Studio Backlot Bulldozed???

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

http://www.wdwnewstoday.com/archives/4831

 

[Wishes Count]

I like the idea of having the new rollercoaster that was mentioned, as well as changing the Honey I Shrunk The Kids playset changed. Not many kids have seen that movie anyway.

What I don't like is what they have done to the backlot tour. First they removed the residential street to put in the stunt show, and removed most of the items from the "bone yard" The ride is not really what it used to be.

 

[Golf4food]

That would be welcoming. That whole area is stale.

 

[doconeill]

I think retheming the play area is a cheap way to update the area into something more contemporary and well known.

Not only is the backlot a fraction of what it was (and not even a backlot any more), they've made to thoroughly uninteresting for what is left with the automated spiel. "Oooh honey, look - a room full of tires!"

 

[Traveliz]

I went a couple of years ago when one of my daughter's friends was spieling and enjoyed it ok (not nearly as much as years ago when it was new though) and then I went in October with visiting family. I was embarrassed I took them on it. The automatic spiel is HORRIBLE and to make matters worse it cut out during the first portion of the ride. I can't believe the babysitter in the vehicle didn't go ahead and tell us what we were doing as you darn well they all have those memorized from riding on them day in and day out. So first that happens, it then kicks back on and at times it was difficult to hear the female voice over the noises of the backlot.

I left there sad and doubt I will be back again. I can't imagine why I would ride it again actually.

Liz

 

[Disco]

I love that playground! I'm guessing a retheme wouldn't hurt it though.
If it does, there will be hell to pay!
The back lot tour can go to heck as far as I'm concerned, just mount the props throughout the park(s).

 

[MJMcBride]

This is what I would do

http://www.mouseextra.com/2007/07/05/what-disney-can-do-to-stem-the-potter-tide/#comments

but absolutely blow the thing up. You can easily put in several E attractions there as part of Pixar Stuidos or a new Land/Avenue

 

[mitros]

I went a couple of years ago when one of my daughter's friends was spieling and enjoyed it ok (not nearly as much as years ago when it was new though) and then I went in October with visiting family. I was embarrassed I took them on it. The automatic spiel is HORRIBLE and to make matters worse it cut out during the first portion of the ride. I can't believe the babysitter in the vehicle didn't go ahead and tell us what we were doing as you darn well they all have those memorized from riding on them day in and day out. So first that happens, it then kicks back on and at times it was difficult to hear the female voice over the noises of the backlot.

I left there sad and doubt I will be back again. I can't imagine why I would ride it again actually.

Liz

Yay Disney! Get rid of the CMs that ran the backstage tours! What a move. Keep eliminating CMs, it is what you guys do best! Thanks Iger, are you upset because your multi million dollar salary was reduced, and this is the way to get some of it back?
Ahhh! I want to scream!!

 

[Disn3y]

I have mixed feelings about this, although the backlot tour is a tad dry, it does have some cool movie props here and there...plus it is a nice one to sit back and relax for awhile. However, if there is a new coaster of some sort I am always ready to move forward..

 

[Remmy]

I hope this rumor does come true. We personally don't spend too much time at DHS due to the fact not much draws us to this park. Yes we go the one day and we love TSM, the shows, Movie Ride and of course the Muppets but that is about it for our family. I would like them to use more of the Pixar characters in this park.

 

[darthspud]

it seems like they spend so much energy re theming the area where toy story mania is just to make it a single ride it would be nice if they did more with that back area... on a good day i can do MGM in less then 4 hours.. and with them re doing star tours it will soon take me less time to get thru that park unless they add more to it ( i am morally opposed to the re do of star tours

it would be nice for another roller coaster even if its not a huge thrill coaster as i would assume it wont be id be guessing it would be more like thunder or space mountain

 

[KYMickey]

With the amount of money that is going to be spent at MK I would think if this happens it won't be for a couple of years until that work is finished.

 

[carmiedog]

I think a retheming of the playground would be a waste of money better put to use elsewhere. It's a playground and will attract kids regardless of whether the kids are familiar with the movie.

I'm torn up about Backlot. It was one of our favorite things at DHS our first trip there. I really miss residential street, but it's still a relaxing ride and my kids enjoyed it. I'd rather see it get some love and attention than go away.

 

[jheigl]

I really do miss the "old" Backlot Tour (even though the one I'm talking about is circa 1994 and not the original), but I miss seeing an actual "backlot" with the house facads and all the other cool stuff....we went on this in 2007 because it was 10 years since we were at WDW, and we were EXTREMELY disappointed. It was boring. I would not be sad one bit to see this removed and another (or a few) attraction(s) were put in it's place.

 

[mitros]

I think a retheming of the playground would be a waste of money better put to use elsewhere. It's a playground and will attract kids regardless of whether the kids are familiar with the movie.

I'm torn up about Backlot. It was one of our favorite things at DHS our first trip there. I really miss residential street, but it's still a relaxing ride and my kids enjoyed it. I'd rather see it get some love and attention than go away.

Well said!

 

[doconeill]

I think a retheming of the playground would be a waste of money better put to use elsewhere. It's a playground and will attract kids regardless of whether the kids are familiar with the movie.

Switching between HISTK and Bug's Life would be a relatively low cost upgrade and can easily be accomplished when they have to do a rehab anyways, since a great majority of the existing structures could remain as is. All they'd really need to do is add some characters. The money involved probably wouldn't be enough to do anything useful anywhere else.

 

[johnGorski]

DHS has so much potential and it has recived 3 major new attractions
American idol
TSM
LMA!
In five years.
I could see Back lot tour 1, getting a major upgrade or 2. to be demolished and a big new attraction. Monsters INC or the Raditorsprings racers clone, seems like DL and WDW like to get clones from eachother. Lots of room!
http://maps.yahoo.com/#***=h&lat=28.355259&lon=-81.561989&zoom=18&q1=Orlando, FL, 32801

 

[safetymom]

CM's haven't been giving the spiel since the last refurb. Backlot Tour is a joke compared to what it used to be. If it went away that would be ok.

 

[Chautauqua]

Not only is the backlot a fraction of what it was (and not even a backlot any more), they've made to thoroughly uninteresting for what is left with the automated spiel. "Oooh honey, look - a room full of tires!"

Now it doesn't even have that !! I just got back from a trip to WDW, and those windows are blacked over. When I was there earlier in '09 you could see all of the tires and other parts for Lights/Motors, and they mentioned it in the spiel (a REAL person mentioned it). Now those windows and most others in the tunnel are blacked over. The only remaining windows you can see in you wonder if they are really used to build sets or make costumes or are just for show (I'd say for display). So blacking over the room with the stunt show equipment took away the one 'real' part that isn't just there for show. If I want to driven past displays of clothing (Ooh, the costume worn in Pirates) I can drive down a street in any city and window shop.

I've always hated that you are rushed through the prop building. I wish they'd give you 5 minutes to walk up and down the aisles and take time to look at the tags on items and see what movies they came from. Instead you keep walking through without stopping and you're lucky if you can quickly notice a recognizable piece from a movie you know. Heaven forbid you stop to take a photo, everyone behind you feels like you're holding them up (if only they knew that that building is more interesting than zipping by black windows in a tram maybe they wouldn't be in such a hurry !)

When a person, namely the one who is now paid to sit up front and watch that no one does anything stupid, used to do the spiel, I remember being on the ride during the stunt show. The guide was able to be spontaneous and say something about the show in progress or about the stunt drivers who were going past us. "It looks like they're moving a truck that was just used in the show" "Oh, it looks like one of our stunt drivers is getting ready to make his entrance" "And here is one of our stunt drivers getting out of our Herbie the Lovebug vehicle." Stunt guys would wave too.

With all the automated spiels now, maybe they'll do it for Jungle Cruise - that'd put an end to skippers going off script ! HA HA HA
(I should be quiet as I might be giving some Disney grinch an idea)

 

[disney1990]

I've always hated that you are rushed through the prop building. I wish they'd give you 5 minutes to walk up and down the aisles and take time to look at the tags on items and see what movies they came from. Instead you keep walking through without stopping and you're lucky if you can quickly notice a recognizable piece from a movie you know. Heaven forbid you stop to take a photo, everyone behind you feels like you're holding them up (if only they knew that that building is more interesting than zipping by black windows in a tram maybe they wouldn't be in such a hurry !)

We have never been rushed in the Props building. We stay in there as long as we want to every time we go. We read all the information about all the props.