Could 1, 1989 … It was 34 years in the past that the Disney-MGM Studio theme park first opened its door. So many nice sights have come & gone over the previous three a long time that we thought that it could be enjoyable to look again at just a few of our favorites.
“The Nice Film Experience”
First up, it’s the Nice Film Experience. This was the thesis attraction for this complete park (very similar to Spaceship Earth is for Epcot), a celebration of all issues cinema. The outside of this 95,000 sq. foot present constructing was a trustworthy recreation of Hollywood’s iconic Chinese language Theater. When you climbed aboard your theater automotive, you had been actually whisked over the rainbow to the Land of Oz (Be careful for the Depraved Witch of the West. Which was essentially the most subtle Audio-Animatronic determine that WDI had ever produced. Circa 1989, I imply).
Do you know? … That the Nice Film Experience was initially presupposed to have featured a scene constructed round “Ghostbusters” ? Sadly, Common snagged the theme park rights forward of Disney for that 1984 Columbia Footage. But when the Imagineers had had their method, you’d have come face-to-face with the Keep Puft Marshmallow Man as Peter, Ray, Ego & Winston wielded their proton packs. Ah, what may need been …
“Monster Sound Present”
What number of of you recall the Monster Sound Present sponsored by Sony?
This Visitor participation present (4 members of the viewers had been recruited to recreate the assorted sound results that had been prominently that includes in a brief movie starring Chevy Chase & Martin Quick) truly served a twin function. It was a method for Disney to showcase among the superb units that its FX wizards had constructed over the previous 60 years to then create these loopy sound results featured in its full-length movies & animated shorts. It additionally gave Disney-MGM not less than one attraction that paid tribute (form of) to horror movies.
Sadly, “The Monster Sound Present” solely ran at Disney-MGM from Could of 1989 by July of 1997. After that, this attraction was rebranded because the “ABC Sound Present” (Which then tied this theme park present in with Disney’s August 1995 acquisition of ABC / Cap Cities).
“Studio Backlot Tour”
We proceed with the Studio Backlot Tour. Which took many alternative varieties in the course of the over-25-years that this expertise was obtainable to Company visiting the WDW Resort.
Early on, the Studio Backlot Tour had a reasonably inflexible kind. This almost two-hour-long expertise started with a tram experience by Residential Avenue (The place you might then see a recreation of the “Golden Ladies” home) after which an exhilarating detour by Disaster Canyon. Then Company took a strolling tour of the three state-of-the-art soundstages that Disney had simply inbuilt Florida.
When Company complained about how lengthy the unique model of the Studio Backlot Tour was, Disney then turned this attraction into two separate experiences: a backstage tram experience and THEN a strolling tour of its Florida soundstages. Each of those had been discontinued in September of 2014 to make method for “Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge.”
“The Magic of Disney Animation”
Our have a look at now-long-gone sights at Disney-MGM (Now Disney’s Hollywood Studios) now continues with one thing of a heart-breaker. Which was the “Magic of Disney Animation” attraction, which was dwelling to Disney Characteristic Animation – Florida from 1989 – 2003.
This was the place Company might go to the fish bowl (That’s what the entire artists & animators who truly work within the glassed-in portion of this walk-through attraction known as this a part of the tour) and peer down at work being performed on upcoming animated options & shorts. Among the many movies that had been primarily produced in Florida had been “Mulan,” “Lilo & Sew,” “Brother Bear” & “Curler Coaster Rabbit.”
Sadly, when Walt Disney Animation Studios determined within the early 2000s to shift over to producing CG movies (Disney’s final two hand-drawn movies – thus far, anyway – had been 2009’s “Princess & the Frog” and 2011’s “Winnie-the-Pooh”), the choice was made to shutter the Florida studio and lay off a lot of the employees who labored there. Many nonetheless think about this to be one of many stupidest selections ever made by Mouse Home executives.
“Tremendous Star Tv”
Let’s revisit SuperStar Tv. This sponsored-by-Sony present gave upwards of 30 guests to this theme park to make appearances in traditional TV reveals like “I Love Lucy,” “Bonaza” and “Gilligan’s Island.”
I actually acquired recruited to be a part of a presentation of SuperStar Tv. I used to be chosen to be hit within the face with a pie by Curly Howard in a scene starring the Three Stooges. As I recall, I used to be wearing a swallow-tailed tuxedo which Velcroed up the again. And the 2 strains that I needed to say had been “Dinner is served” (after which I acquired hit within the kisser with that pie) after which “Why you!” (After which I then tried to throw a pie at Moe however wound up hitting this excessive society girl as an alternative).
Sadly, “SuperStar Tv” was shut down in September of 1998 in order that this centrally find theater might then turn out to be a variety of completely different sights (amongst them “The American Idol Expertise”).
“Soundstage Restaurant”
One among my favourite locations to dine at this theme park again within the day was the Soundstage Restaurant. What number of of you bought to go to this fast service eatery proper after Disney-MGM first opened? Again then, you might dine in a full-sized recreation of the foyer of NYC’s Plaza Resort (This lavish set had initially been constructed for the 1988 Touchstone comedy, “Massive Enterprise.” And as soon as manufacturing of this Bette Midler / Lily Tomlin comedy was full, it was then shipped from California to Florida and put in simply off this theme park’s Animation Courtyard space).
And talking of animation … The eating room of the Soundstage Restaurant was redressed a variety of instances over the subsequent 9 years to have fun the latest launch from Walt Disney Animation Studios. Which meant – relying on which yr you visited this fast service eatery – you might have dined in Belle’s Village or the Cave of Wonders from “Aladdin.”
Thoughts you, your dad and mom could have a really completely different reminiscence of the Soundstage Restaurant. Largely as a result of – upstairs – was the Catwalk Bar. Which was a fast spot away from the noise & the warmth that served grownup drinks.
So let’s all increase a glass to the late, nice Soundstage Restaurant. Which closed in November of 1998 to make method for the “Bear within the Massive Blue Home: Dwell On Stage” present.
“Right here Come the Muppets” Stage Present
Our story begins in August of 1989 (simply three months after this theme park first opened) with the announcement that The Walt Disney Firm would buying The Jim Henson Firm for $150 million. With the concept right here being that the Muppets would then make their dwelling at Disney-MGM and replenish this place with all kinds of loopy, one-of-a-kind sights. Locations just like the Nice Gonzo’s Pandemonium Pizza Parlor and the Swedish Chef’s TV Cooking College.
Thoughts you, these elaborate sights (which had been then going to be situated inside Muppet Studios, a brand-new land at Disney-MGM) had been going to take just a few years to design & assemble. And – within the interim – Jim Henson personally labored with the Imagineers to shortly get a dwell stage present which featured the Muppets up out of the bottom as shortly as potential.
“Right here Come the Muppets” opened at Disney-MGM on Could 25, 1990. Which was simply 9 months after Disney’s deal to amass Henson had first been introduced. Sadly, simply 9 days previous to this present opening on the Studios, Jim Henson died of bacterial pneumonia. Which finally derail Disney’s first try to amass the Muppets.
What number of of you keep in mind “Right here Come the Muppets” ? Which featured Physician Tooth & the Electrical Mayhem making their entrance on this present through a monorail that they first hijacked & then drove straight to the wall of that theater.
“Sorcery within the Sky” Fireworks Present
Let’s now talk about this theme park’s first nighttime present. Which was “Sorcery within the Sky.”
Don Dorsey – the proficient gentleman who created “Laserphonic Fantasy” & then “IllumiNations” for EPCOT – actually had his work minimize for him when he was first handed the “Sorcery within the Sky” mission. You must do not forget that – again then – Disney-MGM was an lively movie & tv manufacturing middle in addition to a working theme park. Which is a well mannered method of claiming that – when the Imagineers first designed Disney-MGM – they weren’t truly planning on presenting a nightly fireworks show on the place.
So working with a good schedule (WDW officers needed “Sorcery within the Sky” up & working 13 months after Disney-MGM first opened) and a fair tighter finances, Don did what he might. Which was craft a present that was sort of a camel. Half a celebration of traditional Hollywood (that includes the music of memorable movement photos like “The Wizard of Oz,” “Singin’ within the Rain” and “Shut Encounters of the Third Sort”) and the opposite half to Disney’s 1940 launch, “Fantasia.”
It’s the conclusion of “Sorcery within the Sky” that most individuals keep in mind even right now. That’s when – as an excerpt from Paul Dukas’ “The Sorcerer’s Apprentice” performed – a 50-foot-tall inflatable model of Mickey Mouse slowly rose up on the rooftop of the Chinese language Theater. And as “Sorcery within the Sky” reached its climax, sparks then shot out Mickey’s finger tip (which was identified in direction of Disney-MGM’s parking zone. As if this large Mouse was saying “That’s the place your automotive is. Now please get out.”)
“Sorcery within the Sky” (which was initially narrated by display legend Vincent Worth) ran at this theme park from Could of 1998 – October of 1998. This nighttime fireworks show was discontinued when the Florida model of “Fantasmic!” debut within the Fall of that very same yr.
Dick Tracy within the “Dimond Double-Cross” Stage Present
Let’s check out a chunk of cross promotion at this theme park that then resulted in an intriguing stage present.
Within the Spring of 1990, Walt Disney Studios was on the point of launch its reply to Tim Burton’s vastly profitable “Batman” film. And that was a characteristic movie primarily based on one other comedian e book character, Dick Tracy. And for the reason that Studios needed the corporate’s theme parks to assist promote this Warren Beatty, they had been then tasked with creating some form of Dick Tracy-themed stage present.
So director Robert Jess Roth & choreographer Matt West put their heads collectively and crafted a 28-minute-long musical comedy (which then used just a few of the songs that legendary Broadway composer Stephen Sondheim had written for the “Dick Tracy” movie) known as “Diamond Double-Cross.”
Warren Beatty’s “Dick Tracy” film shortly sank on the field workplace. However “Diamond Double-Cross” was vastly in style with theme park friends and ran for 9 months at Disney-MGM’s previous Theater of the Stars (Again when this Hollywood Bowl-inspired construction was nonetheless situated subsequent to that theme park’s Brown Derby Restaurant).
In actual fact, then-Disney president Michael Eisner was so impressed with what Roth & West had performed when it got here to translating “Dick Tracy” right into a theme park present that – when the Firm determined in 1993 that it was going to show Disney’s animated hit, “Magnificence & the Beast” right into a Broadway musical – who did Michael recruit for this job? Robert & Matt.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles seem on the Streets of America
As we proceed our look again at long-gone rides, reveals & sights at Disney-MGM (Now Disney’s Hollywood Studios), let’s try the Streets of America.
When this theme park first opened in Could of 1989, the one method you might see this a part of Disney-MGM (which – again then – was often known as New York Avenue) was when you climbed aboard a tram and took the Backstage Studio Tour. By December of that very same yr, the Imagineers had realized that they wanted to offer guests to WDW’s third theme park heaps extra elbow room. Which is after they determined to open New York Avenue (now often known as the Streets of America) to foot visitors.
In fact, the issue with opening up all of this area on the very again of Disney-MGM was … Nicely, you now wanted to offer these Company who truly hiked again there one thing to see & do apart from poke round al these empty NYC-themed storefronts.
Fortunately, in March of 1990, the very first “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” was launched to theaters. And this New Line Cinema film did so effectively on the field workplace (It was the fourth highest grossing movie of that yr, simply behind “Ghost,” “Fairly Lady” & “Dwelling Alone”) that Disney moved shortly to amass the theme park rights to those vastly in style characters.
Which is why – simply three months after TMNT initially debuted at your native multiplex — Leonardo, Donatello, Michelangelo, and Raphael (together with April O’Neil) had been making a number of appearances day by day out on New York Avenue. What number of of you keep in mind how these characters used to first roll onstage aboard the Turtle Social gathering Wagon, then do a quick martial arts demonstration whereas April sang the “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” theme music? This all-too-brief present (we’re speaking 4 minutes, tops) ended with Company then getting the prospect to get their image taken with their favourite turtle.
Sadly, these “Heroes on a Half Shell” didn’t grasp on all that lengthy at Disney-MGM. By 1994, the Teenage Mutant Turtles had been not doing meet-n-greets on the Streets of America. However a special character from New Line Cinema (one which Disney additionally licensed the theme park rights to) would quickly start greeting theme park friends. We’ll get to him in a future installment of this collection.
“Muppets on Location: Day of Swine and Rose” Stage Present
As we press forward with our have a look at now-extinct rides, reveals & sights at Disney-MGM (Now Disney’s Hollywood Studios), it’s now time to speak about “Muppets on Location: Days of Swine and Roses.”
This out of doors presentation – which was offered as usually as 5 instances day by day on the very again of Muppet Studios – was form of a sequel to “Right here Come the Muppets,” an indoor stage present we’ve beforehand mentioned on this collection.
And “Muppets on Location” … Nicely, its objective was to resolve Company’ No. 1 criticism about Disney-MGM’s “Right here Come the Muppets” present. Which was “I wish to get my image taken with and/or accumulate the autograph of my favourite Muppet. How precisely do I try this?”
WDW’s Leisure workforce got here up with sort of an ingenious resolution to this downside. They created this second in the course of this out of doors stage present the place – as Physician Tooth & the Electrical Mayhem performed an prolonged musical quantity – Kermit the Frog, Fozzie Bear, Miss Piggy, the Nice Gonzo and Beanie would then transfer to pre-designated meet-n-greet spots on the fringe of the “Muppets on Location” efficiency space after which work together with as many Company as they presumably might in that quick window of time.
It wasn’t an ideal system. Usually Disney-MGM guests would queue as much as get their image taken with their favourite Muppet character, solely to then have Kermit & Co. all of a sudden rush again to the stage in order that they might then participate on this present’s finale. One other facet of “Muppets on Location” is that … Nicely, the Muppet walk-around characters at Disney-MGM wouldn’t signal Company’ autograph books. They’d as an alternative stamp them with a large rubber stamp which then approximated what that Muppet character’s signature was presupposed to appear like.
“Muppets on Location: Days of Swine and Roses” didn’t run all that lengthy. By 1994, Miss Piggy & buddies had packed up and vacated this nook of Disney-MGM. Which – some 15 years later – then grew to become dwelling to a Phineas & Ferb-themed meet-n-greet.
One particularly unhappy story related to “Muppets on Location: Days of Swine & Roses” : This was the Disney-MGM present that Jim Henson was presupposed to be recording dialogue for on Could 16, 1990. Which was the day that this Disney Legend succumbed to bacterial pneumonia.
“Dinosaur Dwell!”
Let’s now try a parade that was developed for this theme park which was initially presupposed to have fun the Muppets.
“The Magnificent Muppet All-Star Motorcade” was initially presupposed to have begun rolling down Hollywood Boulevard the exact same summer time that “Jim Henson’s Muppet Imaginative and prescient 3D” opened at Disney-MGM. Sadly after Jim’s premature passing in Could of 1990, the Henson household determined that it not needed to promote the Muppets to Disney and broke off negotiations with the Mouse in December of that very same yr.
This made issues difficult for the oldsters who labored in Leisure at Walt Disney World, provided that that they had already begun building on the assorted parade floats that had been to be featured in “The Magnificent Muppet All-Star Motorcade.” And given the phrases of the settlement that Disney’s legal professionals had hashed out with Henson’s attorneys within the Spring of 1991 … Nicely, Miss Piggy & buddies now couldn’t seem on these already-largely-completed parade floats.
So what do you in a state of affairs like this? You improvise. In April of 1991, “Dinosaurs” debuted on ABC. This sitcom was produced by Michael Jacobs Productions & Jim Henson Tv in affiliation with Walt Disney Tv. Consequently, Disney’s authorized settlement with Henson which saved Kermit & Co. off of the floats that had been constructed for “The Magnificent Muppet All-Star Motorcade” didn’t apply on this state of affairs.
Which is why – from September of 1991 via August of 1992 – the Sinclair household made day by day appearances at Disney-MGM. Driving on parade floats that had beforehand been designed for the Nice Gonzo in addition to Physician Tooth & the Electrical Mayhem. Which then allowed WDW Leisure to jot down off the entire cash that they’d already spent on the design & improvement of “The Magnificent Muppet All-Star Motorcade.”
“Honey, I Shrunk the Children: Film Set Journey”
It’s time to take a look at a playground that was added to this theme park’s Avenue of America space on the heels of the June 1989 launch of “Honey, I Shrunk the Children.”
This Joe Johnston movie (which was launched to theaters simply 8 weeks after Disney-MGM first opened to the general public) was the shock hit of the Summer season of 1989. “Honey” truly wound up being the fifth highest grossing movie of that yr, simply behind “Batman,” “Indiana Jones and the Final Campaign,” “Deadly Weapon 2” and “Rain Man.”
Walt Disney Footage instantly introduced plans to supply a slew of sequels (They even went so far as to copyright a variety of potential titles for these movies within the late Summer season of 1989. These included “Honey, I Despatched the Children to the Moon,” “Honey, I Switched Brains with the Canine,” and “Honey, I Made the Children Invisible”). And on the theme park aspect of issues, the Imagineers rushed to get a “Honey” -themed playground within the works for Disney-MGM Studios.
Which wasn’t as straightforward as you would possibly assume. After, Florida is hurricane nation. So while you’re speaking about putting in 30-foot-tall blades of grasses, you then need to be sure that this buildings are then correctly anchored / can then stand as much as 300 MPH.
Then there’s the problem of constructing certain that when little youngsters come sliding down off of that enormous piece of movie that’s then protruding of that outsized Kodak cannister (And – simply in case you’re questioning – Kodak acquired that sort of outstanding product placement inside this playground as a result of they contributed to the price of constructing “Honey, I Shrunk the Children: Film Set Journey”) after which not hurting themselves after they hit the bottom.
“How’d the Imagineers handle that?,” you ask. Your complete floor of this 11,000 sq. foot playground was coated with a fabric known as Playdeck. Which was made up of ground-up truck tires.
Sadly, “Honey, I Shrunk the Children: Film Set Journey” closed in Could of 2016 to make room for an additional film set journey. Perhaps you’ve heard of it? “Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge” ?
“Voyage of the Little Mermaid” stage present
Let’s discuss a stage present at this theme park that had some shocking legs. And that’s “Voyage of the Little Mermaid.”
To elucidate: In present biz parlance, while you say {that a} present has legs … Nicely, that then means this present has settled in for a surprisingly future on the theater it’s being offered at. And that’s definitely what occurred with the “Voyage of the Little Mermaid” present at Disney-MGM. It opened within the Animation Courtyard Theater again on January 7, 1992. And to be trustworthy, if it hadn’t been for the pandemic (which pressured all of Walt Disney World to close down for nearly three months in early 2020), the “Voyage of the Little Mermaid” would in all probability be working at that theme park even right now.
Thoughts you, this 17-minute-long presentation was just about a Reader’s Digest model of this Academy Award-winning animated characteristic. However “Voyage of the Little Mermaid” packed an terrible lot of Nineties period FX & pizzaz in that very quick working time. There have been lasers (to simulate the waves within the ocean as we journeyed “Below the Sea”), black gentle puppets, and bubbles galore. And who can overlook that 12 foot-tall, 10 foot-wide Ursula puppet which sang “Poor Unlucky Soul” ?
What was actually intriguing in regards to the “Voyage of the Little Mermaid” stage present is … Nicely, WDW’s Leisure workforce intentionally designed this present to solely run for 18 months (On condition that the stage present which preceded “Mermaid” within the Animation Courtyard – “Right here Come the Muppets” – solely occupied this area for 16 months [May 1990 – September 1991], a year-and-a-half lengthy stint at Disney-MGM appeared real looking) as a result of the Imagineers had already begun designing a “Little Mermaid” darkish experience that was presupposed to put in over within the Magic Kingdom.
Which did finally occur. “Below the Sea – Journey of the Little Mermaid” would certainly open at that theme park as a part of the New Fantasyland mission. However that wouldn’t occur ‘til greater than 20 years after the “Voyage of the Little Mermaid” stage present first opened in 1992. And even after that “Below the Sea” darkish experience started entertaining guests to WDW’s Magic Kingdom, “Voyage of the Little Mermaid” saved being offered in DHS’s Animation Courtyard Theater.
Simply so you already know: There have been rumors {that a} brand-new manufacturing of “Voyage of the Little Mermaid” could quickly be mounted at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. In fact, that each one is dependent upon how effectively Disney’s new live-action model of “The Little Mermaid” – the one starring Halle Bailey & Melissa McCarthy – does on the field workplace when it’s launched to theaters later this month.
“Macy’s New York Christmas”
Let’s now have a look at maybe the seasonal present which had the shortest run at this WDW theme park. And that’s “Macy’s New York Christmas.”
This all keyed off of the Firm in search of methods to … Nicely, not solely to have fun Goofy’s 60th birthday but in addition increase consciousness for “Goof Troop” (i.e., that then-new animated collection which had simply joined the “Disney Afternoon” programming block in syndication on September 5th of that very same yr). Which is why Disney minimize a cope with the Macy’s Parade Studio to craft a 65-foot-tall inflatable model of this cartoon character which might be dressed as Santa Claus. Which might then make an look within the 66th annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Which might march by the streets of NYC & be televised nationally on November 26, 1992.
As a part of Disney’s cope with Macy’s, the Firm acquired the rights to (after the Thanksgiving Day Parade was over, after all) carry that Santa Goofy balloon right down to Florida. The place – together with 4 different balloons which had been featured in that yr’s parade (i.e., Kermit the Frog, Betty Boop, Snuggle the material softener Bear and Humpty Dumpty) – these inflatables would then tethered to the tops of buildings down in Disney-MGM’s backlot. Which Company might then view as they strolled by the Streets of America from December 5, 1992 – January 3, 1992.
And provided that I’ve been fortunate sufficient to befriend some of us who work in Macy’s Parade Studio, I can now inform you that this concept – retaining 5 of Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade balloons inflated for a full month (reasonably than for simply the few hours it sometimes takes to pre-inflate this stuff, then ship them aloft in time for his or her televised journey down Broadway, then get these ginormous balloons un-inflated & packed up for his or her journey again to Hoboken, NJ. Which is the place – till 2011 — the precise bodily Parade Studio was situated in an previous Tootsie Roll manufacturing unit) – completely terrified the oldsters who labored at Macy’s.
Why? As a result of these Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade balloons are reasonably fragile creatures. Extra to the purpose, helium – the gasoline that’s used to inflate this stuff – quickly expands when uncovered to warmth. So the concern right here was retaining these 5 balloons inflated for a full month within the Florida solar was going to finally depart this stuff in tatters.
Fortunately, Santa Goofy & his buddies got here by their 29-day-long stint at Disney-MGM unscathed. And whereas this was a one-and-done seasonal extravaganza so far as the Disney Parks was involved, Common simply liked this concept. Which is why – beginning in 2002 – the Macy’s Vacation Parade (later Common’s Vacation Parade that includes Macy’s) started seasonally rolling by Common Studios Florida.
“Aladdin’s Royal Caravan”
As we proceed our look again at rides, reveals & sights that we are able to not see at Disney-MGM (Now Disney’s Hollywood Studios), let’s check out “Aladdin’s Royal Caravan,” a vastly in style parade that debuted at this theme park again on December 21, 1992. Which was one month after the animated characteristic that impressed “Aladdin’s Royal Caravan” first debuted in theaters.
To be trustworthy, WDW Leisure had by no means ever performed this earlier than. Primarily based a parade for the Parks on a single movie. A lot much less a selected sequence from a Walt Disney Animation Studios manufacturing. However the “Prince Ali” quantity from this Ron Clements / John Musker film was such a excessive level from this soon-to-be Oscar-winning movie that it felt … Nicely, virtually like a no brainer to make use of this Howard Ashman & Alan Menken quantity because the jumping-off level for “Aladdin’s Royal Caravan.”
Thoughts you, as a result of Robin Williams’ Genie character seems in so many alternative disguises on this a part of the “Aladdin” film that WDW Leisure then felt free to have a number of variations of this character make appearances in “Royal Caravan.” First there was the Drum Main Genie who began off the parade, adopted by the 32-foot-tall inflatable model of this character. Instantly behind this super-sized Genie was a model of this character within the bathtub. Who was then adopted by a Genie who had been cut up into his higher & decrease half.
This five-unit parade – which featured these notorious golden camels (Be careful! They spit!) – could not have been the longest factor to roll by the streets of Disney’s Hollywood Studios. However WDW guests simply liked “Aladdin’s Royal Caravan.” A lot in order that this WDW Leisure-designed affair (which was solely presupposed to run for a yr) acquired its run at this theme park prolonged by August of 1995.
In actual fact, “Aladdin’s Royal Caravan” was so in style with of us who visited the Mouse’s theme parks in Florida that then-Disney CEO Michael Eisner determined that Disneyland wanted a clone of this parade. This second model of “Aladdin’s Royal Caravan” was then rushed into manufacturing and managed to debut in Anaheim by April 2, 1993.
“Ace Ventura: Pet Detective – Dwell in Motion”
“Ace Ventura: Pet Detective – Dwell in Motion” – sort of redefines “short-lived.”
For these of you who don’t keep in mind “Ace Ventura: Pet Detective,” this was a Jim Carrey comedy that was launched to theaters again in February of 1994. This Tom Shadyac film did effectively sufficient on the field workplace that Warner Bros. shortly greenlit a sequel, “Ace Ventura: Pet Detective – When Nature Calls.”
To assist promote this sequel (which arrived in theaters on November 5, 1995), Warner Bros. minimize a cope with Disney to have a dwell stunt present that includes the Ace Ventura character offered 5 instances day by day on Disney-MGM’s “Streets of America.” It was hoped that this stunt present would then assist increase consciousness of “When Nature Calls” and possibly persuade just a few guests to WDW’s third theme park to then go see this “Ace Ventura” sequel on the AMC Pleasure Island (i.e., that movie show which is now often known as the AMC Dine-In Disney Springs 24).
This “Dwell in Motion” stunt present primarily consisted of a Disney forged member dressed as Ace Ventura climbing up & down varied facades discovered on the “Streets of America.” Generally Ace would try to seize a large spider that had gotten free. Different instances this Pet Detective would enlist Company assist in discovering a uncommon albino bat (which youngsters would finally discover hanging from one among these buildings’ hearth escape. After shouting just a few of the catch-phrases for these Jim Carrey motion pictures (EX: “Do NOT go in there!), Ace would then pose for photos & signal some autographs.
Although “Ace Ventura: Pet Detective – When Nature Calls” did considerably higher on the field workplace than the primary “Ace Ventura” did (i.e., promoting $212 million value of tickets versus the $107 million bought for the primary movie), Carrey, Morgan Creek Productions & Warner Bros. opted to not make a 3rd “Ace Ventura” movie for theatrical launch.
And as for this stunt present, with the beginning of the New 12 months in 1996, Disney-MGM quietly pulled the plug on “Ace Ventura: Pet Detective – Dwell in Motion.” Right here’s hoping that WDW Leisure discovered some good houses for that enormous spider & albino bat.
“The Osborne Household Spectacle of Dancing Lights“
We now arrive on the seasonal attraction that almost all longtime WDW followers will cite because the factor they miss most of all, the Osborne Household Spectacle of Dancing Lights.
This vacation favourite … Nicely, it grew out of a request that Breezy Osborne made to her Dad again in 1986. She requested Jennings (a profitable Arkansas businessman) if they might please cowl their Little Rock dwelling with Christmas lights.
Daddy honored Breezy’s request. And with each passing yr, Jennings added much more Christmas lights. Till – by 1993 – the Osborne household dwelling was lit up by greater than 3 million bulbs. Which turned this annual vacation show into a real vacationer attraction in Little Rock. To not point out actually annoying Jenning’s neighbors.
As you would possibly anticipate, this matter finally wound up in court docket. When the Arkansas Supreme Court docket shut down this seasonal show in 1995, the Leisure workforce at Walt Disney World reached out to the Osborne household and supplied up Residential Avenue as a potential new dwelling for these 3 million+ bulbs.
Thoughts you, it took 4 full-sized Mayflower transferring vans to haul all these Christmas lights from Little Rock right down to Orlando. It then took Disney technicians two weeks to untangle these hundreds of strings of bulbs. However by November 22, 1995, Residential Avenue was all lit up. And WDW all of a sudden discovered itself with a brand new seasonal favourite.
Over time (and to raised deal with the crowds that got here out yearly to see this vacation show), the Osborne Household Spectacle of Dancing Lights finally moved from Residential Avenue over to the Streets of America. And that’s the place they stayed till WDW lastly determined to drag the plug on this Christmas custom on January 3, 2016 in order that DHS’ backlot space might then be torn down. Which might then enable building of the Florida model of “Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge” to get underway.
Simply so you already know: Occasionally, WDW officers revisit the concept of reviving the Osborne Household Spectacle of Dancing Lights. There’s even been discuss of constructing a complete fake neighborhood on property so that individuals might then drive by each vacation season and examine this Christmas show simply as Breezy & Jennings initially supposed. However thus far, The Walt Disney Firm has but to place that plan in movement.
“Toy Story Parade”
I’d prefer to now supply up a narrative about one among my private favourite, which was the Toy Story Parade.
I used to be residing down in Orlando when this parade initially debuted at WDW’s third theme park. Not solely that, however the day that the “Toy Story Parade” debuted at Disney-MGM (i.e., November 22, 1995) … Nicely, I began my morning over on the AMC Pleasure Island. The place I caught the very first screening of “Toy Story,” Pixar’s first full-length animated characteristic.
That screening started at 11 a.m. On condition that this John Lasseter movie was just one hour and 17 minutes lengthy, I used to be capable of stroll out of that screening of “Toy Story,” climb into my trusty Geo Metro after which drive over to Disney-MGM. The place I used to be then capable of acquire entrance to that theme park simply in time to catch the very first presentation of the “Toy Story Parade.” Which stepped off at 1 p.m. at Crossroads of the World after which rolled up Hollywood Boulevard.
On condition that Disney had by no means performed this earlier than (i.e., have a parade that keyed off of a selected movie debut at one of many Firm’s theme parks day & date with that exact same film’s arrival in theaters), I’ve to inform you that it was genuinely surreal to see the “Toy Story” characters
And I’ve to inform you it was genuinely surreal to see all of those Pixar character all of a sudden writ massive. The “Toy Story Parade” began off with the Inexperienced Military Males manning the marquee float. Subsequent got here Hamm & Mr. Potato on high of a pile of over-sized board video games. After that got here Buzz atop of his “Star Command” field surrounded by Little Inexperienced Aliens. Mentioning the rear was Woody & Rex. And inbetween these 4 floats had been walk-around variations of Bo Peep & Slinky Canine. To not point out a Barrel O’ Monkeys.
One particularly sturdy reminiscence of that day was the lady who was standing subsequent to me because the “Toy Story Parade” made its inaugural journey by Disney-MGM. And all she saved saying was “The place’s Mickey? I don’t know who any of those characters are.” And as quickly as all these floats & performers cleared Crossroads of the World, this lady marched straight into Visitor Relations after which complained loudly about how … Nicely, a parade at a Disney park ought to characteristic Disney characters. Not these bizarre Pixar characters from some film that nobody’s ever seen.
Thoughts you, everybody is aware of who Buzz & Woody at the moment are. And what with “Toy Story 5” already within the works … Who is aware of? Perhaps Disney’s Hollywood Studios will host an all-new “Toy Story Parade” within the not-too-distant future
“Backlot Theater”
As we proceed our look again at rides, reveals & sights that was once up & working at Disney-MGM (now Disney’s Hollywood Studios), what number of of you recall the Backlot Theater?
This immense efficiency venue (it had seating for 1500 Company) initially got here on-line on Could 23, 1993 (30 years in the past this week). The Backlot Theater was constructed as a substitute for the Theater of the Stars, that inspired-by-the-Hollywood-Bowl advanced that was once situated simply off of Hollywood Bowl at this theme park.
The 2 dwell stage reveals that almost all Company noticed within the Backlot Theater keyed off of two animated options that Disney launched within the mid-Nineties. First got here “The Spirit of Pocahontas,” a stage model of this Academy Award-winning movie. This 28-minute-long retelling of Disney’s “Pocahontas” film (which – FYI – started presenting performances at Disney-MGM on the very same day that the animated characteristic model of this movie first opened in theaters. Which was June 23, 1995) featured a 28-foot-tall model of Grandmother Willow. To not point out a forged of 30 singers & dancers.
“The Spirit of Pocahontas” had a comparatively quick run at WDW’s third theme park. This stage present closed on February 24, 1996 to make method for an much more elaborate manufacturing. Which was “Hunchback of Notre Dame: A Musical Journey.”
Similar to with “The Spirit of Pocahontas,” the “Hunchback of Notre Dame: A Musical Journey” was a stage model of Walt Disney Animation Studios’ most up-to-date (at the moment, anyway) theatrical launch. It opened on June 21, 1996 (once more the exact same day that the animated “Hunchback” opened in film theaters nationwide) after which settled in for a very good future. The final presentation of “Hunchback of Notre Dame: A Musical Journey” wouldn’t occur ‘til over 6 years later. On September 28, 2002 to be actual.
FYI: When you have recollections of sweating by performances of “The Spirit of Pocahontas” and/or “The Hunchback of Notre Dame: A Musical Journey,” there’s a purpose for that. The Backlot Theater was an open-air theater. The stage itself was undercover, which protected the actors from that changeable Central Florida climate. However not the viewers.
Thoughts you, as soon as the “Hunchback” stage present resulted in its run in 2002, the Imagineers reworked this Streets of America space efficiency venue into a completely enclosed theater with air-con. It might then be redubbed the Premier Theater and finally turn out to be dwelling to the primary iteration of the “For the First Time in Without end: Frozen Sing-along” present.
“Tremendous Cleaning soap Weekend”
Let’s check out one of many extra in style fan occasions to ever be offered at this theme park. And that’s Tremendous Cleaning soap Weekend.
This occasion truly dates again to August of 1995. Which is when The Walt Disney Firm introduced that it could be buying ABC / Cap Cities for $19 billion (That’s $37 billion in 2023 {dollars}).
Thoughts you, then-Disney CEO Michael Eisner truly began his profession on the Alphabet community. He shortly rose by the ranks. And – by 1971 – Michael was the vp of daytime programming at ABC. Which meant that Eisner helped get two of that tv community’s lengthy working cleaning soap operas – “One Life to Dwell” & “All My Youngsters” – up out of the bottom.
So is it any marvel that – after The Walt Disney Firm accomplished its acquisition of ABC / Cap Cities in February of 1996 — one of many very first issues that Michael Eisner did was order that Disney-MGM stage an in-park occasion that then celebrated the Alphabet Community’s daytime dramas.
And simply eight months later (On October 19 – 20th, to be actual), the very first Tremendous Cleaning soap Weekend was staged at WDW’s third theme park. And whereas Disney had hoped this occasion can be in style, they had been surprised when folks started lining up outdoors MGM’s gates at 3 a.m. Simply so they might then make sure you get the autograph of their favourite cleaning soap star.
Since Nancy was (and nonetheless is) an enormous ABC Daytime fan, she & I attended all however one of many Tremendous Cleaning soap Weekends. And after I say that I “attended,” what I imply is that I acquired Nancy to Disney-MGM very first thing within the morning after which collected her late at evening after that day’s festivities had wrapped.
Sadly, Disney-MGM staged its final Tremendous Cleaning soap Weekend in November of 2008. However we nonetheless have a pile of these black & white 5 & 7s that ABC gave away totally free of Nancy’s favourite daytime performers. She nonetheless seems to be again on these instances with a lot fondness.
“Star Wars Weekends”
As we proceed our look again at long-gone rides, reveals & sights at Disney-MGM (Now Disney’s Hollywood Studios), let’s discuss an annual occasion that finally led to an entire new land at this theme park. And that’s Star Wars Weekends.
It was an out of doors occasion that really made the Mouse determine to take a flyer on this 4 / generally 5 weekend-long occasion. And that was George Lucas’ determination to launch the Particular Editions of the unique Star Wars trilogy. When “A New Hope” opening in theaters on January 31, 1997, then “The Empire Strikes Again” following Episode 4 into your native multiplex simply three weeks afterward February 21st.
In actual fact, the Particular Editions of Episode 4 & 5 did so effectively on the field workplace that Lucas (together with 20th Century Fox) opted to push again the discharge date of the Particular Version of “Return of the Jedi” by a full week (from March 7, 1997 to March 14th of that very same yr). Simply so “The Empire Strikes Again” would then have much more time to promote tickets to Star Wars followers.
And when Disney Parks discovered in 1996 that George Lucas was readying the “Particular Editions” for theatrical launch within the first quarter of 1997 … Nicely, they noticed a possibility to piggyback on the entire promotion that Lucas & 20th Century Fox would clearly be doing with a view to persuade moviegoers that they actually wanted to see these spruced-up model of “A New Hope,” “The Empire Strikes Again” and “Return of the Jedi.”
Which is why they scheduled their very own month-long Star Wars-related occasion to kick off on Friday, February 21st. Which was simply because the Particular Version of “The Empire Strikes Again” was arriving in theaters. Utilizing Disney-MGM’s “Star Excursions” (To not point out the full-sized Imperial Walker & Ewok Village that the Imagineers constructed simply outdoors the doorway of this motion-based simulator attraction) as the middle pole for this 5-week-long occasion … Nicely, they invited the celebrities of the unique Star Wars trilogy (We’re speaking folks like …
- David Prowse AKA Darth Vader
- Kenny Baker AKA R2D2
- Anthony Daniels AKA C3P0
- Peter Mayhew AKA Chewbacca
- Jeremy Bullock AKA Boba Fett
- And Warwick Davis AKA Wicket the Ewok)
… to participate in day by day motorcades, to not point out meet-n-greets and autograph periods with Star Wars followers.
The primary Star Wars Weekends (which ends on March 23, 1997. Which as simply because the Particular Version of “The Return of the Jedi” was ending its theatrical run) was so vastly profitable that – when “The Phantom Menace” premiered in theaters in Could of 1999 and did boffo field workplace – the Mouse introduced that Star Wars Weekends can be returning to Disney-MGM.
Because it did (with a yr off in 2002) for the subsequent 15 years. Disney’s Hollywood Studios solely discontinued Star Wars Weekends after the 2015 version in order that work might then start on this theme park’s “Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge” land.
“Goosebumps HorrorLand Fright Present”
Let’s discuss one other actually short-live present at this theme park. Which was the Goosebumps HorrorLand Fright Present.
Now when it got here to the unique iteration of Disney-MGM Studios, the Imagineers at all times knew that this theme park got here up quick when it got here to 1 explicit movie style. And that was horror.
Oh, certain. There was Disney-MGM’s “Monster Sound Present” (however that wasn’t actually about horror. However – reasonably – how sound results are added to movies in post-production). Likewise the mum’s tomb scene in “The Nice Film Experience” (however that wasn’t actually about horror both. It was principally an extension of that ride-thru attraction’s “Raiders of the Misplaced Ark” sequence).
Thoughts you, the Imagineers developed just a few horror-themed sights for Disney-MGM. There was Soundstage 13, which was presupposed to be dwelling to this theme park’s “Resort Mel” experience (Imagine it or not, Mel Brooks was truly presupposed to be the host of this ride-thru present that spoofed horror. Which – over time – mutated on this theme park’s signature attraction, “The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror”). There was additionally the “Creatures Selection Awards,” which was supposed to combine Hollywood’s love of awards reveals in with a salute to the horror style. And this present – if it had ever constructed – was presupposed to climax with Godzilla actually bringing down the home as he arrived to just accept his Lifetime Achievement Award.
However as a result of the Disney Parks prefer to be thought-about family-friendly … Nicely, it wasn’t ‘til R.L. Stines’ best-selling collection of scary tales for younger adults (to not point out the “Goosebumps” TV collection that spun off from that set of books) got here alongside within the mid-Nineties that the Imagineers thought they lastly had a horror-themed property that might then work for Disney-MGM Studio theme park.
So the Goosebumps HorrorLand Fright Present was constructed in direction of the again of the Streets of America (sort of the place the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle stage present / meet-n-greet had been situated at this similar theme park again within the late Nineteen Eighties). It opened in early October of 1997 (simply in time for Halloween) and featured in style Goosebumps characters like Slappy the ventriloquist doll, Prince Khor-Ru the Mummy, Curly the Skeleton and Cuddles the Large Hamster.
Thoughts you, the Mouse needed to pay R.L. Stine (to not point out the producers of the “Goosebumps” tv collection) for the rights to make use of these characters in a theme park setting. And when the “Goosebumps HorrorLand Fright Present” didn’t show to be as in style with guests to Disney-MGM because the Firm had initially hoped … Nicely, they opted to not renew this deal.
Which is why – after one final Halloween presentation – the “Goosebumps Horrorland Fright Present” closed on November 1, 1998.
was an attraction at Disney’s MGM Studios in Walt Disney World and ran from October 8, 1997, to November 1, 1. 998.
“Doug Dwell!”
It’s now time to speak about “Doug Dwell!,” the short-lived musical primarily based on that Emmy-nominated animated collection.
This present arrived at Disney-MGM in sort of a convoluted method. By the Spring of 1998, “Famous person Tv” (which was a gap day attraction at this theme park) was displaying its age. WDW’s Leisure workforce had tried to clean up this celebration of community TV by folding in new vignettes that had been pulled from latest Touchstone Tv-produced hits like “Dwelling Enchancment” & “Empty Nest.” However in the long run (largely as a result of return guests to Disney-MGM had been now frequently passing this viewers participation present by), they knew it was now time to develop a “Famous person Tv” substitute.
On a parallel monitor, in 1996, Disney acquired Jumbo Studios (i.e., the animation manufacturing firm that made “Doug.” Which was that in style animated collection which debuted on Nickelodeon again in August of 1991). As a direct results of this acquisition, the Mouse now had the rights to supply three further seasons of “Doug.” Which – to distinguish this new set of reveals from those that Jumbo had initially produced for Nickelodeon – would now be rebranded as Disney’s “Doug.”
And since Disney prides itself on being a synergy machine (And likewise as a result of there was a perception on the market within the mid-to-late Nineties that Disney-MGM didn’t have sufficient stuff that appealed to pre-teens), a “Doug” musical was put in improvement for this theme park. The objective going into this mission was to create a present that could possibly be offered not less than 5 instances a day. Getting as many Company as potential in & out of this 1000-seat venue over the course of a typical working day.
To be trustworthy, “Doug Dwell!” didn’t dwell all that lengthy. This musical was offered inside Disney-MGM’s previous “Famous person Tv” from September 26, 1998 by Could 12, 1999. So this present solely acquired an eight month-long run.
That stated, followers of the “Doug” TV reveals (each the 4 seasons that ran on Nickelodeon AND the three seasons produced by Disney. To not point out “Doug’s 1st Film,” which was launched theatrically in March of 1999) nonetheless discuss in regards to the nice job that the human performer who performed Porkchop (That’s Doug’s canine) did on this stage present.
“ABC Sound Studio: Sounds Harmful!”
Let’s now discuss the entire auditory pleasure that Company acquired to expertise at any time when they dropped by this theme park’s ABC Sound Studio. Which is the place the “Sounds Harmful!” present was offered.
In fact, this Echo Lake-adjacent advanced was once dwelling to Disney-MGM’s “Monster Sound Present.” However when attendance started dropping for this opening day attraction within the mid-Nineties … Nicely, WDW first tried to show this example round by launching a brand new present on this area again in July of 1997 that was intentionally aimed toward a pre-teen viewers.
Sadly, the “One Saturday Morning” present (which keyed off of how ABC promoted its Saturday morning line-up again within the mid-to-late Nineties) didn’t attraction to adults. Which is why WDW Leisure halted this presentation after simply 19 months after which turned to Drew Carey for assist.
At the moment, Carey was the star of two hit reveals on ABC (i.e., “The Drew Carey Present” and “Whose Line is it Anyway”). Extra to the purpose, Drew simply liked the Disney theme parks. A lot in order that — when he wasn’t busy taping his two reveals for the Alphabet Community — Carey might usually be discovered at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa.
Anyway … In late 1998, the Imagineers reached to Drew and stated “We had been fascinated about constructing an attraction for the Parks round you.” And because the story goes, Carey stated “Sure!” earlier than the oldsters at 1401 Flower Avenue might even clarify to him what this new present for Disney-MGM was presupposed to be about.
“Sounds Harmful!” made use of that binaural expertise which was once showcased within the post-show portion of “The Monster Sound Present.” What number of of you keep in mind taking a seat in a kind of darkened cubicles, placing on a set of headphones after which getting a haircut in 3D sound?
The Drew Carey model of this 3D sound present concerned sitting in a darkish theater for 12 minutes after which getting menaced by scary sounding issues like stampeding elephants & killer bees. Which (I’ll admit) doesn’t sound like a lot enjoyable. However Carey’s likability as a performer coupled with the Imagineers’ ingenuous of binaural expertise made “Sounds Harmful!” a enjoyable solution to spend a part of your day at Disney-MGM.
This revamped attraction was a daily providing at this theme park by early 2009. After that time, “Sounds Harmful!” then grew to become a seasonal providing at Disney-MGM (which meant that it was solely open to Company when this theme parks was at its absolute busiest after which wanted the extra capability). By Could of 2011, this starring-Drew-Carey present closed for good. Solely to then get replaced in November of 2015 by “Star Wars: The Path of the Jedi.”
“Bear within the Massive Blue Home: Dwell on Stage”
Let’s check out an interactive stage present that folks with preschoolers used to flock to. And that’s “Bear within the Massive Blue Home: Dwell on Stage.”
The inspiration for this theme park attraction was – after all – the “Bear within the Massive Blue Home” TV collection. That present debuted as a part of the Disney Channel’s Playhouse Disney programming block again in October of 1997. And this Shadow Initiatives / Jim Henson Tv co-production was so in style that 4 seasons of this Emmy Award-winning collection had been finally produced.
And Disney being Disney … Nicely, when you’ve a profitable TV present, you then instantly search for methods to carry that IP into your theme park which celebrates movie & tv. Which is – after all – Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
Now the place this will get attention-grabbing is how Disney determined to carry “Bear within the Massive Blue Home” into WDW’s third theme park. On condition that – if the Park opted to construct a brand-new construction to deal with this stage present – it could have been a yr or extra earlier than toddlers lastly acquired the prospect to hang around with Bear, Tutter, Ojo & Treelo. And who knew if this TV program would even nonetheless be in style with preschoolers by then?
For this reason – with a view to fast-track this mission – managers at Disney-MGM opted to close down that theme park’s Soundstage Restaurant on November 14, 1998. They then reworked the eating space of this breakfast buffet / fast service venue right into a efficiency area. Which then threw open its doorways simply seven months afterward June 7, 1999.
What WDW managers particularly liked about “Bear within the Massive Blue Home: Dwell on Stage” was … Nicely, as a result of preschoolers’ consideration spans are quick, they had been then allowed to maintain the working time of this interactive stage present extraordinarily quick as effectively. We’re speaking only a 15 minute-long run time. Which meant that this theme park might then load a brand-new viewers into Soundstage 5 each half-hour.
And when that 7-foot-tall bear got here out onstage, these toddlers would react like they had been within the presence of Elvis. They’d scream. They’d cry. They’d clap.
Thoughts you, to broaden the attraction of this Disney-MGM providing, “Bear within the Blue Home: Dwell on Stage” was shut down in August of 2001 for retooling. Some two months later, “Playhouse Disney – Dwell on Stage!” debuted inside Soundstage 5. And along with Bear, this now-20 minute-long interactive expertise featured appearances by characters from different in style Disney Junior reveals like “Rolie Polie Olie,” “Stanley” and “The E book of Pooh.”
FYI: The “Bear within the Massive Blue Home” TV collection grew to become obtainable for streaming on Disney+ in October of final yr. And there was lots of discuss currently in regards to the Firm presumably reviving this vastly in style program for preschoolers. So keep tuned.
“Sorcerer’s Hat”
We’re within the dwelling stretch now with regard to rides, reveals & sights at Disney-MGM (now Disney’s Hollywood Studios) which can be not with us. And maybe essentially the most controversial merchandise to ever be constructed at this theme park needed to be the Sorcerer’s Hat. Which was that 122-foot-tall construction constructed on the high of Hollywood Boulevard in entrance of the Chinese language Theater.
Thoughts you, that’s not the place the Imagineers initially needed to this construction to be constructed. The pondering – early on, anyway – was that the Sorcerer’s Hat must be constructed down by Disney-MGM’s entrance. To be particular, simply off to the precise of the place Company enter this theme park after they get off the boat from Epcot.
What’s extra, WDI’s unique design for the Sorcerer’s Hat (which was presupposed to be the focus of Walt Disney World’s “100 Years of Magic” celebration in 2001) was a lot bigger. So massive in truth that the Mickey ears which jutted out to both aspect of this super-sized conical wizard’s cap had been presupposed to have been a pair of full-sized Ferris Wheels that Company might have then ridden. Not solely that, however the rectangular constructing which was to have served as the bottom of this fanciful construction … Nicely, that’s the place the “Walt Disney: One Man’s Dream” exhibit was initially presupposed to be housed.
Sadly, as time glided by, the Firm’s plan for WDW’s 15-month-long “100 Years of Magic” celebration acquired far much less formidable and much more economical. For this reason – as an alternative of constructing a brand-new construction to deal with “Walt Disney: One Man’s Dream” out in direction of the primary entrance to this theme park – that Disneyana exhibition finally acquired shoehorned into the previous Publish-Manufacturing portion of Disney-MGM’s backstage strolling tour.
And as for the Sorcerer’s Hat … This 156-ton construction then grew to become a part of the new new fad that WDW Resort was actually leaning into at the moment. Which was pin buying and selling. For this reason that 60,000 sq. foot area on the base of the Hat acquired was a pin store.
The Sorcerer’s Hat opened on October 1, 2001. And for the subsequent 13+ years, it blocked Company’ view of the Chinese language Theater. Fortunately, on January 7, 2015, demolition of the Hat started. And by February 25th of that very same yr, the 91 panels that made up this construction had been all cleared away. Which was fairly the hat trick.
“Disney Stars and Motor Vehicles Parade”
Let’s check out a parade that rolled by this theme park for over 6 years within the early 2000s. And that’s “Disney Stars and Motor Vehicles.”
Within the early, early days of Disney-MGM (we’re speaking the late Nineteen Eighties / early Nineties right here), there was a day by day “Star of the Day” motorcade at this theme park. Some veteran of movie or tv would first climb into the again of a convertible and roll up Hollywood Boulevard as they waved to the Company gathered on the sidewalk. After that, this movie star would then participate in a handprint ceremony out in entrance of the Chinese language Theater.
WDW Leisure remembered how in style that day by day motorcade had been with guests to Disney-MGM. Which is why – when the Firm was readying a year-long celebration of Walt Disney’s start (i.e., That resort’s “100 Years of Magic” celebration. Which kicked off on October 1, 2001) – these of us questioned: Might we possibly replicate that occasion? Solely as an alternative of getting some getting old actor in a convertible roll up Hollywood Boulevard, how about we create a day by day motorcade for the Studios that then treats the Disney & Pixar characters like the celebrities that they’re?
And that was the jumping-off level for the event of “Disney Stars and Motor Vehicles Parade.” With the essential concept right here being mixing traditional Hollywood (which is why the entire autos that the characters experience in had been intentionally crafted to look classic) with Disney & Pixar’s newest & biggest. In actual fact, proper from the get-go, that was one of many predominant inventive conceits of this new day by day parade at Disney-MGM. That the grand marshall of that day’s presentation of “Disney Stars & Motor Vehicles” would at all times be the lead character of no matter Disney or Pixar movie simply occurred to be out in theaters at that very same time.
Which is why – over the six+ yr run of “Disney Stars & Motor Vehicles” – Company acquired to see Rooster Little, Remy from “Ratatouille” & Giselle from “Enchanted” – function this parade’s grand marshall.
Anyway … This parade idea proved to be so sturdy / so in style with Company that, after “Disney Stars & Motor Vehicles” ended its run in Florida, this parade was then packed up & shipped off to France. The place – in April of 2009 – it then started rolling by Disney-MGM’s sister park. Which is Walt Disney Studios Park in Paris.
Which begs the query: When “Disney Stars and Motor Vehicles” made its Parisian debut, was it now only a rolling used automotive lot?
“American Idol Expertise”
There’s solely a handful of tales left to share on this collection about now-defunct rides, reveals & sights at Disney-MGM (Now Disney’s Hollywood Studios). So now let’s discuss a present that – to be blunt – was sort of snake-bit throughout its 5-year-long run at this theme park. And that’s the “American Idol Expertise.”
Okay. To know how Disney-MGM wound up with an “American Idol” -themed present, we first have to speak about “American Idol,” the TV present. Which debuted on Fox in June of 2002 and shortly grew to become this white-hot phenomenon.
In the meantime, at Disney-MGM, the Imagineers had been genuinely struggling when it got here to fill that theme park’s 1000-seat “Famous person Tv” theater. We’ve talked beforehand on this collection about one present that was staged on this area. And that was “Doug Dwell!,” the 30 minute-long musical which ran on this theater from March of 1999 – Could of 2001. Then there was the “Get Glad … with ABC” present, which debuted on this area on July 1, 2002 and was then passed by October 5th of that very same yr.
The theater that beforehand housed “Famous person Tv” then stood empty for greater than 5 years till – in February of 2008 – it was revealed {that a} dwell efficiency attraction primarily based on the then-hugely in style Fox actuality collection would open at Disney-MGM in only one yr’s time.
Ah, however what nobody on the Mouse Home foresaw was – over the subsequent 364 days – “American Idol” ‘s previously stellar scores on Fox would then start to slide. So by the point the “American Idol Expertise” opened at Disney-MGM on February 14, 2009, this brand-new attraction at that theme park was now primarily based on a present that was quickly shedding its beforehand devoted viewers.
So few folks attended performances of the “American Idol Expertise” that – by June of 2014 – WDW managers all of a sudden introduced that this viewers participation present can be shuttering in early January of 2015. Later that very same Summer season, issues acquired so dire at Disney-MGM that this theme park truly pushed ahead the closing of this attraction by a full 5 months after which pulled the plug on the place on August 30, 2014.
What was particularly galling to the Imagineers is that – simply previous to the opening of Disney-MGM’s “American Idol Expertise” again in 2009 — that they had spent tens of millions overhauling the inside of the “Famous person Tv” theater in order that it then seemed precisely just like the set of this Fox TV present. Solely to have this expensive-to-mount present barely eek out a 5-year-long run. However the upside is … The very subsequent present to be staged on this area (i.e., “For the First Time in Without end: A Frozen Sing-Alongside Celebration,” which opened within the now-renamed Hyperion Theater on June 17, 2015) has confirmed to be vastly in style with Company. Barring a seven month-long shutdown in 2020 because of the pandemic, this present has been offered constantly on this theater – generally as usually as 10 instances a day.
“Journey Into Narnia: Creating The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe”
It’s now time to debate Disney’s try to launch a “Chronicles of Narnia” movie collection. Which then result in two sights at DHS.
If we’re being fully trustworthy right here, it was the success of the primary two “Harry Potter” motion pictures (i.e., 2001’s “The Sorcerer’s Stone” and 2002’s “Chamber of Secrets and techniques”) that spurred executives on the Mouse Home to hunt out one other e book collection which featured magic that might then be was a movie franchise.
With this concept in thoughts, Disney introduced in March of 2004 that it could be partnering with Walden Media to supply “The Chronicles of Narnia.” This collection of live-action diversifications of C.S. Lewis’ fantasy novels would kick off with “The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe.” Which might arrive in theaters simply in time for the 2005 vacation season.
And – after all (as a result of the Mouse prides itself on synergy) – Disney’s Hollywood Studios would assist promote this just-getting-underway movie collection. Which is why – on December 9, 2005 (i.e., the exact same day that Disney’s “The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe” first opened in theaters – “Journey into Narnia: Creating The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe” threw open its doorways at this theme park.
This walk-thru exhibit (which was arrange inside Soundstage 4) began with Company stepping by a super-sized wardrobe. As soon as inside, folks discovered themselves wandering round a frosty (You may thank Disney-MGM’s cooling plant for that), snow-filled forest. The place – after watching just a few clips from this Andrew Adamson film after which being addressed by a forged member dressed because the White Witch – Company had been then funneled in a second a part of this constructing. Which is the place props & costumes from the “Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe” film had been displayed.
The primary “Chronicles of Narnia” movie did effectively sufficient on the field workplace that Disney & Walden Media produced a sequel (i.e., “Prince Caspian,” which arrived in theaters in Could of 2008). Disney-MGM used that film as an excuse to replace its “Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe” walk-thru with props & costumes from the second movie within the “Chronicles” collection.
Sadly, “Prince Caspian” severely under-performed. A lot in order that Disney opted out of constructing a 3rd “Chronicles of Narnia” film with Walden Media. That stated, Disney’s Hollywood Studios let its “Prince Caspian” walk-thru limp alongside ‘til September 10, 2011. That’s when Soundstage 4 was reworked into the attraction which we’ll discuss tomorrow.
“The Legend of Captain Jack Sparrow”
We now formally carry our look again at long-gone rides, reveals & sights at Disney-MGM (now Disney’s Hollywood Studios) to a detailed by speaking about one of many extra misbegotten issues to ever be foisted on the theme park going public. And that’s “The Legend of Captain Jack Sparrow.”
Now you need to perceive that – when this 13-minute-long present opened inside Soundstage 4 – it had been a yr and a half for the reason that final “Pirates” film (i.e., “On Stranger Tides”) had opened in theaters. So this mission wasn’t performed to assist promote that film. However – reasonably – to assist hold this movie franchise front-of-mind with WDW guests till the Studios lastly acquired round to creating “Pirates 5.” Which wouldn’t occur for an additional six years.
Now the place this will get bizarre is that – despite the truth that Disney’s “Pirates of the Caribbean” motion pictures had been stuffed with thrilling motion scenes and generally bawdy humor – “The Legend of Captain Jack Sparrow” was written to attraction to a really younger viewers. We’re speaking 5 & 6-year-olds, tops. Which is why there was a speaking cranium on this present that saved encouraging viewers members to do issues like roar again on the Kraken and stomp their toes (which then scared away a menacing mermaid). To not point out periodically scream “Arr!”
Thoughts you, Imagineering persuaded Johnny Depp himself to come back again and play Captain Jack Sparrow on this short-lived present. He was inserted into the proceedings by using hi-def digital projection. It was a enjoyable second within the present. However (if we’re being fully trustworthy right here) not sufficient to redeem “The Legend of Captain Jack Sparrow.”
Given what number of grownup Company complained about this “Pirates of the Caribbean” present being principally for little youngsters, DHS managers shortly realized that that they had severely miscalculated with “The Legend of Jack Sparrow.” Which is why it was shuttered in early November of 2014, lower than two years after this “Pirates”-for-pre-schoolers present had first opened.
And what went subsequent into Soundstage 4? Nothing. This complete construction on the Studios was torn down in order that WDI might then create an entrance for a completely new land for DHS. Which was “Toy Story Land.” Which opened at this theme park in late June of 2018.
