Disney’s Hollywood Studios to debut in 2008.
Well the rumors were half right. Yes, the Disney-MGM Studios is going to receive a name change. But no, it will not be the Disney-Pixar Studios. According to a press release today, the park will soon be called Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Here’s what Meg Crofton, president of Walt Disney World, had to say about the reasons behind the change…
“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,” she said.
The release continues on…
Framed by the park’s supporting cast of classic Hollywood architecture are shows and attractions straight from contemporary Hollywood, such as Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith, “Lights, Motors, Action! Extreme Stunt Show” and many more. Disney’s Hollywood Studios is also the place to meet favorite character stars of today including Lightning McQueen and Mater from Disney-Pixar’s “Cars,” Power Rangers and Little Einsteins.
The release indicates the change will go into effect January 2008. It also confirms changes to the park such as the “Block Party Bash” replacing the current “Disney Stars and Motor Cars” parade and a new Playhouse Disney. It also lists “summer 2008” as the possible opening date for Toy Story Mania, which indicates it has been slightly delayed.
So what do you think of the change? Personally, I think it’s pretty good. It does the job of encompassing most of the park and redefining the objective into something that finally makes sense with what is currently there. It makes much more sense then the rumored Disney-Pixar Studios name which seemed to do nothing more than aggravate the purists.
So now the argument that any new attractions going into the Studios do not fit the theme is pretty much ended. With this new name, virtually anything fits.
Mike said,
August 10, 2007 @ 12:42 am
I like it better than Disney Pixar, but whats Matt gonna do about mgmstudios.org? Thats the biggest issue as far as I’m concerned.
Eric said,
August 10, 2007 @ 1:01 am
Matt is in WDW this week. Hope he gets his domain quick! hollywoodstudios.org is already taken, it appears.
I like the new name. Simple. Effective. It sure rolls off the tongue better than Disney-MGM Studios, IMO.
Raidermatt said,
August 10, 2007 @ 2:05 am
Kind of a non-event as far as I’m concerned. Like David said, the default theme is now basically anything entertainment related, so this is just a change in name-only. Sort of like if they changed Tomorrowland’s name to SciFiCharacterland.
Personally I prefer the classic Hollywood theme. More fantastical. But that monorail left the station long ago.
One thing though… If the theme is the “new entertainment that today’s Hollywood has to offer”, doesn’t that mean they will have to do a lot of frequent updates? Just like they would have had to do with Tomorrowland and Future World if they hadn’t abandoned those themes? If there’s anything that moves faster than the future these days, its what’s hot in Hollywood.
I know, many of the Studios’ offerings are more transitory in nature and won’t be as expensive to update at full blown pavilions would be, but still, its an interesting question. The name would seem to put some real pressure on updating/replacing things like Indy, Star Tours, Muppets and The Great Movie Ride.
As an aside, I’ve heard it said that the Great Movie Ride is not long for this world, and that the only real hold-up is getting a budget approved for a replacement attraction.
Matt said,
August 10, 2007 @ 3:58 am
Thanks for the concern folks. The domain names were taken a long time ago by spammers, it appears. Oh well.
Jason said,
August 10, 2007 @ 7:41 am
My question is, how will this affect the Great Movie Ride, if at all? That ride is chock full of MGM properties…will these just be replaced, or do you think something new will be planned for the spot or what?
Personally, I’d like to see a refurb of the ride that puts the focus solely on Disney movies, live action and animated, as well as Lucas films of course. I’ve felt that this ride really missed its mark; while impressive in nostalgia sense and stuff, it comes off to me a bit stale in some parts. Every time I have been on the ride (which is 4 but spaced between 3 years), the host/hostess seems not up to par with their duties. Yes they gave good info, but they needed to work on their role believability with the gangster scene. The actual gangsters were just as bad too.
I think this ride could use a redo that makes it somehow more interesting rather than just a moving wax museum. Update please!
David said,
August 10, 2007 @ 4:36 pm
I don’t want to pat myself on the back, but I came pretty close to calling this name a few month’s ago. Check out the comments section of this February post…
http://www.mouseextra.com/2007/02/27/294/
All I wanted was to have the Studios part removed.
Mike said,
August 11, 2007 @ 2:08 am
Its OK Matt. mgmstudios.org shall live forever
Raidermatt said,
August 13, 2007 @ 9:05 am
Well David, if you’re the sort to believe in Jim Hill, you might eventually be right. He’s now reporting that it will be Disney’s Hollywood in 3-5 years….
David said,
August 13, 2007 @ 2:59 pm
Raider, just the fact that I MAY be right is enough to make me smile!! It’s all about the ego…let’s be honest! LOL!!
Jason said,
August 14, 2007 @ 6:39 am
I would be a kicker though David if they decided in the end to change it to Disney’s Hollywoodland lol