That’s A Wrap!
I don’t think it’s a stretch to say yesterday was the last day of Walt Disney World’s “Studios” theme park. If anything, it’s a stretch to say that yesterday was the end of that era. The park that was born as the Disney-MGM Studios opened with a heavy emphasis on actual filmmaking and allowing guests to step into the movies until production was gradually shifted away (ending entirely in 2004).
After some pivots in theme, the park was re-branded Disney’s Hollywood Studios in 2008. The park had a few good years under that moniker and enjoyed the addition of hits like Toy Story Mania and Star Tours: The Adventures Continue, all the while having an identity crisis. It simply wasn’t a “studios” park as originally envisioned, but it continued on.
In the last couple of years, it has lost several attractions that at one time were its flagship offerings, including the Backlot Tour, the Magic of Disney Animation, and The Legend of Captain Jack Sparrow (okay, maybe not the last one). If the loss of the Backlot Tour wasn’t the nail in the coffin for Disney’s Hollywood “Studios” then yesterday’s closure of the Streets of America and the attractions on it certainly were.
While I lament some of the losses over the years at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, I’m not the least bit upset by all of this. Quite the converse, in fact. I think the park is way overdue for a refresh, and I am really excited for the potential that Star Wars Land holds. I’m also cautiously optimistic that this Toy Story Land will be something more ambitious than it is in Paris or Hong Kong.
Moreover, I think the park could, potentially, emerge thematically stronger out the other side. While precise layout details are unknown, the extensive nature of the overhaul will allow for lands organized by “studio.” It sounds as if the area around MuppetVision will be re-themed to the Muppets, making that “Muppet Courtyard.” (It’s already on the updated map, out today!)
That, in turn, allows all of Pixar (well, just Toy Story) to be concentrated in Toy Story Land. Then, there’s Lucasfilm with Star Wars Land. (I don’t know how Star Tours fits into that, but hopefully it’s addressed.) The front of the park can provide an introduction to old Hollywood, offering a portal into a choose your own adventure sort of set-up. (Choose your own, ahem, “Hollywood Adventure.” At Disney.)
As a result, I suspect Disney will want to rebrand the park after all of this is complete. I don’t think the DHS incarnation of the park has been a “failure” to the extent that Disney’s California Adventure was, but I do think Disney will be looking to hit “reset” on it and start fresh. With over a billion dollars being poured into DHS in the next several years, a new name will signify to guests that the park has been reborn.
In any case, with all that closed yesterday and the construction that has already started today, there’s a clear demarcation line. The end of an era. The “Studios” park many of us grew up with is now gone, and work starts on whatever is next.
I have a lot of sentimentality for many things Walt Disney World from my childhood trips, and the Disney-MGM/Hollywood Studios is no exception. I took a stroll down memory lane a while back in my Brickers’ Vintage Walt Disney World Trip Report, but I’ll share some specific memories of the Disney-MGM Studios here…
As noted in that report, my family visited Walt Disney World almost every spring starting in 1989 (my first visit was 1986!) and the Disney-MGM Studios was a favorite park of my parents. Probably due to the newness of it all and partly due to the actual production, but we spent a lot of time there.
The park’s studio elements were always entertaining and fresh. While portions of the Backlot Tour were staged and remained the same with each ride, other aspects changed with each visit. The tour then seemed like it lasted hours, but never grew tiring. I always wanted to see what would happen next.
The same went for “step into the show” attractions like SuperStar Television and the Monster Sound Show. (I still think that either of these would play well with current audiences.)
One of my fondest memories from these family visits was meeting Clarence Gilyard. My dad (that’s him, above) and I watched Walker, Texas Ranger religiously back in the 90s, so meeting him was a really big deal.
Celebrity appearances at the Disney-MGM Studios were fairly common place then, it seemed.
Back then, the Streets of America were alive and a popular spot for guests. There was a lot of live entertainment, and in many cases it was pretty zany. From Ninja Turtles to Dick Tracy to the Rocketeer, there were all sorts of live performances back on New York Street.
Aside from National Treasure Baby Sinclair (if he isn’t featured in Star Wars Land, we riot), the best characters ever to grace the Streets of America were the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.
The zaniness didn’t stop there. Back when Goosebumps was all the rage, the Disney-MGM Studios had a short-lived stage show on New York Street that was a bit like a magic act with characters from the most well-known books appearing and hijacking the show.
I’ve shared this photo of Roger Rabbit and me before, but I feel compelled to share it again. Talk about the 90s summed up in a single photo!
Then, there are the trips Sarah and I have made as adults. By this time, the Streets of America area was in pretty sad shape. The Backlot Tour was already significantly truncated, Lights, Motors, Action was running, and there wasn’t much else there.
It was mostly a dead space, save for the performances of Mulch, Sweat, & Shears. This band was about the only thing I enjoyed about the “normal” Streets of America, and I was able to see their final day of performances last October.
The Streets of America at Christmas-time was a totally different story. It was a sharp contrast to its “dead” daytime atmosphere. Our first Christmas trip was in 2007 (the trip during which we got engaged), and this was our first time seeing the Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights. It was mesmerizing.
During that 2007 trip, I was just starting to get into photography, but still had almost no clue what I was doing. Sarah had gotten me a Casio point and shoot the previous year for Christmas, and I found a travel tripod at Best Buy on clearance before the trip. We ran around the Streets of America getting photos of us and the Osborne Lights, using the camera’s 10-second self-timer.
The same scenario played out the following year. While I was setting up a “test” shot of Sarah, a small child wandered into the frame and posed with her. At the time, it was an outtake that we redid because we didn’t want some random kid in the photo. Over time, it’s become my favorite photo from the night because I can still vividly recall it happening, and we still have a good laugh when we see it.
No matter how many times we saw the Osborne Lights, the display never got old. We could stand on the Streets of America for hours–literally–just soaking it all in. We would stay as late as we could each night, and I’d scramble to get “empty” park photos as the Streets of America started to clear at the end of the night.
Seeing those lights for the first time each trip always gave me chills, and the display dancing to the music was absolutely enthralling. I know elaborate lighting displays on homes with synchronized music have become so commonplace in the last several years that they’re almost passé, but the Osborne Lights were so superior to those that there was no comparison.
As we knew our trip last Christmas would be our last chance to see the Osborne Lights, we made sure to spend extra time back on the Streets of America, soaking up the atmosphere and people-watching. We both commented on just how many people were laughing and smiling–I don’t think I’ve seen that high of a concentration of happy people anywhere, ever.
I’m not embarrassed to admit that I got a little choked up as the Osborne Lights danced for the last time and then went dark. Some of our best memories together at Walt Disney World are just sitting and watching the lights.
To think about how much happiness they brought to so many guests…just got to me. At their best, Disney attractions have an inarticulable x-factor that makes them resonate with guests. The Osborne Lights had this “magic” to them, and are what I’ll miss most during this transition period for Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
That’s really about it. I miss shows like SuperStar Television, the original Backlot Tour, and seeing animators work on the next film at The Magic of Disney Animation. The original vision for this Studios park was a sound one, and those experiences were exceptional, but they’re all long gone. However nostalgic I might be for the past, this is one case where I’m even more excited for the future. This park has deserved an exciting new vision for a while, and finally, it seems like it is getting exactly that.
So, here’s to putting one era of this park in the can. I guess that’s not really a wrap, as reshoots begin today.
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Your Thoughts
Do you have any fond memories of the Streets of America, Backlot Tour, or anything else from the glory days of the Disney-MGM Studios? Optimistic about the future? Share any questions, tips, or additional thoughts you have in the comments!
I loved the backlot tour. In fact, my brother and I got picked to be on the Honey I Shrunk the Kids bee. Years later my family got to be in the ship storm scene. It was fun to be “in the movies”.
Though I do not like Star Wars, I see its draw and why Disney is banking on its popularity.
Do you know the fate of the Indiana Jones show? My kids are now seeing the movies for the first time. I’d love them to be able to see the show.
Hi Tom,
My partner and I are travelling from Sydney to USA in May 2016 and will manage to squeeze in a couple of days at Disney World. As part of my planning on Disney World I have read many articles by you and I really appreciate the information you provide as well as your personal opinions and suggestions. My only one suggestion for improvement would be to have the date of each article listed at the top next to the author’s name. For example in the above article you mention “…yesterday was the last day…” but for all I know, this article could have been written 3 years ago. Anyway, it’s just a suggestion, but overall thanks for all the effort you’ve gone to in providing this resource!
James
I agree. I had to scroll down to the comments to ascertain the approximate date of the article.
Your post got to me. I sat at my computer with tears in my eyes thinking of the times we have strolled through the Streets of America in awe of the lights. It was a family tradition. No matter how we paired off and went our separate ways in the park during the day, at night, during the holidays, we met at the Streets of America as a family.
My 19 year old son was so sad to hear that this was the last year. He had hoped to take his girlfriend to witness the magic. He even said, “I wanted my kids to see them one day.” It broke my heart to hear his disappointment.
Personally, I already miss Mulch, Sweat, and Shears. They became a staple in all of our Hollywood Studios adventures. My family and I have spent many hours sitting on the planters in front of the Sorcerer’s Hat stage watching their shows. Music is a big part of our lives, an that band brought generations together in a fun energetic atmosphere. We have giggled many times as we watched people walk through the area dancing and singing along. Mulch, Sweat, and Shears will be greatly missed.
However, as you said, there are good things to come. Hollywood Studios deserves to be home to great attractions. As huge Star Wars and Toy Story fans, our family is anxious to see what time will bring.
Nice report and I agree with you; time for a redo. I will however miss the singing in the rain umbrella!
Rando-kid is awesome
Hi Tom, I really appreciate your postings. I just made reservations for a restaurant in Animal Kingdom and asked about the posted hours for our Sept. trip (9 to 5) and how they could do the River of Light Show with those hours? The cast member said they were not sure how the animals would react to the light show so that is why they were not making a commitment to how many shows a night and whether it would be every night or not. It sounds feasible. We shall see. Nancy
I agree.
The redevelopment of the park is a total positive. But the the Osborne Lights were a Magical part of WDW history that will be missed.
The first time we took the older two of our 3 daughters, then 6 and 8 years old, part of the backlot tour was a chance for a couple of people to ride the bee from Honey I Shrunk the Kids and be put into the film via green screen. Our girls were selected and still remember that some 24 years later. I will miss a lot of what has closed over the years but look forward with great anticipation to Star Wars Land and Toy Story Land.
We need to use the Power of the Internets to figure out who that kid is. That pic is hilarious.
It’s funny how quick we are to forget that MGM/DHS used to feature roaming Ninja Turtles and Power Rangers. Granted the studios are not “Disneyland” but I’d much rather see Darth Vader and Spider-Man then the Red Ranger on a Disney Property.
I also got a big laugh at the picture of the kid having no shame in photobombing you- hilarious.
Hi Tom thank you it brought a tear to my eye I have been taking my girls to Disney and Orlando since around 1989 now I take my granddaughter so many happy memories I always had chocolate sprinkles on my ice cream from gerties until they stopped doing them, the hunchback live show was just the best, Ron
We went in December for our last time as well. I remember the sinking feeling as we walked from the lights. I couldn’t explain it then. But yeah, the end of an era. We spent a good part of our honeymoon at MGM Studios, As it was called then. I am so grateful for such happy memories in what was my favorite park.
I’m not as torn as some people are over the changes to Hollywood Studios. (Knowing that the Muppets are safe for now helps.) I was crushed when the animation studio shut down. Since that happened over a decade ago, I feel like the park has been a shell of its former shelf. Visiting the animation tour after the animators were removed, only to see empty desks and and screensavers on unused computers in a mostly darkened room was abosolutely depressing.
I look forward to the day when “Studios” is removed from the park’s name and it can start again as something new.
I was wondering is Sci-Fi getting closed as part of the renovations?
No, it will remain open.
Well put. I agree with every single word that you said. While I never got to experience the Osborne lights in person, I am sure I would have loved them. They are probably the only thing that I am sad about closing, just because I know how special they were to so many people. However, I am really excited about the future of the park. For years, my husband and I have considered it the weakest park at Disney and it has been a half day park for us at best. We are both really optimistic about the changes and excited to see what the park becomes. I think changes in the layout and theming are going to be huge and make a substantial difference in the overall experience at the park. I have a hard time choosing between Magic Kingdom, Epcot and Animal Kingdom right now when I think about my favorite park. I am excited for MGM/Hollywood Studios/whatever it’s new name may be to finally be in the running as well!
Great post Tom!
Thanks for sharing the memories of such a great park. The Backlot tour with Catastrophe Canyon was great, and a good way to rest tired legs. The Osborne Lights will be missed by many people, and here’s to hoping Disney tries to replace them with something along the same quality!
Christmas time in that park was one of our highlights at Disney. Who could stay Grumpy walking through those lights?!?
MGM was my favorite park in the early days and Hollywood Studios has been my least favorite park in the latter days. I am excited to see all of the changes! ( I have an iconic picture of my brother with Jessica Rabbit. It is one of my favorites!)
“I don’t think I’ve seen that high of a concentration of happy people anywhere, ever.”
So very true. I’ve seen the lights only once, I planned a trip around them in January 2015 and I would have never imagined they would end the following year. Yes, they made you happy, it’s so sad they’re gone.
Don’t scare me like that Tom! I misunderstood the article title at first 😛
Haha, sorry. No, you’re stuck with me for a while.