Hollywood Studios Update – June 2019
All eyes turn to Disney’s Hollywood Studios now that Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge has opened in California. In this Walt Disney World photo update, we’ll share progress on the latest changes at DHS, and what else is on the horizon as the park prepares for what’s to come once that blockbuster new land opens.
For starters, we’ll remind you of our Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge Grand Opening coverage. Those of you who don’t care about Disneyland might’ve glossed over it, but it’s worth reiterating that the two lands are nearly identical. The only differences are minor and cosmetic–basically, just the pathways leading into the land. The substance is totally the same, save for whatever gets axed between now and August 29, 2019 because it simply “didn’t work” in California. (Sporks, we’re looking at you!)
As such, our “Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge Review: A Land Like No Other” is a good, mostly spoiler-free place to start–especially if you’re not into Star Wars and need to get hyped up for Space Morocco. Our Millennium Falcon Smugglers Run Review is not technically spoiler-free, but if you’ve been paying any attention, you already know the basic premise of the attraction (we don’t give away any plot points). Perhaps most importantly, our Star Wars Land Crowds: What Happened & What to Expect offers some predictions about crowd control measures Disney’s Hollywood Studios might take (and should take) for the debut of the new land…
In terms of what Walt Disney World has announced thus far to handle Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge crowds, it’s basically just Extra, Extra Magic Hours at this point. Not to diminish those, as we think early arrival will be huge. You can bet you’ll see us waiting outside Disney’s Hollywood Studios around 5 a.m. numerous mornings in September and October.
Thus far, we also know about the Huge Hollywood Studios FastPass+ Tier Changes. That one hasn’t been as well received, but it’s a necessary check on crowd distribution…everyone complaining about the new tiers would be complaining a lot more if they got to the park and literally couldn’t navigate the walkways to get anywhere. We still don’t know about timed entry reservations (highly unlikely) or any sort of FastPass-like boarding pass system (here’s hoping!).
Moving on to the substance of the update, let’s start outside the park…
From best I can tell, the Skyliner station at Disney’s Hollywood Studios is finished.
It looks nice; my second-favorite of the bunch in terms of blending with its surroundings.
This appears to be signage that’s covered until its grand unveiling.
Too bad we can’t see through the cloaking materials or deduce what it says based upon its surroundings. I guess we’ll find out what it says in a few months. I can’t wait!
The new bag check area that was under construction last month is now finished and open.
Even at half-capacity on a moderately busy day, the bag check process was smooth.
The other side, which was previously the only bag check area, is now behind this wall.
Once this is finished, the total permanent space devoted to bag check will roughly double. Between that and the new metal detectors that don’t require removing anything from your pockets, this experience should be better. (Still not as good as with bag scanners, but it’s a start.)
Inside Disney’s Hollywood Studios, several facades are behind construction walls.
This is similar to Project Stardust at Disneyland, except scaled back. That’s in large part because Disney’s Hollywood Studios doesn’t need as much help on the crowd-flow front. This park needs capacity.
As with Disneyland, you can expect to see a lot of the Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge merchandise sold outside of the land itself.
Disney won’t want to miss out on merchandise sales from those who can’t enter Galaxy’s Edge. (Personally, I think it’d be mildly amusing if some items were sold exclusively in Epcot–the ultimate redistribution of crowds!)
This is across from Tatooine Traders.
I have zero idea what (if anything) is being built here.
No clue what’s happening here, either.
My assumption for all of this is “general crowd flow enhancements” but I also wouldn’t be surprised to see a pop-up shop or two.
Speaking of which, here’s a look at the new store at the exit of Toy Story Mania. It…uh…exists?
We’ve been critical of Toy Story Land, and I know some readers don’t like that…but I think once Galaxy’s Edge opens, the sharp quality contrast between the two will be more readily apparent. (That, and there are just so many ‘unforced errors’ in Toy Story Land.)
Disney’s Hollywood Studios has been fairly busy–or so it seems if you’re going by wait times.
The park itself doesn’t feel too bad. Busy, but not oppressively so.
It was a very hot day and Dinosaur Gertie’s was not open.
Fortunately, the ice cream stand over by Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular was open. Disaster averted…even though we all know ice cream tastes better when served from a giant dinosaur.
Also not open: MuppetVision 3D at 6:10 pm!
I know this is not a new change, but when the headliners all have triple digit waits, it’s more than just annoying that this park is closing attractions early.
One of my new favorite photo angles for Tower of Terror is over by Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy. I’m still playing with the angle; this shot probably shows a bit too much of the lower portion of the building.
Let’s just round this update out with a few more photos from around Disney’s Hollywood Studios:
That’s a wrap! I know what you’re thinking: “BUT Tom, you haven’t even covered the return of PizzeRizzo or quasi-table service dinner at ABC Commissary!!!” I know you’re all on pins and needles, but we have an upcoming ABC Commissary reservation (three words I never thought I’d type next to one another), so we’ll report back on that soon.
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YOUR THOUGHTS
What are your thoughts on the changes at Disney’s Hollywood Studios as it prepares for Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge? Think this park is ready for the onslaught of crowds? Thoughts on 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!
I have never seen it open.
Is Dinosaur Gertie ever open? Is their ice cream at all decent? My Dino loving preschooler would be in heaven if he could get a treat from Gertie when we’re there next month!
I personally am super excited that I will just miss the opening of Star Wars Land by a day this year and by the time I get back the same time next year, the hype will have dies down enough for me to go in and enjoy just taking in the environment. I am not a huge Star Wars fan at all and personally can do without it, but interested to explore at least once.
As for Toy Story, I love it. Why do things have to be super hyped up for people to enjoy them. Mania is an awesome ride and has always been a favorite and now, so is Slinky Dog. The aliens obviously are eh, but good for a flying saucer ride.
Everyone is entitled to their own opinion based upon their likes and dislikes.
LOL, you might even catch a “soft” opening. Our trip in October has been planned for a year, and we intentionally thought we would miss it — but it is opening earlier than originally planned. Sigh. Maybe FoP won’t be so busy???
Thanks for all your info. We are going to Disney World Aug 31 , for 7 days. My question is, will buses run for extra extra magic hours. What time will they start.
yours is the first blog/fan site i’ve seen mention the need for bag scanners. THANK YOU! i’ve been barking up that tree for several years now. it would make everything flow so much more efficiently while providing additional security (and most importantly, allow each line to go at the same pace)
The Toy Story gift shop literally looks like a daycare classroom… under impressed is putting it mildly.
they should just name it “sunnyside”
If the Skyliner appears finished, any guess on when it will open? We will be there 4 August and I am hoping it will be running then!
We have passes for early morning magic at Toy Story Land, wondering what time transportation from the parking lot to Hollywood studios entrance starts? Our reservation is for 7 am.
Do you think a 5 am arrival will be necessary? I was thinking to be there at 5:30. Given the time it requires to take Disney transportation, how many people will be willing to wake up at 3:30 in order to make it before 5:30? I am lucky to have a reservation at the Boardwalk villas, booked before they announced the land would open in September, so I’ll have just to walk, I consider myself very lucky.
Anyway my plan is to rope drop every morning the Studios for 2 hours, then go to Epcot for its rope drop, then back to the hotel to sleep 🙂
Any rumor about Rise of the Resistance opening in time with the rest of the land? I know there aren’t many chances, but this would give WDW its own PR spot and would help greatly with the crowds at the Studios (honestly, anything, even a meet and greet with a Spork would help too).
Rise of the Resistance will not open with the land. Cast member training alone will take a few months, and that process is nowhere near starting. Based murmurs from cast members working on the ride testing, Disney’s “opening later this year” statement is looking more and more like wishful thinking.
i keep hoping the 5am arrival won’t be necessary, but it’s a pipe dream. unfortunately, it’s looking more and more like that early timeframe is the only crowd control measure they are implementing.
Tom, just want to be clear that I am not one of your fans who don’t appreciate your critical comments on Toy Story Land. I rather agree. I’d just go a bit further. It sucks. It’s embarrassing that a company that could create Pirates of the Caribbean and Haunted Mansion in the 1960s puts crap like this out to the masses and markets it like it’s something special. Two sad little rides with insane waits … unless you pay an extra $125 for an After Hours event.
As to the MuppetVision closing, I ran into the same thing last month. … Just curious, have you gone into Guest Relations and registered a complaint or asked to speak to a manager about the situation?
Oh, and I would be embarrassed to admit I made a reservation to eat at the ABC Commissary. But it is my WORST QSR in all of WDW and has been for years.
Any thoughts on this week’s desperation 20% food discount thrown to APers?
It’s embarrassing that a company that could create Pirates of the Caribbean and Haunted Mansion in the 1960s puts crap like this out to the masses and markets it like it’s something special. Two sad little rides with insane waits … unless you pay an extra $125 for an After Hours event.
Total Agreement Including your Initial Assessment, this new land barley rises above street fair quality, they probably spent more on advertising than construction.
We were down last week and chuckled over how “Italian Job” is handwritten over the covered Sky Liner sign.
I think that covered sign says “SHY LIMED”
Any ideas what that might mean? Maybe some Disney reference I am not aware of.
It says “DISNEY SKY LINER”. Disney is in smaller letters.
Sorry, I think it is “SHY LIMED.”
I looked it up and “ Shy Limed” is the name of a 1938 Mickey cartoon.
The description says:
“Mickey moves from the country to the city but finds himself having trouble coping with busy city life. While struggling with crippling loneliness and substance abuse, Mickey is befriended by his mysterious neighbor, a rat with a disturbing and grisly hobby. Will Mickey turn a blind eye to the horrors wrought by his new friend just to soothe his loneliness? Or will he return to a bleak solitary existence. Laugh along in the newest adventure of your favorite lovable mouse.”
So yeah, “Shy limed.”
Pretty sure it says “EYELINER.” Finally more places in WDW to buy cosmetics. It’s Hollywood after all, gotta be ready for your closeup!
Agree to disagree. I’m pretty sure Tom made a mistake and that sign was from Animal Kingdom. Shy Liger.
The rarest of animals, so no wonder they are shy. Honest mistake, though.
Shy Liger makes very good sense. I’m convinced.