Disney’s Growing Projection Problem at Hollywood Studios. Disney’s Hollywood Studios is facing a growing problem with its nightly projection shows at Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway. While Disney Movie Magic and Wonderful World of Animation remain fan favorites, a nearby palm tree has grown directly into the projection line, creating a noticeable dark gap on the building’s exterior.
We visited the park on February 10th to see the shows and capture updated images, but we noticed a large gap and obstruction, which now breaks the immersive mapping seen on the Chinese theater facade. This simple maintenance issue is affecting the guest experience, and a quick fix from the horticulture team could easily restore the show to its original quality.
As the tree has grown, it has moved directly into the line of sight for the projectors. This leaves a noticeable dark gap on the top right section of the theatre facade. Because projection mapping is so precise, losing even a small corner of the “canvas” makes the entire show feel incomplete.
This has to be known; there is no way people haven’t noticed a massive Palm tree growing to become more and more of a visual issue. Disney’s horticultural cast members are some of the best in the world at what they do. Just look at the love and care that goes into other aspects of the Parks, like the upcoming Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival. Or the work they have just completed after the deep freeze we experienced.
A Simple Fix
This isn’t a technical glitch or a creative issue; it’s just nature getting in the way. When these shows first debuted, the mapping was seamless and covered every inch of the building. Now, the growing foliage has created a “dead zone” where the images simply disappear behind the leaves.
The solution is straightforward: Disney needs to trim the tree or move it back a few feet. Both projection shows are fan favorites that rely on nostalgia and perfect visuals. Restoring the clear line of sight would bring back the polished, immersive experience that guests expect from a night at Hollywood Studios.
Disney’s Growing Projection Problem at Hollywood Studios
