TEN QUESTIONS: What was left out of the announcement of two new lands coming to DHS

[Melanie]

Thanks Chris... There are so many things being speculated, it is hard to keep up...

Exactly. So many possibilities, but we'll not know for sure until Disney officially announces. It's fun to speculate and talk about our thoughts though!

[merciantinkerbell]

Personally, I'm looking forward to seeing all these changes. On our last trip we spent around half a day in Hollywood Studios as not too interested in some attractions and not fancying any of the places to eat dinner. We did like Lights, Motors Action though as good to see it in the warm rather than the freezing snow in Disneyland Paris some years ago!!!
On a different note, we won't be returning for a few years, due to finances, other places we want to visit etc. Is it ok to still lurk a here?

[azcavalier]

Based on the proposed layout (again, nothing is finalized) Mama Melrose and Sci Fi would still be around.

They thought that was a cool idea and that it would fit well but the decision had been made, mostly due to space issues, that eventually the Muppets would go. I think it'll be one of the last things, and it is possible they might re-do it in another section of the park, but because of wanting to keep all of Star Wars land connected it'll have to go. Basically all of Echo Lake, Indy, Hollywood & Vine, Prime Time Cafe, the Frozen Theater, etc would go but the Streets of America area would be left.

I don't get that. How does Muppetvision have to go because of space issues and them wanting to keep Star Wars land together, but Mama Melrose stay? It's right next to Muppetvision, up against the back wall of the park, and right next to Tatooine Alley. I could see them using the space and existing restaurant infrastructure to turn it into one of the Star Wars restaurants, but there is no way that is staying as Mama Melrose in that location.

[Strmchsr]

I don't get that. How does Muppetvision have to go because of space issues and them wanting to keep Star Wars land together, but Mama Melrose stay? It's right next to Muppetvision, up against the back wall of the park, and right next to Tatooine Alley. I could see them using the space and existing restaurant infrastructure to turn it into one of the Star Wars restaurants, but there is no way that is staying as Mama Melrose in that location.

As I mentioned, that's only one option for the Muppetvision space to be used for Star Wars land. The other option being considered wouldn't touch the Muppets, Pizza Planet, or Mama Melrose areas. Even back to LMA. Star Wars Land would, essentially, take up all of Echo Lake and end at the current Star Tours. But, the other proposal has it taking out Muppets. So, we'll have to see where they go with this.

[faline]

On a different note, we won't be returning for a few years, due to finances, other places we want to visit etc. Is it ok to still lurk a here?

Of course!!!

[GoBlueLacheta]

With Star Wars Land and Toy Story Land coming to DHS in the upcoming years, we are left with many questions, especially about how these two new lands will fit into the existing park:

1) Will The Indiana Jones Stunt Show remain?

2) Will Muppets remain?

3) Will New York Street remain?

4) Will 2015 be the final year for the Osborne Family Christmas Lights?

5) Will Lights, Motors Action Stunt Show remain?

6) Will Honey I Shrunk the Kids playground remain?

7) Will Voyage of the Little Mermaid be removed?

8) Will the Disney Animation building remain?

9) Will the entrance to Toy Story Mania be moved to be accessible from the new Toy Story Land?

10) Will the main entrance to DHS be changed? Will back entrance be eliminated all-together?

What are your thoughts regarding how the two lands will fit? And what will be changed or removed?

From the potential layout sections that match the acreage that was released, It appears the the entrance would be just beyond the walkway down to Mermaid for Toy Story Land, meaning Mermaid and the Animation Building are long gone with the backlot tour space also being utilized for TSL. One Man's Dream Area, and Soundstage formerly used for Pirates and Narnia exhibits would also be lumped into this space.

The back line would probably be somewhere around streets of america turning point to provide some kind of buffer between Star Wars/ TSL.

They are going to have to rework the queue for the additional track on TSM so a new entrance overall seems logical.

From a relocation perspective for restaurants, it is probably much easier to re-theme an existing restaurant to fit an already establish area than to move one entirely which I believe is fairly unprecedented as far as DW in park restaurants are concerned. Pizza Planet may be the only logical move possibly to where the ABC Com is located otherwise Prime/HV are likely gone. The Backlot Counter-Service likely to be either shutdown or re-themed and I'd imagine playground adjacent being removed.

I think Muppets is unfortunately gone as well, which would probably be the end of Mama Melrose at least in that location.

A lot of things to have to go by the wayside, likely in waves as the construction will take place as the park remains in operation so I believe Sunset will be the only portion that may go completely unscathed.

[darthmacho]

If either Mama Melrose or Sci Fi Dine In were sacrificed, I'd be disappointed. I'm already bummed about losing Muppets 3D.

[Ian]

I will be well and truly bummed if they do away with the Osborne Lights permanently. They are always a highlight of our Christmas trips. Hopefully they work very hard to find a way to keep them around.

[Strmchsr]

I will be well and truly bummed if they do away with the Osborne Lights permanently. They are always a highlight of our Christmas trips. Hopefully they work very hard to find a way to keep them around.

The issue with Osborne Lights is more of a financial one than related to the expansion and upgrade of DHS. The technology on the Lights is old and needs replacing. Disney is trying to decide if they want to spend the money for the necessary upgrades or not. Given their track record with updating Christmas light technology (Epcot, for example, with the winter gates) I'm not hopeful. But, there will definitely be room to keep the Osborne Lights if they choose to the spend the money. Last year was supposed to be the last year for them (at least until they upgrade), and now they say this year probably will be, but no one really knows.

[Goofy-n-Alabama]

Why not just tie in the Muppets with Stars Wars?? I love the "Pigs in Space" skits

[Strmchsr]

Why not just tie in the Muppets with Stars Wars?? I love the "Pigs in Space" skits

lol I wish! And Luke, C3PO, Chewie, and R2 all appeared on one of my favorite all time Muppet Show episodes.

[Speedy1998]

Before the announcements were made I heard that Disney Management had decided that the only things that were safe were ToT, TSM, RnR, and GMR. Even at that, GMR while still existing, was going to be changed and updated.

I still find it interesting that Star Tours was not on the list, did my source forget it? Or is that going to be replaced by another Star Wars attraction?

Also had a thought about LMA. That is a really big space, especially if you add the boneyard and Catastrophe Canyon to it. Is there potentially a 3rd new land going to be added to DHS that Disney has not announced, or perhaps not decided on yet?

[BrerGnat]

Before the announcements were made I heard that Disney Management had decided that the only things that were safe were ToT, TSM, RnR, and GMR. Even at that, GMR while still existing, was going to be changed and updated.

I still find it interesting that Star Tours was not on the list, did my source forget it? Or is that going to be replaced by another Star Wars attraction?

Also had a thought about LMA. That is a really big space, especially if you add the boneyard and Catastrophe Canyon to it. Is there potentially a 3rd new land going to be added to DHS that Disney has not announced, or perhaps not decided on yet?

Star Tours will remain. SW land will be anchored by Star Tours. They will be adding new ride scenes later this year.

The area housing LMA and Catastrophe Canyon will likely become Toy Story Land.