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COPYRIGHT 2008. THE WALT DISNEY COMPANY
For information on the new American Idol show, go here
21 July 2008: Sunset Blvd stores set for refurbishment later this year
The Once Upon a Time, Mouse About Town, and Sunset Club Couture stores along Sunset Blvd will be closed for refurbishment from September 2 – November 22, 2008.
19 July 2008: An official clarification on the Fantasmic! cuts
Disney have this information on the sad news of Fantasmic! being cut to just two shows per week
"We are continually focused on providing the best
possible experiences for our Guests who visit the Walt Disney World®
Resort. Within the last six months, we have added significant new
attractions and shows at Disney’s Hollywood Studios™, including Block
Party Bash, Toy Story Midway Mania!, Pixar Place and Journey Into
Narnia: Prince Caspian.
Coming in October 2008 will be the recently announced “High School
Musical 3: Senior Year” and later this year, Disney’s Hollywood Studios™
will host the annual Night of Joy event for the first time and welcome
back ABC Super Soap Weekend. At the same time, we have continued to
update existing offerings such as Playhouse Disney—Live On Stage! Next
year, the park will unveil The American Idol Experience, host the first
Grad Nite events at Disney’s Hollywood Studios™ and welcome back ESPN:
The Weekend and Star Wars Weekends.
We regularly evaluate and refine our operations. At the same time we
unveil The American Idol Experience in January 2009, we will make an
adjustment to our operation by offering Fantasmic! on select evenings
each week. Fantasmic! will be performed two times weekly –generally
Mondays and Thursdays - and more often during our busiest times of the
year.
On nights when Fantasmic! is not performed, Guests (with appropriate
ticket media) will continue to have the opportunity to enjoy nightly
fireworks spectaculars such as Wishes at the Magic Kingdom® Park and
IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth at Epcot®.
Showtimes will be published for Guests in the Times Guide, which is
available at the theme parks, and online at disneyworld.com."
19 July 2008: Fantasmic! being cut to just two shows per week in January 2009
According to the official calendar, for the whole month of January 2009, Fantasmic! will only be performed twice per week, on Mondays and Thursdays (instead of nightly). We also have reports from cast that they have been informed of the change. This has not happened previously, even during the slower season. It isn't yet clear what the reason is, possible theories include the show undergoing a refurbishment, or Disney forecasting some very low crowds. Discuss here
12 July 2008: High School Musical 2: School’s Out! to be replaced with new High School Musical 3: Senior Year
To make way for the new show, High School Musical 2: School’s Out! will have its final performance on September 13, 2008 and will be replaced with High School Musical 3: Senior Year, with the new show opening on October 24, 2008.
7 June 2008: A look inside Soundstage 1
As part of the Star Wars Weekends, Soundstage 1 has been converted into Wicket's Warehouse, a merchandise and celebrity signing location. Besides all the cool Star Wars stuff, it gave us a great chance to take a look inside the empty soundstage which is anticipated as being the next expansion location of Pixar Place.
Above: The view from the exterior. The walls have
once again been reconfigured.
Above left: The original entry into the soundstage
lobby area. For Wicket's Warehouse, a side entry door was being used,
close to the tram tour entry.
Above right: Inside the soundstage. Notice a set piece wall still hangs
from the wall. Very little work has been done on the interior of this
soundstage since it was last used for production.
Above right: The old tour corridor is still intacts
and visible. This is where guests used to walk though the soundstages to
view productions underway below.
Above: Some more general views of the soundstage.
7 June 2008: The Premiere Theater photos
As mentioned yesterday, the former Hunchback Theater is now the fully AC'd and enclosed 'Premier Theater'. It's first role, is as for the Star Wars Weekend events.
6 June 2008: The new Premiere Theater hosting several Star Wars Weekend events
The former Hunchback Theater, now named the Premiere Theater, is being used for hosting several events during the Star Wars Weekends. The preview clips of the new animated film "Star Wars: The Clone Wars" is being shown here.
6 June 2008: Cars meet and greet moving to Al's Toy Barn location
Once the new Pixar Place meet and greet locations are completed and ready for action, the Toy Story characters will be heading there, and leaving their current location at Al's Toy Barn available for use by the Cars characters. New backdrops and set decoration should be installed soon ready for the move.
23 May 2008: A look at the exterior of Soundstage 1
Now that the wall has partially been removed from the Backlot Tour end of Pixar Place, guests can now walk right up to Soundstage 1, rumored to be the next location of the Pixar Place expansion. The windows are currently blacked out, with the sign above reading HOT SET - WE ARE PREPARING FOR A NEW PRODUCTION.
14 May 2008: Some more details on the new Journey Into Narnia: Prince Caspian, soundstage attraction
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (May 14, 2008) -- This
summer, some of the characters from C.S. Lewis's timeless fantasy The
Chronicles of Narnia come to life at Walt Disney World in Florida.
Journey Into Narnia: Prince Caspian, an all-new soundstage attraction at
Disney's Hollywood Studios, offers an in-depth and unique look into the
making of "The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian" (released in
theaters May 16 by Walt Disney Pictures and Walden Media Films).
The journey begins at the queue where guests can test their knowledge of
the Narnia stories. Next, guests will have an option of participating in
a meet and greet with Prince Caspian himself against a backdrop of the
"Dancing Lawn," the location where the Narnians first confront Prince
Caspian in the movie. Fans who can't wait to be transported will have
the option to head directly into the new movie attraction Journey Into
Narnia: Prince Caspian.
The attraction opens with a narration from the film's director, Andrew
Adamson, who explains the behind-the-scenes footage of the making of
"The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian." Guests then pass through an
archway carved into stone that reveals an underground vault which holds
the stone table where, in the first movie, Aslan sacrificed himself.
"Guests and fans alike will be drawn into a different world as they
enter the Narnia portal," says Dave Hoffman, art director for Walt
Disney Imagineering. "By using audio and visual effects with multiple
surround screens, we immerse guests into The Chronicles of Narnia like
never before."
In addition to the immersive, behind-the-scenes experience, guests can
view authentic props from the movie set and costumes worn by the actors
and actresses in the film. Even the structure of "Aslan's How," which is
visible as guests "cross over" into Narnia, was cast from the same molds
as the one used in the actual film.
The attraction itself will open in early summer but the meet and greet
experience with Prince Caspian is currently open for guests to enjoy.
Guests will find it located at Soundstage 4, between Walt Disney: One
Man's Dream and Toy Story Mania!, at Disney's Hollywood Studios.
11 May 2008: Prince Caspian character to appear at the Studios this week
Prince Caspian (from the new movie "The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian") is scheduled to begin regular meet-and-greet appearances on May 16, 2008 at Disney's Hollywood Studios. It also seems likely that there will be some unannounced preview appearances on Thursday.
See below for a promotional photo shot at Walt Disney World Resort.
COPYRIGHT 2008. THE WALT DISNEY COMPANY
5 May 2008: Former Hunchback Theater, now named the 'Premiere Theater' construction photo update
The theater is now receiving what looks like exterior wall coverings. The new name of the theater is the 'Premiere Theater'.
4 May 2008: New Top Secret FX Gen-R8-R installed in the Muppets queue
This large new prop is currently being installed in the Muppets queue area. There is scaffolding still around parts of it, so it appears to be still under construction.
30 April 2008: Animation Courtyard archway logo now installed
It's been a long time in the making, but the new logo was installed overnight and is now in place on the Animation Courtyard arch.
Many thanks to peter11435 for the photos.
1 April 2008: Hunchback theater construction update
Work is still ongoing on enclosing the theater.
1 April 2008: Cars Meet and Greet has new backdrop
The Cars meet and greet has a new Radiator Springs backdrop.
1 April 2008: Sorcerer Mickey Meet and Greet new location
Sorcerer Mickey has a great new meet and greet location in the Art of Animation post-show area. The new area has moving light effects and a dedicated queue.
1 April 2008: New palms installed at the main gate
Two huge new palm trees have just been installed at the main gate of Disney's Hollywood Studios.
16 March 2008: The American Film Institute Showcase refurbishment
The American Film Institute Showcase is scheduled to be closed for refurbishment from April 1 2008 to May 1 2008, reopening on May 2 2008.
16 March 2008: Star Wars Weekend dates for 2008
This year's Star Wars Weekend dates are:
June 6, 2008 - June 8, 2008
June 13, 2008 - June 15, 2008
June 20, 2008 - June 22, 2008
June 27, 2008 - June 29, 2008
14 March 2008: Night of Joy tickets now on sale
Night of Joy is a time for Guests to celebrate
fun, freedom and fellowship. Ticket sales for this year's event have
arrived! Starting this morning, Night of Joy tickets are available to
purchase. Guests will be able to revel in the best of Christian Pop,
Rock, Urban and Gospel music from some of today's most powerful voices
in Contemporary Christian music.
Live concert performances will be on stages throughout Disney's
Hollywood Studios. This special event will be over two nights, September
5th and September 6th, from 7:30 pm to 12:30 am.
Guests can purchase an advanced savings one night ticket for $44.95 plus
tax, or save and buy a two night ticket for $75.95 plus tax (a savings
of $14.86 over purchasing separate one night tickets for each night).
Tickets purchased on the day of the events (if available) will be $49.95
plus tax.
Note: There is one price for all guests 3 and up. There is no separate
child price. Request for 10 or more tickets should be made through the
Group Sales Office at 1-877-NITE-JOY (1-877-648-3569).
11 March 2008: Journey into Narnia: Prince Caspian opening summer 2008
Journey into Narnia: Prince Caspian – Guests can experience an exclusive opportunity to see behind-the-scenes footage, original concept art, storyboards, props and costumes from the latest installment of “The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian.” They can explore Aslan’s stone table chamber set recreated directly from the original molds, see blueprints used for the motion picture, and meet Prince Caspian.
The new exhibit is tentatively set to open around May 24 2008.
3 March 2008: ESPN logo removed on Animation Arch to reveal...
NOTHING!
Work is obviously still going on in completing the new logo on the Animation Courtyard arch. here is the current state of the arch in the photo below.
2 March 2008: Disney's Hollywood Studios road signs appearing all over property
It's taken a while since the name change, but we are now starting to see some of the new road signs appearing around property. There are still a lot of old MGM signs remaining, but progress is being made. Apparently a lot of the delay is due to goverment Department of Transport requirements.
2 March 2008: Sunset Blvd Candy shop closed for refurbishment
The excellent candy shop on the corner of Sunset Blvd that is part of the Villains Store is currently closed for refurbishment. The windows are blacked out, and there is a curtain blocking the view from inside the Villains store.
2 March 2008: Animation Courtyard Arch nearing completion
All of the scaffolding has now been removed around the arch, and it looks as though the new logo is ready to be unveiled. It is currently being covered by an ESPN Weekend logo sign.
2 March 2008: Art of Animation exterior under refurbishment
A tarp has appeared over the main entrance of the Art of Animation.
2 March 2008: New Disney's Hollywood Studios merchandise appearing
There are now at least four items with the new logo in place. See the photos below.
2 March 2008: New costumes on display in the Great Movie Ride preshow
Two new costumes have been installed in the Great Movie Ride preshow area. The first is from Narnia, and the second from Shakespeare in Love.
25 February 2008: New 101 Dalmatians Meet and Greet
A new meet and greet has appeared just beside the Great Movie Ride for Cruella De Vil.
25 February 2008: ESPN Weekend staging now in place
Much of the staging in front of the Hat is now in place ready for the upcoming ESPN The Weekend events.
25 February 2008: Animation Courtyard arch still undergoing sign work
The archway leading to the Animation Courtyard is still under wraps has not yet had it's new logo revealed.
17 February 2008: New Disney's Hollywood Studios road signs now appearing on property
Some road signs have now been updated with the new name around property. currently, the new signs are in the minority, with most still displaying the old Disney-MGM Studios name.
15 February 2008: Earffel tower logo being painted today
The new Disney's Hollywood Studios logo is today being painted in on the Earffel Tower. Check out the photos below for a very nice looking paint job!
This great photo shown below released by Disney shows an artist at work on the new paint job.
COPYRIGHT 2008. THE WALT DISNEY COMPANY
14 February 2008: Streets of America New York Street walls removed
Since the Osborne Lights were taken down, a large area of the New York Street scene has been walled off. This area has now been reopened, and is currently being used by a live entertainment band (Mulch, Sweat, and Shears) for their performances. It was being speculated that a Chicago backdrop scene may have been added here.
14 February 2008: Disney's Hollywood studios signage update
The Animation Courtyard archway looks to be finally getting it's new logo. The arch is now completely covered in scaffolding while the work is underway behind the screens.
The resort bus stops have also now been updated with the new name.
12 February 2008: Hunchback theater construction update
Here are the latest update photos of work on the former Hunchback theater roof/wall additions. Thanks to Figment1986 for the photos.
7 February 2008: American Idol attraction coming to Disney's Hollywood Studios
COPYRIGHT 2008. THE WALT DISNEY COMPANY
Visit our dedicated American Idol section for more details
3 February 2008: Playhouse Disney reopens
Playhouse Disney-Live on Stage! has now reopened with it's new cast, featuring stars from "Mickey Mouse Clubhouse," "Little Einsteins," "Handy Manny".
3 February 2008: Hunchback theater construction update
Work is ongoing to enclose the theatre.
2 February 2008: Disney's Hollywood Studios Annual Passholder Sweepstakes
Come and enjoy exciting shows and attractions at
Disney's Hollywood Studios™ like the full-throttle, high-octane live
stunt spectacular Lights, Motors, Action!™ Stunt Show, the high-speed
loops and turns of Rock 'n' Roller Coaster® Starring Aerosmith and the
creepy thrills of The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror™! While you're
there, enter the sweepstakes for your chance to win some cool Disney's
Hollywood Studios™ gear! Sweepstakes runs February 1 - 29, 2008.
Three lucky Passholders will win a prize package of awesome Disney's
Hollywood Studios™ merchandise (approximate retail value of each prize
package is $150). To enter the contest, fill out an entry form at the
Guest Relations area at Disney's Hollywood Studios™ or
enter by mail.
Come experience the exhilaration of Disney's Hollywood Studios™ and
don't miss your chance to win! See
official rules for details.
Dates: February 2008
Location: Disney's Hollywood Studios™ (or by mail)
Important Information
Sweepstakes runs February 1 - 29, 2008
Open to Passholders age 21 and up
29 January 2008: All Narnia exterior signage and photo opportunity removed
As you can see in the photo below, the exterior sign and photo location just past the entrance of One Man's Dream has now been removed. The Narnia attraction has been closed since the Pixar Place refurbishment wall was pushed back.
28 January 2008: Monsters Inc meet and greet location moved
The Monsters Inc meet and greet location has moved from Commissary Lane over to a location ear to the new Pixar Place. The entry can be found in the facade very close to the exit of the Backlot Tour. As well as a move for Monsters Inc, the Cars meet and greet has also moved. See the update below for details.
Above left: The old location now sits empty.
Above right: The new meet and greet entry.
Above: Inside the meet and greet location
28 January 2008: Cars meet and greet location moves closer to Pixar Place
The Cars meet and greet location has been moved from Streets of America to a spot very close to the new Pixar Place, just outside the entry to the Backlot Tour.
28 January 2008: Hunchback theater construction update
A crane is still on site working on the theater. Work seems to still be focused on the roof structure.
28 January 2008: Disney's Hollywood Studios temporary main entry signage
The main entry is showing the park's name, but a close up look reveals it is only a temporary sign.
28 January 2008: A white Earffel tower
The Earffel Tower, one of the parks icons, is currently under a paint refurbishment to incorporate the new Disney's Hollywood Studios logo. Currently, one side is totally white, and other is white with black ears. It makes for quite an interesting view as you drive by the park!
28 January 2008: Tower of Terror promotional sign update
The long standing animated Tower of Terror promotional sign has also had it's signage changed to the new name of Disney's Hollywood Studios.
10 January 2008: Hunchback theater construction update
Crews have been busy installing a new roof on the former Hunchback Theater. This seems to lend support to the theory that the theater will be refurbished to become home to future stage-type productions. Thanks to Figment1986 for the photos.
7 January 2008: Disney's Hollywood Studios first day report
The change over from Disney-MGM Studios to Disney's Hollywood Studios began today in a very low key manner. So far, only the signs at the entry area have been switched over. All signage outside the park, and the vast majority of it in the park remain unchanged and still display the park's former name. most surprisingly, no Disney's Hollywood Studios logoed merchandise has been spotted so far, and old Disney-MGM Studios merchandise is still available. The parks main gift stores are selling the generic WDW merchandise in place of the park specific items.
Above: The new sign at the entrance to the park
Above right: The sign is missing from the security checkpoint
Above left: The large billboard still says Disney-MGM
Studios
Above right: The new logo is proudly displayed on the flags at the main
entrance
Above: The animation courtyard area remains signless
as it has done now for several weeks
Above: The informational signs at the main entrance
have been updated
Above left: All of the road signs still use the parks
old name
Above right: Disney-MGM merchandise is still available in the stores. No
Disney's Hollywood Studios logo merchandise has been spotted so far.
Above: The new logo maps
7 January 2008: Large crane working on the former Hunchback Theater
A very large crane is now onsite working on the former Hunchback theater located behind the San Francisco facade.
21 December 2007: More Disney-MGM Studios signage removed
Following the removal of the sign from the archway, the Disney-MGM Studios signs have now also been removed from the water tower ready for installation of the new Disney's Hollywood Studios signs. Thanks to Figment1986 for the photos.
18 December 2007: Disney-MGM Studios signage removed from the Animation Courtyard Arch
The Disney-MGM Studios sign has now been removed from the archway that leads to the Animation Courtyard. It is expected that the new Disney's Hollywood Studios sign will replace it. The photo below shows the current empty arch.
25 October 2007: Disney unveil the new Disney's Hollywood Studios logo
The new logo has today been unveiled for the soon to be Disney's Hollywood Studios.
"Disney-MGM Studios transitions to a new name -- Disney's Hollywood Studios -- effective Jan. 7, 2008. On Oct. 25, 2007, Walt Disney World Resort unveiled the new official logo the renamed theme park will take. The bright, new logo features a clapboard-holding Mickey Mouse. "Mickey still plays a prominent role for us," said Studios vice-president Michael O'Grattan, "and Hollywood now truly is our middle name." "
9 August 2007: Disney's Hollywood Studios official announcement press release
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (Aug. 9, 2007) -- In the
Walt Disney World theme park famous for all things Hollywood, it's
curtain up on the launch of new attractions, new looks, new breakthrough
experiences...
...and a brand-new name.
Disney-MGM Studios will be renamed Disney's Hollywood Studios, effective
January 2008, announced Meg Crofton, president of Walt Disney World
Resort.
"The new name reflects how the park has grown from representing the
golden age of movies to a celebration of the new entertainment that
today's Hollywood has to offer -- in music, television, movies and
theater," she said.
Framed by the park's supporting cast of classic Hollywood architecture
are shows and attractions straight from contemporary Hollywood, such as
Rock 'n' Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith, "Lights, Motors, Action!
Extreme Stunt Show" and many more. Disney's Hollywood Studios is also
the place to meet favorite character stars of today including Lightning
McQueen and Mater from Disney-Pixar's "Cars," Power Rangers and Little
Einsteins.
With exciting coming attractions and experiences, the best and brightest
of Hollywood is about to emerge for park guests, Crofton said.
"As Disney continues to grow and invest in our family entertainment
business, we constantly explore new ways to deliver high-quality,
immersive experiences for our guests," she added. "As a park all about
entertainment, Disney's Hollywood Studios will deliver like never
before. Now we can say that Hollywood is literally our middle name."
New Attractions, Experiences
Toy Story Mania! Guests get sporty in a new, interactive "Toy
Story" competition inspired by Disney-Pixar's "Toy Story" films and
hosted by characters like they've never before experienced. Past a
queuing area featuring a giant Mr. Potato Head, guests grab 3-D glasses,
board fanciful ride vehicles and zip into a world of exciting
midway-style games hosted by many of their favorite "Toy Story"
characters including Woody, Hamm and Rex. Once inside "Andy's Toy Box,"
the competition heats up. Who can rack up the most points? Using
spring-action shooters, guests launch darts at balloons, rings at
aliens, eggs at whimsical barnyard targets. Toy Story Mania! takes the
interactive ride-game experience to infinity -- and beyond. (summer
2008)
"Block Party Bash." Play, party and dance as the Disney-Pixar Film Pals present "Block Party Bash," the wildest, most interactive parade in Disney history. New to Disney's Hollywood Studios, "Block Party Bash" will invite guests to rock to retro tunes, be dazzled by high-flying acrobatics and join in the fun as more than 20 partying Disney-Pixar Film Pals fill the theme park streets. This immersive rolling spectacle will feature favorite characters from "The Incredibles," "Toy Story 2," "Monsters, Inc." and "A Bug's Life." (spring 2008, replaces "Disney Stars and Motor Cars" parade)
"Playhouse Disney-Live on Stage!" A whole new cast of friends from Playhouse Disney fills the popular Playhouse Disney stage. Children will be on their feet singing, clapping and dancing to performing stars from "Mickey Mouse Clubhouse," "Little Einsteins," "Handy Manny" and more. ("Playhouse Disney-Live on Stage!" will be dark most of January 2008, reopens February 2008)
"Disney High School Musical 2: School's Out!"
With new songs and a rollicking new spirit, the Disney Channel Original
Movie "High School Musical 2" comes to life on the streets of Disney's
Hollywood Studios. It is interactive fun as high-energy performers on a
traveling stage invite all ages to catch Wildcat fever by singing and
dancing. (fall 2007, replaces "High School Musical Pep Rally")
Meet and Greet Adds Handy Manny. And what would a Disney theme park be
without characters? Disney's Hollywood Studios is center stage for
character meet and greets. Disney Channel stars JoJo and Goliath and the
Little Einsteins welcome guests in the Animation Courtyard next to
"Playhouse Disney-Live on Stage!" and will be joined for the first time
by Handy Manny later this year. (November 2007)
Part of the Disney's Hollywood Studios magic
includes events for which the park is famous. To a stellar lineup
including ABC Super Soap Weekend, the Osborne Family Spectacle of
Dancing Lights, ESPN the Weekend and Star Wars Weekends, the park
reprises the Playhouse Disney in Concert series with dynamic concerts
and special entertainment for little ones.
Headliners include favorite children's acts The Doodlebops, Imagination
Movers, Dan Zanes and Friends, and Johnny and the Sprites. The fun
happens on select dates Aug. 30-Oct. 28, 2007, during Little Ones Travel
Time in a 10,000 square foot, air-conditioned performance venue. For the
complete show schedule: disneyworld.com/pdic.
In addition, holidays at Disney's Hollywood Studios will have a special
sparkle this year as the park hosts the Harlem Gospel Choir Nov. 30-Dec.
25, 2007.
"This is easily one of the most ambitious attractions rollouts in the
18-year history of the park," Crofton said. "With so many great coming
attractions, we are thrilled to be launching a Studios year unlike any
other. Wrapped in a brand-new name...Disney's Hollywood Studios."