Disney’s Hollywood Studios Construction Update
During our Walt Disney World trip, I went to Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Why? I’m still not entirely sure. Let’s go with, so you didn’t have to. Hence this blog post, I guess. In it, I’ll share photos and a construction progress report from DHS.
In actuality, even with much (most?) of the park’s acreage behind construction walls, I still enjoy Disney’s Hollywood Studios. I love the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, being bathed in the neon lighting of Sunset and Hollywood Boulevards at night, and three of my favorite in-park restaurants at Walt Disney World are here. I even enjoy the stroll from Epcot through the BoardWalk to get here.
I also enjoy seeing things in flux, watching parks evolve firsthand, and documenting that change. I find old Disney construction photos fascinating, and someday I’d like to have my own collection of ‘vintage’ Walt Disney World construction photos. Okay, I think I’ve done enough to justify why I ventured over to Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Besides, I don’t have to answer to you–YOU’RE NOT MY MOM. (Well, one of you is. Hi mom.)
Before we even get into the park, it should be noted that a lot of infrastructure work is occurring outside and around the perimeter of Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Most notably, a significant portion of the parking lot is closed.
This all seems sensible, as upgrading the infrastructure so the park can handle the influx of people once Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge opens is the savvy move. Team Disney Anaheim, are you taking notes?
The preliminary work for the Skyliner is also visible near the front entrance.
Inside the park, the first thing we see is the Great Movi…err, Grauman’s Chinese Theater, soon to be the home of Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway.
The process of gutting Grauman’s Chinese Theater began a day or two after Great Movie Ride closed. After we opted against a last-minute trip to see Great Movie Ride and Universe of Energy, I was holding out a sliver of hope that Disney would not start work on these attractions until after the start of the next fiscal year (October 1), and might reopen them on days of high crowds.
There have already been reports of some Audio Animatronics and props from the attraction spotted elsewhere backstage at Walt Disney World. I remain optimistic that the car of gangsters will be added to Stitch’s Great Escape, and we’ll get a new, Bonnie and Clyde style ending to that attraction.
I’m taking a wait and see approach with Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway, but I worry that it’ll be entirely or primarily screen-based, and will be short in duration. Basically, Roger Rabbit’s Car Toon Spin 2.0, NOW WITH MICKEY! That’s not necessarily a bad thing…until you consider that it’s replacing a 20+ minute, mixed media attraction.
As we previously shared, Echo Lake is getting into the Christmas spirit this year, which is why the lake is currently being drained and cleaned up.
Presumably, it’ll look this way until the Christmas tree is installed, which we’d anticipate will occur in late October.
Moving right along, we come to what is for now Muppet Courtyard. I remember when this name change was announced–I was so excited. I care far more about the Muppets than I do Star Wars or Toy Story, and I was optimistic that this meant an expansion of the Muppets’ presence in Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
How naive. Instead, we got a PizzeRizzo, which is hardly the pinnacle of themed design, and placemaking in the area that made it seem like less of a place. With the addition of Grand Avenue, and subsequent announcement that it will swallow Muppet Courtyard, the potential for a greater Muppet presence seems right around zero.
I’m not necessarily against theming more of the park to Hollywood, but that is clearly not occurring with Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge and Toy Story Land…and it’s not really occurring here, either. Sunset and Hollywood Boulevards reflect an idealized version of old Hollywood.
These areas are beautiful and detail-rich, drawing inspiration from buildings around the real Hollywood.
Grand Avenue, by contrast, is themed to modern-day Downtown Los Angeles, and not even the recognizable area of Grand Ave, where museums and the Walt Disney Concert Hall are located.
The buildings look generically styled to match repurposed warehouses in L.A.’s Arts District, but even then, they’re nothing iconic…and DTLA is definitely not Hollywood.
I realize everything in Muppet Courtyard is technically set in Los Angeles already. As part of the longstanding contrived backstory, this area is fake New York, but actually in California. (Because backlot?) I assume at one point this was done to make the area feel familiar to East Coast guests, while still being thematically consistent with the ‘Hollywood’ vibe of the park.
With such an approach, Australia would “fit” in the park if you just appended an asterisk that “JK, this is just an elaborate Australia set located in Hollywood. LOL!” On second thought, I probably shouldn’t give them any ideas…
Personally, I would’ve loved to see Disney double-down on the Muppet theme, keeping the over-the-top style and having the new bar reflect that.
Perhaps the Muppets and booze don’t mix, in which case having the same style of gags as in the MuppetVision queue but without explicit references to the Muppets would’ve been perfect.
Either way, this whole area is going to be a de facto entranceway to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, and probably is only being designed for the next 5-10 years, so it’s difficult to get too worked up over this change. Squandered potential, sure, but I doubt the expected lifespan (and purpose) justifies something extravagant.
Based on what we saw, it seems likely that Grand Avenue will open later this month, or in early October. It seems pretty far along if the exteriors are any indication.
On the plus side, the Miss Piggy fountain is currently being restored, so that water feature (feared to be lost forever) should return soon.
Another potential positive is the rumor we previously covered that a Muppets show akin to “The Muppets Present… Great Moments in American History” is being considered for Grand Avenue. The twist would be that the Muppets perform renditions of the various Star Wars movies. It’s unclear whether this would open with Grand Avenue, or will debut with Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. (Our money would be on the latter.)
If that ends up happening, I’ll totally be on board with Grand Avenue. However bland it might look, another show like this would be a huge win for Walt Disney World. The version in Liberty Square is one of the best additions to Magic Kingdom in years, and is an absolute must-do for us every trip.
In the same area where you can observe the transformation from Streets of America to Grand Avenue as well as over by Toy Story Mania (where the above photo was shot), you can see Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge starting to tower over the rest of the park.
Progress here still appears to be at least 4 months behind Disneyland, if not more. At the D23 Expo, Parks & Resort Chairman Bob Chapek indicated that these two lands would not open at the same time, but did not restate the previously-announced 2019 opening date.
I think it’s safe to say that Disneyland’s Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge will have a 2019 opening. However, for both to open in 2019, Disneyland’s version would probably have to open before Memorial Day, with Walt Disney World’s opening at Christmas.
I just don’t see that happening. A Memorial Day 2019 Grand Opening is within the realm of possibilities for Disneyland, but it now seems Disney intends to do a prolonged hard ticket preview period for Disneyland’s Star Wars land, which will likely occur over the course of a few months.
I think the most likely scenario is a later summer Grand Opening at Disneyland, followed by a (partial?) preview period at Walt Disney World in late 2019. I would expect the Grand Opening at Walt Disney World’s Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge to occur in 2020. Then again, who knows…this is still a couple of years away. The pace of construction could pick up once Toy Story Land is finished.
Next, we have the old One Man’s Dream, which is being reimagined to Walt Disney Presents. I absolutely love the new marquee. Much classier and fitting than the old one, which felt very temporary.
The irony is that this one definitely has a temporary component, which will allow it to be updated as the meet & greet changes.
The only real change here is the addition of a new model of Toy Story Land, portion of the D23 Expo model of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, concept art for Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway, and other ‘preview center’ style stuff towards the end of the exhibit.
All of the Walt Disney historical items (or almost all of them) are still there. This reopened during our trip, but the Toy Story and Star Wars models were not yet unveiled.
Due to Hurricane Irma, the scrim on this construction project–the demolition of Soundstage 4–was removed, offering a glimpse at the project and into Toy Story Land. Although we couldn’t see a ton, the project looks very far along. It seems Memorial Day 2018 is the target grand opening for Toy Story Land, but I wouldn’t be shocked to see a long soft opening period prior to then (in fairness, I predicted the same for Pandora, and instead we got AP previews with registration, so we shall see).
If Facebook posts (always an oasis of reasoned discourse) and blog comments are any indication, there’s a ton of outrage about all of the work being done at Disney’s Hollywood Studios right now, and why it isn’t being spread out more.
In fairness, I can understand being upset, particularly if it’s your first/only visit to DHS. On the other hand, you can skip it, doing a second day at Magic Kingdom/Epcot or going down the road to Universal for an experience that, currently, offers more bang for your buck. If you do visit DHS, we’d recommend avoiding a full day and instead following our new Half-Day Disney’s Hollywood Studios Itinerary.
On the other other hand, a sense of urgency to get as much done before Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge opens seems incredibly pragmatic. I have not hesitated to criticize Disneyland’s approach in (failing to) brace for the Star Wars addition, and the crowds that will arrive with it.
Even though there’s less of a need for this in Florida, Walt Disney World is inarguably better preparing for the crush of crowds. Yes, it stinks that so much is behind walls right now, and yes, this all should’ve been addressed ages ago. That doesn’t change the point that millions more people are going to descend upon Disney’s Hollywood Studios when Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge opens. They will need other things to do, and the park will need ways to absorb the crowds. As someone who visits Walt Disney World more than once per year, I’m not going to get worked up over the amount of construction occurring right now. It’s better than the park being wholly unprepared and playing catch-up for years after Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge opens.
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Your Thoughts
What do you think of the construction progress at Disney’s Hollywood Studios? Would you prefer a whimsical Muppet Studios land to the Grand Avenue addition? Will you continue to visit this park for the next couple of years, or wait until Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge is open? Any questions we can help you answer? Hearing feedback about your experiences is both interesting to us and helpful to other readers, so please share your thoughts below in the comments!
I am wondering what to do for a trip I booked with my daughter and 3 & 5 yr old – 4 day trip so I was going to just buy a 4 day pass I was thinking of skipping HS but my grandson is 5 and would love anything star wars and granddaughter 3 so I think they would love the shows so. But we won’t be going on tower of terror or coaster not sure I can get away with not going – also my daughter is a stroke and dissection survivor so she won’t do any rides at any parks so I thought the shows would be appreciated- but it is using one park pass – what are your thoughts?
With a 5 year old I am not sure depending on their height. If you can snag fastpasses for Toy Story and Star Wars, and if you can get the Jedi Training Academy (have to do rope drop to get that usually), it may be worth it. There are good sit down restaurants which can take up more time (if it is within your budget). And you can potentially (depending on time of year) time it to do both Fantasmic and Star Wars Galactic Spectacular. There are the shows and character meet and greets as well to fill up a day. If you know it will be a slower day, and are willing to take in the sights and sounds, I think it could potentially be a very nice day.
DHS is still one of my favorite parks, regardless of the construction. My boyfriend and I will happily ride Star Tours, Toy Story Mania, Tower of Terror, and Rock and Rollercoaster over and over. Add in my favorite nighttime show Fantasmic! and some of our favorite in-park restaurants, and I’m more than happy to enjoy a day in DHS. We were there at the same time you were, Tom, and it does look like there will be an entrance to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge next to Tattooine Traders. I definitely think that DHS is still a worthy park to visit, even with all of the construction walls.
I completely agree. One of my favorite parks. I hope Tom is right though about Grand Avenue being temporary. It isn’t my cup of tea. I prefer more true theme rather than just some fake downtown buildings.
I’m torn. We have our first trip with our 5yo. We only have 4 days. Reasonable thing would be an extra MK day, except he LOVES Star Wars. And we have standard tickets, not park hopper. The current plan is DHS plus pool time (or nap if I can talk him into it) on day 3, including coming back for the star wars show at night. Is there enough to justify? Especially since we will not be going on TOT or RRC?
With a 5 year old I am not sure. If you can snag fastpasses for Toy Story and Star Wars, and if you can get the Jedi Training Academy (have to do rope drop to get that usually), it may be worth it. There are good sit down restaurants which can take up more time (if it is within your budget). And you can potentially (depending on time of year) time it to do both Fantasmic and Star Wars Galactic Spectacular. If you know it will be a slower day, and are willing to take in the sights and sounds, I think it could potentially be a very nice day.
Thanks for the post Tom. As always, doing a great job!
Question on the One Man’s Dream attraction. Does anyone know of they still do the ‘Citizen of Disney World’ there?
This is high on our DHS list but if it’s gone, it’s gone.
We are currently completing our 9-day stay at WDW. Though the Avatar ride at AK is our new favorite ride, DHS remains our favorite park. We can ride TOT and RRC over and over and do the same at Toy Story Mania. We like to hang out in the Tune-In and the SciFi Drive-In, and always eat at the Brown Derby at least once. The Magic Kingdom hasn’t offered us anything new *and* worthwhile in years (7 Dwarves rated a huge confused yawn when we finally managed to ride it–“Is that all there is?”); the park seems to be half meet and greets now, something that has never interested us. And Epcot seems like a mere shadow of its former self (no more world of energy nor design your ride) spread out over an exhausting stretch of acreage. Thank God they serve plenty of alcohol.
Here’s hoping DHS gets the love and attention it deserves.
After our recent visit to Disneyland Paris… they should get the Rattatuille ride into DHS, some how. That was about the only highlight of our trip. With all the open space there with the number out outdated attractions. It would be a great draw.
** DHS** was my favorite park.
DHS is my least favorite of all the Disney Parks in the US. I have skipped it on my recent trips. I will likely continue to skip DHS until Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway opens up. I look forward to the new craft beer location and although it maybe wishful thinking, I can enjoy the beer while watching Muppet Vision 4D. I also care more about the Muppets than Star Wars or Toy Story even after the abysmal recent Muppet TV Show or Muppets Most Wanted movie. The Muppet Show from the 1970s/1980s, the Muppet movies from 1979 and 2011, Muppet Christmas Christmas Carol, and of course the Muppet Vision 4D and Great Moments in History are some of my favorites. I hope to see their presence increase at DHS. The only thing I am excited about with Star Wars and Toy Story is hopefully they take the crowds with them and make the crowds more manageable at MK, Epcot, or AK.
Disneyland was way ahead of DHS. The River and attractions are back in service. Not sure why the jab on Team Anaheim. They can’t afford to close their parking lots and it’s not even connected to the park. Doesn’t even make sense. Oh well.
More than half of DHS is closed. It’s not worth the visit. Disney promised both Star Wars Lands will open in the same year in 2019. I’m holding them to this schedule even though opening DHS’ version in 2020 is more prudent.
The jab is because TDA has failed to build infrastructure to support the crush of crowds that will show up in 2019. They’ve done a great job with the work on Rivers of America and pace of construction, but the parking situation (among other things) is a serious issue.
If you meant to say the Eastern Gateway that didn’t make past the Anaheim City Council, then you would make sense. Disney gave no margin of error to ensure the project would pass. The local businesses objected due to possible loss of walk in traffic. Disney didn’t do enough to ease objections.
I am also curious if there will be some physical connection or transition between Star Tours and Star War Land.
We see a lot of shade thrown at Disney Hollywood Studios during its transition by some Disney Bloggers, and while the Park is no longer of the caliber of the old MGM Studios, it still has worthwhile attractions, restaurants and shows. If you only have one day in town it may not be the Park to visit, and you may be able to spend less than a full day there, but if you are in town for multiple days, there is no reason to not visit this Park.
Star Tours is never mentioned by Disney with regard to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, so my assumption is that it will (eventually) be repurposed. They could swap out the film and reskin the building in 6 months or so if they were aggressive about it.
I doubt this will happen by 2019 or 2020, but I wouldn’t expect it to be Star Tours in 5+ years.
Muppets Ride Unlikely.
A friend of mine works for a construction management firm and they are working on a “big” project near MCO. As they have been going out for contractor bids, they have found that “big ” is relative with Disney and Universal in town. They have been struggling to find contractors or get reasonable prices.
I know we sometimes are critical of the speed of WDW construction, but we have to remember that contractors are a finite resource, a(And likely in higher demand following Irma, as well. (I’m not accusing you of doing that in this article, I just thought it was an interested related story.)
After walking around Walt Disney World this trip and seeing the scale and scope of some of these projects–and several haven’t even started yet–I’m actually surprised that Walt Disney World can build so much simultaneously without driving up costs for themselves. I cannot imagine Central Florida has this many contractors, so I’m guessing they’ve pulled some from elsewhere(?).
Tokyo DisneySea had to scale back more modest plans due to the Olympics driving up costs–and that’s an area with a ton of resources!
We are going to DHS in April for the first time. Yes, we are planning to visit. We are from Germany and will be at Disney for 9 days. We travel to Florida a lot, and usually only visit Disney for one or two days and skipped DHS until now.
Our daughter is 5. She’ll love the Frozen sing a long and Disney jr on stage and TSMM. Husband and I are excited about RnRC and ToT.
We are going on our first full day and will probably leave in the early afternoon, because of the jetlag. But I guess thats enough time for DHS.
I would have loved the great movie ride.
I’m having a hard time understanding how they plan to connect Star Tours to the new Star Wars land. Will Grand Ave be between them?
I agree it would be a great oversight to leave one Star Wars attraction detached from the land. I could see 2 things.
The less likely is relocating Star Tours entirely to Star Wars Land, freeing up its current area for new attractions. It would make sense to not leave it marooned away from the rest, but I think idea of more construction would be off putting. The other is very speculative but I personally dont believe the southern entrance will remain at the park and that the new Star Wars themed deluxe resort will be made beside it, with direct access via the current backstage area called Tatooine Alley (where the giant Kermit gate is) offering multiple access points to Star Wars Land to prevent bottlenecks.
What are your three favorite in-park restaurants at DHS?
Brown derby, 50s prime time cafe, and sci do dine inn theatre
Sci fi dine inn theatre
Right Now, 50’s Prime TIme then Brown Derby Lounge then Sci Fi, but trying Mamma Mia’s soon so the list might change.