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

[rteetz]

Didn't read the whole thread, so forgive me if this was talked about -- but are they actually removing the whole New York section? Seems like they are taking out a lot to put in Star Wars and Toy Story Land. It seems to be going away from the theme of a movie studio lot and entering just on the two large new parks !?! Wonder if they will also get rid of the street performers?

The whole New York section is supposed to be removed. They actually already have gotten rid of some of the performers already. The new theme of the park is putting you in the movies rather than going behind the scenes.

 

[RedSox68]

The whole New York section is supposed to be removed. They actually already have gotten rid of some of the performers already. The new theme of the park is putting you in the movies rather than going behind the scenes.

Bummer

 

[Josh Hendy]

The whole New York section supposed to be removed. They actually already have gotten rid of some of the performers already. The new theme of the park is putting you in the movies rather than going behind the scenes.

They could put you in a movie about New York ... or Monstropolis or whatever. But I understand why they're scraping the park down to the bare earth in a rush to cover off Star Wars.

 

[rteetz]

They could put you in a movie about New York ... or Monstropolis or whatever. But I understand why they're scraping the park down to the bare earth in a rush to cover off Star Wars.

Monstropolis was in early plans

 

[rteetz]

Some awesome pics of the area where the Earffel tower once stood. Some buildings have been demolished in that area. Rumor is work on LMA will begin in a week or two.

https://mobile.twitter.com/mickeyxtreme/status/727228639536803840

 

[zaccaglin]

Some awesome pics of the area where the Earffel tower once stood. Some buildings have been demolished in that area. Rumor is work on LMA will begin in a week or two.

https://mobile.twitter.com/mickeyxtreme/status/727228639536803840

Absolutely amazing, makes me mis what used to be my old home. When they would have us park in the garage on weekends I would park on the top, and would spend my lunches there. Nothing like watching the backlot trams pass WDI, then make the turn around the war planes into Creative Costuming. I'm a bit saddened by seeing this, next time I'm out there I'll have to make a slow remembrance walk in the still approved areas on my break.

 

[zaccaglin]

The whole New York section is supposed to be removed. They actually already have gotten rid of some of the performers already. The new theme of the park is putting you in the movies rather than going behind the scenes.

One of the twenty year veterans on the Citizens of Hollywood crew has been transfered into my department. Got to talk with him a few nights back, many great stories. Especially of performing for the backlot tour, overall a great guy and a sad loss to DHS Entertainment.

 

[skier_pete]

Some awesome pics of the area where the Earffel tower once stood. Some buildings have been demolished in that area. Rumor is work on LMA will begin in a week or two.

https://mobile.twitter.com/mickeyxtreme/status/727228639536803840

I continue to be impressed by the rate of demolition. Disney does things sooooo slowly most of the time. (See the 5+ year project that is Disney Springs.) Looks to me like one large building still to go - the costuming building? - and then start work on in park stuff like LMA. I expect to start seeing construction work on TSL in the next few months.

 

[RedSox68]

I'm going to get zapped for this -- but while I know Star Wars is a big franchise, making the whole park over to accommodate a huge section just for that makes me wonder how profitable that will be in the future. I personally, at work and among my friends and family, don't know anyone who even cares about Star Wars, the movies or the merchandise. I love the original 3, but don't care about any of the movies made since.

I just wonder what the Imagineers are thinking -- between tearing up Animal Kingdom for another movie that no one cares about anymore, and now tearing up HS and taking out some great stuff to put in Stars Wars makes one wonder if they are still over-reacting to Universal getting Harry Potter Time will tell

 

[skier_pete]

I just wonder what the Imagineers are thinking -- between tearing up Animal Kingdom for another movie that no one cares about anymore, and now tearing up HS and taking out some great stuff to put in Stars Wars makes one wonder if they are still over-reacting to Universal getting Harry Potter Time will tell

What exactly are they tearing up that's great? The backlot tour? Lights, Motor, Action? The streets of America? The HISTK playground? Nothing leaving DHS is really of any consequence. And to say "No one likes Star Wars because I don't like Star Wars" is way more short-sighted than anything Disney is doing. If you ignore the adults that are into it - which led to the movie being the biggest domestic grosser ever - I can tell you we have friends with kids between ages 5 and 13 and ALL of them are into Star Wars. Our local AAA ballpark does a Star Wars night every summer. It's the only game that sells out well in advance - 20,000 seats - and it's just a bunch of Cosplayers that dress up as the characters and act out a little on-screen video story during inning breaks and then end with a "battle" - but those kids LOVE it. And that was going on long before Harry Potter.

And the numbers are out there - Star Wars value is at least TWICE the value of Harry Potter right now - revenue wise. Estimates are merchandising from the Force Awakens alone are $5 billion in 12 month window. Harry Potter's TOTAL merchandising revenue is $7 billion - and that's ever.

Same thing at DAK - they took out some meet and greets and the Lion King show from Camp Minnie Mickey and moved them elsewhere. Nothing has been removed from that park. Only additions. So what if no one cares about Avatar (even though they are making what seems like 28 sequels). I'll grant you it's not a great IP yet - but I'll continue to argue you can think the Avatar movie is a pile of poo but if they make great rides/experiences from it, who cares? Does everyone love Splash Mountain because of Song of the South? Is Tower of Terror fantastic because you adore the Twilight Zone?

 

[Founders Fan]

I'm going to get zapped for this -- but while I know Star Wars is a big franchise, making the whole park over to accommodate a huge section just for that makes me wonder how profitable that will be in the future. I personally, at work and among my friends and family, don't know anyone who even cares about Star Wars, the movies or the merchandise. I love the original 3, but don't care about any of the movies made since.

I just wonder what the Imagineers are thinking -- between tearing up Animal Kingdom for another movie that no one cares about anymore, and now tearing up HS and taking out some great stuff to put in Stars Wars makes one wonder if they are still over-reacting to Universal getting Harry Potter Time will tell

In fairness, I'm not exactly sure that the backlot tour or streets of America were bringing in huge crowds (except for the Osborne lights). I get the nostalgia for these areas, but what we're getting in return looks to be really good and will definitely draw more crowds than what it is replacing.

 

[RedSox68]

In fairness, I'm not exactly sure that the backlot tour or streets of America were bringing in huge crowds (except for the Osborne lights). I get the nostalgia for these areas, but what we're getting in return looks to be really good and will definitely draw more crowds than what it is replacing.

Calm down, skier_pete. I knew my comments would catch fire, but I wasn't trying to make my opinion the only view. I was just curious what other's thought. I know that everyone I talk to who takes two trips a year down there were really torn up about losing the Osbourne lights for one. But everyone has their opinions.

I'm not being short-sighted in what I stated -- I'm telling you that all my co-workers and friends who travel to Disney more than once year have zero interest in anything Star Wars -- and they are all age groups. Oh well, Disney will be fine and we all know that, but some of us will miss some of what they are throwing away. It's just a nostalgic view and I'm sure they are doing this for the next generation of Disneyites.

 

[rteetz]

I'm going to get zapped for this -- but while I know Star Wars is a big franchise, making the whole park over to accommodate a huge section just for that makes me wonder how profitable that will be in the future. I personally, at work and among my friends and family, don't know anyone who even cares about Star Wars, the movies or the merchandise. I love the original 3, but don't care about any of the movies made since.

I just wonder what the Imagineers are thinking -- between tearing up Animal Kingdom for another movie that no one cares about anymore, and now tearing up HS and taking out some great stuff to put in Stars Wars makes one wonder if they are still over-reacting to Universal getting Harry Potter Time will tell

Star Wars is a huge draw. Just launch bay and the fireworks are keeping people at DHS right now. The imagineers don't have a day they are just told what to do. Management said hey build an avatar land do they did. Management said hey build a Star Wars land so they did. If no one cared about avatar it wouldn't have the highest grossing movie of all time either. I am a big believer that avatar will be one of the greatest theme park area ever built.

 

[RedSox68]

Star Wars is a huge draw. Just launch bay and the fireworks are keeping people at DHS right now. The imagineers don't have a day they are just told what to do. Management said hey build an avatar land do they did. Management said hey build a Star Wars land so they did. If no one cared about avatar it wouldn't have the highest grossing movie of all time either. I am a big believer that avatar will be one of the greatest theme park area ever built.

Yes, it was -- in 2009. We loved the movie and saw it three times in theaters. But by the time the park actually opens next year it will be almost 10 years old and there is a whole new generation who don't know what it is. And the way Cameron keeps delaying the opening of the sequels, it could be another couple of years before the new films comes out. Unlike Star Wars, which has stayed in the forefront over the past decades with animated shows, books, merchandise and updates, Avatar has fallen off the radar of interest (for most).

But knowing Disney, I'm sure movie related or not, the park will be beautiful and spectacular and draw a crowd of interest for sure. My family and I are looking forward to seeing if they have Na'vi characters -- who are 9 feet tall. If they can pull that off without it looking like some guy on stilts, we will be very impressed LOL

As for Hollywood Studios, I hope with all this new development and change, they also rename it as it will certainly no longer represent "old Hollywood" as it was originally intended when it was MGM.

 

[rteetz]

Yes, it was -- in 2009. We loved the movie and saw it three times in theaters. But by the time the park actually opens next year it will be almost 10 years old and there is a whole new generation who don't know what it is. And the way Cameron keeps delaying the opening of the sequels, it could be another couple of years before the new films comes out. Unlike Star Wars, which has stayed in the forefront over the past decades with animated shows, books, merchandise and updates, Avatar has fallen off the radar of interest (for most).

But knowing Disney, I'm sure movie related or not, the park will be beautiful and spectacular and draw a crowd of interest for sure. My family and I are looking forward to seeing if they have Na'vi characters -- who are 9 feet tall. If they can pull that off without it looking like some guy on stilts, we will be very impressed LOL

As for Hollywood Studios, I hope with all this new development and change, they also rename it as it will certainly no longer represent "old Hollywood" as it was originally intended when it was MGM.

They have said a name change is coming and they are going with the theme of putting you inside the movies rather than going behind the scenes of movies.

 

[RedSox68]

They have said a name change is coming and they are going with the theme of putting you inside the movies rather than going behind the scenes of movies.

Got it. Thanks. Curious to see what they name it. Maybe it will be Star Wars themed as that's what the park is revolving around.

On that note, here is an article about all the new stuff at WDW not to miss and a lot of it looks very interesting and fun -- especially the new evening rides at AK and all the new things at Disney Springs: http://www.msn.com/en-us/travel/tripideas/20-new-things-to-do-at-walt-disney-world/ss-BBsr2yv

 

[rteetz]

Got it. Thanks. Curious to see what they name it. Maybe it will be Star Wars themed as that's what the park is revolving around.

On that note, here is an article about all the new stuff at WDW not to miss and a lot of it looks very interesting and fun -- especially the new evening rides at AK and all the new things at Disney Springs: http://www.msn.com/en-us/travel/tripideas/20-new-things-to-do-at-walt-disney-world/ss-BBsr2yv

It can't be Star Wars themed as they are building toy story land. There are even more changes to this park coming as well.

 

[ColoradoDreamin]

Calm down, skier_pete. I knew my comments would catch fire, but I wasn't trying to make my opinion the only view. I was just curious what other's thought. I know that everyone I talk to who takes two trips a year down there were really torn up about losing the Osbourne lights for one. But everyone has their opinions.

I'm not being short-sighted in what I stated -- I'm telling you that all my co-workers and friends who travel to Disney more than once year have zero interest in anything Star Wars -- and they are all age groups. Oh well, Disney will be fine and we all know that, but some of us will miss some of what they are throwing away. It's just a nostalgic view and I'm sure they are doing this for the next generation of Disneyites.

All one can say is "wow". It doesn't even deserve anything more than that. Ok...that's not all I can say (ha) Not only the biggest money maker in movies and merchandise, but if you look across the Disney forums it is one of the most talked about things to come at Disney (and there is few that speak negative). In fact, I have to say you are the first person I have ever seen say that they can't see how it is beneficial to Disney. Some will say they don't enjoy star wars, but understand the reasons. You really don't see it? You can't understand where this is a gold mine?

One might be able to argue Avatar, but I think that is a bit short sighted as well. Even if we forget how popular the movies were, we can just remember why they were so popular -- it is the exact reason an area in a theme park can last. Immersing you in a land. Avatar hits that extremely well. While a movie series like Marvel is going to always have a bigger following (and sell more merchandise..which is great for Disney) it is a lot harder sell in a theme park than an IP like Avatar. Avatar is unique (the environment) and that's what made the movie popular. Not the story, and the story won't be what makes the area popular.

Death becomes me for saying this - but when you look at what Pandora is looking like, I think you can see exactly why the powers that be saw it fitting into Animal Kingdom so well. There will always be people that don't like this area like they don't like most of Animal Kingdom. But the immersion is incredible.

 

[RedSox68]

All one can say is "wow". It doesn't even deserve anything more than that. Ok...that's not all I can say (ha) Not only the biggest money maker in movies and merchandise, but if you look across the Disney forums it is one of the most talked about things to come at Disney (and there is few that speak negative). In fact, I have to say you are the first person I have ever seen say that they can't see how it is beneficial to Disney. Some will say they don't enjoy star wars, but understand the reasons. You really don't see it? You can't understand where this is a gold mine?

One might be able to argue Avatar, but I think that is a bit short sighted as well. Even if we forget how popular the movies were, we can just remember why they were so popular -- it is the exact reason an area in a theme park can last. Immersing you in a land. Avatar hits that extremely well. While a movie series like Marvel is going to always have a bigger following (and sell more merchandise..which is great for Disney) it is a lot harder sell in a theme park than an IP like Avatar. Avatar is unique (the environment) and that's what made the movie popular. Not the story, and the story won't be what makes the area popular.

Death becomes me for saying this - but when you look at what Pandora is looking like, I think you can see exactly why the powers that be saw it fitting into Animal Kingdom so well. There will always be people that don't like this area like they don't like most of Animal Kingdom. But the immersion is incredible.

Oh my, just as I expected that the backlash would be flaming and unreasonable. I never commented it would not be a gold mine for Disney -- it was just some opinions I had and those of others I know. They will make tons from both the fans and the curious. Sometimes on these boards an opinion can't just be an opinion or a question of curiosity.

Enough has been said and I think it's time to move on. Thanks anyway.

 

[Lee Matthews]

I think with Pandora it will be an awesome addition to Animal Kingdom and the theming fits in perfectly despite me not really being a fan of the movie. I think i would actually be less interested if it was going in Hollywood Studios for example. Animal Kingdom is just perfect and any additions are better than no additions.

More excited for Star Wars land above anything else myself.

I think they're going to struggle with a name for Hollywood Studios though