First permits reveal some of the scope of the expansion coming to Disney's Hollywood Studios

Oct 26, 2015 in "Disney's Hollywood Studios"

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Early Disney's Hollywood Studios expansion permits

Posted: Monday October 26, 2015 1:25pm EDT by WDWMAGIC Staff

The first round of permits relating to the expansion of Disney's Hollywood Studios provide an early look at how the infrastructure of the park may change.

(Thanks to danlb_2000 on the WDWMAGIC forums for spotting the permits.)

Work on the infrastructure changes in the permit is indicated to begin in January 2016, with completion in October 2018.

Early Disney's Hollywood Studios expansion permits

This first image, with areas marked in yellow, shows filling in existing wetlands, and creating new wetlands on the other side of World Drive, marked in blue.

The yellow area could well be the site of some parts of the Star Wars Land project, although this isn't confirmed by these permits. To get an idea of how Star Wars Land may fit into the park and use some of this area, see our previous article.

Early Disney's Hollywood Studios expansion permits

This second image details a new Victory Way and Osceola Parkway Interchange, along with new bridges into the parking lot area.

It has been heavily speculated that the Studios will see a significant update to its infrastructure, with the possibility of parking garages, and new entry and exit roadways.

The addition of Toy Story Land, and Star Wars Land is just the beginning of a complete redevelopment of the park.

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TomMar 25, 2016

Cast in place ;):p

danlb_2000Mar 19, 2016

Yes, the DS garages were poured in place.

msteelMar 19, 2016

I haven't been following DS closely - was that garage poured in place? Could it be that DHS would have prefab garages that would go up faster?

RSoxNo1Mar 19, 2016

I don't have the exact dates that they started construction on the Orange garage, but it looks like it took about 15-18 months.

HauntedMansionFLAMar 18, 2016

You can always think back when Disney had that Villains Friday the 13th party that wasn't an up charge. It was part of your regular park ticket. Long story story, traffic was so backed up that people were bumper to bumper for hours. They can refer to that event plus this past year being the Osborne Lights last year as a wake up call about their parking issues. Just think about the opening day for SWL!

Ripken10Mar 18, 2016

I completely agree with you...but I do think you would have a higher percentage of day visitors (locals in cars) for Osborne Lights than for Star Wars Land -- still think they will fix the parking situation first...but I think the amount of car traffic for Osborne lights could be comparable

Master YodaMar 18, 2016

One would hope they have the infrastructure up and running prior to the expansions opening. DHS in its current state could not handle the increased crowds form the final year of the Osborne Lights. Could you imagine the carnage if they tried to open SWL with the current roads and parking in place?

danlb_2000Mar 17, 2016

Yeah, lots of different pieces that need to come together. What concerns me at this point is that they are still in the permitting process for the access road which means that road is still a ways off. I wonder how much work they are going to do within the park before this road get's built.

QMar 16, 2016

The logistics of this particular project are just absolutely mind-boggling.

ford91exploderMar 16, 2016

And let's face it phases II and onward have historically been relegated to former Imagineers coffee table books.

danlb_2000Mar 15, 2016

Disney has filed with the South Florida Water Management District for a modification to this permit. The changes include small reconfigurations of the Osceola Parkway ramp and the access road. The modification also adds a temporary conveyor belt that will be used to carry dirt from the excavation of the new retention pond over to the park where it will be used for fill. I guess they decided that this would be more efficient then trying to move it with trucks. The modification to the Osceola ramp is interesting because it shows what appears to be the start of an extension all the way to World Drive. Maybe this will become the new Osceola to World Drive ramp when all the work is done.