Difference between revisions of "Disney's Hollywood Studios"

Revision as of 17:30, 5 January 2012

Scorcerer Mickey's Hat, the icon of Hollywood Studios.

Disney's Hollywood Studios (formerly Disney's MGM Studios) is a theme park located in Walt Disney World.

History

Conception

Like most things in Walt Disney World, Disney's Hollywood Studios can trace it's origins back to Walt Disney himself. In the 1960s, Walt wanted to build a theme park that would show guests the movie making process. At the time Universal Studios had a popular backstage tram tour and Walt wanted to do something similar on the backlot Disney Studious. Due to land coasts and potential traffic problems this idea never came to fruition. Although the Disney Studios backlot tour was never built, the idea would resurface later.

The genies for a theme park based on movie making really begins in the mid 1980s. Imageneer's led by Marty Skylar and Randy Bright were given the task of creating two new pavilions for Future World in Epcot. One of the pavilions they created was to be called the Great Movie Ride pavilion. The attraction would have taken guests through various movies and was very similar to the attraction that would eventually open at Disney's MGM Studious. Michael Eisner, then the CEO of the Disney Company decided that the idea for the pavilion was strong enough to warrant it's on theme park and told his Imageneers to begin working on it.

At the same that the new Epcot pavilions were being designed, Disney decided that it needed a new production studio. The studio was needed because the Disney production schedule had increased dramatically in the 1980's. Instead of spending a lot of money on land, it was decided that the studio would be built on the property they already owned in Florida. The need for a new production studio was one of the driving forces behind the inclusion of a studio tour in the new Disney theme park.

Another factor that played a crucial role in the creation of Disney's MGM Studios, was that Universal Studios was planning on building an East Coast theme park. In 1982 Universal began to plan its new park which would also be located in Orlando. Universal was looking for a partner in the venture and approached Michael Eisner who was then the head of Paramount Studios. Eisner declined the proposal and the plans for a Universal East were tabled. When Eisner was named CEO of Disney, he knew about Universal's plan and wanted to beat them to the punch. Eisner decided to build a movie theme park of his own, and had Imageneers start working on the concept. The idea of a Disney movie theme park was kept on the back burner until Universal announced it's plans in 1985. After the announcement, Michael Eisner announced that the Disney was already working on a movie based theme park which would be the third gate in Walt Disney World.

Before the new park was even announced Disney had already been working behind the scenes to acquire the rights to the name and logo of Metro-Golden-Mayer Inc. Disney and MGM agreed on a contract in 1985, that allowed Disney to used the MGM name, logo and certain film clips. The new theme park would eventually be named Disney's MGM Studios, and would feature the classic MGM logo Leo the Lion.

Construction

Construction began on Disney's MGM Studios in 1986. Besides being a theme park, Disney's MGM Studios was also a working studio. Both animation and live action studios were built, and guests would eventually be able to tour these studious to see how Disney made films. Imageneers wanted to create the perfect representation of the "Golden Age of Hollywood". To accomplish this the park was themed to look like a small version of Hollywood with replicas of icons such as Grauman's Chinese Theater and their own version of the Hollywood Walk of Fame. To give MGM an "icon" Imageneers created the a large water tower, "Earfull Tower." The water tower looked exactly like the one on the Disney Studio lot in California, with the exception of the large Mickey ears placed on top. The tower stood an astonishing 130 ft tall.

Opening Day

Disney beat Universal to the punch when on May 1, 1989 Disney's MGM Studios opened. When it opened the park consisted of three separate parts The theme park was made up of the Hollywood Boulevard, Lakeside Circle and the Backlot annex. The rest of the park consisted of the production studio and the animation studio. The Studios only had five opening day attractions. On The Great Movie Ride, guests boarded large trams and rode through scenes from famous movies. Audio Anamatronic's were used to recreate these scenes. At the end of the ride guests see a compilation of clips from "great movies". The second and third opening day attractions were The Monster Sound Show and Superstar Television. Both of these attractions were interactive stage shows hosted by Sony. On the Monster Sound Show guests were able to help add sound effects to a "all-star haunted house mystery". Superstar Television showed guests how TV production worked by recreating some of the greatest show's in television with guests as the cast members. A lengthy tour of the animation studio and a shorter tour of the production studio.

On hand for opening day were camera crews from various stations. Actor John Ritter hosted the festivities, and celebrities such as Mickey Rooney, George Burns, Ann Miller, Willie Nelson, Jane Fonda, Jimmy Stewart, Dick Van Dyke and The Pointer Sisters. Tony Randell, President Ronald Reagan and British Prime Minister Margret Thatcher all appeared in video clips. The festivities started with Smokey Robinson singing and dancing has way down Hollywood Boulevard. Michael Eisner read the dedication:

"The World you have entered was created by The Walt Disney Company and is dedicated to Hollywood—not a place on a map, but a state of mind that exists wherever people dream and wonder and imagine, a place where illusion and reality are fused by technological magic. We welcome you to a Hollywood that never was—and always will be." Michael Eisner May 1, 1989

Changes Since Opening Day

Although only opening with five attractions, Disney's MGM Studios was quite popular and quickly expanded. Later in 1989, the Indiana Jones Stunt Spectacular opened on Lakeside Circle. The stunt show recreated stunts from the popular Indiana Jones series. Later in 1989 Star Tours opened. Star Tours is a motion simulator that transports guests the world of the George Lucas film series Star Wars. In 1990 New York Street was opened for pedestrians and the 3D show Muppets 3D was added to it. Also added to New York Street was the Honey, I Shrunk the Kids Playground. The large playground for kids was based on the 1989 Disney movie Honey, I Shrunk the Kids. In 1991, two shows: Beauty and The Beast and the Voyage of The Little Mermaid were added to the park.

In 1994 Sunset Boulevard was added to the Studious. The popular attraction the Twilight Zone Tower Terror was opened along with Boulevard. On the Tower of Terror guests are transported in Alfred Hitchcock's The Twilight Zone where the board a haunted elevator. The elevator drops guests 15 stories before raising them back up and dropping them again! In 1997 the Monster Sound Show was replaced with the ABC Sound Studio One Saturday Morning. The new show was used to feature cartoons airing on the now Disney owned ABC. In 1998, the night spectacular Fantasmic! was added to Disney's MGM Studios. The new firework show was a battle of good vs evil staring Mickey Mouse. Fantasmic! was added to try and keep guests in the park all day. In 1999 Sunset Boulevard got another thrill ride with the addition of the Rock N' Roller Coaster Staring Aerosmith.

Disney's MGM Studios 2000-2007

With the turn of the 21st century, Disney's MGM Studios began to change. Walt Disney's One Man Dream opened in 2001 featuring both a museum and a short film. In 2003, the animation studio located at the park closed. This closure also ended the Animation Tour that had been a staple of the park since opening day. In 2004, New York Street was expanded to include architecture found in San Francisco and renamed The Streets of America. The section of the Studio Tour that resided behind the Streets of America (Residential Street) was bulldozed in 2004 in order to make room for a new stunt show, Lights, Motors, Action! Extreme Stunt Show, which opened in 2005.

2007 Name Change

In 2007, Disney announced that it would be renaming the park Disney's Hollywood Studios. The contract signed in 1985 between MGM and Disney had expired in 2005, and Disney choose not to renew it. When announcing the name change, Meg Crofton the President of The Walt Disney World Resort stated:

"The new name reflects how the park has grown from representing the golden age of movies to a celebration of the new entertainment that today’s Hollywood has to offer—in music, television, movies and theater"

— Meg Crofton, President of Walt Disney World Resort

Reflected in the name change was the fact that over time the theme of the park had changed. Originally the park was set in the Golden Age of Hollywood, but by 2007 the theme had clearly shifted to a more modern view of film making. By 2008 the park had been renamed Disney's Hollywood Studios, however it took more time to change all the affect signs.

Disney's Hollywood Studios 2007-Present

Since the 2007 name change their have been two major additions to the Hollywood Studios. In 2007, Mickey's Avenue was renamed Pixar Place, and all attractions on the Avenue were closed. Opening in their place was Toy Story Midway Mania! The new 4D attractions lets guests travel through and play classic Midway games, while wearing 3D glasses. Toy Story Midway Mania was followed up by the American Idol Experience in 2009. The American Idol Experience is Located on Hollywood Boulevard in the ABC theater and based on the popular television show American Idol. The attraction is an interactive show where guests get to see if they have what it takes to be the next singing sensation.

Current Attractions

Hollywood Boulevard

The Great Movie Ride-This opening day attractions lets guests board trams and travel through some of the most popular movies of all time. The ride lasts about 22 minutes and is located inside Grauman's Chinese Theater.

Echo Lake

The American Idol Experience- This new attraction is an interactive show that allows guests to take the stage and sing just like on the TV show American Idol. Guests also have the option of sitting in the audience and watching fellow guests perform.

Indiana Jones Stunt Spectacular- This show allows guests to see or even participate in various stunts. Based on the 1981 film Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark. The show lasts about 25 minutes.

Star Tours--The Adventure Continues-Star Tours is a 3D motion simulator ride takes guests into the world of Star Wars. The attraction is now updated with 54 different adventures to go on!

Streets of America

Muppet Vision 3D-A hilarious 3D film staring the Muppets! The show features a combination of 3D video and Audio Anamatronics to bring the Muppets to life!

Honey, I Shrunk the Kids Movie Set Adventure- A large playground based on the 1989 film Honey, I Shrunk the Kids. Inside the playground young guests will see 30 foot grass, 40 foot bees and even a giant dog!

Lights, Motors, Action! Extreme Stunt Show- This stunt show allows guests to see how big time vehicle stunts are done for Hollywood movies. The 33 minute show features cars, motorcycles and of course explosions!

Studio Backlot Tour-The Studio Backlot Tour let's guests see the behind the scenes aspects of movie making. Guests are able to see how special effects are done and also tour a museum of movie props. The attraction consists of both a tram tour and a walking tour and lasts about 35 minutes.

Pixar Place

Toy Story Midway Mania- A 4D attraction that let's guests play classic midway games in a whole new way. Featuring characters from the 1995 Disney Pixar movie Toy Story, the attraction allows guests to actually enter midway games while they play them.

Mickey Avenue

Walt Disney: One Man's Dream- A exhibition of various items celebrating Walt Disney's life. Guests start out by view a Disney museum that tells the story of Walt's life, before viewing a 15 minute biographical film.

Animation Courtyard

Voyage of the Little Mermaid- A live musical retelling of the 1989 Disney movie the Little Mermaid. The show runs for approximately 17 minutes.

Disney Junior---Live on Stage-An interactive show featuring Disney Junior characters. Characters from popular television shows, Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, Handy Mandy, The Little Einsteins and Jake and the Never land Pirates. The show is 24 minutes long.

The Magic of Disney Animation- A Disney animator (with the help of Mushu from Disney's Mulan) shows guests how different Disney character are drawn. After exiting the showroom guests can explore interactive games or even learn how to draw their favorite Disney character.

Sunset Boulevard

Beauty and the Beast Live On Stage- A live, musical Broadway-style show based on the 1992 Disney movie Beauty and the Beast. The show runs for approximately 30 minutes.

The Tower of Terror, one of the most popular and iconic attractions at Hollywood Studios

The Tower of Terror- A thrill ride which drops guests up to 13 stories. Guests arrive at the Hollywood Tower Hotel in the Twilight Zone before entering "a most uncommon elevator".

Rock N Roller Coaster Staring Aerosmith- A road trip through Hollywood featuring twists, turns, loops and even a quirk-screw. Set to the music of Aerosmith, Rock N Roller Coaster is one of the fastest rides in Disney World. The ride starts by accelerating from 0 to 57 miles per hour in an astonishing 2.8 seconds!

Former Attractions

Superstar Television- Located in what is now the ABC Theater, Superstar Television was open from 1989 until 1998. The attraction was a live interactive show that allowed guests to re-enact famous television scenes. Using special effects guests would super imposed and would appear to be in these television shows along with the original actors. The attraction was replaed by Doug Live!

Doug Live!- Located in the ABC Thearer, Doug Live opened March, 15 1999 and closed May 12, 2001. The attraction was a live show based on the televsion cartoon, Disney's Doug. Doug Live! was replaced by The American Idol Experience.

The Monster Sound Show-Located on the right side of what is now the ABC Theater, The Monster Sound Show opened in 1989 and closed in 1999. The interactive show allowed guests to add their own spooky sound effects to a short film staring Chevy Chase and Martin Short. The format of the show changed on July 1, 1997 and became the ABC Sound Studio. Although the premise of the ride was similar, the film now featured characters from 101 Dalmatians: The Series. In 1999 the show closed for good and was replaced by Sounds Dangerous--Starring Drew Carey.

Sounds Dangerous--Starring Drew Carey-Located at the right side of the ABC Theater, Sounds Dangerous opened in 1999 and closed in 2012. The show was themed to look like a television pilot, however its real purpose was to show guests the importance of sound effects. Almost two thirds of the show were in complete darkness, with only sounds telling the stories plot.

Who Wants To Be A Millionaire - Play It! Located on Mickey Avenue (Now Pixar Place), Who Wants To Be A Millionaire - Play It! opened April 7, 2001 and closed August 19, 2006. The attraction was a version of the popular TV show Who Wants To Be A Millionaire, that allowed guests to compete for various prizes. If a guest answered the million dollar question correctly, they would win a trip on The Disney Cruise Line. The attraction was replaced by Toy Story Mania.

The Spirit of Pocahontas- Located in the Backlot Theater (Now the Premiere Theater), The Spirit of Pocahontas opened June 23, 1995 and closed February 24, 1996. The Spirit of Pocahontas was a live stage show that retold the story of Disney's Pocahontas. Popular characters from the movie, Meeko and Flit did not appear in the show. The Spirit of Pocahontas was replaced by another live stage show, The Hunchback of Notre Dame.

The Hunchback of Notre Dame-Located in the Backlot Theater (Now the Premiere Theater), The Hunchback of Notre Dame opened June 21, 1996 and closed September 28, 2002. Like the Spirit of Pocahontas before it, The Hunchback of Notre Dame was a live, musical show. The show was a retelling of the 1996 Disney Movie The Hunchback of Notre Dame.

Here Come the Muppets-Loacted in the Animation Courtyard Theater, Here Come the Muppets opened May 25, 1990 and closed Septermber 2, 1991. The show was a live stage show feautring full sized characters from the Muppets. The show was always thought to be temporary, as Muppet Vision 3D was set to open soon, in a new area called Muppet Studios. With the addition of Muppet Studios it would have made no sense to keep a Muppet attraction in the Anmiation Courtyard. Although Muppet Studios was never creates, Here Come the Muppets did close in 1991 and was replaced by the Voyage of The Little Mermaid.

Bear and The Big Blue House- Live on Stage!-Located in the Soundstage Theater, Bear and The Big Blue House: Live on Stage! opened on June 7, 1999 and closed August 4, 2001. The attraction was an interactive show featuring characters from the television show Bear and the Big Blue House. The show was replaced by Playhouse Disney- Live on Stage! in 2001.

Playhouse Disney- Live On Stage! Located in the Sounstage Theater, Playouse Disney- Live on Stage opened October 1, 2001 and was renamed Disney Junior- Live On Stage! in March of 2011. The orginal show featured characters from the Disney programs, Bear and the Big Blue House, Rolie Polie Olie, Stanley, and the Book of Pooh. Over time the charaters would changed to include characters from Jo Jo's Circus, The Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, My Friends Tigger and Pooh, Handy Mandy, and the Little Einsteins.