It has been a few years since I’ve visited Disney’s Hollywood Studios so I thought I’d check out this currently front-heavy theme park and see how all the new (massive) projects are coming along. Toy Story Land, which should hopefully be opening within the next two years, is off to a good start. The third track for Midway Mania is open and keeping lines short(er). They’ve made great progress clearing the land and moving out all the debris so construction can begin soon. Star Wars Land (or the Star Wars Experience as it’s being referred to in-house) is not as far along. With much more to tear down on the Streets of America and surrounding areas, there will still be some time before we actually see vertical construction I’m afraid. That being said, it is surreal to be able to see clear across the Streets of America without facades in your way. Seeing Muppets from Writer’s Stop is interesting for sure.
And speaking of The Muppets, the newly re-themed restaurant PizzeRizzo is coming along nicely and should open for guests within a month or two. This former location of Pizza Planet is receiving a makeover to create a more cohesive “land” for the Muppets called Muppets Courtyard. The only last remnants of a true backlot, Muppets Courtyard has a New York street feel, and the new PizzeRizzo facade really shows that. (If they could only do something about the unthemed soundstage smack in the middle of the area that currently houses a Muppet gift shop.) I was happy to see a little nod to Pizza Planet in the newly designed pizzeria. It says “Best Pizza on the Planet”, but PIZZA and PLANET are in big block letters. Beautiful way to remember the former location. New outdoor bathrooms are being added as well, aptly named Gonzo’s Royal Flush. Check out the video plus many images below and stay tuned for more theme park updates!
Toy Story Land Update
When Toy Story Land opens Pixar Studios will go away and this street will once again be a cast member only backstage area
I love the toy theming here
Looking down the road towards construction (or deconstruction as it were)
Work walls up at end of road
Walls covering a very empty back half of theme park
What little city theming there is back here still remains on this corner
You used to be able to see Honey I Shrunk the Kids Play Area from here. It is completely gone now
Facade and entrance to Backlot Production Tour now complete gone as well
Piles of debris sit where Backlot Tour Entrance once stood
Fountain from “Splash” gone, Backlot Catering Co. gone, and most Streets of America gone.. Only City Hall remains on back half of street now
Concept Art posted on work walls shows off Slinky Dog family coaster…
And an aliens spinner ride
Toy Story Midway Mania main entrance will move from this street to the backside of this building. This street will go back to being a backstage area (as it was not intended to be a guest pathway when park was built)
This sadistic monkey should probably be put back into the barrel
PizzeRizzo Construction Update
I am sooo happy The Muppets are still here. I would be so very sad to see the show go away like it did on the west coast
KERMIT!
Fountain at the center of Muppets Courtyard
Newly themed PizzeRizzo, opening soon!
Neon on the sign looks like it might be slightly animated when lit up
Concept art on the work walls
Heckler tomatoes, for all your throwing needs
This sign feels old, and yet it’s new! Disney magic!
Truly feels like New York here now
Mmmm, the banquet hall sounds delicious
Famous already?
Love this homage to the former Pizza Planet on the sign
Funny sayings on work walls
Looks like progress windows might be coming soon
Silly permit for work being done on “This Street”
As interesting as this gift shop entrance looks, it doesn’t really fit the NY streets theme they’re going for now
A normal city alley up against an incredibly strange out of place messy soundstage
New bathrooms next to PizzeRizzo being themed to Muppets as well
Gonzo’s Royal Flush… he must be so proud of his establishment
Star Wars Land Update
For a park that is getting a new Star Wars themed land, there’s already a lot of Star Wars here
Some rumors say Star Tours will close and turned into a different simulator ride after Star Wars opens. I hope not. I love this ride, in all its incarnations throughout the years
Passing by bickering old friends
I will admit having Tatooine right next to the forests of Endor is a little odd and the exterior would certainly need re-theming if this ride were to remain Star Wars
The view of future Star Wars land
(Early) Concept art on work walls
The backside of one of the only few remaining structures left in Streets of America
All of the two-dimensional city facades remain as of now
Structures still being demolished across the street
Clearly not near enough. It’ll be years before this is done!
Big indeed. And with big plans, comes long construction periods
The view over on the Muppets side
Much of Streets of America is completely leveled. I will miss the Osbourne Family Lights
View from behind Muppet area
Old Phineas and Ferb meet and greet still not demolished
There’s the backside of City Hall, still standing, but no traces left of Lights, Motors, Action from this vantage
One last look at the two-dimensional buildings at the end of the street
I’m thinking these may be gone by the next time I visit the park
Bye bye flat Chrysler building
Star Wars Launch Bay and More
This was my first time visiting Launch Bay. It’s nice to have something to do with so many attractions recently closed
Mini-sized Cantina
Blue milk
Mischievous Jawas are afoot
Playful Jawa playing peek-a-boo
Rey’s Speeder and BB-8 on display
He’s so cute
Weapons on display
Kinda makes you wanna buy your own, don’t it
Very detailed model
Me and Ben. He’s kinda intimidating in person
He had some words for me
Everything must end in a gift shop
Inside the Star Wars gift shop
200 dollar lightsabers
Roaming R2 unit
Roaming BB droid
Toys!
From the new Star Wars: A Galaxy Far, Far Away show
Pretty much the entire show is little vignettes where characters come out, pose for photos, and leave while effects, music, and video plays around them. No story, just full on nostalgia overload.
Gertie thanks you for stopping by! That’s all for now. Check out my recent Avatarland update here too!
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