Originally Posted By AutoPost This topic is for Discussion of: <a href="http://www.laughingplace.com/w/articles/2014/10/08/a-look-around-disneys-hollywood-studios/" target="_blank"><b>10/8/14: A Look Around Disney's Hollywood Studios</b></a>
Originally Posted By FerretAfros This place sure is a bummer of a park at the moment. It seems that some big announcements are on their way, but the park seems particularly lackluster at the moment. I wonder how much worse it would be without Frozen It's great to see the stage finally removed. Any word on how long until it returns? I think they've used it in the past for various Christmas-week events
Originally Posted By TDLFAN Depressing. After a visit to Disney California Adventure... the DHS look ghetto ghetto ghetto. This "park" needs HUGE placekicking and re purposing.
Originally Posted By TP2000 Yeah, this is obviously the weakest park in the Disney empire now. Just really sad. What's interesting is that they can't/won't announce how they are going to fix it. There's obviously a plan, and perhaps a major one along the lines of DCA's Extreme Billion Dollar Makeover Circa 2009-12. But Disney hasn't said anything, and they just keep closing stuff and putting chunks of the park into mothballs. It would really help if they'd announce some major four year plan to add several E Tickets, a handful of C and D Tickets, a new parade, plus new shops and restaurants and aesthetic upgrades and rethemes. DHS needs a great deal of help. It's in much worse shape than DCA was circa 2007 when they announced the massive overhaul there that was wildly succesful by 2012.
Originally Posted By RoadTrip I actually really enjoyed my recent visit to the Disney Studios. There are still some great attractions available... ToT, Rock & Roller, Midway Mania, Star Tours, and the Great Movie Ride. I still enjoy Muppets and Voyage of the Little Mermaid too, though both badly need updating (like the Great Movie Ride). The park also has a lineup of places to dine that beats anything but what is available at Epcot. Probably because of all the closed attractions, the crowds were really light when we were there. You could get into anything other than Mania with just a short wait... no FP+ necessary.
Originally Posted By Witches of Morva ORDDU: I'm not sure which park is in worse shape--DHS or Epcot. Both have lost their identities over time.
Originally Posted By FerretAfros >>The park also has a lineup of places to dine that beats anything but what is available at Epcot.<< The table service restaurants at the Studios are pretty good (Mamma Melrose is especially underrated), but the counter service options are really lacking. With options like the ABC Commissary and Pizza Planet (and not a whole lot else) it's always a struggle to find something without having planned ahead. It's actually something that I consider when trying to decide which park to go to which day, since it's so bad (MK is only marginally better)
Originally Posted By RoadTrip Yes, the counter service places at the Studios are not that great. The best I've found is the Backlot Express. I avoid the Commissary if at all possible. Sometimes in the afternoon if I feel like something light I will stop by the Brown Derby and have an appetizer or desert. Desert costs less than a counter service meal and appetizers are only slightly higher. And of course the quality and atmosphere at the Brown Derby are infinitely better.
Originally Posted By Dr Hans Reinhardt "And of course the quality and atmosphere at the Brown Derby are infinitely better." How is The Brown Derby? Is it any good? I've always wondered.
Originally Posted By RoadTrip <<How is The Brown Derby? Is it any good? I've always wondered.>> It is very good, but very expensive. The last time Ann and I had a full meal there was for lunch several years ago. Since then they have changed to an all-day menu so the cost of lunch would be even higher. We shared an appetizer, and each had an entree... not the cheapest one on the menu but not the most expensive one either. We each had a desert following our meal and something to drink... NO alcohol. The cost, including tip, was over $100. Everything was excellent, but as I said, very expensive. if you are on the Disney Dining Plan It is well worth the two table service meal cost. We never use the DDP, so that is what we paid... a bit steep for a lunch.
Originally Posted By Dr Hans Reinhardt "The cost, including tip, was over $100." Woah... that's nuts. Glad to here it's good though, and I trust your recommendation. I'll give it a try if I ever make it to WDW again.
Originally Posted By mrkthompsn Walt used to take his wife Lillian to the Brown Derby in Hollywood for romantic dinners.
Originally Posted By FerretAfros >>Everything was excellent, but as I said, very expensive. if you are on the Disney Dining Plan It is well worth the two table service meal cost. We never use the DDP, so that is what we paid... a bit steep for a lunch.<< I think that these prices are a reflection on the overabundance of DDP, similar to how the Deluxe resort prices have shot through the roof to justify the value of DVC. DDP is fairly expensive for what most people eat in the parks. However, by increasing prices on menus, it makes people think that they're getting a better value with DDP; similarly it offsets any of Disney's potential loses by raking in handfuls of money from the non-DDP guests. With DVC, they equate it to staying at a Deluxe resort; when those hotels suddenly cost $500+ per night (compared to ~$250 just a few years ago), DVC seems like a better bargain but far fewer folks are willing to spend that much on a hotel (fueling more DVC room conversions to keep occupancy up...it's a vicious cycle)
Originally Posted By magic0214 If they just announced a new parade, I'd be so flipping happy. Heck, bring back Stars in Motorcars and I'd be so flipping happy. If they wait for the Expo to make all these announcements, while I understand, I'm go to be so ticked.
