WDW Hollywood Studios: General Discussion

The blue-sky mill is certainly churning at the moment! Bob Chapek's reign as Parks and Resorts chairman has seriously got people talking...and not all for praise either.

Latest (which probably won't come as a shock) is the new plans to phase out any franchises used in the Resorts that is not Disney-owned...

So, what we can expect to see have limited time in their current guise? See below...

As I posted a rather long while ago - the end of The Great Movie Ride in its current state is on the horizon with the 3 year sponsorship deal with Turner Classic Movies soon coming to an end. Wedding bookings should be completed by the end of 2016 and the rides future is currently being reviewed. The problem is, is that Disney has a whole host of scenes and characters within the ride that aren't owned by them - making the ride a royalty nightmare. So, the latest rumblings are that the ride will now be focused on Mickey and the fab 5: Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Goofy and Pluto (it always annoys me that Daisy is left out!! ) and guests will embark on an adventure through scenes whilst riding on a trackless system (think Ratatouille, Mystic Manor and Poohs Honey Hunt). Great - that means that ride can focus on the company's own IPs and so this leads to the next challenge...

Rock'N'Rollercoaster...this will be the next ride for the chop that contains an external "franchise"...the ride is currently under review and the rumours on this one aren't as reliable and clear as the Great Movie Ride ones. It seems that Goofy and Max may be reliving their film from over 20 years ago "A Goofy Movie" where Goofy and Max will be rushing to make it to the concert of the successful Powerline band. I'm not entirely convinced this is a done decision because A Goofy Movie is an odd choice - it's not popular and it has aged - but, on the other hand we have a cheaper overlay that will greatly satisfy the big wigs. There's also been a strong rumour of the ride being overhauled with a Marvel overlay but I'm unsure how far the agreement will go with Universal (see below) in order to have broad coverage across all parks.

So what's next? You may have already guessed due to its older brother's fate in California. Yes, Tower of Terror is planned to also have a massive overlay and (apparently) a more lavish one - it's planned to be focused on Marvel which is interesting and Disney are rather clever and sneaky with this proposed introduction of Marvel at Team Disney Orlando.

Disney and Universal have been co-operating on how to allow both resorts to use Marvel. It seems brands like Guardians and Fantastic Four will be great for Disney as they don't tread on Universal's toes and will allow Universal to continue with the core characters they have - it's currently being negotiated but that's looking to be an attractive agreement for both companies. It's really murky waters but Disney can get around this. Basically, whilst they can't advertise or promote anything that is set out in the Universal/Marvel contract they can use brands that aren't mentioned in the contract and Guardians is one of those.

So yes ToT is planned for a massive overhaul but I think timing is key here. The park is already suffering with the construction of Toy Story and Star Wars so to take the star attraction out of service and with an already skeletal ride line up would be foolish. This part of the project is not a case of if but a case of when.

Imagination Pavilion in EPCOT - rumours are that the entire area will be given a complete overhaul and Disney are looking to extensively refurb the Journey into Imagination! ride (with the final goodbye from the popular Figment character). As some may know, Kodak ended it's sponsorship of the Imagination area in 2010 after almost 28 years....so the Pavilion is now just a money drainer and an outdated mess. However, due to the success of Inside Out - we could see Journey Into Imagination embark on a new adventure with a new figment (Bing Bong) and Joy and the rest of the gang completely overhaul this area. However, I reckon Disney won't budge unless they find a sponsor for the redo.

Ellen's Energy Ride - the 40 minute extravaganza is also on the chopping block. The ride is actually in need of a desperate overhaul and plus, the ride could be much stronger with a Disney brand at the forefront. Rumours are really hazy on this one too but this ride also points to a Guardians overlay...it could end up being the case if agreed with Universal and Goofy takes the Rock'N'Rollercoaster because I can't see a Marvel brand having two rides next door to each-other in different parks.

What does this all mean for Avatar? Nothing, Avatar and the Pandora world are safe as houses, it's a contract that has years on it but in terms of Tower, Rockin and Great Movie we have yearly expenses on rights and all sorts...the cuts to the parks and resorts arm of the company are shocking and I am so sad and disappointed by the cuts made at Parks and Resorts from parades - right down to theming. It's certainly a sad era we are entering...

I've highlighted what I feel are the most plausible rumours and remember that this is all still in the Blue Sky process so don't take every plan here as firm and confirmed.

 

Love the ideas. Disney should always be about ip' and not paying a fortune for rights.

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From what I have heard they won't do anything else major in Hollywood studios until current work is complete (or at the very least until Toystory land opens) from what I heard it would be 2021 after stars wars land has opened we would see the rumoured Micky mouse ride opening to replace the great movie ride.

I also heard that Orlando's Tower or Terror won't be touched and the current theme will remain. The rumours about Epcot seem to be the next major resort expansion where it's expected we will see a large indoor coaster themed to guardians replacing energy adventure. Also Rumours that Disney could be planning makeover of tomorrowland in Magic kingdom for the 50th in 2021 with a version of the tron coaster.

 

What?

 

You can have your wedding reception at the great movie ride.

https://www.disneyweddings.com/florida/wishes/venues/great-movie-ride/

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LEAVE MY PRECIOUS TOWER OF TERROR ALONE.

 

Disney massively needs/needed this. I haven't looked at the numbers but they must be losing visitors hand over fist (relativity) to Universal.

 

I do think Universal will surpass Disney eventually (in Orlando.) It appeals to a wider demographic.

Volcano Bay looks to rival Blizzard beach & typhoon lagoon. And the two current parks far exceed the offering for anyone over 10 years old. Then, like you say, the 3rd park being set to open. The hotels and Citywalk too - much better than Disney already IMHO.

 

In terms of visitor numbers, Universal won't overtake Disney, the Magic Kingdom is still too big a draw. But its the number of days spent there that might change. For example someone might spend 7 days in Florida, all at Disney (repeating some parks), but now the Harry Potter lands encourage them to spend two days at Uni and five at Disney. But of course once Star Wars means you might need an extra day at DHS then things might change again.

 

It looks like the Slinky Dog Dash coaster due for Toy Story Land will be a Mack launch coaster.



Coaster101.com's original tweet

 

Great to see Disney purchasing a modern mack coaster. It would be great to see Disney get a Mack Suspended family coaster (Arthur) as it seems to be tailor made to their type of ride building.

 

Not ride news but a viral story just came out about a guy taking his girlfriend to Hollywood Studios to break up with her and it just absolutely fascinates me that somebody would decide to do that at a theme park, let alone a Disney one!

I wrote a blog entry explaining it for those interested http://cptnmingo.blogspot.co.uk/2017/04/dumped-at-walt-disney-world-happiest.html?m=1

In other news, I just came back from this park two weeks ago and you might as well rename it Star Wars land. I'll write up a full trip report in due course.

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