One of the original attractions at what opened in 1989 as the Disney-MGM Studios Theme Park, the animation pavilion used to be a working production facility where visitors could watch Disney animators creating feature-length films. The Florida studio worked on Mulan, Lilo & Stitch, and Brother Bear before Disney closed it in 2004. The original tour of the animation facility began with the short film "Back to Neverland," starring Walter Cronkite and Robin Williams, who showed audiences just some of what made Disney animation so magical for audiences.
After the animation studio closed, Disney converted the facility into the current exhibition hall, which included a 10-minute animation demonstration, character meet and greets, and the Animation Academy studio, where visitors could learn how to draw a Disney character, which they could take home as a free souvenir.
Last year, Disney closed the last remnants of the Studios' Backlot Tour which, along with the animation pavilion, provided much of the entertainment in the park's first years. Disney CEO Bob Iger confirmed earlier this year that the studios park would be getting another name change, although Disney has not yet revealed what that will be.
Disney's been sitting on a variety of plans to substantially transform the studios theme park, including designs for a Star Wars-themed land as well as proposals for a copy of the Toy Story Playland from Hong Kong Disneyland and Walt Disney Studios Paris and a copy of Disney California Adventure's Cars Land. Disney has yet to announce any major plans for the park, however.
The animation pavilion's last day will be July 12.
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As for DHS proper, we all know Disney is getting things primed for big additions - it is just amazing that they have been able to keep things so secret. Robert you sure you don't know something that you just aren't able to share yet?
Construction walls soon after. Soon is undetermined. Hyperventilating continues.
"Saying the park is now in construction is stretching the construction point."
Okay. I hear you. Except when they are and were.
Fingers crossed D23 proves me wrong.
On a different note, does anyone notice a strange parallel between DHS and USF? They were both originally created to to be working film studios, the East Coast versions of their parent studios on the West Coast. Not only could guests see the filming take place, but they could learn the secrets behind movie-making and go on some attractions themed to popular films and TV shows. Nowadays, Universal has definetely seemed to have abandoned that idea. The only attractions left at that park that educate guests about filmmaking are Disater!, Animal Actors and the Horror Make-Up Show. But one of those attractions is possibly going to close down. To make way for what the park's new focus is. Not teaching you how to make movies, but putting you in movies. And we don't really see too much filming there, do we? And DHS seems to be following the same strategy. There has been little to no filming there since Mickey Mouse Club went off the air and the animation studio was closed down. Plus the closing of the Backlot Tours and The Magic of Disney Animation definetely seems to signify that they've abandoned the whole idea of filmmaking education. What attractions are barely being touched? Tower of Terror, Star Tours and Toy Story Midway Mania, attractions that try to make you feel like you're in a real movie or tv show. Oh, and then there's the often-talked about lands themed to Star Wars and Cars. Coincidence? I think not.
Aside from American Idol, there is no action going on at any of those now recently shuttered spots. From a long-term perspective, yes, it's exciting to think that worthy attractions will be going into place (assuming the crappy Toy Story Playland isn't part of the plans). The park's short-term status stinks quite frankly and I think that's why fans are upset because DHS is unworthy of the $97 admission charge.
As for One Man's Dream, I hope it ends up in DCA (or DL) as it should be in California not Florida.
I think the whole complaint about paying full price for the park is a bit whiny in many ways. How many people who visit Sites like this would go to Florida and pop down a $100 bill and walk in there? I'm guessing less than zero. I'm sure most people who may go once in a blue moon to one park would probably still do their research and realize the value for their money is probably not there either, and go to another park. 99% of people going to DHS are there as part of a week long vacation or more and treat all 4 parks and both water parks as one big place.
I see this as great news. DHS is in desperate need of a major makeover, and it looks like there is about to be USH-style construction going on there in the near future.
In other words until the new areas open up, tickets for Epcot/DHS should be considered as one. (and hopping between the two should be allowed, even with a "1 park" ticket)
As a DIS stockholder, DO NOT RUSH the redevelopment. As a matter of fact, I think everything should be timed to open just before the Magic Kingdom's 50th Anniversary.
For those that say...
WDW attendance is suffering. It's not.
For those that say...
USO/IOA will make DIS suffer until them. They haven't so far and USO/IOA have A LOT of rides to replace. They know it, have stated it and are actively planning it.
For those that say...
HPotter will continue to dominate. IOA is already suffering from stagnant attendance.
However, the fact that Disney hasn't announced anything creates the impression that Disney isn't sure what they're going to do with the park. In a recent WDW Today episode, Len Testa revealed that the Board hasn't confirmed the Star Wars plans yet. That's a really bad sign.
I agree that Disney should cut the price of a one-day ticket to DHS. I know they won't, but it would be a really good gesture. I expect that One Man's Dream and Lights Motors Action will eventually close. Adding a third track to Toy Story Mania is nice, but that isn't a new addition. If it's going to be multiple years (if not more) before the park is in shape, it should be cheaper.
I usually come in the back way through the gift shop as I don't need to see the intro movie any more. I spend a couple of hours in the last rooms with the production drawings. Many have been there for years, and I can still stare at amazement in their quality. I wish they added more to them, but with Disney going mostly 3d now, I understand that production art is a dying form.
Every bench was filled around me with people sitting and either eating or just seeking some shade. One had a man laying down totally asleep. I was surprised a CM hadn't come by to remove him.
The drawing classes were great when I was younger (I still have many of them, and it was cool to see my work improve over the years), but because extremely repetitive over the years.
I'm glad I took a lot of photos of the pavilion last time I was down, because it looks like we'll be skipping Orlando till at least 2017 while DWorld gets their act together. California or a DCruise look much more appealing now.
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All these closures would make much more sense if there were any ideas of what's going to replace them. As it stands, half the park is closed yet Disney continues to raise admission prices.