Welcome to a new era at Walt Disney World.  After being announced in August, the theme park formerly known as the Disney-MGM Studios will open its doors for the first time as the Disney Hollywood Studios today.  No longer will we see the famed MGM license intertwined with the Disney name.  Today, Disney strikes out on its own to bring the magic of Hollywood to Orlando Florida.   But, what will the Disney Hollywood Studios bring?  Well, from what is in store in 2008, the Studios will most likely be receiving some much needed T.L.C. 

Toy Story Mania           

Disney's Hollywood Studios is in for a treat this year. Opening (hopefully) in Summer of 2008, park guests will wear 3-D glasses aboard spinning vehicles that travel through virtual environments based on classic carnival midway games.  Ride vehicles will seat up to eight and will record each guest's score as points are acquired with toy cannons firing at virtual targets, much like in Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin.  What’s more is that the queue will feature a huge Mr. Potato Head audio-animatronic figure that will interact with the public.  I just hope he has that Don Rickles-like voice – and as I’ve said before…I hope he brings his “angry eyes”.   Seriously though, I think this attraction will be great for the Studios and its current image of “that park with the Tower of Terror and Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster”.  Hopefully it will convince the nay-sayers that the Studios is a lot more than thrill rides – it is on the verge of something new and incredible – a re-imagination of its purpose from a working studio to a theme park that brings movies and entertainment to guests at an immersive, accessible and interactive level.  Here’s hoping that Toy Story Mania will be the start of something new.

Some Major Changes

Here are some of the changes (already taking place or will be taking place) in and around the Studios.

• Still not tired of those zany Wildcats from East High?  Well you’re in luck, because songs from "High School Musical 2" are currently featured at the Studios in "High School Musical 2: School's Out!"  Enjoy summer break in the middle of winter, as this traveling stage sets up in front of the Sorcerer Mickey hat.  Performers interact with guests and invite them to sing and dance along with them.

• Favorites and new characters from Playhouse Disney will be appearing in the popular "Playhouse Disney-Live on Stage!" Children will be on their feet singing, clapping and dancing to performing stars from "Mickey Mouse Clubhouse," "Little Einsteins," "Handy Manny" and more when the new version of the show premiers in February.

• The Stars and Cars Motor Cars Parade will finally be laid to rest (I think it’s time, don’t you?) Coming in March (hopefully), Disney-Pixar Film Pals present "Block Party Bash,"  supposedly the most interactive parade in Disney history. "Block Party Bash" will invite guests to rock to retro tunes, be dazzled by high-flying acrobatics and join in the fun as more than 20 partying Disney-Pixar Film Pals fill the theme park streets. This immersive rolling spectacle features favorite characters from "The Incredibles," "Toy Story 2," "Monsters, Inc." and "A Bug's Life."

Special Events at the Studios

            While the name might be different and the attractions, parade, and shows might be changing, the Studios will still be the home of three special events throughout the year.  ESPN: The Weekend, is an annual sports-themed event that will take place from February 29-March 2, 2008, to Disney's Hollywood Studios. The event will feature dozens of live ESPN telecasts from the theme park, motorcades featuring famous athletes, star conversations and an interactive sports zone. Admission to festival activities is included in regular theme park admission.  Hear are some of the athletes that appeared last year: Ben Roethlisberger, Hines Ward, Jim Palmer, Tony Dorsett, David Robinson, Michelle Kwan, Adam Vinatinieri, and Jerry Rice. 

            Star Wars Weekend has recently been confirmed through the month of June.  Since 1997, Walt Disney World has sponsored a series of special Star Wars Weekends in the Studios.  Activities normally include celebrity appearances, as well as trivia contests and prize give-aways, Star Tours "ride-a-thons," and a special Star Wars themed parade.  Actors featured over the years include Carrie Fisher (Princess Leia), Jake Lloyd (young Anakin Skywalker), David Prowse (Darth Vader), Kenny Baker (R2D2), Peter Mayhew (Chewbacca), and Anthony Daniels (C3PO) among others.  For info on last years Star Wars Weekends, I highly recommend Colin’s (one of Studioscentral.com’s forum moderators), SWW Blog, found here. 

            Finally, the event that my mom would absolutely love (okay, I have been known to watch All My Children once in a great while…so sue me) is Super Soap Weekend.  One weekend each fall, stars from the ABC soap operas make appearances at the Studios.  Guests are treated to an interactive weekend with their favorite actors and actresses from the ABC Daytime dramas All My Children, One Life to Live, and General Hospital.  Perrenial Daytime Emmy loser, Susan Lucci (sorry Erica Kane) has been known to appear at these special events.  Matt’s article on Super Soap Weekend is a great source of information for planning this event.  No dates have been set for this event, but we’ll be sure to keep you updated.  

The Year of Disney’s Hollywood Studios?

            What else will be in store of the Studios in 2008?  Will it be an update to Star Tours?  Will it be some sort of Indiana Jones 4 movie tie-in over at the Indiana Jones Stunt Spectacular?  Will the mystery behind the fate of the ABC theater finally be unveiled?  The answer is – we do not yet know.  But, while there is a lot of rumors and speculation about the future of Disney’s Hollywood Studios, I predict that this will be the Year of the Studios.  A year where the Studios will get the attention it deserves.  A year where some great new things are in store.  And a year where we will hear more about the plans for Disney’s Hollywood Studios. 

            So, I welcome the new name with open arms.  Disney’s Hollywood Studios, it’s going to be a great year.