Let’s face it – Disney’s Hollywood Studios has a lot of stuff going on right now!
Hollywood Studios
They’re going to be re-theming the Muppets Courtyard to the new Monsters, Inc. Land, re-theming Rock ‘n’ Rollercoaster to a Muppets Coaster, opening not one, but two new shows (Little Mermaid and a Villains show), and more. But there’s this one attraction that’s feeling like a serious dud right now, and honestly people are over it!
As we were saying, amidst all the changes coming to Hollywood Studios, there’s this one attraction that is just, shall we say its best days are behind it (long, long ago). We’re talking about Star Wars Launch Bay and how it’s just not the most well loved attraction at Hollywood Studios.
Star Wars Launch Bay
Once Cool, Now…
Do you remember when Star Wars Launch Bay first opened? It was a pretty big deal. We were getting a whole space dedicated to Star Wars superfans where you could nerd out over film props, collectibles, and meet your favorite characters. But now, it’s really starting to feel like just an afterthought.
Star Wars Launch Bay
For one thing, Launch Bay hasn’t really changed much since it opened in 2015. Sure, it’s still home to some cool stuff, like the Darth Vader Visa Cardmember meet-and-greet (which, let’s be real, is more niche than mainstream). But aside from that, there’s not much drawing people in anymore.
Darth Vader at Star Wars Launch Bay in Hollywood Studios
And the worst part is that it’s smack in the middle of a park that’s already throughly and completely elevated its Star Wars game with Galaxy’s Edge. You’ve got Rise of the Resistance and Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run just a few steps away, and those are truly next-level. Compared to that, Launch Bay just can’t compete, and people are noticing. Not to mention, it’s on the complete other end of the park.
Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge
Also, if you take a stroll through social media, and you’ll see the verdict: Star Wars Launch Bay is just…not “it” anymore. We’ve seen many a Disney guest call it “boring,” “outdated,” and “a waste of valuable park space.”
Star Wars Launch Bay
And to be honest, it’s not just about the lack of excitement. There’s also the issue of space efficiency. Hollywood Studios is a busy park, and many guests feel like Launch Bay’s footprint could be better used for, well, literally anything else.
What’s Next for Launch Bay?
Here’s the thing: Disney hasn’t made any big announcements about what’s happening to Launch Bay, so for now, it’s sticking around, but with its rapidly dwindling popularity, it’s hard not to wonder if Disney might eventually decide to give it the boot or revamp it into something fresh and exciting.
Star Wars Launch Bay
If they’re going to stick with the Star Wars theme, one possibility is that they could transform it into an interactive Star Wars experience that complements Galaxy’s Edge instead of competing with it. But more than likely, once this is replaced, the Star Wars theme will go down the gutter with it.
Meanwhile, Over at Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster…
Speaking of changes, can we take a moment to talk about Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster? You know how Disney recently announced that the Aerosmith theme is on its way out, and guess what? Almost no one is upset about it.
Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster
In fact, the buzz around its Muppets re-theme is overwhelmingly positive. The idea of zooming through a chaotic Muppets-themed adventure sounds so much more fun than reliving the late-’90s music video vibes of Aerosmith.
©Disney
Now, this re-theme news is a perfect example of how Disney can successfully refresh an attraction to keep it relevant. (Maybe Launch Bay could take notes?) We were quite shocked when most of our comments were filled with finally, and it’s Aerosmith’s time to go vibes. Especially since Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster still tends to hold a pretty hefty wait time!
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I like the Launch Bay. All the posters and artwork are spectacular.
Perhaps the WD Company will wake up and replace the redundant SW exhibition area in favor of a celebration of Disney’s CLASSIC movie era, e.g. when Walt was in charge of everything. Showcase memorabilia, etc. from films that Walt actually oversaw, beginning with Oswald and Mickey and proceeding through the release of the original “Jungle Book” (animated).
Yes– it’s a “film studio” so let’s celebrate what made Disney originally so famous and successful enough to envision and build the original Park, etc.
Yes– How about celebrating DISNEY MOVIES, early ones, instead!!
True, HS has steadily moved away from it movie heritage towards becoming just another fun park. Too bad, it was a great place before Disney started reimagine it. Catastrophe Canyon, back stage tour, drew Carey Sound State, Home Improvement Stage, Osborne Lights… they are all gone, replaced by not so exciting guest experiences.
I’m definitely upset about replaced Aerosmith. Also, couldn’t Monsters Inc have been put in the Animation Courtyard/SW Launch Bay area instead of replacing Muppets?
Launch Bay isn’t the same since the Jawas are no longer part of the meet and greets.
Pre-COVID, they were my favorite part of Launch Bay. Haven’t seen them once since the parks returned to “normal” operations.
Re-make the Muppets Courtyard there. Re-do Muppet*Vision 3D in the theater building. Extend the courtyard and connect it to the now-Muppet-themed Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster. Voila! Now you have a mini Muppet land.