Hollywood Studios Update: October 2019
We continue to Disney’s Hollywood Studios for our ongoing October 2019 Walt Disney World construction updates. After being the most exciting spot for progress reports earlier this year thanks to classics like the Bus Stop Half Marathon and Grand Avenue Mystery Building (oh and I guess Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge), DHS has been quieter of late.
Of course, this is due to most of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge opening and good news for actual guests. Even though both Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance and Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway remain under construction, there’s really nothing to see with either.
That means DHS is in this weird, in-between spot where two of the most anticipated things haven’t debuted, but there’s still nothing exciting to see right now. While I don’t have updates on these two forthcoming E-Tickets, I do have something even better–reimagined retail!!!
We’ve been dragging our feet on covering this because it doesn’t particularly interest us, but now that all of the shops at Disney’s Hollywood Studios have reopened, we might as well knock this all out.
Upon entering Disney’s Hollywood Studios, you’ll be greeted by a newly reimagined Mickey’s of Hollywood on the left hand side of Hollywood Boulevard. This along with Keystone Clothiers were closed most of the summer…
Mickey’s of Hollywood remains the main, all-purpose gift shop at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. It has a clean and open look stylized with bold patterns, sharp lines, and other Art Deco flourishes. Its classy and crisp, probably the best example of this new retail concept in a setting that’s actually themed. Much better than the World of Disney overhauls.
Keystone Clothiers looks similarly nice, and is currently the home to all things Star Wars. I assume this decision was made back when there were concerns about Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge reaching capacity, and guests not being able to enter the land to shop. We’ll see if that’s realized come December. If not, I could see Keystone Clothier’s displays being quickly converted to all things Pixar.
The Legends of Hollywood gift shop on Sunset Boulevard has also reopened after a remodeling.
It’s primarily a spot for Pandora jewelry and Disney’s higher end dress and purse lines. A lot of the stuff here is similar to what’s sold at Marketplace Co-Op at Disney Springs.
While we’re on the topic of gift shops, I really like the light fixtures and accents in the Carthay Circle building on Sunset Boulevard.
Sometimes I have to remind myself to visit places like this to appreciate their design. There’s beauty in everything from gift shops to meet & greets at Walt Disney World. You shouldn’t overlook this just because the substance of something isn’t for you. (This also goes for lounges and attractions like Tower of Terror–the queue is a masterpiece; you can skip the ride if you’re afraid of drops!)
Continuing down Sunset Boulevard, we noticed some Christmas decorations are up already.
On the one hand, it’s a bit startling to see these up over a week before Halloween…
On the other hand, I wonder whether a first-timer would recognize them as Christmas decorations?
We recognize that these are Christmas decorations rather than just “Tinseltown stars” because we’ve visited during the holiday season before.
In addition to the stars, a screen for Sunset Seasons Greetings is also up already.
If I recall correctly, this often happens before Halloween. I wonder if it’s happening even earlier than normal this year because Walt Disney World has three parks starting Christmas on November 8, rather than just the normal two.
This was originally scheduled to end by October, but I guess it’s been extended (or some of the “limited time” entertainment has ended?). Either way, it’s mostly a ghost town now.
I still don’t understand why this didn’t connect to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. Toy Story Land’s path could’ve shifted to the west and connected to the (closed) entrance-way by the TIE Echelon Fighter where the Kylo Ren and the First Order show happens, with Pixar Place connecting to what’s currently the Toy Story Land connection. It’s odd not having 3 entrances to Walt Disney World’s version of the land, especially with a dead-end like this.
Speaking of Toy Story Land, it’s more pleasant here this October, we’ve noticed.
Last year, the dead-end nature of the land coupled with the lack of shade made it really unpleasant when the land got busy. Opening up the Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge path has helped considerably. Here’s hoping that shade is the next thing that’s addressed.
Additionally and we don’t have photos to back this up, but the land has been cleared for Toy Story Land’s Roundup Rodeo BBQ Restaurant announced earlier this spring. While walking into the land, look right as you approach the giant figure of Woody and the land marquee (there’s a backstage entrance there)–you’ll be able to see clear to backstage facilities.
It’s interesting that Walt Disney World hasn’t released any new details or teased anything about the Roundup BBQ Restaurant since the initial announcement. We’d hazard a guess that this is being fast-tracked, as a table service Toy Story restaurant will immediately become a hot ticket ADR. It’s basically a license to print money. Unless it’s not coming until 2021, it seems like something Walt Disney World would want to be hyping up.
Moving over to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, crowds remain moderate. Our initial instincts in our Extra, Extra Magic Hours at Hollywood Studios: DO NOT SLEEP ON THIS! post were correct–wait times generally peak for this ride very early in the day.
For more crowd avoidance tips, see our recent Off-Season Is Over: An Overwhelming October at Disney World post.
As covered in our recent Walt Disney World News & Rumors Roundup, entree names at Docking Bay 7 Food & Cargo are now generic.
This has proven controversial with fans. On a not-unrelated note, have you ever tried to explain Disney fan controversies with people outside the community? I wouldn’t recommend it. Lots of blank stares.
The new restrooms near Grand Avenue and Star Tours inch towards completion.
It’s safe to assume the pace has intentionally slowed here, and these will open in time for Thanksgiving (at the absolute latest).
It’s always nice to see the Citizens of Hollywood out and about.
To me, it feels like entertainment is way too sparse at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. In the heyday of the Disney-MGM Studios, streetmosphere performers were everywhere. At least triple the amount of what’s in the park now. The “working studio” conceit was pulled off brilliantly because the whole park felt populated by actors and different characters.
Now, there are some Citizens of Hollywood, plus Star Wars and Toy Story characters…and that’s about it. Entire sections of the park are totally devoid of the energy that these performers provide. The two new lands are solid additions, and things will get significantly better when Rise of the Resistance and Runaway Railway debut, but the park needs (at least) double the current number of streetmosphere performers. It’s unfortunate that Walt Disney World isn’t willing to pony up for entertainment salaries. It wouldn’t exactly be breaking the bank given ever-increasing attendance and prices.
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YOUR THOUGHTS
Are you glad to see Incredible Celebration still going strong? Thoughts on streetmosphere at Disney’s Hollywood Studios? 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!
Thoughts on crowd level better the day after RoTR open (a Friday – Dec 6), vs the following day (a Saturday – Dec 7, and also the day POTUS is at Disney World Grand Floridian)? Thanks!
We just completed a 5 day Disney vacation and we loved the extra extra magic hours at Hollywood Studios along with the Extra Magic hours at the other parks. We will be back during Christmas week with a large group and cannot understand why Disney hasn’t extended all park hours for that week. With some planning and being there at rope drop, we were able to enjoy all the attractions we chose at all the parks and never waited more than about 15 to 20 minutes. Are there any rumors that more hours will be announced for Christmas week.
Went last week of sept into oct. thought it was busy actually with the exception of the first hour (6 am to 7 am). I cannot fathom going at Christmas time or other definite busy times.
Street performers of years past were the BEST. The Blues Brothers show was fantastic! Too bad they are not seen as a priority.
We miss the streetmosphere performers too. I remember how much my Mom loved seeing them and how it enhanced her visits. Without them it doesn’t feel like the “studio” atmosphere. During our last visit it didn’t remotely feel like we were in a theme park until the Star Wars Stormtroopers came down the street. I’m glad that you mentioned the decor of the shops. The architecture and little details make a big difference. I haven’t had much success even finding anything in World of Disney since its last renovation. It’s one way to save me money! Still, I grew up with Disney and have high hopes that it will become more like it once was.
I’m glad to see that Jack Diamond is still around even with the cuts to Streetmosphere. He’s my favorite of the Citizens.
We’ll be at WDW starting January 6, 2020. Will Christmas decorations still be up? (I hope, I hope!)
“The holidays” will be officially over when you get there on 1/6. Some of the decorations may still be up, but they’ll be coming down FAST. There might still be garland up at your hotel, but don’t plan on seeing any of the big iconic xmas trees.
Actually, almost everything should still be up. Holiday Services typically doesn’t touch the icon trees until after Marathon Weekend, which is January 8-12, 2020.
The Disney Streetmosphere Cast Members/actors are so talented! Quick with a joke, funny repartee, great costumes; I miss seeing them and rarely see them nowadays.
I had someone send me a snippit earlier today about the names of food being put back up again. I’m disappointed that they were taken down, and hope that is true!
Are the stars going up just them getting ready for filming the Christmas special in 2 weeks maybe? Still seems early since they have an army of people to do that stuff and it doesn’t seem like it should take them long.
I feel like all the parks will be meh and under construction when we go the weekend of Nov 8th…but hoping it means less crowds, b/c I’ll take it! 2 weeks to go!
There is a team of holiday decoration folks, but “army” is a strong term. Animal Kingdom is getting a slew of new Christmas decorations this year, so if the seasonal team didn’t get additional staffing to compensate (they probably didn’t), they’ll get started earlier. The first decorations to go up are always the most innocuous, like those stars.
When you go Nov 8th, Epcot will be visibly under construction, but that’s all. AK doesn’t have any big projects right now, and MK’s Tron coaster is an expansion and out of the way (albeit forcing a railroad closure). As discussed above, work on DHS’s two in-progress attractions is contained within the show buildings with no visible construction.
I agree, streetmosphere performers are crucial in all the parks but especially Hollywood Studios.
We are going to be at Disney World this December when Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker premieres. I wondered whether any of the stars of the film might visit Galaxy’s Edge for a meet and greet to celebrate. Does this sort of thing ever happen? Would be super cool.
The movie actors might drop into Galaxy’s Edge for a quick photo op to synergistically promote the movie & land, but don’t cross your fingers for any meet & greets.
We normally head to Disney World at the end of November or early December but are going mid-November this year. I can’t seem to find days/hours for when Santa might be at Hollywood Studios this year. He’s always been there when we go but I’m not sure about mid-November. Any insight on when he usually appears for Meet and Greets at Once Upon a Time on Sunset Boulevard?
a live performance of the muppets would add so much, its too bad such a show never existed anywhere. oh, wait…