DHS rumors: good or bad for the future?

[Snakes in a boot]

I've been reading a lot of the discussion on Hollywood Studios rumors or changes that could be coming in the near future, and it got me thinking. First, I'd like to preface this by saying I am definitely a big Star Wars fan, and would love to see more attractions now that the Disney company has control of the franchise. I also think adding more Pixar themed rides would be great as well. But I feel as if I may be a purist in the sense that I would rather see different things happen. I wish there was more of an emphasis on rides like The Great Movie Ride and the Backlot Studio Tour. To me, those rides embody the true meaning and feel of the park, and it's original intentions. Adding themed lands like Star Wars and Pixar to me seems to make the park even more of a thrown together mess of attractions than.

I was also recently going through YouTube videos and saw this one: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OBTsFHtJtg8 . It's an early documentary on what was then called the MGM studios. The video really shows the emphasis that the early years of the park had on the Hollywood/film industry. Does anyone else think Disney has lost touch with what this park was intended to be and is now just throwing whatever they can there to get people to come? Don't get me wrong, I understand the business aspect of it. The put Frozen Summer Fun there to get more people to come. I get that. I just wish that instead of hearing about rumors of new themed lands, that we were hearing rumors of new attractions that would bolster more of a Hollywood/movies experience. Am I alone on this?

 

[101disneyfan]

Let me preface what I'm going to say with this: I do not disrespect anyone's memories, nostalgia, etc. about the early days of Disney-MGM Studios, however...

When the whole Hollywood East idea panned out the way it did, both Disney and Universal backed off of the production tour-esque attractions. Then, around ten years after the park openings, DVD came out with hours of behind the scenes documentaries galore, and more so with Blu Ray. Similarly to Epcot's realization of something called the Travel Channel, and having to adapt.

Then, in 2004 the production facilities shut down, and in 2005, the MGM 20- year license ended (they negotiated to keep the name until 2007). Universal became a movie park, while Disney became a Hollywood park, ending much of the direct "studio park" comparisons as the two evolved over the years.

In 2008, Disney-MGM becomes Disney's Hollywood Studios and as Pixar Place (or the version that was initially planned with Crush's Coaster, the MI Door attraction, HISTK becoming A Bug's Life... and on and on) set the tone as the new title took effect. The park became Disney's Hollywood Studios (the Studios in Hollywood that Disney has acquired, as well as celebrating Disney's transition to television and theatre..., while the Hollywood/Sunset Blvds link the park together.)

So, in my opinion, and feel free to agree or disagree. This rumored overhaul/expansion completely fits the new theme as of 2008. They are just simply committing to it.

Again, nothing against anyone's nostalgia of the park in its early years, but Hollywood East didn't happen and both Disney and Universal had to learn that and adjust.

 

[mvk]

I've been reading a lot of the discussion on Hollywood Studios rumors or changes that could be coming in the near future, and it got me thinking. First, I'd like to preface this by saying I am definitely a big Star Wars fan, and would love to see more attractions now that the Disney company has control of the franchise. I also think adding more Pixar themed rides would be great as well. But I feel as if I may be a purist in the sense that I would rather see different things happen. I wish there was more of an emphasis on rides like The Great Movie Ride and the Backlot Studio Tour. To me, those rides embody the true meaning and feel of the park, and it's original intentions. Adding themed lands like Star Wars and Pixar to me seems to make the park even more of a thrown together mess of attractions than.

I think they can concentrate areas for their different studios while still keeping Hollywood & Sunset as is.

LucasFilms - Indy & Star Wars

Muppet Studios - Muppet Vision 3D, retheme Pizza Planet, add Dark Ride

Pixar Place - add a couple attractions

Walt Disney Animation Studios - current area w/ Little Mermaid & Disney Jr Live on Stage.

I think this could help make sense of additions, though it seems like they are having success keeping it as a special event park (Star Wars Weekends, Frozen Summer, Osbourne Lights, etc.)

 

[Rumors Rocks]

I've been reading a lot of the discussion on Hollywood Studios rumors or changes that could be coming in the near future, and it got me thinking. First, I'd like to preface this by saying I am definitely a big Star Wars fan, and would love to see more attractions now that the Disney company has control of the franchise. I also think adding more Pixar themed rides would be great as well. But I feel as if I may be a purist in the sense that I would rather see different things happen. I wish there was more of an emphasis on rides like The Great Movie Ride and the Backlot Studio Tour. To me, those rides embody the true meaning and feel of the park, and it's original intentions. Adding themed lands like Star Wars and Pixar to me seems to make the park even more of a thrown together mess of attractions than.

I was also recently going through YouTube videos and saw this one: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OBTsFHtJtg8 . It's an early documentary on what was then called the MGM studios. The video really shows the emphasis that the early years of the park had on the Hollywood/film industry. Does anyone else think Disney has lost touch with what this park was intended to be and is now just throwing whatever they can there to get people to come? Don't get me wrong, I understand the business aspect of it. The put Frozen Summer Fun there to get more people to come. I get that. I just wish that instead of hearing about rumors of new themed lands, that we were hearing rumors of new attractions that would bolster more of a Hollywood/movies experience. Am I alone on this?

I don't believe you're alone, hence the uproar over the BAH (Mickey's Socerer's Hat). And, I agree that DHS could use some more cohesiveness, but I do not agree with your stance that DHS should expand upon the The Great Movie Ride and the Backlot Studio Tour type theme.

 

[jon18uk]

It is time to kill off the fake behind the scenes stuff.

Universal in Hollywood can do it well as they are a working studios. Universal in Florida knew they could never do a proper behind the scenes tour so didn't try, sticking to just a few movie making shows like disaster (earthquake) and horror make up. The rest of the park presented a trip into the movie with rides such as ET and Jaws plus Terminator 2.
Disney tried to make a working studio in Florida but many producers/directories didn't like the overhead walkways full of guests and the intrusion of the theme park so didn't film there, later Disney then ran the numbers and killed off animation in Florida (before almost killing hand drawn altogether) making the animation tour also pointless. The final nail in the coffin came when residential street was demolished (to build cars stunt show). With no film set street the backstage tour doesn't take you on a movie/tv set and should just be put out of its misery.
Universal have moved on and got it right with a park celebrating the movies. Hollywood studios is a mismatch of old and new not really working cohesively. They need to do what was done to DCA and work out what the park needs to be and then almost start again with it. Revamp classics such as great movie ride, add new immersive film experiences and show off the best of their film catalogue.

The Paris Walt Disney Studios park is almost worse in some respects though as it never was a working studio and therefore the "backstage" tram tour feels very forced and doesn't work. Other aspects such as cinemagique and Armageddon are better at Paris but they need to drop the "studios" element at Paris and Florida and concentrate on celebrating Hollywood and their many films.