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

[lockedoutlogic]

Yup - it's a meaningless rumor. Of COURSE they have idea/concepts sitting in a file that they didn't get to. If SWLand does for Disney what HPLand did for Universal - they could easily want to expand it. However, that is a LONG ways off. (You are talking a decision that wouldn't even be made until 2019 at the earliest - which in terms of businesses might as well be infinitely far away.)

This is exactly where I'm at on this one.

 

[skier_pete]

What I mean by "Star Wars Expansion Phase 2" being meaningless is that (a) of course these plans exist somewhere and (b) the fact they do means nothing in terms of ACTUAL expansion. Because plans for something exist is not any reason at all to get excited. The good news is there is more than enough real stuff to actually get excited about.

Realize this folks: We are looking at more new rides/attractions at WDW in the next 3-4 years (including Frozen in Epcot and Pandora) than we've seen in the previous 15 years.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

Realize this folks: We are looking at more new rides/attractions at WDW in the next 3-4 years (including Frozen in Epcot and Pandora) than we've seen in the previous 15 years.

 

[sachilles]

Realize this folks: We are looking at more new rides/attractions at WDW in the next 3-4 years (including Frozen in Epcot and Pandora) than we've seen in the previous 15 years.

Very true. When I found this community, prior to planning my first trip to WDW since the 1980's much has changed. That is only 3 years time. I still remember the debate as to whether they'd do an expansion in AK, and geez, they are really considering Avatar as the theme.....seriously. That is well underway, Disney Springs is happening. and they are on the verge of starting a new project. They are doing something. Magicbands wasn't really that sexy of an improvement, but new lands/attractions are. I know we(especially this sub forum) are feeling a little bit like Charlie Brown, staring down Lucy holding that football to kick. Things are happening. They won't be done tomorrow, but the amount of progress in the last few years is amazing.
Could things happen faster? Maybe. Truth is corporate life is full of all this snails pace, wishy washy quagmire. Can things still go horribly wrong, yup, but I think things are getting a little better. DHS' improvements may be the bellwether.

About three years ago, I was just coming to the discovery that 20,000 Leagues under the Sea was gone.

 

[soniam]

About three years ago, I was just coming to the discovery that 20,000 Leagues under the Sea was gone.

I was heartbroken when I discovered this on our first family trip Loved that ride. Nemo at DLR can't hold a candle.

 

[skier_pete]

About three years ago, I was just coming to the discovery that 20,000 Leagues under the Sea was gone.

I was heartbroken when I discovered this on our first family trip Loved that ride. Nemo at DLR can't hold a candle.

I think the memory of 20,000 Leagues is better than the actual ride if you could re-ride it today. I loved this ride as a kid. The bubbles foaming past the window as you descended into the depths was just amazing at capturing the ride. Riding the Nemo subs as DLR in 2012 I realized that the effects were actually much less impressive than my memory of them, but even in the diluted form that is the Nemo Subs - it's still a very clever and fun conveyance and could see it capturing a kids imagination even today. Another thing that makes a trek to DLR very worth it for the WDW Disney fan.

Turning this back to this thread - I am really hoping that they can do something clever with the ride vehicles on the Star Wars stuff. The rumored "trackless" ride system on the First Order Escape ride (or whatever it will be called) is part of what I'm really looking forward to.

Actually I am hoping the Alien spinner ride is similarly designed to the Mater's Junkyard Jamboree ride at DCA. The ride mechanism is actually not a "spinner" mechanism, but instead a "whip" mechanism blending with a "spinner", making it more fun and slightly more thrilling. I think that was the hope of what was going to happen with the swaying cars on the 7DMT, but as it turned out, the level of sway is not enough to really be noticable in any meaningful way.

 

[rteetz]

I think the memory of 20,000 Leagues is better than the actual ride if you could re-ride it today. I loved this ride as a kid. The bubbles foaming past the window as you descended into the depths was just amazing at capturing the ride. Riding the Nemo subs as DLR in 2012 I realized that the effects were actually much less impressive than my memory of them, but even in the diluted form that is the Nemo Subs - it's still a very clever and fun conveyance and could see it capturing a kids imagination even today. Another thing that makes a trek to DLR very worth it for the WDW Disney fan.

Turning this back to this thread - I am really hoping that they can do something clever with the ride vehicles on the Star Wars stuff. The rumored "trackless" ride system on the First Order Escape ride (or whatever it will be called) is part of what I'm really looking forward to.

Actually I am hoping the Alien spinner ride is similarly designed to the Mater's Junkyard Jamboree ride at DCA. The ride mechanism is actually not a "spinner" mechanism, but instead a "whip" mechanism blending with a "spinner", making it more fun and slightly more thrilling. I think that was the hope of what was going to happen with the swaying cars on the 7DMT, but as it turned out, the level of sway is not enough to really be noticable in any meaningful way.

I think a lot of that has to do with your age. I remembered coming to WDW when I was like 6 and being amazed at the size of the castle and hings like Tomorrowland speedway. Today the castle is the same size but feels smaller almost and while I still like speedway for what it is, it isn't what is was back then for me at least.

 

[circus4u]

I think a lot of that has to do with your age. I remembered coming to WDW when I was like 6 and being amazed at the size of the castle and hings like Tomorrowland speedway. Today the castle is the same size but feels smaller almost and while I still like speedway for what it is, it isn't what is was back then for me at least.

I went to Disneyland for the first time when I was 22 and thought the castle was huge. Many years later, when WDW opened, living in Tampa, I became used to the castle there. Went back to Disneyland again about 8 years ago and was shocked at how small the castle was. Time is not kind in many ways.

 

[Budshark]

My memory of 20,000 leagues was that of a hot, smelly, cramped boring ride. The whole time you stood in line there went the monorail and you heard the screams from Matterhorn. And there I was waiting to get into a hot tin can with a bunch of smelly sweaty strangers. Of course I was like 12 - but yeah. Not so good memories

 

[zaccaglin]

Driving down world drive today excavators spotted clearing the land for new firework launch site.

 

[Lee Matthews]

I agree that they may already be thinking about a phase 2 for Star Wars.

Personally as much as i love star wars, i want variety from a theme park, so i hope that LMA does become something else Pixar related and also that Indiana Jones gets to keep a presence in the park

 

[PuppyJonathan]

I agree that they may already be thinking about a phase 2 for Star Wars.

Personally as much as i love star wars, i want variety from a theme park, so i hope that LMA does become something else Pixar related and also that Indiana Jones gets to keep a presence in the park

I feel like Indiana Jones got lost in the whole Lucasfilm purchase scuffle. What I mean by that is just that ever since Disney bought Lucasfilm it's almost as if everyone forgot Indy was part of the deal because everyone was so focused on Star Wars. I think I may have saw a picture that said "What about Indy?" during this time as a joke

 

[Eoghann]

I feel like Indiana Jones got lost in the whole Lucasfilm purchase scuffle. What I mean by that is just that ever since Disney bought Lucasfilm it's almost as if everyone forgot Indy was part of the deal because everyone was so focused on Star Wars. I think I may have saw a picture that said "What about Indy?" during this time as a joke

Not really forgotten so much as waiting its turn. They've already said they're doing another movie.

 

[soniam]

I had an idea about the Pizza Plant refurb. It seems that the length of the refurb is too long for just a retheming to Muppets, and we believe that it will still be a pizza joint. So, what if they are expanding the kitchen to build a connected Star Wars eatery. I can't remember if SW Land is supposed to go behind Star Tours at all, which is the area behind Pizza Planet. How long was LTT closed to expand the kitchen for Skipper Canteen? I remember it was a while. Plus, Skipper Canteen already existed as a structure connected to LTT; whereas, there is no building behind Pizza Planet.

 

[rteetz]

I had an idea about the Pizza Plant refurb. It seems that the length of the refurb is too long for just a retheming to Muppets, and we believe that it will still be a pizza joint. So, what if they are expanding the kitchen to build a connected Star Wars eatery. I can't remember if SW Land is supposed to go behind Star Tours at all, which is the area behind Pizza Planet. How long was LTT closed to expand the kitchen for Skipper Canteen? I remember it was a while. Plus, Skipper Canteen already existed as a structure connected to LTT; whereas, there is no building behind Pizza Planet.

I thought most people believed it was too long for just a pizza planet refurb which gave validity to the muppets retheme. There without a doubt will be kitchen work and yes it's supposed to stay pizza. I don't see this being Star Wars at all, with muppet vision right there. Mama melrose is supposed to get a refurb after pizza planet. The LTT refurb wasn't as long as this. Mama melrose is connected to pizza planet they don't share a Kitchen I don't think though.

 

[soniam]

I thought most people believed it was too long for just a pizza planet refurb which gave validity to the muppets retheme. There without a doubt will be kitchen work and yes it's supposed to stay pizza. I don't see this being Star Wars at all, with muppet vision right there. Mama melrose is supposed to get a refurb after pizza planet. The LTT refurb wasn't as long as this. Mama melrose is connected to pizza planet they don't share a Kitchen I don't think though.

I don't think Pizza Planet will become Star Wars themed. I think they may build a completely new Star Wars eatery that has a separate eating area and entrance but shares a kitchen with Pizza Planet. Kind of like how LTT and Skipper Canteen are separate restaurants but share a kitchen and have entrances that are far apart from each other, actually on the back sides of each other. So, if they are doing major kitchen work and retheming the restaurant, I could see it taking so long. I just don't think a pure retheme would take as long as is scheduled.

 

[rteetz]

I don't think Pizza Planet will become Star Wars themed. I think they may build a completely new Star Wars eatery that has a separate eating area and entrance but shares a kitchen with Pizza Planet. Kind of like how LTT and Skipper Canteen are separate restaurants but share a kitchen and have entrances that are far apart from each other, actually on the back sides of each other. So, if they are doing major kitchen work and retheming the restaurant, I could see it taking so long. I just don't think a pure retheme would take as long as is scheduled.

That's possible but I'm not so sure unless it's more of a temporary option before Star Wars opens.

 

[zaccaglin]

I thought most people believed it was too long for just a pizza planet refurb which gave validity to the muppets retheme. There without a doubt will be kitchen work and yes it's supposed to stay pizza. I don't see this being Star Wars at all, with muppet vision right there. Mama melrose is supposed to get a refurb after pizza planet. The LTT refurb wasn't as long as this. Mama melrose is connected to pizza planet they don't share a Kitchen I don't think though.

Pizza planet, mama melroes, and a production bakery are all located in the same building with connected kitchens. They share a central dish room and prep areas. There is also a test kitchen in that same setup where the studios lead chefs can try new recipes with equipment they may not have access to in there restaurant.

 

[Planogirl]

Very true. When I found this community, prior to planning my first trip to WDW since the 1980's much has changed. That is only 3 years time. I still remember the debate as to whether they'd do an expansion in AK, and geez, they are really considering Avatar as the theme.....seriously. That is well underway, Disney Springs is happening. and they are on the verge of starting a new project. They are doing something. Magicbands wasn't really that sexy of an improvement, but new lands/attractions are. I know we(especially this sub forum) are feeling a little bit like Charlie Brown, staring down Lucy holding that football to kick. Things are happening. They won't be done tomorrow, but the amount of progress in the last few years is amazing.
Could things happen faster? Maybe. Truth is corporate life is full of all this snails pace, wishy washy quagmire. Can things still go horribly wrong, yup, but I think things are getting a little better. DHS' improvements may be the bellwether.

About three years ago, I was just coming to the discovery that 20,000 Leagues under the Sea was gone.

I love the Charlie Brown analogy. I just hope that Lucy (Disney) doesn't yank that football away.

But it's true that things are happening. We don't know much yet (except for Disney Springs) but we know enough to believe that changes are coming big time and that's good. I am impressed with what Disney Springs is turning into and that while I still miss Pleasure Island.

 

[rteetz]

Pizza planet, mama melroes, and a production bakery are all located in the same building with connected kitchens. They share a central dish room and prep areas. There is also a test kitchen in that same setup where the studios lead chefs can try new recipes with equipment they may not have access to in there restaurant.

Thanks. I knew they were connected but didn't know if they shared kitchens.