Studio Backlot Tour Officially Closing on September 27
Here we are, ladies and gentlemen. It looks like the renaissance of Disney's Hollywood Studios may be starting sooner than we thought (hopefully...). In fact, just a few minutes ago, Disney officially confirmed internally that the infamous Studios Backlot Tour attraction at Disney's Hollywood Studios will close for good on September 27, 2014 to make for new, exciting additions. Here you are a few additional information about this sudden (but expected) news:
What do you think? What will this "exciting new development work" involve? We have heard countless rumors of new attractions and themed lands that should have been built at Disney's Hollywood Studios. While most of those rumors seem to be dead now, the one that still stands is the Star Wars Land rumor, but that is supposed to be built in another section of the park. Have plans changed, or is something more coming to the park? Things are getting better and better...
"Exciting new development work is happening at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. In order to make way for the new experiences, the last day of operation for the Studio Backlot Tour will be September 27, 2014.
A portion of the Studio Backlot Tour will be used to extend the magic of “Frozen” during this holiday season, which we previously announced. One of the most popular elements of Frozen Summer Fun, Wandering Oaken’s Trading Post, will be relocating to the Streets of America spot and will continue to operate closer to the popular “For the First Time in Forever: A ‘Frozen’ Sing-Along Celebration.” We are working on other developments for that area, as well, and we look forward to sharing more details at a later date."
What do you think? What will this "exciting new development work" involve? We have heard countless rumors of new attractions and themed lands that should have been built at Disney's Hollywood Studios. While most of those rumors seem to be dead now, the one that still stands is the Star Wars Land rumor, but that is supposed to be built in another section of the park. Have plans changed, or is something more coming to the park? Things are getting better and better...
Not much notice at all really.
ReplyDeleteWill it be missed though. They took away the warehouse/storage area already, so what's left?
I just find it amazing that in one week, we have gotten 2 HUGE announcements, as well as 99% confirmation on Soarin'.
ReplyDeleteWow, glad I was able to take my kids on it before it closed. It was great once. I guess that means Catastrophe Canyon will be demolished too. Hm...
ReplyDeleteA sing a long ..cool
ReplyDeleteThink this may get the crowds back from Universal
Disney sure knows how to screw things up. 2 great attractions gone. Why not expand? Disney is really starting to annoy me.
ReplyDeleteexpand where? There is no room to expand at DHS!
ReplyDeleteIf Disney were 'screwing things up' then the 4 parks wouldn't be attracting record crowds every year! They know what they are doing
ReplyDeleteOTPN, any chance of cars land and radiator springs racers coming to DHS? It's already proven to be very successful in California, why not bring it to Orlando? I saw it last year and it was incredible, made the entire trip to Disneyland worth it. Radiator springs racers might be the best theme park ride anywhere, and seeing the town of radiator springs lit up at night with all of the neon lights everywhere was incredible.
ReplyDeleteThe problem with that is Epcot really got the same ride type so can't see they building the same ride at DHS. Rumours point to a Toy story play area like there got at Disneyland Paris. With 3 new rides and a 3rd track for toy story mania.
ReplyDelete@ Andy Hanson: Disney has no problem using the same ride technology repeatedly. Look at Voyage of the Little Mermaid and The Haunted Mansion. Same shiz, different theme IN the same park. I've been on both Radiator Springs Racers and Test Track. While they use the same technology, they offer totally different experiences. Just like Indiana Jones in Disneyland and Dinosaur at DAK.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad they are replacing the backlot tour. I'll be sad if they use lower scale rides like the Toy Story Land attractions though. Universal just gave us Diagon Alley with an amazing new and technologically advanced attraction. It would be a shame if Disney added more kiddie rides. It's time to push the envelope, and no, a glorified boat ride and Soarin' on steroids is not the answer.
Imagine. Disney creating kiddie rides. Where do they get such strange ideas. Oh, wait... Disney was created for children and their parents.
ReplyDeleteYou're right that it was created for children and their parents. But what's more fun, a Cars Land caliber attraction or something like Slinky Dog Zig Zag Spin which seems like a carnival ride with a Disney coat of paint thrown over it?
ReplyDeleteGive the people what they want! Cars Land East AND Star Wars Land! Then DHS would be amazing.
Would've expected "Lights, Motor, Action" to go before a classic attraction like this. It might've needed a bit of updating but the backlot tour should've been part of the " crown jewels" at Disney.
ReplyDelete"Frozen" might be current but I doubt it'l have the same appeal in, say, 5 years from now.
Another poster wrote that Disney knows best and I can't argue with that but I'll be sad to see this go.
To say that Frozen won't be relevant in five years is utterly ridiculous. Frozen is not a flash in the pan. Are they doing the right thing with this Epcot ride and this live entertainment stuff at DHS? No of course not. They should take their time and give Frozen the Harry Potter treatment, but to say Frozen doesn't have the lasting power of The Backlot Tour which talks about Herbie the freaking Love Bug is ridiculous.
ReplyDeleteFrozen isn't replacing the backstage tour, it is just continuing, I am sure they will build more new attractions! For all those saying expand, by removing the backlot tour there is a huge amount of space to expand into.
ReplyDeleteThey could get several rides into the space that the tour and all the studio production buildings take up. Things like costuming can move out of the park to another backstage area (like laundry) giving up a huge amount of space that used to be "studio backlot" and now can be theme park.
Also in response to Bob, the Backlot tour at Universal in Hollywood is the crown jewel as it still goes round a working studio. Unfortunately since no-one wanted to film at Disney-MGM studios after few years (mainly due to the walking tours on the gantries) and then Disney demolished the sets to make room for LMA the backlot tour isn't and won't ever be again the crown jewel.
ReplyDeleteLMA takes up less space so can continue for now, but it wouldn't be a surprise if once they have started building on the old tour site they look to build on the LMA site.
In response to John. Whilst I do agree that references to older material needs updating I think there's still a place for the Backlot Tour. It's an attraction that many will miss.
ReplyDeleteAs for Frozen it remains to be seen whether it will enjoy the longevity of some of the Classics. It was likeable enough and has done well. But I'm not in favour of overplaying a hand. As with the Potter franchise. Too many eggs in one basket is risky. Yes have an attraction but don;t get carried away. Audiences are fickle and there's always something new on the horizon. So I have a different opinion but it's not a ridiculous one.
For all saying that Disney can't expand without getting rid of attractions I disagree. Disney has all the money in the world. In NJ at 6 flags great adventure they expand every year into the parking lot. Why can't this happen at the studios park next to the indy show? ...There is plenty of room to expand Disney just has everything carefully planned out. They want you in the attractions for only so long. They want you in their shops and eating their food. If Disney really wanted to expand into the parking lot they could. It can be done.
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