Close Menu
Inside Universal
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram YouTube Threads
    Tuesday, June 24
    Trending
    • El Artista: A Spanish Haunting announced for Halloween Horror Nights 34 during Spooky Empire
    • What’s Happening at the Universal Parks – Week of June 23, 2025
    • Hatchet and Chains: Demon Bounty Hunters haunted house announced for Halloween Horror Nights 34
    • Knott’s Berry Farm kicks of a summer of fun with Ghost Town Alive
    Inside Universal
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram YouTube LinkedIn Threads
    • Home
    • News
      • Hollywood
        • Photo Updates
        • CityWalk Hollywood
        • Halloween Horror Nights – Hollywood
        • Events
      • Orlando
        • Photo Updates
        • Universal Studios Florida
        • Islands of Adventure
        • Epic Universe
        • Universal’s Volcano Bay
        • CityWalk Orlando
        • Universal Resorts
        • Halloween Horror Nights – Orlando
        • Events
      • Japan
        • Photo Updates
        • Events
      • Singapore
      • Beijing
      • Other Universal Destinations
      • Outside Universal
        • Walt Disney World
        • SeaWorld Orlando
        • Around Orlando
        • Disneyland Resort
        • Knott’s Berry Farm
        • Around California
    • Forums
    • Inside Universal Podcast
    • Features
    • Merchandise
    Inside Universal
    Home»Outside Universal»Orlando»Walt Disney World»The Curious Case of Disney’s Hollywood Studios

    The Curious Case of Disney’s Hollywood Studios

    July 9, 2015 Walt Disney World By Brian Glenn
    Share
    Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Email Reddit Copy Link

    IMG_8372There’s something funny going on at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Since the closure of the Backlot Tour last September, the park continues to evolve into a shell of its former self. Several more attractions have closed – with several more expected in the future – leaving the park devoid of any substantial attractions to keep guests in-park for a full day.

    There is a plan in place however. For several years now, rumors have circulated that the end-game is to completely re-brand Hollywood Studios similar to Disney’s California Adventure $1 billion overhaul – and include a Star Wars Land and an expanded Pixar presence. Some other rumors say a few other additions are coming, such as an Indiana Jones Adventure clone from Disneyland, but those claims aren’t as concrete as Star Wars or Pixar.

    These changes aren’t imminent, however.

    As it stands, no movement on construction has been made. The current projection is that the overhaul, at best, will not begin until Avatar over at Animal Kingdom is completed in 2017. Based on Disney’s current construction pace, that would mean an estimated 2020-2021 time frame for Hollywood Studios – which would have it opening by Walt Disney World’s 50th Anniversary.

    Recent conversations have speculated that Disney plans to spend $3 billion dollars into Walt Disney World, including the overhaul of the Studios. Recently, Jim Hill was a guest on Parkscope’s lastest podcast and stated that once Hollywood Studios is completed, it could be the crown-jewel of the entire Disney World resort. A worthwhile addition of the Star Wars brand is going to conjure up all kinds of hype – possibly equivalent to Potter’s opening hype. The final product could undoubtedly be spectacular.

    But these are all rumors and speculation at this point. What about the park’s condition in it’s current state?

    dhs-map
    X’s on X’s….

    As it stands now, Hollywood Studios is ranked 4th among the Walt Disney World parks, behind Disney’s Animal Kingdom. The same Animal Kingdom where Disney execs have openly admitted isn’t a “full-day park”. Granted it’s small difference between the two parks, but Animal Kingdom has garnered more attendance than Hollywood Studios for 5 years running. The opening of Avatar will surely increase the gap between the two, and Frozen Ever After opening at Epcot – which most likely means the end of Frozen Summer Fun – isn’t going to do any favors for attendance at the Studios. In addition, Universal Orlando continues to invest heavily into their resort, slowly taking up more of Orlando’s market share.

    Hollywood Studios is currently offering 11 attractions total:

    • The Great Movie Ride
    • Indian Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular!
    • Star Tours – The Adventures Continue
    • For the First Time in Forever, A Frozen Sing-a-long Celebration
    • Lights, Motors, Action!
    • Muppet*Vision 3D
    • Toy Story Midway Mania
    • Voyage of the Little Mermaid
    • Disney Junior – Live on Stage
    • Beauty and the Beast – Live on Stage
    • Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith
    • Twilight Zone Tower of Terror
            *Those in bold denote attractions that are “safe” from replacement.

    7 of those attractions are stage shows, meaning less than half the park is dedicated to actual rides; and half of the rides listed are all on the chopping block once the expansion commences. It’s not all bad as Hollywood Studios features some true gems. The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror is widely considered one of the top 3 attractions in Orlando. In addition, Hollywood Studios features some great in-park restaurants, such as Sci-Fi Diner and 50’s Prime Time Café – but it’s not enough.

    IMG_0729
    One of the Disney’s Hollywood Studios gems – The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror.

    How long can Disney justify charging $100 for a 1-day ticket until guests start to react negatively? Obviously ticket prices aren’t going to be reduced, but the real question will be if guests will refuse to even bother visiting the park; opting to visit more fulfilling options around Orlando – like Disney’s water parks or the other resorts. The park’s saving grace right now is the ability to add the “Park Hopper” option and Frozen Summer Fun, but that can only shoulder the burden for so long.

    Many fans are feverishly awaiting this year’s D23 Expo for Disney executives to finally announce something for Hollywood Studios future, and are crossing fingers that sunny days are coming sooner rather than later.

    At least they took care of the Sorcerer’s Hat already.

    IMG_8522
    Shame…… Shame…… Shame……

    column d23 disney's hollywood studios expansion future indiana jones pixar Rumors star wars Walt Disney World
    Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email
    Previous ArticleDiagon Alley – 1 Year Later
    Next Article Crimson Peak Maze Announced for Halloween Horror Nights 2015
    Brian Glenn
    • Facebook
    • X (Twitter)
    • Instagram

    Brian may be reached at brian.g@insideuniversal.net - Editor-in-Chief

    Related Posts

    Epic Universe

    Universal Orlando’s Long Road to Epic Universe

    May 29, 2025
    CityWalk Orlando

    Expanded Universal Studios Store opens in Universal CityWalk; feautring Super Nintendo World & Butterbeer Counter

    May 8, 2025
    Other Universal Destinations & Experiences

    Universal confirms new United Kingdom Theme Park plans, set to open in 2031

    April 8, 2025
    LATEST POSTS

    El Artista: A Spanish Haunting announced for Halloween Horror Nights 34 during Spooky Empire

    June 23, 2025

    What’s Happening at the Universal Parks – Week of June 23, 2025

    June 23, 2025

    Hatchet and Chains: Demon Bounty Hunters haunted house announced for Halloween Horror Nights 34

    June 23, 2025

    Knott’s Berry Farm kicks of a summer of fun with Ghost Town Alive

    June 18, 2025

    Universal shares more details on the Universal Monsters coming to Universal Horror Unleashed in Las Vegas

    June 18, 2025
    About Inside Universal

    Inside Universal is a website dedicated to covering Universal Parks & Resorts, specifically Universal Studios Hollywood and Universal Orlando. Our team of editors is committed to providing fact-based, non-sensationalist content that educates and informs our readers while still focused on having fun.

    Inside Universal aims to maintain a rational perspective, allowing us to offer commentary, news, and analysis about Universal Parks. Our mission is to provide you, the reader, with accurate and in-depth reporting to the best of our ability. This is our goal - nothing more, nothing less.

    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram YouTube LinkedIn Threads
    JOIN THE DISCUSSION ON OUR FORUMS
    If you’re looking to have your Universal-related question answered, or if you’d simply like to chat about the park’s future developments, Inside Universal's forums is the Internet’s leading unofficial forum dedicated to Universal Studios Hollywood and Universal Orlando. MEI Travel
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram YouTube LinkedIn Threads
    • About Us
    • Masthead
    • Contact
    • Legal
    • Privacy Policy
    © 2025 All Rights Reserved - Inside Universal is not affiliated with Comcast, NBCUniversal, Universal Parks & Resorts, or Universal Destinations & Experiences. You may not copy, redistribute, publish, sell, or otherwise make the original contents of this website available to third parties unless you have received prior authorization from Inside Universal.

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.

    This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish.Accept Read More
    Privacy & Cookies Policy

    Privacy Overview

    This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
    Necessary
    Always Enabled
    Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
    Non-necessary
    Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
    SAVE & ACCEPT