Another One Bites the Dust

[WEDWDW]

Well,looks like we now "may" know the reason for AFI Showcase's "retirement".

Anyone heard of Frozen?

Sure "looks" like Wandering Oaken's Trading Post(minus the ice skating rink) is headed here.

 

[MKMomma]

Well,looks like we now "may" know the reason for AFI Showcase's "retirement".

Anyone heard of Frozen?

Sure "looks" like Wandering Oaken's Trading Post(minus the ice skating rink) is headed here.

When will they be announcing the Frozen stuff at Animal Kingdom? It seems Disney is putting all its proverbial eggs in one basket.

The other 3 parks have been overtaken by Frozen, why not Animal Kingdom?

 

[Dan Murphy]

When will they be announcing the Frozen stuff at Animal Kingdom? It seems Disney is putting all its proverbial eggs in one basket.

The other 3 parks have been overtaken by Frozen, why not Animal Kingdom?

Sven on the Safari?

 

[tayalltheway]

I think the chicken nuggets they serve at AK are frozen...

 

[Bluegrrl]

Former CM at DHS (from the MGM days!)

DHS was built to be a working studio, we all know that. They had a great animation area; Lilo and Stitch, Mulan, and Hunchback came from there. One of coolest things for me was the day when met an animator who was working on Mulan. He was just sitting by where the Disney Jr. stage is now, just chilling and sketching. We talked about Mulan and when it was coming out, the plot, etc.

WCW wrestling was filmed live there, the old MMC was filmed there and there was an old tv series with Hulk Hogan done there. It was a working studio that also had a few attractions as well. But somewhere along the way, either people or Disney lost interest in it, and couldn't figure out how to make it work. Not for lack of trying, the park manager who worked there was a crazy Aussie who was devoted to the park and Walt's ways. I remember that he was a great guy.

But animation and film industry died out in Orlando, and with no more film production (Disney was trying to lure film here), there was no use for the studio. Done.

Although I LOVE MGM (yeah, that's how long ago it was), I really welcome the changes. If you can't have a actual studio, then stuff like pixar and star wars is the next best thing for me. Disney has great franchises, why not use them there? Put Frozen there (ugh), Cars, Star Wars, Monsters Inc, - anything. It's not a studio anymore. It's a studio theme park.

Btw: we have some great animators down here, and it's a shame that they got cut. My favorite artist is Phil Noto - please look up his comic art, he is a fantastic artist, as well as a very good human being.

 

[Mikie]

When will they be announcing the Frozen stuff at Animal Kingdom? It seems Disney is putting all its proverbial eggs in one basket.

The other 3 parks have been overtaken by Frozen, why not Animal Kingdom?

I think the chicken nuggets they serve at AK are frozen...

 

[PinkBudgie]

Former CM at DHS (from the MGM days!)

DHS was built to be a working studio, we all know that. They had a great animation area; Lilo and Stitch, Mulan, and Hunchback came from there. One of coolest things for me was the day when met an animator who was working on Mulan. He was just sitting by where the Disney Jr. stage is now, just chilling and sketching. We talked about Mulan and when it was coming out, the plot, etc.

WCW wrestling was filmed live there, the old MMC was filmed there and there was an old tv series with Hulk Hogan done there. It was a working studio that also had a few attractions as well. But somewhere along the way, either people or Disney lost interest in it, and couldn't figure out how to make it work. Not for lack of trying, the park manager who worked there was a crazy Aussie who was devoted to the park and Walt's ways. I remember that he was a great guy.

But animation and film industry died out in Orlando, and with no more film production (Disney was trying to lure film here), there was no use for the studio. Done.

Although I LOVE MGM (yeah, that's how long ago it was), I really welcome the changes. If you can't have a actual studio, then stuff like pixar and star wars is the next best thing for me. Disney has great franchises, why not use them there? Put Frozen there (ugh), Cars, Star Wars, Monsters Inc, - anything. It's not a studio anymore. It's a studio theme park.

Btw: we have some great animators down here, and it's a shame that they got cut. My favorite artist is Phil Noto - please look up his comic art, he is a fantastic artist, as well as a very good human being.

Ok, That explains some of what we were wondering on our trip. Being from California, we didn't see the point of the "Backlot Tour" since it isn't really used for making movies and we can see real studios right here. Having no attachment to it all, I'd say they could do something better and get rid of the whole thing. But don't show us how you make films there when you don't.
(Overall though, we did like DHS and we liked The Great Movie Ride)

 

[eyehartdisney]

I always though disney missed it's mark when they didn't turn HS into a teen intended park. Adults have Epcot, littles have MK, you either love or hate AK regardless of age, but where is 12-14 year old bro/sis going to go gaga over during the vacation for the 5 year old princess crazy little sister? I see thread after thread of people suggesting OPs head to Universal if they have teens in the group, so why isn't Disney doing something with a teen focus?

And it doesn't have to be huge coasters, either. Get music talent in here, with hard ticket concerts. Have a photo shoot area where you can dress up in high end disney (and other) costumes and get your picture taken in front of beautiful set pieces. Hell, do a teen oriented BBB. I'd give my left eye to have a villains land/park. Star Wars is going to do a decent job of this, but they have room to make this so much more.

 

[Bluegrrl]

Going a little off topic:
From wikipedia:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Disney%27s_Hollywood_Studios

Scroll down a bit to production history. It talks about all the production history at DHS.

I don't know why Disney hasn't created a teen park out of DH, it would seem a natural thing to do. My friends and I talk about this constantly (we are both former Great Movie Ride CMs, and once a GMR Cm, always a GMR cm!).

We think its because Uni pretty much has that sewn up, and Disney may be afraid to compete on that level. After all, Halloween Horror nights are a huge thing down here. I think Disney tried to compete with the villains night, but they screwed up royally with both attempts. Disney still wants to be kiddie, and maybe is afraid to be edgy. Like with the Alien at MK - too scary for the kiddos there, but if they had put it at MGM, it would have been perfect. They don't learn from their mistakes - Villains should be a ticketed event that happens like MNSSHP. Who knows, maybe they are afraid to have competing events? I think that there is more than enough villainy to go around, and that having an event - and park - that is not too kiddie and not too adult (like Halloween Horror is) would be perfect. There is so much space that could be wiped out and re-done. I'd take the Indy ride at DL over the stunt show anytime! The Indy ride would prob cost less too, since you don't have to pay for actors (Insurance, benefits, Union dues, etc). Lights Motors Action could also go the way of the Dodo since it is extremely expensive - put in SW and you have a much cheaper area (in long run).

Sadly, I am not Bob Iger, although I think I should be, and can't make this happen. But I would want to do it!

 

[leebee]

It is my personal hope (and I'm sure Disney is chomping at the bit to get my opinion, right?) that they are going to do a massive expansion on DHS and soon. It is easily my favorite park but it is clear, even to me, that is is suffering a big of an identity crisis. So, unless they want to rename is Cybil Studios, I think that they need to do a major expansion and rename it. The way I see it, just about everything in that park fits into one of fave categories: Old Hollywood, Disney, Pixar, Muppets, or Lucas. Because of that, and because of how the park was originally intended to be themed, I'd rename DHS to just "The Studios". I'd have it designed so you felt like you were walking around actual studios and then, when you entered a ride or attraction, you were suddenly in the picture. Tower of Terror and Great Movie Ride do a great job with this. It would take some moving of attractions, restaurants, shows, and such, but I think it can be done relatively inexpensively.

I'd move Mama's and Sci Fi closer to Sunset Blvd. as part of Hollywood Studios. The waitstaff at Mama's would sing just like at Miceli's. I'd move Hollywood and Vine closer to Animation Courtyard to be part of Disney Studios. I'd also bring in some old Fantasyland rides to this area such as Mr. Toad's Wild Ride and Snow White's Scar Adventures. This would also be an excellent area for a Frozen ride. I'd expand Pixar back towards Backlot Tour and bring Radiator Springs Racers, Mater's Junkyard Jamboree, and Mike and Sully to the Rescue from DCA. I'd also do a ride similar to Jumpin' Jellyfish themed for Up. I'd relocate Pizza Planet over here including the arcade. I'd also give Remi a Ratatouille-themed restaurant. Muppets would be expanded to where it would meet Pixar Studios. A roller coaster themed for Great Gonza would be added as well as The Great Muppet Movie Ride that was originally intended to be here. I would also add a crazy car ride themed after The Muppet Movie. Gonzo and Rizzo would have a counter service restaurant where Electric Mayhem would play and Swedish Chef would get a restaurant, as well. Finally, all that has been discussed with Star Wars Land would definitely still happen and it would all be part of Lucas Studios. Along with all of that (Cantina restaurant, more rides, expanded Jedi Training Academy, etc.), Indy would also have a larger presence. The ride is very popular at Disneyland and I see no reason not to bring it to Florida.

The idea is to get more family attractions here. I love this park but it has been terribly neglected. Star Wars Land is going to be a great improvement, but without further expansion, I worry that it will take over the rest of the park and create a bigger identity crisis than already exists. With the expansion, it will help with over crowding of other parks and give all of those people staying in the new DVC resorts fun new attractions.

Going a little off topic:
From wikipedia:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Disney%27s_Hollywood_Studios

Scroll down a bit to production history. It talks about all the production history at DHS.

I don't know why Disney hasn't created a teen park out of DH, it would seem a natural thing to do. My friends and I talk about this constantly (we are both former Great Movie Ride CMs, and once a GMR Cm, always a GMR cm!).

We think its because Uni pretty much has that sewn up, and Disney may be afraid to compete on that level. After all, Halloween Horror nights are a huge thing down here. I think Disney tried to compete with the villains night, but they screwed up royally with both attempts. Disney still wants to be kiddie, and maybe is afraid to be edgy. Like with the Alien at MK - too scary for the kiddos there, but if they had put it at MGM, it would have been perfect. They don't learn from their mistakes - Villains should be a ticketed event that happens like MNSSHP. Who knows, maybe they are afraid to have competing events? I think that there is more than enough villainy to go around, and that having an event - and park - that is not too kiddie and not too adult (like Halloween Horror is) would be perfect. There is so much space that could be wiped out and re-done. I'd take the Indy ride at DL over the stunt show anytime! The Indy ride would prob cost less too, since you don't have to pay for actors (Insurance, benefits, Union dues, etc). Lights Motors Action could also go the way of the Dodo since it is extremely expensive - put in SW and you have a much cheaper area (in long run).

Sadly, I am not Bob Iger, although I think I should be, and can't make this happen. But I would want to do it!

Cybil Studios, very funny!

I'd like to suggest that Jenna and Bluegrrl be nominated to draft a complete redesign of The Studios (although I, too, continue to call it MGM!) and submit it to the Powers that Be. If Iger and the Suits can't figure out how to re-theme DHS into an amazing park, we might as well tell them what we want (although personally I'd play down the Muppets just a tad and add a Monsters Inc Doors-themed, high-tech roller coaster)!

 

[TheRatPack]

I miss the original tour that showcased the houses, the one now is kind of drab anyway .

 

[KimberlyE]

I love Jenna's Ideas! I would just add that we should keep/add some Disney history to the Old Hollywood section - Like One Man's Dream but with some other attractions, too. We love reading mouse history! Also, I want to ride a coaster themed from the door's warehouse in Monsters Inc. That scene was made for a coaster! And make a villains area that's always available - not just a hard ticket.

 

[WEDWDW]

Wandering Oaken's is moving to the space.

http://www.wdwmagic.com/events/froz...n---which-parts-are-staying-into-the-fall.htm

 

[x5x5x5x5x5]

I know this is old news but I just learned that this attraction has permanently closed. I AM SO SAD!!! It was one of my very favorite things in HS. I would sometimes spend hours looking at different props, costumes, pictures, scripts, anything and everything there! Sooooo very disappointed. Thanks for listening to me whine!