King of The World: Disney's Hollywood Studios pt. 1

Welcome to my first REAL entry and the introduction if my first type of segment: King of The World.  In my King of The World segments, I will discuss how I might change things at Walt Disney World if I were in a position to do so.  These are pie-in-the-sky, unlimited funds ideas which I know would never happen, but are fun to think about.

So, I figured, if I am going to explore a fantasy idea at Disney World, I might as well be super ambitious, right?  With that in mind, I am going to explain how I would shuffle and reorganize Disney's Hollywood Studios.

I was looking over a map of the Studios today and one thing stuck out to me: how disorganized it is.  Originally the park was essentially supposed to be themed like the Hollywood that never was, yet always will be.  Disney used famous landmarks and architectural techniques in order to evoke the familiar feel of the old Hollywood we all know from its portrayal in films such as 'Who Framed Roger Rabbit'.  Over time, though, various things have changed and been added which take away from that theming, things like the The Rockin' Roller Coaster and the American Idol Experience.  

HOWEVER, I think I can solve these theming issues.  What I would do is shift the theme from a general Hollywood exploration toward a more Disney-centric exploration.  We can still keep the focus on Hollywood entertainment, but look at it through a Disney-focused lens. Yes, some things will need to be closed and others would need to move, but, hey, that's okay.

Let's start right on Hollywood Boulevard. First and foremost I would get rid of the hat.  It's awkward and--after my planning--won't be necessary, for, you see, I would redo the entrance to the Chinese Theatre and change it to the Carthay Circle Theatre.  In addition, I would change the Great Movie Ride.  Instead of it being an exploration of films throughout the years, I would make it a boat ride which explores Mickey Mouse's history in cartoon.  I think this would be a nice centerpiece to the idea that Mickey Mouse is truly the heart of Disney's film studios and has been from day one. And it would tie-in to Disney's first animated feature, 'Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs' which premiered at the Carthay Circle Theatre in 1937.

Turning to the right one can now head down Mickey Avenue which leads toward Pixar Place and Animation Courtyard.  Above Mickey Avenue I would place a sign which indicates that one is entering the World of Animation which would encompass both Pixar Place and the Animation Courtyard.  I would remove The Voyage of the Little Mermaid and put in a new film of some kind, something akin the Get a Horse which explores both classic, drawn animation and newer, computer-based technologies.  

I would also rearrange the current Carthay Circle Theatre area on Sunset Boulevard by initially tearing down that CCT in order to allow some dining and shopping options in Animation Courtyard.

Heading back toward Pixar Place, I can tell you, I want to expand!  Pixar is huge and needs more to do than just Toy Story Mania.  Where do I want to expand to, you ask?  Well, as if I haven't committed enough heresy by saying I'd get rid of the Great Movie Ride, I will really cap it off by saying I'd get rid of the Backlot Tour.  There is a lot of space back there and in my opinion, it could be put to better use, starting with a Monsters, Inc roller coaster.  Not an original idea, I know, but a good one.  

Also, I would include a ride though show about how a Pixar short film is made.  This will really tie in the idea that Pixar is a film studio and bring the whole area back to the core theme of this being one of Disney's Hollywood studios.

Finally, I would move Pizza Planet over to Pixar Place because, well, it's a Pixar thing and would fit perfectly with the area's theming.

Well, I think that's a good start.  What do you think?  Plead, if you have any ideas or opinions, please leave a comment below.  Keep an eye out for part two coming soon!