Back Lot Tour Closing 9/27/14

[DizneyFreak2002]

Back Lot Tour is closing September 27, 2014... The news ran wild this afternoon and early evening.. Several CMs were saying the info was on the Hub... Thanks to Chris right here on Intercot, he was able to confirm...

Say bye bye to an attraction which needed to be put out of its misery a long time ago... Now, question is, what shall be the replacement...

[BrerGnat]

The Star Wars land announcement has to be just around the corner.

[Tekneek]

I've been told there is a "Carsland" attraction coming for that area.

[BrerGnat]

I thought they ditched the Carsland idea for DHS.

[Tekneek]

I thought they ditched the Carsland idea for DHS.

I don't necessarily have definitive information from people in the appropriate positions in the company. It could just be coincidence that I was given the information about both of these around the same time.

[PopPhan]

I saw something earlier today (which I had initially discounted) that talked of extension(s) to Pixar Place, and another track for TSMM, but no real details.

[DizneyFreak2002]

I saw something earlier today (which I had initially discounted) that talked of extension(s) to Pixar Place, and another track for TSMM, but no real details.

The talk of another track for TSMM came about, I want to say, late spring, early summer... Someone said a project has been green lit in the sound stage right next to TSMM to begin after October 1... I believe this is the same sound stage that the Frozen merchandise shop, Oakens??? is in, as well as the ice rink... This is also the same sound stage the rumored Monsters Inc door coaster was to go into... I think the TSMM track information has started to pick up some speed... I wouldn't doubt this is what happens...

As for Cars Land, the new rumor is just some flat rides, and NOT Radiator Springs Racers... The rumor, and yes, only rumor, is that instead of RSR, Pixar Place will get a Monsters Inc ride... Of course, there are others who are "insiders" saying Cars Land is off the table, and no to the Monsters Inc coaster...

At this point, I think it is a wait and see... unlike Frozen in Maelstrom, some of the trusted insiders did not see this one coming... All options, I assume, are currently on the table...

[Tekneek]

The backlot tour has been a failure since they cut it back, but the boneyard and prop house will be missed.

[Drachengeist]

It will be a little bit sad when they shut it down. I took some first timers on the Back lot Tour last year and it was fun watching the reactions particularly through the Harbor Attack and Catastrophe Canyon.
But so much had degraded and no longer relevant.
When it first opened there was a thrill in watching "real animators" working and great fun in watching my daughters clinging to the giant bee in the green screen demonstration. Seeing all the craftsmen and seamstresses working on sets and costumes, instead of going past a dead dark tunnel with nobody in empty rooms. Walking past live tapings of television shows. Those were all the things that made the back lot tour for me. It was fun to see the boat from black jack savage and the "seashell ship" from flight of the navigator. But unless you are as old as me you probably didn't recognize any of those any more than the shell of the Coyote from Hardcastle and McCormick.
So yes I am a little sad. But if they actually USE that space for something interesting again then I will not be sad at all

[Tekneek]

It is too bad that the "theme park inside a real live studio" (or "live studio inside a theme park") concept is a dead one. Guess there just wasn't enough profit in that.

[kbean]

Is Disney just outta of ideas?

[Stu29573]

Is Disney just outta of ideas?

Yes. Or at least they are out of visionaries who can get new ideas to the fans. Disney has had huge issues with "focus" for years. It seems that in chasing the almighty dollar it has lost park identity (among other things). Don't get me wrong, I think Backlot needed to go. I just have very little faith in what will replace it.

[DonaldDuck1117]

Excellent news. Like a lot of you I have fond memories of the tour-back when it was in its original glory. I'll never forget the first time going through catastrophe canyon, my whole family was impressed.

However, the ride has been a shell for years. What's more, is that it takes up a gigantic amount of space and really cuts the park off from any available land behind it. If the park is going to move forward and become more than a half day park this ride had to go.

Now lets all hope this is going to lead to immediate expansion and not just having another ride close and Disney doesn't touch it for 5 years. This really could be the first step in Studios' revival.

As for a new name how about Disneys Hollywoodland? That would lead more to the "Hollywood that never was, and always will be" and also take away the idea of a working studio or the behind the making of movies. I have no insider info on a name change, just throwing out an idea.

Could we be entering into an exciting decade at Disney? Avatar land. Rivers of light. Frozen. Backlot closing? Lets all hope!

[Tekneek]

Could we be entering into an exciting decade at Disney? Avatar land. Rivers of light. Frozen. Backlot closing? Lets all hope!

What they have going on at Animal Kingdom is the only thing that will really wow anyone. All the other changes are primarily giving people exactly what they want (boring if you're looking for amazing innovation or imagination) or minor tinkering with street/music performers. The challenge for Disney now is whether they continue delivering exactly what their clientele are asking for, or go way beyond and deliver something amazing that nobody thought was possible that regains a leadership position in the industry. They lead in cash and raw attendance numbers, but it has been a while since Disney has changed the game in a dramatic and meaningful way.

Right now they're making fast horse buggies, and the people really like it, but they aren't making any cars (which will change a lot of things, but nobody knows they want them yet).

[NJGIRL]

I agree that this attraction was just a shell of it's former shelf...if fact our last few trips it wasn't even opened. BUT here we go again...another closure without any major attraction going in it's spot. Closing an attraction without having a clear picture of what you are replacing it with just goes to show that these parks do not have a strong leader in charge. At least when it was running it was another thing to do....and the lines where still long, it kept the flow of the park going.

I'm just not impressed with Disney's vision for their parks anymore. They are turning them into Meet and Greets. Spots that used to host attractions are being turned into character spots leaving teens and adults without small children one less thing to do in the park. Don't get me wrong, Disney is a destination for families with children, and I have no problem with characters, but my son hasn't been interested in them since he was 7 years old.

I feel they used to have a nice compromise of family attractions / character interactions for small children and thrills for the older kids, but it seems to me that they are turning every inch of these parks into the simplest and cheapest forms of entertainment. character meets cost them nothing. For us we are almost to the point of it not being worth the price of admission because there are not enough quality attractions for the age of my son and nephews to go anymore.

I ranting a little, but I am really disappointed with them again. I keep waiting for them to wow me with an announcement of something really cool and cutting edge and it seems that they can't pull it off.

[DonaldDuck1117]

I agree that this attraction was just a shell of it's former shelf...if fact our last few trips it wasn't even opened. BUT here we go again...another closure without any major attraction going in it's spot. Closing an attraction without having a clear picture of what you are replacing it with just goes to show that these parks do not have a strong leader in charge.

Just because Disney didnt come out today and say "here is what we are going to put there" doesn't mean they don't have a plan. I doubt they would close a ride at Studios and not have a plan to add an attraction since that park is already in desperate need of more attractions. I'm hoping this is a gateway to a major overhaul of Studios.

[NJGIRL]

Just because Disney didnt come out today and say "here is what we are going to put there" doesn't mean they don't have a plan. I doubt they would close a ride at Studios and not have a plan to add an attraction since that park is already in desperate need of more attractions. I'm hoping this is a gateway to a major overhaul of Studios.

What about the "Wonders of Life", 20,000 Leagues....and every other spot that was closed down just to supply a spot for a character meet. They have a track record of closing down attractions and putting up character meets, leaving the building empty, or putting in walk throughs of movie props.

If they had a great plan they would have announced it. That's just good marketing.

[Stu29573]

What about the "Wonders of Life", 20,000 Leagues....and every other spot that was closed down just to supply a spot for a character meet. They have a track record of closing down attractions and putting up character meets, leaving the building empty, or putting in walk throughs of movie props.

If they had a great plan they would have announced it. That's just good marketing.

Unfortunately, this is very true. Just think how many years went by before anything of substance went in where 20,000 was (and it can be argued that an E ticket was eventually replaced with a C ticket...)

[PirateLover]

My thoughts on this pretty much echo most of what has already been said. I am not distraught over the loss. I just wish it had been announced in conjunction with some kind of fabulous new ride being developed.

[goofy for pluto]

DizneyFreak2002
As for Cars Land, the new rumor is just some flat rides, and NOT Radiator Springs Racers...

Sad..
Not a great way to compete with Universal..
I like everyone else is hoping Disney will step it up and show some love to WDW.