Permits filed for work in Soundstage 1 at Disney's Hollywood Studios

Sep 25, 2014 in "Disney's Hollywood Studios"

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Posted: Thursday September 25, 2014 10:31am EDT by WDWMAGIC Staff

Permit paperwork has been filed for what is expected to be a major project in Soundstage 1 at Disney's Hollywood Studios.

Located between Toy Story Mania and the Studio Backlot Tour, the soundstage has recently been used as gift shop during Star Wars Weekends, a base for MyMagic+ testing, and most recently as the home to Wondering Oaken's during Frozen Summer Fun.

Simply titled, 'Project 3 - DHS Soundstage 1 Renovation,' the permits do not give away any details, other than the expiration date of 9/30/2016, and Whiting Turner being involved in the project. That particular contractor has been involved with Disney attractions in the past, and a long expiration date for the permit suggests something on a large scale.

Adding further weight to a coming addition is the appearance of several key executives and Imagineers at the park today. WDI's Tom Fitzgerald, Tom Staggs, George Kalogridis, and Meg Crofton were apparently seen in the area of Soundstage 1.

Recent speculation has suggested one possible use of Soundstage 1 may be for an expansion of Toy Story Mania to provide additional capacity. Previous rumors for Soundstage 1 have centered around a Monsters Inc themed roller coaster attraction, expanding the Pixar Place mini-land.

The upcoming closure of the Studios Backlot Tour this weekend would appear to also be a significant step in this project, given its close proximity to Soundstage 1.

Disney has not yet commented on any expansion, or given any indication of what will replace the Studios Backlot Tour.

Soundstage 1 at Disney's Hollywood Studios

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DaveeeeedJul 12, 2016

It was 30 at some point yesterday, can't remember when though either morning or evening, but crowds are higher today so all the rides have longer waits.

RSoxNo1Jul 12, 2016

The lowest I've seen it is 60 minutes. It is regularly at 120. Admittedly, I expected it to be regularly at 150-180. It's entirely possible capacity was increased to the 1200-1400 range which certainly helps. I think if they could load two boats at once they'd have a better shot of 30 second dispatches, but it appears the additional show scene was more important.

DaveeeeedJul 12, 2016

I have been keeping close tabs on wait times for all parks, and Frozen consistently stays around Test Track & Soarin'. Obviously the more capacity the better, but it is not as bad as most people think, because then it should be above both of them consistently. Also wait times and crowds are significantly higher today than they've been for the past two weeks.

RSoxNo1Jul 12, 2016

Considering that less than a month after they expanded the capacity at two of their previous operational headaches they decided to open one that was worse than both of them... the jury's still out on whether or not they know what they're doing.

DaveeeeedJul 12, 2016

Currently 35 minutes for Soarin' while Test Track is 55. Toy Story Mania! Is at 40. Big improvement even if crowds are lower.

GoofyernmostJul 11, 2016

Wait, you aren't actually implying that once in a while Disney does know what they are doing and do it right are you? Cause that will upset a lot of people. ;)

Cesar R MJul 11, 2016

I wonder how it will fare with the next row of closures while star wars land and toy story land starts to go vertical.

HauntedMansionFLAJul 11, 2016

Thank you. It looks like the third track and theatre for TSMM and Soarin are doing what they need to be doing.

BrianLoJul 11, 2016

Yes, 'EZDubz' posted recently that average wait times are down to 34 minutes (from the traditional 2+ hours).

HauntedMansionFLAJul 11, 2016

Any updates that this expansion has helped with wait times or is it the same (long waits)?

MagicHappens1971Jun 11, 2016

I remember someone mentioned the dropping of Midway from the name, and I think that its pretty much confirmed, because it's gone off the app and in the D23 TSL announcement last August, they brought up the third track and say we are adding a third track to Toy Story Mania and showed a picture in the background of the ride that says Toy Story Mania!.

Cesar R MJun 01, 2016

Except during the "hoisting". When you get lifting, the speed the top ones get lifted is bigger than the ones on the bottom. Aka you get really high if you're on the first line for Soarin'

SlowjackJun 01, 2016

That's good to know. In any case, I am determined to try again next I am there and it is open.

GoofyernmostMay 31, 2016

If it would help, there is no difference in the feeling on the first row or the last. The screen is curved and you are roughly the same distance away from it no matter what level you are on. You do not have the dangling legs to deal with though.