Back Lot Tour Closing 9/27/14

[Roger's #1 Fan]

In the early days of DMGM Studios the Backlot tour was a must see for us. I agree that once animation was gone as well as the chunk of land for LMA, the tour was just a fraction of itself and even though we went on it every visit, the magic was gone.

To me, this quick closure sounds like a $$ thing especially given its timing with the end of the fiscal year. What I really need to hear next is the closure of LMA and Streets of America (maybe after the holiday) which would signal for me the full-on reimagining of this park (along with the rebranding - like the DIsney's Hollywood Adventure idea).
A full blown Pixar Place with an expanded TSMM ride, the Ratatoille ride from Paris along with a new coaster concept (would love an Incredibles flying coaster!) would really fix that area up. A full-blow Star Wars expansion, with a live Jedi/Empire show in place of Indy and a trackless Endor or other world dark ride would be a great compliment to Star Tours.

Just my armchair Imagineer ideas, but hey, I can dream can't I?

[DisneyEpcotDad]

Did the "original" attraction back in the early 1990s. It was much longer and more fun then. It involved 3-4 stops, a tour behind the scenes of a show being filmed, a second interaction where guests could participate in a blue screen shooting. I miss that longer version of the backlot tour.

[azcavalier]

Glad to see this. It's long overdue. I liked seeing the props and the AFI showcase has always been kind of cool. But really, without updates, it was pretty bad.

But why all of the hand-wringing? Yes, Disney has shuttered some old attractions and left them vacant. Yes, Disney has re-themed a few beloved attractions into other attractions. But Disney has also brought in some new stuff. Expedition Everest, TSMM, Soarin', Turtle Talk with Cruch, New Fantasyland with the Mine Cart ride, Carsland, Avatarland, etc.

Rather than be pessimistic, i'm excited to see what they might do with the space! Especially if they decide to close down the LMA show (which I had heard was coming?). That's a TON of real estate on the south side of the park. They could do some great stuff there!

[Janmac]

Disney's Hollywood Adventure anyone?

I hear the name Disney's Hollywoodland being brought up a lot.. But several insiders say that isn't the name they are hearing... Not sure I like the name... But if they do go with Hollywoodland, eh, I'd get use to it....

Personally, I like Movie Kingdom. We could call it MK and get all confused with the MK that has Tomorrowland, Fantasyland, etc.

Is Disney re-themed out after New Fantasyland or could we expect some retooling at the Studios in the next few years? Would the Lucas acquisition - both Star Wars and Indiana Jones - provide fodder?

Jan

[DizneyFreak2002]

What hard evidence is there that a makeover is imminent or that it won't sit there unused for 20 years. With nothing more than rumors on the web, I don't trust that a makeover is imminent just because it's need is obvious. There are way too many things mothballed at WDW to assume good things are coming (and from what I heard, Accounting even requires the mothballs to be DVC members!).

Doesn't have anything to do with Back Lot Tour, but, as for the evidence of the DHS make over, how about the permit filed today for Project 3 which is the project for Soundstage 1... Project begins in October... What the project is happens to be anyone's guess at this point... Could be a 3rd track for TSMM or something new altogether...

Whiting Turner is the contractor... This is much more than destruction of the building... Whiting Turner has done work in Disney before, as well as work in IOA...

This is just the beginning... Small steps... Not going to be done over night... And with Disney's construction schedule, will be several years before the park make over is done...

[DizneyFreak2002]

Personally, I like Movie Kingdom. We could call it MK and get all confused with the MK that has Tomorrowland, Fantasyland, etc.

Is Disney re-themed out after New Fantasyland or could we expect some retooling at the Studios in the next few years? Would the Lucas acquisition - both Star Wars and Indiana Jones - provide fodder?

Jan

Star Wars: yes... Indiana Jones? No idea... No one ever seems to talk about Indiana Jones...

[yankeesfan123]

Star Wars: yes... Indiana Jones? No idea... No one ever seems to talk about Indiana Jones...

Please include an entire Lucasland and not just star wars... There is SO much more there.

[Terra]

Please include an entire Lucasland and not just star wars... There is SO much more there.

Now that would be a great idea! With so much new movie technology from 20 years ago, DHS could really jump into the 21st cutting edge century.

[texas211]

Well, it had to go. Sad ride. We went on Tuesday, and CC broke while we were in the canyon.

They are probably turning it into an Olaf meet n greet and a Frozen gift store. DHS should be renamed Disney's Frozen Resource Center. Everything Frozen, all day, every day.

I heard they are going to redo Toy Story, and move out Woodie and put in Olaf. The Great Movie Ride is being changed to Great Scenes in Frozen. Honey I shrunk the kids, will turn into Elsa and Anna's Frozen playland. Indiana Jones will turn into Sven and Kristoff's Stunt's and More.

I heard they are going to redo Epcot as well and just call it Frozen. Rides will be ICE and Me, Ice Wars, Ice'in, Test Freeze, Mission to Big Frozen Bucks, and Fiesta De Frozen a Mexican / Frozen infusion.

[BrowncatP]

Thanks, Texas211 for the good laugh.

[Tekneek]

The Great Movie Ride is being changed to Great Scenes in Frozen.

They would have to show the entire film, right? FWIW, this is perhaps the very first time I've been dumbfounded by the massive appeal of a Disney film. I enjoyed Treasure Planet more than Frozen.

[texas211]

Yeah, I don't get it.

I was over w/ Frozen by the end of our Disney trip and was ready to throw the blu ray home when we flew back.

As for showing the whole movie in "Great Moments in Frozen" I don't think modern children could make it through the ride. This is the age of folks needing 10 forms of entertainment to make it through a 20-30 minute line.

I'd rather them alter Buzz Lighter AstroBlasters to replace Zerg w/ images of Elsa, Olaf and Anna. I might break my record.

[NJGIRL]

Well, it had to go. Sad ride. We went on Tuesday, and CC broke while we were in the canyon.

They are probably turning it into an Olaf meet n greet and a Frozen gift store. DHS should be renamed Disney's Frozen Resource Center. Everything Frozen, all day, every day.

I heard they are going to redo Toy Story, and move out Woodie and put in Olaf. The Great Movie Ride is being changed to Great Scenes in Frozen. Honey I shrunk the kids, will turn into Elsa and Anna's Frozen playland. Indiana Jones will turn into Sven and Kristoff's Stunt's and More.

I heard they are going to redo Epcot as well and just call it Frozen. Rides will be ICE and Me, Ice Wars, Ice'in, Test Freeze, Mission to Big Frozen Bucks, and Fiesta De Frozen a Mexican / Frozen infusion.

This would be funny, if there wasn't a possibility of it coming true.

[minnie04]

Disney's Hollywood Adventure anyone?

I hear the name Disney's Hollywoodland being brought up a lot.. But several insiders say that isn't the name they are hearing... Not sure I like the name... But if they do go with Hollywoodland, eh, I'd get use to it....

That park will always be MGM. I have never called it DHS it just doesnt sound right (to me)

[Tekneek]

I'd rather them alter Buzz Lighter AstroBlasters to replace Zerg w/ images of Elsa, Olaf and Anna. I might break my record.

Fits in Tomorrowland almost as well as this will fit in World Showcase.

[Maddie]

Hoping they won't replace it with some cruddy little kids rides or land. I get it they need kids attractions and I love Frozen and everything but as someone mentioned they are losing the vision and direction of the parks. I think Epcot is my favorite even though it is outdated because it has the memories and fun that its always had for my family. Seeing spaceship earth makes my heart skip a beat. "MGM" however has lost its magic for me, it isn't aligned with what it was originally built for.