Studio Backlot Tour Closing

[Davey Jones II]

The Backlot Tour is no big loss, although I would have liked to see the AFI exhibition again.
As for American Idol, I never even bothered going in.
I assume all of these closures mean that DHS is getting an overdue revamping. It's about time. Although I do enjoy the park and many of its attractions, the ones they are closing are a big waste of space. This park has the potential to be great if they replace them with something new and exciting.

 

[keypooh90]

The Backlot Tour is no big loss, although I would have liked to see the AFI exhibition again.
As for American Idol, I never even bothered going in.
I assume all of these closures mean that DHS is getting an overdue revamping. It's about time. Although I do enjoy the park and many of its attractions, the ones they are closing are a big waste of space. This park has the potential to be great if they replace them with something new and exciting.

I agree wholeheartedly with all of this!

 

[minnie mum]

The Backlot Tour is no big loss, although I would have liked to see the AFI exhibition again.
As for American Idol, I never even bothered going in.
I assume all of these closures mean that DHS is getting an overdue revamping. It's about time. Although I do enjoy the park and many of its attractions, the ones they are closing are a big waste of space. This park has the potential to be great if they replace them with something new and exciting.

Agree with every word. But it all hinges on that last part.

 

[Kimosabe]

Assuming that the related swirling rumors noted above materialize about a few other things being on the chopping block at DHS in the near future (because CMs have not been scheduled to work at them past 10/11), I would be a little disappointed in the HISTK playground being closed. If there is indeed an expanded Pixar presence coming to DHS, it seems like they could so easily change the playground sign/theming to A Bug's Life and leave it there, maybe even with some new meet-and-greet options for those characters. Most of the theming is already bugs and grass, and the rest is a perfect fit for being bug-sized (shrunk). Frankly, this is the type of change that could literally happen almost overnight without needing to put up construction walls for weeks or months at a time, and it would keep one of the few things (but with a minor makeover -- i.e., a new sign) that the youngest kids can truly enjoy at DHS...even if more might be coming "soon."

I have watched some videos of the Disneyland Paris Toy Story Playland attractions and am seriously hoping that is not what they're going to bring to DHS. I can deal with Chester & Hester/Dino-Land because a few cheap and easy carnival rides and games follow the theming/back story there (for better or worse)...but there are so many original ideas that could come from Pixar that kids and adults could all enjoy. Let's hope that the fact that WDW's 50th anniversary is coming "soon" will give them more incentive to do this right.

 

[Kimosabe]

The Backlot Tour is no big loss, although I would have liked to see the AFI exhibition again...

Agreed. While I am 100% for expanded Star Wars and Pixar lands (if they do it right), I would also love to seem them keep at least one section of the park devoted to movie making, animation, etc., and wish they would put an AFI exhibition or something very similar to it in that section -- i.e., lots of neat movie props and Disney Archives stuff (looking at you, Legend of Jack Sparrow...your time is probably running short like your predecessor, Prince Caspian, and we could use your building for this!). I could spend a lot of time at One Man's Dream, Animation Academy and similar exhibits/activities, and I feel like there's still a good market for both kids and adults in seeing "real" movie props.

Why do these solutions/ideas seem to come so easily to us common folk and yet so foreign to the powers-that-be at WDW? Ha!

 

[FestivalOfFantasy]

I'm confused. Is the last day of operation this Friday or this Saturday? I've seen conflicting answers and need to know since it will affect my touring plans.

 

[mesaboy2]

I'm confused. Is the last day of operation this Friday or this Saturday? I've seen conflicting answers and need to know since it will affect my touring plans.

The last day of operation is Saturday, so I've heard. My family will be there that day and plan to ride it also.

 

[wareagle57]

I would be a little disappointed in the HISTK playground being closed. If there is indeed an expanded Pixar presence coming to DHS, it seems like they could so easily change the playground sign/theming to A Bug's Life and leave it there, maybe even with some new meet-and-greet options for those characters. Most of the theming is already bugs and grass, and the rest is a perfect fit for being bug-sized (shrunk). Frankly, this is the type of change that could literally happen almost overnight without needing to put up construction walls for weeks or months at a time, and it would keep one of the few things (but with a minor makeover -- i.e., a new sign) that the youngest kids can truly enjoy at DHS...even if more might be coming "soon."

I agree with this. I will be really sad if the playground goes away. One of my favorite childhood memories and I still get a kick out of playing in it, even if I do look weird. It's fun to recreate picture from childhood there as well.

 

[FINFAN]

We went over Labor Day weekend and DS made a point of asking to be a volunteer for the Harbor Attack. He was fortunate and they grabbed him for the next show. He loved it and we have some great footage. The skies opened up as we were waiting for the tram portion...cancelling it. The up side was we were able to spend as much time as we wanted in the prop section and knowing the ride was closing we took advantage and lots of pictures. Did the same for Indiana Jones and Malestrom. The concept of the ride is awesome, I wish they were simply refurbing/updating it over removing it.

 

[yulilin3]

The last day of operation is Saturday, so I've heard. My family will be there that day and plan to ride it also.

We will be there too. The backlot tour CM have a big meet with current and former CM of the attraction to close it up. My husband left Disney about a month ago and he worked in the Shuttles portion of the tour. So if you're around after 7pm (official closing) and see a whole bunch of people crying it's the CMs

 

[MarknTara]

I heard this was going to happen when we were down there earlier this month. I made sure to ride it one final time. I'm glad we did, but like others have already said this ride is a shell of its former self. My Wife and I enjoy it more for the actual tour of the movie props used. This ride has been on its way out for a while now.

I've heard rumors about Pixar expansion as well as both Star Wars and Cars expansion. I was told Cars will not happen due to the fact that it is a huge draw in Disneyland, meaning Land won't want the World to have it. I think either Star Wars or Pixar will be a nice change to that whole area, as long as it is new and exciting (as others have said!)

 

[SyracuseWolvrine]

Assuming that the related swirling rumors noted above materialize about a few other things being on the chopping block at DHS in the near future (because CMs have not been scheduled to work at them past 10/11)

Cast member schedules only come out 2 weeks in advance. So the last day that anyone knows their schedule for is 10/4 anyways.

As a former Backlot Cast Member, I'm sad to see the attraction go, but more because of all the great people I met there, and the fun I had. I think most of us that used to work there agree that the tour is a pale shadow of it's former self, and even though it'll be like saying goodbye to an old friend, it's probably time.

 

[DakotaRose]

I think that I'll actually miss the American Film Institute memorabilia display at the end of the tour more than I'll miss the tour itself...

Bingo! The Walt Disney exhibit at the science museum in Chicago had really gorgeous costumes on display. Fascinating! I wondered why DHS didn't have more.

 

[jheaps]

Last April was the first time I had been on the tour in a while and couln't believe how much was cut from it

 

[Baptist]

I'm not sad to see this go. It was an okay way to waste a little time but not comparable to "real" backlot tours (IE: Universal Studios Hollywood).

I totally agree with you. The backlot tour at Universal Hollywood is great. I liked the backlot tour at Disney, but there is no comparison. It's like comparing Rock-n-Roll roller coaster with the kiddie coaster at a carnival.

 

[MPS516]

When the MGM Studio opened the backlot tour included driving up New York and stopping to get off the tram to see active movie sets. It has been paired back but I will still miss it a lot. Today was the last day.

 

[addicted2dizney]

thank goodness they are finally putting the final nail in the coffin of this ride.. it was torture and I only went when I had others with me who had never been. Once they killed the old version with the back lot streets it was pathetic...

 

[Soarin'Steven]

Yeah, good riddance. The attraction was pretty stale. I did enjoy the rotation of movie costumes during the tram ride, but Catastrophe Canyon. *yawn*

I hope the gift shop, and the room with the movie camera history, and film props stays open. Would hate to see that go tho I wouldn't mind if they took out the ride in Grauman's Chinese Theater, and made it a Hollywood museum of sorts. They need to either update The Great Movie Ride or replace it.

 

[DOOM1001]

I know I heard the Indy show was also going away but don't remember hearing something official,does anyone know if it is.If it was up to me the only attractions I would leave would be,ToT,RnRc,an updated Great Movie ride,TSMM,Fantasmic,Muppetvision and Walt Disney one mans dream.If they replace everything else it would almost feel like a new park.I love the theme of this park but it just has too many attractions that have been around forever like the Indy show or that I feel could be better used with new attractions with the amount of room they take,Backlot tour,Lights Motors Action and you can also do away with all the attractions in the animation courtyard.

 

[andreajanowiak]

Really hope Pixar Place is expanded. Would be really cool to finally fill the abandoned building next to TSMM, and add a few new rides, maybe Monsters Inc or Up.