Hello, and welcome to Dateline Disney World. This week, we will take in the sights at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, sharing some news, rumors, and photos. Is the Studios park prepping for an expansion on par with Disney California Adventure’s reinvention? What will happen to the large Mickey hat that has been “temporarily” sitting in front of the original icon for the park? We have information here for you to consider, so let’s go!
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Welcome to the Studios!
This week’s update starts outside the park, where rumors are circulating on the internet about a massive re-thinking of this park, similar to what happened at California Adventure. One of the rumors involves change to the parking area.
The rumors say that this tiny parking area could be expanded or reconfigured to accommodate the heavy crowds that should come with a renovated park. One rumor even suggested the Sorcerer hat from inside the park being relocated to a new parking entrance! Wouldn’t that be nice? Would you be sad to see it go?
To add fuel to the rumors of major change, Disney Channel Rocks will have its final performance on April 6th.
To be honest, I’ll be glad to see this show go. I know it is popular with some guests, but I just see it as tacky and loud. It also takes away from the great mood on Sunset Blvd when the pumping bass overpowers the swing music in the area.
Also rumored to be going away is the Pixar Pals Countdown to Fun parade.
It is still on the times guide, but some performers have apparently been told that the parade is coming to an end.
This could mean that some serious construction might soon be happening down Hollywood Blvd. These two shows both make their way down the street, DCR doing it several times a day. Parades and shows like this are Disney’s bread and butter, and the only reason I can think of to close them would be some sort of major renovation. I’m dreaming of Red Cars riding down the street already.
Over at Min and Bill’s Dockside Diner, the park is offering packaged foods during the busy Spring Break season.
I stopped in here for lunch and got buffalo chicken with fries. I know this isn’t the most exotic dish, but it is nice to see some variation in food, as opposed to just burger, hot dog, and fries. The dish was quite spicy and tasty as well.
Over at the Muppet area, you know it’s going to be busy when there are extended queues for this attraction.
One of the major rumors for an expansion to this park involves Cars Land, and/or a Pixar Land that has Radiator Springs Racers in it. If that does happen, both Lights! Motors! Action! and the Backlot Tour will be the likely casualties.
Since the Sorcerer Mickey topiary moved to the front entrance, this area has looked a little bare. Maybe new trees or a different topiary set would work here.
Inside Beverly Sweets, there are some fun character apples, as well as some special treats for Easter.
The guitar outside the ride just got a refresh with some new paint. Notice how the Hanes logo that used to be on a guitar pick is now just its own logo.
There is some fun merchandise, as always, at Tower Gifts.
It was a little chilly this week, so Disney was selling hats and gloves.
I asked the question on my Twitter account this week if DHS will ever get an attraction that will top the Tower of Terror. I’d like to know your thoughts in the comments below!
No stop to the Studios is complete without watching some Citizens of Hollywood.
They literally have people on the verge of falling over laughing, it’s great.
Well, that wraps things up for this week’s slightly different than normal Dateline. We’ll be back at Magic Kingdom for the typical construction updates next week, as well as some Iron Man-orail photos. What do you all think of the likely impending do-over of Hollywood Studios? What would you like to see them do to this park that needs some serious TLC? Let us know in the comments. Make your opinion count.
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