Hollywood Blvd + ToT impressions

[Olivier]

I was at the Walt Disney Studios last friday. Here are my impressions :

"Hollywood Blvd" :

Well, i must admit I was slightly disappointed by the final result. Some parts of the "blvd" look actually great. The problem is that the whole place looks good from one specific angle: when you're in front of the Partners statue.
When you walk down the blvd, perpective quickly becomes weird, and background facades don't look very good. Once again the Hollywood hills backdrop looks great from the Partners statue, but very different closer.



Shop-windows look great though (hoping they'll be turned into real stores some day...), and have even more details than some at Main Steet USA at Disneyland Park. Read this very interesting MiceAge article : http://www.miceage.com/guest/gu121807a.htm
The Hollywood Blvd is certainly a huge improvement in the WDS landscape but needs to develop to become a *real* blvd.



"The Hollywood Tower Hotel, Un plongeon dans la Quatrième Dimension" :

I arrived at 12:30, everyone told me the attraction is officialy closed, but unofficially working. Guess what! The HTH was open only for special guests with invitation I was so disappointed!!! It was not even Nicolas Sarkozy and his new fiancée, as they came the day after, I didn't see anyone entering the queue line...

I had the idea to try again at 3 pm, the CM in front of the entrance told me "the HTH opens for everyone for about 10 minutes, enjoy!". Wow. I entered the garden with much joy and fear at the same time. Why fear? Well, I hate drop sensations and feel dizzy when I'm too high. Just perfect for me, isn't it?
Beeing in that mood, I don't really remember what I saw in the garden, the lobby and everything else until the lift... I'll try to have a closer look next time (if I dare).

Then on to the lift.
I think most people were feeling like me because everyone in the elevator were surprisingly mute. The Cast Member was very good and added much atmosphere, before the elevator "sent us to our rooms", he asked if anyone need something special, then he waited 3-4 seconds staring at us, then added "trop tard... too late" when doors closed.

The ghosltly scenes looked great, but a bit short IMO.
Then came the drops. I read here and there that's the ToT is a 'family' attraction with mild sensations. In my opinion, it's not, I found the drops quite extreme, and really felt dizzy at the very top (nice view indeed).
In the end, the HTH is a very good attraction that will boost attendance for sure. It's probably not the best Disney attraction, but it's a great addition to the Walt Disney Studios, considering the nothingness that was there before.

[mikeland]

Thanks for the report! Too bad I missed it when I was there.

[TDLFAN]

the HTH is a very good attraction that will boost attendance for sure. It's probably not the best Disney attraction, but it's a great addition to the Walt Disney Studios, considering the nothingness that was there before.

Agreed with your assessment. TOT ia a fun ride but highly overrated...maybe because it of it's extensive theming, but the ride itself still lacks...

[Coheteboy]

Backdrops just never work out if you're allowed to get near them. That's why they're called "back" drops. Disney should not have this even be a part of the "magic". They should build a REAL Hollywood Hill with the sign and put a ride within it. Now THAT'S magic!


Thanks for the pics though!

[GhostHost2]

I was hoping this Tower of Terror would be unique from the other ones, but from what I have heard, it is basically DCA's version once on the ride.

[Oswald the Rabbitt]

Nice TOT TR

[Rex Dopey24]

wow nice.

[Coheteboy]

I was hoping this Tower of Terror would be unique from the other ones, but from what I have heard, it is basically DCA's version once on the ride.

I know right? It coulda been kinda like The Haunted Mansion or Pirates where every single one was somewhat varied. Though Tokyo Haunted and WDW Haunted is virtually the same... but I think the latest additions make them all unique now.

[pussnboots]

Oooh, sorry to abuse your thread for a moment, Olivier, but that hideous lighting rig to the left of this picture was removed yesterday. Just wanted to deliver some good news to those of us who were hoping for this.

[kirbilicious]

I was hoping this Tower of Terror would be unique from the other ones, but from what I have heard, it is basically DCA's version once on the ride.

Since the plans for DCA's were lifted directly from Paris', you really can't blame the Studios for having practically the same ToT.

[Olivier]

Oooh, sorry to abuse your thread for a moment, Olivier, but that hideous lighting rig to the left of this picture was removed yesterday. Just wanted to deliver some good news to those of us who were hoping for this.

Yea I read that too. That's so cool!!!
Do they read disney fans boards or what ?

Have a look here : http://nsm01.casimages.com/img/2007/...1911533797.jpg

[soffy]

congratulations, these are great pictures, sorry for the inconveniences in your trip, I always think in travel to disney but for econmical reason I can't

[CaliforniaAdventurer]

Where are TDLFan's pictures? Before I get in trouble for asking anyone else!

[Reiana]

Search a post (previous site i.e.) of him and take a look at his signature. Just move your cursor over the word "here" and voilà. It's very easy.

[filmfreak11]

I think seeing everything look good from the Partners statue until you go in for a closer look is the point. Think of the area infront of the statue as part of the set. The set is only built for what the camera needs to see. In this situation... the camera is not intended to go into the Blvd. It's a camera trick - forced perspective. That's what DCA tried to accomplish. Disney-MGM/ Disney's Hollywood Studios' New York area is a good example. Some areas are complete facades, other parts is a painted forced perspective... Something Universal Studios Hollywood doesn't demonstrate as much as it should. Universal Studios Florida have these neat little cutouts for photo ops where if you position yourself right, gives the impression of "matte painting" to make a structure appear to have more than it really does.

It's a movie studio, they should be demonstrating this kind of stuff. Maybe a plaque would help guests understand better??

Of course, this is all a matter of opinion...