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R.I.P. MGM

October 25, 2007

Our Editor in Chief returns to the articles page with a look back at the history and a look ahead at the future of the Disney MGM Studios. For those of you not aware, the park will be changing it’s name to Disney’s Hollywood Studios in January 2008.

By: Carmine Torchetti

 

        As we approach the later part of 2007, and begin to look at the many changes that await Walt Disney World once 2008 commences, one change right off the bat is of course the name change at Disney world’s smallest theme park, the Disney MGM Studios.  As we all know, it will be come Disney’s Hollywood Studios.  With this name change also come other changes to the park.  Among these include the long awaited new entertainment offering at the ABC Theater.  Being used as a character meet and greet spot for most of the last decade, the theater will be hosting the all new yet to be announced show.  Also coming to the park is the Block Party Bash Parade, replacing the not so loved Stars and Motor Cars Parade. Of course, we can not forget the most anticipated future attraction. I am of course talking about Toy Story Mania on what will be known as Pixar Place.  Along with these additions, some of the current attractions are expected to be going under some sort of refurbishment.  Among these include Great Movie Ride and Star Tours, however neither refurbishment has not been 100% confirmed in terms of times and to what extent the ride will be changed.                     

        With all of that out of the way, I think it is time to look back at the park while it was under the MGM moniker.  We have seen some of the most entertaining attractions that Disney has to offer, come out of this theme park since it opened on May 1st, 1989.  Some attractions that have called MGM home, but have now passed on to the afterlife of the Disney Universe include “Superstar Television”, which occupied the ABC Theater, an attraction that gave guests the opportunity to have interactive experiences with television monitors and camera effects that portrayed a guest in a famous scene of movie history opposite a famous actor.  “The Monster Sound Show” allowed guests to invoke sound effects to a short movie scene with Martin Short and Chevy Chase.  This attraction occupied the theater that currently houses “Sounds Dangerous.”  Who can forget “Who wants to be a millionaire, play it!”  This very popular attraction was on the former Mickey Avenue and allowed guests to play the famous TV game and a few lucky guests were picked to be in the “hot seat”, and given a chance to play for Disney prizes.  Some of the other classic attractions that still live in the park include “Star Tours”, the “Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular”, the “Honey, I Shrunk the Kids!” play ground, and “Voyage of the Little Mermaid”.  Among the original attractions that have been at the park since day one, include the Backlot Tour and the main attraction of the park the Great Movie Ride.

        Interestingly enough, the Disney MGM Studios would not even have existed if it wasn’t for the Great Movie Ride.  When the ride was first thought of by Disney Imagineers, it was planned to be put in Epcot, in between the Land Pavilion and the Imagination Pavilion.  When Michael Eisner was made the CEO of the Disney Company, he insisted that the attraction should be placed in a park already created, but in an entirely new park, based on that same theme, show buisness.  It will be interesting to see what happens to this attraction in particular, since Disney will not be using the MGM name anymore, and the ride is mostly based on MGM movies.  Of course, we can not talk about MGM and not mention, arguably the greatest show on Disney property, Fantasmic. 

         So with a combination of the classic and original rides that are in the park and the new additions and improvements to be made to it, I am confident that Disney’s Hollywood Studios will remain the same if not be an improvement over the Disney MGM Studios in terms of magic and pure Disney entertainment.  MGM, you gave us the combination of movie and Disney magic, and even though your name change is being met with negative response, I hold serve doubt that your attractions, entertainment, and unique charm will.

Topics: Disney's Hollywood Studios |

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