Back Lot Tour Closing 9/27/14

We were chatting the car yesterday, and we agreed that this would close any-day-now.

And, I'm not terribly happy that we were right. The Backlot Tour was "meh" for a long time, but I'm just so worried ... we need new things at Disney, not just replacements and closures.

I hope something good is in the works. Geesh, they could built Arendelle ad left Maelstrom alone.

ibelieveindisneymagic;2434459 wrote:
I hope something good is in the works. Geesh, they could built Arendelle ad left Maelstrom alone.

The space does seem like it would work. I wonder if they could have made something work in the space they are using for the Captain Jack Sparrow experience thing as well.

I call dibs on the Two Three Four Mickey Mouse! I really wonder what they are going to do with all this stuff.

Just the Studios becoming a little less of a Studio once more

Melanie;2434456 wrote: I realize it's popular. Believe me, I was in there a few days after opening. :crazy: What I was trying to say is how sad it is that a merchandise location probably IS the most popular part of Frozen Summer Fun, and how Disney will most likely take that and say "wow, we need more retail shops!"

Haha! I agree!!!! :/

Tearin_it_up;2434469 wrote: I call dibs on the Two Three Four Mickey Mouse! I really wonder what they are going to do with all this stuff.

Just the Studios becoming a little less of a Studio once more

I saw a RUMOR that a name change may be coming as well.

Tearin_it_up;2434469 wrote: I call dibs on the Two Three Four Mickey Mouse! I really wonder what they are going to do with all this stuff.

Just the Studios becoming a little less of a Studio once more

Yeah, but I don't know that most people attach any meaning to the names of these parks. A large amount of guests going there these days probably don't even remember when it was an actual working studio.

Melanie;2434442 wrote: A retail shop? One of the most popular elements of Frozen Summer Fun? For who? And where is 'the Streets of America spot' exactly? I thought the sing along was moving to the American Idol spot?

The location on Streets of America confused me too Mel... I asked a few people and they too were baffled by the Streets of America location... No one can figure out where it is going... The assumption was the Frozen merchandise store was being relocated to the now shut AFI building, with the Sing A Long moving into American Idol... Doesn't seem to be the case... Unless, AFI is considered to be on Streets of America?

Melanie;2434456 wrote: I realize it's popular. Believe me, I was in there a few days after opening. :crazy: What I was trying to say is how sad it is that a merchandise location probably IS the most popular part of Frozen Summer Fun, and how Disney will most likely take that and say "wow, we need more retail shops!"

I think they considering the skating rink and snow area as part of Oaken's. This was posted on the Disney Parks Blog as part of the Frozen attraction announcement. (bolding is mine)

We’re extending some favorite elements of Frozen Summer Fun LIVE!, too, so that guests at Disney’s Hollywood Studios can continue singing along to “Frozen” songs with Queen Elsa and Princess Anna. Wandering Oaken’s will set up shop closer to the show through the holiday season and will feature a larger play area with real snow (in Florida!).

And about the same time as this came out I did see something about it moving to the Streets of America on Sept 28th near the exit of the Studio tour to make room for the new play area but I can't remember where I saw it.

Okay. I haven't found an official announcement but I found a report that said Oaken's will be moving to AFI Showcase with an expanded snow area but the skating will be discontinued. If I find anything official I will post the link or quote it.

We will be there that weekend if I can I will go by the Studios on the 28th and check it out.

I admit this wasn't my favorite attraction. But I did like it when I first started way back in 2000. Then though the neighborhood facade was still there and it was cool to drive through that.
It's a shame that they couldn't update it with various items from movies/sets with all that Disney has in their reach.
It could have been a continual changing thing.

But I know if they do a Star Wars or Cars land either will make my family and I happy!!!

Now if they would just update TGMR!

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 :mickey:

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.

Is Disney just outta of ideas?

kbean;2434488 wrote: 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.

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!