Hollywood Studios – known on its May 1, 1989 opening day as Disney-MGM Studios – has become popular for being home to lands featuring favorite Pixar and Star Wars characters. But when the park first opened its gates to guests, it only had five attractions.
Find out whether these five attractions still remain in Hollywood Studios, or what beloved movies and characters have taken their place.
Backstage Studio Tour – 1989-2014
Way back when, Hollywood Studios wasn’t just a theme park, but also an operating production studio; the Backstage Studio Tour – known in its final years as the Studio Backlot Tour – was the number one attraction for movie aficionados. The tour consisted of walking and riding a tram, allowing guests to get a behind-the-scenes look at soundstages, special effects and props.
What Replaced Backstage Studio Tour?
After 15 years, Studio Backlot Tour was closed in September 2014 and underwent a years-long construction for what is now Toy Story Land.
The tour began at the archway entrance that once memorably showcased Mickey and the Metro Goldwyn Mayer logo, which, up until recently, read ‘Disney’s Hollywood Studios’ and led to The Walt Disney Studios. In the place of sets and soundstages are now larger-than-life toys in Andy’s backyard, where you’ll find three Toy Story-themed rides, two places to dine, and brand new character meet-and-greets inspired by Toy Story 5.
The Great Movie Ride – 1989-2017
If you visited the park any time between May 1989 and August 2017, odds are, you rode The Great Movie Ride at least once. This classic attraction sat inside the Chinese Theater and took guests on a cinematic journey through their favorite films, like Singin’ in the Rain, The Wizard of Oz, Alien and many more.
What Replaced The Great Movie Ride?
Much to fans’ dismay, in 2017, The Great Movie Ride closed and was later replaced with Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway. The trackless dark ride features the Fab Five and friends on an unexpected adventure when Goofy loses control of his train and all the guests he’s driving.
While the ride may have gotten entirely new theming, it remains reminiscent of what once was as you queue throughout the Chinese Theater, ride through the same rooms, and even spot some similar animatronics, just with new faces.
SuperStar Television – 1989-1998
This park has always been known for its live shows, and it all started with SuperStar Television. This interactive stage show took place at what’s currently known as the Hyperion Theater and turned Walt Disney World guests into the stars of popular TV shows like I Love Lucy, General Hospital, Cheers and more.
What Replaced SuperStar Television?
After nearly a decade, SuperStar Television saw many shows and attractions take its place, including Disney’s Doug Live! and The American Idol Experience.
But what you’ll currently find there is For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration, a comedic recount of the chilling story of Anna, Elsa and Olaf, which has had guests belting “Let It Go” since it debuted at the theater in 2015.
The Magic of Disney Animation – 1989-2015
The Magic of Disney Animation was a star-studded tour of Disney animation, featuring the late Robin Williams, Mushu from Mulan, and real-life Disney animators. As a working animation studio until 2003, it produced unforgettable Disney scenes like “Be Our Guest” from Beauty and the Beast, as well as feature-length films like Mulan and Lilo and Stitch.
What Replaced The Magic of Disney Animation?
Located just through the same archway that began the Studio Backlot Tour, when The Magic of Disney Animation wrapped in 2015, it was quickly replaced with Star Wars Launch Bay, which kicked off the start of Star Wars revolutionizing the park.
But not all of this tour is gone. Not only does its memory remain within so many classic Disney films, but cement handprints of several animators that were once displayed in the attraction’s queue are now displayed at Walt Disney Animation Studio in Burbank, CA.
Monster Sound Show – 1989-1997
Long before Monster’s, Inc. was Monster Sound Show, located at ABC Sound Studio. This show let you in on how sound effects were created by allowing specially selected guests to create sound effects for a horror-comedy short starring Chevy Chase and Martin Short.
What Replaced Monster Sound Show?
This attraction later turned into Sounds Dangerous, then a space to air shows and shorts like Disney’s One Saturday Morning and Star Wars: Path of the Jedi.
As of 2020, the theater has been renamed Mickey Shorts Theater and plays a Mickey Mouse short titled “Vacation Fun.”
So, of its five opening day attractions, sadly, none remain in the park today. These attractions did, however, pave the way for future favorites, and still remain magical memories for guests. If you ever got to ride or experience any of Hollywood Studios’ opening day attractions, which one do you miss most?
