I love Hollywood Studios. It has always been my favorite park every since my first visit when I was 8. I think it has the best themed restaurant (Sci Fi) and ride (Tower of Terror) in all of Walt Disney World. That said, it is such a shell of its former self and it does appear to be going through an identity crisis. Once upon a time, it was supposed to be "a Hollywood that never was and always will be." You were supposed to feel as though you entered old Hollywood. You entered the park and felt like you would see Clark Gable or Bette Davis walking down the street. Then, when you went in an attraction, you were supposed to feel as though you were transported into the show or movie. Look at Tower of Terror where you are suddenly in the show, Great Movie Ride where the scenes come to life, or Star Tours where you are flying with R2D2. They also had Superstar Television where you were put into the action, and Backlot Tour that actually was a backlot tour. Now, they have eighty-sixed Superstar television to make way for someone yelling at you to audition for American Idol. They added in some great stuff with
Pixar Place, but it doesn't seem to fit. Streets of America is neat to look at, but what do you do there? They seriously need to reevaluate what is going on here.
My advice would be a major overhaul that would make the Fantasyland expansion look minute. First, you change the name. It needs to just be called "The Studios". Inside, you will have 5 sections: Hollywood Studios, Disney Studios, Pixar Studios, Muppet Studios, and Lucas Studios. As you enter the park, you should once again feel as though you are in old Hollywood with all different studios surrounding you. As you enter each area, it needs to be clear what is going on.
Hollywood Studios would contain Sunset and Hollywood Boulevard. It would still have Tower, Rock n Roller Coaster, an Great Movie Ride. Sci Fi would move over here, as would 50's Prime Time. Brown Derby is also important to keep around. I would also look into moving Mama's over here and having the waiters and waitresses sing like they do at Miceli's. Also, I would make sure to keep the streetmosphere performers as I feel they are critical to the feel of the park.
Disney Studios would have Animation Courtyard, Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, One Man's Dream, and Disney Jr, Live on Stage. Hollywood and Vine would move over here and be renamed Rout 66 (travels between Hollywood, Chicago, and near Kansas City, so it encompasses the cities important to Walt), but the theming would be the same. Definitely keep the dining with the Disney Jr. characters. I would add some rides, as well. What rides? I'd add the rides that Walt helped design based on his films that are no longer in the parks. So, Snow White's Scar Adventures, Mr. Toad's Wild Ride, and other things like that would be added to this area. I'd add in a quick service restaurant that Clarabell is the owner of.
Pixar Studios would be where it currently is located, as well as expanding past where Backlot Tour currently is (with it no longer being a real working studio, no need for this ride anymore... especially in its current state). Along with what is currently there, we are going to bring some of
Disneyland's great pixar rides and attractions. I'd bring in Mike and Sully to the Rescue, Mater's Junkyard Jamboree, and a ride similar to Jumpin Jellyfish based on Up. Pizza Planet would need to move over here and I'd add in a table service restaurant that would be Remy's. If we really have the money, I would not hesitate to bring Radiator Springs Racers here, as well, as it is a truly fantastic ride. A kid's play area based on Toy Story would also work well here.
Muppet Studios would be where it currently is and would extend into Streets of America and back through the off stage area. We need a roller coaster based on The Great Gonzo that, like California Screamin' and Rock n Roller Coaster, starts off fast. But you are shooting through a cannon like Gonzo does! Sweedish Chef would get a restaurant and Gonzo and Rizzo would have a pizza and pasta quick service restaurant. A Muppets in Space ride would also be a nice addition.
Lucas Studios would be where Indy and Star Tours currently are and they would certainly be kept. A Cantina restaurant is a must and would be counter service. Maybe we could keep Sci Fi here and give it a slight American Graffiti theme, but I hate to touch the restaurant since I feel it is so perfect. A family ride based on ET and riding a bicycle through the night sky would be a good attraction. Like Peter Pan's flight, you would be suspended from above so it give the illusion that you are flying. With how popular the Indiana Jones ride is at Disneyland, I think it would be a mistake not to bring it here.
So basically, I think that it needs to be more thought out than it currently is. It is also in dire need of better counter service restaurants. If they can address these things, I think it will go a long way in repairing some of the damage done to the park.
No dice. Haven't seen Indiana in ages, altho caught LMA for the first time last year. Jack Sparrow is literally the worst thing to ever be added to a map especially with the pseudonym 'attraction'. Backlot is same old. We usually try to do several animations each trip, they are great. Always love VotLM, its a must to see a live Ariel! We caught Beauty & The Beast this time, LOOVVE the shade thank you very much! And the show was stellar, updated, and Gaston was WAY WAY outta his league! We always try to catch as many rides on ToT and RnRc (which this year was only 1) and normally we get several on TSMM (this year it was 1 with an 80 min wait at 7:20p) and basically it has everything we look for in a park. Thrills, fast, fun, the atmosphere, etc.
To top it off, we splurged on the Brown Derby Fantasmic package for the first time and the meal was so stupendous, the VIP vouchers were almost a joke compared to the value of the meal, which was stellar AND GF also! 
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