We take to the skies again today, this time to look at the latest progress on the Star Wars and Toy Story themed lands at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. As you’ll see below, a little progress has been made since our last flyover.
The Toy Story Land is starting to take shape, but there still just isn’t much to look at over on the Star Wars side.
With probably 2-2.5 years to go, there is certainly time to build this land, but I would hope to see some progress soon.
We also have a quick video of our flyover to share with you today:
We once again take to the skies to give you the best view possible of the ongoing expansion of Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Things are actually starting to get exciting over on the Toy Story Land area as structures are beginning to rise, meanwhile, Star Wars Land remains mostly a dirt pile. (Click images for larger res if you are into that kind of thing)
Aerial View of Construction at Hollywood Studios, Latest Progress on Toy Story & Star Wars Lands
This side of the park is a disaster currently, and guests can really see this if they come in through the World Drive entrance to the park. A new car entrance and a parking lot expansion rounds out the construction you can see beyond the current borders of Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
Aerial View of Construction at Hollywood Studios, Latest Progress on Toy Story & Star Wars Lands
Here you can see guest vehicles entering what’s left of that entrance, while just behind the fence, land clearing continues.
Aerial View of Construction at Hollywood Studios, Latest Progress on Toy Story & Star Wars Lands
Here we see the one set of facades remaining from the Streets of America.
Aerial View of Construction at Hollywood Studios, Latest Progress on Toy Story & Star Wars Lands
The billboard is the only sign of what was the Honey, I Shrunk the Kids playground area.
Aerial View of Construction at Hollywood Studios, Latest Progress on Toy Story & Star Wars Lands
Some temporary trees were rolled into the PIXAR Place area as otherwise the view beyond the walls would be nothing but blue skies.
Aerial View of Construction at Hollywood Studios, Latest Progress on Toy Story & Star Wars Lands
Aerial View of Construction at Hollywood Studios, Latest Progress on Toy Story & Star Wars Lands
This road going through the middle of the site likely separates the Star Wars and Toy Story Lands.
Aerial View of Construction at Hollywood Studios, Latest Progress on Toy Story & Star Wars Lands
Aerial View of Construction at Hollywood Studios, Latest Progress on Toy Story & Star Wars Lands
Aerial View of Construction at Hollywood Studios, Latest Progress on Toy Story & Star Wars Lands
I’m kind of amazed at the one tree and small piece of concrete still standing from the Premiere Theater area…
Aerial View of Construction at Hollywood Studios, Latest Progress on Toy Story & Star Wars Lands
Aerial View of Construction at Hollywood Studios, Latest Progress on Toy Story & Star Wars Lands
They are beginning to carve out space for the attractions.
Aerial View of Construction at Hollywood Studios, Latest Progress on Toy Story & Star Wars Lands
Aerial View of Construction at Hollywood Studios, Latest Progress on Toy Story & Star Wars Lands
Disney recently released the above concept art for the Star Wars land at Hollywood Studios, which matches the shape of the site above pretty well if you turn it around (as our photos are looking from what will be the backside).
We now focus our view over towards the Toy Story Land area.
That square is the extent of Toy Story Land, minus the eventual new entrance that will cross into the Toy Story Midway Mania attraction just across that road.
You can already make out the main thoroughfare of Toy Story Land, although it is just a dirt path winding down the center of the above photo.
This big concrete box is most definitely part of the Slinky Dog Dash attraction, as it can bee seen behind the buildings of the load station in the concept art for Toy Story Land (included below). The attraction features a launch of a moderate speed and this box will likely hold the mechanics that can make that launch happen. The foundations for the Alien Swirling Saucers ride system are in place below that site. It seems this land is racing ahead, possibly not as far off as we once imagined.
It’s nice to finally start to see things that are recognizable after so many months of prep work. You can almost envision what this area will look like now if you compare it to the concept art.
We also have a video flyover of the site to share with you:
Of course, we will continue to keep you in the loop as work progresses on all facets of the massive expansion of Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Stay tuned for more!
Our latest photo report brings us back to Disney’s Hollywood Studios to see the latest progress on the park’s expansion, PizzeRizzo, Walt Disney: One Man’s Dream, and more.
Welcome to Hollywood
Construction on the roadways around the park has expanded greatly, even beyond the main Walt Disney World Resort entrance on World Drive.
Entering Hollywood Studios from World Drive is quite the disaster currently as Disney prepares to move the entrance in the not-too-distant future.
There are currently two exit ramps to Animal Kingdom as the new one recently opened. No word yet on when the old one will close, but for now you can take two exits in a row to the same place.
The construction as seen from the World Drive road entrance.
AOTAS Hall of Fame Removal?
Rumor has it that the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences Hall of Fame is being removed outside of the Hyperion Theater.
This and That
To make sure everyone knows they are back, a large sign was placed on the top of Oasis Canteen advertising the menu.
Celebrity Spotlight was averaging about an 11 minute wait, so Disney cut the capacity in half and now waits have been double the length at least.
Star Wars Land Construction
Two facades are all that remains of the Streets of America as land clearing is full speed ahead for Star Wars land.
For a better look, check out this week’s expansion video update:
PizzeRizzo and Gonzo’s Royal Flush
Gonzo’s Royal Flush opens a few weeks ago, but some signage was recently added to the exterior.
Work continues on PizzeRizzo which should be opening soon.
Some flags were recently hung, including the PizzeRizzo logo.
Tables and some wall art were recently installed inside.
Gone are the old planters, railings now separate the outside dining area from the walkway.
Some new lamps were installed by the staircase.
Dr. Strange and the Mystery in One Man’s Dream
The Doctor Strange sneak peek has finally begun inside the One Man’s Dream theater.
Walls are still up in The Legacy Continues area of the exhibit. It is still unknown exactly what the work is for.
The model of the fortress from Tokyo DisneySea is now gone. This model had been in the exhibit for a number of years.
More permanent walls are now up. The door was left open at one point, so I peeked in. There is literally nothing there except some ladders and other work tools.
The Doctor Strange preview is not much more than two of the film trailers put together, but the film looks interesting enough.
Toy Story Land
The tarps are back up over by the former Jack Sparrow location, so we no longer have a clear view of construction down on this side.
Land clearing continues back by Toy Story Midway Mania.
Raiders of the Lost Ark
As discussed in an earlier post, the ark from Raiders of the Lost Ark is now on display at the Great Movie Ride.
New Merchandise
Some new ladies shirts are available in the Disney Boutique collection.
This week, PizzeRizzo in the Muppets Courtyard is nearing completion as the land clearing and demolition continues in the Backlot area of the park for Star Wars and Toy Story Land in our latest video expansion update from Disney’s Hollywood Studios:
It’s time once again to check in on the latest progress of the expansion of Disney’s Hollywood Studios!
This update includes the latest progress on PizzeRizzo in the Muppets Courtyard, the demolition of the backlot for Star Wars and Toy Story Land, the construction of a Dr. Strange meet and greet inside One Man’s Dream, and more! Enjoy:
This week, with Hurricane Matthew coming through, some of the tarps and such that would regularly obstruct the views through the walls and fences surrounding the Star Wars and Toy Story Land construction at Disney’s Hollywood Studios were temporarily removed. With those coverings gone, we got a nice clear view of exactly what is going on in the former Backlot area of the park, and we share that with you now in our latest video update of the ongoing expansion:
Work continues on two massive themed lands as a bevy of modest options prepare to open in the not-to-distant future at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. PizzeRizzo is nearing completion, the Dr. Strange preview has finally opened, and something else is brewing at One Man’s Dream in our latest photo report.
A bevy of new D-Tech on Demand phone cases are available with Rogue One designs at Launch Bay.
Academy of Television Arts and Sciences Hall of Fame
Walls are up at the Academy of Arts and Sciences Hall of Fame. Speculation is that this is being removed.
Doctor Stranger Things
While the Doctor Strange preview has opened, the rumored meet and greet has yet to materialize. Could this be a model of an upcoming project or something else?
Doctor Strange signage can be found all around the surrounding area.
If you missed it, a great look at the Star War and Toy Story Land construction sites is offered in this week’s expansion update video:
Hurricane Matthew forced Disney to remove some netting and tarps around the construction areas this week, allowing us a better view of the construction of Star Wars land.
The base of the supports for the facades that once stood at the end of the street are all that is left of it.
Moving down towards Muppets Courtyard, there isn’t much left to see.
The fire escapes off of the New York facades all lay in a pile just behind the walls.
PizzeRizzo
Work on PizzeRizzo continues, with the sign now appearing weathered.
Toy Story Land Construction
Meanwhile, a trip down to the old Jack Sparrow queue offers a look at what will be an entrance to Toy Story Land.
The old Prop Shop is now completely demolished.
We have to wonder how much longer this tree will be left standing.
This and That
Some Dr. Strange merchandise available at Mickey’s of Hollywood.
Our latest photo report trip to Disney’s Hollywood Studios comes to us courtesy of Jose Castillo. In this visit, we take a look at the continuing demolition in the Backlot, the latest progress on PizzeRizzo, the opening of Gonzo’s Royal Flush, and more.
Backlot Demolition Continues
The Backlot of Disney’s Hollywood Studios has been reduced to rubble. The space will someday be home to Toy Story Land and the Star Wars-themed land.
Two facades are all that remains of the Streets of America at this point.
Gonzo’s Royal Flush Opens
Gonzo’s Royal Flush opened next door to PizzeRizzo over the weekend.
Sadly, the interior of the restroom is not themed.. and yes, we made sure no one else was in the restroom before we took these.
Based on the last few new restrooms added in themed areas (like Tangled restrooms at the Magic Kingdom), we assumed these would be themed somehow, but they aren’t.
PizzeRizzo
PizzeRizzo is nearing completion next door in the former Pizza Planet location.
The exterior was being painted while we were outside.
The exterior lighting was also installed on both floors recently.
Some of the brick work on the main facade is being replaced now as well.
New Merchandise Stand
In our last report, we showed you the first of the new merchandise stands to arrive in the park’s Center Stage area. Since it was dark we figures it might be a good idea to show you what it looks like in the daylight.
Fixing the Towers
The control and lighting towers for the Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular show are a bit of an eyesore, so it looks like Disney might be doing something to at least make them a little more tolerable.
A bunch of these strange markings could be found on both of the towers.
It appears that something will be tacked on to the sides of both towers.
It’s time once again for a Disney’s Hollywood Studios expansion update. This is a pretty big one as it includes our final glance at the Streets of America and the removal of all traces of the original Studio Backlot Tour, the headlining attraction from when the park opened back in 1989.
We will have photos of the wreckage later this week in a photo report, but the above video does a pretty good job showing the size and scope of this project.
In our latest photo report, we take a dark and dreary evening trip to Disney’s Hollywood Studios to see the latest progress on the demolition around the back of the park, as well as some other minor changes and newsworthy happenings. Welcome to Hollywood!
New Mugs & Tumblers
For some reason, Walt Disney World is currently rolling out dozens of new mugs and ceramic tumblers at the resort. I know mugs are one of the highest selling items at the parks, but I have never seen so many released at once, including the character sports team variety we had in our last Studios report.
Bye-Bye Backlot
The entrance of thew Backlot Studio Tour and the remains of the tank pre-show are were completely bulldozed over the last week.
The end of PIXAR Place is now just a big open sky and some construction vehicles.
This panorama does a pretty good job showing off the current scene. You may also want to check out this week’s expansion update for video of the area, as well as the removal of New York Street:
Cash Register Turns Dangerous Coloring Station
I have seen some weird and wacky things at the parks in my time, but this is easily one of the weirdest… the second bank of cash registers at the Studio Store has been turned into a coloring station.
That’s right, this store is down from 3 cash registers to 1, and the larger bank of registered was covered into a coloring station.
While it is a nice gesture, it looks pretty terrible as it is a ragged piece of furniture that has been there for 25 years and is fairly decimated at this point. Beyond that, it has had Disney Junior characters shoddily laminated and plastered all over it.
The worst part? There are easily exposed electrical outlets. While we had to peel this one back to find them, they were very much exposed nearby.
I feel like this is something I might find at a Six Flags, but never any a Disney theme park. Hopefully this will be corrected.
Sorry, We Have No Water
During construction on Saturday, a water main was struck, forcing Disney to close all of the park’s water fountains. On the plus side, any guest who asked about the water fountains was offered a complimentary bottle of water from a nearby location.
Streets of America is No More
Just the Chrysler building facade now stands at the end of the street where New York Street once stood.
The walls were expanded outward to accommodate the latest phase of the demolition.
I’m not sure why this one piece got left behind…
New Merchandise Stands
A number of new merchandise carts and stands are on their way to Disney’s Hollywood Studios, the first of which arrived in Center Stage over the weekend.
It carries on the art deco styles of the area, and actually is a big improvement over the silver carts that once stood here.
