Take a trip with me into the Hollywood that never was at Disney’s Hollywood Studios!
Get here first thing in the morning and you might get to do some Disney trivia with the Citizens of Hollywood! There’s a prize in it if you do well enough.
Outside the Park
Construction is going full speed ahead on the remaining portion of the newly redesigned security bag check area.
I’m looking forward to having an open, easy-to-navigate park entrance again.
Not much change at the Disney Skyliner station, as it’s essentially ready to go. Official opening is September 29th.
Tower of Terror
Tower of Terror was closed for technical troubles for a while today. It’s already been running at reduced capacity all summer.
Some guests are just willing to wait it out and hope to be first in when it reopens.
Me, I take this as a time to look through the exit gift shop without being run over by other guests.
It’s extra spooky in here when it’s empty.
Construction Projects
Half of the shops along Hollywood Boulevard and Sunset Boulevard are still closed for refurbishment. Mickey’s of Hollywood seems to be getting some serious facade work.
Keystone Clothiers has been closed the longest, but still hasn’t reopened. It is still said to be reopening “this summer”.
I’m keeping an eye on this project near Star Tours. Expanded restrooms? Something else? We’ll just have to wait and find out.
Here’s a fun bit of history: a lot of the concrete at center stage has been replaced in recent months and years, but a couple mementos of the past still exist.
These brass inlays are remnants of the old permanent parade lines. Back when Disney MGM Studios had a daily parade, instead of taping it off every day like at Magic Kingdom, they had permanent markers in the pavement. You can still see some of them on Hollywood Boulevard as well.
Pixar Place
The Super Shindig is ending in late September, so check it out if you haven’t yet. It’s the best iteration of an “Incredibles” dance party so far.
These super kids are tossing “10 ton” balls in the air.
Edna Mode’s meet and greet is sticking around into the future, though.
These are her current meeting times.
What’s that I spy up there?
Another piece of Hollywood Studios history! The old stage signage is alive and well, if slightly obscured, back in Pixar Place.
The Mike and Sully meet and greet has been a popular addition to Walt Disney Presents. The wait was quoted as 40 minutes at about 11 this morning. They were only guaranteeing that you would get to meet Mike, though. “Sully may or may not be meeting when you get to the front of the line” the cast members were telling us. Possible budget cut?
They also hadn’t opened the Monster’s Inc gift stand at the exit. No word on when or if it would open today.
Something I’m a big fan of is the Green Army Man drum corps. You can see them in Toy Story Land.
They often do their show in front of Alien Swirling Saucers.
As the resident Muppet fanatic, I can’t not go to Muppet courtyard whenever I’m here. I know I’ve talked about Pizzerizzo before, but have I mentioned how much I love the Stage 1 Company Store?
The Muppet gags and props in here are wonderful.
They have references to all the Muppet films made before the attraction’s original opening. This scene is from “The Muppets Take Manhattan”.
This is based on the set from the end of “The Muppet Movie”.
The hotel set is from “The Great Muppet Caper”. All of those films are fantastic and a must-watch.
I’ll stop fawning over the Muppets, now. That’s it from Hollywood Studios for today. Maybe next time I’ll write a 30-page dissertation on why Muppet*Vision 3D is the pinnacle of 3D themed show design…
Thanks Henry for the updated photos.
Thanks for the updates!
I’m really hoping that once Star Wars and Runaway Railway are put to bed, they will turn their focus to the Muppets. They are still such a viable franchise and that corner of the park, Muppet Square (or whatever they want to call it now), could use a new Muppet ride and a new film for the 3D theater. They have the space behind the shops (backstage areas) to put SOMETHING…ANYTHING!
The Muppets could give the Studios extended growth and something to look forward to after Star Wars mania and would cost substantially less to produce.
Have always loved the Muppets! I too wish they had more of a representation in this park. However, I still love the current 3D movie. It’s literally timeless!
My wife and I are BIG Muppets fans. We love Muppets 3D; it just never gets old for us. And it’s a great experience to have Kermit and the gang talking right to us!
Ha ha!! I just love you Henry! Always look forward to you photo reports. My favorite.
We *never* skip Muppet 3D! Cheesy Muppet wonderfulness.
Errr…..what do you mean by “budget cut”? Should we worry?
Oh man I’m so bummed that the X-Files ride is closed. Forget sivako, it makes me want to say sivano.
Last time I visited, I was looking forward to buying some Muppets merchandise, but couldn’t find anything (maybe a keychain?). Sad that there is nothing out there for fans hoping to buy something with their favorite characters. Guess it wasn’t selling as well as even more Star Wars stuff or whatever they have in there now.