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

[rteetz]

Whether you liked those aspects of the park, that is a significant amount of real estate to close down. The experience at DHS will be less for many years.

At least the Toy Story additions are less intrusive. There is still no excuse for closing the Animation Academy though.

Star Wars is a big excuse for closing it. I had never seen that place so busy when I was there in January.

 

[Budshark]

They will make decisions that line up for long term success. The fact they might do phase III or have blue sky concept for phase III means they won't move Star Wars into that just cuz it's easier. That would be penny wise and pound foolish.

 

[bcrook]

It's been said that plans are in flux right now and changing. They haven't broke ground yet so things very well could've changed. I've just been reporting what I've seen/heard.

It's just very hard to believe that the idea of all that yellow in that map would be a "staging area". Disneyland has clearly shown where their StarWars Land is going and they don't have 18 acres of staging ground to use.

 

[bcrook]

Star Wars is a big excuse for closing it. I had never seen that place so busy when I was there in January.

I've never been to the animation academy when it wasn't full. It was always a struggle to get a seat. We have spent most of day in there many times, leaving the drawing room and rushing around to get a space for the next one. It was very popular, and could have been saved.

 

[bcrook]

They will make decisions that line up for long term success. The fact they might do phase III or have blue sky concept for phase III means they won't move Star Wars into that just cuz it's easier. That would be penny wise and pound foolish.

I'm not sure you have been paying attention. I think "penny wise and pound foolish" has been in effect for quite a while.

 

[Budshark]

I'm not sure you have been paying attention. I think "penny wise and pound foolish" has been in effect for quite a while.

Not really. I think building a land in a different place for no reason other than not clearing land and using a parking lot they already got permits to do because they temporarily might have put another expansion on hold?

DHS has two simultaneous lands being built. The area you are describing is between the two and will have a nice access road. Seems pretty logical to me.

 

[rteetz]

It's just very hard to believe that the idea of all that yellow in that map would be a "staging area". Disneyland has clearly shown where their StarWars Land is going and they don't have 18 acres of staging ground to use.

I have never said the entire area would be staging. However some of it will be. The access road right where the canyon was.

 

[rteetz]

I've never been to the animation academy when it wasn't full. It was always a struggle to get a seat. We have spent most of day in there many times, leaving the drawing room and rushing around to get a space for the next one. It was very popular, and could have been saved.

And Star Wars is just as popular if not more.

 

[Eoghann]

It's just very hard to believe that the idea of all that yellow in that map would be a "staging area". Disneyland has clearly shown where their StarWars Land is going and they don't have 18 acres of staging ground to use.

Well strictly speaking I suppose we should say "staging and access" because they need an easy route to get to both the location of Star Wars and Toy story. The LMA area gives them both.

I think it's pretty clear at this that more than one plan has been proposed. This question is, which will they go with?

 

[rteetz]

And the Canyon has fallen!

https://twitter.com/centralflsas/status/706191268188176384

 

[Phicinfan]

Just spit balling here...but some things just came to me...
First it was reported at WDWMagic that Parking garages would be involved, and they would be the first items to be built.

So would DHS take away parking...even from employees(is that there area..dunno) before those structures are in place?

could it be some of LMA, but not all, would be used to start SWL, then expand out once the Garages are built? Just a thought.

 

[rteetz]

Just spit balling here...but some things just came to me...
First it was reported at WDWMagic that Parking garages would be involved, and they would be the first items to be built.

So would DHS take away parking...even from employees(is that there area..dunno) before those structures are in place?

could it be some of LMA, but not all, would be used to start SWL, then expand out once the Garages are built? Just a thought.

There was an employee garage in the back but supposedly they are getting a new park structure or something. Both garages are supposed to be done before Star Wars but at least one done by toy story.

 

[ColoradoDreamin]

I still believe LMA is staging. Most reliable sources have seemed to say that and just random people spitting out ideas seem to say otherwise. But they are keeping it close to the best. I personally believe that people think it's in flux only because people keep coming up with new rumors. For all we really know Disney may be keeping the same plan from day 1 with obvious flexibility. I have seen no reliable sources that shows Disney has a change of mind. But I do believe that if Disney does rush Star Wars and/or used LMA for Star Wars, that we may not see phases 3 or 4 for a long time if at all. I think their plan for using LMA for staging ensures a stage 3, but if they do put Star Wars there, then financially it will cost a lot more for phase 3 then if LMA area after phase 1 and 2 are done would be primed for either a phase 3 or 4 (land much more prepared). I do fear this is what will happen, thus is losing out overall

 

[bcrook]

But I do believe that if Disney does rush Star Wars and/or used LMA for Star Wars, that we may not see phases 3 or 4 for a long time if at all. I think their plan for using LMA for staging ensures a stage 3, but if they do put Star Wars there, then financially it will cost a lot more for phase 3 then if LMA area after phase 1 and 2 are done would be primed for either a phase 3 or 4 (land much more prepared). I do fear this is what will happen, thus is losing out overall

I think you are right about not seeing phase 3, if Star Wars goes into the Backlot Area.
But why would it be any more expensive to build Phase 3 in Indy Jones area and expand into the parking lot, than building Star Wars Land there?

It seems to me that Star Wars Land would fit nicely in the Backlot area (SoA/LMA) right now. Then an expansion around Indiana Jones with an Indy Ride would be a natural route to go later.

But "Phase 4" looks like a no brainer to me. It is over in an underutilized area, that could be developed into something small.

Sometimes the most simple answer is best. DL is scheduled to start building in April, I would expect that DHS Star Wars won't be far behind. The Toy Story overlay looks pretty minor and it is in a self contained space. The roller coaster looks like it is just a coaster with no elaborate mountain or additional structures. The Swings are simple. Most theme parks could whip that together in less than a year. I don't think Toy Story Land will put much of a crimp in the Star Wars Plan. Although the Pandora fiasco is not encouraging.

 

[bcrook]

From the WDWInfo Shareholder report meeting with Iger:

"The Walt Disney Company held a shareholders meeting on Thursday, March 3. During the meeting, Bob Iger announced that Star Wars Lands in both Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resort will break ground next month. While some details of the Star Wars plans had already been announced, this meeting was the first time an official date for the beginning of construction was released. It is still unknown when either of the Star Wars Lands will be completed. Disney’s Hollywood Studios has already undergone some demolition in order to make room for the upcoming Star Wars Land. In particular, the Studio Backlot Tour, which closed in late 2014, is currently being deconstructed to make way for the Star Wars expansion. Disneyland closed Big Thunder Ranch in January 2016, which will be the home of Disneyland’s Star Wars Land."

I know "expansion" could mean staging area, but...

 

[bcrook]

Doesn't this expansion require more employees?

Not as many employees as if were a true expansion. But since, they are closing significant areas in the park, they are simply moving a large number of employees to the new lands. If they don't build into the parking lot, then I would call it a 14 acre repurposing.

 

[PuppyJonathan]

So wait, MGM's main parking lot is becoming a parking garage?

 

[Eoghann]

So wait, MGM's main parking lot is becoming a parking garage?

That is one of the rumors. One of the plans for Star Wars land had it expanding out into the parking lot and with, presumably, a lot of extra guests visiting to see the new land they would need to increase the parking considerably.

 

[bcrook]

So wait, MGM's main parking lot is becoming a parking garage?

And they are creating a shuttle system like at Orlando airport with automatic loading. You enter the shuttle, the windows are screens. As you take off, you make preparations to jump to light speed. The next thing you know you are disembarking outside of Star Wars with the theme music playing and Stormtroopers guarding the entrance.

Just kidding.

But it would be cool. Except nobody would ever take the busses.

 

[bcrook]

That is one of the rumors. One of the plans for Star Wars land had it expanding out into the parking lot and with, presumably, a lot of extra guests visiting to see the new land they would need to increase the parking considerably.

Regardless of where Star Wars goes. There will be a LOT more visitors. I'm thinking this will be a pretty good draw.

They are going to need more parking. Heck, the Frozen fireworks tapped the system last summer. This will be much bigger than that.