It has been a few years since I've visited Disney's Hollywood Studios so I thought I'd check out this currently front-heavy theme park and see how all the new (massive) projects are coming along. Toy Story Land, which should hopefully be opening within the next two years, is off to a good start. The third track for Midway Mania is open and keeping lines short(er). They've made great progress clearing the land and moving out all the debris so construction can begin soon. Star Wars Land (or the Star Wars Experience as it's being referred to in-house) is not as far along. With much more to tear down on the Streets of America and surrounding areas, there will still be some time before we actually see vertical construction I'm afraid. That being said, it is surreal to be able to see clear across the Streets of America without facades in your way. Seeing Muppets from Writer's Stop is interesting for sure.
And speaking of The Muppets, the newly re-themed restaurant PizzeRizzo is coming along nicely and should open for guests within a month or two. This former location of Pizza Planet is receiving a makeover to create a more cohesive "land" for the Muppets called Muppets Courtyard. The only last remnants of a true backlot, Muppets Courtyard has a New York street feel, and the new PizzeRizzo facade really shows that. (If they could only do something about the unthemed soundstage smack in the middle of the area that currently houses a Muppet gift shop.) I was happy to see a little nod to Pizza Planet in the newly designed pizzeria. It says "Best Pizza on the Planet", but PIZZA and PLANET are in big block letters. Beautiful way to remember the former location. New outdoor bathrooms are being added as well, aptly named Gonzo's Royal Flush. Check out the video plus many images below and stay tuned for more theme park updates!
Toy Story Land Update
When Toy Story Land opens Pixar Studios will go away and this street will once again be a cast member only backstage areaI love the toy theming hereLooking down the road towards construction (or deconstruction as it were)Work walls up at end of roadWalls covering a very empty back half of theme parkWhat little city theming there is back here still remains on this cornerYou used to be able to see Honey I Shrunk the Kids Play Area from here. It is completely gone nowFacade and entrance to Backlot Production Tour now complete gone as wellPiles of debris sit where Backlot Tour Entrance once stoodFountain from "Splash" gone, Backlot Catering Co. gone, and most Streets of America gone.. Only City Hall remains on back half of street nowConcept Art posted on work walls shows off Slinky Dog family coaster...And an aliens spinner rideToy Story Midway Mania main entrance will move from this street to the backside of this building. This street will go back to being a backstage area (as it was not intended to be a guest pathway when park was built)This sadistic monkey should probably be put back into the barrel
PizzeRizzo Construction Update
I am sooo happy The Muppets are still here. I would be so very sad to see the show go away like it did on the west coastKERMIT!Fountain at the center of Muppets CourtyardNewly themed PizzeRizzo, opening soon!Neon on the sign looks like it might be slightly animated when lit upConcept art on the work wallsHeckler tomatoes, for all your throwing needsThis sign feels old, and yet it's new! Disney magic!Truly feels like New York here nowMmmm, the banquet hall sounds deliciousFamous already?Love this homage to the former Pizza Planet on the signFunny sayings on work wallsLooks like progress windows might be coming soonSilly permit for work being done on "This Street"As interesting as this gift shop entrance looks, it doesn't really fit the NY streets theme they're going for nowA normal city alley up against an incredibly strange out of place messy soundstageNew bathrooms next to PizzeRizzo being themed to Muppets as wellGonzo's Royal Flush... he must be so proud of his establishment
Star Wars Land Update
For a park that is getting a new Star Wars themed land, there's already a lot of Star Wars hereSome rumors say Star Tours will close and turned into a different simulator ride after Star Wars opens. I hope not. I love this ride, in all its incarnations throughout the yearsPassing by bickering old friendsI will admit having Tatooine right next to the forests of Endor is a little odd and the exterior would certainly need re-theming if this ride were to remain Star WarsThe view of future Star Wars land(Early) Concept art on work wallsThe backside of one of the only few remaining structures left in Streets of AmericaAll of the two-dimensional city facades remain as of nowStructures still being demolished across the streetClearly not near enough. It'll be years before this is done!Big indeed. And with big plans, comes long construction periodsThe view over on the Muppets sideMuch of Streets of America is completely leveled. I will miss the Osbourne Family LightsView from behind Muppet areaOld Phineas and Ferb meet and greet still not demolishedThere's the backside of City Hall, still standing, but no traces left of Lights, Motors, Action from this vantageOne last look at the two-dimensional buildings at the end of the streetI'm thinking these may be gone by the next time I visit the parkBye bye flat Chrysler building
Star Wars Launch Bay and More
This was my first time visiting Launch Bay. It's nice to have something to do with so many attractions recently closedMini-sized CantinaBlue milkMischievous Jawas are afootPlayful Jawa playing peek-a-booRey's Speeder and BB-8 on displayHe's so cuteWeapons on displayKinda makes you wanna buy your own, don't itVery detailed modelMe and Ben. He's kinda intimidating in personHe had some words for meEverything must end in a gift shopInside the Star Wars gift shop200 dollar lightsabersRoaming R2 unitRoaming BB droidToys!From the new Star Wars: A Galaxy Far, Far Away showPretty much the entire show is little vignettes where characters come out, pose for photos, and leave while effects, music, and video plays around them. No story, just full on nostalgia overload.Gertie thanks you for stopping by! That's all for now. Check out my recent Avatarland update here too!
It has been a few years since I've visited Disney's Hollywood Studios so I thought I'd check out this currently front-heavy theme park and see how all the new (massive) projects are coming along. Toy Story Land, which should hopefully be opening within the next two years, is off to a good start. The third track for Midway Mania is open and keeping lines short(er). They've made great progress clearing the land and moving out all the debris so construction can begin soon. Star Wars Land (or the Star Wars Experience as it's being referred to in-house) is not as far along. With much more to tear down on the Streets of America and surrounding areas, there will still be some time before we actually see vertical construction I'm afraid. That being said, it is surreal to be able to see clear across the Streets of America without facades in your way. Seeing Muppets from Writer's Stop is interesting for sure.
And speaking of The Muppets, the newly re-themed restaurant PizzeRizzo is coming along nicely and should open for guests within a month or two. This former location of Pizza Planet is receiving a makeover to create a more cohesive "land" for the Muppets called Muppets Courtyard. The only last remnants of a true backlot, Muppets Courtyard has a New York street feel, and the new PizzeRizzo facade really shows that. (If they could only do something about the unthemed soundstage smack in the middle of the area that currently houses a Muppet gift shop.) I was happy to see a little nod to Pizza Planet in the newly designed pizzeria. It says "Best Pizza on the Planet", but PIZZA and PLANET are in big block letters. Beautiful way to remember the former location. New outdoor bathrooms are being added as well, aptly named Gonzo's Royal Flush. Check out the video plus many images below and stay tuned for more theme park updates!
That's all for this update. See all Hollywood Studios updates here and subscribe to the feed for more continual updates!