We went to Disney’s Hollywood Studios on Saturday. If you hadn’t heard things are changing a bit around there.
Until recently DHS was Disney World’s unloved stepchild. Always looked over when new projects came its way. What else explains all the Pixar based rides going into Tomorrowland at the Magic Kingdom instead of MGM-Studios where they belonged. But now with a new name the park is developing a bit of a soul.
The park itself turns 20 this year and like a modern day post-teenager it’s still searching for direction. However, nurtured with careful growth Disney’s Hollywood Studios could develop a real theme and a great following. Well, I can dream, can’t I?
Anyway, here’s the update from my visit.
Of course the big news is the American Idol Experience. I’ve covered that here and here and here, and over here. So I’ll move on to other things.
Bolt and Rhino were holding court in the Animation courtyard. I ask them for an action shot and this is what I got… sumo wrestling. I guess you had to be there.
Oh what’s this? Construction walls up around the Big Mickey Hat? Don’t get your hopes up fellow travelers.
They’re just cleaning it. Really good. See. Think of all the pin sales Disney is losing during this time. It must have really needed a strong brush.
The suitably shrouded Tower of Terror provided me with the most calumny and consternation for the day.
Saturday is Extra Magic Hours in the morning for DHS plus there was an extra dose of marathon runners and their families around, so the park was fairly busy. Not summer busy, but crowded. Still with Disney’s economic austerity plan in full swing, only one side of the tower was open in the morning. This led to a slower than usual moving standbye queue. What should have been a 20 minute wait turned into a 44 minute wait. I’m not saying Disney should be running at full capacity 24/7. But they should give you some sort of warning, or cancel fastpass or something. I don’t know, but it was frustrating.
Plus it really needed a good dusting.
One of the interesting facts revealed at the Disney Design-A-Tee store in Downtown Disney was that Disney has a 10 year partnership with Hanes. That has led to some interesting partnerships. Such as one where Hanes sponsors Rock’n’Roller Coaster starring Aerosmith. Not exactly Michael Jordan.
But at least they get their logo on a cool guitar pick.
We capped the day with a ride on Toy Story Midway Mania. Yes that is its name despite Disney marketing’s insistance to leave out the ‘midway’ part on signage and advertising around the resort. Without ‘midway’ it sounds like a horror movie instead of the fun game it is.
Don’t be so sure the BAH is just getting a thorough hat cleaning, John. Maybe it will be transformed into a birthday party hat with a new paint job and decorations (like the MK castle was previously turned into the castle cake) for the current Celebrate promotional campaign! ;-)
Pingback: LOL: Bolt’s Reaction to WALL-E’s Golden Globe Win | /Film
The hat needed a paint job to be honest. There were some smaller panels blown off during storm season this year, and I commented on how they should have been fixed going to see the Osbourne Family Lights this year.
The Hat needs to go! It is an eyesore, and destroys the view of Grauman’s Chinese Theater.
Why, why, why is that hat still there?
Disney’s Hollywood Studios gets some love, but new Toy Story ride is the only thing worth noting. http://tinyurl.com/9vztgy
Comments are closed.