The Birth of Disney-MGM Studios
Disney’s Hollywood Studios, before the construction even began, the concept for it almost didn’t happen. During the 1980s, Disney was thinking of ways to expand EPCOT. The idea was a new area dedicated to filmmaking, but as the Disney Imagineers worked on this idea, it outgrew its original plans for a ride. So, why not an entire park dedicated to the magic of the big screen.
It was during this time, Universal Studios was planning its own theme park in Orlando, bringing their Hollywood studio tour concept to Florida. Disney, saw the potential competition, and fast tracked its own movie studio themed park. This gave birth to Disney-MGM Studios, the name was down to the agreement with MGM Studios, which allowed Disney rights to use classic movie clips and branding. In 1986 construction work officially began, and the park opened its gates May 1st 1989.
The Early Years: A Working Studio
Not just a theme park and unlike Magic Kingdom and EPCOT, Disney-MGM Studios wasn’t just about the attractions, this was a real working studio. Disney-MGM Studios was always planned to house live film and television production and animation studios, and even post-production facilities. In the early days, this allowed shows like The New Mickey Mouse Club (you know the one that gave us Britney Spears, Justin Timberlake, and Ryan Gosling) to be filmed here, and guests even got behind the scenes looks at these to see the magic in action.
Not with some issues early on, the park when it opened only had two attractions, which caused some issues with guests feeling the park didn’t offer enough. While the park was also drawing large crowds.
Despite these issues, the park’s unique focus on Hollywood’s golden age and movie making magic made it a hit. Over the years, the studio production aspect faded, and the park evolved into what we know today: Disney’s Hollywood Studios, an immersive, blockbuster driven theme park.
The Golden Era of Attractions
For those who visited in the early ‘90s, Disney-MGM Studios felt completely different from today’s Hollywood Studios. The focus of the park then, wasn’t about entering immersive movie worlds, but more about experiencing how movies were made.
The Great Movie Ride (1989 – 2017)
The park’s flagship attraction, The Great Movie Ride, was a journey through some of cinema’s most iconic scenes. Which took guests through elaborate sets which were full of animatronics, it featured classics and iconic movies like The Wizard of Oz, Casablanca, Singin’ in the Rain, and Indiana Jones. But what made it stand apart from other attractions was the live cast members who acted as a guide as you got caught up in a dramatic storyline. Offering two variations either a gangster shootout or a Western standoff.
And, of course, the Xenomorph from Alien gave me my first proper scare long before I had ever seen the actual movie. It was a ride that felt different every time, making it a standout experience that many still miss today.
The highlight for me was The Indiana Jones scene, complete with golden idol, snakes and booby traps. The whole ride was an ambitious love letter to Hollywood, which made it sting even more when it closed in 2017 to make way for Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway. A fun ride, sure, but it lacks the same nostalgic weight.
The Backlot Tour (1989 – 2014)
The second opening day attraction, when in its prime, the Studio Backlot Tour was the heart of Disney-MGM Studios, giving guests a look at real production sets, prop warehouses, and stunt demonstrations. Catastrophe Canyon, was the special effects extravaganza where an oil tanker “exploded” in flames before being drenched by a flood of water.
As a kid, I didn’t fully grasp the point of the tour. I thought Catastrophe Canyon was the ride, and everything before it was just filler! But as I grew older, I came to appreciate the tour for its showcase of actual props from famous films, like the Golden Girls house and vehicles from Who Framed Roger Rabbit?
Unfortunately, as Disney shifted away from real filmmaking in the park, the tour was slowly reduced in size until it eventually closed in 2014.
The Golden Age of Live Shows and Attractions
In the ‘90s and early 2000s Disney-MGM Studios hit new highs, with its offerings, from thrilling rides like Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster and Twilight Tower of Terror to high production stage shows and experiences.
The Honey, I Shrunk the Kids Movie Set Adventure (1990-2016):
I can still picture my sister and I running around this giant playground, crawling through blades of grass taller than us, sliding down a massive film canister, and dodging huge ants. We could’ve spent hours there without a care in the world. Now, as a parent, I can’t help but appreciate it even more. It was the perfect place for kids to burn off all that endless energy, while parents could finally catch a breather.
The Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular! (1989-Present):
Every time that boulder came rolling towards the stage, I would get chills. This stunt show brought Raiders of the Lost Ark to life in a way that felt like we were part of the action. I always left the show feeling like I’d just been on an adventure, and it’s still a thrill to watch. It’s one of the few original attractions that’s stuck around, proving that Indy’s timeless appeal never fades.
The Spirit of Pocahontas (1995-1996):
I remember when this show premiered, it offered the story brought to life, with is set design of beautiful landscapes. With stunning choreography, vibrant costumes, and original music, the show was a treat of rich colours and sounds from the beloved Disney animated film. In 1996 it was relocated to Disney’s Animal Kingdom and made way for a new show.
The Hunchback of Notre Dame: A Musical Adventure (1996-2002):
I’ll never forget the first time I saw The Hunchback of Notre Dame: A Musical Adventure. It was masterful, and the combination of powerful music and elaborate puppetry brought the characters to life in a way I hadn’t expected. It’s one of those moments that stayed with me long after the curtain fell. And lives on as my favourite live action show from Hollywood Studios.
Lights, Motors, Action! Extreme Stunt Show (2005-2016):
This show had everything an action fan like me wanted to see. This stunt show was originally from Disneyland Paris, it felt like stepping into an adrenaline-packed movie set. High speed car chases, big jumps, and even bigger crashes. It was impossible not to get caught up in the action, feeling like you were part of something explosive.
WWE & Hulk Hogan:
I never imagined I’d see Hulk Hogan live at Disney-MGM Studios, but there I was, watching one of the biggest legends in wrestling in person. As a kid obsessed with pro wrestling, it felt surreal. Disney wasn’t just about Mickey, it was the perfect spot for a few surprising moments, and Hogan definitely made his mark.
A Shift in Focus
As time passed, Hollywood Studios saw fewer productions being filmed in the park. The Disney animation studio shut down, the backlot tour had more cuts as expansions took over the space, and in all the theme of a working studio faded to black.
In 2008, the park officially was renamed Disney’s Hollywood Studios, this signalled the shift towards Disney’s new vision of storytelling, more focused on fully immersive worlds rather than behind the scenes tours.
The Modern Era: Immersion Over Nostalgia
Today, Hollywood Studios is almost unrecognisable from its early days. Instead of looking back at movie history, it now transports you inside the films themselves.
- Toy Story Land (2018): With its bright, colourful, nostalgia rich feel. This land captures the feeling of being a toy in Andy’s backyard. That said, Slinky Dog Dash’s queue is one of the hottest in any Disney park, seriously, it feels like standing on the surface of the sun (which would feel more at place in Galaxy’s Edge).
- Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge (2019): I’ll be honest here, at first, I was underwhelmed. I wanted to walk into Mos Eisley, Endor or even Hoth (which would have been wonderful on a hot summer day) but instead, we got Batuu, a completely new location. But once I let go of my expectations, I started to appreciate the details. The droid tracks in the ground, the sound of TIE Fighters overhead, and Rise of the Resistance being one of the most ambitious rides ever built, I changed my mind (yeah, okay, Disney knew what they were doing).
- Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway (2020): This is a fun, charming, and a great use of modern technology ride, but does it replace The Great Movie Ride in my heart? Not even close.
- The Reimagining of Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster (2025): We are saying goodbye to the Aerosmith theming (which, let’s be real, was a bit dated) in favour of something new. I’ll miss Sweet Emotion blasting as I launch from 0 to 57 mph, though.
- Disney Villains: Unfairly Ever After (2025): Finally the misunderstood characters from Disney classics get to step into the spotlight. This is going to be a live stage show opening in 2025, if they are handing out candy apples at the door I might stay clear.
- Monster Inc (Coming in the future). Get ready to step through the closet door into the bustling city of Monstropolis at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. This upcoming land promises to immerse guests in the world of Mike and Sulley, complete with a state of the art suspended rollercoaster that takes you zooming through the iconic door vault. Construction is set to begin in 2025, with the land replacing the current Muppets Courtyard area, including MuppetVision 3D and nearby dining locations.
Is the New Hollywood Studios Better
It’s hard to say. The original park had a unique identity that can’t be found at any other theme park in Florida, it was about the process and stories of moviemaking, rather than just the movies themselves. Attractions like The Great Movie Ride and the Backlot Tour gave us a look at Hollywood and where it had been, making it feel different from other parks..
But times change and we with it. Today we want to step into the movies, not just learn about how they’re made. That’s why we have fully immersive lands instead of soundstages and backlot tours. Is it the Hollywood Studios I grew up with? No. But do I love being able to pilot the Millennium Falcon, shrink down to the size of a toy, and experience some of the most advanced rides Disney has ever created? Absolutely.
So maybe it’s not about whether the park is better now, it’s just different. And like any good Hollywood story, it’s all about the sequel. But with the continued expansion of Disney Parks, you never know if Hollywood Studios will get the prequel treatment one day.
What do you miss most about the old park? Let us know in the comments!
