Backlot Budget-Cuts
It was made official on the Walt Disney World website that the Studio Backlot Tour at Disney’s Hollywood Studios will be closed for a refurbishment from January 4th through February 28th, 2009. It is rumored that during this time they will be testing and installing an automated spiel to replace the Cast Members who actually narrate the attraction for guests and have been doing so since the tour opened back in 1989. This would not be a far cry from the changes that took place sometime ago over at Living with the Land, where the Cast Member guides were also replaced with an automated spiel. This would certainly mean a much smaller number of cast members would be staffing the attraction, and can certainly be looked at as a cost-cutting measure. Be sure to stay tuned to WDW News Today as we get more information on these changes over at the Studio Backlot Tour.
On much smaller note, the Voyage of the Little Mermaid show will not be performing from January 27th to the 29th, 2009. For an up-to-date list of refurbishments and such, be sure to check out our “Attraction Updates” page regularly.