #1 as you said back when DAK opened. The third one they were pushing up for a long time, but have hit a wall the last 5+ years, and partly where they are hoping MDE/Magic Bands will give them...more guest spending.

However, #2 there is one that they are also constantly striving for, but I think have started to run into a wall here. This is why they have capacity issue (or lack of) with the on site hotels. Guests redistribute to the DVCs, but don't come to pay deluxe rates as they did.

Increasing park capacity with something big like Avatar (and you can bet the ONLY reason they went along with that is knowing that THREE more movies are in the works) and especially now Star Wars. I think that Star Wars as I said is seen as the key to increasing the guests coming to Florida. But I think the suits are still nervous about pulling the trigger, with the movie still a year away.

It wouldn't surprise me if they hold off the big expansion announcement until then. Have it in the work, but don't pull the trigger until Episode VII makes bank.

I hope I'm wrong though - and they make it sooner than that.

 

[newdeal]

Ah back to disagreeing with you lockedoutlogic! Though I do agree that the situation they find themselves in is that of hitting a wall in terms of length of stay, there are three points of suction:

1) Longer stays on property
2) More guests
3) And the holy grail - More guest spend per person

The hit the wall on #1 as you said back when DAK opened. The third one they were pushing up for a long time, but have hit a wall the last 5+ years, and partly where they are hoping MDE/Magic Bands will give them...more guest spending.

However, #2 there is one that they are also constantly striving for, but I think have started to run into a wall here. This is why they have capacity issue (or lack of) with the on site hotels. Guests redistribute to the DVCs, but don't come to pay deluxe rates as they did.

Increasing park capacity with something big like Avatar (and you can bet the ONLY reason they went along with that is knowing that THREE more movies are in the works) and especially now Star Wars. I think that Star Wars as I said is seen as the key to increasing the guests coming to Florida. But I think the suits are still nervous about pulling the trigger, with the movie still a year away.

It wouldn't surprise me if they hold off the big expansion announcement until then. Have it in the work, but don't pull the trigger until Episode VII makes bank.

I hope I'm wrong though - and they make it sooner than that.

I can't see them waiting because episode 7 isn't ready. It could easily be opened in phases like fantasy land was and have some attractions ready for the release of the movie. Its not like there is a question of if star wars will be popular. There are 6 other popular movies, and the 7th even if it was a flop wouldn't make them any less popular. The real issue with star wars is that the target demographic is wrong and they are likely hoping the 7th film will change the demo of star wars fans

 

[ChoppityChops]

The real issue with star wars is that the target demographic is wrong and they are likely hoping the 7th film will change the demo of star wars fans

Actually, I'd argue that the demographic is perfect: My generation, the original-trilogy generation, all has kids between 2 and 14 now. If that's not an ideal match in terms of getting (mostly) dads who are making money, and are ready to spend it on their family, excited to go take their kids to Disney, I don't know what is.

 

[mvk]

For the purposes of theming and cohesion, I'd like to see the DHS makeover done like this:

Hollywood Blvd and Sunset stay the same. You, the guest, are walking the streets of Hollywood when you enter the park. From there, each land is represented by a different studio -- LucasFilm, Pixar, Muppets, Disney Animation Studios. As you first enter each land it's themed to look like you're stepping onto a studio lot where production is taking place. The farther you go into the land, the more immersive it becomes until you are a character within that world. The movies have "come alive", if you will. This would allow a smooth transition between the front of the park and the different lands and makes for a sensible storyline for how you get from Hollywood Blvd to Tatooine, for example. It also gives Disney a very broad and flexible framework with which to work, now, and down the road. Indiana Jones and Star Wars "go together" within the same land because Lucasfilm is the theme for the area. It's not Star Wars land with Indy stuck to the side (or needing to be demolished). If they created a Disney Animation Studios land they could throw together any of their films and there would still be cohesion because that land's theme is all things Disney Animation. (And they could fill it up with as much Frozen as their little hearts desire.) Lastly, if they went this route, I don't think a name change would even be necessary. (Not that I care one way or the other.) DHS still works because that's what the park would be -- a collection of studios.

Yeah, these are my thoughts as well (posted similar thoughts a few times here, most recently in the News Update thread on 9/19), and just makes sense.

LucasFilm -
Echo Lake construction into Star Wars attraction
Hollywood & Vine theme change to a Star Wars restaurant
Sounds Dangerous changed into Master Yoda's Jedi Training Academy
Backlot Express changed into Mos Eisley Cantina

Muppet Studios
Pizza Planet changed to house a Muppets dark ride
Mama Melrose's changed to Swedish Chef's Kitchen

Pixar Place expands to Backlot/LMA areas

Walt Disney Animation Studios
Animator's Palate added in the Magic of Disney Animation area
Voyage of Little Mermaid switched to Tangled

Hollywood/Sunset
TGMR updated

 

[mvk]

Actually, I'd argue that the demographic is perfect: My generation, the original-trilogy generation, all has kids between 2 and 14 now. If that's not an ideal match in terms of getting (mostly) dads who are making money, and are ready to spend it on their family, excited to go take their kids to Disney, I don't know what is.

The Clone Wars, the Lego Star Wars shows and products, and now Star Wars Rebels feeds into this as well. My son turns five today and his three main interests are Cars, Star Wars, and construction vehicles.

Considering how Star Wars is #2 on the licensed merchandise list (only trailing Disney Princesses), I don't think the younger generation being interested in Star Wars is much of an issue.

I do think there is something to Ep 7 (along with Rebels) changing demographics in one way, though. I expect Daisy Ridley to play a huge hero part in VII, and Sabine in SW: Rebels will likely be a popular character for the girls. If they are successful in marketing to girls with those two characters, they could probably have Star Wars take over Echo Lake, Streets of America, and the Backlot in addition to the Muppet areas, the Indy show, Sounds Dangerous, Sci-Fi Dine-In, & Hollywood & Vine.

 

[skier_pete]

The Clone Wars, the Lego Star Wars shows and products, and now Star Wars Rebels feeds into this as well. My son turns five today and his three main interests are Cars, Star Wars, and construction vehicles.

Considering how Star Wars is #2 on the licensed merchandise list (only trailing Disney Princesses), I don't think the younger generation being interested in Star Wars is much of an issue.

I do think there is something to Ep 7 (along with Rebels) changing demographics in one way, though. I expect Daisy Ridley to play a huge hero part in VII, and Sabine in SW: Rebels will likely be a popular character for the girls. If they are successful in marketing to girls with those two characters, they could probably have Star Wars take over Echo Lake, Streets of America, and the Backlot in addition to the Muppet areas, the Indy show, Sounds Dangerous, Sci-Fi Dine-In, & Hollywood & Vine.

Yeah, my daughter loves Star Wars, and a lot of the younger boys of friends are also very into it. There's very few franchises out there that could truly sustain there own theme park, and I do believe Star Wars would be one of them. Not that I think they should do that, but to make a large Star Wars area (I am talking 3-4 rides, restaurant, stage show, merchandise at minimum.) would really drive attendance.

 

[Suger Mag]

Increasing park capacity with something big like Avatar (and you can bet the ONLY reason they went along with that is knowing that THREE more movies are in the works) and especially now Star Wars. I think that Star Wars as I said is seen as the key to increasing the guests coming to Florida. But I think the suits are still nervous about pulling the trigger, with the movie still a year away.

It wouldn't surprise me if they hold off the big expansion announcement until then. Have it in the work, but don't pull the trigger until Episode VII makes bank.

I hope I'm wrong though - and they make it sooner than that.

I can't imagine they would be nervous about pulling the trigger on Star Wars, if anything was a sure thing to make many many fans happy and bring feet to the gate...it is Star Wars expansion. If they do decide to hold off announcing it... I think it is because they want to let Avatar and DisneySprings get attention.... and then follow it up with StarWars knock out punch.

As far as Star Wars appeal being only with older fans who fondly remember the good ol days ... don't discount the animation series of Clone Wars. That has kept the Force alive with the young'uns of today.

 

[Suger Mag]

I expect Daisy Ridley to play a huge hero part in VII

she looks perfect for Leia and Han's daughter... you can see the resemblance to both Carrie Fischer and Natalie Portman. Still no news on who she is playing?

I would love to see a strong female warrior character in #7 rather than another character that is a remash of Luke and Anakin. Leia was cool, but she got gypped in the Jedi training dept.... Padme started off kicking butt in #1, but became a weak character in #2 and #3...

 

[lockedoutlogic]

I can't see them waiting because episode 7 isn't ready. It could easily be opened in phases like fantasy land was and have some attractions ready for the release of the movie. Its not like there is a question of if star wars will be popular. There are 6 other popular movies, and the 7th even if it was a flop wouldn't make them any less popular. The real issue with star wars is that the target demographic is wrong and they are likely hoping the 7th film will change the demo of star wars fans

To be clear...NOTHING is being built or anywhere close to being suggested as "confirmed".

All they've done... In two years...is build a cute little mockup of Blue Harvest at last years Geekbowl and a couple of 100% ambiguous comments by CMB and Staggs...

That's it. So talk of "waiting" is all relative...they are about 400 days from a movie release date (can't believe they bought Lucas two years ago...but that's how it goes when you use time as your friend and a weapon... As they seem to do in regards to wdw)...

So at a minimum if they started a "significant" addition today...you are looking at mid 2017 best case scenario...even if phased
That would mean just before the second movie...and they aren't ever in a hurry anymore.

And you really can't count on anything from this company leadership. "Things are coming" from Iger could mean a new giftshop, character line in Sounds Dangerous, and the "star wars nights at the great movie ride" hard ticket event.

I'm just not ready to assume they have plans to do anything significant. Certainly not in conjunction with these movies upcoming.

First, they'll want to pump avatarland for 5 years based on recent patterns. Cameron not getting movies made probably REALLY has them ticked off right about now.
Second, the Lucas deal was announce on 10/28/12 if I remember correctly and closed around 1/1/13. These things don't happen overnight... So you have to assume that negotiations date at the latest back to 2011. So it's been at least three years...they obviously were already well into development for the next movie when the deal was announced.

The point is that they could have had construction underway now...which tells me "capitalizing" on the new movies in parks outside of the plush rack is not a goal/priority. And it also says that even a decent loss in market share and Comcast's free flowing money and axle grease across the town is still not being taken seriously.

So even Star Wars looks really really like kinda a longshot in regards to significant at this point.

More toy story shooter tanks... Frozen shops... New stage shows... A movie ride refresh...seem much more likely at this point.

I know, i know...
Don't blame me...blame the building history.

 

[rteetz]

To be clear...NOTHING is being built or anywhere close to being suggested as "confirmed". All they've done... In two years...is build a cute little mockup of Blue Harvest at last years Geekbowl and a couple of 100% ambiguous comments by CMB and Staggs... That's it. So talk of "waiting" is all relative...they are about 400 days from a movie release date (can't believe they bought Lucas two years ago...but that's how it goes when you use time as your friend and a weapon... As they seem to do in regards to wdw)... So at a minimum if they started a "significant" addition today...you are looking at mid 2017 best case scenario...even if phased That would mean just before the second movie...and they aren't ever in a hurry anymore. And you really can't count on anything from this company leadership. "Things are coming" from Iger could mean a new giftshop, character line in Sounds Dangerous, and the "star wars nights at the great movie ride" hard ticket event. I'm just not ready to assume they have plans to do anything significant. Certainly not in conjunction with these movies upcoming. First, they'll want to pump avatarland for 5 years based on recent patterns. Cameron not getting movies made probably REALLY has them ticked off right about now. Second, the Lucas deal was announce on 10/28/12 if I remember correctly and closed around 1/1/13. These things don't happen overnight... So you have to assume that negotiations date at the latest back to 2011. So it's been at least three years...they obviously were already well into development for the next movie when the deal was announced. The point is that they could have had construction underway now...which tells me "capitalizing" on the new movies in parks outside of the plush rack is not a goal/priority. And it also says that even a decent loss in market share and Comcast's free flowing money and axle grease across the town is still not being taken seriously. So even Star Wars looks really really like kinda a longshot in regards to significant at this point. More toy story shooter tanks... Frozen shops... New stage shows... A movie ride refresh...seem much more likely at this point. I know, i know... Don't blame me...blame the building history.

You forgot about the special Star Wars studio in WDI run by Scott Trowbridge.