Disney Rumors: Hollywood Studios Makeover a Go!

dhs hat
As the Fantasyland Expansion project neared completion, speculation ran rampant regarding Disney’s next big project in Orlando.  When Disney purchased Lucasfilm, that speculation turned to Hollywood Studios.  Specifically, fans wanted a Star Wars Land.  Over the last couple of years, rumors of a California Adventure-style make-over have been percolating.  But budget-conscious Disney has been slow to pull the trigger.
At long last, that appears to have changed.

Over the last few months, Disney has announced a number of closures at Hollywood Studios.  First it was the American Idol Experience and the AFI Showcase.  Then came the Backlot Tour which was a shell of its former self.  Finally, Disney annouced that the much-maligned hat icon which has been blocking the view of the Chinese Theater for far too long would be removed.
With all that smoke, most Disney fans have assumed there was fire.  But after several years of false starts, I have been very reluctant to believe anything about Hollywood Studios until construction gets started.  According to WDWMagic insider, WDW1974, that should be starting shortly after the holidays.
But don’t book your next vacation expecting to visit Star Wars Land.  The time frame for this project is expected to be similar to the Fantasyland Expansion.  Changes will come in stages over the next five years.  According to WDWMagic’s sources, here is what is currently being looked at:

  • Star Wars, Toy Story and Cars will all have a presence.
  • Monsters Inc was not mentioned, so the long-rumored MI Family Coaster still isn’t likely
  • Budget to be roughly on par with what California Adventure got for its renovation
  • The park may get a another new name
  • The only four attractions that are certain to remain five years from now are Toy Story Mania, Rock’n’Rollercoaster, Tower of Terror and Star Tours.  Two of the four may be altered in some way.
  • That doesn’t mean that the Great Movie Ride or Muppetvision 3-D are going away, just that their future is uncertain.
  • Disney will offer entertainment options in the park during the years of construction.
  • Disney is unlikely to make any announcements even after construction has started

The rumors are light on details.  Odds are, there is a lot Disney still has to nail down.  Remember, the Fantasyland Expansion made major changes even after construction had begun.  The big take away is that this would seem to be confirmation that something big is indeed underway at a park that desperately needs a make-over.
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RB
RB
9 years ago

In the meantime, I have a recommendation for “Alexander’s Terrible Awful No Good Bad Day” (those may or may not be in the right order) in theatres now. I took my daughter and 3 friends for her 12th birthday party and while the girls certainly enjoyed it, I was quite entertained as well 🙂 Note there were some words that didn’t used to appear in Disney movies back in the day. Fortunately the other parents didn’t have me killed.

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