Disney's Hollywood Studios Celebrates Its 25th Year

Happy 25th Anniversary, Hollywood Studios! Opened as Disney-MGM Studios on May 1, 1989, Hollywood Studios was the fifth theme park to be built by Disney Imagineers and the third to be constructed at the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida. Let's explore briefly the origin, purpose, and identity of this park.


Grauman's Chinese Theater Replica


When Michael Eisner, Frank Wells, and Jeffrey Katzenberg joined Disney in the mid-1980's, they began to work on a concept for a new pavilion at EPCOT that would showcase the entertainment industry. Inside the pavilion, a ride would take guests on a journey through the exciting worlds of radio, television, and film. As the size and scope of this attraction expanded rapidly, the idea of opening a "third gate" entered the conversation and thus, Disney-MGM Studios was born. It's hard to imagine now, but at the time, Disney did not possess enough film properties to lend credibility to this idea, so securing a partnership with MGM was vital to the success of the project. To help bolster the project, some of Disney's filmmaking work was relocated to the studio that adjoined the park, creating the availability to offer a comprehensive backstage tour in a working studio.


The Earffel Tower On the Back Lot Tour


Disney-MGM Studios was constructed as a tribute to the "Hollywood that never was and always will be", an idealized version of Hollywood in the 1930's and 40's that is quite different from the reality of the fabled city during that or any other time period. At its inception, Hollywood Studios was about exposing the magic of "behind the scenes" experiences. The original roster of attractions included The Great Movie Ride, Studio Backlot Tour, Magic of Disney Animation, Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular, Behind the Scenes Special Effects, Superstar Television, and Monster Sound Show.


Carthay Circle Shops


In recent years, Hollywood Studios has become a hodge podge of purchased properties and no longer has a cohesive theme. Since the park opened its gates, Star Wars, Pixar, the Muppets, and other acquisitions have combined to muddle the park's theme. These changes coupled with the decision to obscure Grauman's Chinese Theater, which originally served as the park icon, by placing a 122' tall, 156-ton sorcerer's hat in the center of the park, have created an identity crisis for the park.


The Modern Park Icon


The only thing constant is change. The rumor mill continues to circulate the idea that change may be on the horizon yet again. What will the next step be? Star Wars Land? Cars Land? Re-theme the entire park?

What change would you most like to see at Hollywood Studios? Leave us a comment and share your thoughts!

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A big thanks goes out to Guest Author Holly L. for sharing a little bit of her time in Walt Disney World with us. If you'd like to read more about Holly's trip, you can find her sharing her adventures on our member forum.