Major construction projects at Disney's Hollywood Studios have resulted in the installation of extensive construction walls, significantly altering guest traffic flow and access to several key areas. The barriers, erected for the development of new attractions and lands, now surround the Animation Courtyard and the site of the future Walt Disney Studios area, requiring visitors to navigate new pathways and plan for potential delays.
Key Takeaways
- Extensive construction walls are now in place around the Animation Courtyard and the future Walt Disney Studios section of the park.
- Access to attractions including The Little Mermaid — A Musical Adventure and Walt Disney Presents has been rerouted.
- Park officials recommend guests allocate extra time to reach dining reservations and Lightning Lane attractions due to the changes.
- A beverage kiosk has been relocated to accommodate the construction footprint.
Scope of the Construction Project
Visitors to Disney's Hollywood Studios are encountering a transformed landscape as the park undergoes its latest phase of expansion. Large construction walls now fully enclose the area designated for the new Walt Disney Studios land, a project that promises to bring new rides and restaurants to the park. The barriers extend from the former Muppets Courtyard, which was walled off earlier in the year, and now encompass the main entrance to the Animation Courtyard.
During daytime park hours, sounds consistent with active construction, such as hammering and sawing, have been reported by guests near the walled-off zones. The most significant noise has been noted near the stroller parking area adjacent to the Hollywood Brown Derby restaurant, raising questions about the sound levels inside nearby dining establishments.
A Park in Constant Evolution
Disney's Hollywood Studios has been in a state of near-constant transformation for the past decade. This current project follows the successful openings of major expansions like Toy Story Land in 2018 and Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge in 2019. These developments are part of a broader strategy to update the park's theme and introduce new intellectual properties to its attraction lineup.
Impact on Park Navigation and Attractions
The new construction layout has a direct impact on how guests move through the park and access certain attractions. While key experiences remain open, reaching them now requires navigating altered routes.
Rerouted Attraction Access
Two popular attractions, The Little Mermaid — A Musical Adventure and Walt Disney Presents, are directly affected by the new barriers. Although both remain operational, the primary entrance to the Animation Courtyard is blocked. Guests must now use alternative paths to reach them.
There are two primary ways to access these attractions:
- By walking down the steps from the Hollywood Boulevard courtyard and taking a right turn before the construction wall.
- By approaching from the direction of Pixar Place and Toy Story Land, which provides a pathway from the opposite side of the park.
This rerouting means guests coming from the front of the park will need to take a less direct route than they may be accustomed to.
Operational Changes
To accommodate the construction, Disney has relocated a small bar kiosk that was previously situated between the Animation Courtyard entrance and the Hollywood Brown Derby. This beverage cart can now be found in the main Hollywood Boulevard courtyard area, ensuring its continued operation for guests.
Planning for Your Visit
With these significant changes to the park's layout, planning ahead is more crucial than ever for a smooth visit. The presence of construction walls and rerouted pathways can add unexpected travel time between different areas of Hollywood Studios.
Allowing for Extra Time
Park management and travel experts strongly advise visitors to build extra time into their schedules. This is particularly important for guests with time-sensitive reservations, such as dining at restaurants like The Hollywood Brown Derby or Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater Restaurant. Similarly, those with scheduled Lightning Lane return times for attractions should factor in potential delays caused by navigating the construction zones.
Failing to account for the altered pathways could result in missed reservations or expired Lightning Lane windows. Using the My Disney Experience app to check wait times and map out routes in advance can help mitigate these challenges.
Future Developments at Hollywood Studios
While the construction walls present a temporary inconvenience, they signal a period of growth for Disney's Hollywood Studios. The project is part of a multi-year investment in the park aimed at enhancing the guest experience with new and immersive environments. According to park announcements, the ongoing work will eventually introduce new lands, rides, and dining options, continuing the park's evolution from a behind-the-scenes movie studio theme to a collection of distinct, story-driven worlds.
Details about the specific attractions planned for the Walt Disney Studios area remain limited, but the scale of the construction suggests a significant addition to the park's footprint. As with past projects, Disney is expected to release more information as construction progresses. For now, guests will need to navigate the temporary disruptions as the park prepares for its next chapter.
