Hollywood Studios Update – February 2019
We continue to Disney’s Hollywood Studios for our ongoing February 2019 Walt Disney World construction updates, which was also the primary stop for yesterday’s Skyliner Update, as that’s where the gondolas have primarily been testing. In this DHS update, we’ll cover the latest on the Bus Stop Half Marathon, Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, and more.
Let’s start with what’s presumably going to be an ongoing thing throughout the year, and that’s preparing Disney’s Hollywood Studios for the crowds that descend upon the park for Star Wars land. Out in California, this has actually been a multi-year project known as Project Stardust.
Of course, there are some key differences between Disneyland and Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and improving guest flow in corridors of a heavily-attended castle park built 60+ years ago is a much more herculean task than at the moderately-popular third gate from 1989. Disney’s Hollywood Studios will need some changes to improve traffic flow, to be sure, but nothing to the extent of Disneyland.
Nevertheless, we’re starting to see some of that happen in DHS, and we’re also starting to see the other half of Project Stardust: a heightened guest experience. At least, that’s what we assume is occurring. Menus are starting to be enhanced (and actually enhanced, not just changed), entertainment is being added, and more.
As noted, we expect a lot of changes and enhancements like these throughout the year, and it’ll be fun to see what kind of out-of-left-field announcements are made for Disney’s Hollywood Studios. For now, let’s roll with the substance of the update…
This wall is over by the Speeder Bike photo op, which has been removed.
I don’t know why the wall is up, but it’s presumably to ease congestion at this ‘intersection’ that faces the thoroughfare leading to Galaxy’s Edge.
We pretty much knew this was going to be a Disney Vacation Club sales kiosk, but now we have confirmation.
Presumably, the goal will be to catch guests on their way in to Galaxy’s Edge when they’re all hyped up…before they realize the wait times for the two attractions without FastPass+ are measured in days.
A look at Galaxy’s Edge from Slinky Dog Dash. Not much has visibly changed since the last time we posted one of these. Rest assured, work is progressing on the ground level and inside the buildings.
You probably can’t tell because the image has been resized, but it’s not totally in focus. Last time I send a Sony to do a Nikon’s job.
From Toy Story Land, we head over to the old Pixar Place area, which has been “transformed” into Municiberg.
Those are definitely air quotes around transformed. It’s basically the same, except with some new decorations and signage changes.
I don’t really know how to feel about this.
It’s absolutely nothing special, but it’s better than this area being closed.
“Better than nothing” is a really low bar.
Even though I think Walt Disney World should be doing what it can to turn every square inch of Disney’s Hollywood Studios into usable space that can soak up crowds, they have another ~6 or more months to do that, and it’d be nice to see quality efforts.
These “temporary” offerings are presumably going to be necessary for a couple of years post-Galaxy’s Edge, so it would make sense to invest some money and effort into making them feel less temporary.
The lull in crowds is now, and that’s the time to get this stuff built in a quality manner. Once Star Wars land opens, it’ll be tough to take anything in the park down for refurbishment or improvements for a while.
I know these aren’t my cup of tea to begin with, so I might seem biased against them, but I find Donald’s Dino Bash to be pretty much the gold standard of how this type of thing can be done in a Disney-caliber way.
Incredible Celebration is no Donald’s Dino Bash.
Speaking of things possibly being plussed ahead of Star Wars land, Beauty and the Beast – Live on Stage is now down for refurbishment through March 9, 2019. Don’t get your hopes up about that now.
For the better part of the last decade, there have been rumors that this show was on the way out. From what I’ve heard, the show still scores very well in guest satisfaction ratings, which are the main metrics used to evaluate whether to replace entertainment.
To me, this suggests people love all things Beauty and the Beast, as this show is showing its age. I still don’t quite get why it has taken 25+ years after the film’s release for the first Beauty and the Beast ride to be built.
Remember our update a few months ago that randomly posed some very hard hitting questions about why a Planet Hollywood store still exists in Disney’s Hollywood Studios?
Well, that update was obviously read by none other than Robert Iger himself, and as a direct result that store has now closed. You’re welcome? (Just so we’re clear, this is a joke–the timing is entirely coincidental.)
Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy is opening later this spring, and there are cloaking devices over by Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster leading to the entrance.
Social media indicates that the FastPass+ line for RnRC was re-routed slightly, but I couldn’t tell from outside the line. I guess I’m not very observant.
These reusable bags are now available for purchase, and were originally rumored to be replacing disposable bags entirely.
Upon hearing that rumor, I expressed what (I guess?) is the controversial opinion that I hope disposable bags are eliminated. While I think Disney’s motivation here is probably the almighty dollar, if an “unintended” byproduct is less plastic being used, the result is a good one. Hope those of you vehemently opposed to that terrible idea never visit California or Europe.
Outside the park, the new bus stops continue to take shape and look like they could be finished pretty soon. A good job is being done both with these and the new tram drop-off on the other side.
The Bus Stop Half Marathon is much easier and more pleasant now that the temporary walls have come down…and with cooler weather. Hopefully this project is done before the hot summer months. (It should be.)
That covers it for this Disney’s Hollywood Studios update. However, we’re going to finish this on a bit of a different note, with some random photos presented without commentary. These updates are starting to become a bit tedious for me, so going forward I’m going to try to make them hybrid ‘park reports’ showcasing general beauty and ambiance, plus ‘progress reports’ showcasing photos of construction and that sort of thing. I always take the general photos, as that’s what interests me; I just normally don’t share them because they don’t seem germane to the update nature of these posts. Hopefully you enjoy this approach, or at least don’t mind it!
Going forward, I think I might sprinkle this type of photo amongst the construction ones, and actually add commentary. Magic Kingdom, in particular, is looking gorgeous right now, and I think showing more than just its construction walls and piles of dirt might be a good approach. If you have feedback, I’d love to hear it!
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YOUR THOUGHTS
Are you a fan of Incredible Celebration? Think Beauty and the Beast – Live on Stage will ever be replaced? Thoughts on the reusable bags? What do you think of landscape and general atmosphere photos in these construction updates? Anything else we covered in this update? Any questions we can help you answer? Hearing your feedback–even when you disagree with us–is both interesting to us and helpful to other readers, so please share your thoughts below in the comments!
Thanks for adding the regular photos at the end! while I enjoy the updates you write sometimes it is nice to just stop and ‘look at’ the roses
Just stopped by to give you props/kudos for your Galaxy’s Edge construction photos. I rode Slinky Dog Dash for the first time last week, and was majorly impressed by the fact that you manage to take construction photos from a ride that moves so quickly! Thanks for all you do for us!
I am all for the reusable bags, and I thought it was clever of Disney to make them park-specific as the designs looked good. The quality on the reusable bags, however, are poor – I had one bag with a hole in the bottom and another where the stitching came loose on the handle about 5 minutes after I bought it – without anything heavy in them! I also noticed, however, that Disney’s regular plastic bags (with the big castle on it) state that they are made with 100% recycled materials, which makes me feel slightly better about using them. I always save them once I get home as they make nice gift bags!
Love the photos, as well as the updates! Yes, please continue including the lovely photos. They’re the perfect motivators to keep us saving for our next trip!
What’s the latest on the Mickey & Minnie Movie Ride going into Hollywood Studios?
I hear it’s expected to open by September 1, which in turn is expected to significantly increase attendance in that park in an otherwise slow period.
Keep the photos coming!
Your posts are very informative, too.
I guess it’s good to know some people don’t like star wars. I went to go food shopping and saw it on the marquee and went to the movie instead. I have been a fan from the beginning. But I do not believe even if it’s your main focus , and the reason why your there, that you will not go to other parks. I will!
Honestly, for as much as they are doing for Star Wars they should’ve just made a 5th park for it. Then those who didn’t care about it wouldn’t have to deal with the awful crowds that will come just for that.
Yes, keep the photos coming! You have a great eye, and, as one who a) does not share that talent and b) does not get to WDW regularly, I get great joy from your photos. And I am also glad to see the move away from plastic bags. As time marches on, this will become more and more normal. If it has become commonplace (even without bans) in the stiff old Midwest… And to the gal complaining about unwashable bags, among other things, you can absolutely wash the synthetic bags. I wash mine all the time. You just have to take out the plastic or cardboard piece keeping the bottom “rigid”. And you can manage to bring toilet paper on your trip, but tossing in a cloth bag is a hassle? Sheesh, talk about pot stirring and creating argument just for the sake of not having to make a change you find bothersome…good grief.
Those photos you added at the end are GORGEOUS! You are so talented, you could make them into a photo book!
The RnR FP line goes to the left now, versus to the right. And my sister and I were sitting right next to the lightening McQueen sign when you took that picture! I thought it was you, but you’d walked away before we could confirm. Nice to know we were at least in the presence of Disney Blog Royalty 😀
I love the the shopping bags. Last time I went to Disneyland they kept giving me a bag for every purchase. I asked if they would take them back and was told no they’d just throw them away. I live in washington state and most of the big cities have banned plastic bags.
I love the extra photos!! Keep them coming!! They make me smile on a boring NC February day!
Gorgeous photos! Your picture of SDD is miles better than the Disney stock photos. Also I’m going to go ahead and choose to believe that Bob Iger reads your blog on his lunch break. It’s more fun that way 🙂
I am still using my bag from Sept 2018. I have been using it at times for my gym clothes. It makes me smile. Loved all you pictures!
Hi Tom,
Love your work, love reading all your posts-you always make them interesting. Photos are excellent. The more the better because, a)we get to see everything from your perspective, which is very different to being a hurried tourist and, b)it gives us an idea about what to expect regarding construction etc (I’m remembering back in 2017 when you posted all the updates about construction at CBR…because I’d seen your photos I wasn’t so shocked by the construction going on when we arrived.)
Oh, and reusable shopping bags, I think is a great idea. People will get used to it. We had plastic bags at the major supermarkets banned here (in Australia) last year. At first everyone was up in arms and angry but they quickly got used to it. Now it’s just the norm. I think it was better just to go “cold turkey” and stop having them available. People adapt.
But this is not a grocery, so how is hauling my own shopping bags on a plane better for the environment and my spine health and my allergies, along with all the other things I already have to bring, to a place I only go to maybe once a year? For people who go all the time who can carry extras with perfect spines, be my guest. But for those of us who already have enough problems and a throw away shopping bag isn’t one, *rimshot*, it’s just another money grab. IF I reuse anybag for any reason, it’d better be hypoallergenic and washable. Just saying. I detest when people bring out filthy looking bags from home and take three times along to bag something, especially at the grocery. I’m like, “Those bags have probably been in the floor of your car, and now you’re just putting them up here next to my food?”
Where this is the law, it’s a carrot & stick approach–meaning you can still pay 10 cents (or whatever trivial amount) for disposable bags.
If Disney ever does institute a more strict policy (and they have not thus far), I’d expect the same. The idea would be to discourage those who don’t truly need a bag from taking one. Think of how many people carry backpacks–plenty of smaller items can be bought and thrown inside them. Obviously, that doesn’t work for everyone, and as you point out, a lot of tourists aren’t in a position to realistically bring reusable bags to the park.
As for at the grocery store…the places we shop have packing boxes and all sorts of other things out that are probably equally as bad as whatever’s on reusable bags. Most food we buy is packaged, and whatever fruits/vegetables/etc. we purchase are always washed before consumption, anyway.
I like the photos at the end… you get there way more then I do so I dont always see the details. Your blog helps point them out to me and that is what I love about Disney… all the details and theming. (Also, why I was not impressed with new toy story land).
Loving the photos at the end, this girl just got a new desktop background for work!