Time Frame2018-2019 |
Rumor StatusConfirmed |
Specific Details
With significant changes coming to Hollywood Studios, Disney is reconfiguring the entry area to the park. Beginning in September of 2016, guests coming from the Osceola Parkway have a new ramp that leads directly into the main Hollywood Studios parking lot. A more permanent change is expected for most guests with the two lane "back" entrance to Hollywood Studios remaining available for busses.
At one point a parking structure was considered for Hollywood Studios, but it is unknown if that is still on the table. A significant change will be an overpass of the Osceola Parkway over Victory Way. The expected timeline of this process from permits is as follows:
- 6/15/2018 - Limited access to the new Disney's Hollywood Studios entrance
- 9/1/2018 - Full access to the new Disney's Hollywood Studios entrance
- 12/17/2018 - Most work complete ont he Victory Way/Osceola Parkway portion of the project
- 11/8/2018 - The new parking gates opened.
- 11/1/2019 - Work complete on the World Drive portion of the project.
Rumor Timeline
December 15, 2018: @bioreonstruct on Twitter posted photos of a new restroom, not yet open at the Disney's Hollywood Studios transportation plaza.
November 9, 2018: @bioreconstruct on Twitter posted a photo of the new bus terminal. Entrance to the area via Buena Vista drive is now shut off to cars, and is only available for busses.
November 8, 2018: The new parking gate opened up.
September 15, 2018: @bioreconstruct on Twitter posted a photo of the new Parking entrance gate for Disney's Hollywood Studios.
August 14, 2018: The original Hollywood Studios bus loop is now closed. Currently the park is using the Phase 1 bus loop that opened on July 31st and temporary bus loops. WDWMagic.com posted photos of the new setup.
July 31, 2018: Phase 1 of the new bus loop is now open and WDWMagic.com posted photos of the new area.
July 27, 2018: OrlandoParksNews.com is reporting that the new bus loop should open in mid-August.
December 7, 2017: WDWMagic.com user danlb_2000 is reporting that Disney has filed a permit for the installation of a "New Guest Auto Plaza".
November 2, 2017: WDWMagic.com user danlb_2000 is reporting that a recent permit filed with the South Florida Water Management District shows the new layout of the Hollywood Studios Parking Lot.
February 13, 2017: WDWMagic.com user danlb_2000 has posted photos from modified permits that Disney filed with the South Florida Water Management district. The photos show changes to construction staging areas as well as modifications to bodies of water and constructions of new buildings. One particular building location is along the water next to the entrance to Hollywood Studios.
It is unknown what this building will be, whether or not it will be a fully enclosed structure or be something that will change the guest experience in any way. Speculation is that it could be related to the construction at the Caribbean Beach Resort and would potentially be a transportation station.
January 27, 2017: WDWMagic.com user danlb_2000 has uncovered bid and permit documents related to the Osceola Parkway/Victory Way road work that includes timelines.
- 6/15/2018 - Limited access to the new Disney's Hollywood Studios entrance
- 9/1/2018 - Full access to the new Disney's Hollywood Studios entrance
- 12/17/2018 - Most work complete ont he Victory Way/Osceola Parkway portion of the project
- 11/1/2019 - Work complete on the World Drive portion of the project.
June 21, 2016: The Orlando Sentinel is reporting that the Ready Creek Improvement District approved $335 million in new roads in and around the Walt Disney World Resort. Among those approved are a reconfiguration of the connection between Osceola Parkway and Victory Way.
May 9, 2016: WDWMagic.com user danlb_2000 has reported that Disney filed a permit with the South Florida Water Management District about the new entrance to Hollywood Studios. The new road is expected to be built off of Osceola Parkway just beyond the Art of Animation Resort.
August 26, 2015: The Orlando Sentinel is reporting several road improvements will soon be underway in and around Walt Disney World property. These include:
- A reconfiguration of Osceola Parkway at Victory Way, southeast of Disney's Hollywood Studios and north of ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. A traditional intersection will be replaced with a flyover design similar to that at state roads 50 and 436 near Orlando. The flyover would take Osceola Parkway traffic over Victory Way.
- An extension of Western Way to Avalon Road, or County Road 545. Currently Western Way ends around the Flamingo Crossings development under construction.
- A Center Drive bypass to the west that will allow traffic heading south off Reams Road more direct access to Floridian Way.
June 30, 2015: WDWMagic.com user danlb_2000 has reported that Disney has filed a permit with the South Florida Water Management District to allow for borings to be taken in various wetland areas to assess the conditions for possible road additions. These include a potential new entrance to Disney's Hollywood Studios.
March 26, 2015: ThemeParkInsider.com has posted aerial photos that show a potential new entrance area for Disney's Hollywood Studios. The change points to the World Drive entrance going away with a new entrance coming from Victory Way.
July 24, 2013: Disney At Work has followed up with a similar rumor regarding the changes to the Hollywood Studios entrance.
March 16, 2013: WDWMagic.com user drew81 has posted a rumor that there will be a new entrance to Hollywood Studios. The new entrance will be off of Victory Way across from the area of Pop Century. Resort buses will still use the Buena Vista Drive entrance. The entrance off of World Drive would be removed.