Goodbye American Idol Experience! (update) AND Indiana Jones!

[momof2n2]

While I can't say that I'll miss it, every time I walk past the Wonders of Life pavilion, I get concerned that closing one attractions doesn't necessarily mean that there is a master plan for the future.

Sigh
Ain't that the truth...

 

[Jennasis]

Update...they're saying Indy is closing too by years end!

 

[Redarrow5150]

Ya gotta believe that expansion of Star Wars is going to occur in this area.

Update...they're saying Indy is closing too by years end!

 

[DOOM1001]

Update...they're saying Indy is closing too by years end!

See now this is getting interesting,now you close two attractions in that area of the park there pretty much has to be an announcement of something big getting built,obviously and highly likely Star Wars.I do hope the Streets of America aren't touched as the Osborne Lights are perfect there.

 

[lustergirl]

See now this is getting interesting,now you close two attractions in that area of the park there pretty much has to be an announcement of something big getting built,obviously and highly likely Star Wars.I do hope the Streets of America aren't touched as the Osborne Lights are perfect there.

I have always enjoyed the INDY show. My son was picked one year. Idol I can live without. Hopefully they replace it something cool as DHS is my least favorite park and it wouldn't hurt me to skip it all together.

 

[ethanwa]

Edit: Backing down from my original statement about being excited until I get a source on the Indiana Jones closure.

 

[ethanwa]

Update...they're saying Indy is closing too by years end!

By the way, can you please post your source for this information?

 

[su_A_ve]

Where is there a mention of Indiana Jones? The article only mentions AIE, for which I couldn't care less after stopping watching it a few years ago.

But Indiana Jones? True, it could use an update, but where is there any mentioning of this?

 

[DOOM1001]

I didn't see the mention if Indy closing but I googled it and did find some other sites saying their sources also have Indy closing,so its not confirmed but sounding pretty legit.

 

[Planogirl]

See now this is getting interesting,now you close two attractions in that area of the park there pretty much has to be an announcement of something big getting built,obviously and highly likely Star Wars.I do hope the Streets of America aren't touched as the Osborne Lights are perfect there.

Isn't there a rumor that the Osborne Lights are done? I hope not!

I don't see how they can include the Streets of America unless the Muppets are moving or going away.

 

[JimmyV]

Interesting. Given that new attractions don't open the day after the old ones close, there could be some serious down time at DHS. There could be a significant time when this is a half day park. (Am I allowed to say that? )

 

[GillianP1301]

I've never done the AIE because my DH loathes the show and it wasn't ever a high priority attraction for me. I think I will make a point of doing it on my trip this summer though, just to say I did it.

I can understand it being closed down, the overall popularity of Idol just isn't there anymore. I hope a great new attraction will replace it, but I'm honestly not holding my breath. I imagine it will get replaced with another show of some kind.

 

[Davey Jones II]

Judging from this thread, Disney fans will be sad to see this one go

No one in my family has ever shown the slightest interest in this show, despite the fact that some of them love talent shows on T.V.! It's been a giant waste of space at DHS for five years. I remember when it was first announced, lots of us raised hell on the message boards, because it was yet another show in a park that badly needs rides!

Bring on Star Wars...or something else. Anything but this!

As for the Indy show...20 years is enough. How about an Indy ride, or a SW E Ticket?

 

[DOOM1001]

Isn't there a rumor that the Osborne Lights are done? I hope not!

I don't see how they can include the Streets of America unless the Muppets are moving or going away.

That was a rumor but thats why its only a rumor as things can change,I remember the original plan was for the streets of America and the Lights Motors stunt show to be removed for Star Wars,maybe the plan changed to the Indy show/Sounds Dangerous/AIE area of the park.I prefer this area better as Indy has been there forever and although it was a solid show the park needs to evolve or else.There was also the Cars Land also coming in rumor that seems to have disappeared,if that ever does happen I would guess then Lights Motors would be the place.But as I stated earlier I do hope the Streets of America and the Muppets area stay as I like the area and Osborne Lights are one of the best things they have for Christmas.

 

[JimmyV]

As for the Indy show...20 years is enough. How about an Indy ride, or a SW E Ticket?

When you think about the square footage (acreage) of Backlot Tour, LMA, Indy, and Idol, closing all that down and bringing in new stuff would mean a park makeover the likes of which we have never seen before.

 

[ethanwa]

50% of Hollywood Studios needs to be torn out and redone (basically everything on the left and back side of the park up to the Backlot Tour... besides Star Tours). This is just step 1 but a great step none-the-less!

 

[TooExcitedCantSleep]

I don't even know where this is at DHS!! I probably passed it unknowingly a million times.....it's good news where I am concerned!!!! Now- if this is to make room for Star Wars than this is very exciting news!! Star Wars Land will shut down anything Harry Potter!!!!

 

[PeterPan0]

I know it's just a rumor but I will be extremely sad to see Indy go! I grew up with Indy and Star Wars and I am child of the late 90s. I see that show every time I go to Disney, so if it leaves I'm going to be a very sad child.

 

[JimmyV]

I know it's just a rumor but I will be extremely sad to see Indy go! I grew up with Indy and Star Wars and I am child of the late 90s. I see that show every time I go to Disney, so if it leaves I'm going to be a very sad child.

I know what you mean. I saw the show once and they picked this guy out of the audience who was wearing a Hawaiian shirt and picked on him the whole show. It was hilarious. I'll miss that element of spontaneity.

 

[andyman8]

Haven't learned anything new on Indy, so I'm categorizing that as a major rumor at this point. The only thing keeping me from entirely dismissing it is the "crowds" coming in for the 7DMT. I've discussed Disney executives' timid attitude towards the idea of Star Wars Land (potentially coupled with a Pixar Place expansion and the current work going on at DTD and DAK with AVATAR) after the less-than-expected increase MK saw in attendance after Mermaid, BOG, and Enchanted Tales opened in 2012. The argument from some Imagineers and pro-Star Wars management was to wait for the 7DMT to come online and then they'd see these increases.

Well, we're now nearing the Mine Train's first month in operation and they've seen, more or less, enough of a shift to predict that MK attendance will rise not quite to the level they had hoped but high enough to perhaps move forward with Star Wars. That said, with all the previously-mentioned projects, there is still a bit of hesitance but far less now than before.

AIE closing alone isn't enough to indicate Star Wars Land coming sooner than we all thought. As of now, the Superstar Television Theater (don't get confused; this is referring to the actual building not the old attraction) is not really part of SWL at least last I heard. The vacant ABC Sound Studio (formerly home of Sounds Dangerous) is marked as home to an expanded JTA experience. Perhaps, they'll make that even larger but I'm doubtful as they still need vacant theaters for SWW events, special movie previews to eat crowds, and limited-run shows like the Comedy Warehouse Holiday Special.

The plan I am aware of, which in all likelihood has changed as there have been multiple iterations, calls for the removal of Indy for a headliner Star Wars attraction, meanwhile Echo Lake will be filled and used as space for Moss Eisley. Backlot Express will remain structurally in tact with some basic (I mean real basic here) re-theming as a SW QS. In terms of something for the younger ones, a spinner is also apparently on the table. Extending back all the way to current Star Tours location, there will be smaller shops and some limited entertainment with possibly (still blue sky here) walk-around characters. Of course, all of this area will be impressively themed.

The complicated part is that they aren't getting rid of 50's or H&V (particularly after the SW meal) nor are they removing Sci-Fi or ABC Commissary. The latter two I can see keeping (you just have the entrance to SWL past Commissary Lane), but the only way I'm thinking they could keep those is have multiple sides of Moss Eisley with different facades with those on its north matching the Hollywood Boulevard facades, so that might work.

Again, this comes from credible sources but is still very, very preliminary as things change quickly. At this point though I have not heard anything credible about Indy closing in January. If we do get confirmation of this, the most significant thing I'd immediately take from that is they've decided to go ahead with the plan listed above developing north of Star Tours instead of south into the Streets of America. Of course, this could be expected as Disney makes initial preparations to start putting up the OL for this year (yes, they're coming back!).