Hollywood Studios needs big help

[MrPeetrie]

On our four most recent trips, Hollywood Studios has become our least-visited park. The shame is: it has two or three of the best rides on property. But we usually go in October and I guess that's not a good time to go because there doesn't seem to be a whole lot going on. The backlot tour has been very short and uneventful when we've ridden it. (Maybe it's shortened to prepare for Osborne Lights. I'm giving them the benefit of the doubt.) The Great Movie Ride is in need of an update (refurb). I'm not a fan of Lights, Motor, Action!

One reason we used to LOVE to go here was the shopping opportunities. My favorite place on property used to be Mouse About Town. They used to have plenty of clothing options for men. Now, it's all generic. it's the same here as any other park, as well as Downtown Disney. So, even on a 10-day stay, we only spent one day there, and it wasn't even a full day. We slept in and started late. Bummer!

[bruin1344]

The more I go to DHS, the more its turning into 1 half day park on a week long vacation like AK. Unless I go with a newbie, I skip most of the shows and will even skip any rides that have longer than half hour wait.

[A Big Kid]

The more I go to DHS, the more its turning into 1 half day park on a week long vacation like AK. Unless I go with a newbie, I skip most of the shows and will even skip any rides that have longer than half hour wait.

I haven't been to a show at DHS since they dumped the Hunchback.

[rnin02]

Our experience this time has been similar, very little CM interaction, just a lot of arm waving to say "hurry up" and pointing where to go. At ToT the CM didn't say anything besides telling us where to stand and which row boards first. The Great Movie ride was the only exception with the CM actually talking outside the script a tiny bit, trying to talk with my DS a little. it actually makes me very sad because its my mom's and my DS's first time and they are getting to see a lot of crowds, wait times and missing the nice, fun CM interaction that used to make Disney different from other parks. So far we've been to 3 of the 4 (going to AK today) and that has been our experience at every park. sad.

[BrowncatP]

The week after Thanksgiving I was there. You missed going on the TOT and having a manager tell you what row you would be in. I guess a cast member was sick??, and the manager(I'm guessing) had to fill in. He was wearing a regular shirt, no costume.

[A Big Kid]

The week after Thanksgiving I was there. You missed going on the TOT and having a manager tell you what row you would be in. I guess a cast member was sick??, and the manager(I'm guessing) had to fill in. He was wearing a regular shirt, no costume.

And people will make excuses for this behavior. Its inexcusable.

[joanna71985]

I would love to say the mic wasn't working on the GMR, however we were in the third row. Both cast members were mumbling and so bored. It was disgusting. The guy behind us said both should be let go. I agree.

This makes me sad! I worked at GMR for 2.5 years, and took pride in having a good show

[joanna71985]

And people will make excuses for this behavior. Its inexcusable.

Um...what is? Managers jump into positions all the time. There is nothing wrong with that

[taleasoldastime]

If they just replaced that stupid American Idol Experience with something of substance then Hollywood Studios would be substantially better.

[A Big Kid]

Um...what is? Managers jump into positions all the time. There is nothing wrong with that

What?! This isnt a grocery store check out line. They are called "castmembers" for a reason; because they are actors on stage. As such, its no different than a manager in street clothes taking the place of an actor on a stage production.

Oh, and you proved my point.

[disneymom2000]

Was in DHS on Dec 9th and the crowds were very high. I usually go at this time due to a lower crowd right before the Christmas breaks at school but I was in shock. There were long lines and sometimes wall to wall people. I didn't see any castmembers lazying around but people were grumpy because it was really humid and crowds everywhere. The ToT went out on one side so the wait time got up to around 80 min or so. Other than that we pretty much saw everything in the parks and had a great time at 50's PrimeTime for dinner.

[joanna71985]

What?! This isnt a grocery store check out line. They are called "castmembers" for a reason; because they are actors on stage. As such, its no different than a manager in street clothes taking the place of an actor on a stage production.

Oh, and you proved my point.

Stuff happens. A location could be short staffed for many reasons- call outs, people leaving because of feeling sick, meetings to go to, busier then expected, ect. Managers are trained, so there is no reason why they can't jump in to help out. I've worked at Disney for over 7 years, and I don't think there is anything wrong with that. Sorry you feel differently

[A Big Kid]

Stuff happens. A location could be short staffed for many reasons- call outs, people leaving because of feeling sick, meetings to go to, busier then expected, ect. Managers are trained, so there is no reason why they can't jump in to help out. I've worked at Disney for over 7 years, and I don't think there is anything wrong with that. Sorry you feel differently

Stop making excuses for Disney. With the exhorbitant $$ they charge for admission, it should never happen. Period.

This isn't Six Flags, or Dollywood.

[tiggerbuddy]

I wouldn't cry if they tore it down and started completely over..My least fav park.

[joanna71985]

I'm not making excuses. And last time I checked, people are human (and not robots). So stuff will happen.

[PAYROLL PRINCESS]

We were there from 12/1 to 12/8 and I have to say that the only issue I had with HS was trying to find the entrance to American Idol. We were sent over to the side by Star Tours, we were sent around back then we were sent back around to the front. It was exactly where I thought it was but since there wasn't anyone in line we thought it was the wrong place. And the CMs sending us all over the place actually worked AT American Idol!!
Other than that, it was a nice time.

[Tearin_it_up]

After seeing the Hobbit, I wish so much that they would buy the rights for a Lord of the Rings attraction. I know that wouldn't help with the random identity of the part though

[azcavalier]

Stuff happens. A location could be short staffed for many reasons- call outs, people leaving because of feeling sick, meetings to go to, busier then expected, ect. Managers are trained, so there is no reason why they can't jump in to help out. I've worked at Disney for over 7 years, and I don't think there is anything wrong with that. Sorry you feel differently

Stop making excuses for Disney. With the exorbitant $$ they charge for admission, it should never happen. Period.

What should never happen? People should never be sick? You think that money will fix that? Or, do you think that Disney should overstaff, and just have people waiting in the wings if someone else is sick or can't work for some reason? Back-up Cast Members whose sole purpose is to be on-call in case a regular goes down?

Are you serious? There is absolutely *nothing* wrong with a manager stepping in from time to time as needed.

[azcavalier]

Regarding the GMR, i've found it to be hit or miss over the years. We've had a lot of great CMs work that ride, including when we went on it a month ago. A bubbly, blonde young lady who did a great job. She had good timing, enthusiasm, etc. My only complaint was with the microphone that the gangster was using. We were sitting right behind the driver, and I still had a hard time hearing some of his comments.

[DonaldDuckUSA]

I don't think the poster was upset that a manager stepped in. I think his/her frustration was more that he was not in costume.

The problem with HS is not the cast members. It's a larger issue of an unorganized theme park that lacks vision. We've said this time and time again. The backlot tour needs a serious overhaul. And by overall, I mean we need a new ride back there.

The problem is that its too hard/expensive to constantly keep up with new movie trends and movie markets. By the time Disney would have planned and built a new attraction around a movie (or movie market), the movie is no longer fresh. I get the sense that a lot of attractions are out of touch. American Idol was awesome when the show first started, but I don't know if its as popular as what it used to be.

We've talked about GMR a lot here and my feelings are that it does need adjustments. The script needs to be updated. For heaven's sake that ride offers nothing new. I understand that not everyone has gone since childhood and memorized the script, but it has not changed one bit in 20 years. To be frank, I think frequent Disney-goers are bored there.

But what do I know? Those are just my feelings about the place.

I hope its the next major overhaul park and some better counter service dining. I still love it even though.