Disney MGM Studios name change to Disney Hollywood Studios!

It has been long rumored that Disney was going to change the name of Disney MGM Studios.  No longer a rumor, but fact, Disney announced the name change today.  The rumors that the new name would contain the word Pixar, or the initials ABC, in it, have been proven to be wrong.

The new name for the Studios will be Disney Hollywood Studios, and the idea behind the name is that today’s Disney Hollywood Studios represents what is offered in today’s genre.  It isn’t just the movies, but television, music, theatre, and movies.  It is all about entertainment!  Certainly, the updated name is a better representation of what is offered now at the Studios, and what is possible for the future.  The new name will be official in January 2008.

Disney’s MGM Studios opened up on May 1, 1989.  The theming of this park was drawn from the Golden Age of Hollywood.  This time frame, the Golden Age of Hollywood, spanned from the 1920’s to the 1940’s.   Disney did have a licensing agreement with MGM.  This agreement was formed in 1985.  During the early 1990’s MGM and Disney had a few differences of opinion, and that is when the feel of the Studios started to change.

Along with the name change will come changes within the theme park attractions.  Here is what Disney announced for soon to be changes.

• Toy Story Mania! Guests get sporty in a new, interactive “Toy Story” competition inspired by Disney-Pixar’s “Toy Story” films and hosted by characters like they’ve never before experienced. Past a queuing area featuring a giant Mr. Potato Head, guests grab 3-D glasses, board fanciful ride vehicles and zip into a world of exciting midway-style games hosted by many of their favorite “Toy Story” characters including Woody, Hamm and Rex. Once inside “Andy’s Toy Box,” the competition heats up. Who can rack up the most points? Using spring-action shooters, guests launch darts at balloons, rings at aliens, eggs at whimsical barnyard targets. Toy Story Mania! takes the interactive ride-game experience to infinity — and beyond. (summer 2008)

• “Block Party Bash.” Play, party and dance as the Disney-Pixar Film Pals present “Block Party Bash,” the wildest, most interactive parade in Disney history. New to Disney’s Hollywood Studios, “Block Party Bash” will invite guests to rock to retro tunes, be dazzled by high-flying acrobatics and join in the fun as more than 20 partying Disney-Pixar Film Pals fill the theme park streets. This immersive rolling spectacle will feature favorite characters from “The Incredibles,” “Toy Story 2,” “Monsters, Inc.” and “A Bug’s Life.” (spring 2008, replaces “Disney Stars and Motor Cars” parade)

• “Playhouse Disney-Live on Stage!” A whole new cast of friends from Playhouse Disney fills the popular Playhouse Disney stage. Children will be on their feet singing, clapping and dancing to performing stars from “Mickey Mouse Clubhouse,” “Little Einsteins,” “Handy Manny” and more. (”Playhouse Disney-Live on Stage!” will be dark most of January 2008, reopens February 2008)

• “Disney High School Musical 2: School’s Out!” With new songs and a rollicking new spirit, the Disney Channel Original Movie “High School Musical 2″ comes to life on the streets of Disney’s Hollywood Studios. It is interactive fun as high-energy performers on a traveling stage invite all ages to catch Wildcat fever by singing and dancing. (fall 2007, replaces “High School Musical Pep Rally”)

• Meet and Greet Adds Handy Manny. And what would a Disney theme park be without characters? Disney’s Hollywood Studios is center stage for character meet and greets. Disney Channel stars JoJo and Goliath and the Little Einsteins welcome guests in the Animation Courtyard next to “Playhouse Disney-Live on Stage!” and will be joined for the first time by Handy Manny later this year. (November 2007)

Ever changing, ever growing, that is what Disney is all about,  They continue to stretch their imaginations, and find new things to entertain their guests with. 

Creating magical memories, one vacation at a time!

Francine