**Updated 8/18/17** Re-Drawing The "lands" at Disney's Hollywood Studios

I can't say that I'll miss either the tower or the snack shop, but I'm beginning to wonder what will still be open when we go in December. We're getting 10-day tickets, but I think it may be a half day at DHS and a half day of rest, with the other 9 days at the other parks. Oh well, it's our least favorite park right now (we actually love AK), and I'm looking forward to the "re-opening."

When we went in 2014 we were asked twice by different cast members with tablets for our thoughts on the park and changes we would like to see. I think that if we do manage to get back to WDW for my birthday in a couple of years ( fingers crossed), the park will be completely unrecognisable. Hope Starring Rolls stays, really yummy breakfast

If these particular closings mean a name change is coming, they really can't deviate from it being a Hollywood studios too much because then the park just wouldn't make sense. It would have to be called Movieland or something, because having Toy Story and Star wars as your major focus of the park but then still having ToT and RnR I just don't know. It seems like a mess. even in a Movieland experience theme then RnR doesn't fit :confused:

Don't get me wrong, I am super happy that they are improving the park, I just don't want it to be a less than Disney quality theme, like it was just thrown together just to put something there.

I have an AP, so I will be checking out the studios as they are making the changes but I cannot say I will spend a lot of time in the park until it is done. It was my husband's favorite park but he decided not to renew his pass this year and wait until it is done.

Earfull Tower represents a different era for the park, one in which is was supposed to be a working studio. It's irrelevant now. Before too long, the park's icon will be something Star Wars-related, I'm sure.

They should change the name to "Hope you have a Park Hopper Ticket Park" for the next couple of years

Funny, the ones I will miss are the Studio Catering Company and the Honey I Shrunk the Kids playground. The Studio Catering Company is one of the only places we eat in this park (other than the sit-down restaurants), and it works for the whole family. Both it and the shaded playground are a nice respite in a very sunny park.

Now we'll have out own passholder lounge where annual pass holders can go an grap a bite without being concerned it might be crowded, not unlike California Adventure during the previous decade.

8/18/17

After officially being its own "land" for about a year and a half; Disney's Hollywood Studios has announced that Muppets Courtyard will be absorbed into the newly announced Grand Avenue area as part of the larger re-imagining of the park:

Disney Parks & Resorts wrote:
Muppets Courtyard, along with a portion of the former Streets of America, is being re-imagined by Walt Disney Imagineering to become a new area called Grand Avenue. Inspired by the revitalization and the vibrant culture of present-day downtown Los Angeles, Grand Avenue is where vintage office buildings and warehouses are being converted to exciting new uses. Guests will soon see facades for “merchants” appearing in this area for a music shop, loft apartments, a tailor and more, with each window on the street featuring charming displays.

...

The current Muppets Courtyard will become Grand Park, an urban square off Grand Avenue surrounded by shops and restaurants like PizzeRizzo and Mama Melrose’s Ristorante Italiano. Guests can already see changes in the area, with the Muppets theater being renamed “Grand Arts Theatre” and boasting a brand-new marquee. But, not to worry – Kermit, Miss Piggy and the gang continue to star in their hilarious and irreverent “Muppet*Vision 3D” show.

Grand Avenue will be opening to guests this fall.

3/26/16

With the large area closures looming for April 2, 2016 at Disney's Hollywood Studios additional details have been announced and demolition in a nearby area has already begun.

Construction walls went up around Premier Theater and the former Phineas & Ferb/Cars Meet & Greet area in January 2016. Exterior demolition work on the Premier Theater has recently become evident from outside the construction walls.

The full list of April 2, 2016 closures has been announced as the following:

• Earffel Tower
• High Octane Refreshments
• Honey I Shrunk The Kids Playground
• Lights, Motors, Action! Extreme Stunt Show
• Prop Shop
• Studio Catering Co.
• Watto's Grotto
• Youse Guys Moychindice

The Park has internally announced that the wide spread attraction/shop/restaurant closures will result in the effective closure of the Streets of America and Mickey Avenue "lands". The long unofficially named Muppets Courtyard will reportedly become an official "land" and absorb the former Streets of America areas up to Mama Melrose's Ristorante Italiano. Additionally, the remaining stretch of Mickey Avenue will reportedly be absorbed into the Animation Courtyard.

Tekneek;2476964 wrote: Regardless, that is the retail price, implying they believe it is worth that price. For what it is worth, have you looked at what I was talking about? I'm not sure the 10-day MYW tickets/day price even provides value for what is on that list. They should give money back to anybody who enters that park.

And this could be even easier with the advent of the Magic Bands. Everyone who uses their band to gain entry gets a $20 credit on their account to use however they want.

Somehow though, I bet that wasn't included in the scope of the 1.5 BILLION DOLLAR NextGen budget... It's a one way door for money in the new system...

Honestly, they could create a whole new park for Disney's Hollywood -- LucasLand (Star Wars, Indiana Jones, etc.), PixarLand (Pixar/Disney Animation), "Disney"Land (classic and not-so-classic Disney heroes and villains), MarvelLand (OOPS!! Skip that one due to the Universal contract!!), TVLand - all On Air TV shows/networks showcased, MovieLand (all the movie projects that do not fall under Lucas, Marvel, or Pixar/Disney Animation), and even an ESPNLand for sports entertainment.

Yes, that would mean closing the existing park in total and starting from square one, but would that be any worse than piece-mealing it like they are now?

Studios Cast have reported an adjustment to the April 2nd Closure plans.

Cast have reported that The Writer's Stop is now slated to begin reduced hours on April 3, 2016 with the full closure delayed until 'Late Spring 2016'. The Writer's Stop will reportedly open at 11:30 am daily and close one hour prior to Sci-Fi Dine-In's closing time each day.

PopPhan;2481515 wrote:
Yes, that would mean closing the existing park in total and starting from square one, but would that be any worse than piece-mealing it like they are now?

Even a park operating halfway closed is going to get some people in it. Dropping from 4 parks to 3, assuming the number of park goers on any single day does not decrease, would have a dramatic impact on the other 3. That is very likely the only reason. Scamming people without park-hopping tickets into wasting a day there is no doubt a very integral part of their crowd management strategy.

Glad to hear we'll be able to visit The Writer's Stop one more time. :)

We'll be visiting there to go on Tower of Terror, Toy Story Mania & Star Tours - then we're out of there during our upcoming trip. We converted to annual passes last trip, so it doesn't matter what little we do there.

I hope the makeover will be worth it in the end.

What I really want to know is - What is the park's new name!!!!!????

Tekneek;2476961 wrote: For fun, you should open up the Disney World My Disney Experience app and look at DHS in it. While reviewing that list of "attractions", keep in mind that they try to collect $97 before taxes for a 1 day ticket. For further fun, think of the attractions that are closing in the relatively near future without replacement and how ticket prices will likely increase at least once during that time.

I believe when it was called Disney-MGM Studios, there was a reduced admission rate for the park, reflecting the level and number of attractions at the park, relative to the other two (at the time).

It's not without precedent to offer a reduced admission fee, though it likely makes little business sense, when it is likely that most people buy multi-day passes.

JS:mickey: