Disney/MGM Studios History

The Disney/MGM Studios began as a proposed pavilion for EPCOT Center. It was expanded into a park that would be a working movie studio to avoid paying Hollywood union rates. Originally film and TV productions would be made there, the originally being Ernest Saves Christmas, as well as animated features. The animation studio was originally intended for commercial work but eventually expanded into helping to complete the animated features before producing their own such as Mulan and Lilo & Stitch. The MGM name and Leo the Lion logo was licensed by Disney from Sony to add prestige to the brand of the park. When the license ran out 20 years later, the park was re-dubbed the Disney Hollywood Studios. By then the working studio aspect had petered out and it became just a theme park about movies. The Great Movie Ride had been the park’s signature attraction and intended for the EPCOT pavilion. The rights to the MGM scenes and characters was negotiated with Ted Turner, who owned the MGM library at the time. Other scenes and characters came from Paramount Pictures (Eisner’s old stomping ground) 20th Century Fox, and others. Although, unaffected by the name license running out, the Great Movie Ride was demolished in 2017. The Disney/MGM Studios opened on May 1, 1989. This promotional film was done to advertise the new park. It aired on the Disney Channel and was hosted by comedian Fred Newman. He was the leader of the New Mickey Mouse Club. This park no longer exists so it's a great glimpse at what once was. Original air date August 22, 1989 Posted for historical purposes. This channel is not affiliated with the Walt Disney Company.

The Disney/MGM Studios began as a proposed pavilion for EPCOT Center. It was expanded into a park that would be a working movie studio to avoid paying Hollywood union rates. Originally film and TV productions would be made there, the originally being Ernest Saves Christmas, as well as animated features. The animation studio was originally intended for commercial work but eventually expanded into helping to complete the animated features before producing their own such as Mulan and Lilo & Stitch. The MGM name and Leo the Lion logo was licensed by Disney from Sony to add prestige to the brand of the park. When the license ran out 20 years later, the park was re-dubbed the Disney Hollywood Studios. By then the working studio aspect had petered out and it became just a theme park about movies. The Great Movie Ride had been the park’s signature attraction and intended for the EPCOT pavilion. The rights to the MGM scenes and characters was negotiated with Ted Turner, who owned the MGM library at the time. Other scenes and characters came from Paramount Pictures (Eisner’s old stomping ground) 20th Century Fox, and others. Although, unaffected by the name license running out, the Great Movie Ride was demolished in 2017. The Disney/MGM Studios opened on May 1, 1989. The night before this special aired. It was a 2 hour affair full of reminiscing stars from the golden age and current celebrities. John Ritter tied it all together but there were other segments hosted by other celebrities such as Harry Anderson, Dick van Dyke, and the Pointer Sisters. Here’s a glimpse at what the park was like at the beginning and it no longer exists as founded. This special only aired once on NBC. Original air date April 30, 1989 Posted for historical purposes. This channel is not affiliated with the Walt Disney Company.

The Disney/MGM Studios began as a proposed pavilion for EPCOT Center. It was expanded into a park that would be a working movie studio to avoid paying Hollywood union rates. Originally film and TV productions would be made there, the originally being Ernest Saves Christmas, as well as animated features. The animation studio was originally intended for commercial work but eventually expanded into helping to complete the animated features before producing their own such as Mulan and Lilo & Stitch. The MGM name and Leo the Lion logo was licensed by Disney from Sony to add prestige to the brand of the park. When the license ran out 20 years later, the park was re-dubbed the Disney Hollywood Studios. By then the working studio aspect had petered out and it became just a theme park about movies. The Great Movie Ride had been the park’s signature attraction and intended for the EPCOT pavilion. The rights to the MGM scenes and characters was negotiated with Ted Turner, who owned the MGM library at the time. Other scenes and characters came from Paramount Pictures (Eisner’s old stomping ground) 20th Century Fox, and others. Although, unaffected by the name license running out, the Great Movie Ride was demolished in 2017. The Disney/MGM Studios opened on May 1, 1989. This promotional film was done to advertise the new park. You'd contact Disney Parks about information on the park and would be sent this VHS Tape. This park no longer exists so it's a great glimpse at what once was. Original release year 1989 Posted for historical purposes. This channel is not affiliated with the Walt Disney Company.

When the Disney/MGM Studios opened there was an animation studio that tourists could visit and see how the animated features were made. Initially, the studio only did commercials but eventually picked up the slack on the animated features before making a few of their own. The Walt Disney Company loved the Florida Studio because they didn't have to pay union rates to their artists. At the end of the tour was this film that featured this celebration of the greatest moments in Walt Disney animation from Mickey Mouse through Aladdin. The film would be updated with each new film release. This is a love letter to what Walt Disney Feature Animation used to be. Posted for historical purposes. This channel is not affiliated with the Walt Disney Company.

This TV special hosted by sitcom star Kirk Cameron explored the behind the scenes story of Disney's latest theme park attraction, The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror. The original premise of the ride was there was a haunted hotel Disney moved to their lot and it's haunted. The Twilight Zone angle is this is the setting for the lost episode of the series and you're the star. Throughout this attraction are references to various episodes of the original Twilight Zone series. The voice of Rod Serling is perfectly recreated by actor Mark Silverman. Walt Disney had been friends with Rod Serling and Serling had given Walt the Mystic Seer prop from the episode Nick of Time starring William Shatner. When the ride opened in 1994 it only featured one drop. Due to guest complaints a second drop was added. In 1997 a TV movie based on the attraction aired on The Wonderful World of Disney starring Steve Guttenberg and Kirsten Dunst. This was The Walt Disney Company's first film based on a theme park attraction. This ride has since been rethemed with a Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy theme so The Twilight Zone Tower of terror no longer exists. Original airdate November 8, 1994 Posted for historical purposes. This channel is not affiliated with the Walt Disney Company.