Disney's Hollywood Studios (General Discussion)

[belloq87]

Imagine the state of the parks is Staggs didn't push MM+/MagicBands and instead built rides...

On this, we completely agree. I think the "lost decade" at WDW from 2007 - 2017 (basically post-Everest up to Pandora opening) will, in time, be seen as the worst period for the resort in terms of park investments*. Did some things get built? Sure (Toy Story Mania, New Fantasyland), but not nearly enough to service four theme parks. Spending a billion (at least) on tech and wristbands was a gigantic mistake that forced the parks to tread water.

I do think Staggs was more a fall guy than not, though.

* For the overall quality of the experience, obviously Chapek's time was worse. There were lots of projects happening under his tenure, though.

 

[OrlLover]

On this, we completely agree. I think the "lost decade" at WDW from 2007 - 2017 (basically post-Everest up to Pandora opening) will, in time, be seen as the worst period for the resort in terms of park investments*. Did some things get built? Sure (Toy Story Mania, New Fantasyland), but not nearly enough to service four theme parks. Spending a billion (at least) on tech and wristbands was a gigantic mistake that forced the parks to tread water.

I do think Staggs was more a fall guy than not, though.

* For the overall quality of the experience, obviously Chapek's time was worse. There were lots of projects happening under his tenure, though.

While I agree with this post some of those years the country was literally in a recession so I wouldn’t expect a lot heavy investment during a time like that.

Chapek was the absolute worst CEO in my opinion because he no regard not only for the fans but the employees as well the backbone of the company.

 

[Brian G.]

On this, we completely agree. I think the "lost decade" at WDW from 2007 - 2017 (basically post-Everest up to Pandora opening) will, in time, be seen as the worst period for the resort in terms of park investments*. Did some things get built? Sure (Toy Story Mania, New Fantasyland), but not nearly enough to service four theme parks. Spending a billion (at least) on tech and wristbands was a gigantic mistake that forced the parks to tread water.

I do think Staggs was more a fall guy than not, though.

* For the overall quality of the experience, obviously Chapek's time was worse. There were lots of projects happening under his tenure, though.

If someone against the RoA project wants to find solace or hope, they can look back to the adjustments of New Fantasyland.

 

[UniversalRBLX]

To be fair to Staggs, they were working on the DCA redo as well during that period. They were also pretty close on a Star Wars land before the Lucas Film acquisition delayed everything.

Edit: Radiator Springs Racers fits with some minor adjusting of the showbuilding.

The land itself will be quite small, but the park can accommodate it.

 

[belloq87]

While I agree with this post some of those years the country was literally in a recession so I wouldn’t expect a lot heavy investment during a time like that.

If Universal could heavily invest in major attractions during that time, Disney certainly could have, as well.

And Disney did spend a ton of money... just on stuff that wasn't attractions.

 

[TheUniC6]

So some updates from WDWMagic:

Another insider claims the AC replacement will not be Simpsons (bullet dodged) Posters there (in their minds) have narrowed it down to either Zootopia or Marvel which would be the dark horse possibility.

User Moth is questioning the validity of rumor due the timing of the announcement. Most likely no matter what they announced it would not be enough to steal the thunder from away from EU. An animation courtyard replacement probably has been fast tracked, but won't get a mention until Destination D23 when Disney has the press cycle all to themselves.

 

[GA-MBIT]

Honestly, none of these potential ideas really excite me in any way. I'm not even sure what I would be looking for in this plot, but Zootopia, Moana, Simpsons, Cars...it just isn't doing it for me personally.

 

[Viator]

So some updates from WDWMagic:

Another insider claims the AC replacement will not be Simpsons (bullet dodged) Posters there (in their minds) have narrowed it down to either Zootopia or Marvel which would be the dark horse possibility.

User Moth is questioning the validity of rumor due the timing of the announcement. Most likely no matter what they announced it would not be enough to steal the thunder from away from EU. An animation courtyard replacement probably has been fast tracked, but won't get a mention until Destination D23 when Disney has the press cycle all to themselves.

So it boils down to seemingly two options. Assuming if this is the direction WDWMagic is now leaning in.

Zootopia--if it pans out; would seemingly be a "Shanghai" effect that has been seen *once* with Tron, to where it was announced within the 5 year exclusivity time period but it could not operate until that time-period passed. If that is the case, then the earliest it could open is by December 2028 at the absolute earliest.

Marvel--if it pans out, likely means a lot in the larger scale of importance for not just The Walt Disney Company's plans of investment for Walt Disney World--but Universal's too. It would likely mean there could be a end-date finally in place for MSHI, if by god's name that is the direction they take. It'd also mean we would be needing to hear news soon and quickly on the fates of The Incredible Hulk. Storm Force, Dr. Doom, and Spider-Man (assuming it means what we think it means).

Marvel in contrast to Zootopia, would also be considered the "Panic Button"; and would be something that'd trigger a much larger press deal than Zootopia for the signifigence of the Marvel brand at Islands of Adventure. Once again, assuming it is Marvel in the proper and traditional sense, and not just Big Hero 6 or Doctor Strange.

I wonder what option would pan out in the end.

 

[DarkMetroid567]

Zootopia is my favorite land that I visited in China and I honestly may have liked it even more than Fantasy Springs. And I don’t care for the IP. It’s a great addition BUT it really shouldn’t bring Hot Pursuit with it bc of redundancy.

 

[Viator]

Zootopia is my favorite land that I visited in China and I honestly may have liked it even more than Fantasy Springs. And I don’t care for the IP. It’s a great addition BUT it really shouldn’t bring Hot Pursuit with it bc of redundancy.

I'd rather we get a Zootopia ride that doesn't have the police elements of Hot Pursuit. Hoping Zootopia 2 leans away from police force, even if it goes into more traditional "Undercover" elements.

Plus, it'd allow Disney to use the opportunity of Zootopia 2 to explore things they didn't do with Hot Pursuit.

 

[Mad Dog]

I doubt that Universal is going to give Marvel away in the near future. They have way too much to do in IOA and Studios to even think about doing away with MSHI and redoing it with another IP. Sounds like just another hardcore Disney fans fantasy dream that we hear every now and then for the past decade and a half. .

 

[SkiBum]

To me, it should be Moana or a Pixar IP. If Moana, they could make it fit but it would be a little out of place, next to the Muppets and all that. If a Pixar ride, they could tie the walkway into Toy Story Land and make it a nice connecting area.

 

[OrlLover]

Sounds like just another hardcore Disney fans fantasy dream that we hear every now and then for the past decade and a half.

Right… I always get a cackle every time someone mentions more Marvel in WDW.

From WDWMagic this is my favorite post “Personally I want either Metroville (incredibles), Sanfransokyo (Big Hero 6), Wakanda (black panther), Cornona (tangled), or even something 20th century related like apes or aliens.”

I think these are great ideas for expansion at HS.

 

[Brian G.]

Right… I always get a cackle every time someone mentions more Marvel in WDW.

From WDWMagic this is my favorite post “Personally I want either Metroville (incredibles), Sanfransokyo (Big Hero 6), Wakanda (black panther), Cornona (tangled), or even something 20th century related like apes or aliens.”

I think these are great ideas for expansion at HS.

I don’t think Wakanda is possible, especially as they can’t use Black Panther.

 

[belloq87]

From WDWMagic this is my favorite post “Personally I want either Metroville (incredibles), Sanfransokyo (Big Hero 6), Wakanda (black panther), Cornona (tangled), or even something 20th century related like apes or aliens.”

I think these are great ideas for expansion at HS.

I'd be excited for any of those options (Wakanda aside).

Especially ALIEN (though I think it's unlikely, unfortunately).

I don’t think Wakanda is possible, especially as they can’t use Black Panther.

Supposedly they could use Wakanda... but not any of the Black Panther characters (meaning the literal characters who have worn the suit).

And since doing that land without any Black Panther heroic figure seems absurd, I don't believe it could really be under consideration.

 

[Brian G.]

I'd be excited for any of those options (Wakanda aside).

Especially ALIEN (though I think it's unlikely, unfortunately).

Supposedly they could use Wakanda... but not any of the Black Panther characters (meaning the literal characters who have worn the suit).

And since doing that land without any Black Panther heroic figure seems absurd, I don't believe it could really be under consideration.

That's what I figured. I was shaky as to what the contract considers locations, but I knew the character itself was off-limits.

And agreed - you can't have the kingdom without its leading monarch.

 

[Jake S]

And agreed - you can't have the kingdom without its leading monarch.

That's what makes any Marvel inclusion at Walt Disney World effectively pointless at this point. Avengers Campus at California Adventure is very below average in terms of place-making, theming and general vibe but the character meet and greets clearly make up for that in a big way with most guests (especially kids). Opening a Marvel land where you can't meet many of the most famous characters? Why bother?

 

[ParksandSights]

Most of the ideas people are suggesting for this space target older audiences. AC has one of the only attractions in the park that directly targets little kids with Disney Jr. Do they want to continue that with this space?

 

[belloq87]

That's what makes any Marvel inclusion at Walt Disney World effectively pointless at this point. Avengers Campus at California Adventure is very below average in terms of place-making, theming and general vibe but the character meet and greets clearly make up for that in a big way with most guests (especially kids). Opening a Marvel land where you can't meet many of the most famous characters? Why bother?

Reportedly they could use Doctor Strange in Florida.

He couldn't justify an entire land, but a single attraction somewhere? Something Mystic Manor-esque? I could see it.

 

[SeventyOne]

Supposedly they could use Wakanda... but not any of the Black Panther characters (meaning the literal characters who have worn the suit).

And since doing that land without any Black Panther heroic figure seems absurd, I don't believe it could really be under consideration.

Too lazy to look it up, but I thought the contract mentioned "friends and family" of the hero. Pretty much every other character in the movies qualifies as friend or family of T'Challa. And no way Comcast would sit back over the "Black Panther Fortress." Might Disney win in the end? Sure. But it's going to be a couple years of arbitration.

That's what makes any Marvel inclusion at Walt Disney World effectively pointless at this point. Avengers Campus at California Adventure is very below average in terms of place-making, theming and general vibe but the character meet and greets clearly make up for that in a big way with most guests (especially kids). Opening a Marvel land where you can't meet many of the most famous characters? Why bother?

I guess as sort of a 180 from Radiator Springs, I could see a hodge-podge Pixar land, similar to Dreamworks Land. E.g. Inside Out dark ride, Incredibles spinner, Coco's Cantina, with a ton of meet & greets.

Reportedly they could use Doctor Strange in Florida.

He couldn't justify an entire land, but a single attraction somewhere? Something Mystic Manor-esque? I could see it.

In the pre-1999 comics, Dr. Strange was associated with the Defenders, not the Avengers. But they did pull a Daily Bugle newspaper machine (Spider-Man world-building, not an actual person) from his show after the first day.