DHS Construction update thread (Read Post 1) Updated 8/21/19

[Planogirl]

Any rumors on what will happen with Pizza Planet? I'd love to see this place completely changed into Muppets restaurant. It would be great if a GOOD Pizza Planet was opened in the Toy Story area.

 

[Eoghann]

It's been confirmed it will stay as a pizza place. But, apparently there's a permit that mentions Muppets...

I'm going to guess we probably don't get Pizza Planet in Toy Story Land because we're supposed to be toy sized in that land so it would mess with the theme.

 

[Planogirl]

It's been confirmed it will stay as a pizza place. But, apparently there's a permit that mentions Muppets...

I'm going to guess we probably don't get Pizza Planet in Toy Story Land because we're supposed to be toy sized in that land so it would mess with the theme.

Pizza Planet on the other side of the park seems odd though. Eh, we'll see.

 

[Eoghann]

Pizza Planet on the other side of the park seems odd though. Eh, we'll see.

Yeah at the very least I think we can assume a name change. I'm hopping the Muppets thing comes to something. A Muppets themed quick serve pizza place would look cool... though they'd need to do something about the actual pizza...

 

[OKW Lover]

Yeah at the very least I think we can assume a name change. I'm hopping the Muppets thing comes to something. A Muppets themed quick serve pizza place would look cool... though they'd need to do something about the actual pizza...

I agree with you on this. However I'm not getting my hopes up. I really think the reference to Muppets above just refers to the internal Disney name of that building.

 

[HopperFan]

I will say that having a Pizza Planet not in Toy Story Land is just plain stupid. Having two "pizza" joints in DHS is just as stupid. If you are going to the trouble of renovation a restaurant to a whole new theme then change the menu to offer something different. Particularly since the previous tenant had a reputation of poor food quality. We won't know what food is offered, until it is offered. I haven't seen any Disney confirmation they are keeping it "pizza". Hope not.

Since the permit is for the entire building, Mama Melrose, Christmas Store and Pizza Planet ..... and the permit goes until November 30, 2017 and they are calling it MUPPET "B" Complex ... could we be looking at a full Muppet theme in both restaurants? Maybe PP overhaul first and then shut down MM and do it.

 

[rteetz]

I agree with you on this. However I'm not getting my hopes up. I really think the reference to Muppets above just refers to the internal Disney name of that building.

I can't see them closing for 11 months and not changing the theme tho. That is a long time for it to stay the same.

 

[rteetz]

Since the permit is for the entire building, Mama Melrose, Christmas Store and Pizza Planet ..... and the permit goes until November 30, 2017 and they are calling it MUPPET "B" Complex ... could we be looking at a full Muppet theme in both restaurants? Maybe PP overhaul first and then shut down MM and do it.

That is exactly the speculation happening. Many believe pizza planet changes themes and opens first then Mama melrose goes to refurb for whatever that will get.

 

[HopperFan]

I agree with you on this. However I'm not getting my hopes up. I really think the reference to Muppets above just refers to the internal Disney name of that building.

But why would it be the internal name for that building when it's not Muppets and never has been Muppets?

 

[rteetz]

But why would it be the internal name for that building when it's not Muppets and never has been Muppets?

Well there were plans for more muppets originally. there are buildings or addresses that come up with different names than what is sitting there. They don't change the name every time something is built.

 

[umichigan10]

Disney would never just let anything rot now.... River country.. Discovery/Treasure island.

Those things exist in virtually useless places for development where as the canyon exists in what I'd assume is an expansion pad. Then again the sub lagoon existed for long after the rides closure until its demise

 

[umichigan10]

Reports are always hit or miss...

Like Tony's -ironically - which is generally horrid but I've occasionally had an ok experience when we've ventured there...which is rare and usually out of boredom.

Nothing worse than bad, mass produced Italian

Tony's IMO is the most underwhelming experience on property. Never had an issue with Mamma M's but it's been a while.

Outside of Hollywood and vine which is character and brown derby there's not many dining options in dhs that pop even though sci-fi is ok. Hopefully some of these expansions/repurposes address that

 

[skier_pete]

Outside of Hollywood and vine which is character and brown derby there's not many dining options in dhs that pop even though sci-fi is ok. Hopefully some of these expansions/repurposes address that

And Hollywood and Vine is just plain awful, even for Character Buffet food. Sci-Fi is pretty average food, but a fun experience. In general the sit-down options in DHS leave a lot to be desired.

Actually - it would be fantastic if they made a Muppets TS restaurant where the characters had some degree of interaction with the audience. I am thinking of something similar to a combination of Remy at Chefs De France and the Animators Pallet on the new ships, where you had animatronic muppets that would walk by "windows" in the restaurant, or that you would see shadows of in the "kitchen". Could be a lot of fun.

Unfortunately, I have little hope for what Disney has in store for the Muppets - The TV show is as I feared on the edge of being a flop. (Not that it's not good, but the ratings keep heading downhill.) The last movie didn't do well either. Disney may not kill them - but I just don't see them sinking a lot into the park for them.

 

[101disneyfan]

But why would it be the internal name for that building when it's not Muppets and never has been Muppets?

Because the buildings were always supposed to be Muppets. They were already beginning the construction IIRC before the Disney/Henson merger fell through following Jim's passing.

 

[rteetz]

Those things exist in virtually useless places for development where as the canyon exists in what I'd assume is an expansion pad. Then again the sub lagoon existed for long after the rides closure until its demise

River country land could be developed and has been looked into. I would agree that Discovery Island isn't going to be developed.

 

[rteetz]

Tony's IMO is the most underwhelming experience on property. Never had an issue with Mamma M's but it's been a while.

Outside of Hollywood and vine which is character and brown derby there's not many dining options in dhs that pop even though sci-fi is ok. Hopefully some of these expansions/repurposes address that

50s Prime Time is my favorite. I have never done Brown Derby tho and Hollywood and Vine is not always talked about very well.

 

[OKW Lover]

Because the buildings were always supposed to be Muppets. They were already beginning the construction IIRC before the Disney/Henson merger fell through following Jim's passing.

This. You only need to stand by the fountain in front of Muppetvision 3D and look around to see that the whole area has a similar theming. In fact, Pizza Planet seems to be the odd one there.

 

[rteetz]

This. You only need to stand by the fountain in front of Muppetvision 3D and look around to see that the whole area has a similar theming. In fact, Pizza Planet seems to be the odd one there.

Which is exactly why I think they are finally changing the theme.

 

[HopperFan]

I think we all get that the construction was built to match the rendering of "muppet land" and that it works. The buildings will also work for a wide range of other properties. It wasn't so long ago there were Teenage Mutant Turtles wandering about and it worked. Disney had some ideas and it all fell apart. They could either leave a big hole there or go ahead and just build the buildings, then figure out what to do with them because they were generic. They went with building and band-aids.

Jim Henson's last film project was MuppetVision so he clearly was part of all discussions, idea and renderings. But he never saw Muppetvision open. He died a full year before it opened - as did any plans for Muppet "land". It was a LONG road before Disney had any control of Muppets - and I kudo the Hensons for taking their time.

Mama Melrose opened at Studio Pizzaria before they changed the name. Pizza Planet was Rocketeer Gallery, Studio Showcase, then Studio Arcade before becoming Pizza. No Muppets were ever in those buildings. They've had over a decade they could have finally done the right thing.

As far as keeping old names on maps (particularly for things that never came to be), anything is possible so I would never say no ............ as always everything here is just opinion until proven otherwise ........ but it would not be consistent with Disney permitting of their survey maps. When a building, attraction etc changes names so does the mapping. The exception here could be that this is for the whole building .... the exterior.

Given that this might be an overall building permit and not specific to what is inside the building, maybe it's just an exterior change, in which case that is not a good sign for Muppets. They've hired an architect firm that does big projects, almost too big for a Muppet overlay. The permit is also almost 2 years long .... for a change in themed decor?

Hopefully they see this as an opportunity to create a well loved property in a mini land that has the ability to absorb bodies. But until Disney says so .... and follows through.... it's at risk of being absorbed by the bigger revenue property.

 

[rteetz]

I think we all get that the construction was built to match the rendering of "muppet land" and that it works. The buildings will also work for a wide range of other properties. It wasn't so long ago there were Teenage Mutant Turtles wandering about and it worked. Disney had some ideas and it all fell apart. They could either leave a big hole there or go ahead and just build the buildings, then figure out what to do with them because they were generic. They went with building and band-aids.

Jim Henson's last film project was MuppetVision so he clearly was part of all discussions, idea and renderings. But he never saw Muppetvision open. He died a full year before it opened - as did any plans for Muppet "land". It was a LONG road before Disney had any control of Muppets - and I kudo the Hensons for taking their time.

Mama Melrose opened at Studio Pizzaria before they changed the name. Pizza Planet was Rocketeer Gallery, Studio Showcase, then Studio Arcade before becoming Pizza. No Muppets were ever in those buildings. They've had over a decade they could have finally done the right thing.

As far as keeping old names on maps (particularly for things that never came to be), anything is possible so I would never say no ............ as always everything here is just opinion until proven otherwise ........ but it would not be consistent with Disney permitting of their survey maps. When a building, attraction etc changes names so does the mapping. The exception here could be that this is for the whole building .... the exterior.

Given that this might be an overall building permit and not specific to what is inside the building, maybe it's just an exterior change, in which case that is not a good sign for Muppets. They've hired an architect firm that does big projects, almost too big for a Muppet overlay. The permit is also almost 2 years long .... for a change in themed decor?

Hopefully they see this as an opportunity to create a well loved property in a mini land that has the ability to absorb bodies. But until Disney says so .... and follows through.... it's at risk of being absorbed by the bigger revenue property.

It's been said that this location does stay a pizza place but I think it is also safe to assume that the theme will change with an 11 month closure. If it doesn't I will be very surprised. It is also apparent that the permit is for the entire complex including mama Melrose as it doesn't expire until November 2017. Mama Melrose has been said to get a rework even before this permit came out. This is all making sense the way it is shaping out.