Disney California Adventure’s Hollywood Land has been a staple of the park since its opening in 2001, but recent guest feedback has cast the area in a less-than-flattering light. While the land celebrates the Golden Age of Hollywood, many visitors feel it falls short of expectations compared to other themed areas in Disneyland Resort.
Reddit threads have exploded with opinions on the future of Hollywood Land, with some calling it “a waste of space” and others providing creative suggestions to reimagine the area.
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What Hollywood Land Currently Offers
Hollywood Land’s theme transports guests back to the 1930s, when Hollywood’s glitz and glamour shone at their brightest. The area includes several attractions, shops, and dining options that contribute to its nostalgic charm. Visitors can enjoy delectable hot dogs and filmstrip fries at Award Wieners, browse art and memorabilia at Off The Page, or sip on themed cocktails at the Hollywood Lounge.
For those seeking entertainment, the Sunset Showcase Theater features Mickey’s PhilharMagic, a whimsical 4D musical experience with Donald Duck at the center of the chaos. Meanwhile, Monsters, Inc. Mike and Sulley to the Rescue! offers a family-friendly dark ride through Monstropolis. While these attractions have their fans, many argue they don’t pack the same punch as Disney’s larger e-ticket experiences.
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Hollywood Land also includes the Hyperion Theater, which has hosted various stage productions over the years but currently sits unused. Unfortunately, the building is rarely used and now sits empty.
Fan Criticism and Suggestions
Despite its offerings, Hollywood Land has struggled to maintain the same level of excitement as other areas within Disney California Adventure. Reddit user u/JJnod sparked a lively discussion by asking, “What’s something that could save Hollywood Land?” The responses were passionate and varied, with one common theme: the land needs an overhaul.
What’s something that could save Hollywood land?
byu/JJnod inDisneyland
One commenter stated,
“Massive waste now. I’d miss it, but I’d be okay if they got rid of Monsters Inc., and then combined the area of: whatever that huge-ish building is that used to have the small Flynn arcade; the area held now by Monsters Inc.; and the old Who Wants to Be a Millionaire building into one huge e-ticket or one medium e-ticket and a smaller attraction.”
Another Reddit user proposed a Muppet-themed transformation, referencing concept art for a Muppet land that was once planned for Disney’s Hollywood Studios. They suggested,
“Bring back Muppet*Vision 3D and turn that entire corner into a 1/1 recreation of the Jim Henson Studio Lot in Hollywood and dust off the plans for the once-proposed The Great MUPPET Movie Ride.”
Missed Opportunities and Future Potential
If you were to ask this self-proclaimed armchair Imagineer for her opinion, I’d say the theme park could definitely use another roller coaster. And what better fit for the West Coast than Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind? With Hollywood Land situated right next to Avengers Campus, it’s a perfect match!
Disney should consider transforming the Hyperion Theater and the vacant airplane hangar nearby. Construction crews could connect the two spaces, creating a seamless area for the new roller coaster to take shape.
While Disney has yet to announce any plans for a Hollywood Land reimagining, the company is actively expanding California Adventure. At the recent D23 Expo, Disney unveiled plans for a Coco (2017)-themed boat ride and two new Avengers attractions—Avengers Infinity Defense and Stark Flight Lab—set to debut in the coming years.
A Call for Change
For many, Hollywood Land represents unrealized potential. While its theme holds promise, the area struggles to keep pace with the park’s more dynamic and immersive lands. The guest critiques highlight a broader challenge for Disney: balancing nostalgia with innovation to create experiences that resonate with modern audiences.
Whether it’s through a Muppet-themed overhaul, a new e-ticket attraction, or something entirely unexpected, Hollywood Land’s future is ripe for reimagination. As one Reddit user aptly put it, “Disney should give this space the love and attention it deserves.” Fans can only hope that Disney is listening.
Do you think that Hollywood Land is a waste of space in DCA? Does it need a total overhaul? What should it become? Share your thoughts in the comments!
