What's All the Fuss About HS Closures?

[FastPasser.]

We are heading down Memorial Day weekend of 2018. Anyone know if Toy Story Land will be open then?

I wouldn't plan on it.

 

[luvmy2boyzz]

That park was dead to me the moment they closed Starring Rolls!

IKR???? That place was my fav!! I thought I had read it was closed but they faked me out because the tables and umbrellas are still there! I was sooooo happy! Until I went up the the locked door....

 

[Aimeedyan]

I think it also depends on your family and how often you visit.

We went with extended family, most had never been to WDW, and our group included a 5 year old. I planned HS to be a halfday but we ended up spending almost an entire day (noon-EMH) and the family with the 5 year old went back the next day for another few hours because they missed stuff.

Now, when me and my DH go, we hit our favorite highlights and scoot, so it's a halfday, but I can see first timers or families with young children easily filling a full day. There is a lot more to do than rides.

 

[Shellyred8]

The one thing that is gone that we really miss is the drawing class in Animation Courtyard. That area has been taken over by all things Starwars.

 

[OB1]

It's everyones' subjective opinion as to how big of a deal the construction is at HS. I will say that the closure of GMR stinks. Even though the ride was badly outdated, it was a staple ride...at least for us.

Totally agree Klayfish. I am surprised that Disney decided to close the ride now. Why not wait until Toy Story Land opens. Even though it is more kid friendly, at least we would have more to see & do. By closing now, they really pulled a staple. I am having a hard time believing that Disney needed the extra 6-8 months to get the new attraction done.

 

[Shellyred8]

That park was dead to me the moment they closed Starring Rolls!

This was so sad!!! They had the best chocolate muffins. I got one of these and it was like eating chocolate cake for breakfast!

 

[ucfknight]

Totally agree Klayfish. I am surprised that Disney decided to close the ride now. Why not wait until Toy Story Land opens. Even though it is more kid friendly, at least we would have more to see & do. By closing now, they really pulled a staple. I am having a hard time believing that Disney needed the extra 6-8 months to get the new attraction done.

My guess is they had to close Great Movie Ride now so they have time to complete Mickey and Minnie's Runaway Railway by the time Star Wars: Galaxy Edge opens. The park is going to be overwhelmed with guests once Star Wars opens so they need all the help they can get to relieve the stress.

Unless they are going for a very un-Disney construction pace and are trying to get it open even sooner. May 1, 2019 is the 30th anniversary of the park. What better time than an anniversary to relaunch the park with a new name to fit its new purpose? And what better way to relaunch than a completely new attraction opening in the park icon?

 

[erinch]

I never go that I don't feel sad about Hunchback closing. If it ever hits Broadway, maybe they would re-open.

 

[amberpi]

I've never found HS to be more than a half day park. Your Epcot allocation of days is CRAZY low for me, so it really is personal preference. I touch Epcot for a few hours of every day of every trip - have since childhood as my parent's were/are huge fans as well.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

My last Disney trip was December 2015, and I'm going again April 2018. I keep on reading how how many closures there have been at HS, that it is a shell of itself

Besides the GMR, I don't see anything else that closed since my 2015 trip.

What am I missing?

I have 8 full park days for my upcoming trip, and don't park hop. Currently planning MK 3 days, EP and HS 2 days, and AK 1 day (late in the trip to grab a FoP FP).

With the opening of Pandora and all the talk of HS closures, I'd love anyone's thoughts on switching to AK 2 days and HS 1 day. FYI, HS has always been my family's favorite park behind MK. ToT, RR, TS, and F+ are some of our favorite attractions.

To me that depends on your perspective.

Last time I went was in 2011...so yeah in comparison as far as where I can walk and what I can do there is more closed than when you last went less than 2 years ago.

There's still enough for us to do and we won't be skipping it but that being said we have hoppers and that makes a difference.

But you really do need to consider when someone last went as well as what they like to do when they talk about closures. FWIW there are just 2 rides, actual rides, that I am interested to go on. Yes there are a few shows as well as Fantasmic! but as far as actual rides with GMR closing I'm down to 2. My husband still has 4 rides.

 

[Exagie]

My last Disney trip was December 2015, and I'm going again April 2018. I keep on reading how how many closures there have been at HS, that it is a shell of itself

Besides the GMR, I don't see anything else that closed since my 2015 trip.

What am I missing?

I have 8 full park days for my upcoming trip, and don't park hop. Currently planning MK 3 days, EP and HS 2 days, and AK 1 day (late in the trip to grab a FoP FP).

With the opening of Pandora and all the talk of HS closures, I'd love anyone's thoughts on switching to AK 2 days and HS 1 day. FYI, HS has always been my family's favorite park behind MK. ToT, RR, TS, and F+ are some of our favorite attractions.

There have been a lot of closures of sections of the park, leading to a lot of dead ends that doesn't give much else for a guest to do. They took out the NYC and San Francisco walk sets, GMR, Backlot Tour, the motor action show, etc. I find myself spending a day there tops- usually two half days if I have park hopper - since all of the closures. While it'll be great when the other lands come out, I think they gutted too much from the park at once instead of focusing on expansion and then updates to current attractions.

-Exagie

 

[Minnesota!]

We do 1 day MK, 2 - 3 days Epcot, 2 days AK, 1/2 day HS

 

[HarperLeigh]

My guess is they had to close Great Movie Ride now so they have time to complete Mickey and Minnie's Runaway Railway by the time Star Wars: Galaxy Edge opens. The park is going to be overwhelmed with guests once Star Wars opens so they need all the help they can get to relieve the stress.

Unless they are going for a very un-Disney construction pace and are trying to get it open even sooner. May 1, 2019 is the 30th anniversary of the park. What better time than an anniversary to relaunch the park with a new name to fit its new purpose? And what better way to relaunch than a completely new attraction opening in the park icon?

Another new name?

 

[Liljo22]

Another new name?

Yes. Iger let it slip at a shareholder's meeting that they are changing the name.

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/business/os-disney-hollywood-studios-new-name-20150312-story.html

 

[HarperLeigh]

Yes. Iger let it slip at a shareholder's meeting that they are changing the name.

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/business/os-disney-hollywood-studios-new-name-20150312-story.html

 

[Robo]

it will be a cold day in heck before I waste time with anything Frozen.

Which, I assume, is in reference to the "Frozen Sing-Along Celebration."

If you don't go, you are missing one of THE funniest shows at WDW.
It stars WDW's likely best comedic actor.
He used to play Six-bits Slokum at the Hoop for several years.
(The first time I saw him in the Hoop,
I found a CM lead after the show just to make sure that I voiced our praise for Six-bits' hysterical schtick.)

A few years later this same actor moved to various other WDW roles (like the Mayor of MK.)
He is a spectacular improv guy, and in the Frozen Sing-Along has a knack of throwing out innocuous quips (thinly veiled jabs) at the "Frozen madness."

The show is hilarious, especially if you are tired of "anything Frozen."
Great show for parents of kids who "already know all the words."

We were blown away to see our favorite WDW comedian in this show.

 

[KimBean]

Honey I Shrunk the Kids playground is closed?? This is the first I've heard of that (although my Disney research only began a couple weeks ago)

Wow. When did you go last? That's been closed awhile.

 

[KimBean]

Animation academy is what took this from a very full 2 days to 1 day and a leisurely few hours on a second day. We did AA 4-5 times last trip. My teens fave.

 

[Robo]

Wow. When did you go last? That's been closed awhile.

HISTK playground closed in early July of 2016.

 

[FireflyTrance]

When I was there in May I found it difficult to find enough to occupy the whole day at HS, so I don't really see how anyone could spent 2 full days there. Between HS and AK, I think it's much easier to spend 2 full days at AK. You could spent almost one full day at everything new: Pandora, maybe eating at Tiffins and ROL. Then spend the second day doing all the older attractions.