Club Disney to open in new Sunset Showcase at Disney's Hollywood Studios

HauntedMansionFLAFeb 06, 2016

I didn't realize that's when demo would start up. Are they doing prep work right now? I don't work construction but I assume there is a lot more to demo besides bringing in a couple of wrecking balls.

BoltFeb 06, 2016

To be fair, demo days don't start until April 2nd

Fox&HoundFeb 06, 2016

So it's just going to sit empty until they announce another special event happening back there? I don't understand this decision....I thought they built this theatre so quickly so they could have another offering for guests during their demo days.

CJRFeb 06, 2016

I agree, my comments were mostly in regards to the center stage dance party, not Club Disney. You're right about two-year-olds, and it's very fair to have an attraction that caters to that demographic, but the center stage is not the place. Club Disney was definitely a place where more than just two-year olds could enjoy, it was a different experience (in a good way). You could dance with Mickey, but you could also get a drink, relax, and charge your phone indoors. Club Disney is a great example as to how the dance parties should be and offered more than any other party at Walt Disney World, that I can think of. I don't think most guests find the dance parties to be very special (for the reasons I already mentioned) and if they knew Club Disney was in the park, they likely associated it with the other dance parties without knowing all that it had to offer. It was way more than just a dance party, but due to the location, people passed it up. Parties like the center stage party are to blame for that, in my opinion. I'm not saying no one enjoys the center stage party either, but I'm willing to bet a lot more people would enjoy something more scripted and staged, perhaps themed to Hollywood.

RSoxNo1Feb 06, 2016

Like dance parties in the middle of Hollywood Boulevard.

RSoxNo1Feb 06, 2016

Go to the Magic Kingdom or DHS.

ravenFeb 05, 2016

Of all the things DHS (Disney's Half-Day Surprise) needs, they should be tossing aside more of the park offerings without immediate replacements. the lines for those $100 M rides are just gonna keep getting longer and longer when people are being offered less to do.

ravenFeb 05, 2016

AMEN!!

danlb_2000Feb 05, 2016

They should be adding more things quickly to keep people in the park during construction instead of eliminating more things.

wdwmagicFeb 05, 2016

Remember, 2 year olds typically don't ride Tower of Terror, Rock n Roller Coaster. For them, the greatest thing in the world is hanging out with Mickey Mouse. I actually think the dance party was a good use of a flex space environment. By its very nature, it can't support a permanent show and act as a flex space. The dance party was the perfect fill-in use for it. The solution is to get ride of the other dance party, and make this the only location.

aladdin2007Feb 05, 2016

This.

CJRFeb 05, 2016

I'm not too surprised. It amazes me that some guests are OK paying the price of admission to dance around to music they can play at home while there are $100 million rides around. Add the fact that the building was a bit of a walk and the average guest wouldn't probably even consider it. I do agree though that this was a better alternative to the center stage shows. I wish Disney would realize that they could put in a real show with a script and probably entertain more people with higher satisfaction. A DJ is a major misuse of such a prominent stage, IMO.

wdwmagicFeb 05, 2016

Club Disney is probably more labor intensive than some of the attractions you listed. It has to be somewhere in the ball park of 30 cast members - techs, DJ, performers, attendants, greeters, food and beverage. Some attractions run on just a couple CM at any given time. I agree it was a great addition for those who used it. Great for the little ones, and great for the parents. I personally would rather them get rid of the dance party at Center Stage that is completely out of theme, and leave Club Disney as the sole dance party.

BigBeautifulBobFeb 05, 2016

Yeah - I understand this won't be seen as a big loss by most people. Even for me it's not a big deal that it's "going on ice" for awhile. However I will admit I'm a little sad about it. I have a five year old daughter who just loved it on our last trip to Disney a few weeks ago. We had to drag (not literally) her out of there. It was a great place for her to blow off some energy while getting a chance to get up close and personal with the characters without having to wait in line. Let's just say I was plesently suprised at how much a part of our day at Hollywood Studios "Club Disney" ended up being. While it wasn't "crowded" - there certainly were a decent number of kids on the dance floor - plenty for a weekday in January and it didn't feel empty by any means. Also, while the location is a little out of the way - it actually is perfect for a family looking for something for younger kids to do while the older kids or parents went on Tower of Terror or RnR Coaster. While I agree that if the numbers aren't coming in - and it's not crowded then I guess it makes sense from an opperational stand point to shut it down. However - since it's not a complicated or expensive thing to operate I'm a little surprised that Disney didn't keep it running just as something for the little ones in Hollywood Studios where options for young kids are limited. I'm sure they could justify making Carosel of Progress, Country Bears, Imagination Pavilion, China/France Movies in epcot, and many other things "seasonal" - simply because they don't pull in the crowds except when it's super busy during holidays/summer. Oh well - in the grand scheme this isn't a big deal - just one less reason to visit the Studios during the new constuction phase.