Disney Canceled 3 BIG Projects in Hollywood Studios

Disney’s Hollywood Studios has evolved over the years.

It was once a theme park full of movie sets, stunt shows like Lights, Motor, Action, and the Backlot Tour. It now has some of the biggest thrill rides and IP attractions in Disney World. There are BIG future plans for this park, but with that, it had us thinking of all the canceled projects that were once for Hollywood Studios.

Mickey’s Movieland

Back when Hollywood Studios was still Disney-MGM Studios, there were plans for a land dedicated to everyone’s favorite mouse. Located where Sunset Boulevard is today, the attraction would be a replica of Disney’s original Hyperion Avenue studio, showcasing how Mickey’s cartoons were brought to life.

So why was this never built? The short answer? Tower of Terror. The land that was earmarked for the attraction was instead given to the park’s first thrill ride, and the Tower of Terror has dominated the studio skyline ever since.

We can’t say we’re too upset over this, though,h because now, we can’t imagine the Tower of Terror not existing!

Roger Rabbit’s Hollywood

In 1989, Roger Rabbit was a HUGE deal, with star power that rivaled even Mickey Mouse. In fact, every Toontown at Disney Parks traces its origins to “Who Framed Roger Rabbit?”. Still, there was one aspect of the movie that was never translated to Disney Parks — the link between the Cartoon World and Hollywood.

The plan, at the time, was to build an extension of Sunset Boulevard themed after the film (in the current location of Rock ‘N’ Roller Coaster). The exterior would feature working Red Car Trolleys, like the ones Judge Doom famously attempted to buy out. The noir-esque Terminal Bar would also serve as a full-fledged eatery.

Inside, however? All Cartoon/Toontown theme. Attractions would have included Toontown Transit, a simulator ride through the wacky world of Roger Rabbit, Baby Herman’s Runaway Buggy Ride, Roller Coaster Rabbit, and a ride that would eventually become Roger Rabbit’s Car Toon Spin.

So why was this canceled? In short, Steven Spielberg. Not that he necessarily did anything hostile, but it was his involvement in the Roger Rabbit project that led to the death of the attraction… and the end of the character.

Amblin, Spielberg’s company, co-financed Who Framed Roger Rabbit? and owned part of the rights to the character. Unfortunately, relations between Spielberg and Disney had grown tense due to Spielberg’s involvement with Universal Studios. A conflict over Roger Rabbit led the entire IP to end up in limbo, with all projects except the Anaheim version of Car Toon Spin being canceled.

Some ideas behind Roger Rabbit’s Hollywood would eventually make it into Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway, but aside from Car Toon Spin and the various Toontowns around the world, the only element of the proposed land at Disney is a billboard near Hollywood Boulevard. Now, all this time later, Roger Rabbit lives in the past, and we don’t see that changing anytime soon.

Muppet Studios

While Disney purchased the rights to the Muppets back in 2004, that was far from the first time Disney had their eyes on the world’s most famous felt franchise. Back in 1989, Disney was in the process of acquiring the entire Jim Henson company; a merger valued at $150 Million.

Part of the project involved a massive Muppet presence in the Disney parks. While Disneyland plotted a complete Muppet-themed overlay, Walt Disney World was plotting a more permanent installation.

The front of the land would feel familiar — a brick warehouse containing Muppet*Vision 3D, with the exit leading to a colorfully sloppy backlot and the Stage 1 Studio Store. There would also be a replica of the Happiness Hotel from The Great Muppet Caper. 

We could have had The Great Gonzo’s Pizza Pandemonium Parlor. Unlike the relatively tame Pizzerizzo, this place was set to be the most ambitiously themed dining location in Disney history up until that point. Animatronic rats on tracks would deliver your food directly to your table as you looked at genuine artifacts from Muppet films. I don’t know about you, but honestly, that sounds like a nightmare to me.

We also missed out on The Great Muppets Moview Ride. A parody of both The Great Movie Ride and the Backlot Tram Tour, this ride would take you behind the scenes of the latest Muppet projects, like Frankenstein and Peter Pan. Except, being the Muppets, the shoot has gone completely pear-shaped.

So why didn’t this happen? In 1990, just one year before the opening of Muppet*Vision 3D, Jim Henson unexpectedly passed. In the aftermath of his death, his estate and Disney couldn’t come to an accord, and the deal was canceled. While the already completed Muppet*Vision 3D and Stage 1 Studio Store went into the park as planned, the rest of Muppet Studios was scrapped.

Wow, Hollywood Studios could have been so different from what we know today. We have a lot to look forward to with the new changes coming. For more Disney World news and stories, be sure to follow us at AllEars.net!

5 Big Projects Disney World Just Stopped Talking About!

What project do you wish would have come to life? Tell us below. 

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