DHS Disney Animation-Inspired Experience Coming to Disney’s Hollywood Studios

[Mr. Sullivan]

I guess it's just not my cup of tea.

Take Port Orleans Resorts, for example. In my opinion, the theming of both is world-class. Until you get to these guys, and the whole things goes McDonald's PlayPlace:

View attachment 917053

I know, it's just the decorations from the pool area on a Mardi Gras parade. It's for kids and it's supposed to be fun. But static fiberglass statues just seem so cheap to me, and kind of lazy.

I started a thread about the emergence of the fiberglass statues in the parks a while back for anyone who wants to discuss it:

I gotcha!

I think why I like it so much is one it's just a very nostalgic thing because they were still very en vogue when I was first getting to see the parks. But I also think they're representative of something that's been lost in the last ten to fifteen years. Disney's gone a long way to try to modernize the resort visually in a lot of ways and while I understand why, I also think the modernist aesthetic is very cold and sterile.

These types of things may be a little tacky, but I also think tackiness is very charming (if you saw how I dress you'd get it lmao). It's a certain type of whimsy and bright fun that I feel is very slowly being bled out of the hotels and parks in favor of more modernist, minimalist aesthetics. I prefer my Disney very maximalist.

 

[HMF]

Wow, I forgot it was Stern. I thought it was Graves! But on a second look, I can see that it doesn't quite fit Grave's styles. It's definitely a low point in Stern's amazing lineup of work.


I believe this area is intended to be set in the present day. Nevertheless, as @lazyboy97o pointed out, if the hat isn't an iconic structure in the first place (Disney will have to tell people what it is, contrary to the "to the extent feasible, show don't tell" principle),

If they lean into other features that project "this is a studio lot" (e.g., cohesive "studio theater" and "soundstage" signage), I'm optimistic that the area can still work fairly well as a whole - and certainly much better than what it replaced.

The confusing thing about all of this is why are they suddenly emphasizing that this area is a "Studio" when everything from GMR to Pixar Place to the Backlot Tour have been erased from existence in the last decade precisely because they supposedly felt that a "Studio" theme was not desirable for the future of the park?

 

[dmc493]

The confusing thing about all of this is why are they suddenly emphasizing that this area is a "Studio" when everything from GMR to Pixar Place to the Backlot Tour have been erased from existence in the last decade precisely because they supposedly felt that a "Studio" theme was not desirable for the future of the park?

Because this was a quick fix for a dying corner of the park, and it's cheap enough to bulldoze in ten years and not feel bad about it when they're finally ready for the proper expansion this park deserves

 

[HMF]

Because this was a quick fix for a dying corner of the park, and it's cheap enough to bulldoze in ten years and not feel bad about it when they're finally ready for the proper expansion this park deserves

I still don't think they actually have any long-term vision for what they want this park to be other than a dumping ground for random IP that doesn't fit anywhere else. Not that the other three parks are not suffering from an identity crisis as well.

Disney's Hollywood Studios

The End of an Era

vocal.media

 

[lazyboy97o]

What is now a replica of the Burbank animation building

Oddly dropping a hat on top of the entry hardly makes it a replica.

 

[Sir_Cliff]

Oddly dropping a hat on top of the entry hardly makes it a replica.

I guess it can be questioned whether it is a good one and it is certainly trying to retrofit a resemblance onto an existing building, but with this and the paint scheme that is at least what they're going for.

 

[lazyboy97o]

I gotcha!

I think why I like it so much is one it's just a very nostalgic thing because they were still very en vogue when I was first getting to see the parks. But I also think they're representative of something that's been lost in the last ten to fifteen years. Disney's gone a long way to try to modernize the resort visually in a lot of ways and while I understand why, I also think the modernist aesthetic is very cold and sterile.

These types of things may be a little tacky, but I also think tackiness is very charming (if you saw how I dress you'd get it lmao). It's a certain type of whimsy and bright fun that I feel is very slowly being bled out of the hotels and parks in favor of more modernist, minimalist aesthetics. I prefer my Disney very maximalist.

It’s not issue of minimalism. It’s embed experience versus themed decor. The large figures and icons of the All Star Resorts are themed decor. They’re images that serve the purpose of merely reminding you of what they represent. They are a themed experience where you have entered into a story that is being told by the design of the space itself.

 

[Mr. Sullivan]

The confusing thing about all of this is why are they suddenly emphasizing that this area is a "Studio" when everything from GMR to Pixar Place to the Backlot Tour have been erased from existence in the last decade precisely because they supposedly felt that a "Studio" theme was not desirable for the future of the park?

I think they sort of intend for it to be some thematic glue to tie the park together as @Sir_Cliff said a few posts back. Whether it does that successfully, well that's really up to the individual and how they view it.

At the same time, I think it's very in line with Disney's current trend of looking inward. Coming out of the pandemic, they've been very big on referencing company lore within parks and their films, and this is an extension of that in a big way. I don't think it really inches the park back toward it's roots of a pure studio theme, but I do think this is them acknowledging that history through the lens of their current philosophy with the way this park works.

 

[Mr. Engagement]

Wow, I forgot it was Stern. I thought it was Graves! But on a second look, I can see that it doesn't quite fit Grave's styles. It's definitely a low point in Stern's amazing lineup of work.


I believe this area is intended to be set in the present day. Nevertheless, as @lazyboy97o pointed out, if the hat isn't an iconic structure in the first place (Disney will have to tell people what it is, contrary to the "to the extent feasible, show don't tell" principle),

If they lean into other features that project "this is a studio lot" (e.g., cohesive "studio theater" and "soundstage" signage), I'm optimistic that the area can still work fairly well as a whole - and certainly much better than what it replaced.

As the poster above pointed out, I don't think this area ever has been themed to 1930s Hollywood. What is now a replica of the Burbank animation building is flanked by buildings themed to soundstages. If anything, this whole project with the gates, landscaping, signs, and nods to the animation building is giving some thematic coherence to this part of the park. Honestly, I also don't mind "studios" as a theme, so I don't mind this. I much prefer using a studios theme as a thematic glue to just going full "random IPs" as they seem to be doing with Walt Disney Studios Paris/Disney Adventure World.

I am with you on fibreglass figures being bad theming, though. They have started popping up around Disneyland Paris and I think they really cheapen what are otherwise beautifully themed areas. I don't think this is the same thing, though.

Thank you both! For some reason, I thought it supposed to be set in the past. Not sure where I got that idea.

Nevertheless, am I wrong that this newly-remodled Animation Courtyard building at DHS (even with the Sorcerer's hat,) bears little resemblance to the Roy E. Disney Animation building in Burbank?

 

[HMF]

Oddly dropping a hat on top of the entry hardly makes it a replica.

Was the old marquee that was once on this very building which also featured Sorcerer Mickey that different conceptually? Besides the obvious Burbank connection one of the motivations for this could be as a nod to the Gen Z'ers who grew up with the BAH and I find this much preferrable to that monstrosity.

 

[dmc493]

I still don't think they actually have any long-term vision for what they want this park to be other than a dumping ground for random IP that doesn't fit anywhere else. Not that the other three parks are not suffering from an identity crisis as well.

don't disagree

 

[Mr. Sullivan]

It’s not issue of minimalism. It’s embed experience versus themed decor. The large figures and icons of the All Star Resorts are themed decor. They’re images that serve the purpose of merely reminding you of what they represent. They are a themed experience where you have entered into a story that is being told by the design of the space itself.

Gotcha.

Overall my point is really just that it's something I enjoy and I miss when there was more stuff like it that could be found in other parts of the resort. I think the resort could use a little bit more of that 90s/2000s kitsch that they've mostly gotten rid of.

 

[Mr. Engagement]

I think they sort of intend for it to be some thematic glue to tie the park together as @Sir_Cliff said a few posts back. Whether it does that successfully, well that's really up to the individual and how they view it.

At the same time, I think it's very in line with Disney's current trend of looking inward. Coming out of the pandemic, they've been very big on referencing company lore within parks and their films, and this is an extension of that in a big way. I don't think it really inches the park back toward it's roots of a pure studio theme, but I do think this is them acknowledging that history through the lens of their current philosophy with the way this park works.

Ok. So forward-looking, modern-day setting, homage to the 1990's, and appreciative of the past?

I can sort of see it...

 

[eddie104]

Ok. So forward-looking, modern-day setting, homage to the 1990's, and appreciative of the past?

I can sort of see it...

Wasn’t that Disney’s golden era?

 

[Mr. Sullivan]

Ok. So forward-looking, modern-day setting, homage to the 1990's, and appreciative of the past?

I can sort of see it...

In a nutshell yeah. They are deep in a cycle of loving to throw in references and callbacks and flavors of the past without actually completely restoring the past. It's something familiar, but viewed through their modern day way of doing things. It's the theme park equivalent to a call-back in a legacy sequel.

I think their hit and miss ratio with this is pretty fifty-fifty. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. At the moment I think this project is going to be one of their more successful forays into this space.

 

[dmc493]

The larger plaza with the entry signage and brickwork, in addition to the building facade design I think helps seal the narrative for the "hey this is what our iconic California offices look like"

 

[Sir_Cliff]

Thank you both! For some reason, I thought it supposed to be set in the past. Not sure where I got that idea.

Nevertheless, am I wrong that this newly-remodled Animation Courtyard building at DHS (even with the Sorcerer's hat,) bears little resemblance to the Roy E. Disney Animation building in Burbank?

To be honest, I kind of appreciate how it references it without being a literal recreation in the use of the sorcerer's hat and the stripes. I guess there are all sorts of other things they could have done with this part of the park, but an animation experience and this aesthetic seems ok to me as a concept. For those who don't like the hat, is the argument that it should be restored to its original look when it was actually an animation studio?

 

[DisneyHead123]

I guess it's just not my cup of tea.

Take Port Orleans Resorts, for example. In my opinion, the theming of both is world-class. Until you get to these guys, and the whole things goes McDonald's PlayPlace:

View attachment 917053

I know, it's just the decorations from the pool area on a Mardi Gras parade. It's for kids and it's supposed to be fun. But static fiberglass statues just seem so cheap to me, and kind of lazy.

I started a thread about the emergence of the fiberglass statues in the parks a while back for anyone who wants to discuss it:

I actually like the gators. But the thing is, any way you slice it, kids generally do not have refined tastes. There really is a zero sum conflict between what will appeal to 80% of kids and a more sleek look for adults. Unless you want to be the sad beige mom spray painting her toddler’s Christmas tree beige and sage, it is what it is. I think Disney does a good job of blending styles here. If you want to see what a place designed entirely for kids looks like, head to Chuck E Cheese and prepared to be overstimulated, ha ha!

 

[Nickm2022]

same. I always thought DHS was the worst of the Florida parks but with this new Animation Building overhaul, Monsters Inc Coater/Land expansion, and Muppets taking over RnRc.... it will still be the worst of the 4 lol but at least now its not WAY worse than the other 3 imo.

Kinda like the Disney Adventure World expansion made that park not as terrible as before, though it still needs a bit more to really catch up

I completely agree, plus I think both DHS and DAW have gone from broken parks to now parks that have some really cool things and an exciting future.

 

[Mr. Engagement]

I actually like the gators. But the thing is, any way you slice it, kids generally do not have refined tastes. There really is a zero sum conflict between what will appeal to 80% of kids and a more sleek look for adults. Unless you want to be the sad beige mom spray painting her toddler’s Christmas tree beige and sage, it is what it is. I think Disney does a good job of blending styles here. If you want to see what a place designed entirely for kids looks like, head to Chuck E Cheese and prepared to be overstimulated, ha ha!

Chuck E. Cheese haunts my dreams