Walt Disney World brings Grand Avenue to Disney's Hollywood Studios

July 26, 2017, 10:29 AM · Apparently, Walt Disney World did not reveal all of its new land plans at the D23 Expo in Anaheim earlier this month. Today, Disney revealed the first details about a newly refurbished "Grand Avenue" land in Disney's Hollywood Studios.

The details did not include the land's actual location within the park, but they did say that Grand Avenue would "capture the spirit of present-day Downtown Los Angeles, showing vintage office buildings and warehouses representing the different vibrant districts and cultures of the city."

The first new location to open in the land will be the BaseLine Tap House, a new bar featuring California craft ales, lagers and cider, as well as small plates, including pretzels and charcuterie.

Disney's backstory machine at work:

BaseLine Tap House celebrates the revitalization of Downtown Los Angeles by paying homage to the building’s former life as the Figueroa Printing Company, a mom-and-pop print house that had ties to the Disney studios in nearby Burbank. The space retains many of its cool architectural and mechanical details with exposed walls and old printing equipment and artifacts, blending the past and present in an inviting space.

The real Grand Avenue runs parallel and just to the east of the 110 in Los Angeles, from Chinatown north of downtown to across the 110 from the USC campus. Its most prominent stretch runs atop Bunker Hill from the Ahmanson Theater and Dorothy Chandler Pavilion to the Walt Disney Concert Hall and then on to The Broad museum and MOCA.

From a personal standpoint, I am thrilled that Grand Avenue is becoming an official Disney "land," since I was born on Grand Avenue — at the California Hospital that stands in the block just north of 15th Street, between Grand and Hope Street. That's a couple of blocks east of the LA Convention Center, if you're looking for a point of reference.

Grand Avenue at Disney's Hollywood Studios joins Hollywood Boulevard, Sunset Boulevard, and Echo Lake as lands in the park named for Los Angeles area landmarks, though Grand Avenue will be the first to be set in the current time period.

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Replies (39)

July 26, 2017 at 10:34 AM · This is obviously in response to Universal's announcement about the new Harry Potter attraction at IOA. Of course we now know that the Potter announcement was rushed in order to respond to the new films at EPCOT's Mission: Space.

Seriously, it is an AMAZING time to be a themed entertainment fan in Orlando.

July 26, 2017 at 10:35 AM · I was born in a Disney land, everyone!

This is one of the greatest realizations of my life. And yes, I am a nerd.

July 26, 2017 at 10:47 AM · Ripping off their own Disney Springs?
July 26, 2017 at 11:03 AM · But is there a $55 up charge for James... hahahahahaha...
July 26, 2017 at 11:07 AM · It's very small...the former Streets of America and Writer's Stop from what I understand. Don't get me wrong though, I like the idea of a taphouse going in there, but I don't expect anything else. The repainted facades do look nice though.
July 26, 2017 at 11:11 AM · So here's the question…Will they rename Hollywood Studio's California Adventure (east)?
July 26, 2017 at 11:38 AM · I definitely heard there is a $55 up charge for this :-D
July 26, 2017 at 12:00 PM · Are that going to be the drab painted buildings opposite Muppets and the sad rat pizza place?
July 26, 2017 at 12:03 PM · Sorry to offend, but nobody cares about Downtown LA. It was the most depressing leg of my California journey in 2015. There is literally just the music hall and thats it.

This is stupid, and this is coming from a Disney Fan.

July 26, 2017 at 12:12 PM · Office buildings and warehouses. Oh, and some beer place. I can see why they didn't announce this at D23. ZZZZZZZZZZZ...
July 26, 2017 at 12:37 PM · Disney has been doing well with it's upgrades, but downtown LA? Who cares? There is nothing in that announcement to be excited about or make me want to go see it.
July 26, 2017 at 12:38 PM · Not really downtown L.A., so everyone can relax. It's a taphouse and some facades...just a little thing. No money really spent, no big announcement, etc. Just a place to grab a beverage before you walk the shortened Streets of America (Grand Avenue) on your way into Muppet Courtyard or SWL. All good, just not really big news...new ale house...nice.
July 26, 2017 at 1:01 PM · Pretty sure it is just meant as a transition area. Not meant to be a major addition, and that is why it was not announced at D23. Sheesh everyone is so hyper-critical.
July 26, 2017 at 1:33 PM · Another way to get the per caps up to help pay for SW:GE and TSL.
July 26, 2017 at 1:34 PM · Will it run to the west from the Chinese Theater? So it will replace Echo Lake and the various underutilized tired shows. Monster's Inc. is rumored to replace RnRC and go towards the Chinese Theater from the east side.

The actual Downtown LA is not a happy place to visit. Parking is even more expensive than Disney.

Just a thought, will they borrow the downtown LA concept for the new Marvel Land in DCA?

"showing vintage office buildings and warehouses" That's already DCA.

July 26, 2017 at 1:40 PM · This is kind of pathetic. Is it that the "creative" folks in Glendale have so little imagination left or is it that the corporate suites stationed in Orlando pine for their LA years so much they have to recreate it there? What overall theme are they going for? And how does Star Wars and Pixar fit into it?
July 26, 2017 at 2:27 PM · "corporate suites?"
July 26, 2017 at 2:46 PM · This is obviously Disney's desperate attempt to respond to Universal's recently announced (way back in 1989) Finnegan's Bar and Grill on Delancy St. in the New York street sets at Universal Studios Florida. Way to keep up with the times, mouse house!

I hope this is seen as intended as pure satire. The last few threads have gotten far to heavy handed and serious. It depresses me that as fans we feel the desire to respond to each and every thought, idea and suggestion found on this page like the general population is acting based on current US politics. Every single new thing at a theme park is a good thing. Shouldn't it all be celebrated? Why must you all seem to see this as a competition and a race? We all win because the places we love continue to grow and improve.
Lighten the heck up and look forwards with anticipation to the great additions coming in a few years.
The tone is becoming tiresome.
July 26, 2017 at 3:24 PM · TH Creative Said: "corporate suites?"

It's the new extended stays hotel Disney is offering.

July 26, 2017 at 3:53 PM · The Disney vs Comcast/Universal argument will never end. Just like the Marvel vs DC argument will never end. Of the S.F. vs L.A. or the Dodgers vs Angeles, etc.

What we know...
Comcast/Universal has begun repositioning their parks from 'thrill' to family friendly. This is the direct opposite of their current advertising campaign, but allows them to exploit a much larger market.

Will be interesting to see if the last round of Mummy coaster replacement rumors, linked to the box office loss Universal Pictures 2017 Mummy, will prove true. If so, further 'thrill' elimination.

July 26, 2017 at 3:57 PM · You don't imagine the people making these decisions as corporate? Well I guess the PR dept. has done their job. By "corporate suites" I mean individuals in the upper echelon on the organization. It's not meant to be a disparaging term. Rather to distinguish between the CEO, park president, and department heads and the lower-level management and employees. I don't imagine that any of the latter would have anything to do with the decision to do this dumb thing.
July 26, 2017 at 4:06 PM · This post is a desparate attempt to keep up with the number of Rob McCullough posts!
July 26, 2017 at 4:21 PM · Change "BaseLine Tap House" to "The Redwood," and Disney would up the authenticity level 100%.
July 26, 2017 at 7:37 PM · Will the new Star Wars Galaxy's Edge be disconnected from Star Tours in DHS?
July 26, 2017 at 7:59 PM · Is this part of why they are getting rid of the Great Movie Ride, which I always enjoy even that I only live 30 minutes from the parks and go at least a couple times a month, it's still one of my favorite non thrill ride at HS.
July 26, 2017 at 11:33 PM · I would be happy if they built Walt Disney Concert Hall in the Studios.
July 27, 2017 at 1:55 AM · No ... SWGE is going on the old New York Street.
July 27, 2017 at 6:24 AM · Complete "nothing burger" here. Call me when DHS is actually worthy of a full price admission.
July 27, 2017 at 8:52 AM · I'm just hoping it has that authentic modern downtown LA- homeless feces smell, you know to make it hyper realistic.
July 27, 2017 at 8:57 AM · We will be too busy to call you -- hanging out with all of our friends at the new BaseLine Tap House on DHS Grand Avenue! We will be celebrating the opening of the new films at 'Mission Space: as we rocket toward WDW's 50th anniversary.
July 27, 2017 at 10:05 AM · If you're going to be so busy, maybe I should stop by this magic Tap House that can somehow entertain guests for 4+ hours a day. Are they using an old Sea World trick, and giving out free beer? Might go well if they suddenly moved Mission: Space to DHS next to this new place. They could promote drinking games and contests to see who can down the most free samples of Racer 5, and come off the Orange Mission with the cleanest reversal of fortune baggie.
July 27, 2017 at 11:20 AM · I'm pretty pumped to visit the Watts Pavilion.
July 27, 2017 at 12:38 PM · Is it just me or does this seem to confirm there may be no actual name change to Hollywood Studios?
July 27, 2017 at 12:40 PM · Is it just me....or with this news....does it appear that Disney may opt to keep the Hollywood Studios park name?
July 27, 2017 at 12:43 PM · To 74.62.9.216 - The 2017 Mummy movie was grossly under estimated by the media and critics. It has done over $392 Million on a $125 MM budget. A lot of that is overseas, but many big films are these days.

If they didn't make enough money on this film, then they need to critique the budgets more harshly gong forward. It was plenty to turn a nice profit.

I for one, think Universal is laughing all the way. They'll make another $40 million in Blu Ray / DVD...and yes, some "get off my lawn" types still buy DVD's.

July 27, 2017 at 12:43 PM · I agree with the skepticism from most of the commenters. Seems like an announcement to try to distract from the amazingly bad decision to close the Great Movie Ride before more rides are up and running. I know others may disagree, but I feel GMR is a classic attraction and is central to the theming of DHS, so I disagree with closing it. It should be refreshed not replaced. (Why can't the Mickey ride be built somewhere else there?) However,IF we have to accept that it has to be replaced, closing it before Toy Story land opens turns DHS into even less than half a day park, like a 3rd rate carnival. This should be a huge embarrassment for Disney. How can we influence Disney into keeping it open until Toy Story land opens?
July 28, 2017 at 8:58 AM · "This is obviously in response to Universal's announcement about the new Harry Potter attraction at IOA."
Um, clearly this was planned out years ago as Streets of America closed over a year ago and the facades still hasn't been removed.

"Of course we now know that the Potter announcement was rushed in order to respond to the new films at EPCOT's Mission: Space.Harry Potter attraction at IOA."
The new ride at IOA has literally been in development for years, everyone I know that works at UO said when Wizarding World first opened that Dragons was going to be removed at some point for a new ride. That's why they did so light theming for the re-theme because it would have been a waste of money to do more.
These things don't just pop out of the ground.

July 30, 2017 at 8:10 AM · Downtown LA doesn't really spark the imagination usually found in a Disney park.

They should pick another California location....like anything else would work better.

July 31, 2017 at 12:48 PM · "They should pick another California location....like anything else would work better."

Compton - Perfect for for DHS right now, since smart visitors would steer clear not wanting to get pick-pocketed for a full day's admission to a park that only takes 4 hours to tour.

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