Goodbye to Another Attraction

Another week, another attraction replaced by something Frozen related. Last week we saw Maelstrom’s final voyages announced to make way for Anna and Elsa. This week brings more closings from Walt Disney World. After months of rumors and the recent closing of the AFI Showcase and Gift Shop, it was announced that the Hollywood Studios Backlot Tour will close on September 27th.

It will (temporary) be replaced by Oaken’s Frozen Funland, which will occupy a portion of the streets of America. There have been no announcements about what will permanently take its place. Though Cars Land, Star Wars Land and even (gasp) Frozen themed land have all been heating up the rumor mill.

The original attraction first opened on May 1, 1989 along with the rest of Disney’s (MGM) Hollywood Studios. Since DHS was a “working studio,” the Backlot Tour resembled a Hollywood tram tour with visits to production departments, replicated television sets and special effect demonstrations. Over the years, the Backlot Tour had made some dramatic changes as Hollywood Studios shifted to more of an attraction theme park and less of movie/television productions.

In recent years, the tram tour was often closed and suffered from poor attendance. The once two hour tour was regulated to a quick tram tour through production buildings, a vehicle/parts graveyard and Catastrophe Canyon.