What is left at Hollywood Studios?

August 17, 2017

Today Disney announced that the delightfully imagined Muppets Courtyard outside the Muppet Vision 3D attraction at Hollywood Studios will be completely re-imagined into a new area of the theme park called Grand Avenue. When Grand Avenue opens this Fall it will resemble present-day Los Angeles with facades featuring loft apartments, a tailor and a music shop. The Muppet Courtyard was a favorite area for many Disney regulars with its Miss Piggy central fountain and fun theming.

It’s important to point out that this announcement is also hot on the heels of two notable closures that occurred last week. First the Great Movie Ride greeted its last guests on August 13th and has close permanently to make way for a new attraction, Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway which is expected to open next year.

In addition Walt Disney: One Man’s Dream which previously hosted exhibitions relevant Walt’s life and art, is going to be re-purposed as Walt Disney Presents. The area will continue to showcase some historic items from Walt’s life but more of an emphasis will be placed on the upcoming Toy Story and Star Wars expansions coming to the park. At Walt Disney Presents, guests will be able to view concept art for the upcoming expansions, check out the ride vehicle maquettes as well as models for Toy Story Land, Star Wars Land, and Runaway Railway. Walt Disney presents is expected to re-open later this Fall.

Though all this bodes well for the future of Hollywood Studios, with the park in a state of such massive transition and news of even more closures and construction, it’s not surprising a question we here at Disney Addicts are getting asked a lot these days is: “Is it even worth it to visit Hollywood Studios right now?”

Though the answer to this question is going to be pretty subjective and should be based on a lot of factors including how many days you are going to be at Disney, ages of the children etc. , we here at Disney Addicts think that despite the upheaval, Hollywood Studios still has a lot of great things going for it and that its still a worthy addition to your Disney days. Here is a taste of some of the things you’ll still find at Hollywood Studios:

Unique Eateries – In our opinion, Hollywood Studios still has some of the most fun-filled eateries at Disney. Whether its watching B-movies and eating a cheeseburger while behind the wheel of a convertible car at Sci-Fi Dine-In, enjoying a delectable buffet with Minnie and friends at Minnie’s Seasonal Dine, being told to take your elbows off the table at 50’s Prime Time Cafe or enjoying a meal fit for a celebrity at the Hollywood Brown Derby, it still remains a perfect park for Disney foodies

A Wide Array of Stage-Shows – Sometimes it nice to be able to take a break from the rides and sit back and enjoy a bit of Disney entertainment. Hollywood Studios still has this in abundance. Here you can watch the Little Mermaid go Under the Sea, see Beauty and Beast on stage, play along with some of your favorite Disney Jr. friends, sing along with Anna and Elsa from Frozen, or cheer on Indiana Jones during the Indiana Jones Stunt Spectacular. There’s also the wonderful nighttime spectacular Fantasmic! which offers a breathtaking mix of fireworks, water projections and stage-show. Guests visiting the park before August 27th can also still check out the brilliant Music of Pixar Live! Orchestral Concert.

Big Thrills – Hollywood Studios still boasts two of the most thrilling rides you’ll find at Walt Disney World. From the fantastic indoor Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster taking your from 0 to 60 mph in mere seconds to the incredibly themed Tower of Terror, the park is still big on those high-adrenaline thrills. If you’ve got older children or thrill ride seekers in your travelling party it can still be the perfect way to pass an afternoon.

Lots to do for Star Wars lovers – Even though Star Wars land is a few years away, Hollywood Studios is still the place to be for Star Wars fans of all ages. Check out cool movie memorabilia and meet some of your favorite friends at the Launch Bay. Go toe to toe with some of your favorite Star Wars baddies at Jedi Training Academy, enjoy the trills of space travel with Star Tours, see some of your favorite characters take to the stage during “A Galaxy Far, Far Away…” or end your night on a high note with the Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular evening fireworks display set to the amazing music of this much-loved film franchise.

Still on the fence? Here’s our complete list of Hollywood Studios attractions:

Beauty and the Beast Live On Stage
Fantasmic!
For the First Time in Forever a Frozen Sing-along
Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular
Muppet Vision 3D
Disney Junior Live On Stage
Rock ‘n Roller Coaster
Star Tours – The Adventure Continues
Star Wars Launch Bay
Toy Story Mania
Twilight Zone Tower of Terror
Voyage of the Little Mermaid

If you’re planning on visiting Disney World in the weeks or months ahead we still think there’s a lot to love about Hollywood Studios despite the construction and the closures. Will you make it part of your vacation plans? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

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