Disney’s Hollywood Studios has seen its fair share of transformations over the years, from the golden age of movie magic to the rise of Star Wars and Pixar. With all the exciting additions, some experiences have quietly slipped into the shadows.
As we look forward to new areas like Monsters, Inc. and fan-favorite franchises taking center stage, not every attraction gets a grand farewell. And now, Disney may have just quietly confirmed that one long-standing experience is officially gone for good, without ever making a big announcement.
Recently, we reported that at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, there are new Disney character meet and greets! These new offerings are located in front of Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway, and we are seriously excited because these aren’t friends you see all the time in Disney World.
You can meet Mary Poppins, Bert, and a dancing penguin from Mary Poppins. As well as Pinocchio and Jiminy Cricket. You can find their times listed on the My Disney Experience app. On top of the new meet and greets, there are even more new entertainment experiences at this iconic park.
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A new live music act has joined the entertainment lineup at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. The four-piece band, HollyGroove Swinging, is now performing in front of the Chinese Theater.
We did get a chance to see “That’s a Record”. This is a comedic juggling act when audience members can participate as well. Our reporter thought the show was very entertaining. He brings out a special guest, Donald Duck, to help with several of the acts and tends to gravitate to kids for help when needed during the show.
So what does this mean for the Citizens of Hollywood who used to occupy these streets? These entertainers embodied the essence of Hollywood in the 1930s and ’40s and interacted with visitors in Hollywood Studios, but since the parks reopened from the pandemic in 2020, they have not returned.
With Hollywood Studios bringing in new entertainment, it’s not a good sign for those of us who loved Citizens of Hollywood. As sad as it is, it seems unlikely that the Citizens of Hollywood will return. This feels like the end of an era for Hollywood Studios. One that has slowly felt like it was slipping away since the closure of the Backlots and The Great Movie Ride.
We will hold out hope that one day the Citizens of Hollywood will make their grand return to Hollywood Studios. But by the looks of it, that won’t be happening anytime soon, if ever.
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What do you think about this change at Hollywood Studios? Tell us in the comments below!
The Citizens of Hollywood are my absolute favorite streetmospher of ALL the parks. Nothing else compares to this experience. To say I am sad that they are most likely not returning is a gross understatement. Just another reason that I am ambivalent about going to Disney World any more. As someone who went every year, there’s nothing drawing me back. It’s been 2 years, and I haven’t felt that yearning at all. An end of an era for Hollywood Studios, and possibly my trips.
Found the band to be loud and intrusive. I don’t think it added anything to the atmosphere.
Citizens of Hollywood, the players in Epcot, and similar lost streetmosohere around the parks is a disappointment. The Citizens were so creative, quick witted and thoroughly entertaining. But today, the game is all about your app, staring at your glass, mobile order, mobile pay, and maximizing revenue per guest. It’s an approach, but I think even Walt would agree that we’ve missed the intent at this point.
Much easier and probably cheaper to send someone in a character suit out to take pics versus paying an actor to basically improv and interact with the public. Such a shame.