Studio Backlot Tour closing later this month at Disney’s Hollywood Studios
It’s all in the name of progress, or as a Disney representative told us, “future enhancements”. The Studio Backlot Tour at Disney’s Hollywood Studio will give its final tour on Sept. 27, 2014.
Rumors have circulated for quite a while that the ride would be closing to make way for Cars Land, a Pixar area or a Star Wars land. But Disney isn’t saying exactly what will replace it just yet. But they did tell us that Oaken’s Frozen Funland, a part of the Frozen celebration at Hollywood Studios, will take up a portion of the Studio Backlot Tour on the Streets of America.
The Studio Backlot Tour opened with the park on May 1, 1989 as a way for guests to see what goes on behind the scenes during the making of movies and television shows. The tour changed many times over the years. One of the biggest changes was the removal of the residential section to make way for the Lights, Motors, Action show in 2005.
Currently the attraction starts with a walking tour showing the filming of a navel battle scene using guests as extras. Then guests walk through a prop house and board the tram which takes them through some backstage areas of the park and past large movie props on the way to Catastrophe Canyon where the tram is part of a disaster scene.
The Studio Backlot Tour won’t be the only attraction closing at Disney on Sept. 27. The popular bands Off Kilter and Mo’Rockin will have their last performances at Epcot that day as well. Other upcoming closings include the World Showcase Players at Epcot on Sept. 25 and the Maelstrom ride on Oct. 5. New entertainment offerings are coming to Epcot and a “Frozen” ride is replacing Maelstrom.
I realize that these movies have become great hits for Disney, but if they keep keep changing the parks to fit recent movies, what is there for adults? We love Disney parks too, but not all the kid stuff. It used to be said that Epcot was for adults and I would argue that World Showcase CERTAINLY is more tuned to adults than the rest of the park, but closing Maelstrom for a Frozen attraction doesn’t fit at all, regardless for the regional references in the movie. And it makes even less sense if they’re also adding some form of “Frozen Land” to the studios, too. This is all just a disaster that Disney obviously thinks is progress. SMH 🙁
It just seems as though FRozen is taking over everything so there is a presence in every Park. I agree it does not belong in EPCOT, as EPCOT has been culture
This is ludicrous! Cars land??? Frozen instead of Maelstrom?This is just change for the sake of change, not progress. It leaves much to be desired. Older kids/adults could care less about cars or Frozen characters and more so about The Backlot tours. HS left much to be desired for my son and I – except for things like Indiana Jones, Backlot tours, and Lights Motor Action! Now two of the three will be gone? Along with these most unfortunate “future enhancements” comes a bill for those who really do not want to pay more for passes for less interesting themes.
These changes to HS will dramatically free up time in our schedule for the next trip!
this is very upsetting to my husband and me that yet another of our favorite rides is closing at Disney. we loved this ride at MGM, and also Maelstrom at Epcot. they were always “not to be missed rides” to 2 seniors going to Disney every year since 1978. there aren’t enough attractions at MGM to keep us there all day as it is now………let’s hope Disney thinks long and hard before they close anymore attractions that are loved by so many.
I think that it’s a good thing that it’s closing. I never really liked this. And I would really like there to be a CarsLand. I’ve always wanted to go there but I’ve never been to California. I mean Walt did say that the dog thing about Disney is that it will never stop changing.
If you have ever been to Cars Land, you will definitely understand why they are replacing these rides. It is phenomenal. My husband and I were blown away by the attention to detail. It’s like walking into the movie! Amazing! It will rock WDW’s HS to the core!