35 years ago today, Disney’s Hollywood Studios officially opened. At the time, the park’s name was Disney-MGM Studios. It would keep this name until 2008 it when it received its current name. The park’s origins focused on Disney and MGM studios, with guests entering on Hollywood Boulevard where they would find classic shops with architecture reminiscent of the golden age of Hollywood in California. Hand and foot prints can also be found near the recreation of the Chinese Theater. Disney’s Hollywood Studios was built on helping create memories from guests of the present with memories of Hollywood past.
With today being the 35th anniversary of Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Disney has shared some rare vintage photos of the park from back in the day. Take a look below at these classic pictures that give a rare view at this Walt Disney World Resort park.
Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Goofy, Donald Duck, and Roger Rabbit leave their mark in cement at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. This recreates the Hollywood tradition found outside the Chinese Theater in California. The courtyard for what was the Great Movie Ride has many other hand, foot (and even nose) prints found in the concrete squares. They were added between the opening date in 1989 and 1995 by many iconic and legendary celebrities. These legends of stage, screen and television were celebrated with great fanfare, often riding down Hollywood Boulevard in a convertible. They also often were seated next to either Mickey or Minnie and accompanied by a marching band. They would end up in the ceremonial courtyard to the delight of park guests. Originally Disney’s Hollywood Studios began as a concept for an entertainment-themed EPCOT pavilion. This would eventually expand into a separate 135-acre park, as seen in this photo. The park was always full of big hopes and ideas, just like Hollywood itself. In this photo, see the Theater of the Stars and the Tower of Terror beginning to rise up. The Theater of the Stars eventually became the home of Beauty and the Beast – Live on Stage.1994 saw the park becoming more familiar to those who visit today. Sunset Boulevard eventually opened and changed both the skyline and atmosphere of Disney’s Hollywood Studios. To make the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, Imagineers watched over 150 episodes of The Twilight Zone to make sure they got the attraction right before it opened in July 1994. Today, guests regularly are able to visit the “5th dimension” because of their efforts. The park had an iconic entrance that was also reminiscent of Hollywood in days gone by. Disney shared this entrance with both the Mickey Mouse floral arrangement and the original Disney-MGM Studios signage on the marquee. In 1989, the third edition of The Mickey Mouse Club made its debut on the Disney Channel. It was shot on location at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. This is an image of the show during its seven season run. The Hercules – Zero to Hero Victor Parade was presented in 1997. In this photo Hercules and Megara celebrate as they roll through Disney’s Hollywood Studios. This was a 14-minute cavalcade that celebrated film by taking guests on an adventure where the townsfolk rallied around Hercules after his triumph over Hydra. In 1990, a 35-foot Imperial All-Terrain Armored Transport Walker (AT-AT) arrived at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. This was before Star Tours began taking guests on Star Wars adventures in the park.Gertie, the iconic dinosaur found on the edge of Echo Lake, is a fan favorite at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. She was built as a tribute to Gertie the Trained Dinosaur, one of the first popular animated characters in film. She was not a Disney character, however. Instead, she was created by newspaper cartoonist Winsor McCay in 1913. In 1989, Walt Disney Imagineers honored Gertie by creating this oversized tribute to her for Disney’s Hollywood Studios. And of course, what would Disney be without Mickey Mouse?
Disney’s Hollywood Studios may be celebrating a milestone 35 years in the making today, but it has many more exciting things to look forward to in the future. On June 10th Joy from Pixar’s Inside Out and Inside Out 2 will be arriving at the park. She will be joining other Pixar stars at Pixar Plaza. Inside Out 2 will be arriving in theaters on June 14, 2024.
Later this year, The Little Mermaid – A Musical Adventure will be arriving in the Animation Courtyard theater. This is a fully reimagined theatrical production inspired by the Disney Animation classic The Little Mermaid. It is set to debut in fall 2024. Disney promises that other new experiences will be arriving at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in the future as well.
Through the 35 years of Disney’s Hollywood Studios, the park has grown and evolved quite a bit. While it was originally built as an operating studio, it now is more of a tribute to the work that comes out of studios in Hollywood and beyond. Its focus and offerings may have changed through the years, however, it still celebrates a love of movies and storytelling.
What is your favorite thing about Disney’s Hollywood Studios? Do you have a favorite memory there? Share your thoughts and opinions in the comments below and join the discussions even further on Daps Magic’s Patreon!
Mr. Daps is the Founder and Editor in Chief of Daps Magic! Find Mr. Daps regularly at Disneyland with his trilby and bow tie taking pictures and simply enjoying the Happiest Place on Earth. He is the weekly host of GEEKS CORNER and your reporter for all that Disney And Positive Stuff. Find videos of all of that one the Daps Magic YouTube channel. Mr. Daps is also a Brand Ambassador with Her Universe! Find Mr. Daps on Twitter,Instagram, and Threads! If you see Mr. Daps in the parks, be sure and say hi!
