Disneys Hollywood Studios about to change forever

[Spacedog1975]

I guess it's a matter of perspective...

Lot of money to spend for "ehhh...we'll just close it/leave it in disrepair"
...kinda like over at EPCOT.

You won't get argument from me that Epcot needs some TLC. IMHO, they should renew Wonders of Life/Horizons/Imagination, or develop something better to replace them.

It looks like DHS goes first though. I'm under the impression that the original plan was for these to be consecutive projects: Fantasyland --> Avatar --> DHS--> Epcot. Something seems to have expedited this plan in a big way.

 

[ellbell]

I'm far less concerned about first time visitors who are stressed about the changes than I am about veterans who are reaffirming those reservations. IMHO, you should go. I've been 7x in my lifetime, several times of those times for a week. I *never* ran out of things to do and always departed wanting to stay.

Yes there are attractions closed.
Yes there is construction.

In the grand scheme of things, both of these are minor concerns. You are visiting a forum populated by those of us who go regularly and read & analyze every rumor and announcement. Take it from someone who appreciates what we have more than stresses about what we could or should have: there is plenty of wonder waiting for you at WDW right now.

Otherwise there are 2 possibilities: you wait 3 or more years for currently announced construction to be complete, or you stress because the next phase may very well immediately be announced.

How old will you & your family be in 2017? Will you all be in a position to go then?

Carpe Diem!

Thanks for making those of us who are new feel welcome, while I am quite sure that all the veterans have concerns as well, I'm not the one who made those veterans feel like their concerns were meaningless. I came here to share my love for Disney and instead I get the pleasure of having my concern trivialized because I can't afford to go every year. Talk about an elitist group.

 

[Spacedog1975]

Thanks for making those of us who are new feel welcome, while I am quite sure that all the veterans have concerns as well, I'm not the one who made those veterans feel like their concerns were meaningless. I came here to share my love for Disney and instead I get the pleasure of having my concern trivialized because I can't afford to go every year. Talk about an elitist group.

I don't just want you to feel welcome. I want you to go and have a wonderful time. I feel confident you will .

 

[lockedoutlogic]

Thanks for making those of us who are new feel welcome, while I am quite sure that all the veterans have concerns as well, I'm not the one who made those veterans feel like their concerns were meaningless. I came here to share my love for Disney and instead I get the pleasure of having my concern trivialized because I can't afford to go every year. Talk about an elitist group.

To be fair...

I think "funny" or "humorous" is simply the wrong word here...not a symbol of intent.

I think the poster meant more "ironic"...because alot of the people on this particular subsection are heavy repeat offenders and due pick apart everything about development and Disney's managements activities.

Nobody is laughing at anyone...more
Of reflection of how opinions change.
Grain of salt.

 

[OnSpaceshipEarth]

I'm under the impression that the original plan was for these to be consecutive projects: Fantasyland --> Avatar --> DHS--> Epcot. Something seems to have expedited this plan in a big way.

Maybe something across town? It looks like Avatar *and* whatever big thing is about to happen at DHS could both open simultaneously.

Talk about a major Potter-swatter if that's the case.

 

[rteetz]

Maybe something across town? It looks like Avatar *and* whatever big thing is about to happen at DHS could both open simultaneously. Talk about a major Potter-swatter if that's the case.

If toy story play land comes like some have rumored that is not a potter swatter yes it adds more c and d tickets to DHS which is much needed but it's a clone that doesn't need to be done. This should be pixar not just toy story. I would have to also think Star Wars is coming sooner or later that is where the biggest potter swatter would come hopefully. Again I'm not getting my hopes up too high because disney hasn't done anything huge in a long time. NFL is nice but could've been better I'm not complaining tho I do like the mine train a lot. I also think disney takes a bit too long in the construction of things.

 

[vandy]

Thanks for making those of us who are new feel welcome, while I am quite sure that all the veterans have concerns as well, I'm not the one who made those veterans feel like their concerns were meaningless. I came here to share my love for Disney and instead I get the pleasure of having my concern trivialized because I can't afford to go every year. Talk about an elitist group.

Please don't feel unwelcome or think you are being trivialized. This particular board is heavy with opinions and sometimes testy dialogue but you shouldn't take that as a personal attack. Unfortunately the written word, without hearing the tone they convey, can be taken many different ways and sometimes not the way a person intended.

We go at least once a year with one trip being at least 10 days. 10 days is a long time, but even that doesn't allow someone to see and do everything. We find or do something new each trip. It sounds like DTD is having the biggest disruption and yes we enjoy shopping at DTD or Disney Springs as it is called now, but that is just shopping. So what if it is torn up and some stores closed. There are plenty of opportunities to buy things around WDW.

Also please understand that many of us see these closures as a good thing and we hope for a better vacation experience in the years to come. Even though there will be closures, there are still plenty of things to do and plenty of opportunities to experience some Disney Magic. Even those of us who go at least once a year run into some of our favorite attractions closed for refurbishment or for maintenance when we are there. It seems like when I go, something is always closed. When you compare it to everything WDW has to offer, the construction that is going on in the parks should be of minimal impact to your vacation.

 

[wallrock]

If large scale changes are coming....and that's a big if....The rumor mill is running at one million RPM at the moment so it's anyone's guess.

It's going to be more than just adding new attractions. Everyone saw how well crowd management was during the Villians Unleashed event, and if things like Star Wars and/or Pixar come in on a large scale one can expect crowd level/density on par or larger than what happened during said event. The powers that be will have to completely readjust how attractions are distributed across the park, possibly even go as far as adjusting the park layout itself. That won't be cheap.

And we know how Disney just loves to spend money on Orlando.

 

[beer dave]

Thanks for making those of us who are new feel welcome, while I am quite sure that all the veterans have concerns as well, I'm not the one who made those veterans feel like their concerns were meaningless. I came here to share my love for Disney and instead I get the pleasure of having my concern trivialized because I can't afford to go every year. Talk about an elitist group.

Sorry if you felt disregarded. Not my intentions... and I think the posts you quoted may have been directed towards me (even though I was not quoted) for agreeing with you that maybe right now is not a great time for a once in a lifetime trip. Your kids will have a great time, even with all the construction. You may have a better time if you wait in my opinion, because of 1 the overall feel of some of the parks, and 2 the new things that are coming in my opinion will be great. If you think you could swing another trip in a couple years, that would be even better. MK is always a great park, and Epcot still has tons of adult fun as well as family fun. HS will still have good attractions for them, as well as AK. Down town is a mess.

We are all trying to give the perspective of, well, the group that we are,...frequent visitors. I figured it was what you wanted.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

If large scale changes are coming....and that's a big if....The rumor mill is running at one million RPM at the moment so it's anyone's guess.

It's going to be more than just adding new attractions. Everyone saw how well crowd management was during the Villians Unleashed event, and if things like Star Wars and/or Pixar come in on a large scale one can expect crowd level/density on par or larger than what happened during said event. The powers that be will have to completely readjust how attractions are distributed across the park, possibly even go as far as adjusting the park layout itself. That won't be cheap.

And we know how Disney just loves to spend money on Orlando.

That's an excellent point...

Studios can't handle anywhere near the amount of traffic that the other 3 parks can...which means major infrastructure revision.

So...this is actually pretty simple. If they do move on a renovation (BIG if)...the announcement - for once - will tell the story.

A major number will mean a big plan. Smaller number means a spinner, more jedi academy, and Star Wars breakfast at Hollywood and vine.

I don't think the are any shortcuts on this one.

But it's precarious. Any new money in EPCOT or mk kills it. A hefty budget for Star Wars in Anaheim kills it. Problems in China kills it. New cruiseships kills it (watch out for that one). Anything other than a money machine at new downtown probably kills it.

I think that's our world,
If everything is firing, we get something.
If not - the Orlando "thing" is first to hit the cutting room floor.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

Again I'm not getting my hopes up too high because disney hasn't done anything huge in a long time. NFL is nice but could've been better I'm not complaining tho I do like the mine train a lot. I also think disney takes a bit too long in the construction of things.

Notice that no Major new construction additions has been authorized in Orlando under this management...or frankly since there has been nobody named "Disney" involved or board members with ties to them.

Fantasyland and disney springs are limited renovation projects on huge timeframes...not additions.

The exception is avatar...but that is suspect as well. Two years ago I was told I was crazy for suggesting that Disney wasnt footing the full bill for avatar.
But...now it seems more of a common belief. Perhaps the rah rah crowd stopped to look at WHO, WHAT, and WHERE we're talking about.

 

[clsteve]

That's an excellent point...

Studios can't handle anywhere near the amount of traffic that the other 3 parks can...which means major infrastructure revision.

So...this is actually pretty simple. If they do move on a renovation (BIG if)...the announcement - for once - will tell the story.

A major number will mean a big plan. Smaller number means a spinner, more jedi academy, and Star Wars breakfast at Hollywood and vine.

I don't think the are any shortcuts on this one.

But it's precarious. Any new money in EPCOT or mk kills it. A hefty budget for Star Wars in Anaheim kills it. Problems in China kills it. New cruiseships kills it (watch out for that one). Anything other than a money machine at new downtown probably kills it.

I think that's our world,
If everything is firing, we get something.
If not - the Orlando "thing" is first to hit the cutting room floor.

It looks like they're stacking things up for EOY FY14 - having some hole cards to pull out as needed for the analysts, the street, etc.

This is really interesting - the timing taken along with year close.

They made some pretty lofty predictions around NextGen ROI, etc., while also really trying to pull the analysts' focus away from Occupancy Rate during last year's calls on the Annual Report.

Lots of interesting things to look for in the upcoming calls - plus what all of these closures might be for - and if there are any correlations that can be made for things (potentially) speeding up or (potentially) being added/deleted/changed in the long term plans...

 

[wallrock]

That's an excellent point...

Studios can't handle anywhere near the amount of traffic that the other 3 parks can...which means major infrastructure revision.

So...this is actually pretty simple. If they do move on a renovation (BIG if)...the announcement - for once - will tell the story.

A major number will mean a big plan. Smaller number means a spinner, more jedi academy, and Star Wars breakfast at Hollywood and vine.

I don't think the are any shortcuts on this one.

But it's precarious. Any new money in EPCOT or mk kills it. A hefty budget for Star Wars in Anaheim kills it. Problems in China kills it. New cruiseships kills it (watch out for that one). Anything other than a money machine at new downtown probably kills it.

I think that's our world,
If everything is firing, we get something.
If not - the Orlando "thing" is first to hit the cutting room floor.

I'll go with the latter of the two options: small scale - themed restaurant, jedi academy on steroids and a geek's dream of a gift shop.

I'll probably get thrashed for this, and I'm not saying that they will but it wouldn't shock me if they announced it, but there's always the chance they abandon the park or shut it down for an extended period (two or more years) for an overhaul. It's not like it hasn't happened before. We have to remember that this is the park that more or less failed as it was never designed to be a true theme park. As I mentioned above Disney tried a big ticket event with Villians Unleashed and crowd management was a failure, and I heard comments from many others wondering why Disney didn't put that event into the Magic Kingdom. It's always possible they intentionally put the event in Hollywood to gauge crowd management to help determine what, if anything, can be done in the future with that place. In addition, given how hard it is to navigate around that park as it is can anyone imagine Downtown Disney type chaos that would emerge if even half of the rumored attractions came in?

Maybe the infusion of Frozen in World Showcase is the first step in what could be a transfer of the E's like Tower of Terror, Star Tours and others from Hollywood over to Epcot. That effort wouldn't be cheap either, but it may be cheaper than redoing the foundation at Hollywood - that would most likely involve the 'B' word from a money perspective. Remember from a fan perspective (a.k.a everyone here) the thought process is always "how can this be salvaged" while Disney, thinking from a money perspective, will think that but also think "can this be salvaged".

Lots of space and closed buildings in Epcot to handle Star Wars-type crowd levels. Heck, even the foundation for Star Tours still somewhat exists in the Wonders of Life pavilion in the Body Wars area. Given that a few "B's" have already been spent on NextGen would the stockholders be willing to spend one or two more on Hollywood with all of the unused space available in Epcot?

Regardless, it's either small scale (most likely scenario), abandon, or spend California Adventure-sized money (probably even more) to revamp.

 

[ffcheff]

I have no evidence but I think disney will go big. Interest rates are low and the Fed said they would stay low. Disney can borrow money cheap right now. Also the price of disney stock is at 90 a share. People are confident disney won't go under. If they go big they can make a mint and they know it. We are just growing impatient, and rightly so after their slow pace expansion in magic kingdom.

 

[auntfrannie]

To Dream....the Impossible DREAM!!!!

(Just kidding... Though your sentiments have been mine for about 15 years and I've not come
Close to have been impressed.
Particularly after the "new" fantasyland... Which while good appearance and quality...doesn't come close to a five year timetable and all the boasts that were laid on it by Disney)

I'm with you. Disney seems to do a great job of laying out BIG plans only to whittle away them until they're left with nothing but a shadow of what could have been.

 

[Spacedog1975]

Disney is not going to close a gate while there are rumors of Universal opening one. Just isn't going to happen.

 

[rteetz]

Disney is not going to close a gate while there are rumors of Universal opening one. Just isn't going to happen.

The biggest rumor out there is a new waterpark for universal I don't see a third gate for them anytime soon, they just don't have space. Also I agree disney isn't going to close the park but a lot of it is already closed.

 

[wallrock]

I can tell you that Disney won't go through extensive construction without some sort of partial or full closure. There's just no way to have guests navigate in and around that construction and limit any sort of liability.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

I can tell you that Disney won't go through extensive construction without some sort of partial or full closure. There's just no way to have guests navigate in and around that construction and limit any sort of liability.

Gonna disagree...

They have done major reconstruction in parks without closure...specifically DCA and studios Paris recently.

And they will not abandon MGM...it still gets 10,000,000 visitors...and as much as I think Disney would love to shut it down and force people into ak and EPCOT...even they wouldn't try.

 

[briand1023]

There is no way they would close a park...people will pay just to see a partially open park