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Disney Guests Criticize Popular Theme Park Land as ‘a Waste’

Hollywood Land at Disney California Adventure Park
Credit: Disney

In 2001, Disney opened a brand-new theme park at the Disneyland Resort — Disney California Adventure Park. The new park transported guests to various places and times in California history. They could head to the Boardwalk and enjoy things like the California Screamin’ Rollercoaster or Mickey’s Fun Wheel. They could head down Buena Vista Street and see various performances. And those with younger guests could head over to A Bug’s Land — not necessarily California-themed, but still a really cute area.

a bug's land at disney california adventure park

Credit: D23

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A lot has changed at California Adventure in the nearly 24 years since it has been open, but one area that has remained steady is Hollywood Land. The area celebrates the Golden Age of Hollywood, the 1930s.

Guests can enjoy several kinds of amazing hot dogs and filmstrip fries at Award Wieners, purchase amazing art at Off The Page, or enjoy a cocktail at Hollywood Lounge. In terms of rides, guests can board a taxi and ride through Monstropolis on Monsters, Inc. Mike and Sulley to the Rescue, or head to the Sunset Showcase Theater and join Donald Duck in Mickey’s PhilharMagic.

Mickey’s PhilharMagic

Credit: Disney

Related: Fans Devastated as Disney Announces Closing Date For Iconic Attraction

While there are many fun things to do in Hollywood Land, many guests think the area leaves a lot to be desired. It takes up a lot of space that could be utilized better.

So, Reddit user u/JJnod asked what could be done to save the area, and the answers weren’t very positive.

What’s something that could save Hollywood land?
byu/JJnod inDisneyland

Now, to be fair, some commenters did like the area, and they said they didn’t want to lose the attractions that were there. And it would be such a bummer to lose Mickey’s PhilharMagic. But many commenters came together and agreed that the area was “a waste of space” and gave some of their own opinions about what could make the area better.

Yea. Massive waste now. I’d miss it, but I’d be ok if they got rid of Monsters Inc, and then combined the area of: whatever that huge-ish building is that used to have the small Flynn arcade; the area held now by monsters Inc, and the old who wants to be millionaire building into one huge e-ticket or one medium e-ticket and a smaller attraction.

I wish we could get more transparency on what’s going to happen with that theater [the Hyperion]. 

Hyperion Theater Guardians of the Galaxy

Credit: Disney

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In 2023, concept art was revealed for a Muppets-inspired land that was supposed to be built in Disney’s Hollywood Studios. The area where Muppet*Vision 3D is currently located was actually supposed to be an entire Muppet Land. As we know, that did not happen, but one commenter said that Disney should take those plans and turn Hollywood Land into a Muppets-themed area.

Bring back MuppetVision 3D and turn that entire corner into a 1/1 recreation of the Jim Henson Studio Lot in Hollywood and dust off the plans for the once proposed The Great MUPPET Movie Ride at Disney/MGM Studios(This ride was cancelled when Jim Henson passed away).

Muppet Land Concept Art

Credit: Marcelo Vignali

Related: Beloved Muppet History Site Suspended After Unsettling Allegations

Now, if you ask this armchair Imagineer her opinion, well, I think the theme park could use another roller coaster. And what better roller coaster to bring to the West Coast than Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind? Since Hollywood Land is located right next to Avengers Campus, it makes perfect sense!

Disney should gut the Hyperion Theater and the unused airplane hangar next to it. Construction crews could then build an area that joins the two buildings, and you could put the roller coaster there!

Guests riding Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind through space

Credit: Disney

There is also a massive unused space next to Mickey’s PhilharMagic that used to house Marvel merchandise. That area closed quite a while ago, but Disney has still not done anything with the space.

As of now, Disney has not announced any plans to change Hollywood Land, but that does not mean Disney California Adventure is being ignored!

Back in August, at Disney’s D23 Expo, Disney announced that it would be adding a boat ride themed after the hit 2017 film Coco. The company will also double the size of Avengers Campus and add two new attractionsAvengers Infinity Defense and Stark Flight Lab. Construction on the expansion is expected to begin in 2025.

Do you think that Hollywood Land is a waste of space in DCA? Does it need a total overhaul? What should it become? Share your thoughts in the comments!

About Krysten Swensen

A born and bred New England girl living the Disney life in Southern California. I love to read, to watch The Golden Girls, and love everything to do with Disney and Universal. I also love to share daily doses of Disney on my Disney Instagram @BrazzleDazzleDisney!

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